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***

---

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

[4play]

[IV only stares at him with a semi-haunted expression, as if the other had just asked him something very, very stupid. How often can a man die, only to come back different, indeed.

But all he settles on is]

It happened to you once, so you just calmly settled on it never happening again? If I had my body altered this much once before, then you could be damn sure that I'd be prepared for it happening again.

[He is also tempted to mock the phrasing that Monsoon could "dodge any incoming attack if timed correctly", but IV still holds some respect for the guy. So he is going to keep his tongue in check, if not his dramatics.

Heaving another sigh, he sinks back into his seat and rubs his temples.]

.......So what you're really saying is that you have been tooting your horns about the 'good old days when you still were somebody' and ragging on the 'incompetence' of Team Rocket while you're both pretty much toothless. Man, I feel really silly right now...

[Attila chuffs something that sounds a suspicious lot like a laugh - serves them right for looking down on Team Rocket! - before he trots over and nestles once more against his trainer. Hopefully IV will take this revelation and do his dastardly deeds together with him for Team Rocket and Team Rocket alone now.]

[lorentzforcego]

I don't know how things happen in your world but when you die in mine, that's it.

[Unless you get saved in the nick of time and are alright with post-humanism. But that's beside the point. He's not sure if World Marshall could have saved him a second time. He got chopped to pieces even moreso than he was already in.]

So obviously I didn't have much to think on as I was dying, yes? That was the end. I would like to see you come up with such a clever idea as you were dealing with "Jack the Ripper."

[Monsoon leans over IV's chair, hands folded behind his back. It's his turn to get into the other's personal bubble.]

Do not speak ill of the boss. Even if I'm incapable of doing something, he is plenty able.

All I ask is for time. That doesn't seem an unreasonable request. How long did it take you to hone your skills as a Duelist? To build your deck to absolute perfection, to know every combination and strategy you could pull from it?

I don't imagine that was an overnight thing.

[He stands up straight again, peering down at the teen.]

Give me the time I need to fully master my abilities.... and then you will want for nothing while working with Armstrong and myself.

[The older man cocks his head to one side.]

... Unless, you want to live the rest of your life secretly as a low-class criminal for a cartoonish organization.

[4play]

[He ignores the first part. Besides him never having met anybody calling himself after some half-made-up serial killer, IV both has both fight nails, teeth and claws until the very end and even then he had still been ready and even begged his own killers just so that he could keep going-! And the end result? He still has a chance. It might be tiny, riding on the fact that he knows how all-comsuming a grudge can be and him being willing to bet his everything on that just to reach his goal of saving - if already not himself, then at least - his own family, but.... It's there.

His life is still going strong against all odds. The Crest that's still silently burning into his skin is proof of that.]

Time [IV cranes his neck back so that he can meet the red gleam of Monsoon's shades with a languid smirk that's all fangs and the instincts of a predator] ...is the one thing that you won't have in a real fight.

[Attila barks at the belittling of Team Rocket, although there is no way for the two humans to understand his reason for being mad. The canine gives Monsoon's Hanzo a scathing look - why are you letting your human get away with that?! - before he forcefully pushes himself between Monsoon and IV, growling deep at the older man. Pets and treats are nice, but don't go looking down on Attila's pack!]

....what do I care who I'm working for? We're all just marionettes on somebody's strings.

[lorentzforcego]

Which is why, dear IV, I do not fight unless necessary. Do not think for a second that I don't have prior experience with fighting, whether casual, to defend my own life, or to end someone else's. Are you familiar with the music genre dubstep? How the song slowly builds up until finally the bass is dropped and it hits its proper crescendo. That is how I operate.

The song of my skills is still climbing. Just a bit more time and then the bass will drop.

[Hanzo blinks and shrugs his shoulder. He does what he wants. Why does it matter?

Monsoon glances down at Attila but doesn't back away, still standing to his full height asides from his tilted head. He knows better than to try to calm the pup down. He's only doing what his programming is telling him to.]

You should care. Surely you don't want to live a life of mediocrity like all the other Grunts and Trainers here. We may not have known each other for very long but I believe it's safe for me to say that that simply isn't your style.

[4play]

[IV rolls his eyes at the big talk. Does he think that Monsoon has and can be dangerous again, should the other wish to? Definitely. But it takes way more than that to still impress somebody like IV. He might still be young, but he has seen too much already.]

Dubstep, huh? I wasn't even aware that qualifies as music nowadays.

[He smirks lazily as he reaches over and puts a hand on Attila to calm him down. The Rockruff isn't happy about it, but it follows IV's orders.]

If you are dubstep, then I'm danse macabre. [IV isn't much one for classical music, least of all orchestra, but that particular piece stuck out to him after he heard it once by chance. Monsoon's assessment of him has him laugh, though. It's a short, single exhale of air, both mocking and defiant.] An amazing lot of people seem to think that they know me, and what I think and want lately.

Say, Monsoon, according to your own "meme" it should be all futile and pointless in the end, shouldn't it? So what should some made-up rank that only matters to a local organization here matter to me?

[lorentzforcego]

[It's obvious from the look on his eyes that IV has gone through stuff. Monsoon would be a blind fool not to notice. He shrugs at the comment about the genre he chose.]

It's still popular enough in 2018. I wouldn't be surprised if it's died out by now though. Danse Macabre, hm? That is quite a lovely genre. Powerful, haunting.

[Attempting to appeal to his showmanship side wasn't the way to go - or so IV is making it seem. He's well aware the young man doesn't like to be told what to do. That was obvious from the start. The albino looks him over for a moment.]

My apologies for assuming then.

[He turns to return to his bed and sits back down, pulling his book and pen back out to continue writing some notes.]

In the end, yes. But why wouldn't you still do everything you're capable of even if only for your peace of mind?

Besides... you're not the nihilist. I work around the fact that people view life differently than me.

[4play]

Repeating, repeating, the known, only to suddenly pervert it into something unsettling that's hard to bear... [IV's lips part into a haunting smile before he shrugs his shoulders and slips out of the mood as easily as he went into it]

I want to be strong enough to protect myself and live the way I wish. Everything else is just luxury.

[lorentzforcego]

[Monsoon simply hums in an amused manner at the description. It is fitting for IV and those little glimpses of something more he's seen. There's no need to point that out though.]

Surely you wouldn't do that half-heartedly, yes? If you don't put your all into it then where is the challenge and the chance to better yourself?

[4play]

Hah! As if I'd care where it is!

I'm a doll, my mere existence is purpose enough. [As long as he doesn't get tossed away... ]

[lorentzforcego]

[The older man tilts his head to one side slightly, tapping the pen against his cheek. What an interesting way to view oneself. Perhaps a bit similar to his own view on his life towards Armstrong. He's a resource to be used to further the American's goals. That's all that matters to him.

His lips curl into something softer than his usual smirks or grins.]

As long as you are happy with yourself.

[4play]

[IV's eyes widen a bit at that before he jerks his head to look away and stands quickly up.]

I should go.

I'll get back to you about those language lessons, but for now I need to see what my 'date' is up to. Attila, heel!

[and with that, he storms out of the tent]