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When the server returned, delivering @bishop's impressively large beer, Seraphine was ready. "I'll have a glass of the plum wine," she requested. The server nodded and hurried off again.[break][break]
Seraphine was unaccustomed to dining in such an ordinary establishment, but she had to admit: there was a certain charm to the tightly packed, bustling environment full of pungent smells and loyal regulars. Perhaps she was dressed a little too formally for the occasion, despite her best efforts to throw together something appropriate; faces had turned when she'd walked by, but she tended to have that effect on people, generally speaking. All the same, it was somewhat thrilling to leave behind the everyday niceties of her routine life attending soirees and galas, and mingle with the parts of Slateport nightlife she rarely frequented.[break][break]
I ought to do a series of paintings about places like this, she thought with sudden inspiration. The elite often romanticized the "common life", and enjoyed playing the part of the "compassionate philanthropist". A series like that would sell well.[break][break]
Seraphine herself had never bothered to put on such airs, pretending to care deeply about the perspective of the average citizen of Hoenn, and yet here she was, all the same, playing at being a commoner for the evening. How easy it was to lean into such a venture, when the man who had invited her to do so made her heart pound wildly with a passionate desire on a regular basis these days.[break][break]
She leaned in across the table, knees knocking gently against Bishop's, and murmured in a conspiratorial whisper, "This place is cute." She found that she meant it.[break][break]

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Keenly aware of the time, Seraphine was more than prepared for the arrival of Elisabeth Fiorelli at Galerie Mirage; before her secretary could get up to alert her, the master artist had already entered the foyer. Elisabeth barely had to spend much time sitting before Seraphine was approaching the other woman, elegantly manicured hand outstretched.[break][break]
Today, Seraphine was adorned in a shimmering emerald gown, long dark hair curled subtly and styled to the side, falling over her exposed shoulder. Gold jewelry glittered at her ears and neck. Elisabeth was a fine white wine to Seraphine's dark red, their coloring completely opposite and yet, of equal style and sophistication. Seraphine scrutinized Elisabeth's appearance and concluded that she was a very well-put-together woman, indeed. She had seen Elisabeth in passing - Rocket business, of course - but this was the first time she would have the opportunity to entertain the admin directly. She found herself already impressed.[break][break]
Which, of course, meant that she should tread carefully. Even the prettiest rose had thorns, and Seraphine was not the only distinguished woman in Hoenn who knew how to wield her beauty like a sword.[break][break]
"Welcome to Galerie Mirage, Miss Fiorelli," Seraphine greeted the blonde, intending to politely shake her hand. "If you would come with me, I will take you up to my private studio, where we may speak freely."

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Rouge looked up at Xiura Balfaltin with an excited expression and nodded his head enthusiastically. Seraphine chuckled. "He's more than pleased that you want to purchase that painting," She explained. "None of them were reserved for specific people. They ought to go to those who feel most inspired by the subject matter."[break][break]
The master artist surveyed the party before them. Espresso and other after-dinner drinks were being casually served as people and Pokémon mingled. Several guests were admiring a few of Rouge's other revealed works. Seraphine's chest surged with pride; she had a feeling they would be making more than one sale this evening.[break][break]
"It is true that I must make my final rounds before the evening ends," she lamented to Xiura. As much as she would enjoy staying to explain to the cafe owner more details about Rouge's process, it would have to wait. "This painting is all yours. Come by the gallery at your earliest convenience to pick it up, and we can chat further."[break][break]
With that, the elegant woman bowed her head respectfully to Xiura, and departed, making her way to the other admirers of Rouge's artistry. The Smeargle lingered by Xiura's side for a heartbeat longer, seemed to decide something, and then wrapped his arms around his mid-section in a brief but enthusiastic hug. Then he hurried off after his master: he was the star of the show after all!

