[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Walking around town, Valder finally found Ventus. Ventus seemed quite... distraught though.
 Valder got a bit nervous. He didn't know if he should maybe just turn around as if he wasn't there or if he was simply getting the wrong impression. 'Yeah, I'm probably just getting the wrong impression...'

 "Ventus? So... I know I don't include myself a whole lot with the rest of you, but I want to know who Sage is. You up for a small 'exchange of words' or whatever you call it. Maybe there's something you would like to know. You seem pretty interested in the scimitars at least..."

 Valder hoped Ventus would answer yes. Not so much because of Sage, more because he wanted to get the group more involved with the scimitars. Valder is also looking for a good place to buy potions.

Ventus didn't expect to see the Genesect reveal an secret entrance under the statue, but he didn't react in an extravagant manner at this occasion. All he did was just peer curiously down the stair located at the base of the Legendary Bug statue, his surprise restrain by the state of rage and despair he was currently mired in.

'So, the Burn Drive has reveled an entrance to these blasted arch mages lair. Hmm...I could go down there alone and brave its mysterious depth, but all that will do is make it far more liable that I get ambushed and spirited away by something down there. First, I need to gather my friend and inform them about my discovery, and get their perspective on how we should conduct our search before setting out. Since Nathan is the closet in the current vicinity of the statue, its best that he's informed first, even if we are both not in the best moods to speak with one another...' the researcher morosely though, still appearing distraught despite the happy smile that he was wearing. Perhaps his body language was sending of negative signals?

Just as he was about to depart to the Pokémon Center, Valder walked out of the shadows and began inquiring about his newest associate, in exchange for more data on the scimitars. That caused him to turn around and face his mercenary in surprise, before he quickly squashed it and rebuilt his happy, if serious, expression. "...I would be pleased if you had shared this information about the scimitars earlier, but that can be excused. Our first interview was not as pleasant as I wanted it, so its no surprise that you didn't speak your whole mind on that cabal of mages. Very well, in exchange for more information on Sage, tell more of your insights with that black, black group..." Ventus says, trailing off as he lecture Valder about what he is aware of the ill man, what he is capable of in so far as Pokémon battles, and the fact that he made off with the Mega stone.

Given the researcher's dire mood, any information pertaining to his arch enemies would help cheer him up to no end, and act as an bridge between him and Nathan.
(Essentially, Valder now knows everything that Ven knows about Sage. Now, let's hear your end of the bargain...)

*Flashing forward of Valder half of the bargain*

Ventus gave an firm nod at his mercenary, mulling over what he just heard. 'Perhaps its best I don't reveal this information to Nathan right away. It might cause the boy to go into another panic attack, something I that is NOT greatly desired at this junction of time. I'll just inform him about the statue for now, and get his opinion on what should be done from there,' the researcher though, before he went to the back of the statue and swapped out the Drives once more, concealing the stair way. 'The element of surprise is tantamount to successfully assaulting these wizards, so let the entrance remain hidden until we are ready to fight them on their own ground,' he though, before departing to the Center with Valder and Shiva in toe. Giving a slight double take at her appearance, he wondered just when she joined them.

'Most likely while I was distracted with the statue, and my conversation with Valder. She probably overheard everything that was said during that exchange, but no matter. She is the most dearest friend I have ever had in my life, so I trust her completely, no matter how she acts on that information,' Ventus though, giving the young lass a small smile before entering the Center. Upon a bit of wandering, he located Nathan near where that vile Pinsir was being treat. Restraining the rage he felt towards that insect, he informed the young trainer about the Genesect Statue, and waited patiently for his opinion on it.

(Well, now Shiva and Valder are updated on Sage and the statue, all that's left is to inform the group about the extant of his knowledge of Genesect...)