[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh. A tad bit disappointed to be denied in her request, Shiva withdrew her arm again as soon as all the food she offered has been consumed by these Delibird. It's barely visible in her expression and body language, but it was unmistakably there - hidden between the mask of continued friendlyness and a smile towards these red-white icy birds. "No? Well, it was worth asking, thanks you for answering at all!~ If you're prefering to stay up there instead of coming along, I'm left to accept your decision." She bowed again to them.

Though... The mask of friendlyness and delight rather quickly melted away as if a Cyndaquil had uses Burn Up in this icy cavern as soon as Shiva noticed how her Mightyena was not too happy about the secondary gift he received. Needless to say, she knew what that greener tone of his dark fur meant. Guess this was...to some degree a dirty trick... Still, to not give herself completely ungrateful and denying, she forced herself to keep up that smile to the Delibird and wave them a goodbye without saying anything further. Nope, if these were able to badly poison her dear ones, she'd prefer to leave their presence as soon and as swift as possible.

Stepping close to both Yena and Dizzy, she rummaged a little in her stuff after having kneed down to them - she was just about to draw that bottle of valued Antidote as Ventus approached and intended to use one on her mighty butterwolfly, earning a confused state from Shiva before it developed into a thankful one as soon as having seen Yena growling in pleasure after the poison has been cleared from her bloodstream. A low "Thanks....Ven..." was all she was able to bring up before she pulled Yena's head into a close hug. Ventus was gifted with a shy but very sweet smile while she nuzzled the bacl neckfur of her Pokemon.

She also accepted that Egg in the Fast Incubator from him, and securely packed it away. How safe it is to carry an Pokemon Egg in this terrain and mission, she wasn't sure, but she's not to deny her love's ask especially since it's no costing her any effort thanks to her Lisence.


Onward they all went eventually, deliberately Shiva was walking a little in front of the others with Yena and Dizzy flanking her, carefully taking care to have Mr. Finder beside her. That was mostly to ask him something: "Eh... Mr. Finder, listen... Do you still have that Paralyze Heal I gave you earlier? ...Yes? Great. Because, well, I'd like to have it back to use it on this Absol here, you see how he's having trouble keeping up with us? ...Here, you can have this Chesto Berry instead, maybe having Slurpuff hold it. HOLD, dear one, you're not supposed to eat it right away! It's aroma will awake you immediately shall a foe put you into a slumber with their moves."

Once this was agreed and Dizzy was cured of his paralyzed state while Slurpuff is now holding a Chesto Berry (will claim it back if not used when the mission ends), Shiva took a worried look around before she slowly drew her Almanac, opened the Egg Checker installed on it thanks to the right modul, and used it to find out what species of Pokemon the Egg Ventus left in her care contains as well as the gestation process of the young one inside.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

After camp had been speedily set up thanks to the coordinated efforts of Shiva and her Pokémon (something he was in no good condition to do, and therefore was extremely grateful for) and a bland but filling ration bar as dinner, Ventus headed off to bed to be fully prepared for his second night watch shift, as he was not going to shirk his work 'just because' he nearly got blown to smitherins! His most precious person in the world's suddenly pinning him in place with a intense stare before yanking them both away from camp soundly foiled his attempt at getting some rest, leaving him quite surprised/startled in the process! And after seeing the mix of thunderously angry, miserably distraught, relieved thankfulness mix and mar his fae fancy's beautiful countenance and emotional state as she continued to stare at him in privacy.......

.......Well, it was certainly a deeply worrying, unnerving, forboading, and terrifying thing for Ventus to bear witness/being subject to. It had become apparent at mind boggling speeds that Shiva was just as an upset mess as he was when he nearly got exploded, and when she all but screamed at him that her current state was his fault, the often paranoid researcher was left extremely mystified and horrified. 'What in the name of the Tao Trio and Djin have I done to cause my dear Shiva to cause her to experience a near breakdown like myself?!' he thought, trying (and barely succeeding) not to let her feelings cause him to started panicking AGAIN and only compound the dire situation.....

.....And then she clarified just what caused/was causing her to react like she did/is, and he felt his heart drop into he pit of his stomach. Him pursuing Shedinja alone was the source of his dearly beloved girlfriend's woes, and that just made him feel like he was the scum of the earth. Before he could even begin to try and speak justifications for his actions and going from their to solve this problem, she had neatly denied him that by pre-emptively absolving him of his insatiable interest in Shedinja lead him to try (and failing right now) hunting it down, which completely threw him for a loop judging by the flabbergasted look he gave her. Her subsequently then re-affirming her point and rather forcibly entreating, nay, demanding reparations and alluding to the grievous emotional harm he had invariably inflicted on her had him stammering out a response, looking harried and flustered as he raised both hands in surrender/palication.

