[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...no, those won't help.  Telperion's studies suggest that those who get hit by the legendary FLASH HM need professional treatment and some rest to fully recover...I can...kinda see...but I can definitely 'see' why they determined that...yeesh...now I'm wondering how the heck that Bulbasaur knows the move...full powered HMs aren't easy things to come by..."



*listens carefully to the data presented*

"...huh.  That's a lot of light based attacks that it's got there...must like bright light a lot...he'd probably get along very well with Forthright, too..."

*listens*

"...well, let me think about that for a little bit.  This Bulbasaur...it knows an HM...even if it is the weakest one...that's still...really, really useful...and he definitely seems like he can hold his own, too...there's also another task I can complete to get that Claw Fossil revived...I need to consider keeping this rocky Bulbasaur around, to be honest...Laurelin isn't in any rush, and I kinda want to talk to the little dude before I decide anything..."


...then he gets a little...nervous as soon as Terra mentions Duskull.  It's fairly obvious because Nathan immediately stops mid-eye rub and starts listening veeeerrry carefully.  Anyone looking at him can tell that something definitely caught his attention just then.

"...yeah...better...do that..."

"....Okay. Tell me if you do need anything, Nathan. Will help the best I can."

(…)

At the confirmation of ANOTHER Illusion species of Pokémon, Terra is briefly startled before becoming quite intrigued, uncrossing his arms to started stroking his beard in thought/interest for a bit.

"Hm......interesting. What are Zorua and Zoroark like, Nathan? Might want one, if they sound like good Pokémon. *Beat*…Please? (…) Oh, and would.....Juilet *Pensive look as he memorizes her name* like some marshmallows? Sweet treat help calm Pokémon down, from my.....experience."

Nathan looks in Juliet's direction as best as he can.  "...yeah, there's another one.  Two, actually.  Zorua and Zoroark.  Hadn't ever heard of Juliet's species before I met her, though...she's usually a little shy, but...guess she either isn't too worried right now...or she just can't see you."

(…)

The mountainous man simply nods his head and re-cross his arms in response to the clever trainer's decision, for as far as he was concerned P-Bulba. was their Pokémon to do with however they want, be they keep or give it away. Given how much he deliberates over a multitude of things, he perfectly understand their desires to mull things over first, and is more than willing to wait!

Nathan suddenly freezing up did [i]not [/i]go unnoticed by Terra for once, as even an unInsight man as himself can tell when someone's bothered (most of the time, anyways). Partly because he's rather keen on people's/Pokémon reaction when focus on them......and partially from experience, due to [i]repeatedly [/i]being the cause of striking discomfort/negative feelings in others. Woe be his social skills, for they are terrible indeed!

*Suddenly looks worried AGAIN!*

".....Nathan? What's wrong? …Did I....say something that....troubled you? *Appears thoughtful briefly* ….Was it....about Duskull?"

Oh dear. Just when he was starting to [i]really [/i]bonding with them, he goes and puts his foot in his mouth yet again...

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"....Okay. Tell me if you do need anything, Nathan. Will help the best I can."

(…)

At the confirmation of ANOTHER Illusion species of Pokémon, Terra is briefly startled before becoming quite intrigued, uncrossing his arms to started stroking his beard in thought/interest for a bit.

"Hm......interesting. What are Zorua and Zoroark like, Nathan? Might want one, if they sound like good Pokémon. *Beat*…Please? (…) Oh, and would.....Juilet *Pensive look as he memorizes her name* like some marshmallows? Sweet treat help calm Pokémon down, from my.....experience."

(…)

The mountainous man simply nods his head and re-cross his arms in response to the clever trainer's decision, for as far as he was concerned P-Bulba. was their Pokémon to do with however they want, be they keep or give it away. Given how much he deliberates over a multitude of things, he perfectly understand their desires to mull things over first, and is more than willing to wait!

Nathan suddenly freezing up did [i]not [/i]go unnoticed by Terra for once, as even an unInsight man as himself can tell when someone's bothered (most of the time, anyways). Partly because he's rather keen on people's/Pokémon reaction when focus on them......and partially from experience, due to [i]repeatedly [/i]being the cause of striking discomfort/negative feelings in others. Woe be his social skills, for they are terrible indeed!

