[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Some of the tension that had nestled deep within the researcher's bone vanished with Shiva's response, as Ventus knew she was speaking honestly and fully understood the threat of feeding her candlestick spirit (Though its smile did slightly unnerve the man!). "You are welcome, my dear friend. If you keep what I have spoken close to heart and practice extreme diligence conducting this literally life altering exchange, all should go smoothly between yourself and Litwick. Just...watch out for those signs of fatigue too; your body/soul often knows its limits better than you, so head its advice when it begin to fortell its own doom," the empath said, his smile becoming more relaxed and his body posture less guarded now that the topic of feeding her spector their succulent vital energy has passed. Her expression when he gifted her Eternally Gold also did wonders lifting both of their 'spirits' (Ohohoho!) , and he eagerly await the heartfelt thanks and jubulations that almost always followed such generous gift giving!

.....But that was not he detected from his mystical friend. More precisely, the positivity, joy, and camaradance she was experiencing from his offering was being marred with being perplexed, and an odd sense of melencholoy concerning him. The empath was, quite understandily, very much confused by such a mish massed emotional reaction, and he was going to ask what was the cause of such a reaction when the young fae lass more of less beat him to the Dizzy Punch with her own probing questions. When she had finished and he had time to process the contents of her inquiries, he was at first shocked that she had to even ask such things, as the answers were rather obvious to him and all but the most ignorant could see. Then, after a few more moments of thoughts and staring down on the emotionally frail woman leaning into him, he realized that she didn't know, or had not fully realized how much she meant to him (Romantically or not) .

Slowly, Ventus' look of befuddlement faded away, and was replaced with small Smile. Not the fake type, or the ones worn by wicked fairy godmothers, but one heavy with the memories he shared with her, and all the emotions that were tied with them... With one hand, he smoothly inserted it under Shiva's chin and delicately raised her head until her eyes meet his own, where upon he let out a low, deep chuckle, warm mirth dancing in his own gaze, before he said:

"Why? Why not ? For..."

And then, he began to quietly to sing to her, like he did so long ago....

"When I am down and oh my soul so weary

When troubles come and my heart burdened be

Then I am still and wait here in the silence

Until you come and sit a while with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up, to more than I can be...

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up, to more than I can be...

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains (stand on mountains)

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas (stormy seas)

I am strong (I am strong), when I am on your shoulders (I am strong)

You raise me up, to more than I can be....

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains (stand on mountains)

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas (stormy seas)

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up, to more than I can be....

You raise me up, to more than I can be...."

Song: You Raise Me Up

As his singing trailed off, he embraced her in a gentling, caring (some might even say loving) hug, before he said one final thing and going silent, giving her the chance to respond. "My dear, blessed friend, you mean so much to me. I would most likely be a wreck or on my own through my travel in Cheshire, were it not for you and your compassionate heart, so why not repay you generously and more? Thank you for being my friend, Shiva. For now, and forevermore...."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva was actually very startled when Ven made her look him into the eye, as it was dark, calm and almost romantic here where they are if one really would desire to use that word... Though, that fear(?) turned out pointless. Instead, she simply stared back while silently being thankful that any faint blush that she tried to hide would be concealed by the light of the campfire; saying nothing, and just listening to his melodic voice.


... ... ...


She actually replied with nothing at all at first - in fact, she didn't even know WHAT she could say, so while she still was pondering and the lyrics echoed back in her mind. Any melancholy that was left in her, it got soothed for now to ensure a pleasant peaceful sleep as she received yet another lullaby from him... Was that what he saw in her? Silent support? She wasn't even doing anything specific, or did she...?

Well, the answer came from Ven directly while she was was yet considering, and while being there in his safe, careful and strong arms, she couldn't hold back one or two faint and toneless sobs anymore, neither that faint blush from before. Very carefully and coyly, but with a strong desire to do so, she returned the hug - green tweed was still very comfortable to touch and even more to snuggle into.