"Y-yes my dearest, I-I promise t-that I will f-fully and th-thoroughly repay you for th-the....m-my aggregious s-s-search for Shedinja! I-I h-had abso-solutely NO in-intention in-in dis-stressing y-you or th-the others, n-nor I-inspiring feelings of a-abandon-donment, pain, and s-sorrow in y-you as a re-result, and I'm de-deeply s-sorry fr-from th-the b-bottom of my h-heart! It-It won't ha-happen again, I s-swear, so p-please for-forgive me for th-this some-someday........!

His vows and promise did not stop her from continuing laying into/lambasting him for his then logical decision, causing him to lower his arms back down and weakly protest (after he managed to get himself stopping from stammering!) by saying: "But.....my sister Malphena can track the movement of Shedinja, and I frequently left markers for myself so I could find my way back to the group once I found it or ceased my search. Turiel and Lucifer could have also help find my way back with their respective keen navigation abilities......" However, he went into uneasy silence as she brought up how even worse fates could have befallen him, and her comment about leaving herself and his child alone almost made him physically ill at the thought alone. A future that he couldn't share with his cherished cherub and angelic girlfriend, and leaving both beavering at his death/vanishing? Perish Song the thought!!!

As she whispered those last few damning words, a line that was damning as bloody knife, Ventus couldn't help but hang his head in defeat, now feeling like an absolute failure of a man on top being a unthinking scumbag. "Shiva.......I'm........so sorry. I....didn't think of all the......implications and consequence......going on ahead on my search would.......entail. I just wanted......to find that Shedinja and see if I couldn't persuade it to be part of my research and perhaps even join my family......like the Ninjask that it was cast off and created from. I also......wanted to depart from that......Fern's presence, so I.....suppose.......in my.......haste to escape and locate Shedinja........I acted far more freckless and thoughtlessly than I originally thought...... After......After nearly being blown up with my brother and sisters in our search for it.........I think the fears and anguish you're experience are more that......justified.'

The researcher then chuckles at this point, but its a pitful, lifeless thing, and their was a now a ghost of a smile on his face to accompany it.

"The worst part is that I still wish to go after Shedinja, despite my family suffering for it, nearly getting harmed myself, and all the trouble I've caused for you my dear. The species is extraordinarily rare, and the circumstance about its creation from some but not all Nincada shells is shrouded in mystery, so very little is documented on it as a result. That, I feel a.....personal connection to it, as it was ushered into this world as a direct result of helping my Ninjask evolve, so I want to at least attempt to make an offer for it to join me should I find it. .......Strange, how our desires can lead us astray, or down paths we would not have traveled otherwise, isn't it? I can't promise you I'll stop in my quest to find Shedinja.....but I can promise you that I won't make the same mistake I made going after it alone in the first place. *Sighs* I'm so sorry for all this, my love. I'm sorry...."

Yena's support did little to comfort him at this point, but he is sure to give them a wane yet genuine smile and rub their head in thanks (if they let him), signaling they got their sentiments loud and clear.

At the end of her tirade, Ven preferred to be let go, frowning and letting out a tired, unhappy *Sigh* when she suddenly became apologetic over the reaming she gave him, and slowly shook his head in disagreement.

".....You are not the one who should be apologizing for this, dear. As I have said, your.....negative and passonate reaction to my depature is more than justified, so please don't feel culpable for your own feelings. What I did to you....to everyone was wrong, and I should be held to task for it. Otherwise, how am I to learn what is and is not acceptable, and become a wiser person for it......? .......I hate to do this to you, but I need some time to myself so I can.....reflect over my transgression and.......pull myself together after all that's......happened today. .............Good night, Shiva."

With that solemnly said, Ventus briskly departed from his girlfriend and headed towards the tent, both to get rest and do as he said. He was already a mess that was barely coming back together after nearly being made combustible in the explosion, but with Shiva's verbal assault and the realizations they bring.......he could feel himself threatening to fall apart at the seems. That, and he was generally speaking feeling quite miserable himself - and rightly so in his opinion - , so he didn't want to bring his most blessed girlfriend mood down any further than he already has. Hopefully by morning he'll be able to function with at least the semblance of normality......

Malphena again had almost zero interest in teasing/playing around with Ralts as she stood watch with her master, them, and Turiel, as the main bulk of her attention was divided between making sure Ven was really ok as he said he was and keeping watch of their surrounding. She does have her own priorities, and fortunately for Ralts he was on the bottom of the list at the moment, so he's spared of the screaming banshee's usual molestations! That didn't stop him from starting anything himself, however..... (AKA: If you want them to get some fun revenge on Malphena, now's the time!)

*Flashback Ends?*

Flashback!

Yeah, Ralts is goin' through quite a range of emotions currently, so he doesn't add anything else to the actual 'conversation' as he sorts through them and tries to remain calm.  Afterwards, however...

