A gathering of the minds (for chiron_survivor

[youmeandpokemon]

Professor Madrone is deep in the Nexus Wilds this afternoon, tending to the different Pokemon who sleep and live the dark forest. Ekans slink from the trees, while a pack of Nuzleaf guard the forest from intruders. Madrone is checking up on a Shifty, who suffered a small injury after a surprise tussle with a fire Pokemon, treating the grass Pokemon with an assortment of potions and healing supplies. Ironically, Gengar has decided to accompany him, feeling a kindred bond with other Pokemon of the night.

"You should be back to your normal strength now. Don't hesitate to send Nuzleaf to my home if you need any addition assistance."

"Shift..." The Pokemon seems grateful at the assistance, bowing politely to Madrone, before jumping up into the treetops. Gengar continues playing with the Seedot and Nuzleaf, until Madrone feels his PINpoint buzz in his pocket. Removing it, he reads Adia's frantic message about meeting with Marie, and the weight of the world can be felt on his shoulders. He's been monitoring different places since Adia went back in via to repair the past, which was corrupted by a god of chaos. Madrone never likes the idea, let alone that it meant Jeff would come back to life. Yes, it saved hundreds of other lives, but that man didn't deserve a second chance.

Gengar gives the Professor a confused look, then pokes him on the shoulder. What's up doc?

"We must go back to the lab. Adia is visiting." Gengar doesn't seem displeased by this idea, grabbing a hold of Madrone's shirt, allowing them to be PINpointed directly inside the lab. There, Madrone waits for Adia, fully prepared to break the news of his research to her...

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

Adia is already there when Professor Madrone and Gengar show up, the box of cookies from Crossroads on the kitchen table. She hadn't bothered to go home before coming here, mostly because she has no idea what she's going to tell Caspar.

She's going to tell him. Of course she's going to tell him. But she knows that he's not going to like what he hears. He didn't seem to care much that Jeff was getting a second chance, but the fact that her former stalker is visiting the Nexus?

...yeah, she's not looking forward to that conversation.

"Hi, Professor. Hi, Gengar." She smiles at the ghost pokémon despite feeling frazzled and out-of-sorts, glad to see that he's thriving in his new home. "Thanks for meeting me on such short notice, Professor."

[youmeandpokemon]

“It’s no trouble, Adia. Please have a seat and we’ll talk about whatever’s on your mind.” Madrone is not happy at the unfolding situation, sharing mutual feelings with Caspar about Jeff. He hates him no matter what’s changed, and by association, Marie as well. Anyone who can let someone kill without concern is just as bad as a serial killer.

Gengar, meanwhile, is trying to open the cookie box with one claw, before Madrone catches him in the act.

“Gengar. Those aren’t for you.”

“Gar...” The Ghost pokemon looks over at Adia with pleading eyes. Can he please have a cookie? Just one?

[chiron_survivor]

Adia smiles softly at those begging puppy eyes. "He can have one if that's okay with you," she says to the Professor. "Ice Bear gave me extra, as usual."

Honestly, Gengar could eat the whole box and it wouldn't be an issue. Caspar isn't going to want any sweets once he hears the news. She'll have to find another way to placate him.

As for herself, she takes a seat at the kitchen table and rests her hands in her lap. The text she sent Madrone was rather disjointed, as she was still buzzing with worry. She's calmer now, sitting in the the Professor's kitchen. Best to start from the beginning.

"As you know, I ran into Marie at the Crossroads Café. I didn't know it was her when I answered her question... she was talking about her new boyfriend, and when she said his name, well -- that's when I pieced it all together."

A dead woman in a bathroom. A killer in mourning. Contrasted with that same woman, alive as ever, and a boyfriend who hides his good deeds because he's afraid of disappointing her.

"I'm not surprised that Marie is in the Nexus. I mean, she was here in the original timeline. But Jeff? I had to go back to his senior year of high school to undo the damage that Nyarlahotep caused. I guess I'm just shocked that such a different path for him would take him right back to the Nexus."

