usedgalacticpunt | Bout 010 (Video/Action): Badges upon badges. (backdated to Tue. 6/14)

[The video opens in medias res, with a casual conversation going on in the Olivine Pokémon Center. It's not quite loud enough to hear any of the words, though. After a second or two, Chie orients the video on herself.]

Oh, hey, has anybody else noticed how the gym leaders are a little... weird? Me and my friends all challenged Jasmine today, so we could get the Surf TM and cross Route... 42, I think it was? And Jasmine gave us all the same lines from beginning to end. She was all like, "Properly tempered steel won't be made rusty by things like this!" And "You are a better trainer than me, in both skill and kindness." Like she was reading off a script or something!

But anyway, we all made it! I got Ecruteak's badge too, when we stopped there on Friday, so I'm up to four! [Chie shows off two badges to the camera.]

For anybody who's following our quest to rescue Souji-kun, we're leaving first thing tomorrow morning on the way back to Ecruteak. And from there, it's through Mahogany and on to the Ice Path! Just hold on, Souji-kun, we won't make you wait too much longer!

[OOC: You may have already won the chance to be tagged by others in Chie's traveling group! This is a limited-time offer, so comment today! ~~Or any time, really.~~]

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No looking up, mister.

[ mock-sternly, because Fuji really isn't the type to peek up skirts at all, but she's quick to scale the ladder and carefully maneuver herself from ladder to roof. ]

I solemnly swear that I shall do no such thing.

[the straightest face, though he does look away. there are some things in the world he really doesn't need to see. and when he feels her weight lift from the ladder, he starts climbing up himself, keeping an eye on the door down below every once in a while to check for pursuers.

judging from the amount of noise in the center, nobody will be checking on them anytime soon. he does, however, take up the ladder with him as he settles himself on the roof, just as a precaution.]

[ it takes a minute to get her balance, but after a minute, Rise seems well settled and eying the view with a look of interest. ] Wow... it's not the lighthouse, but the view's not bad at all.

Rooftops have the best vantage points, I find. I do want to find my way up that lighthouse sometime, though.

Me, too... ugh, if we weren't on such a tight schedule...

There'll be other days, I think. Unless you were planning on skipping out on swing practice for that?

And let Yukimura-san down? Pass.

Then we have a consensus. [amusement] Let's get some swinging done before time marches on its due course.

[ doing a careful pivot, just to test it. ] Geez, it seriously feels like I could fall off...

I hope that's one experience you're not too keen on trying.

No, I kind of like being able to move.

Can't think of a greater motivation~

[ have a grin, even as she settles to do swings properly.

... On a roof. ]

[most beautiful setting. and he joins in the swinging, balanced. something about this situation says a lot about his practice habits--

after some mindless chatter on the matter --]

Oh, wouldn't it be fun if we could rally?

[ she remembers the term, raising an eyebrow. ]

That's if I could hit them.

And trying is out of the question?

... I never said it was! I'll at least hit one!

[ why do you do this, Fuji. ]

[the most innocent grin] Oh, someone's confident. Do you think I can hold you to that?

[fishing out a tennis ball from a pocket! because what's a tennis player who doesn't have at least several hidden on body at all times?]

Don't underestimate me, okay?

[ SHE WILL HIT THAT GODDAMN BALL OR DIE TRYING. Even if the dying is actually plausible for once. ]

Is that so? I suppose you'll have to show me why I shouldn't, won't you.

[so much amusement, god he likes goading people. but have an underhand serve at an angle -- it bounces off the slanted roof with precision the way a billiard ball pings off of a wall.]

[ she has to move gingerly here, taking the roof into account-- but she's determined now, pivoting and sending the ball back. Not quite so precisely, but she's managing.

This is the oddest feeling. ]

[delight!] There's one!

[and he moves purposefully but confidently across the roof to position himself in a way so he can return the ball. once again taking the rooftop into consideration, he sends it back again, using nearly the same trajectory that it did the first time around.]

[ if it's the same, Rise can track it, and she's quick to pursue and return it. Curiosity won't stay down for long. ]

How d'you get it that angled, though?

Two! [a grin as he returns it, this time pinpointing that exact angle once more, tongue in cheek.]

Would you believe me if I said there were magical bulls-eyes floating around?