it's not like julie travels incognito. in fact, she makes it rather well-known where she'll end up next at the end of each video and livestream. it makes it easier to find willing participates to chat with when covering local delicacies, tourist spots, fashion trends and the like. how-ev-er! no matter how popular she is, it's not as though she expects special treatment (because she's had a lot of that and she finds it's more comfortable for it to be earned rather than out of obligation). that's why, when the Michael Navidson is at her impromptu meet-n-greet, the friendly smile she had worn had become laced with puzzlement.[break][break]

gym leaders were busy people, though she supposes even they need to step away from it all. and... well, who is she to pass up a chance at publicity when it falls into her lap just like that? (though, with how he sits awkward bathed with the buzz of curious onlookers, julie has to wonder if navy was even a fan at all).[break][break]

the tea cup in her hold takes its seat back onto its saucer with a delicate clink, julie offering a smile. "it's definitely different," she begins, finger tapping at her chin as she gazes to the ceiling in thought. the moment she had begun speaking, the whispers surrounding them cease, the giggle that escapes her acknowledging their curiosity. [break][break]

"i've visited before. several years ago with my family, that is. before..." she makes a vague gesture, as if to say well, you know better than me, right? without missing a beat, she continues: "which is why i'm very grateful! for both the welcome and your company. back then, i never visited dewford town since my family had several things to take care of. i'm really unfamiliar with things here so..." she tilts her head, the concern she wears settling in easily. "ah, but i'm sure your schedule is full...?" it'd be bad if he were eager to leave, and surely with this many eyes on them, he wouldn't say no to a girl giving him puppy dog eyes, right?[break][break]

+ Michael Navidson (boop!)

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

she listens in earnest as she catches the eyes of their surrounding audience, julie earning shy waves in response to her own. in truth, she thinks it's amusing how buzzed they are with her presence, considering dewford is known as the hub of new trends. surely they've had their fill of people like her that drop by via recommendation or due to a popularity video seen in passing? or maybe that's the allure of it all. the uncertainty of just who will appear next. what a charming town.[break][break]

the joke has her laughing into her fingers, head tilting. "i would if i were a battler! maybe the me that is gives you a run for your money." her fists clench before her chest, a little determined nod accentuating her words. "i would love to sit and watch someday though. hopefully a trainer comes rushing in calling for you when i'm in town in the future." perhaps that was why she didn't dabble too much in the battling side of owning pokemon: julie just wasn't exposed to it as often as most. it's a rich kid thing, probably. where pokemon are more ornaments and toys than friends gained through trial after trial. [break][break]

settling back into her seat, she hums thoughtfully, finger tracing the rim of her teacup. how much can she talk about without giving too much of herself away? is it awkward to say she really just ended up in the region to see a particular person? that would unfortunately garner a tad too much attention with her comment sections, so she mentally sighs the truth away. [break][break]

well, not like she'd admit it with so many people around to begin with.[break][break]

after a beat of silence, she decides on: "when there are people working hard to keep it safe, it gives me a little confidence to walk around." it should be enough to pacify him and be the perfect response for the camera. "as for what they say at home... well, hoenn's certainly an eventful region." leaning forward, julie rests her cheek on her palm, that perpetual smile dropping in favor of a small frown. "there were always things about how we should be paying attention in case anything from here spills over to there. there are people that saw it as a business opportunity. called hoenn a struggling region." the frown deepens. she thinks of acquaintances of her father and blows out a sigh, puffing her fringe out of place. [break][break]

"but that's just a small percentile. a lot were concerned for the ones living here. i'm glad i can show everyone that people here are doing alright to the best of their abilities." pausing for a moment, she returns his curiosity with her own. "if you don't mind me asking, how have both you and dewford done through all of this?" [break][break]

+ Michael Navidson (boop!)

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

she had paid close attention to news of hoenn years prior to her arrival out of concern for the one person she cared for in the entire region, so it doesn't necessarily surprise her to hear the news of loss and let go's. she was well aware of how truly dangerous hoenn was and is (julie was just lucky to not have ran into trouble yet). vaguely, she wonders if there'll be another outbreak in her future here, whether or not she'd be a survivor or another casualty. fortunately for navy and their onlookers, any grim thoughts are hidden well underneath her apparent natural brightness, it even being overshadowed by the curiosity that glimmers in her gaze.[break][break]

while navy had been a detective once upon a time, julie had been suffocated by far too many rich folk waiting for a chance to strike. a single mishap would be the talk of the party (literally) for months on end if she and her siblings weren't careful, so they were all well trained in the art of observation. of course, julie was no match for a man that had made a living out of it, though the subtle glance to his arm isn't lost on her. [break][break]

there was a story there, but she picks and chooses her battles (and prying into a man's scars is never one she partakes in willingly). instead, she smiles in agreement, the curiosity replaced with relief. [break][break]

"it's good to hear you've all gotten support someway, somehow. it's even nicer to hear dewford's managed to stay relatively peaceful. i'm from the city too, and i have to admit..." she offers her own survey of their surroundings, grin warm as she nods to the cafe's patrons. "i'd love to visit more often. it's relaxing here." there are nods of approval and gasps of delight in reaction to her commentary, and while julie did appreciate the enthusiasm, her fondness for dewford lie simply in the solace of it being an island as if it were its own little world. [break][break]

she does a look over at the elder with a hum, a teasing grin plays upon her lips hidden by her long sleeves as she raises to politely cover her giggle. "i'd never take you for a gaming type," she confesses, daintily lifting her teacup to gulp down the rest of its contents. she sighs in satisfaction, chair scraping as she pushes herself up. "i'm personally one to enjoy watching, so how about you show off your skills, yeah?" she shoots little finger guns at him, teeth glistening as the smile widens. [break][break]

"and then maybe, if i'm feeling confident, you can teach me a little? [break][break]

+ Michael Navidson (boop!)

[attr="class","pokeclass"]