Wonderful! Honestly, a good story is the first thing I look for in a game. Out of what I consider the five characteristics that make a game (story, music, graphics, gameplay, atmosphere), story is uncompromisingly the highest priority for me. Next is music, then atmosphere, then gameplay, and last (and certainly least), graphics. I don't find it fun to play a really good-looking game if there's no story to keep me playing. There's no point, you know? That's why I don't like most side-scrollers, or most FPS's. So I look for the more dramatic sides of the game -- music and story.
I'm really looking forward to this, HS. I can tell it's a ton of work, though, so it's great to know that, like you said, this isn't something spontaneous, and that you're dedicated. From the screens and map and what I've heard about the story, it sounds like it's going to be really good.
EDIT: By the way.... I haven't been here in a good while, so what ever happened to Pokemon Spoon?