[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

"Ah Kalos. The Region of light. I remember to come to Kalos in my travels." Heart delight with the memories of that time. "And this little one is conect to you. Like mother and son, heh." Heart then remember his own family and for a second a glimpse of sadness come across his face, but he quicks disbands. The last thing Heart want is make Shiva bad.

"A-anyway, you think about a name to give to that little one? Every time one Pokémon join with me, sometimes I give them a name, to make them special and unique for others Pokémon. But that of course just my opinion! You dont need If you dont want!"

[Lord Windos]

Standing rigid, arms crossed, fist clenched, and his gaze cold a the first winter's snow, Ventus was still decidedly resentful towards Nathan as they once more spoke of topic that wounded him so, so deeply. Unlike last time, with Shiva's and Raphael's concern on the forefront on his mind, he listened to the head strong boy's words. He took them it all in with every sense he had available, and while the empath found their word wanting, they were none of the less completely sincere. He didn't mean to hurt, and only tired to help him the only way they knew how at the time. They just looking out for him, in their own socially awkward way.

'It doesn't change the fact that still, no matter the intention he held with them by speaking so with me, he still hurt me. Nor does it change why we are feuding in the first place: another tired, pointless clash of ideals, with neither side ever reaching any lasting peace with one another. But...Nathan....he's considering my own methods, my own beliefs now. Mostly dismissive of them, and ardently believing that his way is the most 'right' way of handling things, but he's trying to understand anyways,' the sociologist thought, his stare never leaving the boy that was (in his opinion) far too naïve and tender hearted for his own good. Sometimes, to help others and protect the ones you care or love, you must not do what you think is right, and at time not even what is correct either. No, sometimes, you must do what needs to be done, no matter how vile, depraved, loathsome, or morally bankrupt such choices may be.

'Nathan doesn't understand this. That, or he refuses to do so.'

Silence. Then, a response.

"I understand. It doesn't erase what happened between us, but I understand. However, the question remains: what is your limit, Nathan? What is the point where you decide enough is enough, to use all measures, to let go of your restraint, what holds you back, to take the actions the need be done, and ensure that a problem or situation is resolved? Kirlia's near death encounter with that vile Rattatta, their run in with Skorupi that left their leg in severe disrepair....where do you draw the line, Nathan? When is it right to pay evil unto evil?"

Ventus' voice is cool, stoic, and yet the questions her posed where not tinged with bitterness or spite. They were honest and sincere as the boys own words, even if the subject matter was less than wholesome, and valid all the same. For a man who's lived his life in constant strife, constant adversity, he knows very well his own bounderies, and his own moral code that dictate when to be kind to threats, and when to be cruel. Does Nathan, though?

[Dragonstrike]

"I understand. It doesn't erase what happened between us, but I understand. However, the question remains: what is your limit, Nathan? What is the point where you decide enough is enough, to use all measures, to let go of your restraint, what holds you back, to take the actions the need be done, and ensure that a problem or situation is resolved? Kirlia's near death encounter with that vile Rattatta, their run in with Skorupi that left their leg in severe disrepair....where do you draw the line, Nathan? When is it right to pay evil unto evil?"

Ventus' voice is cool, stoic, and yet the questions her posed where not tinged with bitterness or spite. They were honest and sincere as the boys own words, even if the subject matter was less than wholesome, and valid all the same. For a man who's lived his life in constant strife, constant adversity, he knows very well his own bounderies, and his own moral code that dictate when to be kind to threats, and when to be cruel. Does Nathan, though?

A Grim Prospect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHlrRkqoyYU

Nathan gets a DEAD serious look on his face when Ventus asks that, though he's looking down, the fedora concealing his face in shadow.  His hands are tightly gripping the edge of the table.  "I draw the line when there's a very obvious, blatant disregard for life, Ventus.  You...didn't see me when that Rattata used Crunch on Kirlia.  It...scared Shiva...scares me, even...I was going to kill it.  Myself.  Would have, if Shiva hadn't....*sigh*...I...wasn't going to put her through having to watch that...to worry..."

"That scimitar that used a Mega-Pinsir?  I'm going to get back at him for what he did.  He threatened me, my pokemon...Pinsir followed orders, but he dropped Princess before he did any lethal damage to her with Bind, let me recall her.  His trainer is the one to blame."

"Those Tangrowth?  I'm not faulting them either.  That Claydol though?  I'm going to soak it the next time I see it.  Thoroughly.  No individual should be able to control 4 pokemon at the same time without any drawbacks, and manipulate them to...to...to cover an entire region, my HOME, in a writhing mass of unnatural, damned vines..."

