[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Didn't take long to reach camp again. However, it was uncommon that it was so...'quiet' at their place. Nathan was outside with Kirlia, so she waved to him upon seeing him with one arm, while holding Azu close with the other. From what she could tell, there was no strong emotion coming from, were it still the events of yesterday night that plaqued him? Or was it plain physical tiredness over the lack of sleep? ...Most likely both. 

Saying that both had no effect on her would be lying. But she got the feeling that she was in a better nood at moment than, say, him and Kirlia. Ven was absent, but she naively hoped that he just returned to sleep instead of leaving into the woods...

She sat down somewhere near Nathan. Not 'beside him'. Let's give him some of the space he seemingly needs. Her voice was also calm, and filled with a warm feeling. 'You won't get any half-truths and nasty reactions from me now.' "I'm back and unharmed, as assured. So... *hesitation, but also awareness that bottling things up will make things worse* you managed to get some good rest after...yesterday?"

[Dragonstrike]

Didn't take long to reach camp again. However, it was uncommon that it was so...'quiet' at their place. Nathan was outside with Kirlia, so she waved to him upon seeing him with one arm, while holding Azu close with the other. From what she could tell, there was no strong emotion coming from, were it still the events of yesterday night that plaqued him? Or was it plain physical tiredness over the lack of sleep? ...Most likely both. 

Saying that both had no effect on her would be lying. But she got the feeling that she was in a better nood at moment than, say, him and Kirlia. Ven was absent, but she naively hoped that he just returned to sleep instead of leaving into the woods...

She sat down somewhere near Nathan. Not 'beside him'. Let's give him some of the space he seemingly needs. Her voice was also calm, and filled with a warm feeling. 'You won't get any half-truths and nasty reactions from me now.' "I'm back and unharmed, as assured. So... *hesitation, but also awareness that bottling things up will make things worse* you managed to get some good rest after...yesterday?"

Nathan looks a little...embarrassed?  "Yeah, about that...sorry you had to see that...we're both feeling a little better, yeah...again, thanks for stopping me..."  The apology and genuine thanks are pretty easy to read.  It's not an easy topic for him, but he's feeling a little more...open to conversation with Shiva than before.  Shiva stopping him from killing Rattata himself seems to have had a great impact on him...

Kirlia mirrors the thanks as well, and smiles at Shiva.  She did well.  Everything turned out okay in the end, even if it did almost go nuclear a few times in the process. And it was clearly helping Nathan with opening up again, which made Kirlia even happier.

[Nylon]

(...)

Seeing that Valder struggled to decide, she lowered the hand with the temporary ball she was offering. Not in disappointment, but rather in hope to ease things a little, since she picked up that he was feeling...uneasy
.
"No, this is not part of your job. It's as I said, I just found this Spearow on the way, took it with me because I found it wrong to leave it there fainted and decided to give it away because I would not be proper Master to it, but thought that you could be."

"It's all your decision, I'd gift that Spearow to you for free without any ulterior motives, and of course you can ask Ventus for permission of accepting Spearow first. I'll keep it with me for a little while if you change your mind, but I'll trade it away in the next town if you stay by that decision."

 "Then I won't take it, okay?"
 Valder felt revieled and was ready to walk away. He stretched out his newly unburdened shoulders suggesing that Froakie could sit there if he'd prefer.
 Valder may be more oblivious than shy...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Seeing that Valder struggled to decide, she lowered the hand with the temporary ball she was offering. Not in disappointment, but rather in hope to ease things a little, since she picked up that he was feeling...uneasy
.
"No, this is not part of your job. It's as I said, I just found this Spearow on the way, took it with me because I found it wrong to leave it there fainted and decided to give it away because I would not be proper Master to it, but thought that you could be."

"It's all your decision, I'd gift that Spearow to you for free without any ulterior motives, and of course you can ask Ventus for permission of accepting Spearow first. I'll keep it with me for a little while if you change your mind, but I'll trade it away in the next town if you stay by that decision."

 "Then I won't take it, okay?"
Valder felt revieled and was ready to walk away. He stretched out his newly unburdened shoulders suggesing that Froakie could sit there if he'd prefer.
Valder may be more oblivious than shy...

