[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Kory keeps Nathan training until around dinner time, then pronounces him ready. "Get some rest, and plenty of rest for your Pokemon!"

A rather hard day of training, all things considered.  If Kory thought they could handle the run though, then Nathan didn't see any reason to doubt him.  Ranching experience should help with cornering Absol as well, so that's a plus...Nathan sits down with Kirlia and Swiftfire when it's all over to enjoy a little bit of honey, one jar each for all three of them.  Nothing like sugar for a quick burst of energy after a long day of difficult training, right?

What's not a plus is having to worry about Ventus potentially interfering with the encounter itself...resting was going to be difficult.  He'd do his best to get some good sleep though.

"Will do...cuz...whew...dang, I'm impressed...you're not even tired...well, that's probably a wrap on today...guess I need to practice some combat tomorrow in the event our target wants to put up a fight for some reason...well, l'll be heading back to the Center, then.  See ya tomorrow, I guess.  Running is the day after tomorrow by everyone's estimates, right?"

[Iron]

"No, cuz, the Running is tomorrow! Thursday! Flying Pokemon have confirmed the earlier estimates. I figure you got the combat part pretty much down, but our corraling techniques we practiced will be very valuable. We should meet somewhere early tomorrow to get warmed up!"

Nathan and Shiva both spot Professor Mallorn's Rapidash "parked" outside the Pokemon center.

[Iron]

Golda opens the door when you knock. "Shiva, dear!! Come inside, right away! No, our friends don't need to call ahead. Yes, our incubators and fields are definitely available to you!"

"Oh, you're going to be taking your Breeder's Exam? That's great! We have a biiig book of things for you to study, but don't worry, it's arranged very intuitively. And you probably know a lot of this already. You can stay with us until the Running is over, and then I'm sure Nurse Joy will have the time to administer the test."

[Dragonstrike]

"No, cuz, the Running is tomorrow! Thursday! Flying Pokemon have confirmed the earlier estimates. I figure you got the combat part pretty much down, but our corraling techniques we practiced will be very valuable. We should meet somewhere early tomorrow to get warmed up!"

Tomorrow...earlier than he'd been expecting...

Well alright then.  Time to get it over with.  The sooner, the better.

"Alright, so be ready to run at any time tomorrow...got it.  Thanks.  Yeah, I'll meet ya here tomorrow to get warmed up.  One of my traveling companions is going to loan me her Braixen to set up a Lucky Chant for us before the run starts as well, so we can do that just before the event starts.  If we're going to be running with a high chance of bad luck, it's best to mitigate that, right?  Well, see ya tomorrow morning, cuz."

And back to the Center he goes, where he'll inevitably run into Shiva and Mallorn (though he might have to text Shiva that Mallorn's at the Center...).  Let's wait for Shiva to finish her day first before we do that, though.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh happy day!!! Such a warm welcome was pure balm for Shiva's precious soul.

"I GLADLY stay until the Running is over! Does that include...I don't know, maybe...overnights? I won't run by myself anyway."

[Iron]

"You can at least stay in the barn, or on a mat in the living room. The weather is supposed to be nice, so either one works. You can use our phone to let your friends know where you'll be. Oh, and my husband is away, but he'll be back later tonight."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Oh... Well, in that case, I think I'd rather return to the Center as soon as it gets dark. Someone's waiting for me there too because they need one of my Pokemon on loan, so... sorry for that." Now to think about it, wasn't Professor Mallorn supposed to show up today? He still hasn't... Eh, anyway, bet he will show up eventually and incase Shiva misses him, Nathan will likely inform her.

At her next decleration, Shiva could not help but to...wonder whether something's wrong. As well as: "He's away? Oh... Does it...have to do with, you know, the mission?"

[Iron]

"Oh, no. The mission is already well underway! The Infiltrator was so precocious we sent him away for further training. We don't know exactly when he will begin his exact mission, but it can't be too long!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Whoahw... Upon hearing that Infiltrator-Absol has been send away, mixed feelings emerged in Shiva. Pleasure and joy that the mission is doing well and will be put in action soon, as well as some gloomy disillusionment because she actually hoped to see that special Absol. Both of that were visible in her expression, but the warm feeling of being welcome and appreciated at the Daycare at all surely overweighted any negativity. She could indeed get used to that and return here everyday.

"Ah... Well, that's actually great to hear! That the mission is doing well, I mean. I was a little worried because neither of you called me further after that one call to tell that a matching Absol has hatched and actually hoped to see him bymelf before he starts his mission, but nevermind now." Indeed, nevermind. Any remaining negativity gets washed away with an appreciating smile at this point.

"However..." Smile vanished a little and both Shiva's expression and tone in voice got serious, "...I wanted to ask for something concerning the Absol and its infiltration of The Almanac Base... Nothing worrisome, really not, just something that'd be important for me. Wir should hear it as well, though. Alright?"

After her respone on this:

"Thank you! Really. Well, uhm, alright, until he returns I'll get comfy in the yard with that biiig book to study, okay? I'm pretty sure I'm capable to pass the exam without lots of actual studying since Dad already teached me things and mechanics concerning breeding, but it doesn't hurt to refresh some things. Can't afford to fail the exam!~"

Just as she was about to get there though, she turned around once again. "Oh, and... have you managed to breed a good Espeon as a Protector-Pokemon for the meadows in the meantime? I'd love to see that Psychic feline!"

[Iron]

Wir arrives! His arms are full of fruit, and he tips one onto the table in front of Shiva with a smile and a wink.

Golda: "We bred an adorable Eevee. It loves to battle! It's growing up fast; I hope it becomes an Espeon soon! We have to keep an eye on it constantly so we can use our Pokedex to stop evolution if it tries to evolve at night. Perhaps you'd like to battle it? It's out in the center of the pasture, on an upthrust boulder that it likes to scout from. Obviously, you must not faint it, which would cause unhappiness. But it loves to scuffle."

Eevee's initiative: (6) + 1 Dex + 4 Survival = 11
Your initiative: (1)