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TEAM TURQUOISE VS. HELENA (Follow Up)
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<Faith> *The girl was settled in the chair aside the bed... eyes closed... and fast asleep... it was hard to tell how long she'd spent there, a nurse having kindly set a blanket over her too, as she'd half-flopped herself on Rene's bedside now. It was a quiet place... Vera of course, having the money to afford a fairly comfortable private ward, and with that, a near silence, only filled by Faith's gentle breathing, and the reassuring 'beep' of one or two machines nearby... one thing seemed clear... Faith intended to stay there, until she would see Rene wake up!*

Rene: *His chest rises and falls steadily, as it has throughout, bandages coating the top and right side of his head, including his eye and liberally bandaged elsewhere too, his broken leg strung up. Suddenly, he stirs, shifting his head slightly--his eyelid fluttering open* F--faith? *he croaks, his voice dry*

<Faith> *A flutter of an ear, and a murmur, as her head shifted... rolling over towards him... as an eye cracked open... and finally, she bolted upright, throwing the blanket off suddenly* Rene!! *She cried out, a little TOO excitedly, quickly quietening, smiling slowly* Hey... you gave us all a little scare there...

Rene: *Groaning as he tries to sit himself up a bit* Scared...myself a bit too. *He managed to ground out* So sorry--to scare you like that...

<Faith> *She was quick to help him, a hand behind back to shift him slowly, gently, a pillow behind his back and head to keep him supported, before she looked down to him, her eyes a little bleary, but no more, as she smiled* ...Well, I guess I've gave you more than a scare before... how about we call this even, huh?

Rene: *Smiling weakly* Sounds fair...*reaches out to hold her hand* I---I should've listened to you

<Faith> *THAT was a little close to home... as she still managed to keep a half-smile for him* ...It happens... look what I did fighting Pyre by myself, huh?

Rene: Yeah...*shutting his eyes for a moment* ...we're a family of boneheads

<Faith> ...Speaking of bones... *She half-laughed, nodding to his leg there for him to see, even if he'd spotted it already!*

Rene: *Looks at it an moans* ....swell. Weeks on end spent on my butt....no running...no hugging....how am I even going to shower or dress myself?

<Faith> *She slowly smiled...* ...Why don't you just worry about getting better first, and we'll help you out there?

<Faith> Trust me. *She giggled finally* There'll be PLENTY of hugs to come!
Rene: ..*smiling a bit* Now, THAT'S something to look forward to...you hold Nigel down while I hug him?

<Faith> Urf... *She could see where this was going... but in her mind, she knew... and then laughed* This is going to be tough, but... I'm in, I guess!

Rene: *Holds out his arms* I need a cuddle....

<Faith> *She winced... she knew what this would do to him... but* ...How can I refuse a face like that? *She smiled again, and hugged... gently, as gently as she could around his neck, instead of those ribs!*

Rene: *Urks a little bit, but wraps his arms back around Faith* Thanks cousin. I needed this. How's my team?

<Faith> *She winced at that...* Well... they're... not as heavily bandaged as you if that's what you mean?

Rene: I meant physically, emotionally....

Faith: Welll... once they know you've woken up, and maybe once they see you doing better, they'll feel better... *She half-laughed* They got off pretty light I think, they'll all be fine!

Rene: ....I should never have dragged them into that fight

Faith: They were all with you, Rene... I just hoped that NONE of you had to go in for that fight... that... that... Ooooh... *She stopped herself from venting... she hadn't let out her feeling last night, she wasn't about to burst out in front of Rene like this, as she shook her head, sighing* ...Maybe we can just keep out of her way now...

Rene: ...It's a plan. *Looks at Faith* C'mon, tell Cousin Rene what's bothering you...*pats the side of his bed for emphasis*

Faith: *She sighed slowly* ...I really thought that maybe Helena wasn't that bad inside... but... after watching that... *Her ears drooped as she sat there, looking to him with a shrug* ...I feel like I should've told you to just not even go near her

Rene: ...How'd she act? After the battle?

<Faith> ... *She thought, slowly, her muddled thoughts after the battle...* ...She... slipped away... I guess... to be honest, I wasn't giving her much attention.

Rene: *Laughs weakly* Heh, nice to know that I'm worthy of attention....but something was bugging me about that match

<Faith> ...Bugging you?

Rene: I tried speaking to Helena again, the day before the match. She was acting....I dunno, almost out of character. She wasn't acting like the big lumbering behemoth who just didn't give a crap, she was acting more like a bragging, arrogant ass....think Barell Bibbins. Then in the match she was more like her old self....its odd

<Faith> ... *She thought, slowly... and thought back to the day herself... before looking to Rene...* Well... maybe... no... *She slowly rubbed at the back of her head* ...You're sure it was Helena?

