Bout 010 (Video/Action): Badges upon badges. (backdated to Tue. 6/14)

[usegalacticpunt]

[The video opens in medias res, with a casual conversation going on in the Olivine Pokémon Center. It's not quite loud enough to hear any of the words, though. After a second or two, Chie orients the video on herself.]

Oh, hey, has anybody else noticed how the gym leaders are a little... weird? Me and my friends all challenged Jasmine today, so we

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[action]

[futariniousama]

[ It's remarkable, really, how tennis can ambush a person when they're just minding their own business. Niou is simply passing by the Pokémon Center when something - two years of tennis with Kirihara Akaya, probably - makes him look up.

A tennis ball, inexplicably, is falling through the air toward him.

He drops his bag in the same motion he uses to take out his racket, and steps back just barely in time. No chance to think about trajectory, he just lobs the ball, and it goes sailing back up and vanishes onto the roof. He shades his eyes to try to look after it. ]

[action]

[reimprovise]

[he's just about to make a crack about the one that flew over the cuckoo's nest, when all of a sudden, the ball is flying back the way it came from-- a quick glance shows that at that particular trajectory, it's going to sail right over the roof.

there's something inherent for tennis players about chasing after green and fuzzy objects that are moving at very high speeds, and Fuji really is no different. it takes him three seconds to all but skid across the roof, doing an impressive impression of snowboarding while reaching out to balance himself with his other leg. reaching out with a racket, he smoothly maneuvers the ball so that it falls with the movement of his arm, before coming to rest on the face of his racket quietly.

a pause, and then, a grin-- tossing the ball in Rise's direction, he makes his way to the edge of the roof to peer down owlishly.]

Just a little drive-by tennis, is it now?

[action]

[restardom]

[ it's the hours of tennis practice that has her catching the ball on her racket's face instead of catching it like one would a baseball. It bounces once, twice, and then she snags it and takes a minute to review WHAT THE HELL FUJI JUST DID.

... she eventually concludes that it's not something she'll be able to pull anytime within the next year or so, and curiously ventures closer to the edge once she hears Fuji address someone. The source of the ball playing boomerang, probably-- and sure enough, when she glances down, she brightens. ]

Niou-kun! Um, sorry about that.

[action]

[loseyoursenses]

[Perhaps, like bees to flowers, Yukimura is naturally attracted to tennis. Or perhaps he was just in the vicinity of his teammate, and that's why he's walking over now, to stand near Niou and peer up at the roof.]

What are you two doing up there? That's an interesting place for a match.

[And though he doesn't say it, he thinks it's a bit unfair for Fuji to take Rise up there. She's still a beginner, after all. Then again, this could make her learn faster.]

[action]

[futariniousama]

[ Of course it's Fuji. Niou's hardly surprised, since Yukimura's with him - but when Rise peers over the edge, he grins. While Yukimura questions them, he makes a mock-kissy face at the girl, winking. ]

[action]

[reimprovise]

[of course, he isn't entirely surprised when Yukimura joins their little gathering. giving the captain a cheerful wave, he grins, cheeky.]

Isn't it just? And I think there's still room up here for two more.

[action]

[restardom]

[ the appropriate response - which she does - to wink back, though she immediately shoots Fuji a chagrined look. ]

I already feel outnumbered with just you, you know!

[action]

[loseyoursenses]

[A wave back at Fuji, and Yukimura starts looking for the way up.]

You don't need to play if you don't want to, Rise-san. Maybe we can give you a demonstration match.

[action]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou shoulders Yukimura slightly and jerks his head, ambling toward the building's wall. He kneels and laces his hands together as a foothold, grinning up at Yukimura. ]

Impress me, oh captain, my captain.

[action]

[reimprovise]

[oh, this is even better than getting a ladder. giving Niou an amuse glance, he lodges his tennis racket atop one of the roof tiles and moves into position to help Yukimura up if need-be. reaching out with a hand!]

But I thinks she could play, couldn't she? Then, we'd have enough people for doubles.

[action]

[restardom]

[ the look Rise gives the back of Fuji's head can only be described as "What did I ever do to you" with a side of "you are going to regret that". Then the look's gone and she's leaning down beside Fuji to offer her own hand. ]

I don't think I'll be much of a score-changer, but it's still good practice, right?

[action]

[loseyoursenses]

[He accepts both Niou's help and Fuji's in order to be polite, and Yukimura gets up without any trouble - sorry, Rise, you are a girl and therefore it would be rude to make you help.]

It can be excellent practice. If nothing else, it'll give you a feel for how doubles works. But how should we split up?

[action]

[futariniousama]

[ Niou steps back to look up at them again, once Yukimura's up. ]

Gotta be you and Rise-chan against me and Fuji. Give you a handicap and her an advantage - no offense, babe.

[ He's gonna wait a minute to climb up there, now. Anything else would be like laying a bear trap and stepping right into it. ]

[action]

[reimprovise]

[a chuckle. to Rise:] Fairly balanced, yes. And you can also help us keep score.

[action]

[restardom]

Rise. [ yes, Niou, she is going to correct you on this so much that it's already become automatic. ] But sure, I don't mind partnering up with Yukimura-san. I'll try not to slow him down too much. And you know, keep score.

[ this will make a great story one day. ]

[action]

[loseyoursenses]

I'm sure you won't slow me down. [Not that he thinks you're good enough to keep up, Rise. Just that he thinks he can take on Fuji and Niou by himself and he's happy to let you watch.]

Ah, but perhaps we should let Rise-san have the first serve?