Silvertree Village

Zandrophin wandered into the village...still trying to get the ringing out of his ears from the teleportation.

No matter how many times we travel this way, I'll still never get fully used to that ringing. That girl Maya took off like a shot...didn't even say thank you for the quick jump we did. Rude...

It's alright, Sir. Everybody made it safely. We should try to find out where she went...perhaps this large hut?

Zandrophin figured it was as good a place to try as any. He began to slowly make his way up to the hut, when he saw Maya heading towards the same place...

I must be going in the right direction...

Zandrophin couldn't help but laugh at what he'd just seen. Maya was almost to the hut, when her sheep jumped out of her arms and ran off.

Mareep are quite stupid, Sir...to put it bluntly. She may be gone for a while.

Well, let's go see if Lady Eira will let us into her humble abode. She is, at worse, neutral about us...which may help.

Agreed, Sir. If Marcus ran this place...we'd be stuck right here. He is in the hut, by the way.

Good, the fearless leader made it.

Zandrophin walked up to the door, brushed off what snow still remained on his coat, and knocked somewhat forcefully upon it...hoping someone would answer.

As soon as Eira opened the door, Zandrophin could tell she was not ecstatic to see him. He spoke calmly and evenly, trying to loosen some of the tension,

"Terribly sorry for intruding. I can tell by the look on your face and the quiver in your voice that you were not expecting me to be here. However, I can only assume Marcus is here...and if he is, he no doubt told you I'd be coming. So, perhaps it's not that you weren't expecting me to arrive at all, but rather that you weren't expecting me to arrive so soon."

Before entering the building, he bowed to his host saying,

"Thank you for allowing me in. May I hang my coat somewhere, or should I just hold on to it? I don't mind, either way...you're the host."

Zandrophin chuckled at her concern for his safety and health. He replied.

"I'm not worried about me, I don't mind the cold...it's much better here than in Celosia for me, weather-wise."

Mentus slid off of Zandrophin's shoulders,  and bowed to Eira.

Pleasure to see you again, Lady Eira. Your quaint village is lovely.

Zandrophin pulled out the custom Dive ball, fiddling with it in his hand.

"As for these two...I'm fairly certain they would greatly appreciate any bit of hospitality. We never ask for much from others; anything you can spare, no matter how small, is appreciated."

Looking down at the Dive ball, Zandrophin said,

"Alright, Squirt...come out and meet your host. She's opened up her home to us, be respectful..."

Zandrophin activated the Dive ball. Squirt appeared on the floor, shaking slightly. He bowed to his host.

"Looks like your ball wasn't insulated well enough. I'll fix that when I get the chance."

"Now, then," he said, turning to Eira, "where shall we sleep for the night? A spot on the floor is fine with us...just so long as we're not outside."

"I'm not entirely sure about how Marcus feels about me. Rather than cause a row inside of your house, I'd rather just stay in here, if that's alright. Mentus and I can keep an eye on things if you'd like to get some rest. Squirt is really the only one who needs to get some sleep, the cold did a number on him. We saw a girl coming here on our way up, but her Pokemon took off and she had to go chase it down. If she comes back, we can let her in. Where should we direct her? No doubt she'll want food and a place to sleep."

Zandrophin paced around the room, unsure of what to do with himself until instructed.

"I wouldn't worry about us, lass. Besides...if it gets too uncomfortable...we'll just go into the kitchen and start a fire/turn on a stove or oven...forgive me, I am ignorant as to how your kitchen is furbished. Bottom line is this: don't worry about us. We'll be fine.

Why is she so concerned about us, Sir? She was not terribly happy to see us before...why not just send us away?

She's not like that, old friend...she can't send someone out there to die. Perhaps we can assist her, though.

Zandrophin turned to Eira.

"We have a rough idea as to which direction that girl went. It is obvious to me that you do not trust me enough to go to sleep while I'm here, which is understandable. We volunteer to go and find the girl, and bring her back here."

Zandrophin put his coat on, Mentus secured inside the neckline. He looked at Squirt, who looked right back at him, a confident look on his face.

"I suppose you want to come along as well, eh?"

"Squirtle!"

"Alright, come on."

Zandrophin activated the Dive ball and Squirt vanished.

"Right...we'll find her. If, for some reason, we can't get back here...I'll get a message to you. If you receive such a message, don't send a party out to retrieve us...I get the feeling this girl doesn't want you to meet her quite yet. Wait for our message."