11 | Video; Action for Olivine Gym | Backdated to June 15th | Birthdays and Badges

[colorsofthewind]

[ We are once again treated to a video of the inside of a gym, courtesy of Talim's Dragonite, Kalana.

The camera struggles to focus as Talim's Emolga and Swoobat move to perch on either of Kalana's shoulders, eager for a show. Talim is in polite conversation with Jasmine for the moment, but when she steps back to begin the battle, things end just as quickly as they begin.

To face Jasmine's Skarmory, Talim brings out her inherited Typhlosion, Ira. The normally moody pokémon has a bit of a wicked grin on her face. ]

I know you're a veteran, Ira. Make Squalo proud, hm?

[ The Typhlosion needs little prompting, and the battle is over quickly, what with Ira's type advantage and the huge level gap. The fire-type pokémon makes quick work of the Gym leader's Magneton as well.

When Jasmine summons her Steelix, Talim recalls Ira, and sends out her Flygon, Yun-seong. ]

Just like we did with Bugsy's Scizor! Use Sand Tomb!

[ A whirlwind of sand kicks up with the motion of the pokémon's wings, effectively trapping the larger steel-type pokémon. With the Steelix unable to attack, Talim calls out her next command. ]

Flamethrower!

[ As the fire and the sand swirl together, a rather deadly mixture for the Steelix, the background music seems to suddenly change. Talim frowns at the ceiling for a brief moment, before her attention is drawn back to the gym, as the Steelix goes crashing to the ground rather loudly.

She confers with the gym leader once again, accepting her badge. When she turns back around, she catches Kalana with the 'gear. ]

Kalana! I thought I told you not to record my gym battles. Oh-- what--?

[ It's then that her Swoobat and Emolga come forward. Held between them in a sort of makeshift sling is a cupcake bearing a single candle. Ira lets forth a small stream of fire to light it.

Talim herself looks like she's near tears. ] You guys! Should I make a birthday wish? [ She laughs. ] I can't think of anything I'd rather have more than all of you by my side.

Comments

[video]

[combat_butler]

Ah, congratulations, Tal-- ... eh?! EH?! I-It's your birthday?!

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

Oh! Yes it is- I'm seventeen today!

[video]

[combat_butler]

Geh...!! I-I want to congratulate you on another year, but I don't even have a present to offer...

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

Hayate, it's fine really! I don't need a gift!

[video]

[combat_butler]

No no, that just won't do... I should at least get you something...

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

Continue to be my friend, then. That's the best gift you could ever give me.

[video]

[combat_butler]

*ffff-- WOW that is honest.* --eh? EH?! T-That's not really-- I-I don't really think I'm much a present-!

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

[ When have you known her to be anything but? ]

You're one of the first people I met in this place, and certainly the one I've known the longest. You have never been anything less than a good friend to me, and I appreciate that a lot.

[video]

[combat_butler]

*scream he wasn't prepared to hear such a thing if the fluster is any indication.*

A-Ah... Well, um... I-I've been here quite a long time, so... I... I might qualify as the longest running person a few people know! But, ah... I'm flattered that knowing me for this long has meant that much to you...! I'm very glad that I've known you for such along time as well, Talim-san-!

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

So don't go bothering yourself over birthday presents, okay? I don't need anything.

[video]

[combat_butler]

. . .

Uuu... I'd still like to give you something though...

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

Hayate... [ SIGH ] Perhaps something I can use for my team, then?

[video]

[combat_butler]

--oh!! I can do that! Maybe I can find something Kanto exclusive...!

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

What's Kanto like, anyway? I'm hoping to make it through my last three badges quickly.

[video]

[combat_butler]

Mmmm... I'm not sure I can even comment on it, yet! It still feels like I haven't even made a dent in exploring it, despite being over here for a few months now.

. . . I mostly blame the trash.

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

You... blame the trash?

[video]

[combat_butler]

Mm. For being why we stayed in Celadon so long. If that whole disaster zone didn't spring up we probably would have left during it...

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

Ah, yes. That was part of the reason I've been in Olivine for so long, too.

[video]

[combat_butler]

I just hope this means everyone has learned to properly recycle.

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

I would hope so!

Where are you now?

[video]

[combat_butler]

Ri... Right now? Um... I'm just about to reach Vermilion... After that though, I don't know where we'll be heading! It probably won't be quite some time before we leave though.

[video]

[colorsofthewind]

I suppose I'll have to keep in touch! I'm hoping to make my way to Kanto after I get all of the badges.

It would be nice to see you again.

[video]

[combat_butler]

Ah, of course! It would be wonderful to see you in person again, Talim-san. After all my time here meeting up with those I'm not traveling with in person feels like a precious commodity...

[Video]

[usedcharm]

Happy birthday! Congratulations on the gym badge too, that fight was amazing!

[Wow, she's still got a lot to learn it seems.]

[Speaking of birthdays, this girl looks like she's probably close to the same age. Only one way to find out.]

So how old are you now?

[Video]

[colorsofthewind]

Oh, thank you very much! I fear my team is a bit too strong for a fair fight, though.

Hm? I just turned seventeen.

[Video]

[usedcharm]

They do seem really strong, you've obviously trained them really well.

[Aha, she was right!]

Really? That means we're the same age! I'm Rinoa, by the way.

[Video]

[colorsofthewind]

It's taken a lot of hard work from everyone. I'm glad it's paid off.

[ Oh! Someone her age! She doesn't meet many of those. ]

My name is Talim. It's a pleasure to meet you, Rinoa.

[Video]

[usedcharm]

It's taken a lot of work to just get where I am, so I just bet! I hope my team's even half that good one day.

[Either younger or older, right? Rinoa's noticed this.]

Talim...got it. I'll try and remember.

[Video]

[colorsofthewind]

If you forget, I'll be sure to remind you.

Have you been here long?

[Video]

[usedcharm]

Thanks, Talim.

A few months? It hasn't been very long yet, and I've still got a whole lot of stuff to learn.

[Video]

[colorsofthewind]

I've been here for nearly a year and a half. Believe me- it goes by quickly.

[Video]

[usedcharm]

That what it looks like from what other people have told me. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Video]

[colorsofthewind]

If I may ask, what pokémon did you start with?

[Video]

[usedcharm]

A swablu. [She's so used to people not knowing that that is, so she's just going to launch into a brief description.] She looked like a little blue bird with clouds for wings.

[Video]

[colorsofthewind]

Oh, how cute! I've heard of them, but I've never seen one myself.

[Video]

[usedcharm]

[Angel's pretty inquisitive and since she knows very well what a swablu is, she wanders over to investigate. Soon enough there's a friendly blue bird face hovering just behind Rinoa's shoulder. Rinoa's not even surprised, Angel's done that a lot lately.]

She's not a swablu anymore, but at least now you can know what an Altaria looks like.

[She even turns the video feed so that Talim can get a good look at her starter. She's gotten quite a bit bigger. Big enough that she'll be able to carry Rinoa around once she learns Fly.]