[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Heart was tempt to interrupt that conversation between Shiva and Ventus, and defend his friend Shiva, but Heart did not this time. Its kinda obvious the sentiments between Shiva and Ventus its strong, and after Ventus last words, Heart was quite anger for the way Ventus talk Shiva, but the same time understand why he act that way. Yes, Heart was quite worry and angered when Shiva decided to take the battle all alone against Drudgigon, but Shiva came back alive, but if not? What would have happen if Shiva did not survive? Even with typing advantage, death would be certain. Heart decided to at least give his opinion in the topic. Heart came a little closer and touch the shoulder of Ventus.

"Ventus, I think it is unecessary to talk that about Shiva actions. About Drudgigon I must confess you are half right, since engage in such battle against such ferocious enemy without happy its not the most wise decision. But call that stupid or idiotic decision I think its a bit far my friend. There might sometimes we need have to face our battles alone, but in this point about such wild foe, the number of members its the better path Shiva. But about the Eremit...I have notice Ventus your hate against misticism and I have something to ask you my friend: Is rocks bad? Just enligh me with that question please.

Mechanic: Send question to Ventus: Is rocks bad? Its not a joke but a serious question.

(Mate, that conversation takes place in the privacy of Shiva's/Ven's room, so unless Heart followed them all the way there and has been listening in to their conversation and decided to barge in unannounced, he didn't hear it. Sorry for not making it any clearer!)

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart was tempt to interrupt that conversation between Shiva and Ventus, and defend his friend Shiva, but Heart did not this time. Its kinda obvious the sentiments between Shiva and Ventus its strong, and after Ventus last words, Heart was quite anger for the way Ventus talk Shiva, but the same time understand why he act that way. Yes, Heart was quite worry and angered when Shiva decided to take the battle all alone against Drudgigon, but Shiva came back alive, but if not? What would have happen if Shiva did not survive? Even with typing advantage, death would be certain. Heart decided to at least give his opinion in the topic. Heart came a little closer and touch the shoulder of Ventus.

"Ventus, I think it is unecessary to talk that about Shiva actions. About Drudgigon I must confess you are half right, since engage in such battle against such ferocious enemy without happy its not the most wise decision. But call that stupid or idiotic decision I think its a bit far my friend. There might sometimes we need have to face our battles alone, but in this point about such wild foe, the number of members its the better path Shiva. But about the Eremit...I have notice Ventus your hate against misticism and I have something to ask you my friend: Is rocks bad? Just enligh me with that question please.

Mechanic: Send question to Ventus: Is rocks bad? Its not a joke but a serious question.

(Mate, that conversation takes place in the privacy of Shiva's/Ven's room, so unless Heart followed them all the way there and has been listening in to their conversation and decided to barge in unannounced, he didn't hear it. Sorry for not making it any clearer!)

(Oh! Sorry ^^" Gonna erased my post them right away. Sorry any incovenience)

[Iron]

It is now Day 55.

After the recent occasional rain, and today's warmth, a whole bunch of little blue mushrooms have popped up all over Cress City. According to Shiva's recent research, these little guys are called Cloyster Mushrooms and they're quite edible, if one discards the little black central sphere. They taste best in the early afternoon on the day they sprout, when they spread wide to soak up the sun. Great for stews, sammiches, or just pan fried in butter.

They have no poisonous lookalikes, so all you have to do is remember to cut off that little black sphere and anyone can eat them safely!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post

A great big *Sigh* was issued from Ventus' lips as he hear her response and the undercurrent of fresh fear that now enlived her, feeling worse and worse about what he's going to say to her, but his own thoughts mirrored her own at the moment: it was too late to retreat.

".....That is more than enough, my love. I hope we can remain together for an epoch, but if what I say drives a wedge between us......then all I can say I can live with that regret, if it means that what I say is not in vain. (...) *Shots them a confused look, before lightly shaking his head( Perish the though Shiva. My....orientation nor our relationship is the topic of this discussion......."

Deep breath.

Now is the time to speak now.

Or Forever hold your peace.

Ventus turned to face her, and looked directly in the eyes, expression furious.

"No, what I want to discuss is how you have unbelievably, idiotically, and recklessly endangered you life multiple times, when it could have been easily avoided."

His voice came out like an crack of a whip, its tone completely altered. Before, it was tired, resigned, and hesitant. Now, it was charged with an anger born of worry and unrest. A certain kind of fury that both chilled and heat a person right up.

