Lost Priestess

"Very well, I'll just ask the basic questions to pique interest:
What are the basic beliefs of your clan?
How many people are you looking for to join you and your clan?
Where can interested people go to find guidance; are their shrines across the world, or perhaps more messengers like yourself who they can contact?
Do people need to prove themselves somehow in order to be allowed to associate with your people, and if so, what do they need to do?"

Zandrophin paused to allow the woman a chance to answer his questions. He had realized he'd somewhat dashed the woman's hopes by voicing his disinterest in religion, but he hoped he'd be able to rectify the situation by getting the word out through his channels.

Zandrophin nodded as he began to get a picture of the target audience this woman was looking for. A small smile crossed his face.

"Miss, I do believe I have a solution for you."

He turned to Lox, who'd been digging through personnel files the entire time.

"Mister Lox...what have you found in your search?"

Lox came forward, with a map in his hands. He rolled it out and gestured towards a specific part of the map.

"Miss, if you will turn your attention to the western part of Pyron City...here...I can tell you this would be a good place for you to go."

"A good suggestion, Mister Lox...the people of the western sector...have faced more trouble in life than most. I would almost assure you that you're bound to find many people there who will appreciate your tribe's religion."

He paused for a moment...a thought had crossed his mind...

"I must warn you. There are some....unsavory people who live there. If you feel you may need some extra security, I could accompany you, or send along one of my associates."

Rose raised her hand in earnest. Zandrophin chuckled and patted her head.

"Now, Rose...manners. If she has faith in her Pokemon to keep her safe...we must respect that....but your enthusiasm has been noted."

"It's your call, Miss. I hope I've been able to point you in the right direction."

Zandrophin nodded and replied,

"Very well...allow me a few moments to change my attire. Most people within this city do not see my gentler side." he chuckled slightly, "In fact, many don't think I -have- a gentler side. Please excuse me."

In a few minutes, Zandrophin returned with a sage-coloured dress shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows with the first two buttons undone.

"Oh, Mentus....fetch my jewelry, please."

In an instant, the Abra returned with a silver ring and a necklace. The sharper-eyed would recognize the psychic eye symbol on the ring, and the letters SCPC on the necklace.

"Mister Lox, you know the procedure. Any other guests are to be attended to, and may wait for my return."

"Yes, Sir. Do be careful."

Zandrophin returned Rose to her Field Ball, placing it alongside his Dusk and Dive balls. If things got too bad...he was going to need his heavy-hitters.

"I am ready to escort you, Miss...do you have any questions before we depart?"

As they walked, Zandophin answered his guest's question,

"These people are a mix of refugees and financial fall-outs...people who gave up their lives elsewhere, tried to make it here, but couldn't. This place is not easy to survive in...a lot of people wind up in the western section. Many work as labourers or domestic servants, and some have even managed to move part of their families into other, more pleasant sections of the city...but still remain to secure funds for themselves. The city used to attempt to fund them...until we found all they did was squander it on selfish desires rather than focus on the needs of their families."

He paused,

"Since then, they've become more desperate and violent to others. It was suggested by many of my contemporaries that I request military, or private contractor, mobilization to curb the violence. I refuse to follow through with that option until all others have been utilized. I'm hoping you will be able to provide a solution by coming here...I'd rather not create violence...it's very expensive. Now come along...it's not much farther."

A few minutes later, they reached one of the checkpoints leading into the western sector. A Celosian soldier stood guarding the entryway.

"Stay close to me and let me do the talking...most of these guards know who I am...so there should be no incident."

The guard raised his spear and blocked their path.

"Hold, there! No-one passes into this sector!"

"....Well.....apparently this guy doesn't know me...give me a moment."

Zandrophin cleared his throat before speaking,

"Corporal, I know you're just doing your job, but I assure you, I may enter the western sector whenever I wish. Lady Akane herself has permitted it."

"Sir, perhaps you didn't hear me, but I said no-one passes into this sector."

"And perhaps you didn't hear me...do you recognize this necklace?"

The soldier looked at the jewelry, laughed, and spoke,

"Sorry, kid...I recognize the necklace, but I don't believe you're part of that group. You're kinda far from Saffron, and you don't look so tough."

Zandrophin hated being trifled with...though he did his best to hide his irritation.

"Well...I see you're in need of some convincing...Mentus, if you wouldn't mind?"

Suddenly, the guard grasped his head and sank to his knees. Zandrophin let a small, pleased smile cross his face.

"Now...I'm not sure what my friend has just put into your head, but if you let me pass...I can make it stop."

The guard raised a hand. Zandrophin snapped his fingers. After a few moments, the guard stood back up and opened the gate.

"There, now...was that so hard? Ask your fellows in the army about a man named Zandrophin...I'm sure they'll fill you in...and inform you on how lucky you are that I don't follow most of the doctrines of the SCPC."

He motioned towards Astina to follow him.

"I apologize for that, Miss...as I said most know who I am. Shall we press on?"

As they passed through the gate, there was a clear change in architecture between one side and the other. One could almost feel the fear and desperation in the air as the people rushed by.

"Keep a close watch on any belongings...and keep an eye out for Brist. She's a friend here, and you can't really miss her: She's about 6' 6" and she usually carries a big stick around with her. If you see her, would you point her out to me?"

Zandrophin's eyes were darting everywhere, trying to catch sight of Brist. After a few minutes of searching, he was beginning to give up. Then, he saw someone who could help. Trying to move a table up a ladder into a second story window was a scrawny man with stringy hair. Zandrophin called up to him,

"Kaz! Where's your sister?"

"Oh *grunt*...Mister Kel--"

"Ah-ah...We don't say that name, Kaz...remember?"

"Right, *grunt*...sorry...*grunt*"

"Let me give you a hand. Mentus?"

Mentus knew what to do. He took the table and directed it through the window.

"Well, thank you, Sir. Now...you wanted to know where Brist is, right?"

"That's correct, Kaz. My associate here wishes to see her...it's rather important."

"Well...last I saw...she was heading towards the orphanage. She spends so much time around there...I don't understand it."

"Thanks for the information, Kaz."

Zandrophin led Astina down the road towards the orphanage.

"I want to be sure you're ready for what you're about to see. These children have come from many different walks of life...but they are all here for the same reason. This was actually the first place I was going to recommend you to look to begin your recruitment, since younger people are more open to new ideas, so it works out well that Brist is here. Keep an eye out for her."