On the new rerun volumes, a newspaper article and having been played off-character.

[shakespearealien]

I frankly do not see why that essay on my race is upsetting you to the point of tears. That, as an Evronian, I am destined to never know happiness should not come as any news to you. You should also know that I am far from being the exception, regardless of everything that has occurred in my life, of the poetic appeal of such a delusion and of the fact that I may actually have a chance if, and only if, I tried.

As for the section of that essay whose content is entirely and completely new, id est, the history of our planet. I think it is the final and definitive confirmation that nothing about the Empire was ever as noble and glorious as that boisterous double of mine insists that it was.

Speaking of which, I share your disappointment at that newspaper article. By confusing our two stories, what the author did was equating the hero to that... Galaxy Guardian, therefore also implicitly superimposing myself with my double. I despise that notion, and I am certain that he feels the same way.

Unrelatedly. I would have known what dango was, or who Mitsunari Ishida, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa were. My interest in Earth's culture is not limited to the Western world, I'll have you know. Yours, on the other hand... Ah, but it is quite alright - you will do better next time.

- Branch Chief Gorthan

Comments

[her_mouse_jesty]

It's...

[... okay, give her a moment, how do you describe something inherently known.]

... It's a... special warmth in your heart. It makes you smile, and maybe you don't even understand why it does, but it's a great and powerful force.

[shakespearealien]

[Had... that moment of inebriation been a glimpse of... happiness?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, the way it fits Minnie's description strikes Gorthan as really odd.]

And why do you feel it's something I should want for myself?

[her_mouse_jesty]

Because it's a wonderful feeling, and you deserve to have it! And I find it silly you even have to ask what it is, because I know you've felt it.

[shakespearealien]

When have I felt it, Minnie?

[A headtilt and a smile.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

That's the beautiful thing about happiness - it can be connected to so many things! Excitement, discovery, friendship... If you enjoy doing something, it makes you happy, and you've told me how much you like to read, so, therefore, you have been happy before!

[She's awfully proud of herself, thinking she sounds incredibly intelligent.]

have sum threadjack, Minnie!

[nomon_be_spared]

... [ God, she sounds just like Mew with this lecture. Mewtwo can't help but arch an eyebrow at her chipper attitude. ]

« 'So many things'? You may have a point there. »

let the wisdom of disney be spread

[her_mouse_jesty]

[she blinks at the newcomer, but is more than happy to smile at him too. LET'S BE FRIENDS.]

I should hope so! Why, even the smallest things can make you happy, like eating your favorite foods or walking on a sunny day. If you open up your heart, you can find joy in so much.

Re: let the wisdom of disney be spread

[nomon_be_spared]

« My heart... »

[Mewtwo pauses to consider this, floating in the air and cupping his chin with one paw.]

« I am ... uncomfortable with opening my heart to others, or with having others in turn open their hearts to me. I am not like other beings. »

[her_mouse_jesty]

Being different isn't a bad thing. If everyone was the same, life would be very boring. And life with a closed heart would be very sad... Opening your heart creates opportunities for both sadness and happiness, but with a closed heart, you never have a choice about it.

[nomon_be_spared]

« You misunderstand, though the fault perhaps lies with me. I am content to see my fellow clones happy. It must be enough, for I am not like them. The minds --and thus, to an extent, hearts-- are open to me more easily than to others, for I can see into even the strongest mind: read it, know it. »

[He sighs then, and drops both paws before him, clenching them slowly.]

« And there is blood on my hands that ... does not come clean. »

[her_mouse_jesty]

... But then, it still sounds like... you're kind of denying yourself. If you've known you've done wrong... that's a good step already. Part of resolving your sins is being able to forgive yourself.

[She tries to make an effort to touch one of his hands, though the heigh difference is beyond obvious.]

I think you too deserve happiness.

[nomon_be_spared]

« Even were I to, I would still be possessing of an unfair ability in that world of men and Pokémon: I can see their minds, their hearts. Even their most sacred secrets. I do not even have to try. There is no place for one who can know someone so thoroughly. Even the most honest person has secrets he wishes kept. »

[shakespearealien]

... Touché, Minnie.

So you believe I am already the exception. I do not like to think of myself as such, for several reasons. But I suppose it is true.

[her_mouse_jesty]

Honestly, you give up on yourself far too easily. I guess if you won't have faith in yourself, I'll have to do all the believing in you for you.

[shakespearealien]

I assure you it is far from being a matter of "giving up on myself". You...

... You don't exactly realize how painful it is to be a freak, do you.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Have more innocent, doe-eyed blinking.]

... Why would you call yourself a freak?

[shakespearealien]

[Minnie, do you mean to offend him, or... seriously. I even have to use this icon for the first time.]

... Put yourself in my shoes for a moment, Queen. How would you feel if you woke up one morning to find that something had completely deprived you of common ground with your friends, family and everybody you have ever known, irreparably and forever? To find all your social ties gone indefinitely? To be forced to fight the ones you care about the most for your own survival?

Because that, in case you hadn't realized, is what happened to me.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Oh yes, that definitely causes flinching. She doesn't think she's ever seen him quite so angry, which is enough to scare her.]

Th-that's not what I...!

... I'm sorry Gorthan, I didn't mean to simplify it like that. I... can't even begin to imagine what you've gone through. I was only... trying to help. Because I care about you too.

[shakespearealien]

[He sighs. The hero had been a little insensitive like that, too.]

It is quite alright, Minnie. Just please realize that my mutation has never been an easy process for me, nor one I wholeheartedly intend to fully complete.

[sith_superior]

Is that so?

[her_mouse_jesty]

[YOU DON'T COUNT.]

I know it is so.

[sith_superior]

Tell him the truth, Minnie. Tell him the truth you and your vaunted Jedi Council hide yourselves from day after day -- that rage and fear and hate are where true power comes from.

Already I can sense such fear in him ... the Dark Side would welcome him, and gladly.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[... Whaaat the. But she'll just assume you got some words mixed up, even villains can mess up their monologues.]

That kind of power comes with a horrible price. True power comes from love, friendship, and kindness. And it's with that power that my friends will not aide your cause, so leave him alone!

[sith_superior]

A horrible price? I think, perhaps, that I found the better part of the deal to be as I am now. No more will I have to worry about the weaknesses of mercy, compassion, or attachment.

The Dark Side has taken those with my heart, and I feel the full power of the Force unabated, uninhibited, and unbound.

[her_mouse_jesty]

What is the point of that if you can't feel happiness? What is the point of living if you can't feel happiness? I just can't understand it... in fact, it makes me feel sorry for what you've given up. I just hope it's not too late for you to someday get back what has been lost, the right way.