[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan had found something in the lore of Sinnoh that might help. It was rare, and he didn't expect they'd find it easily, but if they did...

A Lunar Wing.

If there was a Darkrai or a similar creature in Corsage, an item from a pokemon such as Cresselia, one that opposed such darkness, would help to chase the nightmares away.

The tricky part was figuring out where such a pokemon or item might be found...

He turns in a little later...his nightmares seem worse than ever, though...in the morning, he feels rather...drained. Like it's difficult to stay happy and determined. Kirlia looks concerned. He'd had trouble sleeping too.

"Yeah, something needs to be done about this. Corsage can't withstand that kind of punishment forever...let's go find Ventus, while we're at it. Wonder why he didn't show up at the Center last night..."

He decides to go walk around town and see if he can inquire with the residents how long Corsage has been this gloomy, as well as find Ventus.

[Iron]

"We thought it might be a predatory Pokemon too. But we checked several things: none of the predatory Pokemon have left their own tanks, and none of the peaceful Pokemon in the tank in question had any Pokeremnants in their stomachs. Your Corsola is welcome to enter the tank, though we'd like to check her for illnesses first."

"Ah, good, she's clean. Well, this sounds like a plan. I hope you are successful."

He shows you to the tank where the fish are being predated. It's mostly full of attractive but common water types - Seadra, Goldeen, Staryu, Remoraid, Feebas, Luvdisc, Finneon, swimming among a landscape of coral and shells. These are the primary targets, it seems. They do have a rare Milotic, but according to the docent, it knows how to defend itself. "Is it too proud to defend the other Pokemon? We aren't sure what's up with that. We also had a rare Golden Magikarp in here, but we moved it to a high security tank."

[Iron]

It's clear that Corsage has always been pretty gloomy, for as long as widows have watched the seas. However, this sense of dread and sleeplessness is new - no more than 2 or 3 weeks.

As for Ventus, it's pretty likely you'd come across him while he was doing his window washing and coffee seeking. I'll let him decide, then, if he tells you about the Aquarium job.

[Lord Windos]

"We thought it might be a predatory Pokemon too. But we checked several things: none of the predatory Pokemon have left their own tanks, and none of the peaceful Pokemon in the tank in question had any Pokeremnants in their stomachs. Your Corsola is welcome to enter the tank, though we'd like to check her for illnesses first."

"Ah, good, she's clean. Well, this sounds like a plan. I hope you are successful."

He shows you to the tank where the fish are being predated. It's mostly full of attractive but common water types - Seadra, Goldeen, Staryu, Remoraid, Feebas, Luvdisc, Finneon, swimming among a landscape of coral and shells. These are the primary targets, it seems. They do have a rare Milotic, but according to the docent, it knows how to defend itself. "Is it too proud to defend the other Pokemon? We aren't sure what's up with that. We also had a rare Golden Magikarp in here, but we moved it to a high security tank."

Ventus looked a bit perplexed by what he heard, but he just nodded his head at the docent's explaination. "Its possible that a wild Pokémon has somehow evaded you security system, but that's a low probability event given the security I've seen so far. Strange, very strange....As for the Milotic, its possible that it believe that its too important to involve itself, or whatever has been hunting these fish has taken care not to provoke its ire. The Golden Magikarp should be balled and moved to secure storage, until this situation has been sorted out, but that is just my recommendation," he said, scanning the tanks and his surroundings for flaws in security or hidden entry points. He didn't find any, but just does not preclude the fact that blind spots might be there that he's unaware of....

"If it ok, I'll have my Corsola began guarding the tank now, just in case the killer strikes while I'm going about my business in the evening. Rest assured, I'll do everything in my power to capture this vile fiend, and bring them to justice. You have my word on that."

Order: Finish up tour of the Aquarium, then go over to Court House to pay off debt. If its possible, maybe you can have Nathan encounter Ventus while he making his trip there... Then, once that business is settle, he's going to stack out the Aquarium for the rest of the evening and night.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

When she glances at her dreamcatcher in the morning, there is a tuft of black fur stuck to it that wasn't there before, and all the threads are in disarray.

Awaking was a weird thing. If one would dare that dream calling a nightmare, then... It was a hidden alarm signal coming from the subconscious mind if one was clearly able to remember a nocturnal dream upon awaking, nothing new to her... But she refused to mention a single word about what the dream consisted of. Cottonee has cuddled up herself close to her Master. Did the fluffball noticed her master's state of mind and wished to provide comfort? How adorable... If Cottonee was so devoted already, Shivareally looked forward to have a Whimsicott. After all, that secret reputation of being a affectionate and loyal friend to those it holds dear...

Wait a moment. What the hell has happened to her Dream Catcher? No wonder she suffered a bad dream... That thing was selfmade... And crafted with feathers from a Noctowl... That black tuft of fur was all new, though. Wasn't added by her. It felt soft, yet a little oily upon touching it. If it belongs to a Zorua or its evolution... They aren't outright evil. neither known for such behaviour, usually they stick to harmlessly trick people, which did not involve giving them nightmares. If exemplars of those were the cause though, something must upset the greatly... Larry also owned a Zorua, didn't he? Oh well.

