Lost Priestess

(Apologies for the late reply....visited Dallas for the weekend...and got trapped till today due to rain.)

It had been a busy day at the CTC headquarters. When a break in the seemingly endless flux of customers appeared, Lox fell into his chair, utterly exhausted. He spoke towards the ceiling, no doubt appearing quite mad, as only a mad man would talk to the ceiling...

"Sonos, come here, please. You deserve a rest, too."

Sonos, a small Zubat, glided soundlessly across the lobby from his unseen perch over the front door. Every time someone entered the building, Sonos would emit a supersonic note at a pitch undetectable by humans and most Pokemon, but would cause any metal objects to ring with a harsh tone. This greatly cut down on the number of security threats to those in the building. After having to go through this an innumerable number of times, the poor creature was exhausted. He suspended himself off of the lights above the desk, dangling from the support bar. Lox handed him a small glass of fruit juice, and the creature lapped it up eagerly after managing to secure it in his claws at the end of his wings.

After pouring himself something...a little stronger than juice, Lox turned to see a woman waiting in the corner of the lobby. He instantly straightened up again as he addressed her, smiling as warmly as if he'd only just arrived for work.

"Welcome to the Celosia Trading Company, Pyron City branch. Is there any way I can assist you today, Miss?"

A look of puzzlement briefly crossed Lox's face. Clearly this woman was foreign to this area, but he'd never thought anyone would come here for directions. Still, he knew he was invested in the conversation, and would see this through, even if he had to concern the master of the building to do so.

"Miss, I apologize, but I am unsure as to what kind of help you require. I can do little more than direct you...but perhaps the man who owns this establishment may be of more help. He's been out in the garden all day...I shall call him for you."

Zandrophin's voice carried smoothly through the atrium. He walked in wearing a simple greenish-grey kimono with a brown band across his middle.


"There is no need, Mister Lox...I am already here."

Rose was following alongside Zandrophin, with Mentus floating slightly behind. The Abra turned his head to the side and commented,

"This woman is troubled, Sir...her thoughts are jumbled."

"Of course, old friend...she may be lost. It is our job to assist her."

Zandrophin returned his attention to the woman before him. He bowed slightly before continuing

"Welcome to Pyron City, Miss. My name is Zandrophin. It is rather hot outside today. Would you like some tea?"

He smiled slightly, but behind the smile was a gracious amount of caution. He did not do well with wanderers who go where they are not invited...so he must watch this one carefully.

Zandrophin clasped his hands together and motioned for the woman to sit at the bar while he prepared her drink with Mentus' help. Rose had found her way onto the counter, and wandered over to where the woman was sitting. She sat down on the bar and tilted her head sideways in slight confusion.

"Rose?" she said. She'd never seen this woman before, and was rightfully confused as to who she was.

Lox walked up to Rose and lightly patted her head a slight smile on his face.

"It's alright, Rose...she's a new face around here...but I doubt she's dangerous."

You mean we've got nothing on her, Mr. Lox?

Not a thing, Boss...she's a priestess or something to that effect, based upon her clothing...but that's all I could find.

Very well...there goes up my shock value statement...looks like this will have to be done the old-fashioned way. Carry on.

Zandrophin poured the tea into a shaker, infusing it with his usual blend of relaxing spices. After mixing it well, He tossed the shaker across the bar, and it was caught by Mentus, who unscrewed the shaker and poured out the tea into the set of now-levitating glasses. After the pouring was complete, the glasses were levitated over to the guests. Zandrophin, in the midst of cleaning up, intercepted his glass without looking at it.

"So, Miss Astina...tell me...where is home for you and why have you come here?"

The hair on the back of Zandrophin's neck stood up. He didn't care much for messengers. He needed to learn more before making any judgements.

"Up north, eh?...I'm familiar with some of the peoples who live there."

He took a sip from his tea before continuing. He wasn't terribly convinced that she was telling him all of her reasons for being here.

Sir...what if she won't tell you everything you want to know?

You should know the answer to that, old friend...

Sir...it's true she has no barriers of the caliber to stop our searching, but I am reluctant to do it...

Very well...we'll try the old way first...

"You came a long way just to spread word of your sovereigns...unless you've already traveled through the entire northern area of this continent, in which case...I commend you that's no easy task."

Zandrophin's grip unconsciously tightened on his glass. He snorted in slight irritation...this was not going well.

Veiled questions do not seem to be revealing anything...

Sir...you must be careful...she's very nervous...do not frighten her...

If you're so worried about it...-you- talk to her. You know my attitude towards outsiders isn't always positive.

I will do so, Sir...for the sake of everyone involved.

Mentus floated over to the girl, hovered in front of her for a moment, waved, and then turned himself upside down with his arms and legs crossed, smiling all the while, attempting his very best to stay lighthearted in tone of voice, as he did not want this girl to be frightened by the voice in her head.

"Miss....do forgive my master's standoffish attitude...I can assure you he means well. You see, we've made a few enemies across this land...and he's nervous around you, similar to how you're nervous right now, judging by your fidgeting and your errant thoughts."

He continued, slowly revolving around the girl, doing playful somersaults in the air as he did so.

"Plainly speaking, Miss...he wants to know who sent you. We've gathered you're from one of the northern nomadic tribes...but we are unsure as to which one, and bringing along your two Pokemon, which I can only assume are Ghost types by my inability to properly sense them, has been a strategy used by our opponents to the west in the past, which has admittedly set both of us on edge. However, since you haven't tried to attack us...you may feel free to release your companions, if it will put your mind at ease."

There was another pause.

"You must understand...these precautionary measures are essential. I can personally assure you, if you were not sent by one of the tribes who wishes harm to come to my master, he will be more than happy to help. He's always been a little overcautious...it's kept him alive. Do not mistake his guarded attitude for apathy."

The last bit of this was blocked from Zandrophin's perceptions.

"...he's really quite nice, once you break the outer shell. He's got a soft spot for people in trouble...particularly ladies such as yourself, so please tell us who sent you, and we will get to work on fixing your problem to the best of our ability."

Zandrophin relaxed when this information was relayed to him. He was glad that this was not another attempt on his life...and became much more personable because of it. Mentus wrapped his tail around Zandrophin's arm, and the young man gave him a push, causing the Abra to swing back and forth.

"So, a vision brought you here? That's interesting. I'm no stranger to visions...as you could probably guess from my connection to this troublemaker. If I was truly in this vision, I must help you. It is my responsibility. You seek to tell the world of your sovereigns...and I have the infrastructure to reach much of the known world. What message do you wish to share?"

Mentus relayed the message. Zandrophin tightened up again.

Old friend...tell me I misheard that.

No, Sir...she's looking for recruits. Let us hear her out. We don't subscribe to faith and religion...but we may know people who will follow this, depending on the stories of her gods.

Zandrophin inhaled and nodded towards the woman.

"Miss, why don't you tell me about your gods. I must be frank with you, up-front...I do not subscribe to religion or deities. I trust in my abilities to see me though my life."

Worried he might've shut the woman down, he quickly added his addendum,

"However, if you explain the faith you follow to me, in as great detail as you can, I'm sure I can track down people in my sphere of influence who will be willing to follow you. I cannot join you, but I will attempt to help you in any other way I can, if you'll accept my aid."