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[break]

NOTES

+ Mission: Poke Party[break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Consequat nisl vel pretium lectus. Massa sed elementum tempus egestas sed sed risus. Arcu felis bibendum ut tristique et egestas quis ipsum suspendisse. Varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed. Purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna fringilla urna porttitor.[break][break]

"Urna condimentum mattis pellentesque id nibh." Dignissim cras tincidunt lobortis feugiat vivamus at augue. Egestas pretium aenean pharetra magna ac placerat vestibulum. Purus faucibus ornare suspendisse sed. "Cursus euismod quis viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed. Consequat id porta nibh venenatis cras sed felis eget."[break][break]

Aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae elementum curabitur vitae nunc sed. Leo integer malesuada nunc vel. Consectetur a erat nam at lectus urna duis convallis convallis. Sem viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras. Maecenas pharetra convallis posuere morbi. Pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies lacus sed turpis tincidunt.[break][break]

Sem et tortor consequat id porta nibh venenatis cras.

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Seraphine presented her carved pumpkin with a smug grin, golden eyes sparkling with ambition. There was a contest element to this event, after all, and she felt fairly confident she would be able to wow the judges with her obviously top tier artistic talents.[break][break]"Well?" She declared to the others attending the picnic, tone silky smooth and suggestive in nature. "What do you all think?[break][break]


[break]

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[break]

OLDALE PUMPKIN CARVING

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I'd like you to be my woman, he'd said, so casually and so simply, and yet, those words undid her.[break][break]
Lips that were normally schooled into a well-practiced seductive smile parted ever so slightly, and her golden eyes blinked, expression open and vulnerable in a way the nakedness of her body did not even remotely come close to replicating. She shivered as the man beneath her's hand continued to caress the silky soft skin of her cheek. For the first time in a long time - though it was not the first time since meeting him - Seraphine blushed.[break][break]
"I thought marrying into wealth mattered once, when I was younger," she managed to say softly, unguarded. "But I have never managed to fall in love with someone wealthy." She paused. "Because I always find myself drawn to...the opposite. People who aren't like me at all." She could feel her own heartbeat, warm and rhythmic. There was something utterly thrilling about being wanted by someone like Bishop: someone raw and rough and unrefined. How could she explain that properly?[break][break]
She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes briefly as she savored the gentleness. For such a large and intimidating man, who she knew had the capacity for violence, he was astonishingly tender. Her eyes flicked open again and she said, tone decisive, renewed with some of her usual confidence. "Be my man, then. Date me. We'll know soon enough if it isn't a viable match." Past lovers had called her "high maintenance", and others had simply prioritized other things over her, in the end. She had a knack for finding out rather quickly whether someone would actually stick around. Would this time be any different?[break][break]
A part of her, she realized, hoped it would.[break][break]

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[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit

BY GUNSMILE

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Seraphine's golden eyes were closed as she pressed her cheek into the warm, well-muscled, now-healed torso of @bishop. It felt nice to have a man in her bed again - especially this man, who'd been just as delicious as she'd hoped, if not moreso...in fact, he'd surprised her a little with how attentive he'd been in his efforts to pleasure her, worshiping her body as if she were a goddess worthy of his utmost devotion. Whether or not he held any deeper feelings on that matter, he certainly sold it well.[break][break]
"Darling, I'd be a fool to fire a man willing to do my house chores and hang my paintings, who also happens to be quite proficient at..." she waved her hand lazily at their currently entangled state, her expensive silk sheets a mess beneath them. "I must admit, it seems a tad too good to be true."[break][break]
She cracked an eye open and twisted upright so that she could look at him more directly, admiring the angles of his face for the hundredth time that evening. "So what's the catch, hm? You don't snore, do you?" Her tone was teasing, but there was a hint of a long-held wariness in her expression. Seraphine knew heartbreak and betrayal, and she knew what it was like for men to promise things they could not deliver on. Most of her relationships had been fleeting, if passionate, affairs. She could only assume this one would follow the same pattern, despite the way she felt so utterly relaxed around Bishop.[break][break]
She would have to fire him, of course, if things went south. But for now, you ought to enjoy everything he has to offer, she thought, as her dark hair spilled across his bare chest.[break][break]

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[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit

BY GUNSMILE

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Seraphine watched Marza stalk over to the irate man and send him scuttling from the room in mere moments, like a submissive dog with his tail between his legs. The burly woman did not so much as glance at the woman the man had been yelling at, ignoring her in favor of returning swiftly to Seraphine's side, but Seraphine noticed the mixed look of appreciation and fear on the poor woman's face. Marza did seem to have that effect on people: advantageous to have on your side, but terrifying to oppose. She did not seem to care about her methods of enforcing order, as long as the job got done.[break][break]
Seraphine liked that about her, she realized. The master artist did not need a partner who handled everything like she did; quite the contrary: Seraphine preferred to sweet-talk while someone else intimidated. A talented bodyguard such as Marza was good to have around - Seraphine liked the way people looked at her when she had such unrelenting protection looming behind her, ever watchful, a silent threat as she charmed her way through various negotiations. It made Seraphine feel powerful to have such people at her beck and call - loyal to her. Earning Marza's trust was paramount, she decided. They were both Rocket, so it wasn't like there would be a conflict of interests should Seraphine win Marza over to her side.[break][break]
"If that's your idea of fun, I'd hate to see what happens should someone actually piss you off," Seraphine drawled, though the sultry nature of her tone indicated that "hate" was, in truth, far from her honest feelings on the matter. In fact, it almost sounded as if she would enjoy getting to witness such a display of force.[break][break]
"Yes, our work here has concluded," she agreed decisively. "And you did impress me," she murmured as she sidled up close to Marza and slipped her arm through the other woman's, leading her towards the casino's exit, despite the fact that Marza needed no such directions. "I'd say you've earned a peak at my studio." Her golden eyes twinkled mischievously. "And for what it's worth, I have far better champagne."

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[break]

NOTES

+ Mission: Rigged Gacha Rolls[break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit

BY GUNSMILE

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Seraphine tried to imagine Zev Harcourt in a Gengar onesie, and despite the utter and complete unlikelihood of such a thing ever manifesting in real life, she burst out laughing at the mental image all the same. She pictured him scowling, of course, because he absolutely did not strike her as the sort of man who would enjoy wearing such an absurd costume. "No," she managed to say, wiping away the laughter-induced tears from her eyes with an elegantly manicured finger. "He most definitely was not known for wearing anything of the sort." She smiled warmly at Aidan, her amusement lingering. "It suits you better. Not to say it's a particularly dignified costume for anyone to be wearing, but you're handling it quite well, all things considered."[break][break]
She sipped her wine and considered his answer to her question. "I appreciate your open mind, Aidan," she concluded. "I encourage you to come by Galerie Mirage when you are next in Slateport. I'd be happy to show you around. One does not need to be experienced in art to appreciate it." She eyed him curiously. "What is it that you do, then? For work?"[break][break]
Rouge might be an exceptionally well-behaved Smeargle, but this was a Halloween party! And Halloween parties called for a little mischief, didn't they? Noticing his new ghostly friend was making a habit of messing with the other party-goers despite his trainer's scolding, Rouge decided to join in on the fun. He scuttled around the room, waiting for the Gengar to pop out of a nearby shadow and spook somebody, then sneakily sketched a silly design on their backs with his paintbrush tail while they were distracted. Various wide-mouthed jack-o-lantern faces were his go-to artwork for the evening. He figured there'd be little harm - the magical paint would disappear eventually, anyway.

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[break]

NOTES

+ Mission: Bond Bridge[break]
+ Satisfies Pumpkaboo Spooktacular Prompt 10[break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit + Butterfree Wings!

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

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As Bishop's lips met hers, Seraphine let out a small, audible gasp somewhere in-between needy and surprised, but then eagerly melted into the kiss. She wasted little time snaking her arms around his neck and pressing her body into his, forgetting all about his injuries as primal instinct overtook her better judgement. She kissed Bishop back with genuine passion, greedy desire breaking through the surface of her carefully composed public image. How badly she'd wanted this! From the moment he walked through my door... It was true that she'd been attracted to him from the start of their business together, but she hadn't expected to feel this thrilled to finally be kissing him. She lost herself to the kiss, then, simply enjoying the feel of his rough hands and the bulk of his weight against her.[break][break]
Crème whinnied softly, catching Seraphine's attention. It seemed the kissing of the two humans had been encroaching on the Rapidash's favorite grazing spot for a little too long.[break][break]
Seraphine laughed, pulling away from Bishop, and gazed up at him with shining eyes. Her heart was beating rapidly, and she found that she did not want to move away from the comfortable warmth of his body. "Ethan," she murmured, forgetting, in her lust-filled daze, to use his last name instead. "Shall we go somewhere a little more comfortable?"[break][break]
Her expression was enough to suggest where, exactly, that might be. Certainly not the main gallery.

