[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

"...The only reason she revealed the full truth to me was because I forced her to, Nathan," Venus quietly whispered, his grip on Nathan wrist slackening until it was practically non-existent. "At first, she only told me but a shard of the truth, in order to palicate my natural inestigativeness, but when zI learned you two got in a spat over Kirlia evolution...I couldn't in good conscious turn a blind eye to her actions any longer. Not if they were going to tear the group apart if she kept on being so offucating."

"So, while we were all training in the dojo, I confronted her about her business with the daycare. When she kept being obstinate and evasive, I threaten to do everything in my power to drag the truth out into the light, bringing you into my investigation to dig dig dig, until we hit lay dirt. This...cowed her enough to open up to me, and after what I heard...I can't say I blame her for keeping it from us. I vowed not to speak of it, and I am a man of my word, but I can say this much: if this secret got out, it could cause widespread chaos throughout Cheshire. It's that important Nathan, so I'm sorry to say that you will get no solace for your inquiries with me...,"'Venus concluded, his eyes slanted away as he looked like a rather guilty Rowlet. He honestly HATES to keep this from him, but he can't just break his word in this instance...

"...I can understand if you are unwilling to share your own business, if I myself am unwilling to divulge this piece of information. If...it would please you, I can instead reveal a personal secret of my own. One that no one but myself and select Unovian official know."

[Dragonstrike]

He...hadn't expected that answer...he'd thought Ventus had only known as much as he'd figured out...

"Wait...she told you the full truth?!"

He looks furious. Kirlia looks extremely worried...not even Ventus's insistence that it was for a very good reason seems to be helping...this wasn't helping the already shaky trust issues at all...

Nathan frees his arm, gets up, and walks over to the PC. He swaps his pokemon around, exchanging Porygon 2 and Swiftfire for the Delta Houndour and Zippy, and then starts making his way towards the door.

"I'm going to go do a little training."

That's all he says. He's angry, but he doesn't want to fight Ventus nor Shiva about this despite that.

[Lord Windos]

Ventus is silent as a grave when Nathan tore his hand free from his grasp and stormed out of the center, dropping that bottle of Lemonade in the process. Picking it up, the researcher could only morosely stare at it, before he stowed it away, muttering to himself :"All I do is make things worse, everytime I pry into others business. I...just want know so that I can help them out with the knowledge, not harm them..."

He took a deep breath, got his emotion under tight control, plastered a wide, bright smile on his face, and began walking into the hall connecting the Center's rooms to the lobby. Finding Shiva room, he thought of just entering, but he decided to lightly knockon the door, seeing if she had awoken already. No need to barge into a sleeping occupant's room if they are actually awake! That, and he REALLY didn't walk in there if she was doing something...private ('Like Changing *Shudders*').

[Dragonstrike]

Outside the Center, Nathan just gives a fairly brief order to Kirlia.

"Kirlia, please Teleport us to the spot where we were camping. I...need to get away from here for a bit. For more than one reason..."

He's angry, but not just at Ventus and Shiva.

He's also rather angry with himself.

He needs to collect his thoughts, calm down a little. He doesn't want to fight like that, yet he keeps finding reasons to...

Maybe some time spent away from the group would help...

For how long, though?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Just as expected, Helios got the mechanics rather quickly. Maybe knowing that blasted Kirlia knew this move helped greatly? Shiva got the feeling that her Abra and his Psychic-Fairy were about to develope some rivalry. How...interesting to see. But she brushed off that thought for now, and extended one hand to the current two Abra who was closest to her.

Turned out it was a fake-one that faded upon the touch, and revealed the real one standing a little away near the window. It causes his owner to smile a little. "I see you have no problems with creating authentic copies, dear one. That's splendid, thank you for the effort! For now, you are allowed to rest a little. Next time we'll try to enhance the number of copies, but certainly not today. However, I have something else planned for you and your psychic powers if all falls into place nicely. Please keep good hold on that spoon I gifted you." ... "You want to get back into you ball for rest? ...No? That's fine, I likely won't leave this room for a little anyway."

Helios then instant-teleported himself to the end of his owner's bed and soon fell asleep with back leaned against wall.

Only now Shiva notices that scratching in short intervalls coming from outside the door. Her fox must be back!~ She quickly opened the door to let him in and carefully closed it behind her, before croaching down and facing her Fennekin. The expression she gave him displayed happiness over seeing him as well as slightly bitter seriousness over the action she ordered him. Only words she had for Fennekin were "You did what I asked you for? Well done. Thank you."

