Pokemon: A Land in Trial

[Doom]

William glanced at the door, then sighed, turning back to the window. Sykes strode to the door and unlocked it, opening them wide. With a great smile, he said, "Ah, the most promising candidate yet! Please, step inside!" He motioned for her to move to the seat in front of the desk as he moved back to his seat.

[Raven]

Were Bria not furry and black, her blush would have been visible. "We-eell, I don't know about that..." She entered, taking the seat that was offered. "I'm probably younger than a lot of them... And I have little experience..."

[Doom]

"Nonsense! No game of chance is won through age or wisdom! That's all this election is. Shoot for the stars, and hope you get lucky. However, you may just have the advantage in this race, the advantage that makes me admire you above all the other candidates is your purity. Many of the other candidates are sour, underhanded, dark and spiteful. They're tactics are inspirations of fear, and blatant lies to the people. You, however, show promise that shines through and through. I'm amazed that elections are even being held, with how momentous a victory you are certain to have in the end!" Sykes chuckled. "Pardon my ranting, but a pure heart is rarer than diamond. I admire you as an equal, unlike the other competitors, of which I can only point out flaw." William glanced at Bria, then nodded, whispering, "My dad is a bit eccentric, but he knows what he's talking about." He turned back to the window.

Sykes cleared his throat, saying, "Oh, shame on me. Pride won't get you anywhere while your still running. Now, I had a question for-Ah! I remember now!" He straightened his face interlocked his talons, elbows propped on the desk. "Tell me, honestly, what do you aspire to achieve? What to you genuinely hope to accomplish as Prime Minister?"

[Raven]

Bria swallowed nervously as he spoke, and nodded. "Thank you, Prime Minister. I hope you're right. Though perhaps fear will motivate people more these days..." She looked at the floor, but at his question, she looked up sharply. "Oh.." She blushed. Her ambitions were beyond over-the-top, especially considering her lack in experience. She swallowed again, and met his eyes, before replying, "I hope to clean up the streets, and encourage new ways to accomplish things. Eliminate exactly what you just spoke of. Our land isn't exactly what I'd call prosperous. Had I one, I'd fear for my family on these streets. I wish to fix that, so that everyone can feel safe, no matter where they reside."

[Doom]

Sykes beamed. "Ah. Spoken like a leader. My hopes of your potential were as accurate as can be." He leaned back his chair. "A great Prime Minister you will make. Not would. WILL. I have just the write connections to get the message to all the voters of Celestus. The grimy dirt bags that hope to face you won't stand a chance. I assure you, they're is no way you'll lose." He extended his fin, offering a congratulatory handshake. William silently mused, "No way....there is always a way to lose.....no matter the victory, there is always a dire sacrifice. Nothing is easy. There is no such thing as a flawless victory...." He suddenly turned to Bria, saying in a dark and icy tone, "Tell me, Miss Sorvyan, what is your opinion on the recently given prophecy? How do you react to the countless unexplainable illnesses plaguing Psychic individuals? What do you think that this could all mean?" Sykes, shocked with his son, turned to William with a furious expression, but not a single word.

[Raven]

"I-I don't know.. I've looked into it of c-course, b-b-but... I haven't found any explanation for it. I hope to research it further before trying to act as though I understand it," Bria answered, her eyes returning to the floor.

[Doom]

"William! Hush!" Sykes was adamant and raging. William shot him a rare scowl, then turned back to the window with only the short phrase, "Of course you have no answer...No one ever does." He stroked his whiskers, and Sykes was almost about to raise out of his chair and attack him. However, he simply groaned, then said, "My apologies for this rash action. William has never lashed out like that before." With a quick scowl to his son, he grinned at Bria. "Well, it certainly was great to meet you in person, but I do have a slight concern that my son's outburst reminded me of. It may be a personal matter but..." He rubbed at the back of his neck, "How is Revon faring? With the sudden illnesses appearing from nowhere, I wanted to know if he was okay..."

[Raven]

Bria smiled slightly at that. "He's been doing fine. He hasn't c-caught it so far, luckily."

[Doom]

"Ah. Excellent. That's good." He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Well, I'm assured of your abilities, but I have a slight suggestion for you. Try to sound more confident. More invigorated. You can only be nervous and shy if you allow yourself to be!" When he said this, a knock could be heard on the double doors. "Oh? Come in." Sykes looked behind Bria to the door. Entering was a Smeargle, who looked tense and worried, even in his artistry clothing. "Ah, Vide, good to see you could make it in time."
Vide nodded to Sykes, saying, "Hello sir. I'm here for the portrait." He set down the stool he'd been carrying in the middle of the office and began to set up a canvas with an enormous tarp underneath.
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot about the portrait." Sykes gestured to the stool. "Vide here can whip up a glorious portrait in half the time a camera can, with twice the beauty. You'd do well to give him two minutes of your time."
Vide's canvas was now set up, and he held his tail with an excited trembling in his limbs.

[Raven]

Bria nodded. "If I may ask what for?" she asked. She'd mostly been nervous due to who she was talking to.

[Doom]

Vide answered, "Publicity. Getting an image of who you're voting for tends to entice voters to pay attention to more important details of the campaign. They're always televised broadcasts, but a television screen can never compare to fine art. If you'd be willing, I'd like to capture what I see in front of me, and I'd like that to be you, Madam Sorvyan." Sykes laughed. "There you have it. A free painting to give the voters a clearer image. And I assure you, there is no greater artist you'll ever meet than Vide."

[Raven]

Bria smiled nervously. "Alright, then," she agreed, glancing at the three men in the room before facing Vide fully.

[Doom]

Vide squinted at her and held up his thumb. Then, he got to work with furious brush strokes. He could change the color secreted from his tail in an instant, so he could complete the painting faster. After about two minutes of painting, with only one or two glances at Bria, he kissed his palm and through it skyward. "Finished!"
Sykes quietly applauded. "Remarkable time, Vide. Let's see it."
Vide lifted the canvas and flipped it around so Bria and Sykes could see. It depicted Bria standing with her head held high, atop a pedestal of glimmering silver. Sykes laughed. "A marvelous painting, Vide. But, it's not my opinion that counts. Bria, what do you think?"

[Raven]

"It's beautiful," Bria murmured, completely in awe.

[Doom]

Vide smiled weakly. "Ah, glad you like it. Now, we just to make some copies of this, and we can have campaign fliers, posters, pamphlets, and assorted other platform sponsors." Vide cleaned up his art equipment and gathered the stool Bria had been on, and held the painting gingerly, careful not to damage as he went out the door, using his tail to close them as he exited. Sykes grinned at Bria, saying, "Well, rest assured that you have the finest artist in the country backing your campaign and the full support of yours truly. Do you have any questions, Miss Sorvyan?"