[center][color=gray][sup][sup]Some bbcode may not display correctly on your device.[/sup][/sup][/color][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][color=silver][sup][h2][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/dQjIHRb.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/h2][table=bordered][row][cell][/cell][cell][/cell][/row][row][cell]
[abbr=Theme][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_2jy_K5jmM][img]https://i.imgur.com/W7UFIeY.jpg[/img][/url][/abbr]
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[center][color=2e2c2c]______________________________________________________________[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]______________________________________________________________[/color]
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[abbr=Character Sheet][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5193269][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjM2LmZmZmZmZi5WR2h2YldGeklGUjVjbVZzYkEsLC4w/signoria.regular.png[/img][/url][/abbr]
[color=2e2c2c]__________________[/color][color=gray]... in [color=bca346]Motostoke[/color] at the [color=bca346]Motostoke Stadium[/color][/color][/center]
[/cell][/row][/table][center][color=gray]mentions: [color=bca346]Everyone[/color]      interactions: [/color][/center][/sup]
[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][h1][/h1]

[color=silver][color=a2d39c][i]...You're being klutzier than usual...[/i][/color]

Thomas tore off another strip of clear tape and fixed it to the bottom edge of the impromptu sign, the reminder now visible to everyone... including himself: [color=white]"Please use your own locker."[/color] Thomas nodded.

[color=a2d39c][i]"'That's goes without saying.'"[/i][/color] He replied in another trainer's voice as he got up and gathered his supplies. He stuffed the small roll of tape and the pair of scissors in his back pocket and moved to leave when a shuffling at the far end of the locker gave him pause. Assuming it to be yet another early trainer, and thankfully not the one whom he'd robbed of their locker space, he dismissed it... at least until whatever it was found a voice and called out to him.

[color=white]"Tom?"[/color] Thomas turned and his eyes fell on a [i]very[/i] familiar face. White hair and fair skin. Strong gaze of sky colors and a warm smile that it's other half was often without unless in familiar company. Moira's brother was not one easily lost in a crowd of plain faces and his soft voice carried. [color=white]"I should have known you were already here... and helping out of course."[/color] His smile held.

[color=a2d39c]"Well that makes one of us. What are you doing here, Mark?... Are you...?"[/color] Thomas glanced him over a few times, quickly recognizing the same jersey the man had donned a few years ago during his first gym challenge taken with his sister. Back then, while they had both been defeated by the champion, it was Moira who had been offered the position of gym leader while Mark had been more than content simply being the support to his sibling. He played a major role in helping her acclimate to the position and of course, knew Thomas very well. Being here however put him on a [i]very[/i] different path to her and not one Thomas was sure Mark even had to take. [color=a2d39c]"...Are you doing the gym challenge?"[/color]

[color=white]"Uh... Yeah."[/color] He took a step back and away from the lockers, gesturing at the jersey and giving Thomas a better view of the trainer before him. The patch bug symbol sewn into the chest signifying a preferred type was now easily visible as well. [color=white]"How do I look?"[/color]

[color=a2d39c]"Like you're ready to win."[/color] Thomas answered with an approving nod and a curl to his lip. [color=a2d39c]"Like the next champion."[/color] Then his brows furrowed. [color=a2d39c]"Does your sister know you're here? She didn't say anything about expecting you in the running."[/color] As he asked, Thomas tried to think back on his last conversation with Moira but failed to recall mention of her brother at any point during their talk.

[color=white]"Not yet. I was going to surprise her.[/color]

[color=a2d39c]"Well she's definitely going to be surprised... and happy to see you. Of course, [i]we're[/i] going to have issues."[/color] Thomas smirked. [color=a2d39c]"Your typing's a headache.[/color]

[color=white]"Heh. Yeah. Speaking of, where's Draco? Don't you usually keep him out?[/color]

Again, Thomas furrowed his brow, more confused now than before. [color=a2d39c]"Draco's right he-"[/color] As reached for the Pokemon curled around his neck, he met with a ball of air.

[color=a2d39c][i]...Where the fff-...?[/i][/color]
[h1][/h1]
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[h1][/h1]
There were few things in this world that Draco liked more than tart apples. A good battle was one and since his start as a trainer, Thomas was always hard pressed to keep Draco out of the fight. The other, not so surprisingly when Thomas thought about it, was Moira. Moira and her entire team to be more specific. He was sure that if given a proper choice, Draco could ditch him for her in a heartbeat and he really couldn't blame him. Her team was strong and the bond he could grow with others of his kin was not nearly on the same level as those he created with Thomas's own team.

That wasn't to say that Draco disliked his family, but as Thomas exited the stadium through the front doors only to catch Draco dancing joyous circles around Vern, it was sometimes hard to tell. [i]Really[/i] hard to tell.

[color=white]"ThomaAAAAAAAHHH!"[/color]

He flinched walking into the solid wall of cheers, already regretting his trading the early morning quiet for the chaotic noise that was... [i]this.[/i] Giving his thermos a solid squeeze and gathering what energy and caffeine he could after having left his small preparation from before behind, he tore his gaze away from the traitorous dragon and looked upon the crowd with the warmth and excitement that they expected. It was mostly genuine. Although it was a struggle to quickly match their energy, it was that same energy that reminded him of why he did this and why any of them did this. They loved Pokemon. Loved battles. Loved their leaders and trainers and most of all, loved their Champ.

[color=a2d39c][i]...Victoria...[/i][/color]

Thomas peered above the crowd and then past them. When he saw nothing, he searched the skies.

[color=a2d39c][i]...Not yet it seems. Always fashionably last... or not?[/i][/color]

As he continued the short walk to meet with the other leaders, flashing smiles and throwing waves at some of the more energetic fans, he did a quick head count of those now standing in front of the crowd and found that besides Victoria, Elijah was still nowhere to be seen. Joseph and Henrietta had by now joined with the others and of course Moira's arrival had been hard to miss, seeing as the noise of her entrance rivaled even that of Hestia's [i]and[/i] she had managed to steal Draco away... again. Although not usually one to be late, Thomas knew Elijah to also be quite busy, especially around this time with his students. He chalked it up to a long night and a late start and figured he'd appear any minute with Victoria not far behind. Of course, he had to finish [i]his[/i] entrance first.

He came to a stop at the edge of the others and gave them all a nod in greeting and a smile. [color=a2d39c]"Hey guys. It's been a minute."[/color]

[color=a2d39c][i]...Entrance successful...[/i][/color]
[h1][/h1]
[center]_________________________[/center]
[h1][/h1][right][sup][color=a2d39c][i]...Draco get over here...[/i][/color][/sup][/right][/color]