Interlude 1
Caretakers of the Weald
Once more, children of Man tread this hallowed weald. It would seem that, once again, our children will find a companion, and through trial, physical and emotional, become paragons of our kind. My heart pounds with anticipation at the thought of what they can become.
Is that a?-
"So? What're the new munchkins like? Think any of 'em are a good match for the kids?"
"Hm... The child is a wary one. They need someone that will make them grow, to acquire new experiences and to accept themselves. They feel... Off, in their own skin."
For once, the crotchety old Shiftry takes a contemplative expression.
"'Off in their own skin', eh? Now what in the name of Giratina does that mean?..."
"I am not entirely sure, considering how differently our kinds think, but from what I can piece together, mentally they feel like one thing, but physically like another."
"Eh? Really? Ain't that something... Wait, there's only one? I know we're all big and strong, but even for me that's disappointing."
"No. There are 2 new trainers."
"Then why did you only sa-"
"But one of them... They are chimeric."
Tengo groans, clearly because my dialect is too complex for him.
"Oh, come one, brainiac. What does that even mean!?"
"Chimeric means a combination of multiple living things creating a singular being, usually things that are unrelated."
Now, Tengo is raising an eyebrow.
"Okay, what exactly are you talking about? Is this one of those moments where it's something relatively minor, and your hoity-toity way of speaking makes it sound all cryptic and worrying? Is this actually something big?... Or is it like the kid?"
"No. What I mean is, is that there are multiple souls."
That alone clearly rattled him, if the pupil dilation is any giveaway.
"...This isn't a funny prank."
"Have you seen me joking around?"
"...ugh, yes, but I could tell how. You ain't showin' the usual tics."
...Well then. Something to query later.
"That isn't all. One of them is wearing the other like a second skin. And while it may be willing, that second soul is weak. Any minute, it could fracture. And the first one... The less said about it the better."
"Okay, this is starting to sound like a thing that came from the Twisted Realm."
"Thats the thing. The body is... I cannot call it organic or inorganic."
"Stop with the cryptic comments! I can't tell if you're making a mountain out of a Drilbur hill if you talk like tha-"
"That walking paradox is unnatural. It is not made of flesh, or steel, or the metaphysical soulstuff most ghost types consist of. That "flesh" suit is made entirely out of the writhing unexistence Arceus formed the Twisted Realm out of. Most of all, they cling to each other like lifelines, and considering how deeply entwined they seem, it makes sense. And if you need me to make it more simple, there are two souls controlling a puppet made out of nothingness that may or may not be melting into each other out of necessity."
...Tengo's shaking fans are a shock to me. Rather, what I can infer from them is.
"In that case, we need to help them. Both of them are getting a companion. ESPECIALLY the melting one, they probably need a Psychic or Ghost to keep them from getting any more damaged than they are now."
...Hm. curious. Maybe I should see if Jenia would be interested.