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POSTED ON Jul 10, 2023 5:40:08 GMT

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[attr="class","maritop"]

[attr="class","mari"]

It was her first day.

[break][break] Somehow, against all odds, despite being a ball of anxiety and nervousness at the interview, Mari had secured a position at the Kalosian Embassy. More than likely, it was due to Nana Pryde's meddling. Though she may not have agreed with the girl's decision to change career paths (though decision was putting it lightly), there was no doubting that her word held weight. After all, the Pryde name was well-known throughout Kalos. They had raised several esteemed politicians and lawyers, including Mari's own mother.

[break][break] As far as first days went, however, hers was going smoothly. Mari had not been raised under Nana Pryde's strict and grueling regimen for nothing. She had exactly the perfect posture, the perfect amount of Kalosian politeness and cleverness. Dealing with the political speak was no problem either, having been surrounded by it for much of her youth. Dealing with the fax and copywriter machine was deceptively simple. The hardest thing about the day was memorizing everyone's coffee orders, but even she managed that eventually.

[break][break] It was going great. Well, was - until someone rushed up to her desk and demanded that she go find the boss. Hurriedly, Mari rushed down the corridors as elegantly yet swiftly as possible. After all, Nana Pryde has always taught her to never run in hallways. She made it to the cafeteria and found it to be packed.

[break][break] It was then that Mari came to a sudden and horrifying conclusion:

[break][break] She had no idea what the "boss" looked like.

[break][break] As she stood there in wide-eyed panic, one of the other orderlies pushed into her. He muttered the word 'stupid intern' under his breath, as he went to go grab the metal trays and step to the long cafeteria line. Stumbling, Mari followed suit — all the while running through ten different scenarios in her head. Should she rush back to the office? No, that would make her look dumb. Should she ask someone? No, what if they got back to her mentor? What if she lost her job because of this stupid, yet grave, error?

[break][break] Somehow, she made her way to the end of the cafteria line only to look down and see her tray full of food. Her fingers gripped the edge, staring out into the ocean of faceless people.

[break][break] She gulped, stepping towards the only table that was free save for one person. The back of a blond man's head.

[break][break] He looked friendly enough... right?

[break][break] "Hi," she said meekly as she approached. "Is anyone sitting here?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Julien Demassieux [break]
putting on a front

☉

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December 28

Snowbelle City, Kalos

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Timendi causa est nescire. Ignorance is the cause of fear.

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POSTED ON Jul 10, 2023 14:01:43 GMT

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[attr="class","julien1"]

[attr="class","text"]

One would think that Lord Julien Demassieux, with all his blue blood, would never wish to dine in the embassy canteen among the lower class. He owned a luxury car, visited restaurants that served haute cuisine, and wore clothing that was specifically tailored for him.[break][break]

But the reality was that the cafeteria had the most authentic Kalosian food in the entire region of Hoenn. In the middle of a busy day such as that one, sometimes the only cure for work-induced stress was lunch that tasted of home. It was worth enduring the endless, buzzing chatter of the other employees. At the very least, they knew to give him space and solitude.[break][break]

Most of them, anyway.[break][break]

Julien was enjoying his appetizer, a small mixed salad, when a voice cut through his comfortable silence. He turned, eyebrow raised, to see none other than the woman who'd spilled coffee on him the other day. What was her name again?[break][break]

Golden eyes flickered to the ID badge around her neck. marilee beaufort, it said. An intern.[break][break]

He recognized the name at once. This girl was the granddaughter of that Pryde woman — and, as a result, his assistant. She'd report directly to him once her week of training was over. Was she trying to endear herself to him on her first day? Was she trying to make up for the spilled coffee?[break][break]

Julien graced Mari with a polite smile that revealed none of his inner thoughts. "No, please sit." He gestured to the chair opposite him.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]marilee beaufort

[break]

NOTES

⬥ Mission: Putting on a Front

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MADE BY GUNSMILE

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mari

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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POSTED ON Jul 12, 2023 7:49:16 GMT

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[attr="class","maritop"]

[attr="class","mari"]

Light blue met icy topaz.

[break][break] It was in that moment that Mari knew she had messed up.

[break][break] It was him. That guy — the one that she had met at the coffee shop not too many days ago, the one that she had thought she would never see again. The one that she had hoped she'd never had to see again, and the memories of her awful, terrible, too-mortifying sin could be buried in the depths of her text logs with calla roth and saskia volosenkova .

[break][break] Her fingers curled around her metal tray.

[break][break] What were the odds that he would be working here as an employee?

[break][break] "A-ah... thank you."

[break][break] She swallowed, sliding into the seat opposite him. She stared down at her cole slaw and potato salad, not quite looking up from him. Her face burned.

