[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post

(…) Having things packed away then and Cottonee being back on her head, she does face Ventus again - rather carefully however, a hint of nervousness visible in her. All caused by the anxious way he behaves towards her; she won't exactly ask what's wrong as she can assume what it might be, he said 'It's nothing' assuming he isn't prone to talk about it either, and will leave the pace of whiling away fully to him. "Done. I'm done with my things here in Atheneum, I...mean...." Her eyes look away for a moment. "Guide me then, please... Hehe, it came...suprising that you're the one asking for my company, but who'd I be to deny it...?"

'Oh dear.....it appears I've put her on edge to with my own....stress with...…. *Mental Sighing* I need to better veil my emotion and not spread my own.....miseries to her,' Ventus though as he smiled and held out a hand to guide her over to his favored hammock, as he quite easily was able to pick up the nervousness in her, and it doesn't take a PhD to guess what's the cause of it. Oh, how he wishes that he could only bring happiness and joy into the angelic's woman's life, instead of negatively or the like...

"Then let me lead the way then, sweetheart." (He said the last part quietly, in case the others were around)

A short/medium/long trip later, and the couple were sitting comfortably in relative seclusion, with the researcher silent but sitting/laying right next to Shiva. For several moments it seemed like he was about to say something, or reach over and pull her close, but he always stopped short of either action and simply sighed, and kept his own peace.


 Looks as its up to the misses to start things up, or all this personal time will amount to is a pseudo cuddling session....

With delight she took her favorite sociologist's hand, but the strength/confidence she held it in her own was less than usual. It seems like she's extra-cautionous about not accidently overwhelm or scare Ven away, now that she was more than human. Weird, thinking about it now she didn't feel much different with her highened and wider open mind - but she was sure that with Celebi's gift she'll be able to grow in a way that would have never been possible otherwise.

That quite term of endearment caused a few warm feelings within her, as it assured her that he still cares for her. That he stil...well, loves her. It eased her worries to a good degree, alluring another weak but very honest smile.

For a little, she was all fine just being there in Ven's closure, laying beside him, speaking not a single word and petting through Cottonee's fluff. Now with the Scimitars repeled from entering, Shiva allowed herself to lower her guard, calm down and simply gather some energy for the no way easy travel back to the surface. Energy... 'Energy' must have been Nightshade's secret cue, as the small cherrylike Pokemon ended up summoning herself from her Ball, landing skillfully on Cottonee's head to cuddle into her fluff. Humpf, it's been so long since the last time she did that! Feeling rather well so close to Master, a fellow Grass Type and totally safe from hungry bird Pokemon in the enclosed library, she began to cast a few and light beams of Morning Sun over the place Shiva and Ventus lingered. (Can this actually count as a concealed Training Session for Nightshade, Iron? It's been a while since she has used some moves, let's say she refreshes them here.)

At first, Shiva's indeed leaving the pace and any 'starting' of things to her dear, but from...the look of it this won't progress things, causing her to eventually sigh and slightly turn to face Ven from the side. Staying like that for a little, she eventually accumulates her courage and speaks up to him a careful and soft voice. "Ven.... From the look of it, something is aling you. You....know how I'm there for you. That hasn't changed. So, are you...fine with...I mean, would like to share what it is? If it's something about me that causes you headache, then please don't be shy to enlighten me, be honest. Only this way we may...find to each other again."

She turned silent after this, a bit tense even. But she'll listen to this oddball of researcher if he decides to open up, and will not pry if he doesn't.... Not until it'll cause direct problems, at least.

[Iron]

Cherubi gains 1 XP and 1 Happiness. The Pokemon seems to enjoy being high up in the hammock with no bird Pokemon around.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...honestly, I don't know how Dagny might react.  I'd like to believe there's enough mutual trust, and that seems to have been the case so far..."

He closes his eyes, thinking.

"...I think I have a decent spot to put it for a short time.  Technically, the safest place for it is on our persons now that we've removed it from its original hiding spot, but putting it away for a day or two might not be totally unwarranted...I'm hoping it's unnecessary, though..."

...

"...these are powerful moves, Ventus.  My dad left the Fly HM in the Nature Preserve with good reason.  I have no problems with keeping this as quiet as possible.  The less unnecessary noise we make, the better."

Nathan turns back to his journal and starts talking about what he's drawing.

