Prom 2023 - Back to the Falls!

[indigo_league]

What’s this? There’s glitter in the air. What’s this? There’s dresses everywhere.

Oh right. It’s Prom time.



From the afternoon on, on Friday the 7th of April, your characters will all be arriving at Tohjo Falls via the transport arranged for by Lance. He did end up borrowing a few of those Corviknights from the JKBA, but there are also several of you who will find themselves flown to the Falls by one of Lance’s Dragonites or Charizards. Please give them a poffin if you are able, they are all very good boys and girls.


Your characters will be set down on a tiled driveway (more like flyway, Ha) in front of an impressive-looking villa. Those who have been here before might note that the villa has gotten a bit of a renovation and an update. Turns out that when Team Rocket kidnaps you and keeps you captive in your own home for several weeks while wrecking the house and digging Arceus knows how many basements beneath the house, you might be entitled to some compensation.

And from the looks of things, Lance and co used that compensation to turn their little vacation home back into something where they can relax in peace.

After you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Lance or one of the other Elite Four members, who will give you a quick run-down. You are free to explore the house and surrounding area at your leisure. Please respect their privacy and do not go into any of the locked rooms. You’ll find your accommodations behind the house, so feel free to head there and unpack. Oh, and, there will be a little announcement later, so if you could be in the dining room for that, that’d be stellar.

Well, off you go!




WELCOME (BACK) TO THE FALLS

THE SIGHTS The Villa As mentioned by Lance and Co, parts of the villa are off-limits to guests. Not to worry, there is nothing nefarious hiding there this time. It's just that those rooms are the Elite Four's private quarters, and they'd rather not have people go through their underwear drawers! Other areas that are off-limits include the kitchen, but this is just for practical reasons; wouldn't want to get in the way of the cooks preparing lunch and dinner. Still, even with these off-limits areas, there is still plenty to see. Library On the upper floor, there is a decently sized Library for anyone who needs a bit of peace and quiet. The books within are part of the Elite Four's personal book collections. There are a lot of books related to each members' preferred Pokemon type, as well as a very sizeable collection of books on Pokemon Battling, strategies and counter-strategies, in addition to a good number of autobiographies from famous (former) gym leaders and Elite Four members. Their books aren't all business though! There is also plenty of fiction available, as well as non-fiction related to the Elite Four's personal hobbies. The books are not marked, so it's hard to tell which book belongs to which E4 member, so have fun trying to figure out who added the books on glassblowing to the collection, and to who the knitting books belong to. Gallery Also on the top floor is a gallery that contains the many prizes each Elite Four member has won over the years, as well as some interesting artefacts they've found during their lives. Ever wanted to see Lance's first badges? Or perhaps Bruno's weightlifting trophies? And wow, looks like Will participated in some contests back in the day! Okay, those things probably aren't worth hours of visiting, but there is also a collection of photos of various legendary pokemon, as well as some items related to them, such as a feather that is said to have belonged to Ho-oh, a scale that was left behind after Groudon and Kougre fought and could it be true? One of Hoopa's hoops itself? Fascinating! Dining Room Obviously where characters can dine. Unfortunately, the dining room itself is not big enough to fit all characters at once, so they've also set up some tables outside among the tents, and people are asked to check back if there is no space. When not in use to have dinner in, the room is left open and available to anyone who'd like to use it. Ball Room Now that prom night is finally here, your characters may enter in what was previously forbidden. Yes, beyond these doors lay a mysterious land of, uh... tables and a dance floor. Listen, there is only so many ways you can describe a ballroom, okay! There is a central floor where people may dance if they so desire, and around that spot, plenty of tables and chairs have been set up for you to rest your tired dancing feet at. Though there is no big dinner served at prom, there are staff flitting around with refreshments and canapes and, fitting the style of the villa, tapas. There are, of course, also flutes of champagne and wine and other adult drinks. Note the emphasise on adult, there. Don't expect to con these waiters into giving you something if you are underaged. (instead, try and find a trusted, untrustworthy adult friend. It's okay. We won't tell your mom. Pool Outside, of course, is the pool. This hasn't changed that much from previous visits here. It's... well... it's a pool! What more can we say? It's a good place to have some fun and play around, but if you are more into relaxation or perhaps even catching some rays, there's also plenty of space around the pool with plenty of deck chairs available to you. It is still only April, so to make sure nobody catches pneumonia in the pool, the water has been heated. Please do not heat the water further. You know what we are talking about! The Accomodations Those who have visited before may remember that the Villa doesn't exactly have enough bedrooms to house all promgoers. In fact, there have been years where you just kipped on the floor in the garage-like area. Maybe Lance is trying to match the standards set by previous organisers. Maybe there was a little extra money left over after the renovations to plurge, but this year, you won't be expected to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag! Instead, behind the Villa, beyond the pool area, there is a field of tents. And these aren't your basic little travelling tents. These tents look pretty luxurious. True, you will still be sharing them with a few others, but at least you'll be sleeping in something like a regular bed. There are also some chairs and benches dotted around the area, where you can sit and relax, as well as a few open tents that have tables and benches inside of them where one could eat breakfast or dinner. (And, of course, there are tents available too where you can take care of the, ah, less glamourous needs of the human body. No need to bring your own TP either, it will be provided!) The tents house four people each. If you, for whatever reason, want to cram more people inside, Lance will be a little startled but will allow it. If you try to grab a tent all to yourself, Lance will give you a very disappointed look. The Surroundings If your character isn't the type to hang out for hours by the pool or spend their entire Saturday already getting ready for prom, why not go exploring a bit? The area around Tohjo Falls is normally off-limits to people, after all. This might be your only chance to see it. (unless we come back again here next year) While exploring, your character has the option of trekking into the forests behind the villa or descending into the cave that houses the waterfalls this area has been named for. Wild pokemon can be found in each area, though please be careful! As few people visit this location, the pokemon here are very unused to humans. Please always bring a strong pokemon with you when you go exploring! And who knows, if you keep an eye out, you might run into an unfamiliar pokemon or two... Forest (lvl 20-45) Charjabug, Corvisquire, Venipede, Sizzlipede, Fletchinder, Greedent*, Whirlipede*, Nincada*, Flapple**, Appletun**, Talonflame**, Ninjask**, Shiinotic**, Sprigatito**, Centiskorch***, Vikavolt***, Corviknight***, Trevenant***, Scolipede*** Cave (lvl 20-45) Sandshrew, Woobat, Rolycoly, Noibat, Roggenrola, Aron*, Glimmet*, Sandslash*, Rhyhorn*, Carkol*, Noivern**, Swoobat**, Boldore**, Fuecoco**, Lairon***, Rhydon***, Glimora*** Falls (lvl 20-45) (Fishing/Surfing) Qwilfish, Staryu, Arrokuda, Wishiwashi, Finneon*, Skrelp*, Lumineon*, Relicanth*, Starmie**, Overqwill**, Quaxly**, Seadra**, Gyrados***, Barraskewda***, Dragalge***, Kingdra***

