Huh? Â When did Kirlia end up next to him? He'd left him here to heal while he'd been out performing that trade, and he'd only just walked into the Center to check on him...ugh, he'd probably Teleported as soon as Nathan walked in the front doors...
Kirlia's got a proper splint on his leg now.  Guess the nurse had taken care of what was needed...probably should let it heal overnight, though...
Back to the topic at hand...Nathan does find Ventus's behavior a little strange too. Â He'd not been expecting this kind of reaction...hard truths were often the most difficult to stomach, after all.
Nathan doesn't think Ventus has realized what the point he'd been trying to illustrate was, though...yes, he'd been angry at being called stubborn and closed minded....but what he fired back with still made sense to him. Maybe he just needed to explain it a little better...
"Ventus, back room please. I think we need to have a quick talk."
There's no anger in his tone and emotions. Just...exhaustion.
(10-10-2017, 08:25 PM)Dragonstrike Wrote: [ -> ]"Ventus, back room please. I think we need to have a quick talk."
There's no anger in his tone and emotions. Just...exhaustion.
The researcher tilts his head at the boy, that polite smile still firmly etched into his face as he thought over their request for a moment, before he straightened up and clasped his hands together and simply said: "Alright then. We'll conduct the trade after we talk. Lead the way, Nathan." Ventus was inscrutable and unreadable as he followed the young trainer to one of the ubiquitous back rooms all Centers, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table where Nathan choose to sit with nary a hint of negativity or malcontent on that pleasant expression he was donning. He just kept his silence as he
stared at the boy, arms resting loosely along his sides, waiting for them to speak their piece.
Nathan locks the door, sits down, and stares at Ventus too for a moment. When he does speak...
"You can drop the facade, you know. It's just us and Kirlia in here."
(10-10-2017, 08:52 PM)Dragonstrike Wrote: [ -> ]Nathan locks the door, sits down, and stares at Ventus too for a moment. When he does speak...
"You can drop the facade, you know. It's just us and Kirlia in here."
Ventus doesn't respond for a minute after that, before he responded, carefully ennucating his words as he did so. "Exactly. If I were to reveal how I truly feel now unto you.....I do believe I would cause you to descend into apathy. Or worse. Much worse. So I prefer to keep things polite for the time being, unless you give me reasonÂ
not to. Now, tell me what you wish and be quick about, so that we can conduct our trade and take leave of each other's presense. Trust that I would say that it would be in our both best interest to keep thing brief with each other. Of course...." he said, trailing off meaningfully as he let out a humorless chuckle, "You have such difficulty doing that, so perhaps I am asking too much of you."
(10-10-2017, 09:15 PM)Dragonstrike Wrote: [ -> ]Nathan suddenly looks incredibly serious.  "If you're done poking at my temper, scan the room please."
Another chuckle, before he got up from his chair and gave them a formal bow. "Your will be enacted, my king," before he reached into his bag and pulled out his scanner, before running a sweep of the room for bugs, hidden camera, and what not. When that came up clear (Or so his scanner says), he returned to his chair, and gave them an expectant look.
(10-10-2017, 09:20 PM)Lord Windos Wrote: [ -> ]Another chuckle, before he got up from his chair and gave them a formal bow. "Your will be enacted, my king," before he reached into his bag and pulled out his scanner, before running a sweep of the room for bugs, hidden camera, and what not. When that came up clear (Or so his scanner says), he returned to his chair, and gave them an expectant look.
"A king wouldn't say 'please,' Ventus. Creshire hasn't seen a true king since Sarimanok's time."
He sighs, then looks straight at Ventus.
"Look, I get that you're angry. I would be too. I was. I gave it some thought, and you were right. Partially. Look, I'm trying to help you, believe it or not. You're very, very, very liable to get yourself in massive trouble around here. You want to know what those League representatives were discussing concerning the Tangrowth? They were debating how to move them. They've grown tired of seeing Tangrowth for the last 24 hours, but they're taking them in anyways. You weren't going to help anything by killing them, and I don't think any of us want to deal with multiple Tangrowth on a daily basis. I appreciated the choice, but the better one was to leave them for the League to handle it. Dagny's not in the mood for dealing with more than what she already has to from what I hear.