Rene: Who else would it be? Anyway Faith, as much as I hate to say it---how is Tenebra any better? You still look up to her don't you? I mean, I like her too, but still...

<Faith> ...At least Tenebra doesn't brag... well... *She stopped... thinking... she hadn't SEEN Helena bragging certainly on the match...* ...Well... do you remember Helena's team mate... the creepy clown... Pierrot...?

Rene: *Shudders* Who could forget?

<Faith> Well... apparantly... he's- *She stopped suddenly, looking up*
Rene: *Looks up as well*

<Helena> ...Hey.

Rene: *Dumbstruck* ....hey

*There she stood, the double doors barely enough to show her poking through now, standing there for a moment... her eyes rather hard to meet his... or Faith's*

Rene: Wh--um, what brings you here?

<Faith> *She took her spot, making sure to stand just before the bed and Rene there... quiet, as she watched the Rhyperior, if it came to a fight in here... she absolutely stood NO chance... but that wouldn't stop her after all!*

<Helena> ... *She moved forward, slowly into the room, before, pulling in a bucket, on the end of her tail, the same from the other day, filled with an assortment of kitschy 'Get Well' presents as she looked over the Vulpix in his state* ...Came to see you were okay. *She finally mumbled*

Rene: ....Thank you Helena. I mean that....thanks

<Faith> *She seemed a bit dumbfounded herself, blinking as she looked at the bucket of items, and the girl herself, who still couldn't seem to look up* ...

<Helena> ... *There wasn't much that came out of her from that... but standing there in the doorway, finally, she found some words again* ...Okay if I come in, Tails? *She dared ask*

Rene: *Starts to smile at the nickname* ...of course! Please!

Rene: I have admit....I didn't expect you to come.

<Helena> *She pulled her massive bulk in, as Faith could only pull back to make room for her... something that was ill afforded, before the Rhyperior just sat herself on her haunches, a great cracking sound of floor tiles shattering underneath her, as she suddenly gritted her teeth and looked down in annoyance for a second, before, slowly calming... sighed with a gravelly rumble* Yeah, well, what the hell was I supposed to do?

Rene: *An eyebrow quirks upwards....the left one, his right eye is covered with bandages* I would imagine that it would be whatever you wanted to do.

<Helena> ...I don't know... just... *She growled out loud slowly through her fangs in some awkward thoughts, shaking her head* ...I didn't enjoy that battle. *She finally summarised*

Rene: *With the deadest pan* I can't say I enjoyed it much either.

<Helena> Usually, it's all the hell I ever get to do besides eating and TV for enjoyment. *She replied in an equal deadpan* ...But I didn't enjoy fighting you.

<Helena> Particularly the ending.

Rene: ...Why is that?

<Faith> ...can't think of anymon who would have.. *She murmured herself with a slight shudder*

<Helena> ...Like I told ya... any kid who ever touched my armor, bad luck follows quick as flash...

<Helena> ...But, it was... nice actually talking to somemon aside Bones for a change, you know? *She rubbed a massive arm behind her head* ...Didn't feel right battling you afterward.

Rene: ....Thank you. That actually makes this worth it...pretty much. *Winces and shifts* Mind if I ask you something? If you felt that way....why were you so insulting when I tried to speak to you the day before the match?

<Helena> *A blank look* Huh?

Rene: ....Before the match. I caught you just outside of school and tried finishing our chat before....and you were pretty vehement in blowing my attempts off

<Helena> What, the day before the match?

Rene: ...Yeah. Are you saying you don't remember?

<Faith> *She suddenly took a feeling she knew where this was going...*

<Helena> *A furrowing of her massive brow slowly* ...How hard did I hit you again?

Rene: ....You're saying you never spoke with me the day before the match?

<Helena> *She suddenly jerked a thumb backwards* I spent the whole day after with Bones... either he bored me into auto pilot, or you have a helluva concussion...

Rene: ....Somehow I doubt either is the case.

<Helena> *There was another little groan from her, as it appeared she was too caught up in her own thoughts to think much further on the subject* Anyway... *The bucket on the end of her tail raised up, offered to the bedside for him*

Rene: *Forgets about it as he peers into the bucket* Aww, thanks Helena! These look wonderful. *Gently unhooks the bucket from her tail*

<Helena> *She went as if to jump up, apparantly, the bucket WASN'T part of the deal, her eyes glued on it absolutely, as she just bit down, trying not to shout it out, as he'd see the overstuffed Arcanine plush with a loveheart mane, the Venasaur's Secret catalogue (And Samples!)... several bitesize (HELENA bitesized) bars of chocolate, as large as his head, lots of flowery streamer things, and a set of even more DVDs, chock full of chick flicks and cartoons galore!... seemed a pretty big bucket!*

Rene: ....*sees her look* Oh, I'm sorry. You want the bucket back right?

