[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

"I'll send him a page to his beeper. It is possible you can get a meeting with him early tomorrow morning."

(...)All this was expressed by a thankful smile for the receptionist which grew into a delighted grin alongside she carefully entangling one arm of hers around one of his in a half-hug as soon as she moved the gaze on to the oddball of sociologist beside her. "Thank you for looking into it, and thanks to you Ven for bringing this idea up... We two will be there tomorrow morning then, in our best clothes and behaviour by an early subway. Don't we, Ven?~" Shiva's emotional state now kinda reflected these words, showing anticipation with traces of anxiety weaved in however.

(...)

I told you to not throw away your hopes right away, did I?
You did... You were right on this.
Show that you can become someone to get along this particular Gothitelle, my dear.
I'll give it a look. 

The researcher could only let out mirthfull chuckle at his blessed friend's drastic yet most definitely desired increase in cheer, then, with his free hand not caught in delightful hug, reached over and rubbed her hair, distributing it in new patterns across her scalp with all the skill and finesse of a Pidgy. "No need to thank me, my friend, as I only earnestly desire to aid you and these Pokemon however possible or probable, but I appreciate the sentiments and graditude all the more. I am also in agreement with everything regarding our meeting with Director North, but unfortunately I hardly have any better apparal that I wear now, so I'll just stick to my own fashion choices and let your stunning, gorgeous looks make up any faults in my appearance," Ventus says, looking at Shiva with a teasing smile playing at his lips and a mischevious glint in his eyes as he calmly and casuely complimented her good looks like it was just an inherent quality in her, not something she worked hard at making/maintain.

With the lass so close to him, he immediantly was able to detect that twin tailed thought pattern again, this time it being much more vivid now that she was practically bolted to his side now. From what he could tell, one emotion pattern was bold, supportive, optimistic, and authoritative, while the other was shy, introverted, ponderous, skepitical, and a tinge of pessimissem. 'Intriguing.....I'll definitely have to ask her about this later this night, though I have to be cautious not to overstep any boundries in the process of my investigations. How I will do so....?' he thought, giving a nod of his head to the receptionist and waved a hand to the entrance/exit of the Inmate room, signaling that he's ready to continue the tour.

Order: Ready to continue/finish this Tour! If the tours going to end soon, he'll ask the receptionist for the bully Tyrouge to be brought to the play room for them to wail on Apsis for a bit, with the snake ordered NOT to harm them. Afterwards, its up to Shiva once more to lead him elsewhere, and continue their not-date! to the benefit of all!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva actually not really reacted to Ven stroking through her hair. It was more like...'she let it happen'. Seemingly he liked the touch, or he simply wanted to straighten the off-standing strands (not possible); she actually had nothing against it...

That changed however when he decided to make a turn and complimented her looks like there was nothing special about doing so. Of course there was something about it... It seemes like Ven is acting strange again. Or actually not, since after he told her how he values her companion regardless of being the Steely Dragon it shouldn't suprise her anymore? If he keeps on like that though the receptionist might assume... Shiva actually wanted to bring up a silent "Thank you", but somehow her voice refused to do so, so after she almost fell for that teasing smile she silently flattered and discretly looked away from him. Doesn't mean his words were less appreciated though.


--------------
Mechanics:
In case the Tour ends here/at all, Shiva will do the formalities concerning the selling of Tropius' fruit (can be auto'd) before picking up the pink Mystery Egg she reserved for her earlier. Little does she know that she'll leave the Shelter with two eggs... Then stepping outside the Shelter to pick up Tropius from the green roof again.

Next, it'll be time for that Cafe-thing, where I actually have not really much to do than bringing the introduction of Ven to her father once they're back in the GPC, as she'll call him relatively soon then (definitelly this in-game day). That Technophile one with every surface being a fully programmable PC-screen etc. sounds good!

[Iron]

The receptionist shows you the Green Roof briefly, which I have already described. Turns out Tropius has been bringing fresh leaves from a nearby street tree to the quadrupeds.

Pokemon on the roof:
-Flightless Spearow
-Victreebel
-Stantler
-Numel
-Supposedly a Kecleon
-Undersized Zebstrika



"Next stop is the Discipline Room." Shiva goes off to the playroom.