"The Tangrowth aren't going to stop coming. Not until their leaders have fallen, or the entire region is covered in these vines. This isn't a long game we'll be able to win by simply removing the pawns from the board because they have a near limitless supply of them. This isn't the Kalosian War or the Fall of the Kings, where the soldiers were humans accompanied by their pokemon.
"You want to be a hero? You need to do what's needed, not what you wish. Only what's needed. Being a hero means nothing if nobody thinks of you as one. And you know what I think? I agree, you aren't one. Not right now. But you can be. Cynthia doesn't give Togepi eggs to just anyone. And I'm sure most of Unova would treat Genesect like some weird science experiment at best instead of a living creature that has the same rights as everyone else does.
"I'm not saying you need to forgive me for what I said. But I am saying that I still have faith in you. You won't be able to stop the Scimitars from creating and mistreating more Genesect if the region thinks of you as unnecessarily ruthless. I'm sorry that it's come across as otherwise."
Ventus smile left his face as Nathan began to talk in earnest, listening very carefully to what he had to say. His expression, once the very definition of dignified politeness, become stormy as they updated him on the situation with the Skull Ruins, much more severe when they began to extol on what it means to be a hero ('As if I don't already know.') , and far more dissatisfied as they again tried to dictate to them what was right and correct. Finally, when the young trainer wrapped up his motivational speech, an odd crecking noise could now be heard throughout the small room. The source of the noise was the chair the researcher was sitting in, as he had gripped the armrest so hard that they were straining under his wrath, held back by the impressive amount of self control and the promise he made to himself concerning the boy.
There was silence for a time between the two.
Heavy, tense, uncomforting, and unnerving silence.
...
"....You are mistaken, Nathan. When I said I wasn't a hero, I was not implying that I wished to be one, or strove to uphold those 'lofty' ideals associated with such a role. No, all I told you was that I was incapable of being one, illustrating to you just how poorly such a title suited me. Never once in my time with you had I said I wanted to be such a thing."
....
"....Once, a long time ago, I wanted to be a hero. To uphold what is fair and just, to protect and save those that could not defend themselves from harm, and to help and benefit the entire world in any manner that I possibly could. It was such a childish dream, but never the less it was beautiful and comforting, and it help lend purpose to my life. Perhaps, given the chance and the right circumstance, I could have become a reasonable factsimile of one, the closet approximation that any one human could attain in their lifetime....."
....
"....Life, of course, has a way of educating those that cling to such fanciful notions. First, I failed to save my family, which collapsed around me despite my best efforts to keep it firmly bound together. My brother left twisted in grief filled anger, my mother fell prey to those vile Fairy types, and...and....my dear baby sister ran away from my care, when what I did was for her shake. I still don't know whether or not she's still alive, after all this time, despite my investigations...."
.....
"....Next, I joined Team Plasma, at first to help sustain myself during my primary school days, but later on in the hopes of a better future for myself and everyone in the region, nay, the world. I rose through the ranks and became a model Grunt for Team Plasma as a whole, as I did any and all that could be done to advance my group agenda, no matter what cost, until eventually I gained the notice and admiration of the True King, Ghetsis himself. I had prove myself above and beyond my peers, and so he assigned me the roles of being both a Recruiter and one of his personal Enforcers alongside The Shadow Traid to do his will, and over time, as we worked together towards the promised goal, we became close friends with each other, sharing in each other's joys, accomplishments, and eventually we......"
....
