victory_road | Event: The Reveal Glass

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Event: The Reveal Glass

Across the Pokémon world, characters may have spotted a falling star last night. Or at least, one would think that's what it was: a naturally occurring phenomenon, rather than a legendary artifact. Specifically, the Reveal Glass fell to earth during a fight among a group of legendaries started by the return of a long-lost family member. But it's probably best to leave them to handle all that themselves, while your characters deal with other consequences.

The Reveal Glass shattered upon impact, and the shards scattered throughout Kanto, Johto, and the Sevii Islands… And made their way into the hearts of your characters. But bleeding isn't the concern here. Instead, the impact will hit when a character first looks into any reflective service. An eerie feeling hits them as they're transported to the Mirror Dimension.

While this realm can be many different things for different characters, one thing is always true: It is a place of honesty, where true selves are revealed. Those struck by a shard will find themselves facing truths they are no longer able to hide, and now must accept. Fortunately enough, even those who haven't been struck will be able to enter the Mirror Dimension during this event via a reflective surface to offer help. By the end of the 29th, things will return to normal. Characters will be back in the usual Pokémon world and their hearts will be rid of the shards, but time is strange in the Mirror Dimension, and the experience may feel like it goes on far longer than a day. Or, maybe that's just the emotional exhaustion.

The Reveal Glass plot is here. You can swing by the event info post for additional details and FAQ, and play out your characters’ enforced therapy on this post. As with most VR events, this plot is entirely optional and your characters don't need to take part at all.

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The franchise itself, Radley, is—not to put too fine a point on it—not very kind to Keldor. Like it exists to subject him to things like horrors unfathomable, or to become the person people come to hate and fear.

Thanks a lot, Mattel.

At any rate, it'll be just before his face is all red and blotchy again before he stops crying. Just because he's letting a trusted friend see him cry doesn't mean he still doesn't have some pride over things like expressing his emotions in such a fashion.

Especially when it affects his looks, which may be why he's hiding in his hair a bit.

There is a little vanity in him, after all.

"I do not know," he begins, offering his lap to Evie, "What I am to do. I know what I ought not to do, but not what ought to be done."

There's a pause before one of Keldor utters one of his biggest understatements.

"I am not used to dealing with or facing matters of this nature."

Evie hops in his lap and starts to purr. Purring cats are supposed to have healing properties. Perhaps purring Eevees do too.

Radley ponders the problem: all that they were shown, what those things meant ... what might need to be done. He ponders how he himself dealt with the problem with his grandmother.

"I think ... you have to get to where you're not so desperate for a father figure that you latch on to anyone who might be able to fill that role?" he says at last. "You have to get to where you can stand on your own without that, because it's a problem that's stifling and hurting you, to say the least. You have to focus on yourself, and on the ones you have who do care about you.

"And I know that's easier said than done. I had a situation like that with my grandmother. I always wanted her to love me ... even just to like me. Nothing I ever did was good enough, but I kept trying. I tried for years to be what she wanted me to be. There's still a part of me that hopes someday she'll care about me. But ... I had to move past that, to be my own person ... even if that meant being someone she'll never love. I had to accept that she probably never will feel that way about me. I'm still not happy about it. I still wish it would be different. But I don't let those feelings dictate how I live my life."

Keldor wants to protest; to say that a grandparent's approval isn't the same as that of a parent's. He'd never known his, and that thought had never bothered him—especially considering how kings become kings in the first place.

He understood that.

But that's not why he's not voicing his disagreements.

Does it really matter who you're trying to get approval from, if it's affecting you like it does? Putting you in harm's way like it is?

In the end, not really.

"I ... am not sure how to embark upon such a process," Keldor admits while patting Evie. "It feels so monumental an undertaking. A nigh-impossible feat."

Well, there's always seeking counseling or therapy, Keldor. Zoar knows how much the narrative has said that, elsewhere.

Radley knows it's not exactly the same, but at least he hopes that it gives him some level of understanding into how Keldor is feeling and some ability to give decent advice.

Evie happily accepts pats and continues to purr. The other Eevees start purring too.

"Yeah...." Radley sighs, pondering the possible options. "You could talk to a professional, like a counselor.... I know a lot of people don't like to do that, though. Some people find it easier to talk to a stranger, while others would rather talk to somebody they know. Talking to somebody, anybody, would be better than keeping it inside. You really need to get it out. I'm a good listener; I always tried to listen to my friends' problems back home. And in this case, I know my situation isn't the same by a long shot, but I did struggle with wanting approval too, so I think I'd understand more than somebody who's never gone through that at all. It's up to you, but ... clearly you've gotta try something. Whether that's talking to me or a counselor or somebody else, I'll support you whatever you choose."

As long as he doesn't choose to hide it away again. Radley will have to insist he do something to try to help the problem.

This is Keldor. Oh, he'll try to run from his problems if you let him, but the narrative has something planned for that to get him to finally accept help ~~stay tuned!~~.

At this moment, he's thinking about his options. He could discuss this with a stranger, but there's the issue of trust. Keldor doesn't open up to just anyone—even his friends in Eternia [save for Evelyn] don't know everything about the man who leads them in their not-so-little rebellion he's so closed-off.

