[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"...just out of c-curiosity...are you familiar with who Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are?"

Snivy shakes his head.

"...well, for reference...the Legendary Titans...or Regis as some call them...they're beings that represent certain elements in their purest form, right?  From what I can say...and do forgive me if my assumption is off base since I'm working with limited information here...the Regi down here is representative of plant matter.  Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf...they're representative of less...physical things.  They're more spiritual in nature.  Uxie is Knowledge, Mesprit is Emotion, and Azelf is Willpower.  They're said to be the Legends that made living things as free spirited as we are today...that's not why I brought them up, though.  No, why I brought them up is..."

Deep breathes...in...out...brrrr....

"...well, you remember how I said someone asked me to help solve that little problem with the vines on the surface?  It was...Mesprit that asked me to do it.  And...well, I don't want to disappoint Mesprit.  Let down the region.  Not...meet the expectations everyone has of me..."

...

"...we stopped the vines, but...the things that were guiding their growth, the G-ground and Psychic typed Claydol...they're still up there.  In the Skull Ruins.  I can't help but feel...that we need to do something about that eventually...so..."

"...can I ask again?  Would you please consider helping me?  I've quite enjoyed meeting you, and...I think you'd be a great help in the battles to come.  I know you have tasks here, and you've done a good job with them for sure...but I think I'd quite like getting to know you a little better if there's an opportunity to..."

[Iron]

Clarifying a few things for Shiva:

The shadowy wisps in the jar are like tendrils of mist. They were wrapped around the big Fern, and now they float like clouds in front of your tiny fern. Whenever they do, the jar goes a little darker, and when they float away, it becomes brighter (moonlight).

The Chingling here are all the big-mouthed ones with the tiny, underdeveloped eyes.


You make a snow angel, but it's kind of rough, because no square meter of the ground is flat. It's all bumpy and lumpy with split stones and hairy roots!

[Iron]

"...just out of c-curiosity...are you familiar with who Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are?"

Snivy shakes his head.

"...well, for reference...the Legendary Titans...or Regis as some call them...they're beings that represent certain elements in their purest form, right?  From what I can say...and do forgive me if my assumption is off base since I'm working with limited information here...the Regi down here is representative of plant matter.  Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf...they're representative of less...physical things.  They're more spiritual in nature.  Uxie is Knowledge, Mesprit is Emotion, and Azelf is Willpower.  They're said to be the Legends that made living things as free spirited as we are today...that's not why I brought them up, though.  No, why I brought them up is..."

Deep breathes...in...out...brrrr....

"...well, you remember how I said someone asked me to help solve that little problem with the vines on the surface?  It was...Mesprit that asked me to do it.  And...well, I don't want to disappoint Mesprit.  Let down the region.  Not...meet the expectations everyone has of me..."

...

"...we stopped the vines, but...the things that were guiding their growth, the G-ground and Psychic typed Claydol...they're still up there.  In the Skull Ruins.  I can't help but feel...that we need to do something about that eventually...so..."

"...can I ask again?  Would you please consider helping me?  I've quite enjoyed meeting you, and...I think you'd be a great help in the battles to come.  I know you have tasks here, and you've done a good job with them for sure...but I think I'd quite like getting to know you a little better if there's an opportunity to..."

Snivy looks to the Weavile for their assessment. They shrug. Snivy has another few tests for Nathan. He makes sure the big fern doesn't reject Nathan, makes sure the Torterra and Snover aren't offended by him, brings him near the Elder Unown to see if anything untoward happens. 

Nathan holds respect for all these beings in his heart, so Snivy finally nods. He'll help out, since his true master seems to will it.

[Dragonstrike]

Snivy looks to the Weavile for their assessment. They shrug. Snivy has another few tests for Nathan. He makes sure the big fern doesn't reject Nathan, makes sure the Torterra and Snover aren't offended by him, brings him near the Elder Unown to see if anything untoward happens. 

Nathan holds respect for all these beings in his heart, so Snivy finally nods. He'll help out, since his true master seems to will it.

Nathan smiles.  "Thank you, Snivy.  And if you need another piece of proof for good measure..."

Nathan digs in his bag for a moment and pulls out the Tail Gemstone Replica.

"...here, you can take a look at it if you like.  It's a replica of one of the gemstones that Mesprit has in its tails.  Shiva, Valder, Ventus, and Heart all have similar gemstones too.  I believe Mesprit gave them to us for a reason,  They just kinda...appeared in our possessions soon after Ralts and I...well, freed Mesprit from its confinement.  It's...kinda a long story.  I'll tall ya about it another time.  Probably when we're back on the s-surface.  And another thing...since you're gonna be helping out...that means we get to travel together!  Which also means you'll need a proper pokeball.  So..."

