Post by Smalley on Nov 15, 2009 4:12:06 GMT -5
~ Flannery ~
One with a Fiery Passion that burns!
[/font]{ The air is hot and humid, making the seemingly professional looking shirt of yours plaster to your back due to an abundance of sticky sweat that formed on your neck and back. As soon as you entered the pleasant little industrial town, famous for their simply amazing sand baths and hot springs, the heat immediately attacked your physical being, making you feel like you were in the middle of the Orre desert. But you tell yourself to persevere, for this is one of your first major opportunities as a journalist. You have the rare privilege to interview a Gym Leader, whom you heard is relatively new, but a trainer recognized by the Pokemon League for their skills in battling all the same. The sound of your own footsteps echo off the sidewalk, ricocheting into your head and making you feel even more weary. This Pokemon Gym better have air conditioning or by Arceus...
You cease your zombie-esque strolling and your maelstrom of troubled thoughts at the sight of a tall, almost grand building, two identical tapestries hanging from an arch serving as an entry way, constructed a ways before the main building itself. You heave an exaggerated sigh, face palming, as you recognize the symbols on the tapestries to represent flames, or more specifically flame-like badges.
And that could only mean that the Gym Leader who resided here used the fire element.
Fabulous. Freaking fabulous.
Though you had to admit, it was rather fitting to the town's nearly extreme climate.
Closing your eyes, you silently promise yourself you won't suffer from heat exhaustion, no matter the fact that you are in a town that is located near a major volcano, about to enter a fire type Gym.
You step forward, almost roboticly, your mind no longer willing you to enter, until alerted by a rather tall, red headed young woman as she nearly burst out of the twin glass doors, aglow in excitement.[/font]
Hey! You must be the one from the newspaper, right?
The bright look in her pinkish-hued eyes tell you that she is a pretty friendly and excitable person, and is eager to accept your request for an interview. You shake your head, telling her that you're with a local news channel rather than the newspaper.
She immediately appears sheepish and embarrassed, closing her eyes and rubbing the back of her head in a nervous manner.
Oh! Well you know what I meant. Well, come on around and we'll get started!
Come on around? The words echo in your head, and your eyebrows furrow in worry. Surely she'd give her guest some relief by welcoming them inside? Or was she really that much of an amateur?...
You follow the young woman who can now well suppose is the Gym Leader of Lavaridge around the side of the building. She finally halts in the middle of a rather plain battle field, nothing but dirt and the bare ground, various boulders here and there. At least it's repaired from the last battle...
You watch as she sits down on the closest set of faded great bleachers, shooting you a friendly and welcoming smile. However, the smile seems to be less impulsive, as if she is courteous to your wariness.
You sit down next to her as she sits with one knee propped on one bleacher, her leg behind her. Trying not to make your discomfort in the blistering Summer heat apparent, you pull out a rather official looking pen and pad and hold it in a sort of ready position. }
Parents call me. . .
[/color][/size]
{ The Lavaridge Gym Leader blinks in an almost sort of surprise at this question, putting an index finger to her chin and looking off to the side, her expression betraying that she was thinking about a certain subject. }[/font]
Well, I never saw much of my parents, you see. I was always living with Grandpa here at the Gym, since I guess my parents were these type of traveling trainers. I really don't remember much of them, and I still don't see them much to this day.
But, Grandpa, he calls me Flannery Asuna Moore. Weird name, I know.[/font]
{ She looks back at you as she finishes answering your question, a slight shrug lifting her shoulders. Her mouth is a slightly tilted thin line, as if she, herself, believed it wasn't the best answer for such an important interview. }
My Friends call me. . .[/color][/size]
{ Flannery doesn't appear to have to think as critically on this question, for her eyes remain on your sweaty face the majority of the time as you speak, drifting off only to peer up at the pale blue, cloudless sky above as she answers. }
I don't really have time for friends, in between training with Grandpa and running the Lavaridge Gym. But I do remember that once, before I was given this huge responsibility and almost all of my free time was taken from me, my friends would just call me Flannery.
{ Her eyes narrow in annoyance, her mouth curved down on one side as she speaks in a nearly ineligible mutter. You decide not to lean into listen, for you're not entirely sure whether that's a good idea or not. }
Or Flan.
. . .
Maybe even Flan-Flan if they /really/ wanted to make me mad!
