[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Back in the hive.

"Alright, Combee. If you want to stick with the princess for now, you can come find us later as well. But first..." Nathan pulls out a pokeball. "...we'll have to register this to ya. Okay?" When the small combee doesn't object, Nathan holds out the ball. It absorbs the combee, and clicks shut shortly after, followed by Nathan letting the bee back out. "I'll check back tomorrow. You can wrap up any business you have here first, just like the princess. And if any of the other combee give you a hard time, don't pay them much mind. You're with us now, so you won't have to worry about getting bullied any more. If you really can't wait any longer, come and find me at the Pokemon Center tomorrow morning. It's the building with the red roof, so it's easy to spot." His business with combee concluded, Nathan follows Zamboni and Geodude out of the hive.

Back in the present

Nathan glances over at the window for a moment. Wait, was that...he walks over to open the door...and Combee comes flying in, happy as can be! "Couldn't wait, eh? Yeah, I don't blame ya. Come on over and join Ralts and me at the table. We're waiting here for Ventus to show up. Nathan still looks a little glum when he sits back down, but Combee has cheered him up slightly. A sad smile is on his face now. The burdens of the things he needs to ask and answer still weigh heavily on him.

[Super_trainer_Larry]

Larry woke up from sleeping as he looked right beside him Kakuna Oshawott and Ekans let them selves out "you planning to kill me in my sleep?" Larry said sarcastically "nah im just kidding with you" Larry said as he petted the snake and grabed the kakuna. Larry soon got a text from Rachel asking where are you? Larry soon replied saying he is at ginger town Larry looked over at his party and asked "whos hungry?" Larry soon went to a diner (if there is one?). and order food for all his pokemon and some pancakes for him. Larry grabbed his pokedex and took a picture of his food then his party and posted it on pokebook (a social media)

Larry soon went to the festival after breakfast and did the games that involved money and went to the stand that Tramp and Belle had set up

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

- This happens at the evening. -

After finishing business with the Berry Vendor, Shiva roamed a little more at the Festival before finally making her way back to the Pokemon Center. And there they were, the others! Even Valder was present! Looks like they safely returned from the Combee hive. However, as she approached them, she noticed that...neither of them looked all happy. Especially Ventus gave her the impression of being...exhausted? Emotionally drained? What happened while they were away...? Oh well, hopefully nothing that shattered trust between Nathan and him even more... Was he secretly blaming Ventus for the disappearance of Vincent?

Better not stress on the issues now... Therefor, she only told them that she's glad that they're back in one piece and that she's been at the Festival meanwhile, before wishing them good night and a peaceful sleep. Seeing one another the next morning then.

***

Next morning was a calm one, shortly after Shiva's been awake, she headed down to the main area of the Pokemon Center. 

And...indeed, Nurse Joy was already expecting her! Still, she was a little worried as she released Pluse from his Pokeball... However, the Doctors did quite well. Any wounds the rodent suffered from the *insert inappropiate curses here* Weezing were nothing more than bruises, and lil' one didn't seem to care about those - he looked up to his owner, expectingly and glad, who was facing him with an unreadable expression, before picking him up and carefully stroking his cheek. Minun, who was resting on Shiva's shoulder until now, immediately cuddled up to her positively-charged partner, who returned the affection.

"My, Plusle... I'm... so damn sorry of what has happened... I... see that I horribly failed in protecting you, but... I do beg you to give us two another chance. I promised to care for you... So... What do you think?"

Plusle listened, then seemed to consider something... Before tightly cuddling up closer to Shiva and almost using Nuzzle on her once again. At this point, Shiva could not prevent herself from shedding some relieved and happy tears.

As she caught herself a little, she moved on to the Lobby, Plusle and Minun still kept tightly in her arms. Nathan was already there, so she enjoyed a morning's coffee alongside him. She was smart enough not to bring up the question what has happened inside the Combee Hive, so she instead told him that she'll be at the Daycare then and that he shall not be shy to send her a message if anything important happens.

As Ventus joined them with his mercenary following, she told him just the same - and that she'll look forward to see the Sawsbuck Event. "I, ehm, also looked out for Poffin Mixtures because you mentioned a desire to make some... There's a Berry Vendor who sells a variety of mixtures West from the Shuckleball field. I...would be glad if you would let me join in poffin-making! My...Pokemon would surely rejoice over such treats."

