[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

"Sure thing, we can get going to the Daycare right away. The owners expressed to me that they'd enjoy havinga nre Pokemon to raise, so leaving Ariel there should be no issue if that's your wish. Also... Nathan will come with us as well. Yesterday evening I told him about a new hatchling at the place, and both him and his Absol accepted to come with me to see it. It is, in fact, an Absol. No, it has nothing to do with The Running, the egg has been incubated way before the Running came up. So, Ven, how about you then, you wish to see it as well while we're there anyway? You might know that it's very rare to see and even meet a young Absol since the species does hide their young away in caves to raise and train them for an independant life, but since I adviced them to breed an Absol for the role of foreseeing any bad happenings in addition to a Protector-Espeon, it should learn human contact and another of it's kind to learn how solcialize properly. Don't know, maybe you as studied Pokemon Sociologist would be interested in this?"

"Oh, and we can gladly hold another Tutoring Session later this day, so please keep your afternoon or evening free for that sake, okay? I'll make sure that this time my Electric rodents can help Raphael on learning the mechanics of the move."

Here is something that Shiva wil ask Ventus along the way to the Daycare.

"Oh, and... I picked up you said something about make-up artistry there in the Lobby? How comes you are interested in that?" That question was not meant ill, rather...a little curious. (Hint! Shiva actually carries three eyeliner pens with her, but of couse you wouldn't know this unless asking or notice that she took the effort to apply them. Which she normally does not, only for special occassions maybe.)

"That excellent news hear, though now I wonder what rates they'll charge me for her tenure with them. Hmm...perhaps I can work out a deal with them that could be beneficial for the both of us, but that is neither here or now," Ventus said, before an eyebrow of his raised at the next things Shiva told him. Not at the part about Nathan coming along, but about the mention of the baby Absol being raised there, of all things, given Cheshire's superstitious and negative beliefs held for the doom bringers.

'This is a...curious bit of news. Given Ginger Town's phobia of the Disaster Pokémon and the general rarity of the breed, I'm somewhat mystified as to why the local breeders would do this. If they wanted a companion to Espeon to work together and help safeguard the Daycare, then a Dark type Pokémon besides  an Umbreon would be the last thing I would pair with them. Its innate ability to predict danger is also too specialized for the job at hand, as Absol mainly detect large scale natural disasters and events that impact large communities, not act as small scale alert system. If they wanted a Pokémon for that type of role, then a specially breed Drowzee with Forwarn would be better suited for the task at hand, and work would more likely to happily cooperate with a fellow Psychic type. No, something isn't...entirely right with her statement, but what could it...oh!'

'Could it be...that this is the Pokémon the baby Absol is the Pokemon they breed to infiltrate and help bring down Almanac from within?  I'm not 100% certain, but my reasoning point strongly to it NOT being a protector Pokémon, and it would explain why a Cheshiran couple would expend resources to breed and raise one in spite of the adversity it would face. The species is not exactly know for its sleuthing skill, vur it is a rather adept and cunning line of Dark Pokémon that are atypically noble/just for their species, so one would make for an excellent double agent if trained correctly. That, and the species' appearance and rarity alone make them desirable for criminal and people of dubious intent alike- my trade with one such individual only solidifies this for myself - so the shady corporation would be far more willing to snap it up despite potential risks. Hmm...this complicates thing for me now, though I doubt that was Shiva's intention with informing me about this. While she is right to assume I would love the opportunity to study the offspring of a reclusive beast, I don't want to accidently break my promise to her or do anything that would shatter the good report they have built with the caretakers. Its just too risky. Therefore...'

The researcher thought long and hard about this as Shiva and Nathan discuss a 2v1 battle of all things against him (He saved that thought for later, as well as the scattered, hestiatant emotional mess that the boy was currently enduring right now), before he finally responded to her. "Normally, I would greatly desire the chance to study the young of the seculsive Absol species, but I'm afraid I will have to decline your offer. I doubt the caretakers would appreciate a stuffy researcher doing a thorough examination on their latest breeding project, and I wouldn't want to impose on them in anyway. However, you can tell me your experience with the pup at a later date for my notes, since I consider second hand knowledge just as good as my own investigations, especially coming from a dear friend and Breeder such as yourself!"

At a later point while on the road towards the Daycare, Shiva's question about his skill in cosmetics, he just casually told her : "My mother taught me what she knew concerning makeup and its various applications. My sister was not very feminine, taking heavily after my dad's passionate yet simplistic demeanor, I was the opposite in that regard, and I showed an interest in it, so my mother figured 'Why not?' Later on, after...that happened, one of the various jobs I took before I entered College was a makeup artist, and I received some of professional training in that field, mostly concerning on how to alter one's appearance to varying degrees and varieties. If you are interested, I can always share some of my knowledge with you. Its not the usual field I'm accustomed to teaching, but I would still enjoy it regardless!"

Shiva continued facing Nathan in a calm expression, as well as keeping up a non-threathening aura around things and this conversation. No need to distress they boy more than he already seems to be...

It took a little until she actually responded, since she was actually trying to see what whas actually wrong with him. When she did spoke, it was audible that she'll be there to help in this case, in every matter that was possible for her and in every way Nathan would allow and accept. "Well... In that case, I do accept your challenge. But, is it okay to you if we hold that FRIENDLY battle outside ( = not inside a room of the Pokemon Center)  and after we returned from the Daycare?"

"Oh, and what are your thoughts on this, Ven?" (@Lord Windos, awaiting your reaction now.)

*Slight Flashback and Flashforward!*

Ventus's thoughts on the matter were rather straightforward surprisingly, given his usually tendency to be descriptive and elaborate with his words. "I don't mind challenging Nate to a fight, Shiva. While conversation and discussion can help clear many a problem between friends, sometime a good Pokémon battle is needed to let those resentful emotions and stress go. For those that have difficulties with social interactions, or have reason not to speak normally to another, it is perhaps the fastest way to resolve conflict between parties. Of course, I would like to know the conditions of the battle before I start drawing up any plans, but that can be discussed on the way to the Daycare Center. Let us move out, my friends!"

Order: Time for Ventus and the rest to leave for the Daycare Center! I want to obviously deposit Ariel in their care, but that not all I want to do in regards to her stay with them (I'll PM the details to you, Iron). If that eats up an Encounter, I'll wait for everyone else to finish their business with baby Absol, before asking Shiva for the Tutoring to happen at the Daycare. What better place to learn/train than a place specialized in such an area? After that, I presume that everyone will be gearing up for this Pokémon Battle between us, so stay tuned for that!