[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

A faint look of surprise flickered across Ventus' face as Nathan described the antiquated right of practice, followed shortly by a surge of curiosity and deep interest as the gears in his mind started turning as he pondered the information.

"Truly? That sounds remarkably similar to The Rite that my people in Opelucid have been practicing for untold ages, though not as......adverse and forboding. If it wouldn't be a bother, could you tell me more of what you know about Charring Cross and its traditions? Part of my sociological research involves visiting the Zen Garden there, and while I know a little from what Dr. Mallorn has told me, a more thorough understanding of the local would be a great boon!"

The researcher's expression then grew more thoughtful as this talk of Charring Cross and his studies stirred up a similar topic from the depth of his mind.

"Hmm....that reminds me of something..... ah yes, the other specific destination I need to visit: The Safari Zone and Nature Reserve in the Hog Potato Swamp! I should plan my expedition into the later at some point, as I didn't have a chance to visit the last time we were in the area due to circumstances, and do some studying on the formor. Dr. Mallorn said I'm permitted to have guests with me while I conduct my research and investigations in these area, so you and everyone one else in our group is free to accompany me", if you wish."

Seeing the boy retrieve a pool from his supplies befuddled the empath for a moment, as why would they own such a thing....until her remember the Egg and the potential Pokémon it could produce. 'Oh my......perhaps I shouldn't rule out Clampearl or Carnarva after all, if he's both a pool they could use. Hmm.....now I'm even more curious as to what Pokémon that Egg contains....'

When the time for the cake to be passed out and the festivities to begin in earnest, the sociologist happily availed himself the opportunity to release Malphena and Lilith, and gestured towards/obtained some Honey for them to feast upon, as each deserved the chance to revel in merriment and enjoy such a sweet treat! Azrael, on the other hand, started to wine piteously as she smelled the rich, moist Chocolate Gatu placed off to the side of him, wiggling in her Papa's lap as she tried to get him to release her so she could track down the delicious treat and start munching on it! At her sweet craving antics, Ven eventually sliced off a small portion of it and held it out for his blind drake to nom on, chuckling as she let out a happy noise and nearly bit his hand off to get at it, and watching her with a fatherly fondness as she enjoyed it (Reactions for all Pokémon, Iron?). 'One day she will be a fierce and brutal Hydregion, ready to annilate all that opposes her or gains her ire, but for now she my little angel, one that a cherish with all my heart....'

Overall, Ven enjoyed himself at the surprise birthday party, as it lifted his spirits and gave him plenty of things to think about besides gloom and doom.

Shame he was going to undo all that by resuming his crusade against Chandelure.

Oh well, its as the saying goes: 'Revenge before Reason, and at the cost of oneself....'

"Yeah, that's really no bother.  Let me just pull out my journal real quick..." (@Iron, PMing some further info on Charring Cross would be great!)

Nathan shrugs at Ventus's mention of his future studies.  "I kinda wanted to visit the Safari Zone anyways for my own reasons.  Not sure about the nature preserve, to be honest...maybe it'd be good for one of my pokemon, though..."

Despite everyone's clear surprise at the small pool being revealed, Nathan doesn't answer any unphrased questions.

(Yeah, I'd like some reactions from Nathan's various pokemon as well.)

Spoiler

That turn into a more serious topic out of the blue - actually, Shiva didn't want to think of that topic tonight, and instead simply enjoy the rest of the night as well as possible - caused her to almost choke on that bite of chocolate gateau. Luckily, only 'almost', and she caught herself rather quickly again.

Handing the plate with her piece to Azumarill to hold for a little, she carefully accepted the 1000$ wordlessly but in a slow movement as if it...meant something special to her, only to afterwards put it securely away into own wallet, drawing her hardcover star-patterned journal as she put the latter away, paged through it a little all calmly and eventually crossed and scribbled something on a particular page:

Total Costs: 5000$ + expenses, these were asked to keep as low as possible as we ourselves can provide food, ropes and such things.
Note, return to Mr. Finder one day before the planned departure with a book on loan from the second-hand bookstore in Stair City's Department Store, head there with Helios' help.
2500$ shall be paid upon departure, the rest afterwards.

Heart aka ArcHeart 1000$, received

Only when Shiva closed journal again in a swift movement, she faced Heart, still looking somewhat calm and serious. "Many thanks for you contribution, Heart. I've noted it down." *packing away of journal* "Uhm, for discussing plans... I'm planning to see Mr. Finder tomorrow to make a definitive contract, which means that I'd be happy if you we could head down into Mount Sentry the day after tomorrow. Preferably in the morning, but if anyone of you needs to finish some business or make some last-minute cash, we can delay departure to the afternoon, there is no day-and-night-circle inside a mountain. Is that...fine with everyone? If not, please speak up."

"Oh!" Now her expression visibly lighted up. "Good luck on your Gym Battle then, Heart! Greet Tanuki from me, maybe. ^_^ I'm busy however, so please forgive me that I'll be unable to witness your battle." Something deep within Shiva quietly told her and gave her some forwarning that sweet Tanuki CERTAINLY knew how to break the fact that many challengers probably follow a similar strategy like Heart, and that was to rely on Fighting and Steel Types. Shiva knew that simply Rattata was able to hatch with the genes needed to know Flame Wheel and neat assortment of Fighting Type moves, and there were many normal birdlike Pokemon with dangerous moves, as well as few Pokemon that have some psychic power. Like Girafarig or sweet Meloetta! Huh, silently, she was already coyly looking forward to her own facing of this young Gym Leader. But first, the Library had priority.  

This time Shiva didn't choke on the gateau, and instead calmly listened to what Ven had to tell and share. Eventually and pretty subtle and calmly, she got a hold of the edge of his green sweater with one careful hand. "The Safari Zone is on the way to Elanor...and there are rare plants I'd like to...collect, so I'd enjoy to visit this place one day.... As well as that Zen Garden - " 'Imagine the calmness dwelling there! The grace, the peace...', she silently added in her mind as a joyful anticipation awoke within her, "...as well as the Nature Preserve. Pleeeeeaaaaaseeeeee... I won't cause any trouble for you. I just want to...expreience this place... See what Pokemon live there."

Nathan doesn't really want to think about that topic tonight, either.

He does make one comment.  "...I'll have to go find out if I can talk with Tanuki tomorrow, then.  If we can delay heading back into the mountain until that egg hatches, that'd be great.  A I said, it seems like it will hatch in two days.  I...don't want to head down there with a pokemon egg if at all possible...though the further we could push back when we start looking, the better..."

That, and he needs the time to help Furret with caring for the newborn...dang it, he doesn't have enough party space to both help Furret and properly prepare for delving into a cave...unless...

...he'd have to ask tomorrow.  Now isn't the time.