[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Music: None.  Dead silence seems most appropriate to me right now.

Nathan's stunned.  He hadn't heard anything of fairies behaving like that.  Ever.  Nothing he had ever read could have prepared him for what he had just heard.  "I...I don't know what to say...that's..."  He trails off, unable to find words to describe it...instead, all he can say is, "Yes, I...I...understand now.  Surely, most fairies aren't like that, though...right?"  

The question rings in the absolute silence...Nathan can barely stammer the next part.  "I'm...sniffle...I'm so...so sorry for your losses, Ventus.  You...you've experienced what I'm afraid of...and...sob...before I wrap this up, I think it's only fair that I tell you that I can empathize with that situation...partially.  Yes, not sympathize.  Empathize."  Sob

With great care, Nathan pulls the dull Premier Ball out.  "Remember...when I said I registered Ralts to the only pokeball I had?  I wasn't even registered as a trainer until we met at Mallorn's lab.  This pokeball...it's mine, but it wasn't always..."  

Nathan has to pause here.  He's taking deep breaths, trying to not bust the dams open.  "There's...only one...event that brings me more pain than the memories of the day I found Ralts a year ago.  Three years ago...my father...he disappeared...without a trace...nobody was able to find out where he had gone, nor why he had left..."

Another pause.  The dam's close to breaking, but doesn't yet.  He's visibly shaking again.

"He was...once known as a spectacular trainer in this region.  Even...got to face part of the Elite 4...he'd tell me stories about his travels among other tales...and the night before he vanished, he gave me a Premier Ball he'd never been able to bring himself to use.  He'd always tell me...life was the most precious gift you could give and receive as an aspiring pokemon trainer, and even as a person in general.  That every life...was worth something to someone...that a life was as precious as Premier Balls are among trainers and collectors alike.  He never...intentionally inflicted fatal wounds on anyone he faced..."

More sobbing.

"I never had aspirations to be a trainer...I never desired to be a rancher, either...I still don't think I'd particularly excel at either role...and yet here I was, stuck between one of the region's most well known ponyta ranches...and a trainer who had almost made it to legendary fame that would forever be recorded in the history books...with a dreary old town with no other alternatives as the setting...I know all to well what Larry feels, standing in the shadows of those who came before you...my father was the person I was closest to, though, and for him to just vanish like that..."

The dam breaks.  Ralts is looking incredibly gloomy again.  He'd heard this tale once or twice before, but it didn't make it any less sad.  Combee is even looking a little depressed now.

Nathan tries to pull himself together.  "I'm..I'm sorry.  I shouldn't be doing this right now.  It's just...these memories...they're haunting...it's a ghost that will always be with me, no matter how well I hide it..."  Nathan's head drops into his arms, and he just keeps sobbing.  He's passed the breaking point, and it was going to be difficult to snap him out of it.  He still had two more things to ask Ventus, and plans for stuff to do around town, but he wasn't thinking about any of it right now.  (With a little prodding, Ventus might be able to snap Nathan out of it.  Maybe.  He'll have to choose his next words carefully.)

As Nathan began to breakdown, both from Ventus' backstory of DOOM AND DESPAIR (Yes, its deserves capitalization!), the poor man went over to hug the child in front of him. He hummed soothingly, rubbing his back as the young boy cried on his shoulder. 'So Nathan shares the same burdens as I do. I would never have guessed it, but then again, neither would he had been able to know my past. It seems we are both good at burying our pain, hiding it far away from others, and just trying to live life the best we could.'

Slowly, in the most comforting tone of voice, he tried to assuage Nathan's sadness. "No. Not all Fairies are like those things. Only a small minority are; something to keep in mind, but not dominate it. So don't fret about them, please. Leave the paranioa to a professional, one that has had ample experience in the matter!" Ventus says, with the last bit in a jovial manner. Making light of his pain is something he's always done, so no need for others to wallow in it as well. 'Be strong, Ventus. For both you and the boy in your arms.'

