#pavback

Send “🖊” and I will draw your muse | accepting

“Four-letters. Typical.”

@pavback

The PWT was on its lunch break, and that meant one thing.

Time for Moon to evade the press.

She’d sat herself down on a bench in Driftveil City, her clammy hands clinging tight to the peanut butter and Cherubi jelly sandwich and the juice box she’d picked up earlier. Her head was down and hat was off as she kept a low profile, eyes darting left and right to make sure she was really alone.

Was Moon being paranoid? Yes, but the amount of questions and photos she’d been posing for as soon as word got around she was the highly-anticipated Alolan Champion... she couldn’t handle it! She had to talk for all those interviews, and it was one time too many. Moon needed a break. She missed Lillie, and her mom, and Kukui.

She missed home.

Moon finished her juice box and went to throw it in the trash can, still looking at her feet. As she turned around, however, she immediately collided into somebody, dropping her sandwich onto the ground. Moon staggered back and looked up at the face of a very, very angry young woman.

@pavback

Ding dong. “FAST SHIP S.S. AQUA has arrived in OLIVINE CITY.”

The announcement from the speaker overhead woke Liri up from her nap. She has stayed in her locked cabin throughout the whole ride, knowing that there were strong trainers aboard the ship hungry for a battle. It was easier just staying hidden indoors.

Liri walked out of the ship, the cool sea breeze lightly caressing her face. Liri had found a ticket for the ship lying on the ground in Vermillion City, giving her the idea to search for her family in Johto. Coincidentally, the ticket was valid for the next day that she found it so she took the chance and left for Olivine. Even though she had barely searched Kanto for any possible clues, as the last lead she had lead to a dead end, Johto was as good a region to search as any.

It was noon, meaning that it was time for some brunch. With her funds being so low lately, Liri had resorted to eating only two meals a day, combining breakfast and lunch into one and then eating dinner in the evening. She needed to get a small job or win the lottery. She needed money quick.

Liri took a pamphlet that contained a map of the city along with all of the areas of interest and more importantly, restaurants. Although she knew that a fancy restaurant would be too costly, something small and family-owned would probably be more friendly to her wallet. Her blue eyes found where they needed to go on the map: Olivine Cafe. Cafes usually weren’t that expensive but the meals were pretty big; it was her best option.

The locals seemed to be friendly; as she headed towards the cafe a couple of them smiled at her and nodded, but she kept her head low, avoiding eye contact. She didn’t want to start a conversation as she surely would be asked where she came from and what she was doing in Olivine.

@pavback

As Gilbert paced across the lobby of the Battle Royal Dome, he was still feeling that rush of adrenaline from earlier.  Alola was really one of a kind, wasn’t it?  They had some fascinating culture around battles here: the island challenge, the budding Pokemon League, and the Battle Royal.  He was pretty sure it was supposed to be a royale, but maybe that’s how it was supposed to be spelled in English.  Regardless, that was one petty thing about a pretty amazing type of battle.

Unova had also had a lot of unique battle styles, with the triple and rotation-style battles being invented there, but there was so much charm to the Battle Royal.  And it was mad popular, too, unlike those triple and rotation-style kinds which were still gaining traction in the Unovan trainer community.  It sounded like a pretty simple idea that no one ever seemed to use outside of Alola.  It was as easy as four trainers getting together and having a battle, each getting their own turn and being able to target any of the other three. He just had to try it, and he didn’t regret it for a second.

Did Gil completely understand the scoring system?  Did it make sense how he got third place?  No, not really, but he was fine with losing.  It was his first time trying it out, and he damn well knew he wasn’t going to do that great, no matter how badly he wanted to win.  It was just about having fun and learning the style, and it was incredible, to say the least.  He could see why it was so damn popular here.  The trainers who participated in master class were practically celebs around the place.  Needless to say, Gil may not have known who Masked Royal was when he came in, but he was certainly a fan now.

Gil was now just waiting around for the next set of battle royals to get going.  He wasn’t playing again, but he’d love to watch the action.  In the meantime, he noticed another person exit from the arena stage entrance.  Oh yeah-- that girl who’d played against him!  She played with a Dark-type too, just like Gil.  He always liked to see Dark-types in battle.  Of course he had chosen Pangoro, Seviper, and Krokorok, mostly Dark-types, for his Battle Royal team.  She had held her own in the battle, though it was tough on all the players.  He had to give credit where credit was due.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O NS ,  E M I L Y  !         @pavback  @fogbadge

Hello and welcome to the National Park’s sixth Member of the Month (MOTM) feature!  Our goal for these is to spotlight individuals and brag about their accomplishments and talents.  Let’s get started.

Every member who comes to the Park truly makes it so special and memorable.  And when I get to thinking about all the members that make our group so wonderful, my mind can’t help but jump to Emily and all that she’s brought to the National Park.  We couldn’t be more happy to have her back in the Park after a long hiatus.  Since her return, she’s really made her mark on the group.

How can I even explain just how fantastic Emily is as a person and a writer?  Her presence, both on the dashboard and in the chat, always brightens everything up.  She is an absolute joy to talk to, and her writing is a treat to read.  Not to mention the fact that she has put so much thought and development into her muses.  It’s clear every step of the way that Emily has passion for what she is doing.

No matter what muse she plays, whether it be Bianca from her first time here, to her current muses, Delinquent Anzu and Morty, there’s no denying that there is an incredible charm to her muses and her writing.  Anzu is the most delightful bad kid we have around, with a wonderful backstory and a delightfully sharp, sarcastic attitude that is beyond fun to see in any thread Emily writes.  Morty matches Anzu in fantastic writing.  His portrayal is so unique, taking a few new twists on the character, yet he remains so true to his character in the games.  Emily knows just how to strike the right balance in characterization and excellent writing.

Everyone in the Discord chat knows just how much Emily adds to any conversation she’s in.  She’s funny, kind, and so friendly that it makes anyone feel welcome.  It’s clear as day how much she cares about other people.  You can’t help but have a great time when you do have a chance to chat with her on Discord.  Overall, she’s just an absolutely fun presence to have in the chat any time.

Let’s just say that Emily is one member I hope we keep around for a long, long time.  Thank you for being such a wonderful member and friend to all of us.  Congratulations again, Emily!  You deserve this!

bodak yellow - cardi b

i did something bad - taylor swift

black sheep - gin wigmore