[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

When he saw that Slakoth literally hanging around, he just summons Apsis to gobble them up, as its been awhile since she's had a nice, live meal to snack on, *Hiiiiisss!*
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Ventus himself was completely oblivious to the holiday's existence, given his status as a foreigner, but quickly grew to share in Nathan's envigorating joy as they told him all about the holiday, becoming greatly intrigued in the process as well! A day that commemorates the bonds between humans and their fellow Pokémon? It couldn't have been a more perfect occasion for the Pokémon Sociologist and empath! He is quick to ask what is typically done to celebrate the holiday, and how it came into fruition to begin with, as well as summon Apsis (with a warning to Shiva!) and Lucifer to his side and returning whatever Pokémon he had out before hand. Their the Pokémon he's most bonded with, so its only natural he'd celebrate this great holiday with them in his opinion! What is their reaction to learning about the holiday, after Ven informs them of it?

...well, that's expedient and brutal...I'll just say Nathan and Kirlia are in a happy, deep enough sleep that they miss that entirely despite it occurring really close to their location...

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"...well...I think it has some Mamo origins.  A lot of trainers like to try and replicate a ritual involving apricorns.  Raw Apricorns aren't easy to come by in the middle of civilization, though, so most only end up doing the poetry part or using substitutes for the apricorns."  (Ventus and Lucifer probably share a meaningful look at this point, yes?)

Nathan shrugs.  "You can also basically think of it as Valentine's Day, but for Trainers and their pokemon instead of romantic couples. The idea is basically the same.  Kirlia and I actually got a spectacular gift yesterday, so I think the two of us are covered even though I wasn't planning anything in particular for us two.  Need to think of some stuff for some of my other pokemon, though..."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

NYYYYYYEEEEEEEE! D: If Shiva's wasn't nervous before (she was), NOW she was, pulling her hand away RIGHT AWAY didn't even do a thing to prevent things. Thankfully it was dark as dark can be currently aside from the flashlight she kept, so nothing was able to notice that massive blush that now formed on the usually soft but meek fae enthusiast, nor her almost doubled heartrate that the tranquility of the cavern failed to calm down at once. She...she desired to be close to Ventus, but...... but..... maybe not THAT close!

Still, there was something incredibly cute about him being so.....well... 'close'. It was almost touching, it was warm and gave her a trustworthy feeling that even was mutual and pure and allured a very very shy and sweet smile from her that he luckily couldn't see. Hell luckily he couldn't see her now at all, as she couldn't help herself but to stroke over his hair once more! It was...pleasant. Almost. Only with Azumarill's Helping Hand Shiva was able to shove Ventus back to his place leaned against the wall. Phew... She needed a few deep breaths.


Raphael being so kind and confidental towards her to sit in her lap voluntarily was a rather pleasant sensation, absent-mindedly she began to carefully stroke over his headfeathers and scratch his neck, much enjoying his presence and kindness. For a while, she didn't even speak, only listened to Ventus' slow breathing and his archangel's cooing in response for the strokes. Although Ventus himself, as pitchblack as Zekrom's scales on the inside he was, looked like an archangel himself in his sleep.

"You know, Raphael....", she eventually spoke up calmly but with some audible sadness, "...thank you for your aid. Really... You may not know, maybe you do, but I really appreciate it. Especially....now in these times....." She turns silent, hangs her head again - but as soon as Raphael shows being worried, she does her best to smile at and for him again. "Nah, I'm okay. Please do not worry too much for me... It's just..... just that..... haaaah, this while search for the Secret Library is becoming more and more of a crucial test for me. Yesterday when my Mightyena was missing, I felt close to breakdown. No lying... I successfully overplayed it, they didn't notice. I miss the daylight... Fresh food, my other Pokemon, that Eevee Egg even and everything.... I miss THE SURFACE. You know, up there." She points to the ceiling. "But....I need to keep going, I know. Strength and resilience are what I desire, none ever said the path to it would be easy. I'm on this path, trying to follow it despite all the sharp and pointy stones scattered across it. To keep a cool head in dire situations, to endure things, that's my heart's desire. Endure it and move on, always forward, although I'm sometimes finding myself asking whether Atheneum is worth all the struggle. I don't doubt that it is - but I'm having my weak moments too, Raphael. I'm not that natural survivor that your father is. But.....is it wrong to rely on outer help to keep going? On natural meds in my case?"


