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It's one of those instances, after the little Palentine's gift, where she's already started thinking about it. To break her lease with her landlord, and accept the offer. She's looked at that key multiple times now, humming wonderfully to herself, her eyes looking it over.[break][break]

It's a decision, a big decision.[break][break]

Today, however, is something she'd been planning since Circhester. With the holiday of love and everything on the horizon, Genny made the reservation. A week after the big day. Why? Because most people would go a week before. This way, they could have privacy. The whole day. Just them.[break][break]

She'd spent all morning, sprucing up. She'd even gotten into make-up, thanking her Girlygang for any tips they can give. She felt like a bad bitch, even with so little on.[break][break]

Lavaridge's Hot Spring was mostly empty, save for the receptionist, and Genny had been waiting for today. She'd taken the proper precautions, and was quietly waiting for him to arrive. A moment to relax for them both. She's looking herself in the mirror, puffing up her hair, checking her face. Her cute red skirt, her top, everything. It wouldn't matter shortly, but she wanted today to be perfect.

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Just like with Andrea Vaneau . Only difference? Genny is a little more-prepared, and revs the Cyclizar a little, dodgeing one of the volcano's raining fireballs with a quick slide, getting back onto the track.[break][break]

Overconfident, maybe. But not so bad. "Let them come, then." Her hazel eyes burn, emblazoned by her own capability. Running next to her, her trusted Arcanine, Zagreus, keeping up easily with Genny and Navy both, speeding up as the fire dog lets loose his own capability. How?[break][break]

"Take it, Zag!"[break][break]

Leaping upwards, and blocking one of the incoming fireballs, Zagreus ingests via FLASH FIRE, and speeds up further with AGILITY.[break][break]

Zag is one of Genny's finest, after all. And she grins over to Navy.[break][break]

"Not my first rodeo, cowboy!"

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Defeat.[break][break]

The first loss. And it's a bummer. It really is. But the whole time, Genevieve just sits there, coddling her Vaporeon. The loss hits him harder than it would ever hit Genny. Sure, she lost. So what? She's not going to let one singular loss take her out of the running. She won't let a single loss take her down. So, even when Uzi is crying and crying in her lap, Genny pets him, as she watches the ceremony.[break][break]

When they stopped by the rear entrance, Genevieve stops and listens. Following behind the Gym Leader towards the office, as to get pointers. By time they reach the office, Genny is smiling ear-to-ear at all the Raikou memorabilia. It's adorable.[break][break]

Course, by time the pointers come, Genny knows where she went wrong. She knows, and the Gym Leader before her makes a point to emphasize first that her fundamentals were wrong. Off. Uzi was a change, and admittedly, he was still new. Zagreus, being an Arcanine, might have been an easier choice. A better choice. But Genny chose Uzi because of this. To grow with him. And in the end, she felt right in that decision.[break][break]

"You're right. I didn't. This is Uzi's first time in a battle sense. I only got him last year, when I went somewhere with a close friend. That being said, I trusted Uzi. And I would trust him again, if need be-" but the crash, that one turn that went so wrong, so impossibly wrong... she nods.[break][break]

She'd make that choice again. Easily.[break][break]

But the idea, to give her the badge, to put her through despite if she goes to a follow-up appointment, leaves a weird taste in her mouth. On the one hand, awesome! On the other...[break][break]

She looks down at Uzi, and ruffles his white fin. "I-" Personal training with a Gym Leader is nice, but that's...[break][break]

"I don't think I deserve a badge under that context, Josh. But I'd be happy to take that first step, in doing some training with you, to get better. I'll agree to the appointment, but not the Gym Badge. Is that alright?"[break][break]

She smiles ear-to-ear. She'll have to re-challenge Josh again. And she accepts this loss, regardless.

