[Video | Action for Goldenrod]

[autocratic]

[ Private Text Sent to Ventus in the early Morning }

I must speak with you. Attend to me when you are available.


[ The feed clicks on to briefly show a Shinx's face before he grabs at the Gear, carrying the device in his mouth and turning it around to face his trainer. Said trainer's currently standing at what looks to be a dock, stretching quite languidly, and... in swimwear.

Unaware of the shenanigans her little Pokemon is up to, Nero pumps up her fist once she's done stretching. ]

Mmm! Such a beautiful day! I believe Spring has finally arrived. A good time for an exercise...

Right, Praetor?

[ There doesn't seem to be an answer to whoever Nero's just addressed... until a distant roar is heard. There's a slight rumble as whatever it is is coming closer, then a very loud splash occurs in front of Nero's face as a Gyarados rises from the depths of the oceans, peering down at her trainer. She merely laughs while her Gyarados lowers her head so that Nero can climb and sit on top of her crown. ]

Now... let us dance!

[ Her response from her sea serpent is a loud roar, before Praetor crashes back into the ocean, with Nero still on top. Lux the Shinx lets out a yelp and ambles closer to the edge of the dock, where Nero and Praetor the Gyarados pop out of the surface of the ocean ahead, and you can still hear the Emperor's jubilant cries.

Yup. Someone's bouncing with her recently evolved Gyarados. In Goldenrod waters. ]


[ Actual Video, a few hours afterward ]

[ The feed snaps back on after a moment, now showing Nero actually addressing the Gear herself. Still in her swimwear, but with a red towel draped around her shoulders and currently sipping on a can of lemonade, she takes a moment to swallow before speaking: ]

Good afternoon. Due to... recent events, I feel I must ask whether or not Johto holds an annual... festival, of sorts? Truly, there are times to be serious, but keeping that a constant in one's life is just as unhealthy as being too lax!

Comments

[text - private]

[ex_aeroga402]

I'm not busy. What's going on?

[text - private]

[autocratic]

Joyous day! Praetor has evolved! You must come meet her!

[text - private]

[ex_aeroga402]

That's great! Where're you at?

[text - private]

[autocratic]

By Goldenrod's docks! You must come with all haste! She has become a powerful creature!

[text - private]

[ex_aeroga402]

Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes.

[And a-running he goes]

[action]

[autocratic]

[ Nero will tuck her Gear away, then, waiting patiently, but with anticipation! For now, she'll just stretch on her spot, never minding the few stares she gets from passersby who glance at her... revealing bikini. ]

[action] 1/3

[ex_aeroga402]

[It doesn't take long for Ven to locate Nero and her Gyarados, coming to a halt at the end of the pier]

Nero, he-

[Just as he lifts an arm to wave at her, he gets a good look at what she's wearing. It sure doesn't cover very much...]

[action] 2/3

[ex_aeroga402]

[At all, actually.

And it takes him a few moments to realize he's giving that a bit more regard than he ought to, his face getting a touch red for it]

[action] 3/3

[ex_aeroga402]

[He's not used to getting derailed that way, but Master raised him better than this, so he does his best to recover. Firmly placing his focus on Nero's face where it belongs, he clears his throat and tries again]

Hey, Nero! Praetor's looking great.

[action]

[autocratic]

[ You're getting a roar of agreement from said gigantic sea serpent, Ventus. Nero, on the other hand, lets out a jubilant laugh before walking closer to him. ]

Greetings, Ventus! I am pleased you think so. Is she not a beautiful, strong creature?

[ She places a hand on her chest, to say something, but she pauses to stare at that touch of red on his face. ]

Oho, has the hearty weather of Spring gotten to you too much, Ventus? [ Orisitthebikini. ]

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

Huh?

[Ven only wishes he could claim it was a sunburn with a straight face, but even if he could, the fact that eventually it'd fade would make it pointless to attempt]

I...well...

[He's not sure he can admit that Nero's choice of swimwear is mighty distracting, either. So instead!]

I can tell you've both been working hard, seeing how she is now.

[action]

[autocratic]

[ Nero merely makes an amused sound at his response, and easily accepting that as an answer... for now. ]

Indeed! I meant it when I made my said that I will challenge and be triumphant over these Gyms! Praetor will be a welcome force of destruction to make that happen!

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[And he'll be glad he didn't get caught there. Or rather, relieved]

I know you'll do great in matches, especially if you check out type weaknesses beforehand. Has anybody told you about move tutors, by the way?

[Because he knows his team's gotten a few interesting moves that way]

[action]

[autocratic]

"Move tutors"? No, no one has not! Who are these teachers?

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

They travel around, but they're usually easy to spot. I'm pretty sure there's one in town, if you'd like me to point the guy out.

[action]

[autocratic]

I would love that, but! Would you not like to join us, Ventus?

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

Join you?

[When does he ever not want to hang with a friend, but he isn't sure what she means]

[action]

[autocratic]

[ Her arm gestures grandly to the waters before them. ]

Why, for a swim, of course! It is a perfect day to enjoy such! Besides, such an exercise might help you cool that head of yours.

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[The comment actually prompts him to feel his forehead, looking up as though he'll see anything but his wrist in front of him]

Cool my head?

[action]

[autocratic]

[ And then she goes to place a hand on his cheeks, feeling the increased there. ]

As expected. [ Grinning, yes. ]

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

[He'd probably be disappointed in his own transparency if he wasn't so busy getting redder and hoping he isn't]

I-I'm just-

[Can't even come up with an excuse]

[action]

[autocratic]

[ She keeps her hand there. You cannot fool her sense of touch, Ventus! ]

You will continue to lie to me about your condition, even though the evidence is within my grasp? Come now, Ventus, it is only a swim!

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

I'm not lying. [He can't help but huff a small sigh] Master taught me better than to get all...

[Whatever this is. Shaking his head a little as though to dispel some mental fog, he tries to move on from that point]

I don't think I'm dressed for swimming though.

[action]

[autocratic]

Oh? [ She'll finally move her hand away, then. ]

That can be fixed. We can march right back into that Department Store and purchase one!

[action]

[ex_aeroga402]

Well, I could do that...

[Because naturally he doesn't think that Nero would waltz into the store in her bikini]