[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ventus eyes closed as he sighed in relief, glad that Shiva understood. Still, he had a feeling that her answer didn't express her complete feeling on the matter, he'll let them explain their full reservations in their own time. 'Its fine that she has trouble talking to me. We hardly know each other, besides what little snippits of information we have gleaned from each other conversation, after all. Hopefully, as we bond together on this journey, all of that will change,' he though, as he walked with her in their search for berries.

While enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, he heard Shiva ask him a question? 'Do I like Fairy types? ... that is a complicated answer,' he though, his happy mood instantly dissipating. Still, he hide his feelings well, and with a smile on his face explained his opinions. "...It might surprise you, but I'm not particularly fond of Fairy types. I have a slight phobia of them, as a matter of fact. Now, don't doubt that I love Raphael with all my heart, and don't think that I hate your Cottenee or Ralts. Its wild Fairy types, or ones that I'm unfamiliar with that make me nervous," he said, searching for bearies all the while. "I prefer Steel and Dragon Types, personally, though I'm partial to Pokémon that evolve via Friendship, for obvious reasons."

His reply indeed suprised Shiva a little... Or rather, a lot. She did not show any mayor signs of suprise on the outside, though. Seeing that Ventus helped out that one Togekiss without hestating and how much he cares for one of its young, she imagined that he at least doesn't hold anything against Fairy-Types...

„I see... It's a weird thing with Fairy-Types, isn't it...? Either you're somehow fond of them, or you dislike, if not detest them. Something like 'I'm okay with them' is rare. Being afraid of them as well.“

„I personally enjoy Pokemon belonging to the Fairy-Type quite a lot... would even say they're my favorite Type, among Grass. There's something...special about them. A little magical. Look, we have Sylveon and Togetic – Sorta a reflection of love and happiness. On the other side, we have Mimikyu, a misunderstood Pokemon with Ghost and Fairy Typing from Alola, if know that one – it lurks in the shadows and people avoid it because they associate it with illness and bad luck. It actually just wishes to befriend someone, if you take a closer look at it. And Mawile, which can severly injure Pokemon and people if a trainer doesn't have it under control. Such complexity, and no two Fairy-Pokemon of the same species, age or gender are the same - I mean, this feature is as distinctive as in no other Type. Emotions play a big role for them, and are even more important if you wish to get along well with Fairy Types.“ … … … „Or take a look at lil' Cottonee here... I wish to evolve it into a Whimsicott, if it agrees. This species has the secret reputation to be a very dear and cuddly friend if it has grown a liking on somebody, but the wild ones enjoy nothing more than sneaking into houses and cause all sorts of mischief. Preferably moving furniture and leaving wads of cotton everywhere.“

Shiva did not actually wanted to reply to him in so many words, nor tell him about her wishes for her own Pokemon... But seeing that he opened up towards her and told her about his fear of wild Fairy-Pokemon, she might have been caught by that. However, there was something wrong with that smile he gave her while telling... it wasn't that honest as the last one, as he thanked her for her help on buying that tent. Did he hid something deeper inside...?

She also felt an intention to ask him why he has that feeling towards unfamiliar Fairy Types... Was there some sort of incident or bad experience involving those? As well as telling him that she's sorry for what he had to face in his family... and that she finds it noble that he has not given up on himself because of that... But at the same time, somethin in her told her to abstain from that just now. She could not estimate yet how he would react. Happy for the sympathy brought up towards him? Or gloomy because being reminded on those? She wanted to prevent the latter from occuring, at all costs.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva joined walking Ventus down that clearing, following the path he marked. Cottonee still by her side. Upon arrival, she quickly noticed the 'damage' dwelling here... Looks like a particular troublesome Fire Horse was there. Right now, it was nowhere to be seen though.

There seemed to be a lot of berry bushes and trees in this area - seemingly they enjoy this somewaht hidden place and the fact that they're getting more sunlight here. After some closer inspection of what kinds it probably were and whether they held some ripe berrys to pick, one particular bush caught her eyes... were those...?

They indeed were. Ranc Berries, as mentioned in the Guide Book the Professor gifted her. They had the same characteristic shape in leafes and grew in more moist area. Carefully avoiding the mire, she approached the bush... Looks like it did not hold any ripe berries. In fact, it was just in bloom.

Considering something for a few moments, she then picked both of the flowers the bush was holding. Turning towards Cottonee, she removed one of those simple black hair clips she wore, and used it to attach the flower at the fluffy body of her Pokemon. "Hehe... You look quite adorable", she told it with a smile. "That is a flower from Ranc Berries... Appearantly, they are quite famous around Pokemon because of their incredibly sweet taste. There are no ripe berries right now though, but you can have one of its flowers instead. How do you like it?" The other one will be for Togepi, hopefully it will make him feel a little better.

Cottonee enjoyed the little gift from its Master, as she noticed that Ventus wasn't around... Where did he went? Did he leave her...alone...? Ah, nope, of curse not! In fact, he was standing some meters away, among what seemed to be herbs. She followed up to him.

Upon arriving, Shiva noticed that those weren't herbs... It were flowers. Quite odd ones, actually. She picked one of them and carefully investigated it, turning it in the sunlight to see it from a sides. Weird... she has never seen such flowers...