Nathan also gets out a normal Pokeball.

"Just touch the button on it, and that'll seal the deal.  I'm really ex-excited to get to know you a little better, friend.  I think we'll make a good team."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Thanks for these clarifications! I'll make sure to note all that cool stuff later.
Doesn't matter whether it's rough, because it's snow and she's up for that risk. Shiva feels that roughness more than before though, due to trance.


Only very faintly Shiva noticed something new as she was just watching these Torterra being busy with their task with fascination gleaming in her eyes, something that was definitely not there before, fly through the cavern - it was like a dark shadow. Yveltal? By all means, please no... Though, wait a moment - this presence was not dark at all, it was peaceful and pleasant. And it was gone, out of her sight. Well, as long as it's peaceful just like her, she's all fine with it.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


When Raphael would come to her with a paper message in his mouth, the archangel would find her cozily nestled in a spot of snowy grass, with Cottonee close in her arms and Furret half-curled around her. The fluffball opened one eye and then chirped at the co-fairy, then cuddled up to her beloved Master again.

Said Master was all still and had her eyes closed, so she actually didn't notice anything. She WAS breathing however, and Raphael would recognize this - her breathing was steady, very calm and deep, and it all somwhat reminded on meditating - Shiva was reenergizing, she simply took a break down here which evolved into a nap. Whether it was to do that here, close to the Central Fern and few Pokemon around that have ever seen a human before ('These are happy! They're seperated from humans and human contact - and they're still HAPPY, YES.'), Shiva didn't know, but she couldn't care less actually. No entering REM Phase, so no vivid, vivid dreams gifted by the flared subconscious mind.

Poor Raphael had to work quite hard to get Shiva awake, however, but when she did, she greeted him with a fond smile. Oh... that.....that was her love's Togekiss! Trance State is getting unstable, Siva has been reminded on the others of the group - and with it, on the quest they're in. Launching...

The voice Shiva spoke kept that oily and suggestive tone however. "Be greeted, dear Raphael. It's nice to see you!" *ruffling his head feathers* "Where's your Master and father, hum? You're...alone here? Has something happened that needs my input? Haaaah... I'm not up for trouble or battling. Do please forgive me for th-huh? That note, that's for me?" *nodding, which caused Shiva to perk up and concentrate her attention on Raphael. Furret and Cottonee do as well, and somethingelse faded... Trance state suffers cracks. It's only a matter of time.

"Don't tell me that this's a smutty love note, will ya, dear one? Why in Reshiram's holy name....should he send such stuff, and least of all here and now...." Raphael eagerly shook his head, a few feathers loosened themselves. "Ah.... What then? Trouble? Is that an apology? For what? ...........Anyway, hand it to me, please. I'll give it a read....."

"My companions, I wish to inform you that I will be going onwards in pursuit of a Shedinja I found earlier, and to set up camp up ahead. Between all my family member and my own fortitude I will be perfectly fine in doing this, so please don't fret over my abscene! If anything befalls me, though, my sister Malphena will rush off to gather and request you aid. Until we reunite, stay safe and well."

"..............Oh. He's....serious about wanting to be left alone......... scouting ahead,  hunting a Shedninja..." With a somewhat sad look in her face, Shiva allowed herself to fall backwards into the snowy grass again, the note still firmly in her hand, a heavy sigh escaped her. Memories came back.... The Central Fern was silent. Trance State breaks and ends. Thank you Ventus, Raphael coming to her is a good trigger for Shiva. The aftermaths are lingering within her for a little longer, but she'll soon be back at 'normal'.


With a fond smile, she faced Raphael from the side, not getting up though, so she somehow looks up to him. It's a wonderful sight, filled with joy, delight and even love, but it was clearly tinged with sadness - with the memories, the issues came back. "In that case... We should soon get going, shall we? Will you stay a little longer with me, dear one? I'd appreciate that, but I won't blame you if you'd not be up to it. But.....when was actually the last time you were with me, Raphael? Back in Corsage Port, as we were shopping, visiting a cruise of eternal sunlight, correct? That's so long ago...... I was buying natural meds. Dearest Reshiram, I was in a horrible state back then... Everything was too much, the feelings of being overshadowed were intense, alongside came rejection from Ven. I didn't know how to cope. I still don't know for sure what to do when I fall into this...state again. You understand that? A feeling of...well, nothing. You're feeling nothing, somewhat sad, and something's constantly reminding you of how you messed up, how it's your fault. These voices were whispering horrible things to me. If I'd follow them, I wouldn't be here now, couldn't speak with you. I'd be freaking dead." Fine, she has spoken it out. To Raphael, it seems like Shiva trusts this Togekiss a lot. Now, she averts her gaze and hides her face in her hands, however. Unpleasant meories.