[break][break] Then suddenly, she blurted:

[break][break] "I'm sorry!"

[attr="class","ooc"] Julien Demassieux [break]
putting on a front

☉

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December 28

Snowbelle City, Kalos

heteroflexible

ambassador

Rocket-adjacent

6'2" / 188 cm height

Timendi causa est nescire. Ignorance is the cause of fear.

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221 posts

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TAG WITH @julien

POSTED ON Jul 12, 2023 15:56:33 GMT

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[attr="class","julien1"]

[attr="class","text"]

Julien smiled, picked up his fork again, and said in smooth Kalosian, "Apology accepted. Now don't worry about it."[break][break]

Contrary to popular belief, he was not a man who held grudges for minor infractions. Spilled coffee, though embarrassing in the moment, was a trivial matter in the grand scheme of things. He had gotten the suit, shirt, and tie dry-cleaned within the hour, an act that had salvaged all three items. They hung in his closet as if nothing had happened to them at all.[break][break]

Julien wore a different suit this time: navy with matching brown shoes and belt, and a black tie with a subtle pattern revealed only under certain angles of light.[break][break]

"I haven't seen you here before, Miss Mari. Is it your first day?" he asked after unhurriedly chewing and swallowing another bite of lunch. He watched her over the rim of his glass as he drank some water.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]marilee beaufort

[break]

NOTES

⬥ Mission: Putting on a Front

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mari

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POSTED ON Jul 12, 2023 16:12:48 GMT

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[attr="class","maritop"]

[attr="class","mari"]

He was unphased. Completely and utterly, in a way that made Mari all the more self-conscious, knowing the gravity of her error. And the fact that he was being so nice about it? Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment once more.

[break][break] Though she was nowhere near as well-dressed as Julien Demassieux , Mari had dressed the part for her first day on the job. She wore a cute, light blue patterned blouse, skirt and black blazer that was cuffed at her elbows. A small necklace dangled near her collarbone, which was exposed by her shirt's collar, but only slightly — just enough, as deemed by Kalosian design.

[break][break] Compared to last time, where Mari had been wearing a much more casual outfit and no make-up, she had spent a lot of time that morning to making sure that everything was done. She wore light, natural make-up with lips that were dabbed a glossy pink, and soft curls that bounced around her shoulders.

[break][break] "A-ah, yes s-sir!" She said, pressing her lips together. Her heart stammered in her chest. "I'm still in training, but I will be an assistant to Mr. Demassieux once it's all over." She had been given the briefing but it all was a blur to her, with all the information that was being shoved down her throat. There were so many policies to memorize, so many workflows to go over.

[break][break] "What about you? What do you do, Mister Julien?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Julien Demassieux [break]putting on a front

☉

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December 28

Snowbelle City, Kalos

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ambassador

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6'2" / 188 cm height

Timendi causa est nescire. Ignorance is the cause of fear.

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POSTED ON Jul 12, 2023 16:53:34 GMT

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[attr="class","julien1"]

[attr="class","text"]

Julien's eyebrows rose into his forehead, genuine surprise overtaking his mild expression. She had been hired to be his assistant, but she didn't even know what he looked like?[break][break]

A part of him wanted to chuckle at the absurdity, while another part of him wasn't surprised at all, after the coffee incident. She looked so flustered, with a pretty blush coloring her cheeks.[break][break]

Leaning forward, he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial tone and said, "You know, I did hear Mr. Demassieux was looking for a new assistant. Rumor has it, he fired his old one because she messed up his lunch order."[break][break]

Pausing for another sip of water, he glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.[break][break]

"She purchased a croque monsieur instead of a croque madame." Julien gave Mari a meaningful look and shook his head in dismay. "One fried egg was all it took, apparently."[break][break]

No such thing had occurred, of course. His old assistant had gotten bold about their arrangement, and he'd dismissed her back to Kalos with enough money to buy her discretion.[break][break]

Julien relaxed back into his chair. "As for me, I do a little of this, a little of that. Mostly, I connect and meet with locals to establish relations between our embassy and the region."

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]marilee beaufort

[break]

NOTES

⬥ Mission: Putting on a Front

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mari

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ambrette, kalos

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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TAG WITH @mari

POSTED ON Jul 14, 2023 0:32:18 GMT

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[attr="class","maritop"]

[attr="class","mari"]

Oh. No.

[break][break] Mortification dawned on Mari as Julien told his story. Mr. Demassieux fired his last intern because of a messed up order?! That was definitely something she could do, that she already might have done.

[break][break] But no. Nana had taught her better — she could do this.