Well, he ends up giving Ventus a stern, worried look of his own.  'You had us ALL worried, buster!  Don't do that again!'  But once that's communicated, he calms down and gives Ventus a reassuring pat.  'It'll be fine.'

How much of those are his own opinion is hard to tell, but it's definitely not entirely something he picked up with his empathy...

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

During the night watch, Ralts is feeling a lot better.  He's still rather fussy about Ventus, but he's sure the human will bounce back from this.  So he spends some time to really sit down and analyze the emotions of everything in the general area.  If anything turns up, he'd inform Ventus immediately!  And maybe Nathan, too.

Fortunately, nothing does.

He ends up looking towards Malphena with a reeeaaallly puzzled expression on his face, though (not that anyone can actually see it due to the darkness and his green 'hat').  He shakes his head to clear it and refocuses a moment later.  Maybe he's just imagining things...there's all sorts of emotions he still has to sort through.  Maybe he's just mixing up a few...

He's not the kind of pokemon to seek revenge for just a little playful teasing.  Besides, Nathan told him and Calam off massively before...he really just wants the teasing to stop, though...*sigh*...it's at this point that he REALLY wishes he was a proper Gallade right about now, instead of simply trying to emulate being one...then this wouldn't be a problem...

[Iron]

Dizzy is cured of paralysis.

For common Eggs, the Egg checker can work its magic without an internet connection.

Ventus' Egg is indeed a Delibird. In the Fast Incubator, [/b]it will hatch on Day 63.[/b]

Valder's Egg is a Smoochum. I'm assuming it gets sent to the PC?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

An appreciating nod later Shiva packed the Fast Incubator with the Egg and her Almanac securely away again. How useful the Egg Checker's offline function was, expecting a working internet connection down here in the heart of a mountain in the middle of a far away region was simply too good to be true!

Delibirds are useful Pokemon is you know what to do, especially if they are bred to hatch with one or even a few of the egg moves inheritable. She'll tell Ventus later, same with informing him of the expected time of hatching, (doesn't have to be played out necessarily) which she carefully notes down on a page of her journal. While doing so, something about the dtae rings in her mind... If she wasn't totally mistaken, the day the young Delibird will hatch will be Chreshire's Valentine's Day for Pokemon! 'What hilarious concidence', she thought after confirming it to herself after some more paging. Still, this sensations caused her to let out a sigh tinged with sadness right in front of Mr. Finder, as during this holiday she'd wish for not much more than a pleasant and fun time together with her own Pokemon, on the surface where there is nature, fresh air and a ton of possibilities to spend a good time! Of course she understood that the mission clearly had priority, but it could only ease her so much. Maybe she'll still be able to show her companions how much she cares for them and appreciates their returned affection to a degree that's possible down here when the day eventually comes.


The Egg has been added on Quickpage beside my natural team of six and Dizzy.

[Iron]

Mt. Sentry Ice Biome Encounter 2

"Be careful, everyone. Stay very close together. Lots of shifting ice ahead, and little side tunnels. Our way is clear, it's the biggest tunnel, but I don't like what I can smell down those side cracks."

Your tunnel is suddenly enveloped in mist as he speaks. It erupts from the ground like slow geysers. Through the haze, you suddenly see twinkling points of colored lights studding the walls...but they weren't there before. You can't even see your friends at your side, yet you can see these lights.

You hear the tromp of boots on ice. The sound is somehow strange, not echoing properly.

"Everyone...I...I can't smell who is approaching. Slurpuff?" You hear Slurpuff shake its head. "It's like...there's nothing."

But you can hear the nothing breathing, breathing heavily. You hear the rattling of metal on metal as the footsteps get closer.

What's the plan?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

After the Delibird were left behind eventually, Shiva sticked close to her Dark Type and 'her' Dark Type as well as Mr. Finder and Slurpuff all while continuing to observe the tunnel. She noticed these several small side tunnels and looked down into everyone while walking, wondering in awe and fear what may lurk down there. What Mr. Finder said gave her a bad, BAD feeling - mentally, she already prepared for facing and battling anything, trusting in her Pokemon's strength. Intuitively reaching out with her hand, she felt Yena licking over it in silent comfort and assurance. He wasn't the small puppy he once was - now he was a mighty and hairy canine that'd crunch anything that might stand in their way beyond all recognition if receiving the order.

As that mist and these lights came, Shiva could barely see but definitely HEAR him snarling again at the unknown while he took a protective stance in front of his Master who already felt PANIC upcoming. Just when she recovered from yesterday's panic to some degree, more came to mess things up and forced her to stay strong if she doesn't want to risk to breakdown in anxiety!

