[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Giving Nathan a winning smile (and an almost imperceptible wince), Ventus nodded at them. It was about the only thing he could do, without Apsis Wrapping around him protectively. "Yes yes, I'm fine. Though, I still believe that I could have moved around a little without being watched like a prisoner. Hard as it is to believe, laying and resting on injuries is more harmful in the long run than keeping active. As long as you can still function, you should try to work through the pain and continue on with your activates. Helps accelerate the healing process, or so I studied about. Of course, while I am a doctor, I'm not that kind of docter," Ventus said, chuckling a bit at his own humor. You know what they say : 'Laughter is the best medicine!'

"Though, if its alright with you, I wish to turn into bed for the night. I would love to continue our conversation from last night, I rather get some rest if I can. Or if I am able to, for that matter."

"Well, before you do, mind helping me with Porygon?  You can understand it better than I, and I need to figure out why it disobeyed my order to stop attacking.  Porygon aren't the disobedient type, you know.  I've been giving it some thought, and maybe he didn't understand my order or something?  I'm not entirely sure, though...it's still getting a stern talking too, but maybe not as bad as what I'd first planned...depends on what you can deduce, I guess."

[Lord Windos]

"Well, before you do, mind helping me with Porygon?  You can understand it better than I, and I need to figure out why it disobeyed my order to stop attacking.  Porygon aren't the disobedient type, you know.  I've been giving it some thought, and maybe he didn't understand my order or something?  I'm not entirely sure, though...it's still getting a stern talking too, but maybe not as bad as what I'd first planned...depends on what you can deduce, I guess."

"Certainly, my friend. Just bring them over, and I'll have a chat with it to see what provoked its action. Not that I don't appreciate them helping me capture Uriel, but its very usual for a Porygon to disobey orders. The species line are logical beings, so once it hears a command, it should execute it to the best of its abilities, unless said directive is inherently illogical," Ventus says, a little confused himself to hear of Porygon's disobedience. From what he recalled, his Proffesor's Porygon were perfectly obedient, if a little trollish at times.

When Porygon is brought out in front of him, the researcher tilts his head at the digiduck and asks : " 01010111 01101000 01111001 00100000 01100100 01101001 01100100 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100100 01101001 01110011 01101111 01100010 01100101 01111001 00100000 01001110 01100001 01110100 01101000 01100001 01101110 00100111 01110011 00100000 01101111 01110010 01100100 01100101 01110010 01110011 00101100 00100000 01010000 01101111 01110010 01111001 01100111 01101111 01101110 00111111 00100000 01010100 01101000 01100101 01111001 00100000 01110111 01100101 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101100 01101111 01100111 01101001 01100011 01100001 01101100 01101100 01111001 00100000 01110011 01101111 01110101 01101110 01100100 00101100 00100000 01110011 01101111 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01101101 01110101 01110011 01110100 00100000 01101000 01100001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01100001 00100000 01100111 01101111 01101111 01100100 00100000 01110010 01100101 01100001 01110011 01101111 01101110 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100001 01100011 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 01110011 00101110 " Speaking in perfect Binary, of course.

Translation: Why did you disobey Nathan's orders, Porygon? They were logically sound, so you must have a good reason for you actions.

[Iron]

Porygon gives off an apologetic air. It seems the digiduck just got a little overexcited in the heat of battle and didn't slow down enough to listen.

Despite being digital and hard to read, Porygon does have passions like any other Pokemon.

You are both sure Porygon will try to do better and didn't mean anything nefarious.

