Set in the original region of Arciel, Legends Rising is a route-inspired, but not strictly route-based, Pokemon roleplay. Pick a faction, pick a class, and strike out into the wild to take on the League, master Contest coordination, research the mysteries of Pokemon and Arciel, and much, much more. Will you be a classic trainer? A criminal? A farmer? Choose your destiny on Legends Rising.
Three optional icebreaker questions are offered: 1. If you could be granted three wishes, what would they be? 2. What is the cheesiest pickup line you have heard? 3. If your friends compared you to a Pokemon, which Pokemon would it be?
Feel free to discuss any of these or use your own icebreaker!
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 1, 2020 13:20:31 GMT
After being turned away at the door for trying to bring in an extremely foul smelling Grimer - ("You don't have to be afraid, he's here to make sure we all have a good time!" he'd argued with the host as his newly-adopted Grimer oozed joyfully over the shoulders and back of his once-clean tuxedo suit) Marshall was back, no longer sporting the suit but instead some pretty sick heart-shaped sunglasses and a jet black tracksuit with stripes up the sides. The few stares that he got were absolutely not good ones, but he didn't mind or, rather, didn't seem to notice as he strode up to the door and slammed it open. A poor potted plant was the victim of his grand entrance and, while the host mourned it and simultaneously gave him death glares, Marshall moved to start perusing the tables in search of his name.
It's moments later that he finds it, and he sits himself casually in the chair and sets down a small gift on the table's surface. A pause, and he rearranges it into something impressive looking, and actually - oh, he's clearing off the small vase of decorative flowers, that's under the table now. The box now sits alone, uncontested for prime viewing spot, and he leans back in his chair with a satisfied air about him before looking this way and that for his date. Every single person that comes even within ten feet of his table he's instantly rising and making to hug them - only to have them turn away at the last second, some even speed-walking away from this odd stranger in a tracksuit trying to harass them.
When Keone finally does approach - if they do at all - Marshall will greet them the exact same way. Well, except for the way he whispers, almost menacingly, "It's your lucky day."
[attr="class","heart2text"] Keone did not have high hopes for this event, but by Arceus, he'd resolved that he was going to do his best to enjoy it. He met Prem at a somewhat similar event last year, and for all that had happened, he was still grateful that he had. Maybe... Maybe if he was lucky, he'd make a friend or two here. Eri seemed to believe strongly in "letting fate decide", so seeing who he was "fated" to get paired with was... He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. It was something to see, at least.
He hadn't bothered getting too dressed up, really. Just a nice soft t-shirt with his normal jacket, and some slacks instead of jeans or cargo pants to show he'd made at least a little effort. His hair was left loose, and he brushed a strand behind his ear.
As he made his way toward his table, he noticed a strange man. Black on black on black, but in a track suit? What was he, a goth jock? Heh. And he kept trying to hug people who walked by, how odd. ... O-oh no, wait... Was that... Oh shoot, that was his table?? So... that was his first date?? W-well, better not to judge based on appearances, huh?
As he approached, Marshall moved in to hug him, and frankly Keone was so touch-starved he didn't even mind at this point... at least until Marshall actually touched him, and he realized the guy smelled like he'd been rolling in garbage. Fighting down his sudden nausea, he tried to pull away as politely as he could, but not before hearing the whisper. "Uhh.."
Keone forced a nervous smile at the guy. "...Yay?" came the small reply. He sat at the table and read the card. Marshall, huh? And 27, oh geez. He guessed that wasn't TOO bad but he kind of felt like a baby now, heh.
"Um... So uh... If you were a Pokemon, what would you be?" he asked. Glancing back down at the card, he realized he'd misread it. "Oh, or actually... What would your friends say you are, and what would you wanna be, if those are different?"
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 2, 2020 0:48:01 GMT
Even the small, questioning "yay" was enough to satisfy him, and the brunet sat down with great exaggeration across from Keone to inspect his date for the evening. Marshall had no illusions about romance - he'd had one relationship, and the girl had ended up calling him crazy when really he was only trying to help her - and so didn't really expect much out of this date. Why, most of the people that took interest in him romantically soon dropped out when they realized just how amazing he was, intimidated by his greatness and his perfection. If that was going to be the case today, at least he'd go out swinging.
"I've brought you something," He stated rather than answering the question outright, and indicated the package sitting in the middle of the table in lieu of flowers or water or any such thing. It was small, about the size of one's hand, wrapped clumsily in foil paper with little hearts patterned across its surface. "There's no need to thank me - really, you're too kind." He was speaking as though Keone was already in the midst of thanking him and adjusted his sunglasses accordingly. Why doesn't he take them off indoors?