[youmeandpokemon]

Madrone sighs, finally relenting and allowing Gengar the opportunity to enjoy a cookie. Eagerly, the ghost takes the largest cookie he can find, then floats into the laboratory where an injured Mawile is laying on a cot. He breaks the cookie into two pieces, offering one half to the Pokémon. Looks like Gengar is doing better, happily laughing and socializing with the lonely Mawile.

Madrone, on the other hand, is in a bad mood upon hearing what Adia has to say. He takes a seat across from her, hands resting calmly on the kitchen table. “The day you went back to see Arceus...the pokeball you left with me vanished. It contained a Mimikyu and I have no idea where it went.” He can only guess it went back to Jeff somehow...

“We should alert the Nexus authorities so Jeff and Marie can be arrested.” Wow. Madrone is blunt and serious with his tone of voice. “It doesn’t matter how he got back here, what matters is that he pays for what he did.”

[chiron_survivor]

"It disappeared? Do you think it's responsible for Jeff being able to find the Nexus?" Adia remembers the explanation the Professor gave her and Caspar about the lonely ghost pokémon who refused to exit its pokê ball. With the timeline reset, did Mimikyu remember Jeff and somehow find him on his Earth? Having your very own pokêmon would certainly tip you off that there are worlds other than your own...

She muses over this strange loophole while her gaze drifts to Gengar and his friend, breaking into a soft smile when he shares his cookie. Underneath that prankster exterior is the heart of a good friend. She's glad that she made the effort to seek him out. Hopefully Persian and Hydreigon are doing okay, wherever they are.

Madrone's declaration jolts her out of her reverie. She sits back in surprise. "Um, Professor? Don't you think that's a little extreme? This is a new timeline for them -- Jeff hasn't done anything wrong. Marie hasn't done anything wrong, either." She's assuming, anyway. She seemed stable enough when they spoke.

[youmeandpokemon]

"I don't know, but the Pokemon could easily swing things in a different direction. He's been busy though, and I wasn't going to show you his work, but my hand is forced." He takes a folder off the kitchen table and slides it towards Adia. There's two articles inside for her approval or dismissal respectively.

The first is a newspaper clipping, dating March 2017, depicts two adults in handcuffs, surrounded by officers. A headline in bold text reads ‘‘Pokemon Poachers Poke-Napped’. The entire article avoids mentioning any specific trainer names, however, Madrone knows who all is involved. Adia should know how the scenario played out the first time. Poachers get killed by Josh, life tries to move on. Instead, there's a long piece about how the trainers were tricked onto the mountain, expecting to find a Legendary Pokemon, but got lured into a trap. No details about PINpoints or Nexus-related things are mentioned, but sources say a large conduit of lightning was responsible for tipping the police off.

Gengar and Mawile are chatting it up, truly a sight for sore eyes. If Pokemon can change from adversity, why can't humans? Madrone is clearly skeptical about Jeff right now.

"What's to say they won't try something shady? Adia, I worry for your safety, along with anyone else in the Nexus."

[chiron_survivor]

Indeed, as Adia reads through the newspaper clipping, she remembers all too well how things went the first time around. She was there for the aftermath. She can't help but see this article as a sign that the timeline has only improved for the better. The two poachers, as reprehensible as they are, are going through the proper channel of justice. No murders, no sick games.

"Isn't this good news?" she asks Madrone, looking up at him in confusion. "Marie hired Jeff to help catch the poachers, and he came up with a plan so that no one would get hurt. He wouldn't have done that if he hadn't changed."

Why is the Professor so worried? She had expected this from Caspar, but not from him. "He's not the same person anymore. I don't want to run into him, but only because I don't want him to know anything about how he was before. He doesn't know who I am. There's no reason to be concerned about my safety."

[youmeandpokemon]

Madrone has to stop and think about Adia's words, which is not something that should be happening. The answer is clearly in front of him and he won't accept it. Not after seeing how the Aether Foundation is run and their two-faced President Lusamine is still getting away with questionable things. He looks up at Adia, trying to figure out why she wanted to come here in the first place, if it wasn't to help catch Jeff.

