[Reactions over actions. He may not be sternly honest like she is, with a nose for deceit, but he's still someone who prides himself on reading others.
(It was for Pokémon, really, a trained ability he wanted to have so he could communicate with his team better.)]
I just wanted to ask about your universe, that's all. You had a black dragon that went to face Alder? Mine was white, so I was just wondering.
[He's acting friendly as always, but there's a certain note of suspicion in his voice.]
I just-- thought it was pretty weird to say, that's all. A white one, huh? Cool. [Might as well get with the truth, though!]
I tumbled with Team Plasma a bit, rescued a girl's pokemon from them. I mean, you wouldn't just stand by while that was happening, right? And I didn't really think that Ghetsis guy's idea of a world where trainers and pokemon didn't live side by side was good at all.
[Well, it's true, isn't it? Minus some major details, but that's it.]
Yeah, definitely to both. It just felt weird to think about a world like that, with no Pokémon and all... But it isn't such a bad thought at the same time.
[Sympathizing with the enemy. Though he's quick to elaborate too, leaning against the counter.]
There's a different way to look at it, though. They can still live side by side - but without being captured. Befriended. Asked about. Things like that. That basic idea is something that captured my mind for a while, and I met someone who helped with that thinking and it kind of helped with Victini.
[And this is where he'll drop it. Not a name, but a good descriptor. If she was looking out for people with Pokémon like he was...]
He's here, actually, with a Ninetales. Green-hair and kind of socially awkward looking. Pretty tall. Seen him?
[Too quick? She follows it up just as quickly, setting her empty plate down.]
Mei told me about him, and we've, uh. Talked a bit..?
[...No, that wouldn't make sense. Hilbert could theoretically go ahead and read anything that would mismatch that interpretation, if N and her networked publicly. She looks a little guilty, but she keeps her eyes on the counter instead of him to ebb it away.]
It's a long story, actually. I know him. I came to ask you about the same thing, because he told me all about you.
Haha, so he beat her to the punch... At least that's a Donphan out of the room, and so he smiles gently.]
Ah... Guess it backfired, huh. [Well then. He gestures to the table if she'd like to sit down.] We've both got time to spare, so tell me your story, Hilda.
[She casts a glance back to his room, then shrugs.]
What's there to say? I'm Hilda. I was born in Nuvema Town, and my first best friend was a nerd named Cheren. Bianca, my other best friend, moved to Nuvema when we were five, and we pretty much became inseparable...
[Hilda sighs; she misses them, dearly. Even Cheren's nagging.]
On my fifteenth birthday, the professor - Juniper - she dropped off a box for us three at my house. My mom wanted me to go adventure, I wanted to go adventure. Bianca and Cheren did too. So we did. I picked Tepig, and never regretted it. Bianca got Snivy, and Cheren was left with Oshawott. And we started out.
I met N in Accumula Town. Ghetsis was giving a speech, and afterwards N wanted to battle me because Tepi was saying I was a great trainer. And...
[And so forth. Facing down Team Plasma; forced into being a hero by N - something she resented at the time, but grew to accept; abut Reshiram...
Pretty much everything.
When she's through, she settles into the offered seat at the table and sighs. Victini's appeared, seeking its missing companions, and climbs onto Hilda's lap. She strokes it gently.]
[Eeks's joined them after Victini left and floats by Hilbert, resting on its Trainer's shoulder.
The teen himself remains by the counter throughout the story, a thoughtful look on his face as he compares the details.
Other than the dragon switch and the convictions N held (a "reality" versus an "ideal world") it was the same.]
Down to the best friends, actually, though I took Oshawott. I kind of miss Cheren's lectures... He'd be one to do something around here. I'm just kind of waiting to see how I can help... [He trails off there, and changes the subject from that.]
So, in your universe, you're the Hero of Truth and N's the Hero of Ideals. I'm the opposite. I befriended Zekrom, and he - well, now Mei - allied with Reshiram. Do you two get along better here than back home?
...We're about the same, I guess. Even if we both earned Reshiram's assistance, his reality - the one he wants anyway - is still different than mine.
[And she's too stubborn to let it go, just like him.]
We don't fight all the time, but we're not best buddies. There's the added fact that he's still familiar with you, not me. The first time I contacted him about it he thought I was insane.
[He hmms quietly, though he's a bit disappointed. Oh well.]
I guess things do take time... But it must be hard to be forgotten and have to start over again. [Hilbert gives her a small look of pity as he speaks, though it's not condescending in the least.]
