4 Badges
-So there’s a sporting event, an exhibition match or tournament or whatever, and all the gym leaders are here, isn’t that fun. Notably, Bede is here, and he’s standing next-to-last in line.
-This is the first time he’s managed to convince Opal to let him attend an event like this alone, and he was initially very exited, but it seems like now the nerves are setting in
-It’s weird to be standing alone in line, but that wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for an unexpected new source of anxiety: as part of check-in, everyone is required to present their trainer card and their badge ring. And everyone in line in front of him has all 8 badges from their year
-He knows it’s a dumb thing to be self-conscious about, but his own badge suddenly feels pitifully incomplete in his hand. Physical proof he’s the least qualified one here- being recruited by Opal was a huge wake-up call for him, but after so long of basing his identity off of being the self-proclaimed best, he’s still shaken
-Everyone else forms a small group by registration as they check in, waiting to go to the elevators as a group, which doesn’t help
-By the time it’s his turn, he’s beet-red as he hands his badge and card over, eyes fixed on the floor. No one says anything but he can feel them staring
-When it’s almost done processing someone calls for the gym leaders, and the group starts to move away just as the clerk hands him his stuff back
-He moves to follow them, but he’s suddenly stopped by someone grabbing his sleeve from behind- it’s... Piers?
-Originally, neither of the siblings were going to attend, but Marnie wanted to prove she could watch the gym alone for a weekend, so here he is. Whoo
-Bede starts to protest as Piers lays his trainer card down on the counter, but then he pulls his badge ring out of his pocket and...
-...4 badges.
-Bede is floored, and stands there silently as Piers gets checked in
-Afterwards, it takes him a couple of seconds to snap himself out of it enough to start following the other leader to the elevators- the group went on ahead, so it’s just them now
-‘...you didn’t finish either?’ he asks as soon as the doors close
-Piers shrugs. ‘Sometimes things ‘appen. Most kids don’t finish.’
-‘But... you became a gym leader.’
-‘You became a gym leader.’
-‘Th-That’s different, that’s- that’s because Opal’s mad.’
-‘Hah. Can’t disagree with you there.’
-‘Did... was it her who knocked you out?’
-‘...hers was next. I ‘ad to drop out.’
-‘...’
-‘Like I said. Sometimes things ‘appen.’
-‘...do you... ever worry they think less of you?’
-They exit the elevator, and immediately they can hear everyone’s voices coming from just down the hall, but Piers steers them into one of the smaller rooms with the vending machines. Bede is... silently grateful.
-‘For the badge, or in general?’
-‘i-... for the badge.’
-‘...never really thought about that, to be honest.’
-‘Do they know you...’
-‘Heh. Raihan knows.’
(-there’s something strange in his tone there, something Bede’s having trouble placing- almost like bitterness, but not quite)
-‘...’
-‘...if anything, I think it makes us cooler.’
-‘Really?’
-‘Yeah. It’s, like... proof that we’ve gone through hard times an’ made it out on the other side, y’know?’
-He takes his badge out of his pocket again. It’s quite different than Bede’s- fire badge, electric badge, flying badge, fighting badge- but the hole is a similar shape
-‘...plus, I can ‘ang it on a keychain so I don’t lose it.’ He laughs, doing just so as he puts it away again. Bede can’t help but chuckle along once he adds a ‘Bet Leon wishes he ‘ad that, yeah?’
-‘...listen. I know I don’t exactly look approachable, but... if you ever need anything, let me know.’ Piers smiles at Bede. ‘You an’ Marnie both deserve a fair shot at this, an’ I wanna help out as much as I can.’
-‘...okay. I’ll remember that. ...thank you.’
-‘No problem. Let’s get goin’, eh? They’re probably waitin’ on us.’