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[ She's been contemplating this, yes, ever since she got her ass handed back to her by Vanitas. She's lost, sure, many times in fact... but this one in particular... ]

How... when do you know you're strong? That you're not weak?

[ She might end that last sentence in a bitter hiss. Sure, she's lost, but when it involves her friends (and Pokemon), it becomes another thing. She couldn't beat Vanitas, came out even more battered, and well aware her appearance would worry friends. So lately she's been hanging around the roof of Goldenrod City's Department Store.

It sounds like she's going to say more, but whatever it is dissolves into a sigh and stops. ]

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[Everything's easier with magic. Mostly.]

Being there for them when they need you. Supporting them as best as you can, helping them with things they have trouble doing. Not everything has to end in a fight.

I'm not fighting them.

[ It's a quick answer, a bit sharp, but it isn't with anger towards Lightning. ]

[There's a half-second pause from Lightning; Xion's anger may not be directed towards her, but she's definitely angry at something. What happened?]

No, but you're fighting something or someone. Physical strength isn't good for much else.

[ Xion's quiet, her anger and frustration simmering in the silence. ]

[Lightning gives her a moment, hearing that unspoken anger and frustration, before she sighs quietly. Stewing won't help Xion any, that's for sure.]

You want to tell me what happened?

I... I don't know. I lost.

[ In which she's quick to bring up another topic: ] I want to get stronger.

[Lost...lost a fight, probably. It's enough of an answer for Lightning to understand her anger, at least. Even if it's sorely lacking in detail.]

You'll have to train a lot to get stronger. It doesn't come quickly.

I've been trying the things you taught me, but still...

[ It's different. No clear, hands-on explanations, and Xion can only do so much with invisible ghosts.

... 'cept she's now a cracked forearm and an overall bruised and banged up body too much to really do anything now, but anger's a hell of an anesthetic. That, and Sora's heart genetics for stubbornness. ]

It's still not enough. I know.

[And she does; fighting shadows only gets you so far in a world where they don't come to life. But with this much distance between them, who can teach her anything?]

Have you tried sparring with your team again?

They actually... won't spar with me.

[ Pokemon that don't want to train with their... trainer? Should be enough of an indication of the state of the trainer. ]

[It's an indication of something, alright. Something Lightning does not like one bit. Why do people always leave stuff out when she can't see them?]

You're hurt, aren't you?

I'll be fine.

[ It's a half-assed reassurance, but it's better than nothing, right? ]

[Much better than nothing, but Lightning's heard it enough, hells, said it enough to know that it's half-assed. And she doesn't like that.]

We'll see. How bad is it?

I... My right forearm's cracked.

[ And a bunch of other things. ]

[A longer pause this time, and some rather muffled cursing. SHe's not mad at Xion, per se, but...she is angry.]

Tell me how it happened. Who did you get into a fight with?

[ She sighs. This is one of the reasons why she wants to get stronger, or at least better capable of defending herself and others. ]

I got into an argument with Vanitas... [ Read "argument" as FIGHT FIGHT BEATDOWN ]

[Vanitas. Of course it's Vanitas. Etro take him, she will flip him like a turtle if she ever sees him again. This is too much.]

What about? What was worth getting your arm cracked and whatever else you're not telling me?

[Even if it's just bruises that she's not mentioning. Lightning is not fond of half-truths from the sibs.]

[ A little bird said he might be at Ecruteak...

And, d'oh. Figured she couldn't get past Lightning on certain details. ]

I found out he got into a fight with Roxas. We started to argue, and then...

[ He stomped on her arm at one point. And other things. At least she made it painful for him to walk. ]

[Well then. It's a good thing it's a quick flight back there from Mahogany. He'll get his.

And Xion's learning, at least. Next time she hopefully won't even try that.]

And then you got into a fight. [sigh. She knows how that ended, at least.] You got checked out at the Center, right?

Edited 2011-11-02 09:14 (UTC)

They want me back for some check ups.

Standard procedure. They need to make sure it's healing properly. [Another sigh. Medical care is taken care of, at least.] Take it easy until they give you the all clear, all right? Don't go looking for a rematch.

[ You know, this would all be so much easier if Johto would allow curative spells, at least. Did wonders for those bones.

She sighs, too. ]

Can't, even if I wanted to. He's away from Goldenrod.

[On the one hand, Light's relieved about that. On the other...well. She might just go seeking Van out herself.]

Then don't go looking for trouble instead. Heal up first.

That's what I've been trying to do.

[ Keyword: trying. Just the thought of having lost to Vanitas like that... Bristles on her end. ]

Try harder. You won't be able to train and get stronger unless you're healed. Your team won't spar with you and I'm not training someone with a broken arm.

[Bristles are understandable, but Lightning is firm. No backing down from this.]