It surprises himself, honestly, how little the man’s presence affects him. Surely he ought to be perturbed by the sudden reappearance of a criminal -- at least a man who used to be a criminal. But he’s always found Eldes to have an oddly amiable, almost -- dare he think it -- soft quality that some of the other members of Cipher did not, something that puts him at ease in a way he can’t quite explain.
“Yeah, I guess, but you’re not...” Michael means to say something more meaningful, like you’re not like the rest of them, I can tell you have good in you -- but what comes out instead is, “--as annoying.” Definitely not the most eloquent way he could have phrased that. “Like Lovrina,” he clarifies moodily, still not quite over the trauma of having to deal with that girly yet vicious youth. “I mean -- I’m not comparing you to her, but -- never mind.”
“You should be allowed to do what you want, yeah,” Michael says with a light laugh. “I’m here to get away too, you know? I mean -- I stole people’s Pokemon.” Some of yours, too. There’s no way to say it any more softly, and he winces. “That’s not something I really like thinking about... but there’s nothing that can be done about that either. Sometimes I wonder if Orre doesn’t bring out the worst in people...” A cough escapes his lips at his own grim words. “I mean, it’s nice to travel, anyway.”
He tilts his head slightly at the question about his family, but shrugs. “Yeah, Jovi -- she’s still a little brat. She would have found a way to come with me and embarrass me all over the place if I hadn’t stopped her, I’m sure. And my mom, she’s always so busy...” His tone takes on a wistful tinge. “I miss them, honestly. I like traveling, but... I feel like I should go back sooner than later. It must be weird for them not having me there...” Michael chuckles. “Actually, knowing Jovi, maybe she’s enjoying being the only child for once, without me to stop her from getting into all her mischief.”