(09-04-2017, 05:50 PM)Lord Windos Wrote: [ -> ]The empath silently took her heated words, his slowly tilted downward and the red bangs of his hair shadowing his eyes as he tried to avoid her wrathful, distressed eyes. Every angry word she spoke, the atrocious and overprotective behavior he had exhibited for the past few day, him forshaking her to hide away like some craven thief plotting their next heist...it was all true. He of course knew this already, and even expected the near emotional breakdown his dear friend was currently experience, but that did not make him feel any better hearing it straight from her. When she had finally worked all the feelings of bitter anguish out of her system and leaned into his shoulder, Ventus stood their for a few moment, silent as a grave, before one of his hands came up and gently enveloped her in a timid, half hug.
".......No, I suppose I have not. I've been so focused on my mission to protect Nathan, to be their for him that I...sacrificed almost everything to that lofty goal. *Sigh* Including you, Shiva. In my personal quest these past couple of day, I have excluded everyone else, all without considering how they would be affected by my 'heroic' actions. I just wanted to make sure that the boy was safe and well taken care of, but I took it too far this time. Far to much. I should have listened to his demands, his request in the first place, instead of bulling him over to do what I thought was right for him. I should have kept in contact with you, updated you on what my current status and course of action was, but I choose to hide from everyone to avoid anymore scruitiny for my overprotectiveness. *Sigh* I even disguised myself, all to hide from Nathan and prevent him them from trying to further dissuade or sideline me while I tried to 'help' him to take down that Absol, and prevent him from being harmed by it. All that effort and time, to aid him in his time of need....it was utterly pointless. MeaninglessThe Disaster Pokémon and him quickly outpaced me, and what is more it meant no harm to him by what I later discerned. I don't know where either have headed, but I can only hope and pray nothing terrible has happened. I've potentially ruined my friendship with one of my best friend by worrying too much, and their is hardly a thing I can do about it..."
Ventus was silent for a few minutes, as he mustered his will and depressed spirits to give his dear magical friend something extremely important to her: an apology. "Shiva...I'm sorry for the hell I put you through. It was never my intention to leave you isolated and bereft, but I invariably did in my narrow minded goal in protecting Nate. That was horrendously wrong of me to do that, to make you suffer for my own foolish desire to help someone that needed not my help, and I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart for my thoughtlessness. I...I promise I will make it up to you, starting by attending your first Gym Battle, and supporting you every step of the way. Here, *Sticks his hand into his satchel and pull out the Hard Stone he won at the Shuckleball contest so long ago*, take this for your Comite, as it can certainly boost its natural Rock type powers, and help accelerate it acquiring new moves for its own use. I'm also willing to lend any of my family member for you to use in your match against Zamboni, if you desire, as I want to increase the odds of you being victorious in better as much as possible. I can also provide you some Full Heals and Potions, just in case you need them. I'll do all that for you, and much more my dear, dear friend. So please....can you find it within your heart to forgive this wretched man?"
The researcher then went completely silent, and awaited her response. He can only desperately hope that he can salvage his friendship with her, but this time he finds it hard to be optimistic right now...
Even if the hug was half and timid which felt rather uncommon coming from him in Shiva's view, it surely helped. It just did. It showed that he was there, doesn't run away in the next few minutes and, probably the most important thing, it showed her that he means it honest.
She just stayed there close to him listening to all his words, not really commenting on them just now. Even as he shortly distangled himself from her to reach for that Hard Stone, she didn't had more to say than a weak yet honest "Thank you. Bet the astral rock will rejoice when I gift that to him." Weird how she would actually rejoice like hell over such a item perfect for the Comite, but seemingly she already burnt her resources of energy and emotion on venting her frustration and until then surpressed anger for that oddball of researcher. Strange that even if he accidently put her through emotional mess and will burn her out if this continues, she still doesn't want to let go of him or hate him for his actions. Nope, it felt like things were developing the exact opposite direction, they only grew closer to one another by struggling through such things together, enduring the pain alongside one another, seeing how he understands that what he did was wrong clearly plays a big role here. There was something about Ven that captivites her and makes her wish for his company despite this, yet she couldn't explain in words what is exactly was.
