usedlaserbeam | 011 | Olivine City

[Unlike Yagyuu's last gym challenge, which involved quite a bit of advance scouting, careful strategizing, and deliberate manipulation of his roster's strengths and weaknesses (and okay, let's be honest, a rather impromptu decision to throw a lot of that out the window and just mercilessly crush his opponent's hopes and dreams to dust), his current encounter at the Olivine Gym is much more...subdued — almost to the point of being pleasant. As always, he is as polite as can be, but this time there's almost a certain legitimacy to it. Jasmine may be a gym leader, but she's a completely different breed than Whitney, and it shows in how he reacts.]

Oh! Are...are you here for the Mineral Badge?

If you're amenable to it, I'd like the opportunity to challenge you, yes.

Um, please allow me to introduce myself, then. I'm Jasmine, the Olivine Gym leader. I use Steel-type Pokemon...have you heard of the Steel type? They're very hard, cold, sharp, and really strong!

I'm familiar with a few of them. That's why they call you the Steel-Clad Defense Girl, isn't it?

Er...yes! That's right.

I've faced an Iron Wall of Defense before, but I haven't yet had the pleasure of trading blows with steel. I'm looking forward to our match, Jasmine-san.

I—I am, too! Okay...let's begin!

[And thus begins a battle that is decidedly different in character from Yagyuu's previous challenge in Goldenrod. This time, there are no malicious undertones, no tension hanging in the air; it's as straightforward as can be, as Jasmine sends out her roster one by one and Yagyuu answers with Vampa. And for those who know Yagyuu, and have learned to read between his subtle lines, it might become clear that this is an apology of sorts to his Rapidash — the opportunity to finally claim victory where he'd previously been charged with pursuing defeat.

For those who really know Yagyuu, they might almost find a hint of symbolism in that.

Jasmine's Pokemon are strong, but ultimately she's just outleveled and at a type disadvantage against Vampa's Fire Blast and Flare Blitz. And even this most blasé member of Yagyuu's roster is willing to indulge a proud snort and a toss of his mane when the Steelix finally falls and the match ends in his standalone victory.]

I can see you're a skilled trainer. Well done, and...er, in accordance with League rules, I confer upon you this Badge.

I'd say that makes two of us, Jasmine-san. It was an excellent match.

You're...really a gentleman, aren't you? Um...I don't know how to say this, but...good luck.

~

[It's a cold day for the beach, but there wouldn't be much point in going all the way to a port city for a vacation and not making it down to the water's edge at least once, so today Yagyuu has simply bundled up and headed down for a stroll, intent on seeing the sights of the Olivine shoreline at least once. And he's warding off the cold rather admirably, really, with a warm scarf wrapped loosely around his neck and his hands in the pockets of his nice, sturdy peacoat. His breath is making faint clouds in the chill air as he walks at a leisurely pace, leaving footprints behind him in the sand as he meanders in the direction of the lighthouse, letting the cold breeze from the ocean play through the ends of his hair and wash over his exposed skin.

(It also happens that there is a Dratini following along after him rather conspicuously, down in the shallows of the waves, but one can hardly blame her for being conspicuous when she is, in fact, a six-foot bright blue baby noodle dragon.)

He walks a little while longer, then pauses and looks out at the ocean — which prompts the Dratini to duck beneath the waves, clearly engaged in her game of trying to tail him while staying out of his view. Spoilers: it doesn't work very well, but Yagyuu's content to let her have her fun, anyway.]

That's two of eight, then. [A pause, and then, with a touch more amusement—] A Steel-Clad Defense Girl...I wonder what Jackal-kun would think of that.

[And after musing on that a moment, he continues on his way with a faint smile, wandering along to enjoy the sights of Olivine.]

[OOC: Badge is mod-approved!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, no... but I think there's more than one way to reach for something. Even if you're not born with the natural talent for it.

[ she frowns slightly, in unintentional reminiscence. It's that statement he had made, about talent and hard work. ]

[And there's that look in his eyes again.]

But do you think the imitation can ever be as good as the original? Even if someone reaches as hard as he can, will he ever surpass the one whose natural talent he envies?

[ Rise regards him silently for a moment, and there's something dark and unreadable in her eyes for less than half of that. ]

Would that someone be happy with that, even if he did? Imitating an illusion to that point?

Though I guess that one's specific...

No, it's not about imitating the illusion. It's a question of becoming the illusionist--or surpassing him, rather.

Becoming--

... [ this is the face of remembering Atobe. ]

Figuratively speaking, Kujikawa-san.

... Right.

That still sounds like kind of a headache, though. Becoming-- I mean, becoming better than the person being someone else--

It's not something just anyone could do. In fact, it may be that it's not something that could be done at all.

What Niou-kun does on a tennis court isn't something that's easily duplicated.

[Because of course we're talking about tennis, aren't we? Of course we are.]

I'd really like to see your doubles sometime.

[ ... which is actually quite the admittance, coming from Rise, who's been taking the time to think this whole concept of partnership over, and who still can't understand what it really means, even if she wanted to. Seeing it in action might be the most painful thing, but it's something of an inevitability. ]

[And again, it's not hard to read between the lines, or to recall the previous discussions they've had. That she's asking at all--well, that speaks a great deal to her own resilience, knowing that he and Niou are rarely closer than when they're together on a court, and yet wanting to witness it anyway.

There's a part of him that wants to refuse, not out of spite but out of some other compelling urge he can't quite put his finger on. There's something in him that wants to spare her that audience, and not for the first time, he catches himself wondering why he's thinking so at all.]

There are quite a few other pairs around now. Arranging a match shouldn't prove difficult. [And there's a pause, as he turns that over in his head, and then decides--] Can you beat me yet, Kujikawa-san?

[ can she beat him yet? Can she, the girl who's only been playing for months, the one who's still constantly learning and adapting, beat him, one of Rikkai's regulars with that one move of his that still baffles her?

She may be practicing every day, but the answer to that should be obvious. ]

I'm going to.

[ simple, succinct. But because of a whim, or an urge, she adds just as simply-- ] But right now, no. I'd play you again, but I've been slower lately. It's not fair to you if I don't overcome my problems first.

[ which is what happens when you're stubborn enough to train with weights, after that one experience with Niou and the ankle weights. ]

[And whether she said it because she means it or simply because she knows him too well, either way the fact remains that it's still the right answer, and he's pleased with it.]

Don't lose sight of that. Even if my skills are ones you may never be able to master.

[Variations on a theme.]

Then I'll just have to find skills of my own and beat you in my own way. I can do that.

[ like the first remark, she means this one just as much. ]

I'm looking forward to it.

That makes two of us!

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