[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"...Oh, and certainly you can touch it again, Ralts~" *holds it down for him once again*

Ralts does touch the stone again, enjoying the feeling of power it contains...power he'd one day be wielding...

Ralts likes Shiva and trusts her, so he's fine with her carrying the stone.

...before he pushes it back towards Shiva, smiling.  Today's not that day, but one day...

"...alright then, buddy.  If that's what you want, then let's roll with it."

Nathan doesn't quite have the same near ecstatic joy he had before the visit to the Candelabra and the Fallen Arches...

...but it's close.  And also, it seems to be...just a tad bit more genuine.  Just a little.

"...well then, I guess it's probably about time we moved on then..."

Nathan looks around...

"...uh...where'd Ventus go?  He was just here a moment ago, right?"

(For reference, I'm assuming Nathan's not paid any attention to Ventus and how he's doing at ALL and that Shiva and the FEAR!!! combined was a sufficient distraction, giving the sociologist ample time to disappear and recollect himself before Nathan can make the connection between Ventus and those emotions)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"You let me carry this - your - Stone? Oh you!~ I'll keep it safe until you're ready to touch it and reach your Final Form then, don't you worry about that." Ralts receives some appreciating pets over the green parts of his head, while Nathan gets a Whismicott-imprinted tissue to dry any remaining tears, before Shiva carefully wraps the Dawn Stone in another tissue, then packs it there in bagpack where she carries all the luck charms.

"Ven will be fine, he always returned eventually, one way or the other. *shrugs* And he's not that mad to go Furret-hunting when it's illegal."

[Dragonstrike]

"Ven will be fine, he always returned eventually, one way or the other. *shrugs* And he's not that mad to go Furret-hunting when it's illegal."

Nathan scratches his head, puzzled...sighs...

"...well, I just hope he doesn't go too far, then...careful if you encounter any Furret.  They're playful and mischievous, and it can be difficult to tell if they mean well or are just messing with you for the fun of it and because they know they can get away with it without consequence.  One nearly dropped a piece of a gravestone on my head earlier..."

*shudder*

"...anyways, I'm going to look around here a little, see what I can find...there's probably all sorts of stuff hiding just out of plain sight in these caves...either dropped by someone who passed through previously or sitting undisturbed for who knows how long...come on, Starmie!  Between your Illuminate and my flashlight, I'm sure we'll find something!"

There's that genuine excitement again! And yeah, it definitely feels slightly less forced...just slightly.

Item hunt for Nathan!  Useful or Hold?  I don't know!  Let's see what Valder picks first...though Nathan's definitely grabbing that Hold Item if Valder doesn't.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

She knew Apsis would hiss at her shall Shiva approach the cobra's Master and family member. She very well knew, she knew very well knew that Apsis doesn't enjoy this young woman too close to him, but she also knew that Ventus himself would never allow her to harm his dear... There's always a small risk despite how well Ven has her under control, but maybe - probably - her fear of Apsis made this risk bigger than it was in the first place... Not that Shiva cares right now. If it means that she can comfort Ven and simply being there for him if he allows and accepts her company now, that's a risk she very well takes upon.

Though she holds back with her care to not put Apsis on edge as well as not scare Marill too much than necessary, so as soon as Ventus was within reach, Shiva stepped by his side and gave his hand a stroke with one of her own as well as a trademark coy smile from the side before she opted to muster the path ahead, smile somewhat fading as she did so. Now that she was close to Ventus, the impression that he had some reason to calm himself/cope with things via smoking incense intensified, but she had no idea what happened and she won't ever find out. After a few moments of silence between them both, it was Shiva who spoke up first, in a tone that was careful, caring and quiet. She's not angry, not sad, just a still a tad bit fearful/shy and now concerned for Ven's wellbeing and state. "It's good to see you again... You..... well, have dealt with that Chandelure, have you? You have... I don't want to know how and what, *she slightly shaked her head at that to show she really doesn't* it's enough to know that you did. You have, did you? ...Thank you. Reshiram knows how many spirits of innocent visitors it already burnt, I'd take on it by myself and caught it for safe containment and later giving away but you were faster and I...welll.... How do you feel now, you're okay?"

It doesn't really matter what Ventus did or did not. Despite everything, it's still him, it's still that oddball of researcher she was sharing a close bond with.