"Think back to the Tusk, Shiva. When we all overcame the Guardians of the location, and entered in the sanctuary, knowing something was in there that had sent them out to oppose us, but not what it was. Shortly discovered it was a......thing that had taken the shape of an old hermit, seemingly absorbed in working their magics on the clay before them. We didn't know what it was capable of, other than it could summon a small squad of Pokémon to ward off or possibly kill anything that dares trespass on his domain. It could be friendly, and only was trying to test us, as it turned out to be the case. Or they could be malicious, and was waiting for us to lower our guard before striking us all down in one feel swoop. Either way, we did not and could not know whether it would treat us with kindness, hate, dispassion, or otherwise for what we did to seek audience. They were unknown.  They were inscrutable. They were dangerous. A n d  w h a t  d i d  y o u  d o  ?"

He hissed out those last words in an seething tone, before he pressed right on in, coming closer to the woman until his presence loomed over her.

" Y o u  w e n t  r i g h t  u p  a n d  s a t  b e s i d e  i t ,  a n d  i n t e r u p p t e d  t h e m  i n  t h e  m i d d l e  o f  w h a t  t h e y  w e r e  i n t e n s e l y  f o c u s e d  o n.  A l l  w i t h o u t  k n o w i n g  h o w  i t  w o u l d  r e a c t ,  o r  t h i n k i n g  o f  t h e  p o s s i b l e  c o n s e q u e n c e s  o f  y o u r  a c t i o n s. "

The voice was deep, monotone, and guttural, such a stark departure from the normally sweet and dulcet tones of the sociologist that it was like something else was speaking in his place. Someone unkind and unyielding.

"Do you know what could have happened, instead of it humoring us all and help save Stair and by extension Cheshire? It could have killed you. It could have killed ALL of us. He could have done WORSE. It could have done ANY NUMBER OF HORRIBLE THINGS. And there would be NOTHING we could have done to prevent it! All we done could have been for naught, or a terrible fate could have befallen you because Y O U  A C T E D  L I K E  A  F O O L.  A .  F O O L !!!"

Word were ground out like wood being ejected from a chipper, blasting with full force. Vens backs away at this moment and takes a deep breath to force himself to wind down from that stressed, panicked induced anger peak. This took only a few seconds, though, as his iron clad grip over himself was in especially fine form for this STERN lecture, giving her no chance to recover when he launched into the next part.

"That was then, though. For awhile, I thought I would accept it as a woeful lapse of judgement on your part, and not burden you with the possible ramifications of your actions. That you do differently for now on. Regretfully for both of us, I was wrong. Just three days ago, for whatever reason, you decided to engage in battle against a wild and clearly murderous Druddigon. Alone, with no back up. I don't even need to go into detail why that was a very S T U P I D decision, as you are painfully are of what could have happened if IT prevailed instead of you. Even if you didn't know you were going to end up facing that beast in particularly, I know you knew that you were about face off against something very, VERY, DANGEROUS , or otherwise you or your Pokémon wouldn't have been keyed up the way you were. I know the difference between surprise shock and expectant battle shock, and you were experiencing the later to my senses. We (the group) could ALL have delt with the Dragon together with minimized risk, but instead for whatever reason you choose not to. Why did you choose to do something so idiotic, Shiva? Why? WHY?!"

Another deep breath, a *Huff....* being issued this time as closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose while shaking his head in a combination of pure dismay, frustration, anger, and fearful concern. When he re-opened his eyes, his expression was back to being tired once more, but it was now also sullen in addition to holding traces of lingering anger still fresh worry.

"Do you know why I'm lecturing you this so harshly. Bringing these moments in harsh, ugly light, and forcing you to understand how foolish, rash, and idiotic both you actions in them? ...........................*Sighs* I'm not doing this to punish you, Shiva. Nor to voice my greviances with you decisions, at least not maliciously so. Neither those thing. .......I spoke the way I did because I wanted to teach you about these errornous choices, so that you try to act wisely and don't ever do them again....... and show you just how worried and scared I was and still am. ....Shiva, if you had been harmed or....or worse .......it would be like losing my father and brother again. Helpless.....powerless......completely and utterly miserable.  Then.....then I would get angry. Mad. U N F E T T E R E D. And much, much worse. I'd become a monster to avenge your death at any cost......including my own life, if that was put on the chopping block."

