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.
It was out of the corner of his eye that Gabe saw her— his next dance partner— whether she knew it or not. She (or maybe they? he couldn’t be too sure with that tuxedo-dress no matter how pretty it was, heh) had a sort of regal air for someone standing so off to the side. Wasn’t an Empoleon supposed to be center stage? Heh.
Fluidly Gabe sauntered over, his yellow eyes alight even more than usual from the Chandelure mask across his face. As she shifted to turn around to the dance floor, he stepped up right in front of her and took a deep bow. “Why hello there, Empoleon,” he mused out playfully standing up again. “Might my little flame have a dance with a regal conqueror of the seas?” He extended a hand right after and waited.
She was going to think, she was going to mull over long and hard how she could sneak out of this ball without being seen or noticed by anybody- and if she was she was going to have to think up an excuse that wasn't pathtic if she was caught- would people accept that her... pi..plup was sick? She didn't even have a piplup- what if they found out she was lying?! Her hands move to push through her skirts, and just as she was about to move she noticed somebody out of the bustling of the crowd- were they coming closer- Mew they were coming closer- please don't come over here,please don't come over here-
She could have choked on the air and died and it would have been okay, the stranger bowed to her and suddenly there was no escape- she couldn't say anything to get out of this- was she sweating?! She was sweating! Breathe, breathe Adelaide!
She was about to attempt to fib her way out of this, maybe say that she was sick and contagious and the stranger was going to get sick too- but as she scrutinized them she found a blush furiously dusting her cheeks- they- pretty. Her mouth opened and closed with unspoken words, choked back out of fear of saying something that would sound offputting, or weird, or unnatural- what does- how does English work again?
She was going to speak- really- but then the stranger offered a hand and... might my little flame have a dance with a regal conqueror of the seas. A very unholy squeak left Adelaide's lips, out of shock and surprise- words?! What did words mean? A regal conqueror- was that- her? Was she? Regal? No, her costume was- they could tell? Was that meant to be some kind of... like... compliment? How did she respond without saying something weird-
Adelaide couldn't dance- could she? She could sing- a little- not very good- actually she... probably sounded like a cheese grater- if it could speak- could... was a cheese grated able to- focus Adelaide- no! A soft noise that didn't quite sound like english left her lips and she fidgited a few times. "I... d-dancing? With- I was... j-just... eating food." did that make sense? Oh she probably sounded like an idiot- breathe, make sense Addy! Clauncher isn't here to try level your head, so just... speak- no stuttering, you- what if they know who you are- what if they're going to target and embarress you infront of everybody?! Was this all planned?! "...I...c-can't really... u-u-uhm...dance..."
The look of absolute terror that flashed in the girl’s eyes had Gabe’s eyebrow raising some behind his mask, but as she settled therein, he made two assumptions: One, she was probably not a dancer by trade. And Two: she was shy. Shy and nervous. That assumption was only verified by her sudden squeaky outburst. And fidgety, and adorable. God, he just wanted to mess with her now. But no, not here. Not right now. He was just dancing with people.
“Oh?” he mused softly at her admission now. “That’s alright. I can show you a few basic steps….” Like he had plenty of others up to that point. “If you’d like, anyways.” His hand dropped some but didn’t fall to his wayside just yet. His eyes remained on her, and the smile on his face remained easy. “Why don’t you give it a try and a ball?” Of all places to be. He knew he could always push her, always reach back for that psychic power he had, but he’d wait just a moment longer.
They could show her a few basic steps?! Just so she'd stumble over memorization and make a fool of herself in front of others? What would people say, if they saw her attempting to learn to dance?! It'd be Adelaide Gladstone, who couldn't do anything without her sister- Adelaide Gladstone who was pathetic for needing help- it'd be a cover story that'd send her screaming back to Tawny! Her hands fumbled at the top of her suit dress, running over the fabric, smoothing out the creases- attempting to focus on the feeling of the fabric- it was... smooth- it- it was... was it okay?
