[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(That's kinda why I originally phrased things the way I did so Ventus didn't have to answer the question if he didn't want to.  Ah well...)

Ralts returns that *pbbbt* with gusto.  He's just being cautious, not afraid, and mostly because the Ghost was making Nathan uncomfortable (though he doesn't like being around most Ghosts himself, either).  He's not actually afraid of Ghosts, unlike Steel types.  Well, unless it's maybe a Skull Ruins Ghost...there is fear that he's feeling, but it's mostly stuff he's picked up from Nathan and Ventus both: fear of the Skull Ruins.

Nathan shudders at the comparison of the Skull Ruins to Relic Castle.

"I don't imagine it's anything like the Relic Castle.  Some levels have the warmth of a desert sun, right?  The Skull Ruins...as soon as you enter the Barrow Downs, and thus the Ruins proper...there's no warmth.  No light.  No hope.  Just...darkness.  All encircling darkness that threatens to suffocate you in its cold, cold embrace...or so one adventurer who dared to venture down to the first basement floor described it as."

Another shudder.

"...I REALLY don't recommend trying to jump scare anyone with a Ghost pokemon, Ventus.  Most people will react...poorly to that.  At best.  There's few places you can even find Ghosts outside of the Ruins, so most will assume they're ill tempered until proven otherwise...anyways...ya know, if ya REALLY wanted to get that youngster's name, you could just look up the Original Trainer ID since you conducted a trade."

*shrug*

Nathan patiently listens to the request to trade for the Icy Wind TM.  Hmmmm....

...he thinks for a moment.

Does he really value the TM that much?

...he'd want something just as useful for himself in exchange, though...

"...Sandstorm.  I know THAT is a TM Castform can typically universally learn due to their affinity with weather of all kinds, and it'd help her get used to summoning weathers that much more quickly, plus diversify her move options...get mea TM for it.  Just...don't get it from the Department Store if you can avoid it.  I'd really rather not support...them...if at all possible..."

"...on a different note, if I could borrow Haziel at some point as well, that'd be spectacular,  I need to make a trip back to Arrowroot Village sometime soon..."

(and OOC, waiving the rest of that Solomon debt would be great as well, as stated in PM already)

"...but seriously, PLEASE don't go around scaring people with ghosts.  It's generally a bad idea.  Ralts, at least try to be polite, please, alright?"

Ralts stays close to Furret (ya know, the normal type in the room), shoots Misdreavus a look that says 'don't you try anything funny either!', then goes back to what he was doing before: staring at that book of  children's stories.  Furret joins him.  The word 'children' caught her attention, so this book is far more interesting to her than the current discussion...though she's also inserting herself between Ralts and Misdreavus, just in case.

Emolga chitters questioningly again.

"...oh, right.  Where are my manners?  Emolga, this is Ventus.  Ventus, Emolga."

The beautiful Malphena briefly looked intrigued and mildly curious at the Ralts abnormal (to her)responses to her taunting display......before she suddenly gave him a downright devious grin. Oh, a brave one is he? Its not everyday she come across a Psychic type that didn't  go deathly pale at the thought of suffering under her Ghostly magics, but she tickled purple to make this discovery! He may look like a scrawny wimp like the rest of his ilk, but now that she was paying attention it was all to clear there's a certain fierceness to him, ready to be sparked at a moments notice. Te he he......well, this boy had certainly becoming MUCH more interesting, and she can't wait to she what else is hidden away in plain sight.....

Ventus, on the other hand, could only slowly shake his head in agreement to Nathan's assessment of the terrible evil that pervades the Skull Ruins. He still find himself wanting for find a way to describe how genuinely blighted and twisted that......area was, but they did an excellent job of conveying how utterly awful of an experience it forces on beings.....

Their next comment received another small nod from the researcher, saying to them: "I've already laid down ground rules as to what are acceptable targets to terrorize, and human strangers/Trainers are not included on that list, so worry not. As for Miss Malphena's attempt to frighten you, I thought it would be a humorous way to introduce the two of you, so I allow it to happen, believing you could handle a small scare. Which you have proven thusly so far, though not entirely the way I expect."

At the comment about his sister's OT number, Ven could only blink in response as he forgotten such a detail, and he resisted the urge to facepalm at his ignorance. Still, now that the matter was elaborated upon, he couldn't help but curiously check the OT for the Trainer's name. If nothing else, it would be something he could use to track them down later, if the need arises for some strange reason....

(...)

Only briefly mulling over the price they laid out, the sociologist smiled and stuck out a hand to shake on it.

"We have an accord, then. I'll endevear to obtain a Sandstorm TM for you ASAP, and do my best to search for vendors that are not the Dpt. Store, as I can understand your.....distaste due to who they choose to associate and do business with. (...) Need Haziel to conduct an errand there, yes? Hmm.....that's perfectly acceptable, though I am curious as to why you need to return there. No matter, you business is your own, and I'll not infrigine upon it. Perhaps I'll even accompany you myself when that time comes, as I still need to visit the Preserve in the area to fully complete my research...hmm."

