[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

You've already laid the groundwork for this proposition, and Marill is not a grumpy (or well-traveled) Pokemon, so this already has a good chance to work.

(2)(5)(3)(6)(2)(5) v (5)(6)(4)(1)

Marill shies away a bit at the mention of so much hard work.

"Ah, that's no way to go through life if ya ask me.  If you shy away from hard work all the time, you'll never get stronger.  A little hard work isn't so bad, in my opinion.  And there'll be plenty of opportunities to take breaks from the hard stuff and relax, too.  Let me give ya some examples of hard work paying off, though."  Nathan briefly indicates Gallade.  "My best friend there?  He only knew Growl and was an unevolved Ralts for an entire year.  A few months of practice and training later, though, and now he knows all sorts of strong and impressive attacks.  It might not have been easy, but I'd say the result was more than worth it.  Right, Gallade?"

Gallade nods, obviously.  He much prefers this to being an almost helpless little Ralts.

Nathan then turns back to Marill.  "There was also a little Azurill I saved from floating helplessly down a river once.  She was a timid little thing.  Now, though?  Now she's a big, strong, much more confident Azumarill.  It took a lot of love, care, and effort, but she's fully evolved and much better at the things she loves to do.  If ya came along, I could maybe introduce ya to her if ya wanted.  Could be another goal to work towards."

Encouragement and success stories! Maybe that'll help warm Marill up to the idea of putting in a little elbow grease to improve itself?