Sootopolis Gym, Ago

-The Kingdra can be seen squirming for a while, trying to release herself from the vines, but that amounts to nothing, and a moment later a thud is heard-

"Juan": "....Oh."

-In effect, the Kingdra then floats to the surface of the water, tired and agitated; she stares at Mandrake largely, but bothers not to summon any of her power and instead turns to the Samurott for instructions-

"Juan" -does a sort of shrug: "Well, that is a ring out." -- beckons graciously -- "Why don't you be a dear and return my saber while you go back to rest?"

-The Kingdra visibly huffs, then slids to the ice platform to give Mandrake and Aiki a curt bow before swinning into the pool-

"Juan" -to Aiki: "That was a well motivated slam to paint the last stroke in this battle. In this performance you have demonstrated to be very well the victor."

-And performs a reverential bow, then motioning for the Charizard to come to the other end of the stage-

Hoenn, Now-ish

-Silent and his team get the text that Every sent on how is about to face the Hoenn E4. By sheer virtue of IRP convenience they just happen to be nearby-

"I hope he does all right. Can't remember when was the last time I saw one of the guys go at an E4."

Algira: <Hm.....> -- spins clockwise.

Sol: <That was...> -- thinks longly about the issue.

-The two Pokémon stare at each other, then back at Silent-

"...Thought so. Well, let's hurry."

Algira: <Oh? We are going to watch?>

"That's the idea. If we are any lucky we can get in just in time to watch the fight against Sydney!"

-Sol is to hopeful to notice that battle is long past tho. And the rest of the team follow along eagerly-

Ever Grande

-Silent and Maekrite sit by Basket-

"I trust that Ever should be able to get past this." -- sage nods.

-Maekrite flicks his ears around-

Maekrite♂: <Where is Tangent and the others...? Are you alone by yourself?>

-Silent crosses his arms-

"Hmmm that reminds me Tagg said something about a PEFE Meeting..."

-The two observe then Ever get past Phoebe-

"Yeah! That's how it's done."

Maekrite♂ -frowns: <And what was all that trash talk about the be end of all things anyway?>

Sol♀ -licks herself: <Nothing much at all. Sounds like generic villainy to me.>

Ever Grande

-Silent and team are observing the sudden new developments in the situation that was supposed to be a legal confrontation between Ever and Steven-

Algira♀ -flutters around: <When are we getting in? We have to help!>

"Algira calm down. I'm sure there's a completely rational explanation of why this is going on the way it is and why we are not chiming in on the matter."

Maekrite♂: <You mean, like,> -- points to the room -- <we are being held off by a random lady going on about Badges?>

"...League statuses are hard like that, yes."

-Sol meanwhile munches on some food-

Maekrite♂: <Well, not like we could be of much help as of now.> -- sighs.

Sol♀: <Yeah, this is part on the course. Don't worry and enjoy the show!> -- gulps down more food.

Sootopolis Gym, ago-ish

(following this post by Krow)

-As Aiki reaches to the platform where the Samurott is, the Pokémon steps away from it, and from the room past the Gym battlefield, a man dressed in well-adorned outfit comes out. Hand behind his back and a laid-back posture, he walks up to the Gym Leader platform-

Real Juan: "Now that would be all, Casados. Your lip syncing has improved significantly." -- points to the platform -- "Would you fetch the badge for me?"

-The Samurott nods and turns to Aiki, barks happily and then slides away to leap down to the pool-

Real Juan -to Aiki, eyeing what he likely assumes to be a costume: "You have showed us a very good performance, and were not afraid to risk your position and experiment when it came down to it. Your skills and presentation shine well, even if they still seem to need some polish."

Sootopolis Gym

Real Juan -looks somewhat hesitant: "Well, while I have tried to be as original as possible for these sessions, they haven't seemed to catch on yet. You are the second or third challenger today who comes in in style."

-The Samurott meanwhile can be seen wading around the pool, and seems to be arguing indistinctly with some of the Pokémon swimming in there-

Real Juan: "You have accomplished a notable feat here, which makes you worthy of the [Rain Badge]. It is very revered in these seas, and it should guarantee you permission for free-range using Waterfall to move around, should you ever need it."

-At that moment Casados the Samurott leaps from the pool to the platform, he has recovered his nacar sword he had used to summon Kingdra, and is now carrying a small metallic box adorned with light-colored denim and silk stripes giving the appearance of a veil of rain-

Real Juan: "Ah, here it is..."

