[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva was just about to draw the Pokeball Helios is contained in, as she stopped mid-movement when hearing Nathan ask what was going on. She gave him a short look, before minding her own business again.

"Hmm? Oh, hey there Nathan... We're just asked to prove ourselves in a short battle against Director North's Chansey."

Nathan's still looks rather confused.  Why would they have to prove themselves?

"Uh...okay...is it fine if Kirlia and I watch, then?  I'm done with what I needed to do here.  Well, mostly..."

[Lord Windos]

Nathan's still looks rather confused.  Why would they have to prove themselves?

"Uh...okay...is it fine if Kirlia and I watch, then?  I'm done with what I needed to do here.  Well, mostly..."

"I don't mind in the slightest if you watch, as I doubt a spectator would cause any disruptions to our mock battles. You could also head to the nursery and interact with the child Pokemon over their if that is to your greater preference, Nathan, since I'm definitely sure some of them would appreciate the company!"

[Dragonstrike]

"I don't mind in the slightest if you watch, as I doubt a spectator would cause any disruptions to our mock battles. You could also head to the nursery and interact with the child Pokemon over their if that is to your greater preference, Nathan, since I'm definitely sure some of them would appreciate the company!"

Well, that definitely didn't answer his unvoiced question.

"I think we'll stay here and observe...already accidentally made one potential new friend today...don't really need to find another..."

[Lord Windos]

Well, that definitely didn't answer his unvoiced question.

"I think we'll stay here and observe...already accidentally made one potential new friend today...don't really need to find another..."

"Hmm, what was that Nathan? Oh, I forgot to mention this, but Director North *Ventus motions towards the man in question* wanted to see for himself our bonds with our Pokemon and how well we have reared them to better gauge our ability to handle more Disobedient Pokemon like Kingdra and Gothitelle. If you want to speak with him about anything concerning your business here, he might be able to answer a few questions, if he's able."

[Dragonstrike]

"Hmm, what was that Nathan? Oh, I forgot to mention this, but Director North *Ventus motions towards the man in question* wanted to see for himself our bonds with our Pokemon and how well we have reared them to better gauge our ability to handle more Disobedient Pokemon like Kingdra and Gothitelle. If you want to speak with him about anything concerning your business here, he might be able to answer a few questions, if he's able."

Well, that kinda answered his question...but now that raises another: why did they have to speak to the Director about that?  That's not the impression Nathan got from how the place seems to run...

"Ah...well...I wasn't really intending to look at adopting a pokemon...but then I remembered you telling me that there was a rather mischievous Rotom here, Ventus...which I didn't see immediately when I entered the other room...so I sent Porygon-Z to find it and make sure it wasn't getting into too much trouble...and they kinda, well...seem to enjoy each others' company, to be brief...and I'm just a bit short on the necessary funds right now because of...recent events.  So, it looks like I'm probably going to be making another trip here at some point...and I don't think I can afford to go look at the younger pokemon..."

Kirlia chuckles, though he knows every word of it is true.  Ah, Nathan's such a softie when it comes to these things.  He'd be all over adopting more of these pokemon if he could.

[Lord Windos]

Well, that kinda answered his question...but now that raises another: why did they have to speak to the Director about that?  That's not the impression Nathan got from how the place seems to run...

"Ah...well...I wasn't really intending to look at adopting a pokemon...but then I remembered you telling me that there was a rather mischievous Rotom here, Ventus...which I didn't see immediately when I entered the other room...so I sent Porygon-Z to find it and make sure it wasn't getting into too much trouble...and they kinda, well...seem to enjoy each others' company, to be brief...and I'm just a bit short on the necessary funds right now because of...recent events.  So, it looks like I'm probably going to be making another trip here at some point...and I don't think I can afford to go look at the younger pokemon..."

Kirlia chuckles, though he knows every word of it is true.  Ah, Nathan's such a softie when it comes to these things.  He'd be all over adopting more of these pokemon if he could.

The researcher was quick to pick up the confusion his answer generated within the boy, quickly put two and two together, and so decided to further clarify his statement in an attempt to rectify that. "Ah, we never gave you an explaination as to why we requested a meeting with Director North this morning, did we now? Hmm....well, I arranged it for myself and Shiva in order to obtain the Kingdra and Gothiltelle for ourselves at a reduced prices. Suffice to say, we both made deals with him to work at the Shelter for 8 hours a day for a week, while I arranged to get in touch with Dr. Mallorn and see if he could contribute to the Shelter's funding and offered to advertise for them on my journies through Cheshire. We all stand to benefit from this arrangement greatly, so I've delighted with the outcome in all honesty!"

