[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Terra (and anyone else who follows) finds that the door is shut and locked.

Sobbing can definitely be heard from the other side of the door, though.

Eventually, there's a pause in the sobbing though.  It gets a lot quieter...

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

...and that's because Nathan's making a phone call.

...it's all just a bit too much for Nathan.  He has to get what he has to say off his chest.

...he's calling Ventus.  He's expecting for it to go to voicemail, but regardless of whether it does, the message is the same.

"....Ven...?  It's Nate...I...I know you don't really want to talk right now, but...I...I have to say something, and...I might not have another chance to say it, so...I...I'm sorry...it's just...hard to see someone you care about...*sniff*...I just..."

He pauses there, uncertain if he should say what he has on his mind.

He decides not to.  He's not sure it will help, so he moves on.

"...well...anyways...*sniff*...I have to do this.  Maybe you already know, but...the Ruins were where my dad was last seen.  He was looking for the same things we are, too.  I...I have to look for him and...*sniff*...reunite my family...and...*sniff*...finish what he started...and...this is my home.  My family's home.  The future home of those I promised to protect, to build a good future for.  Maybe...maybe I'll tell you a bit more about that later, though...*sniff*..."

Another pause as Nathan tries to compose himself.

"...I'm sorry that I...can't say I can put my life above anyone else's right now...that...that's just not me, to be honest...you know me...heh...*sniff*...always caring about everyone else so much without thinking about how it may affect me...I can promise I'll try to come back safe, though...bring everyone back safe and sound, too...you are right that we can't save anyone if we're...that every life is precious...that everyone has so much more that they want to do in their lifetimes...*sniff*...how long ago did I say that to you again?  How many times?  I've lost count, to be honest...*sniff*...I guess that's one more for the tally, though..."

He pauses once more as he tries to recompose himself.

"...so...I just wanted to say again that...I'm sorry...for both what I can't promise now and...*sniff*...what happened before...thank you for the support anyways, though...*sniff*...it...it means the world to me, you know.  And everyone else, I'm sure...well, maybe not Spira, but...*sniff*...you stay safe too, okay?  I'd like you to be there to watch me battle Bo, the region's Champion...if I can get that far...yeah, I've got 6 badges now...I could go battle the Elite Four if I wanted...I plan to get the last two before I attempt that, but...soon.  Okay?  Let's all get through this, and...and..."

Another pause.

"...I'm sorry...I'm just...rambling on as usual again...I think I've said enough...I don't even know if any of this is going to help, and I'm just spouting word after word anyways...you're one of the brightest shining stars I've ever had the chance to know personally, Ven...I hope I can get to see that light again after this is all over...I don't want this to be goodbye...you'll always be a friend to me and Gallade..."

If Ventus picked up, maybe he has something to say in response, maybe not.  If not and it went to voicemail...well, this is where the message ends.  Nathan isn't expecting Ventus will want to call back...

*click*

...Ventus's words...some of which echoed Nathan's own...hit the 17 year old quite hard emotionally...

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

Terra (and whoever else followed) can once again hear sobbing through the door to his room soon afterwards.

Spoiler

As the video eventually ends, Shiva ends up YANKING the Pokedex out of Terra's hand with suprising speed and force before he can pack it away and before he himself storms of to follow Nathan. (Please let that happen @Lord Windos). Yes, she can easily pick up that Nathan's in a fuss, but right now she has to sort her own things out first. That, and she and Nathan never were that close unfortunately if she's being very honest, she's uncertain whether her aid would help at all. Means, I'm sorry, but Shiva does not follow Nathan and Gallade.

Instead, she ends up yelling at the screen of Terra's 'Dex. "Ventus, you.... you FOOOOOL !! WHY in Kyurem's icy-cold name are you saying 'farewell' when this ISN'T farewell, when you yourself and personally PROMISED me that we'll see one another again, that you'll be waiting for me when the adventure is over, that you'll be ready then to fully embrace me and my liking for all magical and arcane that you hate and fear so much? WHY?! This is not 'goodbye', by no means. I...." She needs to take a deep breath for another emotional outburst, "...I will come back from these ominous ruins, I will come back alive, in one piece, one of these ancient Artifacts in my bare hands and a ton of loot including a glorious Whimsicottite in my stuff, and I will unmistakably SHOW that Deoxys within that Comet that I'm NONE to mess with. YOU HEAR? This region will rejoice, celebrate its victory and salvation, and among those ceremonies I will stand and shine. UNDERSTOOD? I HOPE you did because I will not repeat myself."

