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 Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 1:29 pm
 KeiranKeiran, already preparing two cups for the tea he was brewing, smiled wearily at Ivilon. ”It’s not that Riley and Era are at odds with each other, so much as that Riley places a false ‘distance’ between them,” he explained quietly, twisting to float the boiling tea kettle to the table. Without saying more, he paused to pour the tea into each of their cups by hand, and carefully float the hot kettle to the back of their stove. He’d rather it had a while to cool before he tucked it away again.
”Riley loves her, perhaps more than anyone else in the world,” Keiran admitted, placing Ivilon’s cup on the table in front of the hovering Beldum. It would obviously take some time for the herbs to seep in, but once it did he would find himself with a sweet and tangy citrus-scented tea. Something to wake them up properly and go well with the taste of the fruit that Keiran was already digging into for his breakfast. ”The problem with this, of course, is that his love for her doesn’t go over so well when Era is currently engaged to be married with someone else.”
There was a sort of bittersweet tone to the Riolu’s voice as he explained the situation more deeply. ”Era knows it, of course, but there’s very little she can do in such a situation. I try to avoid mentioning the wedding, given his reaction to the subject.”
”As for why we’ve come here without them, our family’s awkward love dynamics are hardly the issue. The former guilds were closed on account of some rather stressful and unusual circumstances. Given the unfortunate timing of it all, Era’s team was particularly hard-hit. I think it left them with a lot of anxiety, to be honest with you. They don’t know how to trust the guild, especially Era. She wanted the best for her family, and I suppose that it didn’t sit right with her.”
The Riolu idly stirred his tea, hoping to mix in more of the flavour. Without paying much mind or attention to it, he took an early sip to taste the concoction. Very quickly, he wrinkled his nose at the still-watery taste. It needed more time to steep, evidently, but the hot water felt nice on his throat. Popping another orange slice into his mouth to clear the taste from his tongue, he swallowed and continued. ”Riley disagreed. He’s here as much for the adventure of it all as he is to help other Pokemon.”
“I actually was living with Era and her family for a time, which is how I came to join them. I left shortly after Riley did, though I’m not here for particularly selfless reasons. I wanted to make something of myself, and the guild seemed like an adequate place to start. It isn’t particularly difficult for me, given my work history, but that’s another story.”
Keiran smirked a little bit through his migraine, tilting his head as he looked at the patient Beldum in front of him. ”It’s only fair that you’d have questions, particularly after the sort of introduction you’ve had with us so far,” he reassured calmly. ”If there is a question I cannot answer, I’ll be sure to let you know, but in the meantime you’re perfectly free to ask. I can understand already that you are capable of respecting another’s privacy, so I feel that I can trust in your discretion on the matter.” The aura that swirled and twisted around Ivilon brought with it a feeling of serenity and dignity, but it was also one of honesty. He was not hiding his intentions, and that was good enough for Keiran.
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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:59 am
Ivilon The story was as convoluted as would be expected of something that provoked such deeply held emotions in multiple Pokemon. Ivilon said nary a word as Keiran worked through his explanation, listening silently and motionlessly as the information in his mind steeped like the leaves in his cup. He would've partaken of the drink to pass the time, but he wanted nothing to distract him from processing what he was being told--that, and Keiran's too-early sip was enough to persuade him that this particular tea needed time. Fortunately he had all the time in the world to give to this endeavor, and tea was a drink suited to small sips and subtleties; he would take it when the time came and not a second earlier, as was true of the Beldum regarding most things he worked with in life. This conversation was odd breakfast talk, but good tea talk, and he would treat his breakfast options accordingly, despite the delicious-looking oranges that Keiran munched on as they spoke.