[Lord Windos]

"01000001 01101000 00101100 00100000 01001001 00100000 01110011 01100101 01100101 00101110 00100000 01010111 01100101 01101100 01101100 00101100 00100000 01110111 01100101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100000 01100001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01101100 01101111 01110011 01100101 00100000 01100110 01101111 01100011 01110101 01110011 00100000 01100110 01110010 01101111 01101101 00100000 01110100 01101001 01101101 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01110100 01101001 01101101 01100101 00101100 00100000 01110011 01101111 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110101 01101110 01100100 01100101 01110010 01110011 01110100 01100001 01101110 01100100 01100001 01100010 01101100 01100101 00101110 00100000 01010000 01101100 01100101 01100001 01110011 01100101 00100000 01100100 01101111 00100000 01100101 01111000 01100101 01110010 01100011 01101001 01110011 01100101 00100000 01101101 01101111 01110010 01100101 00100000 01110010 01100101 01110011 01110100 01110010 01100001 01101001 01101110 01110100 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100110 01110101 01110100 01110101 01110010 01100101 00101100 00100000 01101000 01101111 01110111 01100101 01110110 01100101 01110010 00101110 00100000 01011001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01101101 01100001 01111001 00100000 01100101 01101110 01100100 00100000 01110101 01110000 00100000 01100011 01100001 01110101 01110011 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101101 01101111 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101000 01100001 01110010 01101101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01101110 00100000 01100111 01101111 01101111 01100100 00101100 00100000 01100100 01100101 01110011 01110000 01101001 01110100 01100101 00100000 01110111 01101000 01100001 01110100 01100101 01110110 01100101 01110010 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 01110010 00100000 01101001 01101110 01110100 01100101 01101110 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 01110011 00100000 01101101 01100001 01111001 00100000 01100010 01100101 00101110" Ventus said, still speaking Binary at a pace most would call 'bracing' polity.

Turning towards Nathan, he gives him a smile while patting Porygon on the head. "This digital friend of yours didn't mean to disobey you, it just briefly became lost in a slight battle high. I believe they promised to do better in obeying your instructions, and that they didn't mean to do anything unbecoming."

Translation: Ah, I see. Well, we can all lose focus from time to time, so that is understandable. Please do exercise more restraint in the future, however. You may end up causing more harm than good, despite whatever your intentions may be.

[Dragonstrike]

"Sigh...Alright, Porygon. I understand. Just try not to let it happen again. We need to be able to trust each other, particularly in times of crisis like that. You did well, but it won't always be that way if we aren't in sync." Porygon nods, understanding. Nathan returns it to its ball. "Thank you, Ventus. Now then, I'll let you get some rest. I'll go and get some as well. We'll both have to be well rested for the trip to Wineberry Town, I'm sure. Thankfully, it's not that far into the forest according to the map, so it shouldn't take too long." He and Kirlia leave the room to go and get some rest of their own after Nathan calls his mom to inform her about the situation, as well as ask for some advice.

(Time for Shiva, Valder, and Larry to play catch-up! And time for me to take a break from posting in the game thread until we move on to the next day or someone talks to Nathan.)

[Lord Windos]

Waving him good bye, Ventus slowly got out of the chair and made his way to his sleep mat. Laying down on it, he was soon surround by the coils of his dear Arbok, as it wrapped around him protectively. Giving a sleeply smile to his sister, he soon difted off to sleep, dreaming of Skuntanks coming to hunt him down. This time, though, he had Apsis by his side, hissing menacingly at the interlopers. It was not a peaceful dream, but it was a good one. It was a good one.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

All this happens before the others hold their Training Session as second Encounter of the day.


Picking up her Pokemon - not before giving Azurill a gentle cuddle for showing some dancing skills to her - Shiva made her way back to the camping site. On the way, she stumbled over Nathan and Ventus. The latter was... ah, no words needed. They said they'll be going after a Scyther in a forest known for vile Bug Pokemon, something like this may happen. Stiil worried over the outcome of the encounter, but not 'VERY'. 

She gladly helped out where she could to get that tent set up... Well... 'where she could' was point. It's not that she's very good at such things, so she mostly let Nathan do the most part. However... she had a bad feeling about the whole situation here. Like... it'll arouse trouble or spats if he tries to rule over the other party members. Not sure if he was doing this at all, or whether he realised - But fact is, Shiva picked this up. Must be his ego. Keep it under control and don't try to pester me with orders just because you can, and it'll be fine. 

