After Keaton's near loss of control, the room erupted with commotion. First, he watches one of the strangers from the lobby turn into some kind of Fox girl, then the Gardevoir in the overcoat stands up and starts staring daggers at one of the rangers for some reason. After the room settles down a bit, he begins to speak.
"First of all, I thought I was going to be the only Fox-faced one in this group. (His mask shifting into a smirk) And second, why are you all staring at the Gardevoir? Better yet, why was the Gardevoir staring at that ranger to begin with?"
Realizing that Marcus was unable to hear Gracidea's question, Swindle and Shade glance at one another before Swindle quickly nods. Shade then carefully climbs up Marcus's back so she can whisper what Gracidea had said into his mask's audio receptor. Keaton then makes a slight nod in understanding before adjusting himself so Shade can once again stand on his shoulder and 'speak' for those who choose to let their minds do the talking. Keaton then resumes speaking.
"I should start with an apology. I now know thanks to my lovely Weav- (Shade jostles a bit to keep him on track) Thanks to Shade here for reminding me of all your names. I now know why Gracidea was glaring at Tal. My apologies for not remembering your names, it's not personal, I just haven't had to keep track of any names, with the exception of those in my family, for quite some time. Then there's the matter of Christina's new lo- (Shade once again gives him a jostle of disapproval) Christina's transformation. If you're concerned about me trying to catch you, there's no need to be. I gave up catching Pokemon years ago after I added the last member of my family onto the team. (Unbeknownst to Marcus, a look of unease passes over Shade and Swindle's faces at the mention of the 'final' team member) Ever since then, I've done nothing but release Pokemon I'd held in storage for years. That's why I call the members who were stolen from me 'the other half' of my family. I only have the six. Oddly, you said that your DNA was mixed with that of a Zoroark, but you look nothing like the Zoroark I once had nor the few I've seen in my travels. I wonder if the white colors come from your human side... Regardless, I don't even have any Pokeballs on me that aren't already occupied."
Keaton then turns his attention back onto Gracidea and Tal.
"Now, I'm not exactly the best at paying attention, but even I could've swore Tal here never said that. Out loud anyway. I've had the great pleasure of partering with a Gardevoir some time ago, and she was more than capable of reading thoughts. Just something for the group to keep in mind. (Keaton stands silent then, for a moment, staring Gracidea in deep thought) To answer your question, you are a living being worthy of respect. Respect that you've clearly been denied. I don't know why you've come here, but I've only seen a look that dark on a Gardevoir once before, when my Lucario, Ria, carried me back home near the brink of death after one of our sparring sessions went too far. I have never before witnessed so much pain and anger in the face of any creature, human or Pokemon, that's rivaled it. The only reason Ria's even still alive is due to me throwing myself in front of her to stop an attack that absolutely would've ended her life. I don't know the source of your pain, but I'm sorry that you have to bear it all the same."
