usedlaserbeam | 009 | Goldenrod City

Entry tags:

009 | Goldenrod City | Video / Action;

[This afternoon, on a Very Special Broadcast™ courtesy of Yagyuu's PokeGear, the Gear network is treated to the sight of the Goldenrod Gym's interior, where Yagyuu and Whitney appear to somewhere in the midst of the preliminary discussion that traditionally precedes a gym challenge — except that, given the few small snippets of dialogue that manage to filter their way over to the microphone, this particular conversation isn't quite as traditional as most: ]

Oh, that jersey! Hey, you live here in Goldenrod, don't you?

Yes, that's right. My teammates and I have a house here.

Right, I remember seeing those jerseys around the city! [A giggle.] Some of your friends have come to challenge me before.

Ah, have they really? I hope you found them worthy opponents.

Well, one of them was! The one with the seaweed hair. [Another giggle.] He put up a much better fight than the one I beat a few months ago.

[And what follows that remark is a sharp, dangerous silence as the words sink in, the implications are spun out, and Yagyuu gradually puts two and two together—the figure of a few months, the team members he knows haven't challenged the gym, the ones remaining who it might've been—and finds that no, he really doesn't like the way they're adding up.

There's a oddly different tone in his voice when he speaks again, some underlying quality that's almost impossible to place—unless, of course, you happen to be familiar enough with Yagyuu to know what usually follows his words when they come in a tone like that.]

In that case, I hope you'll find me a worthwhile challenge. Shall we begin?

Okay, but I'm warning you—I'm good!

[And thus, the gym battle unfolds:

The first match-up is between Yagyuu's Absol, Phantom, and Whitney's Girafarig. And it's apparent from the start that Yagyuu has done his homework; he's standing cool and unflinching on the sidelines as Phantom proceeds to lay waste to his opponent, utilizing plenty of Dark-type moves to gun straight for the Girafarig's weak points.

When the Girafarig falls, Whitney makes a face and sends out her Clefable; though Phantom is far from incapacitated after his previous battle, Yagyuu still recalls him, and this time sends out Lady the Espeon. She's haughty as ever as she makes her way into the ring, and it quickly becomes clear that she's got the moves and the power to back up her arrogance: though this battle drags out a little longer, it still ends with Whitney's Clefable knocked out and Lady preening in her victory as the dust settles.]

H-Hey, what kind of person are you? It's really mean to pick on girls, you know!

Pitiful! This is what winning and losing is all about!

Well, I'm not gonna lose! Go, Miltank!

[And thus, for the final battle, out comes Whitney's fabled Miltank, primed and ready with Rollout waiting in its repertoire. But oddly, this is where Yagyuu's preparation seems to falter; he sends out his Rapidash, Vampa, and the battle abruptly takes a turn for the worse—Rollout proves super effective, and despite Vampa's better efforts, he's eventually brought down by it.

As Whitney cheers in triumph, Yagyuu's lips tighten slightly, and he next sends out his Pidgeot, Irene—who, thanks to an equal disadvantage, soon meets the same fate. Somewhere in the stands, an audience member remarks: ]

That Rollout is something else. If this keeps up, she's going to win...

[But then, an answer from a confident, unwavering voice: ]

No...Yagyuu still hasn't used "That" yet.

[Down on the field, Yagyuu silently recalls his Pidgeot and regards Whitney's renewed enthusiasm with a cool, disdainful smile—]

It's dangerous to celebrate before the match is decided, Whitney-san.

[—and then throws out his final challenger: a red, gangly, somewhat awkward-looking Octillery who looks a little perplexed at the prospect of even being called on to participate in a battle at all.]

Now, playtime is over! Adieu!

[He shouts the word with practiced ease, his arms coming up into a stance that anyone who has faced him on a tennis court would instantly recognize as the Laserbeam—one arm up over his head, the other outstretched, a deadly gleam in his eye—and as if on command, the Octillery responds, unleashing a devastating Hyper Beam that knocks the Miltank cold.

For a few moments, all is stunned and silent—and then the familiar sound of Whitney's crying makes its way through the air.]

[Some time later, in the aftermath, there is a constantly-shifting parade of fur, hooves, and feathers obscuring the camera of the Gear, but the soft patter of rain suggests that the scene has moved somewhere outdoors, and Yagyuu's voice is unmistakable.]

The two of you did well. An intentional defeat to achieve the most desirable circumstances for victory...it's an equally valuable contribution. I could hardly ask for more.

[There is a pause, and the familiar sound of a pair of Pokemon being recalled to their balls. And then, shortly thereafter, Yagyuu's supremely satisfied voice comes through again.]

So this is the Plain Badge.

[OOC: Mod-approved badge get! Pink text is, predictably, Whitney, and blue is Yukimura, used here with permission! o/]

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It's still raining. There's no sense in both of us getting wet.

[He remarks, even as he smoothly shifts course to once again head in the direction of the Tennis Haus.]

What've you been up to while I was out?

Stayin' dry. Which is boring, by the way.

[ He draws back from the camera and out of sight, leaving Sudoku to stretch out and place a paw against the 'Gear. ]

Boring but sensible. Which, I suppose, would beg the rather important question—are you feeling particularly sensible today, Niou-kun?

D'you know I taught Sugar how to turn into a HAZMAT suit?