{ The fire trainer's expression and voice turn surprisingly defiant at this additional statement, but she turns her head back to you, blinking away the anger. Her dark pink eyes are apologetic as she laughs at herself in an embarrassed, awkward manner. }[/font]
Well, you can see how those nicknames might make me a bit mad, can't you? Or maybe it's just this heat...
Oh, well, let's get onto the next question!
I'm not an it! I'm a. . .[/color][/size]
{ Seeming obviously surprised, Flannery looks at you with a perplexed, almost worried face, as if she's wondering that you're insane in asking the question. Anyone could easily tell that the Gym Leader was a female by her soprano voice and well, clothing, if that's what you wanted to call it. But you still insist on asking the question, for you don't want to evade any of your expectations. This may be your only shot for promotion. }
Er, well I'm obviously a girl...
At least I /hope/ it's obvious.
And I might want to also use the word female, just to clear things up.
{ Flannery chuckles in that same nervous yet friendly, courteous manner again, minding your emotions and mood. Yet she looks away, and you decide to lean over, as if picking up your pen. Her expression looks genuinely worried, and you almost /do/ drop your pen as she looks back, her eyes closed in what may or may not be fake merriment. }
Heheh, next question please!
I am a. . .[/color][/size]
{ Despite the confusion and awkwardness of the previous question, Flannery seems to unusually brighten and get excited, similar to the way when you first arrived at the Lavaridge Gym. The smile remains on her face, if not larger, and she leans in, apparently eager to tell you of her occupation. }
I am a Gym Leader of this great town known only as Lavaridge!
I can almost never wait for another challenger, even if I do lose half the time.
Although I do know I am gaining experience by these loses, maybe even more than if I would've been the winner.
I also get to work with fire Pokemon, a type I grew up loving.
What can be better than that?
{ Flannery's voice suddenly quiets, not to an extreme, but in a noticeable amount of volume all the same. }
I sort of feel guilty for not being very good at what I do, but I do try my hardest.
And one day, I may be as invincible as my Grandpa!
{ Her eyes glow again, perhaps with excitement, and her voice intensifies and grows more lively at the last statement. You pause for a second, admiring her dedication and willingness, then mutter an apology and flip the page, ready for the next question. }
I don't need wrinkle cream! I'm. . .[/color][/size]
{ Flannery's eyes, expression, and body language reveal this question to be nothing unusual or unfamiliar, simply a casual asking. However, that same smile stills remains, a permanent example of her hospitable attitude toward people. Though a laugh seems to escape her lips as you add the 'wrinkle cream' comment, and nothing more, for she probably sensed it was but a joke. }
I don't think wrinkle cream is really necessary.
Besides, I recently just became a legal adult!
{ You feel your face screw up in confusion, and the additional, not-so-pleasant feeling of chagrin overcomes you as you realize you must've forgotten what the age you're considered an adult is. Flannery blinks, appearing surprised at one moment, but then her expression turns almost understanding as she answers. The fire trainer must be accustomed to such feelings of embarrassment. }
O-Oh you don't know what age you have to be to be considered an adult?
Well, it's eighteen, and that's how old I am.
{ You nod, the familiarity of the fact flooding back into your mind, and you flip the page, preparing for the next question. }
Do you think I need a diet?[/color][/size]
{ Flannery's mouth turns into that same tilted thin line, though this time it appears even more down-turned. She even folds her arms across her chest, perhaps in a poorly hidden attempt to hide her exposed stomach. Though she has no reason to...
Perhaps she didn't quite catch the joke in that question as she did the previous one. }
I don't need a diet, do I?
I mean, I've actually had my Grandpa complain to me that I wasn't eating enough. And in between Pokemon training and traveling around this rough terrain, you'd think I'd maintain I healthy weight.
{ She sighs, and the very sound of it makes you feel guilty, for this girl has been overly kind to you, if it /was/ a bit overwhelming at first.
You explain to her what you actually meant, that you wanted a physical description of herself, and she seems to brighten, but instantly seem embarrassed. }
Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't understand...
Hmm, I don't really no how to describe myself, so I guess you could do that yourself?...
Sorry for all the inconveniences!
{ At first, judging by this reply, you almost portrayed the Gym Leader as rude, until she repeatedly apologized, appearing quite flustered. You feel her eyes on either you or your paper as you take notes of her appearance, glancing up every now and again from your giant, messy scrawl of words.