"Nathan... I appreciate you concern, but there is no need to cry for me. Enough tears have been shed over that tragedy, and I've moved on. It was long, anguishing time, but in the end I got through, and learned how to survive just fine," Ventus said, turning his head to face Nathan. Using his free hand, he tilted Nathan's face up to meet his eye. Even though he was still crying, and there was a painful glimmer in his those green orbs of his, what filled them the most was not despair, but kindness. He listened to the boy's story, and completely empathized with him as well, and it was clearly show in those eyes of his.

'He lost his father, Nathan lost his father. Together they mourned their passing, but it seems only one of them has learned to let go of that pain. 'It may not be my place to do so, but I must try and help him. I don't him to suffer like me. No one should,' he thought, before he spoke directly to Nathan again in that some comforting voice.

"Life must seem terrible, with all these horrible things happening to us. No happy ending, only painful conclusion; just having to role with the punches thrown our way. Its so easy to forgot, in the midst of all the negatively imaginable, that life is not so cruel. Perhaps it doesn't care, or have an opinion on our lives, but it never is actively against us. Bad things happen, yes, but the only thing that's keeping us down is ourselves," Ventus told the young trainer, smiling at him brilliantly.

"People and circumstance might try to keep pressuring us to give in, but it can't make us! We can rise above the pain, the suffering, and see just how precious life truly is! Its a miraculous thing, feel of wonderful and loving people like us, who have transcended their dark past and made a great life for themselves! My past taught me how important it was to be kind and caring to others, as they may have problem I can't see, can't help unless they let me. I never want someone else to be the same position I was in, so I do my best to be there, help them when I can. Like I'm doing right now with you, Nate," he says, his own tears starting to already dry up.

"We've lost our fathers, yes, but I believe their loss does not define us. No, its what we do because of it that really matter. I became the man of my house, even at my extreme age. You? You overcame your grief and saved a life in need using your father's gift. He would be so proud of you, no matter whether you follow in his footsteps or settle down and be a rancher. You saved a life Nathan! A life! And now you are on a quest to save others like dear Ralts, to prevent the likes of Almanac and others from ruthlessly exploiting Pokémon lives! So don't mourn yours or mine lose; rejoice! Rejoice that you are doing something not everyone could do, because you have the strength of will and experience to see you goal through to the end! At least, that is what I can see."

Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out a clean rag, and handed it to Nate. "So dry those tears of yours, Nate. Our past will always haunt us, but it will never destroy us. We just have to live our live the best we can. Now, what do you say we go out to the festival, and enjoy ourselves?"

[Dragonstrike]

Come on, cheer up, Nathan!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydu3N3EZl5A

Nathan accepts the rag.  He doesn't mind that Ventus called him Nate.  Just this once, he'd let it slide.  He dries his tears as best as he can.  The words were rather encouraging.  "You're...sniffle...right.  Before we go, however...I still have a promise to keep, and two more things to ask of you, if you don't mind.  I'd appreciate it if you were honest about what I ask next, and I promise I won't get angry at you if you are.

"First of all, the Deyo Flowers.  I know they seem...bewitching.  Like some pokemon can't seem to get enough of them.  I've only seen Ralts that way with them so far, but his interaction with the flowers was more than just simple attraction.  I could feel they meant...something, to him, as I said before. He recognizes the flowers for some reason.  Swiftfire completely avoided them if she could, though, and I used that to corner her.  Vincent texted Mallorn about the flowers, and he replied that they were rare and incredibly valuable, known only to grow around meteor impact sites.  They can be used in medicines and even technology.  The first of those, we experienced first hand.  You can crush the flower's petals into a fine powder really easily, and it has a bit of a numbing effect on the consumer.  It's basically an herbal medicine that temporarily increases vitality, based on the amount of flowers used in creating it.  I even have some I can show you.  It's incredibly bitter, and is nothing like the flowers in their uncrushed form."  Nathan pulls out the small bag he'd been keeping the Deyo Powder in and shows it to Ventus.  "If you desire to destroy them, I'd recommend doing this instead so it's a bit more productive rather than destructive.  The effects of that powder could be useful in a tight spot.  It takes a LOT of flowers to make something especially potent, though.  Just this little bit took 3/4 of a bushel.  Oh, and Mallorn also said he'd buy a bushel of the flowers from us for $1000 if we had nothing else we wanted to do with them.