"...What do you want me to do, Adia? Are we trying to come up with a plan to avoid Jeff or something else?" Madrone hasn't let it sink in that maybe Adia just wants someone to talk to. He's taking this way too seriously. "I think we should let Caspar know of the situation at hand."

[chiron_survivor]

"No, no, no," Adia says quickly when Caspar's name is brought up. The last thing she needs is for both men to feed one another's paranoia. "I'll talk to him when I get home."

At this rate, it might go better than this current conversation, which isn't saying much. She sighs softly and looks at Madrone with worried eyes. What does she want him to do? Clearly something has given him a bias against trusting second chances -- in humans, at least. "I was hoping..." she begins, trailing off when she realizes she doesn't know how to finish that sentence. Madrone knows more than most about Jeff and Marie. Was she looking for someone who could empathize with the struggle of knowing things that others don't?

"I would like to avoid Jeff," she finally continues, hoping it will appease some of the Professor's fears. "Not because I think he's a threat to me, but because I don't want to burden him with a past that is no longer his. Resetting the timeline took his memories away. I can't imagine reminding him or Marie of what had happened in an alternate timeline would do either of them any good."

She taps the newspaper clipping once before pushing the open folder back to Madrone. "Is this all you have on their new lives?"

[youmeandpokemon]

“I don’t know how easy that’ll be, Adia. You could see if there’s a way for your moon powers to repel Jeff away, but I’m not an expert at magic.” That's an idea though, which is better than nothing. She can always walk away as well, but Madrone knows that Adia is prepared to do that. “I’ll respect your wishes and refrain from contacting Caspar.”

He frowns at her second question. “No. There’s more to their new life.” Madrone reaches for a tablet he’s left on the table, turning the device up and opening an application aptly named ‘Poke’gram’. He scrolls for a moment, then selects the profile of a blond-haired woman with tattoos. Her profile name reads Natalie.

Madrone offers the tablet to Adia after finding a set of photos. There’s pictures of Natalie receiving an award for donating money to charity, but Jeff and Marie can be seen in the background holding hands. The photo is dated from three months ago.

Recently, there’s an album from a month ago, full of secretly taken pictures. It’s at a beachside wedding and Marie is seen wearing a pale blue and white long sleeved dress, sitting at a table talking to another person. Right next to her is Jeff in a rather fashionable and matching suit with a bowtie. He’s almost giving Caspar a run for his money in fashion, based on these photos.

There’s a video clip that Natalie has added a few hashtags to:

One on my best friends finally found a boyfriend! OwO! I’m shocked she didn’t tell me sooner! Look at these two being overly cuddly! love #professorkukuiwedding2018 #blackmailmaterial #friendsneedtogetpokegram

In the video, it shows Marie and Jeff slowly dancing with each other to a romantic song. Nothing provocative is going on, but it’s clear that they have some sort of chemistry, given the short distance they keep between one another and the position of their hands.

Is Madrone’s distemperment stemming from the lack of a wedding invite? Or seeing the happy expressions Jeff and Marie wear? Secretly, it’s a combination of both.

This isn’t a fluke relationship either, as there’s a few photos from July 4th showing the happy couple at a barbecue, drinking beer and socializing with friends and Pokémon alike. Natalie’s brazen hashtags seem to re enforce the romance.

[chiron_survivor]

The phrase "moon powers" get a little twitch of her lips. "A friend taught me some shielding and blocking, but that's to protect against dark magic. Jeff isn't practicing dark magic anymore." That should go without saying, but maybe it would help to state the obvious.

She blinks at the offered tablet, briefly looking at Natalie's profile. "She was one of the other trainers who wanted to capture the poachers, right?" She takes the tablet into her hands and scrolls through the photos and video. They confirm her conversation with Marie, that she and Jeff are in a relationship. It's impossible to miss the sweet looks they give one another, the way they stay close in every photo.

Her gaze lingers on Jeff's face in the final photo. He looks happy. Unencumbered by the stress of dark secrets. It gives her a warm satisfaction deep in her chest. But that satisfaction is marred with the awkward feeling of looking at something that's not her business. Yes, it's social media, but did Natalie get permission to post that video and add all those hashtags? Not to mention that the Professor's been following it, too...