But the other option is to come to Radley for help, and, well... Does he really want to burden this other man with his problems? When he's got his own to deal with? Is it even fair?

All in all, he's not too sure what he ought to do or who he goes to to help him with it.

"I ... shall ponder my options some...," he says hedgingly.

That's okay, right? Giving yourself time to make a decision, right?

Radley is pretty sure Keldor would be one of those who wouldn't want to talk to a stranger. He's not sure how willing Keldor is to talk to anyone else yet either, though.

"Okay, but don't think too long," Radley warns. "Judging from that other dimension, it really thinks your problems have come to a head, and now that I understand a lot more, I agree that you can't go on like this."

He's pretty sure Keldor will try to worm out of it if he can, especially judging from that vague comment. That sounded very hedgy to him. And normally Radley really tries to stay out of other people's business, especially after all his attempts with Kalin ended so poorly, but he's pretty worried after all he's seen. He doesn't feel he can just walk away and trust Keldor to pull himself together. That would seem cruel and outlandish after all this. If he has to be a little pushy again to try to get things done, he'll do it.

"... So ... we're not too far from my place," he says then. "Why don't you come over for a while?"

He'll take Keldor home if he really wants to, but he hopes Keldor will instead come to his place.

Oh, certainly. He's not the most open of books—especially when it comes to private matters. It'll take something even scarier than confessing things to people he doesn't know to get him to realise that something like talking to strangers is less terrifying than the alternative.

And the alternative is pretty horrifying.

~~We so did not need to see that, Rev.~~

"I—"

Oh dear. Ultimatum.

And then...

He averts his gaze for a moment.

"I... I suppose that there would be no harm in that..."

Radley smiles. "Great. I know everyone will be happy to see you."

The Eevees present all cheer. Yes, everyone loves company! Even Cosmo is happy to see friends.

Radley gets up and reaches out to Keldor to help him stand. Evie hops off his lap.

"It's probably about dinnertime too," Radley continues. "We can have a good meal."

He hopes Keldor will feel like eating something, although he imagines it may be difficult to get him to do so. Traumatizing experiences usually have a way of taking away appetites, unless Keldor is one of those who reacts by wanting to eat all the more, and somehow Radley doesn't think so.

Yeah, you're probably right about that. It's really hard to think about filling your belly when your head is already full.

But he'll try to eat something. No sense in causing yet more worry after everything that's happened by refusing nourishment. So of course he'll accept the offer of food with a nod.

Probably accept a few other offers as well, as he falls into step; a rather large shadow following Radley home.

Besides. At least he'll have company. He will not be alone in this. Tonight, as well as the next few days, if needed.

Even someone like Lyn would more than understand, if not insist.

Soon they approach Radley's property. Radley leads him to the house rather than the cafe, so he won't have to deal with random customers.

As he unlocks the front door, more Eevees and other Pokemon appear and call happily, welcoming them home. He smiles and pets them (hugging Cosmo in her case) and enters, then waits for Keldor.

"Is there anything special you'd like to eat?" he asks as he leans against the door, holding it open.

Cosmo stands ready to go make something.

And it's gestures like this that makes Keldor appreciate having Radley as his friend. Such empathy like avoiding too many people today is really going a long way. It's also helping his mood somewhat, though if there was a cloud floating over his head, it'd still be rather dark.

But petting all these Eevees might help dissipate some of that gloom.

Keldor... Radley asked you a question.

Well. I guess it's understandable that you're still distracted.

"I do not think so? I do not know what you have."

The Eevees are certainly cheery and happy to provide positive vibes and entertainment! They dance around, warbling and rubbing in greeting.

"We have potatoes, lasagna, soy burgers and hot dogs, even simple things like grilled cheese and veggie BLTs," Radley says with a smile. "And a lot of other things. Mostly we specialize in American, Mexican, Italian, and Spanish dishes, or approximations of them that are available in this world." He shuts the door once Keldor and the Eevees are inside and shows a menu from the cafe, pointing out the different cultures some of the meals come from back in his world. He just does this for a handful of them, not wanting to overwhelm Keldor with much more to think about but just wanting him to be aware of what ingredients they have on hand to make things.

The lazy Shiny Eevee Lupus trots over from the couch, yawning and stretching. Radley pets him too.

Keldor is not even going to ask what makes something "Italian", or even what an "Italian" is. These are Radley's world things, and things he can ask more about some other time, once he's done with the menu.

There seems to be a fair bit of spice involved in some of these things; mainly in the Mexican and Spanish sections, and while he's not capsaicin-adverse, he really doesn't intend to light a bonfire inside his mouth. Something more mild is called for.

"This sounds ideal," he says, pointing to something from the Italian section. He recognises pasta when he sees it [he's become something of a regular at the Smoliv Garden], and figures that something this saucy-yet-not-at-all-spicy will do as a starter.

"Great," Radley smiles. "I'll have it made up."

Cosmo smiles too and dances out the door to go see about it at the cafe.

"Do you want to come in and sit down on the couch?" Radley offers. "Then we can go to the dining room when it's ready." He indicates the dining room of his house, not the cafe.