Wishing then all Goodbye for now, Shiva then left the Pokemon Center in direction of the local Daycare.


(Mechanical note,  I accepted Miltank in her Pokeball from Nurse Joy as well, will return the cow to her original owners as soon the circumstances allow.)

[Dragonstrike]

- This happens at the evening. -

After finishing business with the Berry Vendor, Shiva roamed a little more at the Festival before finally making her way back to the Pokemon Center. And there they were, the others! Even Valder was present! Looks like they safely returned from the Combee hive. However, as she approached them, she noticed that...neither of them looked all happy. Especially Ventus gave her the impression of being...exhausted? Emotionally drained? What happened while they were away...? Oh well, hopefully nothing that shattered trust between Nathan and him even more... Was he secretly blaming Ventus for the disappearance of Vincent?

Better not stress on the issues now... Therefor, she only told them that she's glad that they're back in one piece and that she's been at the Festival meanwhile, before wishing them good night and a peaceful sleep. Seeing one another the next morning then.

***

Next morning was a calm one, shortly after Shiva's been awake, she headed down to the main area of the Pokemon Center. 

And...indeed, Nurse Joy was already expecting her! Still, she was a little worried as she released Pluse from his Pokeball... However, the Doctors did quite well. Any wounds the rodent suffered from the *insert inappropiate curses here* Weezing were nothing more than bruises, and lil' one didn't seem to care about those - he looked up to his owner, expectingly and glad, who was facing him with an unreadable expression, before picking him up and carefully stroking his cheek. Minun, who was resting on Shiva's shoulder until now, immediately cuddled up to her positively-charged partner, who returned the affection.

"My, Plusle... I'm... so damn sorry of what has happened... I... see that I horribly failed in protecting you, but... I do beg you to give us two another chance. I promised to care for you... So... What do you think?"

Plusle listened, then seemed to consider something... Before tightly cuddling up closer to Shiva and almost using Nuzzle on her once again. At this point, Shiva could not prevent herself from shedding some relieved and happy tears.

As she caught herself a little, she moved on to the Lobby, Plusle and Minun still kept tightly in her arms. Nathan was already there, so she enjoyed a morning's coffee alongside him. She was smart enough not to bring up the question what has happened inside the Combee Hive, so she instead told him that she'll be at the Daycare then and that he shall not be shy to send her a message if anything important happens.

As Ventus joined them with his mercenary following, she told him just the same - and that she'll look forward to see the Sawsbuck Event. "I, ehm, also looked out for Poffin Mixtures because you mentioned a desire to make some... There's a Berry Vendor who sells a variety of mixtures West from the Shuckleball field. I...would be glad if you would let me join in poffin-making! My...Pokemon would surely rejoice over such treats."

Wishing then all Goodbye for now, Shiva then left the Pokemon Center in direction of the local Daycare.


(Mechanical note,  I accepted Miltank in her Pokeball from Nurse Joy as well, will return the cow to her original owners as soon the circumstances allow.)

When Shiva sits down next to him, Nathan is slightly startled.  He wasn't expecting anyone to be willing to approach him this morning, so he hadn't been paying much attention to who was approaching from directions other than the corridor leading to the back rooms.  He's happy to have the company, but he still looks rather glum.  Combee is buzzing around excitedly still.  Nathan shares some small talk with Shiva while he waits for Ventus to show up, though his tone is incredibly neutral the entire time.  He doesn't have a coffee, having never really liked the stuff in the first place.  Good ol' milk is his breakfast beverage of choice.

When Shiva makes to leave, he bids her good luck with the job, and assured her that he'd shoot her a text if anything needed immediate attention.  It's then that Nathan turns to Ventus to address what's on his mind... (more on that after Windos posts in response to Nathan waiting there for Ventus)

[Lord Windos]

(So, I get $800 + the $600 from the yellow hat I have? Nice! Time to see what Ventus was up to while he stormed out of the Castle!)

=Before the New Day=

At the pace he set, Ventus soon stormed out of the honeycomb nightmare, with his mercenary follow closely behind. Once out, he slowed down considerably, letting out one long sigh full of anger and exhaustion. 'Finally out of that royal parasite's domain, so perhaps I can finally relax. I'm just glad I didn't pounce on the insect and start poundering her into mincement, as that would most likely condemn me and my friends to a fate worse than death,' he though, panning his vison around his surrounding until he spotted his mercenary right behind.

