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 Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:47 am
Train got her oppurtunity quickly. A Geodude boredly floated past her, bumping into Pikachu without caring. "Piika..." Pikachu grumbled unhappily, giving the rock pokemon a small glare. Train patted Pikachu's head, then unclipped Oddish's pokeball. She pressed the button, and the pokeball opened, sending out the beam of red light that would form her Oddish.
The Oddish blinked and looked around. "Odd?" She said, then glanced over to Train. "Odd-ish!" She cried, and froze on the spot, then dashed behind a rock. The Geodude had settled not to far away, so Train wasn't worried that it would end up going away. Train walked a few steps closer, then crouched down and held out her hand, which had a little pokemon food on it. She didn't know if the Oddish would actually like it, as Pikachu usually ate it, and Train was pretty sure different pokemon ate different kinds of pokefood.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:01 pm
The air was extremely tense as both of them rose to their feet. Raimundo made an attempt to soften things, as he said in a quiet tone of voice, "Nina, I know that what Whitney said must have hurt you, but I know how you must feel."
Just like his attempt at physically comforting her, his verbal attempt failed as well, yielding similar results.
"No you don't!" Nina hollered back. "Why does everyone try to empathize with me when they have absolutely no idea what it's like to be such a terrible person?! You have no idea what it is like to be me and the things I've seen and the things I've experienced."
"Okay, no, I'm not you, but that doesn't mean--"
"I've been the target of a psychopathic, age-old killer who exploited me for his own purposes. I witnessed my sister dying mere inches in front of me. I turned into a killer and stole the lives of a total of seven people. Tell me how you can possibly relate to that, Raimundo. I'd love for you to enlighten me."
The latter part of her confessions took the boy completely off-guard. For a split second, the look in his eyes showed a glimpse of fear. This was erased a moment later by annoyance. "Okay. I can't say that those things have happened to me, but don't you for a second think that I haven't had trouble in my life, too. Before I was born, my mother was attacked by my birth father. He had a knife and slashed her all over, and he stabbed her belly. She was barely able to escape from him to call for the police and an ambulance, and she fell comatose upon arrival into the hospital. Despite the fact that I wasn't due to be born for another six weeks, they performed a cesarian section on her, because they were afraid she was going to die, and I would subsequently die with her."
He was silent, and his eyes shined with tears. "I was told later on in my life about what had happened. My mother had always told me she "had an accident" to explain the scars left on her body, so I didn't really question her. She informed me that the doctors told her if my father stabbed her stomach any deeper, the knife would have gone through my head and into my brain. It already grazed my scalp to begin with." Raimundo lowered his head a little and parted his hair, revealing a scar about an inch long.
"So, Nina, you think you have things badly? Compare that to me. I nearly died but I don't go around parading my sob stories to everyone to seek some sort of comfort. Stop acting like a martyr or something and thinking that you're the only person in the world who has things rough, because you don't."
This was the first time that Raimundo had ever retaliated to anything Nina had said, and it came as a terrible shock to her.
She looked ready to cry again. Instead, she chuckled a little bit, and wiped her eyes with the back of her left hand, and sniffled. "Well," she said, in a barely audible tone of voice, "I guess you showed me. Uhm. I'll just... be going then. I know you're pissed off at me, but if you could... check on Whitney for me. Make sure she got to the hospital okay." She swallowed a little. "I'll just... bye."
Nina turned and walked away, bound for Saffron. That was the only place she really felt secure.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 2:16 pm
You think you have things badly? Compare that to me. I nearly died but I don't go around parading my sob stories to everyone to seek some sort of comfort. Stop acting like a martyr or something and thinking that you're the only person in the world who has things rough, because you don't.
Raimundo's words rung through Nina's mind as she entered the central city of Kanto. He was the very first person since Mike to lay down the truth of all those matters to her... well, aside from what Whitney had contributed. And the truth hurt.
The wind started to pick up and the girl's hair danced along her head as her eyes started to tear up again. When had Nina turned into such a witch? When did she put herself on a pedestal and start to believe that everyone else's problems were insignificant in comparison to her own? What caused all of this in the first place?