Yeah. I showed it to him when we met up, so he could talk to it. [Everyone but you knows, Hilbert --] He's not the only one either. Mei met it earlier today, that Hanamura guy met it at the transport party about a month ago. Feferi and that woman I told you about met it at the masquerade. My unitmates know about it too, but that was pretty unavoidable... Out of all of them, only you, N, and Mei are the ones who know about its legend, so...
[It seems he was left out for most of the time, huh... At least he wasn't the last of them to know.]
The Initiative is probably up to date about it by now, too, since they provide us with everything. Did you know we have a library here? They've got books from our world, too, so all the myths are present.
[It may seem like a trivial fact, but it's kind of a warning: Others could learn about Victini's power too if they looked.]
No! Hilda, that isn't right and you know it. Those aren't just legends and stories, they're our history and one of the only things that still connects us to home. How can you even think about burning them?
[He is genuinely upset by this. In his world, the history was cherished so much it was preserved in Opelucid City (and later on, they would stop construction on Route 4 after finding the ruins)!]
[Learning from the past is fine -- but holding onto it obsessively after its use is over isn't. She likes the legends, she likes the history, but there are more important things at hand.]
What if someone found out about it? [Victini squirms under her hand; she doesn't notice. She's not quite shouting, but her voice is raised and she's got a harsh tone.] Even if it was another Transport, even if it was the Initiative -- they'd use it. I made a promise, and I'm not going to back down on it.
[She looks down at her partner, still squirming, and closes her eyes. It isn't Hilbert's fault his view sucks (in her eyes), nor is it her fault that her world stated time marches on and to pave the way for a better tomorrow today.]
...I know it means a lot, Hilbert. I miss Unova, and I miss my friends, and I miss my family. I miss everyone and everything about it. If I thought it'd be safer to leave them in there, with the hope that no one would want to find out more about it, then I would... but I can't stand the idea of anyone, good or bad, taking advantage of Victini on a rumor.
[Hilbert feels himself bristle, though he stays quiet for a moment after she's done talking to collect his thoughts. If there was one thing that could set him off it was the dissolution of the past, to forget it and treat it so casually, but it wouldn't do either of them good to get worked up about it. Eeks has moved from being near Hilbert to being with Victini, though the Rotom is affected by its Trainer's feelings as well.]
I'd rather you just steal them than burn them. Give them to me; I'll keep them safe. That way, you won't have to worry about it and I'll be able to make sure they don't come under any harm. Please.
[He's not quite begging her, but he is pleading for their safety. He knows it was her duty at any cost to protect Victini, but if the fee was knowledge? No. He can't allow that.]
[There's the second part -- letting someone else handle them. She bristles, too -- and she'd been getting her anger calmed down.]
I'm not going to let any harm potentially come to you, Hilbert. I mean, I know you're strong, but the Initiative has an army. Our side or not, the war would be over quicker with ensured victory. Other Transports could get the bright idea to see how true its legend is.
[Hilda tugs Victini closer, trying to calm it with little pets. It isn't working; she can feel herself getting mad at it too.
But she wants to compromise, somehow.]
Can't I just burn the pages that are about it? I can be careful.
[Books do that. Hilbert shakes his head and steps towards her, palms up and still pleading.]
Hilda, I swear I won't let anyone take them. Or even find out about them in regards to the other Transports. The Initiative don't want to kill anyone on their side, so there's no way they'd do it just for a legend. They'd have to have proof. Stories don't do much here without it. Do you trust me?
Sort of. She'd trust N more, if he knew her; Mei is a good girl, but out of the question; Hilbert is the only one, at this point, isn't he?
Victini seems to give up on getting out of her arms when she gives up on the topic. This topic is obviously not going anywhere.]
Fine. [She feels somewhat exhausted now. It's been a while since she got really angry-- maybe, she thinks, she was just turning it on him. Not a terribly good hero. She laughs at the thought, but clears her throat quickly.] Sorry. It's been a bad month.
[A slight overstatement, but this argument was already overstated.]
[He relaxes, reaching to take Victini-- And if she won't let him he'll at least pet the poor thing. Eeks sticks by its buddy side too.]
Thanks. [The apology is empty to him, since he understands, and to forgive her would be saying he was right in this. No one's right with this sort of argument.] Being taken so suddenly to fight a war that's not yours is draining on anybody.
[Hilbert's okay because he doesn't mind this new adventure, a new place to explore and learn about. And N's here, so that's that mission completed too.]
[She'll let him take it; it obviously doesn't want to be around her right now.]
You still seem pretty chipper. [That's an understatement.] Sorry this has turned out to be such a crap time, too. I'm used to spending the holidays with my mom.
