It was nerves, mostly, and an unhealthy ego.

Normally she wouldn't be seen dead in a place like this- wide open, in public, with people to pick her out of a crowd. It was uncomfortable, like a blazing spotlight had been set upon her. Discomfort swims in her pinched expression, but she sets her jaw and waits for further instruction.

No more really come, though, except for his encouragement to begin. The man teleports away and she exhales softly, somewhat relieved to be set on her own for the time being. She waits a few moments as if to steel her nerves, and she then steps forward to begin the challenge.

The woman sets the Teddiursa down, though the child cries to be picked back up. Fortunately, she is quickly distracted by the Comfey wrapped around her wrist. Remi kneels quickly to pull her attention back, and, like a stern mother, quietly scolds her.

"Be gentle with the Comfey, Teddiursa. You wouldn't want to ruin such a beautiful thing, would you? You may look, but do not touch, or you might damage its beautiful flowers."

And then, Remi stands back up to release two bears who tower above her head. They both wear dark sunglasses, and stand at attention much like real bodyguards.

Greyson Connors

☉

Remi laughs, the noise a somewhat pompous exhale. She raises the eyebrow over her good eye, looking at the man with dry amusement.

"So.. I'm participating in a game for children. But the stakes are 'higher'."

She emphasizes the word higher because, given the sweet-smelling floral bracelet hovering around her person, there were really no stakes at all. Remi was beginning to remember now what sort of a gym this was. She was running a scenario simulation. Almost as if she were being prepared for war.

Hoenn was fucked up.

"Sure."

Makes sense to her. The woman releases a Teddiursa from a pokeball somewhere on her person. The little Pokemon yawns, showing rows of sharp teeth and a pale pink tongue. It cooes and blinks slowly, focusing on Claire. With reaching, grabby little paws and claws, she attempts to reach out and grab the Comfey. Remi pulls the Pokemon away before that might happen.

"How far is point A to point B?"

Suddenly, she was a bit disappointed she'd decided on a late lunch.

Greyson Connors

☉

"Yeah."

Her tone is flat, and she takes her ID back with slight agitation. Not that she has anything to hide, because really, she doesn't. She had gone to great lengths to renew her long expired ID. In fact, she is relieved when he accepts it, even if there was nothing at all to worry about - except maybe how far away the expiry date now is.

Greyson asks her a question and she hesitates as she is replacing her ID. She could lie- a lie would come naturally. But instead..

"I could use a refresher."

Greyson Connors

☉

Remi blinks, genuinely stunned by the candor and lightheartedness of her surroundings. The man's laughter catches her off-guard because it is almost familiar, as is the woman behind the counter that he had been speaking to. She is almost awkward now, when he turns to greet her, as if embarrassed she had interrupted their conversation.

"Uhh.. yes. Cassel, like Castle, sort of. It's fine however you say it."

She frowns a bit, but the motion is somewhat bashful rather than intimidating. Not that it would look like that anyway given the eyepatch and her more rugged appearance. She swallows, forces a small smile and reaches for her ID.

"Uhh-- here."

Greyson Connors

☉

Fingers clench into fists, knuckles white, hands trembling.

This is for you.

A promise she had made the moment she'd stepped forward to (Schrodingers) claim Greyson Connors's badge. This would be her second challenge, her second promise, her second step forward.

Her thumb brushes the plastic trainer card, feeling the ridges where her name is spelled out. It brings forward grief and fear-- but she prevails. She has to.

And so her feet carry her, and though doubt waves its white flag in the back of her mind, she pushes past it. The ball in her hand seems to squirm with anticipation, and the thought of what exists inside makes her stomach turn.

But for him, she would have done anything. For him, she would be better.

"Excuse me? I-I'm here to challenge your gym."

Alexei Ivanov

☉

It feels like there is blood in her mouth. But no matter how many times she wipes the back of her handa cross her mouth, she looks down to see nothing but the faint sheen of saliva. The thought of going through with what she was doing leaves her.. breathless, and stressed, and..

"Fuck."

This is for you, Roman.

For him, she would have given the world. For him, she would stay in this shithole region, make a life for herself, do better.

Remi exhales softly, steels herself, and steps forward. She would challenge this gym, and this would be her official first step. She had even gone the extra mile to come up with a real, genuine trainer ID. Though she bore her own criminal past, that part of her life was hidden, nameless. Remi Cassel was real, brand new, someone innocent written across a plastic card.

This is for you.

Greyson Connors

☉

Easy money- that's what this was. The job was simple, and Remi had the perfect Pokemon for it.

Her Teddiursa could literally pull off anything. Not to mention, the little monster had sticky fingers. All she had to do was sit pretty just long enough for the nice workers to do her makeup, rosy up her cheeks, add some sparkle, and Teddiursa could pickpocket them without them knowing. And really, who would suspect an adorable little teddy?

No one, that's who. Because if they did, she'd put on her baby-doll eyes or her fake tears and they'd gush and squee and squeeze the daylights out of her. And if that didn't work, she had sharp claws and fast feet.

Not that it would come down to that.

At present, the little Teddiursa sits in her seat with a lollipop gripped in her claws. She squeals in excitement as people gush over her and offer her endless positive attention. This was the life, for sure. And she was hardly even working! Do you think she'd get a mystery gift for all of her hard work?

@job

☉