[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Each eye in Combee's three faces winks at you in succession.

[Dragonstrike]

Each eye in Combee's three faces winks at you in succession.

"I take it that's a confirmation that you'll give it some thought?  Good to hear if so.  Leadership roles are difficult, after all, so it pays to have some prep work done."  He sighs.  "Not that I've been much of a leader myself, lately, so who am I to talk about assuming the role?  Just seem to cause more problems than solve them...nobody seems to want to follow through on what I think the best course of action might be...partially my own fault in some ways, but the others seem pretty eager to shoot down my ideas as well...kinda hard to lead if nobody wants to follow, after all...but I can't force them to agree with me, either...even if I could, though, I wouldn't want to...*sigh*...quite the conundrum, isn't it?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

After Nathan has finished business on the PC and told them he'll do a quick visit at the market in Wineberry, Shiva finally found the time to look at the PC herself just as the Fortune Hunter desired her to. At first she didn't noticed anything special, but then that pop-up came in the middle of the screen, just before she could click on Braixen! 'Overly suprised' not only because she didn't even knew that it was possible to place a Pokemon onto someonelse's PC - look through them yes, but store a new one? What a neat function - but also because it was an Oddish, a Pokemon that can only be occasionally found in White Forest home in Unova. Double-delight because the leaves that grow on this Pokemon are filled and soaked with Moonlight by this Pokemon wandering around during night instead of day and therefore a pleasant item for herbalists. Must be a gift from the Fortune Hunter as a thank-you?...Oddish are also part Poison Type, but at least...it's not that distinct on Oddish yet (more on Gloom and Vileplume) and it cannot bite her, can it...?

She decided that it indeed cannot, and withdrew that new grassy Pokemon only to call it out and take a direct look at it while she, Ven and Valder where waiting for Nathan to return from shopping. However, with the Oddish came also something that was almost as big as the Pokemon itself. Picking it up after introducing herself as the new Master to dear Oddish, she picked that book and Pokemon up, only to carry both to the table they where gathered before. Seeing that Shiva was rather concentrated and anticipated to rummage through the pages of the book after reading the sticky note attatched to it - at least no writing with a sharpie on the cover like on the black-spotted egg - Ventus was gentleman enough to not comment or ask anything. She kept that Oddish close to herself with one arm while using the hand of the other arm to turn pages, before she found that first piece the Fortune Hunter mentioned.

Reading through the lyrics, it filled her with warmth, calmness and just a little awe, every time she reread it and everytime she will reread it the next few days. 'Wool that will keep one warm' reminded Shiva strongly on the thought of keeping her Cottonee cuddled up close to her, this will be even more true as soon as she evolves into a fluffy and overly loyal Whimshicott.

Also, Shiva could not help but to strongly wonder what would happen if one would play, sing or just tell one of the inhabitants of Arrowroot Village of this particular piece of native music...

(Sidequest: Partial Success! Before they leave town though, Oddish come back at the PC alongside her Eletric rodents, Braixen and the egg take the two free spots in her team.)


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

Shiva (and Ventus, right?) visit the power spot. The book indicates it will not be active now.

At the power spot, Braixen gets down on all fours and goes snuffling around the den. He comes out bearing a strange, sparkling, holographic rock, which is crudely affixed to a braided strand of grass.

When you try to take it, he runs back into the lair and hangs it up again.

Ventus was quite intrigued with the strange rock , and wanted a closer at it to see if it was something he could use(?), but Braixen's swift action put a stop to that. Letting out another sigh at being denied yet again so soon, he just decided to see if there was any useful herbs or berries around, before leaving the area with Shiva later.

Nothing really changed about the spot, Shiva had no problems to find that spot back. Ven followed her, since he still felt like he needed to protect her from too much magic or feared the energy that dwells there might have a bad influence, while Shiva herself was actually quite delighted to visit the spot she met her magical fox. And subliminally showing Ven that there's nothing to fear in this case!