"Our treatments are limited. We have a few solitary confinement rooms, here. These shelves contain basic, tasteless food, which we use as punishment. Here's an experiment you might be interested in: tiny shards of the material used to make Gym Badges, this shiny holographic stuff here baked right into bricks in the wall, actually makes Pokemon a little bit more obedient. Trainers do find that victory over Gym Leaders makes their Pokemon respect their strength, but until recently we'd always assumed it was the victory and not the badge. Perhaps it's both."

"These Pokeballs inset into the wall, along with the attendant computer, are like the opposite of a Luxury Ball. They create a virtual environment that the Pokemon will not enjoy, without hurting the Pokemon. It's like a time out. For example it might create a hot and muggy environment for a Pokemon who enjoys temperate weather."

"In the most extreme of cases, we use an electric Tauros prod on the Pokemon, carefully calculated to their weight and typing. This is only used when the Pokemon threatens trainers with harm. Yes, I'm aware it's barbaric, but believe me, there have been times when these shocktrodes were all that stood between a Shelter volunteer and excruciating pain or death. I don't blame Shiva for being unsettled by this room."

"Through this door is the labor room. Good Pokemon can choose a task that they might enjoy as a distraction, like Tyrogue sometimes comes here and smashes rocks just for fun. We used to have a Donphan who'd come here and paint items. Bad Pokemon are given less fun tasks, like digging holes or repetitive crafts. Whenever possible, this labor is constructive, like we might sell the crafts to fund the Shelter. The Pokemon have created some tunnels in this yard, but there's concrete on the boundaries to prevent escaped. Pretty cool the networks they create."

[Iron]

Sheldon Round 1

Loyalty: 1 (6)
Disobedience: 2 (5)(2)

Slowking nods. This works for him.

Curse
(1)(1)(2)(4)(6)(6)
+1 Str, +1 Def, -1 Dex

"Daikatuna, surprise this Water type with an Iron Head!"

Iron Head
4 Dex + 4 Fight + 2 Brawl -4 actions = 6 dice
(4)(5)(4)(3)(3)(1)
3 Str + 3 power +1 STAB +1 Metal Coat + 2 Sheer Force -4 vit = 6d6-1
(4)(5)(1)(3)(2)(1) Slowking takes 0 dmg.

Hidden Power
2 Insight + 3 Knowledge +1 Lore (nicely done) -3 actions = 3 dice
(4)(4)(6)

Slowpoke's crown glows, and hazy unreal Unown in the old style spill out! They surround Daikatuna, then most of them fade. A handful are left, and they affix to Daikatuna as if he were a stone wall!

   

Damage: 4 Str + 2 power - 4 vit = 2d6-1,
(4)(1) No damage.



Sheldon's mind is blown. 
"Is this what Unown always are like? Are these...are these Pokemon? Hold the battle. Thanks, Slowking." Slowking listens just about instantly, ceasing his slow preparation to dodge or attack again. Daikatuna also freezes, pausing almost in mid-leap.

Sheldon waves his hands over the Unown. They pass right through. He scritches at them with his nails. Nothing. "What does it say? I cannot read the letters. Gibberish? I could always read the Unown in my textbook."

Battle will resume after Nathan's reaction!

[Dragonstrike]

(@Iron, Solomon took 0 damage from Iron Head because he has 4 Defense after Curse and Water resists Steel.  And he also has 4 Strength after Curse, so he can do 1 damage to Daikatuna if he gets 2 successes on HP's damage roll)

Nathan immediately whips out his journal and a pen to note down what happened and record the text for later.  "Interesting...didn't expect that to happen..."

He closes his journal once he's done noting that down.  "Those Unown are written in the Old style, Sheldon.  Super ancient, virtually untranslateable.  Solomon, can you read that?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

'Discipline Room' was indeed all that Shiva had to hear to have the sad cries of Pokemon from earlier in all vividness echoing in her mind. It was part of the Tour... Of course discipline was needed when particular Pokemon misbehave or even threathen to harm people... But it wasn't very hard to guess that this particular room would only disturn her, pure truth and necessarity as it may be. That careful "Eh, do forgive me, but I think I'll...pass on this part, because... Well, I'll wait in the Play Room then." was more audible for the receptionist than for Ventus and came along with a gesture towards mentioned Play Room before shifting away. Of course she felt slightly bad for doing so, but it's for her own good.

Alongside the way, Shiva could not help but to pass a particular Pokemon that was still not crossing the line. Sure, it may have agreed to travel with her (somewhat), but that was just the start. Maybe, if Shiva does come back here everyday for selling the fruit and hopefully working off the fine for adopting, she could subliminally make this Pokemon get used to her presence a little more... It has its boundaries though, and needless to to say that Shiva will respect those.