Miss Moore is taller than you'd expect, with a height of about 5'6", though you expect that she won't grow any more any time soon. Flannery's skin was not fair to consider pale, but was still a fairly light tone all the same. Her hair was the second most noticeable trait, being a dark pink, almost red color. It was held up high in a ponytail behind her head with a thick light blue band, almost appearing to burst into flames itself by its style and the way the sun made the scarlet hue even brighter. Her left eye was currently obscured by her nearly side-swept bangs, though her right eye was fully revealed.
However, when she turned her head, perhaps sensing that you must want a better view of her, you could see that both of her eyes were of a bit darker color than that of her hair, both bright and calm at the moment.
Flannery's choice of clothing was, er, unique. But before you judged her you considered the weather, her age, and her gender. Instantly all of your negative thoughts and opinions basically vanished.
She wore a short-sleeved, v-necked black t-shirt, stopping about her mid-torso and revealing the majority of her stomach. A cartoonish red fire symbol was centered on the middle of her shirt, obviously a symbol representing her passion for the fire type.
By her bare stomach and admittedly tight-fitting clothing you could see that she had a thin, almost hour-glass shaped figure. Though there was some relief in the pair of stone-washed, loose-fitting jeans she wore, held up only by a tightened faded red belt.
Four red and white spheres were almost held in various places on the belt, containing her all-important Pokemon.
Simple black, worn tennis shoes adorned her feet, and that was simply all that made up her appearance.
But there was still things to be discovered about her mental being.
You drop your pen, making a soft thud on the pad of paper, and look up, alerting the Gym Leader that you are finished. }
My emotional disposition?[/color][/size]
{ For this question, Flannery's eyes betray nothing but utter confusion at these two rather formal, perhaps miscellaneous words. She looks guilty though, as if perhaps she has made more than enough mistakes than any Gym Leader should ever do. She repeats the two words out loud, a hint of strong question in her voice. }
Emotional....disposition?
What?
{ You look at her wary expression, explaining that you simply meant her personality. She seems to relax some, but that air of obvious disappointment in herself still lingers in the hot air. }
My personality?
Well, I've heard by Grandpa say to others that I am kind and courteous toward Pokemon and people, aware of when they are feeling bad or discomforted.
I simply just try to do what I feel I am supposed to do.
And then I've heard from some that don't know me very well that I am excitable, and maybe even a bit impulsive.
{ She sighs, and her posture seems to worsen as she shrugs, not caring to lift her shoulders back up to their previous position. She glances toward the barren battlefield as she continues to answer the question, now in a quieter tone of voice. }
The worst though is how I've heard people, mostly those who've beaten me in a Pokemon battle, tell me that I am an amateur and that I have a lot to learn.
I can never really tell if they mean it to be nice and give me advice and make me aware of myself, or to just be blunt and mean.
{ Her eyes suddenly blaze with a sort of intense fire that very well might have gotten her the title of 'The One with a Fiery Passion that burns'. Her voice also turns more defensive, more prideful... You can't quite put your finger on the several emotions you're hearing in her voice. }
Well I think I'm a pretty good battler for the amount of experience I've been able to get! I don't always lose, y'know.
I actually think a lot differently of myself than what others might. First of all, I think of myself as a hard worker.
I mean, come on, I have to run this Gym, clean up the battlefield, /and/ take care of hard-to-raise fire Pokemon!
{ Her voice portrays mock annoyance, and a slight spark in her eyes and the smile that still remains on her face proves that she honestly doesn't mind her duties as a Gym Leader. }
I also think of myself as friendly, because, well, I try to be and I think it's nessecary for my job.
I try to be friendly to everyone, even those that taunt my battling skills, and of course, those few people I'm close to.
And finally, I'll admit I can get a bit nervous sometimes. I guess it's because I'm not exactly used to presenting for the Pokemon League or just having a formal conversation with someone, because I barely go out of town.
Hopefully it's something I'll get over someday.
Things that are Groovy:[/color][/size]
{ Flannery simply blinks at you, then lets out a laugh that is more friendly then it is mocking. You assume that her generation isn't as accustomed to the unfamiliar word that you just realized was now decades old. }
I guess you mean things I like.
I can easily name those!
