[ lance is supposed to be a responsible adult, but his lips twitch at typical local bigshots, sipping his tea. he's sure the so-called "bigshots" were knocked down a peg or six when blue oak showed up to battle. probably for the best, really. maybe they'll reconsider their life of crime.

(or not -- lance can't imagine blue showed them anything but a solid dose of humility, and perhaps instilled in them a sense of revenge for said humiliation.) ]

Few people evolve from "local bigshot" to "professional trainer."

[ in his experience, anyway, as lance sets down his cup of tea to focus on his own food, though he definitely eats it a lot more delicately than blue, who seems interested in shoveling it into his mouth as quickly as possible.

lance wasn't very interested, in challenging people he knew would lose. mostly because it wasn't very exciting, and what was the point of battling if there wasn't something at stake? the local challenge circuits in johto entertained him for only so long until he decided to challenge the gyms. that had sparked his interest, in a way most things just didn't. and being a member of the elite four, and then champion, ensured that he really only battled people who would challenge him. . . . which meant he wasn't very challenged at all.

ah well. life is different, now. ]

I am surprised they accepted the challenge. [ what low-level illegal fight ring would accept a challenge from a champion and current gym leader? ] Or did they not know who you are?