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Grayson chuckled at his daughter's feisty words, but nodded in recognition to the truth in what she was saying, "It seems I have a simpler time remembering more difficult procedure, doesn't it?" His smile was bright, feeling as though he had convinced Dea to call him more out of necessity. It was a sense of accomplishment as much as it was a treat to hear, "Well, at least you didn't get your prioritizing abilities from me, Dea." It was a benefit to them both that that was the case! Matter-of-fact once more, he set aside the joking for a moment, "I would love to hear from you more often, though, so I would recommend that course of action. I would gladly help you test out your telepathy abilities in return for that, just as long as you make sure you don't strain yourself too much with it. At this point in time, it isn't something that is imperative for you to strengthen, so don't put you or your baby in jeopardy for it; I'm sure your pokémon will make sure of that." As worried as he was, he knew that Eilam, Lucinda, and Lightning watched his daughter like a hawk when Kid was gone. However, he was also her father and couldn't manage to completely be rid of the concern over the situation.

Nix tried to pull every last shred of knowledge he had in reserve of the jirachi of legend, attempting to piece it all together to form an acceptable hypothesis on the matter. He thought about Eilam's situation, mulling it over for a bit until he found a possible 'weak spot' in Dea's statement, "Are you... sure he hadn't wished for it?" He sighed a bit, glancing away and tapping a foot impatiently as he tried to gather his thoughts enough to elaborate. Turning back to Dea, he went on, "For instance, he really wants to be able to protect you, but there were some things he couldn't help with. He couldn't go into town with you very easily and be by your side. What if, this way, it's actually easier for him to do that? In that way, the jirachi would have granted his wish, if that's what his wish would have been." The young man was not sure if that made as much sense as he wanted it to, so glanced to the teen to see if he had any reaction to it.

Terpsichore snickered, finding it amusing that the little family she had half-met only once before was capable of arguments. "But you always seemed so civilized! You actually disagree on things?" she jabbed playfully. "I'm only kidding. I would think that comes with the territory of living so close to others for so long. Kind of like..." she wheeled a hand around, trying to get words and thoughts to line up better, "...you know, when you start to feel more comfortable around someone, your true nature starts to come out more and more. I've noticed that it's also easier to show them when you get angry at someone's actions when that happens as well. Kind of like you feel as though your opinion matters more than if it's just a stranger you're talking to." The shroomish pondered on this a moment, finding it... really strange, and just a bit abstract. She smiled, finding Eilam's words on his family to be rather sweet, "Aww, how long have you had them as a family? Do you remember being on your own?" To her, it just seemed as though Eilam and Dea had been together forever, but that couldn't be how it worked if the teen before her was the creator of all pokémon. Another strange fact to note, considering it didn't normally cross her mind when she actually interacted with him; he just seemed like any other, normal poké-kid!

Gleefully, Karma applauded Lucinda's curtsy, finding it both adorable and very polite. <<Oh oh, such good manners! If you keep that up, people are going to think you're descended from royalty!>> the ditto chirped, <<Did you both pick out a variety of dresses for yourself? Do they all do that with your tails, make them look like part of the dress? It's such a neat idea!>>

Musing on the idea, Grayson had to confess that Dea made a very good point. He laughed about it, "I do suppose you have a point there, Dea! Either way, I'm too stubborn to let it drop, so there's no worry about it. If it's possible to find a way to help, we'll find it, won't we?" Stubbornness may not have been a virtue, but rarely was persistence a bad trait to possess.

Grayson grinned brightly; though his concern could never be diminished completely, Dea's words were enough to set him at ease for now. "That is very responsible thinking, I am glad to note that you haven't lost that attribute about yourself!" he noted, considering most individuals would not think about what stubbornness could do to those around them. Heck, Grayson himself sometimes forgot to think of the broader picture like that! Then again, that may have been attributed to the ability to prioritize as well, he regarded.

