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@thepsychicmarsh
Back and ready for writing!
Replies owed to me:
@acetrainerprotege; thread: Affection and Empty Spaces
@flower-of-celadon; thread: The Invitation
Replies owed to others:
None
Other news:
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for not kicking me out of the group. My father’s passing has been a really hard thing on me, especially with all the other things that have went on. However, I’m ready to come back and assume my muses and mod status.
Hiatus until January 6th, 2020.
Affection and Empty Spaces
acetrainerprotege:
Elios couldn’t help but smile at the woman’s demeanour. Seeing someone else who obviously wasn’t a huge fan of the whole socialising thing made him feel more at ease. Honestly, he would have been far more comfortable in a Pokémon battle than at a party.
The joys of having no memories of his life before he was sixteen meant he was still re-learning social skills. Not to mention the fact that he had spent most of his life since the shipwreck training, battling or trying to find his sister. Parties weren’t normally his scene but the people here were not only Dad’s friends and colleagues, but the Gym Leaders he’d soon be challenging so he needed to really go outside his comfort zone here.
Being perfectly honest, Elios’ dancing abilities were quite limited. Cynthia and him had danced at the Winter Festival at Praguine Town a few years back but that was more romantic swaying than anything else. Knowing that this woman in front of him wasn’t the most confident dancer either, made the Ace Trainer like he could be himself a bit more.
“I uhhh.. I don’t know how to dance…”
“Well that makes two of us. I’m not much of a dancer. Just thought it was the done thing at social events like this” he confessed. Her little jig made him smile and he began to feel a lot less tense. It suddenly occurred to him that he was standing here interacting with this woman and she had no clue who he was.
“I’m Elios, by the way. Blaine’s son” he explained offering his hand for a dance.
[[ TRIGGER WARNING: last sentence discussing alcohol. ]]
“I mean, it is… But it’s something I’ve personally always hated.” She shrugged. “I’ve always been the lurker at the punch bowl, honestly.”
She took his hand, eyeing him more closely. Blaine’s son? She didn’t recall him ever having children, and most knew not to tell fabrications about any Gym Leader, Elite Four, or Champion. She dropped his hand almost as soon as they touched.
“I’m also a hater of the whole handshaking thing…” She gave a smile. “Blaine’s son? I wasn’t aware he had any children, or are you an apprentice of some sort? Blaine is always getting into some sort of mischief.”
She poured another drink, this time from the alcoholic punch bowl.
“If you’re wanting any dancing from me, I have to get my Courage Juice going.”
“I’ve not really been to enough parties to have gotten the punch bowl crown as of yet” he told her. The woman’s face looked vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place where he’d seen her before. She could have been someone famous, but she didn’t carry herself that way. She had this air of modesty about her that was quite refreshing. She had poise and grace, but there was a humbleness there too. It made him feel more at ease.
“Blaine’s son? I wasn’t aware he had any children, or are you an apprentice of some sort? Blaine is always getting into some sort of mischief.”
Dad didn’t tend to advertise his family affairs. With all the press that came with being a Gym Leader, he didn’t want any attention to take away from the Cinnabar Gym. Blaine didn’t see himself as a hero but the media would paint him as the guy who rescued the mystery boy who was shipwrecked on the island and Elios knew that Dad didn’t want media attention affecting the Ace Trainer as he recovered and began to find his own way.
Elios poured himself a drink and took a swig before giving a slightly sad smile. “When I was 16, I washed up on Cinnabar Island. Me and my birth parents had been involved in a shipwreck. I contracted a severe case of amnesia and they…. well I’m still here at least so…” Elios’ smile faded for a moment before taking another sip of his whiskey and composing himself again.
“Anyway, Dad found me and took me in. Made me into the person and trainer I am today. To the wider world, I’m his protége, but he’s the only Dad I know” he explained, smiling again.
“I’m just realising, I never got your name.”
She listened to him speak, telling of his horrible encounter with the sea, how he met Blaine. Sabrina didn’t push on any more information. That would be rude and could cause a scene at the lovely party. Sabrina wasn’t the type to cause scenes, she was the type to end them.
“Oh, my name is Sabrina. I’m the Psychic-type Gym Leader...” Sabrina let her voice trail off, grabbing some more punch. This time, it containing Courage Juice within it.