Nathan has to take a minute to calm down.  He was starting to lose his cool.

"...*sigh*...Skorupi, Kirlia and I beat up sufficiently, removed it from the problem area, and have now traded it to someone who's better suited to try and...correct its behavior.  As bad as the wound was, it wasn't life threatening once the poison was healed.  Yes, I doubt Skorupi cared, but I think it learned its lesson when it got beaten by something it should have by all rights obliterated."

A moment of silence...followed by...

"Ventus...I'm going to teach Swiftfire how to use Inferno.  Probably going to teach it to Orthros eventually as well if I still have need of it by the time that's doable, but Ponyta and Rapidash find the move easier to learn than any other known species."

[Lord Windos]

A Soldier that Has Not Laid Down His Arms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSiMG6GuVv4

'Inner conflict. Emotional Turmoil. A sense of Justice, but a Fear to lose himself to anger. A young boy, not yet a man, and yet shouldering all the burdens of one. Yet....he still persists, despite the burdens he carries...' Ventus thought to himself, watching Nathan struggle with his own past traumas as a result of his pointed question, coming to terms with those that sought to harm him....and resolving/resolved himself to punish/have punished them accordingly. Such a conviction, coming from someone who more often than not avoided hard solutions and lashed out at other for choicing to enact them....it came as a surprise to the researcher.

Little by little, as Nathan crystalized thier line in the sand for Ven and themselves, the glacial cold that cloacked the scientist began to thaw. The boy's sudden decision to teach one of the most dangerous Lethal Damage known to his Pokémon caused Ven's eyes to widen in pure shock, arms uncrossing and dropping to his side at the sheer increadibility of the statement. 'Nathan.... is he....is he? Yes, he is. ....He understands what need be done, and is willing to do so despite his reluctance. .....Perhaps I was too quick to judge him as naïve,' the empath thought, the weight of the young trainer's statement and the implications there of weighing down on him like Oversized Forrestress.

A longer period of silence, as both sides contemplated their next move. Then, a sigh, a weary tone of voice following afterwards.

"Well said, Nathan. Well said. We may have differing standard when it comes to what invites extreme measures upon someone, but I can respect yours. ......The question now is, do you respect mine own? I'm willing to eradicate all dare threaten the lives the friend and the family in my care, willing to go to great lengths and fathomless depths to ensure they remain safe and in good health. To pull a threat up by the roots, nip it in the bud, raze and salt the very earth if it means that the one I love shall never suffer a malicious influence forevermore. Protecting others however I can, even I go to extreme to achieve that goal."

"Can you respect those beliefs of mine? I'm not asking you to agree with my morals, Nathan, only if you are willing to respect them, and accept that they are a part of who I am..."

[Dragonstrike]

A longer period of silence, as both sides contemplated their next move. Then, a sigh, a weary tone of voice following afterwards.

"Well said, Nathan. Well said. We may have differing standard when it comes to what invites extreme measures upon someone, but I can respect yours. ......The question now is, do you respect mine own? I'm willing to eradicate all dare threaten the lives the friend and the family in my care, willing to go to great lengths and fathomless depths to ensure they remain safe and in good health. To pull a threat up by the roots, nip it in the bud, raze and salt the very earth if it means that the one I love shall never suffer a malicious influence forevermore. Protecting others however I can, even I go to extreme to achieve that goal."

"Can you respect those beliefs of mine? I'm not asking you to agree with my morals, Nathan, only if you are willing to respect them, and accept that they are a part of who I am..."

"I...understand why you believe that, Ventus, I really do...it's just...don't get in trouble doing it.  You need to be concerned for yourself, too.  There are those counting on you, those you'll still need to speak to should you ever see them again...don't...resign yourself to not being able to help them.  Please...at least consider what everyone nearby might think of you before acting.  Almost nobody will fault you if someone was actually lethally harmed, or if there was a very clearly stated threat and the aggressors in question were clearly doing so of their own will.  But if no lasting harm has been done and there's no evidence that there was any real danger...you could get kicked out of the region.  Just...try and remember that, please.

"And...call me hypocritical for saying it, but...you can't help those who don't want it, either.  Try and respect the boundaries of everyone around, not just mine...I...don't want to see anything bad or unfortunate happen to you because you did something that got you in trouble...you're a part of the bigger picture too, ya know...maybe a smaller part, but a part of it nonetheless..."

Gah.  His neck was starting to itch...why the heck...

Oh.

He stops moving his hand as soon as he feels...tweed.

He was still wearing Ventus's sweater.

He sighs, remove his coat, removes the sweater, puts the coat back on, then hands the sweater back to Ventus.