"The other part...is why I changed my mind on how dangerous they are.  They're not always dangerous, though...it seems that wherever the Deyo Flowers' growth patterns originate from, a rare pokemon might show up.  The pond in the center of the meadow is where a meteor landed, and that's where I found Staryu.  That Voltorb we found later?  Vincent found a small crater with dying Deyo Flowers around where the Voltorb had been before the juggler had picked it up.  He took samples of both sets of flowers for further analysis.  I can only hope he's split off from us to try and get them analyzed properly...

"As for my last two questions, they're the ones I promise I won't get mad about when you answer.  The first is this: What were you planning to do when you threatened us in the meadow?  After that, Ralts was incredibly nervous around you, and I don't know why because I wasn't paying enough attention at the time...I just want to put my mind at ease on that one with a certain answer...and if you can trust me with that answer, I can promise I'll be a little more trusting of you in the future.

"The second is also sort of related to that last part.  Can you promise me that you'll more carefully consider the repercussions of your actions on the big picture?  That was a big part of the reason why I got mad at you in the hive.  We were all scared enough as it was, I'm sure...and I'm sorry if either of these last two questions seem a bit selfish and inconsiderate of me.  I'm just...trying to do the best I can, like my father..."

Ralts is shifting around nervously now, dreading what answers Ventus might have...Combee is cheering up, though!

[Iron]

"A fire stone we have. We're actually accepting three elemental stones in lieu of payment for our care of this little Eevee you are petting right now. I think this Eevee's sister might actually be available to us; her trainer is a friend of our little family. We'll keep an eye out for a Growlithe too, but if you find one that would like to stand stud for a few weeks, let us know!! That would be so exciting! Don't some of the Officer Jenny have Growlithe? When they don't have those creepy Spinarak, that is."

Wir comes over; he hasn't said much to you at all yet. You get the feeling he never talks much. "Shiva, young lady, we want you to know that it's not your job to go runnin' all over Creshire fetching things for us. Advice will earn your paycheck, and our respect. Thanks, Shiva." He lapses back into comfortable silence.

You and the Eevee get to spend some time in the pasture today, running among the hills, rolling down them, picking daisies (or eating them, in Eevee's case). The other Pokemon watch happily. It's a peaceful place.

Then word comes in that Sawsbuck will be changing out his winter colors very soon (this is after Ventus and Nathan's conversation). Anyone who wants to be there can make it in time.

In his shed, Creshire Chrome is the ruler, proud as a Vespiquen, serenely graceful and elegant in winter white. Attendant trainers scurry about, brushing him and patting him down with cool rags. A spring under the shed feeds Sawsbuck's water trough with constant fresh water. One trainer's entire job is just to scratch the special spot between his antlers, just the way he likes it. Currently those antlers are pure, ivory white; undecorated. A warm ruff mantles his regal neck. Some of this white hair has already fallen off, and been collected, for it is preciously valuable. More white fur gives him warm boots on his ankles.

All at once, a light gleams in Creshire Chrome's eyes. "It's starting!" yell his owner. The fur falls away, falls like snow. It even sparkles as he sheds. An itch that cannot be denied comes over Creshire Chrome, and he rubs his antlers on the fence. Little bits of softest white velvet come off, then entire strips. Final relief comes all at once, as pink flowers burst out under the fuzzy covering of his horns. Buds, too, form at the bases of the horn branches; little promises of new growth.

Creshire Chrome stamps proudly as all his sleek brown fur is revealed. This is his moment of glory, four times a year, and some argue that the Spring transition is the most glorious of them all. It's certainly one of the highlights of the festival. The assembled trainers rejoice and hug each other, and snap photos - some with black and white Pokedexes, others with top of the line Flash Balls. Drinks are passed around. Every Pokemon that witnesses this event in the warm embrace of his or her trainer, as cold winter becomes hopeful spring, gains 1 point of Happiness and 1 Loyalty.