“I don’t really come to these, but my friend, Erika... The Gym Leader of Celadon City, she says it’s good for me to get out and mingle with others.” She shrugged a little, sipping her drink. “I would have been perfectly fine at home reading or tuning into my Psychic abilities.”
The beat around them began to thump, and Sabrina was a tad fixated in the noise. It carried a unique techno beat, which she loved. She couldn’t really dance, but she could feel the rhythm.
“I like this sort of songs. Sometimes they have words. Most of them don’t.”
The invitation
flower-of-celadon:
The young woman had received a letter in the mail from one of her closest and dearest friends, Sabrina. Gosh, when had been the last time that the two of them had spoken? Their lives had gotten so busy with their duties as gym leaders and with Erika’s perfume business taking off over the last few months that she invested so much of her time into. She immediately wrote back to her friend, ecstatic to hear that she wanted to join her for tea.
The next week, the young woman would find herself going out to find a new tea. Something that Erika would bring as a gift to her dear friend. The week passed and before Erika knew it, it was the Saturday that she was due to arrive at the Fighting Dojo to meet her longtime friend for what pretty much was the first time in forever since the duo were together.
Erika took a deep breath before softly knocking at the Dojo doors. It was only moments before Anna came down and opened the door, greeting Erika with the biggest smile. Softly, the girl bowed towards the woman. “It has certainly been some time, Anna. It’s so wonderful to see you again.”
Following behind the female, she wandered with her down the halls until she was led into Sabrina’s common area where she was motioned to sit while Anna went to grab Sabrina. Erika placed the small purple gift bag down onto the table in front of her. For a few moments, the female sat before she had noticed a picture resting on one of the bookshelves in the room. Walking herself over, the short haired girl picked up the frame. It was of Erika and Sabrina as young children, hugging and smiling with one another.
“Such peaceful days we had… Sabrina. I miss these like you could never believe.” Erika said to herself softly.
Too many feelings collided in her chest. She could feel the anxiety brewing, swirling. In some ways, the anxiety made her feel sick. If everything was just in her head, then Sabrina would ruin her friendship. She could become a sort of leper in the Gym Leader community. Rumors could start. Her career could become more lonesome than it already was.
With a final glance of her appearance in the floor length mirror, Sabrina set out to meet Erika in the common room.
She saw Erika holding an old picture of them from their childhood. A small smile spread on her face.
“Erika, it’s good to see you again. It’s been too long, hasn’t it?” Sabrina’s voice was small, quiet. A little more so than usual. It was quite odd that Sabrina didn’t feel like her usual confident self. Erika really did spur feelings.
She was Erika put the picture down, as Sabrina motioned for her to follow her.
“Follow me to the kitchen. I have some tea and coffee on.”
Once the two ladies had entered the kitchen, Sabrina took to checking the drinks. Both were ready. She poured Erika’s glass first, a honey tea. After, she poured her own coffee into a blender; added some sugar, cream, and ice to make a frappe. Once it was finished blending, she added more caramel and whipped cream on top.
“Erika,” she began, “I don’t really know how to open this conversation up. There’s been something on my mind for a long time now...”
She felt her usually pale skin become red. She felt the heat rise into her checks, her stomach swirling in anticipation and anxiety.
Her thoughts wouldn’t stop screaming at her, a small panic rising. You don’t have to say anything. You can just ask some random, dumb question or invite her out to a movie. You DON’T have to ask her...
The Psychic looked at Erika, trying to make herself blurt it out.
The invitation
starter for @flower-of-celadon
It had been quite a time since Sabrina and Erika had seen each other. Sabrina fondly recalls how they were getting... close. She wondered if it was all in her mind, a devilish trick played on herself. She knew that Erika was pretty much her only friend, but truly, her best friend. So, obviously.. all those small affections.. they weren’t more than friends? Or were they?
The only way to know for sure, was for Sabrina to take the plunge, right?
So, she wrote a letter. An official letter, asking for Erika to join her for tea and coffee. Sabrina had one of her Psychics bake some goodies for her, which Anna LOVED to bake. She made enough for the whole Gym, the Fighting Dojo, and of course, the private affair for Erika and Sabrina.