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[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit

BY GUNSMILE

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Seraphine folded her arms, frown deepening. Since when were children allowed to attend the top secret meetings of a criminal organization? Seraphine could not help but wonder about Eris Halla's origins; the master artist was no fool, she knew that children, especially orphans, sometimes stumbled into lives of crime...but, at the very least, such children ought to defer to their adult leaders.[break][break]
Seraphine did not speak up to further reprimand Eris, however; several folks with far more power than she possessed had already put the girl in her place. It seemed the child was about to be imminently escorted from the premises. Good.[break][break]
Seraphine turned her attention back to the matter at hand. Littleroot or Mossdeep? Zev Harcourt had voted for Littleroot, as had Martín del Mar and Elisabeth Fiorelli. In the end, Seraphine herself had volunteered to help with the primal crystal extraction, so the outcome of this second vote did not affect her overly much. Mt. Pyre will be trickier than Petalburg, but at least it's close to Sootopolis. Those who had argued in favor of that beneficial proximity did have a point. Seraphine stole a glance at @bishop, wondering if he would prefer to fight on the front lines, so to speak, or accompany her on a stealthier mission. She found the idea of their separation distasteful, but she knew a small group was necessarily in order for Mt. Pyre to be a success. Choices, choices...[break][break]
Well, in case he goes where the fighting is...[break][break]
"I agree that Mossdeep feels too ambitious. I have faith that Littleroot can be taken with our current strength, and the potential energy source there sounds like an added bonus." She waved for Rouge to move over to the Littleroot grunt. The Smeargle did so gracefully and without argument. Seraphine nodded with approval. "Besides, the space center isn't going anywhere. Who knows how long the energy underneath Littleroot will linger? We ought to investigate at our earliest convenience. When the time is right, we'll take Mossdeep and all of its secrets."[break][break]
And hopefully the majority of us will come out of this alive.

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[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit[break][break]

RECAP

+ Seraphine continues to agree with Elisabeth Fiorelli, Martín del Mar, Zev Harcourt, and those arguing in favor of Littleroot[break]
+ Seraphine is worried about @bishop's wellbeing; if he ends up fighting, she wants to ensure the greatest chance for success.[break]
+ Therefore, Seraphine votes for Littleroot, as she feels it is the safer option. Plus, the mysterious energy sounds cool.

BY GUNSMILE

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Seraphine cocked her head curiously, loose dark waves of hair falling around her shoulders, bewildered by the sudden shift in Sienna's furtive demeanor to one of determined confidence. One moment she had seemed like a nervous thief caught in the act of stealing, but now she admitted to her "crime" with a resolute tone.[break][break]
I was an artist too.[break][break]
"Sienna," Seraphine began, walking slowly forward so that she could get a closer look at the covered easel. "I'm not angry...but you should have told me you are an artist! I would be happy to feature your work in the gallery, you know. And I'd be thrilled to take you on as an apprentice. Why did you hide such an important fact about yourself from me?"[break][break]
Rouge padded over to the Salazzle on the ground, intending to make sure she was okay. The little creature had seemed quite flustered indeed.[break][break]
Seraphine could not fathom why Sienna would be painting in near darkness, alone, in the middle of the night, in such a secretive way. Was she not proud of her work? Perhaps she was newer to the craft and embarrassed to show anyone her novice paintings, let alone a master artist such as Seraphine. No, that didn't seem right. Sienna had never struck Seraphine as the sort of woman who would back down from something; she would meet the challenge of enhancing her skills head on.[break][break]
So what was this about? Seraphine intended to find out.

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[break]

NOTES

+ Mission: Rocket Recruitment (Act 1)[break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE