[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Technically, that's true! She would have 3 Dex if we were keeping strict track, and she has not yet (flavorwise) benefited from Nathan's training. However, she is benefiting from your badges!

Huh.  Weird.

But since Nathan doesn't yet have a pair that both raise the same stat by 0.5 yet, guess that means Ventus gets to catch up since Furret's struggling to keep up as well because she can't match a 4 Dex pace!  Nathan slows down and offers Furret a sheepish apology.

"...whoops, sorry about that, Furret...guess I got carried away a little...I'll slow down a little for ya.  Should probably be moving a little more slowly anyways, thinking about it..."

Well, on to the Tea Ceremony at a slightly slower pace, then!  Let's throw in some music too!

The Kimono Girls' Pagoda: Ecruteak Dance Theater - Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

When Shiva join with them Heart cheerfully his hand. "Heeeeya Shiva! Good morning! How are you today?" Say Heart when he open a smile. He was eating a good breakfast with coffee and a few fruits as banana. Its important to have a die rich with iron. "*Yaawn* I fine just a little snooze. Zzzzz...Dont like very much to stand up so soon. But I deadly curious about Tea Ceremony. And doing some training later. Yesterday was a little tough. Fough a group of Starly and one Vullaby. I capture the Vullaby and one Starly. I like very much the Starly evolution line heh. And do some training session sparing with Koa. Despite be a little dragon, he have the fierce of a adult! Go reckled after the spar session. You should someday in that training sessions. It would help you increase some stamina."

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk, why does Heart have to tell her so many words so early in the morning? Shiva gives him a subtle baffled expression, before only nodding faintly to his slight waterfall of words describing what he experienced yesterday.

"Uhm..... Eh, yeah, good morning? Starlys are okay... I should do what about training sessions? Eh, nope, my hair's always somewhat untidy... *coffee-sipping noise* "Good stuff. Hm, I'll get going to the Pagoda then....Thanks for....having waited on me? I guess?"

Heart smiled. "No problemo Shiva. Dont feel...."Teasome" after the Pagoda. You can always...."Coffess" your taste for pagoda. Have a...(Magic)arp day. Eyyyy!" Say Heart finish his breakfast pun. "Get it? "Teasome"? "Tiresome"? Coffee/Confess? Coffeess?" He nod his head with a tired face. "Argh, even I must admit: That last puns I make was terrible. Even for my taste. Sorry about that. I become lazy when awake soon."

[Lord Windos]

But since Nathan doesn't yet have a pair that both raise the same stat by 0.5 yet, guess that means Ventus gets to catch up since Furret's struggling to keep up as well because she can't match a 4 Dex pace! 

Due to Nathan decelerating his pace to a more comfortable speed, Ventus was finally able to catch up to him, jogging right up from behind before slowing his pace to match their's after said conversation towards Furret, looking a bit winded but never the less fine.

"Ha.....Bit eager to get to the Tea Ceremony on time, Nathan? I.....Ha.....know you wish to get their on time and witness it like myself, but surging on ahead when you clearly have enough time to stroll over their is unnecessary. Ha.....Especially since I can hardly keep up with such a pace, much less try and catch up! Now, what say we continue our journey towards the pagoda together, alright....?"

Regardless of the reply (if any), Ventus is also ready to arrive at the Tea Ceremony!

[Iron]

The little pagoda makes a lovely silhouette in the half light when you all arrive so early in the morning. At 5:25, the first people come to sit on the marble steps in a half circle surrounding the pagoda. At 5:30 precisely, a little music starts playing, and all the slatted sides of the pagoda slowly open, creating an open-air pavilion with a parquet floor. A tiny ivory building left of the dance theater opens up too, but just on one side.

At 6:00 precisely, a gong chimes. A grassy path suddenly blooms into existence, leading through the garden to the pagoda. Eight young ladies in silken kimonos and dainty sandals start walking up the path in rhythm to the music that is suddenly swelling. Step, pause...step, pause... They make their way gracefully up to the pagoda, where they lower themselves gently into silken hassocks. As one, they pull out a fan and begin fanning themselves.

There is a flash of Pokeball light, and eight Pokemon of varied colors appear: every possible League-recognized evolution of Eevee. The graceful Pokemon step forward to take the shoes of their trainers, which they hide away behind the hassocks. Then they step back and sit in a precise manner. They are lined up from smallest to largest, with only an inch or so in difference between their sitting heights.

From out of that smaller building, and with slightly less grace, comes a younger Eevee. Behind it rolls a cart cloaked in fine linens of varied colors. It follows the Eevee's every move, though it does not look connected by any cordage, nor does it give any sign of being motorized. This Eevee has not yet learned the grace of its older dance partners, and occasionally stumbles or looks perplexed. But it reaches the pagoda, along with the cart, without incident.

The Kimono Girls rise and bow to their partners, then each bows to Eevee in quick succession. They grasp a silk of the opposite color of their kimono and pull it from the cart, revealing several shelves full of tea paraphernalia. First, the blue kimono checks to see if any drop of water has been spilled. It has not. She gives Eevee another bow.

The red dancer removes a small wireframe contrivance, and changes place with Flareon several times in dance before Flareon lights the fuel provided by Jolteon. You're starting to notice that each species has a slightly different style of dance, with Jolteon being quite hunting-doglike and Flareon being more foxlike. It's a bit like the different combat styles you might see among different cultures (or Benders). Naturally, the Kimono Girls have trained in the same style as their partner. It's amazing to see how the human form can pay tribute to the quadruped form.

While this is going on, Umbreon and Espeon take up dancing positions to face the sun and moon, both still visible in the sky at the moment. As the sun rises and the moon fades, these Pokemon must take up several positions in the dance.

Vaporon and the blue kimono fill the kettle with clear water from the cart and hang it over the little fire. The feline Leafeon and her partner are in charge of the herbs. Glaceon handles the ceramics, a very dainty, calm, and slow moving couple. They almost skate when they dance.

The teakettle is almost ready. Dozens of tiny little teacups and saucers have been set up on the floor, including nine saucers set alone with no cups. When the first wisps of steam rise, the dance changes, moving slowly to the sides. People dart in to pour tea into the cups and take it onto trays, until they've all been collected onto eight trays.

The music calms and the dancers pull aside like curtains. From a light mist steps the silhouette that has been missing for most of the dance: the rare Sylveon, the ultimate in grace and propriety. She prances forward like a show dog, right down the aisle, and slips a small cube of sugar into some of the cups, so rapidly it's incredible that she makes no mistake and never lacks for grace.

Then there is more dancing, culminating in each Pokemon leaping up on two legs for just three steps, then spinning around held aloft by their trainers. It's not a frenzied dance like you might see in figure skating, but just a calm reaffirmation of friendship.

The music retreats to mere background noise. The dancers each pick up a tray and move among the crowd, bowing and offering tea to the guests before they drink themselves. From the coloration you can see a few different flavors of traditional teas: Green, Black, flowering, red, Oolong, or delicate. It becomes clear that the different dance steps obscured a complexity of different preparations for these different tea flavors, which require different heats and steeping times. And some don't require sweetener.

The Kimono girls retire to their divans and sip their tea. The Pokemon sit quietly and politely lap their tea from saucers. An elderly man walks among the crowd, answering questions in a quiet voice and passing out thin wooden flyers that explain in two languages that those who wish to may have a chance to battle with a Kimono Girl.

Kimono Battle Rules
-Write your name on your flyer with the ink pens and put it into the old man's floral basket.
-One name is drawn from that basket, and then one of the flowers is drawn, corresponding to an Eeveelution color.
-Eevee, Leafeon, and Sylveon do not fight.
-No fainting. All attacks are held back if even a crit would faint them (if a crit is possible)
-No big scary Pokemon or big scary attacks. They reserve the right to refuse a challenger.
-Winning or losing is not seen as important. Style is very important. Win or lose you will get XP.
-The battle can be cancelled at any time, and the pace is slow, so we'll be doing just one move per round.
-You can tell me how many accuracy dice you will remove from any move. These are all added as stylistic flair dice. Your Perform specialty is also added as a flat bonus.
-Battles are held each morning, each noon, and each evening. Midnight battles are a very rare ceremonial occasion.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

The little pagoda makes a lovely silhouette in the half light when you all arrive so early in the morning. At 5:25, the first people come to sit on the marble steps in a half circle surrounding the pagoda. At 5:30 precisely, a little music starts playing, and all the slatted sides of the pagoda slowly open, creating an open-air pavilion with a parquet floor. A tiny ivory building left of the dance theater opens up too, but just on one side.

At 6:00 precisely, a gong chimes. A grassy path suddenly blooms into existence, leading through the garden to the pagoda. Eight young ladies in silken kimonos and dainty sandals start walking up the path in rhythm to the music that is suddenly swelling. Step, pause...step, pause... They make their way gracefully up to the pagoda, where they lower themselves gently into silken hassocks. As one, they pull out a fan and begin fanning themselves.

There is a flash of Pokeball light, and eight Pokemon of varied colors appear: every possible League-recognized evolution of Eevee.  The graceful Pokemon step forward to take the shoes of their trainers, which they hide away behind the hassocks. Then they step back and sit in a precise manner. They are lined up from smallest to largest, with only an inch or so in difference between their sitting heights.