When he finished his apology and asked her whether she would find it in her heart to forgive him... Silence reigned for just a little, before she carefully looked up from resting there at his shoulder - green tweed was still so comfortable to touch and snuggle up to - to face him directly with sadness her eyes, kinda matching what his were probably reflecting. However, there was hope. Even more carefully she extended her left hand to brush one of his orange strands of hair out of face and put it back into place - the touch of the strand was incredibly soft and kinda reminded her on Fennekin's fur when he still was one, yet it was lacking the warmth behind that only a magical fox could have - before letting her hand rest briefly on his cheek, all while not breaking eye contact over the rim of her glasses.
And finally, she found words to speak in a soft tone, more quiet than usual but pretty sure they'll reach him despite the ordinary noises in the Center, but his empathy would tell Ven that she means it and the she is not angry with him anymore. To be honest, she doesn't want to be angry at him at all, ever... but for one moment before, she must have gotten weak.
"...The ability to forgive when you admit a mistake and take an honest effort to apologize is an important trait someone whising to be close to you has to have, is it...? You see and adimitted that what you did was wrong. You take honest effort in trying to make up for that. Since I DO wish to be close to you and stay by your side... I WILL forgive you then. Can't promise that I'm over it right away, but note that I'm not mad with you, wish for your closure and I can't just let you go when you come to me and seemingly wish for the same, can I?" What was next, was to move even more close to him and seal the agreement with a chaste kiss on his other cheek, before finally breaking eye contact and looking to the side in a morose manner, before very coyly a very slight smile formed on her face. Was she silently hoping to receive a similar gesture in return? To be honest, she didn't knew at all. It wasn't meant to fluster or soft-force a comflict in him, it was rather...meant affectionate and appreciating. For just one moment, it seemed like/Ven would get the feeling that she was aiming for his lips originally as she moved closer, when she actually did not on purpose and it was most likely just the angle that made it look like it.
"However..." Back to facing him, "on one condition only. Just as you asked me to come to you when I feel like sliding down in mood,
you come to me when things are about to get out of hands, alright? Like, when fights or disagreements are causing trouble. BEFORE you take any strong action to solve them your way or in the way you think is best, you come to me, and I'll listen to what the issue is, alright? Only listen, I won't reason you, but we will look into what may be the best step to take TOGETHER, alright? Please no solo runs that drive us into what we have to deal with now. Nathan will certainly not be happy with you at aaalll when he comes here, and he WILL come eventually, and I don't want either of you ex- or implode on each other. If you wish, we would discuss together what a possible way to rebuild bridges could be when they get shattered, but please don't just... well... you know..." Here comes the hardest part! Something she was thinking from the beginning of the issue, but never spoke out or even hinted on, "...don't just repeat history. I remember how you told me about Rachael (his sister), how you wished to pretect her from any and every harm and prevented her from going after your mother, or 'mother', as she actually wished to. Even going that far to soft-force her to stay against her will by sedating and containing her, all because you wished to PROTECT her...When she actually didn't wanted to be protected, I assume. You told me that...things were horrible after she found out what you did with her... You were fine and happy that she was safe, while she was just mad and sad at you...and eventually...well...you know the end by yourself best. Don't just repeat that with Nathan... Just trust in him that he'll come back, let him do what he wishes for, don't protect him from harm that actually is no harm, as you saw by yourself..."
"... ... ...alright? Ven?"
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Mechanics:
Guess I'll stop here to give a chance to reply before resuming to answer him on his question what Shiva did instead. Hope reminding him on Rachael does not put him into a severe down mood more than necessary, (she's close to him to comfort him), but I feel doing so is somewhat important. Also silently and in-character contributing my part to keep Ventus in the campaign and help preventing a hassle for both him and GM, as I can't just stand and watch on this.
Is this ship happening? Nope, but it feels like they grew a little closer to it.