[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

He shows you his Poffin mixes, which are so cheap that you don't need to keep track. He has a tasty Poffin mix specifically for your kinds of berries.

"As for Aprikorn nuts, they are purely decorative. Some smell good. Some feel good in your hand. Some, Pokemon like to hold. Some are loved by one Pokemon type and hated by another. It's fun to experiment with them."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Awesome, I gladly take that special mixture! Bet my Pokemon will be rejoiced thanks to you."

"I see... But they have quite a price! Are they hard to obtain? Or some sort of rare local speciality?"

Meanwhile, Cottonee was floating around by her own, exploring the Berry Stall a little. Maybe the fluffball would find something interesting here.


(@Lord Windos, I would buy a Poffin mixture for Ventus as well, but I have no idea what and how many berries you currently have o.o )

[Iron]

"Yes, they are rarer than berries, but their nutlike form makes them last and last as decorations. They can be found in many parts of Creshire, but never all in one place sadly."

[Lord Windos]

"Well, Drowzee doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, so let's check out that other path and see what's up with Vespiqueen.  Are we all in agreement on that?"

Ventus remained silent as Nathan conducted his own investigations and drew his own conclusions. While he could have just as easily figured this out for the whole party, the researcher decided not to interrupt the young trainer. 'I could have pieced this together quicker than him, but this is a good exercise for him to hone his intellect and deductive reasoning skills. Besides, this helps him take his mind of the anger he no doubt still holds towards me,' Ventus thought, frowning as he heard the young trainer say that this Psychic type Pokémon took over the hive. 'Even with my empathy and knowledge of Psychic types, I'm a little baffled by these circumstances. Drowzee are not known for egotism, nor have any strong inclination towards domination besides their love of dreams. What could have caused it to act this way?'


Tilting his head at the abnormal Drowzee in question, the researcher brought out his notebook and quickly recorded this phenomina. He was a Pokémon Researcher and Sociologist, so a finding like this was like a goldmine to him! Drawing a rough sketch of the Queen Drowzee, he scribbled in both Nathan's and his own observations on it. He also took the time begin cataloging the data he already gathered from his observation of the Combee, drawing rough pictures of both the Princess, the single honeycomb Combee, and the Workers his snake devoured earlier. The researcher also earmarked a few blank pages for a more detailed analytical writing about the bees later, and reserving a couple of Pages for the Vespiqueen herself.


Making one last note in his journal. he closed it and put it away in his satchel. The note is as follows: 'It appears that Psychic types have the ability to use their mental powess to not only influence the Hive Minds of Bug types, but also completely subjugate them under their control. This is an unexpected finding, as Bug types not only have a natural resistence towards psychco-somatic energies due to their more networked intelligence or being simpler beings, but can use their very nature to critically injure the average Psychic types, and typically driving them away. Perhaps due to this Drowzee using indirect means to channel its mental abilitis through hypnosis allowed it to bypass their innate resistence, and allowed it to override the hierarchy to put itself in charge? Or is it simply so strong that it overpowered the hive mind and forcedly made itself queen, putting some of the Combee asleep so she can better manage everything? Further observation is required before a definitive conclusion is drawn.


As Nathan asked the group their next plan of action, Ventus chimed in to say "I would like to know what has prevented the Vespiqueen from retaking control of the hive myself, so I agree we should move out. Still, someone should monitor this Drowzee, and uses whatever means of long distance communication they have to report if it begins to act even more strangley. The last thing we need is it to become aware of us, and drown us in her minions."

[Iron]

Zamboni leaves a Delibird with the two trainers, who agree to watch Drowzee from the shadows.

"Whatever you do, don't fall asleep!" He hands them a thermos of hot cocoa. Drowzee just puts her hands on her stony crown and hums to herself, taking no notice.

Everyone else goes back to the other chamber, where Princess soon becomes increasingly excited. This must be the right way to Vespiquen, if she's still around.

Here, the Combee have made careful changes to the tunnels they've found, or built. Everything is nicer, smoother, with no jutting protrusions or sharp corners or misaligned Combee. The walls are more alert, buzzing warningly as you pass. Princess and the undersized Combee speed up.

You turn a corner, the mirror image of the one where Drowzee rules. The walls are lined with interesting stones - smooth ones, crystalline ones, rocks with unusual shapes. None match what Drowzee held, however. Ventus theorizes that these unusual stones symbolize Vespiquen's Power Gem, the mark of her discipline on the flying, crawling hive of her inferiors. Or at least an interest in collecting such perceived talismans.

The Queen Bee herself is busy piling up her "artifacts" up on a rock shelf, assisted by 18 Combee. They bring her honey to sustain her in her purpose. You spot several stones you recognize as semiprecious gems that were for sale at the festival.

Ralts senses the powerful emotions of absolute royalty and blanches a bit. This Queen has not lost any of her majesty or sovereignty to Drowzee, that's for sure. Somehow, their purposes align.

She is instantly alert to your presence. The Princess goes up to her while the undersized Combee hides in terror. The attendants are ready for anything. Vespiquen turns to you regally and waits for you to make the first move.

