[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"As for how they acquired the knowledge that Shiva knew the whereabouts of the Secret Library, they claimed that a Dr. Hyperiac told her vital information about it, and that he too is looking for the arcane location. I do not know much about the man, besides the fact that he's currently working with the Shelter on assignment. The Scimitars claim he isn't a member and consider him a rival, but that doesn't mean he doesn't posses his own unique threat level. "

THAT caused Shiva to focus her gaze and attention to the oddball of researcher even more, if it was possible to do so at all.

She knows that name. Definitely, it was just this morning - discretly checking that business card he gave her, she received confirmation on what she wished would simply turn out as false. But seems like this was pure wishful thinking - an innocent thought, yet it was just a wrong one.

This must be the first time she actually speaks up in this whole, let's call it emergency meeting with Dagny to get clarification, it was audible in her voice that Shiva 1. still doesn't feel comfortable within this Gym and 2. she didn't like what she spoke out. "That name... Ven, that's the Pokepsychologist from Orre that came to the Shelter today. You didn't work there today, so it was only me who...met him... Actually gave himself as a nice guy. He made it to allure me into a conversation without apparent ease, spoke about how all Pokemon have some sort of barrier around their heart... And how there is one artifact that can open a Pokemon's heart, even of those that cannot feel love or reward anymore. A dark black stone, pillar-size, very old, often carved with strange designs... That must be the key to the Secret Library. Naturally that he caught me with that, and me, foolish as I've been, even agreed to keep an eye open for such an artifact, keep an eye open in his name... Unaware of what potential danger I could have... ... ..."

Further she didn't come as her voice broke away, she also had to swiftly rub her eyes with the back of her hand. Nope, she won't shed any pained tears here. She simply WON'T. Later, when she's back in the safety of the dorm she's sharing with Ventus, she might however.

Simply the thought and sensation of how that 'Pokepsychologist' - 'Hah, was he even one? Did he have a diploma to proof his academic state?' likely was just trying to lure her into things, was deliberatley up to misuse her trust to achieve his own goals...  That was a shock that reached suprisingly deeeep. It shocked her at the core as it seemed, right there where the unspoken feelings of being overshadowed by the others of her traveling group and within-Chresire-developed depressive issues laid.

It felt like her whole peaceful life, all these 19 years that she's been wandering here so far, have NOT prepared her for the cruelty the world does inevitably hold, or has warned her from people that simply mean it ill with one.
It was a figurative golde cage.
No, she won't blame her parents. NEVER would she. She had a safe home, that was all that matters.
That peaceful life has made her a mature, sweet and caring person.
But it made her weak when strength was needed.



Oh right, she was also pretty reluctant to accept any reward. Loot was loot, and Marill will rejoice for learning to cast icy beams to freeze nasty birds and vengeful dragons, but she simply felt like she does not deserve that reward at all.