53 (Boat Builders)

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Video/Action for Olivine, especially the home that has definitely seen better days by this point. Minnie is quite busy at their hand-made house. With what, you may ask? Well, as typical, Yen Sid the Medicham is playing with the Pokegear, so when it flickers on, you see...





Well, the human version, anyway.]

All right, everyone! We've got a lot of work to do, and I won't have any slacking. We're going to have lots of guests staying over in the future, so we need to return this place to tip-top shape! Understand?

[There's a small bustle of growls - The smaller 'mons are out to help - Azumarril, Kirlia, Jolteon, Noctowl, and Seel. They all have cleaning equipment saddled on, such as rags, brushes, mops, buckets, soap, etc.]

Now, Mickey and Clarabelle will handle the washing, but we've got some flooding to clear out, and that'll be... Yen Sid!

[Uh-oh, he's been caught. She storms over, and snatches the Pokegear out of his hand, tsking.]

You're not going to slack off this time, mister! Now go join everyone else.

[Booo :| But off he goes. Minnie sighs, and looks at the Pokegear. It's hard to tell, but she's smiling.]

Well, hello everyone. I hope everyone's faring well now that the disasters are over. As you can see, we're going to clean up the damage as best we can. Once it's all spruced up, you're welcome to come and visit us and stay here in Olivine anytime. Heehee, is this what you call free advertising?

((OOC: art by mi amiga widdlez))

Comments

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

[This text is one that Minnie will get after a silence lasting a few hours.]

As soon as this madness ceases, I will need to talk to you in person somehow. PokéGear frequencies are inadequate for what I have to say to you.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[oh yes, this is completely reassuring. If you saw her she'd be sighing and tugging off her kerchiefs and just be... orz.]

I'm in Olivine, and I don't know where you are. One of my friends was injured during the storm, so I can't leave her side. Unless you're willing to trek here, whatever is weighing on your conscience this time will have to be said through here.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

[Wonderful. Now there's one more thing weighing on his conscience. ._.; ]

Do not be quite so bitter - realize there is no way I could have known about that.

I am very sorry for your friend, Minnie. What is her name?

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

I do not mean to sound bitter. But I believe I have earned the right to be wary. You know I care for you, and you know the trust and faith I have in you. But I can also see when bad news is going to be delivered. I would rather you say it and not make me wait with worry. I do enough of that on my own.

As for her, her name is Lightning. She's very dear to me, and is a strong, wonderful person. she was out on the routes, trying to clear pathways and help others, but a tree fell on her. She'll be all right, though.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

[He recognizes the name. It was on Cobra's list of priority targets... Perhaps it was no coincidence that she was hurt.]

That's terrible, and again, I am very sorry. How is she now? How bad are her injuries?

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[You're avoiding the subject.]

She's being tended to at the Pokemon Center. The nurses say we shouldn't be too worried. She's a fighter.

What is it you need to discuss?

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

[Of course he is!]

My apologies, Minnie. But I truly cannot tell you here.

I will do everything in my power to reach you as soon as I can. It is a rather urgent matter.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[This text comes hours later. Someone's spilled the beans.]

Is it about my name on the list?

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

[Whereas this text is an almost real-time response.]

You already know. How?

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

So it is.

Do you know why my name is there?

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

It is all Cobra Commander's doing, I am afraid.

I have *tried* to get you removed, Minnie. But I could not. And yet, someone within our ranks is already protecting you, having told Cobra Commander that he will "take care of you" while I believe he means those words far more literally than the Commander thinks. Personally, I suspect Ivan.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

All I did was yell at him. If that's all it takes, then half of Johto should be under that list.

Ivan has already contacted me, saying he wants to come here and visit me and my friends. I'm allowing him that.

That said, if your continuance of trying to get me removed brings you under suspicion or harm from your superiors, then I'll have to insist you stop. I don't want you getting in trouble for my sake.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

Maybe *I* want to get in trouble for your sake. It would be worth it.

No matter. Ivan will protect you now. And if *he* gets in trouble because of it, then I will protect *him*.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[You can't see it, but she's all smiles now. You big softie.]

I feel very fortunate to have such brave knights protecting me. Thank you.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

[And you can't see it - nor can anyone, unless you're one of his Pokémon in his room - but he's crying his eyes out now.]

Please don't thank me.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

You're a good man, Gorthan. You always prove it to me, even when you don't intend to.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

Please, Minnie. Don't.

I am not a man, and I am certainly not good.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

You didn't have to try and warn me. You've made mistakes, you've caused damage, but that doesn't mean you can't earn redemption. I'm always going to see you as my dear friend, no matter what.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

You place way too much faith in me, Minnie. Way too much.

For one like me, there is no redemption. The dissonant music of chaos, the alluring contradictions of cruelty hold too much power over me.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

I have no regrets with you. You'll find I am very stubborn when it comes to my beliefs. No matter what you say of yourself, I will continue to see you as a good man. You'll just have to accept that I like you.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

Trust me, Minnie. If I so much as I shared my daily schedule with you, you would soon grow to hate me.

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

We're both very stubborn when it comes to each other, it seems.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

So we are.

Minnie. How can you always see the good in everyone?

Private text.

[her_mouse_jesty]

We were raised differently in worlds that valued different things. I want to have a life that ensures the happiness of everyone, not just my own. For that to happen, I must keep this faith. True happiness comes from the bonds we make with others.

Private text.

[shakespearealien]

Even with those who were born to destroy happiness itself?