<Helena> *She seemed a bit hesitant to say, before finally, she raised a massive claw* ...Yes.

<Helena> *And... a word Helena DIDN'T seem to have used ever before!* ...Please.
Rene: ....*weakly* Sorry. Um, Faith? Is there a bag or something I can empty his into?

<Faith> *Here she was quick to respond!* Here, I'll help!! *She quickly slid the bed-side cabinet over, with more than enough room to distribute his items with a smile!*

Rene: Thanks! Um, Helena why is a bucket so important to you?

<Helena> *With a deal more care than anything else, she slipped her tail under the bucket's little hook, drawing it back close to her, as she half-shrugged... looking at Faith there...* Just my bucket.... I need it to hold stuff is all.

Rene: *Blinks* Okay

<Helena> *She sighed, again, hiding it behind her...* Look... just... anything I can do to make square and all? Seeing as you... currently and all, you know?

Rene: *Looks at Faith and gins*

<Faith> *A half blink... and then a half-grin... as she stood back, wondering exactly what he was about to declare here!)*

Rene: How about if you sign my cast?

<Helena> *A blink... as she looked at her massive hands, looking to his cast...* ...Don't know about that one.

<Faith> *And suddenly, she found a pen thrust forward for her, a large marker pen* Try this!!

<Helena> *She ighed, rolling eyes wearily, before taking the marker, her claws shaking as she tried to grip it without breaking it somehow....* You sure on this one, Tails?

Rene: I'm sure

<Helena> *With a sigh, she chose a better method of holding the pen, her tongue!!! Slipping it in, her mouth hanging open, as she muttered to herself, trying to avoid hitting anything with her twin horns, more than once a bump to the cast as she grimaced immediately, trying to get the pen close!*

Rene: *Tries to repress the yelps and grimaces*

<Helena> *She moved, back and forth, and finally, pulled back, dropping the pen with a hacking cough... ink on her tongue!* There... *She roared a sigh again* ...Finally.

*And for all that hard work, Rene gained a crudely drawn 'H' on his casted leg!!*

Rene: *His toes squirm in happines* I love it! Thanks Helena!

<Helena> *That seemed to be her limit... as she sighed... and nodded, up she got again, rising almost tiredly* Okay... just get better or whatever now, got it Tails?

Rene: *Nods* Got it. I--I really appreciate you coming by Helena.

<Helena> *It was hard to tell, with the jawguard in her way, but the upturned edges of her mouth, a smirk, or a smile... was it something?* ...no sweat off my back. *As slowly she about turned, her tail barely missing Faith as the girl yanked back, Helena not even taking a moment to notice, as she walked on and away, a wave backward*

<Faith> *Clutching the large plush Arcanine now...* Well... that was surreal... *She grinned slowly to Rene, yanking herself back away from the wall again*

Rene: Uh-huh...

<Faith> *She grinned, coming forward with the Arcanine offered to him, it seemed her mood had certainly improved a little as well for all that, looking to Helena's signature there!*

Rene: *Hugs the liddle arcanine*

<Faith> *She grinned, looking from him to the Arcanine* So... what are you going to call this one?

Rene: I don't know yet....

<Faith> *She grinned... and moved down to the foot of his bed now, looking at the casted leg as it hung there... smiling slowly* ...How about... tomorrow, when I come back... I use some nail polish to pretty up your toes?

<Faith> If you have to put them on display, we might as well make them prettier, huh?

Rene: Why not?

<Faith> *She grinned... and suddenly took the marker pen she'd gave Helena, scribbling on the bottom of Rene's casted foot, out of his sight!* Okay!

Rene: Hey!! What're you writing?!

<Faith> *She grinned, putting the top on the pen before moving slowly back to him* Oh... nothing.

Rene: *Whines* Tell me!

<Faith> *She winked* Call it a surprise, for when you get that cast off...

*And there, written on the bottom of his cast... a simple word... 'Hero'*

Rene: ...I have an evil cousin!

<Faith> *And with a giggle, she gave him a peck of a kiss on the cheek* Yup!! You better believe it!

The End

Downloading and faving now... tired... will read later... zzzzzzzzzzz...

poor Rene, but I'm glad everything ended on a happy note ^_^

That was a cool kinda rumble

I was surprised Helena paid him a visit and wasn't forced to go away... again, Rene is a gentle to any girl, I think, no matter how much does she resemble a tank :)

One thing I was wondering, where was Fuzzbutt's nidoran all this time :P