[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

This happens still at Day 16.


What a pleasant way to end a day.

Honey Party took until nightime came, but it was an overall fun and relaxing evening. Now Shiva did nothing else than just laying there inside tent, awaiting to finally fall asleep. Such generosity came unexpected from Nathan...But that did not dimish things at all. In fact, it was delightful to see how they were getting long and enjoying one another's + their Pokemon's presence. With Vincent and lately Larry leaving them for their own reasons, only three were still standing of the original group of five there at Professor Mallorn's Lab. But it felt like this sadness over the losses of party members only lasted for a while, and those three grew closer to one another in return.

They also agreed to return to Corsage then next day, since they couldn't avoid the city forever... As much as Ven wished to do. But given they arranged to follow business there during day and return to the campsite as soon as it got dark with the help of Kirlia's and Helios' Teleport - Ven could just get a hold on one of those two Pokemon since he lacked a Pokemon with the ability to travel this way - he agreed eventually.

Currently, Cottonee was cuddled up close her her, and fell asleep relatively fast in her owner's arms. It was highly uncommon that the fluffball eagerly refused to return to he Pokeball for the night and expressed a desire to be close to Shiva instead. Well, couldn't deny that... Maybe it was the fact she endured that tough battle against Ven without objecting, or the honey she enjoyed like it's the most precious thing in the world, or simply the care and love she received from Shiva... But it indenyable that the fluffball became not only the favorite of her team, but also her most loyal companion. Given that Fairy Types are highly selective who they decide to bond with, it was even sweeter... Looks like she won't have any problems keeping the mischievous nature of Whimsicott under control. All she's missing was a Sun Stone... My, she really looked forward to see Elanor now. (Cottonee is gaining the point in Loyality.)

At some point during talking/enjoying honey etc. Fennekin also began to play tag with Swiftfire, which was adorable to see. Lil' fox seemed not minding his loss against Apsis, but was rather overjoyed over the honey and the chance to meet that fierly horse. At some point, he came over and licked Shiva over the cheek, before chirping joyfully and resuming running around. Felt like being kissed by the fox. (Fennekin is gaining the point in Happiness.)

At some other point, Raphael randomly evolved into a precious Togetic. How beautiful to see, both the joy over the small Pokemon and his owner... Shiva could not help but to give a cuddle to the partial Fairy Type after Ven allowed. Both over delight and because Togetic are practically the personification of good fortune and happiness.

At some other point, the black-spotted egg also moved! It moooved!! Just a tiny little bit, but it still counts.

At yet another point, Shiva also crafted a new flowercrown for Azurill, using the remaining wild flowers she collected earlier. Old one had limp spots here and there, inacceptable!


The only 'bad' thing was that Nathan's newest companion - Joltik - killed off all hopes of her to keep maybe one jar of honey for a later usage. It could be used to attract and/or acquire a wild Pokemon... most likely a Swirlix or Ribombee (although Shiva highly doubted to ever run across one of these graceful Bugfairies in this region, given they only live in Alola's Meadows)... As well as for cooking and Poffin-baking. Ah, nevermind... He still has those two Combee, maybe if she'd just ask at some later point, he'd hand a jar to her... Yeah, likely...he would... zzzzZZZ...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

This happens on Day 17, as soon as the party arrived back in Corsage.


Oh, finally back in town! ...Okay, given the atmosphere in Corsage, that sounded somewhat wrong. Corsage has lost nothing of its gloominess and special charm while they were out camping. Well, how could it? It'd felt weird to imagine this port city without all this. Additionally, aside from the sleep issues that most likely still plaque the citicans as well as visitors and tourists, Shiva got somewhat used to Corsage. The fact that the city itself did nothing to her – it were rather exactly those sleep issues that had a negative impact on her. No actual problem with Corsage as well. Besides, if Shiva was very honest to herself, she feared that a serene camping trip with nothing happening for days would likely begin to bore her at some point.

...wait, not completely true about the city doing nothing to her. It made her run around pitchblack gothic-lolita-styled. Nothing bad about that, since it 1. diverted attention away from her by adjusting to the atmosphere in the port city and 2. felt nice to increase her natural grace and looking a little older/closer to her mental age. (Very plotrelevant, I know... But I feel it's very in-character! ^-^ And I liked how Ventus mistook her for a witch because of that.)