Why didn't she give it a try and ball? Why didn't she... what if she fell over? What if she ate the ground?! What if her dress ripped, or... or the got so nervous she threw up?! What if she was awful at dancing and people laughed at her- or they laughed at her costume and all the hard work that went into it?! "...U-Uhm..." The stranger was smiling at her- were they.. was she amusing them- or was it an attempt to calm her down?! She'd look a mess- the stranger... they looked so put together- like they'd spin circles around her if she even attempted to dance- oh that'd make her look even more a fool!
"Y-You...you won't... p-people won't judge me- right?" There was another fidgit and her hands moved to her mask, as if checking it was actually on- that- what if it fell off?! What if people... she... Mew save her. "N-No... I...I'd... i'd... e-even if... even if you show me steps i'll.. i'll j-just..." She fought for the right words, but nothing came.
"Nnngh..." Her hands left her mask and she started lightly pulling at her fingers, attempting to hide her shaking,it would be rude to say no, this... this pretty stranger came out of nowhere and- and they'd be offended, they'd start sending rumours to people about the bad empoleon and then they'd figure out it was Adelaide and then her career'd be over! Eventually she ended up bowing her head, almost as if she'd given up an internal war. "I-If...If...I-If I.. don't have to dance around o-other people... t-then...maybe?"
She was so fidgety and flighty, it was almost a damn shame. Gabe felt his lips tighten a little, but he remained smiling for now. People won’t judge me-right? Gabe’s brow quirked at the weird question. He couldn’t get a word in edge wise as she went on, though. For a few seconds, Gabe stared dumbfounded that such a girl could even exist here in public. “Sweetie, everyone else is too busy dancing themselves,” he assured after a moment. “And besides, on a night of mystery and magic, no one knows who you are anyways.”
As she bowed her head and spoke again, Gabe fidgeted. His hand raised and he struggled with himself before finally shifting to set it on the top of her head gently ruffling her hair. “How about I just show you a few steps?” There was a pleasing sort of saccharine feel to his words, laced with something soft and easy. “Don’t worry, it’ll be just fine. Just follow me.” A small tug and he’d try and lead her out a little onto the dance floor, aways from the bulk of others, but still there none the less. "Even if you fall, I'll catch you."
They're all... too busy dancing? No- no they might be dancing now, but one mistake and all eyes would be on her- one look and she'd know somebody would be saying something to their friends about her- then it'll spread like a whisper chain and she'd be the next one on the chopping block! And why sweetie?! The very nickname caused colour to further bloom on her cheeks, what does she do?! Even if there was mystery- could it even be guaranteed?! What if they could figure her out through how she spoke, how she behaved?! There was... there was always that possibility! She was terrified, and didn't dare raise her head.
She was going over more unneccesary possibilities when she felt a hand on her head, drawing her out of her thoughts, if only momentarily. Showing... her... just a few steps? But... b... that... that... actually sounded... really good- she was almost lulled into a comfort by the strangers words, and found a very soft, "...F-Fine... b-but... only a few steps..." Leaving her lips.
There was a hand grabbing and guiding her, but she didn't quite register it- she was petrified, so many bad end scenarios rushing through her head- were people staring at her right now?! What did they think was going on- did she look weird, being dragged?! Was her mouth open- she was going to catch flies! Even if she'd fall- she'd be catched- but then she'd look pathetic- people would still- they'd...
No- Adelaide! You're going to make yourself seem pathetic to the pretty stranger and they had you by the hand- they could literally do anything to you like this- if you get on their bad side or annoy them too much they could easily throw you to the ground! "I...I...uh... o..okay... how... what do I..." SHe glanced around the room, shaking- was she sweaty?! Were her hands sweaty?! "Are-a-are they looking?!"
Cute, she was so cute. He wanted to squish her. What was that called? Cuteness aggression? Yeah that. Maybe I should just kidnap her and— Ah, hang on there, brain, this was just a ball dance.
As the Empoleon started to stutter out a question only to change it, Gabe smiled softly. “Follow me,” was all he’d answer back with. No room for questions on who was looking when you were the one moving after all. “Step back, step left, step forward, step right…” Gabe said these things slowly as he moved in the square. “That’s right… good. Slow breaths, you’re doing fine.” He repeated these things over and over as he slowly moved her through the motions.