High strung and in extremely foul and cantankerous mood from her master being spiritual and mentally assaulted by that Chandelure , Apsis was perhaps the angriest she had been in her entire life. Not even nearly being blown to smithereens by that Weezing or being counter ambushed by the Ninjack compared to seething rage she experienced at the knowledge that her master had nearly been broken by that foul, foul Ghost type, yet it got away free. What was even worse than not being able to exact VENGENCE AND DEATH upon the fiend, though, was the fact she couldn't do anything to help her master recover from this besides what she's doing now, as he's almost completely shut down his empathy/empathetic link towards others and walled himself off emotionally in order to cope/contain/control/confine/manage his RAGE while simultaneously continuously repair/shore up his mental defense/control over himself. Besides the scant amount of communication and weak but affectionate rubbing coming him, it was like he was a walking brick wall, neutral and unemotive as he puff smoke like an angry dragon. It burned and rackled her to see him in this state, to not be able to solve or fix besides just being there for him (Not enough in her over protective/nurturing opinion!) and being his sentry/bodyguard for the time being.

Suffice to say, the regal reptile was furious, discontent, and just plain unhappy on multiple levels, and looked about ready to spontaneously learn to Crunch anyone's head off if they happened to be unlucky/foolish enough to be the first to provoke her ire and be the first she vents her impotent fury on.

With that worryingly in mind, when that insufferable fairy lady that her master was so bewitched by slunking from out behind a rock she hide behind like a coward, with another one of her annoying Fairy types in her arms, trying to comfort her master despite having NO IDEA what is wrong with him and her own failed attempts in doing so......

.....Well, that was the proverbal straw that broke the Numel's back (Not Hanael's!).

In a matter of seconds, the giant snake was all but glaring  at the fae woman, rearing back her head and extending herself to her full, magnificent height, before she let out a great and terrible *HIIIIIIISSSSS!* that perfectly displayed her deadly fangs and rushed lowered her head straight at their own, stopping only inches away from making contact. The poisonous python stared menacingly at their pseudo rival, tongue flicking out and savoring the fear that was no doubt wafting off them from this intimidating stunt of hers, an unamused and displeasured scowl across their scalely face. She held this stare for several long, tortuous seconds, eyeing them up like whether or not she deciding she could get away with giving them a nip, before narrowing her eyes and pulling away with a low *Hiiiiiiiiiiis* and a huff of breath, still staring them in the eyes as they jerked their head to the side in a dismissive motion.

The message was clear: fuck right off. Neither she nor her master was in any shape or mood to deal with them, so the sooner they buzzed off, the better.

What was the strangest and perhaps heartbreaking part, though, was the complete lack of reaction from Ventus on both Apsis' and Shiva's actions. He did not initially react when she stroked his head, nor when his sister decided some venting and scare tactics were in order. He just continued to move on forward, almost completely ignoring her. It was only when Shiva said her piece on his struggle defilment fight with Chandelure that he reacted, halting in his tracks and leaving her to stumble to a stop as he did so.

Silence was the only thing that was said between the two for the longest time, before he turned his head and direct his own bonechilling Stare at his sister, causing her to rear back again, this time in worry/fear with an 'uh oh' expression on her face.

"Apsis, restrain yourself. I taught and raised you better than to lash out at someone undeserving. We'll find a worthy target to work out our stress upon, so until then behave and marshel your temper. Do not let it rule you," he said to her, his words sullen, apathetic, yet still charged with the smoldering embers of his RAGE as he direction a mere iota at his venomous viper. His response was enough to get them bobbing their head up and down, looking chastised and somewhat ashamed at what she done (but far from remorseful about it), but at the same time slightly eager too. While being on the receiving end of his anger was not good, at least it showed he wasn't completely out of it, and that they already had a plan to help deal with BOTH their frustration! It wasn't as good as getting REVENGE against that fiendish spector, but it was at least SOMETHING they could do!

Ventus then paused for a moment, as if remembering his fae friend had said something to him earlier, until he slowly spoke with great deliberation and an air of bitterness.

"No. But I will. Shiva, forgive me for saying this, but I wish to be left alone. I will lag behind and keep my own consul for now, and will alert the group if anything misfortunate or disaster worthy happens ASAP, and I shall return when I am able, so please inform the rest about this. ...Until then, good-bye."

