Make A Wish!!

[godbent]

Who: Everyone Ever
What: Tanabata + 2nd Cross Pageant
When: July 7th, 7:30PMish onward
Where: Outside the Brigade HQ: Pageant Stage In the Plaza in front of House 37 (which no one lives in right now)
Summary: First it's the Cross Pageant, then the normal Tanabata stuff the Brigade does such as supplying bamboo to tie wishes to and fireworks. Some food and drink supplied
Rating: Wishy Fishy
[Tanabata in the form of few sub-threads below! There's going to be four:

One, for people performing in the pageant, details will be in the top comment of the subthread, but this one if for people to make direct responses to their appeals as well as to write out what they were and what they do.

Two, for general mingling during the pageant. For the judges and audience and all that jazz.

Three, for the wishes people write up for Tanabata - eighter just to note them or for people to spy on your writing them or tying them up or reacting to them once up or whatever!

Four, finally, is at the end of the night when there are fireworks being launched to go with all this stuff, for people to mingle/watch the show

Timeline
7:30ish -> sunset or so: Pageant
Between: Go make wishes and stuff
10:00ish: Fireworks]

Comments

[dogboy]

["Next time" is such a long way's away. Who'd know when that would be? He told Masaomi that it wasn't over and stuff, but... Chien steps away from Silver's hand, shaking his head. He's never let anything go in his life - while it's bad it's the only thing that's kept him driven all these years of survival]

No. I won't. It's my fault we lost, and I'm going to make sure Soren understands that. He can decide if he still wants to be my partner, since he would've won with anyone else. [no his voice did not crack you're totally mistaken--]

[tsuntrader]

[Why is it that everyone he knows is stupid?]

What, that's it? You're just gonna give up? Let one little loss stand in your way?

[dogboy]

Hell no! I told that bastard that this wasn't over and that I'd-- beat him! [Wasn't that exactly, but no need to bring up their bet.]

I'm just not going to stop Soren from leaving if he feels like it. He's free to come and go as he pleases, you know, it's not like I keep him in a ball like the rest of you guys. I'm just not going to force him to stay if he feels he's being held back because of me.

[...]

I'm going to get stronger, too. If Soren leaves then I'll proof my worth and show him I'm a good partner. Don't toss me out of the running just yet, Silver. I said I'd never give him up for a reason and I'm going to stick by that.

[tsuntrader]

Wrong. You're still thinking the way that cost you the battle.

[dogboy]

[Grrr!]

I'm not going to make him fight with me if he doesn't want to! He'll just disobey me again, and--

[And they'll lose again. The Bond between a Pokémon and his trainer was important, he knows, but... But it wouldn't do any good if one didn't want it. Chien's sure he's important to Soren and Soren's definitely important to him, but he's still wrapped up in the battle.]

Forget it. I'll do things my way, whether you think they're right or not. If he wants to keep being my partner then I'll still work to get stronger.

[tsuntrader]

I'll work harder. I'll get stronger. I'll do this. I'll do that.

That's why you lost. It's not "I'll get stronger" and "Soren will get stronger," it's "we'll get stronger" and "we'll work together to get stronger."

You're still thinking like there's you, and then there's Soren. No. You two are a unit. Soren needs you.

[dogboy]

[He stiffens at the change of tone, from the casual to the authoritative voice he's used to from Lady Mathias. This was the same stuff Green said to him on the draft too, about working as a team and Soren trusting him to be a director and involved at the same time. To see the odds and turn tables and stuff.

Chien hunches his shoulders a little, looking down at Soren guiltily, and nods.]

Yeah, yeah... I hear you. Guess that's all what this trainer stuff is about, huh? But what if he doesn't want to be with me?

[tsuntrader]

[And his voice drops down to something more casual again. Easy, Silver. Easy.]

Do you really think that he doesn't? If you do, you need to start paying better attention.

[dogboy]

[He doesn't relax, just sighs in frustration.]

Are they really that strong? Bonds between people and Pokémon. That even someone like me [a failure on two counts, not a month apart, a monster from the day he was born and a lousy follower of Arca who is supposedly being tricked by the one person he trusts because he's stupid-- not that many know most of that, but still] would still be able to be Soren's partner?

[tsuntrader]

What do you mean, someone like you?

1/2 again wow sorry feelings

[dogboy]

[Chien laughs a little, but it's not joyful or nice. It's bitter and hateful.] Where do I start? I know a ton about your place as far as these guys go, so let me tell you about the monsters in mine.