Blinking a bit for not noticing he by his side since his flight from the hive, the researcher just put a hand on his face and shook his head. "You did an excellent on this mission, Valder. Sorry for ignoring you up to this point, but the Vespiqueen royal majesty left me in an state of...well, murderous rage, to be honest. I remember the Hat mission you were on, so you will be pleased to hear that I managed to acquire said item for you. When the gardener comes to collect tomarrow, I promise to pay the amount due to you. Until then, you have permission to explore the festival at you leisure."

With that said, Ventus turned around and made his way to the Pokémon Center, not caring if Valder followed after him or not. He just wanted to get to his room and begin unwinding from this night's emotional catastrophe. As the Center's doors came into view, he bragged straight in, went past the lobby without stopping, and headed towards his room. On the way, he saw Shiva, and could clearly fell the worry she had seeing him in this state, but he turned his head away and ignored her. Now was not the time to confine in a friend. Reaching his room, he hastily open the door and entered, before quietly closing it behind him.

'Finally, a place where I can relax, refocus my mind, and dispel this rage that lies within me. I could wait and get some rest, but sleeping when you are anger just leaves you more grouchy in the morning, and I don' want to bite the heads off my friend,' Ventus thought, before undressing and laying the cloths on a chair. Entering the room's bathroom, he drew himself a hot bath bubble bath, using the generous amount of soap the Center provided its guest to properly sud up the water. Once the concoction was complete, he slipped himself into the water, closing his eyes as the broiling bath ate away his built rage and stress. Closing his eye in slight bliss, he leaned his head against one of the bathtub's wall, and remained their, soaking up the heat of the bubble bath and expelling the negatively harboring within.

Once the bath had cooled off to room temperature, he extracted himself from the now tepid water and drained the tub, before grabbing one of the towls hanging nearby. Thoroughly drying himself off, he tied the towl around his waist and stalked back into the bedroom. Going over where he placed his satchel, he reached into it and drew out a long, thin black box. It gave off the most curious odor, one the was both pleasant and soothing. Going to the small table in the room, he laid the box on and opened it, reveling that it a bundle of incense. Carefully arranging the bundle into the built in stand on the box, they point straight up, and soon the room was filled with the smell of lavender and comfrey.

'I would normally burn the incense, but I doubt the Nurse Joy would appreciate filling this room up with smoke. They work just fine as they are, though. Time to meditate,' Ventus thought, before going over to his bed and getting into a cross legged position on top of it. Clasping his hand together, he muttered to himself, "I am calm and in control. My emotions do not dictate my action; I dictate my emotions. I have the power to rule myslef, so I must exercise it constantly. Never let your emotion consume you, consume you emotion before they have a chance. My name is Ventus Zachariah, and my word is law." He stayed like this the whole night, slowly but surely wrestling away all the hate and rage that was within him

=Dawn of the New Day=

Opening his eye, he unclasped his and rubbed the weariness out of them. 'I must have fell asleep after I finally calmed myself completely. I don't know how much sleep I have got, but it is better than nothing, I suppose.' Uncrossing his now stiff legs on the bed, he proceed to stretch for a few minute to limber back up, before getting off and fully dressing himself. Once his tweed sweater was snuggly on his body once more, he went over to the table and reboxed his incense, before putting it away. The air in the room by now was absolutely saturated with the smell, and taking a deep breath left a lavender taste in you mouth. 'I do hope the cleaning staff don't mind the smell too much. Its harmless and relaxing, so if anything it should improve their days slightly,' he thought, before exiting the room.

After getting himself some breakfast in the center's cafertera, he wandered into the lobby of the and found that Shiva and Nathan where already there. A small smile made its way onto his face as he sat down with him, with his mercenary soon joining the group nearby. Shiva seemed delighted that he was in a much better mood (If not because of the incense smell that was hovering around him), and told him about her plans to make Poffins with him. That small smile of his grew even greater as he chuckled at her eagerness to bake with him.

"I'd be delighted if you joined me in Poffin making, Shiva. These treats always taste better when there is more than one person involved in the process, and I wouldn't have a problem if you helped me! After you are done with daycare business, we can make some together later, my friend," Ventus said, enjoying the thought of making the treats. Its been awhile since he had the chance to properly bake something; perhaps he can persuade the cafeteria staff if he could use their kitchens for the job? When Shiva depart for the daycare (and not noticing Larry was trailing afterward, or he would have put a stop to that right away), he turned to face Nathan. The boy was looking rather serious, and it seemed he finally wanted to talk with him about their...issue.

