[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Aside from Valder's testimony, are we ready for the next game day?

Nope, not yet. Post incoming.
EDIT: K, it's up!~ Enjoy.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"As for how they acquired the knowledge that Shiva knew the whereabouts of the Secret Library, they claimed that a Dr. Hyperiac told her vital information about it, and that he too is looking for the arcane location. I do not know much about the man, besides the fact that he's currently working with the Shelter on assignment. The Scimitars claim he isn't a member and consider him a rival, but that doesn't mean he doesn't posses his own unique threat level. "

THAT caused Shiva to focus her gaze and attention to the oddball of researcher even more, if it was possible to do so at all.

She knows that name. Definitely, it was just this morning - discretly checking that business card he gave her, she received confirmation on what she wished would simply turn out as false. But seems like this was pure wishful thinking - an innocent thought, yet it was just a wrong one.

This must be the first time she actually speaks up in this whole, let's call it emergency meeting with Dagny to get clarification, it was audible in her voice that Shiva 1. still doesn't feel comfortable within this Gym and 2. she didn't like what she spoke out. "That name... Ven, that's the Pokepsychologist from Orre that came to the Shelter today. You didn't work there today, so it was only me who...met him... Actually gave himself as a nice guy. He made it to allure me into a conversation without apparent ease, spoke about how all Pokemon have some sort of barrier around their heart... And how there is one artifact that can open a Pokemon's heart, even of those that cannot feel love or reward anymore. A dark black stone, pillar-size, very old, often carved with strange designs... That must be the key to the Secret Library. Naturally that he caught me with that, and me, foolish as I've been, even agreed to keep an eye open for such an artifact, keep an eye open in his name... Unaware of what potential danger I could have... ... ..."

Further she didn't come as her voice broke away, she also had to swiftly rub her eyes with the back of her hand. Nope, she won't shed any pained tears here. She simply WON'T. Later, when she's back in the safety of the dorm she's sharing with Ventus, she might however.

Simply the thought and sensation of how that 'Pokepsychologist' - 'Hah, was he even one? Did he have a diploma to proof his academic state?' likely was just trying to lure her into things, was deliberatley up to misuse her trust to achieve his own goals...  That was a shock that reached suprisingly deeeep. It shocked her at the core as it seemed, right there where the unspoken feelings of being overshadowed by the others of her traveling group and within-Chresire-developed depressive issues laid.

It felt like her whole peaceful life, all these 19 years that she's been wandering here so far, have NOT prepared her for the cruelty the world does inevitably hold, or has warned her from people that simply mean it ill with one.
It was a figurative golde cage.
No, she won't blame her parents. NEVER would she. She had a safe home, that was all that matters.
That peaceful life has made her a mature, sweet and caring person.
But it made her weak when strength was needed.



Oh right, she was also pretty reluctant to accept any reward. Loot was loot, and Marill will rejoice for learning to cast icy beams to freeze nasty birds and vengeful dragons, but she simply felt like she does not deserve that reward at all.

[Iron]

"I can easily investigate this person and see if his credentials hold up. We'll know for certain as soon as I can get a signal all the way from Orre. With Creshire data only, we can still be 95% certain - it takes a lot to prove your qualifications to the border guards, as Ventus could attest."

"If not, why did he tip his hand to Shiva of all people? Is he really a rival of the Scimitars? Still so many questions..."

This takes her some time, but she is able to show that Dr. Hypericac appears to be a real doctor who really came here from Orre.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"We gathered some things from their lab. Seems only right that you should have them. Some of it I assume was stolen, but these items are untraceable."

Here's some treasure for you guys to divide up:
-$600 for each of you
-Stone Edge TM
-10 Pokeballs, 5 Great Balls

Dagny will buy a TM from you for 1500$.

You also all gain a Will point out of (temporary?) feelings of relief.

After the Poke and Pokeballs were evenly distributed among the group (An arrangement he found very pleasing, since nobody gets shortcharged that way!), Ventus quietly eyed up the salvaged TMs that was obtained after the lab was raided, until he spotted the Stone Edge one. His eyes lit up with keen interest and excitement as he gazed upon the vessel of the powerful and potentially deadily move, as he knew exactly who could put it to good use! "My friends, if you would not mind, but may I claim the Stone Edge TM for my benefit? If I recall correctly, it has been reported that Michael's species can learn this move, and having powerful Rock type coverage will allow him to better defend himself against Fire and Flying types if he's pressed, required, or has no other recourse but to fight them. That, and him having more coverage options against Bug and Ice types is a great boon indeed!"

He also noticed Shiva's seeming reticense to accept any form of compensation from Dagney ( I assume this is apparent before she starts talking about Hyperiac), and gently nudges her to get her attention. "Go on, my dear, claim a TM and some Pokeballs for your own usage. You may not have play a direct role in the events that played out, but you were still involved in them, and their is plenty to go around, so please, take some compensation for the troubles and worries this all caused for you....."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Please do some investigation. Let me know he's a real Pokepsychologist or just a charming bastard."


The sensation that he and his story ARE real, will certainly calm Shiva's nerves and prevent her carefully and coly developed confidence from receiving a bad rebound, but it also causes more questions: Was he unaware that this artifact was the key? Was he not sure about that, and only knew its power to open a Pokemon's heart? Was he safe to be around?

[Spiritmon]

You split the Pokeballs evenly.

Dagny asks if you have any other questions (I know we're waiting on Valder but we can flash back to that).

Aside from Valder's testimony, are we ready for the next game day?

Heart take the pokeballs with him, the pokedollar and of course the TM-Aerial Ace. Percival will love that move. "I have one Dagny: You tell the autorithies about this event? Because we should strict the security more than ever."

