[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

To avoid proc'ing Ice Beam, you need some kind of explanation. Conjunction with a super-effective move like fire, rock, fighting, or steel would do it. Ventus could use his own 2nd Pokemon for this sole purpose.

"Ah yes, thank you Ventus. I got a call from him this morning, and we're still working out the exact details, but rest assured that Beautifuly will indeed find a home with Professor Mallorn!"

With Ventus looking on, and Vaporeon's assistance, Marill uses Water Sport and looks to Shiva for her next move.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Eh... Alright, Shiva would have not expected to be asked that sort of thing, and that showed in her reaction as Ven spoke his ideas and thoughts out to her. Battle that new Kingdra of his.... Eeeeeek! Σ(°△°|||) I...It's disobediant, isn't it? And he nevertheless wants to bring it into a battle, least of all against her ? H-How and why?! Ven's more experienced not only in life and love but also in having Pokemon battle, she considered him way stronger than she was and that draconic seaho........ Wait a moment. Kingdra is partly a dragon. Hehe, of course it was, how silly to forget that at first, whyelse would her the oddball of sociologist be eager to bring it into his care...?

He also called her fairies worthy opponents - that caused Shiva starring at him for a few moments in wonder ('Did he really said that?'), before it allured quite a bashful reaction consisting of her averting gaze from him in embarrasment, a faint bluh and a pretty coy smile as well a thankful feeling. The literal dragon to fight and slay... "C...Can be done after we've finished today's task at the Shelter, and as soon as we find a pool of water your kingdra can...battle from", was all she said concerning this.

(...) In stark contrast to what one might expect, Ventus just didn't immediately begin socializing/handling/earning the irate fire lizard's respect, but rather decided to play a mostly supporting role to Shiva's own efforts, carefully observing by her side. While he was more than qualified and experienced to solo this task with minimal hassle, the veteran researcher was extremely curious and interested to see what her proffeciency she has in this field as a Breeder, and it provides her valuable experience for her to learn how to manage Disobedient/Scary Pokémon. Of course if things go sour/become difficult, he wouldn't hesitate to step in to render aid/pacify Charmeleon! (...)

A big part of her was silently awaiting Ventus to step forward after she has moistened the room with her Marill's Water Sport and her Vaporeon unexpectadly pulling of a show about it - which indeed earned her Shiva's praise, pets and a handful of dried berries to munch as it was just sweet for her to see.

He didn't though, and kept himself behind her.

Was he... What did he expected to do... or from her...

.........................Oh. OH! Oh no.


Having realized that he likely wanted her to continue dealing with that Charmeleon, she gave Ven a startled/suprised/'Why would you do that?!' look and expression. Shiva's experienced with handling young and small Pokemon due to her background of learning under her father's guidance and having bonded with an Eevee from scratch enough to evolve it at an early age, but that Charemeleon definitely NOT fell under any of the categories! But... With all that fireproof gear, the room being damped, Ventus nearby as well as two Water types directly beside her, there was a chance that it could be.......safe to approach that hot-headed Fire Type? Maybe it was...

... ... ... ... ...

Shiva kept her respectful distance towards it though, even if she now leaned down to some degree to be on eyelevel with Charmeleon. Hot-headed was a good thought, a-actually... Carefully, not to accidently put it on edge, she drew that Iron Ball from her stuff, and placed it with a audible *whump* next to the Fire Type. Her voice...It was noticeable that to took efforts to sound authoritative, yet not outright demanding. "Alright there, Charmeleon... We've been told you have the high chance to soon evolve into a Charizard, reaching an appearance that matches your nature. A nature that loves to battle... One that constantly needs to face strong foes... Today, that Iron Ball will be your foe. Later this day, a huge Arbok will be it - right, Ven? - As you will notice if you haven't already, your firepower is weakened within this room, and that's my work. You need to find a different way to show strenght and display your power, think about it at first, then attack. Do not worry about destroying this Iron Ball, neither the latter big snake, feel free to go full force - however, you need to rely on somethingelse than fire today. Take it as a learning experience, to test your other strengths and display that you don't solely need fire that melts almost every material to show that you're a strong and capable Pokemon. Seeing how you can deal with such a situation also has a chance to make you more attractive to a possible new owner - because once they see that you are not going after the plan 'Attack with what we already know' but are able to think and adapt to an unexpected or even unfavorable situation, they might feel better accepting you as their partner Pokemon. Also, they too will likely ask you to hold back your intense firepower on occassion, for example to prevent causing a forest fire that will put BOTH of into danger and trouble."

"Begin if you like and feel ready. Behave and follow instructions and you will be rewarded with some of this spicy Pokemon Food - the spiciness will fuel you from internally -" *placing a bit of it infront of Charmeleon to eat it up as an appetizer* ", a learning experience as well as our awe at your display of strength. But misbehave or attack us, and my two Water Types" *gesture towards Marill and Vaporeon* " here will teach you that such behaviour is not tolerated."


