[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

*invisibly under the table, she nudges Ven as a sign to 'now, say somehing about yourself'*

The nudge to his ribs and the feelings coming from his dear friend was a loud enough signal for the nervous researcher, and so he gave them a brief run down of his job before going silent. "My main purpose of coming to Cheshire was to observe, document, analyze, and gain a better understanding of Pokémon interactions, behavioralisms, reactions etc.. within species and outside them, including with humans themselves, and I hope to use the knowledge I have accured to forge a better understand between all beings, but primarily between Pokémon and mankind. Thus far I have gathered quite a sizable amount of data that supports some of the ideas and hypothesis I have on Pokémon behavior, but I need to conduct more research and observations before I can definitively start on that section of my project with full confidence."

[Iron]

"Very interesting indeed! I myself dabble in Pokemon research, as it relates to my Daycare. Good to meet you, Ventus. Shiva, what are you up to? What is this big city you find yourself in? Staying safe?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Hmm... Good question, was Shiva really 'safe'? "Yeah, I think I am relatively safe... No injuries or such so far. When something dangerous arises, I guess the Pokemon I gathered so far will jump in for protection - or Ventus here would. Likely both." ... "This city's pretty neat! Advanced technology as well as...Steel Type is omnipresent here. Of course it's not the same like home in Castelia, but it surely reminds me on...home." A trace of melancholy was certainly audible in her voice.

"How are things over there, anything particular happened that I should know? Are Mum and Spectral alright? Eh... Especially about the latter I wanted to ask you a thing..." *strong hesitation strikes!*

Spoiler

"She likely misses me, doesn't she? Hopefully not too much... So, do you think it'd be possible for you to send her over to me? I know we sometimes get orders for bred Pokemon from other regions and send them to the customer's PC like in most cases, and you could simply do so in this case as well..."

"No, wait a moment... Better not. Chreshire is way too far away - I don't want to risk finding a glitched Umbreon on my PC."

[Iron]

"Yes, darling, all Pokemon traveling between distant regions have to go by boat, for best results. Neighboring regions can get away with it, such as Kanto and Johto, Unova and Orre. Spectral does miss you. We've been having Umbreon play with the baby Pokemon to entertain them, and to start getting rid of the stigma against Dark types. Mum says hi; she's actually working super late tonight. Nothing to worry about though. Just bureaucracy, ugh!"

"Tell me at least one story from your journey!"

[Lord Windos]

Hmm... Good question, was Shiva really 'safe'? "Yeah, I think I am relatively safe... No injuries or such so far. When something dangerous arises, I guess the Pokemon I gathered so far will jump in for protection - or Ventus here would. Likely both." ... "This city's pretty neat! Advanced technology as well as...Steel Type is omnipresent here. Of course it's not the same like home in Castelia, but it surely reminds me on...home." A trace of melancholy was certainly audible in her voice.

"Such calamitous events are seldom seen and rare still encountered by us, thank Reshirim, but no matter the situation I've always been by your daughter's side, ready to support her and rendor aid, regardless if its necessarily needed. The people under my vigil are well safeguarded, so Shiva has been well protected, sir. Hmm...you mentioned you dabble in some Pokémon research yourself, so if its within the perview of your own knowledge, could you inform me of the current topics of interest in Castelia? With how far Cheshire is from other regions, its....difficult to keep myself updated on current event at home, so any Insight would be appreciated!"

[Spiritmon]

After clean the plates, Heart sight in satisfaction. "Whoosh! Work better than I think heh. Except for Nathan who still sad for something...." When he lost in tough, he look to one book he was currendly reading. He close the book. "....I wonder." Say Heart holding the book close to him, lost in tough. "If they discover the truth about my past....about what I done....they still consider me as a friend?" Say Heart. "The past is in the past, but even now....the past still haunt me. Like a Haunter." He do a amarge giggle. "Damn you, Arc. Even after years, my sins still crawl in my back..." Then he left the book in the tabble. The tittle says: "ArcHeart".