Ahhh... Shiva actually expected that he'd take the Spearow and give it a good home... But of course, he's all free to decide in whatever way he likes! No way she'd try to change his mind or disagree. He's his own Master, at least in this matter.

Instead, she just smiled a little in appreciation. Physically showing that it's alright. "That's fine, I gave you the offer and let you decide. If those are your last words on the matter, then it's settled~ Thanks for hearing me out, though."

Next, she packed the temporary ball away into a sidepocket before dusting off her dress and getting ready to leave and step back inside tent for the night + rest. (If Valder wants to say something more, here's the chance!)

Before she left though, she turned around once more. Seeing that he seemingly had a new team member..."What a nice Froakie you got yourself! Take good care of it... I believe you will, because I feel like this Pokemon matches you quite well. In a positive way. Well, see you then and good night!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Nathan looks a little...embarrassed?  "Yeah, about that...sorry you had to see that...we're both feeling a little better, yeah...again, thanks for stopping me..."  The apology and genuine thanks are pretty easy to read.  It's not an easy topic for him, but he's feeling a little more...open to conversation with Shiva than before.  Shiva stopping him from killing Rattata himself seems to have had a great impact on him...

Kirlia mirrors the thanks as well, and smiles at Shiva.  She did well.  Everything turned out okay in the end, even if it did almost go nuclear a few times in the process.  And it was clearly helping Nathan with opening up again, which made Kirlia even happier.

... Such a strong an authetic emotion was rather easy for Shiva to pick up. He was sorry, yet thankful, both honestly on top of that. That's great to see. It warmed her a little more, which was visibly by that smile emerging, and she spend a while just stroking Azurill who had nesteld herself inside her top hat to recover a little from the pain that Zangoose inflicted on her. Given Azurill was part Fairy Type, maybe her senses - or the bond to Shiva - were strong enough already to pick up that warm feeling coming from her Master currently. So warm... And cozy, it may be hard not to sleep in while Master keeps us safe...

"I appreciate your apology. And while I see your reasons to dispose the rat that harmed your closest companion, I felt like, hmm, you will LIKELY regret what you did as soon as you got your senses back. Therefor, I just had to intervene... Glad that I reached through." She looked up to the sky. "See, there's nature who takes lifes... Death belongs to the circle. However, I just found it wrong to kill that Rattata simply because it attacked us. Ven wanted to protect us, that's true... But I wouldn't want him to stain his hands with blood in the process... " ... "By now, some predator Pokemon or Apsis herself have likely taken care of the rat already. It's a free meal for some bigger creature. That's fine to me... It's a brilliant idea you had. It saved disaster among us." And herself from crying bitterly, but she did not spoke that out aloud.

Her gaze fell back on Kirlia then, who smiled at her. How adorable! "Hehe... You'll be better soon enough as well." Carefully, she exteded one hand into his direction. "You allow me to stroke you? Just a little... I won't touch your arm neither your red horns." (Does not matter whether Kirlia allows or not, the next part stays the same.)

Such a brave lil' Pokemon... Kirlia was somewhat Shiva's favorite of the evolution line. It was the most adorable and graceful member, and displayed not anymore that naive innocence that surrounded Ralts, but instead youth and growing maturity. Soon, it'll evolve into either...

"By the way, Nathan, you have not come back to me on this yet: Is your Kirlia a male or a female exemplar? Bet you know this has a huge impact on its further evolution. Which one do you like more, Guardevoir or Gallade? While the evolution is determined by gender (okay, actually not, there are male Gardevoir), there is always the possibility to breed more and get an exemplar of both."

Wait a moment... breeding... Suddenly, Shiva's expression enlighted a lot. Like there's a thing that could solve all her problems... Okay, maybe not that, but one major. "Nathan... There is something Nurse Joy told me about yesterday as I withdrew Fennekin from PC. It's called a 'Breeder's Permit or Lisence'. From what she told me, it costs a nice sum of money and comes with an exam to pass, but it'd let you carry around as much Pokemon eggs as you like! They won't even take a slot in your party of six Pokemon! Oh my... Appearantly it's unique to Creshire. You know anything more about it? You knwo anything about the exam? While I bet I am capable of passing it, it doesn't hurt to refresh knowledge before attending it... Bet the Daycare in Ginger Town can help me study..."