She mildly shakes her head, but only a muttered "I don't think it is" escapes her. A small break follows, where Raphael can 'reply' or such before Shiva continues. "I don't know how long we'll be within this mountain furthermore. Now, but don't get me wrong - I'm liking the trip. I caught my first shiny Pokemon, the Sentry fern gifted me something, I'm having a new Ice Type that I need to work with, haha... But neither do I know HOW LONG I can keep myself relatively stable."

"....Cast....a Morning Sun for me please, may you? Only a little, to not wake Ven... But these rays from you add their part to my fight against myself."

More muttering was issued from the researcher as Shiva's hand made a hasty escape from his hear, his face scrunching up at the departure of that feeling before it smoothed out as he started to snuggle with her, 'thinking' of her nothing more than an body pillow in his sleep. How sweet....sorta! He did smile when she started to stroke his hair more, but given the darkness it was completely hidden from all. He did let out a sleepy protest at being removed from his 'pillow' , but soon enough he settled back into peaceful slumber, this time at less intimate distance from his girlfriend.

The archangel gets comfortable as Shiva began to speak, resting a wing on her shoulder when she expressed how.....out of sorts she was and offering a consuling chirp to her as they began to radiate their soothing aura. Though it was hidden by the darkness, they had a concerned expression as she quietly recounted her near breakdown, it only growing more and more worried/sympathetic when she starting listing off all the little things that everyone takes for granted when its there, but so sorely miss it when its gone. It too missed the surface and all its amenities, and the fact they was trapped DEEP underground in these perilous, claustrophobia inducing tunnel weighed heavily on the normally light spirited Togekiss, though they hide it very well. As a Fairy/Flying type, the sunny open skies and being able to dance to and fro in it as the wind buoyed and tickled them were their prime Element, and to be deprived them of so long was truly an arduous experience for them....

Still, they prevailed against such crushing feelings, a determined frown appearing as they let out a defiant chirp at his father's girlfriend, trying to motivate her to stay strong! Mt. Sentry's Depths may be a oppressing place, but they know she has it within her to tough it out with a smile on her face and reach Antheneum, just like themselves and the rest of the group! She didn't need to emulate her father (By Arceas no!) in order to survive down here, for she already had her own loving and compassionate power and the ever constant support of everyone to do so! In fact, they have faith she'll be more than fine and in fact will be even better by the time the group reaches/returns from Antheneum and wards it off from those no good Scimitar scoundrels! All it will take is keeping a positive, chipper spirit, and they know Shiva is one at heart, so it will be easy peasy for her!!!

Of course, having the care and support from others should almost always be appreciated regardless of if its needed, and so Raphael readily summoned some weak beams of sunlight to help break the gloom and doom that threatening to smoother her. The spontaneous generation of light didn't awaken Ventus, but he did unconsciously turn away from it.

(Whew......I'm done with this scene finally! Not going to respond to it anymore, as I think this more than suffices for character bonding/flavor scene between Shiva and Ventus for now, and quite some time too. Not that such things are unenjoyable, but its tiring, draining, and time consuming as heck to make them, so I rather focus on smaller moments between character and focus on Encounter/The Plot for the most part, okay? Okay!)

[Iron]

Spoiler

When he saw that Slakoth literally hanging around, he just summons Apsis to gobble them up, as its been awhile since she's had a nice, live meal to snack on, *Hiiiiisss!*
--------------------------------------------------
Ventus himself was completely oblivious to the holiday's existence, given his status as a foreigner, but quickly grew to share in Nathan's envigorating joy as they told him all about the holiday, becoming greatly intrigued in the process as well! A day that commemorates the bonds between humans and their fellow Pokémon? It couldn't have been a more perfect occasion for the Pokémon Sociologist and empath! He is quick to ask what is typically done to celebrate the holiday, and how it came into fruition to begin with, as well as summon Apsis (with a warning to Shiva!) and Lucifer to his side and returning whatever Pokémon he had out before hand. Their the Pokémon he's most bonded with, so its only natural he'd celebrate this great holiday with them in his opinion! What is their reaction to learning about the holiday, after Ven informs them of it?

