[Game] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure: Celadon City Vandel

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

He opts to look at the floor.  "...as you said, I was afraid of the consequences.  Kingdra was still angry about what caused her to rage and destroy half of Blackthorn.  Still is, in fact.  We were waiting for the one person we knew without a doubt could help, knew wouldn't be afraid...two years, we waited.  Kingdra got in a scrap with a Fire Blast happy Gyarados at the Lake of Rage and almost took out a chunk of Mahogany in her anger while we waited.  Pryce and Ecruteak weren't options I wanted to risk, lest I lose even more than I already had because I couldn't control Kingdra...we only stayed in Mahogany because Pryce would have been the most likely to be able to handle Kingdra if she started Outraging...so we waited, stayed as hidden as we could to try and stay away from trouble that could set Kingdra off...been four years now, and I've not seen or heard anything from that person..."

...silence.

"....You know as well as I that any Gym Leader worth their Poke are more than capable of handing dangerous Pokémon, especially a raging Dragon in Pyrce's case. He has a multitude of powerful Ice Pokémon on hand, and many of the more versatile ones have Freeze Dry, so you partner could have been kept well under control while you worked on your bond with her. ...Still, I can understand and accept that after the....disasterous events of Kingdra's rampage through our city, you would be reluctant to seek any aid with the actions of her's and your Exile an everpresent memory. ...I just wished you could have at least attempted those options, or at least visited my friends so that I could know you were still alive and well my little dragon...."

She looked at this moment like you, trying hard and succeeding not to cry at the 'what could have been' outcomes, had you decided to overcome your fears/doubts and seek help, instead of trying to solve everything yourself, like you were want to do when problems cropped up like Oddish on the night of a full moon.

After a few minutes of this heavy, stressed silence, kaa-san finally looked back up at you, eyes wet around the edges and bits of her makeup smear, but otherwise looking recomposed as she asked you her next question with an air of melancholy and....curiousity.

"....Who was this person you keep alluding to, Reiner....and why are they so important and valued to you that you were willing to wait years for them and ignore all other options that could have definitely and almost immediately helped you out of the plight you were in? Please.....tell me my son, and maybe I can began to better understand your unwise choices...."

Gentle, but harsh words from the woman. Your kaa-san made a artform of scolding or damning faintly, and you can personally attest to its effectiveness now that this skill is directed at YOU.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

After a few minutes of this heavy, stressed silence, kaa-san finally looked back up at you, eyes wet around the edges and bits of her makeup smear, but otherwise looking recomposed as she asked you her next question with an air of melancholy and....curiousity.

"....Who was this person you keep alluding to, Reiner....and why are they so important and valued to you that you were willing to wait years for them and ignore all other options that could have definitely and almost immediately helped you out of the plight you were in? Please.....tell me my son, and maybe I can began to better understand your unwise choices...."

Gentle, but harsh words from the woman. Your kaa-san made a artform of scolding or damning faintly, and you can personally attest to its effectiveness now that this skill is directed at YOU.

"...someone very dear to me, who I promised to never speak about...but...I think I can make an exception in this dream, where nobody but higher powers could possibly hear us..."

...

"...7 years ago, while Horsea and I were training in the rain, we made an unexpected friend.  A girl who was very good at avoiding unwanted attention and had a purple Horsea and a yellow bird pokemon of some kind...she was very...happy, carefree...it was a little infectious, I guess you could say, and both us and our pokemon became friends rather quickly (and Yuuka definitely knows how few friends Reiner had).  Training with her never felt like a chore like it did with Clair.  I got the feeling that...ya know, maybe I could actually help her...that she could help me, too...couple months later, and both of our Horsea had evolved into Seadra.  Three years later, and they both shed Dragon Scales...she wanted to evolve our Seadra together at the soonest opportunity, and I insisted that we wait for the right time..."

"...she conceded, and let me hold on to both Dragon Scales so she could avoid the temptation...one purple and sparkly, one as blue as the ocean...and then the Elders took them both..."

...

"...one thing lead to another, and she convinced me that we needed to at least get her Seadra's Dragon Scale back...I felt rather terrible, letting her down like that..."

...

"...we got them back, but we got caught in the act by Grandfather's Dragonite.  She negotiated something with the dragon...and it turned out to be trading that yellow bird of hers for the Scales, Sneasel's well being and...'relative' freedom for us both...she insisted that we evolve our Seadra right then and there.  Insisted that it would all work out fine...I could tell she was scared she might lose that Dragon Scale again..."

...

"...she had a good handle on her Kingdra, but mine...well, she's...very angry that the Elders took that little yellow bird away from our friend.  That's why she..."

...

"...after I was officially exiled, she saw us off in the Ice Path.  But she promised she'd find us later and...well...she didn't leave before...*ahem*..."  Reiner's blushing a little at this point.