Within two days, Erika had responded, telling her she would arrive around noon on the following Saturday. Sabrina read the response on Friday. A well of excitement pitted within her stomach, and she knew it would only get worse, especially the moment leading up to finding out.
Sabrina went to sleep, wondering how the next day would play out. She ran a million different scenarios, but none of them made her more excited than --
Waking up with a jolt, she immediately showered. She wanted to calm the uneasy excitement in her stomach, hoping a warm shower would help. Two hours later, she was fully dressed, had her makeup on, and her hair styled.
When she arrived downstairs, it was ten til noon. She could feel her own heartbeat throb in her chest. Anxious, she put on the coffee and tea, hoping it would get down before Erika arrived.
“Sabrina? Erika has arrived and is waiting for you.”
Affection and Empty Spaces
acetrainerprotege:
Elios couldn’t help but smile at the woman’s demeanour. Seeing someone else who obviously wasn’t a huge fan of the whole socialising thing made him feel more at ease. Honestly, he would have been far more comfortable in a Pokémon battle than at a party.
The joys of having no memories of his life before he was sixteen meant he was still re-learning social skills. Not to mention the fact that he had spent most of his life since the shipwreck training, battling or trying to find his sister. Parties weren’t normally his scene but the people here were not only Dad’s friends and colleagues, but the Gym Leaders he’d soon be challenging so he needed to really go outside his comfort zone here.
Being perfectly honest, Elios’ dancing abilities were quite limited. Cynthia and him had danced at the Winter Festival at Praguine Town a few years back but that was more romantic swaying than anything else. Knowing that this woman in front of him wasn’t the most confident dancer either, made the Ace Trainer like he could be himself a bit more.
“I uhhh.. I don’t know how to dance…”
“Well that makes two of us. I’m not much of a dancer. Just thought it was the done thing at social events like this” he confessed. Her little jig made him smile and he began to feel a lot less tense. It suddenly occurred to him that he was standing here interacting with this woman and she had no clue who he was.
“I’m Elios, by the way. Blaine’s son” he explained offering his hand for a dance.
[[ TRIGGER WARNING: last sentence discussing alcohol. ]]
“I mean, it is... But it’s something I’ve personally always hated.” She shrugged. “I’ve always been the lurker at the punch bowl, honestly.”
She took his hand, eyeing him more closely. Blaine’s son? She didn’t recall him ever having children, and most knew not to tell fabrications about any Gym Leader, Elite Four, or Champion. She dropped his hand almost as soon as they touched.
“I’m also a hater of the whole handshaking thing...” She gave a smile. “Blaine’s son? I wasn’t aware he had any children, or are you an apprentice of some sort? Blaine is always getting into some sort of mischief.”
She poured another drink, this time from the alcoholic punch bowl.
“If you’re wanting any dancing from me, I have to get my Courage Juice going.”
Affection and Empty Spaces
acetrainerprotege:
Up until two years ago, Elios never stopped. From the moment Dad found him on the coast of Cinnabar Island, he had always had a driving force pushing him - finding his sister. He had made it his mission to find her and luckily being the adopted son of the Gym Leader on Cinnabar Island, Blaine had fully prepared Elios, moulding him into a competent Ace Trainer for the journey ahead of him.
Setting out through Kanto and the wider world, he searched tirelessly for his sister, amassing a worthy Pokémon team along the way. Three years passed and with no sign of her, he was beginning to lose hope. That was until Cynthia had invited him to her Masquerade Ball in Praguine Town, where he finally found what he was looking for. Turned out his sister was the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Town. Much like him, Flannery had used Pokémon battling as an outlet for her emotions and had become the Fire-Type Leader of the Hoenn region.
After they reconnected, Elios returned to Hoenn with Flannery to put together the pieces of his past he’d lost in the shipwreck, training with her in the Lavaridge Gym along the way. Two years had passed since then and for the first time since his amnesia, Elios had no driving force. He had no idea where to go next. After a long chat with Flannery, he decided to return to Kanto and take the Pokémon League challenge.
Luckily for him, Dad was going to a party with a lot of the Kanto Gym Leaders and former challengers. Something about finding a successor to the Viridian Gym and fundraising for a tournament. He invited Elios to come with him, with the thinking that meeting some of the Kanto Gym Leaders would help the Ace Trainer in his preparation for challenging the Pokémon League.
