[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

".....I see. Or rather, Eye see, if you can pardon the pun."

His tone and delivery of it was flatter than his face at the moment, which he maintains as he finishes his statements about it.

"......Under most circumstance I would refrain from delving into such.....august topics, but seeing as we've all been harried and encrouched upon by The Eye, further ignorance about it on my part would be most unwise I think. So yes, we should converse about this at a later date after our little group vacation. Can't have it spoil the fun we have planned, hmm?"

Ven's gaze turns critical when the young historian gestures to The Sword, saying nothing about it but showing a clear interest in the Artifact that supposed helped slay the mad 'scientist' Deoxys.

When they entreated his aid themselves for their upcoming quest of behalf of Mesprit, the eccentric researcher expression somehow becomes even more featureless, every line of imperfection on it smoothed out as he listened, staring softy but intently after they finished. About half a minute passed in disquieting silence between the two, before he abruptly started to speak slowly and deliberately.

"Mt. Sentry, Anthenuem. The events thereof concluding to make my friends more than any human should be, nearly threatening to permanently estrange and shattering my trust and faith in them all and pushing me over the edge into full on mental breakdown. That foul matriarchal Legendary Bug Queen Seikamater, whom our encounter with nearly ended with multiple of our Pokemon dead and eaten along with the rest of us, and nearly caused me to have a panic attack that probably would have costed my life. That eremit , whom I've begun to suspect was a Legendary Pokemon in the guise of man, ensnaring you and the rest of us sans I and Terra in that Kyurem awful oath pact in order to stop The Vines from chocking out all life in Cheshire, and tried to entrap me along with you all in a path I had no interest in. Our foray into that nightmarish hellscape that ended with you obtaining Orthros, whom regrettably acted as a catalyst that nearly drove the group's trust, respect, and good will in you to ruin on more occasion I care to admit. The Scimitars, those diabolical cabal of mages that have caused us and so many others incalculable vexation, grief, and pain. My own past, which tumultuous times need no re-examination. Ah, and yes, lest I forgot, those delightful involuntary trips through Cheshire's history I somehow got dragged into, despite being nowhere near you all when they started occurring with alarming frequency."

He hammered each event into Nathan, nailing an argument to a cross that was only now being to take shape.

"Each and every time I've been involved in Legendary and even the most remotely supernatural or arcane business, I have suffered dearly for it, and gained not a whole lot I appreciate or could have done without receiving in such auspicious occasions. All these trails and ordeal I never wished to be a part of, yet inexorably being dragged into their viscous, rending currents, like a pieces of floatsum caught in a tidal whirlpool. The entire culmination of these events nearly causing me to lose what is left of my sanity and become a paranoid, hateful, and fearful mess of a creature that would indiscriminately lash out at the one I once held so dear to my heart."

Ven went silent for several seconds afterwards, letting what he said hang heavy in the air like a thick, smothering blanket, before he resumed speaking, this time in an air light, feathery, and reminiscent tone of voice.

"Do you remember why I came he to Cheshire, and why I ultimately left my group of friends, Nate? I wanted nothing more than a second chance for a peaceful life, which had been denied to me in my homeland ever since I was but a young child. Create a family here with the Pokemon I caught, perhaps with someone I came to care for and would accept me for who I am, and have a light hearted journey through the region, gathering data for my research on Pokemon Empathy and Communication and just enjoying the whole novel experience of being a Pokemon Trainer. A new beginning, in sum. One that ended up being constantly near ruined by how interesting everything become almost immediately at the start of it all."

*Chuckles*

"You know, I'd almost say I'd been cursed with interesting times, but considering everything that befell my and my family....perhaps that's not too far from the truth. And now here you are, trying to bring me back into the fold for yet another Legendary quest that will almost certainly be prove more than even you could bargain for or conceive. That eventful destiny I barely managed to escape from, and only am now beginning to learn to cope with and recover from."

