tsunsandsteals | [Action]

[For once, Silver isn't in the forest to work his Pokemon to exhaustion. In fact, he left them back at the house, apparently granting them rare permission to rest. Instead, he's sitting beside a tree, head bowed and one knee drawn up to his chest. He's deep in thought, almost as if considering a couple things...things he'd rather not have to be considering.]

Damn it...everyone who says those things are wimps and bleeding hearts, but...

[He doesn't want to admit he's beginning to wonder if that's why his team is weaker than they should be. Why Golbat seems terrified of him and Sneasel picks on him so much. Why Quilava hasn't evolved despite all the training.

Was the man with the cape and the dragons right? Were his other self, Tracey, Lyra and all those other people right?

No, they couldn't be. Compassion is for the weak; that piece of advice was the only thing the old man had ever given him.

But the old man was weak. He'd run away with his tail between his legs just because some kid kicked his ass.

Silver buries his face in his hands with a frustrated groan. Stupid people making him think about this stuff!]

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...oh.

[So it's true, then]

I grew up believing the opposite. That strength was never showing softness...

...

[Another silent moment of pondering.]

What led you to believe that?

...someone I knew.

...So you believed it because you were told?

...this person was really powerful and they could make anyone believe anything.

[...He's almost afraid to ask how.]

I see...so you were simply made to believe it. Is that what you truly believed? The way you reconsider it now suggests otherwise.

...I don't even know anymore.

What has your experience taught you? Try going from that rather than the words of people.

...I guess.

...

[That doesn't quite answer his question...]

What have you experienced? For a moment, set aside everything that everyone has told you. Have you seen people being kind? How does it affect them?

...well...

[sighs]

This boy I met the first time I came here, I pissed him off but then he was all smiles and asked if I'd like to live with him. And before that this girl helped me find my clothes in a shop. And then someone else helped me find my Pokemon

But...well, the guy I live with, he was nice to someone and they were together for a week, then...something happened and now the guy is all upset about it.

Something...happened...

[He ponders about it, curious as to what happened, but again, it's not his place.]

So you believe this person is weak because he was nice?

He obviously got hurt somehow. What's the point in being nice if it gets you screwed?

Unfortunately, there are some who will take advantage of the kindness. More likely than not, those are the ones who believe that kindness is for the weak.

Regardless, one should not let tragedy prevent them from living. Terrible things happen, but one cannot grow stronger if one cannot move forward.

... [quietly] But feeling weak is the worst feeling there is. How do people cope?

There are several ways. Either take some quiet time to reflect, or talk with someone you trust. Or you can do an activity that you enjoy.

...hm.

[Saleh waits for a moment. Perhaps the boy has heard enough? Is he feeling better?]

...is it really worth the pain?

In the end, the reward for kindness far outweighs the pain.

On the other hand, was this wickedness worth the regret you're feeling now?

...I don't know. When people feared me back home, I felt safe. But I was always alone.

But can you go on as you were? Or will you make an effort to change?

...I don't know.

It is not an easy decision to make, I understand. But ultimately, it is yours alone to make.

[nods]

I'll think about it.

[Action]

mountain_sage - 2012-03-17 22:08 (UTC) - Expand

tsunsandsteals - 2012-03-17 22:09 (UTC) - Expand