Another thing that wasn't very hard to notice was that Ventus surely did NOT enjoy being hindered by wounds or being ordered to rest. In fact, Shiva stayed close to him while Nathan was out setting up a Training Session. 'To make sure he doesn't get away', of course.

It took a while though before she spoke to him after what has happened. But as she did, she carefully stroked over the researcher's right cheek with the back of her hand. He touched her in similar manners a few times already, why shouldn't she return something into this direction?

"So... You manged to catch the Scyther at last, did you? That's good to hear. Glad you...survived it, as well. Compared to the wounds the Skunktank has inflicted on you, those now must be not so bad, aren't they?" Oh, in fact, while he was physically wounded, he seemed relatively fine on the emotional level. Exhausted, but not full of fear over what the Scyther has done to him. Wounds from a Poison-Type though are not funny, not a single bit, and Ventus was proof. ALIVE proof, luckily. He went through so much, and still Shiva had the feeling that there's much more misfortune in his yet young life. His brother commited suicide, there were incidents with Fairy-Type Pokemon - that phobia must come from somewhere - a Skunktank scared him to near-death... What else is there to come? And why does it almost always hit the good people that don't deserve going through such hard times? Still, he kept on smiling, and hasn't lost his own will to fight and live. That's something precious.

The next words were spoken without any worry in them. "Make sure your newest companion doesn't slit your throat." It rather meant something like 'I'm sure you know the threat the Scyther may be to you or to us, but I'm also sure you can handle it.' "I see you also made good progress in taming and caring for Apsis. You're seemingly having the control of her, if she enjoys hugging and carrying you around." Next, she gave the wounded sociologist a faint kiss on the temple. That was her way to show appreciation, affection - withing the terms of friendship - and telling him 'get well soon', as well a wish to hang around to spend qualitative time with one another soon again. Silence followed.

Then, after a while... "By the way, I most likely will not sleep over here in the tent with you people. I found out there are treehouse resorts nearby. I think I even spotted them while walking around with Azurill... " At this thought, Shiva spirits were at high. Luxury! Fancy dinner! All hers. And her Pokemon. Nothing's too expensive if it makes her companions happy! "Right, I'll go into the woods again, I haven't gotten enough of the beauty and warmth of the forest yet. Reminds on a Flareon with all the yellow and orange shades, doesn't it? We can meet up again tomorrow, at the place with the folk art sculptures probably. Alright?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

This happens while the others who stayed at the Campingsite hold their Training Session.


As Shiva said, she left the Camping Site then, not before informing Nathan about her plans for the rest of the day, however. He was fine to meet up tomorrow morning near the folk art sculptures then to travel further together, as well as keep an eye on Ven's physical wounds. If anything may occur that needed immediate action and her help and/or advice, they're totally free to send a message on cell.

She spend a while just following the river. With the leaves in orange and red colors streaming along, it was a very pretty view to her. Azurill seemed to be fine as well, and cuddled up to Shiva (who carried them around in her arms on default) while still in her beloved top hat. Maybe the calm and delighted mood of her new caretaker caught up on the blue mouse? Or was it 'just' the effect of the Soothe Bell? Not sure...

From a slight disctance, she spotted a Masquerain falttering a few meters abov the water surface. Ah, one of the more prettier Bug-Types. However... Shiva had the feeling that this particular exemplar wasn't just hovering there... It seemed to show off for some very weird reason. This remembered her on something... Something that had to do with her Abra... She quickly called out the Psychic-Type, and while Helios was yawning at being disturbed in their huge amount - but well-deserved - of needed sleep, he at least faced Shiva in some sort of...was this eager?

She croached down to be on eye level with him. "Listen, dear one... Guess it might be your time to shine. I picked up you don't like show-offs. So, how about ranting a little on one?" At this point, she moved a little asiide to grant Helios a view on the Masquerain. Meh, Bug-Type... Still an annoyance. Needs to be put down maybe.


