"Using 'I don't care' as an excuse, always running away

[usedswift]

Who: Tenten (usedswift) and Yumi (notchinese)
Where: Seafoam Islands
When: June 21 (Friday)
Summary: Tenten's got some questions about who Yumi really is. And who she's after.
Rating: PG for potential badass lady violence
Log:

[It takes a while to get to Seafoam from the Lake of Rage. How was she supposed to know that Yumi wouldn't appear in the last place she'd left her? By the time Tenten comes swooping in, the late afternoon sun is shimmering off the wings of her Skarmory. She flies over the islands once, twice, circling to make sure she can find the other girl, before zeroing in and landing just a few meters away on the beach. She's got her forehead protector on for once, because after the chaos last week, and with her Pokémon getting stronger? She's less than willing to hide.]

It's been a long time, huh?

Comments

[notchinese]

...

[As much as Yumi wanted to explain about the marks and everything else Tenten was talking about, she couldn't find the courage to do so. Instead, Yumi stayed quiet, being conflicted with what to say next.]

[usedswift]

Explain it.

[Tenten's reaching about the end of her patience, closing the distance and grabbing the other girl by the collar. Feng hisses warningly behind her in response to that, wings spreading -- he doesn't like anyone that close to his trainer.]

That's why I came all the way here, because I trusted you to be able to explain what happened. So do it.

[notchinese]

[Yumi didn't fight back but she still was saying nothing, still conflicted over what to say. Break her friend's oath yet again or throw away her friendship with Tenten? She's already told Shino some bits but that was during a distressing moment. Is right now a good moment to explain too?]

I...can't. I mean, I don't know!

[usedswift]

Can't, or won't?

[notchinese]

I...can't.

I can't say anything.

[usedswift]

How can we be friends if you won't even explain how some evil-maybe-clone decided we weren't, huh?

[She just lets go of her collar and shoves a little to get her away.]

Fine. Sorry I came.

1/2

[notchinese]

[And then history was repeating itself yet again.]

[Yumi didn't say anything, just looking stunned and still conflicted. She certainly felt like crying but being the strong girl she was, she couldn't. Not in front of Tenten.]

[notchinese]

[Instead, she got angry. She wasn't going to lose another friend again.]

[She grabbed Tenten by the arm as if to prevent her from trying to leave.] You want answers? Fine, I'll give you answers.

[usedswift]

[Even without her Chakra again, Tenten still has enough instincts to turn and twist her arm, breaking out of the hold. From the way her teeth are gritted and her eyes are suspiciously wet, it's easy to tell that walking away hadn't been something she'd wanted to do either.

She crosses her arms over her chest, forcing her voice to sound as normal as she could.]

Then talk.

[notchinese]

[It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going through Tenten's mind right now and Yumi could see that. However, it still didn't change things though.]

The marks are her creator's way of seeing the world for himself. He can't tell her what to do if he doesn't know what's going on with everyone.

[usedswift]

So you're saying it really was a clone? Who's her creator?

[She still doesn't know if she can believe it... she wants to, though.]

What is she, then?

[notchinese]

She's anything but human.

[Her fist tightens as her anger slowly rises.]

Same goes for her creator. Me and my friends have been dealing with him for the past three years and we thought we were finally done with him until recently.

[usedswift]

But what happened? [she persisted, frowning and crossing her arms tighter.] Why would someone make a copy of you that uses lightning against people?

[notchinese]

Judging from past experiences, she was either looking for me or just wanted to ruin my name in this place. The creator doesn't care what happens as long as he's getting what he wants.

[usedswift]

Which is?

And why you?

[notchinese]

[She hesitates a bit before answering.]

He's not happy we're keeping him from complete world domination.

[usedswift]

World domination.

[Yeah she doesn't know if she believes that.]

Keep going.

[notchinese]

[She sighs, as she crossed her arms fairly close to her chest.]

Well, what more do you want me to explain?

[usedswift]

Maybe the how's a good start. You're a good fighter, I know that already, but how's even a group of people like you supposed to stop someone with aims that grand on your own?

[notchinese]

You know, we thought how that was going to work too. I mean, how are a bunch of teenagers supposed to prevent some computer program from taking over the world while keeping a low profile in society?

Well, all the credit could go to two of my friends. Sometimes I think it was dumb luck, considering how stupidly we were close to death countless times.

[usedswift]

Ah--

[And that's where she loses her.]

What's a computer program? I mean I know what a computer is, but what's a program, a series of arranged... things?

[notchinese]

A computer program is basically a set of commands in a computer.

From what we found out about him, he only had one job to do for his creator until he became self-aware and made up his own goals to accomplish.

[usedswift]

So you're telling me a... computer -- like the PCs in the PokéCenter? -- created an evil clone of you and wanted her to attack me?

[She pauses and shakes her head, though finally... she glances up, lips quirking into a small smile.]

Your world must be one messed-up place.

[notchinese]

Well, the computer I'm talking is a really strong and super computer. I mean, there's a whole other world in there.

[She sighs, running a hand through her hair.]

Maybe it is but life's messed up in general, isn't it? [..] Unless you mean compared to what you heard of..

[usedswift]

A little bit of both.

[She sighs herself and gives her another glance.]

Alright. Let's say I believe you. What now?