[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva expected this kind of answer from Lunapup, so she's not really disappointed or anything. In fact, she's glad that she spotted this special dog first and went after it, as her senses are telling her that not everyone of the group would abstain from catching this cute and for certain worthy puppy with force and then raided his place to get everything he stored there. Humans can be so cruel, Trainers are no exception. "Thought so, dear dog of the moon. It's fine!~ Be careful and take care of you, alright? Just because I am not forcing you to come with me doesn't mean that every human stopping by will as well. Especially with all your horded treasures and wonderful fur. ....Say, if it's been like this always, do you have any shed hair that I can take along? Just one streak'd be enough as a reminder of you, and because it soooooo beautiful!~ (≧ω≦)" (Do dogs shed their hair too like cats do?)

"A...also...." She hesitantly brings out the words this time, "Instead of this pretty figuring of a dear Chimeco, could you fetch me that exemplar of the round stones held in green and brown please? This figurine looks like it's a favoured biting toy of yours, and I'd feel bad if I were to sell it."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Golurk Round 2

Iron Defense 1
(3)(1)(5)(5)(6)(3) (1)(1)
+2 Def for Golett

Golurk sighs as he sees how similar this fight is gonna be.
Shadow Punch 1
(6)(1)(3)(5)(5)(5) (2)(6)(6) Critical
(2)(4)(4) Golett takes 3 dmg 5/8hp -1 pain

Ice Punch 2
(4)(5)(2)(2)(5)(4)
(3)(3)(3)(5) Golurk takes 2 dmg 7/14hp -2 pain
CD: (1), (5)

Shadow Punch 2
(6)(5)(4)(4)(2)(2) (4) Another critical.
(3)(4)(5) Golett takes 3 dmg 2/8hp -2 pain

Ice Punch 3
(5)(3)(5)(1)(2)
(5)(2)(5)(4) Golurk takes 3 dmg 4/14hp -2 pain
CD: (2), (6) Golurk flinches 3

Ice Punch 4
(6)(6)(3)(5)
(5)(2)(1)(4) Golurk takes 3 dmg 1/14hp -3 pain
CD: (1), (1)

As you apply a Potion to Golett, taking him up to 4hp, Golurk decides it's had enough. He sets the handle of the lantern in Golett's exhausted hand before leaving for good this time. It shows no other sign of affection, being an inherently cold Pokemon, but somewhere in that big spirit it must have thought Golett's bravery was cute.

The flame inside the lantern, Heart notices with his Earthpower sense, always points a certain direction along the palace walls.

The encounter was worth 14XP, Heart gets 7.

Heart take a closer look of the lantern. "Hmm. This thing is powerful. We might need to show Shiva and the others this thing. I don't like Cosh, but maybe he too know something about it. You did a great job Atlas."

Heart and Atlas exchange a bro fist. "We are close Atlas. Soon, you will reach your final evolution. Let's go. Time to return with the others."

[Iron]

Shiva expected this kind of answer from Lunapup, so she's not really disappointed or anything. In fact, she's glad that she spotted this special dog first and went after it, as her senses are telling her that not everyone of the group would abstain from catching this cute and for certain worthy puppy with force and then raided his place to get everything he stored there. Humans can be so cruel, Trainers are no exception. "Thought so, dear dog of the moon. It's fine!~ Be careful and take care of you, alright? Just because I am not forcing you to come with me doesn't mean that every human stopping by will as well. Especially with all your horded treasures and wonderful fur. ....Say, if it's been like this always, do you have any shed hair that I can take along? Just one streak'd be enough as a reminder of you, and because it soooooo beautiful!~ (≧ω≦)" (Do dogs shed their hair too like cats do?)

"A...also...." She hesitantly brings out the words this time, "Instead of this pretty figuring of a dear Chimeco, could you fetch me that exemplar of the round stones held in green and brown please? This figurine looks like it's a favoured biting toy of yours, and I'd feel bad if I were to sell it."

Dogs shed a lot of hair. Thunder (like all Aussies, huskies, etc) has two coats, a fluffy undercoat and a shaggy overcoat. Her hair sheds in big fluffy clumps like a black Cottonee.

Lunapup doesn't see why you'd want any hair, but there's enough around for a sharp eyed trainer to take along. 
He does agree to swap the figurine for the Mega Stone!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Like a black Cottonee, hehehe. Sounds so cute!

With Lunapup's permission then, Shiva gathers a small amount of shed hair, enough to work it into a nice plushie resembling a Lunapup later. She tells this to him also upon picking up his confusion over why she wishes to do that. "It's nothing that harms you, and your furcoat is just so pretty and nice, you see? But... Hehe, I just like the moon a lot. It's interesting to observe it, how it influences life down here and how some Pokemon are said to even come from this celestial body."

