bravenewworld | 011 // action + locked video for ddf, locked audio for senshi

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011 // action + locked video for ddf, locked audio for senshi

[ action - Ruins ]

[ So....Hotaru.

That's all Haruka gets out of the recent infodump, and it's enough. She'd known at least one scientist had been experimenting with combining Pokémon and humans - it says something about humanity, maybe, that the good Professor hadn't been the only one with that idea. Her species certainly doesn't make it easy to defend them against hostile, justice-wielding Gods.

She doesn't bother replying to Rory; what's the point? Nearly a year ago, she and Michiru had spared Hotaru because the girl wasn't yet volatile. The Enhanced, if what she sees when she encounters one matches what Rory's announced, have crossed that line. And while it's not technically Divine Defense Force jurisdiction anymore, well, Haruka's here. She's got experience. She knows what has to be done and she's prepared to do it.

But she sent Sanae, Takuto, and Rise out to one of these things. Can she ask them, who as far as she knows have no destined connection to the history of the world, to do the same?

It's not a difficult question. She'll talk to them in a bit. For now, she needs to just sit here, atop World Shaking as he squats in the Swamp and thinks about nothing and trusts her with every bone in his body, calming herself and rising above her own emotions. What she's prepared to do is terrible. Unforgivable.

But she won't forgive herself if she falters. So she'll be fine.

People who've also come out to the Ruins can either find her and World Shaking hanging out like a statue to The Eve of Battle or else notice she's gone off on her own to scout ahead a bit. She's not intending to totally go in alone - she's taking at least Michiru when that time comes - but the more they know the better, right? And she wants to find someplace solitary to make a few Warp Band calls.

That "someplace solitary" is "towards the Ruins, at the edge of the mist" is pure coincidence. ]

[ video - locked to Divine Defense Force members ]

This is Haruka. Determine whether the new information is accurate. What you do after that is your decision, but don't sacrifice yourselves.

Our enemy is bigger than this.

[ And fearless leader out. ]

[ audio - locked to senshi ]

Try not to die.

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[Yuuna's a good study, she understands people and she's good at picking up on traits. Haruka's not a terribly good actress, especially offstage, and she's given Yuuna enough reasons to think she's more than she's letting on. They may fool around, and that's her general way of dealing with most people...but this isn't a situation where that's a good idea. They've both got partners on the line, and friends, as well as one another. And Yuuna's not going to let Eluvian get a new body on her watch.]

I hope so. [A vaguely amused look finally creeps back onto her face.] I don't have super-powers. But you know me, you know. And I know you. And I trust you as much as I do my Pokemon and my girlfriend.

But I do want to prioritize diplomacy if we can. Practically speaking, Enhanced could be a resource as well as a someone who needs our help. [Yes, the frog girl really is that shrewd.]

If we can help them, we should. Especially if it means an advantage in the inevitable conflict with Gigas. There's no way that's not gonna happen.

[ Haruka doesn't look convinced - then again, she doesn't look much of anything; she's listening, but her expression's blank. What Yuuna's saying almost makes sense to her, but there are too many unknown factors at work for her to consider the risk worth the potential reward.

It's funny, though. When Yuuna tries to plan for the future, she thinks about Gigas. This must be what it's like to be someone who doesn't feel the apocalypse peering over their shoulder. This is what Haruka wanted for the world. This is why the Divine Defense Force is a secret ~~according to her~~. So people like Yuuna can plan for tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that, without a clue something might threaten to make tomorrow never come....

She matches that mildly amused look. ] Far be it from me to interfere in the long game.

[ She looks away. ] We should get ready.

Edited 2015-02-01 16:43 (UTC)

[Haruka isn't alone in feeling the weight of the whole...godpocalypse thing. Yuuna's first real adventure as a trainer outside the mountains had been to Citadel. She'd stood in the path of the fire god, and in addition to photographing it she'd fought it. Head on, with friends beside her. Hiroshi had only just begun to recover from the battle, the Hariyama having bodyblocked for her and Blue at the time. The scars left from that are a constant reminder for her of just what gods are capable of. And the stunned look on the Fire god's face when she'd retaliated was a reminder of just how hard humans can push back with their allies.