"There's no need for those questions. I'm sure you already know who I am." Just to make sure, he lifted the sunglasses enough to flash Keone a wink and a dazzling smile across the table. He let them fall back down and glanced quickly from side to side as though waiting for someone to pop out and scream exactly who Marshall was, but of course nothing of the sort happened. So he turned his attention back to Keone and gestured for him to talk.
"Tell me about you! Why do you think you should date me, the Great Marshall Legend - yes, yes, that's me, the famous Kanto Ranger, the Wunderkind, the Enigma, the Rising Star..." He trailed off with a wave of his hand, obviously basking in his own self-proclaimed titles. "If you think you can, you'll have to answer a few questions of my own. But first! Lay unto me your backstory, and I shall receive."
[attr="class","heart2text"] Huh? Oh uh. Keone blinked at the gift. "Th-" He was in fact in the middle of thanking Marshall when he was cut off. Oh? Okay then... He reached out and slid the gift closer to himself, trying to guess what might be inside by poking at the wrapper.
Before he could get any good idea, though, Marshall disregarded the question to change the subject, touting himself as someone famous in the process? Huh? Keone's cheeks darkened a bit. "O-oh um... You'll have to forgive me. I'm... actually from Kanto-- Celadon if it makes a difference-- but I didn't ever really keep up with the news or anything... So I don't think I've heard of you." He offered an apologetic smile. "I think it's really neat that you're a ranger, though. My dad works for Interpol, and I have a lot of respect for law enforcement," he explained.
But how to go about answering Marshall's uh... other question. He fidgeted a bit with his hair. "I'm also um... really sorry, if I'm about to disappoint you..." he mumbled. "But I can't really give you any reason we should date. I just... wanted to meet people." How deep did he want to go with this? "The thing is... I mean you did ask for my backstory so it's like... I met this guy last year and we became really good friends. He even moved to Arciel with me and we were traveling buddies exploring together for a while. But then I sorta, maybe, started getting a crush on him, and one day--" he figured the fact that it was his damn birthday was irrelevant sympathy fodder at this point, heh-- "he got kinda drunk and kissed me, but then um..." He took a deep breath and sighed heavily, amber eyes fixating on a spot on the table.
"He wanted to... have sex..." the words were tiny and mumbled, "and I wasn't sure if I was ready, so... he hooked up with a different friend of his instead, and I got... a lot madder than I really had any right to be. We got into a big fight and he just... left, for good. This was back in September and I haven't seen him since..." Oh, was... yeah, he was definitely tearing up now. Whoops. He shook his head and wiped his tears before they could fall.
He forced a weak smile back up at Marshall. "I'm sorry. I've been kind of a mess since then, so I just... wanted to meet some new people was all..." Recalling the gift, he suddenly exclaimed, "Oh gosh! I'm sorry I'm being really rude rambling, huh. Let's uh... let's see what you brought me, right?" With that, he started peeling back the wrapping.
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 2, 2020 20:54:16 GMT
At the mention of being from Kanto Marshall's entire expression lit up, even more so when Keone went on to say he'd been from Celadon, the very same town Marshall had claimed as his stomping grounds -- only to fall just a little when Keone said he didn't keep up with the news and didn't really know who he was. Maybe he was playing it off to try and save some face? After all, if anyone was on a date with THE Marshall Legend and they were feeling nervous about it, wouldn't they pretend not to know him so they could get over their nerves and enjoy the moment? How cute.
Deciding that this was what Keone was doing and that he definitely, in fact, knew exactly who he was but didn't want to make a scene, Marshall gave the other a conspiratorial wink and waved a dismissive hand. Just knowing Keone was happy to be on a date with him was enough. Maybe he'd go home and write a forum post or vlog about it. Something like that. Ah, but then everyone would know where he was, and the whole of Arciel would be flooded with his fans, and the economy would crash, but they would make him president of Arciel for single-handedly bolstering the economy before crashing it....
Oh right, Keone's talking. "Interpol, huh? That's impressive. They asked me to join once, you know, but I said 'sorry, but I'd rather be Outerpol' and so they didn't ask again." How much of that was really true? Another great Marshall mystery.
Once Keone actually delves into his backstory and starts telling some pretty depressing stuff Marshall's brows furrow as he listens. When Keone quickly changed the subject and began to peel off the wrapping Marshall let him, and didn't speak until the other's opened the present (which is actually a small framed picture of Marshall doing finger-guns at the camera, his signature and XOXO scrawled on the glass cover). Then did the brunet reach over and lay a hand on Keone's - if the other's far and the table's big you can bet he's going to half-lay on the table in the process - and squeeze tight.
