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[hearts_beat]

(OoC: Set after this)

[Ellen felt so weak and helpless. She screwed up big time dealing with that Vacuumoid monster and paid for it big time. Her form as Cure Beat left her without her Pokemon and using her Pokemon would have made her too vulnerable.

Her frustration over all of this and her own body feeling weak was too much, causing her to stumble against a wall.]

Help... me... please...

[She just wanted to get home, but that didn't seem likely at all. Someone wanna help her out?]

Comments

[blackrose_born]

[What found her was, fortunately, not a monster. Perhaps unfortunately, it wasn't a human, either - it was a six foot tall bird wearing what looked like armor and a saddle. Possibly an ostrich, but when did they ever start growing BLUE feathers? It poked at her gingerly with a concerned-sounding kweh. Then it did something strange.]

[It started glowing in what could only be a spellcasting manner. A short cast later, and Ellen was the lucky recipient of Choco Regen.]

[Unfortunately, Choco Regen isn't what you'd call a heavy duty healing spell. Fortunately for Ellen, though, there's someone else coming - someone really short, with hair the same color as the bird's feathers. Someone with what can only be called a fairy following her. In spite of her childlike appearance, however, her voice is neither cutesy nor childlike.]

I heard about the ruckus going on here; the fighter types seem to have things just about wrapped up, but I didn't see a healer among them. You look like you could use some help.

[hearts_beat]

[Ellen was a little worried that the creature that found her was ready to finish her off, but that worry faded as she was hit with the Choco Regen spell. It wasn’t much, but she could feel her strength returning. She blinked at the arrival of the other person. The bird’s owner, perhaps?]

Th-thanks... I... tried to help, but it caught me off-guard...

[blackrose_born]

Something as odd as that thing, I'm rather surprised there were as few casualties as there seem to be. It seemed more interested in siphoning gasoline and power than anything else; perhaps that's why?

Hold still for a moment, please. I'm going to use magic to heal your wounds and treat some of that drainage - it won't hurt, but the feeling has been described as quite odd.

[She'll wait for Ellen to comply, or refuse the healing. Either way, the ball's in her court now.]

[hearts_beat]

It might be. It said something about bringing a "Messiah" here, but... that's not good news, not the way he was going about it.

...go ahead. You can do so.

[Ellen would let out a soft sigh as she waited for the healing to take effect.]

[blackrose_born]

Anyone I've ever heard speak of bringing someone or something to a place for their own purposes has only accomplished one thing - the bringing of grief. Whether that of the people they seek to lead, the ones they seek to oppress, or the ones that have to step in to stop them matters little.

[She sets about casting her spells - and they're far from weak ones. These are spells designed to stop a tank buster attack cold and bring the affected warrior back to full fighting strength. Ellen might even have something of a surplus of energy when all is said and done.]

[hearts_beat]

[Oh, wow, she can't help but feel... amazing! Stronger even! She hadn't expected such an effect and yet it was quite welcome. Though her companion's talk did dredge up a few unpleasant memories from her past.]

I know how that it is. It's not worth it, at all.

[blackrose_born]

Never. If such a figure is to arise, better they rise naturally, and slowly, earning the trust of the people they would lead without delusions of grandeur. A leader who stands above and apart from those he leads is no leader at all.

[The euphoria won't last forever, unfortunately - her natural energy levels should even out before too long, certainly no more than a few minutes. But for now, Aes lets her have the rush.]

[hearts_beat]

[It takes Ellen a little bit to adjust to what she's been given, but after awhile, she finally calms down enough that she feels much better than she was earlier.]

I... I have to thank you for doing this. You really helped me out.

[blackrose_born]

[The diminutive mage smiles.] My pleasure. Any other day, it might have been me that needed the help. Now, are you intending to get back out there and continue fighting, or have you had your fill for the day? I know a place where you can get a good meal for really quite reasonable prices, and I'm willing to treat you, considering what you've just been through.

[hearts_beat]

I hate to say this, but I'm going to call it a day. He's probably either already defeated or long gone. I wouldn't mind taking up that offer, though...

[Ellen smiles at the mage]

I'm Ellen Kurokawa.

[blackrose_born]

I don't blame you one bit. Given the choice, I'd probably walk away too. [Is that a wry edge to her smile? If Ellen had any idea how many gods this tiny woman has fought...]

Aeslyn Blackrose. My friends call me Aes.

[leafheld]

[Soon after Aes had helped her, Suguha had managed to get off her work under the pretext of heading home. In fact, she was looking for Ellen as she ran up to her.]

Ellen, are you okay? You look all right...

[hearts_beat]

[Ellen let a sigh of relief, but she did shake her head.]

I’m fine, but... I screwed up...

[leafheld]

What happened? There was news of an attack and you weren't at home so...

[hearts_beat]

I... I went out there...

[She clutches the Cure Module still in her hand.]

I thought I could stop it and it took me off-guard!

[leafheld]

You what? How could you do that? Why? There's not enough adjectives to go with how surprised I am at that.

[hearts_beat]

I could because I’m a he—

[She stops and pulls back, looking away.]

[leafheld]

....

[Suguha sighed deeply for a long moment, before shaking her head.]

I'm just glad you're safe.

[hearts_beat]

I’m sorry I... worried you.

[Ellen hangs her head a bit and lets out a sigh.]

...you wouldn’t believe me if I did say it...

[leafheld]

Try me. I've seen a lot of weird stuff before.

[hearts_beat]

[And Ellen holds up the Module]

Where I’m from, I fight things like that. I can’t just... y’know, let someone else do it!

[leafheld]

Oh, I see. That makes a lot of sense.

[She smiled and placed her hands on Ellen's module for a moment.]

As long as you take care of yourself, I'm okay with you running off to fight a monster, okay?

[hearts_beat]

You... you’re okay with it? I-I mean...! I...

[She sniffles a bit at that, taking her own hands to hold both hers and the Module]

[leafheld]

I have no room to question what's normal for anyone in any world, considering my world seems to revolve around games that could kill you for real.

[She smiled and tugged Ellen into a hug for a moment.]

Seriously, just open up to me. I'm willing to talk about your problems. Okay?

[hearts_beat]

I’m sorry... I should have, but I wasn’t sure if it was right. If I had the right. You’re my roommate and...!

I just wasn’t sure how you’d accept me being a magical girl. A PreCure.

[leafheld]

[Suguha chuckled a little, shaking her head.]

You're living the dream of a lot of young girls. As a magical girl shouldn't you be inspiring young children everywhere?

Don't be so down on yourself, you'll adjust in time. And then you'll whoop the guy responsible for beating you up.

[hearts_beat]

Eheh, I should, but I... got a long way to go. I messed up big time before I got here. So, it’s really touch and go here...

Heh, who knows? Maybe I can inspire someone here...

[leafheld]

Yeah, you probably could. If you need to work on it, then do it. It shouldn't be a big problem to be yourself. Right?

[hearts_beat]

No, no, it isn’t. Heh, I’m sorry for putting this all one you.

[leafheld]

It's okay, I just wanted to know that you'll be safe.