It took a while, but it didn't matter how long since she could stay here in his hug for hours, or until the morning sun dawned... Finally though she found the strenght and words to reply... "So... That is what I mean to you? Do forgive me, for I didn't even realized until now... You always seemed so strong and never failed to give me those whinning smiles, therefor, eh... It doesn't matter a single bit whether I'm the fairy and you're the cold Steel or the raging Dragon, when we decide to be there for oneanother, does it? If that's the case, I'll be your...friend and there for you, always, from the shadows, to serve as your support while you serve as mine... After all you had to endure in your so far life, how would you not deserve a constant source of safety and warmth?"

... "You deserve a break, as I sense that things got derailed within the group while I was busy with the Route... You don't have to tell me right now what has happened, but do tell me whether you can weave in some free time in Star City to go out for coffee with me? Just a peaceful little time to talk, no battle plans or issues overshadowing... You do mean quite a lot to me as well, after all." Those words were spoken while still in the hug, and Shiva surely enjoyed both his closure and the warm 'I like you'-feelings she felt due to him, all while waiting for his response...

[Lord Windos]

Ventus, for just a fraction of a second, looked a tad bit hesitant and nervous at her poised question, before his smile (now toned down to less sultry intense levels) return in the next instant; only the most Insightful/close to him could have picked out that flicker of indecisiveness. Still, for that brief moment, the empath pondered an idea most warm and comforting....yet at the same time deeply chilling and unnerving.

 'You mean the world to me, Shiva....and....and perhaps much, much more. I might even...no. No. I can't impose, can not burdon her with that level of affection, compassion, and care. I fear that I might take inavariably take advantage of her inexperience and emotionally fragility, and she doesn't deserve to suffer from my own issues, my own demons. my own sins anymore than she already has. It would be too much for most anyone, least of all her, and I don't want to jeapordize my cherished bond with her because of some perverted sentimitality that would only serve to gravely wound us. She is my most trusted, beloved friend, but that is all she will be....for both her shake and mine,' he thought in and shortly following that instance of hesitation, and with that span of span of time he resolved himself to his given course of action with a sincere smile, before he gave his answer to her.

"Yes. You are the one that, no matter what the circumstance or what follies I have commited against you, comforts and supports me when I'm at my most despairing or mentally unstable. You are my fulcrum, Shiva, the person I rely so heavily upon, and who's value to myself defy spoken words. If you were an gelid Ice type and I a Flying, I would always be right there beside you, unless you wish otherwise. I'm you friend, my dear, and I will be there for you when I can, for I can not promise that I will infalliably be able to support you. I will, however, promise you that I will always try to."

When Shiva proposed to end the night and to join her for coffee in Stair City, their was another split second hesitation, before he ultimately aquisted to her entrety with a nod. A simple outing such as that (No matter the romantic connotation thereof) was fairly innoculous, and it has been awhile since he spent some peaceful, quality time with her that was not overshadowed by grief or tragedy of some kind. "I agree, and I would be delighted to accompany you for some coffee. Reshirim knows that we hardly have time for such serenity, so why not create and indulge in some of our own for a change? *Yawn* Oh my, it must be more tired than I thought! I'll be heading to be now, so I will have to bid you good bye for tonight. May your dream be restful, my dear friend," he said, before he reluctantly disentangled himself from the hug he initiatied earlier, and headed into the tent to turn in for the night. Tomorrow was going to be busy and strenuous if they were going to be passing through a mountain range, and he needed all the energy he can get for such an endevour! That....and he wanted to be in the best shape to greet Shiva in the morning. It wouldn't do to worry her, after all.

Order: Finishing up my end of the conversation, then having Ven head for bed. Ready to start the next day whenever everyone else is!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ah... For Shiva's taste, the hug ended a little to early, as she could stay innocently close to him for almost the whole night... Guess that won't happen now though, but at least she still had that Snivy-plush he once gifted her as a surrogate, or Cottonee. Or both. Lather though, since she now after getting to know such things from Ven she didn't feel like turning in for the night at all, and most likely will remain alone there by the campfire, stargazing and pondering about this and that...

