her fingertips are pressed together cheerfully, a sweet laugh like a melody past her smiling lips. "well, kids are kinda like that! i'm just glad they didn't cause that much of a mess." a manicured nail is pressed to her chin in thought, head tilting. "you know, ami's sort of like that too. where she makes a mess and then takes a nap. i guess it's a baby thing." their collab was going well, which seemed to curb julie's initial awkwardness. maybe it was because he was a business owner? rich people just gave her the heebie jeebies (ironic, considering who she was, but she didn't particularly like it if people recognized her due to her family name, is all). [break][break]

regardless, she played her cute girl act well for the camera. even despite tugs to her hair and screeching in her ears, julie still remained pleasant. of course, the exhaustion was apparent, but she counts her blessings in the way she wasn't babysitting alone. and now that she and ozni were released from the grip of playing because their charge was sleeping the night away? she felt rejuvenated. [break][break]

"you said you do this every now and then right, ozni? do you get help then too?"[break][break]

+ Ozni Adebayo [break]
+ MISSION: HUSH [break]
+ everything is all perfectly normal. nothing scary here!

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the grind never stops, as they say! even with the giddiness in julie's step as she flits through the crowd, eager to slot herself in mika's company, the vlogger would never miss an opportunity to capture interesting footage. excitement buzzes in the air, smiles and laughter every which way no matter where julie looks. it's infectious, and, coupled with the joy in the kalosian's heart, julie felt on top of the world. [break][break]

you see, it's certainly one thing to invite someone out during the day. it's another thing to be spending the evening together, where emotions can run wilder thanks to the blanket of the night. wasn't this practically a date? maybe she could get away with clinging to mika more than usual?[break][break]

as her rotom phone soars overhead, julie hides her grin with her sleeves, head shaking. oh mika! mika, mika, mika. and julie thought she had them wrapped around her finger. the heart's so much more fickle than she'd like to believe. it'd be a wonderful night, that much julie was sure of. [break][break]

after the sea of people part, she catches sight of the ranger, julie waving a hand and calling out to her. "mimi!" she hurries along, rotom phone soon joining her in greeting the taller. "thanks for waiting!" she bats her eyelashes which are slightly longer and fuller than usual. "i hope i didn't keep you!" her gaze turns from mika to their surroundings, eyes sparkling in anticipation. "so? what's on the itinerary? i can't wait to look around!" [break][break]

+ Mika Nakayama [break]
+ haha nothing ever happens never... haha... teehe... hehe... just two gals on a not date...

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"oh, that sounds fun," she murmurs as she reads the narration, absentmindedly scratching at sion's back. she's only ever gone ponyta riding as a young girl (aside from events in which pau has to carry her to safety during their travels). maybe she'd get a chance to actually partake in a ninetales riding now that she's away from home? [break][break]

julie is quick to be pulled out of her thoughts though, reading the narration box once, twice and thrice. literal magma and her guide is ready to just. go on without her? "wait!" comes the reflexive protest, an acrylic tapping insistently on the screen. "there's a sign, and you're just gonna go off?" she blows out a sigh, eyes rolling. still, just reading it on her own didn't seem too smart. what if shalin really did just leave her while she was distracted? that'd be the pits. [break][break]

"we're reading it together, hopefully..." tapping on the second option, julie leans back into her pillows. [break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya (boop!)

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a sleeve-covered palm is raised to her cheek in wonder, head tilting slightly as she listens to him speak. it makes sense people were curious to see what a gym leader does in his free time, but still! she thinks even without the title and if he were simply just a rando gamer. people would still come to watch regardless. she took a glance at the people that took the stage, and while it was nice to be able to properly follow the notes, it certainly wasn't as entertaining as josh's performance. [break][break]

"even if you weren't a gym leader, you'd still probably attract a crowd anyway. especially with how quickly you moved! it's like passing by a traveling artist painting the scenery." she isn't sure if that's a good analogy, but she hopes what she means is conveyed. essentially, people just enjoyed watching strangers be good at what they do. the same could be said about online videos. [break][break]

she was about to mention her channel, though her mouth remains agape at his suggestion. her?! go up there? her parted lips close and then open and then they close again, deciding on a thin pursed line. her arms cross in thought, looking up at the ceiling. well, she is recording content for a trip to the arcade... wow, who knew she'd end up being an impromptu student of the josh devlin? [break][break]

"aw, you've convinced me. it'd make a good video," she relents, smiling in resignation. "i've really only played mobile ones, actually. this is my first time really taking in the sights of an arcade. which means i'll need all the teaching you can give me." suddenly, her hands clap together, remembering a very important detail. "right! i'm julie, by the way! i run a variety vlogging channel." she nods in satisfaction, hands lacing behind her back. "sorry! i should have mentioned that before, but i got pretty excited over you playing so...~"[break][break]

+ Josh Devlin (boop!)

