[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"And how are you doing, Nate? Hopefully well, I take it?"

Nathan's in a bit of minor shock at first.  "...w-wh...V-Ventus...?"

He recovers (surprisingly?) quickly, and for a brief moment, he gets rather...passionate about his stance on this.

"...what the hell, man?!  Seriously, I'm antsy enough right now as it is!"

He sighs, looks slightly at the ground, and lowers the brim of his fedora to conceal his face a little.

"...nice to see you in person again, though...should have known you'd be working here...certainly explains a lot...I take it you heard...well, everything?"

Surprise, irritation, nostalgia, nervousness...there's so many emotions that Nathan's experiencing right now, it'd be impossible to describe exactly how he's feeling at this moment.

Gallade's standing aside, arms crossed, stoic as usual.  He gives Ventus a courteous nod, but little else for now.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Nathan's in a bit of minor shock at first.  "...w-wh...V-Ventus...?"

He recovers (surprisingly?) quickly, and for a brief moment, he gets rather...passionate about his stance on this.

"...what the hell, man?!  Seriously, I'm antsy enough right now as it is!"

He sighs, looks slightly at the ground, and lowers the brim of his fedora to conceal his face a little.

"...nice to see you in person again, though...should have known you'd be working here...certainly explains a lot...I take it you heard...well, everything?"

Surprise, irritation, nostalgia, nervousness...there's so many emotions that Nathan's experiencing right now, it'd be impossible to describe exactly how he's feeling at this moment.

Gallade's standing aside, arms crossed, stoic as usual.  He gives Ventus a courteous nod, but little else for now.

Ventus chuckles a bit more at his old friend's? astonishment, then outright laughs when they scold him for the jumpscare he gave them, finally releasing them as he adjust his glasses and wipes a tear from his eye.

"Hah hah hah! Now there's the fire that lies in your belly, Nate, and what a sight for my sore eyes it is! Hah hah! Oh, how this brings back the memory when I first got the better of you like this, all the way back in Corsage! It's only been a couple months since then, but it somehow feels that an epoch has be whiled away since them....." 

To his credit, the roguish scientist soon relented in the merriment he had at the boy's expense, smiling at him beatifically and bowing his head as he properly re-introduced himself to them.

"But yes, it is I, Ventus Zachariah, Pokemon Researcher extraordinaire, coming straight from my lab to grace you with a surprise visit! One that I'm glad you both took so well, ah ha! It's a pleasure to see you too, Nate, and I'm glad you don't find my presence......overbearing or unwelcome, as some might say."

When they inquired as to what he picked up from their meeting with their boss, Ven simply clapped his hands and lightly exclaimed "No, not at all! As you might imagine, Dagny cherishes her privacy and take grave offense to those that would infringe upon it, so out of respect to her and for my own well-being I don't listen in upon her conversions or business in her office in anyway. Even if I did, she'd eventually find out, which would only complicate matters between us, which we both rather not deal with, so we don't. That, and I can always ask her sooner or later about the meeting, and she'll give me the details in one form or another unless she has pressing reasons not too. Simple as that, as Terra would say!"

Ven then tilts his head, looking politely curious now.

"Speaking of which, how is he doing? More to the point, how are you[i] and everyone else doing? I've not heard back from his yet in the slightest, so I only have reports from the League, Dagny's own intelligence and my own as to what transpired before, during, and after your epic clash with 'Deoxys Prime's' forces. Altogether they paint [i]quite a picture as to what tortures and perils you've been put through, but I imagine the leave out a lot of personal details that could shade and accentuate those events, hmm? Care to share right now, or should we put that off for another day? It is getting rather late, and I also imagine you and our friends are worn out from today's proceedings."

At this point, he claps his hands together again, and smiles down even more radiantly at the young scholar.

"Oh, and congratulations for saving Cheshire, Nate! Would be remiss of me not to give you the praise that grand heroic feat deserve, I believe! You'd done your family proud, and I don't think I have to tell you how I feel about it, right?"

