[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Haha... Nope, everything's fine." Careful, dear! You're entering sensitive terrain. "You're right, Apsis tawed fluffy Cottonee here" - she received some strokes over her cotton at this point - "afterwards, I gave victory to Ven. No way a let a Grass/Fairy Type battle against a Poison-Type, and Helios is not yet trained enough to protect me from those."

"Uh... But... true, he gave me some advice about battling afterwards, practically the similar things you just told me, additionally with a little lore about Pokemon canalizing their owner's energy."

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Ahh... It was good to see how Nathan calmed in her arms... When being so close, she was even more sensitive to a close person's emotions, especially when they aren't really trying to hide them.

...

Well, but that changed drastically as he shared the meaning of the Premier Ball. Eh, that was no reaction Shiva expected... But noticing the increasing shivering in his voice and Kirlia hugging him closer, she rather wuickly cottoned up to what was in store...

"NoNoNoNO! Nathan, calm yourself... It's fiiiiine! Let all your emotions out if you like... Expressing grief properly can be so relieving, can it? You'll feel better afterwards...I am here, Cottonee is here, KIRLIA IS HERE! And you still have your Mum for support, have you? She's such a nice person, as far as I could tell, (we met her shortly as Ventus collapsed there in the woods of Trillium, remember?) and you have the Ponyta to remind you of your secure home... Keep a good hold on that Premier Ball. Value it. Value it not only for being a secure place for Kirlia to rest, but also for the connection to a loved one... Besides, I bet wherever your father currently is, he's proud of what a precious and generous son as well as determined fighter you became."

"Now, now... Gather yourself up again. The hardest part is over... Once you're feeling better, you'd be down for the battle dragging your attention to different things?"

Shiva is not a therapist, and is definitely the wrong person to talk about a missing father figure in one's life, so this were the only care and words she was able to give him... But she hoped they reached him.

[Iron]

Kirlia stands up tall, reminding Nathan that he is loyal only to him. There's something calming about such blind loyalty.

[Dragonstrike]

It didn't take an empath to notice she was acting strange.  This talk wasn't about her, though.  Better not push it for now...

"Well, I'm glad he mentioned much the same things.  Helps solidify the point.  Now then, moving on..."

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Letting it out helps.

Kirlia's assurance that he'll always be there helps.

And Shiva listening, doing her best to help and comfort him by reminding him of what he does have still...that helps too.

When the hug is finally broken, Nathan calms down a little.  "I'm sorry...that's just...a really sensitive topic.  Moreso than the other one.  I just wish I knew why he left, that's all...you're right though.  It's not here or now.  Give me a few minutes to compose myself.  I'll meet you outside once I'm ready.

"Oh, but before I forget, how much do you want me to hold back?  You never answered that question, and I don't want to go all out if you don't think you can handle it.  And I want both of us to enjoy the battle, after all."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Oh, but before I forget, how much do you want me to hold back?  You never answered that question, and I don't want to go all out if you don't think you can handle it.  And I want both of us to enjoy the battle, after all."

"Hmm? Oh, eh... That's completely your call, I won't give you instructions about how much to hold back and whether to hold back or not. However... Not necessarily to fight out Pokemon to unconsciousness, right? Please...?" ( = Pokemon gets withdrawn if at 1HP)

[Dragonstrike]

"Hmm? Oh, eh... That's completely your call, I won't give you instructions about how much to hold back and whether to hold back or not. However... Not necessarily to fight out Pokemon to unconsciousness, right? Please...?" ( = Pokemon gets withdrawn if at 1HP)

"Of course.  Well, see ya in a few."

After Shiva leaves, Nathan and Kirlia spend some time meditatng again.  It's short, but it does the trick.

When Nathan walks out of the building with Nurse Joy in tow to observe the battle and heal any pokemon in immediate need, it's as if he'd never broken down in the first place.

"Alright then, Shiva, I hope you're ready.  Kirlia certainly is!"

Kirlia twirls, casting the sling aside and striking a pose! There are still visible bite marks on his arm, but his arm is fine now! Mostly.  He winces slightly mid pose.