Dead silence for a full minute, before Ventus continued in an almost heartbroken voice.

"I.....I....I don't want those things to happen to either of us, my love. I don't want either of us to grieve for each other's lose, all because we acted foolishly or as a consequence of said actions. I want us to be together, to cherish and to love and to support each other through all times good and ill. I don't want you looking before you Bounce, only to land in something fall too dire for you to handle alone. I want you to continue to grow and excel as not only a Pokémon Breeder, but as the wonder, magnificent, and splendid woman that you are, with or without me. So please, even if you now despise me for mercilessly grilling you for what I conceive as failings on your part, I want you to take my words to heart and not to repeat your past mistakes. To act wisely and with great caution, only endangering yourself when you have no other choice, or if its justified to do so. P-P-Please, my love.....please....."

The empath is in near tears by the end of his long, harsh, lecture, jerking his head away from his most blessed of friend, someone MUCH too good for him in almost ANY universe imaginable, and buries it into his hand, trying his best for the last time to calm himself down. Easier said than done in this case, for fae woman was the beginning and end of this emotional mess he's in, making it more difficult to dissaociate himself from his feelings and ruthlessly control them.

If Shiva has anything to say in response, now is the time.

For better, or for worse.....

What....? Nope, Shiva did by all means not quite comprehend why the topic of their discussion that he started was supposed to drive wedges between them, that himself confused look Ven gave her didn't do anything to help this. At best, it only gave her a tad bit relief upon hearing that what he wanted to speak about with her had nothing to do with the further blooming of their just shortly started relationship. At least...THAT worry turned out pointless.

That furious expression directly adressed to HER he gave her next did a fine job to STARTLE her though, and unwillingly she flinched a few centimeter away from Ventus as if she got too close to a plant that looked amazing, smelt intoxicating, but was highly poisonous at the very touch. Still, Shiva could not take her eyes from the familiar Sociologist, she simply was unable to do so. Roughly a second after he spoke out that she has...endangered her life?, she herself grew worried while the scare invisibly increased within her. Dear Cottonee on her lap noticing that and cuddling up closer to her beloved Master to calm her after she gave the young man that made Master uncomfortable a TOXIC look from the side, could only do so much to ease things.

At first, Shiva did not get what Ventus meant by that opening. Her suicidal thoughts back when she was at her lowest in Corsage Port came to her mind, but as far as she knows she has never told anyone about these. She listened to what Ventus had to say, remaining in that flinched away position while he recounted her (in his eyes) stupid and wrong and dangerous and whatelse actions, not giving any hint of a different reaction or expression. No, she simply...let Ventus speak, voice what he wanted to voice until he finished, all while NOT averting her gaze from him ONCE. How it was HURTFUL to listen to what he spoke, was obvious however.

Only during that silent minute when she got the feeling that he won't speak in such a harsh tone with her anymore, Shiva visibly relaxed a tad bit, which meant that she lowered the arm protectively held close and in front of her and dared to come a bit closer to Ventus, as if the figurative precious and toxic plant wouldn't do anything to her on its own. The heartbroken? tone of his voice as he continued to speak helped on that, and signaled her that it was safe to come as close to Ventus as she was before he lashed out. Still, she kept her gaze fixated on him, even when he himself looked away from her quite determined. That pleading by the end - if what he said before, how he'd endanger his own life to avenge her, how high he thought of her that he'd become a monster to do so (that scared her for a moment again) and how he wanted her to grow touched her deeply, that repeated 'please' made her feel sorry to some degree. Ventus was troubled - because of her. That sensation will likely linger within her for a while.

Seeing how he was doing now, Shiva felt like it was safe to lightly touch him by the shoulder, gently running her hand down several inches before she withdrew it. "Ventus - look at me when I speak to you. Please. Go ahead." The tone she said these few words in was calm, a hint of determination laid within it, but suprisingly no detectable anger. The expression he'll find when he follows her plea was roughly the same.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

It is now Day 55.

After the recent occasional rain, and today's warmth, a whole bunch of little blue mushrooms have popped up all over Cress City. According to Shiva's recent research, these little guys are called Cloyster Mushrooms and they're quite edible, if one discards the little black central sphere. They taste best in the early afternoon on the day they sprout, when they spread wide to soak up the sun. Great for stews, sammiches, or just pan fried in butter.

They have no poisonous lookalikes, so all you have to do is remember to cut off that little black sphere and anyone can eat them safely!