[Pardon the language. They are monsters in the sense that they aren't human nor are they pets exactly.]

There are these things called Avatars in my world, or "the Fallen" as more call them. They're cursed from birth to be hated and feared by humans - especially if it's obvious straight out they're one of them. They're gods reborn in human form, but that doesn't matter to others. They're strange and weird and powerful and they fear and hate them, and they'll capture and use them for whatever purpose they want including war!

[The pause he gives isn't for dramatic effect or to calm himself, just a breath.]

In my world, they just started appearing recently in great numbers for some reason connected to a great power called the Manifest - which the Deva Cerberus guarded. Devas were the gods who lived above humans on Devaloka, while the other lived below on Naraka as former-gods cast down for greed. Cerberus spent his whole life, every one of them as he was reborn into the same role, guarding the Manifest and scaring any who dared to approach away or otherwise killing them. When the Manifest destroyed Devaloka, he died and was reborn as a boy and two dogs from the same mother. Those three were cast into the jungle and left to die by the people of Galpos, but they lived and got revenge for the animals instead. Even killed a priest sent to clear them out.

[dogboy]

[Maybe Silver's already figured out by now how this connects to Chien, but he's got to say it.]

I was born with Cer and Ber as my brothers, my only family, and we grew up trusting only each other in the jungles of Galpos. We're monsters - I'm a monster! And I don't see how a strong, brave, good bird like Soren could possibly want to stay with me after I cost him a victory like this. It was so close, so close.

[Anger's dissolving to tears, but he's trying his hardest not to cry. Because that'd just be the icing on the goddamn cake.]

And it's my fault he didn't get the victory he deserves.

[tsuntrader]

[He listens to everything Chien has to say and considers it for a moment. It's all awful, and it leaves him tempted to say something about it.

But he won't. He'll give a moment of quiet sympathy, of... Not quite understanding, because he doesn't get it, but of acknowledgement. His expression is softer when he speaks.

Of course, he also flicks Chien in the forehead.] Stupid.

[dogboy]

[You're so eloquent Silver.]

You're stu-- [The flick helps him compose and remember where he is, really, so he steps away and keeps his eyes to the ground even as he cuts himself off and huffs. At himself. Why can't he keep his mouth shut?

Chien's quieter himself, but there's a note of uncertainty still in his voice. Almost a plea that says "say yes".]

So do you still think I'm an okay partner for this guy?

[tsuntrader]

...Friendly [Friendly...ish] battles like that aren't only about winning or losing. They're about learning and gaining experience.

Soren wouldn't be half as strong as he is right now without you. Regardless of your past or what you are, when it comes down to it, you're just Chien. Nothing more, nothing less.

I think you're a good partner for him, but what I think doesn't really count. That's something between the two of you.

Just quit beating yourself up over it.

[dogboy]

[Friendly... That wasn't a friendly battle at all.

He's really touched by Silver's words too, and colors a little at them. Just Chien; nothing more, nothing less. But what does that amount to--

Nope nope not gonna think about that right now nope.]

I'll try. [He means that, but it'll take a week of worry.] I just can't believe we lost to a selfish jerk like that, after we worked so hard. I'm pretty sure he would've beat me with that weird weapon of his too if it'd just been us.

[tsuntrader]

...I won't deny that he's a jerk, but don't take his words too personally. He's just stupid. Besides, you started the fight. You can't really complain.

You two don't need to be best buddies, but you really should try to get along. You're both Pokédex Holders. [and Pokédex Holders are a group. Teammates. They should be getting along.]

[dogboy]

I'll be on friendly terms with him once I kick his ass.

[tsuntrader]

[Chien, he will stare through your soul with his lineface. Don't tempt him.]

[dogboy]

[Fucking do it. Chien will stare right back deadly serious and tiredish.]

I'm not going to be until he tells me-- I mean, until I knock him down. That guy needs to be taught a lesson.

[tsuntrader]

Until he tells you what?

[dogboy]

[HE

DOESN'T WANT TO SAY

how to execute this perfectly oh yes]

I've got to go. Someone's waiting on me, and I have to let Soren rest. [Y U P LET HIM JUST TRY AND SLIDE OUT OF THIS]

[tsuntrader]

[...Alright, alright, fine, he'll let him go. That is a complicated mess he doesn't mind stepping away from.]

[dogboy]

small>[Oh thank goodness. If he'd pried, Chien would've told because he doesn't particularly favor lying to anyone, especially people he trusts. Toodlepip Silver.]