Well, before she noticed that twig he was carrying... As far as Shiva could tell, it was light basswood. "Wait a moment, dear one... Where did you got that stick from? "  As a response, Fennekin performed his new move to his owner.  Which caused her to be both stunned and overjoyed for a little while and Fennekin receiving some appreciating strokes over his ears. "That was Lucky Chant, was it? You learned it on your own... Did your recent losses in battle encourage you to call for the stars' help? How wonderful... Please keep that stick no matter what. As soon as you evolve further, you'll be able to use it for both your Fire type moves as well as communicating with others of your kind." That magical fox never fails to amaze her.

Shiva carried Fennekin to bed gently placed him there near Helios, telling him to rest a little as well and enjoy some calm free time. Espurr was there as well, and Shiva heard him purr quietly. How adorable! But...now to think about it, that small Pokemon must indeed be somewhat connected to the lucid dream. What else? Higly unlikely that all coincedently a wild Espurr crawled into her close room with closed window and decided to sleep just there. What if it 'originates' from the dream... What if the dream-Espurr somewhat manifested itself and appeared there on her bed? What is the Espurr caused that lucid dream in the first place? Maybe it was in need for help as these...Houndour chased it, and Shiva happened to be there at the right time at the right place...

As some sort of answer, she spotted a speck of ash 'decorating' the scarf. And Kyuu, wearing that scarf, staring at it in terror... Rather quickly, Shiva whipped off that ash. If she remembers clearly, the surroundings she encountered the gray cat were scattered with cinders...The thought gave her slight shivers.

Some knocking on the door prevented her from mulling over things just now though. Knowing that it must either be Nurse Joy or one of the others to check on her state, Shiva got back to bed and responded with "Door's open, come in.", followed by a muted "If you have coffee or even breakfast with you, even better."



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If Ventus comes into the dorm now, he'll find her upright in bed half covered by the blanket and wearing that nightdress I described earlier plus still that shard of duskglass. She's in a moderate mood right now since her Pokemon cheered her up and successfully prevented any feelings of loneliness from emerging. At the end of bed, her Psychic (and future Psychic) Pokemon except Comite are gathered up with the Espurr a little hidden. Even if Ven would notice the strong psychic power the cat is radiating, he wouldn't know where it comes from without taking a closer look.

How much Shiva remembers from the Delta Houndour Battles is Gamemaster's discretion.

[Lord Windos]

Some knocking on the door prevented her from mulling over things just now though. Knowing that it must either be Nurse Joy or one of the others to check on her state, Shiva got back to bed and responded with "Door's open, come in.", followed by a muted "If you have coffee or even breakfast with you, even better."



--------------
If Ventus comes into the dorm now, he'll find her upright in bed half covered by the blanket and wearing that nightdress I described earlier plus still that shard of duskglass. She's in a moderate mood right now since her Pokemon cheered her up and successfully prevented any feelings of loneliness from emerging. At the end of bed, her Psychic (and future Psychic) Pokemon except Comite are gathered up with the Espurr a little hidden. Even if Ven would notice the strong psychic power the cat is radiating, he wouldn't know where it comes from without taking a closer look.

.

(Ventus picks up emotions, not Psychic energy. Unless the critter give him reason to suspect it's existence,  my character won't even know it's there!)

A pause in the knocking, then some shuffling footsteps as the stranger walked away from the door. 10 minutes or so later, those same footsteps resounded in the hallway, until they stoped in front of Shiva's door once more. The door crack ever so slightly, as the person checks to see if the occupant didn't fall back asleep, before they carefully opened the door, revealing that the intruder was in fact Ventus. He was carrying a tray of her favorite breakfast food, along with what looked and smelled like to be premium grade Coffee!

Smiling in relief that Phantom was apparently in excellent condition, despite her time in the nightmare, the researcher walked over to her and set the food tray on the nightstand beside her, and pooped her a cup of joe, before handing it to her. "Shiva I see you have recovered from you rousing battle with...Nathan yesterday evening. Nathan informed me you collapsed from running yourself ragged in your battle, so I decided to come over and conduct a check up, but it appears that won't be necessary at this point. Some more bed rest might do more than a little good for your health, but if you are already up and about interacting with your Pokémon, them I say you are just fine," he said, smiling rather dazzling at his 'bedridden' friend. 

It was hard to fool someone if all their Pokémon were summoned, ready to train and do thier master's bidding. That, and his innate empathy picked up that she felt happy and well adjusted after her brief coma, so he knew that his best friend was more or less spared from negative after effects of that nightmare. Unlike him...

Ventus normally serene faltered at this thought, and that bit of negativity lead to pondering the state he left Nathan in, before his visage looked quite depressed. "Unfortunately, my morning has not been all Solrocks and Roserades. I got into a spat with Nathan after I grew a little too...curious for my own good, and it eventually lead him to asking about your daycare mission. Now, I didn't reveal a word about it, and plainly told him why I couldn't, but he reacted...violently regardless," Ven said exhauling as he distinctly remembered how the boy felt at that revelation. Oh, how it torn at his heart...