"...thanks, by the way...for a lot of stuff...a bit late, but...it needed to be said..."

[Lord Windos]

The sweater, his sweater felt heavy as he took in his hands, staring it down with an indecipherable look and a tiredness that was palatable.

It was moments like these that made him question whether or not he had given up on himself to soon, if he just tried harder, and had more faith in himself, he could be noble as the boy in front of him.

'No. Regret not the past or the choice you made, least you lose yourself to what ifs, what haves, and to unfanthomable misery. Take the lessons you learned, the experience you gained, the wisdom you accured, and forge a new path forward into the infinite present. One that does cause you to repeat history, nor act foolishly as before.'

Ventus heaved a great big sigh, and just for that single moment he looked old. Worn out like an mountain, the years of tragedy, regret, and hard living chipping away at him, piece by piece that have made him so brutal and harsh in times of danger, of need. The researcher hide a nature that most would find unsettling.

Yet, despite all that, at his core he was still the same kind, caring, and generous man that he has always been. One that was always willing to look out for others, and help them however he can. One that can look past his own reservations and fears, if it can make other's peoples live just a little bit better.

"........Alright. I'll try. I don't share the faith you have in me, and its not as easy or simple as you believe it is, but I'll try. When I decide to enact extreme measures, though, to kill those that would threaten or harm myself and others....let me do what I think is right."

The sociologist then folded up the sweater, and passed it back over to Nathan.

"Keep it. You never know when you might need something warm to wear."

[Dragonstrike]

"........Alright. I'll try. I don't share the faith you have in me, and its not as easy or simple as you believe it is, but I'll try. When I decide to enact extreme measures, though, to kill those that would threaten or harm myself and others....let me do what I think is right."

The sociologist then folded up the sweater, and passed it back over to Nathan.

"Keep it. You never know when you might need something warm to wear."

"I didn't say it would be easy...but if you need my advice, I'm here.  And...I'm not the only one who has faith in you.  Raphael there is the perfect representation of someone else's.  Someone...I happen to look up to.  Quite a lot.  And for many reasons..."

Nathan is somewhat surprised Ventus is letting him keep the sweater...but he takes it.  

"Well, now that that misunderstanding is settled...I'm still waiting on that call from Dagny, so I'll probably just hang out in here for a little bit.  Oh, and I know you're going to ask her why she's in a wheelchair or say something relating to it anyways despite my earlier warning, so I'm just going to reiterate: don't.  She wishes she wasn't.  She's a victim of a rather unfortunate disease that left her unable to use her legs, and she doesn't ever, EVER talk about it.  Bringing it up is a good way to earn the ire of one of Creshire's two main figureheads, and that's a one way ticket to not being able to get her gym badge.  And maybe even get kicked out of Stair City if you needle her enough about it."

[Lord Windos]

"........Alright. I'll try. I don't share the faith you have in me, and its not as easy or simple as you believe it is, but I'll try. When I decide to enact extreme measures, though, to kill those that would threaten or harm myself and others....let me do what I think is right."

The sociologist then folded up the sweater, and passed it back over to Nathan.

"Keep it. You never know when you might need something warm to wear."

"I didn't say it would be easy...but if you need my advice, I'm here.  And...I'm not the only one who has faith in you.  Raphael there is the perfect representation of someone else's.  Someone...I happen to look up to.  Quite a lot.  And for many reasons..."

Nathan is somewhat surprised Ventus is letting him keep the sweater...but he takes it.  

"Well, now that that misunderstanding is settled...I'm still waiting on that call from Dagny, so I'll probably just hang out in here for a little bit.  Oh, and I know you're going to ask her why she's in a wheelchair or say something relating to it anyways despite my earlier warning, so I'm just going to reiterate: don't.  She wishes she wasn't.  She's a victim of a rather unfortunate disease that left her unable to use her legs, and she doesn't ever, EVER talk about it.  Bringing it up is a good way to earn the ire of one of Creshire's two main figureheads, and that's a one way ticket to not being able to get her gym badge.  And maybe even get kicked out of Stair City if you needle her enough about it."

Ventus only gave Nathan a nod of his head, though he didn't quite understand where he was alluding to with Raphael. Oh, he knew they were bringing up Cynthia again-which reminds him that he probably needs to get a call out to her and properly inform them about his archangel's achievements-but he still didn't have the foggiest clue what was so special about her. She was just sophisticated, well educated woman, right?