Once discussing what plans the others had for today and expressing her own – as well as agreeing to stay in contact via phone, as usual – the first thing Shiva did was heading to the Pokemon Center. Cottonee may have seemingly recovered from being frozen solid and almost immediately being tawed by a Fire Fang and was overly happy over spending the night close to her owner , but  she couldn't estimate whether or not the fluffball suffered and lasting and/or internal damage due to what occured, so she wished for professional Pokemon Doctors take a look at Cottonee to determine what she could not, and initiate proper care if needed. She agreed with nurse Joy to pick up her fluffball around evening of today, after both warning her that Cottonee might and most likely will not enjoy being touched – doen't even dare to think about being stroked! - by others apart from herself and accepting back the keys of the dorm she occupied and asked to be held back for her before she went for the camping trip outside of town with the others.

Next thing she did was withdraw Helios from the PC, now that she had a temporarly free spot in her party of six, before heading upstairs and...carefully unlocking and entering the dorm she had previously. That one she left the Dream Catcher and circle of salt in. Wonder whether anything changed about it... If the myserious creature indeed payed her another visit, it might have realized that she was not in bed, nor anywhere around... How it possibly reacted to it, well...

Once she checked up on that, she summoned Azurill out of her ball. Blue mouse was nesteld in her top hat as usual, and was giving Shiva a curious and somewhat...eager look. Was she beginning to feel a ittle more confident? How... great to see... Immediately she received a gently hug because of this, before Shiva revealed that they'll be paying the Water Dojo another visit now, as promised. „I hope you enjoy your stay there~ Also, I feel like you are ready to learn a new and stronger variant of Water Gun. Sounds good to you, dear one?“

Alongside the way, she picked up from newspapers displayed in the windows of the Pokemon Market and from conversations of people crossing that the sleep issues have increased. Oh my... She'd almost bet that the myserious creature - which she still owned fur from and was wearing close to her (hidden though) - played a role in that. Let's hope that...it isn't getting...more aggressive...

She crossed the harbour on her way. And...stopped at the sight of such a hug ship anchorint there. She already saw ships in her past - blame living and growing up in Castelia City - but none of those was as impressive as that one. She stopped a random NPC that walked by, a little hesitant. "Ehh... Excuse me, but you know what's with this ship? Does it anchor here ever now and then? Does it...belong to the Gym Leader's personal fleet, maybe?"

[Dragonstrike]

Uh oh.

It was getting worse.

Kirlia wasn't enjoying the town's increasingly heavy atmosphere at all. And it was weighing heavily on Nathan too as a result.

The fact that he intended to talk with Shiva about some serious issues only compounded the feelings of dread.

They'd entered the town gradually at least, so it hadn't been a complete shock, and there'd been time to adjust to it...but Nathan and Kirlia were feeling rather uncomfortable just by being in the town. Whatever was causing this, it needed to be stopped.

The combee arrived soon after the group did, bearing more honey that they'd gathered on the trip back to town. Nathan thanked them for all their help with gathering the honey before withdrawing them.

He ends up going to the Center too. Both to ensure Cottonee was going to be fine and to stick with Shiva. If she wanted to do some training and such first, alright. Nathan wanted to get their next talk and upcoming battle out of the way ASAP, and makes sure to remind Shiva about both as they're leaving the Center. He didn't really have any other plans for the day besides that. He also ends up swapping Zippy for Porygon again while it's convenient.

Well, maybe Grid, Porygon, and Swiftfire could get some training in at the dojo as well while they were there with Shiva. While a lot of the building's training room was water based, Nathan figured some training with maneuvering around the liquid would do Swiftfire some good. She wouldn't be able to steer clear of water all the time, after all. Porygon had been sitting in the PC for awhile, so some practice was probably needed. Maybe some practice with Conversion since it could be a powerful tool later on...maybe the first time was just a fluke? And Grid still needed to learn Electroweb, so more progress towards that would be spectacular.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Oh, you'll join me to the Dojo then, Dragon? How neat! I hope you don't mind that the ship caught my attention along the way. Just want to know what's with it by asking an NPC.)

[Iron]

When Cottonee is dropped off with Nurse Joy, she says, "Oh, I'm sure this little fluffball will be just fine. An hour in the healing machine will have her more than ready. You can pick her up then, or this evening as you say. Your dorm room is still available!"

