[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan narrows his eyes when the stranger approaches.

"I appreciate the concern, but who are you?  You don't look like the type who'll be all buddy buddy for any random reason."

Nathan can feel that Ralts is just a little nervous around this newcomer.  That Pawniard wasn't helping matters, either.

Straightening back up, he turned towards the stranger, and extend a hand out to him. "Well, hello there! Sorry for ignoring you until now, but as you can see, I had some things I had to do first. Tell me, what brings to our small conclave, Mr....?" the researcher said politely, do his best to put a good foot forward with the man. Despite having never interacted with the gentleman before, he had a interesting feeling about him. As if he was important, somehow....

 "Pfft. Don't mind the mr. just call me Valder".
 Valder turns to the other guy with a hidden, weak annoyance. "As I said, my name is Valder. The little one is Theo". Valder puts on a meek smile as he points at his Pawniard. "I'm currently out of work and looking for someone who might need assistance, especially getting through the areas around here".
 Valder remembers that he actually really wants to get to another town and so he quickly adds "I'm saying I'm available as a mercenary type of thing. I can't make earthquakes like some scimitar sorcerer if you've heard of those, but I'm another person with a strong steel-type pokemon". Valder remembers that he has two pokemon, but decides to leave it out.

 "Anyway, I saw your not-so-clean clothes and decided that you lot might be some group of kids having a hard time moving on in this area, am I wrong? If you don't have any money that's fine, just share whatever else and I can help you". Valder let a tiny glimpse of fake despair go into his voice as he said the four last words.

 "Oh, I've also heard there are dangerous people going around here lately... that's right, those sorcerers, nasty things they are..."

"Wait a second.  Hold up a moment.  Did I just hear that correctly?  What do you know of dangerous men able to create earthquakes?"

Nathan and Ralts are immediately on guard.  Not just anyone would take that kind of statement seriously, and this man just casually mentioned it without a care in the world about what effect it might have?!

"Before we continue this conversation, I suggest we find someplace more private."  Nathan's all but whispering at this point, his distrust of this stranger plain to all who hear.