locked hearts

“Consider it done. I’ll ensure he learns his lessons.”

“What kind of lesson? Beat him in a Pokemon battle? Or do you want me to give him a good talking to?”

Hoopa’s smirk vanishes.

“Pfbt. That’s all you can offer Hoopa? You a hobo or something?” He sighs and shakes his head. Hoopa opens up a ring and pulls out a box of matches along with a candle. “Here. This best Hoopa can do. It’s a box of matches and a scented candle he swiped from the concierge desk at a human hotel.”

  “N’aw, I just can’t get too shady with my baby sister watching. Matches work fine~ The world is a matchbox, after all.”

“Hoopa will gladly part with his merchandise in exchange for serviceable offerings.” His grin widens. “So, what do you have for Hoopa?”

     “Oh, wow! What a kind and great salespokemon you are, Hoopa! What abooout. A- I’ll set anything you hate on fire and cover up the crime! B- I can sew, make cute-ass accessories, and tell charming jokes. Or even C- I can be your alibi when you set something on fire.”

“People are discouraged to enter the forest,” she pointed out. “There would be no sign directing them to the altar, because they should not be here in the first place.”

She was the only unknown exception, due to her place of residence being inside the Slumbering Weald. Not that anyone in town knew that, of course, and she would like to keep it that way.

“I can take you there, if you’d like.” The offer was presented as she had once done for Yuuto. Unlike with her friend, Akane did have at least one Pokemon to battle with should he encounter those in the wild, but as he said, there was no sign to direct him to the right place. She would not be amused if he got lost somewhere and stayed too late in the forest.

“I prefer to save my judgement for when I meet people. Based on previous experiences, people react differently depending on who they were interacting with,” and really, who was he to call someone else rude? He had amused himself by explaining Yuuto’s quirks to her, did he not?

      “Oh? You can? You for real?” Akane asked. Though he still wanted sweets first (who was he to turn down free food?) he would also like to finish the job. If only because Satou would be very proud of him. He valued her praise almost as much as physical sugar.

      “And while I respect that, don’t brush off my warning~ You’ll re-gre-t it~!” He tried to be convincing, but sounded too much like he was having fun. A fact he did not bother to correct this time. While it was a kind gesture for him to warn Tatiana about Omichron, it was also fun to watch Omichron struggle with strangers. There was no way he could lose, whether Tanya believed him or not.

“It is fine,”She assured as she iced the sunflower. “There is a phrase I have heard…Safety in numbers? I do not know if it would work, but perhaps there being two of us will discourage any attacks…And if it does not…Then we can respond accordingly…”

She brought back the cupcake to the front counter.”One red velvet cupcake with a sun flower on top…Did you want to eat it here? Or did you want to bring it with you?”

       She had a point. If they traveled together then, at the very least, Hinata would have someone to help her... But it would trouble Lunette. And Lunette had done nothing wrong. There was no reason for the world to torment her too.

“Perhaps it isn’t my business. However, as you are a brat, so too am I a meddler.” Nebula rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I do so love to poke into business that isn’t mine.

“Also, I like to think I’m pretty good at reading other people. And you don’t strike me as an actual brat upset at her own clumsiness. There’s something deeper underneath, isn’t there.” He sat down on the grass, legs stretched out and hands by his sides. “It’s okay, you can tell me. I’m quite well-traveled.”

         Hinata was barely convinced. She didn’t care how well-traveled a person was, nor how eager they were to hear her secrets. They were hers and she desperately wished they could remain hidden forever.

         But something told her that this meddlesome being would not leave without a story. Being a poor liar, she would only waste time and make herself more frustrated by beating around the bush.

      “My parents threw me away for money.” Well. Only her father, technically. But Hinata was bitter at her mother for not protecting her better. “Now I’m not fully human. That makes me angry.”

“Uhm….nope!” She debated lying for a moment, but decided against it,”I actually like the hustle and bustle. “I just saw a really nervous girl duck into an alleyway, and decided to make sure she was alright.” She looked over at the crowd on the street, before turning back to the girl,”I’m not sure they’re going to go away anytime soon…They’re watching something after all. Maybe it would be better if you found another way to get around? I would say try to push through, but I’m guessing that didn’t work.”

“I’ve been to this city before though. If you want, I can try and help you find a different way. Hopefully, with no more street performers.” She laughed, to try and shake the awkwardness she herself was feeling. “I won’t make you though. All you have to do is say you want me to leave, and I’m gone. No worries.”

         She was kind.

         Most people who saw Hinata in this state would force her to move. They would pick her up by her arms, dragging her to her feet, and escort her forcefully. Claiming it was for her own good or that she could walk it off. They didn’t understand that Hinata wanted to walk it off, but simply couldn’t.

         So to hear someone understand, even if they were a human, was reassuring.

      “My legs feel like jelly.” Hinata admitted. It was why she didn’t think she could stand up and accept help, even if she was beginning to trust Solique. “But you’re right. I need to find another way... I just don’t think I can stand up yet. So thank you, but...”

“Thank you, and oh don’t worry, it’s not as hard as one might think.”She thought it would be a major hassle, but she was wrong. Plus she’s got her brother for help and support if she ever needs it.”A lot of people are helping me, and are very understanding. I’m young still after all, and I’ve got tons of support around me to do the best that I can.”

“So don’t worry about it. Maybe one day either of you will come to the gym and face me? I wouldn’t mind facing either of you in a battle if you’re both interested in that sort.”

      “Oh my, really? That sounds like it would be fun. I’d love to watch you two in a battle!” Saki admitted, though excluding herself from the battle so as to imply she was not a fighter. Not anymore, at least. Saki and her Pokemon now focused on modeling.

Lunette was a blend of the two, though how safe she was has yet to be determined. Still, she waited patiently for the other girl’s answer.

“That is unfortunate,”Lunette said with a nod. Pokemon were great, even if she was afraid of training them herself. She wanted to help her some how. She seemed as afraid of things as Lunette was, albeit more vocal and expressive about it. She thought of possible options as she got out a red velvet cupcake.

“You wanted a sunflower…correct?” Or a name, but sunflowers were more fun to make in Lunette’s opinion. Oh, she had an idea,”If you would like…I could accompany you home when you are ready to go? That way no pokemon could get to you.” Lunette could only ask them to stop, she had no idea if they actually would or not.

      “Oh, yes.” Hinata had been persuaded easily. Sunflowers were part of Madoka’s idol signature, so she was sure he would like them. Hinata liked them too. Her name could also be read as ‘himawari,’ or ‘sunflower.’

“I think it’s plain as day that you’re upset.” The smirk didn’t leave Nebula’s face, but he did bend down at the knees to get closer to eye level with the child. “But the question is why?

“It’s not out of the ordinary for a kid like you to throw a tantrum. Cursing out the whole world, on the other hand, is quite a different story.” He reached his right arm up to his left shoulder and gently rubbed it. “A great burden must’ve been placed on your shoulders to trigger such rage. Am I right?”

           Hinata flinched. He had hit the nail on the head, yet she was ashamed to admit it. A burden on her shoulders did not even begin to describe it. Years in Ultra Space, slipping in and out of consciousness, trapped in a safe-yet-nightmarish state, was more than a burden.

        “... No. I’m just a brat.” She answered quietly. It was easier that way. Since when had talking about her problems actually solved anything? It only led to far-too-late pity, from people who didn’t want to truly understand. “I fell in some water and got angry. That’s all.”