[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Well, it wasn't hard to find some meat (contained in well sealed bags) that a Houndour might like.  Really cheap stuff too.  Looks like he wouldn't have to worry about Orthros not getting enough protein.  Well, he assumed the hound wouldn't object...and he has to try and keep the others from finding out he has meat on him now if he wants to keep Orthros a secret for now...mission accomplished though, Nathan heads back to the Center to go do his daily chat with his mom.

When asked if he'd won his gym battle, he simply said it hadn't happened.  Stuff came up, delayed it again.  He'd definitely be attempting it tomorrow, though.  He wasn't going to let anything delay it further.  Aside from that, it was just some really nice, relaxing, general talk.  He told her Shiva was fine, things were improving a little, he'd gotten some good training in today instead of the gym battle...it was short, but sweet, just like most other days.

"Well, time to turn in.  Come on, Kirlia."  The two of them head to their room in the Center.

On the way there, he passes by the door to Shiva's room...he looks at it for a moment...sighs...maybe he should have handled things differently...Shiva had appreciated his promise for support at the campsite...maybe not intending to check on her in the morning had been a bad idea...not that it mattered too much considering what had kept him from doing so anyways, but...he knew what it felt like to feel alone.  They all did now, apparently...

He shakes his head.  No, he can't be thinking like that now.  What matters is what they'll do in the future. He couldn't keep grasping at the past like that.  And he planned to be there for Shiva.  Whenever she needed it.  Show her that she was indeed strong.  Maybe not in the same way, but there were other ways she could take center stage, like the main actor in the example she'd used.  He wasn't going to abandon her, like both she and Ventus had suggested...that wasn't at all what he'd intended to do...not after everything they'd been through in almost three weeks...and he wouldn't be able to be there for her if he was hung up on what could have been...

Take center stage?  Wait a second...hmmm...now that he thought about it...but would she be interested in that?

He'd have to think about it.  Observe her battle style a little more...if she had just the right flair in it, then maybe...

He shakes his head again.  He'd ponder it more later.  Kirlia looks at him, practically beaming.  Nathan might not be sure, but Kirlia thinks it's a spectacular idea!

"Well, enough reminiscing for now.  Let's just return to our room, shall we?"

Two doors down, and they're in their room for the night, the door locked behind them.  Before turning in, Nathan gets out a plate and empties the contents of one of those bags of meat onto it.  If he was going to treat Orthros like a proper member of the team, he might as well start now...

Upon being summoned, Orthros looks around.  No Starmie in sight.  He sniffs, hoping to pinpoint its location if its hiding.

Something smells good...he looks down...

"Thought I'd get ya a treat as a little thank you for joining me, Orthros.  I know we're on shaky terms right now, but...well, I don't want that to mean I can't show some semblance of trust.  I don't want to use Starmie if I don't have to, and if you're choosing to stay, I think I can trust you if it's just me and Kirlia for now.  So, enjoy.  Know that I appreciate the chance you've given me, and there's more where that came from that I'm saving for later."

(So, does Orthros start snacking, @Iron?  If not, Nathan will put the meat away and save it for later)

Regardless of what happens next, he recalls the hound afterwards and calls it a night.  Time to see if it's now possible to get a good night's sleep in Corsage...