...well, that's expedient and brutal...I'll just say Nathan and Kirlia are in a happy, deep enough sleep that they miss that entirely despite it occurring really close to their location...

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It was also mercifully short!

[Iron]

Onward to the next Day, No.62.


Sleep during the night(?) was pleasant for Shiva. It felt...reenergizing to sleep in again after all the struggle and trouble and issues and whatelse yesterday... Oh yes, but there were pleasant moments. Liepard was an example. Shiva couldn't help but to think of the huge cat, to remember her brilliant fur - wonder how she's doing by now?

The usual morning rituals of cuddling Cottonee an fond good-morning and taking her meds were heavily interrupted as Shiva continued with looking through her notes and checking on the moon phase and presumed date.... Haaah, she has anticipitated this day. She knew it since yesterday, her gut feeling and heart were always a little weird just before such eventful days.

...It was the 20th of May, Creshire's Valentine's Day for Pokemon. And guess where Shiva was?
Somewhere down deep with a mountain, searching for a Secret Library.
Being stuck there without fresh food except the fruits her Tropius' grows.
Far away from the celebrations, and far away from the open sky.
She didn't manage to make Poffins out of Nanab Berries to share them with her most closest Pokemon as she actually wanted to on this day, preparations for this travel into the earth took all her time.
She didn't manage to send a few home for Spectral. Today, she'll miss her Umbreon the most. Oh what she'd give to hold her in her arms again, to stroke through her black and silky fur while the dark Eeveelution would lick over her hand...
She needs to continue the quest among the others, for good.
She'll need to celebrate this day later.
She WILL celebrate this day later.
Later = once being back on the surface.


And she also knew how. Swifly and still in the tent, Lilith is summoned beside Shiva's side. That particular Gothitelle with her meaningful and important tinfoil hat magnificient as ever. She earns a kind smile as a good morning, before Shiva pats the side of her sleeping place in a welcoming manner. Cottonee respectfully made some room and placed herself in her much beloved Master's lap again with a happy chirp. At least the fluffball was with her today, and oh does Shiva appreciate it! A day without her grassy fairy with her was a black  and rainy day. If it's cold, Lilith gets Shiva's warm Ranger's Cloak over her (No, she doesn't wear it during the nights), before she smiles again to her mighty Psychic Type.

She does a very fine job to overplay the SADNESS she's actually feeling. The PAIN that there's no time for this today.... "Good morning, Lilith", was all that Shiva said at first. "You wonder why I summoned you so early, I'd guess, if you haven't foreseen it already with the star's help. Well, today is a day where people celebrate their bond formed with selected Pokemon, a holiday that is unique here in Chreshire. Some sort of Valentine's Day, if that is telling something to you." Another very careful smile from Shiva as she pauses here and only looks up to the gothloli Pokemon beside her. ".....I'd wish to.... I wanted to.....hold something special with you on this day, but as you may see we cannot do so under the current conditions. This....is actually an old ritual performed by the founders of this day, the Mamo whol live in the swamp of this region. They call it a bonding ritual. Do you remember what I've asked you yesterday, how I'd like to strengthen our bond and you agreed? Well, that'd be our chance. Look, 'm having this white Apricorn Dust...." The small glass jar where it is contained is drawn from Shiva's things and shown to Gothitelle, she can even take it into her hand to investigate herself.

"This what is used during it. Allow me to keep it a suprise HOW it is used and what to traditionally do on such a ritual... I'd like to take you on an imaginary journey for that ritual, that much I can tell you. Ah, I've did such things a few times already, you're in safe hands. You aren't the first Pokemon wielding powerful psychic energy entrusted to me either."

The uestion of questions follows, in which Shiva only faces her Gothitelle from the side. "Now....will you, well, agree to hold that ritual to me once the time and setting are right, will you accept this as a late celebration with me?"