Azurill is up for anything that makes her more likely to evolve!


When she asks someone about the ship, they say, "The big one with the Poliflag? That's the HMS (His Majesty's Ship) Challenging Gaze! It's the oldest and biggest ship in Creshire, dating all the way back to the time of Kings. The Gym Leader does not sail. And yeah, we see it every season, bearing cargos of Pokemon and items. The deck is always covered in lazy Slowpoke! Apparently, if they all jump off the ship, that means disaster is going to happen unless the navigator changes course. The Poliflag is there to show they come in peace, for it used to be a great vessel of war."


The sensei is happy to take the Spearow, and sets him to work right away! "We're packing up the water theme today. Tomorrow, we will be a Flying dojo, with hoops and darts and big fans!"

[Lord Windos]

After Shiva reacts to the honey party, we can move on to day 17.

Day 17

The next day, you make your way back to Corsage Port uneventfully.

It's now Day 17.

The effects of the strange unrest are becoming more pronounced (sleeplessness is not quite the right word - they sleep, but they gain so little from it). People here and there are becoming worried. It seems like only so many people are affected each night, but over this much time, quite a large percentage of the natives have had at least one "visit". Others dismiss this as superstition or rabble-rousing.

A great big ship, with five levels and eleven sails, and a big Poliwag banner, has just arrived at the wharf. Lots and lots of sailors have disembarked to take some leave, or at least a break. They crowd the bars especially, and the Dojo is quite busy too.

Getting up at the his usual time in the morning (the crack of dawn, or close to it), Ventus conducted his daily morning routine, existed the tent, made enough breakfast for everyone to savor when they got up, and spent some quality time with Raphael before he had to depart to Corsage. Theit not so little angel deserved all the care and affection for its recent evolution, and he wanted to prepare the for The gloomy port town. He believed they were old enough to withstand the oppressive atmosphere, and he wanted them to spread it's good cheer to everyone!

"My little angel, you need to steel yourself for our journey into town. You and I both know that Corsage is not the place for either of us, but I believe we can both withstand its negative atmosphere now, and you need experience in dealing with this type of emotional difficulty. I promise if it becomes to much for you to bear, I'll return you, ok?" he told them, faintly smiling as his Togepi gave a firm understanding chirp to them, before they started to hover above them, savor ink it new found ability. Packing everything up and heading back into town took quite longer than he expected, and once more the miasmic wave of despair that the port town crashed into him. This time Ventus was prepared for it, but it still left a bad taste in his mouth and a muddled head as he made his way in. The fact that it only seemed to have gotten WORSE definitely started to ruin his good mood, but his Togetic swooping down to check up on them made him grit his teeth and try his Zekrom best to maintain a good attitude!
 
Remembering the Shiny Stunky and strange Omanyte in his possession, he turn towards the group and told them : "I have some business to conduct in town, so I'm afraid that I will have to depart for now. I'll give everyone a call by the end of the day so that we can remain in touch, so fret not," the researcher said, before he departed to the market place, looking for the Trading Board and anyone who could offer him a fair deal for a Shiny Pokémon. He also want to go and check up on the Aquarium, and see how they have faired since he solved their problem with the now-fossilized squid!

Order: Stop by the market place and Trading board and see what is being offered for a Shiny Stunky (Fingers crossed for a valuable item of some sort!), then head into the Aquarium to check up on things (Ariel will enjoy it as well AND that is were he can get the telesoalth!). From there, assuming we used on encounter to get into town, Ventus will use the Slowpoke to teleport back to the campsite and set up for the night, and inform everyone of his decision. Also, trade Omanyte for Shiny Nincada!

 

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

When she asks someone about the ship, they say, "The big one with the Poliflag? That's the HMS (His Majesty's Ship) Challenging Gaze! It's the oldest and biggest ship in Creshire, dating all the way back to the time of Kings. The Gym Leader does not sail. And yeah, we see it every season, bearing cargos of Pokemon and items. The deck is always covered in lazy Slowpoke! Apparently, if they all jump off the ship, that means disaster is going to happen unless the navigator changes course. The Poliflag is there to show they come in peace, for it used to be a great vessel of war."