Then, she intends to give the 'Dex back to Terra, but she ends up looking around searching for him and upon realizing he's not there, she just shrugs it off and packs the device away to return it later.

With Shiva *Flashback?*:

Terra hardly reacts to the mystical lass tearing his 'Dex from his hand, sparing her only the briefest glance before he does as stated before. Right now, all his concern was on his friend Nathan, not  on some piece of electronic he hardly uses in the first place. He'll get it back later, when all is said and done with the current delimea.

As for Shiva's fairly impassioned message.....no reaction from the Pokedex.......at first. It isn't until she puts it away that the words 'Voice Message Sent!' flashed across the screen. Few more minutes passed, until a single line of text appeared:

'Understood, my love. I await your glorious return with open arms, and a open heart.'

The message is not deleted like the others, so there it remains on the steely brawler's 'Dex, waiting for someone to discover it.

-------

With Nathan:

To their disappointment and anguish, Nathan's call did end up going to voice message, his heart pouring revelations cast into an electronic box for the eccentric researcher to hear later. 

As the boy was staring as his Pokedex in sorrow and dismay.......it started to ring. The Caller ID displayed: Ventus Zackariah.

Presumably, Nathan is swift to answer the call. For the first few seconds he's greeted with silence......

"......Ven, hmm? Hardly expected you'd ever venture to use that nickname of mine again. But.....it's a pleasant surprise, I suppose."

He speaks. The researcher's voice is.......tired. Whispy, almost. Most definately carrying tones of resignation. 

And yet.....you could her a faint smile mixed in too.

"You were rather spot on in your deduction that it was not my desire to speak with you, or the rest of the group. Not presently, at least. Things are all too.....delicate between us all for any form of conversation, casual or not. Especially between us, Nate. Yet after I heard your.....confession/i], you [i]plea.......well, you could say I couldn't help myself from wanting to help you. Such is often the case, for a fool like me. Trying to save others, but unable to save himself. Ha ha ha.....rather funny to me, but I doubt you share such sentiments."

...

".......Truth be told, I'm rather surprised that not only you still regard me so highly, but that you've placed me on a pedistool. 'A shining star,' hmm? I'd be flatter, if such a metaphorical comparison was not so blatantly untrue. Ha ha ha ha. I've said this before to you, Nate, but I guess it bears further reinforcement: I'm no hero. I'm no good guy, and I'm certainly no star. The only way I'd be one if I was the Morningstar themselves , which is hardly a flattering likeness. All I am is just a man that wants to help. A twisted, damaged, and bad man, who is trying their hardest to be good, and so often failing to. You shouldn't allow yourself to be deluded into believing anything else otherwise. After all, you have ample evidence that backs up my presentation of who I am."

...

"Hmm.....I digress. I didn't call back to contradict your view of me. Not entirely for that reason, at least."

A heavy *Sigh....*, before he continued, his tone becoming more resigned and yet more kind.

"I knew, of course. That you wouldn't be selfish with your life, or not to the extent that I desired. You were never so pragmatic, or adhered to the philosophy of 'the ends justify the means. I can't help but be aggrieved, disappointed......yet pleased. To take on the burdens that have been foisted on you, out of a selfless desire to preserve and brighten the future of your loved ones and all of Cheshire's people, even if it costs you everything......"

".....I believe that makes you a hero, Nate. One that nobody deserves,  yet you give them anyway. Because they need one, and you want what is best for them. Truly, you have grown to be such an amazing individual. Though I do not know them well......I believe Marco would be proud. So very, very proud."

.........

"*Sighs* .......Which will make what I have to say next be all the more contentious with you, I fear. To preface this, know that I speaking with your best interests in mind, and that of your mission. No matter how.....hurtful my words may be, I mean no harm to you."

"That being said.....*Sighs*......I'm well aware of of your father's disappearance in the Skull Ruins, and where exactly he was last reported before he vanished: The Kadabra Chambers. A most arcane and mystical local, even in comparison with the Skull Ruins. Ones that whomever has entered, never returns."

