[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"Huff, huff...got you!" The exclamation is quick and relieving as Nathan finally closes the distance between him and what will soon be his horse. "Come on, girl, that's enough running for today..." Nathan leads her back towards Ralts first.

As the two approach, Nathan can see Ralts holding the flower, and looking a little sad that he'd been left there. "I'm sorry about that, buddy. Hey, I'll help ya out with those flowers in a moment. There's lots of them around. For now, we need to get back to Vincent and company." Ralts looks at him and reluctantly nods, knowing that Nathan is genuinely sorry for what he just did.

As Nathan gets ready to stand again, he once again notices the picnic basket stuck on Ponyta's leg. "Ya know, you're a lot of trouble. I don't even know how you managed to run that far, that fast with a picnic basket stuck to your leg. Come on, let's get that off of ya..." As Nathan removes it, Ponyta tries to make a dash for it again! Nathan's seen this trick a few times though, and manages to stop her. "You're not going anywhere. Not right now anyways. Like I said, I still have a surprise for you." At that moment, they hear the beautiful sounds of a glass flute in the distance. Ponyta and Ralts are both captivated somewhat by it. "Heh, guess they finished the instrument. Let's go see how they did, shall we? Ralts, you can ride on Ponyta. She won't burn you, right, girl?" As much as Ponyta would like to just for the sake of it, she is aware of what might happen if she did. Nathan puts Ralts on Ponyta's back, and they head off in the direction of the music.

The trio walks up to Vincent, Winston, and the survivalist. Ralts and Ponyta go over to the survivalist as he plays the white flute he just constructed with Winston's help. Nathan is standing near Ponyta to make sure she doesn't make another break for it. "Well, Vincent, guess I managed to pull off my idea by myself somehow. Managed to corner her in the long grass before she burned it to the ground. She gave me quite the run around though..." Indeed, Nathan is covered from head to toe in ash, dirt, grass, and mud. He looks a little tired now that the adrenaline has started receding.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Cottonee rubs itself on the flower so its cotton is sticky and scented with 'deyo.'

"... ... ... You know that I'll have to groom you later then, do you? Whether you want or not."

"But if you like these flowers so much..." She picks two additional of those. "We'll take those with us." If it's indeed those stange flowers that distress Ventus so much, hopefully this doesn't terrify him even more...

(Note that Shiva doesn't know that these flowers are called like this unless someone tell her.)

[Super_trainer_Larry]

As Larry searches for berries, he works his way back toward the main track. There, he sees a familiar face: his childhood friend Rachel!

Her cheeks are rosy as she walks westward. She has a Lileep clinging to her shoulder, a Pokemon extinct in most regions! A very rare Pokemon that hasn't been seen since the days of the King, thousands of years ago.

"Oh...Larry, it's you. Are you traveling with some friends? I saw a few people running in all different directions. Have you all caught any rare Pokemon? I'd like to hear about everything you've caught! Maybe we could have a battle or something? If I win, you have to fix my Pokedex for free - it's on the fritz. If you win, I don't know...what do you want?"

"oh hi Rachel h h hows it going" Larry replies in a nervous voice

"oh yeah everyone is everywhere we are in an unorthodox state Latey with flowers and a ponyta" Larry replied as he picked a flower "here have one these smell amazing" then Larry let his team out "ok everyone come on out, ok Rachel meet oshawott, Ekans, and Abeja" Larry puts the weedle on his shoulder "he likes siting here a lot, ekans is a bit of a more serious one than the other two, and oshawott was my starter

after he explained how he caught his team he said to her "Sure I love battling! if I win i'll fix your pokedex and you got to tell me what your doing here" and Larry got ready to battle "don't go easy on me just because im a year younger"

[Lord Windos]

Ventus mood slightly improved as he heard Shiva explain her fascinatin with Fairy types, slowly starting to feel like his happy go lucky self again. In addition, he detected that Shiva was a not only surprised at his preference, but also with how much see divuleged on the many facets of Fairies. Ventas also felt that she was rather curious about why he was so...cautious with the mischevious species, but held herself back from prying too much. 'This young lass is a rather curious person, is she not? Sweet and kind, yet accepting of the cruelites of the natural world. A caring, compasonate personality that can change to a vengeful , hating on the drop of the dime. Despite her contrasting nature, she's a remarkably stable individual. Just like a Fairy,'  Ventus thought, smiling brighter a bit more as he chuckled to himself, catching Shiva's attension.

"Yes, Fairy types suffer from a 'love them or hate them' mentality due to the fact of their...varied natures. Some, like Sylveon, represent the positivity and love between individuas; the best of the supernatural, so to speak. Others, like Shiintonic, are outright malicious towards humanity, and more often or not would lead them to their doom more for no more reason than they just desired. Some Fairy types, like Whismcott and Azumaril, are quite mischievous individuals, and seem to delight in keeping people guessing just what they will do next," Ventus said, as he felt prompted in giving a lecture to Shiva. He gave one to Nathan yesterday concerning Psychic types, so why not give one to her as well?

