[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Sounds like the party is up for camping! It's not a good idea to camp in Long Grass, every trainer knows that. You carry on ahead until you come to one of your usual wide spots. You're feeling tired indeed, but you're still within the strange high-gravity area.

On Ventus' first watch, he sees a Slakoth. It tries to hang from one of the tent poles for a nap.

[Iron]

Other than dealing with the Slakoth, It is now Day 62. You feel like you've slept about 16 hours! It felt amazing. Everyone gains 1 Will point. (Remember the max is 10; some people are approaching that limit).

Feel free to flashback to the evening of Day 61.

I need to know the group's plans before I can post encounters. Mr. Finder says the way forward is pretty straightforward aside from a few Rock Smashes.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

I need to know the group's plans before I can post encounters. Mr. Finder says the way forward is pretty straightforward aside from a few Rock Smashes.

(Shiva would certainly appreciate to find out what other Pokemon roam in the  special Tall Grass, so she's up for any path that'll lead to more of it.)

[Dragonstrike]

Well, guess that means there's no need to worry about Heal Pulse patching.  Hooray!

Now then...

Day 62

Today's the day.  It's May 20th.  And you remember what that means, right?

Shame everyone's underground for this holiday at the moment, but I'm sure it'll be fine!

Nathan and Kirlia look really happy when everyone gets up in the morning (and it's not just because of the new friend they made just yesterday that nobody else has met yet!).  He doesn't really care that they're underground for this holiday, and he's quick to inform Ventus and Heart about Trainer-Pokemon Bond Appreciation Day (he's told Shiva about it already, and Valder and Mr. Finder almost certainly know about it.  Though maybe they forgot it was coming up in all this craziness...)

(If we need to flashback to reactions to this news, then I guess we can do so?)




Still all for taking those shortcuts to cut down on travel time!

[Iron]

Mr. Finder had forgotten all about that holiday and had no idea what date it is. "I do smell some familiar Pokemon in a patch of Tall Grass ahead who evolve based on trainer appreciation. A Golbat, blech. A Budew or maybe Roselia. And lots of Woobat. Others I'm not familiar with."

Geodude disappears as soon as the news is announced. This is like Singles Awareness Day for him.

[Dragonstrike]

Geodude disappears as soon as the news is announced. This is like Singles Awareness Day for him.

Awwww...he doesn't have to be alone, though...he could have hung out with Nathan and Kirlia if he wanted.  They wouldn't have minded.  

Well, I suppose if he still wants to keep to himself, that's fine too. He'll be welcomed with open arms if he decides to change his mind, though!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(No, Shiva has not forgotten about things, see my latest post in MetaThread.
I'm typing up in the background, please give me some time.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Spoiler

(...)

However.... Though.............ARRRRGGGGHHH! In the end, Shiva failed to restrain herself and HAD TO very lightly brush through one of his strands of orange hair. She'll pull away at the smallest reaction.  


Raphael's apology is accepted and met with a light shrug and weak smile, he tried and that's what counts. But she indeed accepted his offer to cuddle and lean into him instead, by patting her lap and facing him with a questioning look she wordlessly asked him whether he'd be fine to come a little closer. Maybe she'd even open her heart to him a little, if he's willing to listen.

Ventus muttered a bit as his girlfriend brushed through his hair, before he shift in his sleep and roll right on top of her, with his head resting on shoulder and his body pressed against hers as he slept on. Aw!

The cherish cherub, picking up her desires, happily leaped into the indicated spot and gave her a kind chirp. They were always delighted to spend some quality time with Shiva, as evident by the fact they were always hanging around her whenever they weren't by their father's side!

NYYYYYYEEEEEEEE! D: If Shiva's wasn't nervous before (she was), NOW she was, pulling her hand away RIGHT AWAY didn't even do a thing to prevent things. Thankfully it was dark as dark can be currently aside from the flashlight she kept, so nothing was able to notice that massive blush that now formed on the usually soft but meek fae enthusiast, nor her almost doubled heartrate that the tranquility of the cavern failed to calm down at once. She...she desired to be close to Ventus, but...... but..... maybe not THAT close!

Still, there was something incredibly cute about him being so.....well... 'close'. It was almost touching, it was warm and gave her a trustworthy feeling that even was mutual and pure and allured a very very shy and sweet smile from her that he luckily couldn't see. Hell luckily he couldn't see her now at all, as she couldn't help herself but to stroke over his hair once more! It was...pleasant. Almost. Only with Azumarill's Helping Hand Shiva was able to shove Ventus back to his place leaned against the wall. Phew... She needed a few deep breaths.