While still in his arms, she couldn't help but to utilize the situation and give him a faint but dear kiss on the cheek as proper good-night! She knew those made him somewhat...nervous or similar, but she actually didn't mean it in mischievous way - at least not this time. It didn't even matter that he was actually biologically seven years older then her, but she didn't knew how HE was thinking about this - but if he saw her indeed as his silent suport or 'fulcrum' as he said... To think about it, if this was a burden, it didn't feel at all like one for her. Instead, she gave him a coy yet honestly delighted - flattered, if he'd look closer - smile alongside a incredibly soft "Thank you. I indeed didn't know you see THAT much in me, after we know one another for almost a month even... But it's surely something precious and warming. My, meeting you seems to be worth already coming to this region... I'll stay a little longer outside here, okay? Not long, just...to think about things and stargaze, maybe."

"Do sleep well then, Ven, as we have most of the mountains still ahead of us it seems... Also thanks for accepting invitation and how I can rely on you for support."


---------------
Mechanics:
K, that's where the timeline connect and Poochyena would appear. From my side, the new day can dawn.

[Spiritmon]

Not knowing for anyone Heart fall sleep after the work and the day along with his Pokemon warm hug together and sleeping. Koa was in his shoulder sleeping well and Gustav in the other using his cannon like arm as a pillow. Viktor was in the top of his head, the little tree sleeping almost like a little angel. Rose was sleep beside his master, his flame warming the strange looking scene. And Slowpoke was... sleeping too obvious. And make big snore almost like a Snorlax with a chainsaw filled with a rock guitar. The Pokemon don't mind since some of they already are acostumed with his master heavy sleeping.

[Lord Windos]

Predictably, Shiva's friendly, affectionate kiss sent the empath into quite a flustered state of distress, as his face tinged red with a blush and looking boggled eyed for a few seconds afterwards. Soon after, though, Ventus' iron hard control wrestled those distracting feelings in place and he willed himself back to his regular kind, nochanlant smile as he quietly nodded to his dear friend, before heading into the tent. When he made his 'bed' and crawled into it, he began to drift off into the wonderful land of sleep.....had it not been for one of the most loud and wretched snores began to fill the tent.

The researcher literally shot out of bed in surprise at such a racket, and for a moment thought a Snorlax had stealthly made its way beside their tent and decided to rest their for the night, but he realized that Zekrom awful noise was coming from within, not without. Confused, curious, and ever so slightly annoyed, the sociologist exited his area of the tent to search for the source of the racket, and quickly came upon it: it was Heart, surrounded by his Pokémon and snoring like he was trying to raise the dead! An uncharacteristically deadpan expression appeared on Ventus at this reveal, as he let out a slight sigh of dismay before he with utmost care and gentleness, silently went back to his tent, retrieved a box of his old anti-snoring nasal strips (from when he had to sleep in odd positions due to his Skuntanks scars), before returning to the collector's side and applying it to the man's nose.

In an instant, his atrocious snoring had ceased , and a relieved smile appeared on the empath's face, delighted that he was able to solve this 'problem' swiftly. With that done, he left the box of strips besides the sleeping man with a note that said "For use to prevent snoring. Sincerely, Ventus." and returned to his own 'bed', (hopefully) getting the peaceful, uninterrupted rest he needed to endure the next day's challenges!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Predictably, Shiva's friendly, affectionate kiss sent the empath into quite a flustered state of distress, as his face tinged red with a blush and looking boggled eyed for a few seconds afterwards. Soon after, though, Ventus' iron hard control wrestled those distracting feelings in place and he willed himself back to his regular kind, nochanlant smile as he quietly nodded to his dear friend, before heading into the tent. When he made his 'bed' and crawled into it, he began to drift off into the wonderful land of sleep.....had it not been for one of the most loud and wretched snores began to fill the tent.