He inclines his head towards Gallade as he says this, both returning their greeting from earlier and acknowledging that they were likely scrutinizing his emotions right now and conveying them straight to their partner as he speaks. Something which he's apparently unbothered by, which considering his own issues and stance on mental sanctity was remarkable. It also appeared like he was either ignoring or was not paying attention to Nathan's feelings right now, though whether that was out of respect to them or simply being too caught up handling his own feelings and keeping himself open to Shiva was indeterminable. Knowing Ven, it was likely for both reasons, but who can tell with him?[/i][/i]

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Ventus chuckles a bit more at his old friend's? astonishment, then outright laughs when they scold him for the jumpscare he gave them, finally releasing them as he adjust his glasses and wipes a tear from his eye.

"Hah hah hah! Now there's the fire that lies in your belly, Nate, and what a sight for my sore eyes it is! Hah hah! Oh, how this brings back the memory when I first got the better of you like this, all the way back in Corsage! It's only been a couple months since then, but it somehow feels that an epoch has be whiled away since them....." 

To his credit, the roguish scientist soon relented in the merriment he had at the boy's expense, smiling at him beatifically and bowing his head as he properly re-introduced himself to them.

"But yes, it is I, Ventus Zachariah, Pokemon Researcher extraordinaire, coming straight from my lab to grace you with a surprise visit! One that I'm glad you both took so well, ah ha! It's a pleasure to see you too, Nate, and I'm glad you don't find my presence......overbearing or unwelcome, as some might say."

When they inquired as to what he picked up from their meeting with their boss, Ven simply clapped his hands and lightly exclaimed "No, not at all! As you might imagine, Dagny cherishes her privacy and take grave offense to those that would infringe upon it, so out of respect to her and for my own well-being I don't listen in upon her conversions or business in her office in anyway. Even if I did, she'd eventually find out, which would only complicate matters between us, which we both rather not deal with, so we don't. That, and I can always ask her sooner or later about the meeting, and she'll give me the details in one form or another unless she has pressing reasons not too. Simple as that, as Terra would say!"

Ven then tilts his head, looking politely curious now.

"Speaking of which, how is he doing? More to the point, how are [i][i][i][i][i][i][i][i][i][i][i][i][i]you and everyone else doing? I've not heard back from his yet in the slightest, so I only have reports from the League, Dagny's own intelligence and my own as to what transpired before, during, and after your epic clash with 'Deoxys Prime's' forces. Altogether they paint quite[/i] a picture as to what tortures and perils you've been put through, but I imagine the leave out a lot of personal details that could shade and accentuate those events, hmm? Care to share right now, or should we put that off for another day? It [/i]is[/i] getting rather late, and I [/i]also[/i] imagine you and our friends are worn out from today's proceedings."

At this point, he claps his hands together again, and smiles down even more radiantly at the young scholar.

"Oh, and congratulations for saving Cheshire, Nate! Would be remiss of me not to give you the praise that grand heroic feat deserve, I believe! You'd done your family proud, and I don't think I have to tell you how [/i]I[/i] feel about it, right?"

He inclines his head towards Gallade as he says this, both returning their greeting from earlier and acknowledging that they were likely scrutinizing his emotions right now and conveying them straight to their partner as he speaks. Something which he's apparently unbothered by, which considering his own [/i]issues[/i] and stance on mental sanctity was remarkable. It also appeared like he was either ignoring or was not paying attention to Nathan's feelings right now, though whether that was out of respect to them or simply being too caught up handling his [/i]own[/i] feelings and keeping himself open to Shiva was indeterminable. Knowing Ven, it was likely for both reasons, but who can tell with him?[/i][/i]

"...Terra's doing...good.  Yeah, definitely good...he kinda split off from everyone else for now to do his own stuff, though...Heart and Spira as well..."

Pointedly, Nathan's still looking at the ground and attempting to obscure his face with the brim of his hat.

He doesn't seem to be particularly flattered by Ventus's praise, either.  "...couldn't have done it alone.  Everyone else deserves praise too, human or otherwise...I was only doing what I felt was right..."