"...a-anyways...I...never really learned much about that girl...most I managed to get out of her was her first name and her pokemon's nicknames.  I didn't really think to question her past until...well, she was almost a different person while we were in the Dragon Shrine...very serious...scared...incredibly determined..."

...

"...not that I could ask her anything about her apparent history with the Elders now. No idea where she even went, let alone if she's still free or even alive...sometimes, she's a little too good at disappearing without a trace..."

...

"...Elders seem to be pretending she doesn't exist, too.  Not once did I hear them mention a bird pokemon or a Purple Dragon Scale when they listed the charges.  Would have thought they would have at least questioned me about those, but no...something feels...off about that..."

...

"...I suppose that's the...short version..."

(Reiner would frequently leave for 'solo' training sessions to supplement the training he and Clair were going/had gone through after he met Taylor, and those 3 years with Taylor were certainly some of his happiest, so all of this should line up with what Yuuka knows of Reiner's daily life in Blackthorn.)

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...someone very dear to me, who I promised to never speak about...but...I think I can make an exception in this dream, where nobody but higher powers could possibly hear us..."

...

"...7 years ago, while Horsea and I were training in the rain, we made an unexpected friend.  A girl who was very good at avoiding unwanted attention and had a purple Horsea and a yellow bird pokemon of some kind...she was very...happy, carefree...it was a little infectious, I guess you could say, and both us and our pokemon became friends rather quickly (and Yuuka definitely knows how few friends Reiner had).  Training with her never felt like a chore like it did with Clair.  I got the feeling that...ya know, maybe I could actually help her...that she could help me, too...couple months later, and both of our Horsea had evolved into Seadra.  Three years later, and they both shed Dragon Scales...she wanted to evolve our Seadra together at the soonest opportunity, and I insisted that we wait for the right time..."

"...she conceded, and let me hold on to both Dragon Scales so she could avoid the temptation...one purple and sparkly, one as blue as the ocean...and then the Elders took them both..."

...

"...one thing lead to another, and she convinced me that we needed to at least get her Seadra's Dragon Scale back...I felt rather terrible, letting her down like that..."

...

"...we got them back, but we got caught in the act by Grandfather's Dragonite.  She negotiated something with the dragon...and it turned out to be trading that yellow bird of hers for the Scales, Sneasel's well being and...'relative' freedom for us both...she insisted that we evolve our Seadra right then and there.  Insisted that it would all work out fine...I could tell she was scared she might lose that Dragon Scale again..."

...

"...she had a good handle on her Kingdra, but mine...well, she's...very angry that the Elders took that little yellow bird away from our friend.  That's why she..."

...

"...after I was officially exiled, she saw us off in the Ice Path.  But she promised she'd find us later and...well...she didn't leave before...*ahem*..."  Reiner's blushing a little at this point.

"...a-anyways...I...never really learned much about that girl...most I managed to get out of her was her first name and her pokemon's nicknames.  I didn't really think to question her past until...well, she was almost a different person while we were in the Dragon Shrine...very serious...scared...incredibly determined..."

...

"...not that I could ask her anything about her apparent history with the Elders now. No idea where she even went, let alone if she's still free or even alive...sometimes, she's a little too good at disappearing without a trace..."

...

"...Elders seem to be pretending she doesn't exist, too.  Not once did I hear them mention a bird pokemon or a Purple Dragon Scale when they listed the charges.  Would have thought they would have at least questioned me about those, but no...something feels...off about that..."

...

"...I suppose that's the...short version..."

(Reiner would frequently leave for 'solo' training sessions to supplement the training he and Clair were going/had gone through after he met Taylor, and those 3 years with Taylor were certainly some of his happiest, so all of this should line up with what Yuuka knows of Reiner's daily life in Blackthorn.)

Your kaa-san's expression shifted several times in rapids succession as you unveiled you 'sordid' relationship, with not one of them being what you called negative or disasterous. 

First, surprise, as her mouth went in a 'Oh...' shape as both her eyebrows hiked up straight to her hair line. 

Then, an intense curiosity, as her brows drew together and crinkled in thought. 

Another look of surprise followed afterwards, this one more mild but at the same time....knowledgeable, for lack of a better word. 

Next, a look of sad sympathy graced her features as you described the plight of both Taylor and the promise that left you trapped in Mahogany Town, waiting for one who never returned.

Finally, as you wrapped up your tale and trailed off uncomfortably, no doubt still directly avoiding you kaa-san's gaze, a reminiscence filled her experssion, ripe with memories of the past and....something else, as she stared at you now, hands having folded together and propping up her chin at some point as she drank in the story you wove.

She remained silent afterwards, staring at as she contemplated your words and just how to respond to them...

What initial response she settled on, however, was the very last thing you'd expect: she started laughing. 

Its started as minor chuckling, but it soon escalated into the full blown loud, noble laughs you kaa-san let out when she was supremely amused with something, with her whipping away a few stray tears she said while she did so.

