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[No one's been blowing bubbles and killing people, that he's seen.]

[Nanu sighs, very audibly and very deep. And pinches the bridge of his nose, which Guzma can't see, but can feel the intent and emotion behihnd the action coming across their mind-link, alongside that suspicion.]

An argument is verbal fighting. You know that, right?

[But, y'know, at least he isn't calling Guzma a liar.]

What, you'd prove you could murder someone by doing it? Even you're not evil. [He uses the word lightly, because he hates using it. It's so subjective.] If this girl doesn't know where you live, just stay home. I'm sure a bubble-beam killing would make the news at some point.

I wouldn't call it much of an argument, more like both of us were puffin' our chests and assessin' the other.

[So, basically two proud assholes trying to either one up the other, or put the other down. In Guzma's case, he was trying to call bullshit when there wasn't any to call. Honestly he's being a little pedantic about this whole thing.]

I ain't sayin' I'd kill no one, but that's 'cos I ain't some psychopathic murderer. But she is. So if someone challenged me to somethin' I know I can do, I'd do that, so I ain't gonna be too surprised if she's similar.

[The suggestion to stay home is a good one, but there's a hint of worry. It's a little irrational, but Guzma's not exactly rational to begin with.]

Yeah, I guess so. I just don't wanna be bringing shit to Jill's doorstep, especially since she just broke out of her crystal.

[The crystal Guzma told NO ONE about.]

Guzma, for you, that is the argument.

[How does he think he starts shit with people half the time? He may as well be in a permanent display of dominance, and even the most proud pokémon know when to knock that shit off.]

[With the knowledge of how this little girl operates, though, Nanu knows Guzma very likely wouldn't bring his pokémon into a direct conflict. Nanu sure as hell wouldn't. The stakes are too high, much more than a battle between teams.]

[While he declines to comment further on Guzma's shoddy explanation, the latter part is good to hear.]

Did she? About time. [He sounds more relieved than the casual comment would imply.] If anyone can protect you from a slaughter, it's her.

Tch!

[Yeah, he can't deny that, so he won't even try. At this point it wouldn't do him any favors. But see!! He's learning when to back down!! But, just. Not with always the right people.

Guzma's about the comment on Nanu's "about time" comment, but then gets distracted at the next. There's a noticeable ruffle of annoyance on the other end from Guzma, as if his pride's been pricked a little.]

I don't need her proctectin' me from shit! She's strong, don't get me wrong, but she ain't tougher than a Pokèmon, let alone five.

[That aside, he'd hate to put her in danger because he did something as stupid as this...]

[Good call, Guzma. Just a month ago, he would have come up with some boasty, tauros-shit comeback. You know what this is? Growth.]

[Still, Nanu refrains from a snide comment, even if he saw Guzma's wounded pride coming.]

Your pokémon don't have guns. [Or rifles. Or a rocket launcher. Pokémon have ridiculously strong moves, but not much can beat that.] Or killer bubble defense.

[this is ridiculous]

Jill's got guns, sure, but she don't got Golisopod's diamond-hard hide, or Scizor's steel-like defense. Guns got their use, don't get me wrong, but she ain't invincible.

[Neither is his team, and he knows that, but...]

I don't think I could live with myself if she got killed because of me.

[The thought slips out, and he honestly shouldn't feel embarrassed by it, but here he is. Embarrassed.]

She won't. [he says with...a hidden sort of confidence that he's never really shown in his voice before, toward Jill or in front of Guzma.] She's more prepared than most any folks.

[Maybe it helps that Nanu either doesn't notice his embarrassment, or at least doesn't point it out. It's not something normal people would be embarrassed about; that, combined with Guzma's admission of guilt in the matter is kind of a big step.]

Which leads me back to my first point. You're not gonna get killed on her watch.

[That confidence certainly catches him off guard, the tone isn't what he expected, but it helps ease him in a way. It's hard sometimes for Guzma to see the abilities of others, even when they're not his opponent. It's not that he doesn't know the facts, or that Jill's extremely capable, but maybe he has a hard time having faith in people's individual capabilities when Pokémon aren't involved. Especially when it comes with territory that he himself doesn't fully understand.

Like death bubbles.]

...You really believe in her, huh?

She's got a good head on her shoulders. [Which, coming from Nanu, is tantamount to one of the highest praises.] She's also highly trained. You don't find that sort of combat expertise everywhere.

[That, too, is said with a sort of knowing finality. As if, and because, Nanu knows exactly what he's talking about. And that aside; he's seen her in action.]

[As Nanu continues to be sternly confident in Jill's abilities, it continues to ease Guzma's worries. Nanu's confidence in anyone is rare indeed, and he's not foolish enough to ignore that.]

Yeah, she's pretty damn amazing, I'll give you that. Maybe I'm just bein' stupid.

[Stupid as in being concerned about her safety more than he would others. Because he cares about her. What an idiot, right?]

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