One thing's for certain: Nathan's 100% feeling really awkward about this, and you don't have to be an empath to be able to tell.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...Terra's doing...good.  Yeah, definitely good...he kinda split off from everyone else for now to do his own stuff, though...Heart and Spira as well..."

Pointedly, Nathan's still looking at the ground and attempting to obscure his face with the brim of his hat.

He doesn't seem to be particularly flattered by Ventus's praise, either.  "...couldn't have done it alone.  Everyone else deserves praise too, human or otherwise...I was only doing what I felt was right..."

One thing's for certain: Nathan's 100% feeling really awkward about this, and you don't have to be an empath to be able to tell.

"....Well, you certainly don't sound so sure or cheerful about your word. I take it there's a story behind this Gloom that's meddling with what should be a mutual feeling of accomplishment between you all?"

Despite his digging and pertinent remark, Ventus maintains his sunny tone and disposition, though the former is a little lighter and his expression a touch more concerned and empathetic. He does give Gallade a questioning glance along with a tilt of his head when their partner averts their gaze from him, however.

Them downplaying their own literally world saving accomplishment gets a small frown and raised eyebrows from the eccentric researcher, before he reaches over and rests a hand on their shoulder.

"I know that very well, Nate. Taking on a true Legendary Pokemon and slaying it is not something anyone can do alone, unless they be god-like or Legendarily powerful themselves. Those who took a part in the struggle against Deoxys deserves ample recognition, praise, and compensation, no matter how big or little their role is. As a matter of fact, I plan on congratulating everyone I can for vanquishing that dreadful and most ill reputable researcher (He says that with notable contempt) Deoxys, as well as offering my own boons for the deed too, on top of the ones the League will no doubt showering upon you all."

He briefly looks over at Shiva, and gives her a rather affectionate but bashful grin. 

"My boon and praise to you will be fully disclosed between us in privacy, as I know you'd prefer. We have a lot to catch up on anyway, so why not do everything in all one go, hmm?"

Saying thus, he lets out another chuckle before looking back over to Nathan, and gives his friend a comforting squeeze, smiling kindly and encouragingly at them.

"Of course, that include you too, least you overlook your own monumental part in that wild, diabolical, and awful scheme Deoxys forced you and all of Cheshire into, unintentionally or not. You shouldn't feel terrible, overwrought, or unworthy about that - quite the opposite, you should be revealing from your feats and the honor and acknowledgements you receive thereof, or at the very least be more positive about them. Or that's what I believe, at least. Alright, Nate?"

Ven let go of them then, and swiftly offers them a full bow and a flourish of his hand.

"For you, I know you wouldn't prefer or desire any material gifts from me, so I give you thus: three Favors, for you to ask of me whatever you wish, should it be possible for them to be fulfilled. Really, you deserve an eternal debt from me, but if I know you even a little I fear you reject such a level of gratitude on my part, even though I feel you are entirely entitled to it, like the rest of our friends."

"So....do you have any Favors to ask of me now, Nate?"

[Iron]

"Count on me. Now that we know what makes the Kadabra Chambers so dangerous, we'll have them all back on the surface in no time. What to do with them then, though, I am not sure."


"Yes. I analyzed the pictures quite thoroughly. I'm pretty sure, not entirely sure but pretty sure, they didn't have a fully functioning prototype that could overwrite Bill's protections. Bill himself has already been notified, grumpy as he was to put aside whatever project he's working on right now. We've also increased the guard on Mallorn's research into those crystals Deoxys had. However, I am positive there's been no contact with Cipher. Interregional communications CANNOT be hidden from me."


Dagny can answer you about Strength: It wasn't there when they raided Almanac.

The photo of the Legendaries isn't very clear, but you can see that under each Legendary there's several documents or photos of locations. You can for sure see every Legendary that's been known to frequent Creshire. Others are less clear (Mewtwo isn't visible in the photo, for example, but it could be out of focus).