-------------------
Mechanics:
The Charmander-line belongs to the Dragon Egg group, that much Shiva in-chara knows - so maybe that thing about a dragon's respect is earned via strength can be used in this case too? Maybe Charmeleon's respect can be earned by helping it growing stronger, by helping it hone it's other skills than the trademark firepower?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Dr. Hypericac has moved on to other pursuits, I believe. He was going to stay in Stair City taking a few commissions for various people. Then south to Botanville, then eventually on to Orre again. We only had him here a few days for help with a few particular projects."

Oh.... Such a fool, telling her stuff about a strange black stone and then leaving her to decide what to do now. Eh, anyway, now Shiva felt like she has free roaming in that issue and he won't unexpectadly suprise her or at worst follow her to snatch that stone as soon....... Eeeeh, nope, better not start being as paranoid as Ventus!

Good thing that juuuust in case, she has his contact data on the business card he gave her.

[Iron]

Yeah, this battle needs to be very tightly controlled for Ao's disobedience. It will not end well if you don't pay especial attention to that. It's probably a Very Bad Idea in general.

[Iron]

Director North is passing by and he nods and smiles at Shiva's plan, then continues on his way

Shiva's Insight + Empathy: (5)(1)(1)(6)(5)
vs
Disobedience: (4)(1)(3)

This roll doesn't try to get Charmeleon to obey, but rather tries to get through to him so he understands the logic of the situation.



An Iron Ball? How can that be a match for a proud and mighty firebreather like Charmeleon? He roars and breathes flame - Shiva can feel the heat through her protective gear - but the Water Sport weakens it, and the ball simply steams. Normally it would have glowed and warped, but not been destroyed by any means. Now it just steams and steams, increasing Charmeleon's ire.

He pauses to think, not because Shiva told him to, but because his plans have gone awry. But the effect is the same. A trainer's command has entered his brain and started him down a different thought process.

Unfortunately none of this does anything for Charmeleon's temper. Soon, a Dragon Rage is brewing in the room. That Iron Ball is slammed against every concrete surface of the bare room and wreathed in the blue 'fire' of draconic power. That attack is not weakened at all, and the Iron Ball is soon covered in deep dents and scratches.

At the end of it, Charmeleon is panting and smiling. You're not quite sure if that is an evil smile or a satisfied one, or indeed if Charmeleon has learned any kind of respect.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Whoahw, that was scary. No other word could describe it better, and there was probably no better experience that could have caused Shiva to respect (but not fear) the Dragon Type, dragonlike Pokemon and their rage, as well as embrace her own affinity to the fae and the magic that shielded her to some degree from them.

Luckily as it seems nothing and nonelse that that Iron Ball has suffered any damage/injuries, apart from any surface that didn't took it well to have an Iron Ball slammed at it. Shiva does probably have to spend a while repair that, or pay if her crafting skills won't be enough.

Seems like that Iron Ball was not only an item that can be mischievoudly slipped to the foe by her Tropius anymore, but also a reminder of how mighty a soon-dragonlike Pokemon's rage can be. Cool - another lucky charm.

She'll leave that Charmeleon alone for now and recover from the exercise, as soon as she has slidded over another portion of that spicy Pokemon Food from Arrowroot over to it. At least it hasn't burnt down the whole Shelter in its wrath, that deserves a reward on its own. Speaking of burning down - moisture within the room gets reinforced, Water Sport is used again, this time powered up by Vaporeon. During afternoon, Shiva will either leave Charmeleon test his strength against Apsis - IF Ven agrees to that, that is! If it DARES using Slash or she even catches the slightest hint that it does, Bubble Beam and Water Pulse will teach it that this is not a tolerated behaviour!! - or otherwise leave Ventus handle things. HE has dealt with disobediant Pokemon during his college career after all, hmpf!

[Iron]

Added one success to Shiva's roll, so I will add this tidbit: Shiva does think she has reached Charmeleon and taught him a bit of one of the types of respect I was potentially looking for: respect for intelligent strategy.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Seems like today's workshift at the Shelter has helped Shiva to decide on that one sensitive issue - the conflict between keeping a young Pokemon that she hatched + is friendly towards her despite being the most poisonous Pokemon known to man and the feeling that she simply is not yet ready to handle it, especially keeping in mind that it may one day become a huge poisonous dragon.

Doesn't change the fact that it's hard for her to take that step.

Once having put on these poison-resistant gloves and withdrawn Nymue into her party (though she keeps her within the Safari Ball for now), she rather hesitantly starts that video call to Professor Mallorn. 'Connecting, please wait....' Vaporeon however demanded to stay outside her Pokeball, watching what Master does there.

[Iron]

"Hey, boss! How's it going? You're with Ventus in Stair City, right?"

You can see that Mallorn is fiddling with an inside-out Pokeball, the shiny netlike surface exposed to the world. Much like the day you first met him.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Arrrrghhhh, why did he had to say that!? "Ven's loafing around somewhere, he's not with me, we're not with one another 24/7, there's nothing going on between us two, but yes we're in Stair City, no you are not allowed to lick the PC screen, Vaporeon!!!"

*a few moments of embarrasing silence later* "*cough* Uhm.... Yeah, but good evening, Professor... Forgive me if i'm disturbing you in some important-looking work, but.........you requested a Skrelp from us? May I...ask why you'd like to have one and what purpose it will have?"