*Suddenly looks worried AGAIN!*

".....Nathan? What's wrong? …Did I....say something that....troubled you? *Appears thoughtful briefly* ….Was it....about Duskull?"

Oh dear. Just when he was starting to [i]really [/i]bonding with them, he goes and puts his foot in his mouth yet again...

"...Zorua and Zoroark are...tricksy.  Very deceptive, and their abilities line up very well with that lifestyle and battle strategy.  Doesn't necessarily mean they're bad pokemon, but...they're Dark types for a reason.  Met a wild Zoroark right before I encountered Juliet...was protecting its kits, and nothing more.  Nothing bad about that.  The species is often incredibly difficult to encounter since they're always disguising themselves, and are really rare species on top of that."  And that's all Nathan has to say on that matter if we're keeping it brief.

*squints at Juliet*  "...she's a bird...kind of...she might take them, but she'd probably prefer the birdseed I have on hand...but she'll probably try to keep her distance if you approach her, I imagine.  She only really approached me because she gets along really well with Gallade."

------

"...just...be careful...Skull Ruins Ghosts are...not to be trifled with...like those Sableye that hounded Captain Bridge and his men until they starved to death in Mt. Sentry's tunnels...their spirits are still haunted by those very same Sableye to this day..."  *shudder*

That encounter definitely left a long lasting impression. At least Nathan doesn't seem particularly offended or anything, though...

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...Zorua and Zoroark are...tricksy.  Very deceptive, and their abilities line up very well with that lifestyle and battle strategy.  Doesn't necessarily mean they're bad pokemon, but...they're Dark types for a reason.  Met a wild Zoroark right before I encountered Juliet...was protecting its kits, and nothing more.  Nothing bad about that.  The species is often incredibly difficult to encounter since they're always disguising themselves, and are really rare species on top of that."  And that's all Nathan has to say on that matter if we're keeping it brief.


*squints at Juliet*  "...she's a bird...kind of...she might take them, but she'd probably prefer the birdseed I have on hand...but she'll probably try to keep her distance if you approach her, I imagine.  She only really approached me because she gets along really well with Gallade."

------

"...just...be careful...Skull Ruins Ghosts are...not to be trifled with...like those Sableye that hounded Captain Bridge and his men until they starved to death in Mt. Sentry's tunnels...their spirits are still haunted by those very same Sableye to this day..."  *shudder*

That encounter definitely left a long lasting impression.

"...Ah. Hm...I will have to think more about this before I decide. Learn more about them, too. Don't like.....underhandedness - Is that the right word? - but having a clever, smart, and.....capable Pokémon still sounds good. Would get along well with Genie too........I think. *Shakes his head* Will think it over. *Smiles* Thank you for the info."

(…)

"*Nods* Won't bother her then. Don't want to scare her, or make her too nervous. *Smiles* Glad she has made good friend with you."

(…)

"Oh.  ……Oh."

The rugged wanderer expression lit up in comprehension.....before it dropped like a peddle in a pond as he realized just what was bothering Nathan. He looked off to the side and rubbed the back of his head, appearing distinctly uncomfortable .

"....I know. Ven.....warned about it all. Greatly. Of how ….the place, the Ghosts.....*Face scrunched up* 'are the most wretched, vile, and CURSED things I have had the poor fortune to encounter in existence, conceivable and BEYOND.' Also told me NEVER go there......'without the full support of everyone in the group and with all the preparation you can afford, unless you have the direst need to go their ASAP, or you have a death wish most earnest and sincere.' "

*Shakes his head*

"Wouldn't have gone there......but I had to. Heart.....told me he needed to go to Ruins. Wanted to get a Natu for Teleporting around Cheshire. *Sighs* Bad idea. Tried to tell him that, but he.....insisted. So I decided to go with him. To do my job and protect him....and make sure he stayed safe as a friend."

He grimaces as memories of their trek into the dead and accursed flooded back, of the nebulous, insidious, and foul things even HE felt, and of the dangers they Encountered....

"...We were attacked by lots of Ghosts. Four Duskulls, one holding a gold mask.....and one strange Dusclops that pretended to help us. Lovely and...Gustav took care of small Ghosts, but he Fainted due to Destiny bond. Big crawfish hurt Duskull badly, before me and Genie scared them off. Battle was not hard.....but it felt...…*Twitches* dangerous. Now I understand why Ven warned me......greatly."

