Easier to Run [Jay]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]Kali's throat was starting to burn, and flared a bit at his response. "....You..." She sighed regretfully. "You don't understand." It wasn't a question, nor did it sound like she was trying to change his mind. Rather, she was simply stating that basic truth. That pained smile returned, and she shook her head. "I don't know... why I thought you would." She laughed and turned to leave, then stopped, riding the line between continuing and turning back around. In the end, she just stayed frozen halfway. "...I need to find out." [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]Yue unfolded his arms and stared at Kali without words. His lips pressed together and relaxed again as though he were trying to say something but couldn't. He didn't know what to say, didn't understand, and was still frustrated that she had brought up that topic to him. After a moment, he turned on his heels and bent down to pick up the wrench he had been using. "Guess so," he said flatly. Yet something in him physically hurt as if some weight had set itself precariously enough on his chest to both block his breath and cause pain any time he tried to breathe. [/scrolly]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]She drew blood on her lip this time, barely noticing the pain or taste; her eyes scrunched and tears welled. "..................................Alone." She didn't elaborate, and prayed she not only wouldn't 'have' to (for his clarification), but wouldn't need to (because something would suddenly happen to make it change). [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]A finger twitched. A head turned back, and an eye stared. A skittish feeling followed by inconsolable anguish rushed through him at seeing Kali like this. For all his irritation at her words, he found it hard to be angry at her, and those tears made something in him flinch. He still didn't know what to say though; he still didn't want to deal with the situation. He didn't understand, and a part of him didn't want to understand. However, a greater part of him didn't want to see her breaking like this either. Goddamnitsympathy.... He reassured himself that if it was for anyone else- save for maybe the Master- he would not feel this; he wouldn't care. The sound of metal on the floor suddenly alerted Yue to the fact that he had dropped the wrench, and a quiet sigh followed after. "Kali, you are not alone. Never alone..." Leon spoke quietly, carefully. Standing up fully, he slowly made his way back over to her. His lip twitched, unable to settle on anything. [/scrolly]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]For once, this didn't console her at all. If anything, it seemed to make it slightly worse. "That's the problem," she replied weakly. "...As lonely as I've been, I-..... I can't remember.. ever being completely alone." She thought to try to look up to him, but chickened out at the last moment and looked away instead. "I always had.. at least Stormy.. I've never.... had the chan-" No, that wasn't the right wording. "Or never taken the time.. Never... found out who I'd be, completely on my own.. Never.... relied on only myself.. I..." She felt like she was being crushed from every side, but forced the words. "I don't-.. I-..." She choked. "My entire self-worth shouldn't be dependent on those around me." [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]Yue mentally groaned and brought a finger up to his temple massaging it a little- fighting back the urge to scan his own history for when he had been completely alone. He already knew of one of the few instances- it having been burned into his mind since childhood, but even as he fought it off, it kept coming back again. "Are you saying you want to be completely alone?" he asked after a moment. [/scrolly]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]She--... His tone... Kali almost wanted to take offense; didn't he realize this was hard enough? She couldn't seem to bring herself to be actually-mad though. "No-" she replied a little defensively, and then, "...Yes? I.... I don't want to, I--" Deep breaths. Deeep breaths. Dammit Kali those breaths were not being deep. Forcing herself to steady and look at him, eyes pleading, she went on. "Leon... The only thing I'm not questioning about myself right now... is that I love you, more than anything. And I won't.... go-" she choked a bit on the word- "unless... unless you're okay with it, but..... I don't want to be alone. I just... think I need a chance to be.... to....." Her voice grew even weaker, less certain. "Find.. myself... I guess...." She sighed heavily. "That does sound dumb out loud...." [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]Her initial reply brought a crease to his lips and a flicker of something beyond ease to his eye. However, as she continued, a part of him relaxed-- if only for a second. She was serious... She... really wanted to go out and do whatever, away from home and....heh... And he'd said he'd never call the lab a full home... He stared at her unable to find what he wanted to say. She ... she just...she...she...but... Yue couldn't get his thoughts straight at all. What had started out as anger was now complete confusion, and a sudden rush of helplessness that he never fathomed could exist in such a high quantity in himself was rushing through his veins. He didn't say anything or rather couldn't say anything. Instead, he just stood there staring for a good minute with a look akin to defensiveness but not quite even that... After a moment, Leon took in a rather heavy breath and ended up flipping himself around to face the machine again his nails suddenly digging into skin as he tried to find whatever it was that he wanted to say. If he could play it off with a smile, he would have. If he could just feign indifference and laugh, he would have. However, Yue couldn't. Why would she want this? Even if he had told her to get out just a few minutes prior, the prospect of her leaving for some extended period was all but making him physically sick. It was silly. This was silly. Make it stop though! Just...just..Just stop... She...she...didn't need to do this...and...but what if she's out there alone and something happens and................She wouldn't even have pokemon to defend her and...... A sharp breath came before the actual reply. "If you go, you know you can always come home any time...." was finally what was said. The words shook, like some hybrid resonance that didn't belong to his vocal chords. Slowly looking back, Yue offered what he could - a weakened smile that could barely mask any of