Luckily, there was none in the Play Room currently. And if they were, she'd of course take care to not disturb them. It was quiet here, and the simplicity had something on its own. ...Of course she was tired by now. That Shelter put her through more different emotions in short time than she expected, actually she should have known this. But for now, Shiva simply appreciated this break and got herself comfy there on the floor, with back leaned against the wall. Though, if she wanted to work here to pay the fine, she'll have to get used to this, either way.

Some minutes of deep breathing she felt better/more stable, and a look at Pancham's Pokeball told her that the panda was awake by now! Nice. Yena was probably still a little hurt from earlier battle, so he too might enjoy... Definitely need to restock on these as well. But for now, she emptied two packages/cans of the Gourmet Food onto the orchid-patterned ceramic plate and placed it into her lap before calling out both mentioned Pokemon beside her. Both received a few strokes through their fur in Poochyena's case and over the cheek in Pancham's case, before explaining to them "Nice to see you again!~ We're taking a break in this room, don't feel put off by the unfamiliar walls. I've prepared food for you *pointing to the place* to enjoy, it shall be enough for you two to get your appetite satisfied. Enjoy, as its good quality and orcanic... As I will not be able to feed this to you every meal, though." Whenever Shiva would spot a piece in the shape of a Pokemon she likes, she took turns in eating it with first Pancham, then Yena. There was still too little sugar in these for Shiva's taste, but it certainly was healthier this way.


***********


As soon as they finished, Poochyena got curious about that noble ceramic plate as he licked off any remains of it... Wonder how stable it was? Wonder if his teeth...? Ah, but Master would certainly not be happy if he'd break it, would she? Eh... Yena dared it nevertheless, and carefully tested that plate with her teeth while not breaking eye contact with her Master. Shiva actually let it happen, as it'd be rude to permit a Poochyena what was natural behaviour for it. It was actually a good sign for Shiva, as this hints that her Poochyena doesn't seem to have any weird behaviour patterns in its genes that might come from the unnatural Butterfree-wings on his back. "Just don't break this plate, dear Poochyena." A little wagging of its furry tail showed that he understood and rejoiced, and began to test how many (not-harmful) bites he could plaque this object in a minute.

As for Pancham... "Hope you had a few nice naps while you were in your Pokeball. Now, listen... From looking at you in my PC, I found out you know two special moves. Is that so?~ Do you want to show them to me? Don't target anything in particular please, just go through the moves... I feel like there's much potential in you."

At some point, probably when she heard that Ventus and the receptionist would come back, Shiva will also collect any fallen Shield Dust from Yena in the empty tube of Vitamin D pills. It is around to an eighth filled with this dust now.


-------------
Mechanics:
I'll make this a Feeding-Training Session for both Yena and Pancham using my third Encounter Slot of this in-game day. Apart from that, awaiting Ventus and the receptionist having finished seeing the Discpline Room.

[Iron]

(@Iron, Solomon took 0 damage from Iron Head because he has 4 Defense after Curse and Water resists Steel.  And he also has 4 Strength after Curse, so he can do 1 damage to Daikatuna if he gets 2 successes on HP's damage roll)

Nathan immediately whips out his journal and a pen to note down what happened and record the text for later.  "Interesting...didn't expect that to happen..."

He closes his journal once he's done noting that down.  "Those Unown are written in the Old style, Sheldon.  Super ancient, virtually untranslateable.  Solomon, can you read that?"

Solomon nods, a bit proud.

[Iron]

Pancham is glad to show you his Fist-based moves. He already seems great at them (thanks to Iron Fist!) He leaps around the room, punching the air, grinning rakishly.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

The receptionist shows you the Green Roof briefly, which I have already described. Turns out Tropius has been bringing fresh leaves from a nearby street tree to the quadrupeds.

Pokemon on the roof:
-Flightless Spearow
-Victreebel
-Stantler
-Numel
-Supposedly a Kecleon
-Undersized Zebstrika



"Next stop is the Discipline Room." Shiva goes off to the playroom.

"Our treatments are limited. We have a few solitary confinement rooms, here. These shelves contain basic, tasteless food, which we use as punishment. Here's an experiment you might be interested in: tiny shards of the material used to make Gym Badges, this shiny holographic stuff here baked right into bricks in the wall, actually makes Pokemon a little bit more obedient. Trainers do find that victory over Gym Leaders makes their Pokemon respect their strength, but until recently we'd always assumed it was the victory and not the badge. Perhaps it's both."