*Beat*

"....Took.....opportunity to catch on of the Duskull, and Heart was able to catch a Natu later. We got back to Cress safely.....but the Ghosts were always watching. Watching....."

Saying that, Terra went silent, head tilted downwards as he looked.....unnerved and troubled by his own recounting. Strong and tough as he is, the Skull Ruins were intimidating and harrowing for him still. That's some bad mojo right there....

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"...Ah. Hm...I will have to think more about this before I decide. Learn more about them, too. Don't like.....underhandedness - Is that the right word? - but having a clever, smart, and.....capable Pokémon still sounds good. Would get along well with Genie too........I think. *Shakes his head* Will think it over. *Smiles* Thank you for the info."

(…)

"*Nods* Won't bother her then. Don't want to scare her, or make her too nervous. *Smiles* Glad she has made good friend with you."

(…)

"Oh.  ……Oh."

The rugged wanderer expression lit up in comprehension.....before it dropped like a peddle in a pond as he realized just what was bothering Nathan. He looked off to the side and rubbed the back of his head, appearing distinctly uncomfortable .

"....I know. Ven.....warned about it all. Greatly. Of how ….the place, the Ghosts.....*Face scrunched up* 'are the most wretched, vile, and CURSED things I have had the poor fortune to encounter in existence, conceivable and BEYOND.' Also told me NEVER go there......'without the full support of everyone in the group and with all the preparation you can afford, unless you have the direst need to go their ASAP, or you have a death wish most earnest and sincere.' "

*Shakes his head*

"Wouldn't have gone there......but I had to. Heart.....told me he needed to go to Ruins. Wanted to get a Natu for Teleporting around Cheshire. *Sighs* Bad idea. Tried to tell him that, but he.....insisted. So I decided to go with him. To do my job and protect him....and make sure he stayed safe as a friend."

He grimaces as memories of their trek into the dead and accursed flooded back, of the nebulous, insidious, and foul things even HE felt, and of the dangers they Encountered....

"...We were attacked by lots of Ghosts. Four Duskulls, one holding a gold mask.....and one strange Dusclops that pretended to help us. Lovely and...Gustav took care of small Ghosts, but he Fainted due to Destiny bond. Big crawfish hurt Duskull badly, before me and Genie scared them off. Battle was not hard.....but it felt...…*Twitches* dangerous. Now I understand why Ven warned me......greatly."

*Beat*

"....Took.....opportunity to catch on of the Duskull, and Heart was able to catch a Natu later. We got back to Cress safely.....but the Ghosts were always watching. Watching....."

Saying that, Terra went silent, head tilted downwards as he looked.....unnerved and troubled by his own recounting. Strong and tough as he is, the Skull Ruins were intimidating and harrowing for him still. That's some bad mojo right there....

"...few who have ventured into the depths of the Ruins come back sane, they say...if at all.  The place has been haunted with all sorts of powerful Ghosts since the Last King, Sarimanok, was overthrown by the League...truly, it's a place to be feared...you were only on the surface, right?  Tust me, it'll get far, far worse the deeper down you go..."

...

"...not that all Ghosts are like those vile mockeries of Sableye that haunt Captain Bridge...some trainers even successfully tame Ruins Ghosts...but in general, the entire region is generally wary of the type...with good reason...Ventus didn't even see the true horrors that place has to offer..."

...Nathan's heard way, way too many horror stories concerning the Skull Ruins to ever not take the place seriously.

Topic change time!  "...golden mask?  That Ghost was likely a Yamask, then.  Said to be a pokemon created from the soul of a person who's passed on, the mask they carry an effigy of what they looked like in life...very rare...and rather...capable at crippling opponents with ease..."

...Nathan sits on the ground.  Despite it still raining, Nathan seems to have forgotten about that for the most part.

"...Gallade could feel you tense up whenever I mention Sableye, by the way.  I don't mean to pry...just...I find that a little odd...very...specific..."

He's half expecting a response, half not.  Is it very tactful to just straight up mention something like that?  Not really.  But usually, if someone's that straightforward about something like that, there's a reason for it, right?

