#kalosinflames

"If they were working towards the betterment of the industry, I would have a vastly different opinion of them. As it is? They are parasites that latched onto and leech from genuine creativity and soul. If you do not pay fealty to them, then you fall behind. You will miss out on 'trends' - not those made organically by the whims of expression, but because they are engaging in a self-fufilling prophecy to line their pockets."

Adam cannot hide his disgust. He does not try to; that is not who he is.

Adam ultimately has very little patience for the idea of absentee Gods or those who's awakenings only cause more harm to the world around them (see what Kyogre and Groudon did to Hoenn in their fued as an example).

Adam's feelings on Legendary Pokemon in relation to their station in the world through myths and the like are... complicated and often not exactly positive - though this is something he is now working on now through his partnership with the Zygarde of his world.

In his mind if one assumes that the myths and legends are true (and he very much believes they are) then do they not have an inherent duty to help humanity and the planet upon which they live? So in that sense Adam is more inclined to view such Pokemon through the lense of what they can do to help humanity and the world at large even if they don't wish to - the likes of which Flare did with Xerneas, Yveltal and even Mewtwo.

It is cruel and ultimately wrong, but much of Adam's worldview is filtered through the idea of short-term harm to prevent worse harm down the line and this is something he is, as said above, working on changing.

As for the rest? I don't particularly think Adam puts a lot of stock into it. It is true he was groomed as one of the saviors of the planet and the like, but that was much less about his own ego than it was out of a simple obligation to the people, Pokemon and planet he has so much love for. And even then, Adam does not believe everyone has a right to exist. If you are a horrible person it is scarily easy for him to justify crossing you off the census. That is something that will never go away, either.

And finally, I don't think Adam's beliefs as a whole will ever truly waver - simply change and adapt. If he had to press the button tomorrow to save the world from a worse fate? Yeah, he'd do it in a heartbeat. He has never been shy about that.

Adam takes a sip from his coffee and rests his head on Serena's shoulder.

"I naturally told her I would simply derail the tram instead."

@kalosinflames

"You would just derail the tram...?" The words escape from her lips low, forced beneath a lack of amusement, though the truth teems at the edge of each sound, fraying and teasing them apart. And in the time that her question clings to the air does she tilt her head to rest atop of his, the tips of nails belonging to one hand drumming alongside her mug. "An amateur response. I'm surprised she allowed you to keep breathing after an answer so insulting to the love and dedication an Aromatisse like her deserves."

She has always been an interesting creature— that Anaïs. Her beloved Anaïs, whom she would lay down her immortal life for and would do so for her in turn. The carrier of name tied to acts of mercy and graciousness, and yet always has she yearned to be the focus of attention. To flutter those big, round and shimmering eyes, and know how to tug at the heartstrings of those around her just so. Focus flickers over to the doorway— to claws grasping at its wood, and those same eyes framed by bright feathers not suspended in their as the once were, but somewhere more grounded. She almost laughs at the irony of it— almost.

Instead, the corners of lips twitch, and she shifts her gaze back over to what she can see of Adam.

"You cannot stop there. Do that, free her, hunt down the person who tied her to the tracks in the first place, and drag them back to Anais for her to decide the fate she believes they deserve. And you must promise to do that."

Fingers spread back against the glazing of the mug, and for a moment does she focus on the warmth that spreads through them. To slow the mind, to not continue too soon and lose all effect.

With a tug on the side of his leg, Anaïs looks to him, held tilted to the side, eyes big and bright and shimmering between the fluttering of lashes. Silent, and yet what she is thinking— what the Aromatisse asks him— is clear as day. Whether it is serious in its entirety, or a joke at the expense of mild, moral panic, however, far more unclear.

Even her? He would pull the lever, even if was her who would perish?

Adam blinks for a long moment. He has, to his credit, gotten exceedingly good at reading the storybook horror owl's round eyes. He sighs for dramatic affect and gently scoops her up beneath her arms to cradle her against his chest, heedless of the feathers that would doubtless be stuck to his jacket in the aftermath.

"Ahh! Non, mon plus doux hibou." He coos gently. "In such a case I would simply stop the tram, no matter how I had to."

Part of him wondered if, like many of her ilk, she was asking that question in an attempt to inflict him with Horrors. The answer was very likely yes, but that was simply part of her charm.

"I would never let a single feather upon your head be harmed."

Oh, he'd absolutely pull the lever, no contest lmao (if we assume he can't just stop the trolley outright of course).

This is absolutely true and correct.