009 // video/action for Goldenrod Gym (backdated to 05/12, orz)

[futariniousama]

[ The feed clicks on to a swirling enigma of green and purple. It's another several moments before the scene becomes clear as the 'Gear emerges from the center of a Spiritomb and swivels to face Goldenrod Gym's arena

Comments

[Video]

[crossinggenders]

Waaah... So that's the power of the Goldenrod gym leader...

[Voice]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou sounds drawling, amused, and entirely unfazed. ]

Cute, isn't she? Figure I'm just puttin' off the inevitable, but I couldn't stand to make her cry.

[Voice]

[crossinggenders]

Oh! That's... very nice of you? Still, if you want to get the badge, you're going to have to make her cry regardless.

Maybe you could always cheer her up with a date before she starts the waterworks?

[Voice]

[futariniousama]

Yeah, yeah, I know. [ He sighs, dramatically. ] Y'think a date would work?

video.

[reimprovise]

[... dear. The first thing that comes to mind would be Niou's captain's reaction -- really, he hasn't spent so long speaking with Yukimura that he hasn't picked up on the whole thing about Rikkai's winning solidarity.

The next thing that comes to mind is a pensive hum -- is this really something he should be concerned about? He huffs, lightly.]

She's certainly cheerful, isn't she.

video.

[futariniousama]

[ Fuji, unlike most, gets a pretty prompt response, and a glimpse of Niou's annoyance before it lapses into nonchalance. ]

Cheerful's one word for it.

video.

[reimprovise]

[If he notes the prior annoyance, he isn't show it. But he does raise an eyebrow inwardly.]

I'd imagine she's looking forward to seeing you again, next time. But that was the plan, wasn't it?

video.

[futariniousama]

[ Was that a fucking out? A show of mercy? Niou's smile flickers on like a faulty bulb and shines like a harsh fluorescent light. ]

Damn, you saw right through me. How do you do that?

[video]

[restardom]

[ by self-preservation, Rise no longer goes into that Gym, as it usually escalates into a cat fight. ]

Brutal and bratty as ever...

[voice]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou offers dramatic sighs before he speaks. ]

Tell me about it. I was goin' easy on her, too.

[voice]

[restardom]

[ ... well, okay then. This one may still be sulking. ]

You don't have to worry about that! Sure, she cries when you beat her, but she sort of deserves it.

[voice]

[futariniousama]

[ Only a little. ]

You think so? I thought she was kinda cute, actually.

[action]

[loseyoursenses]

[Of course Yukimura would come to Niou's battle - and, unfortunately, end up watching while he lost. It's not tennis, so it's not quite as big a deal, but still, Niou lost. Yukimura is not happy. He follows his teammate outside afterward.]

Niou. That was a poor showing.

[action]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou wheels around sharply to face Yukimura, aggressively at first, but quickly rocks back on his heels, schooling his face into dispassion. ]

You don't say.

[action]

[loseyoursenses]

[Of course Yukimura's seen Niou's reaction to losses before, and actually anger pleases him much more than depression would.]

Use that anger to practice harder, and next time come prepared. Renji may not be here, but you should be able to find information about your opponents before you face them. You can do better than that.

[action]

[futariniousama]

[ He works his jaw slightly, silent for a moment while he chooses his words. The advice and accompanying chastisement isn't any more welcome from Yukimura than it is from absolutely anyone else. Niou can't stand having his mistakes, relatively rare as they are, pointed out to him. The fact that this one was caught on camera for the entire network is just salt in the wound. ]

I won't lose again.