[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The Shack Attack was a much more surgical strike than the Morgusi/Warren block. The door was sliced in twain, where it hangs sadly from its hinges. The fragile ceiling above the door collapsed, resulting in a big beam which is now on the floor. There's some blood under it.
Nothing else was damaged, not even the display cases - but the display cases are now full of pebbles and not cards.

Packs of Creshire Crash cards are strewn about the floor, along with comics and board game pieces, from one big shelf that seems to have fallen over.

Eeeeewwww. The dilapidated shack, now dilapidated in the literal sense, was painful to see for Shiva, she was actually enjoying this place, even if not as much as the Violet Tent! But she was looking forward to stop by again here to play cards and hang out with other enthusiasts indeed if she's being honest to herself. She manages to not show her distress openly though, remains relatively stoic and serious. But, she also keeps away from the blood and place that 'beam' hit the floor, asks Lilith to do the same. However if there are any valuable cards or unopened boosters laying around, Shiva would pick them up - partly because 'Free cards! ^o^' and partly to send them back to the shack owners once they've recovered, can't risk that they get lost in the rubble.

As Nathan wonders about how THEY managed to get their hands on the cards without even touching the display cases, Shiva tabs a bit against the glass, observes the pebbles. "Oh, that's likely not too hard to do...", she says cryptically, "Make use of the powers of a Psychic Pokemon to swap a held Item. Trick for example. Yes, this looks like their work..." The feeling that the Scims know their business intensifies, she has to confess that this technology is pretty clever.

She's very fine with Nathan investigating outside, trying to find some more clues. She nods at him with the words "Good idea", then tries to focus on the place - the feeling of the magic of Mr. Morgusi's cards being absent must be present here as well, she'd guess. If it is, it makes her shiver but it strengthens her suspicion.

Nathan takes a few pictures of the evidence with his pokedex, carefully stands up from where he was kneeling, and heads back to the shack to tell the others what he found.

"I think I know where the Scimitars went from here.  Pretty obvious to us in hindsight, really, but every bit of proof helps.  I took some pictures of the trail they left behind.  They were headed west, which means they were probably headed to the Almanac Labs since they've got a base of operations there.  If we act fast, we might find Keni, my uncle, and the missing cards there...assuming we can find that hidden Scimitar base, that is..."

Nathan's demeanor is still a little distant and calculating, all business.

"...problem is, we'd probably have to convince the police to investigate the place to get anywhere near it...the Scims might also try to flee if we cause too much of a commotion while searching...hmmm..."

Shiva welcomes him with inquisitiveness as he comes back, turns his head towards him and closes her notebook she was just reading in while sitting by the spot the beam has stricken. "Found something...? Yes...? Please share...!"

She listens to him with an attentive expression, lets his words echo in her mind as she's trying to put puzzle pieces together to an image. "That's good info, Nathan. Humm... Yes, you might be right about THEM having headed to the lab of Almanac, it's possible that they are keeping Keni and your uncle hostage there. Why they'd be interested in the former I understand - trying to rebuild the magic of his cards in a way, you see. But your uncle...??" It's just ODD that they have taken him along, Shiva wouldn't think that they've done so for nothing or just because he's friends with good Keni. For a few minutes she says nothing and just threathens to get lost in her thoughts....


....before Lilith gently draggs Shiva back onto the current planet by tapping her notebook and shoulder. She appears startled for a moment. "Ah, eh, I'm sorry..... *cough* Well..." Just as Shiva was about to object on the suggestion to get the police investigate the Almanac Labs, Dizzalam already neatly did so, Shiva emphasizes agreement with the Absol. "It'd be not optimal to ask cops to search there, as well as PURE and almost suicidal madness to go there ourselves." These last words are spoken out with faint shock and come with a light headshake. "They'd smash us, they'd have home advantage, we know nothing about this place's inner. We'd easily get lost, possible worse....."

A few moments of silence later Shiva continues in a more calm voice. "No, let us look at things from a different angle." She pages a bit through her notebook and eventually shows Nathan, Mika and Angela the prophecy of Heart's Natu that she wrote down. "If I'm... I mean, if my thoughts go into the right direction, the time might have eventually come for you, Dizzy - Calam, whatever nickname you prefer - to get started on what you've been trained for, to put your role as an infilitrator into action. 'We' won't go into there - you will. I can sense your desire to take action, dear one....", Shiva says as she gazes deep into the Absol's dark eyes, "what better time is there but now at last? People, look at the line 'Darkness shows the way to light', this is possibl telling that it'll eventually be this Absol here who will lead us when the time is right - lead us to Keni and your uncle, Nathan. 'Hero save and villain steal', you get it?" A small smile forms on her expression, she hopes the others understand.

She reads on, a bit excited now. "'Villain's fortress standing tall, Slice of night shows hidden hall' - Almanac's lab building DOES look like a fortress, you remember how we saw it a while ago, Nathan? Gallade? These Decidueye and such flying over it as watchers... A hidden hall a Night Slash can open, casted by Absol here... Dizzy - or Calam - with your moves, your speed, your skills you should be able to sneak into Almanac's lab with AT LEAST moderate success. I know you're capable of doing so - ", Shiva knees down to face the Absol with the scared eye - "Do you feel so as well? Are you ready?"

