Post by kira on Nov 8, 2009 17:58:50 GMT -5
Holy freakin' A, this place was huge.
In absolute awe at the giant Gothic cathedral-like building, you tilt your head all the way back to gaze up at the five towers that rise from the base, reaching for the skies. There was absolutely no avoiding the slight anxious feeling in your gut, the place was... Gigantic. Not only that, but you would soon be face to face with the most powerful trainer the Sinnoh region. Taking a deep breath to calm your nerves and settle the butterflies, you step into the building, looking around once inside.
Oh! You must be with Jubilife TV center, for the interview, am I correct?
Whipping your head around to find whom the voice belongs to, you spot a green haired woman guarding the door that lead to the Elite Four Challenge chambers, a big smile on her face. It must have been her job to keep lookout for the interviewer, and you nod as she finishes her question. A grin spreads on her face as she stands aside, holding an arm out in the direction of the League Hall.
You can enter through here. The other Elite Four members have been given the day off so there will be no challengers, and the interview will go uninterrupted. Security has made it so the elevator will go straight to the top.
Stepping through the doorway, you shift your weight back and forth, on one leg then the other, uneasily as the elevator rises to the top floor.
Ding!
The doors opened, revealing the room that countless trainers had their final Pokemon League struggle in. The tiles on the floor were dark gray, spaced evenly with light gray grouting between them. The shade the walls and ceiling were painted was lighter than the tiles, but it was only a slight difference. In the center of the room, in the shape of a Pokeball, were fluorescent blue lights, the glow traveling around the outer and inner circles. The very center, which would be the button on the capsule, was glowing yellow.
It was also where Cynthia was positioned, sitting upright with regal posture on a black chair, waiting for your arrival. Part of your anxiety melted away as she flashed a smile in your direction.
Welcome to my League room, I've been waiting for you. Do come in.
You nod as she gestures to a second chair next to her, making your way over and sitting down. She seems to take a quick glance at you, reading your facial expression, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
Please don't be nervous, I like to think I'm an easy person to talk to.. There's no reason to feel anxious, alright?
Giving a slight nod, she smiles again.
Great! So, shall we begin?
Cynthia
The Sinnoh-League Champ
Parents call me..
There is a slight pause as the sides of her mouth tug into the slightest frown, but only for a moment before her expression returns to normal.
Well, I never really got to see my parents much. Both my mother and my father traveled across the regions for their research on all different kinds of Pokemon. As the years went on, I grew tired of the constant travel, and they concluded so much moving wasn't good on an eight year old. So from then on, I lived with my grandmother in Celestic.
The blond raises a hand to her face, tapping her bottom lip with her index finger, as if she were thinking.
My full name is Cynthia Shirona, but from what I remember, my parents mostly called me "Cyndi" or "Cyn". I always preferred my full first name, but they never remembered that.
My Friends call me..
Hm.. Come to think of it, I don't really have any nicknames..
She stops to think for a moment, tilting her head to the left a little and slightly shifting her eyes to look up. Another thinking pose. A good ten seconds of silence passes before she lowers her gaze to lock on eye contact again, shaking her head 'no'.
Everybody, friend or foe, usually just calls me Cynthia. 'Champion Cynthia' has been said occasionally, as well as 'Miss Sinnoh' or even 'Shirona'. However, I have gotten some nasty names from grudging trainers that I've beaten. 'Dumb blond' is the more common one.
A semi-amused sigh escapes her mouth as her eyes close, sides of her mouth twitching into a smile. She crosses her arms over her chest as her head shakes in disbelief at the audacity some people have.
It's hard to believe some are really that hateful..
I'm not an it! I'm a..
The blond lets out a small, amused laugh, smiling at you as if you had just made a joke. Seeing that your expression is unchanging, she blinks, looking rather confused now.
O-oh, wait, that's a serious question? Not to sound rude, but I thought it was rather obvious that I am indeed female.. Between my name and appearance, I didn't think my gender would be questionable..
I am a...