"They look happy," she says finally, passing him back the tablet. "Professor? I-- I'm not sure what you're trying to show me." So far as she can tell, the photos only support her belief that Jeff has changed for the better.

[youmeandpokemon]

"There's no way the magic could conceal your presence from Jeff?" Again, not a magic expert, but there has to be something Adia can do to keep Jeff away from her, other than having overprotective friends in the Nexus. He fully expects Caspar to stay with Adia from now on, even if Jeff is reformed.

"Yes, that's correct. She works as an undercover officer on the Pokemon World, but she hides that identity through other means of work. Her and Marie have been friends for a few years now." Madrone can't help but stare blankly at the video, as if feeling his own wedding day memories rush back. The night where he danced with his wife, with the same look on his face. Love. Love is a powerful thing. Madrone's doubt in the situation wavers as he takes the tablet back, having shown Adia what she wanted to see: more of Jeff's life.

"Did he deserve it? The chance to be reborn?" He shakes his head. "That's a rude question for me to ask. I just wonder why Gods only show themselves at certain moments. The thirteen hour."

[chiron_survivor]

"Well, I mean, I'm sure there's a magic spell that could do that..." She trails off with a soft frown. No, this is ridiculous. She's not going to hide herself, especially when Jeff isn't even stalking her this time around! "He's not going to be looking for me, he doesn't even know me. I'll just try not to cross paths with him."

And work on her poker face, too, while she's at it.

While Madrone watches the video, she watches him. Something is troubling him, and she suspects that's what is fueling his distrust of Jeff. When he finally speaks, she feels something click into place. A missing puzzle piece that gives her a better idea of what's really bothering her friend.

"It's not a rude question," she says softly. "It's a question I've asked about myself. Why I survived when so many other people didn't in the Cylon War." She offers her hand, wanting to give the Professor the same support he's shown her these past several months. "Do you want to talk about it?"

[youmeandpokemon]

"I'll keep an eye out for him as well." As for what Madrone might do, well...he can be intimidating when necessary. He's already planning on breaking up any business affairs with Marie next, so if anything, he might tell her to leave Adia alone as well.

For now, Adia has figured out that something's on his mind, which he's more than eager to divert the topic away from his personal feelings. "The whole situation reminds me something I saw on my home-world. There's this organization known as the Aether Foundation. Their president, Lusamine, has convinced people that she's a good person by helping Pokemon. However, she's also conducting research on Pokemon known as Ultra Beasts, creatures who come from another dimension."

Madrone pulls up an image of one of the creatures on his tablet. Unlike most cute Pokemon, these beasts look intimidating and scary. "About two years ago, the Aether Foundation conducted an experiment to open a portal between dimensions. They unleashed this monster into their labs. I didn't see it firsthand, merely the carnage it left behind."

[chiron_survivor]

"Thank you, Professor." She'd feel more conflicted if she knew what he was planning. She'd like to avoid another embarrassing encounter with Marie, but telling the trainer to leave her alone will likely only make her more curious. She's grateful for Madrone's connections, however.

For now, she listens silently as he explains his concerns. His explanation of the Aether Foundation and Ultra Beasts is new to her, which makes her realize how little she knows of Madrone's home-world, and his past. Peering at the peculiar image, she frowns to herself. Studying creatures from another dimension sounds like a risky proposition under the best of circumstances.

"You think that the Foundation didn't take the proper precautions when opening the portal?"

[youmeandpokemon]

"They prepared as much as they could for the Ultra Beasts, but they woefully underestimated the power of these Pokemon. If Celesteela could destroy and entire labratory within minutes, then then remaining Ultra Beasts could decimate Alola within days." Madrone looks at Adia sternly, then puts the tablet away once more.