"Oh... Thanks! It's quite impressive... Wait, cargos of Pokemon and items?" That surely got her curious. "Including Pokemon and items from different regions, like this...what was it called again...Tandor?"

[Iron]

When she asks someone about the ship, they say, "The big one with the Poliflag? That's the HMS (His Majesty's Ship) Challenging Gaze! It's the oldest and biggest ship in Creshire, dating all the way back to the time of Kings. The Gym Leader does not sail. And yeah, we see it every season, bearing cargos of Pokemon and items. The deck is always covered in lazy Slowpoke! Apparently, if they all jump off the ship, that means disaster is going to happen unless the navigator changes course. The Poliflag is there to show they come in peace, for it used to be a great vessel of war."

"Oh... Thanks! It's quite impressive... Wait, cargos of Pokemon and items?" That surely got her curious. "Including Pokemon and items from different regions, like this...what was it called again...Tandor?"

"On occasion. But rarely, as I understand it."

[Iron]

Ventus is busy at the trading board. He trades his valuable shiny for some valuable items - selecting from a veritable throng of traders. Corsage Port is a great place for trading! He gets a Shiny Stone and a Toxic Orb and $2500 to sweeten the pot, all as part of a three way trade.

He also bumps into Larry, who agrees to trade the Shiny Nincada for the extinct Omanyte.


Nincada will still have the same happiness and loyalty after trade.

At the aquarium, Ventus bumps into a few crewmembers of the HMS Challenging Gaze with their Slowpoke, getting a quick checkup from the Aquarium's veterinarian. When hearing Ventus' story, and how he helped out the Aquarium, they loan him an ancient Teleporting Slowpoke. All it knows is Rest and Teleport. "He's known these moves, and only these moves, for at least 30 years. He can only summon the strength to teleport about once every twelve hours."

The aquarium hasn't had any problems since Omanyte was captured!

[Lord Windos]

When Ventus headed to the trading board to trade away his Shiny Stunky, he expected to only to receive some cash for, or maybe an rare item if he was fortune. He didn't expect to be swarmed south offers upon announcing his prize Pokémon! 'By Reshirim, I didn't think so many would clamber over my skunk, especially one as dangerous as it! I guess the old saying rings true as ever: if you have something the people want, they will demand it,' he though, listening to all the offer he had thrown his way


Eventually, he found someone willing to give him a Shiny Stone, Toxic Orb, and $2500 Pokedollars, when they saw he had a Togetic flying over him; it was a offer he could not refuse. "Well, you certainly know what I desire, good sir, so consider it a deal! Thank you for the business, and be careful with that Stunky. It's...quite skittish," the researcher said, showing away the rest of the now despondent trainers before heading to the aquarium. During that trip, he happen to bump into Larry, and he almost grimaced at the encounter. The memories he had with the child were...not positive, to say the least.


Stil, he made some polite conversation with them, until they brought up the Omanyte that came into his possession. The child's eyes lit up immediately as he heard of the relic he owned, and propsed a trade for it, offering his Shiny Nincada. A little shocked at this second windfall, Ventus agree d readily, saying: "Why, I will certainly accept such an offer! I always like it evolutions, and they look marvelous when they areshiny to boot! Though, I strongly recommend you take that fossil to Dr Mallory for a proper check up. It does you no good in it present state, so getting it the help it needs is a wise idea. Until we meet again," Ven said, before he continued to the aquarium. Raphael smiled and gave a little wave a the boy, before flying after their master.


Everything was fine at the aquarium, but when he ran into a couple of burly sailors he worked with and updated them with what he has been up to (To be polite, of course), they offered him their Slowpoke on loan, which he happily agree to! Waving them good bye after promising to take proper care of the sea sloth, he departed with a rather large smile on his face. "My my, today have been most bountiful indeed! Given our luck, what say we go looking for a trainer to challenge? It would be good way to test your newfound strength, and a way to field test Michael ability with the Toxic Orb," he said, earning him an affirmative chirp from Raphael. Time for it to test its power, and help its friend achieve their own strength as well!


Order: find a $250 Dollar battle for Togetic and Shroomish, and equip the mushroom with the Toxic rOrb. If there isn't enough time left in the day, then Ventus telephones eveyone of his new camping plans, and waits for them at the Pokémon Center. Either way, today is good day for him!