[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Also, Shiva felt like it was a good decision to not catch that Gloom... It belongs here to the swamp and the others of its kind. Yes, even the smaller ones. Her trust in her Psychic Types also increases a little - this short battle was almost too easy for them!~

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"No cell reciption, you say?" *checks* "Oh hey, you're right... Well, just another reason to move on, no?"

Something was very weird about the atmosphere here at the camp if asking Shiva... The air was heavy and filled with a ton of feelings that did not really had anything to do with the swamp. "Nathan... There is nothing we can do about that just now, okay? Dagny should have things under control, so if your Mum might end up calling HER, she'll be informed."

"Besides... Ehm... We'll be hosting a guest today. And tomorrow, probably. Tandal, these are the people I mentioned towards you, those I travel with."

That distressed statement/reaction briefly caused Ventus to blink his eyes in surprise, as he wasn't expecting the thought of their mother to be the source of their woes, but it was soon replaced with what looked to be.....sympathy? With a surprising amount of gentleness, the empath place a hand on the young trainer's shoulder to draw his gaze to themselves, before they calmly and kindly said: "......Don't burden yourself with distress about this, please. I doubt that Dagney or one of her acolytes would not have informed your mother the mission you are on by this point in time, and if they haven't then she could always get in touch the Ponyta Handler and learn via that source. From what little I know about her, your mother is a strong, resilient woman, so while its without question she's very concerned for your wellbeing now, I'm sure its not to the point where its adversely affecting her own. Have faith she's doing relatively well, Nathan....."

Afterwards, in a further attempt to get Nathan's mind off his mother's probable distress, the researcher pulled out the Ancient Gitar and displayed it to them with a bemused expression. "How about we focus instead on this tribal relic that Raphael helped me retrieve from the swamp? Its in dire need of new strings and some light restoration work, but beyond that this gitar like instrument is in fabulous shape, and that not even the most intriguing part about it! Look *Points to the Pokémon carvings on it, particularly at the one displaying the Quetzoral* ! Fascinating to think that Lilith's kind has been endemic to this area for centuries, isn't it?"

Nathan just shakes his head.  The last thing he wanted to do to his mom was put her through the exact same thing that happened three years ago...once was more than enough for both of them...the only reason his mom might contact Dagny is because of Stable Z, and if Stair City was overrun...even if it wasn't intentional, he'd be putting her through the sudden disappearance of another loved one again...and he has no way of knowing what's going on with that right now, either...

The gitar only sorta works as a distraction.  Nathan waves it off.  "Show it to me later."  A deep breath and an exhale later, and he stands up to look at this newcomer seriously, his eyes a bit red from all the crying and worrying he's been doing today.  Kirlia mirrors the action as well.

"Well, not the kind of place I'd expect to find a lone traveler.  What brings you out here?"

[Lord Windos]

The air of jollity Ventus was trying to substain evaporated as his effort to reassure/cheer up Nathan fell flatter than a Stunkfish sandwiched between two rock, and with a worried sigh he put away the gitar for another time. He wanted to soothe the boy's fears and unease over this, but it was apparent to the empath now that the only thing that would solve this problem was getting mother and child back into contact with one another.... ".....Alright then, I'l do as you asked. Just let me know when you wish to see it," the researcher said, before finally noticing that not only Shiva's arrival in camp (Feeling proud, happy, and accomplished too...? Huh?) and the guest/traveler she brought to their camp. He heard the often earstwhile boy comment and couldn't help but agree, adding: "Indeed. This swamp is a deathtrap to all but the most prepared or hearty survivalist, and going through it without additional support only compounds that problem. Regardless of that, Salutation, good sir! My name's Ventus Zackarieh, Pokémon Researcher and Sociologist, this is Nathan *Motions to them*, and that sleeping man over their is Heart. Pleasure to meet you, Mr......?"

[Spiritmon]

Then Heart finally awakes from the his sleeping. He was step out from his Metagross, but he fall in the ground hitting his face. "What?! Where!? Wh..." Then he sees his Metagross. "Well, this embarassed...I was thinking it was my bed." Then Heart stand up and take off the nasal things. "I snore loud again isn't?" Then Heart look to the new guy together with Shiva and wave his hand. "Heya people, what I loose?" Then Heart join with the others and see Kirlia a bit grump when I was close. "What?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(I'll just assume that Tandal Escartress introduced himself with his full name.)


"Ehm... *cough* Fine, now you know us people a bit... We're just a motley group of Trainer traveling this region. Everyone of us has their own reason to do, but we met up at Professor Mallorn's lab. Me and Ven - Ventus - come from Unova. Nathan grew up in Trillium Town, Valder is ... where is he actually? Off training his Haunter at the breaking night? ... native to Chreshire as well. Heart comes from...eh, Unova was the last region you visited, you mentioned? Currently we're on the way to Arrowroot Village due to some business." Right, 'business'. No need to tell Tandal over this prophecy or ask what he knows about the blasted vines unless it proves itself necessary.

"And... I was just as suprised as you people over meeting someone else in this swamp... I..." Hesitation to tell strikes, but at the same time Shiva just feels delighted and indeed a tab bit proud that she was able to accomplish something only with the help of her Pokemon - similar like when earning a Gym Badge. "I was... a little away from the main path, collecting more arrowroot, when some cry for help has been carried to me... Nonelse was there. Just me, and someone needing help somewhere nearby... Investigating, I encountered Tandal here, trapped in a patch of nasty quicksand. What a desperate situation! But... I couldn't just leave him there, you know... And, I managed to get him out of there, only with my Pokemon on hand... Tropius is not with me right now, so I had to do it without a flying Pokemon. But... It, well, it wooorked!! I didn't got trapped by myself during the process, Tandal's free now and I offered him to come with us for a little, and he said something like being in my debt now. That whole thing... my, that was quite scary, but quite awesome? I guess? Like, so much adrenaline..."

Next, she stopped mid-talking and fainted avoided the other's eyecontact as she realized what she was actually talking about. But, she did so with a just as faint smile. Was still an embarrasing situation though...

[Spiritmon]

Heart just need a few seconds to process the information about Shiva save the guy from a quicksand and he say: "Told you Shiva. You have the will of a Pyroar. You did save him? I would not doubt that. Awesome job Shiva!" Then Heart did a positive finger to her.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't actually comment on Shiva's heroics.  Just nods.

"Escartress, huh?  Like the snail pokemon?"

(Would write a little more, but I'm waiting for Tandal's response first.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The will of a...Pyroar? That's quite a neat Pokemon... Shiva couldn't help but to be reminded on the Pyroar from the Shelter in Stair City - gentle to people, but uncontrollable when being triggered by other Pokemon. Her smile and embarrasment both increased a little, while being very unsure whether she indeed had such a dormant will.

"'Escartress'? That is...a Pokemon's name? Another one originating from Tandor?"

[Dragonstrike]

"'Escartress'? That is...a Pokemon's name? Another one originating from Tandor?"

Another nod from Nathan.  "Yup."

He doesn't elaborate on it right now, though.

[Spiritmon]

"Yep. Eacartress the snail Pokemon. Or Sand castle Pokemon. A Water/Ground Pokemon. Quite strong and one of my favorites. They are from Tandor." Told Heart to complete the information of Nathan.