[Lord Windos]

Lord Windos

Spoiler

"...few who have ventured into the depths of the Ruins come back sane, they say...if at all.  The place has been haunted with all sorts of powerful Ghosts since the Last King, Sarimanok, was overthrown by the League...truly, it's a place to be feared...you were only on the surface, right?  Tust me, it'll get far, far worse the deeper down you go..."


...

"...not that all Ghosts are like those vile mockeries of Sableye that haunt Captain Bridge...some trainers even successfully tame Ruins Ghosts...but in general, the entire region is generally wary of the type...with good reason...Ventus didn't even see the true horrors that place has to offer..."

...Nathan's heard way, way too many horror stories concerning the Skull Ruins to ever not take the place seriously.

Topic change time!  "...golden mask?  That Ghost was likely a Yamask, then.  Said to be a pokemon created from the soul of a person who's passed on, the mask they carry an effigy of what they looked like in life...very rare...and rather...capable at crippling opponents with ease..."

...Nathan sits on the ground.  Despite it still raining, Nathan seems to have forgotten about that for the most part.

"...Gallade could feel you tense up whenever I mention Sableye, by the way.  I don't mean to pry...just...I find that a little odd...very...specific..."

He's half expecting a response, half not.  Is it very tactful to just straight up mention something like that?  Not really.  But usually, if someone's that straightforward about something like that, there's a reason for it, right?

Terra looked almost taken aback by the mere mention that the Skull Ruins could and was FAR more odious and treacherous than he first expect/was informed, his eyebrows fully raised and sense of disbelief + greater apprehension around him, before eventually he nods his head. He didn't know much about history or legends - heck, he barely had had a basic understand of his home region's mythos/timeline period, let alone anything on Cheshire (Portfollio/Ven info excluded) - but he trusted both Ven's and Nathan's word/expertise implicitly. If one says that dead place is just plain bad news, and the other says its a horrifically grim from top to bottom, he'll believe them.

"....Ven didn't say much about history of Skull Ruin and Cheshire, so you will have to teach me more about them later. *Turns towards Nathan, and looks him in the eye* Know now that I won't ever go their again. Not without the group, or without telling anyone else. Promise. *Glances off to the side* …Sorry...…"

Yanmask's identity being revealed would have served to alleviate his gloom a bit, as 'new' Pokémon always managed to pique his interests.....

…Were it not for the repeated mention of Sableye and that incident . Every time the gem eating fiends were brought up, it never failed to cause all the muscular fibers of his being to seize up like he'd be jolted by Melly, followed by faint but real spikes of dread lancing through him.

"...Hm, should have caught them too, then. Might have been able to sell them to buy more supplies or battle Items. *Shrugs* Oh well."

He did his best to conceal his reaction, though. Terrifically so - he was naturally stoic and had an EXCELLENT physical control over himself, which combined with his distracting comment made it all too easy.

Why?

Simple: He didn't want to visibly cower/be aggravated about just talking about them (He was tougher than that!), and he didn't want to cause Nathan to worry anymore than he done so already.

Sadly or not, even the best poker face in the world couldn't hide everything, least of all from an empathetic and Psychic Pokémon such as a Gallade. When they (via their trainer) gave him away, the mountain of a man was caught off guard, fully tensing and grimaced openly for several moments, until he got a hold of himself and did a full 180 turn away from them both. A couple of deep breaths could be heard, before he went silent, with only the sound of rain and from the Pokémon out being heard.

Speaking of which, Melly was now sitting down next to her master, pressing herself against their leg and letting out a comforting hum. Genie, meanwhile, gave Nathan the equivalent of a single eyebrow raised deadpan + sassy look the clearly conveyed (via Gallade 'translation') 'Real smooth and clever there, half pint,' before twist mid-air to reach over and pat her master comfortingly on his shoulder.

It wasn't until several minutes passed that Terra finally spoke up in a quiet, subdued tone.

"....Long story. …Don't really want to talk about it......but. .....But I will, if you want. You trust me. Showed and gave respect and.....guidance many times. Even though you don't know me, or have a reason to. *Nods* ….So I will return such goodness to you in part, by telling you about why I....don't like Sableye. *Tilts his head down*...If that is want you want.

Clear as day, he truly was reluctant to speak about it, but he both enough kinship with the boy to offer to share that personal story of his. 

Question now is, will they ask?