Fire Pokemon -[/color] You can say I love them because I grew up around them, but they truly are powerful, offensive, and overall great battlers and companions![/color]
Mt. Chimney -[/color] Without this volcano to say 'good morning' to me every day, the view of Hoenn outside of my bedroom window would never be the same. Neither would my mornings.[/color]
Grandpa -[/color] Though he can be a bit picky and strict at times, I know he means well and only wants me to succeed as a Gym Leader.[/color]
Autumn -[/color] The weather here in Lavaridge is much more nicer in Autumn. The trees may not change colors like they do in places such as the Kanto region, but at least it cools down and people are in better moods.[/color]
Gym Battles -[/color] They're fun and exhilarating, and whether I lose or win, I know that I can always benefit from a Gym Battle.[/color]
Things that aren't so Groovy: [/color][/size]
{ The Gym Leader looks uncomfortable and wary at the mention of dislikes. Perhaps this brings unpleasant thoughts to her mind, which she'd rather not think of. She continues to answer the question nonetheless, as if speaking her defiances verbally with help untroubled her mind. }
If this interview really calls for it...
The Ocean -[/color] I went to Slate port City once, and the ocean had to be one of the scariest things I'd ever seen in my entire life! It was just this wide expanse of nothingness, seeming to want to swallow me and my Pokemon whole...[/color]
Team Magma -[/color] They terrorize fire and ground Pokemon and the land and volcano surrounding Lava ridge and Fall arbor, all of which are close to my heart.[/color]
Rainy Days -[/color] They make the air all damp, sticky, and even more humid. They give barely any relief from the hot temperatures![/color]
Discouragement -[/color] Whenever I lose a battle, there's always people who Dias on me and tell me I'll never be anything but an amateur. That's the last thing I want to hear. I'd rather hear encouragement![/color]
Not Knowing What To Do -[/color] It's embarrasing and discouraging in itself, and it shows to myself and others that maybe I'm not cut out for what I do.[/color]
But. . .I'm afraid![/font][/color]
{ Flannery blinks, first giving you a look that perhaps questioned why you were giving her this series of negative questions. But she glances away, peering toward the north end of the Lavaridge battlefield. You draw your arm across your forehead, removing a sickening, large amount of sweat. However you ready your pen and prepare to hurriedly write down her answer. }
I don't have that many fears, and a lot of them are things I mentioned before when you asked me what I disliked.
First of all, there's the ocean. It's just so...deep, blue, and wet. And you never know what type of things may be hiding underneath the water, just beckoning you to come in and never come back out.
Especially if you see it at night...
{ Her voice gets quieter, and she turns her head to gaze at you apologetically, a songful laugh loosening the tension in the humid Summer air. }
My only other fear is failing my Grandpa...
He's raised me so well, and has put so much time into making sure that I'm the best Gym Leader I can be.
Whenever I feel his stare on my back, burning into me like the most horrible thing in the world as I lose, I feel ashamed.
{ A short sigh escapes her lips, and continues with one last short statement, her voice almost inaudible. }
So ashamed and guilty.
I like to. . .[/color][/size]
{ The Gym Leader glances over, a small yet still visible smile formed on her lips. You can feel the relief in the air between you and her as you realize that the hard questions are over for now, no matter if that's for three seconds or for three hours. She laughs at her own solemnity and turns fully around, facing you, once again eager to answer your question. }
Sorry about just now!
Hmm...
Let's see.
Well, just like before, a lot of my likes tie into my hobbies. But I'll answer it no matter what!
First of all - this is an obvious one - I like to train Pokemon. No, I don't really travel all around Hoenn or any other region, but I do take my Pokemon to extremes, making sure they have strategies for even the most unthinkable of situations.
Next comes mountain climbing. I know I don't seem like the type to do something like that, but I do. I go straight to Mt. Chimney itself, and I may not climb the main route, but my Pokemon and I sure do gain a lot of strength and endurance skills from doing what we do.
{ She gives a prideful smile, and you realize you're rather surprised with this girl. Flannery has significantly opened up since you begun the interview, and her true state of mind is beginning to show. }
Some of my less important hobbies are things like fishing and drawing. Besides its natural side, Lavaridge doesn't offer much as far as unique activities go, so I have to go with the more classic kind.
My reason?[/color][/size]
{ Flannery pauses for a short moment after you finish stating your question, staring off ahead into a world other than the one before you. Finally she turns to you, expression stable, yet eyes soaring with strong, fierce emotion as they meet level to your gaze. }
I am who I am to make my Grandpa proud, to make the trainers that train in my Gym proud, to make the entire town of Lavaridge prideful of my Pokemon and I's hard work. I get out of bed every morning knowing that I am one step closer to becoming better.
