[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Well then...let's get started!  Nathan stands in front of the shrine to Celebi, holding the Dawn Stone in front of him, facing the small crowd of pokemon and trainers.  Kirlia is standing with Nathan's pokemon.

"Thank you all for joining us here today.  And for everything before.  Today is a...special day.  The day a Kirlia evolves at long last.  But you knew that already."

"...I'm going to be honest with you.  I didn't think this day would come so soon.  I didn't think it would be this...difficult.  He and I...we've been through a lot together in the little over a year that I've known him.  Near death experiences, threats from people who don't understand how to properly raise the Ralts line and earn their trust naturally, trips to many wonderful and unexpected places I never thought I'd get to visit, several gym battles, meeting many new people...it's been something else, I tell you..."

"It's not just me that went on this journey with him, though.  It was all of us.  And before he evolves, I'd like everyone to give something a try: one final dance.  It's an old custom, one that many knights of the realm used to do with their own Kirlia before they evolved into a Gallade.  Not all Gallade keep their passion for dance.  Some Trainers do this to encourage their partner to retain that passion, others as one last chance to experience it before that passion is lost.  Personally, I'm in the first category.  There's also usually a long winded speech, but I'm not super great at them.  I'm more of a summarizing kind of guy.  Most of the expression is in the dances themselves, though, so I'm not too worried about that.  So, here's what I'd like everyone to do: I'd like everyone to think of one moment that you enjoyed with Kirlia.  Think of it, focus on it...and then focus on expressing it through the performance.  Kirlia will join each of you one by one, both human and pokemon, helping you to express it.  This is going to be a dance to celebrate, a dance to remember, a dance that tells a story...and Kirlia receiving the Dawn Stone from me will be the finale.  I have the utmost confidence that everyone will be able to think of something, even if it's just a simple moment where not much really happened.  It can be a happy time, a sad time...anything you think will be suitable.  Can I count on everyone to contribute?"

The researcher couldn't help but blink as he heard the reason Nathan and Kirlia called them, as he never once even heard of such a ceremony, nor expected that the young scholar would WANT to include him on such a momentous occasion after....his announcement. 


Ventus could only stare at the boy looking completely taken aback at being given such an HONOR.....but never the less he slowly recovered and, after closing his eyes and taking a deep, calming breath, he looked upon them and solemnly nodded his head. If they wish him to take part in this old ceremony, then he would put his all into it to ensure that as a Gallade, the psychic knight would retain his passion for dance and pagentry. 

That....and reminisce on last time with everyone, before he heads off to speak with Shiva one last time, before he's gone.

His choosen memory for this ceremony.....it was the time they spent together in Arrowroot, waiting outside of Nathan's room all night and chatting with one another to pass the time, until the boy had recovered. While it was not a particularly happy moment in both their lives, he felt that he truly got to know and connect with the young dancer during that harrowing night, and he wanted them to know that despite all the....mixed blood between them and their partner, that he was always there for them both through thick and thin. If he were just more....tolerant and patient, and less fearful, perhaps he could have remained closer friend with Nathan. 

What could have been, what could have been....

The dance style he would use with Kirlia would be a ballroom waltz, a classical and formal dance that perfectly fitted the occasion. Truthfully, it was also one of the few dance styles he knew well besides figure skating, having been taught it by and old flame of his that has long since burned out and turned bitter as soot......someone he cherished above all else until they broke his heart and drove them away...….

Hopefully after today, the waltz will hold a better, happier meaning for the empath...