Raphael being so kind and confidental towards her to sit in her lap voluntarily was a rather pleasant sensation, absent-mindedly she began to carefully stroke over his headfeathers and scratch his neck, much enjoying his presence and kindness. For a while, she didn't even speak, only listened to Ventus' slow breathing and his archangel's cooing in response for the strokes. Although Ventus himself, as pitchblack as Zekrom's scales on the inside he was, looked like an archangel himself in his sleep.

"You know, Raphael....", she eventually spoke up calmly but with some audible sadness, "...thank you for your aid. Really... You may not know, maybe you do, but I really appreciate it. Especially....now in these times....." She turns silent, hangs her head again - but as soon as Raphael shows being worried, she does her best to smile at and for him again. "Nah, I'm okay. Please do not worry too much for me... It's just..... just that..... haaaah, this while search for the Secret Library is becoming more and more of a crucial test for me. Yesterday when my Mightyena was missing, I felt close to breakdown. No lying... I sucessfully overplayed it, they didn't notice. I miss the daylight... Fresh food, my other Pokemon, that Eevee Egg even and everything.... I miss THE SURFACE. You know, up there." She points to the ceiling. "But....I need to keep going, I know. Strength and resilience are what I desire, none ever said the the path to it would be easy. I'm on this path, trying to follow it despite all the sharp and pointy stones scattered across it. To keep a cool head in dire situations, to endure things, that's my heart's desire. Endure it and move on, always forward, although I'm sometimes finding myself asking whether Atheneum is worth all the struggle. I don't doubt that it is - but I'm having my weak moments too, Raphael. I'm not that natural survivor that your fasther is. But.....is it wrong to rely on outer help to keep going? On natural meds in my case?"

She mildly shakes her head, but only a muttered "I don't think it is" escapes her. A small break follows, where Raphael can 'reply' or such before Shiva continues. "I don't know how long we'll be within this mountain furthermore. Now, but don't get me wrong - I'm liking the trip. I caught my first shiny Pokemon, the Sentry fern gifted me something, I'm having a new Ice Type that I need to work with, haha... But neither do I know HOW LONG I can keep myself relatively stable."

"....Cast....a Morning Sun for me please, may you? Only a little, to not wake Ven... But these rays from you add their part to my fight against myself."

[Lord Windos]

Sounds like the party is up for camping! It's not a good idea to camp in Long Grass, every trainer knows that. You carry on ahead until you come to one of your usual wide spots. You're feeling tired indeed, but you're still within the strange high-gravity area.

On Ventus' first watch, he sees a Slakoth. It tries to hang from one of the tent poles for a nap.

When he saw that Slakoth literally hanging around, he just summons Apsis to gobble them up, as its been awhile since she's had a nice, live meal to snack on, *Hiiiiisss!*

Well, guess that means there's no need to worry about Heal Pulse patching.  Hooray!

Now then...

Day 62

Today's the day.  It's May 20th.  And you remember what that means, right?

Shame everyone's underground for this holiday at the moment, but I'm sure it'll be fine!

Nathan and Kirlia look really happy when everyone gets up in the morning (and it's not just because of the new friend they made just yesterday that nobody else has met yet!).  He doesn't really care that they're underground for this holiday, and he's quick to inform Ventus and Heart about Trainer-Pokemon Bond Appreciation Day (he's told Shiva about it already, and Valder and Mr. Finder almost certainly know about it.  Though maybe they forgot it was coming up in all this craziness...)

(If we need to flashback to reactions to this news, then I guess we can do so?)

Still all for taking those shortcuts to cut down on travel time!

Ventus himself was completely oblivious to the holiday's existence, given his status as a foreigner, but quickly grew to share in Nathan's envigorating joy as they told him all about the holiday, becoming greatly intrigued in the process as well! A day that commemorates the bonds between humans and their fellow Pokémon? It couldn't have been a more perfect occasion for the Pokémon Sociologist and empath! He is quick to ask what is typically done to celebrate the holiday, and how it came into fruition to begin with, as well as summon Apsis (with a warning to Shiva!) and Lucifer to his side and returning whatever Pokémon he had out before hand. Their the Pokémon he's most bonded with, so its only natural he'd celebrate this great holiday with them in his opinion! What is their reaction to learning about the holiday, after Ven informs them of it?

