[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Seraphine flashed the man before her a rather sultry smile, then took a sip of wine. It was a bit bland, but it would do. At least they had wine at this party.[break][break]
"You flatter me, darling," She purred at Aidan. "Gosh, I haven't worn this dress in..." she paused, doing some quick calculations. "Two years? Found it in the back of my closet the other day. I forgot how nice it looks with my hair." As if to emphasize her point, she flipped a thick strand of her wavy dark hair over an exposed shoulder. "I had no idea this would be a costume party, however...I admit, I feel a bit foolish."[break][break]
Rouge, Seraphine's Smeargle, had gathered a cup of Aguav-infused sparkling water and was drinking it thoughtfully by her side. Suddenly he cocked his head, as if noticing something on the ground by his mistress's feet. A playful-looking shadow had appeared there. Rouge crouched down and placed a paw on the shadow. It quickly dematerialized, appearing a few feet away, taunting Rouge. He tugged on Seraphine's dress and handed her his cup, then padded after the shadow, intending to chase it around the room.[break][break]
"Ah, it seems Rouge has met your Gengar," Seraphine chuckled. "I knew another man with a Gengar once," She recalled absently, thinking of Zev Harcourt. That Gengar had always creeped her out a bit. Not wanting to linger overly long thinking about her distasteful ex-boyfriend, she quickly held out her hand to Aidan. "My name is Seraphine D'aureville, by the way. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I own an art gallery in Slateport's upper district. Are you a fan of art?" She eyed him curiously. There was only one right answer of course, but not everyone was as cultured as she was.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

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

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Optics do matter.[break][break]
Once again, Seraphine could not help but think about the aftermath. Perhaps it was in her nature as an artist to visualize an entire painting and how she intended it to look before she ever put pen to paper, but she agreed with Elisabeth Fiorelli and her emphasis on a two-pronged approach. Strength hardly matters if there is nobody left to rule. Wealth hardly matters if there is nothing left to own. Hoenn must survive this, and the survivors need to trust us.[break][break]
Know when to make the right choice. Martín del Mar's words echoed across the crowd. He sounded like a conqueror, especially combined with the eerie, yet captivating, visage of the Unown floating around him. I am with him, but I am no fighter, she silently lamented. I am best suited for the diplomacy angle.[break][break]
When Zev Harcourt spoke, Seraphine shifted uncomfortably next to @bishop and Rafael Artega. It wasn't so much that Seraphine feared the man, she simply found him utterly distasteful. Despite herself, however, she could see the logic in sending a smaller team to infiltrate while the larger force attacked. Many valid points had been made about where to steal the primal crystal, but Zev was right: it hardly mattered, so long as they sent the right people.[break][break]
"I volunteer to assist with the retrieval of the primal crystal," Seraphine declared, tone confident. "The likelihood of success would be far greater should a small group of diplomatic," she caught Elisabeth's eye, "individuals, able to provide believable distractions, and stealthy individuals, able to quickly and efficiently swipe the crystal, were sent to our location of choice." She paused, and looked down at Rouge. The Smeargle stared back, expression resolute. He would go where she sent him. "As for that location, I actually think a larger city would provide better cover for this specialized thieving team. I see no reason why Petalburg should not suffice." She waved her perfectly-manicured hand dismissively, and Rouge trotted forward to stand by the associated grunt.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit[break][break]

RECAP

+ Seraphine agrees with Elisabeth Fiorelli, Martín del Mar, and Zev Harcourt (ugh)[break]
+ Seraphine offers her services as a charming seductress and socialite to aid a small team of Rocket thieves in retrieving the primal crystal while the majority of Rocket's forces fight elsewhere[break]
+ Seraphine votes for Petalburg as she feels a bigger city allows for more stealth and cover

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]

