[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...) "Then its settled then, my friend. I most likely will not be done with researching, recording, and finalizing my finding into text for quite some time, but I can give a rough draft of the ideas/observation that will go into the report, so don't fret about it. As for your future Gym Battle, we can discuss a general strategy along with Nathan before you are embark on that challenge, along side other topics as well, such as the Scimitar texts he copied down and what our plans will be before, during, and shortly after The Running occurs. Well, I shouldn't keep you from re-uniting with Nathan from any longer, as I rather not have a unnecessary man-hunt conducted over my were abouts or cause his more grief by 'vanishing' on him, so until we at the Pokémon Center, Shiva!"

He spoke in the normal tone, so she slowly made it to stop staring at the flower beside the path that was totally interesting for some reason and coyly face Ven again. She was not used to be treated that affectionately, least of all from someone she consered a close friend, but little did she knew that she would actually enjoy being handled like the lady she was...

Oh, she almost forgot about the binders at the lab. "Oh, sure... True, Nathan hasn't told us what he found in those binders in the lab yet. He also arranged Professor Mallorn meeting up with us in town at some point... Well, eh, I hope I'll have time for that all, but I'll FIND the time for that. ... A rough draft of your findings is very appreciated, curious what you'll find out at all!~ ... See you then. We'll meet up again!"

She then waved Ventus goodbye, waving for him, but not before "If something occurs, be sure to message us, alright?". Now that he was away, she took a deep breath to both calm her nerves from that unexpected awkwardness between them - not being around him for a little will surely be helpful to get over that and not let it spoil her friendship to that oddball of researcher - and prepare herself to meet up with Nathan and that...League Official.


(That's where the timelines connect! Now I'm really down for next Encounters/moving on with plot.)

[Dragonstrike]

"Yeah, let's go...day's almost over, though.  We'll have to set up the tent soon."

[Nylon]

Starly Round 2

Night Slash
(3)(2) Theo is in too much pain to perform his Night Slash accurately. Miss!

Gust
(2)(2)(5)(5)
(6)(3)(6)(6)(2)
Theo faints!

Starly Round 3

 'huh. that didn't go too well. I guess that Starly got me good'. "Froakie, your turn!"

 Froakie will use quick attack.
  quick attack: 4+2+0 =6dmg. 5acc.

[Iron]

Starly Round 3

Quick Attack
(2)(1)(4)(1)(5) Hit, but barely!
Dmg: (6)(3) Starly faints. Phew, finally, the battle has ended!

5 XP to Froakie, 3XP to Valder

[Iron]

Valerie helps set up camp. She brought her own one-man tent.

Day 23 arrives
Valerie finds a bush with three Oran Berries, enough for each of you to have one in her party. Ventus and Valder find Persim Berries instead.

Late in the day, you reach Ginger Town. Plenty of people are there, readying themselves. You see athletes stretching or engaging in sports to test their limits. They've set up a track for running, but a soccer/football game is going on in the middle of it. A few trainers are battling, but most are saving their strength for the Running - it takes a lot of Vitality to do a good Run.

You see lots of safety measures: three Nurse Joys, a handful of healers including Xiani, and Corporal Wake is there from Trillium Town. The League has sent a few officials, including Valerie, another (male) Shield, and a bureaucrat with a shiny badge. Ginger Town provides a few Helpers in bright yellow shirts who can answer questions.

Main Street is cleared entirely of all debris, market stalls, and other obstacles. All put away. Neither the Runners nor the Pokemon Running want to deal with that. A few businesses have lent their space as safety shelters.

The Pokemon Center backs right up to Main Street, but that entrance on Main Street is partitioned off. Running business only. The rear entrance is now the main entrance. It's possible to get rooms overlooking the Running, but 3/4ths of the rooms don't.

People are trying to sell Running-related items: sports drinks, name brand sneakers, Tauros hats with horns, red capes, and lucky amulets and charms of various kinds, none of which are likely to work very well. You can buy Repel, but that's considered cheating.

However, Repel is heavily used on the old Festival grounds, where many people are camping. You even see old friends - Tramp, Belle, Mr. Mime, and Miltank in Trax the RV. Tramp is doing jumping jacks with Mime. Other people are grilling or drinking around firepits. Camping is free!

Naturally, a few charities are trying to recruit Runners in their name. T.O.R.C.H.I.C is there, along with "Kricketoys for Kricketots", "Cocancer's Cancer Research Fund", and "March of Grimers."

Oh! And Zamboni is there, refereeing the football match with Delibird.