"I'm drawing some of the Tandorian pokemon that have been imported to the region for various reasons.  This little bug pokemon is a Cubbug.  Stowed away on a fruit shipment.  This rat pokemon is a Ratsy.  Venesi considers them pests since they not only do many of the same things as Rattata and other rat pokemon, but also leave graffiti everywhere with those tails of theirs.  Ironically, they're somewhat similar to Smeargle because of those tails, though, and are valuable to trainers who properly tame them, so Venesi can never be totally rid of them.  The black sheep is a Baashaun.  They're easily the most common Tandorian pokemon in Creshire because they're valued for their wool.  It's a little bit rougher than a Mareep's, but it's used in a lot of different things, from clothing to Destiny Knots.  The red parrot pokemon is a Pahar.  Very popular with bucaneers as a companion, and the feathers make great hats, apparently.  The Secular Cathedral in Cress actually has a few that go around lighting all the candles.  The spooky skeleton pokemon is a Swabone.  Very popular with pirates in Tandor, and popular shipworkers in general.  Means they travel a lot, and sometimes end up settling down in some of the regions they travel to, though that wasn't ever the main purpose of bringing them aboard the ships in the first place.  This one..."

Nathan points at the picture labeled 'Electruxo'.

"...is easily my favorite water type.  Electruxo.  One of Tandor's starter pokemon, and I've heard it has an affinity for Mega Evolution.  Was brought over on ships much like Swabone, though the sailors mainly used it for its ability to use electromagnetic waves as a radar system of sorts.  Heh...that'd certainly be helpful, thinking about it...and then there's this little gal here."

He points at the picture labeled 'Masking'.

"...don't really know a whole lot about this one.  No solid ideas how it made it's way over to the region, don't really know much about it beyond the basic moveset, ability, and type information...I'm still learning about it."  

Nathan has a small smile on his face as he's talking about Masking.  He doesn't seem to be frustrated at the lack of concrete information on the rare species.

Ven's not anymore mollified or pleased by those initial statements of Nathan's, but he's too vexed with his own issues to get too work up over it all (yet), and so nods his head few times while rubbing his temples in response. 'Things are NEVER easy or uncomplicated now in days, no matter what the task may be, grah…..'

He remarkably perks up in record time as the young scholar reveals that he was drawing TANDORAIN Pokémon, leaning right back in and up close to better hear and absorb all the details ( so as to later record in his own notes) they had available on these ever rare and elusive Pokémon. In particular, Ratsy line had him most excited and interest piqued, as he though Sketching was exclusive to the Smergle and their was a certain appeal to the ideal of a 'Street Rat Artist Pokemon' to him, but all the creatures mentioned managed to capture his attention and fascination to varying degree (ESPECIALLY the Pahar, since their are apparently some residing in Cress' Cathedral!)!

Nathan's own interest in Electruxo and Masking was intriguing in its own right to Ventus, though, and for different reason to boot! Concerning the formor, hearing them give such high praise to the species when they OWNED both a Starmie AND Slaking, both Pokémon thought to be formidable in their own rights, was initially perplexing.....until they realized that its general body design/appearance was basically 'Water/Electric Equine Pokemon' . Then Ven had to resist facepalming at both the obviousness of the species appeal to the boy, and just how predictable his tastes in Pokémon lay.

'He'd be estatic if he ever managed to get his hands on ANY horse Pokémon, I imagine. Not that is a unfavorable preference, but its surprising how easily pegged his interests were, given how well read and....opinionated he is,' he though wryly, while simultaneously saying in a kind and reminding (and somewhat teasing) tone: "Solomon and Starmie might get jealous if you give such high praise to a Water type you've never even meet, so you may want to watch when you state that. Don't worry, I won't mummer a whisper about this to them....."

Masking's description.....it caused him to raise an eyebrow,  as the gears in the sociologist's mind started churning and scanning the odd details the boy put in his brief run down on it, and came to a logical but still surprising conclusion in short order. 

'Using a gendered description to initially refer to the species, when he's been gender neutral with the other Tandorian Pokemon....implied he's done and is still doing research on it before searching for intel on other Tandorian Pokémon, which means he was aware of at least the appearance of the species - if not its name too - before searching Antheneum…..his lassie fare attitude and happy attitude toward being mostly oblivious about it, a sharp contrast to his usual behavior in his given topic of interest.....oh my. Could it be....?'