[Iron]

"Such calamitous events are seldom seen and rare still encountered by us, thank Reshirim, but no matter the situation I've always been by your daughter's side, ready to support her and rendor aid, regardless if its necessarily needed. The people under my vigil are well safeguarded, so Shiva has been well protected, sir. Hmm...you mentioned you dabble in some Pokémon research yourself, so if its within the perview of your own knowledge, could you inform me of the current topics of interest in Castelia? With how far Cheshire is from other regions, its....difficult to keep myself updated on current event at home, so any Insight would be appreciated!"

"Right! There've been a few economic disasters...a ship that overturned, a cargo pallet stolen in a separate incident...the news doesn't have any people harmed though. A big increase in tourism lately. The tourism board is asking everyone about their opinions on human treatment of Pokemon - thought you might be interested in that! I hope this isn't a resurfacing of the old Plasma sentiments, but it seems like it's a more wholesome concern for Pokemon in light of our status in tourist's eyes. Our Daycare is really popular right now. Apparently our love for Pokemon shines through!"

"Burgh is away on business, so the Gym challengers are a bit stalled. But he's well within his rights to take that much time. There's an artist renting a back room in the Gym. His goal is to paint one of every Pokemon, from a live model! He's got over 300 species already."

[Iron]

When Nathan gets back to his room, he eventually gets a call from Dagny. It's past the decent hour for such things, but I figure he'd be awake and worrying about it.

"Hello? Nathan? We spoke earlier...this is Dagny, Gym Leader of Stair City. Are you still in town? Listen, I found out something about Kirlia. Or rather, Kirlia as he was some time ago. In this account in the League files, when they were first meeting the Lake Trio ages ago, there was a Ralts who was deemed worthy of speaking to the Lake Trio. Or rather, one member of the Trio. Two other Pokemon were deemed worthy for the other two members: Oranguru, and Aegislash. Both exceedingly rare in Creshire, much rarer even than Ralts. So that really doesn't help us. Interesting that it's now a Kirlia making these connections, don't you think?"

"I found a reference to the 'ends of the earth,' but I don't know where it is. However, I learned that a powerful being lives at a location with that description! Some sort of wise man who lives in a cave and speaks in riddles. In this file, the old wise man was powerful enough to help King Sarimanok seal away some gigantic threat near the old man's cave. And I mean gigantic. This thing was the size of a city. If you can learn where this place is, maybe I can get you there."

[Dragonstrike]

When Nathan gets back to his room, he eventually gets a call from Dagny. It's past the decent hour for such things, but I figure he'd be awake and worrying about it.

"Hello? Nathan? We spoke earlier...this is Dagny, Gym Leader of Stair City. Are you still in town? Listen, I found out something about Kirlia. Or rather, Kirlia as he was some time ago. In this account in the League files, when they were first meeting the Lake Trio ages ago, there was a Ralts who was deemed worthy of speaking to the Lake Trio. Or rather, one member of the Trio. Two other Pokemon were deemed worthy for the other two members: Oranguru, and Aegislash. Both exceedingly rare in Creshire, much rarer even than Ralts. So that really doesn't help us. Interesting that it's now a Kirlia making these connections, don't you think?"

"I found a reference to the 'ends of the earth,' but I don't know where it is. However, I learned that a powerful being lives at a location with that description! Some sort of wise man who lives in a cave and speaks in riddles. In this file, the old wise man was powerful enough to help King Sarimanok seal away some gigantic threat near the old man's cave. And I mean gigantic. This thing was the size of a city. If you can learn where this place is, maybe I can get you there."

Nathan has to snap out of a bit of a daze (with Kirlia's help) when the call comes.  He'd been waiting for awhile, and man, was he tired...

"Yeah, I'm still in town.  Still have plenty to do here before moving on, so I wasn't planning on leaving right away."

...

He perks up a little when Dagny says what she found on the Lake Trio.