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With shaking hands, it's in that moment, when Penelope says it, the sigh that accompanies the compliment... one of the highest ones Genny had heard. She reminded Penny of a younger version of her? The redhead's hazel eyes shoot upwards, her lips parted. Her heart beats a little harder, and though flushed, she gets a smile.[break][break]

She'd looked up to Penny for so long now. Her hazel eyes seem so bright, and full of life, looking back to her. One of her idols.[break][break]

She wished it would have been before that fated dog mission, when Genny nearly ruined her career. But then, maybe that was okay too. To keep grounded in reality, and not fly too close to the sun?[break][break]

Penny's words keep pushing into her heart, and though she's focused on shaken hands, in front of her, it's the praise that pushes through that gives that heartwarming smile. With teary-eyes, she can't help but give it to Penny, the genuine smile she gave when she first signed-up for the Rangers.[break][break]

"Thank you, Penelope," she reaches forward, and shakes her head. If she can grab her hand, she does so. "-part of courage is knowing fear. Being afraid, but doing what's needed... that doesn't make you a mess, that makes you strong."[break][break]

Silver lining in other clouds.[break][break]

She lets go though. Right. Right right right. Maybe she's looked at it wrong this whole time. "You know, I looked up to you from afar. You, annalise henderson, Melody Miro, Elinor Anderson, Eva Morales... I thought, if you can do it, why can't I? You've made names for yourselves, put yourselves on the line. You're like... my idols," she closes her eyes and leans back into the pillows, eyes out to the skyline in the window. "so I try to aim high. I reached for my stars."[break][break]

Her smile fades.[break][break]

"Then... Anna stepped down as Head Ranger and disappeared for awhile. I haven't even met Elinor, and about Dr. Morales, and you, well-" her tone shifts. Because she remembers what ollie morales told her. Her eyes look down again to the blanket over her legs. Even with that knowledge, her eyes begin tearing up, and her fists ball up further, grabbing the blanket so tight in bandaged arms.[break][break]

She grips so tightly with each droplet that hits the sheets.[break][break]

"You're all my heroes."[break][break]

The sobs begin.

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Even as Uzi smashed into the bank, even with a nasty bruise on the Vaporeon, Genny can't help but worry and smile, lacing kiss after kiss down below to this beautiful Vaporeon. Uzi really was racing with the best, and even if they were last...[break][break]

They could try.[break][break]

This was it. All they had left, and as Genny closes her eyes, Uzi wants this. He wants to impress Genny. He wants to do it for her. She was there with Momo Sakai , she took him in. The water Eeveelution was crying, trying to muster any power he had left. Boost energy, heck, he'll take anything. A slap of his tail backwards. He'll do anything to get Genny ahead.[break][break]

Genny believed in him.[break][break]

Would that be enough?[break][break]

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Bitter blood was the right way to view it. No matter how brave the face she kept, underneath the physical pain was only masked by painkillers. Emotional and mental damage stir the pot worse and worse. Even something as fake as a smile, mirrored so gently towards Penny.[break][break]

"You can call me Genevieve then," Genny warmly responds, her hazel eyes filled with sunshine and rainbows.[break][break]

When Penny seats herself in the visitor's chair, Genny's hazel eyes trace over and around her, before back to her own hands as Penny speaks.[break][break]

She did well? Well meant she could walk out of the whole mess herself. The Reshiram and Hoopa incident, that's one thing, but when those Rockets began turning and acting high and mighty... her smile vanishes into thin air, the bedsheets clinch under her hands, a look uncharacteristic of Genevieve Cromwell the Wonder Woman.[break][break]

There was a storm brewing behind her eyes.[break][break]

"Thank you, Penelope," she starts, though that warmness is drowned by the frost of winter's hellish embrace. "But I am undeserving of that praise." She wasn't good enough. She wasn't strong enough to keep standing. She survived the Hoopa strike, took down Paradoxes aplenty, and focused her attention on that one Rocket.[break][break]

Her calloused, bandaged hands shake. That tone. She remembers him. One of three Rockets that confirmed her biases now. Her teeth begin to grind together.[break][break]

"I'm nowhere close to good enough. Not until I become the representing Champion. You did wonderfully though, Penelope," she admired Penny, had for a long, long time now. Councilwoman? Stunning and strong?[break][break]

Hurt ollie morales. Though, she supposed, if what Ollie said was true, so did he to her.