[ It sounds like a complete departure in topic, but Yagyuu should know better. ]

The rain isn't that bad yet.

[But there's no denying that one got a slight smile out of him.]

Is it comfortable, wearing a full-body Ditto?

Surprisingly. I think I'll stick with an umbrella, though. —Or maybe not.

[ The 'Gear is picked up haphazardly, then the feed ends without warning. Yeah, he'll be along soon — umbrella-less, in a t-shirt and jeans, laughing and leaping over puddles. ]

[It really isn't that great of a distance from the Haus to the Goldenrod Gym; he's just been walking slow and choosing meandering paths to draw the distance out a little longer as he privately basked in his victory. So it doesn't take long to spot Niou—not that it's ever particularly difficult to spot Niou, unless he's trying not to be seen—and while he does maintain a comfortable distance at first to protect himself from any splashing from the puddles, there's no missing the warm smile on his face at the sight.]

[ He's drenched by the time he looks up and catches sight of Yagyuu, but his grin sticks around. His hair looks like it's melting, sticking to his face. He skirts a wide puddle to sidle up beside Yagyuu. ]

Hey, baaaaby.

[Perhaps it's pointless to shift the umbrella so they can better share it, since his partner couldn't possibly get wetter than he already is, but there's room enough for two if they're careful, and the gesture is instinctive.]

I see you've managed to assuage your boredom.

[ Even so, Niou moves close enough to bump arms with him, and now all the water dripping on his face and shoulders is just runoff from his hair. With a winning, roguish grin: ]

What's not fun about gettin' soakin' wet?

[My, Niou is soaked through—and liable to transfer quite a bit of it onto Yagyuu if he's not careful. His regulars jersey may be fairly water-resistant, but there'll be a damp spot on his arm before long.]

The running nose, sore throat, and chills that so often follow it?

And my partner spoon-feedin' me hot soup and keepin' me buried in blankets? Not a bad gig.

[ He bumps Yagyuu more deliberately, but not hard enough to set him off-balance. ]

And being relegated to the couch for as long as you're contagious? Sharing everything is one thing, but it still shouldn't extend that far.

[He nudges back a little, reaching into his pocket for a thankfully non-Ditto handkerchief and dabbing it lightly against some of those drips on Niou's face. It does about as much good overall as throwing a cup of water on a forest fire, but at least it'll help with the worst of the dripping.]

[ He wrinkles his nose at the touch of the handkerchief. Still, it's not as if he moves to get away. He just waits until Yagyuu finishes, then stalls a step in order to leave himself room to — shake water off like a dog. Then he's right in stride with Yagyuu again, grinning all over. ]

Guess you'll just have to warm me up when we get back.

[In retrospect, he probably should've expected a reaction like that, but for the moment there's only—WATER EVERYWHERE WHY. A few stray droplets have made it onto the lenses of his glasses, dotting them without being heavy enough to run off, and he finds himself involuntarily blinking rapidly at the sudden disorientation of his vision.]

I've hardly an incentive to if you keep that up.

[ He pouts flawlessly, recalling, for a moment, the glossy lips and long, low lashes of the girl. ]

Didn't realize I had to give you incentive.

You always do.

[He makes it a point of avoiding that pout, choosing instead to frown at his handkerchief as he looks for a dry spot with which to clean his glasses—and then tries to figure out how to juggle both of those and the umbrella all at once.]

Of course, whether you notice it or not is a different matter.

[ Obligingly, he reaches out to take the umbrella, holding it well over Yagyuu's head, if a bit less over his own. If he had anything dry, himself, he might have taken the glasses, instead, but this is just as well. ]

You mean I accidentally give you incentive sometimes, or you think I miss the need for it completely?

[He offers Niou a quick glance before surrendering the umbrella without complaint, efficiently running a dry corner of the handkerchief over the lenses of his glasses to get the stray droplets off.

Though he ducks his head a little in the process, holding the frames close enough to his face to keep them in focus while he inspects them, there's still a rare view here: Yagyuu, in public, sans glasses.]

I wouldn't say accidentally. Unknowingly, perhaps. Reflexively. Instinctively.

[ Niou watches openly, head cocked beneath the umbrella. It is a rare sight, and Yagyuu's words make it sweeter, somehow. ]

So basically I'm just perfect for you?

[He replaces his glasses carefully, adjusting them as usual with the slightest hint of a smile.]

You came all this way to walk me home in the rain.

[Which, naturally, doesn't precisely answer the question, but Niou should know better than to think he'd ever get a straight answer that easily.]

[ The grin is unbidden, and Niou looks away, then down, then out at the rain while he tries to swallow it. When he's got half a pokerface back in place, he shrugs, mock-nonchalant. ]

Maybe I just like the rain.

[And with the world back in focus behind his now-clear lenses, that grin doesn't go unnoticed, either. But he keeps that recognition under wraps as he reaches for the stem of the umbrella, intent on taking it back.]

I suppose it does have its perks.

[ Niou surrenders the umbrella obligingly and moves a bit closer at once, brushing their shoulders again. ]

Not very good weather for a burglary, though.

[This time, he keeps them that way, angling just enough that they stay connected like the tangent to a curve—just one shared point of intersection on the graph of their personal space.]

Is that what you were planning while I was gone?

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