[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Huge Original Post to have it all in once place

Spoiler

Shiva was among the first ones that met up with Ventus again, and as soon as they were within range of each other she came close to him with a greeting smile for him and one moment later as she realized that he's fine, she took one of his hands into hers to give it a gentle squeeze, still looking him into the eyes. "Good to see you!~ Has Tropius behaved himself towards you? ...He has? Great! May I, well have him back then? Here's Grid for you again." After having reached into a pocket of her Cloak, she placed the spider's Ball softly into Ven's hand and joined him on waiting for the others to come back in order to resume the journey.

While doing so, she kept Tropius out of his Pokeball and silently hugged and nuzzled the had of her rare Grass Type to both express that she's delighted to have him back and to reward him for not objecting about being a moult for Ventus - but at some point, she stopped in this exchange of affection and looked at him with a somewhat concerned expression, still keeping his head into her hands. "So, ehm, listen Tropius... Meanwhile I have found something that I'd like to have you carry before I'll send you into important battles, against Gym Leaders and such I mean. But not permanently! With one of your moves you can get rid of it fastly to pester a foe before it might have a negative effect on you, and that's exactly what's intended. It's...this stuff..." *showing the Tropius the Black Sludge in the glass bottle, if Ventus' paying attention he can see it too now if he likes to do so* "So, do you agree to my plea?"

Ventus easily gave over Tropius back to Shiva and accepted Grid back from her in turn, giving her a small nod and a smile in response to how the both of them managed to fair with one another. "They were perfectly cooperative, dear, so I thank you once again for their gentle assitence...." When she began interacting with her leafy sauropod, the researcher was content to simply just passively listen in like the unintrusive nosy person he typically is, until she retried a Black Sludge from her backpack, which caused him to perk up in interest as he connected the dots of her plan. "Planning to use Tropius' Bestow to 'gift' adversaries with the noxious Black Sludge, hmm? A rather brilliant idea, but if the opponent is already holding an Item then it might prove to be less than effective, as might be the case with elite class trainers such as The Gym Leader. Still, its a worthwhile idea for most Trainer battles, and if you obtain a Pokémon with Trick or Switheroo then this plan of your's effectiveness will be magnified greatly! Ah, and one last thing......well, if it wouldn't impose on you might I borrow it for Aspis from time to time? From what I recall Dagney saying to me, her Necklace is not always a permitable Item to use in League Sanctioned Matches, and the passive regeneration it can provide her would greatly help in treating any injuries she sustains down here. Of course if you rather keep it to yourself, I would perfectly understand."

Tropius' training/instincts in Bestow include a willingness to hold unpleasant items for a short time if necessary. The Black Sludge is not technically poison damage, but nevertheless Grass types are normally averse to it. Tropius is always a little leery of coal or coal byproducts, since he's basically a giant fern!

"....You do if necessary? Thank you! I won't impose this this Sludge on you more than necessary, promised!" More cuddles for the grassy Pokemon.



As soon as the others arrive, Tropius is still out while Furret and Azumarill are withdrawn by now and Shiva does greet them with a wave before Ventus spoke his mind concerning what to do about that chasm that posed another obstacle on their way forward and deeper down this mountain. She listened carefully what he had to share, felt honest relief over that Gigalith and Golem being dealt with, and eventually gave him a light punch on the shoulder as soon as he finished speaking and asked for the other's thoughts. When Shiva replied, she had her arms crossed and a mildly huffed expression for Ventus. Seems like with some of his words, he has accidently hit a nerve of hers. "Venny! I'm....I'm right beside you, so please don't speak in the third person of me!" With force, she averted her gaze from the oddball of Sociologist to give him a cold shoulder and show that he messed up with that one detail. Oh well...

Normally the researcher would be quick to ameliate any tensions between him and his girlfriend and kindly apologize for whatever he did to provoke such a tempermental reaction. However.......all such trains of thought were ground to a screeching halt when she called him Venny of all nicknames, the mere utterance causing him to freeze and his eyes to widened impercetively as a wave of shock and bittersweet feelings crashed through the empath. In short order he was able to wrestle his emotions back in order/control and recover, but the damage had already been done as he only gave a quiet nod in response to both Shiva's objection and modification to the plan, before remaining silient, arms now crossed as a small frown tugged at his lips. 'Sans........'

As soon as Nathan has given his objection concerning Ditto, she turned back to Ventus again and looked and sounded calmer again, but not completely happy with him again yet. "Ditto's help is not necessary in the first place, I guess. Tropius has already flown me over the roofs of Stair City, and I guess he's strong enough to carry two of us at one time. Are you, dear one?" *inserts a reaction from him that expresses confirmation* "Ah, good. So, ehm, in that case I guess it's be easiest if me and Mr. Finder fly over at first, then I'll have Tropius return to you bring two of you over the chasm, then return once more to take the other two of us. That makes a total of three times my Pokemon has to carry two people and two times where he crosses the gap without a moult. Tropius, if you get tired, please let me know - then me and Gothitelle will help you staying in the air with a Telekinesis. That is...if none of you would be averse against the sensation of psychic power used on you."


