[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

I'll flash forward a little, okay?


(Insert possible reaction to the result of Special Poochyena Encounter here) With that wrapped up and the awe over being lucky to encounter such a precious Pokemon on a Route that she never expected to bring up so many interesting Pokemon and people - somewhere along the way, she even met the Fortune Hunter! Shiva had to try hard to not succumb to the eager to learn to read Runes via the book she was selling (since she wanted to save her money for whatever Stair City could bring up), but she certainly wasn't above thanking again and personally for the book containing collected native music from Hog Potato/Peanut Swamp.

It was kinda dark meanwhile as Shiva resumed the path. How thankful she was for the cozyness the new Ninetails-scarf provided, as well as Litwick serving as a portable light source additionally to the street lamps... That her spectral candle's light was blue and he was probaby constantly yet in very small amounts feeding his Master's life force to his flame didn't bother her for now.

What did bother Shiva though was that there were tons of campinggrounds beside the path. Well, neat, how is she supposed to find her group among them in the ever growing darkness and various people residing there? They can't be far away though...Nevertheless a quick feeling of helpfulness emerged in her inside. Maybe just calling them and hope that any of them will pick up their cell or Poekdex in Nathan's case could be a good idea...Ventus however already thought ahead and was so kind to have left a voice message with instructions to reach the pace he set up for the night! Oh how relieving it was to hear his recorded voice... She typed a message back to him, reading the following:
"Dear Reshiram, thanks for the instructions, Ven... Route 4 got me busy (in a positive way, I'm doing fine), but I'll head to you people now and should be there in a few minutes. Tell the others if they're worrying, please keep some of any prepared dinner warm for me, I'll also need your help on a spectral Pokemon I picked up along the way."

Packing the cell away, she increased her pace and followed the instructions, Litwick still on her hand and his blue light visible from afar and distinguishable from normal articial light. She was exhausted when she'll arrive at the camp, but not yet to a point where she'll need rest right away and unseeable filled with and warmed by the good times Route 4 was giving her. Yet unaware of the future-Slowking and Heart's run-in with Nathan. No, Ventus and Heart since he too likes Dragon Types, Shiva is not wearing the Sylveon-Dragon-Slayer-Tshirt currently, but her Ninetails-scarf.


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Mechanics:
I'll let the others (probably @Lord Windos due to the message she sent) react to Shiva appearing first. Wonder how the group will find her new Litwick, and she to seeing that they're in odds with one another again... She isn't around for a little and things already develope into the wrong direction... Mediator Shiva is on the way to hopefully provide comfort, keep the group from getting at each other's throaths and Ventus from getting frustrated even more!~

[Dragonstrike]

"Okay. That's it. Enough to be mister nice guy. What your problem with me anyway mr. Anti-social? If you don't like me, it's okay, I respect your decision, but don't need to be hostile, Nathan Drake."

Heart was very stressed after the words of Nathan and approach him and put two fingers in his face.

"I go where I want, and I don't need your permission Nathan. If you have any problem with me, two words to you: Screw you. I don't need to be nice with someone who treat me like that. And if you need any help, don't expect any mine. Good night Nathan Drake."

Nathan REALLY doesn't appreciate that.  "It's WARREN.  Maybe you'd know that if you bothered to do more than just intrude on my personal business."

Nathan continues on his way out.  That definitely didn't help improve his mood any...and he still needs to talk with Shiva as well...might as well just get it over with when she gets to the camp, to be honest...Swiftfire would be decent company in the meantime...

Kirlia is staring daggers at Heart.  Oh he did NOT just antagonize Nathan.  Nope, Kirlia doesn't want Heart to be anywhere near him now.  No way.  He'd have left with Nathan if he could have.

Calam just shakes his head in exasperation.  Well, this was certainly going sour...he tries to encourage Ventus and Heart to continue this conversation in a different part of the tent.

[Iron]

Trainer owned Shellder or ones provided by the Center are...finicky, and don't tend to provide the extra knowledge for some weird reason.  

Probably because they're mass bred in a big ol' tank or at best a stocking pond.

 (and did Pilo like its name, @Iron? I need to make sure)

He likes it because the intent was very kind : )

@Spiritmon another tip in regards to disobedient Pokemon is to procure a Pokedex if they are looking like they'll evolve too early. That or an Everstone are the only way to cancel evolution.

