[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"I had not heard about it in detail until I was kidnapped. My captors provided enough information that I could draw it, oh. They said they learned about it in a book."

"...so it's more equivalent to the forbidden knowledge of the Distortion World...of course the Scims would seem to have success with weaponizing it by creating gauntlets that could send beings there with a single touch...lovely..."

Nathan sighs, then briefly changes topic.

"...on a different note entirely, Keni, my mom said it'd be okay if you were to stay at our place for a short time since your home got trashed and all.  My uncle's staying there for the time being.  If you don't have anywhere else to go right now, she'd be more than happy to provide some help. Security's gonna be a little tighter around Trillium for a little while, too. You know, just in case."

-----------------------------------

Speaking of which, returning to that flashback...

Once everyone's inside and seated, Nathan provides that explanation to his mom that he promised.

"Firmly sat down now?  Yes?  Okay...so...Oscar and Keni were attacked and kidnapped by Scimitars last night, mom.  I'm guessing the perpetrators destroyed their victims' homes to cover up their tracks.  Keni's a really, really good artist, and the Scimitars wanted to use those talents for their own gain.  I and the rest of the group had to go bust Keni and Uncle Oscar out this morning.  Everyone's fine, thankfully.  Scims are kinda mad at us, but...I wasn't about to let them take away another part of our family.  And we happen to be on good terms with Keni for varying reasons, too.  He even drew us some cards, and they're some of the best looking artwork I've ever seen."  Nathan will show his mom the Mesprit card for emphasis (and it hopefully helps break at least a little of the tension)

"...back on topic, though...I've asked Dagny to tighten security around here so the Scims don't get any bright ideas to try something like that again.  And I'm taking other measures to fight back against them, too.  Gallade, Calam, and I have had it with them.  Trillium should be safe."

He sighs, then breaks the other news.

"...that comet in the sky, though?  It's part of another prophecy that various pokemon in the group have had recently.  Long story short: I'm planning to go to the Skull Ruins soon.  Officially, it's to see if I can find any clues about what happened to my dad.  Honestly, I'm probably going to be in more danger than you guys are going to be, but I'm going to make sure I'm prepared for this.  I know asking you not to worry is probably a bit much...so I won't.  I know it's a lot to take in...I think I can do this, though.  I feel like I have to do this, even...it's funny, though, to be honest...here I am, in this position, and yet I never wanted to be the one making history...heh...it's weird how things work sometimes..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The little pets don't have any stats. They can't battle effectively.

(Oh! So they're indeed nothing but Pokemon meant to be a pet. I'll add Finneon to the Quick Page anyway. That means they also can't earn XP, right?)
For Shiva who isn't a first and formost competitive soul and more interested in the caring and breeding of Pokemon, that's actually very fine and perfect. Now she has this Finneon, a bought Luvdisc and the glass jar with glowing fern from within Mount Sentry to care for. ^o^

"Yes, you can wait here, of course, my dear! What else do you want to ask me, everyone?"

Lilith gives you a hug and heads off.

Hooray for being allowed to stay, and Shiva blushes a tad bit over being called 'dear'. She also reciprocates Lilith's hug and doesn't ask where she heads of... She is sure that she'll see her gothloli fortune teller again.

Shiva feels bold enough to disagree with Nathan, and today even bold enough to very carefully voice that: "N... No. This place isn't harmful, isn't dangerous as I would see this dark mystic place known as the home of ghostly Giratina, nor did it remind me on the Dream World. It is...different. I didn't feel like there's any threat or something that's after me and my Pokemon, even if I was stuck there until being brought back..." She looks away then timidly, indicating to do with these words from her what one likes to do.

"Ah! Mr. Morguis, I indeed desired to ask or speak about something with you, related to your art skill and this astral place known as Sideways. But, eh, if it's alright with you I'd rather do that solely between us two, okay...?" She twitches a bit nervosly.

(I'll send that via PM...after lunch, assuming that either the others leave or Shiva and Keni go to a different room.)

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva feels bold enough to disagree with Nathan, and today even bold enough to very carefully voice that: "N... No. This place isn't harmful, isn't dangerous as I would see this dark mystic place known as the home of ghostly Giratina, nor did it remind me on the Dream World. It is...different. I didn't feel like there's any threat or something that's after me and my Pokemon, even if I was stuck there until being brought back..." She looks away then timidly, indicating to do with these words from her what one likes to do.

"Ah! Mr. Morguis, I indeed desired to ask or speak about something with you, related to your art skill and this astral place known as Sideways. But, eh, if it's alright with you I'd rather do that solely between us two, okay...?" She twitches a bit nervosly.

(I'll send that via PM...after lunch, assuming that either the others leave or Shiva and Keni go to a different room.)

Nathan has a counter argument for that!

"I'm only referring to stuff I know from other sources, but...the Distortion World isn't necessarily harmful either from what I've read of Cynthia's research on it.  Giratina's the only sentient being that lives there, so if you don't catch their attention, you're probably fine.  I'm just trying to draw a few parallels here, Shiva.  From what I've heard, Sideways is just as dangerous as the Dream World can be for a similar reason: we don't fully know if whatever is in there is dangerous or not.  It doesn't help that the Scims have sealed a part of Sideways off, potentially making it appear less dangerous than it actually might be.  So while you didn't feel like you were in any danger, I'd take that with a teaspoon of salt instead of thinking it's entirely safe.  There's always risk when you're dealing with the unknown.  I hope you haven't dug yourself a bigger hole by sending Gothitelle to it.  I'm sure she'll be taking every precaution she can, but...well, let's just hope she's not in there for too long." He's not trying to be pessimistic, just...realistic. He honestly hopes everything will turn out well, but he won't be surprised if things turn out worse instead.

