031 [Video/Action for Olivine]

[soggypastry]

I said get out of the way!

[Morning, Johto. Enjoy your very early morning wake up call. No, seriously, it's early. The sun's not even up-early. Lightning normally sleeps through this time of day, so why is she on the network? ...Well, she's not exactly on it by choice. Her Pokemon have the gear again, and it's showing that a nurse is trying to stop a very pale and rather shaky Lightning from leaving the Center, but considering she's dressed and with a pair of Lucario's at her side, she's not going to be stopped. At all.]

Miss Farron, if you'll just calm down--

Calm down? I just spent the past six hours puking my guts out while you ran around like headless chocobos trying to fix a problem that shouldn't have happened, and you expect me to calm down? [She scoffs at that, moving to shove past, but the nurse bars her passage yet again.]

Miss Farron, the poison is still affecting your body. If you'd sit down and let us help-

[Now Lightning snarls, and it's still rather intimidating despite looking like she's going to fall at any second.]

Help? Like when you somehow didn't notice someone go into my room in the middle of the night and let this happen? I don't need your help. I can handle this myself.

[The nurse aims to protest again, but Lightning doesn't listen and she goes around, hobbling out of the Center on crutches while not looking back even as the feed shorts out with a startled "Pika!". It never comes on again, but those who go out looking for her will find her on the porch of Minnie's house, sitting on one of the chairs with her head in her hands, that pair of Lucarios and a Pikachu nearby so she isn't alone. She really doesn't look well, either, so their concern is probably warranted.]

[ooc: due to plottings, Lightning spent the night badly poisoned and is now rather freaked out because, well, no idea who did it! :3 My thanks to both Cobra-mun and Kimblee-mun for this plot, it's been fun!]

Comments

[Action]

[soggypastry]

Keep calm, for starters. [A pause while she clenches her jaw to avoid any remaining nausea, before she finally opens her eyes again and looks to Minnie.] Panicking isn't going to help. Not while we can still fight back.

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Oops. She ducks her head a little.]

Fight back? How so?

[Action]

[soggypastry]

The same way we've always fought here. We have our teams.

[A yip from Sen, over by the door. Of course they have their teams! They're right here!]

We just have to find an opening to hit Team Rocket where it counts before we do anything. We're probably only going to get one shot at this.

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She looks down, pressing her hands together, still quite worried.]

I hope we can... Far too many people have been hurt already.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

And it's probably only going to get worse. They've gotten smarter, more violent. We need an actual plan, not just being scattered across the region hoping to cut them off. [She scrubs her face with her hands, clearly on edge. It's been a terrible day already.]

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

... Lightning, why don't you come inside? I still have your room just the way you kept it.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[She doesn't answer for a long moment. She wants to stay, really. It's safe enough here, and her family--or what's left of it--is here. It's comfort and security and good memories all in one house. But it's because of that she shakes her head.]

If this was a deliberate attack, my staying here will only put the rest of you in more danger. I can't do that, even if you can handle yourselves.

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

But you have to stay somewhere! And if they're after you, then they'll just follow you no matter where you go. We can all protect each other here.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

And if they do attack? There's barely room to maneuver down the halls in the morning, let alone if we all have to start fighting. It'll be safer for everyone if I head out of town and stay on the road for a while.

[She really does mean that, and intends to do it, too. You know. Once she can walk without crutches and without feeling like she's going to pass out. Besides, on the road she can at least go to town on anyone who attacks her.]

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

What I care about is what's safe for you... you can still barely walk.

[She begins rubbing the corners of her eyes. Stupid tears.]

Helping others does come before asking for help yourself... but... sometimes, you really just need to focus on what's best for you.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

Barely is still walking, Minnie. I'll be fine.

[She sees that rubbing, Mama Mouse. Please don't break into tears on her! She has no idea what to do with tears and...and...and...have a sigh.]

What's best for me is if you all stay safe. I'm not putting Team Rocket above hurting the people I care about to get to me, and you'll all be better off if they find me outside of town. There's less chance of you getting caught in the crossfire if it happens that way.

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[mamas are supposed to cry when their kids are in danger ;; ]

... I'm not going to win this argument, am I.

[But even she knows when it's time to buckle down and admit defeat. She sighs deeply, trying to sit up straight and perform her queenly duties.]

... Very well. But this isn't the end of anything. You must keep us all updated with how you're doing. We won't hesitate to help you if you ask... and you must ask, if you can't handle it on your own.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[But she isn't a child! Really, she can handle herself! Mostly. Most of the time. ...Okay maybe she needs a mother sometimes.

Lightning contemplates saying no, that she won't call because she doesn't want them involved in her battles, but...they're family. Family sticks together, no matter how much they moan about it.]

I'm not making any promises about being able to call if I get into trouble, but I'll see what I can do.

[Action]

[her_mouse_jesty]

Thank you. You know we all care about you, and love you... so of course we're going to worry about you. There's no stopping that. Because... we'll always think about you. No matter where you go from here on out, we'll be with you in your heart. You'll never be alone.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Never be alone, huh? Something about those words makes a warmth flare in her chest, Minnie's words echoed by the voice of someone who isn't here anymore. Someone who would have said those exact same words in this situation, and the thought makes her smile faintly.]

I know. I won't forget that.