fritz doesn't mind being scanned from head to toe. he knows that he can show off certain parts of himself that can appeal, and also has some things that are a little lacking. he doesn't have the physique of a burly man, for example, but he'd like to think that his appearance can turn a couple of heads, if they notice him. as for the woman in front of him, well, he is surprised that he is the first to approach her, or maybe she had just arrived here and he was the first to take the bait. "well, it is one of the largest gatherings of the month, i'll give it that." he responds, forgetting if there is actually some sort of entertainment here like a popular band or something similar. it really seems to be more of collecting all those fancy league people together under one place. would be great time to bomb it, but he figures he's not the only rocket in here. he has no idea if there is such a plan.

he then smirks as the question is deflected back at him. what's he doing here alone? well..."i wasn't informed of when the ball had started, so my friends left without me." he answers nonchalantly, though in reality he had not called any friends to speak of, and he is really here mostly to take a look at the festivities and maybe steal some food. "care to keep me company for a while?" if their conversation becomes a drag, at least she's good eye candy, and she's willing to entertain him too.

but it doesn't look like that's the only thing entertaining tonight. a wind billows through them as the ballroom is suddenly covered soft trickles of snow, and in front of them is a pokemon he recognises from the book he had read as a kid. "articuno..." he mutters, finding himself in awe, confusion, and spikes of fear. what was a legendary doing here? looking for an avatar, no less? he watches for a moment as people offer themselves in front of the deity, but fritz isn't inclined to join them. still he doesn't resist the urge to take a picture. how often does one get one of a legendary bird, right. "click, aaaand save." he mutters to himself before pocketing his phone. it doesn't look like his companion is eager to offer herself either. that's good on him, at least he won't be left alone. "with everyone's attention on the bird, it would be very easy to just take something from them, huh." he says idly before letting out a small laugh, "i kid, of course." but he's only really half joking. "still makes me wonder why articuno would show itself here, though. imagine if it sides with a faction..."

it's not that big of a deal if it decides to ally itself with someone that has their own selfish goals, but if it becomes aligned with league? yikes. with rocket? also yikes, but at least he's on the right side.

---

tags: @jennifer
notes: ball reference! the cold never bothered them anyway

And so, in a twist of fate, it seemed that Camryn and Alex had been abandoned for the wolves so that Victor and David could chat... she was both relived and disappointed at the same time. Maybe she could slip off while she had the chance and try to salvage her night.

"You're not really married to him, right?" Was all she said, grateful in her own way to Alex, so he attempted to grab his hand and tug him... further away from whatever disaster was brewing between the other two men. "Want to visit the snack table with me?"

Camryn gave a small smile, trying to be polite and kind, when there was a gust of chilled air and it seemed like she wouldn't be getting warmed up that easy. A massive flying pokemon appeared, spoke to her and many others mentally, and she knew instantly that she wasn't fit to be an avatar, or whatever, but she did know she wanted to get a better look.

"Oh, hey, let's go see what happens!" She said, excited, to Alex and tried to guide him closer to where the action was. People were already trying to be avatars! How exciting!

---

@ball, elijah gardner , victor evans , alexander silph

dress inspo

➣ she has been abandoned lmao
➣ talks to alex some nad tries to jump ship with him
➣ oh shit articuno

ultimately they aren't able to move away from the ballroom because they got to converse some more (though it was really more of abel flirting while arthur trying to deflect his advances out of awkwardness). somehow the room continues to lower in temperature but no one is really sure as to why. they continue talking as normal until a much stronger billow of wind enters the room, blowing in both chills and snow as a large pokemon seems to arrive out of nowhere--a pokemon all too recognisable for those who have lived in the kanto and johto region.

"articuno..." he isn't much for the deities, but he knows them. he's seen them in paintings and murals and museums and...well, they are an icon. a symbol of power that is beyond human comprehension. and somehow, tonight, one of them is right here in the same room as he is, calling for an avatar. it all seems so surreal. it unsettles him in more ways than he could fantom. he notes that people are beginning to crowd, but cautiously, quietly. there are murmurs in the audience, though. of course not everyone is going to try to offer themselves to the legendary. they know that articuno is searching for something, though what exactly is a mystery. nonetheless, he is surprised to see that chu-e has given a shot at it, and he damn hopes that the bird doesn't peer into him and find that he's actually a rocket.

or maybe it does, and it does not care. worthiness in this case can perhaps extend to both factions, or factionless individuals. what a terrifying thought. he does not dare approach the pokemon, but he finds that being able to see it in the flesh is enough. surely that's a story for the books, and it would be a moment that would start a chain reaction for the months to come.

because if one legendary makes its appearance here, he is sure that the others are to follow.

---

tags: @abel (mostly bc i'm sort of shortcutting the convo)
notes: i just want that chance encounter award ok