alto mare art star

message / headKanon / links

[latigirl]

((I'm super sorry for the inactivity, and I'm probably going to be inactive for a little bit longer.  I hope you guys don't mind!))

[whaaaaatabother-blog]

Ah, that makes sense. Well - I don’t think you need to push yourself to gain levels or learn new techniques if you’re not interested in battling. It’s not for everyone, and it’s a difficult and draining pursuit even for those who do like it.

I’m jealous! If I had grown up with more Pokémon around me, perhaps I would have had an easier time of becoming a trainer. [ He smiles slightly. ] It must have been nice.

[latigirl]

That's for sure.  But it's good for us, I think.  She gets stronger, and I can sketch her new moves...  And -- [ laughs ] I'm sure it sounds crazy, but someone told me that Horsea really wants to evolve -- and, well, make of it what you will.  But she seems like she wants to, so why not?

I don't think I've seen an evolution take place more than once, either...  Does it take a long time for a Pokemon to be ready?

Maybe. [ shrugs ] You are a gym leader, so it doesn't seem to have, ah, hindered you too much.  [ smiles ]

[latigirl]

A Long Day {N & Bianca}

[misguided-king]

"Thank you," N said quickly. He had long normalized his ability in his head, but it was becoming clearer to him that it took others more to trust his word. He would have to express more gratitude to those that bothered to listen to his advice.

He then fell silent to watch the back-and-forth between Bianca and Horsea, a contented expression on his face. It was always nice to see a person enthusiastic about working with a Pokemon, and he didn’t doubt today’s misunderstanding between the two would be mended soon enough.

"Remember to show patience," he said. “The ways of battle don’t come immediately to all Pokemon. Horsea told me you don’t lose your temper often, which is good, but this one incidence was making her doubt her own abilities. Be… Be encouraging." He looked down briefly at Horsea, quietly asking if what he was saying was helpful at all.

"There was another thing," he went on. “She says that she likes it here, but she also mentioned home— a garden. Is there no way for you to return there more often?" His assumption was that Bianca was a beginning trainer away from home for some sort of journey; the prospect of college didn’t occur to him.

[latigirl]

"Huh?  Uh, no problem," Bianca replied.

"Right, right."  Her face went red again.  She had known that Horsea had been angry, but she didn't know that her losing her patience had an effect on Horsea's self-esteem.  Making plans to buy an ice cream cone for the Pokemon as a sign of her remorse, she nodded at his advice.  "Yes...  I'll try."

Horsea tilted her head at N, surprised that he was consulting her.  He had seemed so much more at ease during their conversation.  "You're fine," she trilled.  "Go on."

Bianca's face became redder at the mention of the "garden."  How much had Horsea told N?  She glanced at the Pokemon.  "Calm down," Horsea's expression said.

"Alto Mare, she means," Bianca said softly and quickly.  "Where we come from.  But I go to school at the University."  She gestured towards the city.  "We visit whenever we can, but classes and homework take up most of my time..."

Her throat tightened.  For some reason she felt terribly afraid that N would tell her to bring Horsea back home, that this life was confining her Pokemon, and to keep her in Goldenrod would be cruel.  She wasn't sure why she cared so much about what N had to say, anyway; she had seen, in person, Horsea enjoying herself with the other Pokemon on her dormitory floor, and if Horsea didn't want to stay here, she would have made it clear, right?

But the truth remained that Horsea's company was something Bianca could rely on.  Horsea was a constant comforting presence, even in her Poke ball, when projects piled high on her desk...  It was selfish, and she knew it, but she didn't want her to leave.

[whaaaaatabother-blog]

Hmm.

I wonder what kind of an employer I’d make. But yes, I think you’re right; it’d be best for me to stick it out alone for now… after all, I’m the one the League recruited for this position, so for whatever reason they must have thought I would be suited for it. And it’s not as if my students don’t like me, or my challengers think I’m a doormat… but I’ll surely contact you for recommendations if the situation changes anytime soon.

You’ve never caught a Pokémon?

[ Intrigued, Cheren tilts his head, blinking at her. ] Does that mean you don’t keep any? You’re not a trainer, are you?

[latigirl]

You're probably right.  [ She looks pleased that he is actually considering her suggestion. ] Ehehe!  Thank you!  And I'm sure you'll do fine.

Oh, I do have Pokemon...  My grandfather caught them -- a Pidgey and a Horsea.  But I'm not really a trainer.  I don't battle much at all, but Horsea and I have been trying to level up a bit. [ shrugs ] Battling's not really my thing, though sometimes it can be fun to watch.

I grew up with Pokemon all around me.  To be honest, I feel more content observing them rather than battling with them.

[whaaaaatabother-blog]

Oh, lack of experience isn’t a problem - if they’re good with children and can stick to a lesson plan, that’s all I need. I’m not actually a trained teacher myself, though I guess that’s obvious. An education major would probably fit the job better than I do myself…but I can’t afford to pay anybody at this point - that’s the only problem.

  [ Maybe it’s not such a good idea after all. ]

You’re not keeping me at all. I was just scouting new team members, and honestly that doesn’t take too much concentration - if it happens, it happens. Ha ha.

[latigirl]

There is a wonderful thing called "unpaid internships." [ winks ] But at this point, you have something education majors don't have -- experience in the classroom.  Maybe it will get better the longer you hold this job and you will find that you don't need help after all?

Oh right!   Ah - I wouldn't know; I've technically never caught any Pokemon before...

[latigirl]

A Long Day {N & Bianca}

[misguided-king]

"It’s important to keep an open mind, either way," N said. “It’s difficult sometimes, but there are numerous ways people and Pokemon can connect, and battling is one of them." Even after all this time, it was still surreal to hear himself defend the practice and encourage open-mindedness. Just a couple years ago, he would have done just the opposite. “I’m glad you’re exploring it together."

Once Horsea had given him a couple requests, he nodded. “Okay. I understand— Thank you, friend." He thought it was a little funny that Horsea didn’t want Bianca (he had heard her name, even if it had only been barely mentioned) to hear those “sentimental things". N would think that important, but maybe the Pokemon wasn’t comfortable enough for those things to be said? He would do his best to comply, though (even if it was obvious Bianca had heard the “kind" tidbit).

He made no move to get up from his position, and only pivoted to face Bianca. “Your name is Bianca, yes?" That was a little vexing. When he thought of Bianca, he thought of a certain blonde girl from Nuvema Town. “When I told you before that I was going to talk with your Pokemon, I meant that quite literally, as you observed. I grew up with Pokemon… I’ve been able to hear their voices since I was very young. Horsea wants you to know that I can understand her. Even if you still doubt me, I assure you that I only speak the truth."

He cleared his throat. “Secondly, Horsea tells me she wants to evolve. She wants to be a Kingdra, or a Seadra."

[latigirl]

Startled that N had addressed her and not Horsea, Bianca blinked and looked at him.  "Ah -- yes, I'm Bianca," she replied.

It struck her amusing that he had mentioned growing up with Pokemon as an important factor to his gaining the ability to speak their language.  Who in this world did not live with Pokemon?  Nevertheless, she listened with a kind expression.  Although she was interested in the science of his ability -- does he literally hear their voices?  can a person grow to understand the Pokemon language if they spend enough time with them? -- she figured now wasn't the best time.  Maybe she would ask around the dorms later.

"Okay, I believe you," she told him with a glance at an earnest Horsea.

Her eyes lit up at his next statement.  "Really?" she asked, looking from N to Horsea, and back again.  "O-of course!  We can train -- if that's what you want...?"

Not meeting her eye, Horsea nodded.  Bianca giggled.  "Then let's do it!"

[latigirl]

Yeah, sure seems like it...

[latigirl]

One word is not a convincing argument!  I don't think you're being serious.

[whaaaaatabother-blog]

[ Cheren smiles slightly. ] Actually, it’s a bit of a struggle! I’d like to employ a part timer to take classes so that I could take gym challengers at minimal notice, because as it is challengers are kept waiting for a long time since I can’t just abandon my students.