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Terra looked almost taken aback by the mere mention that the Skull Ruins could and was FAR more odious and treacherous than he first expect/was informed, his eyebrows fully raised and sense of disbelief + greater apprehension around him, before eventually he nods his head. He didn't know much about history or legends - heck, he barely had had a basic understand of his home region's mythos/timeline period, let alone anything on Cheshire (Portfollio/Ven info excluded) - but he trusted both Ven's and Nathan's word/expertise implicitly. If one says that dead place is just plain bad news, and the other says its a horrifically grim from top to bottom, he'll believe them.

"....Ven didn't say much about history of Skull Ruin and Cheshire, so you will have to teach me more about them later. *Turns towards Nathan, and looks him in the eye* Know now that I won't ever go their again. Not without the group, or without telling anyone else. Promise. *Glances off to the side* …Sorry...…"

Yanmask's identity being revealed would have served to alleviate his gloom a bit, as 'new' Pokémon always managed to pique his interests.....

…Were it not for the repeated mention of Sableye and that incident . Every time the gem eating fiends were brought up, it never failed to cause all the muscular fibers of his being to seize up like he'd be jolted by Melly, followed by faint but real spikes of dread lancing through him.

"...Hm, should have caught them too, then. Might have been able to sell them to buy more supplies or battle Items. *Shrugs* Oh well."

He did his best to conceal his reaction, though. Terrifically so - he was naturally stoic and had an EXCELLENT physical control over himself, which combined with his distracting comment made it all too easy.

Why?

Simple: He didn't want to visibly cower/be aggravated about just talking about them (He was tougher than that!), and he didn't want to cause Nathan to worry anymore than he done so already.

Sadly or not, even the best poker face in the world couldn't hide everything, least of all from an empathetic and Psychic Pokémon such as a Gallade. When they (via their trainer) gave him away, the mountain of a man was caught off guard, fully tensing and grimaced openly for several moments, until he got a hold of himself and did a full 180 turn away from them both. A couple of deep breaths could be heard, before he went silent, with only the sound of rain and from the Pokémon out being heard.

Speaking of which, Melly was now sitting down next to her master, pressing herself against their leg and letting out a comforting hum. Genie, meanwhile, gave Nathan the equivalent of a single eyebrow raised deadpan + sassy look the clearly conveyed (via Gallade 'translation') 'Real smooth and clever there, half pint,' before twist mid-air to reach over and pat her master comfortingly on his shoulder.

It wasn't until several minutes passed that Terra finally spoke up in a quiet, subdued tone.

"....Long story. …Don't really want to talk about it......but. .....But I will, if you want. You trust me. Showed and gave respect and.....guidance many times. Even though you don't know me, or have a reason to. *Nods* ….So I will return such goodness to you in part, by telling you about why I....don't like Sableye. *Tilts his head down*...If that is want you want.

Clear as day, he truly was reluctant to speak about it, but he both enough kinship with the boy to offer to share that personal story of his. 

Question now is, will they ask?

"...it's usually pretty hard to barter when the deal involves a Ghost from the Skull Ruins.  Tends to reduce the value of the pokemon a boatload since very, very few locals don't mind having some kind of direct connection to that dreaded place, however distant. Doesn't mean they're worth nothing, but...superstitous locals aren't the best people to trade 'em to.  But yeah, I can give you a quick rundown on the history later.  That subject's kinda my thing."

-----------

Of course, Nathan can't really see Genie's expression.  Gallade can sense it and communicates it, obviously, as mentioned already.  Nathan just shrugs in Genie's general direction.  He's being blunt for a reason here.  Multiple ones, in fact.  Smooth isn't the name of the game right now.

Notably, Gallade isn't even looking in either trainers' direction right now, btw.  There's not much of an indication that Gallade is directly communicating much of anything to Nathan...maybe a subtle peripheral peep at Nathan every so often, but nothing Terra would be likely to notice.

"...not gonna lie, it would be nice to know a little bit more about you.  Good and bad both."

So...yes. Kinda.

