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.
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[...if she tells enough people that, maybe she'll believe it herself...]
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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?
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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.]
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Maybe I'll go check it out and take out the books with it in them.
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[Because he kind of wanted to show Kougyoku his mythical dragon buddies.]
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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)!]
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[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.
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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.]
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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.
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[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.]
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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.]
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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If we have to check them out, do you think they have a due date?
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[It's his fault she's not going to be able to destroy any evidence of Victini's legend, too. He should deal with them on his own.]
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All right, all right. I guess it makes since as to why you'd want to burn them, if that's the case.
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And I will! I'm just teasing you, that's all. I'll take care of everything.
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You're a great guy, Hilbert. Stubborn with the mind of an old man, but a great guy.
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And you're something else yourself, you know. Bull-headed and beautiful, a real lady warrior who wants things done her way no excuse.
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[Beautiful?]
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