[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Quietly, "I never said I don't think you can do it, Shiva..."

Nathan looks a little more sullen as the mock battle with the Director ensues.

And he's particularly sullen when Shiva gives Ventus that hug.

Yup, he's feeling rather alone again...he says one thing before leaving the room:

"...meet me outside when you're finished in here."

And then he's left the room, a worried looking Kirlia following.

[Spiritmon]

"Shiva style work very well this time. Whoosh!" Say Heart after Dodge many times. "Be welcome little Nidorino. Together, we will have many adventure my friend!" Then Heart give a little pat in the head of Nidorino. "I think I should give you a name hmmm...." Heart thinks for a second to give a name to Nidorino. "AH! I know a good one! Since you evolve in Nidoking, from this day I shall you...Caesar. A fit name, to a future "king" I think. What you think little one?" Then after the reaction of Nidorino, Heart decided to return to the Pokemon Center and official put Caesar in the group. "Perhaps I should put Aron in the team too. I really need a steel type in the group." Then Heart add both Nidorino and Aron in the group. "Now, perhaps a good Pokemon battle should help me to test the power of both Nidorino and Aron."

Action: Double battle with Nidorino and Aron. 200 Pokedollar this time. Just a test with the two little ones.

[Iron]

"In a city of steel and technology, sometimes it's good to get back to your roots! Sometimes all you need is a good old fashioned milkman. Fresh MooMoo Milk, straight off the farm, kept on ice! If that doesn't strike your fancy, how about a nice traditional Pokemon battle, with all the classics like fainting, gambling, and not being allowed to back out once your eyes meet!"

Milkman Doris Round 1

Nidorino: (5) + 4 = 9
Aron: (4) + 4 = 8
Miltank: (3) + 3 = 6
Snover: (2) +3 Dex + 0 survival = 5

[Spiritmon]

"I accept your challenge my friend!" Say Heart with fierce eyes ready to battle. "Perhaps we should begun with a little fancy style! Caesar! Use Double Kick in Miltank! Then Horn Attack in Miltank! Aron! Use Iron Head in Miltank two times! If Miltank faint, use against Snover! Lets warm up the battle with multiple attacks!"

Action: Caesar use Double in the first round, then Horn Attack in the second round both against Miltank. Aron shall use Iron Head against Miltank two times both in first and second rounds. If somehow Miltank faint in any attack, the remaine attack go to Snover.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan finds a bench to sit on outside the Shelter while he waits for Ventus and Shiva to finish their business in there.

...how was he going to get Shiva to at least tolerate Orthros, a Delta Species, if she couldn't even handle a simple Rotom?  He needed to tell her eventually...but he wants her and Orthros to be on good terms...and that couldn't happen if she... 

...what did he ever do to her to deserve this kind of backlash?  He'd shown his appreciation when needed, apologized for what he had done on accident...why didn't it ever seem to be enough?  He just...wanted to...

He's leaning on the bench's arm, looking incredibly downcast.

'Why is this so hard for me when it looks so...effortless for Ventus?  I'm not doing much different, right?'

It just doesn't make any sense to him.

Kirlia's there, trying to be as comforting as he can, but there's only so much he can do...his assurances that everything will be all right in the end have lost a lot of their meaning as time and time again, things end up going badly...and the prospect of Shiva disliking Orthros is weighing heavily on Nathan's mind now as well on top of that and everything else...

'...why does nothing ever seem to go right these days?  Ever since that nightmare, it's been almost nothing but problem after problem...'

Kirlia reminds him about Calam and Mesprit, Rotom and Porygon-Z, Yule and Swiftfire, Solomon, Miller, Sheldon and Dagny, the gym battle with Chuckles...

...but Nathan waves the arguments off.  Yes, they'd made some new friends recently, seen some old ones, had some successes, found some hope...but there was just so much...bad enveloping all the good, it was difficult to think positive right now...

Kirlia's pretty dang concerned. But there's little he seems to be able to do right now, so he just looks really sad and worried himself as he sits on the bench with Nathan...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva is observant and insigthful enough to pick up the ne phrase Nathan quietly responded to her before the battle against the Director occured. 'Of course he doesn't say this', is all her mind responds.