"Lusamine...Her and Jeff are similar in many ways. They both chased after selfish goals without a care for the rest of the world. That's why I think forgiveness is impossible to accept. Going back in time couldn't have fixed everything perfectly, even if it does seem like a miracle occurred."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia is more than familiar with that level of destruction. She'd be wary, too, of someone willing to risk that sort of danger for their own selfish pursuits. But she can't help but feel like there is another deeper, more personal reason that Madrone speaks of the incident with such cold anger.

"It is true that Jeff was selfish," she says quietly. "Terribly selfish. And it may seem as though resetting the timeline won't change that. But, Professor..."

She takes a few seconds to gather her thoughts, her fingers rubbing gently at a small tulip pendant hanging from her neck. "I don't know how much Caspar told you of his sword fight with Jeff, but right at the end, another of Nyarlahotep's disciples appeared. She had a cursed spear, and she was heading straight for Caspar."

The memory of that moment, when Caspar nearly died in front of her a second time, sends a visible shiver through her. She swallows hard before continuing.

"Jeff got in the way of that spear. On purpose. He knew that spear would kill him -- there's no cure for a cursed wound. He had no reason to save Caspar other than that he wanted to spare him that pain. And if he could do that, even after years and years of being corrupted by Nyarlahotep, then imagine how much better he'll be without any influence from a Chaos God? I... I'm not asking you to forgive him. That's not my place. But... can you try to at least keep an open mind?"

What good is what she's done, after all, if the new timeline and the people in it are judged by the previous one?

[youmeandpokemon]

"Caspar didn't go into much of the details, he just told me about the shrine and how Jeff was responsible for many people getting hurt." Madrone starts to rub his hands together, favoring one spot over the other. There's only one reason why he'd be so fixated on his ring finger...Her words, much as they intend to sound positive, just irritate the professor even more than before. People jumping in the way to save others. She did that too...

Madrone stands up slowly, shaking his head. None of the Aether Foundation members even attempted to save his wife, and she did the opposite, rushing in to save Professor Kukui's fiance, Professor Burnett. She laid there and died before he could get the chance to see her...

"I will never forgive Jeff for what he did to you. I'll make sure that him and Marie can never live a peaceful life ever again..." And with that being said, he heads out of the lab and into the backyard, walking towards the lakeside trail.

Gengar, meanwhile, floats over to Adia while Mawile waddles close by. The Ghost Pokemon has a big grin on his face, as he gestures for Adia to follow him to Madrone's desk at the opposite end of the lab. There's a drawer that's suspiciously ajar and Gengar sits confidently next to it, arms crossed over his chest.

He gets a cookie for this, right?

[chiron_survivor]

"Professor...!" But it's too late, the older man is already gone. She sighs and slumps against the back of her chair in defeat. This isn't the first time she's had this sort of conversation -- about Caspar, usually, or Cylons in general. She just didn't expect pushback from Madrone, of all people.

Obviously something she said triggered an old wound. But what? Why was the destruction of that lab especially traumatic?

She gives the two pokémon a small smile when they come over, but it's tinged with concern. How much of that conversation did Gengar overhear? She gets her answer when he beckons her to Madrone's open desk. "It's very impolite to snoop," she informs the ghost in a hushed voice. Then again, if she can figure out what's truly bothering Madrone, she can make a better case for Jeff's reformation without upsetting him further...

"Keep an eye out for the Professor and you can have two cookies." She'll wait for Gengar to float to his post before having a proper look in the drawer.

[youmeandpokemon]

Gengar would normally barter a bit harder, but seeing Adia needing answers quickly, he gives her a quick salute, then flies over to the window, standing watch. Inside the drawer is the source of Madrone's grief and anger...

There's a photo of Madrone, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, standing next to a smaller woman who's in a sundress. They both look very happy together, in a tight sideways hug. Flipping the picture over reveals a date and name: Jenna and William. Summer of 2016. Next to the photo is a box, which contains a silver sterling wedding band, presumably Madrone's. The final piece of the puzzle is a small card for a memorial service, kept hidden behind the photo. It's for Professor Madrone's wife. Her face look up at Adia with hope and courage, and based on the date from the picture, she died only a few days apart.

