asgardeventide | Restless Magic

[Action; Gefion Park]

[It's a rare day off, which means Hibiki can be found sitting on a bench watching her animals at play! She really doesn't have enough time to spend with them, so she's happy to see that they seem to be enjoying the outdoors on this sunny day.

Happy, and a little... tired, actually.

By the time people come across her, she may well have just nodded off in her seat, her form slumped slightly to the side as she rests. The sheep, hummingbird, gusk and Cyndaquil currently running/scampering/flying around don't seem to have noticed, but there is a small hamster on her shoulder now nibbling on a bit of her hair.

...Someone may want to wake the poor girl up.]

[Video]

[And later, a video call! She is clearly pretty uncomfortable, her hands twisting and fidgeting in front of her.]

I... I didn't really want to ask about it before. I thought I could take care of it, but there's so much going on...

[Deep breath, Hibiki. It's okay to ask for help, remember? With a short gulp, she continues.]

I... have a lot of pets. But I can't take care of them as much as they need it. I work with the medical team and the suppliers. I just--

[Her expression falls as she falters.]

...I can't take care of them by myself anymore.

[As loathe as she is to admit it. Even at home, she had managed to take care of Shii-chan even while juggling her work, but here...

It seems she's bitten off more than she can chew.]

I don't know what to do with them... I have a sheep, a hummingbird, a gusk, a Cyndaquil, and a hamster. They're all really great, and they're well behaved, s-so...

I don't want to have to get rid of them... but I want to make sure they get cared for. What should I do...?

[It's almost like a plea. These animals - each one reminds her of people she can no longer see. To give them away just doesn't seem right. But neglecting them hardly seems proper, either.]

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All of them were gifts. Two of them got left behind when their owners left, so they left it with me. Then there's two that people gave me even before they left, and one that's a gift from the gods that comes from my home.

[Apparently something about Hibiki screams "give her a cute animal!" to folks around here - and probably with good reason, since she's so careful to take good care of them all.]

But isn't that mean to the tigers...?

[When he pricks his finger, she just sort of. Automatically reaches out to heal it. She might as well be of some kind of use.]

...I suppose I should. But everyone's so busy already... is it really okay to ask someone else to do it?

It probably has to do with the fire... I think.

The fire?!?

...

It's a pokemon, isn't it?

[Yeaaaah, weird name. Elemental attack. She'd seen these before. She'd just forgotten about this kind.]

[She... totally forgot to mention that, didn't she.]

Ah... yes, he's a pokémon. Sometimes there's fire on his back.

[She holds his side up to the camera so Sam can see the holes where the fire normally spurts out.]

[~~Sounds just like him~~ I mean, that makes things easier.]

Then it shouldn't be too hard. Could I see him?

I bet they’d enjoy the activity instead of being cooped in a cage.

[When she reaches out, he holds out his finger. Not going to say no to instant healing.]

You’re in two groups, right? Most people are only in one. So them helping you taking care of your pets is helping the war efforts. Solidarity and all sappy crap.

[ It definitely sounds like she's got "gift me with your animals" written on her forehead. The poor girl. ]

You sound like a magnet for animal gifts. [ Scott laughs a little, glad to hear she didn't irresponsibly keep getting them herself. ] I could keep some of them at my pet store... [ Minus the sheep. ] But I don't actually know what two of them are. What's a gusk and a Cyndaquil?

I used to be really nervous about those. Still a little... unsure. They kind of remind me of monsters back home, though that one's at least cute.

Sure! Hold on a moment.

[She turns and softly calls for "Fiery," and the Cyndaquil comes ambling up as promised. She picks him up very carefully, holding him up for Minato to see.

The fire normally on his back is out, for now.]

But making them fight is a little...

[It just seems bad, involving the poor creatures in the war too.]

...Even though it's my fault for taking in so many?

[Though they were also all gifts, and it's not like that sort of thing can be easily turned down. Even more so when it's a creature that depends on a human to survive.]

Really?

[That gets her to brighten immediately. There may be hope yet!]

Oh! A gusk is-- [Actually, it might just be easier to show him.] Um, hold on for a moment.

[She looks off screen, calling quietly for a "Hiroaki" and a "Fiery." The gusk runs up onto her shoulder almost immediately, whereas the Cyndaquil takes a bit more time to amble on up to her. Once Fiery has reached her lap, she carefully picks him up so Scott can see him properly.]

These two. The gusk is on my shoulder, and this here is a Cyndaquil.

[The Cyndaquil's back lacks fire at the moment, making him look especially harmless. The cute little "Cyndaaaa" just helps enforce this image.]

Fiery is really well behaved! He never even catches things on fire these days. I think the only reason he did at first was because he didn't realize what he was doing.

[Important things!]

[Hamel resumed sewing after she healed him, but now he stops again, putting the cape in his lap. He shoots Hibiki an irritated look.]

You should’ve thought about it earlier. It doesn't matter now, they’re your responsibility. Would you rather throw them out or quit one group because you’re ashamed to ask for help?

[Hibiki can make mittens out of them for all he cares, but sometime he really has no patience for her being insecurite.]

You have a problem, get over yourself and talk to people. This attitude isn’t going to help you or the animals.

We have a big house - two big houses, in fact - and I'm sure no one would mind adding another pet to it.

[ What is checking with everyone?

But really, he doesn't think they'd care. ]

T-two-?

[Wait how even- but--]

I didn't know you had so much space...

I can't let them go!

[Her voice becomes firm, if a little desperate right there. Though her head quickly dips down at the last part.]

...Then... Maybe when we get back, I'll try asking if anyone on the network could possibly... Um. Help.

[She still isn't entirely comfortable asking people for these things, but...]

[Hawkeye catches sight of the girl sleeping on the bench and heads over to check on her, plopping his skinny behind down next to her and giving her a gentle nudge.]

Been overworking yourself again, Hibiki?

Sorry, those things make me think of this company back home that used to make pets for people. They made monsters behind closed doors. It was weird.

...

He is cute though.

[Well, that was sort of agreeable. He nods, irritation makes way to his usual slight frown.]

You do that. I bet you can get at least one person for each animal. Just don’t stutter or anything.

[The thought of offering his own help doesn’t even cross Hamel’s mind, but it’s probably for the best. He doesn’t really get along with animals.]

[They've probably seen one another off in the distance in the medic group, though Athelstan has never formally spoken with the girl before now. Now, however, he turns on the feed with a small sigh, offering Hibiki a wry smile.]

My former roommate kept many dogs. He left this city recently, and so- I think I am familiar with your situation.

[ Scott goes a little slack-jawed at the sight of them, letting out an "aaw" at the sound the Cyndaquil makes. ]

Those are some cool-looking animals. What do they eat?

[The nudge is all that's needed to jolt her awake.]

Eh-- Oh, um. H-hello!

[Wait, he just said something, too.]

Overwork...? I don't think so...

[...Though the fact that she fell asleep here of all places says otherwise.]

[...Erm.]

Made... pets?

[How would you...]

Is it bad if I stutter?

[N-no pressure or anything...]

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