(How Shiva feels in the morning I cannot really estimate due it depends on how the late-night's discussion with Venny about her [in his view] stupid and dangerous actions, but for the most part I'll say that she's doing relatively okay.)

Nevertheless, her night's rest was calm and reenergizing, and almost per usual by now she cuddled up to Ventus' side during the night - while the group was residing in a city or town and these two can share a room and bed without it being suspicious for the others/them even knowing, that was no problem, but when the time comes again that they'll all camp outside on their travels, they'll sleep seperated again. She herself would be fine with that and accept/do so without objecting.

During the shared breakfast (if Ven does continue with sharing it with her upstairs in the privacy of their room, that is) she was more silent than usually however, mosty because additionally to her tiredness in the mornings the discussion from yesterday was still fresh. If Ven desires to speak with her or share plans for the day, she'll react and reply, same with anyonelse of the group, but for the most part she'll appreaciate to be left alone for today. That quiet phase to sort herself got interrupted as she took a glance outside the window at some point, and what she saw there raised her mood to a good amount, and even allured a subtle smile from her: Edible Cloyster Mushrooms all over the streets! Now she knows what she'll do early afternoon. Can they turned into Poffins or something her Pokemon can eat too, however?


Eventually, she made her way downstairs to the Lobby of the Eastern Center, gets herslef another cup of coffee and finds a free PC to do something she wanted to do before she'll outside to the Violet Tent to FINALLY meet and speak with the Medium there: Sending a mail home. Calling will pretty likely not work due to the instable connection to other regions, but mails should arrive in general. When her father will get the mail and reply though, she wasn't too sure, but she has her cell from which she has access to her mail account.

It reads as following.

Dad, good morning! Uhm, it's me again, been a while.

I'm doing fine for the most part. Traveling being easy all the time would be a blatant lie, just lately me and my own Pokemon had to face a Druddigon, I haven't expected to run into this Dragon Type here in Chreshire! Braixen and Cottonee recovered from the wounds they suffered in the battle. I don't like being upriled emotionally, but I do have to deal with it.

Currently we're in a town that values traditions and Furret, I managed to acquire my own Longbody Pokemon as well. ^^ Meanwhile, Marill and Espurr have even evolved into their Final Form under my care! I've included you a photo of them. (It'll turn out to be a cell photo Shiva made at some point while they had dinner.)

Ehm, mostly there are two things I wanted to let you know... One thing concerns studies. Telperion University here in Botanville does offer 'Pokemon Breeding and Handling' as a major, and just yesterday I found out that I'm qualified to enroll there. I'd love to, to be honest... However, the costs to study there are a little higher as I'm not native to Chresire. Would you...be fine with me staying a little longer in Chreshire for studies, however? May I enroll there when eventually coming to the town with the University?
The other thing, I guess I've already hinted earlier - I've developed some...'sensing' towards Pokemon. I can feel their emotions when I want, sometimes even when I do not want/unwillingly. I dare to say that during the journey, I grew 'empathic' towards them. I like that, yet I'm unsure where it comes from. Maybe dealing with Fairy and Psychic Types constantly? Anyway... I do think that'll help me to become a good Breeder and Trainer. Would you agree? Have you heard about such a thing before, have you any idea how I could hone this skill more?

Greet Mum from me. And tell her that I'm sorry as a group of Furret took the plate she gave me alongside the food I offered them. Is everythingelse fine at home and in the city?

I do hope to hear from you soon. Love and hugs over the screen!~

So far... Once she logged out, turned the PC off and swapped a bit around in her party to bring a few more Psychic Types to her hands, Shiva directly made her way to the Violet Tent and to the Medium alongside Lilith beside her and Kyuu on her shoulder - is she present today and be spoken to?

[Iron]

Yep, Cloysters can be prepared in any number of ways, and Pokemon often like them as much as humans do.

It could be a day or two before your father replies, but for expediency's sake I'll post it now.

Spoiler

Wow, you're full of great news! It's OK to experience a loss or a qualified victory sometimes. Just stay as safe as you can! I'm not the kind of parent who thinks his progeny should never take risks, haha!

Uhmm...I guess it would be really cool if you studied abroad! Especially if you can get a scholarship! Not that you need my permission. You're a grown-up. And by the time you've finished your Creshire adventure, you will absolutely have enough experience to make wise decisions on your own! I love watching you grow! I'm also proud that you want to study the same topic I did!