When she faces Raphael again, she looks weird - partly very sad, partly very thankful. "I don't want to...feel such a thing again. Whether I can prevent me from doing so, I dunno.... But Pokemon like you are there. Help is there! Now.... If you'd indeed stay with me until we meet your Master again... I'd rejoice. You can be lucky to have someone like him as your...well, father in everything but blood. Though despite that, Ven has a special meaning to you, right? I haven't many of your interactions though, dear one. Is he a decent dad to you? And how....do you think of him?"


---------------
Mechnics:
I don't care whether it's Windos or GM who answers that, if I had to choose I'd ask the first.
Technically, I'm finished with my stuff in this icy-grassy-wonderland, so after a little interacting with Raphael we can move on from my side. EDIT: Can be a flashback.

[Iron]

Snivy was caught!

2/2/1
Overgrow
Can use any light source to photosynthesize, including moonlight
Vine Whip, Wrap, Growth, Leech Seed, Coil, Giga Drain, Synthesis

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Guess with that, everyone is done with the Central Fern area, huh?

As said, I am as well. I'll simply assume that Shiva eventually regroups with the others, Raphael, Cottonee and Furret by her side, then joins in following the tunnel Mr. Finder pointed towards - before she leaves the cavern, she gazes back at the Central fern, silently thanking him. Goodbye. Fern-in-a-jar, now with a few frosty pebbles and these mystic tendrils, is packed away for now - no need to allure questions from the others.

(Technically, I'm also waiting yoru reply on interactions with dear Togekiss, but that doesn't have to be right away/can be a flashback or such. Actually, it's anything a timeless thing that she's discussing him.)

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart is walking between the Snover in their circle. It seems they are all Ingrained, their own roots meshing with those of the Fern in mutual symbiosis. They inspect Heart as he inspects them - and then some Patrat pop out and start inspecting Heart even more.

Neither species seems to have ever seen a human.

It looks like the Snover had little berries on them recently, but the Patrats' stuffed cheek pouches hint that the berries may have been eaten and are now stored as seeds.

Your own Patrat chatters with the Snover rats, and gains +1 Happiness.

A Bulbasaur crawls up the wall nearby like a gecko. It doesn't seem to have any tasks in mind; it's just making its slow way somewhere.

Heart was gadly but decided to ask a few questions to the residents of the place. "Hey Patrats could I ask you guys something? You guys by chance have meet a group of strange people? With Metal Gauntlets, robes and hoods and with evil faces? And perhaps a group of Solosis? Green round Pokemon? Anything?"

[Iron]

Good question there, Heart. Patrat leads you over to a ledge that seems to be the Weavile's nest. There, you find an oozing pile of green goo and a deflated membrane with a piece of metal sticking through it - the corpse of a Solosis.

[Dragonstrike]

Snivy was caught!

2/2/1
Overgrow
Can use any light source to photosynthesize, including moonlight
Vine Whip, Wrap, Growth, Leech Seed, Coil, Giga Drain, Synthesis

"Alright, so...there is one more catch.  I can only carry 6 of my pokemon with me at a time due to some of our rules on the surface, unfortunately.  I don't exactly have room for you to stick around while I'm down here, unfortunately, since I need my other pokemon for certain unique skills they have while we're all down here.  So you're gonna be sent to a...different place.  We call it a PC for short.  I've got a lot of other friends in there, so take some time to get to know them, alright?  I'll see ya again when we return to the surface, Snivy!  I'm looking forward to it!"

Snivy is sent to Bill's PC.

Soon after, Ventus's letter arrives...

...and with it, follows a few questions.

1.  What the heck is a Shedinja doing down here of all places?

2. Why is he risking this at all?!  He knows how dangerous getting lost down here is, right?!

Despite the assurances that he'll be fine, Nathan's not entirely convinced it will be...

Well, time to do a little cleaning up and management.  Unfortunately, he needs to trim down the number of pokemon he has out right now...Snivy is sorted already.  Ditto and Solosis, he can't recall...Calam has to stay out...well, that leaves recalling Ralts and...Swiftfire.

...

...he has to do it though if he hopes to try and keep track of things...so he does.

Brrrr...now he feels a LOT colder.  He'll try to tough it out for a little while, though...if anything, at least Swiftfire doesn't have to worry about the weirdness of this snowy, underground cavern for now...

But now he should be able to keep proper track of Oddish Ditto and Solosis with Calam's help.  Now then, unless there's some sort of trouble that needs to be taken care of...onwards!