leaf 008 | [video; action for Goldenrod]

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[Video]

[This is the Goldenrod gym. Do you hear that sniveling? Yes, it's who you think it is. Whitney is there, flanked by her usual clique of trainers, and Clover is pointing at her with an accusatory finger. Our pink-haired protagonist (no, not Whitney) is surrounded by her winning team - an Absol, a Roselia and a Furret towering over them all.

...actually, the Roselia is kind of backing away slowly to join the Pikachu in charge of Clover's Gear.]

You...you meanie!

Shut up! Stop crying already! I won fair and square, so hand over that badge! And everything that goes with it!

[Whitney continues sobbing, and shakes her head. A blonde with a Meowth at her heels speaks up, twisting the end of her braid.]

Don't worry, she'll calm down eventually...

[And then the unlucky blonde also gets yelled at.] She should calm down now! I don't have time for this! [Clover turns and glares at Whitney, and stomps her foot.] Just give the Plain Badge to me and get this over with! Geez, what kind of gym leader are you?!

I think she's calming down now...

She better be! [Clover extends her hand in the classic GIMME THAT OR ELSE gesture.] Oh, and by the way, you should all look before you force people into dresses. At least try to tell girls and guys apart, will ya? 

[With this sort of mood, one can see how and why Clover escaped an unwanted makeover. Soon, Whitney calms down and goes through the formalities of handing over the badge, the squirt bottle and the other rewards, and Clover just mutters a simple "thanks" before striding out of the gym, followed by her team - as well as the Pikachu who flicks the Gear off.]

[Action - Goldenrod Mall, half an hour later]

[If you're at the mall, you might run into Clover looking over a display of stones, deep in thought. Her Zephyr Badge and Plain Badge are pinned proudly to her jacket. And her Roselia is following her veeeeery closely as if he'd get lost if he took a single step away from her. A Pikachu is whispering something to a Jigglypuff, meanwhile.

Clover digs through her jacket pockets and pulls out her wallet.]

Hey, Light, I think I might just have enough for a Shiny Stone. 

[The Roselia beams. His Roserade days are about to begin and he'll be looking girlier too]

And hopefully I'll be able to save up for Moon Stones, a Thunder Stone and a Fire Stone. Hopefully.

[Private call to Ken Amada]

How're you and your friend doing? You coming to Goldenrod?

[Private call to Miles Edgeworth]

Need anything from the mall? Or anywhere? Say it now 'cause after this I'll be at work. [She got a job at the Center so she's not far from him at all, but still. Work.]

[Filtered AWAY from Miles Edgeworth]

[Suddenly, Clover is dead serious.]

By the way, anyone got any tips on how to deal with a murderous Mareep that likes shocking people to within an inch of their lives? Don't suggest rubber gloves 'cause I've already gotten three pairs. And don't suggest getting rid of him either 'cause I think Miles is gonna keep him. The kid won't even let me take charge of the crazy thing while he's confined at the Center.

[She makes a noise that sounds like an irritated and a worried "ugh".]

If that Mareep tries electrocuting anyone again, I swear I'm gonna turn him into a wool coat and veal cutlets. 

[IT'S JUST A THREAT but it's clear Clover absolutely hates this Mareep. Well, she had been shocked too. Just...not to within an inch of her life, at least.]

[ALSO ALSO ALSO: BADGE WAS MOD-APPROVED!]

Comments

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

...it's the least I could do.

[Clover goes over to Rom and squeezes her shoulder.]

[miniworth]

You're doing a lot more than you have to.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[She frowns sadly, her hand still on Rom's shoulder. The Roserade wanders over to her, taking her other hand.]

...I could've done more. I should've done more.

[miniworth]

I stopped you. It's not your fault.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

I should've still gone with you! Even if you said no, even if you try to lock me up and throw away the key...I should never have left you alone!

[Clover can't keep quiet about this anymore. Especially not after talking about it with Ken. Her shoulders are shaking, she's just standing there, and the Roserade is now fully latched onto one of her arms.]

[miniworth]

... [ He sits himself up straighter and reaches for her hand, pulling it from Romulus' shoulder. ]

You didn't know this was going to happen, and neither did I. There is absolutely no reason for you to be blaming yourself for any of this.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

I...but if I had just been there...

[Her outburst fades into a quiet whisper.]

I'm supposed to be taking care of you. Keeping you safe.

[miniworth]

That's none of your responsibility. [ Just a bit, he's scowling. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

I don't care! I want to repay you for everything you've done...

...and I can't stand around while things happen to the people I know. Not anymore.

[Even if she eventually understood what happened with her brother's disappearance, she wouldn't wish disappearing or anything just as bad or uncertain on anyone.

Sorry, you have joined the ranks of People Clover Is Attached To.]

[miniworth]

[ He raises an eyebrow at her. ]

You can repay me by staying away from the sheep and staying where you won't get hurt and lying in bed as well.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

... [She looks away.]

But if he has another go at you, I'll have to do something. Something better than last time.

[miniworth]

[ He just frowns. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

I can't let you get hurt again.

[miniworth]

It's not like you let me this time.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

Still. I don't want to just be a hanger-on.

[miniworth]

I never said you'd be one.

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[She just sighs, and ends up sitting down on the side of the bed.]

[miniworth]

[ Dead. Pan. ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[And she will sit there for a while before finally deciding to get up.]

I should get ready for work.

...

Sorry. I wanted to get that off my chest.

[But Clover, didn't you already do that when you talked to Ken?]

[miniworth]

... I've told you that I'd listen. You don't have to apologize.

[ He feels bad that he's being cold to her. But... 8( ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[WELL Clover's been a whirlwind of moods today. She'll probably be better after work.

And without Snake to be protective of...]

...

Thanks.

[She stands up again, walks over to her bed (where the Jigglypuff and Pikachu have fallen asleep, and puts on a white robe with a little nameplate. The Roserade is a little duckling, being all duckling-like along the way.]

[miniworth]

[ Pip ducklings after the Roserade DD8 ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[Light notices, and gives Pip a cautious pat on the head. Clover crouches down in front of Pip.]

Work first, walk later, all right? I won't be long.

[miniworth]

[ BUT WALK. D8 ]

[4leafcleaver.livejournal.com]

[And this is Clover ruffling Pip's mane, giving him a little grin. She's clearly looking and feeling better.]

I promise. Unless you wanna come to work with me?