From out of that smaller building, and with slightly less grace, comes a younger Eevee. Behind it rolls a cart cloaked in fine linens of varied colors. It follows the Eevee's every move, though it does not look connected by any cordage, nor does it give any sign of being motorized. This Eevee has not yet learned the grace of its older dance partners, and occasionally stumbles or looks perplexed. But it reaches the pagoda, along with the cart, without incident.

The Kimono Girls rise and bow to their partners, then each bows to Eevee in quick succession. They grasp a silk of the opposite color of their kimono and pull it from the cart, revealing several shelves full of tea paraphernalia. First, the blue kimono checks to see if any drop of water has been spilled. It has not. She gives Eevee another bow.

The red dancer removes a small wireframe contrivance, and changes place with Flareon several times in dance before Flareon lights the fuel provided by Jolteon. You're starting to notice that each species has a slightly different style of dance, with Jolteon being quite hunting-doglike and Flareon being more foxlike. It's a bit like the different combat styles you might see among different cultures (or Benders). Naturally, the Kimono Girls have trained in the same style as their partner. It's amazing to see how the human form can pay tribute to the quadruped form.

While this is going on, Umbreon and Espeon take up dancing positions to face the sun and moon, both still visible in the sky at the moment. As the sun rises and the moon fades, these Pokemon must take up several positions in the dance.

Vaporon and the blue kimono fill the kettle with clear water from the cart and hang it over the little fire. The feline Leafeon and her partner are in charge of the herbs. Glaceon handles the ceramics, a very dainty, calm, and slow moving couple. They almost skate when they dance.

The teakettle is almost ready. Dozens of tiny little teacups and saucers have been set up on the floor, including nine saucers set alone with no cups. When the first wisps of steam rise, the dance changes, moving slowly to the sides. People dart in to pour tea into the cups and take it onto trays, until they've all been collected onto eight trays.

The music calms and the dancers pull aside like curtains. From a light mist steps the silhouette that has been missing for most of the dance: the rare Sylveon, the ultimate in grace and propriety. She prances forward like a show dog, right down the aisle, and slips a small cube of sugar into some of the cups, so rapidly it's incredible that she makes no mistake and never lacks for grace.

Then there is more dancing, culminating in each Pokemon leaping up on two legs for just three steps, then spinning around held aloft by their trainers. It's not a frenzied dance like you might see in figure skating, but just a calm reaffirmation of friendship.

The music retreats to mere background noise. The dancers each pick up a tray and move among the crowd, bowing and offering tea to the guests before they drink themselves. From the coloration you can see a few different flavors of traditional teas: Green, Black, flowering, red, Oolong, or delicate. It becomes clear that the different dance steps obscured a complexity of different preparations for these different tea flavors, which require different heats and steeping times. And some don't require sweetener.

The Kimono girls retire to their divans and sip their tea. The Pokemon sit quietly and politely lap their tea from saucers. An elderly man walks among the crowd, answering questions in a quiet voice and passing out thin wooden flyers that explain in two languages that those who wish to may have a chance to battle with a Kimono Girl.

Kimono Battle Rules
-Write your name on your flyer with the ink pens and put it into the old man's floral basket.
-One name is drawn from that basket, and then one of the flowers is drawn, corresponding to an Eeveelution color.
-Eevee, Leafeon, and Sylveon do not fight.
-No fainting. All attacks are held back if even a crit would faint them (if a crit is possible)
-No big scary Pokemon or big scary attacks. They reserve the right to refuse a challenger.
-Winning or losing is not seen as important. Style is very important. Win or lose you will get XP.
-The battle can be cancelled at any time, and the pace is slow, so we'll be doing just one move per round.
-You can tell me how many accuracy dice you will remove from any move. These are all added as stylistic flair dice. Your Perform specialty is also added as a flat bonus.
-Battles are held each morning, each noon, and each evening. Midnight battles are a very rare ceremonial occasion.

Heart was quite impress with that perfomance. Both Rose and Koa was out of the pokeball too and see that great Ceremony! Even more Koa who have big shiny eyes. "Wow. This is pretty incredible isn't people?" Say Heart to Shiva, Nathan and Ventus. When Heart take the Tea, Rose and Koa takes to them too. "Hmm so we can battle against the Kimono girls huh. I kinda interest to fight. Dont know witch pokemon I should take to fight. This might be a good chance to you Koa. With your move as Dragon Dance, you would be bring a show."

[Dragonstrike]

That dance was...wonderful...Nathan is awestruck. Ralts too, and I imagine on some level the Kirlia in him is squeeling in delight at the performance and had to resist the urge to start Lucky Chanting and dancing himself.

