[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Ventus smile grows a bit wider as Nate confirmed his suspicions and give him (in his opinion) too much credit, and soon after nods back to them.

"Thank you, Nate. I can hardly imagine what the fate of this Genesect would be without your unique and splendorous qualities, though, so don't sell yourself now, hmm? *Shakes Head* Don't think they'll ever be a time where my findings can safely be non-covertly divulged, but I appreciate the sentiment regardless."

When the conversation moves onto the Water Scimitars and their potential and most definitely malevolent involvement with the Lake Trio the eccentric researcher's turns brittle as Ice, and his eyes almost seemed to glow as they took on an intense gleam. After they finish up and posed their question, he was quiet for several long and awkward second before they answered with a big, positively saccharine grins.

"But of course, Nate. If our assistance can put a utter end to them idiotic, blasphemous villians, you know I'd be ecstatic to render any aid I possibly can."

His grins turns somewhat sardonic at that point, giving the boy hero a question look.

"Honestly, all of that said should've been a given. Makes me wonder what you're trying to accomplish by tempting my feelings of retribution like so, you know?"

Another short paused passed, until his smile flattened out into a neutral line as he regarded his oft vitriolic friend with an unreadable expression.

"....I still have yet to come to a decision regarding helping that certain friend of yours, so if you're expecting an answer soon I won't be able to give it. You should know this, however: I will not be doing anything for them without them guaranteeing rewards or Favors for my service, and that if those vile archmages are involved with it and its siblings current problems I will act as I see fit with those fiends. I'm done doing charity work for those with great power without promise of payback, and I'm equally done playing nice with the Scimitars after all the trouble they caused and corrupting our mutual associate. Should you have issues with either of those things, then I'd think it would be for the best I remain uninvolved for everyone's shake. Do you understand, Nate?"

Nathan sighs in response to that last statement.  "...if it's primarily for selfish reasons that you'd be helping, Ventus, then maybe it would be for the best if you didn't help.  Mesprit has already assured Heart that the odds of getting a favor for helping are high, but...well, this isn't mercenary work, to put it lightly.  I asked because Mesprit trusts you, and because I still think you can do some good.  But if you would put that trust in danger...*sigh*...well, it might just be a baseless concern I have.  The decision is ultimately still yours.  And I'm telling you this before everyone else so that you have a better idea of what you might be getting into before you make a decision.  That it's very much a real, human threat.  A powerful one, but human nonetheless."

A moment of silence follows as Nathan turns around, his back to Ventus, and looks at the floor sadly.

"...though there's little that's earned the ire of the Lake Trio to the degree that selfish intentions have in the past, and you should probably think very carefully about why you want to help if you decide to do so.  They've had to deal with selfish humans countless times, and were ultimately split apart because of it. So I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be selfish lately.  Trying to consider why things happened in certain ways.  Honestly, I...can't fully condemn all of the Scimitars any more.  Kelda showed me they're not all bad people, and I need to apologize for the way I treated her when we were in the Skull Ruins...honestly, I kinda understand a little of Terra's viewpoint after thinking about it...not all of them deserve a second chance and need to face considerable punishment for what they've done as a part of of the organization, but some of them might also be genuinely good people, if a little misguided.  But why do I want to help them, which ones deserve my help, and how can I do so without coming across as selfish myself in some capacity?  Considering their individual viewpoints is probably a good place to start..."

He kinda started talking to himself out loud halfway through that little speech, but he turns back to Ventus eventually.

"...I'm still looking for answers myself, to be honest.  That's why I'm planning to search for Kelda.  To talk to her.  Maybe find some answers to various questions I have.  And if you think less of me for this opinion, and for wanting to talk with a former Scimitar...well, I can only apologize with words, for it's what I've learned from my ever changing experiences, much like how your opinions have been shaped by yours."

"So yes, I understand.  If I or Mesprit were worried about it enough, though, I wouldn't have asked you in the first place.  I just hope that the trust isn't misplaced in the end.  I made my decision, so now you get to make yours.  And if you have legitimate concerns about safety or trust issues...then don't come with us to the front lines.  I trust you'll make a good decision, though, regardless of what you decide."

Well, that was quite the wordy response.