[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Stunned by the frank admission, and even more surprised that a lot of it mirrored his own concerns, Ventus just sat back in his chair. When the topic of Vincent came up, he just put his hand in his hands, shaking it ruefully to himself. He'd been very concerned about his wellbeing, especially after he chased down that Voltorb and disapeered into the great divide. 'The Vivillon distracting him from returning was an even worse stroke of luck, as now we have absolutely no information about his current status. Based on that...its possible he might have died in the wilderness. Best not bring that up to Nathan, though, or we might both start crying,' he though, before reaching over and patting him on the shoulder.

"Hey, hey, I'm sure Vincent is alright. He's a rather hard and determined man, so I'm sure he's just trying to hunt down that legend and keep his new Voltorb under control. No new isn't necessarily bad new, right?" Ventus said to Nathan, trying to calm the boys fears about him. Doing what he could, he took away his hand from the boy, and looked straight into his eyes. He offered the chance to ask questions first, so he might as well get his biggest concern off the table. Still, he couldn't help but feel even more guilty for bringing on such an emotional outburst, but he swallowed it down and asked his question.

"...Our fights started because of the Deyo Flower Incident, but their roots do not lie there. It comes from our different idealogical outlooks on life, as well as our morality. Because of both these issues, their had been a distinct lack of trust between me and you from then on. Even with that In mind, I have to ask : Why haven't you taken any of my warnings seriously? More importantly, why are you being so difficult to work with? Prior to the Deyo flowers, you had no reason to doubt me besides me being a worry wort, but when I started acting...paranoid over the flowers, I would have assumed that would be pause for concern," Ventus said, looking a bit ruefully at the young boy. He could understand his desire to learn more about this flowers, but he'd figured that when he started empathetically declaring these flowers were a threat, he'd listen.

"Instead, the Incident happened, and ever since then things have gotten worse between us. Keeping secrets from me, even when they hindered my ability to coordinate my efforts within the party, overidding my concerns and advice and acting in your own self interest, and, most recently, charging off into danger because you simply disagreed with how I handled my Ekans, and overidding any sort of view I had on the situation. *Sigh* Now, I feel that I can't even speak up against you or your decision without a meltdown taking place, even if what I have is entirely relevant to the task at hand," Ventus continued, sighing in frustration at there lack of communication and general bickering they've had. While he mourns the loss of camaraderie they had, he can't help but be frustrated by what took place.

"...Nathan, you promised me we could work together, without our background getting in the way, but that hasn't been accomplished yet, has it? So please, can you explain why you always doubted me so much?"

"We can work together.  It's just been...difficult.  To be honest, I could barely believe you were a researcher of any kind, initially.  You don't look like the type who would be one, yet there you were, giving solid advice on how to train a psychic type...and you're obviously doing something right, given that Aspis seems to like you.  Even if I don't wholly approve of the methods, I can't deny that they seem to have been effective..."

He pauses before continuing.  "As far as the flowers go...they're important.  I don't know how, but they are.  They mean something to Ralts.  And that's...something I need to figure out, given how I found him..."

He pauses again.  This was one of the parts he was intending to share, but was reluctant to do so.  He'd already told Vincent, but...this was harder.  MUCH harder.  He takes a deep breath, sobbing and shaking.  The memories are almost too painful to bear, and Ralts is mirroring the emotions perfectly.  "Ralts...nearly died.  I found him a year ago, on that stone in the clearing I'd brought us to before the mankey attacked us.  He was battered, beaten...I almost didn't recognize that he was a pokemon, let alone a Ralts.  I...couldn't just leave him there.  And now, I'm left wondering who put him in that state...sob.  I don't know how I managed to get him back to the Center in time...when he finally woke up, he was scared, alone...I took him in that day.  I couldn't just abandon him.  And so I got out the only pokeball I had and registered it to him.  I...would do almost anything for him.  I don't want him to feel that kind of pain and loneliness again.  It's too much for me to think about, if he does.  I can't really stand seeing other pokemon like that either, but it's especially true for Ralts.  Now that I finally have a lead on what might have happened to him, I can't just dismiss anything that might have a connection to his past.  Are the Deyo Flowers dangerous?  Initially, I said no.  But I agree now, they are.  Just maybe not for the same reasons as you...and that's what triggered the start of it.  I don't know exactly why it's continued and worsened, but differing moralities probably has something to do with it..."

He trails off, unsure of what else he can say.  "Any other questions?  Need me to try and elaborate on something?  I doubt you'll get another chance like this for a long time..."