[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Lucas nods when everyone says they're sticking this out until the end.  "Alright then.  I have no doubt in my mind we all have good reason to be here.  Let's do our best, and end whatever the source of all of this trouble is."  He says no more on that topic of turning back, though there is a slight smile on his face as he turns to conduct his own business.

- First, he wants to make sure everyone that was not in his mini-group is fine, and help out if necessary. If anyone wants to talk with my character, this would be the time to do so.
- Second, he'll want to check on how Paula's doing, now that he has the time and is in a safe enough spot to do so, couching down to examine her closely and with concern. "Paula, how ya feeling? Did that Fight with that Rhyperior wear ya out, or was it all the battles before that? And how's ya voice too? Any better, now that you've had a little rest...?
- Third, he'd want to check on his Portable PC for any Items/Messages he got from Alman, Roark, and his friend back in Canalave City . Its been a few days since he sent out his gifts to them, so they probably have sent him some brief messages back, and he's curious to know if that Amber he found in Snowpoint Temple had any DNA that Roark could get revivified !
- Forth, he'd want to check out the cave the group's in for any goodies or unusual stuff the others may have missed . He's the resident cave expert, so its possible he could turn something of interest up!
- Fifth and finally (for now), he'd want to have a private chat with Lucas once everything has settled down for the time being. He'd be discrete about asking for it, as he doesn't want to attract unnecessary attention to it from the rest of the group. Depending on the outcome of this he might have more to do with him, so I'll just leave it at the conversation for now.

- Paula nods.  She's feeling better.  She's still finding it hard to sing, but her voice should return with a little more rest.

- Randolph does actually have some messages from Alman, Roark, and his friend!  He must have received them before entering Mt. Coronet.
     - Thanks for the jewelry, Wolfe!  Looks real pretty, I have to say!  Reminds me of a particular day all those years ago...that gemstone's as clear as diamond!  Ya haven't forgotten what I told ya right before you left, right?  Don't forget!  
     - Oh wow, Moon Stone!  And that Amber!  Where'd ya find these beauties?  I did some analysis on it, and the Amber contained Aerodactyl DNA!  I had the museum revive it for you since you asked, then sent it to your PC.  I imagine they've probably arrived by the time you've seen this message.  Be careful, those flying terrors are quite the handful!  Oh, and thanks for the gift!  (this message is found as a hold item equipped to said Aerodactyl.  The other two are just letters in Randolph's inbox)
     - For me?  Randolph, you shouldn't have.  Honestly, I have no idea what the heck I'm going to do with this beautiful necklace.  Thank you.  I'll try not to work too hard.  (Randolph isn't certain that's actually going to happen, though)

Unfortunately, responding to the messages isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world right now, given that the only practical way to do so right now is through sending letters via the PC.

- The room the group is currently in is almost completely bare aside from the statue.  There's enough space to make camp, but little else in the way of decoration.  Examining the walls, though...

*rolls*

...are those...traces of coal veins?  Odd.  Mt. Coronet isn't known for having coal deposits...it's unmistakable, though.  There's traces of coal in the walls.

- Lucas keeps it brief at first.  Sally is over by Scizor, translating for the bug (much to her continued dismay).  "Randolph.  Need something?"

Okay, going in order they happened in....

- Ran's obviously relieved that his little sea sprite is alright, gracing her with a warm smile and patting her on the head. "That's good, very good. Thought for a moment all those hard 'n brutal fights I put you through 'caused ya some serious fatigue and strain, but I'm glad to see it didn't. *Chuckles* You're quite the hearty for little girl like yourself, aren't ya? Well, that'll serve you greatly, as we're not done yet with this mountain full o' madness. The challenges and beasties ahead will be getting tougher, so best prepare yourself for it, Paula. *Smiles* I'll be there for you as always, rest assure of that."

He'd finish up his check up/small pep talk with another friendly/comforting head pat before returning her for some rest (or leaving her out, if she prefers sleeping around Ran for the moment). If he has the time and material for it, though, I'd like Ran to make a nice pretty red bow accessory for Paula, as the thought struck him she'd look all the more precious wearing something like that, and it be another way to show he cared about her.

- The scruffy smith's thoughts on his old friend Alman's message got a happy, fond chuckle out of him, glad to hear that his gift brightened their day. Their reminder of that elicits a scoff and a snort, as of course he would. How'd he forget something important as that? Still, its good to have that on the forefront of his mind going forward, so he's still grateful for the minder they gave him all the same!

Roark's message's first few lines gets more chuckles out of him, this time accompanied by a grin. He knew they'd love those earthen beauties he sent him. His expression quickly shifts from delight to intrigue and then excitement as they told him his Amber ended up bearing a Aerodactyl just as he wished! For so long he'd wanted one of them prehistoric flying lizards for ages ever since he decided to become a Trainer, and now he's got one! Sweet ! Getting it to listen to him without it trying to maim or eat anyone was going to be a bit of a ordeal, but if he could become close partners with Zorn and....whatever you call his relationship with Diam, he sure as hell can tame one of the meanest Fossil Pokemon that's known to have exist!

(...And que it's Stat Block, Dragonstrike, if you haven't already gotten it made out in the Game/Meta Thread!)

Lastly, his friends response to the lovely necklace he sent them was to *Tsk* at their feigned cluelessness of what to do with his gift ('Wear it, ya silly librarian!') and the high probability they will work themselves to the Cubone (Again) , but he's smiling as he does. To this day, he still doesn't know why his friend decided to....well, befriend a grumpy bastard like him, but he's glad that they did. Who knows where either of them be without each other in their lives? He'd certainly have no clue how to deal with shy, timid sorts of people like Paula and Rui, that's for sure!

He wishes he can message all of them back, but alas he can't, so all he can do is wish that they're doing well, and that after all this job is DONE he can return to them all, safe and sound (or mostly so) ! 

- Seeing that the Statue Room has trace amounts of coal alone would have piqued Ran's interest (and make him even more concerned and irritated with what this cosmic disaster was doing to Mt. Coronet), but coupled with the reminder from Alman and all the stress he's been through lately sparked a certain memory that made eyes widen then darken as he remembered that day. That terrible, horrible day. That day, when that black abomination.....!

The dwarven craftsman's hands tighten like vice grips as he remembered, his nails digging into the palms of his hands and causing them to bleed as he stared at the specks and flakes of coal in the walls. 

Alman told him those creatures dwell in spots where coal is. The mystery has be causing all kinds of changes in Coronet, and dragging every and any sorts of Pokemon here. Maybe....just maybe, it or its kind will be here. Maybe, just MAYBE, he would finally, finally, FINALLY have his revenge on it.....!

Ran would remain like that for a bit until he either snaps out of it on his own or someone notices how odd he was acting, in which case he'll go about treating his self-inflicted injuries and seclude himself a bit to calm himself down before going over to talk with Lucas. In the later case, he might have responses to whomever brings him out of his remembrance, depending on who they are.

- Last but not least, Ran's upcoming conversation with Lucas. Before that, though, since he'd notice Sally on translation duty for Scizors and her usual disdain of it, he'd suddenly get the idea of having his Ditto Transform into her and take over that task for the just anubis for a bit, giving her a break for it. Question is, would Ditto be Revived by the Nurse when Ran goes to have his talk with the champion? (If so, I have a scene planned in that event before that talk)