(How does Lilith react to all that, @Iron? Curious! Once that has been answered, I can get to choose an Encounter if I haven't headed to bed by then.)

Lilith gracefully bows again. She's lost a lot of her concerns about having a trainer.

[Iron]

Mt. Sentry Tall Grass Biome Part 3

1. Name: Woobat and Swoobat
Challenge: Easy
Bid start: 1
Cap: 2
Notes: Hanging from a heartshaped stone!

2. Name: Golbat
Challenge: Pretty easy
Bid start: 1
Cap: 1 (2)

3. Name: Budew
Challenge: Very easy, no XP
Bid start: 1
Cap: 1 (2)
Notes: In some Tall Grass

4. Name: Valuable Statue
Bid start: 3
Cap: 1
Notes: In some Tall Grass, a bit like a shrine, partially obscured.

5. Name: Unown Þ
Bid start: 2
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Pretty easy
Notes: The Elder Unown for "Th"


You're also seeing lots more Slakoth in this Grass, and some Slowpoke gathered around a salty shallow puddle.

Among the Tall Grass blades are a certain kind of orchid, an airplant that requires no dirt and no light. Just a little moisture now and then. It's called the Kirlia Slipper.



Half a dozen of these hide in the Tall Grass.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Other than dealing with the Slakoth, It is now Day 62. You feel like you've slept about 16 hours! It felt amazing. Everyone gains 1 Will point. (Remember the max is 10; some people are approaching that limit).

Feel free to flashback to the evening of Day 61.

I need to know the group's plans before I can post encounters. Mr. Finder says the way forward is pretty straightforward aside from a few Rock Smashes.

Flashback from day 61:

Heart make a training session with Gustav and Viktor, training in destroying some rocks and his moves, since Gustav need to get use it to his cannon arm and Viktor must train his Stealth skills.

Begin Day 62:

Heart awake very good. He meet the others and talk with them. "Heya Nathan, heya Shiva, heya Ventus, heya Mr. Finder, heya Valder. How are you everyone?"

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

5. Name: Unown Þ
Bid start: 2
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Pretty easy
Notes: The Elder Unown for "Th"


You're also seeing lots more Slakoth in this Grass, and some Slowpoke gathered around a salty shallow puddle.

Among the Tall Grass blades are a certain kind of orchid, an airplant that requires no dirt and no light. Just a little moisture now and then. It's called the Kirlia Slipper.



Half a dozen of these hide in the Tall Grass.

Now that's a plant that Nathan has heard about!  Mostly because it involves a Kirlia in its name.  He doesn't know much besides that.  Still cool to see those around, though.

Nathan and Kirlia are gathering the plants, Calam is watching Solosis to make sure it doesn't flee...

...and then Solomon pops out of his pokeball, looking rather interested in...something.

I assume the Elder Unown symbol for K on his crown is showing more prominently than usual at this point?

[Iron]

Spoiler

5. Name: Unown Þ
Bid start: 2
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Pretty easy
Notes: The Elder Unown for "Th"


You're also seeing lots more Slakoth in this Grass, and some Slowpoke gathered around a salty shallow puddle.

Among the Tall Grass blades are a certain kind of orchid, an airplant that requires no dirt and no light. Just a little moisture now and then. It's called the Kirlia Slipper.



Half a dozen of these hide in the Tall Grass.

Now that's a plant that Nathan has heard about!  Mostly because it involves a Kirlia in its name.  He doesn't know much besides that.  Still cool to see those around, though.

Nathan and Kirlia are gathering the plants, Calam is watching Solosis to make sure it doesn't flee...

...and then Solomon pops out of his pokeball, looking rather interested in...something.

I assume the Elder Unown symbol for K on his crown is showing more prominently than usual at this point?

Definitely! Still not as strong as at Vapor Falls, but far brighter than it becomes on a regular basis.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Spoiler

5. Name: Unown Þ
Bid start: 2
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Pretty easy
Notes: The Elder Unown for "Th"


You're also seeing lots more Slakoth in this Grass, and some Slowpoke gathered around a salty shallow puddle.