Several more Pokemon jump off the couch so it will be free for them.

"Yes," he nods. He's feeling his clarity beginning to improve, little by little. Which is gradually making it easier for him to speak. "I shall do that."

So while dinner is prepared, Keldor tries to make himself comfortable; to try to think about all the positive things around him as best he can. Of course, memories still intrude, but he's trying his best.

As long as he reminds himself that he's not alone, he can focus.

Of course, friendly pokemon help, too.

It's hard to be sad when these creatures are happy, or doing their best to be positive under the circumstances.

Radley smiles as the Eevees and kitties especially do their best to entertain, running around the room and leaping and rolling and playing with jingle balls and other toys. He's not sure if Keldor feels up to small talk, and he really doubts it, so for now he just watches the Pokemons' show. Some of the others, especially some Eevees, jump up on the couch to snuggle them.

Soon Cosmo returns with the food and happily places it on the dining room table. Elliott and Sabrina, the Espurrs, help by Psychically floating plates and cutlery to the table.

"Looks like dinner's ready," Radley says. He starts to get up, petting some of the lingering Eevees. "You wanna come now?"

Being here, right now, in this house, as opposed to the palace of Eternos, is slowly aiding in the healing process. Unlike the palace, there are no bad memories to associate with Radley's home; only positives.

It's not the kind of place anyone of noble rank would consider "a suitable home"—after all such high-ranking types have a reputation for favouring the lavish and the opulent. They might even go so far as to call it "a hut" suitable only for "barbarians", for only "barbarians" would allow rambunctious animals to run about as Radley's pokemon do.

They can think whatever they want. After all, they do it anyways.

They did it to him, way back when.

Perhaps, once he's finished his gym challenge, he will get a house like this one. One that will not remind him of—

Oh. That smells good.

He's just about to get up when Radley calls, then proceeds to stand up.

"Yes. I should like to."

Radley actually grew up in the lap of luxury and still loves wealth, but in this world, this is what he can afford right now. He’s happy with the size of the house, and even happier with the sweet animals running all over. They’re well-behaved, although he knows people like his grandmother would never approve.

The animals all rush to the table too and sit at the chairs. Cosmo is dishing up the food for everyone, including all of them. Radley’s grandmother would never approve of that either.

But Radley couldn’t care less. He gestures to the chairs, giving Keldor his pick of unoccupied chairs. “Meals here are always interesting,” he chuckles, indicating the Pokemon up to the table.

Cosmo hands Keldor a plate of food.

Radley would love if Keldor decides to get a house in town. He hopes that might happen someday. He would happily help him find a good place if so, preferably someplace close by. He's thrilled when anyone he knows settle down in the city.

Goldenrod is an option if Ecruteak doesn't become Keldor's first choice, what with the similarities of its architecture to Anwat Gar.

Of course, nothing is stopping Keldor from having his house styled in the way that he'd prefer, wherever he puts down roots. He can do that anywhere, if he really wanted to.

And it would make him feel more at home here than the palace ever did.

Taking his chair, he proceeds to sit down, enjoying the smell of his food. It seems that he'd picked well; this particular dish.

He might not be particularly hungry right now, but who knows? Maybe Radley's cooking could change all that and help chase away all that he's been feeling all day.

Radley would be happy for Ecruteak too. He's been there and could easily teleport over, or bicycling over would be easily doable as well.

It's one of Radley's favorite dishes to make, and he knows Cosmo follows his recipe well.

The Pokemon are certainly hungry and quickly start eating. The Espurrs have almost human-like manners and Psychically use cutlery to handle the food. Cosmo eats holding the cutlery with her hands, as does Shadow the Riolo with his paws. The others mostly dive in eating straight out of the bowls.

Radley smiles as he watches them. It's a peaceful, pleasant way to share a meal.

He wonders if they should just all eat quietly or if he should attempt to make conversation. He wants Keldor to feel completely at ease and not have to worry about talking if he doesn't want to. Perhaps he should wait and let Keldor speak if he wants to, on a subject of his choosing.

On the other hand, Radley tends to feel more at ease when there is conversation. It feels more welcoming and happy. Maybe a simple subject that doesn't require much thought....

"There's probably going to be more Eevee eggs soon," he says. "Maybe more kitty eggs too." He smiles at Cuddles the Skitty and Elliott the Espurr. They meow happily.

And given that Keldor's Roaring Moon, Takani, is a swift flier, Keldor wouldn't have any difficulty in flying over to Goldenrod to visit Radley, should he wish to.

So it all works out, in the end.

And the food is working on his disposition. A good meal can help most people feel somewhat better. Or the rest of their day.

Once again Keldor is slow to react to what someone else has said. He blinks a little when he looks up.

"Your Eevees are of a mind to produce children?"

"Eevee!" Evie says proudly, and nuzzles Evan.

"Some of them sure seem to be," Radley chuckles. Then he's not sure if this is a good topic or not. Maybe discussing any kind of parents, even animal ones, is not a good idea right now.

"The cafe's been pretty busy lately too," he says, casually switching the topic. "We're trying some new recipes on the menu that have been popular. This is one of them."

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Event: The Reveal Glass

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