"Shiva...I question if it's such a good idea to keep this mission from him at this point. The boy has grown increasingly unstable over been kept in the dark, and he's growing to not only resent us for this, but outright distrust us as well. When I walled him off, Shiva, he hard the most wounded look on his face, and I clearly felt the feeling of betrayal emenating from his heart," the researcher continue, before rubbing his eyes with one hand, tired of unexpected drama ruining their friendship. Was peaceful harmony amount the group such a hard thing to achieve?

"I know you despise the very thought of informing other about your mission, but if we persist in shutting Nathan out of the matter....we'll, things won't get better between us, to put it succinctly. If we only told him a part of it, maybe we can stop our friendship with him from crumbling anymore than it already has...."

(Well, I set up the perfect lead for you, Phantom and served your character breakfast in bed! Hopefully this pleases everyone...please?)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Ah, I thought he'd be prone to detect some of this as well. But good to know~ The burnt Dream Catcher is still hanging in the window though.)


...If there was another thing that Shiva greatly appreciated, than it was the support of people whe cares for exactly in times she needed it. In fact, seeing that it was indeed the person she suspected it to be the most aside from Nurse Joy, she could not help but to wrap both her arms around the researcher's neck to pull him into a tight and affectionate hug just before he handed coffee to her! Doesn't matter whether and why he began to act strange around her, seeing how he cared for her was just adorable. And greatly appreciated.

Still in the hug, she told him in a nevertheless weakened voice "Fine, maybe. Well, not yet. Better, for sure." before letting go of him and accepting the coffee from him, before adding twice as much sugar as usually to it. It still had that interesting 'colourful' taste, and it'll surely help her reenergize.

Ven's smile was practically blinding her and as far as she culd tell it was an honest one on top of that, so she could not face him for more than a little, and she focused her gaze on the cup in her hands instead. Its content warmed her nicely. "*cough* Well, better for sure, but not 'fine'. I'll stay here for a little more before I'd be up to leave the Center again. It's comfy here..." In truth, barely a thing of the former despair and self-blame was present in her anymore. That was her Pokemon's doing. Her OWN Pokemon's doing. Who thought...that they can be that helpful... However, she was also silently hoping that Ven does not leave her side that soon, but she was outright too coy to voice that.

As he mentioned creepy dreamland, some fear emerged in Shiva though. Fear of the unknown, as well as dislike for that place. Kyuu being the expectation, however. He was a positive reminder of that event. A reminder that things can indeed become better. She promised herself to take good care of that little Espurr and hoped that it'll return the care.

She carefully listened to what Ventus had to say concerning Nathan. She could sense that discomfort and pain the issue was causing Ven... However, her first reaction was wrath. Silent cold wrath. "He's STILL not over the issue? After he said he won't dig anymore? Ugh... Damn his blasted pride. Maybe all that victories in battle got into his head in the end. Likely. See, that's why I am not that fond of all those strong but yet young Trainers... They're too inexperienced and are way too prone to become naive and too secure if they feel like they can achieve anything and solve any problem with a Pokemon battle. The fall is even higher and the collision with ground even more painful."

Her second reaction was compassion. A rather quick switch. "However, seeing that you suffer and he suffers... I am NOT surrendering the mission. Never. Nor will I reveal it to him as you forced me to do towards you, Ven. But... it'd be fine if I tell him one detail of it as soon as we meet him again and hope that he remains silent and satisfied afterwards. Because quite honestly, you are experienced in keeping things secret after engaging in Project Silverfish... For Nathan, I'd feel uneasy at the thought of him knowing what the mission is. Doesn't matter whether I am helping him out from the comfortable shadows."

After a little break and a few sips of sugary black coffee: "Besides... You kept your word and did not tell him about it. Therefore... Thank you. For checking on me as well." He then received am honestly appreciating and dear smile from her, but it only lasted for a few moments.

[Iron]

Outside the Center, Nathan just gives a fairly brief order to Kirlia.

"Kirlia, please Teleport us to the spot where we were camping. I...need to get away from here for a bit. For more than one reason..."

He's angry, but not just at Ventus and Shiva.

He's also rather angry with himself.

He needs to collect his thoughts, calm down a little. He doesn't want to fight like that, yet he keeps finding reasons to...

Maybe some time spent away from the group would help...

For how long, though?

Kirlia places a hand on his knee, then does as he asks. Kirlia gives Nathan another hug, reminding him that he's looking out for him.

The campsite is still nice and secure, free from any aggressive Pokemon. Nighttime may be a different matter, though - Nathan is a little worried about one game trail that runs very near the campsite.