Sabrina's death. It always came back to that. But, she had no means of being able to change the events that had happened in the past. Heck, the only way that anybody would be able to change the past would be if they were able to secure Celebi from the Ilex Forest, back at home in Johto. It has been told that Celebi wanders across time, but only appears in places during peaceful times. Even if Nina herself were able to encounter Celebi, how would she be able to capture it? It was a legend in itself, after all. Furthermore, how would she be able to utilize its powers? She'd expect Team Rocket or someone similar to them to be able to craft a machine to do such a thing, but who knows what type of trouble that would wreak on the Pokemon itself.
So, it really seemed as if Nina was stuck. She couldn't change the past, and it was impossible for her to just forget that her sister was killed. Her memory of that moment was one of the few that would stick with her as long as she lived. In truth, she really wished that there was a way to just... turn off the memory entirely, or disable it, or something.
The girl's thoughts stopped briefly. She paused as an idea processed.
She would disable her memory of the event entirely. And she knew just how to do it.
Nina broke out in a dead sprint for her Gym.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:57 pm
Night was starting to settle in the Kanto region-- Nina imagined that the Johto skies were experiencing the same, and that the Hoenn region soon would as well. Street lights dotted on all around her as the orange-red sun slightly painted the darkening sky with a gentle kiss as it began its descent beyond the horizon. Beautiful, the girl thought as she trounced throughout the city. Wish I had a camera.
She arrived at her Gym some time later, opening the doors and closing them behind her after entering. She didn't move immediately, and took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. She was shaking a bit, but shrugged it off as she slowly approached the PC in the room. Her idea was running rampant throughout her mind.
Nina stopped walking when she was in the middle of the arena, reconsidering her idea. "What if something goes wrong?" she asked herself. "I could permanently forget that any of this had even happened, and that could severely disrupt my memories... Who knows, I might not even be able to remember anything except what occurred after Sabrina's death. Or I might not be able to remember anything at all."
The latter theory intimidated her. She reconsidered her fears after realizing that this was for her friends-- psychic or not, she couldn't tell for certain if some of her friends were even still able to tolerate her behaviour.
Before continuing onward, Nina released all six of her Pokemon from their respective Poke Balls. Anna, Aphrodite, Serena, Sakura, Krystal, and Pookie appeared in six successive blasts of white light. They all looked around at eachother, somewhat confused. Aphrodite was first to speak. "Nina, is there something the matter?" the Transport Pokemon asked. "Have you gathered us for a reason? Is it time to eat?" Nina chuckled a little bit, and her eyes darted around to each of her Pokemon before resting back on her Lapras. "No, Aphie," she said, "it's not time to eat yet." Sigh. "See, there's something I need to tell you all."
And Nina proceeded to explain how she noticed her behaviour changing for the worse after the incidents surrounding Sabrina's death had occurred, and the subsequent consequences she had caused to happen. She stated how she believed that if she were able to remove her memories of that time, she would become the happier person that she used to be.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:59 pm
"Whoa, whoa. Stop, slow down. You're thinking of having your memories tampered with? Nina, do you know what that could do to your brain? It could affect your mem--"
"I know. It could affect my memories and my ability to make new ones, or even remember anything at all. I've thought this through, Anna."
"Well then, Nina, knowing these risks, why are you willing to chance this?
"Because I'm tired of being such a terrible person to everyone. Even I'm starting to get annoyed with myself." She paused. "So. I told you that story to tell you all this-- particularly you, Anna and Aphie, since you two are the only ones of my Pokemon that I can verbalize with. When this entire ordeal is over and I've forgotten that memory, I want you to tell me that Sabrina's gone away to research Celebi with Professor Elm, to see its effects on the damaged rainforests of South America and the surrounding areas, and that you have no idea when they'll be back. Tell me that the red Gyarados turned out to be safely returned to the Lake of Rage while the machine that attempted to make him evolve was destroyed, and that Lance went back to the Elite Four while Giovanni went back to Viridian City. That'll cover all the events surrounding why I went to Mahogany Town with Sabrina. I also want you to witness the entire event occurring... and, if you could relay the information I just told you to the other Pokemon. Anna, I'd like you to inform Whitney and Raimundo as well, please."
Anna and Aphrodite nodded, before turning to the other four Pokemon and telling them the news. Aphrodite then turned back around to face her trainer. "We will inform you on the information you have requested as soon as we are able." Anna nodded again. "Yeah, consider it done." Pause. "Wait, one last question. How are you planning to get this done, anyway?"
