Shifting Smile

A Multiverse OC. Please read rules and consult verses before interacting! Basically only active Nov/Dec

[sayurismiles]

Sayuri cartwheeled into the arena, Mareep and Growlithe flanking her and leaving trails of sparks and embers.  She turned her last turn into a somersault, landing neatly in the center of the arena as fire and electricity met behind her in a tiny explosion.

“GOOD EVENING HEARTHOME!  The Winster Solstice Festival is over!  Let’s hear it for all our contestants!”  She paused, letting the audience fill in her silence with cheers and claps.  She gave the din a moment to die down before continuing.  “There are prizes for second and third place on top of first place, so now that appeal scores are all in, let’s take a look!”

“Can I have a round of applause for our second runners up: Mr. Steven Stone and Ms. Diantha Durand!  Each of them will be receiving a cash prize of ₽127,000 for their performances in our Singles and Doubles divisions!”

“Our Singles and Doubles runners up are Mr. Elijah Pyroarhart and Ms. Zoey Ying!  You’ll be getting a brand new set of winter themed pokeball seals, as well as a cash prize of ₽272,000!”

“And finally!  Our ribbon winners: Mr. Tobias Gaudí and Ms. June Nakano!  Congratulations to you both!  You’ll be rewarded the Winter Solstice Ribbon!  First place also takes home a cash prize of ₽545,000!  As well as a brand new set of pokeball seals and one commemorative Winter Solstice Pokeball!”

Sayuri took a bow.  “Thank you all!  You’ve made the shortest night of the year one to remember, and while I wish it could last forever it’s sadly come to a close.  May you shine as brightly in all your future endeavors as you did here tonight!”

[sayurismiles]

“Well, those sure were some scores from Judge Miki.  Uh, let’s hear from the other judges!“  Yikes, Sayuri thought a former idol would have been so much more peppy and encouraging...  Well, she was a little, but only for one person.

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - June

@konpeitocoordinator​

“Yes.”  Miki straightened up, jabbing a perfectly manicured finger at June.  “Yes.  You get it!  The call back to your dress up, the fact you kept your dress up attire.  The balance of focus, the dancing!  Grace and story, oh thank goodness one of you gets it.  It’s true what they say, the best is saved for last.”  Miki squeezed the pokemon in her lap, throwing her Jigglypuff skyward when the pink creature gave a tiny “puuf!” of protest.

“Music, timing, you utilized all your moves.  I mean, the costume change in the middle was a bit over dramatic, but it worked.  So whatever.  Nnnot the biggest fan of the flashback either, but I get it, you were busy being a tree.  And this really could have been in Smart too, maybe even Cute if you didn’t have such a sordid take on Cinderella.  Oh, but you didn’t need mega forms or Z moves, oh, bless you.  You really, really get it.  Pure effort and skill without crutches.”  She reached up, plucking Jigglypuff from the air as she floated down.

“80 out of 100.”

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - Kenny

@musesbygeoff​

“Oh you are brave, aren’t you?”  She laughed, hiding her amused smile behind a hand.  “Out of the box with no accompaniment.  Needing to cue your team to start, oh my.  That dead air between the introduction and your nod was short but excruciating.  An appeal should be smooth like butter.  Or maybe it’s just your bad luck to be following Miss Fancy Skates.” 

Miki leaned back, pushing back from the judge’s table to allow room for her Jigglypuff to hop up into her lap.  She folded her hands over the balloon pokemon’s bow and rested her chin on them. 

“Actually, it’s atrocious luck on your part, because this played out like a Daily Contest.  This is a Headliner, for a ribbon that actually matters?  Where was the cohesion?  Like, I’m supposed to be impressed because you got a foreign pokemon?”  She paused, grimacing as prettily as she can manage and sitting up.  “Yikes, I think you actually thought that.”