As his formed his conclusion about this, a thoughtful  frown tugged at the corners of his lips as he stared at the boy in question, not knowing whether or not he should share it with the boy out of the probable chance he's overthinking things, before he eventually shrugged to himself and went ahead and told them. If he's wrong, then he'll deal with the egg on his face, but if not....

"Nathan......have you Encountered a Masking or something looking like it on your journey through Mt. Sentry thus far, and maybe.... perhaps.....caught or interacted with one? This is just speculation on my part, but it sounds and feels to me like you were and/or still are intimately involved with the species in some way and seek to learn more because of that, rather than stumbling upon Knowledge of it while searching Antheneum for other records, text, etc.. …."

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Ven's not anymore mollified or pleased by those initial statements of Nathan's, but he's too vexed with his own issues to get too work up over it all (yet), and so nods his head few times while rubbing his temples in response. 'Things are NEVER easy or uncomplicated now in days, no matter what the task may be, grah…..'

He remarkably perks up in record time as the young scholar reveals that he was drawing TANDORAIN Pokémon, leaning right back in and up close to better hear and absorb all the details ( so as to later record in his own notes) they had available on these ever rare and elusive Pokémon. In particular, Ratsy line had him most excited and interest piqued, as he though Sketching was exclusive to the Smergle and their was a certain appeal to the ideal of a 'Street Rat Artist Pokemon' to him, but all the creatures mentioned managed to capture his attention and fascination to varying degree (ESPECIALLY the Pahar, since their are apparently some residing in Cress' Cathedral!)!

Nathan's own interest in Electruxo and Masking was intriguing in its own right to Ventus, though, and for different reason to boot! Concerning the formor, hearing them give such high praise to the species when they OWNED both a Starmie AND Slaking, both Pokémon thought to be formidable in their own rights, was initially perplexing.....until they realized that its general body design/appearance was basically 'Water/Electric Equine Pokemon' . Then Ven had to resist facepalming at both the obviousness of the species appeal to the boy, and just how predictable his tastes in Pokémon lay.

'He'd be estatic if he ever managed to get his hands on ANY horse Pokémon, I imagine. Not that is a unfavorable preference, but its surprising how easily pegged his interests were, given how well read and....opinionated he is,' he though wryly, while simultaneously saying in a kind and reminding (and somewhat teasing) tone: "Solomon and Starmie might get jealous if you give such high praise to a Water type you've never even meet, so you may want to watch when you state that. Don't worry, I won't mummer a whisper about this to them....."

Masking's description.....it caused him to raise an eyebrow,  as the gears in the sociologist's mind started churning and scanning the odd details the boy put in his brief run down on it, and came to a logical but still surprising conclusion in short order. 

'Using a gendered description to initially refer to the species, when he's been gender neutral with the other Tandorian Pokemon....implied he's done and is still doing research on it before searching for intel on other Tandorian Pokémon, which means he was aware of at least the appearance of the species - if not its name too - before searching Antheneum…..his lassie fare attitude and happy attitude toward being mostly oblivious about it, a sharp contrast to his usual behavior in his given topic of interest.....oh my. Could it be....?'

As his formed his conclusion about this, a thoughtful  frown tugged at the corners of his lips as he stared at the boy in question, not knowing whether or not he should share it with the boy out of the probable chance he's overthinking things, before he eventually shrugged to himself and went ahead and told them. If he's wrong, then he'll deal with the egg on his face, but if not....

"Nathan......have you Encountered a Masking or something looking like it on your journey through Mt. Sentry thus far, and maybe.... perhaps.....caught or interacted with one? This is just speculation on my part, but it sounds and feels to me like you were and/or still are intimately involved with the species in some way and seek to learn more because of that, rather than stumbling upon Knowledge of it while searching Antheneum for other records, text, etc.. …."

(To be fair, he grew up around horses, so...)

Nathan shrugs off the statement about Solomon and Starmie.  "Maybe.  They've become some of my favorites too, though.  I don't think they have much to worry about if I ever happen to come across an Eletux or Electruxo.  Wouldn't want to trade either of them or push them away.  I always try to make some time for all of my pokemon at some point."

He shrugs again when asked about Masking, a sly, happy smile on his face.  Kirlia's chuckling to himself.  'Kirlia' is trying to hide behind Kirlia now that an unwanted spotlight seems to be headed in her direction...