Nix nodded, deliberating the possibility that the jirachi's stars possibly did grant wishes, whether or not the pokémon themselves realized it. He wasn't too sure about Endymion's transformation, but Margarita really seemed to enjoy life as a poké-child. Then again, she had enjoyed life as it came, so... Glancing at Terpsichore, he knew for a fact that she had specifically requested to become human, and this was probably as close as she was going to get. It was a long shot, but it wasn't entirely a shot in the dark. "Very interesting indeed, I will need to research this some more," the young man stated, already eager to get a head start on gathering the necessary information. He knew it would have to wait, but he didn't mind spending a little extra time with the family he didn't get to see all that often. Snickering, he pointed toward the pikachu in Dea's lap when her worry became vocalized, "Careful, now. If that's how the stars work, Lightning is going to be turning into a child before you know it!" At least the transformation wasn't necessarily a bad thing, other than... well, explaining it to any officials that no human trafficking was going on or the like; Nix winced at that thought.

Terpsichore smiled, finding the notion of a motivational argument rather sweet, "Aww, you guys are just too nice! That's really-- Wait, what condition?" She frowned at that, taking a quick glance to Dea before her eyes were back on Eilam. She hadn't been listening to the initial part of the exchange between Dea and her father before she had noticed they were familiar faces that had entered the laboratory, but she hadn't speculated how much important conversation she had missed out on because of it. While she was worried, Terp tried to push past it, "Maybe it's because we know that they won't hold a grudge about it when we do get angry, and can read between the lines? Well... actually, I don't really know about that, there are some people that seem to hold a grudge regardless." She snickered sheepishly, as she had been known to push peoples' buttons perhaps a little much. The girl thought about how lonely it really must have been, to travel for so long without his trainer by his side; while she was alone for a good portion of her life, she was fairly certain that it was nowhere near as many years to suffer through, "That must have been hard, with so few friends, I can only imagine. I mean, I probably haven't even been alive as long as you had been alone... let alone as long as you have known Dea!" Mulling it over, she noted something strange, "So... where was Lucy when I had first met you two? It sounds like she's been with you forever, but she wasn't with you guys that day."

Karma thought about the implications that arose from Lucinda's statement, realizing that... zhe didn't know zher parents. Or at least, zhe didn't remember them. <<So you didn't know your parents, either? Wow, maybe you were, and all that politeness all comes natural to you because of it!>> the ditto bounced, finding this a rather fun idea. <<That's amazing that you found so many dresses that matched so well! Was it hard to find them? They're so pretty!>> Karma bubbled exuberantly. Lucinda really seemed to bring in a lot of life into this otherwise dreary-looking place!

Grayson laughed at Deanna's sassiness, but he really couldn't argue with how one-sided the statistics over the years had proven his daughter's point. "She's always been a great deal more empathic about most things, and is able to tell consequences much more adeptly. But don't you know the old saying, 'opposites attract'?" the scientist attempted. The two of them, though, weren't very opposing in their demeanors, not to an extent that made the quote too meaningful. Many of what they liked to do and what they wanted out of life lined up with each other cohesively, and he knew that Dea knew this as well. He gave a sheepish grin, as though to convince her to agree with him despite seeing fault. "Ahh, you think she took ability where I couldn't manage, do you? Well... maybe that's why things have worked so well all these years," he considered, as though these were new developments in realization, a playful tease he could only manage with family.

At Lightning's disapproving chirp, Nix feigned deflation. He strutted up to the little pikachu in Dea's arms, leaning over to get a closer look at the electric rodent's expression. "Aww, come on Light, are humans really all that bad?" he almost seemed to pout. Honestly, it was probably better that at least one of Dea's pokémon stayed in the form they were born to own, but Lightning's rejection of the idea goaded him into toying with the idea.

Terpsichore found a hand at her mouth in concern over Dea's well-being, hoping all the travel didn't spur on the relapse. "What is it? Do they know what's wrong with her? Is there anything I can do to help at all? Is there something she can take, or some physical therapy she needs to get better? Can she get better?" she found the questions sprouting like weeds from her mouth, never having been faced with such a dilemma. Her hand found its way back to her mouth and swatted it closed, her eyes growing wide, "I am so sorry for all the questions. You... don't have to answer all those, I guess I'm just worried." She didn't often let the curiosity overcome her like that, not anymore, so that was a bit of a nostalgia trip as much as it was unexpected. The shroomish smiled at Eilam's reassurance, "At least she's got some good people looking after her." Picking at a wrist frill, Terpsichore wondered if her other teammates considered themselves to be part of a family with the way it sounded like a family was suppose to work. She wouldn't really... blame them if they didn't, considering it had been a few months or a half a year maximum that they had been together, but she was almost hoping they did. "Meditating?" she asked when Lucinda's whereabouts were revealed. She didn't exactly know how that worked, or why someone would do it, so was curious.

