[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Shivas Text Message!

Hello Ven! I just wanted to let you know that I'm still in Ginger Town. Trip to Daycare was fruitful, there are news about Ariel! No, no Eggs from her as far as I got to know, but something I find equally interesting. I'll update you on the nearest opportunity, my dear. 

So, I actually wanted to follow somethingelse but opted against it, so I didn't need to ask for Haziel on the loan for today. Still, I apreciate that you offered it to me right away when I asked. On my way through town, I also ran into an Astronomer! Or rather, he ran to me as he saw me strolling with Lilith. We shared a friendly and enjoyable Pokemon battle that I eventually won, and he recommended me good place for some stargazing and even offered me to burrow his telescope to do so, yay!~ I left mine at home in Castelia, you know. I've promised Lilith to watch the stars with her at a soonest opportunity, so I'll be doing that for tonight and therefor I'll be returning to Stair a little more late than usual. Please let the others know if they ask, and you don't have to stay awake for my sake if you're tired from working at the Shelter.

But, you know... i'd be, well, happy to spend a little more time with you, Ven... There are so many things I'd like to talk about with you, discuss with you, ask for your opinion... It's noble and caring of you to have a word with your Kingdra at first before introducing him to me. Speaks for your desire to keep me safe, haha!~ I'm in no hurry. But, do you think you'd have a bit of time for me soon, maybe during journeying through Mt Sentry (to stay safe and not get lost, I'll stick close to you, is that alright?) or at Cress City itself? Maybe we should- *here, at first Shiva wrote 'go out again', but after starring at these words in a slightly embarrased manner, she opted to write 'hang out again' instead* -or meet up for shared dinner at a local place or such. Would you be down with that?

Oh, and....well, how do I say that.... but speaking of your Kingdra, I figured out something that I'd like to...ask you. To give you a bit more time to think over it, I'll tell you right away.... So, ehm, you'll probably go hunting with him just like you do with Apsis on a regular basis, do you? Would you....be fine with taking me with you on one of these hunting trips, actually? Please? I know it sounds weird for someone like me to ask you that kind of thing, Ven. But, you know, I thought that my special Poochyena would maybe appreciate huntng for it's food once too, it's natural for this kind of species. My butterwolfly is seemingly used to humans and to stealing their food, but...well, you're hopefully getting the sentiment. Just once for now, seeing how he'll take it. Maybe not within Mount Sentry and we have to make sure not to prey a precious Furret belonging to town, but maybe outside of time there'll be enough opportunity?

I'd ask Braixen whether he'd want to try hunting out as well for diversion, he's an omnivorus Pokemon and takes food from me just fine. But you certainly know that he's not thinking too well of you, so better not do that. However...I can't help but to wonder WHY he has developed such a negative view of you sometimes. I'll keep you and him seperate, that's fine, but well...I can't do more than that, I guess. Have you as a Pokemon Sociologist actually stumbled over a case where a Pokemon really 'hates' a person? What do you think could maybe be done to paint a better picture of you for my magical fox?

...You don't have to reply right away, Ven, dear. Just let me know of your thoughts about everything whenever you have the time. Untill then, have a splendid day!

(You can freely decide when Ventus would receive this message, @Lord Windos. No need to stress it, it's definitely alright and reasonable to finish the Bonding Ritual first.)

Flashback To Recieving the Text!

Sometime before Ventus had returned to the Center, he'd decided to check his phone for any messages from his group mates (just in case!), and to his slight surprise discovered a lengthly text from his dearest friend in the world Shiva! He quickly scanned through it, a fond smile growing on his face as he read the first portion of her message, and it turning into a surprised frown as he studied the second portion, both his eyebrows both raising at the requests she leveled at him. After reading the message two or three times to make sure he wasn't missing anything, the sociologist went over to a city bench to sit down and ponder its contents, and in what manner should he respond to each point she made.

His fae friend making friends with an astronomer and staying out late to do some stargazing with Lilith was something he could completely understand, as any opportunity for his most blessed friend to make her own friends and explore her interests was great joy to hear indeed! The news she also checked up on Ariel for him was a bit of a pleasant surprise as well, as he'd almost completely forgotten his hunk of living coral ever since his and the group's life became exponentially more stressed and complicated as they crossed the divide. 'Note to self, teleport over to the Daycare and check up on her too. I shouldn't neglect her just because I don't have a place for her in my current party, and perhaps she'd be happy to see me after all this time......' he thought to himself, before moving on to reviewing the next portion of Shiva's message, as that part would be a cinch to answer.