All trainers gain 1 Will point (this is the symbol of your rest after Vespiquen and in subsequent Festival days!)

[Lord Windos]

He silently listens to Nathan's explaination to the flower medicinal affects, mulling over what he said. When brought out what he claimed to be the ground up version of those damn things, you could almost here him twitch. His left hand was slightingly shaking, as he was restraining himself from snatching the medicine out of the boy's hand and burning it himself. Letting out a very long sigh, he just looked at at Nathan tiredly with a somewhat irritated, yet somehow understanding expression. "Nathan...what you described sounds like a powerful narcotic painkiller. The flowers in their natural form are bad enough, since they act as some form of Fairy type catnip, but this? If anything, I want to destroy those flowers even more now, and yell at Mallorn for getting children to collect frankly dangerous plants."

Putting a hand on his face, he let out yet another sigh as he began to launch into another long winded explanation. "In case you are not aware, powerful painkiller like those are used typically in sensitive surgeries and chemical treatment, not to simply build up a person's or Pokémon's threshold for pain. These substances, in high enough doses, are quite toxic for the body, as the liver, kidnies, and digestion system can't handle to potency of these drug. To make matters worse, not only is continuous and/or high usage of them toxic, they addictive as well, compelling the user of said painkiller to keep on using despite the negative effect, or suffer from withdrawl. Long enough use leads to depency, which mean that the person literally can't live without regular doses of a drug that is very well killing them. At that point, most users simply die from either overdose or withdrawl, unless they have professional docters helping with the detox process," the researcher says, lowering his hand to clearly looked at Nathan.

"The fact the Ralts seems to have an unusual attraction to the flowers...its points to the fact that someone must have used them on him frequently enough for it to form an attachment to them. I'd recommend keep him away from the flowers from now on, if we don't want to see him become addicted to them." Silence briefly reigned as Ventus continued to star at the bag of narcotics, before he continued, sounding a bit more resigned.

"If you insist, though, I'll convert them to this form and look for a doctor to sell it to. If we are going to be making drugs, might as give them to people that need them. However," Ventus said, holding up a hand with his index finger pointing straight up. "If these flowers cause ANY trouble or cause ANY harm to our Pokémon, I going to be destroying them from now on. Bad enough that these flower beds are hot spots for rare and potentially dangerous Pokémon. I don't want anyone to be harmed by these Deyos, understood?"

Done with the topic of the flowers, he listened to questions the boy had. Nathan first question caused him to go very still. Several minutes gone by, before the researcher put his hands together in front of him. "...My plan was to take you hostage, Nathan. I was going to have Apsis use Glare on you, before I would in an pin you into a grapple. Then, I would have order Swiftfire to incenerate the whole field of flowers, and then knock you out after I got you to recall all your Pokémon. Finally, I would drag you away from the Deyo flower site and put you in the tent, and wait for you to awaken. If Vincent hadn't stepped in, things would have gone quite differently, suffice to say."

More of that dreadful silence. He looked ruefull of what he was planning to do at the time, but there was sort of grim determination chiseled in his expression. "I'm sorry from my what transpired, but I don't regret what I did. While frantic and overly paranoid, I acted in what I thought was in the group;s best interest at the time. Now that you've heard of Delilah's experience with flowers, can you entirely blame me? I didn't want happened to her happen to everyone," he said, looking more resigned than ever. Nathan promised not to get mad, but this was quite the bombshell to drop...

"As for your second concern, I promise to be more aware of the situation we find ourselves in, and plan my actions accordingly. Whether or not my action will be entirely salient, on the other hand, depends on what the situation is. I will endeavor not to harm anyone else with my action, though, you have my solumn word on that."

[Iron]

Ralts strides up as if to say "I'm right HERE, you know." He attempts to communicate to the two men that he is in no way addicted to opioids or Deyo. In fact, he doesn't seem to care about this powdered form of Deyo in the slightest.