After about a full minute of her doing this, she slowly but surely calmed down, her laughter winding down as she shook her head to dispel the last of her unexpected mirth, staring at you with a motherly smile and warmth that was both gratifying and slightly unnerving to see at the same time, all the more so given the heaviness of the topics they've discussed thus far.

"Ha ha ha....So the root of all this is was childhood  crush, one that had not quite blossomed into youthful love. I knew there was always something more to those 'solo' training sessions you've always went on, with how eager and happy you were afterward compared to the ones Clair put you through. I thought you might have been goofing off and getting in trouble with Sneasil, or prolling the streets in search of beauties that caught your eye - oh don't look at me like that, you were at that age! -, but the truth of the matter...matters, rather, has finally been revealed at long last.

Pausing to let out a few more chuckles, she then continued without hardly missing a beat or her suddenly renewed good mood fading one bit.

"It seems you managed to inherent all of your father's charm, and put it to use a much earlier than him! I wonder if he would be proud of you, or jealous you usurped his title as the family's 'Dragon Charmer.' And you said you had no time for love in Exile~! Ha ha ha!"

...

"*Ha ha…I believe I can understand now why you've acted in such a....inspired and focused way all those years ago, and while I still find your choices HIGHLY wanting - you and I are going to have a long, thoughtful discussion on your actions when we reunite in reality, my son - I don't think I can begrudge nor fault you nearly as much before. After all, me and your father did several foolish and shortsighted things in the throws of our passionate youth, and I'd be a poor mother and hypocrite if I held your own against you. Tease you silly and reprimand you, perhaps, like my own parents, but that is all."

Kaa-san then refolded her hands under her chin, and stared at you in now comfortable, much more tolerable silence.

"....Hmm......is the girl that stole your heart named.....Taylor, by any chance, my little dragon?"

...and then she dropped that question like it was the most casual thing in the world, her amusement unbroken.

What.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Your kaa-san's expression shifted several times in rapids succession as you unveiled you 'sordid' relationship, with not one of them being what you called negative or disasterous. 

First, surprise, as her mouth went in a 'Oh...' shape as both her eyebrows hiked up straight to her hair line. 

Then, an intense curiosity, as her brows drew together and crinkled in thought. 

Another look of surprise followed afterwards, this one more mild but at the same time....knowledgeable, for lack of a better word. 

Next, a look of sad sympathy graced her features as you described the plight of both Taylor and the promise that left you trapped in Mahogany Town, waiting for one who never returned.

Finally, as you wrapped up your tale and trailed off uncomfortably, no doubt still directly avoiding you kaa-san's gaze, a reminiscence filled her experssion, ripe with memories of the past and....something else, as she stared at you now, hands having folded together and propping up her chin at some point as she drank in the story you wove.

She remained silent afterwards, staring at as she contemplated your words and just how to respond to them...

What initial response she settled on, however, was the very last thing you'd expect: she started laughing. 

Its started as minor chuckling, but it soon escalated into the full blown loud, noble laughs you kaa-san let out when she was supremely amused with something, with her whipping away a few stray tears she said while she did so.

After about a full minute of her doing this, she slowly but surely calmed down, her laughter winding down as she shook her head to dispel the last of her unexpected mirth, staring at you with a motherly smile and warmth that was both gratifying and slightly unnerving to see at the same time, all the more so given the heaviness of the topics they've discussed thus far.

"Ha ha ha....So the root of all this is was childhood  crush, one that had not quite blossomed into youthful love. I knew there was always something more to those 'solo' training sessions you've always went on, with how eager and happy you were afterward compared to the ones Clair put you through. I thought you might have been goofing off and getting in trouble with Sneasil, or prolling the streets in search of beauties that caught your eye - oh don't look at me like that, you were at that age! -, but the truth of the matter...matters, rather, has finally been revealed at long last.

Pausing to let out a few more chuckles, she then continued without hardly missing a beat or her suddenly renewed good mood fading one bit.

"It seems you managed to inherent all of your father's charm, and put it to use a much earlier than him! I wonder if he would be proud of you, or jealous you usurped his title as the family's 'Dragon Charmer.' And you said you had no time for love in Exile~! Ha ha ha!"

...

"*Ha ha…I believe I can understand now why you've acted in such a....inspired and focused way all those years ago, and while I still find your choices HIGHLY wanting - you and I are going to have a long, thoughtful discussion on your actions when we reunite in reality, my son - I don't think I can begrudge nor fault you nearly as much before. After all, me and your father did several foolish and shortsighted things in the throws of our passionate youth, and I'd be a poor mother and hypocrite if I held your own against you. Tease you silly and reprimand you, perhaps, like my own parents, but that is all."

Kaa-san then refolded her hands under her chin, and stared at you in now comfortable, much more tolerable silence.

"....Hmm......is the girl that stole your heart named.....Taylor, by any chance, my little dragon?"

