[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

New music begins, and the four dancers begin their dance. Challengers aren't expected to dance much, since they are unlikely to be trained in such a thing, but Pokemon usually get into it without instructions! Which is not to say that trainer dancing is looked down on in any way. There are also example steps actually set into the parquet floor, showing you where to put your feet to move in a simple pattern that looks good with what the Kimono Girls do.

Let me know if Nathan is doing any sort of dancing and I can edit this.

Kimono Girls vs Nathan Round 1

Jolteon begins with a step involving placing all four paws, one by one, into the air, until she is no longer on the ground! Instead, she floats a few feet above it.

Magnet Rise
4 Dex + 1 Fight +4 Canalize -6 perform = 3d6
(5)(4)(2), (3)(2)(3)(5)(2)(3) + 4 = 5 performance (Your specialty in this case is a flat bonus, like supereffective moves)
Jolteon began levitating!

Forthright spins happily in place, trying to do a pirouette like she's seen Kirlia do, and realizes it's her turn to make a move! She flings herself forward and pretty much bounces off of Jolteon. Happily.

Tackle
(6)(4)(5)(3)(2)(5)(3), (1)(3)(6) +2 = 3 perform.
(2)(2)(3)

The party may be surprised to see just how tough these slender Kimono Girls are! (They're on par with Nathan).
Those with Alert may even spot a few Gym Badges worked into their jewelry!


Kimono Girls vs Nathan Round 2

The music shifts to a gentle rainlike sound, and Jolteon gives a little contented growl. She moves her feet quickly in short little steps in time to the rain. The Kimono Girl is concentrating fiercely on matching those steps and communicating wordlessly with Jolteon. A light rumble sounds, reminding the onlookers of rainy days cozied safely up indoors, maybe looking out a rainy window, and hearing the storm far off in the distance.

Thunder, held back.
9 dice, -3 accuracy, -3 perform = 3d6
(6)(1)(1) Only a gentle static brushes through Castform. She looks intrigued, then a little cunning.
Perform: (3)(3)(6) + 4 = 5

The Kimono girl relaxes. The danger in this move is using too much force, not too little. Her face is serene despite the apparent failure.

Castform spins forward and sort of trips up Jolteon, except Jolteon doesn't fall: she dances her legs out of his way, even going so far as to take on an awkwardly sprawling balance, but never loses control. She does get a little twisted up and pressured by Castform's attack. And she does all this without actually touching the ground.

Tackle
(3)(2)(2)(3)(5)(2)(4), (5)(2)(5) + 2 = 4 Perform.
(4)(2)(5) Jolteon takes 2 dmg 5/7hp -1 pain.

Kimono Girls vs Nathan Round 3

When Castform passes through Jolteon and the Kimono Girl, she nods. It's time for them to make their move.

She stretches out her hands, and Jolteon charges up with power. Arcs of yellow energy sail between them like a pair of jump ropes. Castform is batted by the 'ropes' whenever she fails to dance fast enough, and they travel in such an intricate interweaving pattern that it's hard to do so. All in time to the music, of course.

Thunder Shock
9 dice, -6 perform, -1 pain
(6)(5), (4)(4)(2)(3)(2)(1) +4 = 6 perform
3 Str +2 power +1 stab -3 vit = 3d6
(5)(6)(3) Castform takes 2 dmg 5/7hp -1 pain

Castform responds with... a Tackle! She giggles at how obstinate she is being.

Tackle
(3)(3)(5)(5)(6)(5), (6)(2)(5) = 4 perform.
(3)(5)(2) Jolteon takes 1 dmg 4/7hp -1 pain.

Kimono Girls vs Nathan Round 4

Jolteon dances past Castform, in the air just like she is, and gives a graceful side kick. Then she pivots and gives her the other leg too!

Double Kick (but it's still just one action).
(4)(4), (3)(3)(5)(1)(5)(4) = 7 perform
3 Str + 2 power -3 vit = 2d6+1
(2)(4) Castform takes 2 dmg 3/7hp -2 pain

Tackle
(4)(4)(4)(6)(5) Critical hit, though all moves have to be held back with 5 dice at this point. (4)(1)(4) +2 = 4 perform.
(4)(5)(6)(2)(5) Jolteon takes 2 dmg 2/7hp.

For a finale, Jolteon allows the tackle to carry her up high into the air, where she does a flip and lands with her feet primly on the ground - the actual ground, as Magnet Rise ends.

"Nathan Warren is the victor in this ceremonial battle," croaks the old man, and rings a small gong. Your opponents courtesy deeply to you, and the Kimono Girl gives you a very polite peck on the cheek and a lovely red flower. "Red is the color of victory," she says. It has a little Pokeball decoration clipped to it, emblazoned "K."

Forthright gains 6Xp, and Nathan gains 5.

The crowd claps very politely, and the ceremony is over!

A man comes out of the white building and approaches Nathan.

"We make video recordings of all the dances, and pass the best ones on to show up in a compilation later. We pay $600 for the rights to each trainer's video, if we find their Pokemon's performance beautiful. We also sometimes crop the trainer out of the shot, so let me know if that is necessary. This is all entirely voluntary and you do get a copy after three days of post-processing."

He hands you a form to sign, explaining everything he just said.