[break][break] "Ha.. it's good I've well-versed in my Kalosian cuisine," she said, letting out a nervous laugh. "I've grown up around it so I'm sure I wouldn't make that kind of mistake." Which wasn't entirely a lie. Nana was very strict, and everyone around her very accomplished. In fact, Mari had made a good relationship with the family's chef, so it probably wasn't something she'd mess up.

[break][break] At least not on purpose.

[break][break] Mari nodded along as Julien described his job; it made sense that there would have been a lot of people like this at the embassy. This, she felt more comfortable with, since she had grown up alongside such diplomats.

[break][break] "My father is a displomat. Growing up, he often told me stories about his meetings with the other embassies."

[break][break] Tentatively, she pushed a fork into her salad and wrapped her lips around a cherry tomato.

[break][break] "Do you know Mr. Demassieux personally?" she asked, trying to be discreet. "Or... where he might be?"

[break][break] Or what he looked like?

[attr="class","ooc"] Julien Demassieux [break]
putting on a front

☉

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December 28

Snowbelle City, Kalos

heteroflexible

ambassador

Rocket-adjacent

6'2" / 188 cm height

Timendi causa est nescire. Ignorance is the cause of fear.

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221 posts

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TAG WITH @julien

POSTED ON Jul 14, 2023 2:02:38 GMT

Elisabeth Fiorelli likes this

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[attr="class","julien1"]

[attr="class","text"]

"With your family's background, then, I'm sure you'll do well," Julien said, offering Mari a slight smile meant to reassure her. It was an empty remark, the same way one says they're sorry after news of a death.[break][break]

He glanced up from his lunch at her questions, suppressing the smirk that threatened to curl his lip. While he didn't intend to fool her forever, in the moment, he could not help but be entertained by her blissful ignorance. Her naïvety.[break][break]

"I wouldn't say I know him personally, no," he said. "I've spoken with him a few times, but only to help facilitate his work."[break][break]

Julien looked around the cafeteria, which had grown more crowded as the lunch hour progressed.[break][break]

"Mmmm… I did think I saw him enter a moment ago," he said, his brow furrowing as he sought a face in the swarm of embassy workers. "See if you can spot him. He's quite tall, with light-colored hair."[break][break]

Many such Kalosian men gathered in the canteen, lining up for lunch or sitting at tables to eat.[break][break]

"And he has a certain demeanor, if you know what I mean." Julien glanced at Mari. "Aristocratic."

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]marilee beaufort

[break]

NOTES

⬥ Mission: Putting on a Front

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mari

she/her

march 2

ambrette, kalos

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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TAG WITH @mari

POSTED ON Jul 20, 2023 15:22:22 GMT

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[attr="class","maritop"]

[attr="class","mari"]

"T-thank you, sir."

[break][break] He was much kinder than she deserved.

[break][break] But Julien wasn't wrong. The Pryde family had undeniable influence, no matter if it was in Kalos or if it was in Hoenn. Even so, the whole situation still felt surreal to her. The fact that she got the internship in the first place, despite so badly fumbling the interview; the fact that she was sitting across a handsome man like Julien; or the fact that he wasn't absolutely gagging at having to have spend time with her.

[break][break] 'I wouldn't say I know him personally, no.'

[break][break] Mari nodded along with his words. It all made sense. Mr. Demassieux was a busy person, after all, so it would have been impossible for him to know every member of the embassy personally. Even so, it was comforting to know that Julien at least knew what he looked like.

[break][break] Her brows furrowed as she stared out at the sea of embassy workers. All were in handsome suits or beautiful dresses. Mari felt horribly out of place among them, even though she probably looked identical to them. After all, Nana had sent over all her clothes from Kalos — she was not about to let her granddaughter be underdressed on her first day on the job.

[break][break] "Aristocratic..." Mari murmured.

[break][break] A handful of Kalosian men entered the cafeteria, all seemingly friendly with one another. The first was a tall man with a gaunt face, as if he had spent too many days in a board room. His hair was dark and his eyes of black onyx — while quite polished, he didn't seem like the ambassador she was looking for.

[break][break] The next man was a slightly shorter, spry man with straw-colored hair. He had bright green eyes, talking animatedly with the black-haired man about the latest deal. Even across the cafeteria, his voice carried -- though in a grating, slightly too high-pitched way that made her think he was perhaps too young to be ambassador.

[break][break] Finally, the third member of their party was a slender man with sharp, chiseled features like a model. He wore a finely pressed blue suit, and a decorative tie. His hair was dyed light blue, and his cobalt gaze was so vivid that it reminded her of the ocean in Ambrette Town, where she was raised.