[Lord Windos]

"...Sorry for that assumption, Ralts. I was just drawing what conclusion I could with the limited amount of facts I had. Please forgive me," Ventus said, look properly chastised by the somewhat irate Psychic type. Well, he could be wrong at times!

[Dragonstrike]

"Thank you, Ralts, and I'm sorry we left you out of that conversation. Well, I guess that only deepens the mystery of what these flowers are, then..."

Ventus's response to his first question though, is quite frankly, shocking. Nathan's eyes go wide when he hears Ventus's true intentions from that day. And he knows Ventus isn't lying either...it takes a lot of self control to not break out in an emotional tirade. Were it not for Ventus's kind words and open ears earlier, that might have been exactly what had happened. "That's, uh, quite...extreme. Anything of that nature shouldn't be necessary in the future, though, right? And since Ralts has chimed in with his opinion on the Deyo Powder, let's at least keep that usage in mind if we find a large number of the flowers. I don't intend to use this powder anyways, unless I absolutely have to. It was more so a sample collection if we needed it, though Vincent ran off without taking any of the powder with him...and while the danger seems to be related to the flowers, I'm not sure destroying them would do any good. As far as I can tell, rare pokemon are still, well, rare. Even if they do have increased odds of showing up. Staryu was the only pokemon I saw in that pond, and that Voltorb was completely alone too from what I heard from Vincent. Seems to me they show up almost as often as the Deyo Flowers themselves. Which is, to say, it would take awhile for another one to appear, if at all.

"Anyways, I doubt that's the last we'll see of them, and I still need answers as to why Ralts recognizes them. We won't accomplish anything discussing this in circles in this back room, though. When more show up, we can figure out what to do then." His questions answered, Nathan stands up, drying the last remnants of his tears.

As he goes to leave the room, though, he turns slightly to say one last thing. "Oh, and I, uh, never did say thank you for your help earlier. Your advice on psychic types and teaching Confusion helped greatly. And I also need to thank you for not telling anyone about what happened in the woods. I'd appreciate it if you kept that and the details of my past between, you, me, and Vincent for now. I, uh, don't want anyone else to worry about me right now..."

When he opens the door, he hears a crowd gathering in excitement. The doors of the center are opening and closing, as people are rushing past the automatic doors in a hurry. "What the...Ventus, something's going on...think we should check it out? It sounds like it's something to do with the festival..."

During the Sawsbuck Event
Sawsbuck in Bloom!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NolViMBY6-g

Nathan and Ventus had rushed over with the crowd, and ran into Shiva on the way there, even. If Larry and Valder were there, they were somewhere else in the crowd. Nathan, Ralts and Combee could only watch in awe as Sawsbuck shed his coat. "Wow...I've read about this event and the species, but I was never able to come here and see it for myself...guess experience counts for a lot, eh, Ralts? Shame there wasn't enough space nor time for Swiftfire and Staryu to enjoy this...sigh...I should spend some more time with Staryu, too, though. It's spent most of its time cooped up in the pokeball...that's no way for me to treat a friend, now, is it?" His mask is back on, disguising the shattered self underneath, hiding him from all except those who know the truth. Nathan's genuinely enjoying this now, and feels a bit better after that conversation, if a little shaken. But the ghosts of his past still remain...real and imagined...Nathan briefly thinks he sees movement in one of the alleyways visible only in his peripheral vision, and it distracts him from the very end of the Sawsbuck's transformation...if there was an absol there, it wasn't showing itself, and would be long gone by the time he would get over there...

Ralts and Combee enjoy the event as well! But Ralts picks up on Nathan's nervous stare at the alleyway soon afterwards...as far as he can tell, though, there's nothing there...

[Iron]

Larry enlists the help of a trainer he met at the festival, who helps him corral Ekans. He's going to hope that taking Ekans to see beautiful, natural sights will mellow him down.

Valder is also in the crowd, lurking in a dark corner as is his wont. He has a paternal hand on Pawniard's helm, though he doesn't realize the gesture is so personal and peaceful looking.