The sociologist then departed from his most blessed friend's company and further ahead on the trail/path, looking for another Pokémon to capture in order to release some of his/Apsis' pent up RAGE and get SOMETHING out of this dreadful day. His regal reptile was swift to slither right behind him, throwing pointed looks behind her every now and again to make sure Shiva wasn't actually following them. This was THEIR time, not hers, so leave them be!

Order: Have Apsis do most of the reacting towards Shiva since Ven is still VERY much out of it/barely keeping himself from exploding/breaking down again, have him request to be alone and for her to tell the others his plans (Neatly tying it to what your character said), before he head off to find the Unusual Pokémon to capture. Again, PLEASE let this be just an nice Encounter... Ven has had it bad enough due to dice luck and Memento, so relief would be nice!

[Nylon]

The unusual pokemon is very tempting. Did anyone take it? I'll take it if not.
Otherwise I'll happily grab the held Item if I'm not too late.

[Dragonstrike]

Otherwise I'll happily grab the held Item if I'm not too late.

Sounds like Valder is joining Nathan on this item hunt, then!  One useful item for Nathan, one hold item for Valder.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Spoiler

She knew Apsis would hiss at her shall Shiva approach the cobra's Master and family member. She very well knew, she knew very well knew that Apsis doesn't enjoy this young woman too close to him, but she also knew that Ventus himself would never allow her to harm his dear... There's always a small risk despite how well Ven has her under control, but maybe - probably - her fear of Apsis made this risk bigger than it was in the first place... Not that Shiva cares right now. If it means that she can comfort Ven and simply being there for him if he allows and accepts her company now, that's a risk she very well takes upon.

Though she holds back with her care to not put Apsis on edge as well as not scare Marill too much than necessary, so as soon as Ventus was within reach, Shiva stepped by his side and gave his hand a stroke with one of her own as well as a trademark coy smile from the side before she opted to muster the path ahead, smile somewhat fading as she did so. Now that she was close to Ventus, the impression that he had some reason to calm himself/cope with things via smoking incense intensified, but she had no idea what happened and she won't ever find out. After a few moments of silence between them both, it was Shiva who spoke up first, in a tone that was careful, caring and quiet. She's not angry, not sad, just a still a tad bit fearful/shy and now concerned for Ven's wellbeing and state. "It's good to see you again... You..... well, have dealt with that Chandelure, have you? You have... I don't want to know how and what, *she slightly shaked her head at that to show she really doesn't* it's enough to know that you did. You have, did you? ...Thank you. Reshiram knows how many spirits of innocent visitors it already burnt, I'd take on it by myself and caught it for safe containment and later giving away but you were faster and I...welll.... How do you feel now, you're okay?"

It doesn't really matter what Ventus did or did not. Despite everything, it's still him, it's still that oddball of researcher she was sharing a close bond with.

High strung and in extremely foul and cantankerous mood from her master being spiritual and mentally assaulted by that Chandelure , Apsis was perhaps the angriest she had been in her entire life. Not even nearly being blown to smithereens by that Weezing or being counter ambushed by the Ninjack compared to seething rage she experienced at the knowledge that her master had nearly been broken by that foul, foul Ghost type, yet it got away free. What was even worse than not being able to exact VENGENCE AND DEATH upon the fiend, though, was the fact she couldn't do anything to help her master recover from this besides what she's doing now, as he's almost completely shut down his empathy/empathetic link towards others and walled himself off emotionally in order to cope/contain/control/confine/manage his RAGE while simultaneously continuously repair/shore up his mental defense/control over himself. Besides the scant amount of communication and weak but affectionate rubbing coming him, it was like he was a walking brick wall, neutral and unemotive as he puff smoke like an angry dragon. It burned and rackled her to see him in this state, to not be able to solve or fix besides just being there for him (Not enough in her over protective/nurturing opinion!) and being his sentry/bodyguard for the time being.

Suffice to say, the regal reptile was furious, discontent, and just plain unhappy on multiple levels, and looked about ready to spontaneously learn to Crunch anyone's head off if they happened to be unlucky/foolish enough to be the first to provoke her ire and be the first she vents her impotent fury on.

With that worryingly in mind, when that insufferable fairy lady that her master was so bewitched by slunking from out behind a rock she hide behind like a coward, with another one of her annoying Fairy types in her arms, trying to comfort her master despite having NO IDEA what is wrong with him and her own failed attempts in doing so......