[chiron_survivor]

She looks at the photo first. It reminds her of photos she has of her and Caspar, the way they always have an arm around one another. They look so happy together... The box is next, peeking into it just enough for her to spot the ring. Is the mystery woman his wife? How come he never mentioned that he was married?

The answer is on the other side of the photo. She lets out a soft gasp as her curiosity turns to dread. Madrone is a widower. A recent one, it appears, as he looks no younger in the picture.

She stares at Jenna's image on the memorial card. She had a vague feeling that the Professor has suffered some sort of loss. How tragic to lose his wife. Is that why he was so adamant about Jeff not getting a second chance? Because --

Oh. Oh, no. She has a sudden, terrible idea of how his wife might have died, and why he's so particularly unforgiving of Jeff, even with the timeline reset.

With a heavy heart, she shuts the drawer, then walks over to the table and picks up the box of cookies. She offers them to Gengar. "Did you know?" she asks him. "Did you look in the drawer, too?"

[youmeandpokemon]

Gengar shakes his head no, but he points to Madrone's picture, then the desk chair, implying that the Professor has been spending some time mulling over his wife. With a set of shadowy claws, he reaches for the box of cookies. Gengar looks to the window next, then points at Adia, implying that she should go after him.

[chiron_survivor]

She looks back towards the Professor's desk as well. The damage brought upon the revelry must have stirred up some terrible memories. "I wish I'd known before I came over here," she says with a sigh. "I wouldn't have bothered him with my own problems."

So it's a surprise that the ghost thinks she should go after Madrone. She bites her lip and looks out the window. "Are you sure? I don't want to make him more upset."

Then again, leaving him alone with his brooding thoughts seems like a bad idea, too. Hasn't he already been alone for too long?

She hands over the box to Gengar, then gently ruffles the pokémon's spiky fur on the top of his head. "Thanks, friend," she says with a warm smile, before exiting the lab and following the same lakeside trail that the Professor took a few minutes earlier.

[youmeandpokemon]

Yes. Yes, you should go Adia and not because he wants all these glorious cookies, but because Gengar knows that Adia can help, just like she did in the cavern with him. Except there's no Pokepuffs to eat...The ghost smiles at the pettings, then floats away with the cookie box, intending on sharing it with the other Ghost and Dark Pokemon in the area. And maybe taking an extra one for himself.

The pathway is full of life, different Pokemon can be heard chirping in the distance. Adia should recognize the path, since it's the one that leads to the Magikarp lake. Sitting at the edge of the water is Professor Madrone, looking out at the different Water Pokemon swimming in the lake and waterfall basin. He has a painful expression on his face, causing him to not ever notice Adia standing there.

[chiron_survivor]

Adia remembers the path easily. Had she walked it only a few months ago? Even during the end of winter, it was full of life. The summer is no different. She makes her way to the edge of the water to stand by Madrone's side. The pain on his face is obvious, and she looks away after a moment's glance, not wanting to intrude on his private thoughts just yet. Instead, she takes a seat on the grassy ground, her gaze on a family of Duckletts that are paddling their way across the lake.

"There are no lakes on Atlantis," she says quietly, finally breaking the silence. "There's a river and a few fresh water springs, but nothing like this." She pauses, then adds, "But I've seen plenty of destruction. In the Nexus, in space... and in the Twelve Colonies, which I used to call home. All brought about because of hate and revenge."

[youmeandpokemon]

Madrone has his eyes of a group of Magikarp, who're attempting to swim around the lake bed. Something about seeing them struggle, yet stay persistent is fascinating and that's enough to distract him from getting mad at Adia's arrival. Honestly, he has no reason to be upset with her, but the situations they seem to find themselves in.

"Sometimes I wonder if people can only destroy the world around them, instead of respecting it. Or learning to work together." He sighs, idly playing with a rock in his hand. "The Nexus is full of potential and chaos alike...Jeff stole that journal and it ended up having the coordinates to someplace powerful. The answer was always staring me in the face, yet he found it first."

[chiron_survivor]

She listens silently, her soft gaze turning towards the Professor instead of the lake. No wonder he had asked Caspar for the coordinates. It must have been doubly frustrating to know that Jeff succeeded where he had failed -- and had been given a second chance on top of that.

