[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Eyes watch her from the shadows. Wooden carvings everywhere cast dim little shadows of their own. Every cloud passing overhead makes the shadows dance and deepens the gloom inside the Gym. The crystal goblets and pitchers on a little table to one side do nothing to break up the grayness.

Another heavy wooden door opens, and out steps Chuckles. He's not laughing or even smiling - you've heard from Ventus how the name is a misnomer. He wears a long black cloak and a gray suit. He appears to sniff the air and make a decision.

"Lovely day for a battle, isn't it?" he asks drily. "You are a challenger. Very well. Do you know the rules of my gym? Are you ready to begin right away, or would you prefer to make an appointment?"

The further Shiva goes in the hallway, the closer she sticks to Raphael for soothed nerves and to Delphox for warmth + light, the time noble and ominous and scary Chuckles himself appears she has linked arms with her dearest magical fox.

She's obviously afraid, but does her very best to ban that feeling into the darkest corner of her being and cloak it in a veil of confidence and quiet WILLPOWER as she faces the ghostly Leader with a neutral expression. "It's raining", was all she says at first. ".....And I came from quite the distance to this city for the purpose to conquer my fears. Postponing this by making an appointment for the battle is no option..." *strengthening of posture and eager headshaking* "I don't wish to leave this mansion without facing the challenge now please."

Mustering Chuckles a little, she continues. "What are your conditions and rules for a battle then? Do you....accept Double Battles? I heard you do, and I took some time to find combinations of moves and Pokemon that'll hopefully ensure me leaving this Gym and city with a third Badge."

Delphox just stoicly watches this figure that seemed to unhinge his valued Master, not breaking contact between his own pure white eyes and this man's deep black ones once. He has his orders.