"So you've hit rock bottom. A solid foundation." If Keone looked up at him he'll be met with one of Marshall's dazzling smiles, perhaps the only good thing about him. "But now you're on a date with me, and I'm amazing. So by being with me, by default you're also amazing. Do you want a drink? I have drink coupons." He brandished eight of them, far too many for just one person. The host over by the potted plant is squinting at him suspiciously. "Or do you wanna dance? We can do that too." Where is the music tho...
"Regardless... if that person was special to you, and you got mad you're well within that right I think. People usually get protective over things that are important to them, moreso if they're friends. If he didn't understand how you felt about him, as painful as it is to think maybe it's a good thing he's gone. Especially if he was so easily able to replace you by sleeping with someone else. That just kinda shows that he just wanted you for your body and not anything else. I know that better than anyone, I'm afraid." The track suit's unzipping as Marshall affected a "woe-is-me" air. Was he actually going to strip?
[attr="class","heart2text"] Keone wasn't sure whether to believe Marshall about Interpol, though he leaned toward not. When he said 'Outerpol' though, Keone giggled softly, taking the whole thing as a setup for the joke then.
A... picture of Marshall?? Keone couldn't help but smile lopsidedly at such a silly gift. Well this was certainly memorable, haha... Now he was sure not to forget who his first speed date had been with.
A solid foundation. He blinked. "I... guess so." He'd never thought of it like that before. By default amazing, huh? His confidence was kind of... inspiring? endearing? Keone didn't know the right word. He liked it, though. "Um.. I'm good on drinks for now. I'd love to dance if we had more time, but not right now." He shook his head, hoping the decline was polite enough.
That said, he flustered when Marshall began to make accusations about Prem. "It-- it wasn't like that! We were friends, he--..." Were they, though? Would a real friend abandon someone so completely over one disagreement? Keone withdrew in on himself. "I don't... think it was like that anyway... Maybe I'm wrong..." What if Prem had just been patient, always hoping to get into his pants, and finally got tired of waiting? Arceus, he didn't know anymore...
Wait, what was Marshall doing? As the track suit jacket came off, Keone could tell more what an athletic build he had, and blushed faintly. "Ah... You uh... do seem like you have a nice physique," he told him.
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 2, 2020 23:50:31 GMT
"I know! You should see me naked," He proclaimed without an ounce of hesitation. He'd leaned back in his chair and was more or less reclining in it, completely comfortable with everything. Fortunately - or unfortunately - it looked like he wasn't about to take his pants off right away, and the host that had been squinting at him relaxed if only a little. The drink coupons were also slipped away somewhere, and Marshall actually lifted those ridiculous heart-shaped glasses up onto his head so Keone could actually see his face.
"You should really be careful not to fall for me too hard, though," Marshall continued with a long-suffering sigh. "The life I lead is dangerous, full of perils. It's not for the faint of heart. You have to be constantly vigilant, since everybody and anybody could be an enemy - yes, even the next date you have! I want you to promise me you'll be careful, all right?"
Marshall suddenly leaned across the table again, this time scooting forward enough he can clasp both of Keone's hands in his. "It's a scary world out there once this date is over. Anything can happen. If you can get me the fingerprints of the person you see after me, I can run a background check on them to make sure they're not a criminal. It's the least I can do for my fan!"
[attr="class","heart2text"] Keone's face flushed a little deeper. "I um... I'm not sure... if I wanna see anyone naked anytime soon, no offense." He laughed awkwardly.
Oh... His face was pretty cute without the sunglasses, huh? When did Keo even start thinking anyone was cute? He blamed Prem for making him gayer to be honest...
He chuckled softly at Marshall's warning, promising, "Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Oh, he was leaning across the table again. This was oddly endearing actually?? The offer had him laughing harder. If he genuinely wanted background checks on people, Dad could do that. But the offer seemed so silly in the moment. "Maybe if you wanna keep me really safe," he started, tone more light and teasing than he'd heard himself in a long while, "you should just stick with me to protect me... yeah?" He flashed Marshall a cheesy smile.
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 3, 2020 15:45:09 GMT
"Negative," He said, so quickly it was practically automatic. It wasn't said in a mean or disgusted way, though, and Marshall actually affected an air of such smug selflessness it probably made him look punchable, if not for the fact he followed this up with another of his bright, reckless smiles. "My place is here - fighting crime, and doing... keeping time! But if you want my email address and my phone number, you can reach me anytime that way."
There's no obvious sheet of paper around - odd for a speed dating event, though it might just be on the floor with everything else - so Marshall whips out his phone and also a menacing-looking sharpie. The phone is actually really expensive looking; something a crazy rich Kanto kid would have, state of the art, latest model sort of thing. He takes a moment to create a contact and then waits, looking at Keone expectantly. The sharpie was forgotten on the table for a moment, but it's there... waiting.