There was a bit of relief in the way that Lucy responded to Karma's questions, indicating that either she did not already answer these in the past, or that she was very good at practicing patience with the little ditto. Zhe was about to speak up about the similarity, that Karma never knew zher parents either, but zhe wasn't sure if that would have been a very smart move... what if Lucy knew better, and Karma had actually been with parents a year ago? Zhe couldn't be certain... so zhe kept the eager mouth shut about the subject. <<Well, you don't actually know if your parents really were royalty or not. You could tell people you were descended from royalty, and they wouldn't be the wiser!>> the animate silly putty chirped puckishly. Taking consideration of the way the dress looked on Lucinda, Karma attempted putting imagination to use and imagining the clothing in altering shapes and patterns, <<Ah, does that mean you can look good in anything you put on?>> That would be fortunate if true, even if personality wouldn't play a factor as a determiner; it's a good thing Dea was there at the time, then!

"Well then what would I need her to stick around for?" Grayson laughed, teasing. "I'm just kidding. She's tried to give me some pointers in the past, but I'm afraid I seem to be a lost cause," he continued with a light-hearted shrug, "Maybe you could pick up some duct tape for me so my head stops doing that so often." It was a change, the scientist rarely found inspiration to make a joke in an atmosphere so serious and professional -- it was a great stress reliever! He chastised his daughter with a wag of the finger, "Now that's no way to speak to your father. What makes you think I don't already believe that? We have plenty of differences; I'm not a woman." As though gender were the only difference that mattered, he could almost feel the elbow-to-the-ribs his wife surely would have given him at that quip.

The young field researcher laughed at Lightning's response after such deep consideration over the subject, "Yeah, like Dea. Hey, I'm not all that bad, either!" He ruffled the base of the pikachu's ears before conceding as well, "But you're just perfect the way you are, Light."

The shroomish-girl pondered over what sort of illness could possibly be affecting her friend Dea, but she knew next to nothing about medicine. There wasn't anything she could do to help? "Well, I'm glad to hear she will get better, but it must be so hard... not just on her, but you guys as well!" she noted, "Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it, now. There's no use being stubborn about it!" Terpsichore had fallen back into her bossy maternal role from their first meeting, but again, it was all out of concern more than having control of a situation; she felt absolutely helpless! She smiled when Eilam stated that he didn't mind her barrage of questions, but still felt a bit badly for her lack of forethought. "Even the great Arceus has questions about the world? That would almost be hard to believe if you didn't act the way you did," she giggled; it did make her feel better that he said that, though. The brunette pondered on the idea of meditation, coming to a conclusion that she liked, "You know, that sounds like it would be interesting to try. My teammates could probably benefit from something like that. Maybe I should ask her to teach us sometime?" Why, Terpsichore couldn't turn away from the prospect of another meeting with her friends in the future!

Karma jolted at Lucinda's explanation, ethical nature shining through. It made the ditto feel a bit foolish for suggesting such a trivial matter, but she was being so nice about it that it didn't bite too deep. <<That's true, and that's always a very virtuous thing to do, being so honest. But if you ever wanted to, just for fun... maybe only as long as you know that everyone knows you're not serious about it. It seems like some people do things like that... is that considered lying?>> the ditto asked curiously; zhe did like learning about things like this! Karma, however, had never really seen an individual attempt to wear clothing that wasn't their correct size, so was unaware such a happenstance even existed. <<Is it uncomfortable when things are too small? And wouldn't it be comfortable if it was too big?>> zhe asked with an eager chirp, becoming much like an informational sponge. Thinking of large clothing made the shapeless pokémon imagine being dressed in a blanket! Karma pondered on types of clothing, <<What is... considered 'girly' for clothes?>> Zhe was unaware that there were types that were meant for girls, or specifically boy-only. What about those like the ditto, who were neither? So much curiosity!