[Dragonstrike]

Question number one for Nathan: Does he see Kory anywhere?  Unfortunately, Kirlia probably won't be much help for finding him since he's never met Nathan's cousin before...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The VERY first thing Shiva does as soon they arrive in Ginger Town is get a hold on one of Nathan's sleeves and prevent him from running away into the mass right away, probably in an eager to search for his cousin. Can't blame him, but if they loose track of one another now, they'll likely won't see one another for some days.

Her tone was neutral. Not reproachful, not mad, but she made sure that he'll hear her and pay attention to her words. "Okay... Nathan, before you'll likely run away and we end up loosing track of one another, please take good care of yourself and your cousin. Probably needless to say, but it doesn't hurt to do anyway. We two might not see one another that often in town if it's THAT full of people and atheltics, plus I have my business to do, plus it'll be dark soon. I'll also prefer to stay inside the Center during the Running, it feels...safer to me. Alright? If something comes up, you have my number. Also... When exactly did you arranged meeting with Professor Mallorn?" (day)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh, and as soon as Nathan left, Shiva turned to go straightly to the Center to get some peace away from the excitement at first ad to heal up Braixen - not that she minded it, but the busy city life was rather different from a busy city preparing for a sports event. Sport has never really been her thing, she was a person of the mind, a thinker, someone who relied more on Special Attacks that are independant of physical apperance. She doesn't 'hate' it, by all means not, but she's simply not that interested in it and seems immune to the spirit. That's why she'll thankfully accept keys of a dorm in the Center where you can NOT overlook the Running, preferably one on the highest floor as well. Bet they'll broadcast it on TV or PC in some way anyway.

However, on the way to the entrance - little does she know that the Main Entrance is the rear entrance now - she happened to get a glimpse of none else than Xiani!~ Coudn't be mistaken. Running straight into her, she'll be greeted with a tacklehug, expressing that Shiva is rather rejoiced to see her again. Or see someone in this mass of people that the she was familiar with, at all.

"You indeed made it to town, nice to see you again!~ Have you found more of the gree petal flowers along the way? Oh, and...  did I asked whether you will actually actively participate on the Running, or just be present as a Healer? You ran into me on a Ponyta there on the flower field, after all..."


(I know, post is relatively short and straightforward, but no time to elaborate more currently.)

[Dragonstrike]

The VERY first thing Shiva does as soon they arrive in Ginger Town is get a hold on one of Nathan's sleeves and prevent him from running away into the mass right away, probably in an eager to search for his cousin. Can't blame him, but if they loose track of one another now, they'll likely won't see one another for some days.

Her tone was neutral. Not reproachful, not mad, but she made sure that he'll hear her and pay attention to her words. "Okay... Nathan, before you'll likely run away and we end up loosing track of one another, please take good care of yourself and your cousin. Probably needless to say, but it doesn't hurt to do anyway. We two might not see one another that often in town if it's THAT full of people and atheltics, plus I have my business to do, plus it'll be dark soon. I'll also prefer to stay inside the Center during the Running, it feels...safer to me. Alright? If something comes up, you have my number. Also... When exactly did you arranged meeting with Professor Mallorn?" (day)

Nathan stops.  He looks...rather tired.  And is somewhat worried still.  "Just give Mallorn a call.  If he's not here right now, he'll ride in on his Rapidash tomorrow.  Didn't set up a specific time."

Right before he wanders off to look for Kory (and maybe Mallorn?), he turns around to say one more thing to her.  "And you be careful as well.  Nowhere is entirely safe during the Running, Shiva, particularly when it comes to buildings along the main street.  I...don't want to see you get hurt by a Tauros smashing a window or something...yes, that's happened in previous Runnings..."

He looks rather sheepish after he says that last part...

"I'll, uh...meet ya back at the Center in a little bit..."

And then he's off, Kirlia quickly following.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Right before he wanders off to look for Kory (and maybe Mallorn?), he turns around to say one more thing to her.  "And you be careful as well.  Nowhere is entirely safe during the Running, Shiva, particularly when it comes to buildings along the main street.  I...don't want to see you get hurt by a Tauros smashing a window or something...yes, that's happened in previous Runnings..."

"Alright, thanks. I'll make sure to call Professor Mallorn by myself then soon."

At his comment on no place seems to be safe during the Running... Well, slowly she got the feeling that Nathan is exaggerating a little. Sure, his plea and well-wishes are surely appreciated, but it's not that Shiva knows very well how to take care (hopefully), as well there is the Daycare to reside at if she REALLY wanted to avoid everything and everyone. However, nothing of these thoughts were shown on the outside, she also made sure to not let any emotions arise that Kirlia could pick up.

"Thank you then, Nathan. Well, yeah... See you then." Off is he.