#i was like what are you apologizing for you saw cargo pants and hiking boots and made an educated guess

[soaringsearingphoenix]

what r ur pronouns

She/her mainly. I go with she/her in my daily life but I’m kind of fine with anything

Gonna go ahead and give you a lot more info than you maybe asked for because I’ve thought about this a lot actually

To be honest I don’t feel any particular connection with ‘womanhood’ or ‘manhood’. Like, I’ve definitely experienced a life influenced by the fact that I’m AFAB and percieved that way but I also spent much of that life hearing people say “women do __ and men do __” and being like “guess I’m a man then”. Stupid sexist shit like “women watch rom coms and guys watch action movies,” or “girls like dolls and boys like bugs.” I have definitely had the Very Female experience of feeling like i’m “Not Like Other Girls,” you know?

Gender isn’t really like, the thing I define myself by. I don’t think of it as a primary characteristic of what makes me Me. I spent a lot of time feeling like if this were like 300 years ago, and I would have had to be a man to be a doctor or a published author, I would have lived my life as a man. Being a writer and a scholar and a scientist are the more important aspects of me. But at the same time, this isn’t 300 years ago, and gendered roles are a lot less rigid. And maybe, if I were actually living in that time, I would have felt the way I feel now — that being a woman and being a scientist and a scholar are important, actually, and that I stand to contribute something to society just by being a competent woman, and a woman in STEM fields, because that’s still kind of a big deal and still very much a place where you need to prove yourself, as a woman, and that I would be doing a disservice to other women by rejecting my femininity on the grounds that I am a scientist first, as if one cannot be both.

Anyways, that doesn’t stop me from referring to myself just however, all the time. I will call myself “a man of my word” because it has a good mouth feel to say, I’ll sing a guy’s part in a duet and learn a guy’s steps in dance and just generally if a group is divided into “boys and girls” and it’s not an even split, I’ll be the first to offer to shuffle over to even the teams out.

My experience of girlhood has always been about asking people not to make assumptions about me because I am female, but I think that’s kind of the point — I’m not always rejecting a gender, I’m rejecting the assumptions people make when a gender is all they know about me.

Anyways that’s not necessarily my final answer. I’m very comfortable with other pronouns, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I change my mind innthe future about how I want to present. But like, it’s primarily she/her for now.

Thank you for asking!!!!

[jelanisaeed]

Round 2: VS Piplup - Legends Part 2

And here we go with Chapter 2! This one took a lot of different tries. But once I settled into lessening the new for fight scenes, it became easier. I hope y'all like it!

Oh, and just like the last chapter, this chapter was inspired by the Calling All Lovers Album by Tamar Braxton. The song that helped the most was Circles.

…

Pokémon Adventures: Turquoise, Jasper, & Ammolite

Round 2: VS Piplup – Legends Part 2

Location: Lake Verity Date: August 4th , 3000 Time: 11:00am

"I'm the guardian of Lake Verity. My name is Turquoise. Turquoise Yukule."

So much for relaxation. After a stressful week, Turquoise just needed one day to himself. Even planned it out himself! Sure, it wasn't much—just a morning swim and some parkour later—but it helped plenty. Then again, he should have expected this. No plan of his ever failed to hit a snag along the way.

Just like now. Morning swim ruined by some stranger fighting Motha. Cute guy with his glowing, short green coils and fade against his soft sienna skin. Not the worst sight by any means. Especially with inviting emerald eyes like his.

"Guardian…?" The stranger frowned. "So, the legend's real?"

Turquoise nodded. "Aye. All legends have some truth to 'em, ya know?"

The stranger pursed his lips. A strange fire burned just beneath his skin and oozed red light. Anger, Turquoise realized. The blaze licked the air in thin wisps of lips only Turquoise saw. Most won't see the emotions take form around them. Or their power. His pokémon knew and squirmed in his hold. Poor girl. Good thing Turquoise kept some pecha berries in his bag.

"What's the big deal, huh?" Stranger snarled. "Attacking people with your ugly bug?"

"Motha's very protective." Master Doryu ensured it with his training. "I'm sorry she attacked you. I have some pecha berries if ya—"

"—I don't need your pity!" Stranger snapped, grinding his teeth. "Your bug attacked a kid too! Left him with a burn—the hell's wrong with you?"

A kid? Turquoise frowned. Motha wouldn't have done that. If the kid came, she drove him off. But burn him… Turquoise kneeled to her and ran her hand through her fur. At once, her emotions and memories flooded his mind in an array of colorful pictures. Yet none told the tale this strange claimed.

Not that he believed it anyway. Motha can't burn anyone.

"I think you got it wrong," Turquoise began slowly as he raised to his feet. "Motha didn't attack anyone other than you."

The stranger rose with his partner to his chest. Lips thinned as he grounded out, "bullshit." Those inviting eyes hardened into cold stones. "So that kid burned himself? Or was that just you, huh? You the monster?"

Turquoise saw those cold eyes on so many faces. And they all hailed him the same. Monster. Maybe there was some truth to it. Through all the shoves and blows, maybe that stuck for a reason. Followed him no matter how much he cried. Even if he couldn't see it in his own reflection. The monster stayed inside him. Without a cure to cleanse him.

"I'm not a monster." He spoke, but he didn't believe it. "I think it's time you left."

The stranger scoffed. "Yeah, right." His lips twitched into a mocking sneer. "Then freak should do better, right?"

They were just words, he knew. Simple letters weaved together by people and given meaning. Power, even, but only if he claimed it. Master Doryu drilled that lesson into his head over and over. Eventually, it got easier. Taunts rolled off his skin and he held his head up higher with each turn. Confident. Empowered.

Not like now.