Silence. Then, gentle reassurance

".....I know you only mean well by your offer, Nate, so I am not trying to condemn you for it. I only want you to see why I am so reluctant about accepting it. The Lake Trio's boons are indeed an enticing lure, but what good will they be for me if what they ask me to do costs far too much from me? If I am to subject myself, my family, and the ones I love to that dire level of self-risk, what I will ask of them in exchange will be very heavy indeed. And ultimately, what good am I to our group at this point, for matters of this particular kind? You've all far eclipsed me in terms of power, and what Skill and talents I have can and probably already have been assumed by one of our numbers. What sort of help would an above average Pokemon Researcher be to a group of Trainers that rival this region's Elite Four in power individually on quests that require, nay, demand such capability?"

"You have to already know all this by now at some level, for you're a very intelligent young man. Stubborn and foolish young man at the worst of times, but very intelligent none the less. So I ask this of you: why? For what reason do you want me to be a part of this, in spite of everything going against my inclusion?"

As for the rest of the topics they've discussed....well, they've sorta fallen off to the wayside in light of this tangent by the empathetic researcher. Maybe the two will come back to them later after its been resolved.

-------

Considering the fact that Iron just autoed the whole process, I'll refrain from actually writing a detailed response, and just say that Ven described the Trade Evolution as 'a means to greater power to guard and protect what you hold most dear' , and that it would only be a temporary discomfort to overcome for it and their companion (Nathan) to reap the rewards of it, so long as they continued to hold faith in them. Ven's Kingdra (whose name escapes me right now) conversation would probably be something similar along those lines, if far more gruffer and sagaciously told. That, and I have to imagine they'd show some 'nice enough' curiosity and interest in his own sub-species, no matter how tempered it was by their Draconic Disobedience.

As for the HMs, then Ven's going to teach ALL the family members he has access to (Sans Corsola, who's still chilling at the Ranch and probably has had oddles of Eggs by now) the HMs , and later get Heart and Shiva to teach 'their' HMs to his eligible Pokemon eventually (Lucifer being taught FLY almost immediately, since they're with him almost all the time!) ! His family is armed to the teeth with near Legendary power now, which is good for their well being AND his research down the line! The ever charming man frowns at the mention the League knows about ROCK SMASH, but since it seems that Nathan has that whole matter taken care of he doesn't raise any questions about it.

Finally, I believe Ven would ask to be taken back to Shiva before Nathan goes off to visit Keni, since he does want to spend some more actual holiday fun time with her before the group gets started on the real task they wanted to do. As such, by the time Nathan gets to Keni, they may have received Terra's gift of restored Youth by that time, in which case should come as a shock to the boy!

Nathan chuckles as Ventus asks why the young man is so insistent on asking for the researcher's help with such large tasks.  "Let me answer your question with another question.  Why did Mesprit give you a gemstone, a piece of the very item I plan to use?  I can't claim to know exactly why, but I think it isn't inaccurate to say that Mesprit trusts you, even if...others are finding it difficult.  I may be asking on Mesprit's behalf, but I'm also asking because I know for a fact that you can be depended on if you put your mind to it.  This is less about if we think you can help and more a show of faith.  Regardless of your decision, though, Mesprit and I will both understand.  It's entirely your choice, not some destiny that's being thrust upon you.  If there's something in it for you, that'll likely be something you're free to choose as well."

Nathan looks in the direction of the ocean, over the horizon.  "...ya know, I kinda wish I had as much choice as you do right now, Ven.  The timeline may not be set in stone entirely, but I can't help but feel that Gallade and I are going to have important roles in whatever comes next no matter what happens.  I can accept that, but...well, it's a heavy burden to bear, honestly..."

Again, Nathan's hand slips to the hilt of the Keenglaive Sword.  His mom had once said that Legendaries usually have multiple contingency plans to solve any issues they need human assistance with, but...does he really believe that?  Would another have come to free Mesprit and defeat Deoxys if he hadn't?  After so many visions and prophecies involving him and everyone else in the group, the time travel linking Keni and Calam to both their past selves and the group in the present day...he's not sure if he does believe it.

Ever since defeating Deoxys, that's been a constant thought at the back of his mind.

"...I hope it'll all be worth it one day, that everyone in this region can get that peaceful future they desire...that one day, there won't be a need for the Four..."

Nathan continues to stare off into the distance, deep in thought. A weighty topic, to be sure...