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The perks of stardom came in the form of real estate. While the alleys and gritty streets of Spikemuth were her home, her stomping ground, Holly also had a rented place in Wyndon. How could she not, when so much of the glitz and glamor of Galar were there. She didn't particularly enjoy staying there, it reminded her too much of the worst parts of Unova and Castelia City only without the ice cream vendors on seemingly every corner. Holly was living in Wyndon as it was the off-season before the opening ceremony thus marking the start of the challenge and what was a thespian-adjacent gym leader to do when not having to deal with trainers seeking their badge? Theatre, of course. Holly was co-starring in a stage play that had its final curtain the night before. One last performance before gears had to shift and priorities changed. 

Her alarm beeped and Holly stepped out of the bathroom, affixing an earring with hurried hand. It wasn't in her nature to rush things but the sound of the alarm meant she was, of course, late to the meetup of the gym leaders - and champion - at the behest, more request really, of the Chairman. Personally Holly thought it was all a lark. An excuse for good publicity. Everyone wanted to believe the gym leaders were the best of friends even if they went decent stretches of time without seeing each other. It was no different than doing press for something, an act Holly was used to. It was all in the presentation. Still, she couldn't deny that it would be good to see them. Some more than others. And she knew around them she didn't have to put on airs. She was still going to, of course, but she didn't have to. 

What had taken Holly so long was simple: she had to get ready. Her hair, which she had to go full black for for her play, now had purple streaks in the fringe - she would color more of it before the opening ceremony - and she was wearing it long, draping just to her shoulder blades. Around her neck was a necklace with a little skull and crossing lines - a symbol for poison types - which shined with a little purple glow. Her outfit was a bit...much for what was supposed to be a gettogether between friends and co-workers but then when dealing with the ever fashionable Holly a 'bit much' was the standard. Her dress had a metallic sheen to it, there were purple and blue and dark green tones that caught in the light and its neckline was, in a polite word, plunging. It left things to the imagination but it seemed that a gust of wind could make a paparazzo's entire career if they were in the right place; and if that wasn't enough, it was a high-slit dress where the slit began just below her hips. Naturally, it was backless. And to top it all off, she was wearing heels. Glamorous, risque, a bit dicey. Perfectly Holly. 

Next stop, the [I]Dahlia[/i]. 

While she could certainly walk, she didn't fancy walking in this outfit nor did she want to bring multiple pairs of shoes, so she hailed a taxi and ignored the click of the tongue as the driver realized he was basically being paid to take someone a mile up the road. There was no conversation between Holly and the cabbie, she instead took out a compact and applied final touches to her makeup. Eyeliner. Blush. Lipstick. Even a meeting between friends she pulled out the stops. Why wouldn't she? Putting on a show was their job. And Holly was ever the professional. 

Giving the driver his fare with a decent tip for inconvenience, Holly stood outside the bar and took a long sigh. Heels clacking on the pavement leading to the door announced her presence almost as much as her opening the door and realizing she might have overdressed for the occasion. She wasn't the last to arrive, at least. There was fashionably late and then there was just late late and Holly walked the fine line. Always fashionable, often late. Conversation was ongoing and this, to Holly, was the awkward part. How could she insert herself into the flow of conversation while making it seem...natural. It wasn't like memorizing a script and becoming someone else. She had to be..well..she had to be herself. And the first thing she wanted to do was get a drink.

[b][color=6114D3]"Coffee liqueur."[/color][/b] She ordered with her slithering husky tones. [b][color=6114D3]"Well...this is certainly nice...isn't it?"[/color][/b] She was speaking aloud but to no one in particular.[/center]