[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Back to business then, guess the inevitable time to depart has come...

Shiva still feels uneasy by all that cold emotionless Steel in the Gym, even more the deeper they went to pick up 'their' exemplars of Metagross. There's one thing she has to admit after listening to what Vambrace had to tell/explain, that was that these seem to be very well trained. Not obediant in battle, but no way she'd even think of trying it out! (Unless there's an emergency that is)

"No questions, thanks a lot for providing them to us at all..." She doesn't feel like train flying/riding them though, as now that they've waited until noon she felt like they delayed departure long enough. Instead, she softly yet determined entagled one of her arms around one of Ven's, as he already explained experience with these particular Pokemon. Nothing wrong about getting a hold on someone who knows their business, and there's enough room for two people on one Metagross anyway! (Unless someone strongly objects)

*Flashback!*

Peace, quiet, and some alone time by the Gym was a great boon for Ventus, as it allowed him some time to thoroughly plan/account for various factors that could impact the group's flight towards Arrowroot, and let him firmly set his priorities for the mission itself. 'Travel to Arrowroot Village in as an expedient manner as possible, minimize conflict with Nathan so as not to waster time and/or cause meltdowns in the party, ensure that Shiva, Heart, and especially the boy are well protected and provided for on the journey, and subdue/eliminate all threats towards our group, preferably in a way that avoids Nathan moralizing or Outraging. I don't savor the fact that I have to provide so much assitence to that foolish bastard of a child, but he and Kirlia are critical to obliterating those slithering Vines that are infesting the Skull Ruins and save Cheshire. Just focus on the mission, and bite your tougne for the time being, no matter how much of a bloody Kyurem damn nitwit he acts like or is,'  the researcher thought to himself, before firmly nodding his head in conviction to his ....well, convictions. Right now, solving this crisis superseded any bad blood between them and the young trainer, and he quite frankly doesn't want to waste any more thought or attention to them than what is required!

Eventually after what seemed to be an eternity, the rest of the group had finally arrived to pick up their Metagross mounts and depart towards the rustic village in the marsh, and he silently joined them with nary a word or gesture of announcement. He proceeded to the holding/prep area, listened/memorized the instructions given to the group by the living supercomputer's while tunning out Nathan and Heart's somewhat comedic back and forth (though their was a slight smile on his face when Heart labeled Nathan as 'The Rude Person'; 'A fitting moniker indeed for the boy!'). He was the second to learn how to properly orient himself on his Steel stead, as while he did not have the boy's experience as a rancher to guide in riding a Pokemon, his knowledge, personal experience, and empathy gave his quite the edge in learning to ride them indeed! When his dearest, mystical friend entwined herself with him gave them that hopeful/nervous/eager? look of hers, the sociologist gave her a small smile and fondly rubbed her hair in a comforting manner to reassure her that no matter what happens on this journey of their , so long as he is by her side he will safeguard her with all his might!

*Flashback Ends!*

Despite detecting no malicous feelings from Nathan when he spoke of the village's namesake, Ventus couldn't help but become a little more irritated at them, as he was well aware of the plants medicinal/nutritional properties thanks to his mother educating them on the subject during his pseudo apprenticeship under her (Before things went to straight to hell...) and for besmirching it by labeling it 'magical'; the thought send a shiver of disgust through his frame. Still, he remembered his priorities and refrained from reacting in anyway towards them for the timebeing, besides responding to his question by saying: "I have been in no discomfort while ridding on Metagross all this time, and I imagine that will likely not change anytime soon, so I will abstain from riding on a Ponyta. Let's just proceed to Arrowroot rapidly as possible, for the sooner we are thier, the sooner we can investigate and verify if the Prophecy was alluding to the village!