The end of the explanation prompted an appreciative nod from Ivilon, and a light of gratitude came to his eye. "I'm honored that you think so highly of one such as me," he said sincerely, "I will do as best I can to prove your understanding of my nature to be genuine." He didn't want to disappoint by any means, and what Keiran had surmised was true: he cared very deeply about not disturbing the peace that came from keeping secrets from one's fellow Pokemon. The trick was to know what you needed to about your companions in life, and he was now just beginning to brush the surface of what was necessary for him with his new companions.
The Beldum fell silent as he recounted the bits of information he'd been given and sorted them through for clarity. Riley was deeply in love with his former captain, but it was unrequited; the lady knew of his love but not how to sway him of it, and something kept Riley from realizing that this love could not be, or at least accepting that fact. His emotions this morning, then, had been present because of something that challenged the Espeon's peculiar emotional balance regarding Era. Again it crossed his mind that he may have spoken with her, but that seemed somehow wrong, since such a powerful love would leave some sort of imprint on his emotional state: there had been no feelings of love or hatred in Riley when he'd entered this morning, only agony and bewilderment. Perhaps someone else? But who that would be he didn't know, nor did he know what they could have done to leave him in such a state. It was altogether nothing short of baffling, and Keiran wouldn't have those sorts of answers most likely. "He couldn't have spoken with her in the hours while we slept, could he?" Ivilon ventured, his eye puzzled. "If the way you are understanding him is true then Era is the source of the conflict within him. Yet I would think, were it Era herself, that I should have felt the sensation of such a powerful longing and affection within him. Riley is not one to conceal his feelings in most situations, and I am beginning to hold the suspicion that if they were strong enough he would be incapable of doing so. Perhaps I am underestimating him however, as he has been a source of surprise to me many a time even in the short period for which we have been acquainted." Aura was more reliable than Psychic when it came to emotional contents, since it could not be concealed or altered--Keiran would have been able to see what he could not, if there was anything.
Then there was the matter of the origins of this Team he had joined. Ivilon didn't know much of the old Guild except for the basics; he'd lived out of its area of influence back in the day when it was flourishing, but he'd heard tell of the exploits of its members and leaders--that was one of the reasons he'd chosen this new Guild as the place he would search for a group of Pokemon to work with. There had been countless rumors when the old system of Guilds shut down: stories of Legends, of arguments, of divided ideals and mixed emotions. No one knew which one to believe, and it hadn't been something he'd spent much time dwelling on in the past because it wasn't relevant. Suddenly it seemed like it might be far more important than he'd initially believed. "As for the ending of the Guilds..." Ivilon murmured pensively, staring into the depths of his tea, "I can understand how their return would lead to hurt feelings and disagreements about what was best, particularly given the conflict in the history between Riley and Era. It seems as though it has been very trying for all of you." There was sympathy in the Beldum's voice. "I think, however, that you are perhaps a stronger Team than most for all your troubles. I am drawn to those like you and your partner for your ability to triumph in spite of every adversity you have faced. I hope that I will be able to serve as a good enough surrogate for the ones you call your family." Ivilon would never be so bold as to presume acceptance into it was a possible outcome, but he could see that it was a good group his captains came from--Pokemon as noble and caring as they likely possessed similar roots. "I appreciate the knowledge you' have shared. It allows me to see more about you two than I may have been capable of understanding before."
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:12 am
KeiranKeiran frowned thoughtfully, finishing his orange as Ivilon spoke. He could see the logic in that, and privately he agreed that it wasn’t likely for Era to have followed them here. She cared a great deal for Riley, but there were limits to the feasibility of following him all the way here.
”No,” he answered quietly, brushing aside the remains of his orange peel. ”His emotions for Era tend to fall into fairly strict patterns, from my experience. Affection and utter devotion under the best of circumstances, and sort of a… forlorn sadness or bitterness under the worst. It is always a strong feeling, but it doesn’t quite match up with the idea that he’d have met with her.”