"I... I think we could - should - also go and try to get a glimpse at the lab building once more from the Route - the prophecy speaks of a vision of perhaps Xatu, me and Lilith and Gallade, maybe we could...trigger it." She'd also like to wish the Infiltrator Absol good luck personally and see him go if doable.

[Iron]

Here are the 'free' cards you obtain:

Spoiler

remoraid
psyduck
nidoran-m
nincada
swinub
marill
lotad
tentacool
drowzee
pikachu

tentacruel
azurill
graveler
huntail
arbok
metang
swellow
primeape
vulpix
bagon
xatu
parasect
teddiursa
ninjask
sandslash
raichu
azurill
charmeleon
gloom
hitmontop

alakazam
armaldo
ninetales
snorlax
dunsparce

Yep, the Keni magic has gone.

Calam hops up and puts his paws on your shoulders and gives you a quick gentle headbutt. You're definitely on the right track, in his opinion.
But he gives the party a soulful gaze - he knows he won't be able to do it alone. At least someone with hands is gonna have to come along, if he is to actually save the prisoners.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Hehehehe, 'free')


Aww, Dizzalam's assurance grants a shy yet nice and delighted boost in confidence within Shiva, if the Infiltrator allows she returns his headbutt with a stroke over his head; avoiding to touch the horn as usual. "I see what you mean, dear one...", she calmly tells him, "You ARE ready. You've indeed grown so much since I saw you the first time." A flash of nostalgia washes over her face before that soulful glance - well, it caught her very offguard as she would have never thought he'd ask for company or help from them.

Shiva FREEZES, stares at the Absol in arising fear as if he just asked something insane. Only MOMENTS ago she named an attempt to sneak into Almanac's labs a madman's action, and the natural fae enthusiast wouldn't call herself crazy. Yet it is undeniable that Dizzy - or Calam - wished, no, requested some of the party/the party(?) to come along, and if that's what he wishes for, if that's what needs to be done to proof herself to Golda and Wir as well as to save Keni and Nathan's uncle - Then Shiva, graceful Xerneas may bless her with a fae aura, will come along.

"Nathan....", she eventually raises her voice as she moves her gaze to him, but it's not much more than a loud whisper. Seriousness dwells in it, determination, yet also subtle fear. "Me as the Absol's caretaker in his younger days. Me who suggested this species to be bred. You as the one who tamed this Absol. Who doesn't see it as the doombringer. I can't nor want to let him go alone if he asks for some of us to come along, and you are beaming to take action. To save Keni and your uncle from the claws of the Scims - it's reasoned if at least we two would join this particular disaster Pokemon. Will you...?" She's almost holding her breath as she waits for an answer... It's now or never.

"We should also...ask if Terra and Heart would be up, but the more people come, the higher the chance of being spotted? On the other hand, together we are strong and together we fall."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart was very much grumpy after the discussion with Shiva. "The last slap in my face if it she suddenly become a Scimitar too. The way she talk about them, I have my doubts."

He step by step trying to focus in the situation on hand. "*Sight* No time to think that. Need to find clues. I can think that later." Heart then release three of his Pokemon: Xatu, Honckrow and Meowth. "Sorry to bother you three. The Scimitar attack this and take two people hostage. You two will fly to see clues in the air. Meowth you and I will look in ground for anything strange."

@Iron Insight (3) + Survival (3) + Alert (3) to find anything strange or odd.

*roll*

You've already found everything there is to find. With aerial observations, you can be confident no other targets were struck.

Here are the 'free' cards you obtain:

Spoiler

remoraid
psyduck
nidoran-m
nincada
swinub
marill
lotad
tentacool
drowzee
pikachu

tentacruel
azurill
graveler
huntail
arbok
metang
swellow
primeape
vulpix
bagon
xatu
parasect
teddiursa
ninjask
sandslash
raichu
azurill
charmeleon
gloom
hitmontop

alakazam
armaldo
ninetales
snorlax
dunsparce

Yep, the Keni magic has gone.

Calam hops up and puts his paws on your shoulders and gives you a quick gentle headbutt. You're definitely on the right track, in his opinion.
But he gives the party a soulful gaze - he knows he won't be able to do it alone. At least someone with hands is gonna have to come along, if he is to actually save the prisoners.

(Hehehehe, 'free')


Aww, Dizzalam's assurance grants a shy yet nice and delighted boost in confidence within Shiva, if the Infiltrator allows she returns his headbutt with a stroke over his head; avoiding to touch the horn as usual. "I see what you mean, dear one...", she calmly tells him, "You ARE ready. You've indeed grown so much since I saw you the first time." A flash of nostalgia washes over her face before that soulful glance - well, it caught her very offguard as she would have never thought he'd ask for company or help from them.

Shiva FREEZES, stares at the Absol in arising fear as if he just asked something insane. Only MOMENTS ago she named an attempt to sneak into Almanac's labs a madman's action, and the natural fae enthusiast wouldn't call herself crazy. Yet it is undeniable that Dizzy - or Calam - wished, no, requested some of the party/the party(?) to come along, and if that's what he wishes for, if that's what needs to be done to proof herself to Golda and Wir as well as to save Keni and Nathan's uncle - Then Shiva, graceful Xerneas may bless her with a fae aura, will come along.

