15 (The Picnic)

[her_mouse_jesty]

[In the Pokemon Center of Azeala Town, Minnie is sitting up in bed. She's still wearing some gauze here and there, but the bruises are losing their swell, her hair is neat and combed with the classic bow, she's finally had some baths, and there's a happy look on her face. She is addressing the Pokegear,video, ready to talk

Comments

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[usedgigadrain]

[Kisame just made it to Azalea, thanks to the help of his new Onix. He's tired but the first thing he does when he hears that is go to see Minnie.

He puts a hand on her shoulder--it's the unbroken one and no longer bandaged but still scruffed up--to steady her.]

You're not helping yourself heal faster, Minnie-san.

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[her_mouse_jesty]

It won't just be in Violet, though. From what I hear, my friend Sora is trying to have it happen in other towns too. You'd be better off asking him for the full details.

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[usedgigadrain]

I'll ask him if I see him then.

[Then he shrugs]

Haku-kun decided he wasn't strong enough and went back to Cherrygrove; I'll probably need to head back towards Violet when he finally decides to come back anyway.

[It's clear that he doesn't get why that would be necessary, and is a little worried Haku might be up to something.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

Haku-kun?

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[usedgigadrain]

Someone from home. I knew his superior, so I figured I might as well take care of him while he's here.

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[her_mouse_jesty]

Oh, how kind!

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[usedgigadrain]

[He shrugs] It's just practical; I'm short on allies here.

[But Haku has started to grow on him. Now only if he hadn't gone to consort with the enemy.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

You're still very fortunate to get someone from your world here.

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[usedgigadrain]

My partner is here too, but so are three that would kill both of us if they had the chance and the power to. [He shrugs] I don't really blame them, but I'm not going to let them kill me either.

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[her_mouse_jesty]

... Huh?

[kind of... a scared shock at that. What?]

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[usedgigadrain]

[He sighs and taps the gouge on his headband.]

I told you I'm a criminal, Minnie-san. Warrants don't expire where I'm from and mine is 'kill on sight'. Any loyal ninja from any village has the right to try to kill me if they believe they can do it. At home they would be insane to try but here...

[He holds up his splinted hand and looks at it.] I'm only at a fraction of my usual strength and I still broke my own hand. I'm vulnerable, and I'm sure they know it.

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[her_mouse_jesty]

[Looks down, upset.]

...Please be careful. I'd hate for you to get really hurt.

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[usedgigadrain]

[He looks like he doesn't know what to do with this concern for him.]

I am. And if I am hurt... I won't begrudge them.

[He says that honestly, he's very capable of hate but would have nothing but respect for someone who brought him down.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

[looking up at him, almost ready to cry.]

... I wish they could see in you what I do.

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[usedgigadrain]

It's better if they don't. Conflicting loyalties could get them put into the same position as me.

[If that happens...well he doesn't have a high opinion of himself as a traitor so while he doesn't care personally, he has no active desire to make others traitors.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

We shouldn't have to fight each other... Not when there are more important to stop.