"...yeah, that's...something to think about.  They're Kadabra right now, and can be sucked into any old pokeball, but...it's quite an ethical dilemma...Heart could help return them to normal, but that'll take time.  There's also a rather...powerful Syrentide living in the Slowpoke Well just underneath the barrow downs.  She could in theory heal them more quickly, but...that would take a lot of energy.  And when I say energy, that primarily means her causing pokemon to permanently forget moves and convert the natural energies into other things.  Regardless of how we do it, though, I think we should definitely return them all to being fully human again."

"...I hope not.  There are still those out there who want to revive that group, and I'm sure they'd love to jump on an opportunity to get access to that kind of technology again..."

As for the bulletin board, "Did you guys find that board when you raided the labs?  Or was that seemingly missing or moved as well?"  Either way, Nathan wants to try and get as much of that information on that bulletin board written down as he can.

"It was long gone. I was able to digitally enhance it and pick out a few more words." She brings up some notes. "Our old friendly phrase, 'Royalty, Knighthood, Kingdom.' I think it says 'Great Tree' beside Royalty, or maybe beside this bit that says 'Comet.' We have 'Moltres' and 'Heart of Fire.' Volcanion seems to be connected to Genesect. 'Primals.' 'Unite. Unite. Unite the two trios.' 'Birthmark.' 'Hall of Fame.' Not a lot to go on."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ratsy is still visible in the corner of the card. Some of the fenceposts have gained new small works of art.

Awww, that's a sight that makes Shiva smile dearly! It's also quite a relief seeing that the artitsic rat's been enjoying their time in the vivid artwork of this card, seems to be all safe and sound and not having noticed anything of the massive destruction and heated fighting caused by the invader from space. Shiva carefully looks around whether anyone's close nearby, then she whispers some gentle words into the card: "Ratsy, it's me, it's great to see that you're fine! <3  Things have...calmed down here, the big threat that's been causing me to send you here has been properly handled. So, ehm, you can always come here into this world if you like, and I could use your help and talent on painting a crafting of me later! (the Heavy Ball) ^0^" She chuckles a bit. "I'll put you - this Card - into my pocket for now along with a cookie for rodentlike Pokemon.

And so Shiva makes her way to the Department Store of Cress City, or so she thought before Ventus came across. For simplicity's sake I'll still have her do the things I wanted her to do on this in-game Day.

5k seems a little steep for a Thunder Stone. Let's make it 3k.

Up where the Almanac's store front used to be, there is only a little wheeled booth manned by familiar faces from the Shelter for Disobedient Pokemon! They say there'll be some unusually Obedient Pokemon available for adoption tomorrow:
-Solrock with an extra strong Telekinesis
-Rhyperior that was evolved into Rhydon early and then immediately turned into Rhyperior, high disobedience.
-Oversized lazy Hippowdon, somewhat disobedient
-Ferrothorn with Powder moves, somewhat disobedient
-A Turtwig
-A Golduck with strong Disable abilities
-A very long Gorebyss with some health problems, and an Egg

(Looooool there's really someone of this board called 'Terra' and @'ind this name leads to this account. It's not activated though, nor does it look like a Bot.)

3.000$Poke for a real Thunderstone/Thunder Stone sounds fine and is totally affordable for Shiva, so the deal is made and cash and the stone switch ownership. Shiva's delighted and can't help but to smirk. No using the Stone just yet, but Primal Espeon squirms out of happiness in his Pokeball!~


Huh. Shiva's frowning a little as she reached the upper floor where Almanac's used to sell things and offer services, but this feeling clears rather quickly as she with the latest happenings, she was half-expecting to find this floor in such a state. She's got her Almanac (the Pokdex-Ripoff) still and various modules on it, and the positivity over shady experiemnts on Pokemon seemingly having come to an end now. She's happy and flattered that thanks to Golda, Wir and the Infiltrator, Shiva was able to contribute her share to this accomplishment.