Nathan will respect Shiva's desire to have a private talk with Keni once this initial discussion on Sideways is over.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva actually wouldn't have replied to Nathan, but she feels like she can't leave this point be like it is. She looks up for a moment to face the young historian, then looks away again to the super-interesting floor to sulk for a bit. "Lilith knows what she does. Whatelse would you expect me to do to save Rose and the others, wait until Mr. Morgusi has finished brilliant artworks of four Pokemon? o(TヘTo) That's too much I could ever ask for, and it'd take too long... I WON'T venture into the scary Skull Ruins without two of my best and closest Pokemon companions." She starts to play with a bit of Cottonee's shed fluff.

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva actually wouldn't have replied to Nathan, but she feels like she can't leave this point be like it is. She looks up for a moment to face the young historian, then looks away again to the super-interesting floor to sulk for a bit. "Lilith knows what she does. Whatelse would you expect me to do to save Rose and the others, wait until Mr. Morgusi has finished brilliant artworks of four Pokemon? o(TヘTo) That's too much I could ever ask for, and it'd take too long... I WON'T venture into the scary Skull Ruins without two of my best and closest Pokemon companions." She starts to play with a bit of Cottonee's shed fluff.

Again, Nathan's just trying to be realistic here.  "...you might have to go into the Ruins without them, though, if Gothitelle takes to long or can't get them out.  The Millenium Comet isn't going to wait for us, and we don't know how long Gothitelle will be in there for."

At this point, Nathan's addressing Heart, Terra, and Spira in addition to Shiva.

"...and on that note, I've arranged for Dagny and Tanuki to get us a permit to explore the lower levels of the Skull Ruins legally.  Officially, the mission is to find out what the hell happened to my dad.  Bonus points if we find him, because he might be able to help us if we do.  Dagny and Tanuki have had all day to work on getting us the permit, but it'll probably take them another day or two to finalize things.  Or up to a week if we're unlucky.  If we have to go into the Ruins before then, there will be little choice but to do so."

[Mikaruge108]

Spoiler

Lilith communicates to you that objects belonging to the Pokemon (their Pokeballs) and pictures of them would be helpful to her.

Ah... Shiva expresses this to Spira and Heart, asks them to hand her Gothmon the Pokeballs of their disappeared companions and a qualitative picture of 'em. She herself doesn't hesitate and draws two redwhite standard Balls, then offers them to Lilith to take. "Here you are, dear one... Cottonee's Ball still has some fibres of fluff on it, while Azu's smells discretly like rose petals. That way you can distinguish them, those two know their Pokeballs very well too. Ah, and pictures..." Searching in her stuff for a bit, Shiva soon draws a small photo album looking quite a lot like the one Ventus carries, and starts to page in it.

Spira hands Shiva Toya's Pokeball, "Just one sec, I think I've got a picture somewhere," He leafs through the pockets on his coat, pants, and shirt, then digs in his bag, pulling out a slightly-crumpled Sepia-tone picture of a Dusclops, "Ah, here we go." He hands the picture to her.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Again, Nathan's just trying to be realistic here.  "...you might have to go into the Ruins without them, though, if Gothitelle takes to long or can't get them out.  The Millenium Comet isn't going to wait for us, and we don't know how long Gothitelle will be in there for."

Shiva: "*lots of incomprehensible muttering* .....Be quiet." She turns away eventually, feeling hurt by Nathan's words.

She doesn't want to speak with him anymore about that topic and just stays silent as he mentions the Skull Ruins, in secret she's highly curious about these mysterious artifacts however.

Spira hands Shiva Toya's Pokeball, "Just one sec, I think I've got a picture somewhere," He leafs through the pockets on his coat, pants, and shirt, then digs in his bag, pulling out a slightly-crumpled Sepia-tone picture of a Dusclops, "Ah, here we go." He hands the picture to her.

She carefully passes both on to Gothy, now she should have everything. "Good luck, dear one."

[Iron]

I can't foresee a situation where the pets could earn XP, no.


Gothitelle heads out! She won't be back by the time this conversation is finished.

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva: "*lots of incomprehensible muttering* .....Be quiet." She turns away eventually, feeling hurt by Nathan's words.

Nathan and Gallade just simultaneously sigh in response. Nathan's said what he needed to.

'...I don't know why I even bother...not like she ever listens to me anyways...I know desperate people are more likely to do reckless things, but geez...it's not like I'm not concerned or saying her idea isn't an option...' Nathan thinks to himself.

[Iron]

Martha: "Things sure have changed, haven't they, Nathan? I can't believe I'm saying this today. But I think you can handle whatever you're setting out to do, even in the Skull Ruins. So like your father - you have amazing Pokemon you can rely on; outstanding connections with powerful people who have decided to put all their trust in you; good friends; and your own capable self."

And teleporting cards.

"Will you keep me up to date?"