Oh, and Ventus is also willing to take Shortcuts, so long as they are not overly dangerous to take!

(...)

Geodude disappears as soon as the news is announced. This is like Singles Awareness Day for him.

Ven is sad to see the faithful tagalong vamoose at the mere mention of the holiday, but gives him a fond farewell wave and wishes them the best. If he chooses not to participate or mind his own business this day, then the researcher can respect their wishes. Like Nathan, though, he's all too willing to share his joy with them too if they decide to come back!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Onward to the next Day, No.62.


Sleep during the night(?) was pleasant for Shiva. It felt...reenergizing to sleep in again after all the struggle and trouble and issues and whatelse yesterday... Oh yes, but there were pleasant moments. Liepard was an example. Shiva couldn't help but to think of the huge cat, to remember her brilliant fur - wonder how she's doing by now?

The usual morning rituals of cuddling Cottonee an fond good-morning and taking her meds were heavily interrupted as Shiva continued with looking through her notes and checking on the moon phase and presumed date.... Haaah, she has anticipitated this day. She knew it since yesterday, her gut feeling and heart were always a little weird just before such eventful days.

...It was the 20th of May, Creshire's Valentine's Day for Pokemon. And guess where Shiva was?
Somewhere down deep with a mountain, searching for a Secret Library.
Being stuck there without fresh food except the fruits her Tropius' grows.
Far away from the celebrations, and far away from the open sky.
She didn't manage to make Poffins out of Nanab Berries to share them with her most closest Pokemon as she actually wanted to on this day, preparations for this travel into the earth took all her time.
She didn't manage to send a few home for Spectral. Today, she'll miss her Umbreon the most. Oh what she'd give to hold her in her arms again, to stroke through her black and silky fur while the dark Eeveelution would lick over her hand...
She needs to continue the quest among the others, for good.
She'll need to celebrate this day later.
She WILL celebrate this day later.
Later = once being back on the surface.


And she also knew how. Swifly and still in the tent, Lilith is summoned beside Shiva's side. That particular Gothitelle with her meaningful and important tinfoil hat magnificient as ever. She earns a kind smile as a good morning, before Shiva pats the side of her sleeping place in a welcoming manner. Cottonee respectfully made some room and placed herself in her much beloved Master's lap again with a happy chirp. At least the fluffball was with her today, and oh does Shiva appreciate it! A day without her grassy fairy with her was a black  and rainy day. If it's cold, Lilith gets Shiva's warm Ranger's Cloak over her (No, she doesn't wear it during the nights), before she smiles again to her mighty Psychic Type.

She does a very fine job to overplay the SADNESS she's actually feeling. The PAIN that there's no time for this today.... "Good morning, Lilith", was all that Shiva said at first. "You wonder why I summoned you so early, I'd guess, if you haven't foreseen it already with the star's help. Well, today is a day where people celebrate their bond formed with selected Pokemon, a holiday that is unique here in Chreshire. Some sort of Valentine's Day, if that is telling something to you." Another very careful smile from Shiva as she pauses here and only looks up to the gothloli Pokemon beside her. ".....I'd wish to.... I wanted to.....hold something special with you on this day, but as you may see we cannot do so under the current conditions. This....is actually an old ritual performed by the founders of this day, the Mamo whol live in the swamp of this region. They call it a bonding ritual. Do you remember what I've asked you yesterday, how I'd like to strengthen our bond and you agreed? Well, that'd be our chance. Look, 'm having this white Apricorn Dust...." The small glass jar where it is contained is drawn from Shiva's things and shown to Gothitelle, she can even take it into her hand to investigate herself.

"This what is used during it. Allow me to keep it a suprise HOW it is used and what to traditionally do on such a ritual... I'd like to take you on an imaginary journey for that ritual, that much I can tell you. Ah, I've did such things a few times already, you're in safe hands. You aren't the first Pokemon wielding powerful psychic energy entrusted to me either."

The uestion of questions follows, in which Shiva only faces her Gothitelle from the side. "Now....will you, well, agree to hold that ritual to me once the time and setting are right, will you accept this as a late celebration with me?"


(How does Lilith react to all that, @Iron? Curious! Once that has been answered, I can get to choose an Encounter if I haven't headed to bed by then.)