Seraphine was enjoying this little game; it had been some time since she'd met someone else who could keep up with her particular brand of playful banter. When people gave in too easily to her, it ruined the fun, naturally. Marza reminded Seraphine of @bishop in some ways; she wondered if the two had ever worked together. She could see them getting along.[break][break]
"Five years," She responded lightly to Marza's inquiry. Her champagne was gone, a pity. She would have to keep her eye out for another server. "But I was independent for the majority of that time. I've only been working...in an organized capacity for about a year." She remembered the stormy evening when Martín del Mar had paid her a visit as if it were yesterday. Though she did not say Rocket's name out loud, she had a feeling Marza would understand the implication of her carefully emphasized words.[break][break]
She weighed Marza's other statements - about work and pleasure, and how many drinks might be needed to soften up her stony demeanor. Seraphine smiled, spying the thin stems of champagne glasses weaving their way towards her once more. "I do sometimes hand-deliver commissions of a sensitive nature directly to my clients," She noted. "It is nice to have a little extra protection on such occasions. Perhaps I could make use of your services again in the future." She winked.[break][break]
A slight commotion caught her attention, then - a scuffle between a man and a woman nearby at one of the bars. Seraphine eyed them...it wasn't her place to intervene unless things became more violent. If he hits that woman, I will send Marza to give him hell, She decided.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

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

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Seraphine knew he was right, of course. Speaking openly about Rocket, even inside of the locked main gallery, was not the best idea - some of the windows were cracked, for one, to let in the cool breeze of the afternoon. Such conversations were best held in a private space, such as her studio. She had a reputation to uphold amongst all of the citizens of Slateport, and she intended to continue with that front for as long as she was able. She acquiesced to his logic, and dropped the subject. We can talk more about that later, she decided.[break][break]
His injuries, however, were another matter. One that could be immediately addressed.[break][break]
"Crème can help speed up the process," Seraphine realized, thinking of the Rapidash and her Heal Pulse ability. "Come out to the garden with me and I'll have her heal you." Her words were more command than suggestion, and her golden eyes watched Bishop with an intense scrutiny - she wasn't about to let him wiggle out of this, no matter how tough he tried to seem.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



"I have two sisters," Seraphine replied, unable to keep the pride out of her voice. "Mira and Josie. Both younger." She paused. "I miss them," She added. she did not turn to look at Bishop as she spoke, instead focusing on finishing her sketch of the lavender field, but her expression was twinged with a forlorn regret all the same.[break][break]
Perhaps one day, they would be able to visit her in Hoenn. The damned dome was the issue currently. But would it be safe for them to come here, were it even possible? She thought about her other life, the life of a Rocket forger - the life she led for their sakes, after all. She shook her head subtly, long dark hair swishing against her back, pushing away the complicated emotions.[break][break]
A Hetenna poked her pointed head out from behind a particularly large lavender bush nearby to their picnic. The little Pokémon tripped and began to stumble right into Seraphine's easel. Rouge jumped forward, catching her before she could ruin all of Seraphine's hard work. Seraphine tossed a Pokéball to ensure the psychic Pokémon would cause no further harm to their things.[break][break]
Seraphine became lost in her art then, pulling out her paints to begin adding soft purples and greens to the sketch - the start of something soft and ethereal, an impressionistic interpretation of the field before her. Though she did not speak further with Bishop, she found that she was glad for his company, his presence a comfort.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

+ Duo Wild (Psychic/Normal)[break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit[break]
+ Seraphine is CATCHING Hatenna![break][break]