"These Pokeballs inset into the wall, along with the attendant computer, are like the opposite of a Luxury Ball. They create a virtual environment that the Pokemon will not enjoy, without hurting the Pokemon. It's like a time out. For example it might create a hot and muggy environment for a Pokemon who enjoys temperate weather."

"In the most extreme of cases, we use an electric Tauros prod on the Pokemon, carefully calculated to their weight and typing. This is only used when the Pokemon threatens trainers with harm. Yes, I'm aware it's barbaric, but believe me, there have been times when these shocktrodes were all that stood between a Shelter volunteer and excruciating pain or death. I don't blame Shiva for being unsettled by this room."

"Through this door is the labor room. Good Pokemon can choose a task that they might enjoy as a distraction, like Tyrogue sometimes comes here and smashes rocks just for fun. We used to have a Donphan who'd come here and paint items. Bad Pokemon are given less fun tasks, like digging holes or repetitive crafts. Whenever possible, this labor is constructive, like we might sell the crafts to fund the Shelter. The Pokemon have created some tunnels in this yard, but there's concrete on the boundaries to prevent escaped. Pretty cool the networks they create."

'Discipline Room' was indeed all that Shiva had to hear to have the sad cries of Pokemon from earlier in all vividness echoing in her mind. It was part of the Tour... Of course discipline was needed when particular Pokemon misbehave or even threathen to harm people... But it wasn't very hard to guess that this particular room would only disturn her, pure truth and necessarity as it may be. That careful "Eh, do forgive me, but I think I'll...pass on this part, because... Well, I'll wait in the Play Room then." was more audible for the receptionist than for Ventus and came along with a gesture towards mentioned Play Room before shifting away. Of course she felt slightly bad for doing so, but it's for her own good.

The Rooftop was just as he expected when he first glanced at in: verdant, lush, and filled with all sorts of odd and varied Pokémon. Ventus raised his eyebrows at the mention of the flightless Spearow, as he had to wonder how that could have occurred to a Flying type other than Gyarados or Duodou, but his thoughts soon drifted towards the Discipline Room when the receptionist mentioned it once more. Shiva abrupt departure was of no real surprise to the empath, as he most definitely knew how sensitive the lass was about matters of Pokémon wellbeing (Her reaction to trying to kll Tangrowth and Rattatta spring to his mind....), and he could feel how even the mere mention of such a place unnerved her so. Still, he was a bit disappointed about this, but he kept such feelings internal as he waved her good bye for the time being.

When the researcher and his tour guide entered the dreaded place and she gave him a basic run down of their equipment, it was to her possible surprise that he was completely non-plussed by the various dissentives that had on hand to punished and alter the behavior of Disobediant Pokémon. Even the Tarous Prod didn't break that thought, neutral expression as he slowly took in and process what she information she had to offer him while he thought of his response/ways to assist, though the mention of the Anti Luxury Balls did earn her a curious glance. After a few minutes of contemplation, Ventus finally spoke up, saying: "Hmm....the Discipline Room and its behavioral correction methods are rather intelligent and gentle/personal in design, focused more on coercing a given Pokémon with negative punishments and negative rewards, I see. Effective in curbing Disobeinece without resorting to violence or martial punishment, and a productive means for them to learn/experience more desirable/controllable behavior. Rather brilliant, if I must say so myself, and its very characteristic of Cheshirian respect towards Pokémon. It is, however, vastly different than how we handle Disobedience in Unova, or at least at the Universities and places I have contributed to."

"People such as I are what you call 'The First Resort' when it comes to disciplining unruly Pokémon. We are typically present during experiments or correctional treatment to both act as a positive influence and/or friend to the Disobedient Pokémon and offer our hands on talent/experience in keeping them calm, happy, and ultimately comptiate . If things were to go out of hand and we are unable to quell their wrath for one reason or another, though, their are onsite Trainers- 'The Second Resort'- with us to immediantly suppress the destructive behavior. They typically had Pokémon with Protect moves, Sleep inducing moves, Blocking moves, Attract, or extreme firepower to achieve this end, and more often than the creatures we studied cease such behavior after being swiftly taken down or disabled in some fashion. The Trainer and their Pokémon also acted as a form of deterance as well, though in some instance such a thing was undesired in a study or project, and so were kept out of sight unless needed."

