This was a refreshingly normal invitation to battle! The person remembered to introduce themselves, their Pokemon was dyed a pretty color but didn't seem scary intimidating or super rare, and they weren't surrounded by cameras like some bigshot talk show host, Barney Flibbertigibbit (BARNABY FINCH).[break][break]

"A battle sounds great!" Marianne said, and this time she mostly meant it. The shock of the early rounds had worn off and she was becoming more comfortable with battling. She'd even won against Noel Parker![break][break]

Her Klefki chimed softly as it entered the field, looking at the Sylveon curiously.[break][break]

"I'm Marianne, and this is Angel. We're ready when you are!"

TAGS – Lutgarde Dijkstra[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Lutgarde vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

She supposed she had no choice but to believe Nenet. Especially when, inexplicably, the goddess of a woman was trying to comfort Marianne -- really! -- about her own break-up.[break][break]

It boggled the mind sometimes, that such a compassionate and selfless woman existed, while simultaneously was the most brilliant and beautiful person that Marianne knew.[break][break]

Tongue-tied and embarrassed, Marianne was relieved to see the Yamper distracted Nenet's attention from her graceless blubbering again. This time, Marianne relented, choosing to let the subject go. At this rate, she'd only embarrass herself further.[break][break]

"Maybe we can find a new bar anyway," she decided, scooping her Phanpy in her arms. "A girl's night out! You and me."[break][break]

And if they happened to scoop up a new man to distract Nenet, well, that would just be a happy bonus. And definitely not Marianne's personal evil scheme.[break][break]

Definitely, definitely not.

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – Mission: Bond Bridge (January).

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The bespectacled woman flinched as MUDDY WATER splashed across the battlefield -- and across her cashmere sweater! Ugh, this was dry clean only, too. What a bother. Why did she think to dress up for something like this?![break][break]

So silly. She should have worn sweatpants and a T-shirt. This was a sport, after all.[break][break]

Her Klefki let out a soft chime of distress as the filthy water sought to muck up and rust her metal, resounding as a defensive METAL SOUND![break][break]

TAGS – nabi park[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Nabi vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Good match," she offered as she withdrew her fainted Klefki. She'd begun to get a little more used to the sight, little by little, as the battles continued.[break][break]

Hoenn had inspired even the most seemingly casual of its civilians to learn the basics of battle. All that calamity had paid off in that way.[break][break]

"I hope your next one goes just as well. Your Pokemon is quite fast!"[break][break]

TAGS – Josh Devlin[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Josh vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

By all accounts, Noel Parker should have won.[break][break]

He had far more experience than her in battle. His Shaymin was more seasoned than her Klefki. She even kept being startled by the attacks, peeking behind her hands when the tension was too much to bear.[break][break]

It occurred to her that perhaps he'd let her win, but she couldn't fathom a reason why he'd do such a thing.[break][break]

"Are you trying to build my confidence?" she joked, withdrawing her victorious Klefki into its Pokeball. Her cheeks were flushed from all the excitement. "This was actually my first win all day. I haven't, uh, had much luck before now."[break][break]

Marianne didn't believe in luck, either. Which made her suspicious that this Noel hadn't given his all in that fight after all.[break][break]

TAGS – Noel Parker[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Noel vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Marianne had learned a decent bit from watching her previous opponents, like Noel Parker and aaron faust. She liked to think she was getting more confident on the field as things progressed.[break][break]

It probably helped that it hadn't fully registered yet that she was battling a Gym Leader, too.[break][break]

The PLASMA PAWS reached for her Klefki, but Angel did her best to prepare for the incoming dazing attack. The keys glimmered with a METAL SOUND that sought to disorient the Zeraora into missing its aim, ringing at a loud, shrieking decibel.[break][break]

TAGS – Josh Devlin[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Josh vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Marianne could have sworn the other woman said something about destroying her. Had she imagined it, though? Her opponent otherwise seemed so nice![break][break]

Yeah, maybe she was imagining things. Surely this person couldn't be as competitive as CIAN MAHER, right? ...Right?[break][break]

One ranged attack met with another! A gentle chiming noise preceded the arrival of a FAIRY WIND as the Klefki attempted to weather the confusion of SUPERSONIC, hoping not to hit herself in confusion.[break][break]

TAGS – nabi park[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Nabi vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Definitely doable! We have plenty of availability throughout the week," Marianne said with a pleased little hum, pleased at this victory even though the battle seemed to be a loss. The battle for knowledge was more important, however![break][break]

Already she was curious what exhibits he'd prefer. The botanical gardens? Maybe the fossils? There were so many choices, but she didn't want to overwhelm him now when the focus was on the tournament. Time and place for things, and all that.[break][break]

Her Klefki rustled like wind chimes, a FAIRY WIND breezing through the vicinity with a last-ditch attempt of pink, mist-strewn sparkles!

