[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

"A fire stone we have. We're actually accepting three elemental stones in lieu of payment for our care of this little Eevee you are petting right now. I think this Eevee's sister might actually be available to us; her trainer is a friend of our little family. We'll keep an eye out for a Growlithe too, but if you find one that would like to stand stud for a few weeks, let us know!! That would be so exciting! Don't some of the Officer Jenny have Growlithe? When they don't have those creepy Spinarak, that is."

Wir comes over; he hasn't said much to you at all yet. You get the feeling he never talks much. "Shiva, young lady, we want you to know that it's not your job to go runnin' all over Creshire fetching things for us. Advice will earn your paycheck, and our respect. Thanks, Shiva." He lapses back into comfortable silence.

You and the Eevee get to spend some time in the pasture today, running among the hills, rolling down them, picking daisies (or eating them, in Eevee's case). The other Pokemon watch happily. It's a peaceful place.

Then word comes in that Sawsbuck will be changing out his winter colors very soon (this is after Ventus and Nathan's conversation). Anyone who wants to be there can make it in time.

In his shed, Creshire Chrome is the ruler, proud as a Vespiquen, serenely graceful and elegant in winter white. Attendant trainers scurry about, brushing him and patting him down with cool rags. A spring under the shed feeds Sawsbuck's water trough with constant fresh water. One trainer's entire job is just to scratch the special spot between his antlers, just the way he likes it. Currently those antlers are pure, ivory white; undecorated. A warm ruff mantles his regal neck. Some of this white hair has already fallen off, and been collected, for it is preciously valuable. More white fur gives him warm boots on his ankles.

All at once, a light gleams in Creshire Chrome's eyes. "It's starting!" yell his owner. The fur falls away, falls like snow. It even sparkles as he sheds. An itch that cannot be denied comes over Creshire Chrome, and he rubs his antlers on the fence. Little bits of softest white velvet come off, then entire strips. Final relief comes all at once, as pink flowers burst out under the fuzzy covering of his horns. Buds, too, form at the bases of the horn branches; little promises of new growth.

Creshire Chrome stamps proudly as all his sleek brown fur is revealed. This is his moment of glory, four times a year, and some argue that the Spring transition is the most glorious of them all. It's certainly one of the highlights of the festival. The assembled trainers rejoice and hug each other, and snap photos - some with black and white Pokedexes, others with top of the line Flash Balls. Drinks are passed around. Every Pokemon that witnesses this event in the warm embrace of his or her trainer, as cold winter becomes hopeful spring, gains 1 point of Happiness and 1 Loyalty.

All trainers gain 1 Will point (this is the symbol of your rest after Vespiquen and in subsequent Festival days!)