12th Lullaby ♫ - Action for Goldenrod || Video Post

[the_whitequeen]

[ Johto can probably finally get a break from their usual music playing in the background.

Mister Pink the Jigglypuff and Liana the Mawile are at it again. They have taken Lacus's gear again without her permission. Lacus's video of her singing was coming out and they wanted to make sure that everyone would be able to see it. At the moment, Lacus was walking around Goldenrod looking for those two.

Mister Pink was first to appear on the screen. To most people, he may sound like he is talking nonsense --- but in Pokespeak: "Lacus-sama's performance is playing. Please watch it!"

They pointed the camera towards the multiple screens to show a video of Lacus Clyne's performance on screen. It was a video of her performing in one of the cafes that she worked for. ]

In this quiet night, I'm waiting for you
During that time, your smile has faded away
Now that a little time has passed,
Fond memories start to resurface ...

[ A little after the song ended, the sound of footsteps interrupted and a relieved voice spoke. ]

There you two are ... I was so worried about you.

I was afraid you got lost --- ara? What have you two been up to?

Comments

[lif]

[ And the bow works! Or at least, Fang doesn't recognize the shyness. ]

Can't blame ya. Gettin' thrown together like that is a little odd, but I'm looking forward to it all the same.

That's what happens when you're good. And apparently pretty popular, if they're showin' it like that.

[the_whitequeen]

I am looking forward to it as well. I really ... want to be of help to all of you. Though ...

[ Smiling apologetically. ] ... I unfortunately cannot fight. I know this may pose as a problem, but I will do what is necessary.

I still want to become better. I want to reach as many people as possible and make them smile. That had been my dream as a little girl ...

[lif]

[ Fang shakes her head. ]

Wanting to do somethin' is important too. [ A grin. ] 'sides, that's what me and the others are around for, yeah?

Must be nice, being able to keep workin' on that dream even here.

[the_whitequeen]

[ She smiled. She liked Fang already. She was glad that that fact of her lack of fighting talent didn't discourage her. ]

It feel awful ... I will do my best not to depend on you and Saber too much.

I want to be able to stand on my own too.

[lif]

Think we're gonna take some time to regroup and figure things out. Dunno if you know Xion - we're gonna work on training her a bit more if time allows.

[ And by time she means Team Rocket, but she's not sure how openly they're supposed to be discussing this. Fang pauses slightly; at first it seemed Lacus was indicating a lack of desire to fight, but she wasn't sure she was reading her right. But it doesn't matter: better to make the offer than leave it unsaid. ]

Course, you're welcome to join us if you'd like.

[the_whitequeen]

[ Shaking her head. ] No. I don't ... believe I have ever met Xion.

There is ... something I need to be honest about ...

[ Lacus then realizes that the broadcast was over --- and was going to a commercial.

It was uncomfortable to stand around there, wasn't it? ]

May I treat you to lunch? That is ... if you have time? I think it would be wiser to be comfortable for this conversation.

[lif]

[ Well, that was an unexpected turn. But it seemed important to Lacus, and that's enough for Fang. She nods, setting Lin back down onto the ground. ]

I got all the time ya need. And lunch sounds great - fair warning: I tend to horrify people with the amount of salt I put on stuff. Take it you have a place in mind already?

[the_whitequeen]

[ She laughs at that, but shakes her head. She had seen strange eating habits before. She does live with a assorted types of children. ]

Thank you. Well ... if you don't mind, may we go to the cafe where I work? I want to speak to my superiors about that video.

Videotaping employees isn't supposed to be allowed.

[lif]

[ She nods, gesturing with a hand for Lacus to lead on. After all, Fang has no idea where she works, and she's not familiar enough with the city to guess from what the video had showed. ]

Sure. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

So you didn't know about that? [ Meaning the video and that it was going to be played like that. ]

[the_whitequeen]

[ She begins to walk to lead the way. Mister Pink and Liana quickly followed ... but Mister Pink decided to climb up Lacus's leg to be carried. He doesn't like walking very long distances. ]

I had no idea at all. Our cafe forbids it ... it is for our own safety.

[lif]

[ And Fang walks alongside her, just a step behind, and with Lin on her heels. ]

Mind me askin' why? What harm could somethin' like that do, 'less someone was already looking for ya?

[ The threats she's had to deal with have been a little more straightforward. ]

[the_whitequeen]

[ Liana waves hello to Lin and begins chatting. She wanted to know more about Fang and if she would be trouble for Lacus. ]

Well ... some fans and admirers can be very excitable.