----------------
Mechanics:
So, @Iron, bring up the Masquerain Encounter, please! Will tackle it with Azurill and Helios. After that, we'll head towards the treehouse resort.

[Lord Windos]

*The time before Beddy Bye*

Head tilted down in his lap, Ventus was grumbling to himself over being handled like an fussy baby. He's almost 27 years old, and here he was being forced to stay put by someone almost a decade his lesser, if not more! That, and his overprotective Arbok, which was currently laying by his side with one eye on the training ground and one on him. 'I didn't expect such a trait in Apsis, but I find it an honestly pleasant surprise. It gladdens my heart to find that my rearing produced such breathtaking results, even if I find them...wanting at the moment,' the researcher though, still very unpleased with his situation.
 
He almost didn't notice Shiva over his own simmering frustration, he managed to feel her concern just in time to put on a happy smile for her. She didn't say anything at first, Ventus patiently waited, knowing that everyone has their own pace they walk to.  When she did, he couldn't help let out a small peal of laughter at her remark. "That what I have been trying to tell Nathan and my Pokémon entourage, but they will hear none of it. My wounds pain me, I admit, but not to such an extent that I am unble move around without keeling over, or be prevent from setting up the tent. Perhaps I should inform everyone more about my experiences with dangerous Pokémon, as it might get people to stop fretting over when situation like this happen to me! I am the resident worrywart, and I don't like my job being enfringed upon, you know," he said, all with an semi-positive air about him.

Truth be told, he had no desire to tell them those stories, as he didn't want to worry them anymore about him. He still hasn't told Shiva his...background, so telling her even more perilous things about his life would be overkill on top of that! Her next statement caused him to briefly raise an eyebrow, but it soon went down as he heard the rest of what she had to say. That, and he didn't feel that she was trying to be humorous or cruel with her choice of words. "Uriel will certainly quite ornsome to care for properly, but rest assured that I will eventually tame even him! If I can't, then Apsis can always wraping him up and dig into his skull like its the tastest egg in the world. I will not abide by Pokémon that I can't control in some fashion, nor pose a significant threat to my friends if they can not be taught to behave themselves," Ventus says, all in a good natured tone, as if he was just discussing the weather. Apparently, he has already thought of the possibility of putting the Scyther down, and he is unfazed by it.

"Still, I doubt it will ever come to that point. Apsis is proof enough that even a disobedient Pokémon can be taught discipline...to an extent, of course. No one will ever have any luck making her eat Dry Food, or suppress the natural warrior in a Scyther. Its all about how to redirect their savage nature into more positive channel, or at least make them vent it somewhere that they can't cause too much harm," the researcher says, happy to have Shiva by his side. It sure passed the time faster, that is for certain! As Shiva informed him that she was staying in a local treehouse for the night, he almost began to frown at the thought, before she kissed him on the forhead. That got him to freeze mid expression, looking faintly surprised . Shaking his head quickly, he smiled right back at Shiva.

"My my, are you trying to charm an old man like me now? How bold of you! Keep that up, and you might find me pining over you!" Ventus jokingly told her, all in the silkly sauve tone he reserved for his dates, such as Sochi. Still, if one listened closely enough, they would find a hint of honesty in that statement. While he was more than happy and content being friend with Shiva, he could not deny that he held certain feelings of affection for her kindness and compassion. Only time will tell if anything comes of that, however.

When she said her good byes and turned to leave, he wished her safety for the night, then refocused his attension on Nathan training regiment. Anything to occupy his mind from the tedium that threatened to set in.

*End Flashback*

[Iron]

Masquerain

Initiatives:
Azurill: (5) + 2 Dex + 1 survive= 8
Masquerain: (6) +2 Dex + 0 Survival = 8
Helios: (4) + 3 = 7

Masquerain's Intimidate lowers attacks by 1