[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Eventually, both Raphael's radient, comforting aura and hugs and Nathan's response managed to snap Ventus out of the depressive funk caused by reliving those very bittersweet memories of his, giving him the opportunity to firmly grasp and dispel those negative emotion and reassurt his iron clad control over himself once. After spending a few minutes thinking over how to best respond to the boy's worried filled statement, he decided to continue his approach of direct simple honestly on his part, as its worked 'well' so far.

"......If Wes or Mirror B is hunting down the Shadow Triad, then thier search has been fruitless or they are dead. The Shadow Triad are not 'found'; they simply appear when they wish and nothing more, and anyone that tries or succeed in subverting that will suffer a most unfortunate fate. More so than ever, since no doubt wherever they are hiding away is where Ghetsis is secluded at as well, unless they are employing multiple bases and frequently switch between them or have them set up as decoys. At least, that is what I suspect from what I know from working with them."

...

"......I pray to Reshirim that Michael's own beneficiary efforts are meet with excellent success, as while Orre is no longer desperately in need of a hero to rescue it from Cipher's vile clutches, their insidious influence and the fallout of their actions still needs to be dealt with swiftly, lest something arises from it once more. Hopefully Cipher's tenacious grasp will be fully stamped out in the coming years, or will be rendered so weak and vestigial that they are rendered forever impotent. Let's also hope that the Shadow Triad's teachings and techniques will serve to be less effective for the group now they've revealed their hand and have been so utterly foiled...."

Ventus was oddly silent as Nathan brought up the past Shadow Pokémon 'researchers' (He means that in the loosest of terms) , and his experssion turned......pensive and troubled as they went on about the complete and utter eradication of all knowledge to create them (Thank The Tao Trio!). It cleared quickly enough as they moved on, however, and any looks/reactions made about that reaction was deflect with a kind smile and simply saying : "Just pondering all of this, Nathan. Sorry for worrying you needlessly."

...

"The people that desire methods of creating more of those tragic creatures are few and far between, even among the criminal underworld or the morally bankrupt entrepuneurs. I rather all information concerning Cipher and their various projects be wiped from existence to all but those that need to know, as the less that know of their diabolic and evil acts committed against all Pokémon, the less likely someone will desire to replicate those results for themselves.... If artificial Shadow Pokémon make a revival in some fashion due to the shortsightedness and cruelity of others, I would be among the first to volunteer my expertise to help revert their condition, among other.......services I could provide."

....

"As I've said, do not worry yourself about these kind of things, Nathan. You have no idea or control over whether Cipher or Shadow Pokémon will make yet another comeback in Orre or another far flung land, nor any reason to suspect that anyone in your home region possesses both the distinct lack of morality and empathy required to even think of doing such an monsterous, fiendish thing. While I may at times find Cheshire's reverence and highly respectful attitude to be at time odd, in this case it serves well in discouraging individuals or organization in conducting 'research' of this type. "

"Even Almanac would be hesitate in researching Shadow Pokémon beyond anything other than opening their heart and curing them, unless they wish to suffer severe public and government backlash if or when that information is leaked. How on earth an.....dubious, unscrupulous and ethically lax and flexible Pokémon R&D Coglomerate managed to thrive here is beyond me, but they have some how. Perhaps in time we can uncover more solid and unsavory information about them and bring them at heel, or force them to tread with extreme caution if they want to continue doing business in Cheshire, but for now let's not focus on them too much. The Scimitars and the Secret Library are more pertinent matters that need our attention, so I suggest focusing on them until they are dealt with, or future events force us to reprioritize......"

Silence reigned for the longest time after this, during which Ven's incense fully burned itself out and his beloved archangel continued its duties in providing a soothing calm to the proceedings, until with a *Sigh* the researcher stood up from the bed and gave Nathan a tired but respectful nod. Tonight's conversation was far from ideal and weighed on him like a obese Snorlax, but in a way it was......relieving to be able to speak freely about his torrid past and illicit knowledge with someone, and get off such malignant feelings off his chest, even if it all taxed him greatly emotionally wise.

"We've said all that is needed about Shadow Pokémon and Cipher, and such......heavy topic have burdened and worn us down enough for one night and beyond, so I will be turning in now. I do hope this conversation has cleared things up about last night, and that I have helped in some way in alievating your concerns, or at least redirecting them elsewhere for the time being. I'd like this to be a net positive experience for us, in spite of us having every reason not to feel as such. Good night Nathan, and I pray to Reshirim that by morning's light you'll be your confidant, cheerful self once, and you'll find more reasons to be like such for the unforeseeable future....."

With that said, the empath beckoned Raphael to his side to give them one last gentle, loving carass, before returning them to their Pokeball and departing from the room...

Flash Baaaack!!!
Nathan lets out a breath he'd been holding, not commenting on anything Ventus has said as he processes things.  While it was relieving to finally be able to talk about this with somebody...it was definitely still rather weighty.  Kirlia's rather glad things seem to have gone well, though.

...Ventus did have some good points...focus on what you can do something about, not worry endlessly over something that might not be a problem...though Nathan still hopes Ardos never manages to revive Cipher...and that the Snag Machine can never be replicated by those with ill intent...

...Nathan does wonder how much more Ventus might know about Orre...the Snag Machine, he definitely knows at least a little about...Team Snagem...maybe?  He's not quite sure if he knows about the team's former connection to Cipher...

...he doesn't think Wes, Rui, and Mirror B. could possibly be dead, though.  Wes has the strength of many Legends on his side, after all, and Rui is...odd.  And Mirror B...well, he's...odder.  If they really are still traveling, it'd be interesting to meet them one day (well, maybe not Mirror B.), just like so many others Nathan's read and heard about...

...though at the end of the day...does it really matter right now?

...

...probably not...but what can he do something about right now?

...the Scimitars, Genesect, the Secret Library, Mesprit, Heart and Ventus...it was all going to take time...he wasn't sure what he was going to do tomorrow if they weren't heading to Cress City...honestly, though, right now, he just wants to...help Mesprit...that's his first priority...

...Nathan falls asleep with Forthright while pondering how to go about doing that...

...and Kirlia stays awake to ponder how to help Nathan achieve just that as soon as possible...and if they're really both okay with what that entails...

And...scene.  Flashback over.