Catch Data

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Seraphine did not often appear at events held by common folk, but the daughter (a chic Slateport designer) of the elderly couple who now owned the Pokémon Daycare in Littleroot Town had recently commissioned Seraphine to paint the cozy little cottage in celebration of her parents' new venture and so Seraphine had a business reason to be there. And, well, the couple had been so inviting and kind - when they'd heard Seraphine would be coming, they excitedly told the entire town that a famous artist would be in attendance at the Daycare Re-opening Party. Seraphine had always been rather susceptible to such flattery, so she made sure to pick out an especially fancy purple dress and had her long dark hair professionally styled for the occasion.[break][break]
What the daycare owners had failed to tell Seraphine, however, was that the party was, in fact, also a costume party.[break][break]
I guess it's that season, isn't it, she realized upon entering the daycare. Despite her stunning appearance, she suddenly felt self-consciously out of place. Everyone else in the room seemed to be dressed in some kind of Pokémon-themed outfit. Rouge, her Smeargle, tugged on her arm - one half of the elderly couple, the adorable woman, was standing right next to her holding out a pair of...were those Butterfree wings? "You can wear these, dear," She said in a kindly, rasping voice. Seraphine took the faux wings and saw that they had straps she could use to attach them to her back. The woman ambled off to greet another guest before Seraphine could thank her.[break][break]
"Well, I suppose these aren't so bad," She muttered as she put on the wings. They even matched her dress somewhat. She glided over to a table with a punch bowl, various sparkling waters, beer, and (thank goodness) some bottles of wine, and noticed a man standing awkwardly in a Gengar onesie. He looked about as unprepared for and uncomfortable with a costume party as Seraphine felt.[break][break]
"Didn't get the memo either?" She asked him with a wry smile, pouring herself a cup of red wine.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

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

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Seraphine was up late finishing a painting in her private studio when she suddenly heard a faint clattering sound coming from the gallery below. She paused, setting down her paintbrush, and turning to look at the cracked door of her studio. She cocked her head, listening intently...were those voices? As far as she knew, @bishop and Sienna Bell had returned home for the evening...so who could be down in the gallery at this hour?[break][break]
"Rouge," She hissed. The Smeargle had dozed off on her studio couch - at the sound of her voice, he snapped awake, blinking furiously. "I think someone's in the main gallery," She murmured. "We need to check."[break][break]
He nodded, understanding. He would go first, in case it was a thief - he'd be able to incapacitate them so that Seraphine could call the authorities. The two of them crept through the studio door and descended the spiral staircase as quietly as they could manage. It helped that Seraphine was no longer wearing her usual high heels, but rather, the comfortable designer slippers she often wore to paint. She had changed into an over-sized sweater and leggings, as well, which did not swish nearly as much as her daytime dresses usually did.[break][break]
The gallery was completely dark, save for faint moonlight streaming through the tall, elegant windows. In the smaller off-shoot gallery to the right of the main room - where Rouge's work was often featured - Seraphine noticed a soft orange glow, as if a lamp had been lit in there. How odd.[break][break]
Rouge padded forward, and then came to an abrupt stop. His shoulders seemed to relax somewhat, but his expression was confused. Seraphine quickly followed him and what she saw was wholly unexpected: Sienna was there and she was...painting? Or she had been, anyway. An easel stood before the other woman, but whatever canvas was on it had been covered.[break][break]
"Sienna," Seraphine's voice rang out; she did nothing to hide her shock. "What are you doing still here? I thought you left hours ago."

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

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

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



His large, calloused hand engulfed Seraphine's much more slender one, and she felt a small shiver as he squeezed it. She eyed him, however, uncertain whether she should press him further about his current physical state. "Where are you injured?" She asked finally, voice firm - she did not want any casual assessments or half-joking dismissals of his own pain. He ought not be doing any more hard labor if he's more hurt than he's letting on.[break][break]
Before he could answer, she added, "I suppose this is the sort of life you used to lead." It was not a question. Her tone was neither judgmental nor patronizing. It was merely the admission of something they both knew, but had never spoken about out loud. Of course he would be thieving. Fighting. Smuggling. Whatever Rocket needed. "You believe in the cause?" She asked softly. "I do, too, you know. We can speak openly about it."

