[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"That? It's just kid stories. $100."

"Done deal."

Ralts gets to hold on to the book for now.

"You'd be surprised how valuable even a cheap book can be.  And I'm not just talking about monetary value.  Thank you very much, sir."

Well, I suppose that wraps up the window shopping for now.  Back to the future!  Or is it the present now?  It's been kinda hard to keep track, tbh...almost done with the day, though!  Just gotta wrap up one more thing...

Spoiler

While a little disappointed that his sister didn't quite pull off a successful ambush, it didn't dampen his humor one bit to see Nathan abruptly swivel around and just stare at them. The boy assumption was indeed spot on, as Melphena was taken off guard about being caught in the act.....until she floated ever closer , almost pressing against his face, let out a low *Eeeeeeeee* ......

.....And then suddenly giggled and smiled mischeviously at him, before hovering up 'n over him and right to her master and gave them a close eyed wide smile and a much more chipper *Eeee!* She may have failed in her goal to spook the little boy, but it was still funny seeing him gap at her! Maybe next time she'll make a tasty meal and elicit some REAL fear out of him, tehe!

Ventus was about to let out another fond chuckle and (if permitted) fondly tussle her hair for their antics and properly introduce her to the young scholar, but them suddenly grappling on them, jerking him forward, and started to grill into him over his (admitidly true) suspicions. The empath didn't have a chance to react at all, and was left momentarily stunned from this unexpected rough treatment!

"Bwah?!"

Little Miss, while also being taken off guard by the boy's mood swing, recovered almost immediately and rapidly interposed herself between him and their weird master, this time actually getting right up in his face and giving him her best pseudo mean lock she could conjure up, letting out a angry high pitched *Eeeeeeeeee!* to accompany it that convey the basic notion :'Hey, knock it off!' She and her former trainer had enough manhandling for one day, and she wasn't about to let her new trainer being subjected to it too! If he didn't let go soon, she'll give him a REAL reason to get all work up...!

That screech does get Nathan to almost immediately move his hands to covering his ears until the screeching stops.  Nathan's pokemon do the same, but Ralts in particular is NOT enjoying that noise at ALL.  He looks about ready to use Hypnosis on that Ghost and be done with it, get some peace and quiet that way.

It wasn't lost on Nathan that Ventus was feelin' like he'd been caught red-handed in that surprise.  As soon as the screeching's stopped, Nathan carefully takes his hands off his ears, keeps them raised and near his head so he looks non-threatening to the ghost...

"...Ventus, the Skull Ruins are far, far more dangerous than any location you've probably been to.  Going there is a death sentence to all but the most experienced of trainers.  Even the Champion avoids it unless he has a VERY good reason to go there."

Wait a sec...

This ghost doesn't seem to be...aggressive...

Nathan lowers his hands.

"...Ventus...where'd you get this Misdreavus from?  And...why were you in the Skull Ruins if you didn't catch this Misdreavus there?"

...Nathan takes the moment to take a stab at answering his own question, actually, since Ventus is probably still trying to figure out how to respond.  Ralts is a little too spooked to properly focus right now, so he's hugging Furret's warm, furry side.

"...scouting the place out or looking for goodies, I assume?  Thought you'd be fine?  Look, I'm glad you're okay, but...trust me when I say there's nothing of value in there that's worth the trouble it would take to get it.  Okay?  Don't.  Go there.  It'll do nothing but create negative emotions...and every trip could be your last..."

...

"...did anyone get hurt?  Anyone at all?  Someone probably took a nasty ghost type move, right?  I've read that ghost type attacks get amplified to bone chilling levels while in the Ruins...that it damages the target's very soul instead of their body...*shudder*...a common thing that survivors do is visit the Cathedral afterwards.  You know, the one in this city.  The warmth of that place...it's so...bright and comforting...and it's so...open and wonderful...I can understand why they say it helps after having finally gone there myself..."

And Nathan's lost in thought again as he remembers the good time he had at the Cathedral just yesterday.  Aaaaahhh, that helps...

Notably, Emolga's also stopped chittering for the time being since Misdreavus showed up.