[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

The follower Geodude comes with Heart, getting Heart to toss rocks for Geodude to catch and eat or blast apart with Rock Throw.
A sweating Blackbelt trainer with a Machop drops from the lower rocky part of the Great Divide, comes over, and chats with Heart.

"Training, are you? Perhaps seeking enlightenment in the company of Pokemon?"

[Lord Windos]

"...*yaaawwwnnn*...what's going on?"

Ventus clasped his hands in delight as he saw Nathan and Kirlia exit the tent, and couldn't help the chuckled that escaped from the sight of them both being so bedraggled the young trainer was (Though his joy was somewhat diminished by Heart quickly departing from their company), and quickly updated him on the situation. "A good morning to you too, my friend! Hmm, as for what has occurred while you've been sleeping like a Snorlax..." The researcher then proceeded to rely all the information gathered from both his and Shiva questioning of the two weary travelers, placing special emphasis that Almanac was involved in blocking off the Route's exit into Stair City, and the fact that the suspicious corporation was investigating the Skull Ruins.

"...and that is the summation of the current situation. We have but three choices presented to us in light of Almanac's blockading the end of Route 4, besides waiting for them to finish their 'research' and depart from the area, but I would think that is an option none of us supports one iota of a bit. We can either takes a detour throught Trillum and head through Mt. Sentry and into Cress City in order to reach Stair, we can traverse the mountainous terrain around where the Almanac Scientists are conducting their research and bypass them entirely, or we can attempt to make our way past the checkpoint, either covertly or with force."

"Personally, I'm in favor of braving the checkpoint and continuing onwards, as the shady corporation does NOT have the League's authority backing up or sanctioning their blockade, and so they 'can't' keep from passing unless other circumstance apply. Their is a clothing store nearby that would allow us to dress up like the on site researchers so that we can get attempt to sneak through the checkpoint, but worst comes to worst and we just have to brute force our way past. Of course, I would like to hear what the rest of the group wishes to do first before we commit to choice, but I just wanted to through my own opinion/reasoning/support for the third option. Thoughts, my friends?"

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan stops in place as soon as Almanac is mentioned.  And then his eyes widen a little more when the Skull Ruins follow...both actions and all the emotions perfectly mirrored by Kirlia as well...

'Oh no...they're messing with something they shouldn't, aren't they?  Shoot...not good, not good, not good...'  

Other than that, Nathan doesn't really respond right away.

[Lord Windos]

Nathan stops in place as soon as Almanac is mentioned.  And then his eyes widen a little more when the Skull Ruins follow...both actions and all the emotions perfectly mirrored by Kirlia as well...

'Oh no...they're messing with something they shouldn't, aren't they?  Shoot...not good, not good, not good...'  

Other than that, Nathan doesn't really respond right away.

Unlike last time Nathan had a panic attack over unforseable event, Ventus did pick up on both the physical and emotional response that the boy was exhibiting with a gusto, and almost immediantly a worried looked appeared on their face as he tried to ask them: "Nate? Nate? What ever is the matter, my friend? I know none of us like Almanac snooping around such a forboding and historical place, but I would not think it would warrant this much alarm from you and Kirlia...."

[Dragonstrike]

Unlike last time Nathan had a panic attack over unforseable event, Ventus did pick up on both the physical and emotional response that the boy was exhibiting with a gusto, and almost immediantly a worried looked appeared on their face as he tried to ask them: "Nate? Nate? What ever is the matter, my friend? I know none of us like Almanac snooping around such a forboding and historical place, but I would not think it would warrant this much alarm from you and Kirlia...."

Nathan has to sit down, take a moment to compose himself.

Maybe...maybe it was fine...the message hadn't said who would disturb that 'ancient power' after all...just that it had been disturbed...oh, wait...has been...present tense...

He needed to get that Slowpoke evolved into Slowking ASAP...which means they needed to get to Stair City ASAP...

No way was he walking into an Almanac checkpoint, though (they might recognize Kirlia, for all he knows...).  And no way was he going to backtrack and take the long way around when it would take them about a week or so to reach Stair City that way (and they'd have to go through Trillium, too...)...he could hike.  He'd been on the trails around Trillium plenty of times before.  How hard could it be to go through the mountains?

"...it's...it's fine.  Probably nothing.  We need to get to Stair City, though. We can go around the checkpoint.  The route's blocked, but I'm sure the mountains around it aren't."

[Spiritmon]

The follower Geodude comes with Heart, getting Heart to toss rocks for Geodude to catch and eat or blast apart with Rock Throw.
A sweating Blackbelt trainer with a Machop drops from the lower rocky part of the Great Divide, comes over, and chats with Heart.

"Training, are you? Perhaps seeking enlightenment in the company of Pokemon?"