[Lord Windos]

"Your majesty," Ventus says, getting down on one knee as he address the Vespiqueen bowing his head towards her. While he usually didn't indulge in theatrics, sometimes it pays to show respect to those with regal or noble attitudes. "Forgive us for trespassing upon your domain, and disturbing the peace of thy hive. Please, have this offering as a token of our most sincere apology, and as tribute toward you imperial might." Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out his rainbow prism and presented it to the queen bee. Even in the dim lighting of the royal chamber, it still glisten iridescently, throwing out beams of fractured color across the room.

"We are grateful for being in your graceful presence, and that you have not expelled us from the hive, despite or severe rudeness. The only reason we dared to trespass upon your territory is make a humble request. All we wish is that you relocate your hive to the outscrits of Ginger Town. I know this is a grave request, but this town is home to the people here, and they wish to live in peace just the same as you, and do not wish to engange in conflict over thy domain. By moving to the outscrits, you will have greater access to the flower by which you make you honey, and far more to expand and grow your hive. If you do not leave, however, the leader of this community will be forced to declare war upon you and your people, despite his great reservations and the consequences of said action. Is not peaceful cooexistence a better alternative to the bloodshed that will resort from such a conflict? So please, would you not consider our plea, your Majesty?"

Ventus said this to the Vespiqueen, all in an apologetic and frank tone of voice. He wanted to present himself not as a threat or challenger, but a simple messenger sorry for the trouble he caused. 'I hope my speech has positive results, or I might face the most painful backlash imaginable...'

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan is bowing as well, and it looks like he was about to speak when Ventus chimed in. Swiftfire is in the back, looking a little nervous, but standing down as per the order Nathan had given. Ralts is INCREDIBLY nervous. This is a BIG bug, and a powerful one with lots of servants at that. Nathan's feeling a little nervous himself, particularly because the topic of the princess is the one he wants to address...he has an idea about what he wants to say, but he doesn't want to say anything about it until they've wrapped up everything else they needed to discuss with the queen...

[Iron]

The rainbow prism seems to be a fantastic gift. Vespiquen accepts it as a token for her collection, and three servants come forth to collect it from you.

Everyone bows - and just as the last person (I'm guessing Larry) begins to bow, you feel a powerful wave of command rushing over your souls, demanding your utter abdication before her majesty. This is no ordinary Vespiquen, but the absolute ruler of an especially vast Combee empire, enmeshed in an enigmatic network of psychic energy.

Ralts cannot take it, and gives a little "Eep!" before he starts jittering like a Combee without orders. Not only does he experience his own fear, but he experiences the blind loyalty of the Combee and the utter confidence of Vespiquen.

Zamboni chimes in. "Ventus is partially right, fair Queen of Queens. This is no place for your kingdom. It is not that we would declare war on your majestic stronghold, for though I do not understand its purpose, I respect your might and your right to exist. But rather, our flowers are too few and our city too paved and crowded. I, too, am a leader, though not so powerful as yourself, and I understand exigency and responsibility.

It seems you are here to gather strange stones. I have a few white gems from the icy wastes which would perhaps satisfy your fine taste. Porters can bring them to you when we leave. Won't you consider moving this magnificent hive?"

There is a space of silence. Ralts and Ventus feel an imperious sense of careful consideration from Vespiquen - not of whether to listen to the demands, but of whether the move be weal or woe for the colony. Whether it will interfere with that dreadful sense of purpose, which the Drowzee is somehow tangled up in.

After a tense silence, Vespiquen waves an arm, indicating a measure of assent. She will move on when she is ready. It is clear she wishes the village no harm. Though who knows what that Drowzee's purpose is...

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan clears his throat. It was time, and they weren't going to be able to leave without addressing this. It takes almost all of his willpower to focus on this question, trying to ignore Ralts's overwhelming fear. "Your majesty, as much as I don't wish to say it, there is one other matter we need to address: that of your daughter. On our way here, one of our party members got the bright idea to try and capture her. He failed, but another of our party succeeded in putting her in a pokeball. I do not know if he wishes to train her and make her a fine Vespiqueen, much like yourself. I do, however, believe the one who failed does, and would very much like it if you were to allow her to travel with us.

"Myself, I am nervous about asking such a thing, for I know she is likely very precious to you and the hive. However, I want to make sure that this matter is addressed properly before anyone leaves since the damage has been done. We treated the wounds she sustained in that battle immediately, and I assure you she would be well cared for if she is allowed to join us. She was kind enough to show us the way to you, along with the help of the small combee who also accompanied us, and they have had an endearing effect on the group as a whole from what I can tell, despite the short time they have spent with us."

Nathan anxiously awaits a response. He doesn't expect a positive one, though, and the pressure is starting to get to him...

[Iron]

Vespiquen looks proud. She gives a gesture of dismissal; her daughter can do as she wishes. There cannot be two queens. This might even spread the species...

Princess, however, communicates that she will help relocate the hive out of town. She does this by showing her ability to rearrange the Combee wall.

As for the undersized Combee, she has always wanted him gone, and it seems he will willingly follow you at least out of the hive.