"Oracle and the others will help me." Without another word, the psychic turned and made her way to the PC.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:47 am
Nina pressed some buttons on the keypad, entering in her login information. Since she was using the Gym's PC, Sabrina's old Pokemon appeared in her box along with the few other Pokemon she had stored away. Her eyes trailed over the computer's images of Mimien, Anastasia, Regal, Xena, and Oracle. She heaved in a great breath of air and exhaled slowly, before pressing a few buttons to withdraw the five Pokemon from the computer. She stepped back as they all materialized.
"Nina, hello," Regal said, nodding her head to the trainer. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Excellent. Is there something you needed of us?"
Wow, Nina thought, they don't beat around the bush, do they? There was a brief moment of silence, before she explained the situation, as she had done to her own Pokemon several minutes before. She didn't need to turn around to see that the six of them were standing but a few yards away.
"So," Oracle said, after Nina had finished, "you wish to forget the events surrounding... well, what had happened to Sabrina. That's understandable, as anyone would desire to forget something like that. However, I fail to understand how you expect the five of us to assist you. We can't erase memories."
"I'm aware of this, Oracle. However, there is a move that is common amongst three of you."
"Do you mean, Psychic? Nina, I believe that all five of us are able to use that."
"No, no, not Psychic, Regal. And, Oracle, I am aware that you all cannot erase memories, but..." There was a pause. "The both of you, and Xena--" her eyes darted to the Hypno briefly-- "are all able to use Disable. Mimien has the ability to mimic whatever move he encounters, which enables him to use the move as well."
"What of Anastasia, however?" The Jynx seemed to say something in contribution, but wasn't something Nina could verbally understand. "She will still be able to help," the girl said reassuringly, looking to Anastasia and then back to Regal and Oracle.
"I believe that with a combined attack of four Disables, you will all be able to permanently disable my memory, which will, in effect, erase what I remembered."
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:13 pm
"So, this is the plan that I've come up with." Nina's eyes darted around to her Pokemon as she told them what she wanted to do. "Anastasia, you are to hold me in place by using a Psychic attack, so that I don't move during this whole ordeal. Before we begin, I would like Oracle to perform her Disable attack, while Mimien will use Mimic to copy the attack so that he may use Disable as well. I will keep my mind vulnerable and open to you all, allowing you access to my memories. I envision my brain to be like a map of sorts, and different memories are held in respective regions of that map." She exhaled.
"This is when the real procedure begins. Oracle, Mimien, Regal, and Xena, the four of you are to use your higher psyche to locate the area which holds the memory I desire to erase, and use your Disable attacks on that area. I imagine that with your combined power, and my vulnerable state, this shan't take very long. Does everyone understand?"
Looking around to the Pokemon, she saw all of them show some sort of affirmation.
"All right, then. Let's get started."
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:59 am
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" A voice resounded from the stairway. Mag recognized it as the voice of his Grandmother, Alice. She soon appeared at the base of the stairs. "Why, if it isn't our long lost grandson!" She said as she gave the boy a hug. "So what brings you all the way out here? And where is Linalee?" She asked rather quickly.
"Well I was going to take up Grandpa on his chance at training. But it seems that it is getting rather dark out so that might have to wait till later. As for Linalee, she was on the ship but had to do something. She dissapeared quite mysteriously actually." Mag pondered. "So where is the old man?" Alice had moved over to the couch and was pulling out a crossword puzzle. "Oh that old goat? He's out back. I think he was check on his ancient Snorlax." She said as she began to pull out a dictionary.
"Thanks." Mag replied as he hopped over the counter to take the back door to find his grandfather.
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:10 am
The struggle between Lily and the Mareep continued, highlighted by the frequent Thundershock attacks the little sheep blasted out as it tried to fend off its attacker. Miharu couldn't help but be awed by the gorgeous sparkle the sheep's wool held with each attack, and it made her more determined than ever to capture the Pokemon. Still holding her Pokeball at the ready, she nodded to Lily, who was looking a bit annoyed at the constant shocks she was receiving. "Okay Lily, time to end this struggle," the girl called out, causing the Mareep to turn its attention to her. "Loosen your vines, and use Sweet Scent to draw Mareep towards you!"