"Nathan....", she eventually raises her voice as she moves her gaze to him, but it's not much more than a loud whisper. Seriousness dwells in it, determination, yet also subtle fear. "Me as the Absol's caretaker in his younger days. Me who suggested this species to be bred. You as the one who tamed this Absol. Who doesn't see it as the doombringer. I can't nor want to let him go alone if he asks for some of us to come along, and you are beaming to take action. To save Keni and your uncle from the claws of the Scims - it's reasoned if at least we two would join this particular disaster Pokemon. Will you...?" She's almost holding her breath as she waits for an answer... It's now or never.

"We should also...ask if Terra and Heart would be up, but the more people come, the higher the chance of being spotted? On the other hand, together we are strong and together we fall."

From the shadows, Heart appear behind Shiva. "I didn't find any clues. Whatever those Scims was searching, it's not here anymore. Did you guys found anything more or figure out something?"

Say Heart with a stoic face. Xatu fly around and then decide to make himself comfortable in Heart head with Meowth in his shoulder and Honckrow just stopping in some broken pillar.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

If it was the PUNisher's intention to startle Shiva, it was a partial success - she was able to sense his presence almost immediately but he adressed her before she was able to properly react, means she cringes a tad bit, clings her starry-covered notebook and quickly steps aside. If the natural fae enthusiast would be scared successfully here, she'd probably slap the 'attacker' with that book.

"H... Hello Heart", she manages to word, "good to see you. Eh.... Yes, we did find out something - things are pointing to the villains fortress, to the labs, to Almanac, to their building we saw earlier - you remember?" She'll explain to Heart where that guess comes from and what Nathan and she have found out, including her interpretation of Xatu's prophecy which is all in the upper posts, I need sleep and am too tired to sum up now, sorry - does the bird react in some way actually as Shiva does so? Just out of curiosity.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan with closed eyes as he responds to Shiva.

"...this is my fight too, Shiva.  Is there any doubt that Gallade and I want to tag along with Calam?  We're done with being victims.  No more Purrloin footing around this for us.  Whether they kidnapped my uncle because he was a witness to the crime or were trying to spite me personally hardly matters.  They've attacked me, my dad, my uncle...I find myself thanking Aotius, Mutios, and Arceus that my mom has been left out of all of this, that she and Max and the ranch and Trillium are all still perfectly okay...minus the stress of potentially losing her family again...but that's a problem I aim to fix...or if I can't, at least find some closure for everyone..."

He opens his eyes, looks at Gallade and Calam, looks directly at Shiva, a determined look in his eye. Right now, all he really cares about is getting his uncle and Keni back. He looks back at Calam.

"...safety in numbers, as the saying goes, but we should also proceed with caution.  Calam, how many of us do you think should go with you?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva smiles mildly towards Nathan and gives him an understanding and agreeing nod as she takes a stable stance. "I wouldn't have expected anything different from you."

[Iron]

If it was the PUNisher's intention to startle Shiva, it was a partial success - she was able to sense his presence almost immediately but he adressed her before she was able to properly react, means she cringes a tad bit, clings her starry-covered notebook and quickly steps aside. If the natural fae enthusiast would be scared successfully here, she'd probably slap the 'attacker' with that book.

"H... Hello Heart", she manages to word, "good to see you. Eh.... Yes, we did find out something - things are pointing to the villains fortress, to the labs, to Almanac, to their building we saw earlier - you remember?" She'll explain to Heart where that guess comes from and what Nathan and she have found out, including her interpretation of Xatu's prophecy which is all in the upper posts, I need sleep and am too tired to sum up now, sorry - does the bird react in some way actually as Shiva does so? Just out of curiosity.

Nope, Xatu pretty much never reacts. Unlike Calam or Gallade, it doesn't feel any urge to communicate about its foretellings.

[Iron]

Nathan with closed eyes as he responds to Shiva.

"...this is my fight too, Shiva.  Is there any doubt that Gallade and I want to tag along with Calam?  We're done with being victims.  No more Purrloin footing around this for us.  Whether they kidnapped my uncle because he was a witness to the crime or were trying to spite me personally hardly matters.  They've attacked me, my dad, my uncle...I find myself thanking Aotius, Mutios, and Arceus that my mom has been left out of all of this, that she and Max and the ranch and Trillium are all still perfectly okay...minus the stress of potentially losing her family again...but that's a problem I aim to fix...or if I can't, at least find some closure for everyone..."

He opens his eyes, looks at Gallade and Calam, looks directly at Shiva, a determined look in his eye.  Right now, all he really cares about is getting his uncle and Keni back.  He looks back at Calam.

"...safety in numbers, as the saying goes, but we should also proceed with caution.  Calam, how many of us do you think should go with you?"

Calam shrugs. It's up to the party.

[Dragonstrike]

Calam shrugs. It's up to the party.

"Alright, one other question: are we doing this tonight?"