[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

As Nathan walks in, people are carrying around crates, installing iron bars, recalling Pokemon into their Pokeballs...

"Oh yes, we haven't put Rotom away yet, but he has been balled. We're locking down in case the vines get here. We'd actually love to accept an adoption fee right now. It will help us with with our emergency fund. Here!"

The worker tosses you a ball. "Head through Discharge and you can get Rotom transferred to your ID. Just pay there."

The adopted Pokemon has 3 Happiness and 1 Loyalty, 3 disobedience. It has Uproar, Charge, and Shock Wave.

(Oh wow, Charge.  Dang, that's a 57 exp move.  So, quick question then since it's relevant now: are we going to use it as is, or also apply the buff it got in gen 4 that raises the user's [Sp.] Defense when the move is used? And I assume we're also sticking with the book on this one and not treating Uproar as a rampage-like move like in the games?)

Short, sweet, to the point.  Awesome.  Oh, and $3050 down the drain (technically $3000 actually, since obtaining a Rotom earned $50 of Mallorn money, so...)...not quite so awesome, but hey, at least that's one pokemon from the Shelter safe from the approaching vines...

Next up is a quick trip outside with a VERY happy Porygon-Z to finally get through proper introductions.  Kirlia's back out of his pokeball again too as soon as Nathan steps outside.

And out comes Rotom as well!

"Well, welcome to the group, Rotom.  Glad you decided to join.  So, the question is probably sudden and all, but you think you might enjoy being a fridge?  There's an abandoned one behind the department store that I saw the other day, and it seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up considering the situation, to be honest.  Oh, and you're a rather rare species, but you're hardly the only Rotom in the region as well...so, how about a nickname?  Pulse sound interesting enough?"

If Rotom's fine with it, let's go get that fridge with Kirlia's help in Teleporting there to save some time (or back to the Center if not)!  Having access to Blizzard oughta come in handy, no?  And after that...well, time for that short talk with Kirlia...

Speaking of that talk...flash forward!

Well, that was one more thing struck off of Nathan's checklist...now all that remained before Stable Z arrived was...

*sigh*

The task ahead seems much more daunting now that he and Kirlia are in that back room and Nathan has to actually try and get across this point...he sits down at the table, Kirlia standing by him, as usual...

Nathan's not quite sure how to start this at first...just kinda looks at Kirlia...

"...well, better find a seat, Kirlia.  Looks like it's us two that have to talk this time...so many talks, so little joy..."

Kirlia gives Nathan a quizzical look, but he does find a chair to sit in.  It likely feels nice to finally get to properly sit down, even, since he's still pretty banged up from fighting that Muk.  Not that he holds it against Nathan.  It's obvious that they're in a hurry right now.

"...well, we think we solved the first part of the message.  You know, the part about 'unselfish love.'  Maybe you were listening earlier while we were in Dagny's office, maybe not since you almost certainly know I recalled you for a reason..."

...

"...*sigh*....well, we've already established you're the key...or, one of them...and Dagny spilled the beans about needing to change already...what's significant...is how...I'm...not sure if you're going to like hearing this...but our emotional friend doesn't seem to exactly...approve of how you're acting currently.  I personally don't have too many problems with it, but..."

...

"...ugh...why is this so hard to phrase?  It's...*sigh*..."

Nathan ends up leaning forwards on the table, facedown in his crossed arms.

Kirlia looks at Nathan strangely.  Had he...done something wrong?  Whatever was causing Nathan stress right now...it had to do with...him?  Now he was starting to feel a little sad himself...

"...I can't ask you to do what I need you to do, Kirlia.  I'm sorry...it's...not something anyone should be asked to do, and yet you have to try and do it..."

...

"...all I can ask you to do regarding that is...can you try and get along with everyone else?  Please?  I know I get on their nerves and them on mine...more often than we should...and it's nice knowing you'll agree with me...but..."

Nathan's not quite sure if he can finish the statement.

He knows he would be fine with things if Kirlia didn't change, but it'd make him happy to see Kirlia be acting a little more like a Ralts again...maybe not exactly like a Ralts again, but...

...

...and there's not much he can do about it except try to nudge Kirlia in the right direction...the final decision was up to his best friend, not him, after all...if it was going to mean anything significant, that is...

Nathan waits to see how Kirlia reacts to all of this...