Champion. More specific, the Champion of the Sinnoh Region. However, I cannot take all of the glory for this title. Every single one of my Pokemon have worked incredibly hard, and always do their best to please me.. They truly are spectacular.
The corners of the young woman's mouth curve up to form a warm smile, silver eyes giving off a humble look despite her authoritative position. It was quite obvious that the blond did not boast about her title, nor did she feel she was greater than any other person.
I also study Sinnoh Mythology in my free time, so in a way I'm a researcher as well? How Sinnoh was created, the influence Pokemon have on every day life.. It's all so interesting to me. If it weren't for my duties as Champion, I could spend all day in the Canalave Library, reading up on as much information as possible.
I don't need wrinkle cream! I'm..
Wrinkle cream? Why would I need that so early in my life..?
The Sinnoh-League Champions mouth works its way into a frown as she raises a hand to touch the side of her face. With an amused look and a small chuckle, you explain that it is simply a humorous way of asking for her age. Feeling a little slow for not catching on, she lets out a sheepish laugh.
Oh! I see. Well, I am currently twenty two years old.
A bright, warm smile stretches across her face once more.
And no, I don't need wrinkle cream.
Do you think I need a diet?
Well no, I don't believe I need a diet. I'm constantly training myself as well as my Pokemon, it'd be selfish of me to completely rely my title as Champion on them. I have to be fit too, you know.
.. Are you trying to tell me something though?
The Sinnoh Champion rises from her seat and walks over to a full size mirror hanging on the wall.
I do believe I'm a good weight for my height.
Naturally, Cynthia had a small build, and if it weren't for her heels she'd be rather short. Including shoes she stood just a little shy of 5'5'', with one of the skinniest waists one would see. Curves weren't very defined, but they were there, along with some bust up top. Her skin was on the fair side, almost as pale as snow. Lovely, wavy blond hair reached down to her knees, a rather impressive length for the few split ends it contained. Fastened to both sides of her head were barrettes similar to a Lucarios aura sensors, a thin golden stripe like an Umbreons ring pattern running across them. Two thick locks of hair were pulled forwards over her shoulders, curled under ever so slightly to complement her rounded face. Long bangs swept across her forehead, covering most of the left side of her face. One of her elegant, silver eyes was visible, always seeming to give off an approachable, friendly expression.
.. Don't underestimate, though. If you really tried and pushed her to a fine line, things would go from welcoming to war.
Despite the amiable air she gave off, the Champion looked as if she were about to go to a funeral: dressed in nothing but black. She wore a mid-calve length trench coat, buttoned together over her chest, a silver tear-drop shaped pin hanging from the center between two small silver buttons. Hiding her entire neck was a thick choker made of black, shaggy faux fur. The fuzzy material decorated the rims of her sleeve cuffs and the bottoms of her trench coat, as well. Underneath, her attire was simple. A plain, low-cut tank top with long, formal dress pants covering her legs. As mentioned before, she wore black heeled shoes, a thin stripe of gold also running across the toes.
Actually, with the colors she wore, it was questionable why the woman didn't own an Umbreon..
After a few more seconds, the blond turns away from the mirror to face you, a beaming smile gracing her face.
Yes.. I am a good weight for my height. I wouldn't change it.
My emotional disposition?
Disposition..? As in my outlooks, my personality?
With a smile, you give her a slight nod. She may not have caught onto the 'wrinkle cream' or 'diet' joke so quickly, but she easily deciphered this question. It must have been because she was used to interviews, or her vocabulary was as vast as her reputation.
Well.. There are rumors, then there is the truth.. I can tell you off the bat what I am not. I'm not a dumb blond, that is for sure. I am an intelligent human being, both in knowledge and common sense. I am able to think quick on my feet and use my surroundings to as much of an advantage as possible. So that cliche.. About how all blonds are dumb...
I hope I break it.
Arrogant, conceited, more things I am not. For some reason, quite the number of people are convinced that I am full of myself.
Her eyebrows furrow slightly as the sides of her mouth stretch into a frown, silver eyes looking serious.