"A...Ralts? That's...interesting.  Kirlia was a Ralts when I first found him about a year ago...he evolved only about 3 weeks ago...Calam had been stalking us ever since the day I found him, until he finally approached us directly...probably a connection, right?  And it's not difficult to guess which pokemon were worthy of talking to each member of the trio, either...an Aegislash, though...that's...somewhat concerning considering the current state of things..."

...

"A wise, old man living in a cave at 'the ends of the earth'...I'll keep an eye and an ear out for that for sure.  Was there anything else?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Spoiler

"Such calamitous events are seldom seen and rare still encountered by us, thank Reshirim, but no matter the situation I've always been by your daughter's side, ready to support her and rendor aid, regardless if its necessarily needed. The people under my vigil are well safeguarded, so Shiva has been well protected, sir. Hmm...you mentioned you dabble in some Pokémon research yourself, so if its within the perview of your own knowledge, could you inform me of the current topics of interest in Castelia? With how far Cheshire is from other regions, its....difficult to keep myself updated on current event at home, so any Insight would be appreciated!"

"Right! There've been a few economic disasters...a ship that overturned, a cargo pallet stolen in a separate incident...the news doesn't have any people harmed though. A big increase in tourism lately. The tourism board is asking everyone about their opinions on human treatment of Pokemon - thought you might be interested in that! I hope this isn't a resurfacing of the old Plasma sentiments, but it seems like it's a more wholesome concern for Pokemon in light of our status in tourist's eyes. Our Daycare is really popular right now. Apparently our love for Pokemon shines through!"

"Burgh is away on business, so the Gym challengers are a bit stalled. But he's well within his rights to take that much time. There's an artist renting a back room in the Gym. His goal is to paint one of every Pokemon, from a live model! He's got over 300 species already."

...Seems like before Shiva may or may not settle down in Creshire after the journey, she'll certainly pay home a visit. Even if it may be not for too long, but having Spectral with her would soothe both her and the Umbreon. Nothing too new that bureaucracy keeps her mother busy, especially since tourism in Castlia seemingly increased... That means more more people earning Medals.

The mentioning that there might be an resurfacing of old Team Plasma sentiments surely got Shiva curious, faintly expressing that by a tilted head and an even fainter...hope. Or desire. "People are being asked about their opinion on treatment of Pokemon? Dad, that sounds weird... But you know about my view on that Team. Their sentiments are actually nothing bad or reprehensible. Sometimes, Pokemon are better left to live in freedom. It's just that... you know, Ghetsis strongly misused that idea and ended up mentally broken, which, quite honestly, was inevitable... But N is a true hero, innocent until being used and stained by him. Do you think this all has something to do with him? Likely not, but...who knows...." *shrugs*

Short break before continuing, telling silence dwelled. "Oh, eh, sorry, you asked for a story, right? Hmm... Right!" Instantly, Shiva's expression and mind warmed up! "You wouldn't believe how many Psychic Types I gathered so far!~ They're really cool and interesting to raise... I won an Abra at a casual game on a Festival - just lately it evolved into a neat Kadabra thanks to my care. I don't know WHEN I'll evolve him into an Alakazam, but that'd surely be cool... The Ralts belonging to one of my further travel companions evolved due to me as well, even if I did nothing particular to trigger it... Speaking about that, you remember that weird astral rock I asked you about last time, Comite? From that person I got to know that Comite gain Psychic as secondary Type when they evolve into...what was it called again...Cometeor. I also met a sweet Fennekin at a mythical place in a forest, and it decided to come with me - he became a Braixen after a battle that I won by a hair. Hopefully he'll become Delphox one day... There's also an Espurr under my ownership, having its Hidden Ability even. Me and Ventus also been at a Shelter for Disobediant Pokemon today, where he met a Kingdra he'd like to adopt and I got to know a Gothitelle I'd like to obtain - yes, the real Final Form! We'll head to this Shelter tomorrow again concerning the adoption of these two Pokemon."

"An Azurill we've saved from a river has gained a liking on me as well, that blue mouse was so sad when we met her... It's sweet to see how happy she grew meanwhile. Oh, and do you rememeber that elusive egg with the black spots?"