After checking into the hotel in Saffron City, Elios took a quick shower and threw on a white shirt and his blue trousers and blazer. Styling his hair into his customary spikes, he put on some aftershave and headed out to the party where Dad was waiting for him already. Upon arrival, the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader told him to go grab a drink and mingle with the other party-goers. Glancing over at the food table, he saw a strikingly attractive woman grabbing a drink. If he was going to mingle with people he didn’t know and put his imposter syndrome to the back of his mind, now was his chance. He was much more comfortable in a Pokémon battle but there was music playing and people dancing, he might as well join in the fun. Taking a deep breath, Elios strode over to the woman. Not being one for beating about the bush, the Ace Trainer took the direct approach.
“Do you want to dance?”
When she turned to face him, she wasn’t entirely sure if she had battled against him. Sabrina didn’t care about remembering those instances. She was always too consumed with the rush of battle. The surge of emotions from her Pokemon and herself, was entirely too intoxicating.
But now, this trainer stood in front of her, asking her to dance. Sabrina didn’t know how to dance. Sabrina wasn’t always the best at having fun. She was constantly training herself, and constantly reserved.
“I uhhh.. I don’t know how to dance...” Her voice trailed off.
The only times she ever really danced was with Erika, but that had been way too long ago now. She had done a lot with Erika; her practically being her only actual friend.
“I could... give it a whirl, if you want?” Sabrina followed up.
She gave a weak smile, holding her drink. Taking a sip, she did a little jig, tryna loosen up some.
Affection and Empty Spaces
Song: Affection
Her dark eyes looked back to her as she thought to herself. Sabrina wasn’t really keen on the whole idea of the Kanto Gym Leaders coming together for a party. She wasn’t even sure who’s idea it was. It’s not that she didn’t like the other gym leaders, it was more of she didn’t want to be bothered. She wanted to be home, in her gym, continuing her practice. She wanted to... wait around for a challenger...
Grudgingly, she stepped into the warmed shower, scrubbing her slender body. She used to hate showers; hated the way her body looked. Now, she just mechanically cleans herself, doing her best not to be fully aware that she’s naked. Gently, she scrubbed her hair with CGM-approved conditioner. She let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing it out and washing her face. Completely clean, she stepped out, wrapped a towel, and went to her room.
Not entirely sure of what to wear, she settled on white pants, a light purple-pink tank top. She was aware it was boring, but didn’t care. She wasn’t going there to impress anyone. She figured they were already impressed, if not a tad frightened. She wasn’t entirely sure, but paid it no mind. It was what it was.
Once she was finished getting ready, she examined herself to make sure she was pristine. She didn’t want anything out of place. She started with her hair: curly, with a straightened fringe. It was soft, bouncy, with some shine. Next, her face: soft makeup, nothing harsh. Fake lashes to accentuate her eyes. She decided to wear red colored contacts to give herself a pop. Last, her clothing: clean, free of rips, tears, and holes. Nothing bulging, which would indicate she gained weight. Happy with her overall appearance, she grabbed her wallet and keys, then left.
Once she arrived, she noticed non-Gym Leaders. This puzzled her. She gently shook her head, frowning. She didn’t want to mingle with just anyone. She hoped there was an explanation, but she knew she wouldn’t get one. She sighed and went inside the large community hall someone rented for the shindig.
Tabled of catered food lined a full area. It was nice to see multiple options. Atleast she would leave fed. She saw a few faces that she knew: Erika, Blaine, and even Brock. A few faces were previous challengers who had lost.
Maybe this wasn’t just for Gym Leaders, but more so a fundraiser? Sabrina thought.
She went to the designated food area, grabbing a coke.
“Do you want to dance?” A voice asked. Sabrina turned, not sure who the voice belonged to. It was hard to hear; the music was picking up.
"For you."
(SOURCE)
This is something I drew today. Just wanted to share, because I really like how it turned out.
I need to color it, though.
This compliment makes me feel like I really do have the ability to portray her in a way that seems real. Even when writing about something in fantasy, such as Pokemon, there is still logic, order, and flow. If you're character is too unbelievable, then it's not real.
Sincerely, thank you, Erika & thank you to anyone who also agrees<3
Icons by Erika for Sabrina.