"....For a time, I had thought I was doing what was right and just, creating a wonderful world where people and Pokémon could exist not as servents to one another, but as equals. .........You already know how that ended. All that work, years of passonate loyalty and service to a cause most would find inconceivable, rendered to naught but ashes and char. Worse, even, since now I know with a heavy heart that what I did was wrong and misguided, and that one of my only friends had gone mad and abandoned that which made him strong, powerful, and grand, and never will I be able to reconcile with them, as they have fallen so low that nothing can reach them now...."
.....
"......Finally, I took the opportunity and became a researcher and the personal handler of Genesect, and tried to do right by it when so many others failed to give it even the most basic of chances. You know the story. After all these years of putting their fate in the back of my mind, though, praying that they were doing well under the harsh scrutiny of my government, I learnt here in Cheshire that they possibly escaped confinement and ended up being captured by an even worse group, filled with abominable archmages with nebulous goals that pose no good towards it or the world over. That crushed me, Nathan, and it only served to re-affirm what I had learnt by that point. Learnt about what it means to be a hero. Do you know what it is?"
"It is thus: that a hero is naught but a fool that endevours to do the impossible, only to fail everyone and themselves. I couldn't save anyone. I couldn't uphold just ideals, and I found the law and given order to be reprehensible. The only thing I could do right sometimes was to help others, to try to make their lives more happy, better, more decent, tolerable, fulfilling etc.. It was the only thing, besides my own research, education, and personal wisdom, that served to do me and anyone else a scrap of good in the short and long run."
"So, that is what I decided to do: help others, however I can, in whatever way I can, to whatever extent that was possible, no matter what. Even if I had to do terrible, cruel, ruthless, monsterous things, things that would earn me only the scorn, derision, and hostility of those I am trying to help, I would still do it. Because, sometimes, to help someone out or solve a problem, one must not do 'what is needed' or 'what is right'. Sometimes, one must be willing to do what must be done, especially if no one else wants to do so, or even consider such unpalatable ideas. I am no hero, Nathan, because its impossible for me to become one. I wish I could have been a hero, but I just can't be one."
A long period of silence stretches out as he finished that part of his rant, panting with the physical and emotional exertion of explaining THIS to the boy, but it must be done. He couldn't let them hold on to such pretensions, and while he very much doubts they would understand his words they way he intended them to be interpreted, he knew they were wise enough to comprehend his point. That Ventus Zackarieh was no hero, and that he could never be one, no matter how hard he or others tried....
Then, when Ventus was ready, he continued, now weary from his earlier mini fillabuster.
".... I've come to recently realize that arguing with you is entirely pointless. That trying to meet you in the middle ground or work to create some between us is a fruitless if we just end up at each other's throats, like right now. Opening up to you and getting you to do the same is too painful, especially when you spite me with barbed words that you knew would only serve to hurt me at the time, instead of addressing the points I presented to you. You've have hurt me with your behavior in the past, but this time....this time you went too far. For that reason, I'm done trying to be your friend, done always trying to understand and accept who you are, done worrying constantly about your care and wellbeing, done bending my knee so as not to offend you. If I have not been a good enough friend towards you, neither have you. If you want my friendship in earnest again, for me to head your advice, to consider you and your beliefs, for me to care deeply for you, then earn it. Prove to me you can be more than who you are now. If you don't wish to change, that is fine, but do not expect the same from me."
With that being said, the sociologist flicked his wrist and palmed Solomon's Pokeball, before he rolled it towards them and standing up from his seat. "You know how to run the Trade Machine by yourself, and Shiva can be the one to help you conduct a round trade if needed. I'm going to bed. Good night." Ventus the proceeded to briskly exit the private room, and made his way to the suite he shared with Shiva. He had a busy day planned with her tomorrow, so he needed all the time he could for meditation and some rest if he wanted to completely sort out and compartmentalize/fully control the vitriol he holds towards Nathan now. He meant what he said to them, that he was done with putting up with their Tauros feces, and for the time being didn't want to interact for at least a few days. Hopefully they'll get his message loud and clear this time!