The researcher's looked faintly surprised at the origin of the Dagny's crippled status, as what the boy described sounded like an disease he though had been long eradicated by advances in modern medicine. "Is the sickness you mention Polio, or something similar to it? Oh dear, no wonder she would be so bitter about her invalid status, if what caused it was an illness she had no idea even existed anymore. Well, I may indulge in taunting to unsettle stronger foes, but not to the point of cruelity, so I'll refrain from bringing it up unless she does so herself first."

Silence, neither comfortable or companionable, but still....peaceful filled the space in between them, before the empath motioned to the exit of the private room. "If we are finished discussing our morals or other matters, I will be taking my leave as well. Shiva is no doubt waiting on me to return so that she may introduce me to her father, and I rather not keep her waiting anymore than I already have."

Order: If Nathan doesn't decided to keep speaking with Ven, he'll return to the lobby by Shiva's side, and follow her to the nearest video call unit to engage in that interaction. Most likely I won't make a post until that point, unless Phantom/Shiva decides to prompt one.

[Dragonstrike]

The researcher's looked faintly surprised at the origin of the Dagny's crippled status, as what the boy described sounded like an disease he though had been long eradicated by advances in modern medicine. "Is the sickness you mention Polio, or something similar to it? Oh dear, no wonder she would be so bitter about her invalid status, if what caused it was an illness she had no idea even existed anymore. Well, I may indulge in taunting to unsettle stronger foes, but not to the point of cruelity, so I'll refrain from bringing it up unless she does so herself first."

Silence, neither comfortable or companionable, but still....peaceful filled the space in between them, before the empath motioned to the exit of the private room. "If we are finished discussing our morals or other matters, I will be taking my leave as well. Shiva is no doubt waiting on me to return so that she may introduce me to her father, and I rather not keep her waiting anymore than I already have."

"I don't know...I imagine only those she knows personally would even be willing to say anything about it, and they're...few and far between.  I've never been able to find a specific answer to that question."

"Go on.  Make sure Shiva knows everything's...improving.  No need to worry her."

There's a very, very, veeerrrrryyyy faint trace of jealousy in that.  Yup...Ventus gets all the special treatment, doesn't he? Not that Nathan was going to say anything about it...*sigh*...

After Ventus and Raphael leave, Nathan lays his head on his arms on the table. 

Ugh.

Dagny's call couldn't come soon enough...he'd had a long, exhausting day, and he was more than ready to attempt to get some rest once his business for the day was done...

He wasn't looking forward to getting up early again tomorrow, but he knew Kirlia would be sure to wake him so he could actually get everything done on time...if he wasn't already awake by then, of course...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Ah Kalos. The Region of light. I remember to come to Kalos in my travels." Heart delight with the memories of that time. "And this little one is conect to you. Like mother and son, heh." Heart then remember his own family and for a second a glimpse of sadness come across his face, but he quicks disbands. The last thing Heart want is make Shiva feel bad.

"A-anyway, you think about a name to give to that little one? Every time one Pokémon join with me, sometimes I give them a name, to make them special and unique for others Pokémon. But that of course just my opinion! You dont need If you dont want!"

'The region of light'... "Right, they have a city that pretty neatly reflects that - Lumiose City." Shiva never been there on her own, but it's certainly a place she'd enjoy to see. Not only because they sell most kinds of different Pokeballs and herbal medicine there! At his comment that she and the young panda look like..., she stared at him for a moment longer, then down at mentioned Pokemon held close, then away to investigate the pattern of the floor in the Lobby, fighting hard not to blush. Does she really look like a mother, does the fact that she hatched that black-spotted egg on her own make her one, does Pancham see her like this...? The only words she had for Heart about this were "You think so?"

*after a little silence* "Eh, a name to give... Nope, I'm not thinking about a nickname, actually. I don't always nickname a Pokemon, only when I feel like and have an instant idea. I could name this panda 'Pan', like the mythological creature, but that's be too far away. A Pokemon can be special even without a nickname, but receiving a nickname it enjoys is surely pleasant for a Pokemon."



-------------+When Ventus returns+-------------


She probably doesn't need to wave him over as she haven't moved away from the spot, but she's looking in his direction as soon as she got a glimpse on him. Now that took a little shorter than she expected... Could mean both, that they got another heated argument or solved things in a relatively smooth manner. ...Her feels told her it was the latter option, and Shiva could only hope that she was right on this.

Probably doesn't need to ask Ven how things went, but the gaze she was giving him was telling enough. It was silently asking how he feels now, while somehow assuring that she won't ask what was the matter. This was a thing between them, and only them. Unless things are becoming ugly, she'll abstain from mediating here. Pancham opened one eye and hums a low tone at him, since he remembers his face and green sweeter.