She spend around half an hour to fix her Dream Catcher again, before packing away the tuft of fur to carry with her all time, before withdrawing all her Pokemon and heading downstairs to the main area of the Pokemon Center. This time, in a more casual black outfit - we gotta fit the city's theme somewhat and better not arise attention of citizans by running around being dressed somewhat fairylike.

First thing she noticed as she entered the Center's Cafeteria was that she was not the only one suffering inklings of insomnia. People here were in no real good state, but the fresh and not-gloomy atmosphere inside the Center was nevertheless present. Luckily it was.

Gathereing up coffee stronger than those she usualy enjoys in the mornings, she headed towards the counter to meet up Nurse Joy. After all, Spearow should have fully recoverd by now!


(Upon getting the bird back) How neat to see! Speaorw was overly fine and gazed up at her as she allowed him to sit on her arm. "My my, nice to see your spirits high again! Now, what to we do with you... I have no problem if you'd like to come with me. But please be aware that I might be the wrong person if you wish to refine your skills using Sticks. (Ven mentioned to her Spearow attacked him with Sticks, so she knows.) I'm all fine to find a better Master to help you with that, maybe a Ninja or someone who is experienced in Martial Arts... But I'm also all fine to set you free on Route 3 to live your own life."

... "So, what are your thoughts on this? By the way, I'll make sure you get at least one of those Sticks back. I know that person who stole them from you, and I bet we'll run into him eventually." Shiva believed that he was all busy finding jobs to pay off his fne in time. Likely even night jobs.


-----------------

Mechanics:
I wouldn't enjoy giving Spearow to someone within the party. If I'd have to choose, I'd most likely gift it to Valder... If looking for a better Master is the thing, let's go to Corsage's Trading Post and see the offers~ Might be more interested in giving Spearow for money or an elusive Sun Stone than for a Pokemon - but not 'uninterested'. If Spearow decides otherwise, I'll decide neyt activity in town then.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan does run into Ventus!

As he's coming out of the aquarium?

sniff sniff

Was that...coffee? Hmmmm....

[Lord Windos]

Nathan does run into Ventus!

As he's coming out of the aquarium?

sniff sniff

Was that...coffee? Hmmmm....

Thinking over about the fish killer at the Aquarium, Ventus almost didn't notice Nathan as he was walking over to the Court House, but paused mid-step as his presence finally registered. Pivoting on one foot, the researcher turned around and walked towards the young trainer, raising his hand in greeting. "Salutations, Nathan! I though I wouldn't be reuniting with you for quite some time, given my hard work and your upcoming battle, but it appears our paths have crossed here today. Well, since you are here, tell me, do you mind telling me how you are doing? The town's despairing atmosphere makes it difficult for my empathy to function properly, so I can't quite get a grip on your current emotional state," he said, looking tired and serious at the same time.

Working at the docks, while a productive experience for him and his Niobat, was very draining on him. Add in the morning of window washing and tonight's stakeout at the aquarium, and it was looking to be a loooong duration in Corsage. Still, even with his exahuastion and the oppressive atmosphere of the town weighing down upon he, he still noticed that something was bothering the boy. "Hmm, what is the matter? Did something happen while I was away, or are you still trouble from you conversation with Shiva the other night? Come, tell me now."

[Dragonstrike]

"Well, it helps that I was actually looking for you. You doing okay? I got a little worried when you didn't return to the Center last night, is all. There's something not right about this air of...despair. And I have a theory as to what it might be..."

[Lord Windos]

"Well, it helps that I was actually looking for you.  You doing okay?  I got a little worried when you didn't return to the Center last night, is all.  There's something not right about this air of...despair.  And I have a theory as to what it might be..."

"...Truth be told, no. Corsage has put me into a foul mood, as the dreadful feelings I am constantly receiving have been extremely grating. The atmosphere here is so suffocating that I have to quarantine Raphael until we leave town; they were almost literally wilting from the sheer amount of negativity here! Add to it demons plaguing the dreams of the people of this town, including my own, and someone or thing slaughtering fish Pokémon at the aquarium, and the overall situation here is quite bleak," Ventus said, pinching his noise in tired annoyance. He expected a lively port like Castillia City, not this Lavender Town of a place....

"Its like Kuyrem has seen it fight to punish this town with their icy power, or Darkrai has come to haunt the place... The sooner our business here is concluded, the better everyone's situation is improved. If you are curious about my absence last night, I took the graveyard shift guarding a valuable cargo hold at the dock yard. It was monotonous work, but it payed well in the end, and my boss is a nice enough person to work for."

[Dragonstrike]

"Uh...yeah, about that...you just nailed what my theory is. I assume you're familiar with it because of the rumors about Darkrai appearing around Lentimas some time time ago, right?

"Well, even if this isn't Darkrai's doing, it's something similar, at least. I can't really name any other pokemon capable of inflicting mass nightmares, though, to be perfectly honest...regardless, the similarity is enough that the solution should be similar too. You're familiar with Cresselia and her Lunar Wings, right? If we happen to find something similar to that, it should help the town significantly. I'm not saying we'll find it here, but...

"Wait, did you just say something was killing the fish in the aquarium?"