020 [Video/Action for Olivine]

[soggypastry]

[This has been a terrible couple weeks for one ex-Sergeant Farron, between Serah, Sora, Vanille, and Snow disappearing and the altercation with Leon that she doesn't know what to think of, even after almost two weeks. And with the last bit of hope she'd been holding to get Hope and the others home gone because getting the badges won't get them home

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[her_mouse_jesty]

[Also happens to be in the Center, and she hears the alarms. startled, she runs towards the room.]

Oh, no!

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[soggypastry]

[No need to be concerned, Minnie. There's no fire, just...a bit more smoke than there should be, and a Pikachu who's all but shocking the smoke detector as Lightning turns off the burner, removing her smoking meal from the heat and looking for something to stop the smoke. You know, before the nurses come running as they're apt to do at any second now.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

[It's her job to worry! So when she stops in the doorway and sees all of this insanity, she still asks.]

Is everyone okay?

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[soggypastry]

[The unfamiliar voice gets the attention of the little pokémon on the counter and gets the Pikachu to stop sparking, but Lightning doesn't look up until she's got the pan in the sink and is running water on it to get steam instead of smoke as the alarms finally stop.]

We're fine.

[Said by the woman who looks a shade too pale and just a tad worn out. It's not the lighting that's doing that.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

[She looks over the situation carefully, and then walks towards Lightning. Leon may or may not have told Lightning about a woman matching this description. She stops at Lightning's side.]

Are you sure? You don't look so well... why don't you take a seat and rest, and I'll clean up.

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[soggypastry]

[Leon hadn't told her, no, but Lightning has a vague recollection of seeing Minnie back during her escape from being kidnapped, so the face isn't entirely unfamiliar. That coupled with the fact that, yes, she is just a little shook up from the sudden surprise, is enough to get Lightning only give a token protest.

Not that...it'll hold up against much.]

You don't have to. I'm fine.

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[her_mouse_jesty]

[She pauses a moment, fairly recognizing Lightning as well. She smiles sweetly, putting a hand on the faucet.]

I don't mind, and I love to help others.

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[soggypastry]

[Lightning seems ready to protest again, but...in all honesty...it doesn't seem to her that Minnie's going to back down anytime soon. There are some battles you just have to walk away from.]

Okay. [Now she backs away, sinking to sit on the ground a little further down the counter. Don't mind the Pikachu chattering at you, Minnie. He's glad you got his trainer to sit!]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

Not to worry, some of this is still... edible!

[And so she begins trying to save whatever food is left, going back and forth from the stove and stink to make you a proper meal, miss lightning.]

Everyone makes mistakes... but you just seem a tad out of it, dear. Is there something on your mind?

[And she'll give Pikachu a friendly had-pat too.]

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[soggypastry]

[Lightning watches Minnie dart back and forth, trying to remember what she sees her in case this happens while she's alone and has no one to help out. She has to learn this stuff at some point or another.

Minnie's efforts are sorely appreciated, though; it's obvious that Lightning has little to no skill in the kitchen from the state of what's still edible in that pan. She hasn't cooked by herself in a long time.]

It's just...been a long couple weeks, that's all.

[A half-truth. There is a lot on her mind, but most if it's just going to stay there.]

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[her_mouse_jesty]

Oh, I can understand that.

[A dash of salt there, a bit of stirring here...]

This month has already been rough, with so many people leaving. But we'll surely see them again.

[and viola! A meal! She even gets Lightning a glass of water to go with it.]

There, that should do it...

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[soggypastry]

I hope you're right. A lot of them...didn't go back to peace and quiet.

[Not that many of them would have wanted it, but...still. The idea of what those closer to her are going back just doesn't sit right with her, especially since she can't do anything to help them.

She can stand, though. Stand and take care of herself, even if she needs help with that sometimes, which is precisely why there's a teeny tiny smile on her face as she stands up to take the prepared meal from Minnie's hands.]

Thanks.

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[her_mouse_jesty]

You're welcome.

[a pause, trying to connect names to faces and memories...]

... You're Miss Lightning, aren't you?

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[soggypastry]

[A nod, though the "Miss" part of that makes her wonder just where Minnie heard her name.]

Yeah. Minnie, right?

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[her_mouse_jesty]

It's a pleasure to see you again.

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[soggypastry]

[Lightning nods to that, smiling the tiniest amount. Compared to the last time...]

Yeah. It's good to see you're doing better than the last time we saw each other.