She approaches the booth lead by people from the Shelter for Disobediant Pokemon, greets them kindly and overall gives herself delighted. "Hello, hello there!I'm, uhm, Shiva, and I've adopted that special Gothitelle from the Shelter quite a while, and we've become close partners! ^_^ Hehe...  *nervous chuckle* What has happened with Almanac that was located here though, do you know anything?" Reading through the list of Pokemon that can be adopted tomorrow, she adds "Oh, and can you tell me a little more about this Solrock with the extraodinairily strong Telekinesis and the sickly Gorebyss with the Eggs please? Something about their personality and where they are coming from, what you expect from possible adopters, things like this. I'm not quite sure whether I can take another Pokemon to care for right now... But those two catch my eye, you see."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post

"Oh! ....Ah ha ha ha, well, that's certainly the right way to mend amends with me, my dear."

Indeed, they could pick up the feelings and emotions of the fairy lass holding them in her snuggly clutches, perhaps more so than ever before. Such was the heights her own Insightful has risen, her mood, Empathy and understanding of others having become all too potent, supernatural, and highly notable to their senses. Though she could not see it, a small frown briefly played across this not-so unknown assailant's face as he peered down upon his mi amore and parsed her feelings and uniqueness, before with a small sigh they gave the woman holding him a wistful but loving smile as they let her go to reach over and fondly muss up her hair.

"I'm here, my dearest. For how long I am uncertain, as my research and workload now is a very demanding and tempting demon indeed, but for the time being......I'm here to bide with everyone and you. Especially you, Shiva...."

Again, they chuckled, and gave the mystical lass a couple pats on the head.

"So don't fret much more than you already have, dear. You can express yourself to me how you like and desire, and I won't fold over or collapse like a soggy cardboard box. Unless you're still coy as a Bashful Skitty about affection, both the giving and receiving of it, hmm? Ah ha ha ha!"

Regarding the increasingly obvious mystery man's feelings.....they were a complete and utter mess. Nervousness bordering on a panic attack, HIGH Anxiety, immense relief, bone ACHING exhaustion on a physical AND emotional level, passion both smoldering and blazing for friends and lover alike, regret so heavy it felt like a Wailord had come to sit on your chest, tenderhearted compassion and caring, smatterings of FEAR and revulsion that stubbornly clung to his psyche and contributed to his regret and overall mental anguish, and much much more emotional dysfunction. It was as if a Hurricane had come crashing through their mind and persisted in tearing up the place, creating such a maelstrom of conflicting emotions/feelings that it was almost or very well could be quite nausiating and disorienting for any Psychic or Empathetically inclined Pokemon/individual trying to get a read on him.

Beneath all that, though, was love. Pure, unadulterated love for the wonderful and angelic woman in their arms.

Despite how.....mixed up this all-to-apparent unrevealed individual was, they showed none of it. While their emotional/mental control was shot straight to hell, their composure and ability to socialize was remarkably ironclad and stable. Looks like what they lack in one department has been more than made up in another.

Shiva's question about his well-being was almost uncannily relevant and caused him to frown a bit again, before giving her a somewhat self-depreciating smile as he decided to be frank.

"In all honesty.....no. As you can no doubt tell, I'm in a.....right state of mental health now. That alien Legendary has done nothing to me most fortunately, but I've hardly slept ever since you and our friends delved into the Skull Ruins, and the situation up until now has been rather.....trying on me, for myriad reasons. Still, I'm fine enough to work and meet with you everyone as I promised, and now everything's is done regarding Deoxys and the crisis it shouldered onto Cheshire and you, I should find myself recovering to some degree, so worry not too much, my dear. As for how I found you two.....ah ha ha ha, well, I did say I was keeping a close eye on you, and I have my ways of keeping a figure on the pulse of things, as it were. That, and I work closely with Dagney, so your visit with her was hardly unnoticeable to me. The rest of the details are unimportant. You have to let a research have some secrets, hmm? Ah ha ha ha!"

The eccentric research - Ventus - then turned his head towards Nathan, and smiled more cheerfully down upon him.

"And how are you doing, Nate? Hopefully well, I take it?"

