[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

As Nathan and Ventus discuss Cresselia, they do feel their spirits lift just a touch, and their resolve for victory flares strongly within them. A nearby trainer, seemingly a sensei of some martial art, catches the light in their eyes and asks if they'd like a quick battle!



Whether they accept the trainer's offer or not remains to be seen. Either way, the museum is plenty happy to have extra help. They offer to add an additional $200 to the pot and then you guys can split it or make your own plans for the money.

[Iron]

Ventus goes to the gray courthouse to pay his fine. It's mostly sailors inside, obtaining permits or being fined for improper brawling.

Here, the sociologist has a good chance to observe how the town is reacting to the epidemic of sleeplessness.
1. No one is seriously discussing the epidemic.
2. About 20% of the people here look like they've had a recent sleepless night.
3. Occasionally someone will mention that they had a weird dream that kept them awake. They don't usually use the word "Nightmare" - rather, they act like it was just obnoxious.
4. One clerk apparently hasn't reported to work in three days.
5. Ventus' empathic abilities are still stuttering in the gloom.

A bored clerk under a sign saying "League Fines" scans Ventus' trainer card and hands him a formal bill, then holds out his hand for the money.

Assuming Ventus pays (I see you have cash enough):

Spoiler

He stamps a receipt for Ventus upon receiving the money, and scans his trainer card one more time.

"There, now it will show paid in full. Next!"

[Iron]

Nathan has a training session. Grid is doing very well with his progress, and doesn't seem bothered by this town at all.

However, it's just 1XP to all Pokemon.

[Iron]

Spearow agrees to nest in a Temporary Ball provided by Nurse Joy.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

With that settled, Shiva made her way to Murkrow Cove. During day, the sea looked a little less dangerous... There were people having fun and playing around here and the feelings here was less dreary. The fresh air and salty scent lingering here felt refreshing as well.

She didn't follow any of the paths described in Guidebook, but was rather looking for a spot matching her hope to find. While collecting shells sounded tempting - another of those pure innocent things she would do as a young girl, like that crafting of Azu's flowercrown - and maybe she'd be lucky to find a real Shoal Shell, there was a thing she wished to do rather for now.

Finding a matching spot a little hidden away with view on the sea and confined with Sea Lyme Grass in the back, she sat down there and enjoyed the wind for a little, before calling out Helios and her Electric Rodents. Both were eager to be outside and on the beach on top of that, while Helios was yawning as usual. Gotta get those 18 hours of sleep, afer all.

First, she turned to the Abra. "So there... You slept well? I do hope so. ... Now, I see you have that silverly spoon. Keep it carefully, please. While I don't believe it does amplify your powers just now, it might do do in the future... I wish for you to continue using it to focus your mind for now, please. Concentrate and try to develope an awareness of your powers. I know they're there, you and me just need to gain a conscious control over those. In case you get tired or struggle to keep your mind calm, let me know."

Then, Plusle and Minun... "Hehe, you two enjoy being at the beach, right? Must be a complete new experience to living there in the forest on Route 1." ... "Now, Minun - to me, please. Maybe you know that your partner here is a little more mischievous than you are yourself, right? No wonder, since he also knows Nasty Plot. A Dark-Type boosting move. I wish for you to lean this move as well, dear one. As far as I know, it's not much more than actual plotting against your foe - imagine how you bring 'em down. Imagine how you' electrify them. Savour that pleasant thought and allow yourself to look forward to pester your opponent with Electricity... If you're doing it right, you should feel encouraged and energized by that, which will have a clear effect on your powers. Please try to do that for me. If you're having problems, dear PLusle will surely help you out."

Shiva will spend a little time here, before she wished to visit the Aquarium located in Corsage. While she actually wished to ask Nathan or Ventus whether they'd be up to come along, she hasn't seen anyone of them today yet. Looks like it'll be a rip alongside her Pokemon then. Sounds just as pleasant though! Maybe especially Azu will enjoy the trip. But before even that... Increasing her funds was a good idea. While working at the Daycare served her not only experience and connection but as well money to restock on Items and pay of her own fine right away, her sources are not endless, after all.


---------------
Mechanics:
Training Session! Helios is encouraged to concentrate on his powers to develope the beginning of an awareness for them, while Minun will learn Nasty Plot for 0XP with Plusle's help. Also a level-up fo Shiva in Move Tutoring~

- After that, we'll look for a job in Corsage that sounds doable to her.

- After that, visiting the Aquarium - chances are, I'll run into Ventus or Nathan there. Most likely both of them. Hopefully.

[Lord Windos]

When the martial artist approached the pair for a battle, Ventus thought over it for a minute, before shaking his head in agreement. "I believe I can accept such an offer, so long as we are only fighting for training purposes. I don't have enough free income at the moment to wager on a fight, so if you can accept those terms, I'll be happy to fight you," he said, clasping his hand together to punctuate his statement.

Lucifer, who had returned from scoping out the aquarium to perch on his shoulder, light up at the mention of a battle. Turning to his master, he let out a screech, [b]signifying that if a fight's going to happen, he wants to participate in it![b] While he was trained as a gold miner, the heart of a Dragon still lay within his chest, and all drakes love a good fight! Ventus could only chuckle at his devil's eagerness, and nodded to them, scrathing them behind the ear. 'If they wish to fight, then I will let them. Besides, I haven't fought with my little devil yet, so this will be a great experience for the both of us!' the researcher though.

Order; If Martial Artist accepts terms, Lucifer will fight whatever comes out to face them. A battle does everyone good, you know?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Somewhere during training and enjoying a little time oof with Helios and her Electric Rodents, Shiva decided to wear this tuft of fur as a necklace. Too keep it safe and close, just in case... But it's hidden away not visible under her shirt.

[Iron]

Abra earns 2 XP. Plusle and Minun, 1XP each.

[Iron]

You meet a lady who calls herself the Fortune Hunter. She's dressed in two hats at once, a wide-brimmed straw hat under a waterproofed leather fedora.

She's rooting around in the Long Grass outside her house, a mere shack, but hung with many interesting gadgets. She's wearing a sturdy leather apron over a beautiful kimono.

"Oi! You there! Young girl! Do you have a Pokemon? I need some Pokemon to dive into this bloody grass for me. I've dropped my duskglass globe and it's shattered into a hundred pieces! It's such a pain to root around in here. Can you help? I'll pay you."

[Iron]

I'll give Nathan a chance to join the battle or to bid XP for it as a single battle.