Kirlia seems sad that he has offended Nathan by evolving. He doesn't blame Nathan for this emotion, though. When Nathan leaves Kirlia's sight for a while, taking care of any kind of business, he comes back to find Kirlia attempting to communicate with him.

The Pokemon has built a "web" of bits of string, strips of bark, and plant stems. The pattern writhes over and under the other components. A few twigs and rocks are built into it too. When Kirlia tugs on one string, all the others move, too. When Kirlia suddenly Strikes a string in an attack reminiscent of Gallade, the string is severed - the entire construction falls apart.

[Iron]

Nurse Joy comes in (this can be later, after Ventus leaves). She has a message for Shiva, from the Fortune Hunter!

"Oi! Remember when your Cottonee rumbled around in my garden, picking up shards? I had a request for a similar job, from the docks. There's a big ship at dock - the HMS Challenging Gaze, you may have seen it. Apparently there's a network of struts below it, and some items have fallen down in there. They want someone small, with some small mobile Pokemon, to crawl in there and retrieve the items. Just go talk to a sailor named Fellman and he'll tell you the details."

[Lord Windos]

"Hurk!" Venture chocked out, literally surprised attack by Shiva's hearfelt hug, nearly falling forward onto her and almost spilling the Coffee onto the bad. That would be a hot mess, but he quickly compensated and leaned into it, trying his hardest not to blush from the contact. 'By Reshirim, I expected them to be thankful for my support, but not to this extent! Well...the hug is nice regardless, but I'd rather not had it when I'm trying to hand her a steaming cup of coffee...' he thought, causally existing her grasp with a faintly bemused expression on his face.

"Glad to see that you are well on your way to complete recovery, my...snugglely friend! The fact that I'm picking up no despair or negativity from you also heartens me greatly; I hate seeing you distraught, Shiva, so I'm especially elated that your recent defeat and subsequent...rest has not detracted from your cheer! I can only hope some breakfast in bed will expedite you from bed rest, or at least let you start the day with a full belly!" he kindly said, pulling up a chair to sit beside her as she dug into her meal. He wanted to be there for her, and by Reshirim he will!

He thought he detected a pulse of fear from Shiva, but it was so faint and went away so fast that he didn't bother bringing it up with her. No need to bring up latent fears at a time like this!

(After his Conffesion and Shiva's subsequent reaction)

Ventus was startled by the unkempt rage they directed towards the young trainer, and his cheerful smile slowly dissipated as she badmouthed his other dear friend. "Shiva." the researcher said, his face now almost painfully neutral as he spoke to them. "I do believe you are projecting your own views on the boy, not truely seeing the anguish that you caused him by constantly lying and misdirecting him on this issue. Nathan may let his emotions get the better of him from time to time, but he's not the arrogant, prideful welp you see him as. He's a dedicated trainer that cares deeply about his Pokémon, wanting to do his very best for them to succeed, but he's also a understanding and sensitive boy that wants to help us out, and for us to do the same for him. Demeaning Nathan and his accomplishments just because you begrudge him of his earnest search for answer is deplorable behavior, especially coming from someone so normally kind and understanding such as you. So please, if you don't have anything nice to say about Nathan," he leaned into her face and angrily whispered to her, "Then kindly keep your mouth shut."

When Shiva quickly changed her tone and permitted in telling something of worth about the her mission, he leaned back into his chair and just nodded to her, a little pleased that his friend will no longer completely in the dark. "He's our friend, Shiva, and has done quite the many things for us, so it's only fair that he know at least a part of your Daycare mission. I may have more experience in keeping dark secrets, but that doesn't override the possibility that Nathan could keep the truth to himself as well. *Sigh* I suggest the part pertinent to Kirlia's evolution, as that will quell most of his anger over the matter quickly. Whether he'll trust you so soon afterwards, though...that will be up to the two of you to work that out. Send him a text or voice message saying that you wish to speak with him later today about this, after he's had time to regain his calm and conduct his business'" Ventus said, before standing up and making his way to the door.

Without turning his head back to her, he responded to her thanks by saying: "No thanks are necessary. I was just keeping my word. I just hope you see fit to trust Nathan more in the future. I do believe he deserve that much." The researcher then exited Shiva's room, leaving her to mend on her own. He didn't feel like spending too much time with her now; not after she slandered Nate so...

Order: Ventus is going to abort his plans of body guarding her for the time being, and go out to find a Trainer Battle instead to take his mind off this swirl vortex of drama. Bet will be $300 Dollars, and he's going to use Apsis and Michael in the battle. Ventus may care about Shiva greatly, but he equally care for Nate as well. You dun goofed, my love...
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