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

+ Seraphine's Outfit

ORIGINAL TEMPLATE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



"One at a time, please," Seraphine urges, as the injured and rattled workers clamber towards Crème. As Rafael approaches, however, the men and women begin to settle into a more organized line, though some merely collapse onto the ground in a cloud of dust, exhausted. The little Ponyta begins sending out HEAL PULSES to help stabilize the shaken and mend the wounded. Sighs of relief begin to be heard throughout the small crowd. Seraphine nods her head, satisfied, standing and moving away from the scene to meet Rafael as he walks over. Lumière floats over to her, the fight seemingly over.[break][break]
"What an unfortunate turn of events," she laments to Rafael. "I do hope all of the artifacts affected are relatively unharmed, but there will be a lot of clean-up to do before we can find out." She reaches out to place a reassuring hand on his upper arm - she doesn't let it linger there overly long, but it is enough to show her support. "I can send out more of my Pokémon to help, if needed."[break][break]
The entire area around Seraphine and Rafael is a bit of a mess. However, to Seraphine's trained eye, not all seems entirely lost: the tent beneath which she and Rafael had been studying the Hisuian tile remains in tact, and several of the peripheral dig sites had been left relatively untouched. It is really only the one, central site where several stone tablets had begun to be uncovered that the Excadrills had attacked head-on.[break][break]
"A setback, but hopefully a minor one." She reassures Rafael.

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

+ Mission: Digging Yourself Into a Hole [break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit[break]

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Finally, the opportunity she had been waiting for.[break][break]
Martín del Mar didn't need to confirm what she had already been suspecting. It was clear just by looking into his cold, hard stare that he was telling her everything she needed to know. I'm far more powerful than you could ever imagine, a stare like that seemed to communicate. I can pour you a taste of it, but I can also take it away just as easily. Instead of cower beneath the weight of such a double-edged offer, however, Seraphine merely sipped her own wine, closing her eyes briefly as she relished the perfectly balanced dry, tart flavor.[break][break]
"Hoenn's wine really cannot compare to the Kalosian blends," She sighed softly. When she opened her eyes, they, too, were edged with frost. Gold locked with gold. "Your organization also caught my interest," she murmured. "I had hoped that eventually, a representative would be sent. I did not anticipate that it would be you, but it fits." Her smile had an edge to it. I know your secret now, Mr. Del Mar. The League supporting entrepreneur, such a well-crafted act.[break][break]
But confidence was not the only thing required of her in this moment, and so she schooled her expression away from basking overly long in her own cleverness, and nodded her head to him in deference. "I accept your generous offer. I would like to start immediately. If there is anything I can do for your - our - people, please start sending them my way."

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

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

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","seratest2text"]



Seraphine beamed. "Oh yes, I've painted Laverre in every season." Her tone betrayed a hint of bittersweet longing, with a hint of finality: a nostalgia for a place she dearly missed but also did not intend to return to. "I've sold many, but I've kept a few for myself, in my bedroom." She paused, expression growing more playful again. "Perhaps someday you'll get to see them." Her golden eyes sparkled mischievously at him; she let the suggestive comment hang between them for a heartbeat or two before turning back to her canvas.[break][break]
As for his other comment... "Well, I suppose the nature of your situation does warrant an estrangement from those who know - or knew - the true you," she agreed. "There is no point lamenting it. You hardly know what you might be missing, if you've never really been close with them to begin with."[break][break]
Rouge tugged on her arm, and she looked down at him, eyebrow raised. "Yes, dear?" He pointed off to the right, to a patch of lavender flowers that seemed to make way for a small stream. A beautiful Malamar was sipping from the water, the sunlight glittering off her sleek, pastel body. Seraphine nodded. "Yes, go ahead," She decided, pleased. "She's quite the lovely specimen."[break][break]
Rouge bounded forward, excited to be able to help his mistress once again, and swished his tail, SKETCHING the Malamar's PSYBEAM ability and sending a ray of psychic energy crashing into the squid-like Pokémon. Seraphine tossed a Pokéball.[break][break]
"Families are a complicated matter," She continued then, finishing her thought regarding Bishop's situation. "I love my sisters dearly, for example, but my parents...my father. Well. He did his absolute best to be as unlovable as a man can be."

[attr="class","seratest2ooc"]
[break]

NOTES

+ Duo Wild (Psychic/Normal)[break]
+ Seraphine's Outfit[break]
+ Seraphine is CATCHING Malamar![break][break]

Catch Data

BY GUNSMILE