“Okay, let’s roll back a little here then.  We have a two part appeal with a parlour trick and some snow carving.  I know I complained about trainer participation to Zoey but she at least did enough to get a little star on her report card.  You didn’t even utilize four moves for each pokemon.  Come on.”  She sighed, resting her chin down again.  “I’ll be nice.  31 out of 100 for this travesty.”

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - Zoey

@heartists​

“Gods above, that just dragged on forever, didn’t it?”  Miki lifted her chin from where she had it resting on her Jigglypuff.  The pink pokemon chirruped, rolling off the table.  “Just on and on and a sly little bow on the end of this package.  I get it.  But let’s focus on the important bits, hm?”

“Let’s see here...”  She hummed, flipping through notes.  “I suppose I can forgive you not having your dress up attire too, since you ALL changed clothes.  For a Doubles, I was seeing a lot more of one than the other!  You entered with a Gallade and a Mismagius.  I suppose how you worked in a third pokemon was clever enough.  You told a story, that’s fair.  I’d say you were even clever in sneaking in a nineth move too.  Perfectly in the rules, technically, but gosh I would have expected two pokemon and eight moves to be something someone of your supposed caliber could have managed easily without having to find work arounds.”  She held up a hand.

“And before anyone gets on me about the Luxray being one and the same with the Mismagius, I’d love to see the pokedex entry on that.  It was a third pokemon sneak.  It’s clever.  Let’s move on.”

“Speaking of the number of pokemon, why did I feel like your Ghost was playing second fiddle?  I felt like I was watching Gallade and his stagehand for the first half.  Well, at least you personally kept out of it.  I mean, at that point why even participate?  Well, I know why.  Most judges look for trainer participation, it’s practically on every checklist.  So you got that all checked off.  You at least had the good sense to keep that silly Z-dance out of the act.  Oh, can you imagine?  But can I just say the Mega form was completely extraneous.  You could have done something else for sure.  Whatever, I guess it makes sense what with everything else.”

“59 out of 100.”

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - Steven

@ringsreachingout

Ew, a second Tough appeal, not even a breather between.  The other one’s music was better.  Miki wanted to grab her Jigglypuff and squish her face into her cute baby’s side and just scream.

“Where to even start.  Look, I know I told everyone else, good on them for staying in their dress up duds, but.  It’s a focus problem, pal.  But I mean, it wasn’t a fight the whole way through at least.  It was still just kind of brute forcing it, which, I suppose.  Yeah, it fits but it’s just...not interesting.”

Miki shook her head.  “Let’s be real.  This entire appeal could have been two moves.  Thank goodness you shook things up at the end.  The Earthquake felt superfluous, and I know Metagross are big, bulky boxes of pokemon, but I felt like you were doing all the remotely interesting stuff.  This was very basic, but, you know, I guess Tough is super limited.”

She hummed, leaning back in her chair.  “I mean, even if it’s basic, you participated.  Thank goodness or I would be asleep.  There wasn’t even some sort of vague story about overcoming the odds or whatever was happening in the last one?  40 out of 100.”

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - Elijah

@coldbornthief​

“Oh my gawwd.”  Miki leaned back far enough in her chair it almost threatened to tip onto two legs before letting herself swing forward.  She took in a deep breath.  “Let me get this straight.  A judge pans you for wearing a kilt so you slap on a tartan dress instead?  It’d be funny if that...ahem, well, we won’t mention him.  Let’s move on to the subject at hand.”  She slapped a hand down on the table.

“Was this Tough?”  She let the question hang a moment.  “Ha!  Yes.  Fight scenes are generally pretty good ways to show off toughness, but just for changing, I’d say you personally have some--ahem.  Well, I don’t like to get into vulgar language.  The performance was Tough, but the whole technicalilty of making and operating puppets could have made this a Smart appeal too.”  And ugh, the whole fight scene was so boorish.  Miki supposed that was the point, but whatever.

“You kept to your Galar theme at least, and you kept the dress up outfit on your Glaceon, though I can’t say I’m pleased you got fancy new duds and your Glaceon didn’t?  I’d be madder about it if you didn’t spend so much time hidden.  Focus was on your Glaceon, as it should be.”

