[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Shiva actually gave Nathan a very subtle stern look for somewhat ignoring what she said about that blind loyalty about Kirlia. This look only lasted for a few moments before she looked away - no way she's going to risk again to to be scolded by a Gym Leader. A Steel Type Gym Leader on top of that! One thing was for sure now that she thought about it, her own battle against her could indeed become interesting...

Her voice was rather careful when she spoke again, as if afraid to shatter things once again or destroy moods dwelling. "Little things here and there, you say, Nathan... Actually, this is not too different from what I usually do. I evolved your Ralts, yet unintentionally..." 'And never received a spoken ThankYou for this, only questions as to why this happened' she thought with a resentful taste, "but it does feel a little too much to ask from me to treat Kirlia as he'd be my own Pokemon. Let's await what our trip to the swamp and the village will bring before we honestly consider this option... Alright?" It was nice to see how Nathan was filled with hope that Kirlia might be able to change and become that Bearer of Unselfish Love, as hope dies last (Heart's words on this lingered), but it was still clear that it'd frustrate Shiva to no ends if any effort she'd put into earning the Psychic Dancer's care would be wasted by not bringing the desired result to a pleasant degree. Raising a Pokemon is one call, changing the nature of it was and ENTIRERLY different one.

Another sigh from Nathan.  "Shiva..."

Uh oh.  Seems the gym leader isn't who's giving her a scolding...

"If there's one thing that's going to frustrate me about this, it's a half-hearted effort.  We don't have time to not consider this option until later.  We need to be working on it now, as soon as we head out.  I'm not asking you to treat him like he's your own pokemon.  That's not what my mom did.  Kirlia is very much my responsibility still.  I'm asking you to give him reason to care, to make the potential for transitioning easier."

"That's what I'm asking of all four of you.  Everyone has the potential to grow a little if they choose to.  I don't think any effort put into that is wasted effort.  What is wasted effort is not trying when we're already pressed for time.  Particularly since we don't know what option 2 is going to require beyond a long trip."