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One by one, the girls begin to arrive. First, Yuina Higashi, and with a big smile upon her lips, she could not only greet one of her besties, but Ayashi too. With a quick waltz over, the hug is returned, with a grin. "Thank you for coming, Yuina! I know, right? Just a nice little rentable location. I get to flaunt some of that Ranger status!" she flexes with an arm, and shortly after brushes Ayashi's furry chest.[break][break]

On cue, DESIREE BLOOMS came next, and with another hug, the short redhead felt her cheeks heat up as she did! "Alola, Desi! Um... merci beaucoup?" she gives the greeting from her own home, with a little French too, though uncertain of if its used properly. When she does mention the treats, and the rainbow tequila, Genny can only imagine what the girlies will get up to![break][break]

Soon after, the Galarian Ambassador herself arrives in Elise Calcifet, who arrives soon after with champagne of her own, and homemade snacks! "Glad you could make it, Elise! Don't worry, we're gonna use this as a full vacay! All relaxation!" Genny wasn't going to let her own sadness after the whole Dewford attack cloud her own judgment! This was a vacay-day![break][break]

But you know... that's an unreasonably large amount of alcohol...[break][break]

Soon after too, Andrea Vaneau comes in with the cutest Fuecoco outfit, arriving on a Salamence with sandwich ingredients AND sake! At the rate they were going, their first night together was gonna be a drinks, drinks, drinks! Of course, seeing Jalapeño the Fuecoco, the beautiful little croc he was, Genny's eyes light up, and zoom back up to Andrea. "You're totally on time! Thanks for coming! And you too of course, Jalapeño, welcome as an honorary girlie," she can't help it, she's smiling ear-to-ear with this little fire croc. And of course, meeting all of the other Pokemon only makes it better![break][break]

OH! Right, marilee beaufort! Genny's grinning. She hadn't really had much chance to even speak to her, but she was invited all the same! "You're not late at all! Most of our invitees are almost here for Girlygang Weekend!" she moves over to Mari, a hand outstretched. No matter what, Marilee was one of the girls all the same! And soon after, luka chêne is entering the scene on a Spectrier! Majestic! Genny waves almost right after shaking Mari's hand, so long as they shake with her! And... more drinks.[break][break]

Oh god, she's going to have to explain to Isaac Merlo why she's hungover, isn't she?[break][break]

Now that everyone was here though, that meant... all the invitees had arrived! Time to be a good hostess with the mostest.[break][break]

"Alright, let's kick it," with a bit of a skip to her step, and tap with her butt to the stereo, it turns on, as she spins on her heel, and faces all of her girlies. All of them looked lovely for just the occasion. So, time to gives the girls what they want! "-so we have this spot for a couple days! We're going to enjoy the New Year! I've booked us some masseuses later on in the day, and we have an excellent view of the fireworks nearby in Mauville!" And that was just the tip of the iceberg.[break][break]

Seeing as they had brought so much already for food, snacks, and drinks, she had to! "It's so wonderful to see everyone bringing their own slice of the glamp trip! And if you didn't, that's okay! This weekend excursion is for us to all relax, and let those struggles melt away!" she's smiling ear-to-ear, hands now behind her back, as she can't help but be excited. "By time we leave, I hope our friendships deepen even more! The tent back here should be able to house all of us for the nights! Big enough too!"[break][break]

Was there anything she was missing? Her Pokemon all seemed to just relax nearby, playing, and with that, all Genny can do is relax her shoulders.[break][break]

"Sooooooo, what does everyone want to start with?" she puts out for the girls, wondering what they should do first. They could start opening those drinks. Dance to the music. Have some alone time with friends, break-off a little... whatever they wanted! Heck, Genny could try to cook!

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"Tell me about it," Genny looks away sheepishly. Last place she was at in Slateport wasn't exactly the best neighborhood for herself. Somehow, during annalise henderson and her mission the prior year, there hadn't been much trouble outside, but she had been in the rougher side of town. At least, not anymore.[break][break]

The idea of cabanas being given to spare, has Genny's interest. The idea to invite some of her girlies, or heck, maybe even Isaac Merlo. An idea that she'd have to explore, after her venture with glamping that DESIREE BLOOMS had brought up so graciously. Navy wouldn't mind, surely.[break][break]

"Will take you up on that," she chimes back, a lull of her head as she matches that smile. Charming to the last, no wonder Melody Miro loved this guy.[break][break]

But that training sim idea... "I used to. An old ex of mine was really into sports games, but they weren't really my thing-" and she thinks back about how she dumped that surfer guy in the ocean in Alola. Guy had it coming. Jerk. "Training sim though? I'm sure Officer Concordas would love for me to run through it too. Is it a solo-kinda game?" A casual mention of paxton concordas, someone she regarded highly enough as a mentor![break][break]

Now, wrapping around her shoulder, but careful not to touch the skin, the Honedge that Navy had brought quietly hangs, quite liking the lack of attention, and the allowance to be themselves. Their eye closes, and it looks as if Genny is, herself, a warrior from a game.

