[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

All Shiva did while Ven was pouring his knowledge of IVs how the determine a Pokemon was carefully listen to him and empty that hot chocolate from ealier. It cold somwhat cold meanwhile, but it still was sweet and energizing to her. She felt a little like sitting in a class of Professional Pokemon Breeding in Theory, which was nothing bad though and rather interesting instead. Felt good, to say it in easy words.

When he finished, there wasn't much she had to say on the matter. "Thanks! See, that's exactly something I'd be interesed in learning by working at the Daycare or studying at college. Though, it's true that IVs are inherited randomly...in the wild that is, for the reasons you gave. With civilized Pokemon and breeding on purpose, there are non-harmful ways to both increase the chance of two particular exemplars fall in love with one another as well as inherit a pleasant gene pool of a particular exemplar, but discussing them now would go a little too far just now. No worries though, for someone who specialised in a different field you're informed rather well." Underlined that statement and compliment with an appreciating smile for that oddball of researcher.

When Ven expressed his desire to talk privately with Nathan as soon as she finished his business with him once he arrived, she had absolutely nothing against that. Though she couldn't help but to worry somewhat whether this will go well... An shortly after that, Ven found her hand faintly laid over one of his while facing him in a slightly sorrowful expression. "That's fine to me. Just...don't goof this." Witdrawing her hand now. "Depending on the circumstances, I'll either return to the Center after my business or ouright sleep over at the Daycare, the owners had nothnig against that when I carefully asked whether this is possible to be safe during the Running. So if I don't come back, know that I'm safe and well there alongside my Pokemon, and I'll meet up with you people at the Center again before attending the Gym. Alright?"

It was also pleasant to see that Ven was totally fine with her declining to loan a Pokemon from someone in the group, probably knowing what was at stake for her concerning this battle.

He then fell into comfortable silence, strongly reminding Shiva on Wir, just younger. It was an open secret that silence was able to speak more than hundreds of words on some opportunities, and now was surely one of these.

Though, at some point a few minutes later, it was Shiva who broke the quietness between them. The tone in whis she spoke had a curuous and playful undertone. "Ven... Listen... Uhm, is that orange color of your hair actually natural and inherited or artificialy colored for some reason? Do excuse me, it's just something I've been wondering about for a while now, but never asked you."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Quick flashforward so that I don't have to worry about that later - this takes place after meeting up with Nathan.



Shiva stepped outside of the rear entrance of the Pokemon Center after Nathan made sure that he's okay and he returned her magical fox safely in one piece, as well as giving him a short advice on Lucky Chant. She couldn't help but to feel both delighted and suprised about Kirlia having learned this move from Braixen, as well as...a little sad. Sure, Kirlia had wonderful intentions (help Nathan) and was elusive enough to be capable of chanting, but she actually was somewhat pleased to have this move exclusive in her rows of Pokemon. Calling for the stars help in battle and ensuring good fortune this way was nothing to be taken lightly, and it's definitely not a move every Trainer should use. She, being fairlylike and everything, felt like was worthy of doing so.

Anyway, she made her way to the local Pokemarkt, observing what damage and aftermaths the Running as well as the horde of Absol have caused within town. Also keeping an eye open for any familiar people and Zamboni's being.

Inside the market, she stepped directly yet always a little timidly to the counter. "Greetings. It's good to see that you're still open, despite the chaos in town even after the Pokemon and especially the Absol have left."


Purchases:
- 2 Pokeballs, 400$ in total
- 2 Great Balls, 1200$ in total
- 11 packages of Gourmet Food, 550$ in total (don't ask)
Final price: 2150$ in total, substracted from charasheet.


"Besides...", she said as she packed away all the bought items, "is there some sort of discount on the food or a bundle? One package lasts only for one Pokemon after all. Also, can you tell me or read off the ingredients please, if possible? There's barely any info on the single package, sadly, but I'd enjoy to know what I feed to my Pokemon there. I...won't take a bite of it by myself because that's not what it is produced for, and someone (her mother actually) adviced me to never eat something that is made especially for Pokemon, since what may taste wonderful to them might taste horrible for us and vice versa."