“After seeing appeals who found a way to use all their moves multiple times, I’m kind of let down.  I mean, Rain Dance is kind of limiting that way.  You could have maybe asked about using the sprinkler system.  Practical effects, you know?  I mean, I know you had a whole, do it yourself thing going with the monsters, but come on.”

Miki shrugged, nudging the papers in front of her.  “Let’s see, I mentioned you were out of the way, weren’t the focus because you were basically playing stagehand, no overuse of props since the major ones were basically all your pokemon’s doing.  Eeeeh, you know what, you put on something pretty to look at amid all this gross violence and I guess I can’t complain too much since you are doing the grossest category.”

“50 out of 100.  If I wanted to see a fight I would have gone to a Gym match.”

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - Tobias

@drkvoids​

Miki looked at the audience, a single nail tapping on the table and painted lips pulled into a careful frown.  Oh, this performance was applause worthy.  Sure.  She straightened in her seat.  “Beauty and grace abound.  Beauty and grace.  I’m sure my fellow judges will take note of the category you’re competing in.  You need more than just a space suit, buddy.  I mean, the dancing was nice and the technicals of it on point.  I can give you points for that.”  5

“And because the dance was so technical, I can only assume you went through all the good trouble of practicing it.  Effort, I can see.  But I’m not so sure if a light show was worth it.”  15

Miki pursed her lips, tipping her chin up slightly.  “Good mix of moves, not overly impressed.  The Thunder Wave audience is the best part, really.  So I’ll throw you a bone there.”

“You didn’t overshadow your Gardevoir either, but honestly, if you had, hoo boy.  I don’t know how anyone can manage that with a partner dance.  Nice and safe, a partner dance.  So, for participation and pokemon focus and actually using your dress up outfits, I can definitely bump your score a little.”

Miki leaned back in her seat.  “You were more Beauty than Smart in the act, even if your music at least fit the theme.  No spotlight stealing, sure, but I mean, it was a color show, right?  Mostly?  Am I wrong here?  Very pretty, but, come on.  A change of setting is just a frame for a picture.”

“That’s a 49 out of 100 from me.”

[sayurismiles]

Appeal Results - Diantha

@diamontha​

“You have a strong entrance here, and I’m happy to see you still wearing the outfit you wore in dress up.  I’m severely disappointed your pokemon aren’t though.  All that work, really.  I suppose it’s all the fire but whatever.”

Miki waved a hand to sweep away the thought and start a new one.  “The atmosphere worked, the love story worked.  I guess it’s the movie background, you actually have a head for direction.  Good for you.  Expression and movement carried this.  But.”  She held up a finger, her placid expression taking on a sneer.  “Seems like you’re a bit of a good fortune flaunt, aren’t you?  Don’t think I’m impressed by your use of Mega evolution or your Z-move.  Honestly, it’s a good thing you have a brain in your head, because you wove both things into the story.  I guess that’s acceptable.  Somewhat.  I’m going to be real with you, Z-move dances?  Never beautiful.  A good attempt, I guess.”

She shrugged.  “On a happier note, you managed to weave in at least two uses of your pokemon’s move sets.  Nice.  Most people use one and call it good.”  Those people were lazy.

“The focus was mostly on your pokemon, quite the pity you couldn’t be on the paino the entire time  If that was truly you on the piano.  Frankly I’d be impressed if it was your Gardevoir the entire time, but eh.  You didn’t become relevant until act two of your little story and you didn’t gobble up the spotlight when you did come in...mostly.   Just mostly.  While you shared spotlight with them you had your Gardevoir sit on the sidelines first, then your Blaziken left the stage entirely second.  Not sure how I feel about the focus shift entirely, but missy, in the future let’s minimize that sort of thing, shall we?”

Really, the whole part with the mega evolution could have included Gardevoir more actively, even if there was nothing to be done about the silly Z-dance.  Ugh that dance was so silly and not elegant or classy at all.  “Overall, I’d say it was a solid performance.  It fit the theme, it started strong, it ended strong.  You get a nice high score of 56 from me.