[Lord Windos]

Before the Sawsbuck Event:

As soon as he felt a spike of angry coming from Nathan, he griping the armrest of the chair he was sitting in, and prepared for the worst. When the young trainer didn't explode in fury, and just calmly replied that the deyo flowers were still an option on the table for him, he relaxed his grip and let of a sigh of relief. 'I'm a bit angry that he persists in using the deyo, but that is his choice in the end. All I can do is just watch and bail him out, if things get dire enough,' Ventus thought, mulling over everything he's heard so far. "...No, I won't resort to those methods. As I said, I'll help with processing the collection and processing of the flowers. We'll be wearing gloves at all time when handling those flowers though. I don't want to deal with them anymore than I have to...." the researcher told the young trainer, looking like he was swallowing something he dislike.

"As for the rare Pokémon living around those flowers...I won't judge them until I get a better feel for them. I won't be catching them, though, unless absolutely necessary. Risk prevention is what it is, you know. Until we find another patch of those blasted flowers, let's do as you say and hold off debates for the time being." Getting up from his chair, he began to follow Nathan out of the room when the boy turned around and thanked him for his help with Ralts, and his earlier discretion. Rubbing the back of his head in slight embrassment, he waved of the slight praise he received. "Oh, I was just doing what any good researcher would do: educate a trainer about the potential of Pokémon. As for you past....I didn't hear a thing, if anyone ask. I assume you will say the same, if someone starts asking about me? Now, let us depart to festival, and see what has gotten everyone so excited!"

During the Sawsbuck Event:

Seeing the Sawsbuck throw off its winter coat with such aplomb...it was an impressive sight to say the least. Meeting up with Shiva, he decided to give a little space to the young trainer for himself, as he enjoyed the event with his Pokémon. Releasing Raphael, Apsis, and Michael, they were all within his person in some way. Raphael was in Ventus' arms, nibbling on a Ranc Berry he'd given it earlier. They enjoyed both the delicious treat and their master's company, and watched in awe as they saw the reindeer's spring transformation. Michael was perched on his shoulder, getting the best view of the scene without being crowed out by his master's other Pokémon. He looked a little impressed by the display, and his dreams of becoming a powerful Breloom only intensified. If that Sawsbuck can change into such an powerful form, so could he! Finally, Apsis was curled around her master's legs, simply enjoying his company. She didn't quite see what was so amazing about the Sawsbuck form change, but she was just glad to be around her master. Compared to the meager living she had in the wild, her master continual acceptance of her nature and encouraging guidance was a marked improvement indeed!

Ventus himself was milderly amused by the fever surrounding the Sawsbuck form change, as he'd seen the same phenomena happen dozens of time back in Unova. Still, he enjoyed the positive emotions that were surging throughout the crowd, and was just delighted to be here with his friends. "I'm used to such a sight, but it is a beautiful thing to witness, none of the less, my friends. At the very least, I'm glad we can have this moment together," he said, with a great big smile on his face. By the looks of it, his heartfelt and quite depressing backstory of DOOM with Nathan never happen. Looking at both Shiva and Nathan, he said aloud to them. "Well, while this was fun, I need to return this hat I found to the owner so I can collect and pay Valder the reward he is due. Then comes the restocking on potions and other amenities.. Can't be unprepared for the wilds, after all! If you want to tag along, feel free to do so~!" With that, he departed to find that gardener, and return his hat.

[Nylon]

Valder was quietly watching the crowd, not wanting to be swallowed whole by it. As he saw a mother buying treats for her child, Valder began thinking about the scimitars. He began thinking about where you'd hide a secret library and how you'd get in.

 'Oh! I forgot to tell Ventus & co about their type preference.' Valder thought to himself. 'there's probably more they would want to know, though, so I might as well wait until they're all gathered'.

Valder shakes his head trying to think of something else. He looks down at Theo. "Theo. Do you like the trainers we found? Do you think I did right in joining them?"
Theo looks at him with big eyes (...for a Pawniard), then gives a satisfactory yet nonchalant shrug, in other words, Valder wasn't quite sure if that was a "sure" or a "maybe".

He looks at the several shops scattered around the festival grounds looking for one selling cheese or one selling food for people with allergies and such.