Their shy yet no less earnest declaration of her rather high opinion of him and all but asking him on a d-date had him fiercely stamping down on his flustered feelings of affection and yearning uncomfortable longing in order not to become a blushing mess in the middle of the city. No matter how close he'd gotten to his much beloved friend and all the teasing/outright flirtatious and romantic behavior they indulged in, the thought of actually being in a relationship with her was absolutely an deeply unsettling and slightly terrifying for a myriad amount of reasons (The Age Gap, how mentally and emotionally distorted he was, his dark and less than moral past, etc.), all of which stemmed from his desire to not burden her with his teneborous problems. However, he was more than willing to 'hang out' with her whenever he could and chew the fat (so long as he didn't have any plans, that is!), and some quality time spent over dinner did sound wonderful, so long as it didn't stray too far into romantic territory. Hmm.....what to do, what to do.....

Finally, his most blessed friend's request to go out hunting with him and Apsis was a somewhat boggling and unexpected request, coming from the usually demure, sweet, kind hearted and gentle natured breeder. Being a strong advocate for caring/handling Pokémon with respect towards their species and natural origins, however, his shock quickly lasped into intrigue and..... excitement? Yes, excitement! 'Hunting with Shiva is an event I never forseen, but dare I say its a welcome surprise none the less! If she is willing to give it a try to best provide for the needs of Yena, I'm more than delighted to assist her in this endevour! Perhaps we could even convince Nathan and his Charmeleon and/or Grid to join us, but given his continued squeeminess about the idea, it will take some hard work on my part to get him to fully consider it.....'

Question on Braixen's......animosity towards him, and her kind request for any information about his own experience dealing with similar caused him to grimance a bit. He honestly didn't have a damn clue as to why the mage fox one day decided to despise him with all the fury of a raging Inferno, only that they decided to and he'd have to adjust to the possibility they are a threat to his wellbeing. Since he didn't know the cause and from what he could tell they were entirely uninterested in any form of friendly discourse with him, the researcher didn't know where to possibly begin to lessen their hostility towards them, or even know if its possible. Shiva's other question........

Ventus spent several long minutes sitting on that bench, the gears in his mind clicking and turning all the while......until he finally clicked a few buttons and pulled up Shiva number, and recorded a voice message for her. It sounded as follows:

"Salutation, Shiva! My deepest thanks for checking in on Ariel for me, and I'm estatic to hear that business turned out splendidly! I eagerly look forward to what else you wish to discuss with me, dear!

I'm also excited you made a new aquantice that shared you interests, especially one so kind to share their equipment with you to view the cosmos with Lilith! Stay out as late as you wish with her, as fulfilling your promises towards her is important, and spending the night watching the stars is a wonder way to spend the night I say! If the others ask, that is what I'll offer them in response, so worry not! Hopefully you two will become great friend in due time, and further still as the bond between you deepens!

As your proposal for spending some more quality time together (He says this part in a suggestive, almost flirty tone), I am more than willing to allot some time for such pleasurable company. I would say we delay such things until we arrive in Cress City, though, as we'll be busy with our own affairs during the trip, and I would the time to think of any place we can have our outing......

Your offer to join in my hunts with Yena is quite a surprise, but I'm more that happy and willing to accommodate you dear! If you want, we could go fishing for Magikarp or similar to feed our carnivourous Pokémon, as Apsis is due to be feed soon and she's quite partial to seafood and similar! Otherwise I can wait so long as you want to, Shiva.

.......(Tone of voice goes low and unhappy) I don't know why Braixen feels the way he does either, unfortunately. Given that, the intensity of his hatred towards myself, and his unwillingness to cooperate with me in anyway, I have no idea as to sway him towards a rosier view of myself. Even if I did, I doubt he'd be willing to relinquish his grudge so easily. Sorry for the lack of help there, my dear....

......(The tone now even bleaker) I have also had a few encounters and conducted research and therapy on human hating Pokémon, among others that had been treated........poorly. I don't wish to discuss those details, however. Those stories are unpleasant, and I don't like remembering them anymore than I have. If you still wish, though.......I'll see if I can't accommodate you.

(Silence....then his voice returns, chipper and happy once more) Regardless of that, I Look forward to seeing you later, Shiva! Stay safe and well!"

*Click*

Ventus then shut his phone and stowed it away, before he resumed his trip to the GSC, happy as he could be.