I try my best to come off as an amiable, helpful person, and wouldn't even dream of saying I was better than anyone else. The last thing I want to be seen as is egotistical, but.. A few people see me as that way, apparently. There isn't much I can do about that, since everyone is going to have someone who hates them, but I do hope you believe me when I say I'm not like that at all..
You glance up from your pad to look the woman in the eyes, silver irises giving off a sincere look. As you nod, you shoot her a warm smile, which she returns.
Thank you.. So shall we move on?
Things that are Groovy:
The blond raises an eyebrow in amusement, letting a chuckle escape her lips.
"Groovy"? Haven't heard that word in a long time, hah.
Pokemon!
What kind of Champion would I be if I didn't? They are phenomenal creatures, I hope that I'll be able to work with them the rest of my life. Even after my career as Champ.
My Job
Battling has played a big part in my life ever since I got my first Pokemon. Being able to battle for a living is as close to a dream come true as you'll get. There are other reasons, as well. Being the Champion, I get to fight all different kinds of trainers, witness dozens of unique battle styles , and meet an incredibly wide variety of Pokemon. It's a beautiful thing.. Especially when a challenger shares a close bond with their partner.
Getting to see true teamwork is what makes the job worth it one hundred percent.
Mythology
Like I mentioned before, once I pick up a book on Sinnoh Mythology, it captivates me so easily. I can't explain why, I guess it's just extreme curiosity and the need to keep taking in new information. Ha, I sound like a book nerd, don't I? That's alright, though, it's my hobby and I refuse to give it up. No matter what people say, I'll always find the old legends and folk tales behind Sinnoh fascinating.
Maybe someday I'll even study mythology on the other regions.. Hm..
The Other Champions
It's only natural that I hold a great deal of respect for them. There is no doubt in my mind that they have worked equally as hard, if not more, for the title as well. Holding the name "Champion" isn't all about strength, a concept a lot of trainers fail to realize. It's about the bond with your Pokemon, working together as a team, and how well you work together. Both Lance and Wallace have extremely impressive and capable teams with them, and even though Steven stepped down, he will always be seen as a powerful trainer.
Ice Cream
Without a doubt, the best
Things that aren't so Groovy:
Galactic
I honestly.. Have no clue what this group is doing, what their leader hopes to achieve through using both Pokemon and people. Something about creating a 'new world'? It really sounds like gibberish to me.. And the group still seems to be underground.. However, it is my duty as Champion of Sinnoh to keep them from seriously hurting people or disturbing habitats. I will do just that.
Pokemon Abuse/Misuse
It's both saddening and infuriating to see people abuse or misuse their Pokemon, disregarding them as partners and using them as 'slaves' for their power. What truly makes a Pokemon strong is the trust and love they get from their trainers, such support helps magnify their stamina and allows them to keep on pushing. Unfortunately, there are people in this world who fail to realize this..
Disrespect
As much as it irks me to be disrespected by someone I don't even know, it bothers me even more to see the other Elite Four members, as well as the Gym Leaders, being treated like dirt by their challengers. I don't get why some trainers let their egos inflate because of how many badges they have.
'Dumb Blond' Cliche
I know I mentioned this earlier, so I won't make you sit through another rant.. Enough has been said on that topic.
But..I'm afraid!
Ahh, of course. Everyone has their own fears, there is no denying that. I do not deny that I have my own.
Cynthia's head lowers a little as her eyelids slightly drop. the quietest sigh ever measured escapes through her lips, followed up by a soft chuckle.
Well.. I guess my biggest fear is never finding that significant other. I'm only human, and nearly every female always has this thought on their mind. I can't help myself but think about it.. All the time. No, I'm not insecure, I like how I look. I feel I have a positive attitude, as well a decent personality, but I wonder.. I'm twenty-two, soon going on twenty-three, and I have yet to really feel a connection with someone. I only have one ex.
... I guess I'm on the picky side? Or does my true fear lie within the thought of being hurt, so it prevents me from trying?