Doing as she was told, Lily loosened her hold on the struggling Pokemon, who immediately tried to flee once more. However, it was cut short by a burst of shimmering, pink aura that wafted out of the bulb planted on her back, engulfing the trainer and two Pokemon in an intoxicating aroma. Getting a good whiff of the pleasant scent, the young Mareep bleated happily, and bounded towards the still-irked Bulbasaur, who used a gentle vine to keep the sheep from touching her - its wool was still crackling with tiny bolts of static electricity. Miharu frowned a little, wary of tossing her Pokeball just yet. While the Pokemon seemed to have calmed down considerably, it still seemed to be bursting with energy, which would mean it could likely break free from a Pokeball with relative ease.
Remembering how she'd managed to finally subdue Starrie, Miharu smiled at the idea she'd just had. "Lily, put it to sleep! Sleep Powder!" Her voice was full of excitement, for she'd wanted to capture a Mareep for some time now. No sooner had Lily released a cloud of sparkling blue powder from her bulb did it settle on and around the excitable Mareep, who blinked sleepily a few times and fell to the ground, fast asleep. Now, Miharu took a chance and let her Pokeball fly, being sure to aim carefully, even though a sleeping Pokemon wasn't exactly a difficult target.
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:33 am
It didn't take long for the duo to become bored of waiting, and soon they ventured off towards the waterfront. Ariel hadn't been able to swim in a long time, and the moment the sparkling, clear water came into view, the Vaporeon dove in, disappearing beneath the waves almost immediately. Kasiya sat herself down on the edge of the dock, and after taking off her shoes and socks, let her feet soak in the cool water. Very soon the girl became lost in thought, wondering just how tough the Pokemon her father had described actually were. Hopefully they weren't too powerful for even her, or else she and Keegan could get into a lot of trouble.
Her thoughts were interrupted rather quickly as Ariel rocketed from the water, giving a pain cry as she stood in front of her trainer, water dripping onto the wooden planks as she flicked her tail, which oddly enough, had a rather bemused Shellder clinging onto the end of it. Its eyes were squeezed shut, but it let out happy sounds as though it had found some amazing treasure of sorts. Ariel was not at all impressed, as no amount of shaking or striking it with her paws could get the Pokemon to release its hold on her.
Kasiya stared for a moment, suddenly very reminded of a certain Bivalve Pokemon named Shiver, who also had a fond habit of clinging onto people and Pokemon. Ariel let out a pained growl and shot a weak Water Gun at her trainer's face in order to make her focus at the problem at hand. Wiping the water from her face, Kasiya stood up, leaving wet footprints on the dock as she surveyed the damage. She'd never seen Ariel look so annoyed before, but then again who could blame her, especially when a Shellder has seemingly mistaken your tail for that of a Slowpoke's?
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:13 am
Nina stood perfectly still, before looking to each of the Psychic Pokemon. A glint of trust was present-- she knew that she was as safe in their presence as she was in Sabrina's. She closed her eyes, and metaphorically kept her mind open and vulnerable.
Anastasia and the others backed slightly away from the girl. Powering up a Psychic attack, the outline of her body exhuded a violet aura, and it soon became present on Nina's body as well. The Jynx held a gentle control over the girl, and her part in the procedure had been finished. It was Oracle's turn now. She performed a Disable attack at Mimien, but since Mimien didn't use an attack, the Disable had failed. The mime Pokemon used Mimic to temporarily copy the Disable attack, and he, along with the other three Pokemon who were to use their attacks, turned back to look at Nina.
"Remember what Nina stated," Oracle said. "Her mind is a map, and it is probable that different memories are located in seperate regions. We must use our psyche to locate exactly where." Getting confirmation from Xena, Mimien, and Regal, the Pokemon were ready. They closed their eyes, relaxed, and proceeded to use telepathy, but instead of reading what Nina was thinking, they read her brain's general layout. It was strange, really-- it was as if they were physically inside of her head and looking around, as the images that mentally came to them were extremely vivid. They had a type of side view, and were looking over to see the three regions of Nina's brain-- the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
It didn't take long before the quartet of Pokemon identified their target area. The forebrain was, by far, the largest of the three regions, and Oracle identified that it contained a section known as the hippocampus-- the section of the human mind which was responsible for helping in long-term memory storage. The hippocampus was located at the center of the forebrain, just a little bit above the midbrain region.
What happened next would be difficult for even Oracle to put into words. After examining the hippocampus, she seemed to be able to sort through every single memory that was stored in that section of Nina's brain, from meeting Kilik and Mike and Kasiya, to when the Silph President was assassinated, to when she held her first Gym Battle with Whitney, to seeing Raimundo for the very first time.