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gosh, it was really just so embarrassing to have to ask for assistance that even literal ten year olds knew how to do. she's grateful though, in the way alia responds patiently and kindly, and help. was that sweat on julie's brow? wow, who knew catching something could be so stressful?! "right... i just have to hit it a little then..." she echoes the advice, and while she's become accustomed to the camera focusing on her, julie can't help the nervousness that overtakes her as her rotom phone flies back into her vicinity. she is so editing this out. the flustered bits, at least. [break][break]

rummaging through her bag, she ponders over which pokemon to even send out for this encounter. pau was too large and might even scare the thing away. the others... well, maybe opal could do some work, though a glimmer of brilliance shines in her golden irises. right! didn't she read before status effects were useful? then she should go with mary then, right? right. [break][break]

"okay, here goes then...!" she releases her skitty from her pokeball, the feline looking up at her and ready to meow in greeting. julie is quick to hush her though, a hiss of shush rushing around her raised index finger. "i'm trusting you on this, mary... but even if it doesn't go as planned, that's okay too...!" mary tilts her head at the odd urgency in her trainer's voice before turning to follow the ranger and vlogger's gazes, body swaying as if to say ooooooh![break][break]

"ready...? go!" the skitty jumps from their hiding spot, an attract being sent out to prevent her skitty from taking too much damage, quickly followed by a disarming voice. julie is no battler (allegedly), but she's well aware of type advantages. seeing the flapple's wings strain with effort to keep it aloft, julie throws out a pokeball, quickly turning to alia with her hands clasped together as if the looking back to the ever reassuring ranger would guarantee her capture. [break][break]

"don't tell me if it runs away, okay...?!" she pleads, eyes closing as she hides her face behind her intertwined hands. "just, um... tell me we're moving on to let me down easy!" [break][break]

+ @saturn [break]
+ go... pokeball... :pray: [break]
+ attempting to catch flapple!

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

she waves kindly at the ghost types, following the litwick's gaze to the finneon passing by. ah, there it was! the relaxation of simply watching water-type pokemon go about their lives surrounded by the muffled sound of water. it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that maybe, in her next life, julie wanted to be one of them. just floating along... how wonderful. [break][break]

she's broken out of her thoughts at elise's words though, blinking in surprise at the information. "i... w-well, first of all, thank you for the compliment! b-but, wait... you're...?" her sleeves raise to cover her mouth in shock, expression mildly paling. her head swishes this way and that as if searching for something (and with good reason! if what she's saying is true, that means she has to have bodyguards nearby, right?! oh no, was she going to get in trouble for bumping into literal royalty?) [break][break]

"a princess...!" the says it with such wonder her eyes seem to sparkle despite the worry. "u-um, again, sorry for the bump... no one's going to come grab me for that later, right...?" she might as well be straightforward and ask! and you know what? while she's at it, she might as well satiate her curiosity! "and, um, also! is it one of those big gowns you see in movies or...?"[break][break]

+ Elise Calcifet (boop!)

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

"'fiery path,'" she echoes, a little scoff escaping her at how simple the trek shalin makes it seem. however, when the pokemon are revealed she can't help the expression of shock that crosses her features. a pyroar she can kind of see. it can... probably carry someone like how her own bewear princess carries her around, right? but a skuntank? a beedrill? how would the second even work? [break][break]

she ponders momentarily on the choice to make, wondering if she should just use her own pokemon. but she should probably leave the journey to one familiar with the path, right? suddenly, she blinks, laughing to herself. "it's just a game... why am i thinking so hard...?" with a sigh, she taps her finger on the screen, deciding on LETHEIA.[break][break]

might as well settle on the one that suits her best. [break][break]

+ Shalin Nariya (boop!)

