“I couldn't begin to count how many times I swear I've seen him, or some of the people and Pokémon that I-...”

His voice almost catches...

“...I'm not exactly a prime example of a person, either. Is what I'm trying to say...”

“Well, now, that's a difficult question... if only for one reason. I see you as someone, not something. So how exactly am I supposed to answer that honestly, no?”

A sigh, shaking his head slightly.

“Like minds, maybe? Similar circumstances? All I know is, that my black heart is yours.”

》

jamcat
Every muse invited to therapy needs it but refuses to go.

These muses are mentally sound. *sips coffee*

Counter-counterpoint. You'll be able to make new music once you realize how fucked up we all ACTUALLY are.

“through it.”

“I don't know. I don't know how to handle it. I may have undertaken extremely different tasks, but they was drastic nonetheless. They were cruel.”

“Some might say... unforgivable? Hm?”

“And yet, here we are. Strong enough, at least, to stray from that path and look back on it. Better ourselves”

》

“...Elesa, look at me.”

Angling her chin up with a finger.

“I can't relate exactly. And I wouldn't try, because it wouldn't be fair. I have a different mind than you, just as you do me. But I, personally, don't believe you to be the kind of monster you think of yourself.”

》

Go on. I'm always listening.

I think that would be for the best, yes.

I meant at this exact moment.

You seem to be having a crisis.

...would you like me to stay?

That doesn't sound like it's a solution, either...

No- no apologies, none.

In fact, I actually think talking might be the solution here.

Again.

Head in hands.

“And it's nice to meet you, as well. Regardless of the circumstances.”

“I promise you I'll take care of her. I mean, I would literally kill for her, if that's any indication. But that's also something she's helped me get away from.”

“You get the point.”

A little smile.

“Appreciated. And, I do apologize we had to meet so suddenly after the info-drop. Colress, by the way. But I take it you knew that by now, given how openly we've all been speaking.”

“Once upon a time. I despise the ‘bad guys’ now. Quite a lot, young one.”

...and, I have to say, I very much appreciate that.

You're exactly the kind of person I would trust with our shared past. Meaning her judgement was bang-on, thankfully.

Believe me, she's a treasure. Especially considering the circumstances of our initial meeting.

I've no intention of hurting her. Or letting anyone else hurt her, for that matter. I like to think that the current me is far better at following through with that than the me of the past.

》

“Oh, the Pokémon. Like you weren't torturing them by causing undue duress in their trainers and them alike.”

“That's REALLY not helping your case, here.”

I'm a man of science. And back then, I was also a man of data. Cold, calculated outcomes, and hard facts.

I was all logic, all drive.

To put it bluntly, I was dangerous. Not only to others, but to myself.

“You would have raised your ‘prince’ in a lab if there wouldn't have been any negative impact on his relationship with Pokémon, and you know it.”

I'm going to be honest, I was a different man back then. Or, perhaps it's more accurate to say, I didn't know enough about myself to call my own bluff.