Nathan chuckles.  "Don't push yourself too hard now, alright?  Now then...whenever you're ready, Shiva!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(How about a nice 'serious' battle theme?)


Oh, dear, you're nervous?
Dumb question, you know the answer.
Haha. But this will be quite an experience! He won't mow you down, nor does he have a Poison Type.
Hmm...

Oh, so they're battling somewhere outside? How neat, they have a clear view on ths sky. Likely they will battle until the stars will shine... Shiva hoped for the guard over the battle and them to shine to her benefit.

She dusts off her dress before calling out her well-known Electric rodents. Both were absolutely eager for some action! "Oh, Nathan... I mentioned that I'd prefer a Double Battle, so you'd have to summon a battle partner for Kirlia."

[Iron]

Nathan recalls Kirlia and sends out Grid the Joltik and Swiftfire the Ponyta!

Grid: (4) +5 = 9
Swiftfire: (3) +5 = 8 (now paralyzed and flame charged to 7)
Plusle/Fennekin/Azurill: (5) + 3 = 8
Minun: (2) +3 = 4

That's the order! Let's hear some plans!

[Dragonstrike]

(How about a nice 'serious' battle theme?)


Oh, dear, you're nervous?
Dumb question, you know the answer.
Haha. But this will be quite an experience! He won't mow you down, nor does he have a Poison Type.
Hmm...

Oh, so they're battling somewhere outside? How neat, they have a clear view on ths sky. Likely they will battle until the stars will shine... Shiva hoped for the guard over the battle and them to shine to her benefit.

She dusts off her dress before calling out her well-known Electric rodents. Both were absolutely eager for some action! "Oh, Nathan... I mentioned that I'd prefer a Double Battle, so you'd have to summon a battle partner for Kirlia."

(And by contrast): Nathan's Casual Battle Theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05qzdLSRA_g

Nathan smirks.  "I never said I was starting with Kirlia."
He then sends out his choices!

[Iron]

Shiva vs Nathan Round 1!

String Shot on Minun.
3 Dex + 2 Fight +1 Canalize -2 actions -1 acc = 3 dice
(3)(2)(6)
Minun's Dex -1

As Minun slows down, swamped in sticky threads, Swiftfire speeds up!

Flame Charge on Plusle.
3 Dex + 2 Fight +1 Brawl -2 actions = 4 dice
(3)(2)(4)(2) Success
Dmg:
3 Str +2 power +1 Stab -2 vit = 4 dice
(2)(5)(3)(1) Plusle takes 1 damage. 5/6hp.
Swiftfire's Dex +1

Swift from Plusle.
6 dice -3 actions = 3 dice
(6)(6)(6) Hits both opponents
4* Str + 2 power -3 vit = 3 dice
(4)(6)(1) Swiftfire and Grid take 2 damage. 4/6hp, 4/6hp. -1 pain for those two.

Nasty Plot from Minun
1* Dex + 1 Survival = 2 dice
(5)(6)
Minun's offense increases by 2

Joltik moves into position, jaws thirsty for some electricity!

Leech Life on Plusle
6 dice, -1 pain, -3 actions = 2 dice
(5)(3) Hit
3 Str + 1 power +1 STAB -2 vit = 3 dice
(4)(2)(6) Plusle takes 2 damage. 3/6hp, -2 pain.
Grid heals 1 dmg 5/6hp.


Ember
4* Dex + 2 Fight +1 canalize -3 actions -1 pain = 3 dice
(4)(5)(6) Hit!
3 Str + 2 power +1 STAB -2 vit = 4 dice
(5)(2)(5)(3) Plusle takes 2 damage. 1/6hp -3 pain.
Burn: (4)

Plusle is too pained to take further actions. Shiva is obliged to withdraw him from battle.

Summary: Plusle out of the battle. Swiftfire 4/6hp Dex+1. Grid 5/6hp. Minun -1 Dex +2 Str 6/6hp.

Shiva vs Nathan Round 2!

[Dragonstrike]

"Well, Shiva, who's next? Have you gotten a feel for how strong multiple actions are yet?"