[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

(Might not hurt to tagg @Nylon and @Spiritmon here!~ What's you people's call, shall we head off in direction of the swamp right away on a Metagross or wait a few hours (until noon) to get a few Ponyta as backup? The Metagross are very useful to get over the mountains, but traveling on them for quite a while seems to be rather uncomfortable. Metagross won't take a spot in the team, a Ponyta will. Shiva would rather wait [and have a Double Battle to air a will to do something instantly], same with Nathan, Ventus would rather depart right away. A battle can only be done safely if we wait for the Ponyta.)

(Nathan actually said he doesn't have a preference either way.  Both methods have their benefits and drawbacks. He can tie break if he must, though. Or give a more solid answer after Heart or Valder does in the interest of time OOC.)

[Iron]

You can assume Valder will go along with the group decision unless he appears and says otherwise. But if he does appear, then he may need to cast a tiebreaking vote!

I'll make a poll too if you want, but it seems most people are OK either way.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Nathan actually said he doesn't have a preference either way.)

(I edited that, thanks for noting.)

[Lord Windos]

(Truthfully, I/Ventus don't want to acquire a Ponyta for travel precisely because it takes up party slots for the group, since that is a premium resource that is about as inflexible as a piece of Titanium. I rather we get going right away and let Nathan lend out his mounts to Shiva/the others if they get tired of Metagross rough riding [Ventus won't, since he has enough durability to be unfazed by Steel type hardness] and want a change of pace. That, and the sooner we get started on this plot thread, the sooner we can continue onwards with our adventure/personal plot threads.)

[Dragonstrike]

(Truthfully, I/Ventus don't want to acquire a Ponyta for travel precisely because it takes up party slots for the group, since that is a premium resource that is about as inflexible as a piece of Titanium. I rather we get going right away and let Nathan lend out his mounts to Shiva/the others if they get tired of Metagross rough riding [Ventus won't, since he has enough durability to be unfazed by Steel type hardness] and want a change of pace. That, and the sooner we get started on this plot thread, the sooner we can continue onwards with our adventure/personal plot threads.)

(Well, Nathan only has two mounts, and one of them is his.  Swiftfire's not likely to let anyone else ride her.  Yule shouldn't mind.  Calam...well, he's not exactly a mount, per se.  Sure, someone lighter [like Shiva] COULD ride him...but that's only if he lets them, and that would likely only be for a shorter period of time [he's a cat-like pokemon, not a horse or a goat, so he's not got the same strength and stamina for carrying stuff long distances].  And again, we don't need to get Ponyta for everybody if we wait for Stable Z to show up, just those that want them.)

[Lord Windos]

'Ventus received a thankful and faint smile from her for clearing things with the Shelter, before she spoke up once again, in no less careful tone. "I'd actually be down to...well, wait until noon to have a Ponyta with us as well... It doesn't hurt to have backup in case the Metagross are unable to transport us for reasons. Like, if we unexpectedly get attacked or similar. I know how to ride Pokemon, so it's no problem for me... Ven, I'd be down to depart right away as well, but we should not overrun things. Don't you think?" She kept her gaze fixated on him in a non-threathening way while awaiting his reply now, as well as Heart's and Valder's opinion on whether the group shall depart right away or wait a few hours.'

The researcher let out a small sigh at the expantent look/tone/emotions he was receiving from Shiva about delaying their departure towards 'The ends of the earth', but he still gave her a warm smile despite it all. "If everyone is insistent on waiting and receiving a Pontya mount from Stable Z, then I would not begrudge waiting for a couple more hours. However, I much prefer we leave immediately, as every hour could mean the difference of halting those Vine from strangling Stair, to being unable too...."

' "That's what I'm asking of all four of you.  Everyone has the potential to grow a little if they choose to.  I don't think any effort put into that is wasted effort.  What is wasted effort is not trying when we're already pressed for time.  Particularly since we don't know what option 2 is going to require beyond a long trip." '

'Oh right... "As for both of you, Heart and Ven... It's obvious you are having ... well, your issues with Nathan. I had and have too. But widen this to his Pokemon, especially in this situation... feels just wrong. Pokemon can exist on their own, without humans. Don't forget that..."'

"*Sighs* Nathan, Shiva despite my....reservations over recent events, they do not extend to young Kirlia beyond whatever mischief or trouble it brings upon both him and myself. I would be normally willing to help unlock his potential and have him become the Bear of Unselfish Love, but it is because of our strained relationship towards one another that I believe its pointless in helping in their growth. At this point in time, do you honestly believe that Kirlia would consider my efforts anything but insincere or suspicious at best, or outright ignore or scorn them at worst, considering the feelings I harbor towards you *Motions at Nathan*? Given what I've seen of his behavior, I don't believe he's magnanimous enough or able to separate his problems from your own and cooperate with me, so I rather not waste both our times trying to bond when nothing of the sort will happen."

(Essentially, Ventus is fine waiting a couple of hours for the Ponyta, but if Valder/Heart decided they want to leave ASAP, he's going to prefer going that route instead.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"You could instead simply be beside me when Kirlia is by my side or I'm interacting with him, Ven, so that he 'gets used to you' and may cotton on that despite your relationship with Nathan is not the best, you don't mean harm... How does that sound to you?"

[Lord Windos]

"You could instead simply be beside me when Kirlia is by my side or I'm interacting with him, Ven, so that he 'gets used to you' and may cotton on that despite your relationship with Nathan is not the best, you don't mean harm... How does that sound to you?"

The researcher rubs his chin in thought of this suggestion from his dearest friend, before giving a slight nod of his head and a wane smile, showing that while he was in support of her idea, he didn't think it would be that simple to ammeliate tension between him and the psychic dancer. "That sounds perfectly acceptable, dear, but if such a measure proves fruitless in the long run, please don't feel that your own efforts to get us to bond were in vain..."

[Nylon]

Valder casts his vote.
'They said time is grave, so I'll take the simple option' is what he told himself. But he wants to get a move on.
 "If my vote counts, then I'd say you should leave now, boss (& co). If we go now we'll have more time to take a break later if that's what you want".
 Valder didn't lose face. He looked at Theo, and sat down.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"That sounds perfectly acceptable, dear, but if such a measure proves fruitless in the long run, please don't feel that your own efforts to get us to bond were in vain..."

"Oh, certainly not..." ALMOST she responded with 'dear' as well, eek! "If Kirlia doesn't want to care, we cannot and should not force him. Sorry on this, Nathan... But, as you said, it's worth the effort. At least I hope so..."


(Another thought that's coming to me now... Maybe it'd be a good idea to bring Tropius as well for a decent flyer, but acually it sounds not overly necessary. Plus, I'd rather have Poochyena with me.)