"Considering all that and the nature of the Skull Ruins.......Nate.......I believe your father is....dead. Gone. Lost forever, in those Kadabra Chambers. And that even if he is not.....you shouldn't try to pursue him regardless."

...........

"To do so unnecessarily.......you would be putting yourself in grave and unwarranted danger and risk. In your rescue attempt, you could and most likely would suffer the very same fate as your father, along with the rest of our friends, who will no doubt join you. If your father, one of the best trainers in the region, on that could challenge The Elite Four, with access to who knows what resources and experience, could not deliver himself from that wicked place......."

............

".....What's more, you are on a mission, who's outcome will determine the fate of the entire Cheshire region. To divert yourself from that in such a way that could irrepecably compromise it, and increase the odds that it will end in failure....I don't need to say more. You're a highly intelligent man, Nate. I don't need to patronize you by spelling it out."

..............

"......Finally......consider who else stands to suffer, in the event that you should catastrophically fail to bring salvation to Marco: the rest of your family. Most importantly, your mother, Marta. From what I could find, Marco's disappearance devastated her, and you were the main reason she didn't suffer a breakdown of some sorts. Still, it had affected her severely, enough that she became overly protective and coddling of you until only recently, and allowed you to Cloyster yourself away from the world instead of seeking therapy for you and herself. I won't question her intentions or judgement, nor the outcome thereof - I'm the very last person to do that - but.....its evident that Marco's disappearance took its toll on everyone connected to him."

"Now think.....what would happen to your mother if she lost you to the very same thing that claimed her husband? How would she handle such a monumental loss again, without someone so very close to her providing support?"

................

"..........I believe you see my points. Going after Marco.....it's a desperate gambit. One where failure could mean doom for all. Your mission......our friends.......your family......and everyone single being in Cheshire. Perhaps even the whole world, worst case scenario. From the most logical perspective, analyzing the risk vs. reward, and reviewing the opportunity cost, trying to save your father......its a unwise thing to do."

...................

".......As I said in my message, though, I will not dictate your actions. Only advise, and offer you options for you to consider. If you choose to attempt to rescue your father, regardless of what's at stake, then so be it. I will not judge you poorly for you decision, nor hold you in contempt. How could, when I've made such similar choices myself, all my life? Not doing more to keep my family together, rejecting my mother instead of trying to save her, denying my sister her own choice in that matter, slavishly devoting myself to my former idol, almost every unprofessional thing I did with Silverfish.....and most recently, forsaking you and our friends to save myself. I made all those foolish choices, and suffered dearly for it all. Yet, I wouldn't change any of it. For I did what I thought was right. For better, and worse. As you will do such yourself."

.......................

"......Ha ha ha ha.....we're so alike, Nate, yet so very different. Maybe that's why we have such a warped, Contrary relationship. Where we look up and admire each other for so many things, while simultaneously are always in discord or in such a volitile state, despising, reviling, or at odds with so many other matters. Always there for each other, yet always against each other. Accepting each other for who we are, but trying to change or challenge those very same characters. My my, are we not a mess? Ha ha ha ha....."

...

"Ah, but I digress! Looks like running our mouths is yet another quality of ours, hmm? Well, I suppose I should wrap up this call, if I am starting to pontificate on our relationship. Reshirim knows that won't lead to anything good! But before that.......know that no matter what our differences are, what conflicts we share.......that I am with you, Nate. I will pray for your success, for everything that dare stand against you to fall into ruin The King's Palace, and for you, everyone, to come back safe, sound, and alive. I'll be one of the first to greet you all with open arms when this cosmic disaster is over if I am.......well enough to, or if my work doesn't Tepig tie me up. If I can't......you can certainly count on me being there to see you challenge Bo. How could I miss out on the event that will see you crowned as Cheshire's new Champion? It would be a royal shame if I couldn't attend such a grand triumph, hmm?"

"Be well, Nate. Overcome the trails before you, and rise up to become The Hero , who's epic will outshine, burn out, and replace Sarimanok's dread legacy."

"Good bye, and may we meet again. To celebrate each other's accomplishments.....and perhaps......perhaps then I will finally become a person that can unambiguously be a good friend to you."

*Click*

From the warm finality of his most recent and personal farewells to Nate, it strongly conveys the notion he won't answer them again. 

The time for talk was over. 

Now, it was time to move on, and act.
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