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Delight and laughter truly do hold Genny's mind, ensnaring her heart into the whimsy of Hisui! The two had a crowd, ones that watched as Ayashi runs and jumps over obstacle after obstacle. It wasn't made with them in mind, surely, but Ayashi would shred through it all. It was like magic in his stride! And as Yuina calls behind her to hang on, Genny holds tighter.[break][break]

When Ayashi leaps onto one obstacle, only to use the barrier to leap atop of their own stable for the horses, all Genny can do is laugh joyously! Though her hands shiver and shake, her hazel eyes brilliantly look over her new friend![break][break]

"Ayashi is so cool!" She's grinning ear-to-ear, and as she lets go of Yuina finally, she falls over onto the roof of the stable. "WHOA!" and onto her back. But the whole time, even on that rooftop, all she can do is giggle, and laugh. Not even remotely hurt, the adrenaline had finally worn off. Riding Pokemon truly was something special.[break][break]

A time from a long time ago, Yuina was so passionate... it just meant Genny would find herself one eventually! She had to![break][break]

"I can't wait to find a Hisuiian Pokemon myself!" she calls out happily from below. She doesn't bother getting up!

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This was an unfamiliar feeling. Out of commission. The mission she had so graciously joined late, and the... development that stemmed from that. But the cold, hard, gritty reality of it all, was that in her time in that raid. In truth, it is in part due to Navy, that she had begun to think, and due to ollie morales that make her question herself.[break][break]

The world isn't black and white. It's shades of gray, freshly painted to show a myriad of colors on a rainbow. The coat dries itself. The heroes she once looked up to, are not grand. The villains she saw before, hide validity in shadow.[break][break]

She didn't feel like she deserved to see Yuina Higashi, or DESIREE BLOOMS right now. Elise Calcifet stood by her, but due to her own failings, Genny felt... small. Yuina nearly dies... and she grows cold. Desiree cries for her... and she numbs to love. Elise is threatened... and so she became ruthless. A Rocket Dog, the one that operates her mind... one of three (Victoria Beckett, mint frost, and Hitoshi Inoue) that plague her every thought and keeps her grounded. In truth, in her medical procedures, it is pure determination that kept her alive.[break][break]

The anesthesia only did so much. And problem with emergencies, is that she remembers being under.[break][break]

The doctors and nurses had tailored the bandages around her, calling her lucky to be alive with nasty self-inflicted burns, busted ribs, and that shoulder slice. Any later, and she'd have bled out in those icelands. Another reason she felt so weak. Despite everything, when Rocket came, and fought back, all she could do was occupy that wild dog.[break][break]

A reason that Rocket should be in the ground. Maybe not every one of them. But enough to make her think that idealism is the death of truth.[break][break]

KNOCK.[break][break]

Genny's snapped out of it. Hazel eyes move towards the door, finding one PENELOPE LIVY. Though her outfit seemed fine, it was by the rest she could see the battle there in the icelands had taken their toll. She can't help but smile, dull as it may seem now. She was still able to find a reason to. Thinking about Isaac Merlo helps. Thinking about meeting an idol does too. Or it would have, a year ago.[break][break]

"Not at all, Councilwoman Livy. Please, come in," she speaks softly, calmly pointing to the nearby chair that lies nearest the bed she finds herself in. Even if she knows things she wish she didn't, she would keep a small, partly-cloudy smile on her lips. "It's a pleasure to officially meet you," she greets, her mind chiming in with the obvious 'though I wish it were under better circumstances.'

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Josh continued to utilize those higher speeds, and though it required some time to graze the outer wall, Uzi kept swimming with everything in his power, but that exhaustion really was digging into him. Even so, as Genny holds onto her baby Vaporeon...[break][break]

She gives one kiss to the back of Uzi's head, as they near that S-curve again. The brutality of the turn could end their whole race, or it could make their whole race.[break][break]

But Genny is smiling confidently, as she leans off just a moment, to allow Uzi the most mobility he can have. Drift Highway needed a drift, so... she would provide one![break][break]

"And... drift!"[break][break]

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