It is really more for precaution really ...

[ She was trying to assure Fang. And then points to a cafe. It was almost hidden. ] It's there.

[lif]

[ Lin doesn't think so, reporting back that while Fang can be stern at times and scolds her Haunter if he wakes her up in the middle of the night, mostly she's easy-going and smiles a lot. As long as Lacus doesn't mind Fang's teasing, she concludes, they should be okay. ]

Never realized that could be a problem. But I've never known a singer before either.

And I would've walked right by it. Shall we? [ It's not really a question, as Fang's heading for the door already, though she does stop first. ] If you wanna talk with your boss first, go ahead.

[the_whitequeen]

[ Liana nods and then looked at Lacus. Since Lacus was smiling, she decided that it was a very good sign. She writes Fang as not a threat. She gives another smile to Lin and thanks her. ]

It is expected in such an industry ...

[ Once inside, she waved to the people she knew but shook her head. ] It is alright. That can wait ... and this can't. I am afraid it may disappoint you ... but I want to be very honest.

[lif]

[ Fang really has no idea what Lacus might be talking about, but at least it sounds like her curiosity won't go unanswered. ]

Honestly I ain't expectin' anything, so how can I be disappointed? I'll take the honesty though.

[ Perhaps blunt, but true. Still Fang isn't without some manners - seeing Lacus wave to people cemented this place as "hers" in Fang's mind, so she's waiting to see where Lacus chooses to go. It's etiquette from home, so it might not apply, but sharing a meal with someone is a big deal, and those are the hardest habits to break. Besides, to her mind it is polite. ]

1/2

[the_whitequeen]

This may ... seem a bit stubborn of me but ...

[ She leads her to a private area at the back of the store. Very few people sat there. ]

I want to stand by my principles of hurting anyone. I want to fight ... in my own way ... [ Which was to maim and make unable to fight. ]

I am not a stranger in the battlefield but I do not take lives or cause permanent damage to a person.

2/2

[the_whitequeen]

[ Nervous smile. ] Do I ... sound strange?

[lif]

[ Fang doesn't respond immediately, considering what Lacus had said with a small frown. ]

That way of fighting's a luxury. It's all well and good if the threat can be that easily contained, but it'd make ya a liability if it actually were life and death. You wouldn't last long where I come from.

[ Her posture and expression change then, becoming a little more relaxed. ]

But this ain't there. This place isn't a warzone, and I'm plannin' on keeping it that way. I joined so I could keep people safe, not to wipe 'em off the map.

[ Once again referring to Team Rocket and just trying to avoid being specific. Her eyes look past Lacus for a second because, frankly, she's not usually the type to say things like this out loud, and she's trying to figure out her phrasing. ]

We make our own choices, and if that's what you want to stick to, then that's the end of it. Doesn't even matter what I think. -For the record, not wantin' to kill people doesn't sound strange at all.

[the_whitequeen]

Thank you for listening ... I feel so much better now that I have told you.

I am so sorry for being so selfish ...

[ Despite how calm she looks, she is very guilty about her decision. Even now, yes --- she knows she is a liability. That is why she had to find a way to fight her way and not to endanger the others. ]

I wanted to be completely honest because I didn't want to become someone I don't know.

[lif]

Stop apologizin'. I'm the last person to blame someone for bein' stubborn, and you ain't asking for anything outlandish.

[ From Fang's point of view, Lacus is just saying that she's going to stick to her convictions. Fang respects that. ]

As I said, I appreciate the honesty. If we're gonna be teammates, it's good to know what you're gettin' into, yeah?

[the_whitequeen]

[ Without really meaning to --- she giggled. ]

You are quite honest yourself. Thank you. Most people would regard me as a child after hearing my principles ...

... but I honestly don't feel like a child. [ How could she when she survived two wars. ] Honesty is a good quality to have between teammates, yes. And friends. I hope we can become friends too, Fang.

[lif]

[ She smiles. ]

Well, you do remind me of someone, least a little bit. Maybe that's why.

But you bet - I don't think bein' friends sounds like such a tall order either.

[ She likes what she knows about Lacus so far! Though that makes her realize the exchange so far has been a little lopsided: she knows a bit more about Lacus than the other way around. ]

[the_whitequeen]

[ Lacus was pretty much a very open book. ]

Is it alright ... if I ask questions about you too?

[lif]

Heh. I was just thinking this wasn't very fair. Don't be shy; go right ahead.

[the_whitequeen]

Do you have friends from ... your original home in this world?