[Cheer up with some chin scratches, Victini! Vicky always liked those.]
Me too, and with Cheren and Bianca... It isn't so bad though, you know. I've learned a lot about you. And I feel like I can fully put my trust in you since I don't feel like you're hiding anything from me.
[He's got your back, Hilda, if anything happens.]
Anyway, we probably should see if we can check out those books first or if we're going to have to request them or buy them or something. I'm willing to shell out some-- what do they call them, marks? Whatever, so money for them.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
(It was for Pokémon, really, a trained ability he wanted to have so he could communicate with his team better.)]
I just wanted to ask about your universe, that's all. You had a black dragon that went to face Alder? Mine was white, so I was just wondering.
[He's acting friendly as always, but there's a certain note of suspicion in his voice.]
no subject
Ha.]
I just-- thought it was pretty weird to say, that's all. A white one, huh? Cool. [Might as well get with the truth, though!]
I tumbled with Team Plasma a bit, rescued a girl's pokemon from them. I mean, you wouldn't just stand by while that was happening, right? And I didn't really think that Ghetsis guy's idea of a world where trainers and pokemon didn't live side by side was good at all.
[Well, it's true, isn't it? Minus some major details, but that's it.]
no subject
[Sympathizing with the enemy. Though he's quick to elaborate too, leaning against the counter.]
There's a different way to look at it, though. They can still live side by side - but without being captured. Befriended. Asked about. Things like that. That basic idea is something that captured my mind for a while, and I met someone who helped with that thinking and it kind of helped with Victini.
[And this is where he'll drop it. Not a name, but a good descriptor. If she was looking out for people with Pokémon like he was...]
He's here, actually, with a Ninetales. Green-hair and kind of socially awkward looking. Pretty tall. Seen him?
no subject
[Too quick? She follows it up just as quickly, setting her empty plate down.]
Mei told me about him, and we've, uh. Talked a bit..?
[...No, that wouldn't make sense. Hilbert could theoretically go ahead and read anything that would mismatch that interpretation, if N and her networked publicly. She looks a little guilty, but she keeps her eyes on the counter instead of him to ebb it away.]
It's a long story, actually. I know him. I came to ask you about the same thing, because he told me all about you.
no subject
Haha, so he beat her to the punch... At least that's a Donphan out of the room, and so he smiles gently.]
Ah... Guess it backfired, huh. [Well then. He gestures to the table if she'd like to sit down.] We've both got time to spare, so tell me your story, Hilda.
no subject
What's there to say? I'm Hilda. I was born in Nuvema Town, and my first best friend was a nerd named Cheren. Bianca, my other best friend, moved to Nuvema when we were five, and we pretty much became inseparable...
[Hilda sighs; she misses them, dearly. Even Cheren's nagging.]
On my fifteenth birthday, the professor - Juniper - she dropped off a box for us three at my house. My mom wanted me to go adventure, I wanted to go adventure. Bianca and Cheren did too. So we did. I picked Tepig, and never regretted it. Bianca got Snivy, and Cheren was left with Oshawott. And we started out.
I met N in Accumula Town. Ghetsis was giving a speech, and afterwards N wanted to battle me because Tepi was saying I was a great trainer. And...
[And so forth. Facing down Team Plasma; forced into being a hero by N - something she resented at the time, but grew to accept; abut Reshiram...
Pretty much everything.
When she's through, she settles into the offered seat at the table and sighs. Victini's appeared, seeking its missing companions, and climbs onto Hilda's lap. She strokes it gently.]
...That's the story, I guess. Similar to yours?
no subject
The teen himself remains by the counter throughout the story, a thoughtful look on his face as he compares the details.
Other than the dragon switch and the convictions N held (a "reality" versus an "ideal world") it was the same.]
Down to the best friends, actually, though I took Oshawott. I kind of miss Cheren's lectures... He'd be one to do something around here. I'm just kind of waiting to see how I can help... [He trails off there, and changes the subject from that.]
So, in your universe, you're the Hero of Truth and N's the Hero of Ideals. I'm the opposite. I befriended Zekrom, and he - well, now Mei - allied with Reshiram. Do you two get along better here than back home?
[Since they're both Truth, that is.]
no subject
...We're about the same, I guess. Even if we both earned Reshiram's assistance, his reality - the one he wants anyway - is still different than mine.
[And she's too stubborn to let it go, just like him.]