Turquoise blamed it on the stress. It weighed on his spirit and waned his walls. And allowed those sharpened words to plunge through the cracks and stab his heart. Tears welled in his eyes, but he refused to cry. No bully would ever have the satisfaction.

"Well, whatever you are, Professor Kapok wanted you to have this."

The rude trainer returned his pokémon and pulled something out of his knapsack. A box of some kind wrapped neatly in blue paper. Turquoise accepted the package but never met his eyes. Even as the flames died down and a strange emotion sprouted within him.

"Now I'm outta here. See ya, freak."

Stranger left. And Turquoise stood alone with his package. At least something positive came from this. Even if it unearthed buried feelings in the process.

…

There we go, Turquoise tied his blue bandana to his forehead. His short black coils, lightly dried, curtained over the fabric. Just as he liked it. It matched well with his heavy black t-shirt and cargo pants. And complimented his blue short and sleeveless open vest, utility belt, and hiking boots.

Getting dressed always released the tension locked in his bones. Especially in the comfort of his room. Surrounded by trinkets and posters he collected over the years. After a day like this, he wanted nothing more than to curl up with a good book. But today he had his own story to start. His own chapter to write.

(Trainer,) Empola the piplup waddled to his side. She gazed at him with her sparkling eyes and smiled. (I like it.)

Professor Kapok gave him his own starter pokémon. Him! Little Turquoise from Twinleaf Town—he couldn't believe. But it became the best gift he ever received.

Well, it wasn't the only one, Turquoise grinned. Right on his bed sat a strange handheld painted turquoise and light green. Even had his initials inscribed on the lid. Another gift from the good professor. Along with two letters, of course. Professor Kapok had a way with words.

"Thanks Empola," He clipped his luxury balls to his belt and gathered up his rope.

He spent hours packing up his finneon print travel duffle with the essentials. Finally, he was ready. Rooms cleaned and he left a note for his mom when she got back. She had to be on the plane with Celeste by now. He hated to leave on the terms they did, but he felt for the best. Once he came back, they would settle things. For now, though, he needed to take a chance.

Turquoise hooked the rope to his belt with a sigh. That's it—he's ready. At least, he should be. Yet trepidation chained him in place. He didn't deserve this opportunity.

Just send it back! A part of him nagged. You'll just mess it up! Like everything you do.

Maybe it's true. This wasn't the first time he tried to leave and start his journey. Not day went by when he didn't stare off into Route 201. Enticed by the sounds of nature luring him closer. With each step, their sounds found a rhythm. And a beautiful song filled his ears. It lulled him forward and just before he stepped foot in the grass, that nagging voice cut through and his confidence died away.

Master Doryu would be disappointed. Not that he blamed the man. At thirteen, Turquoise wanted nothing more than to take his journey like his classmates. To evolve as they did. Even his bullies came back changed and apologized!

"Empola, do you think I should go?" He pocketed his device and frowned. "Do you think I'm ready?"

Empola huffed. (Trainer, shape up!)��She puffed up her chest and held her flippers at her hips. (You ready! I'm ready! We're ready! Now let's go!)

Maybe it was that simple. Mama always wanted this for him. And, deep down, so did he.

But Empola wasn't finished. She pounded her chest with her chest and smiled. (I'm with you, Trainer.) She spoke softly as a blush bloomed across her face. (For everything.)

Turquoise smiled and pulled her into his embrace.

Monster or not, Turquoise wouldn't trade this blessing for the world. His pokémon became more than friends. They were his family.

Normality's overrated, Turquoise gazed at his room. Three, long, unhappy years spent in these four walls. The next time he came home, he'd have new memories to fill it. More posters and pictures of the world that yearned for him.

Time to take the world by storm. Just as Professor Kapok said.

I hope this letter grants you the clarity to move forward, the letter began. To grab onto the horns of the tauros and race forward. With the world watching your back for a change.

…

The setting sun was the perfect backdrop. It bled swirling rays of orange light whose warmth caressed Turquoise's dark skin. He smiled. He stood tall at the archway to Twinleaf. A new addition to the town that he helped pain all those years ago. And not a bad job, if he said so. Way better than the dreadful tan they envisioned. A little purple went a long way, after all.

He always passed through the archway whenever he left town. But now was different. It could be months before he ever set foot here again. So much could change by then. The daycare could receive new kids for all he knew! Most of all, however, he knew he would change.

And he hoped for the better.

Ight, Turquoise took a step forward and Empola mimicked him. Albeit clumsier as she stumbled over her feet. Time to go.

Adjusting the straps of his travel duffel, Turquoise stepped through the arch. With each step, they got closer to the tall grass. And farther from Twinleaf Town. A rush of guilt filled his heart, but he pushed forward.

Empola led the charge through the tall grass. And got her first battle from an overzealous bidoof. A clean fight that earned her a few scraps. She came out on top, of course, and puffed out her chest with pride. Turquoise laughed. Only she made confidence look so adorable.

They had not made it far when he felt it. A disturbance, Thick, and heavy dark emotions slithered through the breezes. His sensed cringed, but they moved unperturbed. Coiled around him. Hissed in his ears and flooded his veins with their presence.

Turquoise gagged and found Empola trembling.

He knew this aura anywhere.

The trees behind him erupted in flames. Mr. Stranger trembled out. Followed by a beautiful lizard pokémon with dark skin highlighted by pink markings. She stared at them with glowing, purple eyes. Drenched in an eerie dark purple aura.

"A Shadow Pokémon."

…

And there's Chapter 2!

For Turquoise, I kind of envisioned him as mix of the Pokemon Breeder and Pokemon Ranger, just more on the Ranger side for now. Incorporating the Breeder look was hard though so I settled on a bandana for now!

I love Turquoise lol. I hope y'all do too. And don't worry about Paxton, he'll get better lol.

As always, feel free to leave a review or PM me!