...and then she dropped that question like it was the most casual thing in the world, her amusement unbroken.

What.

'What?!' indeed... [Though I totally saw this coming OOC ] 

Reiner's certainly surprised, though.  "...yes, but...what?!  How do you...?"

[Lord Windos]

'What?!' indeed... [Though I totally saw this coming OOC ] 

Reiner's certainly surprised, though.  "...yes, but...what?!  How do you...?"

[If you are still enjoying the plot I weave, then it means all the same to me!]

More laughter was meet in response to your abject shock, as your kaa-san covered her mouth and tittered before she responded.

"Ha ha ha, So my motherly intuition was right! I believe the saying 'what a small world we live in' would nicely sum up how I knew that, but I know you are dying for details, so let me explain. After.....hmm if you joined Team Rocket around....two years ago.....about three months from that decision of yours, a young, heavily cloaked woman appeared on my doorstep asking about you. I quickly invited her in for tea and snacks, as I while I was suspicious of them, I was just as eager as they were to hear some news about you. "


"She stayed for....hmm....about an hour, and while I learned frustratingly little from her, she seemed to be equally dissastified with my lack of knowledge of your whereabouts, and so we simply reminisced about you in that time. When we finished tea and she was getting ready leave, she pressed a piece of paper into my hands, and said that if I ever saw or heard word of you to get in touch with her using the phone number on it. I, naturally, asked just who she was and why she was searching for my son, all she offered was: 'The name's Taylor, and I....have a promise to keep with him.' She then left, just like that, and I have never seen nor heard about her again. I tried asking around the city for a 'Taylor' , but nobody new anyone of that name and the description I gave."

Kaa-san then laughed a little more, and continued with a bittersweet sort of smile: "A total enigma from beginning to end Taylor was, but I could tell she cared greatly about you, and a...different but similar need to see you again, just like me. That's why I've been so curious about your love life, my little dragon, for I was wondering if you two ever managed to reunite. It seems, judging by your reaction and mood, that is not the case."

More silence followed after she said this, until she said, now without a trace of mirth on her face and a certain sort of....delicateness in its place:

"I've memorized that number by now, so I give it to you my son. The question is, though.....do you want it?"

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

[If you are still enjoying the plot I weave, then it means all the same to me!]

More laughter was meet in response to your abject shock, as your kaa-san covered her mouth and tittered before she responded.

"Ha ha ha, So my motherly intuition was right! I believe the saying 'what a small world we live in' would nicely sum up how I knew that, but I know you are dying for details, so let me explain. After.....hmm if you joined Team Rocket around....two years ago.....about three months from that decision of yours, a young, heavily cloaked woman appeared on my doorstep asking about you. I quickly invited her in for tea and snacks, as I while I was suspicious of them, I was just as eager as they were to hear some news about you. "


"She stayed for....hmm....about an hour, and while I learned frustratingly little from her, she seemed to be equally dissastified with my lack of knowledge of your whereabouts, and so we simply reminisced about you in that time. When we finished tea and she was getting ready leave, she pressed a piece of paper into my hands, and said that if I ever saw or heard word of you to get in touch with her using the phone number on it. I, naturally, asked just who she was and why she was searching for my son, all she offered was: 'The name's Taylor, and I....have a promise to keep with him.' She then left, just like that, and I have never seen nor heard about her again. I tried asking around the city for a 'Taylor' , but nobody new anyone of that name and the description I gave."

Kaa-san then laughed a little more, and continued with a bittersweet sort of smile: "A total enigma from beginning to end Taylor was, but I could tell she cared greatly about you, and a...different but similar need to see you again, just like me. That's why I've been so curious about your love life, my little dragon, for I was wondering if you two ever managed to reunite. It seems, judging by your reaction and mood, that is not the case."

More silence followed after she said this, until she said, now without a trace of mirth on her face and a certain sort of....delicateness in its place:

"I've memorized that number by now, so I give it to you my son. The question is, though.....do you want it?"

"...*sigh*...she's always more clever than I expect her to be...yes, I want the number.  I think it's about time she gave me some answers, in person or not."

[Lord Windos]

"...*sigh*...she's always more clever than I expect her to be...yes, I want the number.  I think it's about time she gave me some answers, in person or not."

Kaa-san relaxed a little after you declared your desires in a half put upon, half hopeful way, and she calmly and easily rattled off the number for you , which I presume you would easily memorize.

"I don't believe she could have possible anticipated our reuninion in her wildest dreams, but she does seem the sort of person prepared for just about anything to happen if she went to the trouble of meeting with me if you somehow reunited with me. Considering that did end up happening...well, he cleverness has paid off dividends, hasn't it?"


In a display of motherly tact, she stopped speaking about Taylor for now or inquiring your plans with her, as she rightly felt that you considered such things private subjects and that you were already uncomfortable enough has is talking about it. Instead, she took the opportunity re-rail the conversation back on track that your questionable choice in lifestyle and tragic love story took them of on.

