[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sGiJTcl.png[/img][/center][@jujube] [@Crimson Flame] [@Ryik] For someone who usually relished being the centre of attention, Antoinetta wanted to disappear. She staggered to her seat on uneven shoes, nails digging into palms, thoughts racing for ways to remedy the situation without making it worse. Not an easy thing to do while the taunts all around grew ever crueller. If she couldn't deal with this, how would she handle the other challenges PMA was sure to present? "Beeee?" Mellona fluttered over to check on her. The Combee, at least, was by her side through this despite the earlier Gust. [color=7cff30]"It's fine,"[/color] Netty insisted, although the tremble in her voice hinted otherwise. [color=7cff30]"If they can't recognise stars in the making, that's their problem."[/color] Her eyes stung with tears, but she fought them back. No way was she giving the bullies that satisfaction. Tim, however, was the next one after Zaria to cry. Netty cringed. That would only add fuel to the fire, as she knew from experience. As the cool and calm guy - Troy - made his attempt to help, albeit a rather heavy handed one, Netty nodded. [color=7cff30]"You said it!"[/color] Not that his advice actually helped Zaria, who right away snapped back. Wincing again, Netty stared at the ground. The trick was to [i]pretend[/i] to ignore it, but she couldn't exactly tell Zaria that now, not in front of these jerks. Mellona flew over to Tim and Zaria, friendly smiles lighting up all three of her faces. While Combees primarily served their queen - or, if captive, their trainer - they were community oriented Pokemon. If there was any way Mel could help these two, she would, and one means of helping was to entertain. She launched into a waggle dance, her tiny body shaking from side to side as she twirled. Even if it didn't amuse them, it was a show of support. Watching her Pokemon keep it together way better than she did, Antoinetta took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. [color=7cff30]"Then let's make sure we have the last laugh when we get to the top and they're all in our dust,"[/color] she chipped in to the conversation. She stood up, holding on to the chair so she didn't topple again, and swept her eyes around the room at the bullies. [color=7cff30]"You hear that? How can you act like Pokemon masters to be when you can't even act your age? So just watch us. Believe it or not, by the end of the year you'll see us rather differently, as we show you how it's done."[/color] More guffaws went up, which didn't surprise her, but it was only when Mellona stopped dancing that Netty realised her mistake. A cold sensation sank through her, settling in the pit of her stomach. Her 'rousing' speech was likely going to have the opposite effect, considering the burden she'd just placed on the group, and the way she'd inadvertently gone and egged on the other students. If the standards had been high before, now they dwarfed Mt Coronet. And now she wanted to disappear more than ever. [hider=Notes] [hider=PP]4[/hider] [hider=Pokemon Team:] [list][*] Combee (Mellona), lv10 Current moves: Sweet Scent, Gust, Struggle Bug, Bug Bite[/list][/hider] [hider=Pokemon in PC][/hider] [hider=Items] [hider=General][/hider] [hider=Medicines][/hider] [hider=Pokeballs][list][*] Pokeball x5 [/list][/hider] [hider=Berries][list][*] Oran Berry x5 [*] Cheri Berry x1 [*] Pecha Berry x1 [*] Rawst Berry x1 [*] Chesto Berry x1 [*] Aspear Berry x1 [*] Persim Berry x1 [*] Leppa Berry x1 [/list][/hider] [hider=TMs][list][*] Hidden Power [/list][/hider] [/hider] [/hider]