Depite the erratic and extraordinaire researcher's words that they are here now to bide with them all and especially her - this part made her blush and squeal, but both gets lost due to Shiva still being snuggled into their green sweater - Shiva is hesitant over letting go of them: 'Them' actually being 'him', and 'him' being nonelse than VENTUS, right here and in person. It's indeed the oddball of a Pokmon Sociologist and troubled young man that she eventually fell for!~~ (≧◡≦) ♡

Still she frees him from her fond grap soon and lets him muss up her hair and everything, but she's still going to hold onto an arm of his or cling to his sweater, as if the natural fae enthusiast was worried that if she does not, Ven will leave again. That, and of course out of love and due to the sheer joy of seeing him again after SO long.

When he calls her a bashful Skitty about affection, Shiva hides her face in Ven's shoulder out of embarassment and coyness, but she's smilling and smirlking all along and is simply HAPPY that he's there and does not shy away from her making contact like he did down Mount Sentry. "S....stop laughing and chuckling like this, dear, but, uhm.... It's sososooo nice to see you again in real and person, yes!" <3 "You're appearing....tired though."

From what, Shiva easily finds out as he does not close himself off to her and her sixth sense; but what it picks up is suffocating and nausiating to her. Immediately Shiva felt sorry and bad for Ven as she and her trip down the Skull Ruins are part of the reason for Ven's bad emotional state. She's also impressed how nothing of it is appearant on his outside though. "You're still carefully hiding it if you're not fine or if something bothers you, Ven... BUT, it is as I told and promised you, I DID make it out alive and in one piece, and I brought lots of nice things and Pokemon from down this scary place! Like the ancient Shield, it's mine for now and I was able to help in defeating Prime by protecting us, the Mistlord called me 'a hero' even!!!" There's some pride these words of Shiva, she's certainly not timid or modest over this personal accomplishment. "E....Elanor, this pretty and beautiful place, is in a bad state however, so much destruction and unnecessary deaths of Pokemon..." There is sadness and mourning again.

(...)"I know that very well, Nate. Taking on a true Legendary Pokemon and slaying it is not something anyone can do alone, unless they be god-like or Legendarily powerful themselves. Those who took a part in the struggle against Deoxys deserves ample recognition, praise, and compensation, no matter how big or little their role is. As a matter of fact, I plan on congratulating everyone I can for vanquishing that dreadful and most ill reputable researcher (He says that with notable contempt) Deoxys, as well as offering my own boons for the deed too, on top of the ones the League will no doubt showering upon you all."

He briefly looks over at Shiva, and gives her a rather affectionate but bashful grin. 

"My boon and praise to you will be fully disclosed between us in privacy, as I know you'd prefer. We have a lot to catch up on anyway, so why not do everything in all one go, hmm?" (...)

This revelation of Ventus allures a strike of curiosity and a thrill of anticipation as she smiles to herself. More rewards and praise, and from him himself even? Yes please! Despite her body language indicates shyness and a general 'Do we really deserve this?', her inner voice clearly speaks that they do so indeed. 'My dear, you and the others have saved the whole region after all, so rejoice and delight and celebrate your victory!~"

That certain grin of him and following words causes Shiva to blush massively and bury her head not in Ven's sweater, but this time in Whimsicott's fluff. The fluffbal of course lets her and snuggles up to her beloved Master. The natural fae enthusiast carefully nods over prefering privacy as she's already embarassed and coy now, then she breaks. "Y.... yes we do, Ven, you do not know how bad I felt after you've been gone, and how... how much I've been missing you!!" Still a bit of a blush in her face, she gives the erratic researcher a light punch into the shoulder.

[Iron]

Ratsy is still visible in the corner of the card. Some of the fenceposts have gained new small works of art.