"...maybe we should save this for when we get back to the Center and can find a nice, dry, quiet room, though. We've been out her for a little while, and we should probably be getting back soon...and I'd definitely like to be able to see stuff again..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Gym Leader Tanuki vs Shiva Round 8
Link to Round 7


With very mixed feelings and with loosely crossed arms Shiva watched that Round, observed her waterly Eeveelution preparing herself to survive as long as possible in what remains of the current battle. It went perfectly well, so as soon as Vaporeon stood there, semi-translucent and with the scratches suffered taken care of by herself in an instant, she gave her Pokemon a very appreciating and carefully proud look+smile. "You're doing very well, dear one." In response for that praise, Vaporeon lowered herself on the ground, expressing that she now feels content to attack. "That's right, now we can attempt to hit... Go for in a heartfelt single smash, please. Concentrate, aim carefully and put everything you've got into it." Let us...."

Shiva lowers her voice, lightly clenches a fist in her stance. "Let us....at least defeat Spinda, Vaporeon. How far we'll get after that... We will see." She turns silent then, excited but also worried. Her gut feeling tells her that things will be alright - but it all depends on so many various factors, she couldn't be sure anymore whether she'll make it or not. She is taking some pride in having come this far against dear Tanuki however. It's fine. It'll be perfect. ...Hopefully.


------------------
Spinda's at 2hp and no longer confused.
Vaporeon's faster and suffers no Pain. 6*Vitality.
A Sucker Punch will completely tanked by Vaporeon, Fake Out isn't possible and if Spinda makes it to evade my attack - I'd be suprised, she's appearantly having the same amount of dice in that Action as I have in Acuracy.

Accuracy Roll SINGLE ROCK SMASHING OF THAT SPOT PANDA! : 3 Dext + 2 Fight + 2 Brawl = 7d6
Damage Roll: 3 Strength + 4 power of the move, no STAB = 7d6 + 1 autodamage due to SE. Make it happen, dice...
Additional notes: Poor Spinda. Also 5CD to lower her Defense by 1.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

-----------

Of course, Nathan can't really see Genie's expression.  Gallade can sense it and communicates it, obviously, as mentioned already.  Nathan just shrugs in Genie's general direction.  He's being blunt for a reason here.  Multiple ones, in fact.  Smooth isn't the name of the game right now.

(…)

"...not gonna lie, it would be nice to know a little bit more about you.  Good and bad both."

So...yes.  Kinda.

"...maybe we should save this for when we get back to the Center and can find a nice, dry, quiet room, though.  We've been out her for a little while, and we should probably be getting back soon...and I'd definitely like to be able to see stuff again..."

Genie's look became even more deadpan  at the boy's non-chalant reaction to driving her partner up the wall, and had to resist the urge to roll her eyes and face palm. In the end, she decided to ignore them, and dedicate her focus on her partner. Men....they can be sooo incomprehensible.

…

…

 "....*Sighs* So be it."

Their answer was as the simple monk half dreaded, half resignatedily expected. He REALLY didn't want to talk about it, nor about that time of his life, but if they wanted answers...well, he'll give them. It was the least he could, for all they've done.

Just before he could turn around and launch into the tale, Nathan's interjection brought him up short, causing him to pause for several seconds before he nodded his head.

"....Alright. Let us go back."

Terra turns to his Dragon Djinni of the Desert, and simply ask them "Can me and Nathan ride you back to Cress? Please? He can't see well because of FLASH, and don't want him to get hurt going down the slopes. Also don't want him ambushed by Pokémon too."

(From what I've seen, a Flygon is big enough for about 2 people to semi-comfortably ride one, and Genie is certainly strong and tough enough to handle the weight. However, I'm not too sure, and Genie usually disdains giving rides to anyone but her master and children, so I thought it be prudent to ask!)

If she can/allows, that's one way the two gentleman can get back to Cress. If not, they're roughing it!

*Transition*

However they managed to, both the mountainous man and clever trainer arrived back, and after Nathan got their eyes treat (or started the process) they escorted him to a private room, with the two of them sitting around a table however they want.

Appearance wise, Terra looked calm and more collected than he had been back on the Great Divide's slopes, but beneath it he was feeling HIGHLY nervous, great reluctance, fear, mild stress, and....melancholy.

"....Need some......time to...…prepare and....remember everything, so please wait."

(And this will be the break! I'll give Nathan a chance to react, and then the next post is the big story!)

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Genie's look became even more deadpan  at the boy's non-chalant reaction to driving her partner up the wall, and had to resist the urge to roll her eyes and face palm. In the end, she decided to ignore them, and dedicate her focus on her partner. Men....they can be sooo incomprehensible.