We don't fight all the time, but we're not best buddies. There's the added fact that he's still familiar with you, not me. The first time I contacted him about it he thought I was insane.
no subject
I guess things do take time... But it must be hard to be forgotten and have to start over again. [Hilbert gives her a small look of pity as he speaks, though it's not condescending in the least.]
no subject
[...if she tells enough people that, maybe she'll believe it herself...]
no subject
And it wouldn't be good to be fighting on the inside while we're fighting the United Nations. Does he know you have Victini?
no subject
no subject
The Initiative is probably up to date about it by now, too, since they provide us with everything. Did you know we have a library here? They've got books from our world, too, so all the myths are present.
[It may seem like a trivial fact, but it's kind of a warning: Others could learn about Victini's power too if they looked.]
no subject
Maybe I'll go check it out and take out the books with it in them.
no subject
[Because he kind of wanted to show Kougyoku his mythical dragon buddies.]
no subject
no subject
No! Hilda, that isn't right and you know it. Those aren't just legends and stories, they're our history and one of the only things that still connects us to home. How can you even think about burning them?
[He is genuinely upset by this. In his world, the history was cherished so much it was preserved in Opelucid City (and later on, they would stop construction on Route 4 after finding the ruins)!]
no subject
[Learning from the past is fine -- but holding onto it obsessively after its use is over isn't. She likes the legends, she likes the history, but there are more important things at hand.]
What if someone found out about it? [Victini squirms under her hand; she doesn't notice. She's not quite shouting, but her voice is raised and she's got a harsh tone.] Even if it was another Transport, even if it was the Initiative -- they'd use it. I made a promise, and I'm not going to back down on it.
[She looks down at her partner, still squirming, and closes her eyes. It isn't Hilbert's fault his view sucks (in her eyes), nor is it her fault that her world stated time marches on and to pave the way for a better tomorrow today.]
...I know it means a lot, Hilbert. I miss Unova, and I miss my friends, and I miss my family. I miss everyone and everything about it. If I thought it'd be safer to leave them in there, with the hope that no one would want to find out more about it, then I would... but I can't stand the idea of anyone, good or bad, taking advantage of Victini on a rumor.
no subject
I'd rather you just steal them than burn them. Give them to me; I'll keep them safe. That way, you won't have to worry about it and I'll be able to make sure they don't come under any harm. Please.
[He's not quite begging her, but he is pleading for their safety. He knows it was her duty at any cost to protect Victini, but if the fee was knowledge? No. He can't allow that.]
no subject
I'm not going to let any harm potentially come to you, Hilbert. I mean, I know you're strong, but the Initiative has an army. Our side or not, the war would be over quicker with ensured victory. Other Transports could get the bright idea to see how true its legend is.
[Hilda tugs Victini closer, trying to calm it with little pets. It isn't working; she can feel herself getting mad at it too.
But she wants to compromise, somehow.]
Can't I just burn the pages that are about it? I can be careful.
no subject
[Books do that. Hilbert shakes his head and steps towards her, palms up and still pleading.]
Hilda, I swear I won't let anyone take them. Or even find out about them in regards to the other Transports. The Initiative don't want to kill anyone on their side, so there's no way they'd do it just for a legend. They'd have to have proof. Stories don't do much here without it. Do you trust me?
[Please.]
no subject
Sort of. She'd trust N more, if he knew her; Mei is a good girl, but out of the question; Hilbert is the only one, at this point, isn't he?
Victini seems to give up on getting out of her arms when she gives up on the topic. This topic is obviously not going anywhere.]
Fine. [She feels somewhat exhausted now. It's been a while since she got really angry-- maybe, she thinks, she was just turning it on him. Not a terribly good hero. She laughs at the thought, but clears her throat quickly.] Sorry. It's been a bad month.
[A slight overstatement, but this argument was already overstated.]
no subject
Thanks. [The apology is empty to him, since he understands, and to forgive her would be saying he was right in this. No one's right with this sort of argument.] Being taken so suddenly to fight a war that's not yours is draining on anybody.
[Hilbert's okay because he doesn't mind this new adventure, a new place to explore and learn about. And N's here, so that's that mission completed too.]
no subject
You still seem pretty chipper. [That's an understatement.] Sorry this has turned out to be such a crap time, too. I'm used to spending the holidays with my mom.
no subject
Me too, and with Cheren and Bianca... It isn't so bad though, you know. I've learned a lot about you. And I feel like I can fully put my trust in you since I don't feel like you're hiding anything from me.
[He's got your back, Hilda, if anything happens.]
Anyway, we probably should see if we can check out those books first or if we're going to have to request them or buy them or something. I'm willing to shell out some-- what do they call them, marks? Whatever, so money for them.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)