[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Feeling Nathan and Kirlia's comforting actions, the researcher slowly withdrew his head from his damp hands, and gave the two a grateful smile. "You have the uncanny ability to continuously disarm me emotionally, for good or ill. Yes, me and Sliverfish were quite close, despite the frequent warnings I received for holding such a level of affection for the big bug. They were, at the time, one of my best friends, and I always mourned the day I had to part company with them. Now, perhaps, I have a second chase to rescue them, unlike before," Ventus responded, letting out another cloud of smoke before waving it away.

"Sorry about the incense, Nathan. I only burn it when I need to conduct meditations, and rarely do I ever smoke it unless I need to calm down quickly. Lavender is quite a soothing scent, and though its gain a degree of potency when you inhale it, I don't suggest you start the habit," Ven said, smiling weakly at the young boy, trying to lighten the mood a bit. He didn't want to depress  everyone on his account, after all. "Can you perhaps share your idea with me, my friend. Even a little hope would do me good right now..."

"Well, those strangers who built the statue came from the villages around Chicory Lake according to Chief Lumin.  Considering you found a hidden door really far south of the village that probably leads into that same passage or base the Genesect statue is covering, I'd say it's a fair bet that those strangers might have made it as an easier way to get past the mountain ranges without having to go all the way around them.  We could go and check that out when we're in the area of Stair City.  I'd definitely feel a lot more confident if we had more evolved pokemon and those of us taking the gym challenge had 2 or 3 badges each.

"We could also check out the entrance to it that's over here...but I'm still hesitant to do so right now.  For one thing, we could end up trapped down there.  For another, I still don't think we're strong enough to try infiltrating that if it's a base or leads to one.  And third, you have a court appointment in Corsage, for what I can only assume is a demerit on your trainer license for what happened earlier.  We don't have time to dally around here currently if you hope to make that.  And you also can't afford any more of those if you want to help Silverfish.  

"There's another issue now, as well...how much do we tell Lumin?  I'd like to see him track down this organization, but if they have enough power to capture Genesect when it's holding nothing back...I'm not sure the Rangers would even be prepared for that.  And we can't warn them about that either because it might alert the Unovan authorities....the group might not know we have a key to that passage now, though...and we have to revisit this town on the way back from Corsage if we stick to the main routes, too...hmmm..."

The gears are turning now.  Nathan's thinking of a plan.