"For Pokémon that didn't or refused to be conditioned by researcher, handlers, or Trainers, they were fitted with near indestructable collars that monitored their aggression levels that would release a powerful sedative in their bodies, putting them to sleep and allowing them to be carted away or safely returned to their Pokémon for storage and later discipline. In extreme cases, we have specialized Elemental type holding cells that suppress the natural power of a Pokémon and are reinforced to withstand severe Explosion damage and keep them in isolation for weeks or even months at a time with limited contact with others and strict meal plans. Other harsh methods included sensory deprevation tanks to completely cut them off from outside stimulus and force them to rethink their actions, a time out in near indestructible and completely sound proofed rooms with sight blockers for 10 - 30 minutes at time (Look up what such treatment does to humans), restraining them in a reinforced glass box and submerging it in a pool of water for a few hours at a time, and more isolation techniques, depending on the location and what they had on hand and could afford. "

"Such disciplining methods and procedures in research and professional Discipline Schools result in around 70-85% success in correcting Disobedience in short and long terms cases, but it also more often than not causes the Pokémon to become distrusting, fearful, and in some instances paranoid about humans and their actions, making it much harder to earn their Happiness and Loyalty. Which is not surprising to Unovian official and researchers in the least, but they prioritize containment and control of 'suspect and/or menace species of Pokemon' and public safety over their wellbeing, so they consider it an acceptable trade off. I don't, and dislike such practices myself , but I'm in the minority in that opinion from where I come from, so all I could really do was prevent Pokémon from receving such harsh discipline if at all possible. I know more than most that if you don't take care with Disobedient Pokémon, they can and will end your life in a matter of seconds, but that does not necessarily mean it warrants such extreme methods to prevent that. That's why I'm so fascinated with Cheshire's behavior and treatment towards both wild and domesticated Pokémon, and one of the main reasons why I left Unovia to conduct my research in the first place: to learn more about the unique bonds between humans and Pokémon here. Though, even with my foresight on the region, I still find myself surprised and startled to such an extent your culture runs deep within its people, but that just proves that I choose the right place for my project."

The sociologist rattled this all off to the poor receptionist with a fairly neutral expression and conversational tone for the most part, but it dipped into displeasure and then most positive territory around the end of his speech. They both stood their for a time, neither saying or reacting about what he just said, before a thoughtful look comes across Ven's face, an idea suddenly coming to him in this instance. "You said you had problems feeding the Pokémon here at times, correct? Well, from what I saw on the Rooftop and yard, you have plenty of fertile ground to plant and garden and raise crops to supplement your larders, and could call upon the assitence of Trainers with Ground and Grass types to help further enrich the soil and grow crops faster. It wouldn't be too difficult to put up fencing to prevent the Pokémon from nibbling on the plants before they are ready for harvest, and you could even get them to help pitch in the upkeep as a form of reward or punishment for them, depending on the personality and Type of Pokémon," the empath said, apparently unconcerned or no longer concerned about what he said earlier, judging by his pleasant smile on his face as he gave the idea to the woman. Well, considering all the things in his life, Ven might just be plain desensitized to cruelity/distasteful stuff for the most part, or he does a good enough job at hiding it that it comes off that way. Doesn't mean he doesn't care about it, though!

"My tour of the Shelter is now concluded, I assume? In that case, I would like for that Tyrouge from earlier to meet up and channel his energies in beating up on my Arbok for a bit. Like I said, facing off against such a intimidating and bulky opponent should help curb their bullish temperament, or at least give it a target that can handle such abuse relatively unfazed," the researcher said after another lull in their conversation, giving the receptionist an expectant and friendly smile as he done so.

....No doubt she thinks of him as an eccentric by now, but hopefully it doesn't color her opinion on him too much! Well, so he hopes, anyway.

Order: Give Receptionist a basis of comparision to Unovian's method of Disciplining Pokémon, give her some more helpful advice straight afterwards, before heading to the playroom with Apsis and Tyrouge and doing that Training Session you mentioned earlier! Given that Apsis is going to just let the little dude wail on her tough hide ineffectually, will it be a Vitality + Survival Roll this time (If any)?

[Spiritmon]

(Ready to continue the Roleplay Iroh! Since we finish the little side mission, lets continue!)

After the little thing Heart made, he decided to finish go shopping and buy the food to cook for everyone.