"*Ahem* Let's move on from such things a continue our...earlier discussion, shall we? For you assessment that Team Rocket could 'walk right in' and conquer our city without major issues, perhaps I need to remind you that Blackthorn has some of the strongest Trainers stationed at the Gym and its populace. Without Clair's leadership and....force of personality, Blackthorn is much weaker, but its hardly defenseless. Once the city and Dragon Clan is fully alert, or Dragon Gods forbid grows scornful of the outside world, any such conquest launched by Team Rocket would quickly turn into a bloodbath for both sides, or a siege if we repel them from the city and they persist in their foolishness. It would be a long, grueling campaign with much lose for us all, however, and there is no guarantee The Dragon Clan would win against them in the end, so it all comes to the same end: fighting with Team Rocket would only end in disaster for Blackthorn and its people. If its all the same, I rather we avoid that all if at all possible, so if you can delay and return Clair safely to the city, that would be very much appreciated my son."

She said that last sentence with enough dry and wry politeness you could feel a part of yourself pucker up at it, before she continued.

"As for receiving the National Guard's aid, that would greatly increase the defenses of our city, and perhaps ward off Team Rocket from making any....daring plays, but neither the Dragon Clan nor the Elders would very much appreciated outsiders from interfering with 'Clan affairs', or whatever those old fools could dredge up to justify their xenophobia. If they are to be of any help without being summarily rejected or denied, I estimate that the National guard has to arrive in a week or less time before the mood of Blackthron grows far to hostile to accept any outside help, and even then the Elders are likely to....meddle with things and rope them in the pursuit of capturing you. Likely by putting you on some sort of Wanted List or a special case to be assigned, knowing their vehement desire to stamp you out or bring you under their heel."

"Speaking of the Nation Guard, this....Malcom and the offer he extended to you.....I hope you do realize that joining forces with him would be just trading one master for another, my little dragon? Sure, the National Guard is far more noble, just, and humanitarian than Team Rockect could ever conceive to be,  but they would be FAR more control and critical of your actions my little dragon, and wouldn't tolerate or look favorably upon flippancy, deviance or...otherwise. You should also best beware that...gentleman that extended the offer in the first place, as their is no guarantee he will honor it in the future, or continue to do so if one of his own superiors overrides his authority. I don't want you falling into the clutches or chains of another dubious group, Reiner, so please....be careful."

"*Sighs*….I will also be frank with you, and I hope you can forgive me for saying this my son, but the best thing you could do is that after returning Clair to Blackthorn City and....tying up any sort of lose ends you just.....abandon Team Rocket and leave everything alone for a good long while. Hide away, change your identity, or....or even fake your death, anything it takes for you to sever ties with that vile, greedy dragon, and just.....let things go. Once Clair has returned and you are 'gone' , things will begin to settle down, and Team Rocket wouldn't DARE to provoke Blackthorn City with how....agitated everyone and their Gym Leader would become. Nothing would....change, and those craven, hidebound Elders would still rule unopposed and keep the city as it always was, but everything would return to peace and stability. "


"*Sighs again* …No matter how much you wish to right the wrongs of the Elders and improve our society as a whole, doing so by....drastic means would cause only more harm than good in the short term, which The Dragon Clan may or may not be able to cope with. Or, to put it more unsubtly, my son, two or more wrongs do not make a right. *Sighs yet again* ….They've lived the same way, by the same traditions, customs, and teachings for centuries, perhaps even millennium if you believe all the passed down legends, and while.....insular and archaic in this day and age, The Dragon Clan has been on the whole happy and content with 'the way things are' for....well, for as long as its collective memory spans back. Radical change, ideals, or 'new ways to do things' would only....upset that peace they've strived to maintain and build over innumerable generations, even if it in the long run improve in the long run. They or the city might not be able to handle the social upheaval , and worst comes to worst.....things just will start to fall apart. 

"…..The Dragon Clan and Blackthorn City is one for gradual, slow change, not the rapid and progressive style you and Lance favor. Forcing immediate or large change upon your people will, in most conceivable scenarios, will fail or backfire on you badly, especially if its you, the 'Dangerous Exile' , championing the new, 'exotic' ideas and innovations. If you do manage to succeed through sheer force of will and power, though...…..would you be any better than Team Rocket at that point?"