The woman blinks as her cheeks turn a light shade of rosy pink, eyes closing and an embarrassed grin slapping onto her face as she lifts her palms to her cheeks.
I'm sorry! I-I know this is an interview, but there's no reason for me to just let everything out on you.
Ah, so.. Why don't we continue?
With a chuckle, you nod in agreement and flip to the next page.
I like to...
Well battling is one for sure, how could I be a Champion without the passion for battle? I love growing up with my Pokemon, both in the literal sense and in strength. Watching them get stronger is one of my joys in life, it never gets old. I feel like a parent, almost, since they never cease to amaze me and I'm always proud of them. My Pokemon and I.. We have a close bond, and it's something I cherish.
The grin she wore fades down to a smile, a more serene expression overcoming her face. The blond suddenly seems as if her mind is focused on another place, as if she were in her own little paradise. It's the calmest she's looked through the interview so far.
When I'm not busy battling, or when I decide I have done enough reading for the day.. Sometimes I'll go to Sunyshore and lie out on the sand. The feeling of warmth, the sea breeze, the sound of the rolling waves crashing on the shores.. It's a place of solace, where every last ounce of stress just seeps from your body. Lake Valor is another peaceful area I love to visit, too.
My reason?
Another smile works its way onto the Champions face. She seemed to be doing that a lot, didn't she? Must've just been a cheery person, from what you've seen. Cynthia raises her hand to her chin and closes her eyes, a brooding look on her face.
My reason for battling.. Well, there are quite a few of them.
Silver eyes flash open, quickly making eye contact once again.
My first ever reason for battling was to prove to my grandmother that I could become a better person. I was... Different when I was little. In training my Pokemon, I also trained myself. We grew together, and it brought a sparkle to her eyes to see how much I had matured. It's safe to say my grandmother was my motivation, I love her to bits.
My second reason is to try and set an example for new trainers. The latest generation seems to.. Not understand the true meaning behind raising Pokemon. All they can think about is becoming the strongest in the least time possible. I hope to show them that Pokemon training isn't about being the most powerful, but more about strategy and bonding..
Cynthia pauses for a moment, thinking over those last words.
Mostly bonding.
Mandatory Angst:
Mandatory angst...?
Eyebrows furrow slightly as her lips parted a little bit, a confused look clouding over her face. Once more you tell her it's just a fancy way of saying 'please share your past'. With that, the woman shifts uncomfortably in her seat, crossing one leg over the other and placing her hands on her thigh. She breaks your eye contact for a few seconds, then silver eyes flash back to meet yours.
Well.. I don't remember anything much earlier than age of six. I was so young, and so much traveling had already taken place, it was too much to keep in memory. All I really know is that by age seven, I had been all over Sinnoh. Just.. So much moving around. City to town, region to region..
A sigh escapes her, but immediately after, a smile pulls onto her face, eyes flashing with sudden content.
I would never wish that things had gone differently, though. I'd be glad to tell you why.. All the important events began to happen after I had turned eight, when I began to live with my grandmother..
I can still remember everything as if it were just yesterday. My mother chose her Flygon, Tane, as our method of transport. She always preferred natural means of moving over cars or trains. The soft hum of his wings with each beat he flapped still rings in my ears, and the feel of his smooth green scales under my fingers remains a familiar texture. Wind whipped against my bare skin as the dragon bolted through the sky, the treetops below us speeding by in a blur. A trip that would have normally taken forever seemed to go by in a flash, since it was the last moments I would have with my mother for at least two months. Before I knew it, we had landed in Celestic, my grandmother waiting outside her house for my arrival. She was always the kindest soul to me, putting up with all of my shenanigans in a reasonable way.
Yes, I won't deny.. I was quite the troublemaker when I was little.
Upon my mothers request, I would behave myself while they were gone for two or three months. It seemed possible, it wouldn't be that long. Plus, there weren't many children around there to prank or bother. I'd find other ways to amuse myself, I had it all in my bags.. However, my grandmother had something else in mind.