Waving a hand in front of him, he told the young trainer, "Well, now that everyone else has departed on their respective task, what is it you want to ask of me. This has been a conversation a long time coming, so feel free to ask what has been on your mind, and I will answer as honestly as I can."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

... Shiva was actually not prepared for being asked so many things right away. But...maybe this meant that they are seeing some potencial in her, do they...? How splendid! Made her feel somehow...valued. Useful.

"A Guard Pokemon... " How about... "Uh, I remember this Eevee in the backyard was watching me from a distance yesterday, if not following me... But as I tried to approach it, it backed away a little. It does belong to one of you, does it? Is it always that watchful? Might be a trait worth refining..."

"Especially mannerly Espeon are known to sense it prematurely when something is on the way. We...indeed have an Eevee as a pet at home," - in fact, it's one of Dad's favorites... - "it evolved into an Umbreon quite a while ago. So, I...cannot know whether I get to create a bond strong enough to have an Eevee evolve on purpose, but...I might just try to earn the Eevee's trust, and then we'll see. If that's alright?"

She then looked up at her employers, curious about their thoughts on this.

[Dragonstrike]

(So, I get $800 + the $600 from the yellow hat I have? Nice! Time to see what Ventus was up to while he stormed out of the Castle!)

=Before the New Day=

At the pace he set, Ventus soon stormed out of the honeycomb nightmare, with his mercenary follow closely behind. Once out, he slowed down considerably, letting out one long sigh full of anger and exhaustion. 'Finally out of that royal parasite's domain, so perhaps I can finally relax. I'm just glad I didn't pounce on the insect and start poundering her into mincement, as that would most likely condemn me and my friends to a fate worse than death,' he though, panning his vison around his surrounding until he spotted his mercenary right behind.

Blinking a bit for not noticing he by his side since his flight from the hive, the researcher just put a hand on his face and shook his head. "You did an excellent on this mission, Valder. Sorry for ignoring you up to this point, but the Vespiqueen royal majesty left me in an state of...well, murderous rage, to be honest. I remember the Hat mission you were on, so you will be pleased to hear that I managed to acquire said item for you. When the gardener comes to collect tomarrow, I promise to pay the amount due to you. Until then, you have permission to explore the festival at you leisure."

With that said, Ventus turned around and made his way to the Pokémon Center, not caring if Valder followed after him or not. He just wanted to get to his room and begin unwinding from this night's emotional catastrophe. As the Center's doors came into view, he bragged straight in, went past the lobby without stopping, and headed towards his room. On the way, he saw Shiva, and could clearly fell the worry she had seeing him in this state, but he turned his head away and ignored her. Now was not the time to confine in a friend. Reaching his room, he hastily open the door and entered, before quietly closing it behind him.

'Finally, a place where I can relax, refocus my mind, and dispel this rage that lies within me. I could wait and get some rest, but sleeping when you are anger just leaves you more grouchy in the morning, and I don' want to bite the heads off my friend,' Ventus thought, before undressing and laying the cloths on a chair. Entering the room's bathroom, he drew himself a hot bath bubble bath, using the generous amount of soap the Center provided its guest to properly sud up the water. Once the concoction was complete, he slipped himself into the water, closing his eyes as the broiling bath ate away his built rage and stress. Closing his eye in slight bliss, he leaned his head against one of the bathtub's wall, and remained their, soaking up the heat of the bubble bath and expelling the negatively harboring within.

Once the bath had cooled off to room temperature, he extracted himself from the now tepid water and drained the tub, before grabbing one of the towls hanging nearby. Thoroughly drying himself off, he tied the towl around his waist and stalked back into the bedroom. Going over where he placed his satchel, he reached into it and drew out a long, thin black box. It gave off the most curious odor, one the was both pleasant and soothing. Going to the small table in the room, he laid the box on and opened it, reveling that it a bundle of incense. Carefully arranging the bundle into the built in stand on the box, they point straight up, and soon the room was filled with the smell of lavender and comfrey.