My... Now he's off.
He looked worried and stuff. What will you do now?
I said that I won't apologize myself here.
He seems to believe in you.
He 'cares' about me. I'm not convinced over 'believe' just yet.
Hmm...
I told him we can talk later.  Right now, I want to enjoy that sweet feeling over a positive outcome of the talk with the Director...
You have all rights to do so, my dear!



If such a suprise attack-hug for Ventus - which he certainly deserved, Reshiram damnit, as he lured the Director into agreeing to working off the adoption fine plus impressed him with his good care towards Apsis! - already distressed Nathan, it was probably a good call that Shiva didn't suprisingly added kissing the researcher on cheek in that hug.

After a while, this hug became embarrasing though plus Ven might desire to catch up on breath, so she rather soon distangled her arms from his neck. That delighted smile remained though. "Hehe... I'm sorry? I'm just happy that we made it... Now, uhm, I'll be visiting that Gothitelle again now, then pick up that pink Mystery Egg (that one oozing those cute pink threads!) I reserved for myself. I need to go to the Extension of Telperion University later, as well as desire to pay the Department Store a visit before we start working tomorrow... I feel like Nathan might need a little support from my side as well. So, Ven, if we won't happen to see each other for a few hours, you know where I possibly am!~ See you then..." Off she was with a wave, outside the Play Room in direction Inamate Room she goes.

Right, Nathan might need her... Alongside the way/before she enters the Inamate Room, she typed up a message to Nathan onto phone/Pokedex.

It reads the following:

ρ(- ω -、)ヾ(￣∀￣; )
Hi. Needless to say that I noticed you leaving the room in a not very well state. Wherever you currently are, cheer up a little, okay? It's not the first time I overreacted, sometimes this happens.
Before we headed off to the Shelter this morning, I said 'we can talk later'. This offer of mine is still standing. I'll finish some business in this Shelter before heading to the GPC, then for some errands to the city. We can meet up in the Lobby for short and talk this evening if you like. If possible, I'd like to ask for Porygon-Z on loan today as well... Will tell you in person why.
Besides, you're mad or such at Ventus? Why? If it's because we two seem so close to one another, keep in mind that he originates from the same city like I do, plus has a college degree in a field that interests me. Sometimes, friendships happen naturally, while at other times it needs a little effort to grow them. Both ways say nothing about the quality of the friendship. Also, remember the Destiny Knot you gifted me - it connects us. (Well, maybe not in the mechanical way, as you are...hehe...a little too young for me to awake interest from my side.)
Anyway, 'till later.

-----------------
Mechanics:
Can Shiva see Gothitelle again now? Besides, if she only speaks with her, it won't count as Taking up an Encounter Slot, will it?

[Iron]

Milkman Doris Round 1

It begins to hail!

Nidorino's obedience check:
Loyalty: 0!
Disobedience: (4)(2)

Nidorino smirks. Gotta poison your opponent right off the bat! Every poison type knows this.

Poison Sting on Miltank
(6)(6)(3)(3)
3 Str + 1 power +1 STAB -3 vit = 2 dice
(3)(1) No damage.
Poison: (6)(1)(2) Miltank is poisoned!

Aron's obedience check:
Loyalty: 0!
Disobedience: (4)

Aron decides to just use Iron Head one time for maximal effect. He's a more cheerful disobedience than Caesar, who has a lot of personal pride.

Iron Head
3 Dex + 2 Fight + 3 brawl, what a dice pool!
(2)(2)(6)(5)(3)(6)(5)(5) Critical hit!
3 Str + 3 power +1 stab -3 vit +2 crit = 6d6
(6)(1)(1)(4)(6)(4) Miltank takes 3 dmg 4/7hp -1 pain.
Flinch: (6)(3)(6) Miltank flinches!

Snorunt's green hands glow and it sends a barrage of pine needles at Aron and Nidorino.