The Riolu crossed his legs, turning to face his teammate more directly as he considered the Beldum’s words. ”I’m not sure just what he’s been through, in the course of yesterday’s test and the time he was away last night. He hasn’t been meeting with his old teammates, since I know their aura by instinct, but he’s certainly crossed paths with someone or something that upset him. I suppose I assumed Era at first, just because of how peculiar the intensity of that upset was.” It troubled him to think that perhaps he was mistaken, but somehow he knew that it was related to the winged Pikachu. He couldn’t explain that connection, as the intricacies of aura and emotion were difficult to describe to someone unfamiliar with aura, but it was still difficult to ignore.
Keiran smiled as Ivilon began to reassure him, the Riolu immediately warming to the idea that his teammate hoped to be a source of emotional strength for the team. That was precisely the sort of partner he’d been hoping to find for Riley, given the loss of confidence he’d suffered in leaving home without Era. ”That sort of bond takes time to form and develop, but it’s one that I certainly hope to see in future. We all have families somewhere, but the nature of our work drives us together to become a family in turn,” Keiran’s voice was sympathetic in turn, hoping to reassure Ivilon that he belonged with them. Keiran certainly felt that was the case, even if he hadn’t formed a deep emotional bond yet. If Riley were here, and in the right state of mind, perhaps he would agree. Ivilon was family, simply by virtue of the fact that they needed such a bond of trust between them. The only thing left was familiarity and the passage of time.
”I’m glad that I’ve been of some use- some of our history is fairly convoluted, so I can appreciate in turn that you’ve taken the time to listen. If you’re ever curious, feel free to ask us.” The Riolu took another sip of his tea, this time smiling as the hot and flavourful liquid spilled down the back of his throat. Much better.
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 7:06 am
Ivilon As he'd suspected. There would have been more if he'd visited this lover of his, or this beloved rather. He wasn't often around Pokemon in love, seeing his his travels had been rather solitary up to this point, but he'd experienced it enough to know that it was always different but frequently shared a few similar qualities. Love formed bonds between those who felt it, but the bonds of romantic love held a different sort of shimmer to them: Ivilon found the sensation of romantic love to be utterly intoxicating, since it made the heart light and the head giddy--there was little of that in Riley's demeanor. "Someone he has connections to then," The Beldum returned thoughtfully. "A person from the past with the potential to bring his emotions to a peak. Likely his lady friend was brought up in their conversation I'd think, or else something reminded him of her so painfully that it touched on similar emotional pathways." That was the best he could contribute, having not seen or recognized the same things the Riolu had through his perception of the aura. It wasn't someone Keiran had been particularly close to, that much was clear, but as to who it might have been Ivilon couldn't have come up with any names without further knowledge of Riley's past that he was well aware he lacked.
The Beldum felt the warmth of gratitude stir within him when Keiran spoke again. The Riolu's well meaning made the words seem to glow when he spoke them, with the gentle acceptance of the recognition of a potential friend. "I do hope that you are right," Ivilon said, eye bright with understanding, "It can be somewhat of a difficult process, but it is one which I am aiming for before much time has passed us by. If we are able to find something of that sort it will be most advantageous, and much in line with what I've longed for many a time in my past." As much as his Teammates had a story, Ivilon had one of his own, but that was far less crucial and pressing at a time like this, and something to be shared with all of them so as to minimize the repetitions. It wasn't a particularly trying or sad story to tell--he didn't think so--but it would be best told to the group in its entirety.
"I will be certain to take you up on that offer in the future," Ivilon responded to the invitation. "It is important to take what one can when it is given him. For now I think I know enough of Riley to better adjust to him in the future, so I will not pry further at this time." Keiran was a puzzle of a different sort: forthcoming as he was with the information about his shared past, Ivilon sensed a tension that had only arisen when he'd briefly mentioned his own work history. There was something there that he was keeping concealed, something very important to understanding him, but it was not anything he could ask about so easily. Instead he chose a more careful and respectful approach, with no intent to learn anything more than the Riolu was willing to offer. "And what of you Keiran? What should I know of you so as to understand you as I now do Riley?" It was a casual and unassuming comment, but Ivilon was listening as much with his Psychic as with his ears for the response.
