002

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Here's a Lightning, walking - more like marching - her way down the circular path of the first floor, her destination in mind being the 2nd Floor. Her stride is brisk and long, the red cape of her attire flowing in her wake, and if one notices, there's a small frown on her face. The reason for this face? Why, it's mission time! ]

Bullying... Hn.

[ In a way, taking on this Mission (2) was more Snow's thing... But Lightning also isn't very lenient about bullying, so if anyone wants to join her for whatever reason, feel free! ]

Comments

Lightning alert activated.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[Hope is well-accustomed to catching up with Lightning's almost militant pace, and it's exactly what he does as he spots a hint of red cape in the corner of his eye.]

Light! Where are you going?

Incoming Hope alert!

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Ah, a familiar (likeable) face. At least Lightning's used to him. ]

Second floor.

A THOUSAND EDITS SORRY this is the last one i swear

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

Oh. Hm.

[Racking his brain a little here. He's found in his experience that it works out better if he figures things out before Lightning has to lay it out for him. What's on the second floor? Especially of recent interest?

...Nope, he's got nothing. Of course, he had looked at the mission list too. He simply would never think of connecting Lightning to a Protector of the Weak mission of her own accord - not to say she wasn't an altruistic person, just that she tended not to stick her nose into other people's business.]

...For?

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Lightning's no Snow, that's for sure, but it is a mission - Lightning just thought to take on more than the usual monsters she's seeing in the Training Center. Besides, the whole Mission List seemed similar to those Cie'th Stones they saw on Gran Pulse. ]

A mission on someone's request.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

...Would you mind some help?

[As much of a request for permission as it'll get.]

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Hope is lucky; Hope's one of the few person she's easy on. ]

I wouldn't mind. [ From the mission details, anyway, this would involve kids, and maybe having someone closer to their age would help... ]

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[As if Lightning had just offered words of praise or something, Hope lights up, falling into step with his friend.]

Great! I'll do my best!

...What's the mission?

[Right. That would help, wouldn't it.]

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

Some bully stole this girl's card, and she wants it back. [ Clear and concise as always, Lightning. ]

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[...That was it? Hope had almost expected something like, "I need to save this girl's life from a world-ending, life-threatening humongous beast wreaking havok on innocent students." But. Well, a mission was a mission. He nods.]

All right. I guess she told you where to find her, huh? Must've been a super important card.

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

She told me where the bully could possibly be. [ Shrugs. ] Important to her, at least.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

What's he look like?

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Pauses. Frowns. ] All the girl told me was that he look like what any other bully looks like. [ Snorts. ] Creative, huh?

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

So that means...big, kind of messy-looking, big-talker, quick-to-action kind of guy?

[Ironically, that was beginning to sound like Snow.]

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Interestingly enough, she immediately thinks of Snow at that. ]

Yeah. Easy to deal with, if that's the case.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

I don't know...they might get a little stubborn.

[Like Snow. As they climb the stairs to the second floor, Hope keeps his eyes peeled for someone big and bully-like.]

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

Which reminds me of a certain stubborn idiot...

[ She also keeps on the lookout for anyone suspicious. Maybe the bully's preying on another hapless victim? They shall find out! ]

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[After a few steps, Hope stops, spotting something. Rather, it's really hard not to spot them, considering they're large and rotund enough to be blocking half the hallway with their frame, especially as the large, slimy-looking student bends over, trapping a frightened-looking female student against the wall.]

Hey, you!

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Lightning's eyes spot that, too, and marches over to the student. Without warning, she grabs his shoulder and pulls him off of the female student. ]

That's enough.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

Where's the card!

[Just like a good little sidekick, this one. Plus, he's not about to go...searching the guy for it. The culprit, caught red-handed, mumbles something about not having one, though.]

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Aw, Hope going tough. Her frown deepens and she nudges - more like slaps - the guy in the shoulder. ]

We don't have time for your games. We know you have the card.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[That's right, the kid has some mettle, even if he'd bounce right off all that flab if he tried what Lightning did. Like most bullies, the cadet cowers in the face of someone who is clearly stronger and not about to take any of his intimidation farce, and just as he does, the sliver of something peeks out from the corner of his chest pocket. Hope jumps up to snatch it up, but unfortunately doesn't manage to escape the suffocating circle of the student's arms as he tries to get back the stolen goods.]

What- hey! Let go! Get off!

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ On instinct, Lightning moves to tear the bully off of Hope immediately, which she does with little effort because she is much stronger and much more trained than this lowly cadet. In a flash, Lightning has the bully down on the floor, face pressed to the clean ground and her knee pressing into the back of his spine. She keeps up the pressure before glancing back at Hope. ]

Hope, are you all right?

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[Hope stumbles once free, rubbing at his stomach. That student had a surprisingly strong grip, for someone otherwise so weak. He looks a little sheepish at having to be saved, but he's grateful.]

Yeah, I'm fine.

[He holds up the card. Its shiny coating reflects in the light.]

Is this the one?

[rebeliune.livejournal.com]

[ Narrows her eyes at the card, scanning it, then nods, putting one final squeeze on the bully before she finally lets off of him. ]

Don't let us catch you do anything again.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[Like a scared mouse (a very large one), the bully makes a squeak and bolts off as soon as he's free. The student he had been harassing, after watching the entire scene unfold, turns large, admiring eyes to Lightning and blushes, murmuring her gratitude. Hope turns to her.]

You okay?

[Sorry, too starry-eyed to notice the boy, apparently. She nods mutely, still transfixed, and Hope looks between her and his friend for a moment, stifling a laugh behind his hand.]