Upon being introduce to Emolga, Ven blinked yet again for completely missing the literally energetic flying mouse that hailed primarily from his region, but in hindsight he WAS rather distracted until now, so perhaps it could be forgivable they fly under his rader. Never the less, he gave them a friendly smile and said: "Acquired yet another friend, I see, just like me. And such a lively one as well, from the feel from them! Hello there, Emolga! How have you've been, since you came into Nathan's care? Great, I hope!"

Another nod to the young trainer's request/plea was issued, before he decided to bring up some topics to kill the time until Shiva come picks them up for their....their......ahem. Normally he would just work on his research or write poetry to pass the time, but he wasn't exactly in the mood for such things as of now, and he didn't just want to sit in silence and brood over his relative failure today....

Malphena, meanwhile, silently hover by her newest master's side, listening to him ramble on and on about various things that flew right over her head, but she had to admit their was a certain charm listening to his earnest verbosity. It informed her more about her about his personality and gave her gravedirt on his/his group's activities, at the very least!

"Nathan, how much thought have you given to taking Charmeleon and Grid hunting since I last brought it up? I know its an uncomfortable topic you want to avoid like a large Poisonous Gas cloud, but this needs to be addressed. They are both carnivorous Pokémon, and would be much happier and healthier eating naturally than wholely relying on Pokechow or Rations, which has certainly been proven with Apsis well and truly by now, so you can't deny the results. If you just don't want to bloody your hands, I'm more than willing to take them hunting myself, or butcher some of Apsis' kills and share it with them...."

(...)

"On another matter, what can you tell me of the Tanuki, and about Cress? From what I could glean, she's the Gym Leader of this city, she has a propensity for cute Pokémon, she knows Mt. Sentry extremely well, and that Dagney thinks her eccentric and unreliable, but I know their is more to her than that and wish to get a broader opinion/knowledge base on her. As for why I want to know more about Cress, I actually not had the time to explore this city and learn more about its unique culture besides this morning Tea Ceremony, as I've been too busy conducting business to 'stop and smell the Roserades', so to speak. Is their any place you'd think that would be of interest to me, besides the Cathedral you mentioned earlier?"

(...)

"Hmm....say Nathan, I recall you took that Pay Day TM from Dagney , yes? Did you happen to teach it to Swiftfire? If I recall correctly the move can be rarely found on the Rapidash breed, so the possibility she could learn it was present. If that's the case, you could perhaps have her help generate additional funds for you, should you find the right conditions to generate valuable material from the move rather than worthless metals. Just a thought, of course, so you don't have to pay it any mind if you wish."

(...)

"......Call me curious, but can you tell me more about how your Pokémon are doing to me? More specifically, how are they behaving and interacting with you and others, and how they have grown and changed under your care? I've been meaning to ask the group about such things for awhile to acquire additional data for my ongoing research on understand Pokémon behavior and its sociological aspects, and now seems to be a good time as ever. If you wish to keep such things to yourself, though, I perfectly understand, so no pressure Nathan."

(...)

"Ah, I recall something else now too, now. I did promise that you could join me when I next inform Cynthia about Raphael's growth and development thus far, yes? It would have to be in Stair City, as the last time I tried calling her in Corsage their was no connection, and the last time she called me that connection was.....tenuous at best, so we both would have to arrange a date to conduct this. Not tomorrow or in the near future, obviously, as we have various other matters both personal and not that need be attended, but it is something that should be kept in mind or thought about. Hmm.....perhaps a week from now we could try to reach her......? Is that fine with you, or should I post pone it further? It would certainly give me more time to observe and make a proper report on my dear child, but expedience certainly has its appeal, especially after not speaking with my friend for so long.....hmm."

(...)
"How did your meeting with Mr. Finder go? Is he of merit as Shiva claimed, or do we have reason to suspect he's a snake oil merchant, or someone we can't put much faith in?"

(...)

"Have you called your mother lately? While I don't believe she has any present reason to worry about you now, or so I hope at least anyway, I can hardly imagine her not being happy to receive word of how you doing thus far. On the subject, is she and the ranch doing well too? Forgive me for asking about such things, but......well, I just want to make sure all is good with your family. "

"......I hope you are doing well too, Nathan. You have seen much more at ease since you've settled in this rustic city, but remember if you ever need someone to speak to, or need assistance, I'm willing to provide it, despite our......conflicts with one another. Shiva and Heart are there for you too if you need it, so you are certainly in good company, should you only ask for it."

(I was bored, and this is a good way of catching Ven up on stuff while re-building a raport between our character, as well as bring up ideas/plans with each other.)