…
…
…

"...I all can ask you is think carefully about what you truly wish to do, and all the consequences thereof, my little dragon. You want to do what's right, I know.....but ask yourself first this before you do anything: 'Is it right for someone else? Anyone else?' "


Silence.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"*Ahem* Let's move on from such things a continue our...earlier discussion, shall we? For you assessment that Team Rocket could 'walk right in' and conquer our city without major issues, perhaps I need to remind you that Blackthorn has some of the strongest Trainers stationed at the Gym and its populace. Without Clair's leadership and....force of personality, Blackthorn is much weaker, but its hardly defenseless. Once the city and Dragon Clan is fully alert, or Dragon Gods forbid grows scornful of the outside world, any such conquest launched by Team Rocket would quickly turn into a bloodbath for both sides, or a siege if we repel them from the city and they persist in their foolishness. It would be a long, grueling campaign with much lose for us all, however, and there is no guarantee The Dragon Clan would win against them in the end, so it all comes to the same end: fighting with Team Rocket would only end in disaster for Blackthorn and its people. If its all the same, I rather we avoid that all if at all possible, so if you can delay and return Clair safely to the city, that would be very much appreciated my son."

She said that last sentence with enough dry and wry politeness you could feel a part of yourself pucker up at it, before she continued.

"As for receiving the National Guard's aid, that would greatly increase the defenses of our city, and perhaps ward off Team Rocket from making any....daring plays, but neither the Dragon Clan nor the Elders would very much appreciated outsiders from interfering with 'Clan affairs', or whatever those old fools could dredge up to justify their xenophobia. If they are to be of any help without being summarily rejected or denied, I estimate that the National guard has to arrive in a week or less time before the mood of Blackthron grows far to hostile to accept any outside help, and even then the Elders are likely to....meddle with things and rope them in the pursuit of capturing you. Likely by putting you on some sort of Wanted List or a special case to be assigned, knowing their vehement desire to stamp you out or bring you under their heel."

"Speaking of the Nation Guard, this....Malcom and the offer he extended to you.....I hope you do realize that joining forces with him would be just trading one master for another, my little dragon? Sure, the National Guard is far more noble, just, and humanitarian than Team Rockect could ever conceive to be,  but they would be FAR more control and critical of your actions my little dragon, and wouldn't tolerate or look favorably upon flippancy, deviance or...otherwise. You should also best beware that...gentleman that extended the offer in the first place, as their is no guarantee he will honor it in the future, or continue to do so if one of his own superiors overrides his authority. I don't want you falling into the clutches or chains of another dubious group, Reiner, so please....be careful."

"*Sighs*….I will also be frank with you, and I hope you can forgive me for saying this my son, but the best thing you could do is that after returning Clair to Blackthorn City and....tying up any sort of lose ends you just.....abandon Team Rocket and leave everything alone for a good long while. Hide away, change your identity, or....or even fake your death, anything it takes for you to sever ties with that vile, greedy dragon, and just.....let things go. Once Clair has returned and you are 'gone' , things will begin to settle down, and Team Rocket wouldn't DARE to provoke Blackthorn City with how....agitated everyone and their Gym Leader would become. Nothing would....change, and those craven, hidebound Elders would still rule unopposed and keep the city as it always was, but everything would return to peace and stability. "


"*Sighs again* …No matter how much you wish to right the wrongs of the Elders and improve our society as a whole, doing so by....drastic means would cause only more harm than good in the short term, which The Dragon Clan may or may not be able to cope with. Or, to put it more unsubtly, my son, two or more wrongs do not make a right. *Sighs yet again* ….They've lived the same way, by the same traditions, customs, and teachings for centuries, perhaps even millennium if you believe all the passed down legends, and while.....insular and archaic in this day and age, The Dragon Clan has been on the whole happy and content with 'the way things are' for....well, for as long as its collective memory spans back. Radical change, ideals, or 'new ways to do things' would only....upset that peace they've strived to maintain and build over innumerable generations, even if it in the long run improve in the long run. They or the city might not be able to handle the social upheaval , and worst comes to worst.....things just will start to fall apart. 

"…..The Dragon Clan and Blackthorn City is one for gradual, slow change, not the rapid and progressive style you and Lance favor. Forcing immediate or large change upon your people will, in most conceivable scenarios, will fail or backfire on you badly, especially if its you, the 'Dangerous Exile' , championing the new, 'exotic' ideas and innovations. If you do manage to succeed through sheer force of will and power, though...…..would you be any better than Team Rocket at that point?"

…
…
…

"...I all can ask you is think carefully about what you truly wish to do, and all the consequences thereof, my little dragon. You want to do what's right, I know.....but ask yourself first this before you do anything: 'Is it right for someone else? Anyone else?' "


Silence.

"...bah...you always are better at this stuff than I am...*sigh*...not that I've had much time to consider much of that anyways..."

...

"...with Taylor's help, though, disappearing would be a much better option than before, quite frankly..."

...

"...I think I have a better idea of what I might do.  Do have a few loose ends to tie up, but I should hopefully be able to figure something out...don't think I'll be able to nail down anything concrete quite yet...need more information..."

...

"...on a...different note, where'd you put your notes on Wyvreon?  Might be worth checking there for them since we are technically at 'home'.  Just a thought.  Chairs seem to work fine, after all."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...bah...you always are better at this stuff than I am...*sigh*...not that I've had much time to consider much of that anyways..."
...