(..)

" .... *A raised eyebrow greets the news about Rotom* ... Are you positive you want to own another species of Pokemon known for its ability to play havoc with electronic, often for no more reason than its own amusement? If you are willing to accept the task of reigning it in and instilling discipline them, I have no qualms about it, but be aware that Rotoms, while rare and elusive in many regions, are infamous for being one of the most mischievous and devious Pokemon known. That is, of course, completely disregarding it being a Ghost type or propensity to hijack various pieces of technology whenever its suits their fancy. I distinctly remember one that managed to infiltrate my University's servers and electrical grid, and it took the better part of 3 days for my associates Porygons to hunt it down and contain the little menace while they put the database on the fritz, corrupt or destroyed countless files, and irreparably shorted out several computers and several important + sensitive pieces of tech. The sheer cost and set backs that little imp caused us.....it still rackles me thinking about it, but I digress. I suggest that when or if you do obtain it that take it to the city's Junkyard and work out its destructive impulses there, instead of electronic on your person like your phone or Pokedex, though it might be beneficial for it to do so in the later case if that model is compatable for its latest discovered form. Hmm..."

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

The researcher was quick to pick up the confusion his answer generated within the boy, quickly put two and two together, and so decided to further clarify his statement in an attempt to rectify that. "Ah, we never gave you an explaination as to why we requested a meeting with Director North this morning, did we now? Hmm....well, I arranged it for myself and Shiva in order to obtain the Kingdra and Gothiltelle for ourselves at a reduced prices. Suffice to say, we both made deals with him to work at the Shelter for 8 hours a day for a week, while I arranged to get in touch with Dr. Mallorn and see if he could contribute to the Shelter's funding and offered to advertise for them on my journies through Cheshire. We all stand to benefit from this arrangement greatly, so I've delighted with the outcome in all honesty!"

(..)

" .... *A raised eyebrow greets the news about Rotom* ... Are you positive you want to own another species of Pokemon known for its ability to play havoc with electronic, often for no more reason than its own amusement? If you are willing to accept the task of reigning it in and instilling discipline them, I have no qualms about it, but be aware that Rotoms, while rare and elusive in many regions, are infamous for being one of the most mischievous and devious Pokemon known. That is, of course, completely disregarding it being a Ghost type or propensity to hijack various pieces of technology whenever its suits their fancy. I distinctly remember one that managed to infiltrate my University's servers and electrical grid, and it took the better part of 3 days for my associates Porygons to hunt it down and contain the little menace while they put the database on the fritz, corrupt or destroyed countless files, and irreparably shorted out several computers and several important + sensitive pieces of tech. The sheer cost and set backs that little imp caused us.....it still rackles me thinking about it, but I digress. I suggest that when or if you do obtain it that take it to the city's Junkyard and work out its destructive impulses there, instead of electronic on your person like your phone or Pokedex, though it might be beneficial for it to do so in the later case if that model is compatable for its latest discovered form. Hmm..."

(Guess Shiva's doing her battle with the Director first at this point?)

Oh.  Negotiating lowered costs.  Huh.

"I'm positive, Ventus.  I'm going to say again what I told Sheldon last night: one bad apple in the wild can ruin an entire species's reputation.  If everyone views the species negatively, then who's going to give an individual from it a chance?  And it's not the only highly disobedient species I would have that fits that description.  Oh, and last I heard, the Alolan pokedexes were designed specifically for Rotom to use.  Which baffles me to an extent, to be honest, because I haven't yet heard of anyone finding a wild Rotom in Alola...regardless, I think bringing Rotom along would do a lot of good for both it and Porygon-Z."

[Lord Windos]

(Guess Shiva's doing her battle with the Director first at this point?)

Oh.  Negotiating lowered costs.  Huh.

"I'm positive, Ventus.  I'm going to say again what I told Sheldon last night: one bad apple in the wild can ruin an entire specie's reputation.  If everyone views the species negatively, then who's going to give them a chance?  And it's not the only highly disobedient species I would have that fits that description.  Oh, and last I heard, the Alolan pokedexes were designed specifically for Rotom to use.  Which baffles me to an extent, to be honest, because I haven't yet heard of anyone finding a wild Rotom in Alola...regardless, I think bringing Rotom along would do a lot of good for both it and Porygon-Z."