Follow the stranger? Follow the stranger?! How is that even possible? Do you mimic their steps? Do you stay awkwardly behind them and trail in their footsteps?! Surely, that's not it, right? That's not how it's supposed to go? As he began speaking, primarily telling her where to step she realized it was... almost like Simipour Says, back at the docks when helping her dad direct the ships... Okay... okay she... if she didn't do anything she'd look stupid- and people would see her na djudge her- she'd... Mew she'd be a mess.
She was thankful the stranger was moving slowly, or else she'd be stumbling, focusing on her movements she began to move, albeit hesitantly and clumsily. She was still shaking, and wary of every little sound around her. Was this too slow for the tune? Was she doing it right? Step forward... step right... almost like her sister teaching her to do coordination moves all over again.
The stranger said she was doing fine, but- she knew she wasn't, were they just trying to make her think that, when really they were probably making her do something that was utterly ridiculous? Lull her intoa false sense of security?! Adelaide attempted to calm down, but she was nervous, and wary, and Clauncher was in their pokeball and they couldn't help... okay... okay... "A-Are you... are you s-sure i'm... doing this right?"
Better… Gabe remained forcibly calm in order to keep the Empoleon calm. She was still so shaky, but at least she was moving a bit more fluidly with each step. Gabe kept up the compliments and assurances just for good measure, though. It seemed to be helping, or at least it wasn’t causing any harm.
Or— Gabe paused at the Emploeon’s question. “You’ve got the foot pattern down correctly,” he started to answer. “But you are a little stiff and shaky.” He smiled a little apologetically at her. “Are you having fun, though? I know I am.” He grinned a little warmly after that. That was why they were all here, after all. This was a chance to have fun, and even in the ups and downs, Gabe was indeed having fun.
She's... got the foot pattern down right- okay! That was a start, right? Or... or was the stranger just saying this to be nice?! That was probably likely, actually, lots of people did that, a formality, the stranger probably just didn't want her to lose her shit- they thought she was insane- did they notice her shaking!? Of course they did, who couldn't- were her legs trembling? Was her terror that obvious?
As they pointed out her being stiff and shaky a mumble of, "S...Sorry..." left her lips, and she kept her head trained down to her feet, watching- so it was noticeable- should she just... go? Would... would that be okay- or would they tell tales to other people about the Empoleon who was really Adelaide Gladstone who couldn't dance and couldn't stop shaking- the headlines- Mew the headlines! Focus- focus on the steps- on... on the movements, Adelaide!
A step left, a step right- she was trying to even her breathing, to concentrate. As the stranger asked if she was having fun her eyes flicked up nervously, before almost instantly going back down to her feet. "I...I d-don't know..." Left her lips, hesitant. Fun- what was fun- was this fun, constantly freaking out about every little thing she did- how could she enjoy this when she was worrying so much?!
her grip on the stranger. seemed to tighten slightly and she almost tripped, attempting to focus further on what she was doing tho, she didn't speak for a good moment or two, "B...But it reminds me... a l-lttle bit of a sailor jig back h-home... i-is this... a normal thing for coordinators to do- t-to... to dance? I-Is... i-is it... is it something else i'm just n-never going to be good at? I- Being stiff- t-that's... thats not something t-that should... ever be... s-said, right? R-right?!" Her voice continued rising as she began rambling, breaking with a squeak at the end as she tripped. She was thinking out loud, that was never a good sign.
Ugh— Gabe bit the inside of his mouth as the Empoleon apologized. Please don’t be another scarecrow… He wondered how strongly he could push his influence to calm her. Would it be enough? She at least had some experience with coordinating? (Even if she was negatively assessing herself even then?) As she tripped, he caught her and dipped her. Reaching back to that psychic power in his mind, he yanked at it as much as possible and met the Empoleon’s gaze unblinkingly.