"...with Taylor's help, though, disappearing would be a much better option than before, quite frankly..."
...

"...I think I have a better idea of what I might do.  Do have a few loose ends to tie up, but I should hopefully be able to figure something out...don't think I'll be able to nail down anything concrete quite yet...need more information..."
...

"...on a...different note, where'd you put your notes on Wyvreon?  Might be worth checking there for them since we are technically at 'home'.  Just a thought.  Chairs seem to work fine, after all."

Despite herself, your kaa-san couldn't help but giggle at your first remark, though it was laced with equal parts bitterness and mirth. "I, on the other hand, have had far too much time dwelling on the implications of sweeping change in Blackthorn. *Mumbles* Anything to get you to return, safe and sound.... *Ahem* Though I disdain such a talent, I am quite deft and sharp at all sorts of politics, my little dragon. Such...theatrics and grand planning is not to dissimilar to the performance I and my friends put on, though often times they are more vital yet destible. Bah....how I wish people could sort out their own problems without dragging other in them. Still, you are just as clever as me, my little dragon, so I'll know you'll come up with something appropriate enough....well, I hope so for all our shakes."

…

"*Looks hesitant, then firms up and nods her head* If she can help you without complication, then I would take it. As I said, the very last thing that is needed is more upheaval or dramatic events taking place, and with you 'gone' I would imagine quite a lot of conflict would die down. ...Even if I would miss you dearly, it would be for the best for all of us. I've...learned to live with your abscene in my life, as you have lived with ours...."

…

"Do what needs to be done, but keep all that I have said in mind, my son. Please. For your shake, more than anyone else..."

…

On that last series of questions, she was left blinking in surprise at both them and how greatly it would simplify things for the both of them if her notes were here, before she abruptly stood up and stalked out of the room, opening a sliding door and closing it behind her. About 15 minutes later, she returned, this time with a fairly hefty looking journal titled 'The Art of Raising Dragons' in her hands as she *Sighed* and handed it over to you, shaking her head in both amusement and at the absurdity that her notes were actually here in this dream space.

"Thank whatever gods that made this realm that they did so in stunning faithfulness to our home, for I found my notes were I hide them. Don't mind the title, for I labeled it that way to throw off any would be spies or thieves the Elder could sent to steal my secrets. Paranoid, perhaps, but I wouldn't put it past them to do ANYTHING at this point...."

The journal, in sum, basically describes in far greater and dry detail of what your kaa-san already explained about the Evolution Ritual and the different versions of Wyvreon/what they can do/learn, with a smattering of personal notes and artful illustrations. You do find some perfunctory Pokedex style summeries of the new Eeveelution as a whole and for its variants (which will be posted in the Meta Thread when I can get to it!) written in your mother's analytic yet flowery style of writing, and more concrete information on the Savage Wyvreon Variant, which for convenience shake will be translated into a stat block:

SAVAGE WYVREON

HP: VIT + 5

SUPRISES: Gains a choice of either + 1 STR , + 1 DEX, or + 3 Luck upon evolving (The Surprise Choice for N. Wvy. is + 2 HP, + 1 Defense, or + 3 Luck)

Moves: 2 Random Egg Moves and all 0 XP Moves of Eevee, *Roar, *Yawn, *Dragon Dance, *Extreme Speed, *Rend/Serration, *Other Possible Moves That Have Yet to be Discovered (Still haven't found that list, *Shrugs*, but that just means these Eeveelution will only get better with time)

EXCLUSIVE MOVE: Rend/Serration (Move Name can be said as a whole, or just either part of it) - STR + 2, Auto Crits, and Bonus Dice are added after Damage Calculations are done, but not Ability or Item/Plot Device Calcs. , which means this move has a Base 3D6 Damage Pool against all targets exception those that have built in Damage Reduction. Ignores and shatters Barrier/Defense type Moves (Substitute, Protect Series Moves, Reflect/LS/AV/Barrier (Duh) , etc..) but not Out of Range Moves like Fly/Dig/Phantom Force, Ignores most Defensive Abilities that would impede its Damage (Aegis Ferrum, Wonder Guard, Plot Device Abilities, etc.. are the exception), and Ignore Fairy type Immunity to the Move. Steel and Ghost types, though, are Immune to this Move as a consequence. Lethal.

ABILITY: Tough Claws

TM/HM/Learn Sert List: Again, I need my list that I have to dig up from SOMEWHERE that has been moved to, but it has all the HMs exclusive to S.Wvy. and shared ones with N.Wvy. If I have to, I will make one up whole cloth AGAIN for them both (or the one you choose to evolve Ridia into) at that point. Sorry, mate.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Despite herself, your kaa-san couldn't help but giggle at your first remark, though it was laced with equal parts bitterness and mirth. "I, on the other hand, have had far too much time dwelling on the implications of sweeping change in Blackthorn. *Mumbles* Anything to get you to return, safe and sound.... *Ahem* Though I disdain such a talent, I am quite deft and sharp at all sorts of politics, my little dragon. Such...theatrics and grand planning is not to dissimilar to the performance I and my friends put on, though often times they are more vital yet destible. Bah....how I wish people could sort out their own problems without dragging other in them. Still, you are just as clever as me, my little dragon, so I'll know you'll come up with something appropriate enough....well, I hope so for all our shakes."