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THE ANNOUNCEMENT


Once everybody has arrived and has been given some time to unpack, it's time for the announcement Lance has been teasing. What is this unique opportunity he mentioned? Will this have anything to do with prom itself? Has Lance conned us all into attending a Tupperware party?

In any case, you all gather in the dining room. The Elite Four is gathered at the front of the room, Lance taking the center stage. Will is standing next to him. For a moment Lance just glances out over the crowd, as if checking that everybody is here, before he clears his throat and begins.

"First of all, let me say that I am very happy to see you all here. It's been a few years since we last were able to greet you in our home, and here is to hoping things won't end as badly as last time.

But that is not what this announcement is about. Rather, there is going to be some changes within the Elite Four. Changes we'd like to make you a part of.

A few months ago, Will announced to us that he will be stepping down from his position as Elite Four member to--" Lance seems to pause for a moment, looking at Will, "--pursue opportunities elsewhere!

Of course, we cannot leave his spot unoccupied, so in the last few months, we've been hard at work vetting and narrowing down the choices for who will replace him. And finally, we've been able to narrow it down to just two remaining candidates. It's been a struggle, let me tell you! We've had so many qualified and incredible trainers who wanted to join us, but we believe we've found the best two.

And that is where you come in!

As I said, we have been able to narrow down the field to two final choices. And what I'd like to offer you this weekend, is an opportunity to take an active part in deciding who gets to be our newest member. You all, after all, have proven over the years that you not only care about pokemon, but you've also grown to care about this world, often helping us out when situations were dire. We believe you, as much as anyone, have a right to determine the future of this region.

In just a moment, I'd like to introduce you to our two final applicants. I can already assure you that they are both excellent trainers, and very skilled battlers, as well as individuals who we believe we can rely on in a bad situation. What we'd like if for you to cast the final vote on who takes over Will's position.

Throughout this weekend, they will make themselves available for questions. Please ask them anything you wish to know, and please also discuss the manner among yourself if you wish. Whichever person you choose, know that we already feel we could work and depend on either of them. At the end of this meeting, we'll distribute voting slips to everyone. These cannot be replaced, so please hold onto them, and once you've made your choice, please submit them to the vote box in front of the Ballroom before the start of the dance. Then, during the party on Sunday, we will reveal who will become our newest members.

Now, I've said quite enough, so let me introduce you to our two final applicants--"

The dining room doors open, and two figures stride in, walking to the front to join Lance and the other Elite Four members.




"Please welcome Bede from the Galar region and Malva from the Kalos Region"

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Comments

[gachatia]

Thank you.

[For the name thing, he means. The dignity of a name is...perhaps more than Emet-Selch would feel the majority of people here deserve, and G'raha will appreciate what little he can get.]

