[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

I'll add something to that: he taps the 'E' with both paws, too, then points to the IU.

[Dragonstrike]

So it's none of the above...okay...

Nathan's not even noticed his mom's gone to go get more snacks for everyone.  This puzzle's doing a decent job of distracting him, that's for sure.

"...does this word involve a combination of 2 or 3 symbols?"

That seems to be more on the right track!

Okay...

"...all 3, or is it just the third and the fourth symbol?"

He leans down and puts a paw on each of the I and U, then brings his paws together. Then he sits down, kinda tired.

...so it IS those two...and it's also something to do with that E...Nathan must not have the exact meaning of that combination nailed down yet...dang it...he'll have to look at his notes again later...this was tiring him out, too...

"...thank you for the help, Solomon.  I'll come back to this a little later.  You can get some rest now."

And Marta's back with the snacks!  Nom nom nom.

Nathan ends up staying at the ranch for a little longer.  Ends up showing his mom the rest of his pokemon (Masq being the crown jewel of them all as far as rare finds go.  Rare ability, rare species [for Creshire], rare move, AND he's shiny.  Just can't top that, can ya?  Nathan's also particularly proud of his combee), talking about some (but not all) of the adventures he's had since leaving home almost a month and a half ago (including how he met Orthros), what he's translated of the Old Unown script so far and some of the difficulties with it (Marta didn't really understand all of it, but she listened), some (but again, not all) of the other worries he's had...the time just flies by.  Nathan even takes a little time to visit Max and show him the now evolved Swiftfire and the newly hatched Forthright.  (any particularly notable reactions from Nathan's pokemon, Marta, and/or Max, Iron?)

[Iron]

Marta is more interested in the things she knows: baby Pokemon and the quadrupeds.

Masq enjoys the pasture. He doesn't seem to understand that his camoflauge only works on pink crested flowers.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Ren Round 5

False Swipe 1
(6)(4)(2)(4)(4)(6) Critical hit!
(4)(6)(2)(1)(5)(5) Four damage from a move intended to be gentle! Chimecho takes 4 dmg 3/7hp -2 pain.

Yawn 1
(4)(5)(5) Koa looks drowsy from those pleasant chimes! Heart feels a little sleepy himself.

Slash 2
(2)(2)(1)(4)(5)
(4)(2) Chimecho takes 1 dmg 2/7hp

Ren is biting her nails.

"Not bad! That False Swipe is indeed powerfull heh. Okay Koa return! I hate this status change. Percival time to finish this." Them Percival return to the battlefield. "Koa, use Iron Head two times!"

Iron Head Acuracy 1: Dex (3) + Fight (2) + Brawl (3) - Actions (2) = 6d6
Iron Head Acuracy 2: Dex (3) + Fight (2) + Brawl (3) - Actions (3) = 5d6
Damage: Power (3) + STR (3) + STAB (1) = 7d6
Effect: Chance to flinch the foe

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

It didn't take long for Shiva to reach the GPC, and even less to kindly hand Braixen and Marill to one of the Nurse Joys on active duty with the request to please heal them up. They haven't taken too much damage, so it hopefully won't take too long. Marill can enjoy the pleasure of the Healing Maschine as slong as she desires, while Shiva asked to have her magical fox back in one or two hours as she wanted to train with him.

Once that and a bit of swapin in her party has been done (see Quickpage if necessary), she went out to the park belonging to the GPC, searching for place where she and her Pokemon are a little aside from any turmoil and pathways. Most importantly, where she is somewhat hidden away from first sight and with enough room for a Tropius stretching it out its wings/leaves in a comfortable manner. It's been a while since she saw her green dragonlike Grass Type, so she carefully petted his forehead in a faintly melancholic manner as some sort of greeting, alongside with an offered handful of dried berries and a crumbled cookie. Shiva didn't say a thing and simply enjoyed seeing him again, until "...It's been a while. I've been busy, no PC around. I'm sorry. But, we're back in the city now, do you recognize this park? Tomorrow you can see the Pokemon you met at the green roof of the Shelter again. For now, just rest a little with me." If Tropius allows, Shiva takes a seat beside him, carefully leaning back against him. (He has more Loyalty than Disobediance. Does Shiva pick up any mentionable emotions from Tropius?)