-The Samurott then presents Aiki with the box, which when opened would reveal the Rain Badge-

Sootopolis Gym

-Juan nods and then produces, from out of nowhere -or rather, from the sleeves of his jacket, though the move might just be fast enough that Aiki barely manages to see it- a small box. Larger and thinner than the one with the Badge, it is not much adorned though it has a small ornament in the form of a golden needle to the side, anchored to a curved wood protrusion, as if trying to mimick an old vinyl disc player-

Real Juan: "And, since you have performed so well... I have to say, you deserve this. It's not the usual treat challengers get from clearing this Gym's battle, though, but something special for the occasion."

-He proceeds to present the box to Aiki and opens it, revealing a small disc with a couple of booklets inside-

Real Juan: "This is [Water Pulse], an advanced Water-type move that allows your Pokémon to draw in water, be it theirs or from the environment, and concentrate it in a small maelstrom bubble that will allow you to confuse your opponents. Like I mentioned, it is a special challenge, so this disc is not limited to the [one-time use] restrain on League-provided TMs."

Steven Stone's House, uncertain point in time but definitely before the Delta Episode

-Steven is polishing a newly-acquired Sceptilite, and may be visited by a certain Nido researcher.-

Steven's House

-Steven flinches as the door is knocked-

Steven: Whoever that is... You don't happen to be a guy that looks like a used car salesman and his baby Treecko, correct?

re: Fluff vs Crunch

I firmly stand by the side of False Dichotomies are Harmful. :p

That said, re Umbra's proposal:

My first thought is that while it does work quite better (I'd say about 300% better) here to have an in-universe kind of essay than in the case of the Tone Essay wholesale (plus, putting it in-universe in this case helps showcase the issue), I'm still wondering if there's any strong reason behind why they would have to be that way.

I see the whole idea that we don't use the same definition of Crunch v Fluff as other communities to gets a nod, though I think the essay whole would benefit if that nod is made a bit more clear.  Something as simple that sends the message of "we're not even like other RPs around here", perhaps.

On the various little subjects that the example throws in, I'd say the proposal pretty much nails the point (props to Tangent on the definitions given, hopefully the D!post where they were given can be sourced / linked to?). The "two" characters examples, while more extreme than needed to make their points, work well so far.

...What? Not six Mega Rayyyyyys? :p

I also believe re the writing of the proposal as it stands, there should be more characters, or at least if it has to be in-universe it should not be a one-player thing, let alone a repeat. I feel it paints the wrong image. But that can be fixed later.

Finally, while it is also not something that needs to be fixed Rai Nao™ I do feel like the Fluff part noticeably lacks some show-don't-tell, since basically it's thrown as a list of traits without explaining any narrative effect or letting them build a sort of narrative effect during the example. (Plus, it needs to be also mentioned that, unlike with Crunch in most scenarios, in order to build up "deep fluff" for a character, players would hopefully request assistance or checks so that they don't conflict with established RP history; this has been very relevant in Signups for example, in the least because of nonrealistic character ages)

And I'm guessing that would be all for now.

Steven's House

-Silent raises an eyebrow at the "more trustworthy" part, does not pay attention to Sol still "stuck" pawing at the ground in front of the house-

"Ah, this, " -points ot bangle- ", let's call it being prepared. There might be a Mega Evolution or two I am keeping an eye for, and even if it ends up not being a thing, let's say the mechanism of Mega Evolution itself might be of interest. Which... is the second reason that brings me to you, the first being pic related."

-Moves in and starts examining the various rocks displayed in the house-

"Since you are one of the people most deeply involved in the mysteries of Mega Evolution, I take it you have heard of some particular [news] regarding the sudden presence, or should I say absence, of Key Stones." -- shrugs -- "Not much to do with my end of things I hope."

A lot of time in the past, or something

-Silent frowns at the weird instance of Steven shuddering, but after a moment shrugs it off-

"An asteroid? Really? Is it even.. large? Fast?" -- takes a hand to his chin -- "Come to think of it, nevermind. I should first be asking how do you even know something like this..."

-Walks around observing the rocks-

"But I have the feeling I would barely care about the answer. If something comes up and it's important enough, I guess some J-Team phones will start ringing soon."

-turns back to Steven-

"So to the business that brings me here, yes... I've been trying to research the relationship between the various kinds of stones and in particular why they seem to exist only for certain Pokémon, so far. But most importantly," -- points to the Nido on head -- "I've been working and trying to replicate the transmission of energy. It is clear that somehow the presence of the Trainer facilitates the energy link exponentially, but it's not clear if it can be supplemented somehow. And... well..."

-struggle with putting the next part of his proposition into words-

"I wonder if you have noticed any similarities between Mega Evolution and Shadowification, if you have the infortune of any experience with the subject?"