[break][break] He was devastatingly handsome. Her heart tumbled, and she turned back to Julien, eyes bright.

[break][break] "Is that him?"

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Julien Demassieux [break]
putting on a front

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December 28

Snowbelle City, Kalos

heteroflexible

ambassador

Rocket-adjacent

6'2" / 188 cm height

Timendi causa est nescire. Ignorance is the cause of fear.

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221 posts

DOLLARS

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TAG WITH @julien

POSTED ON Jul 22, 2023 4:55:56 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","julien1"]

[attr="class","text"]

Julien regarded the young, handsome man toward which Mari pointed. He almost laughed. The last time Julien had seen him, that man was sorting correspondence in the mailroom.[break][break]

"Mmm, no, sadly," Julien said instead, eyes shining with mirth. "But he does cut a dashing figure, doesn't he?"[break][break]

Unfortunately, the ruse was up. A woman from the front desk entered, her coiffed hair bouncing with each step. Her gaze darted around the cafeteria until it settled on Julien. In mere moments, she crossed the room to stand before his table.[break][break]

"Lord Demassieux, a royal invitation arrived for you with the Calcifet seal," she said, holding up the unopened envelope. "I thought you would wish to know right away."[break][break]

Julien's exhale contained only the slightest disappointment as he plucked the envelope from her fingers. "Thank you, Pauline. It looks like our game is over, Miss Mari."[break][break]

The lady from the front desk shot Mari a confused look before bobbing a slight curtsey to Julien and departing, her heels clicking against the linoleum.[break][break]

The ambassador, however, did not open the letter. Instead, he watched his new assistant's reaction with an amused, closed-lipped smile.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]marilee beaufort

[break]

NOTES

⬥ Mission: Putting on a Front

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MADE BY GUNSMILE

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mari

she/her

march 2

ambrette, kalos

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5'2" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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DOLLARS

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TAG WITH @mari

POSTED ON Jul 23, 2023 23:07:51 GMT

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[attr="class","maritop"]

[attr="class","mari"]

"Oh..."

[break][break] Not him? She had been so sure! Her lips push into a pout as she stared at the group of dashing employees who wandered the cafeteria. All of them looked like they could potentially be the ambassador. How foolish was she to have not known what he looked like! Well, at least she had Julien here to help her.

[break][break] "I know you said he's aristocratic, but perhaps what color - "

[break][break] Before she could finish her thought, however, suddenly someone came over to their table. She jolted upright when recognizing the woman as the president's office main secretary.

[break][break] Then, slowly, her eyes slid over to the envelope and to the man she'd been sharing lunch with.

[break][break] Lord Demassieux...?

[break][break] Suddenly, it all clicked into place.

[break][break] His clean-cut expression, his finely tailored suit, his bright amber eyes. Nearly everything about him screamed it. Aristocratic.

[break][break] "J-J-J— Lord Demassieux!" she blurted, heat rushing to her face before she gave a ninety degree bow. She felt absolutely mortified, staring at the cafeteria's lustrous tiles as her face burned. "I'm so sorry! I had no - I am so sorry!"

[break][break] How didn't she know? Oh god. He was going to fire her, wasn't she? God. How could she not know? She'd never bothered to look at his first name, or maybe she had and had just forgotten it. Nana was going to kill her, losing her job on her first day.

[break][break] She shut her eyes fiercely as her hands folded over herself, trembling, wishing with all her might for this moment to be over.

[break][break] This was horrifying.

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Julien Demassieux [break]
putting on a front

☉

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December 28

Snowbelle City, Kalos

heteroflexible

ambassador

Rocket-adjacent

6'2" / 188 cm height

Timendi causa est nescire. Ignorance is the cause of fear.

awards

221 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @julien

POSTED ON Jul 24, 2023 13:35:54 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","julien1"]

[attr="class","text"]

As amusing as Mari's reaction was, it was also unnecessary.[break][break]

"There's no need for that," Julien said, putting the sealed envelope onto the table next to his lunch tray. "Sit and finish your lunch."[break][break]

He proceeded to do the same. Nothing in his appearance suggested he was angry with Mari or even bothered by her lack of awareness. On the contrary, he flashed her another close-lipped smile. Even the corners of his eyes crinkled.[break][break]

"I know you have training to finish this afternoon, but come with me to my office after lunch. I want you to be familiar with where it is, and where your desk is, too."[break][break]

Perhaps, in his presence, she would be sure to commit it to memory.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","tag"]marilee beaufort

[break]

NOTES

⬥ Mission: Putting on a Front

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[attr="class","credit"]

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mari

she/her

march 2

ambrette, kalos

assistant

civilian

5'2" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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TAG WITH @mari