Among the Tall Grass blades are a certain kind of orchid, an airplant that requires no dirt and no light. Just a little moisture now and then. It's called the Kirlia Slipper.



Half a dozen of these hide in the Tall Grass.

Now that's a plant that Nathan has heard about!  Mostly because it involves a Kirlia in its name.  He doesn't know much besides that.  Still cool to see those around, though.

Nathan and Kirlia are gathering the plants, Calam is watching Solosis to make sure it doesn't flee...

...and then Solomon pops out of his pokeball, looking rather interested in...something.

I assume the Elder Unown symbol for K on his crown is showing more prominently than usual at this point?

Definitely! Still not as strong as at Vapor Falls, but far brighter than it becomes on a regular basis.

(Because of certain events I not going to investigate the statue. Heart will stay in the camp training. Training session with Koa and Gustav.)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The question of questions follows, in which Shiva only faces her Gothitelle from the side. "Now....will you, well, agree to hold that ritual to me once the time and setting are right, will you accept this as a late celebration with me?"

Lilith gracefully bows again. She's lost a lot of her concerns about having a trainer.

Awwww. That agreement, that positivity Shiva could feel from Gothy - it was touching something deep within her. Her smile grew a little bit of wider as she faced her again after having returned her bow. "I'll take that as a 'yes'. Thank you, really... I'll anticipitate that event and will get to prepares things when we're out of the mountain. Hope you'll like it... All you'd have to do to prepare yourself is keeping a vivid mind, but  you're a Psychic Type anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue for you at all. Right?~ Now... You know, you can actually stay out of your Ball for today if you wish. Just try not to wander away from us without letting me know, alright? We're all out of that Seikamater's aura, but it's still dark and dangerous out here."

The same goes for Cottonee, Yena and Dizzy. The fluffball does either rest on Shiva's shoulder or head while hiking down the tunnel or can take a mount on Yena who's loyally flanking his alpha female's side. Gothitelle can follow or walk on her own pace, same with Dizzy - the latter is asked to stay close to Shiva and warn her if he picks up anything dangerous or otherwise troublesome with his horn.

The Frozen Hurtloam does also 'leave' it's dormant state today, Shiva noticed this as she reached into the pocket of her Ranger's cloak as she was putting it on. Ahhh, yes, turning it in her hands a little definitely gave her that feeling of a healing power obscured in this black mud.

4. Name: Valuable Statue
Bid start: 3
Cap: 1
Notes: In some Tall Grass, a bit like a shrine, partially obscured.

Onward they all went while Shiva almost per usualy by now watched the walls and path around, much to her delight the weird Tall Grass has not found an end yet!~ That, and from what she could spot there were...Slakoth around. Most of them didn't really cared to even hide themselves, they were just lazing around like their idol, the big and infamous Snorlax who enjoy blocking roads in Kanto just because. Something in her mind rang as her gaze and the one from one of the Slakoth met - it all calmly returned Shiva's frowning look. She averted it and scanned the area once more - ah, there were the others, Slowpoke! One of them yawned as she was watching them. Slakoth and Slowpoke.... If Shiva remembers correctly, these two Pokemon were hints to the Secret Library, that they are getting close. How intriguing and ironic, just yesterday she asked herself for how much longer they may have to search....

Wandering through the Tall Grass again after having told the others, Shiva went on to investigate what kinds of Pokemon lay roam here, her Pokemon currently out following. She didn't find any Pokemon though - she found a plant in bloom! Kneeing down to it and illuminating it with her flashlight, she recognized it as the unique Kirlia Slipper! How beautiful it was, orchids in general were somehow her favourite blooming plants. With a general interesting in flora and 3 points in Nature Speciality, what can Shiva tell more about this kind of plant? Any interesting lore, any practical uses like Spindleweed or medical uses that'd reason her collecting one or two, leaving enough for Nathan? And, could she actually dig one of them out and later sell or gift it to Tam at the Violet Tent? (That was the herbalist Shiva turned to with the first pink petal.)

Either way, she was wondering how many of them were growing here, so started to part the Tall Grass a little in her investigation.