.....Well, that was the proverbal straw that broke the Numel's back (Not Hanael's!).

In a matter of seconds, the giant snake was all but glaring  at the fae woman, rearing back her head and extending herself to her full, magnificent height, before she let out a great and terrible *HIIIIIIISSSSS!* that perfectly displayed her deadly fangs and rushed lowered her head straight at their own, stopping only inches away from making contact. The poisonous python stared menacingly at their pseudo rival, tongue flicking out and savoring the fear that was no doubt wafting off them from this intimidating stunt of hers, an unamused and displeasured scowl across their scalely face. She held this stare for several long, tortuous seconds, eyeing them up like whether or not she deciding she could get away with giving them a nip, before narrowing her eyes and pulling away with a low *Hiiiiiiiiiiis* and a huff of breath, still staring them in the eyes as they jerked their head to the side in a dismissive motion.

The message was clear: fuck right off. Neither she nor her master was in any shape or mood to deal with them, so the sooner they buzzed off, the better.

What was the strangest and perhaps heartbreaking part, though, was the complete lack of reaction from Ventus on both Apsis' and Shiva's actions. He did not initially react when she stroked his head, nor when his sister decided some venting and scare tactics were in order. He just continued to move on forward, almost completely ignoring her. It was only when Shiva said her piece on his struggle defilment fight with Chandelure that he reacted, halting in his tracks and leaving her to stumble to a stop as he did so.

Silence was the only thing that was said between the two for the longest time, before he turned his head and direct his own bonechilling Stare at his sister, causing her to rear back again, this time in worry/fear with an 'uh oh' expression on her face.

"Apsis, restrain yourself. I taught and raised you better than to lash out at someone undeserving. We'll find a worthy target to work out our stress upon, so until then behave and marshel your temper. Do not let it rule you," he said to her, his words sullen, apathetic, yet still charged with the smoldering embers of his RAGE as he direction a mere iota at his venomous viper. His response was enough to get them bobbing their head up and down, looking chastised and somewhat ashamed at what she done (but far from remorseful about it), but at the same time slightly eager too. While being on the receiving end of his anger was not good, at least it showed he wasn't completely out of it, and that they already had a plan to help deal with BOTH their frustration! It wasn't as good as getting REVENGE against that fiendish spector, but it was at least SOMETHING they could do!

Ventus then paused for a moment, as if remembering his fae friend had said something to him earlier, until he slowly spoke with great deliberation and an air of bitterness.

"No. But I will. Shiva, forgive me for saying this, but I wish to be left alone. I will lag behind and keep my own consul for now, and will alert the group if anything misfortunate or disaster worthy happens ASAP, and I shall return when I am able, so please inform the rest about this. ...Until then, good-bye."

The sociologist then departed from his most blessed friend's company and further ahead on the trail/path, looking for another Pokémon to capture in order to release some of his/Apsis' pent up RAGE and get SOMETHING out of this dreadful day. His regal reptile was swift to slither right behind him, throwing pointed looks behind her every now and again to make sure Shiva wasn't actually following them. This was THEIR time, not hers, so leave them be!

Order: Have Apsis do most of the reacting towards Shiva since Ven is still VERY much out of it/barely keeping himself from exploding/breaking down again, have him request to be alone and for her to tell the others his plans (Neatly tying it to what your character said), before he head off to find the Unusual Pokémon to capture. Again, PLEASE let this be just an nice Encounter... Ven has had it bad enough due to dice luck and Memento, so relief would be nice!

When Heart join with the others he see Shiva be threat by a snake Pokemon. He doesn't think twice then he have release both Gustav and Rose and was prepared to release a powerful Water Pulse and a hot Flare Blitz... until Ventus came out and call back Apsis. Heart release a relief sight and decided to join with the others. Gustav and Rose still make a nasty glare to the serpentine Pokemon, be ready to use a combination of fire and water again her! But than Heart stop the two Pokemon. "It's okay you two. Don't have to go violence."

Then Heart go in Shiva direction and begin to ask if she is okay. "Are you okay Shiva?! When I see Apsis I didn't know it was her. But are you...okay?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Whoahw, it seems like this one time, Shiva let her affections get the better of her and unknowingly and very foolishly brought herself into...mortal danger? Whether it really was, she wasn't sure, but if you'd ask her, it felt like it was.

