bravenewworld | Second Song

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[Since her return from-- whatever it was that they did and witnessed with Lugia and the three legendary birds, Honoka has thrown herself head-first into finalizing her little sweets shop. Outside the cart there is a large sign, once again in her handwriting, colorful and probably not-quite dry yet. It reads: "Unionomura☆Grand Opening". Anyone who happens by will find the orange-haired girl bustling about the tiny cart, setting out sweets of varying types in small baskets hooked onto the outer edges of the cart. They have humble prices attached to the baskets and names and flavor profiles, and she is inviting everyone who comes by to try one on the house.]

[She's trying very, very hard not to dwell on the events with the Gods, that much is obvious to anyone who knows her. She sets up her Warp Band to broadcast her advertisement across it as well, reaching out to the whole of Union.]

Experience the taste of Caldera!! Unionomura, Calderan sweets made right here in Union. New customers receive a trial sweet of their choosing!

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[She seems a little less energetic than usual, but she's smiling all the same.]

I hope everyone is okay. I've opened up my cart, you're all more than welcome to come take something home to enjoy.

Um-- Mr. Ichimonji, if you have a minute, I have a favor to ask.

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[Ah. His expression sombers a little. His smile is a bit grim.]

I think we did the best thing we could have done in a situation like that.

[He pauses.]

We're not religious people, really, but we can't deny the truth behind some of the legends of the gods and the old world. It's...

[He thinks of how to explain this.]

Like how Gigas attacked our home, humans attacked or mistreated pokemon. Maybe the gods didn't want conflict but like us, they were driven to act, angry with righteous fury. In a situation like that, it can sometimes seem like there's no choice but to fight, lest you lose everything.

In a conflict like that where both sides firmly believe they are in the right, there's not really a way to make one side concede without bloodshed. What we did was at least help the side that was maybe more in the right than the other. I honestly believe that white god, Lugia, would not have backed down until it had it's comrade free, and who knows how many would have died then had we not intervened? How many soldiers would have gone down while humans stubbornly refused to free their prisoner? It could have been a battle that went on for far longer than it did.

We did our best, Honoka.

[She continues to chew on her lip as he speaks, and looks progressively more bothered until he's done, at which point she's quiet for a few minutes. They did their best. Maybe-- just maybe, they shortened a battle, and saved lives that would have otherwise been lost. It may not have looked like it from where they were, but--]

[She nods, picking her head up from where she'd ducked it away.]

You're right. We-- we did everything we could have. Freeing Articuno... It was the only option.

[She swallows, because the notion that "the only option" left easily hundreds dead didn't sit well with her, but there was nothing to be done for it.]

...You should come by the shop. I've got some new inventory.

[He nods, attempting another smile, though it's wan. War would always be an ugly thing. It made him kind of mad that this whole mess made a bunch of kids have to experience it when it wasn't necessary. Alas. Gods didn't really seem to care.]

You know, I was just thinking I was hungry. I'll have to do that.

[Preemptive apology for the fact that you are getting a hug if you do come by, Hayato.]

You know where to find me.

[Well, he wasn't going to make you wait after saying he was hungry. It doesn't take long for him to come around. He's got Goro on his shoulder who is still giving him a wretched hard time about the pokeball business.]

[He waves in greeting to her.]

[She smiles when she sees him, and taking off her apron and circling around out of the cart to greet him. She has a small wrapped item in her hands.]

I have something special for you.

[Oh ho? He looks surprised.]

You do?

[She turns sideways and then presents the parcel somewhat like she's trying to eject it from her hands like a magic ball (think Kamehameha). Inside is a massive manju, shaped and etched to look like Hayato's camera.]

I made everybody something special, I hope this is okay.

[He patiently waits for her to produce this mysterious thing she had for him. He snickers a bit at her trying to act like she's blasting it at him and then blinks as he opens the parcel.]

[Heh.]

[He smiles.]

Did you make this yourself? It looks delicious.

Edited 2015-04-23 00:59 (UTC)

[She scrunches her face up from how hard she smiles, and nods.]

[And then she's circling around him and making her intent obvious before slipping her arms around Hayato's middle.]

Also you looked like you need a hug. So here's that.

[Ah, yes. At least he was a little prepared for the hug this time. He does tense up, but not nearly as bad as he did the first time she tried to hug him. After a moment, his shoulders drop and he moves the manju to one hand so he can very carefully set his arm on her shoulder.]

I'm pretty easy to read, huh?

[She's glad he didn't freak out this time, and tightens her grip just enough to be felt (probably) when his arm rests on her shoulder. She nods.]

Mm-hmm.

[She only lingers a moment, but she glances up at him.]

I'm glad you were with us. I-- wasn't really scared, much, because I knew you'd take care of us.

[He's not sure what to make of that statement. It means a lot to him, but he isn't sure how to even say as much. His chest tightens for a moment before he just. Breathes, smiling something small and soft.]

I wasn't going to let anything happen to any of you.

[She's just. Gonna shuffle forward and hug him again.]

Just don't let anything happen to you either, okay?

[He huffs a small laugh.]

Don't worry. I'm a pretty tough guy.

[Smooshing her face into his side.]

You'd better be.

Second Song | Video/Action

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