I also do what I do to fill my responsibility in the family, and in the world itself. That is my reason.
{ Flannery gives an almost self-satisfied smile, but with that short speech that she gave, who wouldn't? }
Mandatory Angst:[/color][/size]
{ Flannery simply looks at you, eyes closed with an awkward, sheepish smile upon her face. }
Uh, English please?
Sorry for the confusion.
{ You surprise yourself by letting out a laugh yourself, and despite the harsh conditions, you are actually disappointed that this interview is almost over. You can't wait to get back to the local TV station and report to them all that you have learned about this nearly unknown Gym Leader. You focus your attention back on the actual interview, however, and explain to her that it's simply a way of asking her to share her past. }
Oh, my past?
Well, I can share that with you.
Not the most exciting story, but you asked for it!
{ She is indeed physically looking at you, but as she begins to talk, it seems as though she staring right past you, into a past time. }
I was born here right here in Lavaridge, so guessing by the town's name, you can already say that my love for the mountains and fire Pokemon run deep in my blood.
My parents, my Dad being from Fortree and my Mom being from Lavaridge, were already used to such a harsh climate as we are experiencing now. So after they met, they decided to stay here, I suppose. My Grandpa, who you may know as Mr. Moore, welcomed them into one of the Gym's separate wings, where they stayed. But I guess they weren't very satisfied with staying stuck in the mountains. They wanted to see the world. So they left, giving full custody to my Grandpa.
{ You look at her, wondering about how she feels about her parents' decision, but she simply blinks at you, smiles, then continues with that same absent look returning to her face. }
I think my parents loved me, I really do, even though I don't remember much of anything about them. I wonder if they do of me...
Eh, sorry! I went off there just now, didn't I?
Well, I was raised by my Grandpa and him alone, for when I was a bit older I learned that my Grandma, whom I never once saw, had passed away.[/color]
{ She glances over at you for a brief moment and smiles, which appalls you at first, but then you immediately understand as she continues. }
You see, I think I made my Grandpa happy. He wasn't so lonely anymore, and he finally had someone to teach Pokemon training to. As I got older, he'd always tease me with stories about how my Mom was never interested in Pokemon battling, but in traveling. He said that he bet I'd turn out just the same soon enough, and I strived to prove him wrong.
We trained the fire type, of course, and my first Pokemon was a Slugma which I named Mag. My friends thought he was ugly, but they didn't see him the way I did!
He was adorable.
Soon enough I found /another/ Slugma, which I named Meg. They weren't very nice to each other at nice, but I taught them to become friends, similar to the way Grandpa continued to teach me about battling, strategies, and technique.
But later on, I met the Pokemon of my dreams. Torkoal.
He was pretty goofy looking, but his defense was /awesome/ and he was a great listener when I told him about the boys I had crushes on at school.
{ She smiles and her face turns a faint tone of pink, but she continues nonetheless. }[/color]
This leisurely life of mine changed forever, though, shortly after I graduated school. My Grandpa developed a strange interest in Pokemon poetry - yes you heard me right. He started by telling a few of his older friends, and before we knew it, there was a Lavaridge Pokemon Poetry Club, with my Grandpa as the president.
. . .
I'll never understand old people.
A book was released, telling about some guy's adventures with Pokemon, in the form of poetry, of course. My Grandpa absolutely /loved/ it, even got distracted from some of my training and went off to read it in the sun.
The worst, though, was when he decided to leave to write about his own adventures. Since he and his Typhlosion were famous for their great battling, he was to be missed, but mostly by me.
I know I was an adult, but I was all alone!
I felt just like a vulnerable little kid again.
The Gym was suddenly put in my responsibility, and boy, did I have some troubles at first. I didn't know where the badges where, how to repair the battle field, or where to get a referee.
I was excited, though, but more anxious.
Was my Grandpa okay? How was I going to do this without any guidance?
That's when I truly grew up, and just in time for my Grandpa to return. Turns out he was just as worried about me as I was him.
I thought he was going to take his position back, but I think I battle of mine he witnessed changed his mind.
And that's where I stand now, Flannery of the Lavaridge Gym.
I'm just a proxy for. . .[/size][/color]
Mademoiselle Smalley, s'il vous plait. ;D[/font]
[/center]