The lead scientist rocked back on his feet, pondering Dea's words, "Ah yes... there's that, too. Love is a silly thing like that, wouldn't you agree?" He chuckled as his daughter scolded him for his teasing, considering it was probably about time he put the brakes on his joshing around lest he get too carried away, "But in all seriousness, I don't know what I'd do without all you ladies to keep me in check. You're my life, after all." Grayson pondered how functioning would turn out with the lack of a head for a moment, "Well... that would surely be an inconvenience, at the very least. All the destruction I could cause just in looking for a clipboard..." He blinked, glancing down at his figure and failing at imagining himself as the opposite gender (he was glad about the failure), "Yes, I seem to not have the correct body shape for a dress. I'm too... broad."

"Need more in the way of hips as well," Nix added helpfully. It didn't earn him any gold stars. He replied to Lightning's concession with a smile and a small laugh, "Good to know that I pass as a decent human!" The pikachu certainly was capable of getting her point across, even with a lack of notable word usage!

Terpsichore nodded gravely, "Oh I would think so. Being so very active like she was, a wheelchair must seem like a prison cell. She seems like the type of person that doesn't like to ask too much of another, so needing help so often must be really hard. And you and your teammates, having to devote so much extra time to it all. Though you probably don't like to admit that part, do you?" She offered a meek smile, trying to lighten the mood a bit, "But if she can recover, then I wish her the best of health as soon as she can attain it. I really don't mind helping a friend in need, and I'm sure others would feel the same!" Terpsichore was known for being unrealistically optimistic at times, but a friend was a friend, and they should act like one no matter who they were! She giggled as Eilam played around with her train of teasing, noting that he was not so embarrassment-prone as he was when they had previously met, while he was still a child like herself. "That's great to hear, for the both of you! And I will look forward to any run-in I can get with your little family; you're all so sweet," she beamed.

Karma nodded vigorously in response to Lucy's declaration, agreeing even though zhe had not previously fully grasped the specifications of honesty. It must have been a fine line that each individual needed to draw for themselves, at least when it came down to what was specifically ethical or not. <<Ahh, I know, I know! This is what people mean when they speak of a "grey area," right? That everything isn't black and white?>> the ditto chirped, not sure if zhe had connected the dots correctly or not. Karma pondered trying to walk in a giant blanket and had to agree with that assessment as well, <<Hmm, you're right, that would be pretty difficult, wouldn't it? And what's it like in something too small?>> Zhe flailed an arm at the hem of Lucy's dress in order to indicate it, <<Boys can't wear ribbons and dresses? They're missing out, that must suck for some of them!>> They were so pretty! <<Though I suppose some of them might not look very good in a dress, huh?>> zhe inserted with a little snicker.

Nodding sharply, Grayson acknowledged Dea's ability to hit the nail on the head; at least, for the most part. "I try to. I know I can't always accomplish what I want and what people need of me, but I do what I can. The same can be said about you as well!" he grinned, before adding a slightly sarcastic, "Of course, that's one of the good traits you got from me" Another mental jab he could feel from his wife, who was surely sneezing by now. He sputtered defensively at the last comment, "Well I didn't tell you to think of me in a dress!" Shooting a glare at Nix, he prodded at the air, "Don't go putting ideas like that in my daughter's head!"

Nix tried to scoff, but the laughter that pulled past made it difficult, "Heck, I didn't want that idea in my head, it's not my fault!" Okay, maybe it was his fault a little...

Terpsichore bit at her lip, "How much longer this time was the doctor thinking? Is it getting worse every time she relapses?" She was going to say that it's good that there at least was a light at the end of the tunnel, but for how much longer before it was sealed? She scuffed her foot on the tiled floor worriedly. Her hands were held at her back, but she pinched the palm of one in a vain attempt to get her to snap out of it, "She's a strong woman, I'm sure she'll be fine. You just need to do for her what she does for you, with all the encouragement." Words could be a strong dose of medication, too, couldn't they? It was a bit of effort, but the girl managed to pull her grin back up, "Hehe, I'm glad you think so highly of me! It's such a pleasure to be able to be around your family, it's so calming. Almost, what do you call it... zen-like?" Even if it was a rough time that they were speaking of, it was still a breath of fresh air regardless.

