57 (The Nifty Nineties)

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Video/Action for those at the Olivine household! Backdated to this morning. Also, trying something new with my action brackets. Anyway!

Yensid the Medicham is up to his usual shenanigans, playing with the Pokegear as he sits on Minnie's bed. She yawns adorably, getting up, but her head can't be seen by the camera angle just yet.]

Mmm... good morning... Oh! Yensid, what have I told you about playing with my Pokegear? Naughty boy.

[She yawns again, gives him a tap on the head, and then heads for her vanity mirror. Though you still can't fully see her, you all know what she looks like by now - something like this. She's dressed in a cute frilly nightgown, and hasn't seen her reflection yet.]

Terribly sorry about that, everyone... but I hope your day is doing well. After all the scary business we've been enduring, it's nice to just have a calm, cool, morn....

[She abruptly stops. Yen Sid finally looks up from the screen, and his eyes widen. Then... Minnie begins to scream.]

My hair! My hair! What's happened to my hair?!

[Yensid holds up the Pokegear so everyone can see. Minnie's usual long locks of black are now bright white - snow white, you could say. Ah, the tragedy of future ice powers.]

Eeeeeeeeek!

Comments

[private video.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She sits on the bed, but the tears aren't stopping yet.]

M-My body... My black hair was the last thing I had that was connected to my old body! I-I was okay with being a human, as long as I had... some reminder of who I was... I-I've been here for two years, but... o-only now...

[Only now has the weight of two years actually hit her.]

Am I still the same Minnie of the Disney Kingdom? Or is... is this human someone else entirely, after everything she's experienced?

[private video.]

[shakespearealien]

[There's now a look of seriousness and determination in Gorthan's eyes - if anyone can help Minnie right now, it's him, an expert mutant. Even if he greatly contributed to the cause of her troubles...]

These thoughts will only harm you, Minnie. You cannot allow something as arbitrary as hair color to define the person you are. Of course you are the same person you have always been. You have your Pokémon. Your friends here, and your friends at home thinking of you. All of them still love you and will welcome you with open arms. To them, your change means nothing.

[Gorthan isn't nearly as lucky as Minnie is; then again, that's a kind of luck he does not deserve.]

[private video.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She's quiet for a little longer, but at least she's not so hysterical anymore.]

... It still means something to me... I wonder if the Minnie from before would approve of the Minnie I am now... But... I just want to hold onto something familiar...

[private video.]

[shakespearealien]

This baseless need for hypothetical validation, Minnie - it's another harmful thought, and you shouldn't let it poison you. You will be alright as long as you chase this frustration, this negativity away from your mind.

[Yes, now, if only he heeded his own words...]

No one, not even yourself, not even the changes can stop you from being who you are.

[private video.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Sniffle sniffle. She knows it's unladylike to rub her tears away with the back of her arm, but then she's not feeling very ladylike.]

Thank you... I-It does feel good to hear you say that... You're one of the few who would actually understand... What it's like to have your whole body changed.

[private video.]

[shakespearealien]

Yes, Minnie, I... I like to think I understand.

Are you feeling better? I wish...

[A long, wistful sigh, at the end of which he hangs his head low in defeat.]

I wish I could be where you are... to comfort you.

[But then it would be horrendously hypocritical.]

I know this is not easy. But the darkness and fears inside of you must not prevail. They're already wreaking enough havoc out there - don't allow them to conquer your soul as well.

[private video.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

... You are comforting me very well, like this.

[She offers a sad little smile.]

This was an awful display, I imagine... Maybe, at least, that will get off that awful list...

[... That's right. She knows. Thanks, Lightning.]

[private video.]

[shakespearealien]

Once you are feeling better, Minnie... go out and test your powers. I have faith that you will be able to, as the saying goes, make lemonade out of lemons and use them to do good.

[private video.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

...

[That odd metaphor suddenly causes her to burst into laughter. Oh, she's happy to know you.]

Heeheehee! Y-Yes, I... I'll try!