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(…)

At first, Shiva's indeed leaving the pace and any 'starting' of things to her dear, but from...the look of it this won't progress things, causing her to eventually sigh and slightly turn to face Ven from the side. Staying like that for a little, she eventually accumulates her courage and speaks up to him a careful and soft voice. "Ven.... From the look of it, something is aling you. You....know how I'm there for you. That hasn't changed. So, are you...fine with...I mean, would like to share what it is? If it's something about me that causes you headache, then please don't be shy to enlighten me, be honest. Only this way we may...find to each other again."

She turned silent after this, a bit tense even. But she'll listen to this oddball of researcher if he decides to open up, and will not pry if he doesn't.... Not until it'll cause direct problems, at least.

Those words of his most blessed girlfriend caused the often erratic researcher to tense up badly , causing him to turn away from her soft, inquisitive stare as he ruefully grimenced to himself as he tried to hide the full extent of how much a innocent and caring questions made him uncomfortable. Yeap, something was definitely eating him up, like a Snorlax at an all you can eat buffet. Ventus stayed like this for several minutes in silence, avoiding eye contact and schooling his own emotions, seemingly looking poised to just get up and walked away and avoid Shiva's questions altogether. He didn't once budge from his fae fancy's side though, showing either a remarkable resolve hidden beneath all that anxiety and reserved wariness....or he feels like he's trapped, and their is no escape now. Maybe even a little of both.

"...……………"
"...……………"
'.....I'm sorry, Shiva. I'm so, so sorry.....For being so.....fearful......so guarded, wary, and distrustful. For...…..for being terrified of you,  and ready to have Apsis lash out at you out of....out of a felt need to defend myself from you .  For treating you.....everyone.....like they are some pariahs, or like they were retrobates not worthy of my time. Most of all......I'm sorry for ignoring you, for pushing away and shutting you out  like I have, when all you've done to me is being understanding, patience, and FORGIVING …."

"...……………"
"...……………"
"......I will not lie…...I'm am still scared of you. Of Everyone that has come into contact with That Gauntlet , of you becoming.....becoming something beyond human , and making such a.......transformation so willing.  Its....its all so horrible for me to see and know their was NOTHING I could do and stop it, to convince you otherwise , and just had to....had to let it happen. I'm....I'm afraid you....Nathan....Heart.....I'm afraid that by so willingly.....transform into such a THING, you'll become twisted by that POWER, that you'll all end go the same way of my, my, m-my...…"

".....my mother. Or rather, what little is left of her in THAT.....THING. "

"...……………"
"...……………"
"...…...It doesn't fully excuse how badly I've treated you. You are a Fae Woman, interest in all sorts of occult and arcane things that I consider taboo and dangerous, and yet somehow still learned to accept that fact and still become your friend, let alone your BOYfriend. Yet I still treat you like less than an lowly Bug type, unworthy of my attention. ……I'm....I'm so scared, so apprenhensive, so wary of EVERYONE, but I have to keep that bottled up, keep everyone away and deal with it myself, as NOBODY else seemed to CARE about my FEARS, but-but I could have come to YOU earlier, told you about it, save you a day of worry and silent concern and...and DESPAIR...…

"......But I refused. I shunned you too, like everyone else...…
"......I am still shunning you now, aren't I."

"...……………."
"...……………."
"...…I'm so sorry"

The researcher hangs low, so low that it looks like he'll tip over and out of the hammock and bruise his head, after say all of.....THAT.

…Coping with everything alone...
……simply because you are too afraid to share your woes with everyone else...
………yet knowing someone cares and could helped you, and you could have helped them too, if you only reached out earlier.....

……..Its not a nice feeling.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(To be fair, he grew up around horses, so...)

Nathan shrugs off the statement about Solomon and Starmie.  "Maybe.  They've become some of my favorites too, though.  I don't think they have much to worry about if I ever happen to come across an Eletux or Electruxo.  Wouldn't want to trade either of them or push them away.  I always try to make some time for all of my pokemon at some point."

He shrugs again when asked about Masking, a sly, happy smile on his face.  Kirlia's chuckling to himself.  'Kirlia' is trying to hide behind Kirlia now that an unwanted spotlight seems to be headed in her direction...

"Hmm....guess I don't have to worry about you making a spur of a moment trade to get an Eletux or Electruxo then, eh? Glad you keep such caring, loving, and stable relationships with your Pokémon, or otherwise might have had a cow at the though of you making such a lame and mulish trade like that. Don't make a neighsayer and jackass out of yourself by going back on your word, though, or I'll show you my unbridled rage, knock you off your high horse, and start reigning you in. Got that, stud? "

Oh the puns.