She remained ike this for a while, until she drew her Almanac and checked on the gestation process of both the Magnemite Eggs she carried. One was hers, one was Ventus'. Once that has been done, she packed the Almanac away, but kept it within reach just in case, unsure whether she won't end up using it anyway n the heat of the moment. Eventually summoned her familiar grey psychic kitten to the scene! Or actually, directly to her arms.

Before, she was incredibly worried over these headaches Kyuu was suffering. Now, these have somewhat passed for reasons. If it's indeed true what her father mentioned, that an Espurr's/Meowstic's powers get worse before getting better... Carefully, she stroke through that grey fur of Kyuu. "Now... How do you feel by now, Kyuu? How are your headaches doing? I left you alone, as you desired."

[Dragonstrike]

Marta is more interested in the things she knows: baby Pokemon and the quadrupeds.

Masq enjoys the pasture. He doesn't seem to understand that his camoflauge only works on pink crested flowers.

Well, regardless, the time spent just...talking has helped a little.  Nathan gives his mom one last hug, and then he and Kirlia Teleport back to Stair.

...and Kirlia's rather tired since he had to do two loooonnnnngggg range Teleports within a few hours of each other. (that's Nathan's first encounter done for the day, I guess.  Yay for long winded character development stuff, I guess.)

For the first time in a looooonnnnngggg time, Kirlia actually wants to stay in his ball.  Get some rest.  He thinks Nathan will be okay without him for now...he's just...so...sleepy...right...zzzzz....

Nathan does some party rearranging, and for the first time ever, deposits Kirlia in the PC.  No need for his friend to be rudely woken up.  End Result: Nathan's almost got a full team of Little Cup elligible pokemon!  Orthros, Forthright, both Combee, Beldum, and Yule.

Nathan heads to the park where he's meeting Shiva.  Does some training. (Yule, Princess, and Orthros are the three pokemon he trains with primarily)

...he needs to be ready for this...

...

...he doesn't care that he's getting weird looks and people are avoiding him because of Orthros...he's been a good, loyal friend...and he's happy to have met him...

Nathan will be playing some tug-o-war with Orthros, actually looking like he's having a little fun, when it's time for the battle to begin.

[Iron]

Magnemite egg should hatch in 1 week from today, day 50!

Kyuu's headache is still present. He stares grumpily around at all the passerby, though he obviously likes being stroked. Shiva can feel his headache a bit, and so can all the passerby. They give the cat a wide berth, not seeming to know quite why they do so.

[Iron]

Nathan gains 1 RP XP.

Princess and Orthros gain training rolls!

Orthros: 3 Strength +3 Fight + 2 Brawl
(5)(4)(1)(6)(2)(6)(1)(5) = 4 successes
Princess: 3 Insight + 3 Knowledge + 2 Allure (she's looking for flowers)
(2)(2)(6)(1)(2)(4)(4)(3) = 3 successes

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Whenever Kyuu grumpily stares at any passerby, Shiva joins for a second or two, more than clearly saying 'Go away from me and my Pokemon, or you'll regret it.' It looked somewhat weird if one knows how sweet she actually can be.

She keeps up the stroking through they grey fur, imagining how it'd be if it was blue and white fur instead. And two bushy cattails. Shiva wasn't quite sure where to put that imagine. Will Kyuu be less fickle if he...? "Not better so far? I'm sorry for this... Is there anything I can actually do to make you feel better? Do you...just want to stay with me here? There is also one particular move that I feel might help you... It manifests psychic power. We don't have to work on it now though, that can be forfeited... You can also just watch me training my other Pokemon later while enjoying more pets."

[Iron]

Kyuu perks up! He'd love to learn that!