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

she was actually quite satisfied with sitting in their little safety shack until someone else came along to save them. of course, the insistent pecking and cawing outside was a little worrisome, but how likely was it that they would manage to break through? as subtly as she could, julie glances at their surroundings, inwardly sighing at how flimsy it all looked. the answer? probably very easily. despite the internal acknowledgement of their unsavory predicament, she still stares at noel with shock, widened gaze asking you really think i could be of use here? [break][break]

"w-wait!" she straightens herself quickly, concern upon her furrowed brow. "what did you have in—" the appearance of the whimsicott cuts her off, julie's lashes rapidly fluttering as if to attempt to comprehend the situation. a slight slump interrupts her otherwise splendid posture, body language clearly wondering just what the thing was supposed to be doing. despite it though, julie unconsciously backs away to give the creature some space, hand rummaging through her bag for her pokeballs in defeat.[break][break]

"my pokemon aren't used to battling," she warns, a frustrated pout etching itself on her visage. "the only one that's used to getting her hands dirty is pau." of which is too large for the space (and even if she could fit her bewear, an enclosed room just isn't safe to be in with the dual type). if she didn't have an image to uphold, she'd have her other team on standby, but the lack of elbow room was still a problem. ugh! and she prided herself from not getting into too many unfortunate situations.[break][break]

she doesn't have the luxury to take her time and decide though, the sound of glass cracking and wood splintering drawing her out of her thoughts. something akin to a whine slips out of her, and out comes both a skitty (that excitedly mews) and a galarian ponyta (that simply tilts her head up at her trainer). "i know you're not used to it, but get ready for a fight, okay?" her pokemon only look up at her in wonder though julie herself returns her attention to noel with a nod. [break][break]

"well... whenever you're ready, i guess!" a beak manages to poke through the wooden exterior and she jumps, head shaking. "even if you aren't, here we go...!"[break][break]

+ Noel Parker (boop!)

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it isn't lost on her. [break][break]

oh, it's never lost on her when mika doesn't reciprocate any playful touch or tease julie tosses her way. she wonders if mika has picked up on just how keenly aware julie is of each and every one of their interactions, no matter how small. she wonders if they see how julie pauses for a moment, as if to comprehend the slight burn the hoennian had harmed her with. she wonders if they're aware of the tiny cuts and scrapes that mar julie's heart that are brushed away with a laugh practiced to sound genuine. [break][break]

(but of course mika doesn't know, julie thinks idly. because "jules" is an enigma so perfectly molded to appear the very picture of openness. mika's julie never complained about anything pertaining to what they had and have. even when it all came to an end, julie never once spoke of the hurt that never really goes away; of the hurt that only throbs when graced by these crumbs of intimacy. it's hard, julie thinks. to let someone know the darkness beneath the sparkle of a gem, but she thinks it's easier to pretend than lay it all bear. [break][break]

so of course mika doesn't know. because julie never wants her to know. they're all secrets she'd rather take to the grave, because she thinks she owes that to the one that at least tried to cut a girl's strings).[break][break]

swallowing, julie's head bobs in a nod, humming fiddles with the tips of her hair. blowing out a sigh, she brushes it over her shoulder, leaning forward to look up at mika with a small pout. "i could be doing better," she begins, and before mika could even attempt to express any concern, she wags a manicured nail. "i could really use some company to a trip to lavaridge!" she grins widely at the ranger, lashes fluttering in that pretty please? way. that's right. it's better to move forward than to linger. try to look towards the future than internally. at least then the aching pains can be ignored.[break][break]

her smile only widens as she gestures to the snacks, plucking a strawberry from the container and waving it about. "i don't really pack things like this for a trip, you know? i usually only take granola bars and— well, you know what i usually keep in my bag." her free hand pats her large handbag for emphasis, a bite of the fruit taken as she does so. "oh, very sweet! just like you, mimi." it rolls off her tongue easily, julie paying no mind to any sort of reaction she gets to look down at her bounsweet walking across their legs to be fed. she holds the rest down for ami whom smiles and takes the rest of it in one big bite, julie's soft laugh accompanied by a be careful, okay?[break][break]

"a~ny~way~! ranger work can be tough, right? which is why we should go to lavaridge together and soak in the hot springs! i'd love to make a video on it too, since it's so popular. we both get to relax and i get footage. what do you say?" a water bottle is twisted open and she takes a sip, sighing in appreciation. [break][break]

"thank you for the snacks, by the way." she smiles shyly, patting her bag once again. "like i said. just granola bars." of course, she eats good once she's settled in a town, but for quick snacks, julie only relies on things that can't perish easily. it's nice to munch on a few fruits and not have to go to a cafe for them. it's like mika knew exactly what she needed, just like julie said she did. [break][break]

+ Mika Nakayama [break]
+ why do we keep replying at ungodly hours to this thread. also sorry i went insane.

[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]

+ Navy (boop!)

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