View source for 2385/An Offer She Wished She Could Refuse

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/01/23
|Location=Plot Room #1
|Synopsis=Sakura, upon hearing of Hannah's injury, finds the girl in the hospital. Hannah explains what happened. Offers are made that she can't refuse. A star is gained, and a promise made.
|Cast of Characters=27,41
|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hannah, finally, is stable and awake. In one of the 'no questions asked' wards of Mitakihara General, she's attached to a heart monitor and looks heavily worse for wear. Her real arm's in a cast, her ribs are bandaged and only recently set, she's pale and a little gaunt. Her breathing is ragged, and there's an IV pumping chemicals into her veins. <br /><br /> This is the scene that, after the news report, Sakura Kinomoto would walk in on. It's a pathetic sight for the usually vibrate, strong magical girl such as Miss White.

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto wasn't looking too good, either. Having been laying in bed, crying most the time, barely eating anything, didn't agree with Sakura. But well, when she heard, she had to come and see her. <br /><br /> And when she did see her, her heart almost broke. "H-hannah-sempai," her voice came out, weak and soft. Almost tear filled. She took a step forward and gave a little sob, before walking up and taking her hand. "W-what... what happened?" And then she lunged forward to hug! And stopped. No. she might make it worse...

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> There's a shiver, and a squeeze. It's weak. That's not the grip that Hannah Sharpe is known for. She takes a hard breath, and smiles. <br /><br /> "Sakura...hey kiddo. Good to see you again." There's concern in her voice, even now, after what Sakura went through. <br /><br /> "Nnngh..." Could she reall tell her? No, she can't lie to someone like Sakura. <br /><br /> "I got into a fight over something. I'm not in good shape, Sakura. Been an idiot. Burning through life too fast..." A deep, depressed sigh. The girl is pulled closed, an arm wraps in a gentle hug.

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto held onto her, giving a soft little sob. "W-why did you fight? W-who fought you? W-what happened?" she asked again, shaking and holding her friend. The tears trailed down her face and it was all she could do not to break down into a sobbing, wailing mess. <br /><br /> Her hands clutched at her and she gave another weak little sob. "Is... is there anything I can do? Who.... who did this to you?"

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hannah tries to look reassuring. But she just ends up looking tired. The sobs that she wants to comfort, she simply can't, not in the ways she'd like. Instead, all she has is her words and those light squeezes. <br /><br /> "I...needed something, and some friends of mine took exception to what I was doing to get it. Something that I couldn't just ask people for. I'm not too well liked, you see." <br /><br /> Side-stepping the question on /who/, she gently concentrates. An emerald green orb floats out from her chest, protected by a barrier. Cracks run through it, dark corruption leaks all around. Even now, locked away, that feeling of despair can be sensed this close. <br /><br /> "My Linker Core's a mess. If I don't purify it, if I don't make it stronger, I'm toast, Sakura."

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto stared, her eyes going wide. "You... your... h-how do we fix it? What did you need? What were you trying to steal? I... I'll ask some people, I-I'll get you it, okay?" she said, staring up at her. "Just... just please... let... let me help you," she whispered, her hands reaching out to grab her hand. "Please..." The tears welled up. "I just... just lost my mommy... don't... don't make me lose my sister too..."

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> There's a small gasp from Hannah. She lets her guard down in front of the girl. "W...wait, Sakura. Do you even know what you're saying? There's no way I'm dragging you into this! You could get hurt, you know?" <br /><br /> But still, she answers. "I need Linker Cores. High quality ones. B-rank at minimum, but S and SS-rank would be real prizes. The purification...well, I'm ticked some people off, I can use that." <br /><br /> "I need to study them. See, Linker Cores regrow. Taking them...well, they'll feel like the worst hangover in the universe, but with some rest, they'll be fine." Hannah isn't /that/ far gone yet. <br /><br /> "H..hey! Don't you worry. I'm not through! I have too many things I want to accomplish. And one of those is keeping you safe, knucklehead!" Her hug grows tighter. <br /><br /> "Alright. You can help me. But. Promise me, you won't fight anyone and you won't get yourself hurt."