As he allowed the Riolu a moment to process and speak his thoughts on the matter, Ivilon took advantage of the pause to raise his teacup with his Pyschic, lifting it to the hole just off of his eye and tilting it to allow the tea to flow down through the mouth to his stomach. The Beldum's eye lit up with appreciation at the pleasant citrus and warmth of the beverage, and he tilted a bit more of the liquid in before returning the cup to the table. Keiran apparently had good taste in tea; Ivilon wasn't particularly fond of fruit teas, but even he could appreciate the energizing and refreshing qualities of this particular blend.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 1:01 pm
KeiranKeiran shifted his gaze as the conversation was switched to his own past and personality, his expression pensive as he thought of how best to break the news to the Beldum. He would not lie to him, for he imagined that dishonesty was certainly not a good policy to have when speaking with a psychic roommate, but he also wasn't sure how to explain it in a way that wouldn't sound... cruel. He'd come to understand that the value on life was much more significant to others than it had often seemed to him at one time.
He was capable of killing another Pokemon. For those people like Ivilon or Riley, it was much more uncertain.
The elder teammate could feel the Beldum's psychic tugging at the corners of his mind, a silent encouragement to continue. He had a genuine desire to understand and it wouldn't be fair of Keiran to fault him for that. He turned to face the Beldum's piercing gaze, deciding that he would simply do his best to speak honestly and frankly with him. After all, he'd uncovered a great deal of Riley's past- it would do him little good to be secretive about his own.
"My story is a little less dramatic in that sense, but I'd like for you to understand the weight of what it means for you as my teammate and my friend. I would never like to see you hurt," he began cautiously, his voice carefully controlled. His anxiety was palpable, but he felt the need to restrain at least the physical evidence of that.
"I was born to a tribe in the far east of here. I wasn't high-ranking, but I showed promise when they trained me to fight. The tribe's heir took it upon herself to train me, and I became an assassin under her leadership." Keiran's eyes were fixed to the table, his fur prickling with uncertainty at how Ivilon would take this news. "I'm not... ashamed to say that I was good at my job. I did as I was told, what I thought was right."
"Eventually, it came to a point where I was asked to kill an innocent man. When I refused, it eventually came to the point where I could no longer live with my people. I shifted from place to place for a while, working in the guilds and joining up with various teams. I met Riley and his captain there. Two years after the guilds fell, I came crawling back to them, and they took me in on the faith that I was someone worthy of their trust."
He released a shaky breath, expression somewhat downcast. "I was honest with them at the time, although some of them took it better than others did. Riley is aware of it as well."
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:22 am
Ivilon The prickling sensation of anxiety began Keiran's speech, unpleasant and yet not unexpected, as when you embark across a field of cacti. The way he began was something of a curiosity, declaring a desire for keeping his Teammates out of harm's way: it was a warning sign if ever there was one and yet Ivilon was not so quick to judge yet. Instead he listened patiently and waited, expression as imperceptible as always and emotions steady aside from the spike of surprise when Keiran got to the heart of his story. When the Riolu had finished, his Beldum companion was not quick to speak, mulling it all over in his mind while he tried to rationalize all of the details to himself.
Of all the things Ivilon had expected of the Riolu, being an assassin was most certainly not one of them. Keiran was murky when it came to his past and steady of emotions, but these qualities were never something that the Beldum would attribute to being an assassin; someone with something they weren't proud of was more what he would anticipate. Of course, Keiran didn't sound like he wasn't proud of his past, more that he understood that it would be a difficult aspect for people to understand about him--a wise conclusion indeed. From the way he explained it he never killed an innocent Pokemon, but that meant very little when that came down to it. He had killed, stolen life from those who were deemed unworthy of it by the rules of his tribe, and had believed himself to be right in doing so. Ivilon was not so sure that he could ever be so certain that any life was forfeit like that, and especially not multiple lives.