Awww, that's a sight that makes Shiva smile dearly! It's also quite a relief seeing that the artitsic rat's been enjoying their time in the vivid artwork of this card, seems to be all safe and sound and not having noticed anything of the massive destruction and heated fighting caused by the invader from space. Shiva carefully looks around whether anyone's close nearby, then she whispers some gentle words into the card: "Ratsy, it's me, it's great to see that you're fine! <3  Things have...calmed down here, the big threat that's been causing me to send you here has been properly handled. So, ehm, you can always come here into this world if you like, and I could use your help and talent on painting a crafting of me later! (the Heavy Ball) ^0^" She chuckles a bit. "I'll put you - this Card - into my pocket for now along with a cookie for rodentlike Pokemon.

And so Shiva makes her way to the Department Store of Cress City, or so she thought before Ventus came across. For simplicity's sake I'll still have her do the things I wanted her to do on this in-game Day.

5k seems a little steep for a Thunder Stone. Let's make it 3k.

Up where the Almanac's store front used to be, there is only a little wheeled booth manned by familiar faces from the Shelter for Disobedient Pokemon! They say there'll be some unusually Obedient Pokemon available for adoption tomorrow:
-Solrock with an extra strong Telekinesis
-Rhyperior that was evolved into Rhydon early and then immediately turned into Rhyperior, high disobedience.
-Oversized lazy Hippowdon, somewhat disobedient
-Ferrothorn with Powder moves, somewhat disobedient
-A Turtwig
-A Golduck with strong Disable abilities
-A very long Gorebyss with some health problems, and an Egg

(Looooool there's really someone of this board called 'Terra' and @'ind this name leads to this account. It's not activated though, nor does it look like a Bot.)

3.000$Poke for a real Thunderstone/Thunder Stone sounds fine and is totally affordable for Shiva, so the deal is made and cash and the stone switch ownership. Shiva's delighted and can't help but to smirk. No using the Stone just yet, but Primal Espeon squirms out of happiness in his Pokeball!~


Huh. Shiva's frowning a little as she reached the upper floor where Almanac's used to sell things and offer services, but this feeling clears rather quickly as she with the latest happenings, she was half-expecting to find this floor in such a state. She's got her Almanac (the Pokdex-Ripoff) still and various modules on it, and the positivity over shady experiemnts on Pokemon seemingly having come to an end now. She's happy and flattered that thanks to Golda, Wir and the Infiltrator, Shiva was able to contribute her share to this accomplishment.

She approaches the booth lead by people from the Shelter for Disobediant Pokemon, greets them kindly and overall gives herself delighted. "Hello, hello there!I'm, uhm, Shiva, and I've adopted that special Gothitelle from the Shelter quite a while, and we've become close partners! ^_^ Hehe...  *nervous chuckle* What has happened with Almanac that was located here though, do you know anything?" Reading through the list of Pokemon that can be adopted tomorrow, she adds "Oh, and can you tell me a little more about this Solrock with the extraodinairily strong Telekinesis and the sickly Gorebyss with the Eggs please? Something about their personality and where they are coming from, what you expect from possible adopters, things like this. I'm not quite sure whether I can take another Pokemon to care for right now... But those two catch my eye, you see."

"Oof, they got raided by the League. All their stock was sent to discount stores, and you can get a few of their older things still on the floor below this one. Some of these Pokemon came from the raids, and they were apparently badly mistreated. They were only kept for their moves, people say."

"Solrock is supposed to be a relaxed Pokemon, but this one has become aggressive because it was expected to work long hours moving things around with its mind. The sad part is, that's about all it knows how to do. A good owner would be someone who can find it a new purpose in life."

"Gorebyss seems to have undergone some kind of treatment to make it longer, but that made it sick. She's really very sweet and motherly toward that Egg."

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"....Well, you certainly don't sound so sure or cheerful about your word. I take it there's a story behind this Gloom that's meddling with what should be a mutual feeling of accomplishment between you all?"

Despite his digging and pertinent remark, Ventus maintains his sunny tone and disposition, though the former is a little lighter and his expression a touch more concerned and empathetic. He does give Gallade a questioning glance along with a tilt of his head when their partner averts their gaze from him, however.

Them downplaying their own literally world saving accomplishment gets a small frown and raised eyebrows from the eccentric researcher, before he reaches over and rests a hand on their shoulder.

