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[center][color=E38AAE][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color] [color=FFE6E8]Everyone[/color][/center]
[color=FFE6E8]Almost as if on cue, Isaiah walked through the door. His appearance spurred the others’, at the very least. Some of her compatriots had their Pokemon out, like Sawyer’s Glameow, Astrid’s Raichu, and even Mika’s recently caught [i]shiny[/i] Snom. Hell, if she guaranteed that her Pokemon would behave and sit still, she would have taken out her own. Thus was the downside of being a Dragon-type leader; her dragons would probably eat something they shouldn’t or cause damage to the infrastructure. Not like they meant it. They all had hearts of gold– she just wasn’t willing to take the chance at a formal event like this. Especially in front of the newbie. And [i]definitely[/i] in front of the… more [i]distasteful[/i] people. 

[color=E38AAE][b]”Yeah, Seb. Gotta say, after all of this time, I don’t know who the [i]ringleader[/i] of this whole circus is,”[/b][/color] Hestia said, referencing what Nordrin had told him a few moments prior. 

Hestia blew through three more of the lemon-drop martinis before she moved on to heavier stuff. Now nursing a dark stout, she raised an eyebrow at what Fiona suggested from Ryker. The champion had remained somewhat quiet throughout the whole fiasco at hand, only chuckling softly when he was acknowledged or teased. Ryker only became more serious upon the Flying-type leader’s request. Delicately, he raised himself from his chair and raised his newly refreshed cup of whiskey. Hestia raised her eyes, now silent as she watched the man closely. His crimson irises swept across their number. 

[b]”I know some of us might be nervous about this coming season. There may be repeating contenders taking part in the challenge, along with new faces that might give us more of a fight than others. Who knows, some of them may threaten our slots as leaders and champion.”[/b] Ryker raised his glass higher. [b]”But I know that all of us will persevere. All of you have proven yourselves as reliable gym leaders and respectable Pokemon trainers. Though, that’s not what’s important. Although much time has passed, your flames of passion have not diminished. You not only welcome such challenges, but you [i]crave[/i] to overcome them. That’s why I know you lot will give the whole of Galar an even better show than last year.”[/b]

Hestia raised her glass in response, which was significantly harder to do than she thought it would be. [color=E38AAE][b]”Aye!”[/b][/color] she agreed, her voice sultry and full of vigor. [color=E38AAE][b]”Although, let’s not forget that [i]your[/i] spot is also bein’ contested, Ryker. I’ll beat you this time, that’s for sure!”[/b][/color]

Ryker’s laugh rang through the bar like a deep bell; it was as if the embers that dwindled within him had become a full blaze. [b]”Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, now.”[/b][/color]