No, I suppose we can't quite call ourselves enemies. Not anymore, at any rate. Just...seekers of different outcomes. [And in truth, he can't insist the Scions' way is the right way. It just is a way - how things shook out. A singular, sparkling thread in the tapestry of time and space. Impossible, unpredictable, yet enduring all the same.] And initially, I was here to read, which is what people tend to do in libraries-

[Not that Emet needs that explained to him, G'raha would add, until he's fucking garcon'd at. He pauses, blinks, raises an eyebrow like, really?]

I...could see if one of the staff might be nearby and flag them down? I don't regularly carry liquors on me...

[amaure]

[He dismisses the thanks with a wave of his hand. It's certainly more than he might afford some, it's true, but even he has to admit that on some level G'raha has earned the right to hear his own name from him. Or maybe he's simply feeling generous. It's hard to know with the haze of alcohol clouding his mind.

As he goes on about their situation, well, he agrees. In the end, he assisted them, granted the Warrior of Light the means to bring them back by making what they sacrificed themselves for permanent, creating those flowers to demolish that which barred their path, and his only request was that they save the star, their star.

How things might have been different, had he known what was denied to him, but then again, maybe it wouldn't have been different at all. It's hard to say, impossible to know, but either way, in the end it was his people who lost everything.

Just as he's lost everything once again. Ever his fate, it seems.

At G'raha's reaction to being garcon'd, however, he cannot help but tilt his head with performative surprise.]

You don't? Well, might I suggest it? Certainly makes this world more bearable. But if you wish to make yourself useful and fetch one of the staff, you'd receive no complaints from me.

[As he says this, he sinks more into his seat, looking like he probably doesn't need any more alcohol, honestly? But who is going to tell a man of his age what he can or can't consume?]

[gachatia]

I shall - and I hope to find you here when I return, but I cannot insist upon it.

[Translated: he knows he can't tell Emet-Selch what to do. No one can tell this man what can do, except like. The obvious pair who are obviously not here. But yeah, he doesn't need to point it out.

G'raha ducks out and is gone for mmmmmmaaaaybe ten minutes? Somehow it was hard to track down one of the kitchen staff and insist they part with a bottle of wine - which is why when G'raha returns with a bottle of Violet Pomegranate Red, he's also got two of those plastic wine glasses with him too. Hey, he's not really offended that the staff didn't want to give a random guest the good crystal, but asking for the cups did convince them to part with the alcohol. He sets them off to the side when he returns and presents Emet with the bottle.]

You'll forgive me if it doesn't meet your standards - I merely took the suggestion of the staff.

[It's probably a decent year, at least? And a nice red color to it, too.]

[amaure]

[He's definitely still here by the time G'raha returns, in fact, he looks like he's nearly asleep when he does. His eyes barely open, but upon his return, he perks up—if one were generous enough to call it that. It's more like a sleepy lift of his head and a half-hearted attempt to push himself up with his elbows in his chair, which barely works. His golden eyes go from G'raha to the bottle, then to the plastic glasses.

Noting two of them.

Something in his gaze softens, though it might be a trick of the light. Emet-Selch would assure him it's just that.]

...What are you doing? Hoping to actually share in my company? Certainly you wish to be getting back to G'rhyf or someone—anyone—else.

[Look, he can't just, you know, accept this sort of friendliness out of nowhere! It's a little too earnest and makes his old heart feel things, especially when he's this deep into his cups. Can't he just be miserable alone? Why you gotta go and do him an actual kindness? Foolish noble-hearted Scion...]

[gachatia]

[G'raha pauses, looks back at the glasses...ah.

Well, it was sort of...I mean...he could explain the pretense, but at the same time...he now also feels bad at the idea of not using the glasses?]

...Only if you are feeling generous? I had assumed you would want the bottle to yourself.

[He'll make sure the wine reaches Emet's hands, but whether or not he wants to share is completely up to him.]

But I don't have anywhere in particular I need to be at the moment.

[amaure]

It would be rather uncouth of me to deny you, after you went out of your way to aid me thus.

[He says that, yet he sounds a little reluctant to give up any of his wine. However, he does gesture for him to grab the glasses, instead of taking the wine from him.]

If you wish to keep me company, lacking anything better to do, I will not stop you...mayhap we could even enjoy ourselves a pleasant conversation. Who knows, this place is rather boundless with its possibilities.

[There's a bitterness to those words, bitterness that his glib tone cannot properly betray.]

[gachatia]

Hm...you know, I am willing to take that gamble.

[Glasses time - it's okay if you don't give him much, he'll understand, it's your vittles]

Never did I think it possible to sit down and have a chat with Emet-Selch, but that certainly might be from a lack of trying, wouldn't it?

[I mean, the only real time they could've done that he was. Bleeding out. From a gunshot. But like as far as he knows, there's no guns here? They should be good.]