[Spiritmon]

Heart really want to say a few things a little to Nathan but decided to keep to keep the words to himself. He will not bow to the same level as Nathan. Heart see Kirlia nasty look to him. "What you looking at?" It's sounds a little too much more rude he wanted. He sight and put one hand in his head. "Sorry what I say to your friend Ventus. It wasn't really my intention. I normally a peaceful person, but I don't like someone who treat me with hostility. No one is force to like it other after all. The same he have to act like that I have the same. Sorry to make you see that scene good friend Ventus." That was a honest apologize. Heart knew he was wrong to act that way towards Nathan, but he will not apologize to Nathan. He still have some pride after all. All he was just trying to be nice, and Nathan was act was a jerk now.

For the time being Heart will avoid Nathan. He have his reasons to act like that, but he don't need to act that way with everyone! With his friends like Shiva and Ventus, and with Heart who don't know him!

[Iron]

Food seemed to be the right answer, at least in the beginning. Poochyena swallows his sammich and comes up to the slices of Gourmet Food. Wow, the Pokemon gets so close to Shiva! Definitely human accustomed.

I thought about what benefit Gourmet Food should have on catches for a while. The price at $50 is too low to add a dice. In Shiva's experiments, she will come to find out it takes 3 cans to add a dice to the Empathy check to recruit a wild Pokemon. This expensive "High Performance Food" mentioned in the rulebook would probably help even more!

Anyway, for a single can of Gourmet Food, the benefit is
a) it makes the roll believable, like all food
b) I'll reroll (1)s.

3 Insight +1 Empathy
(3)(6)(3)(4)
Poochyena's Will: 4
(4)(1)(3)(4)

Poochyena is used to poaching food from humans. Her attempt is a partial success, for Poochyena runs up, snatches the food right out of her hands, and then leaps away. You can hear him eating it out of sight beyond the berm of the road.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan ends up taking a walk with Swiftfire, trying to put some distance between him and the campsite while waiting for Shiva.  It's not unpleasant, but it can only do so much to relieve some of his irritation.

Eventually, though, Swiftfire tarts shifting around a little nervously.  Hmmm..."What is it girl?  What's going on?"

She's staring at something glowing in the distant, intruding darkness...

When Nathan looks to see what she's staring at, he has to raise the brim of the fedora to make sure he's not seeing things.

A blue flame.

That's not...no, it's not Max.  The flame's a constant blue.

Phew...

Nathan's got Starmie's pokeball on hand just in case as the flame gets closer, though...until it's revealed to be Shiva and a...Litwick?  Where'd she get one of THOSE?  Well, no matter...so long as it was behaving itself...

"...*sigh*...well, didn't expect to run into you here, Shiva.  Oddly convenient, though, to be honest..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Poochyena is used to poaching food from humans. Her attempt is a partial success, for Poochyena runs up, snatches the food right out of her hands, and then leaps away. You can hear him eating it out of sight beyond the berm of the road.

(Nice new rules! I don't have any UltraSnax currently, though. :C )


That Poochyena was so close, she could almost touch it - almost. It felt like this was the ultimate proof that weird elusive Pokemon are dragged to her... The scales falling from the dog/hyena's wings felt rather weird on her hand when they fell on it. Or it was just her imagination.

As fast as it came, it went away though, but from the sound it was still close and enjoyed the offered food. That partially worked, the ice is broken hopefully, and Shiva won't leave until either Poochyena ran away - she'll mourn for looong if that happens - or it's contained in one of her free Pokeball.

"You enjoy the food, do you? Well, I have waaaay more, but you'd have to show yourself if you want to have it, young one... What do you prefer, cookies? Dried berries? More of that food I offered you?" Whenever she mentioned what she had in stock, she placed a sample of it around one meter in front of her (that means, one of the Pirsif-Berriy-Cookies, a half hand of the berries, and remaining half package of the opened package/can of Gourmet Food), definitely traceable for Poochyena's sense of smell. "I'm also on the way to a camp, pretty sure the others of my group have prepared dinner already and I AM willing to share with ya..."

"Or do you rather want to play a little? Or rest a little? I won't do any harm to you, but please show yourself again, okay?" ... "Listen, Cottonee, if this dog doesn't show up, lure it to me please. Offer your fluff as a pillow to rest on for example". Meanwhile, Shiva already prepared that Minccino's Tail with the faded Soothe Bell she already used to acquire her Electric Rodents, in case playing is it. In the other hand, invisible for Poochyena, a Pokeball to aaall accidently roll it into Poochyena's direction if he/she is occupied with playing or resting with her. Pochyena is partly a dog, and most dogs enjoy offered balls to play with, do they?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Nathan's got Starmie's pokeball on hand just in case as the flame gets closer, though...until it's revealed to be Shiva and a...Litwick?  Where'd she get one of THOSE?  Well, no matter...so long as it was behaving itself...