"These myriad traits of theirs only get more complicated when a Trainer is involved. Save Psychic types, a select few Ghost and Dark types, and Friendship Pokémon in general, no other type of Pokémon posseses the same degree of sheer natural empathy. No other type, save perhaps Dark, are quite capable of tapping into that salient quality, and using it to serve their own mean. This is a very... dubious power in their hands. A Fairy type that adores their trainer, for example, might use their strong bond with their master to monitor his emotional state, and use that information to keep them in positive and chipper at all time. On the other hand, they could use their power and knowledge to manipulate the trainer to focus their affection solely on themselves, and to exclude the rest of their Pokémon. That assumes, of course, that a possessive Fairy type would let other Pokémon compete with their Master's affection in the first place," Ventus intoned, looking quite serious as he delvled deeper in the phenomena of the Fairy type.

He looked quite unhappy, as he thought of what he was going to say next, but if he were going to give a full summary of Fairy types, he has to be thorough. "...and that is only describing tamed or domesticated Fairy types using humans at best. Less scrumplous, mischevious, or outright hateful Fairies can exploit their natural empathy to gain a...firmer control over and individual's behavior. They can occlude their senses, twist their morality to their our purpose, incite feeling of uncontrollable rage or suicidal sadness...I could go on, but I don't think I need to say more about that train of thought. In extreme cases, were either the Fairy Pokémon was exceptionally powerful or the human in question was especially subseptible to their influence, they can outright dominate a person, having free reign of that individual's emotion AND psychological state. Once a Fairy type has gained that level of control over a person...." Ventus trailed off at this point, looking rather pained all of the sudden. The mood suddenly grew dark. Tense. Uncomfortable.

"...they are never the same."

Silenced reigned for a short time. When he began speaking again, it was in a thread whisper, reflecting just how sorrowful he became. "They became thralls to them. Slaves to their desires, mere puppets to their whims. These people often lose their sense of self completely, serving nothing more as a conduit for the Fairy type in control. Other individuals are not even as fortunate enough for that fate. A selective few terribly unfortunate souls don't lose their free will, but are instead changed. The Fairy twists their morality, their personality, their very consciousness, turning an otherwise normal person into something borderline inhuman. This phenomina is officially known as Fairy Authority Everting Syndrome, or F.A.E.S. Its not well reported or communicated with the public, given the...severity of it, and the fact that League Officals don't want people inciting witch hunts on innocent creatures. F.A.E.S is most common in the Kalos region, were their was a sizable minority of these individual. Most of these people are so far gone that their is a debate on whether they truly are human anymore, after their prolouged exposure to the rare magic of the Fairies," Ventus said, looking very grim. He didn't like relieving these memories, but his job as an educator demands he informs Shiva of all the facets of Fairies...good or bad.

Clearing his throat to try (and fail) to dispel the tense atmosphere, Ventus began to wrap up his lecture. "This is the main reason why Fairy types are considered amoung the most difficult Pokémon to train, besides Dragons, Ghosts, and Dark types. Their very nature is convoluted and abstract to most people, and their unmatch empathetic prowess makes the task of raisng and caring for the fey creatures to be quite hazardous. It takes a person with a strong will to properly control them and resist their affluence, a keen understanding in order to fully comprehend them and their moods, and powerful empathy to completely bond with them. Even with all those qualiteies, its still difficult to keep them under control without them playing mood maker or manipulator. Fortunately for us, we have these qualities in spades, so I wouldn't fret about being controlled by Cottenee. Still, always keep what I said in mind if you are planning to build a full team of Fairies," Ventus said, concluding his long winded lecture.

Unlike his previous talk with Nathan, this conversation left his emotionally drained, since the going into the subject of Fairies in debt brought some...unpleasant memories up. Still, he managed a smile as he lead Shiva on the rouge Ponyta's trail, silence now stretching between them.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(Time Skip to where Ventus picked up a the strange flower, and then threw it away)

He looked at the flower in apparent wariness, not wanting to get any closer to them without some industrial grade herbicide. He noticed it oozing out a strange fluid that was entrancing Raphael. He immedianlty flicked out his Pokeball and returned it to his Pokeball, shielding it from the effects of the dubious plant. Turning towards Shiva, he was about to tell her to recall her Pokémon, when he gaped at her. In her uncovered hand was that very flower. "SHIVA, DROP THAT FLOWER NOW! ITS ENTRALLING OUR POKEMON, AND I DONT KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT DO TO US!" He shouted, quite urget in his desired for her to get rid of the flower[b]. It appears that Cottenee was covered in its sap, so it need to be washed [b] ASAP

[Iron]

"Oh, you are still really getting started assembling your team. I'm WAY ahead in that respect. Should we just do one on one?"

Rachel orders her Lileep out onto the greensward.

Lileep's Initiative: 1d6+3 = 6

[Iron]

With the Survivalist playing the flute while Nathan soothes Ponyta and reminds it he's the boss, Ponyta agrees to come along.

Ponyta has Flash Fire, Tackle, Growl, and Ember. Happiness and Loyalty are 2.

She is willing to travel in a Pokeball when necessary as long as she gets lots of exercise.

