[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

...

Nathan can't really take any more of this.  Once Kirlia is finished putting everything in Nathan's bag...

...Nathan just silently picks it up...

...and he and Kirlia leave the room without saying a word.

...he's taking this really hard and he just...needs to leave the room.  He's trying not to show it on the outside, though.

---------------------------

Ventus seemed even more dispirited when Nathan just....left in slience but FULL of emotional turmoil, but he let them go without objection. If they no longer wanted to deal with him or the hardship he put them through, then that was MORE than fine and understandable. He didn't deserve anymore kindness from them for just ABANDONING them.....

Spoiler

When Ventus have finish everything that was heavy on his mind, Heart look to him not with insquisitive eyes, but with eyes of sadness but understanding. He understand how Ventus feel: The feeling of go to another place, to escape the problems and to feel the burden of responsability you never asked. That was the feeling Heart feel many years ago, when all his clan was destroyed and he was the last ArcHeart. After that he go down to a perilous path, one he is not proud. Then he travel the world, not to just meet all kinds of pokemon, but as a self punishment for everything. He was a arduous and alone path, but was one necessary. To become more wise, until he would be able to face his demons, and finally accept the responsability and to finally know what to do.

He know Ventus choice is up to Ventus himself, and as much he want to Ventus (he want a lot) he understand there is nothing he can do change Ventus choice. Heart stand up and go in the direction of Ventus. When everyone think he would punch him or something like that, he only give Ventus a hug. As a friend, Heart is a really emotional person, and dont like see a friend go. Many tears roll in his eyes. "*Snif* At least maintain contact with us okay? *Sob* As much you dont want to continue this journey, please...dont ever forget about us." Heart then let out the hug and talk again with Ventus. This time with a sad smile. "You know, I think I never thanked you everything you have teach me *Hic* *Sob* We...*Snif* I should have spend more time with you. I regret to not have more conversations with you...or the stories we could have told and laugh..." Now he really crying quite a lot. 

With tears in his eyes. He take the Good Rod, Buck Knife, Wide Lens, and the Marowak. "I...*snif* I will take with great care those items Ventus. *Snif* As much you will not travel with us, we will never, ever forget you." Heart point to his own heart. "You are a important friend. To all of us." Heart then return to Shiva, trying his best to restore his composture. He is called Heart for a reason. He always try to be honest with his emotions.

He was taken off guard when Heart HUGGED him instead of slugging his perfect punchable face , but with a look of trepidation and sad sympathy Ven returned the gestures, patting the collecter back and giving them an unseen sad smile. 

"....I will try to, Heart, but it may be....awhile before I feel comfortable doing so. However, I will NEVER forget about you or anyone else. Not after all we've been through, and the grand, epic adventure we've been on. Even though I loathed being put them, they've given me a wealth of great experience and memories that I will learn from and cherish for the rest of my life, including.....including all the good times I've had with you, my friend. Thank you, Heart. We've learned much from each other and had grand times....and while I may be leaving, that does mean its the end of those for you. Have fun for me and catch a multitude of Rare Pokémon, alright? After all, while this may be good bye, its only for now....."

The researcher then gives the rare collecter a final consuling pat on their back before disengaging from them, and turning towards perhaps one of THE most important people in his life......

Spoiler

(Many thanks for waiting, @Lord Windos. Onwards then...)

(…)

An understanding nod accompanied with a sob that she simply failed to hold was all that Shiva was able to give Ventus as he went silent before she hung her head again, pressed Cottonee a little tighter against herself and looked away from the dear oddball of researcher as she didn't want him to see her like THAT. 'Lots of what he shared matches with what you feared it was the reason, my dear, doesn't it?' .....she didn't respond, but it was painfullyTRUE.

"...I don't want that" she whispered. "I don't want that you're......going from me, us, but..... It's no use. Just like you need time and are always trying to cope and embrace me again, I need a while until I'm able to embrace your choice here, Ven... A...All I can do is TRYING to give your.....your successor *she almost spit that word out in a feeling of wrongness* a chance. I'll just......hope that he can become someone that will help me when I need aid or a strong shoulder now that you'll be.....so far away, someone who'll still be able to take me on a promised hunting trip... Someone who's happy to spend time with me.... Someone I............ someone I can call a 'friend' until you are back at my side."

Once more she had to wipe her eyes, but while doing so her gaze fell on these farewell-gifts that were still on the table and seemed to be ment to her for the most part. She still was reluctant to simply take them however, as it meant directly accepting his departure for her - she might not get a hold on them unless Ventus definitely makes sure that it's okay, but now she turned faintly interested as it seemed as she spoke up once more to him: ".....You said having 'one more gift to me to be given in private'.... When...IS 'private'?"

'…..Shiva.....'

...He placed a hand on her shoulder, and gave her the most solumn, depressed, yet HONEST look he could muster up as he stared deeply in her eyes.

"My departure, my current mounting stress, the paranioa and frustration with my life.....NONE of it is your fault, my dearest. NONE of it. I'm.....just TIRED and sick of how....how INTERESTING and BIZAARE my life has become, and I've simply had enough. ….I can't ask you not to mourn my departure, but I CAN ask you not to blame yourself or anyone else for it but myself. This is MY decision I've made, and no one else's. Understood, Shiva?"

…

"....You'll get along well with him, that I can assure you. He's.....a bit gruff and direct, but his heart is almost as pure as yours, dear, so rest asure I am leaving you in good, capable hands...."

Noticing that Shiva still hadn't gathered her.....farewell gifts, Ven silently pushed them forward at him, in a unsubtle indication she should take them, as he....he wanted to make sure she was not left completely bereft by his depature….

When she asked about THAT gift, though, his face seemed to sag back down into misery for a split second, before it re-firmed itself into on of resolution.

"Right now, if you want. This....meeting is all but concluded, so we can leave for....our room now for....that gift to be given."

Assuming she agrees and Heart doesn't try to hold them, the two eventually arrive in their own room, where upon Ventus seemed to be even MORE nervous and apprehensive than ever before.....

...until he eventually let out a *Sigh* that felt like a Wailord was being lifted off his chest, and flicked his rest to palm a Pokeball.

Not just anyone, though.

It was Raphael's.

He reached forward and pressed their ball into her hands, and closed them around it.

".....My final gift to you is my beloved child Raphael, Shiva. I am loaning them to you in order for them to watch over you, provide protection and comfort whenever needed, and.....and for you to have a constant reminder of how much I love you, now and for as long as earthly possible. "


"……Take good care of them, my love, and take good care of yourself. When the time comes for your adventure through Cheshire ends.....I'll be waiting for you, and ready to embrace you fully with all my heart and soul. I'll write and call you occasionally in the meantime, and we can update each other on the progress we respectively made. I promise you this, Shiva. I promise...…"

With that said, Ventus embraced his girlfriend despite how much doing so discomforted him, tears now streaming down his face and he silently sobbed. No matter how torn up he feels about her....changes and decisions, the one thing he ISN'T is just how much he loves her.

This may be a bittersweet farewell, but it was by far the end of their relationship.

Count on it.

(And so ends Ven's participation in the Skull Ruins Campaign [at least in the Game Thread; PMs are another story]. Next post should be as my new character, after Iron introduces them coming in to the Pokémon Center early morning waiting for everyone, after Ven paid him and updated him on things.)