“You seem to be one of those who is hardest on herself,” he stated. “But self-critique only gets you so far. You need to have the courage to step forward even when you’re not skilled just yet. You are doing wonderfully. You are beautiful, powerful, and capable. You can be good at anything your heart desires with enough time and practice. You simply have to commit yourself. These are truths.” His gaze broke away again, and he smiled softer. His head ached a little from pulling at that power so forcefully, but oh well.
She was stiff- she was stiff and the stranger was going to get annoyed and she was probably going to be left in the middle of the dancefloor, maybe that's for the best though? She could barely keep a single food steady, and as her words trailed off so did her balance, and she stumbled- she felt herself begin to fall until the stranger managed to catch her and dipped her- but instead of being righted, criticized and spun off to be somebody elses problem the strangers gaze found her own.
Remarkable gold met unremarkable brown- gaze holding hers- unblinking. The stranger spoke twisted words, words pointing out things that she could easily counter, easily bite back with another stammer and terrified squeak- but she couldn't move- she felt trapped. Trapped in the strangers words.
Self-critique only gets her so far?! Her self critique stems for real critique, from things said- but... it sounded... so convincing?! No. No- Adelaide. If she didn't right every little thing she did wrong then she'd just continue getting it wrong- that was obvious! Wasn't it- was... it? The strangers words continued to spin.
She needs to have the courage to step forward- she... did, didn't she? She... needed... no- she already had it, right? Did it look to the stranger like she didn't have it?! She could be confident- she- but... people were staring- oh... She couldn't move, but she could think. She was beautiful, powerful and capable? Tell that to the reporters that tore her apart- she was dull, she'd- she wasn't the person who could be liked- and how could somebody who couldn't even make a coherent sentence be powerful- she was barely capable of thinking straight- but- maybe- she- the stranger didn't even know her- why-
She could be good at anything with enough time and practice- but she did commit- did it- was it like she hadn't spent every waking hour of her time here trying?! If it wasn't for Tawny- Tawny... Truths. They were truths- were they truths? Couldn't be further from the truth- but they sounded true... "I...I..." Her mouth attempted to formulate words, but she couldn't. Her brain was in hyperdrive, fending off the words spoken to her while also feeling convinced about them
A very soft, inhuman noise left her lips, akin to a squeak- she felt light- this wasn't normal- right? Was she a failure? Did she appear so offputting to strangers? Did the stranger think she wasn't commiting herself?! How could she be beautiful, when all they had seen was time and effort put into a costume supplied by a sister she hadn't seen for weeks? She was Adelaide Gladstone- she... she wasn't... she couldn't...
Her grip on the stranger was almost desperate now, her thoughts swirling up a storm in her head, her eyes wide, shaking- staring into the strangers own, a barely audible, "...h-huh..." leaving her lips before she all but went limp in his arms, fainting from the stress.
Hopefully at least some of this will stick… Gabe’s eyes searched the Empoleon’s features for any signs of recognition or of retention. As she started to speak, he waited for some sort of response, but there was none. Gabe blinked. The grip around Gabe had tightened, and he winced in response. What was going through her head? What was going through her head? He didn’t hear the soft noise that escaped from her before she fainted. He only saw it. And that was it.
Suddenly the Empoleon seemed to slack all at once, and Gabe scrambled to grasp her and keep them both semi-standing. “Are you alright?” he asked once, twice, a third time. No, she wasn’t alright. She was out, out cold. Gabe blinked a couple of times in rapid succession. Oh… oh great….
He had just enough strength to lift and carry her off the dance floor and over to the bar. The bartender was quick to call a medical aid who was attending for kind of this exact purpose. As others tended to the girl, Gabe faded into the back. He’d wait till she was conscious again and the nurse said she was fine before coming over and smiling a little. “Sorry about that…” he sigh-smiled. “Rest for a while.”
And with that, he was scrambling out and away to change costumes and to wash his hands of the situation.
By the time Gabe came back out again, he was dressed in a slightly different outfit, one resembling Gothitelle with a long black slip dress with some well-placed bows in the pattern of Gothitelle. His hair had been pulled back with a single large white ribbon making another bow. A blue eyed half mask now covered his features. Yes, this one would do.
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