Order: .....Well, Ventus is going to meditate/sleep for the night now, and leave Nathan to deal with the consequence of his own actions. Ready for the new day whenever everyone else is!
Kirlia Teleports in front of the door to stop Ventus from leaving the room immediately (if Nathan wasn't allowed to just leave the area immediately right before the Running, Ventus can't do it now either).
"So you're going to ignore what I just said entirely? Here I am trying to open a conversation about this, trying to apologize, trying to explain why you're the only one I'm arguing with...and you decide to run off? Fine, have it your way. Continue to be angry. Continue to give up on yourself. I have no reason to talk to you about this if you're not going to hear what I'm saying. Come talk to me when you've decided you're going to hear me out. Genesect's not going to be able to save itself, you know." There's still no anger in Nathan's tone and emotions, though.
Kirlia moves out of the way. Nathan was done with trying to talk with Ventus if he wasn't even going to acknowledge the attempt to try and start moving forward.
________________________________________________________________________________
Nathan runs Solomon through the trading machine to get him prepped for the evolution, then deposits him in the PC for the time being. He needed to get this Slowpoke evolved ASAP. It wasn't going to happen tonight, though...it was too late in the day, and he didn't currently have a quick way back if he were to Teleport back to Ginger Town. He'd have to ask Shiva if he could borrow Helios so he could Teleport back at the soonest opportunity without being stuck in Ginger Town for a few hours...he had a lot he needed to do here in Stair City...
Ready for the next day as well.
(10-11-2017, 02:37 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote: [ -> ]Kirlia Teleports in front of the door to stop Ventus from leaving the room immediately (if Nathan wasn't allowed to just leave the area immediately right before the Running, Ventus can't do it now either).
"So you're going to ignore what I just said entirely? Here I am trying to open a conversation about this, trying to apologize, trying to explain why you're the only one I'm arguing with...and you decide to run off? Fine, have it your way. Continue to be angry. Continue to give up on yourself. I have no reason to talk to you about this if you're not going to hear what I'm saying.  Come talk to me when you've decided you're going to hear me out.  Genesect's not going to be able to save itself, you know." There's still no anger in Nathan's tone and emotions, though.
Kirlia moves out of the way. Nathan was done with trying to talk with Ventus if he wasn't even going to acknowledge the attempt to try and start moving forward.
It took every ounce of his self control and all the years of his finely hone, meticulously constructed, strongly forged iron grip on his emption, and the full knowledge of the ramification of such an action, for Ventus to not pivot on his heels, march up to Nathan,
and punch him straight into his bloody face (or soon to be bloody, anyway). The empath was trembling in rage at the pure impudence of his words, him lording over and utlizing his connection with Silverfish to strike at his core. With his back still turned to the boy, they said, in an errie, almost serene tone of voice filled to the bring with malcontent:
"Such a silver tongue you posses, Nathan Warren. Its a wonder why you hardly have any friends, with such eloquence and grace that underline so many of your actions. You say you are not a king, but I do honestly believe that Sarimanok would find a worthy successor in you, my
friend."
Ventus then exited the room, and if Kirlia tried to bare his path again, they would soon be on the receiving end of a well aimed kick to the side, as if he stay in the young trainer's presence for a second longer.....
'Enough. Tomorrow will be a hetic and frazzling one if I do not reign in my rage/indignation towards Nathan and re-establish my calm serenity to brace for the coming challenges today. He will not hurt me or unrattle me any more from hence forth, unless he truly wishes to start a feud with me. Now, I need to appear happy and peaceful when I enter my abode with Shiva, as their is no need to worry her insessently about that which is beyond her control, and despite how much I
HATE that boy right now, I don't wish to deprive him of his sole friend in the world. No yet, at any rate....' he though to himself, slowly wandering to the room his blessed friend to give him enough time to regain juuuuust enough of his calm to appear normal to her. He'll say that he just wish to meditate for the time being in silence, and that he'll slip into bed with them the moment he was finished in his mental care exercise. Simply made, simply
done.