Oh, Shiva might not see that blush due to still being in the hug, but she certainly would feel at least some of it to the closeness to his face in said hug. My, it's been a while since she triggered such a reaction from the sociologist, and while it was never meant ill or too much, a mischievous side in Shiva certainly enjoyed this and couldn't help but to let out a careful and delight chuckle before he expressed a desire to head to bed - ah, did it became too much for him? - and distangled himself from her.

...Neat, now she was alone here by the campfire and her Pokemon for the nth time. Not that she minded, though. Picking up Cottonee, she placed the fluffball close to her her in her lap while Litwick was certainly delighted over both the darkness and silence around and getting to know another Ghost-Type in the party with Phantump. As for Helios, Shiva never withdrawn him since he evolved just a little ago, as he certainly had his fun with his awoked and controled psychic powers; and after getting used to Kinesis and managed to create a breeze that, with lots of imagination, reminded on a Fairy Wind with leaves in it, he also learned Confusion! Finally he was face-to-face with Kyuu in the terms of actively using psychic power in battle.

Gazing up to the stars and her mind becoming more and more calm, Shiva couldn't help but to ponder about things more. Like, she feared something has happened within the party again while she was away and busy with the Route - why was Nathan strolling around alone as he ran into her for example, he wouldn't do so without a reason. Besides, that new fedora looked rather well on him.
Also, now being aware of how much she meant to Ventus (unaware of his feelings), she couldn't help but to wonder what SHE saw in him... An oddball of a researcher? Certainly. A dear and supportive friend? True as well. ...A potential partner? What, what?! Eh... No, there was nothing into that direction... She certainly found the many sides of him fascinating, but not in that way. Not yet, that is, but what if... Well, mature enough for a relationship she felt, and wasn't it not that uncommon for young people to find one another while traveling a region as a group of Trainers? Okay, to be very honest with herself, Shiva felt like if things continue as they do, it was only a matter of time until she'd find herself silently longing after him, and realizing this just now caused her not only to blush hard, but also to double-facepalm in an anxious-joyfully feeling, earning her a confused and curious look from her loyal fluffball.

Further she didn't come due to some awefully loud snored ended her on any track of mind, until they turned silent around a minute ago. Not long after that, Nathan arrived again at the camp and instantly turned to bed, which left Shiva remaining there once again. Lucky though that she didn't turn in for bed as well, as she would have missed that elusive Poochyena that way... Once it was securely contained in one of her free Pokeballs and sent to Bill's PC for now, she did one quick round of looking through the Earth-Lore-Book to see whether there was any elusive Power Spots near the current area or up in the mountains, and after withdrawing all her Pokemon bar Cottonee to allow her to sleep next to her Master if she likes, she relatively soon turned in for the night as well.

[Iron]

Shiva notices only one interesting thing: the Skull Ruins is built on a minor power spot, where a few leylines cross. Cress City also meets this description, but Stair City does not.

Day 29 dawns (+1 XP as always).

It's overcast yet again, looking a bit more like rain than yesterday.

A couple tired trainers approach as you're packing up camp. "You leaving soon? They're turning people away near Stair City. We'd love to take over this spot if you're on your way out."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The new day dawned way too early for Shiva's taste. But at the same time, the sooner she gets to see one of those high mountain lakes described in Guidebook, the better... That overcasted weather somewhat unnerved her, though. Pretty sure it'll rain soon, and she simply hoped that the Ranger's Cloak would keep her warm even in rainfall.

Just as she was adjusting her new scarf after packing up the remains of feeding breakfast to her Pokemon, a couple of unfamiliar Trainers approached! They didn't look hostile to her, rather tired. "Morning!~ Eh, we're indeed leaving; but do tell me, what do you mean by 'they turn people away near Stair City? Is there a ruckus in town?'"

[Nylon]

(We just came here, right? We're not going out of stair city? If so)

Spoiler

He looked closer at the tired faces as he tried to understand what they were saying. 'turning people away'.
 "What's going on. Is there something going on inside?
At the moment, Valder had Ghastly out and had been trying to figure out how he could pet/pat him. He had been without luck, obviously.