It was almost surprising, for a guess to be discovered as truth. Karma chirped in response, not expecting a positive response but making a cheering motion after the fact, <<Ah! Then I finally get it!>> However, the celebration was cut short when realization dug it's way through Karma's mind as Lucinda spoke of it, thoughts collaborating with the words through the air, <<It's all so confusing, how do people know they make the right choices when it's always so grey?>> Zhe didn't seem to fully grasp the difference between following rules and free will, despite toying with both regularly. <<So you travel a lot?>> Karma perked before thinking that maybe that was something the ditto of yesterday was suppose to have already known; zhe shrank back at that thought, giving an apologetic -- yet down-turned -- glance. Grazing eyes over the tendrils that served as the ditto's arms, zhe tensed gelatinous muscles in order to test out the range of movement when less mobility was warranted; it was difficult when one only had imagination at their disposal. Peering back up to the child, the pokémon suggested, <<Like when you tie yourself up in string?>> Perhaps Karma was the only one capable of doing that on accident. Zhe thought about it for a moment before piping up, <<What sort of exceptions are there?>> Knowledge-sponge, go!

Dea's father let out a large sigh of relief after she agreed not to picture him in a dress, especially when he was concerned that she may be doing just that with the amount of laughter she had just exhibited. "Good, good, you do that. No daughter should be able to see something so disturbing as her own father in a dress," he stated, a lilt of a chuckle on his voice. Grayson grinned and set a hand on Dea's head, "Well, I gotta say, you probably got the best from both worlds right there." Truthfully, he was not being conceited; he viewed himself as only being half as perfect -- if that -- as any of his children.

Nix stood frowning for a few moments longer, seemingly deep in concentration about a serious subject. When he snapped out of it, he pinched his index finger and thumb to the bridge of his nose, knocking his glasses askew across his forehead. "Dea, when you've got a moment... please let me borrow that mental image shredder of yours," he nearly whined in exasperation.

As cripplingly worried as Terpsichore was, she managed to brush it aside and stomp a foot down, "Of course she will! She's strong, and it sounds like even the doctor was sure that she was going to be just fine! Maybe there's a vending machine around her that would have one of those... umm, what are they-- energy drinks! That might help her get her energy back." She was beginning to get defensive, always the optimist that refused to acknowledge a bad turn of events unless it was literally the only course possible. Realism was never her forte, but perhaps sometimes likened to a mortal enemy. Wincing, she frowned, "How many times has this happened in the past?" While most positive chit-chat was likely to go over her head at this point, in the state of apprehension she was in, Eilam's statement hit her quite suddenly, "I... I hadn't realized that! Wow... I suppose I am kind of like family, huh? Hehe, hum... so I could call you 'Cuz'?" While immensely happy about this turn of events, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as well; the first poké-boy she had met just had to be related, those stupid partial-crushes! Ah well, perhaps it's all for the best, she snickered to herself.

Learning, oh yes, that was a good point, <<Ahh, and when you learn it from other people, you tend to not do what didn't work. But what if someone learned bad habits that way, like thinking that lying worked really well? Are there a lot of bad people out there like that?>> Sure, Karma was getting further and further off-topic, but curiosity could hardly be contained inside the box. It sounded like most people were good people, but then again... the number of people Karma could remember could be counted on a single, metaphorical hand; zhe knew people broke whatever "laws" were set outside those glass laboratory doors. The ditto perked at the idea of a star that changed pokémon, thinking she meant one in the sky, <<Do they just wish on one to change? Is that what you did?>> How fascinating! Zhe giggled, glad to help add analogies into the conversation for better understanding, and perked at the word 'crossdresser.' Zhe blinked, <<That's... a funny word!>> No, Karma didn't really understand it, but it was still amusing nonetheless!