Well, I haven’t been teaching for a full year yet! At the end of the school year I think I’d like to conduct gym battles as assessment, but for now - in all honesty - I don’t think many of my students could conduct themselves in a serious battle. That is, it’s more difficult than it looks, and it takes someone extremely talented to take to it right off the bat… I mean, I didn’t. [ He tucks some hair behind his ears and clears his throat, suddenly flushing pink. ] Ah, but I’m sure this is all terribly boring to listen to. Pardon me! I rabbit on a little sometimes.

[latigirl]

Oh! [ She clapped her hands in excitement. ] You will find plenty of willing student teachers at the University!  If you don't mind their lack of experience, of course. [ Then again, Cheren was new to the job as well. ] I'm sure you'll find someone who wants to help.  But maybe you'll want someone who lives closer.

[ It seemed as if she were finding everyone jobs recently.  Only the other day she had helped someone sign up to be a nude model (much to her amusement), and now she was referring Cheren to education majors...  Now if only she could find the motivation to get herself a part-time job, or at least sell one of her pieces... ]

[ smiles ] I don't mind!  To be honest it's quite interesting! [ pauses ] I'm not keeping you, am I?  What was it you said you were doing...?

[pi-chu]

[latigirl]

Are you a *hic* wizard?

The correct term would be "witch."

[latigirl]

[unemployedasshole]

So? That’s doesn’t mean you should be desensitized to everything.

[latigirl]

Has it occurred to you that I may not be interested in the first place??

[latigirl]

have you taken Arceus as your lord and savior

Present me a convincing argument!

[latigirl]

Because you replied, I will assume you sent it.  Furthermore, being an art student has robbed me of feeling, sexual or otherwise

[unemployedasshole]

oh my god??

how does that even work

[latigirl]

Let me just say I have seen much in my short career

[latigirl]

Because you replied, I will assume you sent it.  Furthermore, being an art student has robbed me of feeling, sexual or otherwise

[latigirl]

I suppose if everyone is doing it...

[latigirl]

A Long Day {N & Bianca}

[misguided-king]

“Whatever," was Chatot’s only retort. N raised a hand to soothingly stroke her feathers, silently dissuading her from arguing any more with the other Pokemon.

He smiled down at Horsea, glad that his words seemed to be helping a little. “Okay. Whenever it feels right."

As happy as N was to hear the more positive side of Horsea’s sentiments, Chatot glowered, not appreciating the comments that were about her.

“At least I’m not prissy," she muttered. N tried to calm her again, murmuring, “Now, now…" like a parent soothing a fussy child.

"Anyway, I’m glad to hear you think she’s kind, Horsea," he said, trying to draw attention away from the disgruntled bird. He paused, before adding, “I think you can benefit from being more patient with one another, and with yourselves. A friend of mine taught me that Pokemon battles can help people and Pokemon understand each other… I hope that can apply to you."

He fell silent for a few moments, contemplating something. “Of course, you will ultimately have to mend any rifts between the two of you yourselves… But I want to help by telling her how you feel. Is there anything in particular you would like me to tell her for you?"

[latigirl]

"She thinks I'm --?"  Eyes downcast, she raised a hand her face.  "Kind," she finished in a murmur to herself.  Then again, N could easily be flattering her, but his words seemed too sincere for that.  Bianca lifted her eyes to her Pokemon and remained silent.  Do you really think so? she wondered.

Fin twitching, Horsea closed her eyes to Chatot.  Shortly she had collected herself and faced N with cheerfulness.  "That's true," she agreed.  "Really?  Battling?  Maybe it works for some.  But perhaps it will help Bianca -- my human, I mean -- and me, too, I suppose."

She watched him as he pondered.  It was kind of him, she now realized, to go out of his way to offer advice.  She had felt tentative at first, having been carried off in her Poke ball by his silly bird, but he himself was not an unkind human.

"Hm?" she asked.    "Well, tell her clearly that you understand Pokemon, at least.  As you can see, it's a bit difficult for other humans to grasp that.  Me, I don't let that worry me."  She let out a musical "horsea, horsea," as if she were giggling.  "Tell her about battling, too.  I..."  In a quieter tone, she continued.  "I want to be a Kingdra.  Or even a Seadra.  Tell her that."  After some thought, she added, "Maybe you should leave out the more, ah... sentimental things I mentioned."  She wiggled nervously.