[sayurismiles]

Dress Up Results - June

@konpeitocoordinator​

“My, my, Swanna Lake.  It’s nice, if a bit on the nose, no?”  Miki pursed her lips, tapping a pink fingernail on the table.  “Lucky for you this isn’t about musical backings.  The dancing was cute.  Which is a nice touch.  Perhaps a little too much focus on your Lopunny, but her outfit is cuter.  Which is a problem, because you’re in the Beauty category.”

Miki hummed, flipping through her notes.  “The fact you put together a dance shows you actually care.  Though I’m not sure exactly how much you care, since, again, I feel poor Roserade was more a supporting role in your little act.  A dazzling entrance is nice, but goodness.”

“At least you dressed to match, even if shorts?  Really?”  Miki sighed, delicately touching fingers to her temple.  “I guess.  You dressed up, and fit the setting you were going for.  I can give you points for that.  You all fit the scheme put forth, really, if only you were going for Cute.”  She sighed again, overplaying the gesture.  “But then there’d be problems because you do skirt heavily into Beauty.  Decisions, decisions.” 

“Ha!  I’ll throw you a bone dear, since technically you do fill out the category theme and you really only came in at the end.  66 out of 100.  Don’t expect me to be so lenient in the appeal round though.”

[sayurismiles]

“Ahem.”  Oh, this was hard.  A scandal, really.  It called a lot of things into question, but Sayuri was still fairly certain most of this was Ursula’s doing.  From what security and one of the Dome admins had told her there was foul play and Fabien had been getting directions from an ear piece.  So if cheating was happening here, how much of Fabien’s acts were his?  How much of Ursula’s acts were hers?  How many scores were legitimate. “Um, I’m sure we’re all still shocked over Judge Fabien’s score for Contestant Kenny.  The results have been looked over and after further consultation with Judge Fabien, two contestants will be being awarded more points.”  This was the diplomatic way to put things, she supposed.  Keep the scandal quiet and deal with it behind closed doors.  “Contestant Zoey will be receiving a bonus of fifty to her score and Contestant Kenny will be receiving a bonus of forty to his.  In light of these changes and suspicion that Judge Fabien cannot be trusted to keep a fair outlook, another judge has been called in to replace him.” Sayuri drew in a breath, somber air choking her.  She flashed a big grin anyway.  “I’d like everyone to please welcome Judge Miki Amari!  She’ll be finishing up the dress up round scoring and taking over the appeal round for Judge Fabien!”

Sayuri bounced aside to let the older girl come forward.  A pink ball hopped forward first, blue bow sparkling as the Jigglypuff floated up and blew kisses to the crowd.  Behind her, Miki stepped forward with a pronounced limp.

“Thank you.  Happy to be here.  Really, it’s a shame when this industry can’t trust its contestants not to try and drag the competition down when they get the chance.  It just proves how much they can’t cut it.  Rest assured, I intend to judge critically and fairly.  I mean, really, even if I still competed, I wouldn’t need to tank someone’s score and ruin their career average.  I’d just go out there and be better.”

[sayurismiles]

“Er...uh.  Some...interesting scores put forth by Judge Fabien.  Uh.”  What?  “That’s a bit harsh.  I thought Contestant Kenny fit the bill, boring or no, surely that’s worth something?”

[sayurismiles]

“This Sunday, commit the ultimate sin and discard your kids and be MY mom instead!”

[sayurismiles]

“This Sunday, indulge in some wrath and overthrow the government!”

[sayurismiles]

“We’ve wrapped up the Dress Up portion and Champion Diantha is out of the gate already with a stunning performance!  We’ll have to see what the judges think and if her appeal has set a high bar or a low one for our other Doubles contestants!”

[sayurismiles]

“Happy KFC day.”

[sayurismiles]

“This Sunday, don’t lust after other people!  Lust for power instead!”