[Iron]

Froakie happily rides on the shoulder of Valder. From up there, he excitedly points out hidden Pokemon as a sort of game - all common Pokemon, though.

Fennekin is given permission to wander about the camp. He sniffs about for caves and hollow logs, but what he finds is the tent, with a great big snake tail sticking out. He roots his way into the tent, careful not to step on any sleeping forms. When he realizes this is Apsis, the fully grown Arbok, he jumps out of the tent as fast as he can, and is not careful enough to avoid Arbok's tail. The snake comes hissing out from cover.

Fennekin shrinks back, preparing a Psybeam as his only defense. But Arbok, poised angrily, remembers her bargain with her master. She shrugs her body length, as if to say "I'm full anyway." She goes back under the tent, and Fennekin stays frozen for a while before exploring the area more carefully this time.

Fennekin and Froakie gain 1XP.

[Dragonstrike]

Another Talk with Shiva: Touched by Kindness - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

While she'd accepted his apology...it still didn't sit quite right with him.  He clearly remembered what she and Kirlia had looked like and felt at the time...she...deserved to know why he'd reacted like that...

"Shiva, if you...want to know why I reacted like that...I'm willing to tell you.  Doesn't have to be now...but we might want to make sure there's absolutely nobody around if and when I tell you...moving on from that, though...

"I'm actually surprised you haven't picked up on which gender Kirlia is.  I've referred to him with male pronouns every so often.  So yes, there is potential for him to evolve into Gallade, which is what I think we'd both prefer if we can find a Dawn Stone..."

Kirlia nods in agreement (and is fine with the stroking).  Nathan had asked him which evolution he preferred when they had finally decided they were going to stick together.  It had mostly been to satisfy curiosity at the time, but Kirlia had admired Gallade's sense of justice and protection both.  It was a goal that resonated STRONGLY with him.

"Forget about being able to breed more Ralts, though.  Not unless we find a Ditto or Duplicat.  Ralts are way too rare here for that to be practical.  Even if I could breed more, I'm not sure I'd want to...I'm sure you're familiar with those mass breeders that use those species commonly? Really strange stuff, I tell you...but I guess everyone has to make a living somehow, right? Me, I'd probably just stick to breeding horses and other rideable pokemon if I were to enter the profession..."

When Shiva mentions the license, Nathan has to think for a moment..."Didn't I mention something about that before? Eh, whatever.  What Nurse Joy says is true.  For $1750, you can get a license that lets you carry as many eggs as you can manage and still have a full party of six.  The test is pretty easy if you know the basics of professional breeding, I've heard.  My mom has a breeder's license, in fact.  She renews it every year since it's a big part of her job.  Pretty handy to have if you have an egg or two to hatch."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(What a beautiful theme!)



Haha... There it was. Now even Nathan opens up to her about his past. After what has been between them, she thought he never would... Not that she was 'curious' about it, though. It was just like Ventus or tat Eevee in the Daycare in Ginger Town - if they back off from approaching, give 'em some space. It makes it even sweeter when te come on their own in the end.

If Shiva would have a hand free, she'd placed it onto his now, in compassion. However, she needed one arm to hold Azurill in her top hat close and the other to stroke through the green parts of Kirlia, so sadly Nathan is out of luck here. :C  Instead, she tried to put that compassion into that glance she gave him.

Calm and careful tone. "Surely I'm interested why you'd consider such a...horrible action, when I feel it does not match you at all. But, it's true, it does not have to be now, nor here... Take your time, I will not pressure you, but I'll be all listening if you decide to approach me. Hell, I might even answer any questions you'd have towards me, but there is actually nothing really special concerning my past and stuff..."

So it'll be Gallade? That matches those two very well. Gallade would give his everything to protect its owner and young, which comes along with a seemingly strong sense of justice... Yes, bet he'll take good care of this species. There's also its Mega-Evolution. Wonder if he manages that, ever?