[Dragonstrike]

It did indeed take most of the remaining daylight to make his way back to town...Valerie, Kory, and Zamboni were likely busy with dealing with the aftermath of the Absol filled Running, so he didn't encounter them on the way back to the Center.  (I assume) Heart kept his distance since Nathan outright ignored his comment (and pun) on the excellent battle with the scarred Absol.

Calam remained outside his pokeball all the way.  He certainly spooked people just by being around, but Nathan wasn't exactly looking to interact with people right now, and Calam seemed to be enjoying it.  He was ready to just go back to the Center, lay down, and mull over the day's events in the privacy of his room.

And what does he find upon reaching the Center?  None other than Shiva talking with Ventus...blast...he wasn't entirely ready to deal with this yet...too late now, though...they'd seen them...Calam probably didn't help in that regard...

Calam, for his part, looks right at Ventus, narrows his eyes...and completely blocks the empath out of his mind since there's no need for Ventus to learn things he shouldn't.  A trick he'd learned to stay hidden from Ralts/Kirlia while he'd been following him and Nathan around.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Not long after Ventus has answered her question concerning his uncommon hair color and she missing out to speak out that she enjoyed the color whether it was natural or colored, the door of the rear entrance of the Center slid open in the familar manner and soon... none else than Nathan came into eyeseight!!! Of course Shiva noticed, but he wasn't returning her gaze. He also had a white and black feline by his side and overly looked fine - at least unharmed, yet probably exhausted.

A quick "Do excuse me for a moment, Ven...", and she was right by Nathan's side - though she approached him carefully, made sure that neither him nor his new companion got startled and tactfully stayed a step back from him to not put the Absol on edge. The expression she faced him then before speaking a word was marked by sorrow for what he had to endure as well delight that he returned safely in the end and not alone on top of that. Practically a very similar batch of emotions shen Ventus has returned, yet a little bit milder due to the fact that he did not disappear without a trace. Screwing the still-present crack in trust here.

"Nathan... It's wonderful to see you having returned all safe and in one piece. You're indeed okay, you're fine after this chaos with the batch of Absol joining the Running? You know, I...ehm, saw you chasing one of it straight through the pasture of the Daycare that I was at. It must've been toying with you quite a lot if it led you astray and outside of town, but..." *carefully looking down on his Absol, only to be greeted by a gaze of one unharmed and one scarred - blind? - eye (which is it again, the right or the left one?) coming from the feline, but she took efforts not to break eye contact now* "...its seems like the chase was very worth it."

Overall, she took care not to get too close to the Absol as well as accidently showing sign of fear when she indeed was not scared of it, and met it with respect. Both because it seems to have endured things already as well as Shiva quickly cottoned on that there must be a meaning or some connection to Nathan. She won't ask, though.

[Spiritmon]

Heart then decides to go to the pokemon center to heal his Pokemon and perhaps find someone to help with his Axew. When he go there he find the girl called Shiva, Nathan and other person he could indentify. Anyway he go in the direction of the nurse and ask to heal the pokemon. He know it would be rude to interupt the conversation.

[Lord Windos]

(...)
When he finished, there wasn't much she had to say on the matter. "Thanks! See, that's exactly something I'd be interesed in learning by working at the Daycare or studying at college. Though, it's true that IVs are inherited randomly...in the wild that is, for the reasons you gave. With civilized Pokemon and breeding on purpose, there are non-harmful ways to both increase the chance of two particular exemplars fall in love with one another as well as inherit a pleasant gene pool of a particular exemplar, but discussing them now would go a little too far just now. No worries though, for someone who specialised in a different field you're informed rather well." Underlined that statement and compliment with an appreciating smile for that oddball of researcher.

When Ven expressed his desire to talk privately with Nathan as soon as she finished his business with him once he arrived, she had absolutely nothing against that. Though she couldn't help but to worry somewhat whether this will go well... An shortly after that, Ven found her hand faintly laid over one of his while facing him in a slightly sorrowful expression. "That's fine to me. Just...don't goof this." Witdrawing her hand now. "Depending on the circumstances, I'll either return to the Center after my business or ouright sleep over at the Daycare, the owners had nothnig against that when I carefully asked whether this is possible to be safe during the Running. So if I don't come back, know that I'm safe and well there alongside my Pokemon, and I'll meet up with you people at the Center again before attending the Gym. Alright?"