TAGS – Noel Parker[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Noel vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The battle resolved in a decisive fashion, the DISCHARGE soundly defeating her Klefki as its keys descended with clinking 'plunk' onto the ground. Static danced across the metal before fizzling out into nothing.[break][break]

"Mhm, I think so," she confirmed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she smiled. "But, uh, if you ever wanted to meet up, I work at the National Museum of Natural Science. Maybe I could give a tour sometime?"[break][break]

Suddenly it occurred to her this was a terribly nerdy thing to suggest to a cool Pokemon trainer at an event like this one, and she hurriedly course corrected.[break][break]

"But, uh, you did great in this battle! I bet you'll be plenty busy doing events like this one in the future, with skill like this. Beating Dahlia Goode, now me!"[break][break]

Her Klefki was absorbed back into her Pokeball, graceful in defeat.

TAGS – aaron faust[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Aaron vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Marianne privately believed everyone's life would be better if they went to the museum every once in a while. Getting in touch with nature and history! Taking a moment to be grateful for the natural world around them! If only people did this in general, maybe the region wouldn't be facing so many dramatics all the time due to people chasing grand, dangerous Pokemon for sport.[break][break]

"Sometimes I give tours. Maybe if you stop by, I'll be able to give you one. We have plenty of exhibits you might find interesting this season!"[break][break]

Her Klefki braced herself for the incoming ZEN HEADBUTT, ready to retaliate with FOUL PLAY![break][break]

TAGS – Noel Parker[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Noel vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Usually, Marianne wasn't a sore loser. She was perfectly acquainted with losing, and expected it more often than not. What she could not abide was a total lack of manners, which both CIAN MAHER and his tonguey Froakie had shown quite plainly.[break][break]

"Watch my mouth?!" she protested, aghast. "You didn't even see what your Froakie was doing, did you?!"[break][break]

Something in his dismissive victory made her just a little bit spiteful.[break][break]

She stuck her tongue out at him as he left, feeling not at all sorry for her own rudeness. It was what they both deserved.[break][break]

TAGS – CIAN MAHER[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Cian vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

She opened her mouth to reply, only to clamp it shut, annoyed as the stupid man kept being all rude and braggy. It wasn't as if she was a great battler, okay?! Whoever had called him the Handsome Hoenn Hotshot had clearly not met any of the other men in Hoenn.[break][break]

For example, aaron faust had been perfectly acceptable. Noel Parker, too. And of course the smarmy man in front of her was far less attractive than the most handsome man she knew, who happened to be her boss, GIDEON GRAVES.[break][break]

"Your Froakie is absolutely disgusting," she declared, and her Klefki made a shrill, ear-splitting METAL SOUND to punish the frog for its hubris.[break][break]

TAGS – CIAN MAHER[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Cian vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"It's really hard keeping up with celebrity gossip!" she protested, embarrassed despite herself. First she'd gotten Barney Fibbitch's name (which was, incidentally, actually BARNABY FINCH) wrong, and now she'd confused Cian and Callan...? "I spend all day at my job remembering important dates and historical facts, and it just... there's no real room to remember anything else!"[break][break]

Her flustered indignation showed in her Pokemon, who shivered uncomfortably at the LICKING from the Froakie. Ew! A sparkling FAIRY WIND gusted back in response, hoping to blow away the Froakie's unwanted advances.[break][break]

"But you are famous though, right?" she insisted. "I know I've seen your face and heard your name for some reason, but I can't place why."[break][break]

But given his personality thus far, she half-expected him to make something stupid up. Like he was Dahlia's boyfriend or something.[break][break]

TAGS – CIAN MAHER[break]
NOTES – Vital City Tournament: Cian vs Marianne!

[attr="class","pkmn"]