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[ Man, he really doesn't like her tone. She's talking to him like his principles are confused here, like he doesn't have real experience with this, like guard dogs are the closest brush he's had with forced viciousness. Like it isn't something deeply personal for him.

He takes a long, calming breath before he says anything back. He's not being fair. She doesn't know. It's only reasonable for her to think it's the animal part of things that has him so upset. He pretty much phrased it that way himself. He can't blame her for that. He needs to calm down and listen to what she's actually saying. It's true that Munny didn't seem abused when he saw her. He never would've guessed that Bianca made her fight if she hadn't told him. But... It's still not that easy for him to accept it. ]

...I thought they couldn't talk.

[ Munny sure didn't seem to. ]

Not like we do, no. But they can communicate in their own language. I meant it when I said they are smart.

[That deep breath of his speaks volumes to her. He's willing to listen, and asking a question. It's start, and Bianca allows herself to relax at least a little bit when she sees again the supportive man from the labyrinth.

She searches her bag for a Pokéball and releases one of her team members - a freaking huge dog. She could've chosen Munny, sure, but there's a reason why she's going with Stoutland this time.]

Hey girl, this is Shiro. [The dog tilts her head to look at the big man, sticking close to her Trainer's legs. Things feel very... tense.] He's a friend of Pidge, Lance and Hunk. [Stoutland's ears perk up when she hears those names, looking up at Bianca with interest.] Remember them? We had tons of fun with them during that shopping trip, didn't we?

[Stoutland quickly barks with approval, her tail wagging like crazy. Those were cool guys, she wouldn't mind hanging out with them again.]

[ Shiro watches Bianca interact with her dog with cautious curiosity. She'd used guard dogs as an example, and now she was showing him her dog. Not a coincidence, he figures.

He steps fully outside, closing the door behind him. His pet cat's not far from the door and he doesn't want either animal to startle. With that done, he kneels down and offers Stoutland his left hand for proper sniffspection. ]

[Kneeling and offering his hand are small gestures but they mean the world to Bianca. So when Stoutland looks at her, asking if it's ok (she usually goes for it but today things seem tense) Bianca quickly nods her permission.

A big wet nose is now all over Shiro's hand, sniffing it and trying to guess what is that animal she smells (give her kitty to play with, would you?). Whatever her sniffing tells her it seems good enough for her, because she barks and then puts her big paw on Shiro's hand. Nice to meet you!]

Look, she likes you just fine! You can try petting her if you want. Or riding her too, the guys had fun with that.

[ Good shake! He moves on to scratching behind her ears, still using only his left hand. What a nice, friendly dog.

...But he's nice and friendly, too. This hasn't actually assuaged his primary concern, and after a few moments, he stops petting and looks back up at Bianca seriously. ]

This doesn't prove that they actually want to fight.

[That sends her tail wagging like crazy. Good job, Shiro. Bianca tilts her head at the comment.]

I took her out in case you wanted to ask her yourself, didn't I?

[But if Shiro doesn't want to, she can do it herself. Bianca also crouches and calls for Stout, who whines in protest at first (she's getting scratches, how dare you!) but quickly joins her Trainer, sitting face to face.]

Hey, girl. Remember the battle we had on the mountains here? Against Red and Charizard? That was fun, wasn't it? [Stoutland's ears and tail perk up quite straight in attention, barking in agreement at the question.] Do you think we should ask them for a rematch some time?

[The dog lowers her front legs, raising her behind with a happy tail and agreeing with another bark. It's as if Bianca had told her she would throw a ball or something. There's a pause then, because she wants Shiro to see the differences. What can she ask for that?]

There are some new Trainers around too. Like Accerola - she uses Ghost-types. [The effect is immediate - Stoutland lowers her ears and whines in protest. Bianca giggles and reaches to pet her.] Just kidding, just kidding! I know it's hard for you to go against Ghost-types. Don't worry dear, you won't join that battle.

[Hearing that, Stoutland's ears go back to her usual position, and she sits correctly again too. Another pause before she decides to just go for it.]

Stout, I was telling Shiro that our world sadly has some mean people too. Remember Team Plasma? How they tried to steal--

[She doesn't need to finish that sentence, the dog starts growling as soon as she hears the name, the fur on her back standing on end. Bianca isn't afraid of her and hurries to hug her, telling her it's ok, they aren't here now. Stout answer by nuzzling her neck.

There's obvious love in the gestures.]

[ Look, man, you show him a dog and he's going to treat it like a dog, no matter what Bianca says about its intelligence. All the weirdness in his life makes him cling all that more closely to signs of normalcy, and he's never known dogs to be productive conversationalists.

But he watches Stout through the conversation carefully. There's not really any doubt left after that. Her pets really do want to fight. The only abused animal here is him.

He sighs to himself and then stands back up, picking up the basket of fruit along the way. ]

Alright, you win. You can do what you want.

...this wasn't about winning. I just didn't want you to hate me. I didn't want things to be weird with my new friends!

[But she gets the feeling that even if Shiro understands now, it's still awkward. Maybe she will have to double-check with one of the guys before coming by after all. She sighs and stands up too, making a sign for Stoutland to follow her.]

Thanks for listening anyway. Send everyone my regards, please?

[They are a few steps away when suddenly she stops and turns to look at Shiro again over her shoulder, her expression soft.]

If you ever decide you do want to do something about your nightmares, you know how to contact me. The offer still stands.

[ He makes a noise of acknowledgment, but leaves it at that as he reopens the door and goes back inside.

The fact that her Pokemon actually like fighting might mean Bianca isn't a horrible monster, but it doesn't exactly make him comfortable with the idea of interacting with them more. Especially not in such an intimate way.

He kind of wishes he'd never brought it up with her in the first place. He should've known from the start that it was too good to be true. ]

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