The next day, she took me into the backyard and handed me a small, red-and-white capsule. A Gible, my first ever Pokemon, whom is now my strongest partner. Originally, I held no desire in battling, and it still hadn't crossed my mind after receiving the dragon type. The only opportunity I saw in the Pokemon was a chance to cause more mischief.. But that would have to wait. I wouldn't break my parents promise. While I waited for their return, my grandmother helped me train my Gible to be stronger. It helped pass the time, and besides. The stronger it was, the more damage could be caused. Ha.. That's all I ever used to think of..
Weeks rolled into months, which rolled into a year. After two months there were no calls, no contact attempts from my parents. I felt abandoned, so naturally as a young child.. I rebelled. I would go out and cause trouble with Gible, which by that time had evolved into a Gabite. Also in that year, I had learned about the Pokemon League, and swore to myself that I'd take them on one day. Picking fights, winning fights, easily racking up experience points.. It seemed all too easy, but only being nine and a half, I was still too blind to see what really mattered. It wasn't until I had gotten into a fight with one of the other boys living there, and no.. I don't mean a Pokemon fight..
A little kid fist fight. He had said there was no way I'd ever beat the Elite Four, so I shoved his face into the dirt.
I remember sitting at the table with my arms crossed, an angry pout on my face as my grandmother silently dressed my wounds. 'I'm disappointed', the only two words that were said, but the silence after it was just as bad as maniac yelling. After she finished cleaning up.. She gave me a stern speech.. No words my parents had ever used left so much of an impact on me.. I can still remember the lecture down to the very last dot.
"Cynthia, I do not deny the fact that your battle skills are decent for a child who's almost ten, but... You really need to whip yourself into shape. Right now, I agree with what that boy said. You will never be Champion. The way you act, the anger you intentionally take out on other people.. You will never be a true Champion if you continue this. You'll never see the day where your goals come true. For the love of Arceus, Cynthia! I adore you with all my heart, but get rid of this feeling of superiority. It won't make you better. It won't make you stronger. Trusting and supporting your Pokemon is the only way you'll be strong one day.. You already have the technique, all you need is the right attitude.."
... That changed everything.
I don't know what it is about my grandmother, but the way she talks.. It demands your undivided attention, you can't break your focus. That was the day I threw mischief in the dust. The day I swore to get both myself and Gabite stronger.. Look at the progress I've made.
As for my parents, there had been the beginning activity of a criminal syndicate in Kanto, they had been caught up in the mess and barely had any time to breathe.. Possibly a premature Team Rocket..?
Of course I forgave them, my 'improved' self was much more accepting, much more kind than my former bully side. They were forgiven, but.. I chose to stay with my grandmother and train as hard as I could. A few years ago, after they watched me be crowned the new Champion, they retired to Lilycove in Hoenn. I still visit them on my vacations.. It's always nice to be treated like a daughter again..
A warm, relaxed smile stretches across her face once again as she closes her eyes, taking in a deep, silent breath. Then after a moment, silver eyes open and her smile blooms into a grin.
Was that enough to satisfy your curiosity?
Oh and by the way...
Well...
Her expression suddenly turns serious, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as her lips pressed into a straight line. Geez, what brought this on? It was the first time she ever looked close to intimidating during the interview.. You blink at the sudden change in mood, both confused and curious to hear what she has to say.
As much as I try to treat everyone respectfully.. I know when to put my foot down. I know when I have to use force, and I won't hesitate to use it. If someone does something that can potentially put the lives of both people and Pokemon in danger, and if they don't expect me to do something about it, they're in for a rude awakening. As Champion of Sinnoh, I refuse to let the region fall to criminals.
I'm just a proxy for..
Well, there's this girl named Kira who follows me around a lot, almost as if she's my number one fan. She's pretty interesting, and rather amusing at times.. Although she does have a bad habit with cursing, doesn't matter whether shes happy or mad... Hm.
Cynthia shakes her head slightly and lets out a chuckle
She also yells at people to get off her lawn a lot.. I don't know why..
Otherwise, she seems pretty friendly.