…

…

 "....*Sighs* So be it."

Their answer was as the simple monk half dreaded, half resignatedily expected. He REALLY didn't want to talk about it, nor about that time of his life, but if they wanted answers...well, he'll give them. It was the least he could, for all they've done.

Just before he could turn around and launch into the tale, Nathan's interjection brought him up short, causing him to pause for several seconds before he nodded his head.

"....Alright. Let us go back."

Terra turns to his Dragon Djinni of the Desert, and simply ask them "Can me and Nathan ride you back to Cress? Please? He can't see well because of FLASH, and don't want him to get hurt going down the slopes. Also don't want him ambushed by Pokémon too."

(From what I've seen, a Flygon is big enough for about 2 people to semi-comfortably ride one, and Genie is certainly strong and tough enough to handle the weight. However, I'm not too sure, and Genie usually disdains giving rides to anyone but her master and children, so I thought it be prudent to ask!)

If she can/allows, that's one way the two gentleman can get back to Cress. If not, they're roughing it!

*Transition*

However they managed to, both the mountainous man and clever trainer arrived back, and after Nathan got their eyes treat (or started the process) they escorted him to a private room, with the two of them sitting around a table however they want.

Appearance wise, Terra looked calm and more collected than he had been back on the Great Divide's slopes, but beneath it he was feeling HIGHLY nervous, great reluctance, fear, mild stress, and....melancholy.

"....Need some......time to...…prepare and....remember everything, so please wait."

(And this will be the break! I'll give Nathan a chance to react, and then the next post is the big story!)

Nathan holds out a hand and shakes his head when offered a potential ride back to Cress.

"Don't worry about getting me back there too much.  Gallade can do that easily.  Can't fly, but he can Teleport.  Just need to find Juliet and Grids' pokeballs, and then he can get me back to the city instantly...I'll meet you at the Center after I get some eyedrops and whatever else the nurse recommends, alright?  Don't want to be any more of a burden than necessary...and it gets us treatment sooner rather than later..."

Gallade helps Nathan finding the various pokeballs for his pokemon without needing Nathan's prompting.  Once that's taken care of, they Teleport back to Cress.  They'll meet up with Terra when he gets back.

Genie's probably relieved that she doesn't have to carry Nathan at all.  For varying reasons.

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

When Nurse Joy inevitably inquires how Nathan and his pokemon ended up fuzzy visioned, he mentions a very strong, bright flash of light, but doesn't really go into detail besides that.  No need to draw attention to Primal Bulbasaur knowing FLASH.

How long is it going to take for the effects of FLASH to wear off, though, @Iron?

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

Nathan quietly and patiently waits for Terra to begin the story.  He knows this is sensitive territory.

[Lord Windos]

(...)

Nathan quietly and patiently waits for Terra to begin the story.  He knows this is sensitive territory.

(Well, if they can Teleport out, Terra will not begrudge the option at all! A flight back by himself would also calm him down more/give him time to collect his thoughts, so that benefits my chara too!)

Minutes passed in silence riff with tension, until it was broken by the simple monk *Sighing*, and he began.

"....It happened a long time ago. When I was a young child, living in Dewford."

His eyes too a distant, long searching look, as he reminiscented of old memories of yor. 


"....Back then, I was small. Tiny. Weak. Frail. Scrawny.  …More Dumb than I am now."

A frown tugged on his lips as he spoke, growing deeper with each deagortory term that he uttered.

"....My parents were merchants. Very wealthy. I was their only child. Mama got real while she had me, so she and Papa didn't try to have more. They knew I was a dumb runt, and they were....sad about that."

His frown inverted itself at this point, and he was now sporting a small, fond smile.

".....Mama and Papa still loved me very much, though. Spoiled me, and made sure I was taken care of.  *Smile widens* Raised me well. Taught me their trade, and sent me to a good school to try and make me less dumb. More....educated. Learned well and much from them....."

As he trails off, his smile rapidly diminishes, like a candle doused in the rain.

".....Not so much from school."

He went silent for half a minute, his façade losing its stoicness, discomfort taking its place.

".....Classmates and others picked on me. ….Bullied. For being a dumb runt, and for having rich parents."

A gloom descended upon the room, holding tangible sense of misery and disquiet.