(Guess so, if we are holding this conversation while she's battling!)

Nathan was deadset on including Rotom into his team, as Ventus could discrene from the emotions coloring his word, the adament body language he was exhibiting, and the very words he was speaking themselves, and they pondered it all for a moment....before they gave a respectful nod to the boy. "Points well made, Nathan. I pray to Reshirim you have a relatively easy time in pacifying Rotom and curbing its disruptive tendencies, and should you have need of any further advice or assistance with them, you can come to me. As for the odd design choice with Alola Pokedexs, I have no idea as well, but I suspect that it might be more of a percautionary measure than anything else, or the region might have more plans for Rotom use in the Trainer section. Regardless, its a brilliant design choice, and I wonder if it can be expanded upon to allow the Porygon line or other technolgoically inclined Pokemon to bolster a Pokedex's overall capabilities and functions...." the researcher responded, before he returned to his pondering, with them being focused yet again on the young, often headstrong trainer.

While at times his (mostly) undiscriminating and overly forgiving viewpoint towards Pokemon was a liability (Orthros being the prime example that ruefully comes to his mind) or annoyance (in the case of hunting wild Pokemon to feed Apsis), by and large it was a trait that the sociologist admired in the young trainer, as not many his age (or many at all, for that matter) would be so willing to open his heart and give a chance to Pokemon that would otherwise be shunned or feared. 'With his interest in lore, Pokemon in general, and that open, all encompassing mindset/heart of his, he could easily become a Proffesor or Researcher should he choose to reach higher education, but I do believe he needs more growth and life experience before he ready to contemplate those future paths. That is, if he doesn't decide to settle down and inherent his family's ranch we he comes of age after this journey of ours his, or all our involvement with those trecherous Vines and the blighted Skull Ruins doesn't lead to more interesting outcomes than I want to envision. All I can do now is pray that, whatever come to befall us in the future, it is something we can all handle as one or individually....'

[Dragonstrike]

...As for the odd design choice with Alola Pokedexs, I have no idea as well, but I suspect that it might be more of a percautionary measure than anything else, or the region might have more plans for Rotom use in the Trainer section. Regardless, its a brilliant design choice, and I wonder if it can be expanded upon to allow the Porygon line or other technolgoically inclined Pokemon to bolster a Pokedex's overall capabilities and functions...." the researcher responded...

"I highly doubt it was precautionary.  I do know that Elio* was given the first one when they were first field testing it.  Was all over Alola's headlines when he became Alola's first Champion.  Well, not the main headlines, obviously.  There was a section mentioning its apparent success, though..."

*(Note: this is the name that Sun used in a pre-release video for Sun and Moon.  Moon got Selene from a pre-release video and some official merchandise.  Sun sounds a little weird for a name to me, so I've changed the mentions of him to Elio in my notes. Though pre-release media for US/UM refer to them as Ray and Ailey as well...hmmm...well, we're going with Sun as the canon game in this universe, so let's go with Elio instead of Ray or Sun.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

... ... ... "Nathan..."

Now there it was, that dangerously low tone of in Shiva's voice. Probably enough to catch his attention. If mentioned young Trainer would move his gaze to her, he might pick up that she didn't look like the sweet compassionate fae lady right now. In fact, with her gaze fixated on him like a predator fixates unaware prey, arms crossed and the neutrality/professionality of her business apparel, one may even say that she looks a tad bit...intimidating.

There was a faint trace of ice in her emotions, a lot of will, and something that whispered 'why'...

"Just now Dirctor North told me there was an incident where Rotom crossed the Gothitelle's line when he shouldn't. The result was him being plaqued with an attack of Magic Room by her. If you don't want the same from happening again, I'd strongly advice you to respect the bounderies of the Pokemon of my interest and recall Rotom for his and your own sake if he dares to come too close. "


Why... Why do I have the feeling that they're subliminally playing against me? Can you tell me? 
I'm afraid I cannot, my dear... I don't get it either.
*faint downcasted and dishearted sniffle*
Hey, don't fall into that. Remember, you need to visit a pharmacy anyway today.

Probably a good call for Director North to see that Shiva can be authoritative, like she won't allow Gothitelle to freely do what she wants under her care.