(...)

Though, at some point a few minutes later, it was Shiva who broke the quietness between them. The tone in whis she spoke had a curuous and playful undertone. "Ven... Listen... Uhm, is that orange color of your hair actually natural and inherited or artificialy colored for some reason? Do excuse me, it's just something I've been wondering about for a while now, but never asked you."

"Ah, I suspected as such from what  information I've gathered on the subject, but you would certainly know more on the subject of Breeding than I do, so for now we will let this subject settle between. Perhaps we can talk about the topic again at a later point, though? My knowledge is concentrated in the fields I've mentioned, but I have certainly took a myriad of course and conducted all sorts of researcher while I was working towards my Majors and Doctorate. What better way to pass the time than by learning, after all?" the empath said, returning her smile with a brilliant one of his own. With the drama and twisted sub-plots laid to rest between him and her (for the time being...), it was rather nice to just have a pleasant conversation with a good friend, rather than tactical meetings or arguments of all varieties. He wishes for more of these, obviously, but given that he still has yet to speak with Nathan....

Ventus' smile evaporated at Shiva's timid warning, reminding him yet again of how thin of ice he's on with to Nathan, and they let out a tired, unhappy sigh while nodding at her. "I'll give my damn best effort to not, my friend. That all I can do at this point. One way or another, I'll find a way to mend the rift between us. May Reshirim protect you while you conduct your errand, Shiva," he said, feeling a lot older than he the more he though about how much he failed the boy as his friend. Shiva next topic of interest, though, earned her a curious raised eyebrow as she raised the question about his hair color, or all things. "Its natural. I believe I inherented from my mother's side of the family, but it could also be a blessing from Reshirim themselves, given the other semi-unique traits I possess. Just another part that makes up my being, I suppose."

Nathan's arrival at the Pokémon Center caused the researcher to steel himself for the probable tounge lashing he's about to receive. The fact that Absol by his side giving him the Mean Look and shielding his mind from them (Though he caught enough to know that the doom sayer didn't think to highly of him as well) did not help matters for him in the slightest, but he endured the negatively for now, and awaited the moment to speak with them. When that time came to past, the first thing Ven said to them, looking haggered and remorseful, was : "I'm sorry, Nathan. I...want to apologize first, before anything else is said between us. You certainly deserve that much and more, for all the trouble I've inflicted on you, as of late."

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva

(Left eye, not blind)

Calam gives Shiva a wary look, but is ultimately not really bothered by her presence.  He'd seen how she helped Nathan with that giant rattata and what had happened afterwards, after all.

Nathan just sounds really tired, like there's a huge weight on his shoulders.  "No, Calam wasn't 'toying with me,' Shiva.  Not much of a chase when you're being lead somewhere, though we certainly were moving quickly.  Okay, maybe he toyed with Kirlia a little in our battle, but whatever the case, we pulled through practically unscathed in the end."

Kirlia smirks at that remark, while Calam shrugs.  They'd both done their best, so he didn't mind.  It certainly showed how skilled Nathan and Kirlia are.

"Speaking of which, thank you for lending me Braixen.  I don't know how much it actually helped, but it certainly felt like luck was on my side for quite awhile after he used Lucky Chant.  Things certainly could have gone a lot more badly than they actually did, I know that much...Kirlia also joined Braixen in the Lucky Chant and learned the move himself, so that's good if I happen to need its effects later.  Lots of good outcomes from this Run, I guess...though I hope Braixen didn't mind being in his pokeball all day. I was kinda focused on...other things...oh, uh, right...here." Nathan hands Braixen's pokeball back to Shiva.

Ventus

(Man, it'd be amazing if Calam actually knew Mean Look.  Goes spectacularly with Perish Song, after all)

Silence at first as Ventus approaches Nathan with an apology.

...

"...you could have ruined one of the most important moments in my entire life.  'Sorry' isn't going to cut it this time."

[Lord Windos]

Ventus

(Man, it'd be amazing if Calam actually knew Mean Look.  Goes spectacularly with Perish Song, after all)

Silence at first as Ventus approaches Nathan with an apology.

...

