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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...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.

All right. Feel free to contact me in the journals if you need further guidance. I am called Saleh.

Thanks.

I'm Silver.