(I'm wondering if that's possible for Lilith, are her powers strong enough to keep a 200kg-Tropius in the air for a short time? I'm positive that her Telekinesis has enough strength to keep an average human in the air, but such a heavy and big Pokemon?)

Ventus easily gave over Tropius back to Shiva and accepted Grid back from her in turn, giving her a small nod and a smile in response to how the both of them managed to fair with one another. "They were perfectly cooperative, dear, so I thank you once again for their gentle assitence...." When she began interacting with her leafy sauropod, the researcher was content to simply just passively listen in like the unintrusive nosy person he typically is, until she retried a Black Sludge from her backpack, which caused him to perk up in interest as he connected the dots of her plan. "Planning to use Tropius' Bestow to 'gift' adversaries with the noxious Black Sludge, hmm? A rather brilliant idea, but if the opponent is already holding an Item then it might prove to be less than effective, as might be the case with elite class trainers such as The Gym Leader. Still, its a worthwhile idea for most Trainer battles, and if you obtain a Pokémon with Trick or Switheroo then this plan of yours effectiveness will be magnified greatly! Ah, and one last thing......well, if it wouldn't impose on you might I borrow it for Aspis from time to time? From what I recall Dagney saying to me, her Necklace is not always a permitable Item to use in League Sanctioned Matches, and the passive regeneration it can provide her would greatly help in treating any injuries she sustains down here, so having it available for use would be a tremendous boon. In exchange, I'm willing to lend you anything you want for it so long as I have the Black Sludge in my possession. Of course if you rather keep it to yourself, I would perfectly understand."

(...)

Normally the researcher would be quick to ameliate any tensions between him and his girlfriend and kindly apologize for whatever he did to provoke such a tempermental reaction. However.......all such trains of thought were ground to a screeching halt when she called him Venny of all nicknames, the mere utterance causing him to freeze and his eyes to widened impercetively as a wave of shock and bittersweet feelings crashed through the empath. In short order he was able to wrestle his emotions back in order/control and recover, but the damage had already been done as he only gave a quiet nod in response to both Shiva's objection and modification to the plan, before remaining silent, arms now crossed as a small frown tugged at his lips. 'Sans........'

(Hit Ven's Depression Button real good by calling him Venny, Phantom! Don't worry, he'll get better soon though!)

Eeeek! Shiva was a little startled as Ventus adressed her  and instantly flinched a little, as she has been concentrated on exchanging cuddles and nuzzles as well as negotiating things with her Tropius. Nevertheless, as Ventus by all means doesn't pose a threat or such, she manages to catch herself rather quickly again and softened as she listens to what he spoke. It was held in a friendly and interested way, so she's all open for the input and blinked a little in wonder as he finished. "Oh... That, well, was my indeed my train of thought, Ven. But now that you say it, if the opponent holds an item themselves... It might still work, it might not work, I'm not too sure. Braixen usually learn Switcheroo when they've grown enough to evolve into a precious Delphox, which is a side effect of their awoken psychic powers.... But, we'll see, I'll find a use. Somehow." She shrugged faintly, being not fully decided on what would be the best way to use this Black Sludge effectively.

The kind request to have it on loan for Apsis however caused Shiva to react with a heavy and somewhat sad sigh, before she gently leaned into Ven's side as if by saying that, he upriled something that was troubling her. Not facing him and not speaking for a few moments, she eventually found her voice and opened up towards him. "I don't quite know whether it'd be good to have Apsis hold that Sludge from time to time... Ven, do not get me wrong! I'd happiliy loan it to you when it's benefitial for you. But... I'm still somewhat scared of your Arbok, Ven. She in return does not like me, I'm believing that either the matter that I've been training Pokemon with psychic powers and she knows that is it, or - playing a more important role - takes me as some sort of rival for you attention, possibly even for your love. I'm not meaning any harm and don't want to compete! I guess you have a big enough heart for both me and your dear Pokemon. If it'd be me who'd offer her that Black Sludge though whenever you'd like her to hold it - do you think that'd make her realize that I'm not a foe or rival, and we can at least be on a ground where we don't put each other on edge constantly?"


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From the corner of her eye, Shiva managed to pick up that something was wrong. It seemed like Ven froze at the spot, and something was telling her that it was because of HER. She believed that she caught up shock 'n bittersweet feelings but wasn't 100% sure as is disappeared as fast as it came. ...She was certain that it had to do with the way she ACCIDENTLY has called him. Hell, it must have slipped her tongue in that anger and hurt! She still didn't know what was so bad about that nickname, but she won't pressure him to tell - all she was was aware of that he didn't like being called like that, that it causes him to loose his cheer.

Still having her arms crossed but her body half-turned towards him again, she shoots him a sad look, one that silently begged for forgiveness. Yet, she didn't manage to find words to speak, but maybe later she'll do so.


(It seems like both Ven and Shiva have something to apoligize for towards the other, Windos. Maybe as soon as he's not depressed anymore as you hinted, they can talk themselves out.)