"I know that very well, Nate. Taking on a true Legendary Pokemon and slaying it is not something anyone can do alone, unless they be god-like or Legendarily powerful themselves. Those who took a part in the struggle against Deoxys deserves ample recognition, praise, and compensation, no matter how big or little their role is. As a matter of fact, I plan on congratulating everyone I can for vanquishing that dreadful and most ill reputable researcher (He says that with notable contempt) Deoxys, as well as offering my own boons for the deed too, on top of the ones the League will no doubt showering upon you all."

He briefly looks over at Shiva, and gives her a rather affectionate but bashful grin. 

"My boon and praise to you will be fully disclosed between us in privacy, as I know you'd prefer. We have a lot to catch up on anyway, so why not do everything in all one go, hmm?"

Saying thus, he lets out another chuckle before looking back over to Nathan, and gives his friend a comforting squeeze, smiling kindly and encouragingly at them.

"Of course, that include you too, least you overlook your own monumental part in that wild, diabolical, and awful scheme Deoxys forced you and all of Cheshire into, unintentionally or not. You shouldn't feel terrible, overwrought, or unworthy about that - quite the opposite, you should be revealing from your feats and the honor and acknowledgements you receive thereof, or at the very least be more positive about them. Or that's what I believe, at least. Alright, Nate?"

Ven let go of them then, and swiftly offers them a full bow and a flourish of his hand.

"For you, I know you wouldn't prefer or desire any material gifts from me, so I give you thus: three Favors, for you to ask of me whatever you wish, should it be possible for them to be fulfilled. Really, you deserve an eternal debt from me, but if I know you even a little I fear you reject such a level of gratitude on my part, even though I feel you are entirely entitled to it, like the rest of our friends."

"So....do you have any Favors to ask of me now, Nate?"

"...something like that...I don't really feel like we haven't earned any of the recognition, but...*ahem*..."

Ventus doing a full on bow and flourish just seems to make Nathan a bit more uncomfortable.

"...n-no, I d-don't have any favors I could ask of you right now."

Gallade sighs and puts a hand on Nathan's shoulder.  Nathan takes a moment to breathe and tries to relax a little.

Nathan still can't quite look at Ventus straight, but he at least has a question.  "...is this really necessary?  I mean, the League and the rest of the region are gonna be thankful enough as it is...it's hardly something I would say has earned personal favors from specific individuals, given the scale of this..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Oof, they got raided by the League. All their stock was sent to discount stores, and you can get a few of their older things still on the floor below this one. Some of these Pokemon came from the raids, and they were apparently badly mistreated. They were only kept for their moves, people say."

"Solrock is supposed to be a relaxed Pokemon, but this one has become aggressive because it was expected to work long hours moving things around with its mind. The sad part is, that's about all it knows how to do. A good owner would be someone who can find it a new purpose in life."

"Gorebyss seems to have undergone some kind of treatment to make it longer, but that made it sick. She's really very sweet and motherly toward that Egg."

"O....Oh, I'm... sorry...." That's what Shiva quitely mutters as the Shelter Staff updates her on the Solrock and Gorebyss. She's obviously sympathizing quite a lot for those two especially, and has a bad feeling about some other Pokemon on the list. Both shows in her body language and voice. "Those poor beings..."

"So, and... How much is the fee to adopt these two, just...asking? Money shoud not be an issue, I'm just...unsure, you see. Solrock would probably do well to work with someone or somewhere where heavy lifting is done, helping someone building a house or a cabin. So that it can make creative use of its skills and are rewarded with gratitude.... Humm." Shiva's mood lights up a little over hearing how sweet the deep-southern-see-dweller is towards their Egg. "That's cute! What color is the Egg, how does it look like? And has Gorebyss been introduced to a Pokemon Doctor already, do they rely on particular medicines or vitamins? Can they still be expected to participate in Pokemon Battles?"

Let's flashforward also to Shiva visiting the floor below to check out the older goods of Almanac sold there!~ She's just looking around, seeing whether anything catches her's or her Pokemon's eye.