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"Hn," Kratos said, the closest thing he would provide Rory as an acknowledgement of his continued attempts at apologizing. He knew the blond meant it and already said that it was fine, so why continue apologizing when it was taken care of? Sometimes people were difficult beings to understand - the redhead often preferred the company of his pokémon because they were much less confusing.

When the blond spoke up about recognizing him, Kratos lifted an eyebrow. "I see," he said, watching as Miette ran up to sit on Kellan's back, heedless of the flames - the Rapidash would never hurt her. "Is it something that matters to you?" Personally, Kratos wouldn't mind if no-one ever brought up potential past connections ever again.

His life before Team Rocket was over and gone, and what was the point of reopening old wounds?

Kratos caught the uncertainty in the other man's tone, and after casting another glance at the gathered pokémon, turned to face the blond. "If you're uncertain, then it does matter to you on some level," he said, curling his fingers to keep from reaching up to touch the resting place of his locket. Some things were difficult to let go of... he was being hypocritical by promoting an abandonment of the past,wasn't he?

"In which case," he added - more thoughtfully this time, "I suppose a better question would be why it matters to you." Over with the pokémon, Miette chirped a hello and complimented Pinkie Pie on her lovely appearance - the pink pikachu loved meeting other pink pokémon. Kellan, on the other hand, seemed a little tongue-tied in the presence of the female ponyta.

Kratos continued to watch the younger man even as the blond looked away, aware that his pointed question had done what he'd intended for it to do - make him think. He nodded once as Rory spoke, but his only verbal response was a "Hn," of acknowledgement.

Meanwhile, Miette giggled and nodded - she was, in fact! And she really missed performing because Kratos was no fun and an old fuddy duddy who didn't like contests at all. But at least she still had her moves! The pink pikachu implored the pink ponyta to watch, then ran away across the training room, whereupon she performed a Rain Dance and a precisely controlled thunderbolt to create a brief but attention-getting fall of sparking raindrops.

"Miette," Kratos called out, a hint of warning in his voice. The pikachu wilted and ceased her newest performance, obediently running to his side and murmuring a "Pikapika!" of apology. She knew she wasn't supposed to perform any more, but sometimes she just couldn't help it! It was in her nature to enjoy being in the spotlight. Big, watery blue eyes blinked sadly up at Kratos, and he sighed lightly, scooping her up with one arm and patting her head with the other.

He couldn't stay mad at her - he'd never be able to do that.

Miette nuzzled Kratos in apology, and he gave her a small smile in return. The pink pikachu really hadn't meant any harm, and she made it impossible for him to stay displeased with her. Kellan nickered at Pinkie, wondering what she was thinking about - Miette just did things like that sometimes, it wasn't unusual or anything. Having been caught in the Sinnoh region after Anna's death, Kellan had never met the woman and thus had no idea what was so shocking to everyone.

It took a moment for Kratos to remember that there was someone else in the room, and he turned to Rory with his expression guarded. "Yes, her name is Miette," he said cautiously, tilting his head just enough for his bangs to hide his eyes if necessary.

That question actually managed to evoke a flinch out of Kratos, though he was swift to cover it up with his usual stoic expression. Miette's reaction, however, was much more pronounced. The mouse pokémon visibly wilted, her ears drooping as she snuggled closer to Kratos, a sad "Pikaaaa," escaping her as she sniffled.

As if to offer further explanation for the pikachu's behavior, Kratos took a breath, clenching one hand into a fist. "No," he said, the lowering of his eyebrows making it clear that this was not a topic he enjoyed talking about and that further questions wouldn't be appreciated.

Kellan nearly fell over in shock from being nuzzled by a girl, but he shook it off and nickered a response - he didn't really know what had happened but he thought it had something to do with the person before Kratos? Miette sometimes got sad when she thought about the person that Kellan had never met.

As for Kratos, he simply bowed his head for a moment. "Hn," he said quietly, scratching Miette behind an ear. When he lifted his head again, there was no trace of grief - or indeed, any emotion at all - in his features. "What type of training are you focusing on today?" The redhead asked, swiftly and deliberately putting an end to the subject of Anna.

Kellan just about fell over on the spot. A-aaah, this was too much, it was too much, she was too pretty and too nice and - he nickered and pranced around in a little circle, overwhelmed. His name was K-Kellan and it was very nice to meet a pretty lady ponyta like her!

Kratos nodded thoughtfully and watched the two fire types interact."Flamethrower will be useful for that," he said, then glanced at the blond curiously. "What other moves does she know?"

Kellan stamped his front hooves for a moment, pleased with the compliment and determined to show off just how amazing he really could be. Whinnying in excitement, he bobbed his head at the pink ponyta, then took off at a dead run around the training room, picking up speed with each lap he made.

Kratos watched the rapidash run, but for the moment made no move to stop him. Instead, he focused his attention primarily on Rory. "Fire spin, Inferno, agility and fury attack," he said, then, as the rapidash tossed his head and careened around the training room again, the redhead added, "...and show-off, it seems."