"…They teased me. Called me names. Made me looks bad …Made sure to make me feel bad. About being pick on....and about myself."

...

"The Teacher....didn't care. Thought I was too....dumb and weak to be taught. Always.....frustrated them when I learned so slowly, or didn't understand stuff without lots of help."

...

"...I was a burden in their eyes. They wanted to get rid of me....but couldn't. …So most started to ignore me. Only....helping so much. 'The bare minimum'. Let my classmates do whatever they wanted. …And some of them picked on me too. It was all....payback for them."

Tension was now so thick, you needed a hatchet to cleave through it. The mountain of a man eyes were tightly closed.

"....Didn't say anything to Mama or Papa. Didn't want to trouble them, or get anyone else in trouble. …Thought it was all my fault too. That....I was responsible. .....Was a big enough....screwup and weakly that....everyone was right to treat me....badly. Just....took it all. Accepted it was....normal."

…

"My classmates.....didn't like that. Didn't like I didn't....react, or fight back. Got.....boring for them, I think. So they.....started doing worse."

*Long stretch of silence, before he let out a heavy sigh and opened his eyes, which were downcast*

"....Couldn't take it anymore. Didn't want to tell Mama or Papa about it. So I.....started to skip school. Choose to explore and wander around the town, the island. Tiring, and got in trouble a few times.....but it was.....better than going to school and being......bullied."

"....One day, I decided to go look around the big cave outside of town.....Granite Cave. Though it would be fun, and wouldn't get caught their."

He slowly shook his head, deeply grimacing.

"I was wrong. Very, very, very wrong."

*Beat*

"..... Couldn't see much....didn't think to bring a flashlight. Went to deep into the cave, and got lost...."

"....And a Sableye found me. A big, mean-spirited, and wicked Sableye."

This was it. This was the moment. The moment that he has been building up to all this time.

"....It hurt me. Scared me. Much, much worse than my classmates. .....It.....chased me all over the cave. Never let me rest, always.....laughing and swiping at me if I stopped. So I had to keep running.....no matter what."

…

"....Got corned by it after....don't know how long. Sableye…I think it wanted to....to.....escalate things."

"....I thought I was going to die. …Or worse."

Grim.

Bleak.

Terror.

All of these feelings were Terra's, as he relieved that moment. That horrible, terrible moment. His arms were laid across the table now, hands clenched into fists so tight you could almost imagine he was grinding his flesh and bones.

"But."

Suddenly, all the tense, despair, and frightened filling up the simple monk drained out of him, and in its place.....warm, safe feeling of awe and relief started to well up

"But I didn't." 

"I was saved."

"Saved by a Makuhita."

He reach down to his belt, and pulled off his Pokeball. He placed it down in front of him, and simply stared at it.

It was none other than Shiranui's.

"...He KOed the Sableye with one Knock Off. Grinned at....it, and laughed. He look proud. Accomplished. Strong."

"Then, he came over to me. Got me off the ground, checked me over, and gave me a Sitrus Berry to heal my wounds."


"After that, he held out his hand. Wanted to keep helping me. A dumb weakling like me."

...


 "....He was friendly. Kind. Strong. Brave. Heroic. Still is, now."

...

"...He was everything I was not, back then."

……


".....I took his hand. He lead me out of the cave. Kept away other wild Pokémon too. Made very sure I was safe."

"....All that time, I could only think one thing...."

" 'I want to be like that.' "

……


"....After that, when he turned to go back....I stopped him. I...asked him to help me. Make me strong....tough....good. Like him."

"He was surprised....but then he just laughed, and nodded his head."

Terra was smiling now. It was thin, and it looked worn, but it was a genuine smile.

"I became his student that day. From then on, we trained. Both of us grew. Stronger, tougher, and braver. Bullies at school stopped bothering me, after I caught and crushed a rock one threw. He could take on Pokémon he couldn't before, like Mawhile and Axew."

...


"Alone, we just were. Unchanging. Together...."

He picked up his sumo wrestler's Pokeball...


"...We are more."

...and grasped it, bring it close to his chest. The atmosphere of the room felt.....lighter now. Not entirely free of stress, strife, or tension, but it was more.....bearable now, less oppressive....and now held an undercurrent of relief, contentedness, and gaiety.

".....And that is why I do not like Sableye....and how I became who I am today. That....is all."