"Kinda. Not feeling in great mood today. You are a trainer too? And how do you know?" Inquisity Heart. People dropping from some it's not always a good signal.

[Lord Windos]

Ventus raised both eyebrows at the blatant lie the boy tried to feed him, since his empathy was CLEARLY telling him that Nate was almost shooken to his core by the news, causing the researcher to grow only more concerned over them, not less. Still, he knew that getting the young anti social trainer to open up about his fears/woes would be like trying to pry a Forretress shell open to see what was within, and even more difficult in the company of others, so all he gave them was an curious, worried, yet understanding look that said 'We'll talk about it when you are ready,' before responding to opinion.

"Shiva has expressed similar sentiments as you, and I agree that going through the rocky terrain should be the most expedient way to reach the city without confronting Almanac, but there are risks associated with such an endevour. I've climbed Twist Mountain on a couple of occasions during some of my field research expediations, and its thoroughly rough, grueling experience if you are not properly prepare or have the stamina for it. I've heard the mountains in this area of Cheshire are considered 'impassible' by the locals, so the task might prove too difficult unless we buy hiking gear and/or can request the aid of our Pokémon to get us through the pass safely. Then their is the weather to consider, as if it rains at all then traversing over the mountain trails become even more harrowing, and could result in us being stranded on a cliffside for who knows how long if the downpour persists. Even with that knowledge in mind, do you still wish to go through the mountains to Stair City, my friends?"

[Dragonstrike]

"Ventus, you're talking to one of those locals.  They're not impassable.  And we have an experienced mountain climber in our ranks."  Nathan holds up his only Ultra Ball for emphasis.

[Lord Windos]

"Ventus, you're talking to one of those locals.  They're not impassable.  And we have an experienced mountain climber in our ranks."  Nathan holds up his only Ultra Ball for emphasis.

"I'm only reintegrating the heresay I've gathered about those rocky spires, as I am a very much stranger to these lands, but if you say that climbing the terrain is more than doable, then I have full confidence that we can make it through the Divide that way. Ah, and Callam would certainly be a boon to have to guide us through the mountains, so thank you for reminding me. Hmm....perhaps Grid could also assist in our hiking, as the spider silk he can produce would certainly make for useful ties and rope to have on hand? My own Flying types could also scout out trails and higher elevations along side Callam, and Apsis can help move and muscle past boulders with her natural strength and size. I still rather try and breach the blockade myself, but I understand that is not what the group wishes to do, so it is decided I suppose. Pray to Reshirim that it doesn't start pouring rain anytime soon..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Well, ehm... If Nathan says they're not overly impassible as she read, okay then - In that case, she'll trust Nathan(!) and his Absol as trying to somewhat pass these mountains was certainly an option more to her taste then disguising as one of the Almanac Scientists and try to get pass through them. Sure, they'd certainly get a glimpse on what they were researching there at the elusive Ruins, but the costs were rather high. Better not think about what would happen if they'd get busted and have to battle their way towards Stair City... They didn't even knew what this organisation was capable of. They'll certainly know their business, at least that's what Shiva felt... Alongside not being illegal according to a shop owner in Ginger Town, that's surely something worth keeping in mind.

So much pondering about things that Shiva accidently missed that strike of alertness and alarm from Nathan - he was still not good at hiding his feelings - and only became aware of it when Ventus mentioned. It was pleasant to see how he seemingly learned things and restrained from directly asking and possibly messing with Nathan because of that, now when they have to work together to get to Stair safely. It indeed caused her to smile a little internally!~ Silently though, she couldn't help but to ask herself whether Nathan's worry here had anything to do with that vision from Kirlia earlier, even if she couldn't make a direct connection.

... Not very pleased however was Shiva over Heart's open avoidance for Nathan. Watching him leave, she couldn't held that disappointment she felt, as this was 1. not good at all and 2. certainly not what she meant by 'please don't mess with Nathan now'. Leaving him alone was fine, but she didn't expected it in that way, meh... Well, currently there were more urgent issues to take care of, let's also hope that Heart doesn't stroll off too far to accidently loose the others like he did when they desparted from Ginger Town.

As the others were speaking about how their Pokemon could help navigating the tour, she began to think about what SHE could provide... If Ven even climbed blasted Twist Mountain - she herself was never even near that area - and called it a 'rough and grueling experience', she definitely won't have that much stamina and can already mentally prepare to reach her limit so soon. Hooray... Stair City will hopefully make up for all that hassle to get there. After the others have finished, more spoken to herself, "I have Azurill... She has Huge Power and Helping Hand... Guess that could be useful along the way? Maybe? A little..."

Silently, Shiva was also hoping/almost expecting that if 'she raises him up so he can stand on mountains', Ventus in return would make sure that she won't accidently depower herself completely along the way as well as not suffers nasty injuries, as she was certainly not used to the rough terrain of the mountains...