It wasn’t often she dreaded coming to a new region, but this one in particular had been quite the experience. With the new album dropped, her popularity had sky rocketed in a matter of three months. Not surprising, considering the fact that every single place she went, her face was plastered on the front page. Thankfully, no media outlet was froggy enough to dig too far in her past.
She couldn’t really imagine how different it would be if they had found out about her dealings with the shady Lumiose Gang, and her affair with their brand new leader. Shuffling through the crowds of people in Jubilife City, she started to let her mind wander.
Not really knowing what the day would bring, she had decided to wander by herself. No need to bring unnecessary attention to herself by surrounding herself with body guards. Her jumpsuit made her blend in, and her baseball cap was tilted down so no one could get a real good look at her face. Coffee was calling for her, as she felt the circles under her eyes start to weigh her down.
When she stepped into a small café, was when things started to go south. First the whispers started, then someone called out her stage name. Flinching, she refused to look up. Keeping her eyes glued to her phone, she sent a message to the groupchat containing her bandmates.
Artemis [11:23am]: I think I might get mauled in Jubilife. Anyone near that can perform a rescue op?
Swiping away the messages, she waited for a response. Feeling her heart jump to her throat, she began to curse herself for her caffeine dependancy. It always happened that way, and she ended up running out of a coffee shop without a coffee, and then was scolded by her manager by not being careful enough. Peeking up, her eyes landed on a particular person, who seemed to be oblivious to the commotion around him. Approaching him, she smiled.
“Hi, this is probably really weird, but can you pretend to know me for like... five minutes? I’m trying not to get bombarded with pictures, and the inevitable autograph.”
Nostalgia is one wicked bunkmate, always striking when one least expects it. From the very moment she spots the vast Battle Zone from the skies above, to that moment of touchdown, Dawn feels a churning in her gut. It was the last chapter of her journey through Sinnoh, after all—from the embers of Stark Mountain, to the sprawling Survival Area, memories of that ascent to glory are tucked within even pocket of the secluded wilderness.
Today, her mood’s somewhere between a comforting content and an emotional tumbleweed of anticipation, as she weaves through the late afternoon crowds. Pillars of smoke billow from the stalls lining the walkways, scents of local cuisines drawing in several of those who want to experience the delicacies of Sinnoh. The towering battle pavilions, teeming with stragglers anxious to win against the legendary Frontier Brains, glisten against a setting sun, casting a glow on the grounds below.
Luckily for herself, Dawn has managed to enjoy much of her afternoon without fanfare—perhaps she only serves as a reminder for how far trainers can go? Just an effigy of the dream, a shell of the dreamer. Whatever the case, the gazes she’s garnered are all the same: fiery, brazen, ambitious. Much like her own, all those years ago.
Risu scrambles towards a glistening fountain within the Frontier’s park, circling the perimeter before scurrying back to Dawn. She scoops the squirrel-like creature up into her arms. By now, the sun has but set beyond the seas to the west of Canalave, leaving the park under artificial illumination. The treetops that extend as far as the eye can see are now blanketed by shadow.
Dawn passes through the topiary adjacent to the gardens, when that nostalgia once again tugs at her attention. There, just beyond the shrubbery, seemingly monitoring the waning activities on the grounds below, is one of the Brains himself—Thorton, the prodigious Factory Head. Despite her reluctance to do so, Dawn immediately beguiles herself in approaching the pensive boy, her voice hanging somewhere between ‘old friend’ and ‘total stranger’.
“Well dang, it’s been some years, hasn’t it, Thorton?”
Shauntal is not the most technically savvy, especially considering how rapidly technology evolves. She prefers writing everything in ink, although this outdated method has proved disastrous on occasion (stuck in the rain, misplacing the manuscript, etc). She chooses her battles, however, and isn’t above asking for assistance when she feels like doing so isn’t inconveniencing the other party!
To top it off, using a computer honestly never crosses her mind; she’s not found the need to, with her favorite form of socializing being in person, and her news updates being obtained either through television, a good old fashion newspaper, or word of mouth.
☮ - How much your muse worries about appearance
Stylistically speaking, Shauntal has garnered quite a few fans through her... unique fashion choices. She’s more concerned about whether or not a piece of food is stuck in her teeth, as opposed to worrying about her overall appearance, with her choices in clothing only mirroring how comfortable she’s feeling in the given setting.
That said, she does enjoy dabbling in make-up when cooped up indoors. Whether or not any of it is any good is an entirely different story. Her Pokémon seem to get a kick out of her experimenting, though (especially Mismagius, the queen of shade)!
Who do you think stands between you and happiness?
It's almost always yourself.
One may wish to blame that of an outside force but in the end, I feel as if we can only blame ourselves for allowing such forces to stand in our way. It's up to you if you want to be happy, so why allow others to stand in your way?
Although if you want more of a metaphorical answer, then the answer would be our very own emotions.
"We are our own worst critic," and certainly our biggest enemy.
What is the difference between falling in love and being in love?
Wow... I wouldn't have expected something like this to appear in my Inbox...Hm..
I think that the feeling of falling in love differs in the sense that it's within that period of pure affection and infatuation that suddenly your emotions find themselves on edge. Your mood and behaviors are constantly swaying back in forth in response to your "lover" and their reactions. Suddenly, you find yourself thinking about them and dreaming about living a life with them, a future together for just the two of you. Falling in love can be one of the most dangerous things to do, but assuming all turns out well, it can be one of the most exciting moments in your life.
As for the latter... I wish I could answer that but I've never actually shared a mutual "love" with anyone. Or so, one that was honest and true... or one that actually fell past the falling stage...