'I would normally burn the incense, but I doubt the Nurse Joy would appreciate filling this room up with smoke. They work just fine as they are, though. Time to meditate,' Ventus thought, before going over to his bed and getting into a cross legged position on top of it. Clasping his hand together, he muttered to himself, "I am calm and in control. My emotions do not dictate my action; I dictate my emotions. I have the power to rule myslef, so I must exercise it constantly. Never let your emotion consume you, consume you emotion before they have a chance. My name is Ventus Zachariah, and my word is law." He stayed like this the whole night, slowly but surely wrestling away all the hate and rage that was within him

=Dawn of the New Day=

Opening his eye, he unclasped his and rubbed the weariness out of them. 'I must have fell asleep after I finally calmed myself completely. I don't know how much sleep I have got, but it is better than nothing, I suppose.' Uncrossing his now stiff legs on the bed, he proceed to stretch for a few minute to limber back up, before getting off and fully dressing himself. Once his tweed sweater was snuggly on his body once more, he went over to the table and reboxed his incense, before putting it away. The air in the room by now was absolutely saturated with the smell, and taking a deep breath left a lavender taste in you mouth. 'I do hope the cleaning staff don't mind the smell too much. Its harmless and relaxing, so if anything it should improve their days slightly,' he thought, before exiting the room.

After getting himself some breakfast in the center's cafertera, he wandered into the lobby of the and found that Shiva and Nathan where already there. A small smile made its way onto his face as he sat down with him, with his mercenary soon joining the group nearby. Shiva seemed delighted that he was in a much better mood (If not because of the incense smell that was hovering around him), and told him about her plans to make Poffins with him. That small smile of his grew even greater as he chuckled at her eagerness to bake with him.

"I'd be delighted if you joined me in Poffin making, Shiva. These treats always taste better when there is more than one person involved in the process, and I wouldn't have a problem if you helped me! After you are done with daycare business, we can make some together later, my friend," Ventus said, enjoying the thought of making the treats. Its been awhile since he had the chance to properly bake something; perhaps he can persuade the cafeteria staff if he could use their kitchens for the job? When Shiva depart for the daycare (and not noticing Larry was trailing afterward, or he would have put a stop to that right away), he turned to face Nathan. The boy was looking rather serious, and it seemed he finally wanted to talk with him about their...issue.

Waving a hand in front of him, he told the young trainer, "Well, now that everyone else has departed on their respective task, what is it you want to ask of me. This has been a conversation a long time coming, so feel free to ask what has been on your mind, and I will answer as honestly as I can."

Nathan's expression doesn't really change.  "Ah, good.  You know what I intended to ask.  Not surprising, I guess.  However...we should talk in a more private place.  Come join me in one of the back rooms, and we can begin.  I promise I won't yell this time, and I'm sure you'll find what I have to say...interesting, to say the least."  Without another word, Nathan gets up and walks off to the back of the pokemon center.  He isn't sure if he is ready to say what he's about to, but he knows he won't be willing to later if he doesn't say it now...

When he gets to the back room, he immediately sits down in a chair.  And slumps.  Head in his hand.  A faint sobbing can be heard only by those present...Ralts looks really, really sad too.  Combee has no idea what's going on, and looks rather puzzled.

[Lord Windos]

Following Nathan into the back room, he takes a seat across from him and patiently waits for him to begin the question. When instead he began to cry, Ventus sprang up straight from his chair in shock and worry. He could now feel the sadness that he was carefully conceling until now; just how was he able to mask it from him and everyone else? "Nathan, what is wrong? If there is anything I can do, I promise I will help to the best of my ability!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

FLASHBACK TIME!


As Ventus was within range of speaking, Shiva almost immediately noticed this...scent of lavender?  Was this perfume? Eh, nope, it would be way more intrusive then...

Felt like this faint scent was underlining his presence and calm behavior. Smelled like Fairies.

[Iron]

"In three days? That would be a miracle! But Espeon is a good idea. I'm sure we can build toward that goal in a timely fashion. What kinds of traits should the parents have? Do you think two Eevees are the best parents?"

In Creshire, Egg Groups hold true, but pairings across species are much rarer and take longer even when they do happen. The more similar in body shape, appearance, etc, the better for potential love. The upside is that a clever Breeder can find traits that might be patrilineal or at least learned from the father that do not exist in the mother species.

For example, Cyndaquil is kind of timid. You could breed her with a Rattata in hopes of producing a more aggressive Cyndaquil.