More silent growls revealed her that Dizzy was close to her as well, with his white fur he was wonderfully hidden in this mist. Still, extending her hand a little, Shiva ended up touching something furry that she clearly recognized as his fur, he must be right beside her still! "Dizzy! Good that you're still there! Please, you know Future Sight, do you? Use it! What can you see with it? Danger? A battle? Shall we prepare to fight for our way and intention? What feeling do you get from this situation?" She'll properly react depending on what she picks up from/what Dizzy is 'telling' her.

Also: From these lights and the mechanical metal-on-metal-sounds, does Shiva get a feeling that a Magic Room could help or stop things?

If there's a battle incoming: My choice of Pokemon will likely be Azumarill and Mightyena, as these two are my current most offensive Pokemon. Is there enough time that Yena can get off a Howl?

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Mt. Sentry Ice Biome Encounter 2

"Be careful, everyone. Stay very close together. Lots of shifting ice ahead, and little side tunnels. Our way is clear, it's the biggest tunnel, but I don't like what I can smell down those side cracks."

Your tunnel is suddenly enveloped in mist as he speaks. It erupts from the ground like slow geysers. Through the haze, you suddenly see twinkling points of colored lights studding the walls...but they weren't there before. You can't even see your friends at your side, yet you can see these lights.

You hear the tromp of boots on ice. The sound is somehow strange, not echoing properly.

"Everyone...I...I can't smell who is approaching. Slurpuff?" You hear Slurpuff shake its head. "It's like...there's nothing."

But you can hear the nothing breathing, breathing heavily. You hear the rattling of metal on metal as the footsteps get closer.

What's the plan?

The moment the group's surrounding were blanketed with a thick mist, and the ominous *Clink!* of metal on stone/ice peddle its way closer to their position, a viscous scowl tore across Ventus face as he flicked both wrists down with great forced, two Pokéball's shooting out the sleeves on each and summoning Lucifer and Malphena to his side! They both picked up on their brother's/master's increased agitation and proceeded to flank his sides, the little devil giving his own toothy snarl at sound of inbound hostiles, while his mischevious spirit let out a low errie *Screee.......* at the metallic noises, warning them what would happen if they choose to cross them all!

"Kyurem's frosted domain, we're being ambushed! Battle positions, everyone! Malphena and Lucifer, prepare yourselves! If these creatures think they can try to assault us under the cover of this fog, then they are gravely mistaken."

Order: Malphena will be using Nasty Plot to boost her attack through the roof, while Lucifer will use Tailwind to mainly boost the speed of himself, his sister, and two other random allied Pokémon, but with the added sideffect/purpose of perhaps blowing away this blasted haze. Ven's too paranoid to take any chances with this Encounter, and the sound of metal reminds him of a much loathed enemy, so the only restraint he'll be showing is waiting to get a bead on all of them!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...) "Kyurem's frosted domain, we're being ambushed! Battle positions, everyone! Malphena and Lucifer, prepare yourselves! If these creatures think they can try to assault us under the cover of this fog, then they are gravely mistaken." (...)

Ah, that was Ventus' voice, loud and clearly! He was already somewhat answering her questions. N-Now to think about it, she highly doubted whatever is coming there would let them go without them having to force their way! Eeeeeekkkk!! Have they entered a foe's terrain, was this a nasty trap they blindly ran into?!

The fearful voice of a familiar fae enthusiast answered. "Battle? I'm.... I'm prepared, I guess! But Ven, how are we supposed to battle properly and even hit our aim if we can't even SEE it? It's....coming closer though!" Following this was a LOUD AND INTIMIDATING Howl from her butterwolfly, while Azumarill prepared herself without an audible note. Both were weaker Pokemon once, but thanks to Shiva's care they were now unafraid to charge at that yet unseen foe!

[Dragonstrike]

Well, this is unexpected.  

Nathan's still next to Swiftfire for obvious reasons, so he immediately mounts her.  He knows she'll protect him if she has to.

If there's some kind of attack incoming, they're both ready to dodge it!

Evade!
Accuracy: 5 + 3 + 2 = 10

Calam is on guard too. However, there's something else that's going to probably try to take advantage of this mist...something, small, round, and green that Nathan doesn't want escaping. He hasn't quite lost track of it yet, but that'll change soon if he doesn't do something now.

Pursuit on Solosis!
Accuracy: 6 + 3 + 3 = 12
Damage: 2 + 2(?) + STAB + BG + 3 - 2 + SE = 7/9 D6 + 1 damage
Note: Crit is 4 successes. Solosis is KOed if it takes 3+ damage

Orders in summary: Defensive action for Swiftfire and Nathan, KO Solosis with Calam!

[Iron]

The metal-on-metal sound doesn't sound like grinding gears, but more clinking of metal objects in proximity to each other. There's time for any Pokemon to use a move or prep an Evade.

Dizzy fires off a Future Sight. It doesn't seem to give him any useful information, but it will help deal with any opponents when they loom out of the mist.