"...*sigh*...well, didn't expect to run into you here, Shiva.  Oddly convenient, though, to be honest..."

Oh lucky day! Before she even reached camp, Nathan ran into her. First thing she notices was that Kirlia was not by his side - that was highly uncommon to see, and her first idea was that something must have happened to either leave him at the tent or withdraw him into his Premier Ball. Well, if Nathan's runnning around with his Ponyta instead of clutching to the Psychic-Fairies side, it either can't be that bad or any injuries have already been treated - very relieving to hear. Or assume, in Shiva's case.

Immediately she got reminded on what he put her through, as well on her harsh words while he was still infirmary. No... Staying strong is it this time... So these thoughts are rather quickly brushed off, she wasn't even sure whether she wanted to talk about this if he'd bring it up and without Kirlia Nathan won't know about this thoughts-feels before she finally replied to him in the normal soft tone. "Greetings, Nathan! Do forgive me for being late... Route 4 got me busy. In a positive way, I mean. Like, I already see you wonder about this spectral candle - that's mine, and one of the things that got me busy."

At his next comment though, she slightly tilted her head and smiled carefully yet compassionate, pretty much looking like an innocent Swirlix now. "'Oddly convenient'? What do you mean by that...?"

[Dragonstrike]

At his next comment though, she slightly tilted her head and smiled carefully yet compassionate, pretty much looking like an innocent Swirlix now. "'Oddly convenient'? What do you mean by that...?"

"...well...was just hoping to get something cleared up without the others around, that's all...you're still rather irritated, aren't you?"

He looks rather downcast now.  "If you want to have a row at me for whatever I did...go right on ahead...probably deserve it anyways..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh! Right, THAT did he meant by 'oddly convenient'... In fact, it was. She didn't even expected to see HIM bringing it up at all, but somehow, she felt like this was quite a big step for Nathan - a careful step into the right direction? That'll show itself... For now, the Meowth was out of the bag. The wounds inflicted were barely concealed, and a weird mixture of feelings emerged that none except Shiva will never know about. Maybe Cottonee would pick parts of it up with her F.A.E.S.-related power and strong bond to Shiva, but nothing of that will be visible on the outside.

Didn't you silently wait for such an opportunity, my dear?
No, I didn't... Not in that way.
Okay.



...It certainly took a while for Shiva to actually reply, she didn't do so before she silently and unthreathening motioned him to take a seat at a small and simple wooden bench that was coincidently nearby. When she did though, she took efforts to face Nathan and NOT look away, her voice was audibly lower and a hidden unhappiness could be picked up if listened closely. The actions on Route 4 were a neat distraction, but now she couldn't run away anymore even if she wanted. "...No, Nathan. Nate. Whatever you prefer. Why should I...scold you? Actually, do forgive me the words I threw at you while you were still in infirmary - I shouldn't have, seeing how you just recently woke up. That was wrong by me, and didn't rebuild things." ... "You seemingly don't remember a thing of what you did during that battle, do you? Well, ehm, Ven already told ya, and it'd be lying to say that it was enjoyable for me. It's just not what I expected, and a hard part for me accept is that... well... my intention that the battle you asked for would be helpful for us a group was completely wrong..." Accepting this was a hard thing for her, and Nathan can value that she openly admitted this to him. "In the end, it seemingly did more harm to us then before. It's probably better that your subconscious mind decided to delete the memory."

"Though, you have to understand that I cannot just forgive in this case. It's true that I can comprehense a lot and not holding grudges seems to be valuable trait if getting along with you people during this journey is the aim. I don't want to argue, with none of you. You may not know about this, but I already had a run-in with Ven for disappearing for his preparations for the Running and leaving me all alone with not knowing what has happened to him or how he's doing...The thing is, he admitted that what he did was wrong, showed remorse and expressed desire to not do a similar stunt again. THIS is what I value. Sometimes, it's better to give in and apologize to lead things into a better direction. (subliminal hint to Nathan to clear things with Heart? Probably not, but doesn't hurt to mention)."

"You see? I simply desire to forget all that happened concerning this battle, but I seemingly... " *toneless sniffle* "...cannot."