And then she found it. Oracle found the memory of Sabrina's death, and exposed it.
The four Pokemon immediately snapped out of their state of relaxation, having found what they were looking for.
"Everyone, now!" Oracle commanded. "Disable!"
Oracle headed off the attack with hers. A light wave of psychic energy was aimed toward Nina's head, in a style similar to that of a Psywave. Mimien contributed with his attack an instant later, his attack joining in with Oracle's. Xena would follow suit shortly after, her attack combining with the other two, and Regal added in the last Disable.
The strength of four would prove to be what it took to disable the memory of Sabrina being shot to preserve Nina's own life. The barrage of attacks stopped, and Anastasia released Nina from her Psychic hold.
And she collapsed into the Jynx's arms the instant after her aid to stand was removed.
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:59 am
"Tsk, tsk, Keegan, that's no way to talk to a lady, now is it?" The scent of a very heady perfume greeted Keegan's nose as she took a few steps towards him. She wore a slight sneer, which Keegan assumed was the closest thing to a smile she could muster.
"I don't think I'd quite classify you as a lady, Sheridan Hollingsworth," Keegan retorted quickly. "You're more like a Seviper."
Sheridan laughed curtly, tucking a strand of purplish hair behind her ear. "I see we're still quite bitter, aren't we?" she asked, adopting a tone that one would use when speaking to an irate child. "And I was certain you'd be glad to see me again."
"Right," the redhead scoffed, looking away from her with distaste. "So what do you want this time? Did you feel as though you hadn't ruined things enough for me, and that more needed to be done? Have you come to claim long-lost ownership over some other aspect of my life?" he demanded angrily, turning on a heel and going towards the front desk, where the nurse had just set his Ponyta's Pokeball. He clipped it onto the strap around his waste, and shoved his hands deep into his pockets before heading for the sliding doors. Sheridan followed, her stiletto heels clicking on the tiles with each step.
"Believe what you want, but that's not why I'm here," she said, once he'd slowed his pace somewhat. She matched his strides and walked beside him, keeping her cold gaze fixed on the horizon in front of them. "In fact," she continued after he still hadn't said anything, "I've come to make you an offer. And if you truly do care for Helios as much as you claimed beforehand, then I'd advise you to listen to me."
This caught his attention, and even though he'd rather look at anything else right now, he looked towards the shrewd woman with interest. "What does your little visit have to do with Helios?" he demanded, a little surprised that she'd called the Vulpix by the name he'd given him.
Sheridan sighed, and for the first time since he'd known her, she seemed to look defeated. She looked at the ground as they walked, her slender arms folded over one another across her chest. "If anything, the last few days have been rather, disappointing," she said, choosing her words carefully. "As my bothersome little sister may have told you, our family practices the art of Pokemon Coordinating, which in turn leaves our expertise in the field of Pokemon Contests. Contests are unlike traditional battles, you see. They require a certain degree of style and grace. Unfortunately, little Helios has neither of those qualities needed to excel in Contests. If anything, he's nothing but a little ruffian. He's disobedient, disruptive, and completely defiant. He actually attacked my mother's Sunflora for no apparent reason, and we suspect that he even attempted to burn down the manor. I've never seen such a rebellious and downright belligerent Pokemon before in my entire experience of Pokemon Coordinating. I believe that this unruly and completely insubordinate behavior of his is entirely your fault, Keegan."
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:45 pm
Keegan blinked a few times, taking in what Sheridan had just said. The Helios he knew definitely wasn't a ruffian, nor was he disobedient or aggressive, if anything, he was perfectly behaved, albeit a bit snooty, but a good Pokemon. But, it did seem apparent that the time he'd spent training Helios hadn't been wasted - the Vulpix definitely had a mind, determination, and fighting spirit of his own. It was painfully obvious to him that Helios was acting out in order to get out, for he definitely wasn't 'shaping up' before he was 'shipped out.' Keegan smiled inwardly, and being quite proud of the little fox's strategy, he decided to go along with it.
"I guess I did forget to mention his behavior problems," Keegan nodded slowly, putting a finger to his chin. "I never really could curb his vicious tendencies, and he always seemed ready to attack something that moved. Perhaps his parents didn't have their distemper shots or something," he shrugged, shaking his head sadly. "But where are you going with this? You already told my parents that you weren't going to accept a refund."