"Ah, I must have missed that you adress him like that... Male and female Kirlia looking and behaving the same does not help either. However, Gallade is great! I feel it matched you as a person quite well." ... "As for more Ralts - very rarely, Ralts can be spotted and encountered in White Forest there in Unova. Eh, before you ask, I only been there once when I was a few years younger if I remember correctly, because Dad wished to restock on exclusive Pokemon there. But I'm sure I spotted a Ralts watching and following me from the woods... Also," her expression changed from walking down memory lane to a confused one here, "...what is a Duplicat? "

"Ahaha... Great to hear then! In that case, that exam shall be less of an obstacle. What pains me more... Looks like I need to get some more jobs in Corsage before I can even think about taking the test. Also, does one NEED to renew it every year? How shall I do that if I return home to Castlia?!"

[Dragonstrike]

"You're not wrong...it's nothing like me...that's why I feel I owe you the explanation..."  He looks embarassed again.  "But we can talk about that later.  Back in town, probably."

So...she'd visited White Forest once?  Interesting..."I wouldn't be surprised if there were Ralts there.  The species itself is really shy and incredibly rare, though, no matter what region you're in..."

Oh? What's a Duplicat? 

Oh, right.  Tandor.  "Hmmm...I've only ever seen one picture of one myself.  It's...kinda like a cat pokemon.  With six eyes and only two legs.  It's...really weird.  I've heard it's used as a Ditto substitute in Tandor since there aren't any wild Ditto in the region.  There aren't any Talonflame there either, but I've heard Pajay is a substitute for that over there.  Don't really know much more than that, though."

Ah, specifics on the Breeder's License.  "Yeah, it needs to be renewed every year if you want to keep its benefits.  You get $250 off the fee if you've owned one in the last 5 years, thankfully.  Don't even have to have a permanent residence in Creshire, and leaving the region doesn't ruin your elligibility for renewing it with the discount.  It's only valid in Creshire, though."

He stops to think for a moment...

"You know, maybe I could help you a little with that initial cost.  I want to see what's in that mystery egg too, after all..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Hehe, we did not catch a Ralts there though... I guess... As far as I know... Eh, nope, I could have imagined it as well. But again, Fairy Type, if there was a real Ralts, it must have picked up my vivid pool of emotions from afar and became curious."

Okay. A tandorian - is that the correct phrasing? - catlike Pokemon with six eyes and two legs that serves the same role as a Ditto when it comes to breeding Pokemon. ... To Shiva that sounded like the most insane and weird thing ever. In her mind, possible pictures of such a creature formed...and she immediaetyl brushed them off. Ugh.


She also listend closely and with much interest ahwt Nathan had to say about that miraculous Breeder's Lisence...
Only valid in Chreshire? Okay.
What if I reside here and import eggs from Unova? Is that possible?
Does that ruin the benefit?
Why does Chreshire has such a benefit at all?
I bet the Daycare owners know more... Hell, I haven't heard from the for a while. Shall I call back?
If I stay in Chreshire instead of returning home, I need either the apparenticeship at the Daycare or need to apply for Telperion Univerity...
Wait, currently I only have that on egg to hatch... But how neat it would be to carry around eight Eevee-eggs at once...


Luckily, Nathan managed to stop her trail of thoughts before it got derailed too much. But one thing was for sure, now that Shiva knew about such a Lisence, she wished to get one.

"Wait... Excuse me, what? Eh... I'd greatly appreciate any help on the costs! Indeed, the fine I received drained me a little... However, ONLY if that's really what you wish to do... After all that hassle I have cause you... Consider, and feel free to come back to me then later or tomorrow. Again, thanks a lot for telling me all this at all!"

"There is...another thing I wished to ask you, now that we're here and most likely won't go anywhere far. See, I could not help to miss that Kirlia has some nice psychic powers." Dumb phrasing, of course he has... "Actually, what I desired to ask, does he know Double Team as a move? If so... would both you and Kirlia mind showing me the mechanics of that particular move? All careful and slowly, not to endanger the wounds he still has, but I believe he shouldn't be too impaired by his arm to use that move."

"You ask why? Hehe... Simple. Because I'd like to try tutoring my Abra in this move. It's usually not in his move pool, yeah. But why do you think an Umbreon can learn Psychic via TM? Because somewhere deep, it's encrypted in its gene strings."


Shiva takes out a small journal in a black and white star-patterned cover, ready to take some notes about the move on the page after her memos about Spindleweed.