The trouble was that the Beldum suddenly found himself against a wall where there hadn't been one before. Where he'd been willing to give his trust to the partner of the leader he'd chosen now his resolve was quavering--but why? He didn't agree with the Riolu's past, but did he have to? Keiran had shown no tendencies toward violence as of yet and he seemed to possess a good deal of self-control and caution about him. Not only that, Keiran had the exceedingly rare gift of trust from his captain, and, apparently, his captain's captain as well. After all they'd just discussed about the gentle nature of Era and all that he'd learned of Riley's values thus far, it was difficult to see how someone with Keiran's past would be accepted by such people. ...Then again, perhaps it wasn't.
"I see," Ivilon murmured, "That must be something that is quite difficult for you to express to others. It is hard, I would imagine, to come from such a background and to then enter into a different sort of world." Blinking rapidly a few times, Ivilon looked up to meet the Riolu's eyes. "I will repay your honesty with mine in telling you that I am not one who condones the taking of a life; it is a matter that is very strongly rooted within me and I do not know if it will ever leave me. That makes things more difficult between us than I would have liked." The Beldum dipped his head to his companion. "However I also have seen the regard Riley has for you and the honesty in your words and actions, and I believe that you hold the trust of a great many Pokemon. I choose to believe that trust is warranted and I consider myself correct in this decision. A Pokemon's past should have no bearing on his present, but that is an impossibility; I will instead say that I will not allow my views on your past to cloud my judgment of you as you are now."
The Beldum sighed, looking down into his tea and feeling a heaviness in his heart. The weight of trust was a difficult one to hold, but he owed the Riolu that. He'd been given no reason to believe that Keiran was anything like the conventional assassins of which he'd been taught, but it couldn't clear the doubt from his mind just yet. Time was what built trust, and he and Keiran had shared very little of it thus far--with more time he felt he could better assess how this perceptive aura bearer could kill and what his motives were should he be faced with the decision to kill again. There were reasons he had to mistrust the words of an assassin, but also reasons to trust what his Psychic told him: when those two reasons conflicted with one another, he had no other option than to refrain from judgment until he had more information, so that was what he intended to do. "I cannot and would not say that I consider you a bad person because of this," Ivilon added, "And do not think that I will respect you any less as leader for it--you have earned the position you hold and I will respect it. Our values may conflict Keiran, but our spirits do not: this is something you should know." Of course, that was something that troubled Ivilon, to know that his energies reacted well to those of an assassin, but that was a matter for another reflective time and not here; beides, Ivilon was willing to accept that his own perceptions and expectations could be wrong, he just needed a convincing enough argument to make him reconsider.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 12:35 pm
KeiranKeiran was silent as he finally found the courage to steal a glance at his companion. He could hear the hesitation in his odd, metallic humming and the aura that swirled around him was filled with uncertainty. He knew that for many of the Pokemon who’d join the guild, what he’d just unveiled was cause for alarm and mistrust. He’d killed, and done so on multiple occasions.
When the words finally slipped from the Beldum’s mind, he could not help the disappointment that sunk through him. It wasn’t in Ivilon’s decision so much as it was in the loss of their trust together. It was difficult to grow close to another person when there was so much history to prevent them from trusting you, and it was only to be expected that the best and most genuine of people would hesitate for form that kind of bond with him.
”…And in turn I understand that this is difficult to hear, to understand. I’m comfortable with my past because I had no choice but to become so- it wasn’t a regret that I could hold inside for so long, and it was all that I knew at the time I was trained.” Keiran’s voice was still low and tentative, understanding that his words would be reflected upon much differently than they would have been prior to the start of their morning. ”I can only say that stepping away from those responsibilities… I’d never been happier in my life, the day that I finally cut ties with my tribe and their expectations.”