Sheridan interrupted him then, holding out her arm to stop them from walking. "I still don't plan on getting my money back," she informed him, waggling a finger. "I have, however, come up with an alternative way of making this work." She opened her purse just then, and withdrew a Pokeball from it, and held it in her palm so that Keegan had a good view of it. "Helios does have knowledge of the technique Heat Wave, which is a pretty good move for scoring points during the appeals section of contests."
"And?" Keegan urged her to continue, eyeing the Pokeball in her hand avariciously.
"I want you to take him back," she said simply.
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:13 pm
Almost instantly, Keegan's right hand shot out to snatch the Pokeball from Sheridan's outstretched palm. She'd been anticipating the move, however, and quickly pulled it out of his reach, shaking her head and clicking her tongue. "Ambitious, are we?" she chortled, turning the Pokeball over in her hand a few times almost dauntingly. "I did say I was making you an offer, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did say that," Keegan admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed from being scolded by Sheridan, of all people. "So get on with it."
"Are you always this impetuous?" she asked, taking a cautious step back as Keegan's expression changed from one of embarrassment to a cold stare. Sheridan cleared her throat before continuing. "As I stated before, I do want you to take him back into your care. Permanently," she added, to avoid confusion. "I do, however, have one condition."
"Go on."
"I would like to keep him for a few more days. I still desire a Vulpix with the inherited technique Heat Wave, and since Helios has access to that move, I would like to pair him with a female Vulpix that belongs to an acquaintance of mine. I'm sure you already know what I'm getting at, being a Pokemon Breeder yourself, correct?"
"Yeah, I get it," Keegan nodded, knowing full well that inherited, or egg moves could only be passed on to the offspring from a male parent. "So this is the offer, then? You keep him until he sires a baby that is suitable for you?"
"Yes," Sheridan answered simply. "Or at least until they produce an egg, that is. After that, the little barbarian is yours for the keeping. Are these terms acceptable for you?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:24 pm
Several different answers leapt to mind just then, most of which were far from polite. Keeping his wits about him, he nodded again. "Yes, that's perfect," he replied, allowing everything to sink in.
"Oh and Keegan, there was truly no need to lie to me, you know. Your mother told me before you arrived home that day that Helios was actually a well-behaved and well-mannered Pokemon. But then again, when you care for something so much, you're willing to do anything, even lie, to protect it. I admire that," Sheridan said quietly. "I hope that I can forge a bond with my future Vulpix like you have with Helios."
"Uh, thanks?" Keegan answered, even though it sounded more like a question. It didn't surprise him though, that she'd known all along that Helios was only rebelling because he didn't want to be there.
She just smiled, and placed the Pokeball back in her purse. She appeared to be looking for something now, and she pulled out a small white envelope that had Keegan's name written on it in very neat handwriting. "I'm also giving you these as a token of good faith. After speaking with my sister, I did start to feel terribly guilty about the whole ordeal, and it was actually Sheena's idea to breed Helios. So here, take them. They're tickets to the Annual Pokemon Breeder's Gala to be held a few days after the Slateport Beach Party. Please take them, and try not to hate me for being such a terrible person. It seems my upbringing has clouded my outlook on right and wrong."
Keegan took the envelope and tucked it into his pocket, sighing. "If you're willing to admit that you were wrong, then you can't be all bad," he told her truthfully. Just take care of Helios, and his baby. And thanks. You don't know how much this means to me."
"No, I suppose I don't. But, perhaps in time, I will. Until next time, then." She went ahead of him as they rounded a corner to see a ruby red limousine waiting for her. On the side, Keegan spotted the same emblem bearing the pair of Rapidash he'd seen on the helicopter a few days back, as well as both burly bodyguards standing on either side of the opened door. Sheridan climbed in, giving Keegan a little wave and winking at him before the door was shut and the machine rolled away once all passengers were on board.
Keegan watched it until it was out of sight, unsure of what he was feeling just then. He knew the Breeder's Gala was a prestigious event, something that his parents had been invited to and attended every year for as long as he could remember. He took the envelope from his pocket and looked at the tickets, one of which had his name written on it in gold script, the other bearing the same, reading 'and guest' as the only difference. Grinning broadly, he put them back into his pocket and looked around, wondering where Kasiya had disappeared to.
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