BRIDGES

character's curry entry

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thread summary: Ameena and Gwendolyn have been working together closely for weeks now. Ameena's been trying to cultivate Gwen into someone suitable to work as a lab assistant for her, as a general partner in crime, and as a Rocket colleague. Of course, the Ranger needs time to get the point of valuing her own ambitions above her supposed loyalty to the League which only holds her back. [break]

In this thread, Ameena and Gwen discuss the Regieleki they encountered at Ultra Plant. Ameena continues to check in on Gwen during and after (and before, via Comms) their Wilds trips to continue fostering a strong bond. The duo discuss pokemon, which reveals something about both of them and their values. [break]

Gwendolyn shares her lack of ambition earlier in life and demonstrates that some of the things that impact her have been happenstance (like having Goomy which gives her a background in dragon-raising, relevant because of her volunteering at Freya's Draciary). She also shares that becoming a Ranger was really influenced by her friend. In this, it is clear to Ameena that Gwen's potential has only been utilized because of chance. It is clear Gwen doesn't have a firm direction for her life. Ameena sees an opportunity: if Gwen can care about one goal so much and so passionately that she would do anything for it, Ameena can capitalize on their bond and encourage Gwen to align with Rocket/with Ameena to achieve it at all costs.[break]

Ameena shares that her first pokemon was a Flittle, given to her by her superior officer in the military as a joke (as directed by her father). Not only does Ameena give Gwen a glimpse into the contemptuous relationship she's always had with her dad, but she also shares how the Flittle-turned Espathra gave her life for Ameena, something I had always intended to be a part of Ameena's story when picking Espathra as her start - it was a stand-in for her original. In this backstory, it also explains the accidental psychic-move-induced bloodlust the Espathra has, which has been referenced in nearly every thread I've used Espathra in since the beginning.[break]

Gwen immediately wants to solve the problem of her replacement Esapthra's fragmented mind, but Ameena insists it is not possible. She turns it back on Gwen, asking if she's so sure she wants to work with rehabilitated pokemon, as some of them can never be changed or fixed. The two go back and forth about that purpose, with Gwen admitting she feels lost in life. Ameena offers advice about finding purpose in life, and Gwen ends on a note about not knowing where she's wanted. Ameena floats an offer to work as a lab aid. Gwen needs more time to think about it.[break]

why is it important?: Ameena's been seeking more people in her corner. After all, one can never have too many allies. She sees a lot of value in turning Leaguers into Rocket, though she can admit to herself that Gwen isn't necessarily someone to have a lot of valuable intel. It doesn't change the fact that Gwen has so much potential as a researcher and agent; Ameena wants to foster this and create a powerful ally. Beyond the value of a colleague, Ameena has a soft spot for women in science, and she also sees some of Gwen's turmoil stemming from same-sex attraction (esp. as noted in their Ultra Plant trips), so Ameena feels qualified to create a safe space for Gwen on both fronts. [break]

Gwen gets to articulate her struggle for purpose while giving Ameena ideas for how to cultivate Gwendolyn as an operative for herself and for Rocket. Madda and I continue to open doors for our characters' possible routes. Gwen has an opportunity to begin turning to the other faction while Ameena has an opportunity to create a turncoat and, more intimately, a mentee she really cares about. This can go in many directions, including Gwen finding out what Ameena really is and turning her in, or perhaps the falling out will lead to Gwen keeping Ameena's Rocket status a secret (creating a sense of guilt) while Ameena sees that as a chance to reconcile and keep pushing Gwen towards Rocket. And, of course, this can go in a direction of Gwen's faction change with a mentorship under Ameena and maybe, someday, a near mother-daughter relationship.