Nathan takes one of the teas that doesn't need sweetener.

What a wonderful start to the day...

--------------------------------

...but now it's getting even better. Ooh boy. They might get a chance to battle one of the eeveelutions now too. This sounds like a perfect opportunity...

Nathan doesn't hesitate to put his name in the basket being passed around. He knows who he'll probably be using if he gets picked, too...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

True story, Shiva was pretty tired this morning, and still was as she made her way to the Pagoda in the early sun beams alongside Heart, all while warming and energizing herself with that sinfully sweet and strong coffee-to-go. Cottonee seemed to not mind being up that early, and gently floated beside her beloved Master.


Several times along the was Shiva checked the time on cell, each time she was confirmed that she'll be there early enough to hopefully get a good seat, as it'd be pointless to get up so early to see something, and the the view is blocked or bad...

Nevermind, she found the others of the traveling group, and together they found a good place. Now, she actually had the muse to look around - oh, that ivory building has already opened.... Was that where the tea was stored? Hmm. Anyway, staring at this building all while enjoying that small calming music being played and emptying her coffee, she realized that the caffeine as well as the anticipation of seeing that dance (and all Eeveelutions, aww) was slowly but steadily doing a fine job on 'awaking' her from her half-sleepy state. Cottonee, who was found her personal VIP-seat up on Shiva's head and was getting comfy there as if Shiva's har was a wide meadow of wildflowers in every color imaginable, occassionally nudged her with one of her leaves to keep her awake. More time-checking from her side.

Just when her cell showed 6:00am precisely, that gong came in and show started, whee!~ She made sure to get a good view on all the beautifully lined up Eeveelutions. It was somewhat hard for her though to pick which one's performance she was enjoying most... Naturally that Espeon's and Umbreon's own small show gave her a pleasant chill down the spine and allured the first deramy smile of the day from her, but that Vaporeon made her think of her own Vaporeon - how's she doing at the Daycare? And, ooooh THAT was 'contained' in that ivory building, that smol Eevee was practically the cutest cinnamon roll ever!~ Though...the awe intensified when that SYLVEON was revealed - oh how Shiva was infatuated by that particular Pokemon! She could almost feel the love and loyalty it emitted, with its ribbonlike feelers it already caught her - the grace this Fairyeevee displayed was one of a kind. Hummmm~

Therfore, Shiva made double-sure to thankfully accept a tea that certainly contained a sugarcube slipped in by Sylveon. That made the tea taste twice as sweet... She savoured every sip of it with gusto, and couldn't help that dear smile that soon formed on her expression - of course Shiva made sure to share some of this precious tea with Cottonee!


The opening that these precious Kimonogirls even were open for...battles almost caused her to choke on that tea. Almost! Now a frown came in as she pondered whether she should... Oh, but neither Leafeon nor Sylveon take part in that battle? That small Eevee Shiva could understand, but these two...? Hum, anyway, she hestitated, pondered, shared some glances with her cottonlike Pokemon and the others of the group... Before she too wrote her full (FULL) name onto the flyer she picked up, then put it a bit nervously into that flower basket provided. Hehe... She knew she with her natural grace and fairies could not really keep up with these Kimonogirls unless she'd invest some time training, but she was none to deny the chance for a battle where a good performance was more important than determining who the stronger one was.

Shiva also has a question for that elerdly man with the basket. "Uhm, yeah, I do....have a question, please! Concerns that Eevee... Such a cutie it is!~ But I only counted eight Kimonogirls, and there are eight evolutions of Eevee known (in her mind, Shiva added 'Not counting Nucleon') - to which of these girls belongs this Eevee? Or is it like a 'group Pokemon'? And how old is it? I know Eevees, and from the way this one's neckfur bristles, it doesn't seem to be older than maximum a year."

[Iron]

"Oh, you are spot on, hakase-chan! This young Eevee will be eleven months of age this week. She belongs to everyone for now; you can think of her as a sort of deshi, apprentice. When she is older, or one of the other dancers retires, she will have the chance to choose a partner before other hopefuls. This may be based on her evolution or personality or simply what is available. No more than two of the same evolution are ever on the roster at the same time."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Oh, 'hakase-chan', that's what that Eevee is nicknamed? What a sweet name! So that means it's still completely open to which form she'll evolve, shall she ever evolve... Good to know, thank you!~" Shiva got the feeling that with such a precious batch of sensei, that Eevee will probably learn fast or at least make some constant progress. After all, she hasn't spilled any water for the tea as she brought in the cart?

[Dragonstrike]

"Oh, 'hakase-chan', that's what that Eevee is nicknamed? What a sweet name!"

Nathan nudges Shiva.

"...actually, he's complimenting you, Shiva."