[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

When Shiva arrives, Ralts looks surprised, then....smug. It is an interesting expression to see on the young Pokemon's face. He gives Shiva a hug around the leg. Then he gives one to Nathan too when Nathan opens his mouth to talk to Shiva.

Nathan's not really sure what to make of this.  But, if Ralts trusts her enough to do that...

What he says next is directed at both Shiva and Ventus, a hint of nervousness still in the tone of his voice. "Well...I'll be...around...if you need me for anything, that is.  I'll be doing some training at the Center, and then be over at the trainer battle board.  See what matchups I can find for Staryu and Porygon.  If you don't need me for anything, I'll meet you guys back here when I'm done.  Ventus, make sure you save those berries for the gym leader, and get some training of some kind done in the meantime."

He seems to be more open to the idea of conversing with Shiva now, but the hint is subtle.  He's still not fully comfortable with triggering the conversation himself yet.  If nobody has anything else to say to him currently, he walks off to go do that planned training, exchanging his CarnyCoins for a Water Stone on the way to the Center.

For the training session, he uses the Center's battle room.  He sets up a couple (surprisingly sturdy) practice dummies, and gives all of his pokemon the order to practice their various damaging STAB attacks.  Ralts gets a slightly different order, though..."Ralts, I need to thank you. You've been really, really kind lately, even when I haven't been.  And you've been doing great in battle, as well.  Thank you for your support.  I don't know what I'd do without it."  He hugs the little pokemon, and Ralts hugs him back.  While still in the hug, Nathan says the next part.  "I think it's time you learned a new move, but it's going to be a difficult one, considering my battle style."  He breaks the hug.  "Draining Kiss.  It's the only fairy move you're likely to have for awhile, but its crafty nature is a little at odds with the very up front attacks we've been using so far.  Think you're up for practicing it on that practice dummy, though?"  Ralts nods, and attempts to use Draining Kiss on the dummy for his training. Learning the move is easy with Nathan's help in telling the little pokemon how the move works. Using it is a little harder.

For the battle, Nathan will put up $200 prize money, looking for some decent double battle training for Staryu and Porygon, who are still relatively new to trainer battles.

Shiva is free to approach Nathan after either of these encounters if she picked up on his willingness to talk and reluctance to start the conversation himself.