She also thankfully accept the green and brown Megastone, smiling as she turns it in her hand. Nathan will rejoice, hehe - or so she hopes as she can't prevent her dear smile from dropping a little. By now, she doesn't believe anymore that it's just a coincidence that she has done so much for the now psychic fighter, from 'accidently' evolving him into a Kirlia, to finding a Dawn Stone to let him reach his final form, to now even coming across the respective stone that lets him megaevolve. It's giving her a nice and accomplishing feeling, causing her to think back about the few nice things Nathan has ever done for her apart from letting her have the Eevee Family. It's saddening her to think about how the issues between him and Ventus, and she also shivers in fear over her realization that he opted to keep a Pokemon she's clearly afraid of and rather blatantly ignores. Well.... Hopefully he'll appreciate that she has chosen to inquire about the Megastones when she could just as well let them be.

On the other hand, maybe she herself doesn't really encourage the forming of a closer bond by keeping a more positive view on Almanac and using their goods.

With these thoughts in mind, she calls out to Lunapup once more. "Hey, dear one.... If I let you play a little longer with my small black rat, could you fetch the other two stones for me? I'd just like to take a look at them, you know." She casts an honest and innocent smile to underline that she's meaning it.

Mechanics:
That feels like a more elegant solution to this issue: Letting Shiva see if she can identify these other two Megastones herself before letting anyone other of the group get close to this Lunapup.



++Small flashforward as the following part occurs regardless of the upper outcome.++

Upon having returned to the others, the first thing she does then is catching Nathan's attention. Or Gallade's or smol Dratini's, whatever comes first: "Found something you might like...." she opens up with a shy smile, she hesitates a little to state what it is. "WILL like for sure, even." An impercible sight breaks her speaking. "Isn't it curious how without even actively trying to do, I'm helping Gallade to grow and become the noble fighter he's craving to be? Is it because a desire to be 'strong' in our own understanding of this word connects us? I don't know. What I know however, is that this small colorful stone will let him take another step up the stairs of growth and strength once the means to trigger its power is obtained." She tosses the Megastone to him in a casual manner to catch. "For you, you're welcome, make sure to put it into good use. Let me....tell you that I gave up something nice to get this stone just for you, so I, well, expect you to make up for that, you see? Letting my special Eevee keep the piece of ice that never melts is one thing I'd happily accept, your aid in obtaining a Keystone from the League is another - if I fail to find one down here, that is." Shiva's expression, body language as well as Yena's stare at Nathan all suggests that Shiva does not accept a 'No' as an answer.

[Iron]

Lunapup lets you see the other two stones. They aren't ones you recognize, so they must not be for Pokemon native to the more well-known regions.

[Dragonstrike]

Kelda:

I'll take it that the lack of a response from Kelda means she doesn't really know how to respond.  Nathan quietly sighs and turns towards the direction of the group's meeting point.  He's said his piece.  "...come on, let's get back to the others before they start wondering where we are."

One can only hope those words will do more good than harm in the future...this might have been Nathan's last/only opportune chance to say them...

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Trapdoor:

Despite how eager Shiva seems to be to open the trapdoor, Nathan can only shake his head.  "Sneasel said to get to the final layer, we'd need the keys Sarimanok left behind.  Kingdom, Knighthood, Royalty.  That's what the symbols on the trapdoor represent.  A sword for knighthood, a crown for royalty, and a tree for kingdom.  We're not getting to the fifth layer.  Not that way at least.  We have bigger problems to worry about right now, though."

Nathan makes it a point to say nothing about the keys beyond what he's said already, though.  No need to let the Scims know...

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Mega Stones:

Gallade catches it and gives Shiva a nod in thanks.  Nathan does the same, but also says, "Forgive us if we don't seem to be super peppy right now.  Have a lot on my mind.  Key Stone should be easy to get once we're back on the surface, though."

He does, however, glance at the Mega Stone Sensor just to double check...

...and assuming Shiva doesn't get the other two Mega Stones, presumably sees the purple side is still blinking.  And its the color for Psychic type at that.

"...there's still another Mega Stone nearby.  I'm going to go find it."

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Shiny Escavalier:

Yeah, Nathan will teach em ROCK SMASH if they'll show us where the Helm is.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Lunapup lets you see the other two stones. They aren't ones you recognize, so they must not be for Pokemon native to the more well-known regions.

Very well then, Shiva feels more turning and rolling them in her hands isn't helping her finding out to which Pokemon they belong to. She mentally goes through some regions she knows of. Probably from Tandor? Likely, but then it has to be one that's native to that curious region. Thanks to her Almanac Shiva would have found out that there's a Megaevolution of ARBOK that's having it's origin there, the simple thought of that freaks her out and causes her to shiver in fear. Torren? Maybe??? Urobos? Oh no, Megaevolution isn't even known there. She does take some minutes to draw the stones into her notebook, at Telperion - or, more specific, their library - she hopes to find out more.