Keiran bowed his head slightly, a sign of respect for the confusion that swirled within the Beldum before him. The psychic-type was more guarded with his emotions, now, and the Riolu took this as his cue to depart. ”Thank you, for the patience to listen to what I had to say. If there’s nothing else for now, I’ll be headed off to check on the status of that paperwork we completed last night.”
“Please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s something you need. I understand if you’re not as comfortable right now, but I’ll certainly endeavour to be a supportive captain for you.”
The Riolu rose to his paws, twisting as he stood and stepping delicately past the cushions on the way to the door. Ordinarily, perhaps he would have sought the company of his co-captain. Today he was less certain, as the memories of the times he’d spent explaining the same story to Era’s team still left little gaps that had edged their way more deeply into his heart.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 5:56 am
Ivilon Ivilon cringed at the unhappiness that settled over Keiran at his conclusion, closing his eye tightly as though to block it out. The Riolu's emotions were raw and painful, like that of a child who'd just been scolded, and again the Beldum felt the crushing disbelief that someone so sensitive could ever have had the capacity to be an assassin. Those who bore that profession were cruel and apathetic as a rule, they thrived in falseness and had deliberate control over everything that happened around them: if they failed to do any of those things, they were failing their job. Obviously Keiran would have him believe he was no longer an assassin, which coincided with everything else Ivilon could surmise at this point, but there was still that hesitation born of not wanting to be played as a fool. He could feel the honesty in his second captain's words, see it in his eyes, sense it in his emotions, but a good assassin should be able to falsify such things; there was simply no way to know and understand this conundrum without time. Still, if he remained the same as he once was, there was no doubt that he was brilliant at the profession--even now Ivilon felt that he should be apologizing and trying to make up for the whole affair.
More explanations came after that and assurances, ones that the Beldum agonized over how to process. There was that renouncement of his former life again, and the quiet regret in the Riolu's voice that tugged at his heartstrings, but Ivilon didn't know what else to do. He'd promised trust and yet his mind refused to give it so blindly. "I am...pleased that you seem to have experienced such a change for the better," the Beldum said quietly, knowing that no words he could give would sound right in this situation. He was pleased in a sense, to hear Keiran suggest that he'd gained a greater appreciation for the world when he had stopped his work for this tribe of his, and he also felt a good deal of regret for the Riolu himself--that a Pokemon with such sensitivity and potential for kindness had been born and raised to be someone so terrible. All this assumed that he was telling the truth, and while Ivilon could have made his way into Keiran's mind to confirm the facts he refused to. He sensed the Riolu's mental barriers were down, but he'd asked a question with the clear intent of learning only what was told to him and he couldn't bring himself to go back on that: if it had been anything less terrible, he wouldn't have dreamed of confirming the story for himself, so there was no excuse for it now. In Ivilon's mind he had to be true to his word, meaning however wary he might be now that he knew Keiran's past, he would not allow that to interfere with the Team's relations, to the best of his ability.
"I understand. I hope that you will do the same if ever there is any way I can be of service to you. You have told me something very sensitive, and I have the utmost respect for that." The words were true: though the respect was accompanied by a caution that hadn't been there before, Ivilon still appreciated the honesty. While he couldn't hope to understand what could be gained from sharing that information, if Keiran remained active in the field, he couldn't doubt that there was one ploy or another they had that involved full disclosure--the number of ways an assassin could stab you in the back was far from limited to the physical.
As Keiran stepped out, Ivilon turned back to his tea and stared at it sadly. Perhaps his curiosity had gotten him information he would have been better off not knowing. Having no stomach to finish the still-warm beverage, the Beldum lifted the cup carefully off the table along with the remnants of Keiran's breakfast and made his way over to the fountain to wash the dishes. The orange peels could be good compost for the garden outside--perhaps when he had dealt with the tea cups he would go there to come to terms with all that he'd learned.
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Dark_Hunter-Angelic_Tears Crew
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