He was also the one who actually extended one hand to Braixen with the intention to take a closer look at it, while Shiva was fine to just look at what her fox was showing them. Too bad magical fox was faster and denied the researcher, lol. That sparkly rock is mine, not yours! It belongs to this spot and the den. In fact, only now after Braixen has disappeared into the den, Shiva recognized that the side of the den who consisted of tree roots was not only interwined into a network, but also hung by trinkets and more of the rocks Braixen showed them! Must have missed that the first time because of the nightfall and being more concentrated on Fennekin himself. Taking a curiously closer look at it, she also noticed that they aren't there just randomly but were arranged in a pattern. Or so it seemed.

She nudged Ventus on the should before he could leave to search for berries and herbs to draw his attention on this. Her voice had quite a fascinated tone. "Ven... Look at that... It's almost certainly that Pokemon made this. Without any humans, I fear. Isn't that...quite a thing? I feel it these stones and rocks create a pattern, and the roots aren't interwined at random or out of a whim, but on purpose. This all must have a meaning." Since he was a Pokemon Sociologist in the first place, maybe this will catch his interest? "Besides, can you feel that...specialness and freshness that seemingly dwells here? I surely can somehow, maybe you as the empath can do even stronger... At night, when I sat just here to find dear Fennekin coming and taking food of my hand, it was a little more intense. There is nothing to fear about this place. It's peaceful."

Braixen carefully stuck his head out of the den, which Shiva noticed. "Oh, Braixen... Do tell me, did you and the other Pokemon that share this den hung these stones onto the roots and created this all? Also... you'd be fine if I leave a piece of ourselves here before we move on, to pay tribute to all the other elusive Fire Pokemon here? It's just a big chrysanthemum, but it's something..." She drew that big Chrysanthemum Nightshade gifted her on the cruise and showed it to Braixen to sniff on it, waiting for his reaction.

(Refering to the desciption of the spot given here.)

[Iron]

.but I can't force them to agree with me, either...even if I could, though, I wouldn't want to...*sigh*...quite the conundrum, isn't it?"

Vespiqueen's leadership style mostly involves forcing drones to obey her, but to each his own. She tickles you with her wings and buzzes happily.

Here's one member of your team who cares little whether you are happy or sad, as long as you take her on adventures.

[Iron]

Braixen nods - he and his ilk are responsible for these trinkets, and Ventus is sure there's some meaning to this new addition (the shiny rock).

Braixen blocks Shiva from entering the den with the flower, but after some deliberation he takes it and goes in to place it himself, in the perfect spot.

[Iron]

Flashforward:


Nathan gets a call from Mom on the Pokedex!

Nurse Joy summons Shiva or Ventus to the video viewer - she has a call!


Hey @Nylon - does Valder have a cell phone? Or a Pokedex, I'd be fine if you start the game with one.

[Dragonstrike]

Vespiqueen's leadership style mostly involves forcing drones to obey her, but to each his own. She tickles you with her wings and buzzes happily.

Here's one member of your team who cares little whether you are happy or sad, as long as you take her on adventures.

"He...you really don't think it's that big a deal?  Maybe it's not...I'd still like it a lot more if those following me were willing to, though.  It's something I try to emphasize as best as I can, and it says a lot about the quality of your leadership...not that I'm trying to lead, but...oh well...guess it's something I'll just have to work out...thanks for taking the time to listen, Princess. I'm sure we both have a lot to think about now.  Well, you and Zippy ready to keep going?  We've got a long day ahead of us..."

Flashforward:

Nathan gets a call from Mom on the Pokedex!

Conversation with the bees done, Nathan was just about ready to find the others and...well, keep moving.  

His pokedex beeping kinda derails that plan.  Why's his mom calling him so early in the day?

"What's up?  You're calling rather early today..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Aww... So indeed it were Pokemon who created this. And likely take care of it... And nevertheless you decided to come with me as my magical fox... Guess I never said to you directly, but I'm quite thankful for this, Braixen. I promised that I'll take good care of you, and I ever will..."