"...you could have ruined one of the most important moments in my entire life.  'Sorry' isn't going to cut it this time."

Ventus looked away from the grim Nathan, his usual steely resolve completely absent in this instance. The researcher eyes darted around the lobby, seeing if anyone was listening in on their conversation or watching them, before he slowly and carefully placed his hand in his satchel, and withdrew a non-descript package, and handed it to the young trainer. "I know. I've committed similar aggregious actions in my past, as you are well aware of to an extent, so I can recognize when a simple apology isn't sufficient. Here. Do not ask how I got this, or even speak of it honestly, but I acquired this while conducting some business after the Running. I'm certain you'll know what to do with it, as few share the same level of intellect you posses. Call it....a peace offering. I give this out of the goodness of my heart, not out of a desire of forgiveness, Reshirim knows I don't deserve it, so please take it. Afterwards, I'll leave you to your own devices. I won't ask you to stay here and speak with me any longer this night, as I hardly deserved the chance to apologize and talk with you now."

The researcher discretely gave Nathan a glimpse of what was inside, before he withdrew his hand from the package. In it, was a Dubious Disk, an extremely hard and quasi illegal (By Silph Co Patent standards, anyway) item used to evolve Porygon 2 to Porygon Z. The sociologist waited silently for the young trainer to respond, or just to simply walk away.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan takes the package with a very skeptical look.  And when he gets a glimpse at it...same kind of case as an Upgrade...no obvious markings on it, though...wait...it couldn't be....that...could it?

One look at Ventus tells him it is exactly that, though...

The skepticism quickly turns into shock as Nathan drops the package on the table, backing away from it with a hand covering his mouth.

He has no words for this.  The most common ways to get Dubious Disks are to either have a highly skilled, typically League approved programmer make you one based on information released by Saturn after he turned Team Galactic into a proper energy research company...or to have underworld connections.

Nathan has no reason to believe Ventus had used the first method...

[Iron]

"Great battle my friend! You show that absol a ABSOLute resolution!" The PUNisher chuckle after the joke. "Thank you again for let me stay here sir. I not ask your name yet. Mine is Heart, what yours sir?"

"Names are fleeting. Enlightenment is forever. So they simply call me the Mystic of the Falls. Some call me Vapor...that will do."

Anyway, she made her way to the local Pokemarkt, observing what damage and aftermaths the Running as well as the horde of Absol have caused within town. Also keeping an eye open for any familiar people and Zamboni's being.

Inside the market, she stepped directly yet always a little timidly to the counter. "Greetings. It's good to see that you're still open, despite the chaos in town even after the Pokemon and especially the Absol have left."

Shiva catches a glimpse of Miltank, pushing rubble into neat piles, clearly buffed with a Defense Curl. The town has lost a lot of its fragile structures, mostly broken glass. All the structures that are made to last are still intact. The Pokemart and Pokemon Center remain open, but the windows are boarded up on the Main Street side. Some of the Mart's operations have been moved to the open air market for a time.

Zamboni can be seen icing up windows whenever there's not enough lumber and plywood. He is capable of producing a perfectly clear ice, which works great for this purpose! He looks busy, but looking around, most of the windows have been fixed.

"Besides...", she said as she packed away all the bought items, "is there some sort of discount on the food or a bundle? One package lasts only for one Pokemon after all. Also, can you tell me or read off the ingredients please, if possible? There's barely any info on the single package, sadly, but I'd enjoy to know what I feed to my Pokemon there. I...won't take a bite of it by myself because that's not what it is produced for, and someone (her mother actually) adviced me to never eat something that is made especially for Pokemon, since what may taste wonderful to them might taste horrible for us and vice versa."

"No discount! No discount! You pay, you pay!"
He brightens when you pay anyway and start talking about food.
"Girls can eat our Gourmet Pokefood. But satisfaction guarantee does not apply on human consumption! Gourmet food is specially formulated organic protein sauce, no preservatives, organic cornmeal, Miltank milk, secret herbs - secret! - and he come in fun shapes like Pinap berry or Pokemon head."


Dark types are generally immune to the effects of psychic powers like Kirlia's, but would have to make an effort to hide their emotions from Ventus' all-too-human abilities.