Razor Leaf
3 Dex + 2 Fight + 2 canalize -1 acc = 6 dice
(6)(2)(3)(1)(2)(3)
2 Str + 2 power +1 STAB -3 vit = 2d6, -1 in the case of Nido
(4)(1) Aron takes 1 dmg 5/6hp.

Double Kick 2 on Miltank.
(6)(3)(1)
3 Str +2 power -3 vit = 2d6+1
(2)(1) Miltank takes 1 dmg 3/7hp -2 pain.

Miltank shakes off the effects of flinch in time to do a halfhearted single Rollout.

Rollout 2
7 dice, -3 actions, -1 acc, -2 pain = 1 dice lol
(2)

Poison: 3 vit -2 = 1 dice to resist. (5). Miltank takes no further damage.

Milkman Doris Round 2

Nidorino: (4)(5)

Nidorino is just loafing around!

Aron: (2) Heart catches a break and Aron does exactly what is asked of him. He slams into Miltank's paunch with a great attack.

Iron Head
(1)(1)(1)(5)(5)(6)
(3)(2)(6)(1) Miltank takes 1 dmg 2/7hp -2 pain.
Flinch: (1)(5)(5)

Miltank grabs a tall, cool glass of milk from the vendor. Ahhhh! Crisp and refreshing! Available at your local milkman!

Milk Drink
3 Dex +0 Survival + 2 Nature -2 pain =3 dice
(2)(1)(4)
(2)(2)(2) Miltank doesn't heal jack. But she looks a bit happier. Aron and Nidorino look slightly jealous.

Razor Leaf
(5)(3)(5)(2)(1)(5) Even with extended crit I can't get lucky.
(2)(1)

Iron Head 2
(5)(4)(6)(4)(4) another crit!
(2)(1)(1)(5)(5)(3) Miltank takes 1 dmg 1/7hp -3 pain.
Flinch: (2)(6)(3) Miltank flinches!

Doris is clutching a bottle of cold milk with such frustration that it is steaming in his grip!

Poison: (2) Miltank faints!

"Listen, I gotta get Miltank to the GPC! Let's wrap this up! Snover, give it your all! These Pokemon obviously aren't well trained."

Milkman Doris Round 3

[Iron]

Gothitelle regards Shiva with some interest. She has obviously already garnered that she may be traveling with Shiva.


(Definitely not an encounter slot)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Now this was sweet to see for Shiva, that this noble Pokemon wasn't ignoring her.

Of course she stays behind the line. "Hehe... Yeah, it's nice to see you again as well. By the way you react to me I assume you already picked up  or read in the constellations that you've been allowed to join me after a week of me working here? From the Director, I know that you know how to use Future Sight as well... That's rather neat. There's another Pokemon I call my own, one that gains Psychic Type upon evolving - he too has a power to see some of the future, using the turning top of a stick as medium. You can meet aaaall my Psychic Types later then if you like - just yesterday I've gotten the hint that Psychic Types are stronger around other Psychic Types."

"Besides... There was a visitor this morning (note: Nathan) in this room. Didn't you gave him a vision like you did with me and a second person yesterday? Am I right in assuming that you cannot control when you have these visions?"

[Iron]

Now this was sweet to see for Shiva, that this noble Pokemon wasn't ignoring her.

Of course she stays behind the line. "Hehe... Yeah, it's nice to see you again as well. By the way you react to me I assume you already picked up  or read in the constellations that you've been allowed to join me after a week of me working here? From the Director, I know that you know how to use Future Sight as well... That's rather neat. There's another Pokemon I call my own, one that gains Psychic Type upon evolving - he too has a power to see some of the future, using the turning top of a stick as medium. You can meet aaaall my Psychic Types later then if you like - just yesterday I've gotten the hint that Psychic Types are stronger around other Psychic Types."

"Besides... There was a visitor this morning (note: Nathan) in this room. Didn't you gave him a vision like you did with me and a second person yesterday? Am I right in assuming that you cannot control when you have these visions?"

Gothitelle blinks her heavy lids very slowly - seems she paid Nathan little mind. 
But then she shakes her head - you're wrong about that one! She's implying that the visions are controlled in some way.