Oh dear Reshirim, the PUNS.

Looks like Ventus decided to vent a little of his stress at Nathan by letting our a stampede of horse and farm animal related puns at him, for both catharsis AND to see his reaction to hearing so MANY of them. Maybe they'll think of the researcher's jokes like fine equine and aged cheese, and be chomping at the bit for more, or maybe they'll just giddy up and walk away. 

Due to letting loose so marey puns, he doesn't notice either the boy's cryptic reaction OR 'Kirlia's' sudden shyness. Oh well.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"Hmm....guess I don't have to worry about you making a spur of a moment trade to get an Eletux or Electruxo then, eh? Glad you keep such caring, loving, and stable relationships with your Pokémon, or otherwise might have had a cow at the though of you making such a lame and mulish trade like that. Don't make a neighsayer and jackass out of yourself by going back on your word, though, or I'll show you my unbridled rage, knock you off your high horse, and start reigning you in. Got that, stud? "

Oh the puns.

Oh dear Reshirim, the PUNS.

Looks like Ventus decided to vent a little of his stress at Nathan by letting our a stampede of horse and farm animal related puns at him, for both catharsis AND to see his reaction to hearing so MANY of them. Maybe they'll think of the researcher's jokes like fine equine and aged cheese, and be chomping at the bit for more, or maybe they'll just giddy up and walk away. 

Due to letting loose so marey puns, he doesn't notice either the boy's cryptic reaction OR 'Kirlia's' sudden shyness. Oh well.

"...ugh...really?  Did you really have to bust out an excess of puns that are even lamer than my mom's?"

'Kirlia' is feeling much more relieved that the focus doesn't seem to be on her, though.  Still trying to stay behind Kirlia, but she's a little more relaxed now.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...ugh...really?  Did you really have to bust out an excess of puns that are even lamer than my mom's?"

'Kirlia' is feeling much more relieved that the focus doesn't seem to be on her, though.  Still trying to stay behind Kirlia, but she's a little more relaxed now.

Now it was Ven's turn to slyly smile at Nathan, easy amusement dancing in the researcher's eyes as he back away from them and let out some 'polite' and 'innocent' chuckles.

"What can I say, but that I felt the burning need to trot out my prized horse humor. At least I didn't break out any ranchy humor , since you'd probably start baying like a Mareep or raising Inferno over such crude barnyard jokes. "

The researcher then motioned towards the direction the exit of Antheneum, flicking out his wrist and palming both his Delta Forrestress and Haniel's Pokeball from.....somewhere, and gave them a downright devilish grin.

"If my puns give you bad case of hayfever , then we can saddle on up and teach Forresstress Rock Smash right now. Okay, sugercube?

The punning continues. Oh no  yes.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Now it was Ven's turn to slyly smile at Nathan, easy amusement dancing in the researcher's eyes as he back away from them and let out some 'polite' and 'innocent' chuckles.

"What can I say, but that I felt the burning need to trot out my prized horse humor. At least I didn't break out any ranchy humor , since you'd probably start baying like a Mareep or start raising Inferno over such crude barnyard jokes. "

The researcher then motioned towards the direction the exit of Antheneum, flicking out his wrist and palming both his Delta Forrestress and Haniel's Pokeball from.....somewhere, and gave them a downright devilish grin.

"If my puns give you bad case of hayfever , then we can saddle on up and teach Forresstress Rock Smash. Okay, sugercube?

The punning continues. Oh no  yes.

"For the love of the duality of Aotius and Mutios, please stop with the puns...*sigh*...let's just get this over with already...I'll meet you outside in a moment..."

Nathan has to go to the Time Capsule to grab Charmeleon first. And then he'll be outside with Swiftfire, ready to teach the move to D-Foretress (Hanael and Azrael learned it earlier).

...or rather, he hands the HM to Ventus to teach it. Nathan honestly would rather not take this risk himself.

As for the Fire types, there's definitely more...respect from Charmeleon towards Nathan. And Swiftfire...well...definitely a lot more camraderie. Kirlia is present as well (as always. He's feeling a little nervous, but the strong fire types being present helps a lot), but 'Kirlia' is not.

[Lord Windos]

(Spiritmon, I don't like the fact you have effectively butted in on a semi private scene and prevented me from getting Forrestress learning Rock Smash soon. Thanks. I'd appreciate if you could retcon it out of existence....but if you don't want too...…*Sighs* So be it.)