Eh, sensing the emotions of Pokemon comes usually from learning to read their body language. We humans have a lot of history in common with Pokemon, you know. All the best breeders learn a certain amount of this. Psychic Pokemon are definitely a great way to practice this, since they can do it so much better than we can, but I have heard of psychic energy enabling the human mind toward greater heights!

Mum says don't worry about the plate! Love and hugs from both of us!

The Medium is in her usual place.

[Dragonstrike]

It is now Day 55.

Assuming the gravestone piece doesn't make any noise and wakes him up again, Nathan sleeps in a little this morning.

It wasn't super comfortable sleep at first (due to the rather...explosive amount of emotion from Ventus soon after the simple party was over.  Ralts would have easily picked that up), but things (presumably) settled down just as quickly.

The next morning is almost a little...surreal, in fact.

He's 17 years old now.

...

...his dad would have wanted to be there, thinking about it...

He looks over at the picture on the desk...well, at least Luxray was there...kinda...

...

...another day, another chance...

...he needed to tell Swiftfire and Calam the news, too...and Starmie and Porygon-Z...and Orthros and Solomon...they'd all probably wish to know as well...

...oh, right, that reminds him...he needs to keep a lookout for a gift for Swiftfire...her birthday is coming up, too...still about a week or so away, though...he hopes they aren't in Mt. Sentry's depths during that time...

...

...he wonders when Ralts's is...but then again, most pokemon don't seem to make a big deal of their own birthdays...it's mostly a human thing...

...

...well, better get going and start the day, then...Nathan goes heads over to Furret and Forthright to wake them after he's packed what he needs in his bag.

"...mornin', you two.  Ready to get going?  Got another busy day ahead of us.  We need to teach you Weather Ball, Forthright, gotta go talk to Tanuki..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(K, then I'll have Shiva receive the reply tomorrow before heading down into Mount Sentry! I'll make a shortcut to the post on desktop. I fear she won't quite get what her father means by 'humans have a lot of history in common with Pokemon'.)

(I also missed something that only came to me now during dinner, I hope I can edit it in: )

Before heading to the Violet Tent after she exited the Eastern Pokemon Center, there was one thing Shiva wanted to do to prevent her heading to the tent twice - not that she'd mind doing that, but if she'll already head to fleemarket, she can just as well meet the Medium AND Mr. Finder in one visit.

With Helios' teleporting skill, she made a quick trip to Stair City and purposefully headed directly to the Department Store, to be more specific to "Slaking's Bargain Books", the second-hand bookstore located there. Still with her Kadabra beside, she'll turn to the vendor by the counter and places her Trainer's Card on the table. "Uhm... Yes, good morning. I wanted to ask whether I could loan a particularly old book from your store, please? I don't mind the topic or anything, it simply needs to be an older one. I need it for a specific purpose please, and you will have it back in the afternoon in the same state that I took it. Is that possible? I'll leave my Trainer's Card here for you by the way of a pledge."


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


How pleasant to know that the Medium was present this morning... Taking a deep breath to ease herself as soon as the dark blue draperies around her booth came into Shiva's view, she threw a slightly worried and anticipated glance over to Gothitelle by one side or hers who returned her gaze (in Shiva's view) somewhat knowingly, then moving on to Kyuu silently on her right shoulder who has loosely wrapped his two bushy tails around her neck, then to her loyal magical fox by her other side who began to silently chant as being allured by the occult flair within this precious velvet tent. Two of her Pokemon that controlled immense psychic power alongside one that beared yet dormant psychic power felt like a pleasant company for her.

Then, Shiva stepped into the dark shadows which were the innards of the Medium's booth with a slow and graceful movement, silently taking a seat at the prepared chair, pillow or other place to sit herself down. Her gaze was silently fixated on the silverhaired woman and her particularly smooth Poliwag, and Shiva did not speak up for roughly a minute to get herself used to the atmosphere here as well as allowing the Medium to get used to her visitor... A low bow to that woman was what Shiva gave her a greeting before carefully breaking the silence in a low and silent voice, not much more of the whisper. "Good morning is what I wish to you, Medium of the Violet Tent. People call me Shiva, and I came from far far away to Chreshire and Cress City to you... I came because I'm in need for your help. Allow me to explain..."