This was exactly the risk that she was pondering over before. That small risk that was present always, despite how well a dangerous Pokemon has been tamed, that small risk she, maybe in an act of badly, so-badly placed boldness and courage, was foolish enough to take when she approached Ven and his Arbok. That false sense of safety she has developed on her own, the trust that he'd keep Apsis under control, that he'd never let his Pokemon harm those he cared for, all of that made her decision to NOT just let Ven be and trust in his iron grip on himself so crystalclear...

...now, as she was starring back into the Arbok's menacing eyes, she knew she has went too far. This one time she did, it'd be solely her fault if within a few moments, she could have first-person experienced how it really feels to be poisoned and suffer the pain of a Pokemon-inflicted septic shock by herself. True story, the fear was intense and Shiva could almost sense the breath of this majestic cobra, Apsis has all reason to bathe in this feelings, enjoying the reaction to her showing a young female thing with an affinity for fairies and nature/natural magic how intimidating she can be. Very well done, 10/10 points.

Only when Apsis let go but kept staring into her eyes, probably even admiring the reflected image of herself in her glasses to the utmost, Shiva actually dared to breath again while Marill, having kept very silent the whole time and practically hid herself in Shiva's arms as she formely always did in the top hat, dared to take a very carefuly look up to her sweet Master. The lesson she has learned here was very clear: Don't mess with an Arbok, don't mess with a poisonous snake, don't dare to mess with any Poison Type at all. All stuff Shiva already knew, but it got some more significance just in this moment.


Since Ventus is also walling himself off emotionally, Shiva was unable to detect or feel anything from his side, NOTHING, this just outright scared her in the silent because she has never seen him like THIS. She kept her respectful distance as he moved onwards the path, and only stumbled to that stop when he halted. The whole time, she didn't say a word, nothing, she only concentrated on her breath to calm herself down. It worked to some degree, to a degree that prevents her from heartbreaking that is.


She very clearly does NOT WANT to breakdown here. So she just...won't, enough said, Shiva will just carry on and surpress what just happened into memory, never bringing it back unless it's a must, neither will she mention anything towards this to Ven himself. Despite everything, it was still him. Despite everything...

She'll simply train her Psychic Types more in the future. They'll be with her, and protect her from poison more than they already do.

Neither did she reply to Ventus asking for her to leave him alone, she only looked him in the eyes with a waiting expression, giving him a slight nod to express that she'll grant him as much free and alone time as he wants. He knows he can always come to her in turmoil shall he desire to do so, but never would she stress things. Ven's old enough and experienced in life enough to deal with things splendidly on his own, she'll trust in that.


So when Heart asked her whether she was okay some time later, she displayed indeed being okay. "...I'll do well, Heart. Thank's for asking. I'll just GO and find a Furret now to play with, it's fine, don't worry for me more than necessary."

[Iron]

Ventus gets his wish a few miles down Route 05's tunnel. He's stalking ahead of the others, flinching at every movement, and even summoning a Pokemon a couple times to defend him from shadows or whirling dust. On the third try, he hears a rumbling sound and a few Furret leap overhead from out of a tunnel. Shiva, who is closest to him, moves to intercept those Furret.

But among the forbidden fuzz of Furret, Ventus' sharp insight spots a very different creature. It is stony and slithery, but when it leaves the Furret tunnel, gamboling just as they do, it seems to float in the air like Lilith rather than leaping from stone to stone! It's bigger than the Furret too, being about 8 feet long and proportionally broader. So as it passes, it enlarges the Furret tunnels with the sharp stony scales that run in circular bands along its body.

It has no paws. Its head is blunt, its mouth wide, and it has a long spike of stone over its eyes. Its movements and shape are a bit like a Gyarados, its personality is that of a Furret, but that body - that's obviously an Onix!! A very strange one that flies through the air instead of slithering through the ground.

[Iron]

Shiva's three Furret corner a Rattata, giving her time to catch up with them. The furry mass descends on the rodent, and when they turn, every trace of it is gone. The three Furret communicate to each other with a series of chirps!

One has white feet, like it's wearing socks. Another has a sort of mask-shaped coloration, like a Zigzagoon. The third is slightly larger than the other two, with normal markings.