When this all happening, Tynamo was out of the pokeball and Heart tell him to train his magnetic field in this gym.

(Training session during this event. Taking this opportunity to train a bit in the gym with magnetic field)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Go on, my dear, claim a TM and some Pokeballs for your own usage. You may not have play a direct role in the events that played out, but you were still involved in them, and their is plenty to go around, so please, take some compensation for the troubles and worries this all caused for you....."

*faint toneless sob* "It's at least a scrap of comfort. No, it's not."

But dear Marill will love to have a move to freeze Birds and Dragons until she has a Fairy-STAB.
That's true.
Do it.

"......Alright, alright, I'm doing it for Marill. To see her joy over casting Ice Beams at foes."

[Iron]

Today you trained Phantump/Tynamo/Mudkip, battled Marla, and participated in the Little Cup, right? - that's 3.

But Tynamo is happy to sniffle around the gym while you're all talking.

"Good question, Heart. The Gym Leaders of the two capital cities have actual law-enforcement authority, more than most of the gym leaders. I've already alerted the relevant people to keep an eye out for anything that might be Scimitar-related, though they have not been given every detail. Some of it we'd like to keep secret while investigations are ongoing. I'll also have someone tail the good doctor. There were more Scimitars involved than just the four we have in custody, that much is certain. They have likely connected the dots between Ventus and Valder's involvement and the sudden raid on their lab - that lab was communicating with many other nodes. Powerfully encrypted, unfortunately - we'll see if Porygon can break it in time."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"As for how they acquired the knowledge that Shiva knew the whereabouts of the Secret Library, they claimed that a Dr. Hyperiac told her vital information about it, and that he too is looking for the arcane location. I do not know much about the man, besides the fact that he's currently working with the Shelter on assignment. The Scimitars claim he isn't a member and consider him a rival, but that doesn't mean he doesn't posses his own unique threat level. "

THAT caused Shiva to focus her gaze and attention to the oddball of researcher even more, if it was possible to do so at all.

She knows that name. Definitely, it was just this morning - discretly checking that business card he gave her, she received confirmation on what she wished would simply turn out as false. But seems like this was pure wishful thinking - an innocent thought, yet it was just a wrong one.

This must be the first time she actually speaks up in this whole, let's call it emergency meeting with Dagny to get clarification, it was audible in her voice that Shiva 1. still doesn't feel comfortable within this Gym and 2. she didn't like what she spoke out. "That name... Ven, that's the Pokepsychologist from Orre that came to the Shelter today. You didn't work there today, so it was only me who...met him... Actually gave himself as a nice guy. He made it to allure me into a conversation without apparent ease, spoke about how all Pokemon have some sort of barrier around their heart... And how there is one artifact that can open a Pokemon's heart, even of those that cannot feel love or reward anymore. A dark black stone, pillar-size, very old, often carved with strange designs... That must be the key to the Secret Library. Naturally that he caught me with that, and me, foolish as I've been, even agreed to keep an eye open for such an artifact, keep an eye open in his name... Unaware of what potential danger I could have... ... ..."

Further she didn't come as her voice broke away, she also had to swiftly rub her eyes with the back of her hand. Nope, she won't shed any pained tears here. She simply WON'T. Later, when she's back in the safety of the dorm she's sharing with Ventus, she might however.

Simply the thought and sensation of how that 'Pokepsychologist' - 'Hah, was he even one? Did he have a diploma to proof his academic state?' likely was just trying to lure her into things, was deliberatley up to misuse her trust to achieve his own goals...  That was a shock that reached suprisingly deeeep. It shocked her at the core as it seemed, right there where the unspoken feelings of being overshadowed by the others of her traveling group and within-Chresire-developed depressive issues laid.

It felt like her whole peaceful life, all these 19 years that she's been wandering here so far, have NOT prepared her for the cruelty the world does inevitably hold, or has warned her from people that simply mean it ill with one.
It was a figurative golde cage.
No, she won't blame her parents. NEVER would she. She had a safe home, that was all that matters.
That peaceful life has made her a mature, sweet and caring person.
But it made her weak when strength was needed.



Oh right, she was also pretty reluctant to accept any reward. Loot was loot, and Marill will rejoice for learning to cast icy beams to freeze nasty birds and vengeful dragons, but she simply felt like she does not deserve that reward at all.

Heart notices too the worry in Shiva eyes and reluctant to accept. "Shiva, I leave you to take the TM-Ice Beam. Marill might benefit from the this move since its very strong. And if there people like this, you will need any kinda of fire power (or in this case ice power) to be able to defend. I take the Aerial Ace since Percival can learn it."

"Besides I was thinking make some Ice Cream later so could you help me later Shiva?"

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Today you trained Phantump/Tynamo/Mudkip, battled Marla, and participated in the Little Cup, right? - that's 3.

But Tynamo is happy to sniffle around the gym while you're all talking.

"Good question, Heart. The Gym Leaders of the two capital cities have actual law-enforcement authority, more than most of the gym leaders. I've already alerted the relevant people to keep an eye out for anything that might be Scimitar-related, though they have not been given every detail. Some of it we'd like to keep secret while investigations are ongoing. I'll also have someone tail the good doctor. There were more Scimitars involved than just the four we have in custody, that much is certain. They have likely connected the dots between Ventus and Valder's involvement and the sudden raid on their lab - that lab was communicating with many other nodes. Powerfully encrypted, unfortunately - we'll see if Porygon can break it in time."

Hmm. "And did you find anything more about these gautlets more we already know? Who build them, where the Scimitars buy them, the type of material used, etc. Any piece of information might help us."