Freedom Justifies the Means

[She shakes her head.] No, it’s fine.  I don’t know what else there is to do besides wait for Akuroma.  I have to trust he has some good intentions…which probably sounds really silly to you.  He’s…he’s different when he’s with me though.  I had no idea about any of this Plasma business until the other day. [She sighs.]  

...I will not argue about his intentions or what he is really like, considering I know so little of him beyond what he did to Jasper. If it makes you feel better, I would hold onto the hope that he is as good around you as you believe. 

It’s okay, I’m the one who should be sorry…I shouldn’t really be acting so mean to you guys.  It’s just been really…upsetting learning some of the things I have recently.

Only if you want to-- I suggested it so you do not have to spend your time in the room, alone. [He sighs, brushing a hand through his red blonde hair.]

[She freezes up then shrinks back, looking away.]

[He sighs and looks elsewhere as well.]

Been through enough?  What, did he fall out of one of these ugly castle windows or something?  Would explain why he’s such a fucking nut.

[He snaps at her.] He was kidnapped by your 'precious' Akuroma and his New Team Plasma! Ugh. Watch your mouth.

I only speak when necessary and only when spoken to, most of the time. [He sighs, rubbing his forehead in some minor annoyance over this.] I have plenty of 'personality' but I am often busy with keeping up the castle and managing the grunts that I do not often have time to stop and chitchat.

Akuroma…asked him to keep her safe?  From what?  

Watching, keeping an eye on Jasper and Homika as things were explained and laid out as much as they could be, Cathal then rubbed the back of his neck. Though he knew only the barest of details about this Akuroma, he knew very well what he was involved in and it was probably best to only say what facts could be said and leave the rest for the scientist to explain. If he could say anything or visit her again. With a sigh, he shook his head, answering her concerns, "I am not sure exactly, Roxie. But we have an idea why you have to be here, with us, for a little while. Whoever this Akuroma works for is a very dangerous person. Jasper and I know that very well. He may come looking for you and thus, here you are." He gave a concerned glance to Jasper and gestured to the room at the last of his words.

There’s still a frown on Homika’s face as she looks between the two men, not saying anything for awhile, just looking at them.  The freckled one, Jasper, was annoying her already just by talking.  The other one, Cathal, looked just plain weird.  His name was weird too.   

Cathal had entered while giving Jasper a look of 'what' over the business involving the Cleaning Pokemon. Crossing his arms in front of him, he assumed a formal stance out of habit. He then shouldered in front of Jasper to try and calm Homika down. "Let us calm down, miss. We are very aware you are an adult, but Jasper and I were put in charge of you."

Zorua carefully listens to everything Cathal says to him, and through out it, becomes more and more excited, and his wagging tail makes that obvious.  He could be anything he wanted! Any time he wanted! He’d be a master at illusions.  And he’d be strong and powerful, too!

Though he knew what was coming, he was still taken by surprise as the light passed and Zorua's evolution into Zoroark completed with a sudden leap. Cathal, though, didn't miss a beat, catching him and hugging him back. He was practically beaming himself with pride, even as his face and hair started to become a drool-ridden mess from all the licking. "Ha! I see! Look who is finally grown up." 

Hesitant to start, Zorua nervously kneads at Cathal’s chest, looking down at it. “Well…I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been a Zorua for a long time now.  And Zorua’s can evolve, into Zoroark.  And I’m at that point where I can evolve! I think I’ve been at it for a long time now! But…I couldn’t! I didn’t want to!”  Zorua suddenly jumps up on all fours and shakes his head.

Now he understood what all this was about and for the first time in days, he picked up Zorua as he nuzzled him and held him close. He didn't say anything for a while, just hugged him and pet the top of his head, resting on the pillow together. After a few moments of this, he sat up again, meeting Zorua eye to eye. 

It was time.

For a time, Cathal had secluded himself to his room for a few days, not bothering to really interact with anyone at the castle. Except his Pokemon, but they had taken notice of his change in mood and kept to themselves as well. He felt bad about that, but he was too focused on figuring out a solution to Jasper's situation. Zorua's restraining collar was in the hands of a friend, trying to figure out the mechanism. All Cathal could really do was wait. 

[He looks around a bit nervously before picking up Cathal’s old Plasma uniform from the table it was on, wrapping something inside of it.  He holds it out to Cathal, making sure he’ll be able to feel that he’s hidden something inside of it when he takes it.]

[He wasn't able to register what Jasper was doing or stowing in his old uniform and he didn't question it as it was shoved into his hands. He simply nodded.] ...All right, Jasper. I will do that when I get the chance.

[He stares down at Zorua, still frowning, but he pets the Pokemon between the ears. He doesn't look at Jasper, wanting to argue but finding it hard to get the words out. Deep down, he knew he was telling the truth.] ...but...after everything I went through...just to get here and suffered through that humiliation. And seeing Zorua suffer...it feels like a waste, Jasper.