[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"Wait what? Fuck no! I didn't enjoy the pain, I just enjoyed the challenge. Those guys didn't have any malice or cruelty behind what they were doing. It was just a training exercise. What they did is definitely what some of our more smarter enemies will do. We have to be prepared for that sort of thing, and these guys were helping us with that. Besides, we're not thugs. If we fight someone, and they fight well, we shouldn't hate them for it. Skill's gotta be respected. It's one thing to hate someone who attacks us, but these guys were actually helping us get better at fighting that sort of thing. For example, I would never have figured out how to block that kind of tactic if we didn't go up against it in training.

As for that thing about not caring about others, I kinda get it, but I also disagree with it. When we start thinking of 'us and them', we start to distance ourselves from everyone else. There's really no need to do that for no reason. Getting along with the people here's the easiest way to cohabit, in my opinion. Think about it this way: Kogeki scared a young member of another team out of their wits. How do you think that team would see us now? How do you think they'd react to seeing us in a dungeon? They might immediately attack us because they think that we're a bunch of thugs now. Obviously, that's not as important as generally being nice and compassionate, but it probably will be what happens if we get a bad reputation.

That brings me to another thought. Please don't take this the wrong way, because I'm actually asking to try and understand how you think a little better. What makes you so compassionate and affectionate towards us and not the others around here? First time we ever met was in that dungeon, which means that you don't know us much longer than you know the people here. What makes us your friends and them not your friends? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you see me as your ally, and I definitely see you as mine too, but I'd just like to understand your reasoning a little better."

"*Tilts head confusingly* Challenge? What is that? How is that? Do not know that word and concept, no."

The rest of what he had to say about that Team of bully birds was more comprehensible to her, though she didn't entirely agree with it. In her mind you should despise ANYONE that chooses to Fight and/or do harm to you or your friends, or at least hold a healthy amount of wariness and distrust for that sort. In light of the rest of his argument, though, she could she he was making a good point - just not one she was entirely behind. Thus, she gave him a  skeptical look but ultimately slowly nodded back in agreement.

"Very well, okay, I can somewhat understand your friendly-eagerness towards those aggravating avian. It is not a feeling....view I share, no, but if you see value and worth in their brutal tactics and assault I shan't dispute it. Learn from it, we can indeed, and make our future battles that much more safe and easy."

His comeback about Bonsly was not as warmly received, and she simply shrugged back at him, non-plussed.

"If they see Kogeki or our Team as enemies for his scary lesson, horrible adversaries to avenge them own inadequacy upon, so be it. We will crush them for their foolish impudence, yes, and then get them throw out of the Guild for attacking their fellow Adventurers. Simple that be, me believe-thinks, and be very satisfying to do too, ho hm~. Hmm....but what is this 'reputation' you speak of, its meaning to this talk? A idea about it, I do not have one, no. Ah, and I know to be nice, speak politely and well to others, draco newt Dax. See no reason to be rude, mean, or hostile to anyone except those that have truly earned me or my friends ire, indeed, and prefer being happy and free with those around me. No reason to care for others, though, I see for me."

Dax's last question bring her entirely up short, causing her to abruptly cease talking and stare at him for a moment. She then looked towards the ceiling in thoughtfulness, her smile diminishing bit by bity as she ponder this most unexpected issue deeply until she had a frown like Snubull smelt something awful. Why did she loved, adored, treasured, and held her friends and seldom few others in high exaltion, but held almost nothing for Pokemon outside that most esteemed collection of individuals? Was it their shared purpose and origin, coming from Human Worlds to do battle and destroy The Darkness? Was it because they were the first she ever truly knew and could accept with all her heart? Did they have some special quality or distinction that placed them above the rest of the aimless ramble and crowd? Was it all that together, or something else entirely. What and why?

"I.....I.......I do not know, Dax. Never have I realized that.......that......that I had for you and our friends. It's.....just feels natural and right, to treat you all like that and others beyond thus. Like it should be that way, that it was and would always be that way. Sorry, but....I have no other answer I can give, for you or myself....."

Pyra looked troubled and lost for that moment, strangely vulnerable for an otherwise unphasable and unflappable she-demon. It'll pass, of course, but for now....

*The Flashback Continues....*