[attr="class","heart2text"] Negative. Keone's smile fell, replaced by a questioning frown. As Marshall went on, though, it slowly came back. He took his duty really seriously, it seemed. Keone could definitely respect that! But he was offering to keep in touch, and that seemed really nice. "Sure thing," he agreed. "Let me get yours, too~" He didn't really notice anything peculiar about Marshall's phone... probably because he pulled out a very similar model himself. Not exactly the same one, but maybe the previous version from the same company. He wasn't the sort of person who felt a need to upgrade every time a slight change was made, but between Dad's job and Mom's, he always tended to have pretty high end stuff.
He rattled off his contact details to Marshall, and waited to get his in turn. All in all, he felt this was? going pretty well? "Say, uh. If neither of us meet someone too much more interesting in our upcoming dates, do you maybe wanna get dinner when all this is over so we can have more time to chat? If you're not too busy or whatever I mean."
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 5, 2020 12:06:13 GMT
Marshall dutifully rattled off his personal cell number and then gave him his "home" phone number (which was the exact same number), and then also his roaming number (which, again, was the exact same number??? And what even was a roaming number, anyway?). Fortunately, Marshall didn't elaborate on this and instead blinked up at Keone's invitation to dinner. A thoughtful look crossed his face and he rubbed at his chin in thought, his other hand twirling the sharpie he'd picked up at some point.
"Some reconnaissance would be nice.. you can tell me all about the suspicious people you encountered after me. Yeah, I'm down for compiling notes!" That probably wasn't what Keone had intended, but Marshall's reaction was so enthusiastic was he really gonna tell him no?
"--- also, in the event I get sudden memory loss," He continued, and suddenly moved so he could throw an arm over Keone's shoulders and pull him close. He turned his face toward the phone screen, which he was holding at a flattering angle, and grinned wide and broad into the camera. "Say 'justice!'"
[attr="class","heart2text"] Keone had started to take down Marshall's "home" number before realizing it was the same number, and raised a brow at him. When he gave the "roaming" number as well, he just laughed. Had he gone on any longer, that would've quickly gotten annoying, but the Rule of Three made it funny as it was, and Keone assumed (even if probably wrongfully) that it had been intended as a joke.
He blinked as Marshall went on about suspicious people again, and started to say, "I mean that's not--" But he decided against it and just laughed lightly again. He couldn't tell if Marshall was really that ridiculous or just playing up a bit, but it was weirdly endearing, so why burst his bubble?
When he came around the table, Keone looked a little bewildered for a moment, but as soon as he realized it was for a selfie he grinned wide and flashed a peace sign, calling out, "Justice!" He chuckled afterward. "I'd say to let me get one, but clearly I won't forget your face, will I~?" he teased, waving the small signed portrait Marshall had given him.
What was the time? These dates weren't very long, right? "Ah, we've still got a minute or two," he noted. "How about... Why don't you tell me about your favorite Pokemon? Either your favorite species or your favorite you own."
Post by Marshall Legend on Feb 5, 2020 13:33:33 GMT
Marshall tinkered with his phone for a moment when they were done, saving the photo to some obscure album and typing out a note in the application on his phone (which, if Keone managed to get a peek, was completely filled with descriptions of various individuals of all kinds - and then "buy 7 radishes"). By the time he was done and putting his phone away the question had lingered in the air for a few moments and he was taking on a pondering look.
"How can anyone choose just one? Are not all pokemon qualities inherent in humans? So therefore - to just pick one favorite is to look at all the traits of all the pokemon, existing and mythical, and pick your favorite out of all of them. It just can't be done! So to that question I answer: Yes. I am my own favorite pokemon."
After a bit more thinking, he took his phone back out and fiddled with it again. It looked like he were pulling up the pictures again and - oh. That picture he just took? His new lock screen. Congratulations, Keone.
[attr="class","heart2text"] Keone didn't mean to snoop, but did happen to glance over while Marshall was messing with his phone and caught something about... radishes? Pff, was he updating his grocery list? He didn't want to seem too nosy, though, and didn't ask.
The answer to come was so interesting and so ridiculous that Keone couldn't help grinning, giggling at the end. "Wow, and here I was just gonna say I like Pyukumuku and Charjabug." He laughed a bit more. "I like soft squishy Pokemon, and Pyukumuku's a cute but stubborn pacifist with a really fun silly stomach, and Charjabug's Battery ability is really good at helping its friends. Both good quality Pokemon." He nodded.
Wait was... that was their picture on Marshall's lock screen now. Keone just assumed as a result he must be one of those people that changed it practically every day, so it wasn't too big a deal, but it was still flattering, and he blushed faintly. As he opened his mouth to comment, though, the timer went off. "Oh! Guess that's it, huh?" He smiled sweetly at Marshall. "I'll text you later though, okay? It was really great meeting you!" And they were off to their next tables.