Slowly reaching into her stuff, Shiva drew the enchanted piece of wood that she flawlessly painted the symbols of Giratina's shrine onto, and carefully placed it in front of her. "I'm working on the crafting of a Cleanse Tag. On my own. I need it to protect myself from Ghost Types when heading to Earthstar Forest and the depths of the Skull Ruins... But it's not finished yet. I lacks life. It lacks the true name of a Pokemon Spirit painted onto it by my own hands... I heard that gravestones are a good source. A Medium's help is what greatly helps as well... Can you, Medium of the Violet Tent, help me finding a Pokemon Spirit in order to progress the making of my Cleanse Tag...?"


-----------------------
Mechanics:
I have a possibly weird question... Can this visit of the Medium be a concealed Training Session for Lilith, Kyuu and Shiva ? I'm 10xp away from my 5th point in Insight Attribute, and one way or the other/sooner or later there need to be steps that work towards that. Or so I feel. Seeing how a Medium connects to Pokemon Spirits sounds like a great way to do so.
If it's needed in order to progress on her Cleanse Tag to visit Cress Cemetery, Shiva is all ready to do that with Yena (the Dark Type to defend them against malicious Ghost Types) and Furret (Follow Me for distraction as well as Foresight to identify these and Spirits) as her companions, but I guess visiting a graveyard at dusk or night feels more fruitful?

[Iron]

It is now Day 55.

Assuming the gravestone piece doesn't make any noise and wakes him up again, Nathan sleeps in a little this morning.

It wasn't super comfortable sleep at first (due to the rather...explosive amount of emotion from Ventus soon after the simple party was over.  Ralts would have easily picked that up), but things (presumably) settled down just as quickly.

The next morning is almost a little...surreal, in fact.

He's 17 years old now.

...

...his dad would have wanted to be there, thinking about it...

He looks over at the picture on the desk...well, at least Luxray was there...kinda...

...

...another day, another chance...

...he needed to tell Swiftfire and Calam the news, too...and Starmie and Porygon-Z...and Orthros and Solomon...they'd all probably wish to know as well...

...oh, right, that reminds him...he needs to keep a lookout for a gift for Swiftfire...her birthday is coming up, too...still about a week or so away, though...he hopes they aren't in Mt. Sentry's depths during that time...

...

...he wonders when Ralts's is...but then again, most pokemon don't seem to make a big deal of their own birthdays...it's mostly a human thing...

...

...well, better get going and start the day, then...Nathan goes heads over to Furret and Forthright to wake them after he's packed what he needs in his bag.

"...mornin', you two.  Ready to get going?  Got another busy day ahead of us.  We need to teach you Weather Ball, Forthright, gotta go talk to Tanuki..."

Just as that happens, the gravestone suddenly makes its noise!

"Peh keh cheh...peh keh cheh..."

[Lord Windos]

(...)

Seeing how he was doing now, Shiva felt like it was safe to lightly touch him by the shoulder, gently running her hand down several inches before she withdrew it. "Ventus - look at me when I speak to you. Please. Go ahead." The tone she said these few words in was calm, a hint of determination laid within it, but suprisingly no detectable anger. The expression he'll find when he follows her plea was roughly the same.

'Deep breaths, deep breaths, Ventus. You've said what was needed to be declared, informed her of what she needs to know, so calm down before you crack anymore in front of her,' Ventus thought, as he had his hands buried in his hand and was doing his level best to wangle his emotions under his control and put them into rank and file once more. He'd already made a right bastard out of himselfby metaphorically rubbing her face into the muck of her aggregious failures, so their was no need to become a simpering fool as well. Her most delicate touch snapped him out of his palicating ruminations, and her deceptively gentle words (for he could feel the determination of other emotions tinge her feeling) caused a nervous tremor to run up his spine.

He didn't WANT to face her, not after the terrible way he spoke down at her or see his own uncomposed distraught, but he couldn't refuse her request. 'She deserves my undivided focus after reaming her so cruelly, and so I'll give it to her, even if all I want to do is crawl off and sulk in self-disgust,' the researcher lowly thought to himself, before he took one last deep breath, doing his best to will away most of his unease/disquiet/sorrow from being visible, before releasing it and slowly lift his head and turned to face Shiva, his expression now neutral with shame, small amounts of despair, and remorse. He waited patiently for her to speak her mind, to dash him against the rocks as he did to her, as he deserved no better. The researcher may have done what he thought was needed, but by no means did he thought what he did was good. Beneficial, yes, but hardly good......