Shiva didn't actually inteded to enter the den of a Pokemon herself, least of all THIS one due to the meaning - too big is the respect towards the elusive Fire Pokemon living a peaceful life in Fireweed Forest. She gladly handed the chrysanthemum to the fox and let him place it at the spot that he finds matching the most, before dwelling at the spot for a little longer alongside Ven before the time to reunite with Nathan and Valder to move on in direction to Ginger Town has come... Just the thought to put all her plans for the town in action filled her with anticipation.

Flashforward:

Nurse Joy summons Shiva or Ventus to the video viewer - she has a call!

(Not quite sure how Shiva shall receive that call while in the woods, maybe on her cell that does have a video function too? Or while being still in the Center in Wineberry? I'll go with the first option for the simplicity...)

Just along the way back from the Fennekin lair, Shiva has just started to type up a reply/thank-you message to the Fortune Hunter Lady... When an incoming video call stopped her in the middle of it! Can't be her parents unless the connection to Unova became uber overnight, or was it Golda with news about the Daycare and the bred Absol? Oh well... Turned out it was Nurse Joy, though!

*click* "Uh... Hello? Did I accidently miss or loose something at the Center?"

[Iron]

"Shiva, this is Nurse Joy. Professor Mallorn remembered something he needed to say to your group, but he said Nathan's mom would leave the message with him. Sorry to bother you; I didn't realize you weren't in the center."


Ventus gets a text on his phone saying much the same thing as I'm going to reveal below.

Looks like multiple people are trying to get hold of your group from Trillium Town!




"Don't be worried, dear. It's not an emergency. But it is something I simply couldn't hold in - Nathan, the Running has started! We can see the Pokemon up on Mt Molten from here in Trillium. They're racing as fast as they can along the peaks, which they normally leave when they reach Ferrothorn Peak right about Ginger Town! You have about four days, then, until the Running of the Pokemon. That's where we got the original pair of Ponyta for the Ranch, and sometimes where I get new stock. This year, they're expecting Nidorino, Tauros, Stantler, Doduo...and a few rarer Pokemon usually show up. Your distant cousin Kory is running in their charity event."

"Anyway, don't know if you were interested, but I thought I'd let you know! I know how you're always interested to see the mass of Pokemon cresting over Mt. Molten. Sorry you missed it this year, but if you get to see the Pokemon tear through the streets of Ginger Town, maybe that will make up for it? Mallorn said he is going to be there. I forget, have you ever been to the Running there before? You know, in town?"

[Dragonstrike]

"Don't be worried, dear. It's not an emergency. But it is something I simply couldn't hold in - Nathan, the Running has started! We can see the Pokemon up on Mt Molten from here in Trillium. They're racing as fast as they can along the peaks, which they normally leave when they reach Ferrothorn Peak right about Ginger Town! You have about four days, then, until the Running of the Pokemon. That's where we got the original pair of Ponyta for the Ranch, and sometimes where I get new stock. This year, they're expecting Nidorino, Tauros, Stantler, Doduo...and a few rarer Pokemon usually show up. Your distant cousin Kory is running in their charity event."

"Anyway, don't know if you were interested, but I thought I'd let you know! I know how you're always interested to see the mass of Pokemon cresting over Mt. Molten. Sorry you missed it this year, but if you get to see the Pokemon tear through the streets of Ginger Town, maybe that will make up for it? Mallorn said he is going to be there. I forget, have you ever been to the Running there before? You know, in town?"

Four days until the Running hits Ginger Town...and Kory was running in it for charity...again...

"No, I haven't seen it in town before.  *sigh*...we're headed back to Ginger Town to meet Mallorn there and hand him a few things.  Maybe we'll be around long enough to see the Running, I guess.  I don't really desire to actually run with them, though.  I don't get why Kory seems to enjoy taking that risk."