what he wanted to. [/scrolly]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]Once again, Kali began to tear up, but this time with a legitimate smile on her face. She flung herself at him and clung tight, even with his back to her. "Thank you." She just held tight for some ten seconds, then loosened her grip to move around in front of him. Hesitantly but hopefully, she offered, "Ya know... learning to take better care of myself... Heh.. It should also help me learn to be a better wife to you, in the future, eh..?" [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]The hug met a surprised expression followed then by something more relaxed. Arms raised themselves and wrapped comfortably around Kali, and Leon found himself wishing she didn't have to go- didn't have to leave...didn't want to leave. Something remained unsettled in his stomach but he couldn't bring himself to address it. Her last words brought a distilled smile to his face. A quiet weak laugh followed. He wanted to tell her she was fine as she was and that she didn't have to go to be a good wife to him. He wanted to continue to try and keep her there- keep her home. A part of him couldn't let it go, and he knew but didn't quite accept why. "Maybe..." he finally sighed with a smile. "Just try not to get attacked by anything." A laugh followed, but Yue was more than a little serious on that matter. [/scrolly]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]That 'maybe' crushed and surprised her-... though the latter less than she'd like to pretend. For just a moment, she looked really horrified until he went on. ..Oh. ..Heh. That.. that was all he meant.. right..? 'Maybe' like... 'if' she came back? She was going to keep telling herself it was just him being paranoid in that regard. She forced a smile at him. "Everything will be fine," she told them both in all regards. Offering a weak laugh, she added, "No matter who I am.. it shouldn't change who I love... ....just as long as you still love whatever kind of person I am when I get back." Then, in hopes of both easing his fears and distracting him before he could have a chance to give a potentially less-than-ideal response to the previous words, she mused, "I'm thinking... I'll take Gold. The younger of my Shiny Rattata, I mean. As ideal as being literally alone would be, I... I do understand it's dangerous out there and.. yeah... Heh... He's probably the closest thing to not having a Pokemon while not being.. totally unprotected, heh.." She'd take Nibbler or Cheddar, but honestly? She'd rely too much on them. They were brave and outgoing: Nibbler was ever-eager to prove his strength and Cheddar was such a ladies's man he couldn't resist helping out. Gold was laid back, smaller, younger- nothing special. She also had barely done anything with him since he was born. He was a barely-pet, not a companion. She wouldn't feel bad about leaving him in his PokeBall all the time, because that's where he always was now; in fact, asking too much of him suddenly would probably make her feel bad given her new revelations. He'd be there in emergencies, but rarely otherwise, which was exactly what she felt she needed. ...The fact that Kali had quite a bit of experience battling with Rattata and making better use of them than most did not hurt her decision; the fact that she was probably going to be disappointed when Gold didn't live up to anything near the bar set by Nibbler didn't occur to her at the moment. [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]Whatever person she was when she got back? Yue didn't know how to answer that, but as it seemed Kali quickly changed the conversation, he allowed it to leave his immediate thoughts for the moment at least. Ah, she was at least taking one pokemon... thank Go-..... ....... Right. That was certainly soothing at the very least. "Good..." he sighed heavier than intended. "Do you need Pen or anything?" he asked suddenly finding himself rushing over with thoughts of what she would need... She could pack for herself, but....he didn't want her to be caught off guard by something... or something... [/scrolly]

[Admiral Striker General]

[cs=3][atrb=style,height:87px;width:469px;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:0 black none;border-radius:40px;-moz-border-radius:40px,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/kalitable2.png,bTable]
[atrb=style,width:215;border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,height:265;width:221;border:0 black none;color:b7b7b7;][scrolly:h(265),w(221),sy,as(padding:4px;)]She blinked. "I--..." She hadn't thought about that at all. Right.. "Uh... I.. don't know? I mean, obviously but.... Is it making it on my own if I'm living on your or Daddy's money?" The latter referred to the time between running away and meeting him. When Kali thought about it, she supposed she'd sort of done this kind of thing before.. but that was with Stormy. It would be harder this time, which was precisely why she needed to do it. "Hrm." She touched her chin and stared at nothing in particular as she thought, and for the moment her anxiety was actually almost forgotten in her concentration on this one matter. "I guess... I did work for my pay...... evenifwhatIactuallyearnedrecentlywas-kindofstolen..." The last part was muttered quite under her breath. "I'll need enough... to tie me over until I can---" She blinked again, even more surprised. "...find a job." The words were incredulous. Somehow only once she said it did it fully sink in how strange it would be to work for anyone other than her master. "...Heh..." Right.. But.. moving on.. "But.. yeah.. Enough to last til then without.. making things too easy, I guess?" She sighed. "I don't know." [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,height:22;border:0 black none;]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/yuetable.png);color:#111111;width:492;height:400;line-height:14px;][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(230),w(271),sy,as(padding:9px;margin-top:130px;margin-left:204px;)]Yue stared with worried surprise as Kali explained that she would need to get an actual job, and the sinking feeling that his apprentice was leaving suddenly threatened to upset him. Forcing a smile and a laugh, he nodded his head quietly before actually speaking. "Alright..." he sighed. "About... four or five hundred then...?" His voice had started out controlled but had gotten quiet rather quickly. It was a question, a guestimation. Wherein he could calculate the amount of chemical he needed to mix with another, he couldn't even begin to guess how much would be needed for some undefined measure of time. [/scrolly]