[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(In order to re-close these stairs leading upstairs, I at least am up to create more noise. Rather that than leaving it obviously open for everyone to see, and I don't wish for anyone or anything to come running down at us.)

[Iron]

Lol nope, Calam/Dizzy has never seen this! You'll all need stealth checks to get this thing back into place to minimize the noise, and to duck if anyone does come investigating. The stairs are about halfway unfurled when you get to the crate again, so it's really about the same amount of noise, and without the evidence of an open stairway.

(5)(6)(4)(6)(4)(2) (5)(5)(6)(3)(1)(6) (3)
(1)(4)(1)(3)(4)(4) (5)(1)
(6)(1)(1)(6)(2)(5) (3)(2)
(5)(5)(3)(3)(1)(6) (2)(5)(6)(3)(3)

*rolls*

You shift the crate back into place, and the stairs retract. However, the trapdoor overhead opens up again, and a head pops down. You all leap for cover. Poor Shiva barely makes it, diving behind a crate and winding up prone on the floor with her boots sticking out. Luckily, these are the pitch black Baashaun boots, and the head withdraws. You can hear someone muttering "Thought I heard those mechanisms...."

A very narrow escape, especially for Shiva.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan lets out a breath.  Phew...that was a close one...

'...note to self: pay extra attention to the labels next time...U is up, D is down, and it seems the 'Almanac' labels seem to pertain to which ones lead to their property...'

Nathan dusts himself off and stands once the coast is clear.

"...so...guards down the one staircase not labeled as belonging to Almanac.  Shiva, did Cottonee see if they had gauntlets?  I think we might have to go down that way anyways, but that'd be good information to know beforehand."

"Also...should we check out the 'Dishes' crate's staircase since there's nobody down there as far as Gallade can tell?"

[Iron]

Cottonee nods vigorously at mention of gauntlets.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ah... It's a relief the weight of two Mudsdale for Shiva as the crate leading up to Almanac's labs/rooms/floors/anything is pushed back into place with the stairs retracting, but her heart has only a few moments to calm down: Her pulse goes rapidly up to felt 180 beats per minute as adrenalie floods her body when the trapdoor in the ceiling opens up ONCE MORE! Shiva makes it to hold a startled screech back, but very likely out of panic she only BARELY makes it to cover. Both Yena and Cottonee press themselves against their Master to calm her nerves and to protect her shall it come to an unpleasant outcome of this situation...

'Go away... For both Reshiram's and Zekrom's duality and draconic might, GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE, GET BACK TO YOUR SCIENCE....', she mentally almost begs the one who sticks their head out from above to check.

Much to her luck, that person obeys. Hehe, phew!


Still, Shiva's shaken by that experience and narrow escape, her breath remains fast and shallow as she gets up once everything's fine. She holds her beloved fluffball closely in her arms and keeps Yena in front of her, the butterwolfly is on high alert. To Nathan's question whether they should investigate the stairs leading down from the crate labeled "DISHES (ALMANAC)", Shiva shakes her her head wildly. "No. No... D... Don't wanna go down there. Almanac's lower floor. Something's there, am not very u...up to meet it, rather make haste and follow Scimitar's trace, dye's path.... Barely got time either, remember that comet outside." Her expression is marked by fear.


(Outta-chara however I'm actually interested in seeing what is down the stairs beneath the dishes crate and what could be found there, maybe loot awaits! In-chara and story-wise I rather not do that though.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

BEFORE heading down any stairs though, Shiva searches for another occupied Pokeball in her pocket, from it a big round blue Pokemon manifests: It's Azu, the graceful fae rabbit that was once a tiny and timid Azurill. She greets her sweet Master with a delighted smile, then frowns in worry over her agitated state - and over this curious surrounding, where are we here, Master?? It's dark and moist, don't like!!

Shiva whispers to her Pokemon in a bit of a hurry. "Azu, please listen... We're here inside the antagonist's basement. You see these two stairs leading down, dear one?" *pointing to them* "Please step close to each of 'em and use your sensitive sense of hearing, tell me what you can pick up from each of those. Pay close attention to any sounds you'd assign to humans or Pokemon, as well as some sort of...humming or whirring from electronics, like that one when you use Bill's PC." She wants to be extra-sure whether anything awaits them already, avoiding to run into their open arms, and she hasn't forgotten that Nathan asked to pay attention to servers for some reason.


(An Azumarill's sensitive sense of hearing is described in the Corebook and some canon Pokedex Entries.)

[Iron]

Azu hears the whine of a computer in the Almanac route, no living things.
In the Scimitar route, she hears movement and machinery.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ah... Shiva nods faintly in appreciation and insight, then gently pets Azu's forehead. "Well done, dear one, thank you for your aid. Stay out with me for now, will you...?" The blue fae-rabbit appears very up to stick with Shiva despite she isn't very fond of this semi-creepy surrounding, given how she cuddles up to her and hugs her leg.

"W...Well, Nathan,", she adresses him, "A server room seems to be down these stairs - whatever you're having to do with them, please be quick and careful, alright? I'm not going to ask questions now. I... don't wish to head down there myself, however..." Her eyes behind the glasses meet his and then Gallade's for a moment directly and openly, she seems to wish him honestly luck.

To Heart and Spira she'll say: "Ehm... Shall we start heading down these stairs to the assumed Scimitar's base then? We could wait here and be guards, wait for him to come back - it's a bit risky to linger here for longer, and I, well, I don't really wanna sit down and do nothing." That last part is accompanied with a headshake and is spoken out in timid haste. "Nathan is fast enough to catch up with us, and he's not weak... What do you think...?"

[Dragonstrike]

"...that definitely could be Almanac's server room.  If it doesn't have a huge amount of security, now might be my only chance...getting in and out could be easy, and I just need a minute or two with those servers..."

Nathan's mostly muttering to himself as he says that.

As for whether he'd investigate the Almanac route without the rest of the group if he has to...yes, he totally would. As much as he wants to save Oscar and Keni, he also wants to make absolutely sure something like this can't happen again. And the more evidence they can collect that looks unfavorably on Almanac and the Scimitars, the better. Witness testimonies are good and all, but they're at their best when supported by other evidence.

Nathan wouldn't be opposed to having help, though.

[Spiritmon]

"...that definitely could be Almanac's server room.  If it doesn't have a huge amount of security, now might be my only chance...getting in and out could be easy, and I just need a minute or two with those servers..."

Nathan's mostly muttering to himself as he says that.

As for whether he'd investigate the Almanac route without the rest of the group if he has to...yes, he totally would.  As much as he wants to save Oscar and Keni, he also wants to make absolutely sure something like this can't happen again.  And the more evidence they can collect that looks unfavorably on Almanac and the Scimitars, the better.  Witness testimonies are good and all, but they're at their best when supported by other evidence.

Nathan wouldn't be opposed to having help, though.

Heart think for a second... and then he sighed. "You like to make our lives more difficult isnt't?" Heart approach Nathan and say. "Going with you. Like I say many times, I the stealthiest person. You will need my help. People go ahead. We meet you guys very quickly. You will also need my ghosts Warren."