[Dragonstrike]

A Song of Peace and Calm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjYXNB2twNs (note: this music perfect loops with itself if set on repeat)

Ponyta nuzzles up to Nathan, enjoying the company and the music. After that little game, she was ready for a rest. "Alright, Ponyta, it's probably time I told you about my little surprise for you. You'll like it, I'm sure. We're not going back to the ranch. I'm going to be traveling around Creshire, and you get to come with me. I know you're probably not comfortable with staying on the ranch, and well, neither am I. Together, we'll be seeing just what exactly is beyond Trillium. If you want. I won't force you to come with me." Nathan looks at Ponyta, waiting for a response.

Ponyta looks confused for a moment as Nathan's talking. She'd been dragged back to the ranch every time she'd run away before, and now she wasn't? But when it finally sinks in, she practically tackles Nathan out of pure joy. "Hahaha! Alright, Ponyta, I get it! You want to come along! I'd be happy to have you to! I'm sure Ralts will enjoy the company as well! Well, we better get the details sorted out then!"

Nathan pulls out his pokedex and gives his mom a call. "Hey mom. Yeah, I just reigned Ponyta in. Yes, she gave me quite the run around, but I got her in the end with a little help. She's more than happy to come along with me on my trip through the region too. Just need you to deactivate the chip that says she's ranch property so I can register a pokeball to her."

Nathan waits on the phone for a moment, and then continues. "Alright, thanks. Yes, I'll make sure to take good care of her. That experience on the ranch isn't going to go to waste. I'll call you again when we reach Ginger Town tomorrow. Love you to. Bye!"

Nathan pulls out one of the pokeballs in his bag, and shows it to Ponyta. "Alright, girl. I need to register this to you. I know you like your time outside, so I won't keep you in it for long periods of time unless absolutely necessary. Okay?" In response, Ponyta walks forward and bops the button on the pokeball, thus initiating its capture function. 'Guess that's a yes. You don't have to stay in there for now, though.' Nathan lets her out of the pokeball almost as soon as it clicks with a confirmed capture. "Hmmm...I think a nickname might be in order. A unique name for a unique horse. Let's see...what about....Swiftfire? I think it's fitting due to earlier, but what about you, girl?" Ponyta gives it some thought for a moment...and then nuzzles in closer. "Alright, Swiftfire it is."

Nathan, Swiftfire, and Ralts are just sitting there for now, enjoying the music. Ralts is rather distracted though, still thinking about that flower and Nathan's actions earlier. And Nathan knows it.

[Dies Irae]

Vincent lets out a sigh of relief as Nathan finally gets the Ponyta under control. Still, what he's witnesses just opens up more and more questions.

"That was fantastic, Sir." Vincent can barely stutter out, having seen the survivalist in action. He's been beside the survivalist the entire time, but he's still not sure of the significance of what he's just witnessed.

"But... what... what did you just do? What is that flute... How?" He's still struggling for words. His brain clearly recognizes what's it's seen and the correlation, and potential causation are obvious, but the sheer... for the want of a better term... mysticism... is beyond what he really comprehends. "What are these... Deyo anyway?"

"YOU DO REALISE YOU CAN ACTUALLY POLL THE AUDIENCE, CORRECT?" The 'officer' leans forward and asks icily.

Good point.

Leaning down using his cane to support himself and careful not to overbalance, Vincent uses his Pokedex to snap several close-up photos of the odd flowers growing among the daisies. Cycling through the function, he sends the pictures along with a descriptor of the plants, the location found and the color of the organisms to Professor Mallorn with a request for further information.

[Dragonstrike]

Hearing Vincent's questions, Nathan decides to answer the one about the flute.

"Remember when I said they make flutes from ash in Hoenn, Vincent? This seems to be similar. I think he just made one known simply as a 'white flute' in that region. It has a calming effect on pokemon, and brings them in closer to the player. Of course, it also has a tendency to attract wild pokemon because of that, but that's something we can worry about in a moment."

Nathan stands, Ralts on one side, Swiftfire on the other. "There is one issue though...specifically concerning those flowers in that field." Nathan points at one of the strange flowers, which Ralts is staring at. "As you can probably see, Ralts seems to be...attracted to them. Not only that, I can feel a very powerful focus coming from Ralts. Those flowers mean something to him. They aren't just pretty things to look at. I'm feeling a little uneasy about that, to be frank..." As he says this, Ralts walks over to the flower, handling it just as delicately as the previous one.

[Dies Irae]

"White flute... huh..."

"I DON'T WANT TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO, BUT IT'S OH SO SATISFYING." The officer peers over his shoulder from the recesses of his consciousness. 

"That's a new one on me." He shrugs, slightly less confused, but still dubious about the whole situation. "Creshire born and bred, Nathan. Never seen one in my life."

"About those flowers. I did send the Prof a photo with a request for information. If your Ralts think's they're important, it probably wouldn't hurt to snag a sample or two. Like your metal bits, we can probably have them looked over in the next town." He fishes a pair of ziplock bagss out of his backpack and noting the one Nathan's Ralts was fascinated by, gently sets about digging up the plant by the roots.