ACTION

[all_onis_are_true]

[There seems to be a bit of a scene in front of the Pokemon Habitat today. Some other teens seem to be accosting another one, who is standing with a stony expression on his face. If you move closer to the group, you might overhear the conversation; they're not exactly quiet about it.

"Hey, we should contact the authorities. Some idiot let the Murder Nerd have Pokemon, ha ha."

"Hey little Axew, how about you come be my Pokemon instead? You'll live longer. Ha ha ha ha.

Man, where'd you get this Smeargle? It's WAY too cool looking for you -- hey, the little bastard just ruined my shirt! Lousy --"

You might know the one standing by saying nothing, although he does seem to stand up for his own Pokemon here and there. When people say terrible things to HIM, however, he shuts up for some reason. Is this something you even want to get in the middle of?]

Comments

[tinytactician]

Excuse me? [Behold, a knight in shining armor!

...or a tiny blond with a Cherubi in his arms and a Ralts on his head, who can't leave well enough alone.] Ahem. Ex-cuse me, you are blocking the door.

[all_onis_are_true]

["Hey man, butt out. We're talking to the Murder Nerd here. Ain't that right, Murder Nerd?"

Hiroshi shrinks a little. The Axew he's with growls noticeably at the group, and the Smeargle -- holy crap, is that a Shiny Smeargle? -- holds his brush at them threateningly.]

...I suppose we can move.

[tinytactician]

[Armin's eyes narrow a little and he draws himself up to his full (diminutive) height, encouraged by the reactions of the Pokemon.]

I-I don't like bullies. I think you guys should leave.

[all_onis_are_true]

[The bullies stop and turn towards Armin, looking annoyed.

"Geez, can you believe this? Standing up for this guy. I wonder if this kid would be as willing to stand up for him if he knew what this guy did."

The other bullies chuckle. Hiroshi looks away miserably.]

[tinytactician]

[Armin automatically backs up a step, hugging his Cherubi close protectively, while his Ralts waves little blobby arms threateningly. Then he lifts his chin defiantly.]

I-It doesn't matter! Nobody deserves to be bullied!

[This is the part where his 30-foot-long Steelix buddy, Gertrude, slithers around the corner and looms over the group. S'up, bullies?]

[all_onis_are_true]

[Further debate has been sidelined due to the presence of ho shit giant Pokemon. They get the point and leave, but not without glaring at Armin.

"We're telling you, kid, he's not worth it."

And off they go. Hiroshi stands wordlessly, looking down at the ground.]

[tinytactician]

[Armin huffs out a grumpy sigh, then turns his attention to the other boy.]

Are you all right?

[all_onis_are_true]

[He looks away a bit.]

I'm fine. Thank you... but you didn't need to do that. Really.

[tinytactician]

[Now Armin redirects his scowling, reaching back automatically to pat his Steelix buddy's nose.]

Don't you start too.

[all_onis_are_true]

[He shakes his head.]

It is... not as if the name is entirely undeserved. I'm used to it.

[tinytactician]

"Murder nerd"? That seems...excessively dramatic.

[all_onis_are_true]

[Hiroshi smiles slightly ruefully. Takuro the Axew pushes his head up into his hand.]

People like to come to the worst possible conclusions when faced with a dearth of information, it seems. So it goes.

[tinytactician]

Hmph. They probably think they're being creative, too. I hate people like that.

[Prompted by Armin's vehemence, a little Ralts wiggles down and toddles over to pat consolingly at Hiroshi's shins.] Meredith agrees.

[all_onis_are_true]

You sound as though you have had experience with people of their type.

[tinytactician]

[Armin's scowl deepens for a moment and he nods, slowly.]

I don't...like bullies.

[all_onis_are_true]

[He stoops down to pet his Pokemon.]

Some of them are bullies. Some of them are just... angry, for which I cannot fault them for.

[tinytactician]

Angry. Right.

[Armin watches for a moment as Meredith the Ralts tries to get in on some of that petting.] ...either way, being cruel to other people doesn't do anything to take away anger.

[all_onis_are_true]

[Someone more detached from the situation might say the same of Hiroshi himself, but.]

I suppose. I just wish I could do something properly to sate their anger.

[tinytactician]

That isn't your responsibility. Your only responsibility is to live well a-and do your best.