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto nodded. "If... if they grow back they... then it doesn't matter, r-right? I'll talk to some people and..." <br /><br /> She was silent for a moment, then looked up. "I... I... does... what is a linker core? Do I have one?" she asked softly, chewing on her lower lip. <br /><br /> "I promise I won't fight anyone or get hurt. A-at all..."

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> A small smirk. "I'm not /that/ much of a jerk, Sakura." A little wink. That's a little more Hannah like! <br /><br /> "A linker core is the source of a Device User's magic. It's...like a pipe that we pump magic through. The linker core's grade determines how much magic can go through it before there's...problems." <br /><br /> A chin-tap. "Hard to say. You're not exactly a normal magical girl. You're the first card user I've ever seen." <br /><br /> Then, her mind catches on the implication. "Good girl. You have to be a good kid, understand? No getting mixed up in anything bad, or big sis will have to punish you!" Big sister voice go! <br /><br /> "Hey. How're you holding up after..." She trails off.

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto nodded, staring at her hand. Then... finally... She reached out and brought her hand to the smaller girl's chest. "Take... mine. Then. Please. Just... please take it. I don't... I don't want to lose you too," she said softly. <br /><br /> She didn't answer about that, though. Why? Because she WASN'T doing well. She was sad and scared and tired and sad and miserable and everythign was wrong and now her best friend was hurting too...

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "S...Sakura...you...kiddo. That's not..." Gulp. <br /><br /> "Sakura. This is not going to feel good. It is going to be painful. Do you understand me? I want to tell you no, you loving little idiot!" She grips that hand. <br /><br /> "But you've got me in a bind." A squint. Loving idiot. A squeeze, a hug for the much smaller girl. <br /><br /> "Deep breath, Sakura." She slowly, painfully, gets to a stand. She motions to the bed. <br /><br /> A snap of her fingers, and her magic crest flares weakly. Her barrier jacket is ruffled and torn even now. A barrier pops into place, sending the world into dull, magical, green tones as the real hospital is sealed off. <br /><br /> With a trembling hand, out comes a shiney, chromed pistol the size of a desert eagle. On the side, her Arms Division's logo is emblazoned. <br /><br /> Then, it's pointed for Sakura's chest. A finger rests on the guard after she cocks it. The barrel glows ominously like a laser. <br /><br /> "Last chance to back out."

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto nodded. "I-I don't care. Y-you're my friend and... and you're hurting. I don't care if it hurts and it's the worst thing in the world! I-I don't want to lose you, too!" <br /><br /> She stomped her foot when she talked, clenching her fists. "Just do it!" <br /><br /> When it happened, her eyes went wide and she stumbled back, before collapsing to the ground ,gasping for breath. <br /><br /> He linker core... oh. It was different. Not a single spell in it. But oh it glowed. It shone like a small, miniature star, emanating warmth and light, almost too much to look at. It was soft, too. Powerful and... still growing in the young girl.

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "...I warned you." She hesitates. Hard. Her hand visibly trembles. Body goes tense, and with a shakey breath, she pulls the trigger. A light flashes through Sakura, and down falls glowing star. <br /><br /> "Sorry, Sakura. Your big sister is a greedy idiot." <br /><br /> She'll gently pick up Sakura. It takes a while, but she manages to one-arm her into bed. She tucks the girl in, and lays down beside her. In her hand, she admires the thing's warmth, magic, and potential thanks to a scan from Raging Tempest. <br /><br /> "I won't forget this, Sakura. This...is the kind of thing I'm looking for." She smiles, guilty, but so too is she pleased.

:'''{{#var:41|Sakura Kinomoto| (41)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sakura Kinomoto laid there, completely still and exhausted. She whimpered a little, hands going towards her chest, panting lightly. Awwww... she was already having a nightmare. She... <br /><br /> Then... after a few moments, she calmed down? "M-mommy..." she whispered.

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe| (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Sakura would find herself warm. Covers over her, and a protective arm squeezing her shoulder gently whenever she cried out. <br /><br /> Tears fall down Hannah's face for the girl, and she makes a promise in her heart to protect her. No matter what.
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