…

"*Looks hesitant, then firms up and nods her head* If she can help you without complication, then I would take it. As I said, the very last thing that is needed is more upheaval or dramatic events taking place, and with you 'gone' I would imagine quite a lot of conflict would die down. ...Even if I would miss you dearly, it would be for the best for all of us. I've...learned to live with your abscene in my life, as you have lived with ours...."

…

"Do what needs to be done, but keep all that I have said in mind, my son. Please. For your shake, more than anyone else..."

…

On that last series of questions, she was left blinking in surprise at both them and how greatly it would simplify things for the both of them if her notes were here, before she abruptly stood up and stalked out of the room, opening a sliding door and closing it behind her. About 15 minutes later, she returned, this time with a fairly hefty looking journal titled 'The Art of Raising Dragons' in her hands as she *Sighed* and handed it over to you, shaking her head in both amusement and at the absurdity that her notes were actually here in this dream space.

"Thank whatever gods that made this realm that they did so in stunning faithfulness to our home, for I found my notes were I hide them. Don't mind the title, for I labeled it that way to throw off any would be spies or thieves the Elder could sent to steal my secrets. Paranoid, perhaps, but I wouldn't put it past them to do ANYTHING at this point...."

The journal, in sum, basically describes in far greater and dry detail of what your kaa-san already explained about the Evolution Ritual and the different versions of Wyvreon/what they can do/learn, with a smattering of personal notes and artful illustrations. You do find some perfunctory Pokedex style summeries of the new Eeveelution as a whole and for its variants (which will be posted in the Meta Thread when I can get to it!) written in your mother's analytic yet flowery style of writing, and more concrete information on the Savage Wyvreon Variant, which for convenience shake will be translated into a stat block:

SAVAGE WYVREON

HP: VIT + 5

SUPRISES: Gains a choice of either + 1 STR , + 1 DEX, or + 3 Luck upon evolving (The Surprise Choice for N. Wvy. is + 2 HP, + 1 Defense, or + 3 Luck)

Moves: 2 Random Egg Moves and all 0 XP Moves of Eevee, *Roar, *Yawn, *Dragon Dance, *Extreme Speed, *Rend/Serration, *Other Possible Moves That Have Yet to be Discovered (Still haven't found that list, *Shrugs*, but that just means these Eeveelution will only get better with time)

EXCLUSIVE MOVE: Rend/Serration (Move Name can be said as a whole, or just either part of it) - STR + 2, Auto Crits, and Bonus Dice are added after Damage Calculations are done, but not Ability or Item/Plot Device Calcs. , which means this move has a Base 3D6 Damage Pool against all targets exception those that have built in Damage Reduction. Ignores and shatters Barrier/Defense type Moves (Substitute, Protect Series Moves, Reflect/LS/AV/Barrier (Duh) , etc..) but not Out of Range Moves like Fly/Dig/Phantom Force, Ignores most Defensive Abilities that would impede its Damage (Aegis Ferrum, Wonder Guard, Plot Device Abilities, etc.. are the exception), and Ignore Fairy type Immunity to the Move. Steel and Ghost types, though, are Immune to this Move as a consequence. Lethal.

ABILITY: Tough Claws

TM/HM/Learn Sert List: Again, I need my list that I have to dig up from SOMEWHERE that has been moved to, but it has all the HMs exclusive to S.Wvy. and shared ones with N.Wvy. If I have to, I will make one up whole cloth AGAIN for them both (or the one you choose to evolve Ridia into) at that point. Sorry, mate.

I don't think any further comments are needed for the time being on the topic of planning.  Most of what needed to be said has been, so Reiner just quietly nods and continues to think about how best to go about this on his own time.

...

"...ya know, sometimes the best solutions are the easiest ones...not always the case, but it's great when they are.  Thank those manipulative higher powers for deciding to update our surroundings according to our apparent ages.  Heh.  Now let's see here..."

...

Once all the note taking/memorization is finished [I'll have to update my own notes in the morning], Reiner closes his mother's book quietly and passes it back over to her.

"...well...honestly, this ended up being more than I ever could have asked for.  It's been...wonderful talking with you again...and I'm sorry I haven't been...what you hoped I would be...before we get back to our crazy daily lives, though..."

Reiner stands and offers a hand to his mother.

"...one last dance?  I still have two left feet compared to you, but I don't think that should stop me.  And if you could pass on a greeting and an apology to father from me...that would be spectacular."