Gigas, though, is the immediate threat. They're the ones that have the army poised to strike anywhere, who've tried to take Caldera. Haruka, your plan is stupid. If Gigas takes the world, then there won't be any reason for the gods to hold back.

Still, in the interest of diffusing tension, she laughs and offers her hand.]

Don't you worry, I'm always ready. [She jerks her head back towards the camp. Because she has a random, stray thought.] On a less serious note, Michiru. She's your...partner?

[Since she's never asked about the pretty bluenette who may or may not be your cousin.]

[ Here's a deal: you worry about Gigas and she'll worry about the gods. Then they both can invest all their energy in keeping Union safe from their respective enemies. This makes perfect sense. Yes. And letting that hand stay extended without shaking it would upset the truce they've called, so Haruka takes it and squeezes it.

But then Yuuna brings up Michiru. This particular change of subject surprises Haruka, but there's a flash of fondness appearing for a moment around her confusion. ]

...Yeah. We act together.

[ And eat together, and fight together, and walk together, and train together, and sleep... ] You hadn't met her?

[Yuuna squeezes back, the handwraps covering her work-worn palms rather well. And when she sees a flicker of confusion on Haruka's face, she does something else surprising. She pulls, hard, and steps forward to pull Haruka into a short, one armed warrior's hug. It's probably not what the blonde expected, anyway, but it's a show of trust for Yuuna. It may be a reminder, too, that she's better at reading people than she lets on.]

Thought so. She's good for you. [Yes, she worked that out.] And no I hadn't. Every time you and I hang out, it's been you, me, frogs, and sometimes my friends. It's like you're ashamed of me or something.

[Teasing!]

[ Haruka was not expecting a hug, so this time she doesn't return the favor. She laughs, though, and keeps smiling. The tension has definitely been broken now. ] I don't like dividing my attentions.

[ Teasing back! Shall we return to camp? ] Merrill seems sweet, though....

[ Said with the same sort of tone she might use to discuss cute Skitties. ]

Ho? Am I really that distracting?

[Letting go, she starts off that way too, nodding once.] She is sweet. And a lot tougher than she looks at the outset. I'm a lucky girl, to have landed a catch like her, really.

[Totally a skitty but...]

[ Haruka squints into the fog to make sure they don't run into anything as they walk. ] Then I guess I won't raid your camp.

[ As if she'd want to steal Yuuna's girlfriend from her. #1, who Merrill ends up with is up to Merrill. #2, not interested. #3, Michiru.

But she can shoot her mouth off all she wants regardless. ]

Good. I guess I won't raid yours either.

[Because #1, Merrill was more attractive. #2, not interested. #3, Michiru looked totally high maintenance.]

She does like your acting though.

[Snerk.]

If we survive, I'll get her an autograph.

[ World Shaking notices them heading back and lumbers over too. No telling whether or not he remembers Yuuna. He's even less expressive than his Trainer.

She looks over at him. ] See anything?

[ World Shaking puffs through his nostrils hard enough to set some marsh grass swaying. Nothing's headed for their camp, for now. They'll be able to pack up and explore at their leisure. ]

[The titan is soon joined by Suzume, who favors her former sun-rock with a sunny smile. A full grown Dragonite now, that won't work.]

You?

[A shake of her draconic head, and Yuuna turns to look back at the ruins.]

Nothing back that way either. The sky is deserted.

[ It takes World Shaking a minute, so Haruka gives him a mental nudge with a thought of the Suzume he knew and the pieces click. Oh! You have limbs now.

Haruka looks up at said sky, contemplating it. Overcast. Of course it is. ] They're waiting.

[ And she doesn't mean their campmates. ]

Edited 2015-02-02 14:48 (UTC)

Oh? Who is? The ruins inhabitants? Or...the croagunks?

[Could be either...]

[ Yeah, neither's technically wrong... ] Either way, it's your new best friend.

[ She was thinking more about the person who decided the Ruins looked better with extra mist and turrets, though. ]

Guh...I've had enough frogs for a lifetime...

[Ugh, seriously? ]

Guess we should get ready to take the plunge, huh?

We'll regroup soon. [ Haruka has to go see what Michiru's up to. And maybe do some extremely suggestive things involving hands. That ought to calm her down enough to approach the coming endeavor rationally.

There's a faint smile on her face as she heads for her tent. ]

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011 // action + locked video for ddf, locked audio for senshi

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