Just as she was about to draw that Guide Book from her bagpack, she saw that Ventus was quite terrified of something. He looked like he just encoundered a wild horde of Fairy-Pokemon. ... Better not speak that out aloud.

"What's wrong with you...?" Was it something about those particular flowers...? Ah, ridiculous. To Shiva, those were actually very lovely.

[Iron]

From the broken stem of the flower, a shimmering liquid slowly oozes. The scent is very strong. Cottonee and Togepi both enjoy it.




Nathan's dexterity:
(2)(1)

Ponyta's dexterity:
(4)(6)

A stroke of bad luck for Nathan interferes with his chase: Ralts lets itself out of its Pokeball. This ability is not present in all Pokemon - it's more about will than strength.

Ralts runs a few paces and investigates one of the mysterious flowers. His attitude is very serious, though you think he also likes the scent. Very carefully, Ralts explores the entire surface of the flower with his hands, and Nathan catches a sense of just how serious this might be to Ralts. Something he cares about has something to do with the plants: not immediately, but there is some kind of connection to Ratls' past and purpose.

Anyway, Nathan is essentially forced to choose between leaving his Pokemon behind and letting the Ponyta vanish into the Long Grass (a fire resistant species, to be sure, but every plant has its limits).

[Super_trainer_Larry]

As Larry was walking his pokemon he saw vetus and shiva walk down a clearing Larry didn't bother joining in so Larry walked his pokemon until he ran in to a dead end "hmm" Larry says as he was confused "That's not right, theres supposed to be a path here going to the other side of that opening?" so Larry turns around and walk back as he walked back he saw vetus walk into a weird patch of grass that looked like a bush so Larry decided not to bother and walked on

As Larry walked on he saw a red glow from the distance "is that the ponyta or something else?" so Larry walked towards the red glow until he was distracted by a blue dot in a bush and grabs it "hey a chesto berry! Not like its gonna be useful right now but will be later" said Larry and they walked back to shiva and vetus

[Iron]

Larry's timeline hasn't caught up to the Ponyta timeline yet, much like Ventus.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan trips again in his pursuit of Ponyta! "Gah!" As he lands, Ralts forces his way out of the pokeball, having sensed the presence of the strange flowers. As he gets up, he can sense Ralts nearby. "What the...of all the times for this to happen..." As he turns around, he sees Ralts is examining one of the flowers very carefully..."It's one thing after another, isn't it? First the chase, then the mud and ash, and now this..." And that's when what Ralts is feeling hits Nathan. There's an incredibly strong air of focus around the little pokemon. "Huh? Ralts, are you okay?" When Ralts doesn't answer, Nathan gets a little worried...when he turns around to check on ponyta's location though, he's just in time to see Ponyta running towards the long grass. "Uh oh. That's not good...but I can't just leave Ralts here either..."

Nathan is wracked with indecision, and time is hard pressed too. It's either he loses Ponyta to figure out what's going on with Ralts, or he leaves Ralts with the flowers so he can continue the pursuit before she causes any extensive damage to the area. Ralts wouldn't be as hard to track down later, but he'd feel terrible if he left him behind...as much as it pains him to choose between the two, Nathan makes a decision.

"Ralts, I'm sorry I'm about to do this, but...I need to catch up to Ponyta. I'll be back soon, I promise! Use Confusion if you have to defend yourself!" Hoping Ralts had heard him or at least sensed what he'd been feeling, Nathan sprints off after Ponyta again, this time with a little more desperation and fluster, for more than one reason...

"Ponyta! This isn't just a game any more! If you don't stop this now, you could cause a lot of trouble for everyone, including yourself!" Maybe the third time would be the charm? Nathan hoped the horse wasn't foolhardy enough to risk her own safety for the sake of continuing a 'game'...and all the while, he also hoped that Ralts would be okay on his own...this decision was going to tear him into pieces later...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

From the broken stem of the flower, a shimmering liquid slowly oozes. The scent is very strong. Cottonee and Togepi both enjoy it.

That only got Shiva more interested in those strange flowers. Taking care that it doesn't stain any of her clothes, she draws the Guidebook from her bagpack, and began to search for an entry mentioning such flowers on Route 1. She uses one hand to hold the book and the flower and the other one to turn pages.

They were not listed. Nowhere.

"Strange... Oh hey, Cottonee! You like that scent...?"

[Iron]

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?"

[Iron]

(5)(4)
(6)(1)

Nathan finally corners the Ponyta. He manages to trap it in the Long Grass growing west of the perfectly round puddle. He can hear Pokemon rustling and peeping in the Long Grass all around, making Ponyta snort a bit nervously. Slowly, he corrals her back toward Vincent and the Survivalist.

Ralts is looking sadly and reproachfully at his master when he returns chasing the Ponyta. He is clutching a flower, still in the ground, and stirring the ashes with a stubby foot.


Meanwhile, Winston, Vincent, and the mad Survivalist have finished with their kiln. From the kiln, he pulls a lovely flute of white crystal. "Pokemon love byooteefull colorless music," he says by way of explanation. Indeed, Ponyta slows and approaches the group a bit more calmly.



Berry gatherers, you can arrive now if you like, but it's more likely IMO that you'd show up a bit later, especially if anything distracts you. Up to you at this point.

[Iron]

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