With a gentle gesture, Shiva then hands the stones back to Lunapup. "Thank you for letting me see 'em. Oh no, I don't want them - there's only ONE stone I'm looking for apart from that rainbow-colored one, and I already know where it is located. Please keep them.... I'm also taking my leave now." She gifts Lunapup a fond smile, would have stroked and cuddled him if he wouldn't be so fearful. "You're surely an adorable lil' puppy. And so brave and determined! I wish you the best of luck on guarding and defending your treasures. Take care, stay safe and good luck, dearest puppy of the moon!~ ( ^_^)/♡" Picking up Ratsy and having him wave goodbye too before she puts him back into her pocket, Shiva then returns to the others, and from her side she's ready to move on. (Read, ready for the next Encounter list)


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Despite how eager Shiva seems to be to open the trapdoor, Nathan can only shake his head.  "Sneasel said to get to the final layer, we'd need the keys Sarimanok left behind.  Kingdom, Knighthood, Royalty.  That's what the symbols on the trapdoor represent.  A sword for knighthood, a crown for royalty, and a tree for kingdom.  We're not getting to the fifth layer.  Not that way at least.  We have bigger problems to worry about right now, though."

Ah, to 'bigger problems to worry about right now', Shiva heartily agrees and eventually gets up from crouching beside this trapdoor. "R-right." In a more quiet tone, she adds "I still wish to find a way down this Throne Room since we're down the Ruins already, once we're done with that, I don't want to everevereveeeeeer set a foot into this nasty place again. It's during this trip or never."


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Gallade catches it and gives Shiva a nod in thanks.  Nathan does the same, but also says, "Forgive us if we don't seem to be super peppy right now.  Have a lot on my mind.  Key Stone should be easy to get once we're back on the surface, though."
He does, however, glance at the Mega Stone Sensor just to double check...
...and assuming Shiva doesn't get the other two Mega Stones, presumably sees the purple side is still blinking.  And its the color for Psychic type at that.
"...there's still another Mega Stone nearby.  I'm going to go find it."

Saying that the local natural fae enthusiast has hoped for a more delighted reaction would be lying, but that bitter realization fades quickly and the gives Nathan a hand-gesture of 'It's no big deal'. "As long as you won't forget this act of mine, put this stone into good use and make up towards me for getting it, it's alright, please don't worry about it for too long." She turns away to pet Yena a little, he whines at her and rubs his big head against her hand affectionately. Without facing Nathan BUT with an honest smile, she adds "Keystones are down here, or so I feel. Before I ask the League of Chreshire for one, I rather try finding one here, that's more accomplishing. I only want one to see Whimsicott happy." Yena licks her cheek, in respone she lays her arms around his strong neck.

Before Nathan goes off to find more stones, Shiva holds him back and makes him give her his true word that he will neither harm nor try to catch the one who is guarding them, nor try to steal any treasure from his posession. She feels that no item, not even a Keystone, would be worth it making this adorable, brave, pretty guardian sad or angry, and she'd feel guilty if anyone of the group would do so. Nathan's better being honest on keeping his word as Shiva and Primal Espeon will notice if he's not, she'll send Raphael to accompany him in that case. The precious archangel would have orders to make sure that nothing is done to Lunapup.


Mechanics:
If anyonelse of the group would like to spent another Encounter, they're free to do so, Shiva will take the said word from anyone who'll do so. She herself will not spent an Encounter, she's done with business with Lunapup aside from letting Raphael protect him shall she feel the other's word can't be 100% trusted. Please do not tell her in-chara to which Pokemon the stones belong to, neither whether or not you've got them.

[Spiritmon]

Upon hear the word Mega Stone, Heart approach Nathan and Shiva. "If you permit Shiva, I would like to take a look in the Mega Stones too. I might able to find out what they come since I am pretty traveled. Not to mention I could detect Earthpower, so I could figure out what kind they are." Heart didn't look to Nathan, still someway angered about the sword thing.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

That means spending an additional Encounter for you too, Spirit. Shiva will take the very same word from Heart she took from Nathan about not harming, catching nor robbing who is guarding the stones. She will know it if Heart's untrue.

She herself doesn't quite understand what's so great about Megastones and why everyone want to have several, her closest guess is that where she's coming from, Unova, Megaevolution isn't a thing.

[Dragonstrike]

Fifth Layer:

"Find a way we can actually get in, and then I'll worry about it. I imagine we'll be going down there eventually, regardless of whether it's during this trip."

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Key Stones:

Nathan only has this to say on the topic.  "The League only gives them to those who've proven themselves to the League.  It's plenty accomplishing on its own, I feel, since it means you have the League's trust that you'll use that power responsibly.  They're strictly regulated for a reason."

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Mega Stones:

All Shiva gets from Nathan regarding the promises she's trying to extract from him is, "I'll be the judge of what I need to do, Shiva."

No dishonesty there.

(It's my encounter, my decision.  Same logic you used against me.)