"I would have asked Arceus on your behalf," she says sincerely. "But I didn't know. I... I don't think that was an option, anyway."

What would she have given, when she thought Caspar gone forever, to bring him back? To bring her parents back, or anyone else she lost during the War?

It wasn't the place. Or the time.

"I'm so sorry." She brushes the corners of her eyes. "For what it's worth, I've always thought of you as respecting the world more than most. I wouldn't be as confident with pokémon as I am today without your help."

[youmeandpokemon]

"Don't worry about that. I'm rather upset that my wife's research was taken without warning, but the fact that she was so close to discovering Legendary Pokemon is what hurts. We met in college years ago, bonding over our love for Pokemon and research. She was dedicated and passionate, always inspiring me to keep working on even the darkest of days."

Madrone places the rock back down on the soft soil, his anger slightly subsiding. "You shouldn't think about what could've been changed, Adia. Having experienced everything, you and Caspar should settle down and put this behind you as best as possible. As for the rest of us, we'll manage somehow."

[chiron_survivor]

"She sounds like a remarkable woman." His story reminds her of her parents -- they met in college, too, and her mother's passion and outgoing nature was what helped her father keep pursuing his dreams. She's quietly impressed that the Professor has managed to carry on without her. "How did you meet in college? Did you share a class? Was it a party?"

A pause, and then she adds softly, "If you don't want to talk about her, that's okay, too. But I'm always willing listen."

There's a loud splash on the lake. Her gaze is drawn to it automatically, but it's only a Magikarp leaping out of the water and bellyflopping back into it. The sight puts a small smile on her face. "Don't worry about me, Professor. I'll be fine. I have Caspar to look out for me." And, she supposes, the power of the Moon. "But let me know if you hear any more news, okay?"

[youmeandpokemon]

"Colleges in the Pokemon world are harder to get into, since the standards for becoming a Professor are much harsher than you might think. We shared a few classes together, but also studied together as well. She was always researching Legendary Pokemon, while I preferred to understand Pokemon habitats." He smiles, watching the silly Magikarp jump up and down out of the water. A school of Wooper are now at the edge of the pond, happily smiling between themselves.

"Of course. To both of your statements, Adia." It seems like whatever barrier Madrone had up is slowly being torn down. "Do you understand now why I can't forgive either of them? Because human ignorance killed my wife and no justice has come of it yet. Marie and Jeff can get away with hurting people without punishment, which makes them no better than Lusamine."

[chiron_survivor]

It's easy to imagine a younger, studious Madrone spending time with Jenna in a library or on a college quad. "You must have made quite the team," she says, smiling softly

His question causes her smile to fade, out of respect for his loss, and as a sign that she takes his words seriously. "I understand." She doesn't agree with it, but she understands. If Caspar had died a second time, maybe she wouldn't have been so forgiving, either. "But I hope you understand why I do forgive them..."

She trails off as a thought strikes her. "Professor... did Caspar ever tell you about how he and I met?"

[youmeandpokemon]

"We did. Both of us graduated at the highest honors for our class. By this point, we were already dating, so a few years later, we ended up marrying." Madrone waves to the Wooper squad, who waddle over with their derpy faces and tails dragging against the mud and ground. They act almost like the Solosis, being overly chipper and wanting attention from the humans.

"There's no point in me fighting it...The Nexus will only believe the timeline that's currently present, not what happened in the past." He rests his hand on top of a Wooper's head, petting a slightly-sticky Pokemon calmly. "He didn't tell me, actually."

[chiron_survivor]

It isn't the most romantic story she's ever heard, but a marriage doesn't have to be filled with bells and whistles to be a loving one. Her gentle smile returns, especially when the Wooper amble over. She waves to them, too. Funny how so many pokémon, even wild ones, crave human attention.

She looks a little relieved when he comes to his timeline conclusion. It's more of a loophole in terms of not openly harassing Jeff and Marie, but it's something. She'll likely use the same argument when she discusses this with Caspar. "Arceus said that those of a strong mind would retain their memories of the former timeline," she reminds him. That's kind of a compliment, isn't it?

"I'm surprised that it hasn't come up..." She hesitates a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. This isn't her story to share alone anymore. "Caspar and I met on board a spaceship -- a research vessel called the Chiron. About a week after I started my research there, I was having trouble with a lab procedure and I asked him for help. We became friends very quickly after that, and after about three months, he finally worked up the nerve to ask me out."

Her smile turns bittersweet as she continues. "A week later war broke out in the Twelve Colonies, and we were unfortunately on opposite sides of it. Our people had oppressed his people -- we had treated them like slaves, like... like they didn't have emotions, or conscious thought. So in retaliation, his people committed genocide against ours. And so it went on for over three years, a vicious back and forth of fighting and bloodshed, until finally, we found our new home on Atlantis and forged real peace between our peoples."

She pauses again, taking a shaky breath and meeting Madrone's gaze. "If... I wasn't willing to forgive. If so many of both our people weren't willing to forgive, we'd still be at war." She shrugs. "But that's just me. I wouldn't ask someone to make the same decisions that I have. I just want you to understand where I'm coming from, too."\

[youmeandpokemon]

"I guess we'll have to see how those who retained their memories handle seeing Jeff in the Nexus. Some may not be as understanding as we have been..." Madrone likes the shift off Jeff and his life, even if Adia's history is littered with war and violence. He listens intently and even some of the Wooper stay close to their side of the pond, instead of playing with the other Pokemon.

"The difference between two people and war is vast. Not being able to understand each other often leads to conflict. I highly doubt I could let go of my feelings towards one woman and her company, especially since the study of Ultra Space has yet to stop. However, the fact that your society could change for the better gives me hope about humanity." He looks down at a Wooper, who tilts his oval-shaped head back at the two people.

"I want people and Pokemon to live freely and peacefully."

[chiron_survivor]

It's clear that hadn't occurred to her, and she spends a few seconds thinking about how others might react:

Caspar is already on her mind. She's already mentally preparing what to tell him, preferably while he has Anastasia in his lap so he can't get too rankled about it. Harley will probably be willing to give Jeff another chance. Katsuya will be a much harder sell, although he never met Jeff personally. And Joshua...

Her expression crumbles slightly. It'd be too much to hope for that Josh has forgotten his time spent with Jeff. He wouldn't still be out there in the Nexus somewhere, unfindable. Oh, Josh...

She shakes her head, coming back to herself and the conversation. The fact that she has restored some of Madrone's hope brings a shy smile to her face, one that she shares with the Wooper. "Humans and Cylons," she adds quietly. "Caspar and his people are Cylons. If we can get along, I don't see why people and pokémon can't."

[youmeandpokemon]

"I hope so. I've noticed different team members are slinking around the Nexus, specifically the once defunct Team Rocket and Team Skull. If they're impostors in the Nexus, I'd feel better about it, but I don't like the idea of those teams causing troubling." Madrone knows that, for now, he can try to stop those groups from causing problems. Once day, he'll avenge Jenna and stop the Ultra Wormhole project...

For now, the skies are getting a little darker, which isn't bothering the Water Pokemon, but there's clearly some sort of small storm rolling in. Hmmm. Madrone stands, offering Adia his hand.

"I suspect a flock of Pelipper are on the way. We should probably head back to the lab, since their Drizzle ability will leave us in a downpour if we stay here."

[chiron_survivor]

"Team Skull... they're the ones with the skull beanies?" She'd never say a harsh word about anyone, but her nose does wrinkle a little when both gangs are mentioned. Louis has complained about them loitering in the alley behind his store on occasion, but they don't do anything more than that. Not lately, anyway.

When Madrone offers his hand, Adia gratefully accepts, glad that their difficult conversation has some to an end, at least for now. She laughs a little at the mention of the Pelipper. How a seagull evolves into a pelican is still a mystery to her, but she has a fondness for them all the same. "Yes, I'd rather not get rained on, thank you. Let's head back."