A Glorious Ball, and a Meeting of Royals

"How did you...alright. Thanks for liking it." Marcus shook a few hands in passing out of kindness and thanks as they started heading to the door. Sofa didn't know what she was talking about, 'more comfortable', he was doing just fine being pet and praised for how awesome he was, but he was hoping to see his little friend one more time at least before they parted ways, so he decided to go with them.

Akane gave a small giggle when he snapped back, but he had on his face an urgent look, as if he needed to leave. Akane would have consented, but he just suggested a quieter more discreet place, and Akane agreed. She turned to leave, greeting people as they went until the duo arrived in the right wing, completely opposite of his target. The red lady relaxed herself, because here she too could relax. She wasn’t sure if she fully trusted Zandrophin, but she was at ease enough. A few guards were about a hundred or so feet away around a corner. A secretive man like Zandrophin would also probably feel more comfortable here.

“I hear tell of you smacking one of my guards because he denied you access into my contest hall. Is this true?” She was trying to suppress her laughter. She knew exactly which petty guard it would have been to; always such a kissass to her. Groveling got you nowhere with the red lady. “Not that it matters to me. It just tells me you get what you want. My respect for you has doubled. Not that I enjoy getting my guards slapped around because they’re terrible. Not to worry, though.” A menacingly cruel smile has played itself out on her face. “He has been… removed from what little power he had.” A small, demonic laugh sounded from her throat. Her face quickly returned to the pleasantly faint smile she usually wore.

Akane led Zandrophin to the right wing of the castle. He followed at a respectable distance behind her, constantly checking over his shoulder with Mentus alert for any sense of danger. They arrived at their destination, and Zandrophin once again surveyed the area before doing anything else. He saw his host relax, and decided he could let up a little, but not too much.

Can't get complacent in a place like this, old friend...especially when we're so close.

I hardly ever question your methods, Sir. You've always got a plan.

“I hear tell of you smacking one of my guards because he denied you access into my contest hall. Is this true? Not that it matters to me. It just tells me you get what you want. My respect for you has doubled. Not that I enjoy getting my guards slapped around because they’re terrible. Not to worry, though, he has been… removed from what little power he had..”

Zandrophin couldn't help but chuckle at her recounting of the event. Indeed, it was a funny occurrence. He said,

"Yes...that orderly at the contest hall tried to stop me from entering. He treated me like a simpleton, and I don't take kindly to that. I do admit proudly to breaking his nose. As I told him, he's lucky I didn't kill him...even though I knew that killing him wouldn't get me anywhere."

He quickly shifted the conversation...he needed to get back on track.

"So, it seems Eira and Marcus are getting quite close. I hear you don't care much for Lady Eira, Highness. Why is not my concern, unless you just feel like sharing. I can tell you that I don't care much for her...she's too timid; ruling a nation would destroy her. As for Marcus...I have my own reasons for keeping an eye on him..."

Z and his pokemon wandered through the ballroom until they finally reached the large doors that led to the garden.  He pushed the doors open and walked through with his two partners, looking out at the majestic garden and the night sky.  Axew ran and decided to play in the grass while sparky stayed at Z's side as he walked thorough the grounds.  "Buskin combuskin," said Sparky.  "It is nice out, isn't it," said Z to Sparky.  Axew seems to be having a great time as well.

“It’s not so much I don’t care for, I just don’t trust her. How could she possibly afford such elegant clothing? Tepidness and nervousness are traits of a thief."

Heh...she doesn't know many good thieves, eh, old friend?

Or, at least not us, Sir.

"And she says she’s from up north, a place rendered uninhabitable for many years and she claims an entire village resides there? And I have no knowledge about it?” She huffed. “But alas I’m coming closer to the conclusion, she is not lying. Unfortunately for me. A village that close to my kingdom could grow. If they have a sour tempered ruler, then I’m afraid I would have to crush the fire out of such a puny village.”

"As well you may have to, Highness. You are currently in a bad tactical position. You may be protected by the mountains, but your back is to the sea, as well. I imagine that, before you knew of this possible threat, you only guarded your south flank; after all, why guard from an invasion based out of an uninhabitable wasteland? Now you must find some way to protect yourself from the north as well."

After a pause, Zandrophin continued,

"I'm sure you already came to this conclusion, but have you considered the logistics. I'm not doubting your intelligence here, but the time it would take to move men from their garrisons to place them on your now-existant northern border would be quite lengthy."

Zandrophin hoped Lady Akane had heeded his words, as she moved on to another question, looking him dead in the face:

“So why do you say specifically ruling a nation? Do you perhaps know something I don’t?”

Zandrophin cracked another small, dark smile...a disturbing glint found its way into his eyes, as well.

She's getting anxious, Sir.

Let's get our proposition going, old friend.

"Mentus," he said, "Tell our host what you think."

Mentus slid off of Zandrophin's shoulders and hovered next to him, looking at the Red Lady. He said (in a manner of speaking):

"Highness, I brought my Master here via teleportation, as you well know. However, what you might not know is, as I teleport, I can see everything around me, in all directions. We came over part of the northern wasteland on our way here. I picked up a few mental signatures. I was amused that there could be a settlement out there, judging by its location. As we spent time around our competitors, Lady Eira mentioned a "Silvertree Village". Through our meditations...we made the connection."

"She may be starting something, Highness," Zandrophin picked up, "perhaps it's not aggressive, but it would be unwise for you to just ignore it, and even more unwise to assume the worst. I hear that my competitors are leaving for that village soon. You could use someone who can get in and out without drawing too much attention. Not to be too bold, Highness....but you could use someone like me."

"As well you may have to, Highness. You are currently in a bad tactical position. You may be protected by the mountains, but your back is to the sea, as well. I imagine that, before you knew of this possible threat, you only guarded your south flank; after all, why guard from an invasion based out of an uninhabitable wasteland? Now you must find some way to protect yourself from the north as well."

The red lady snapped, “You think me a fool? To leave any of my extremely wealthy cities ungarrisoned is a crime in my eyes. My people are so carefree because they know they are safe. Again, my army is vast because we are such a wealthy nation. Much trade and riches from all over the world circulates through our borders.” Akane had moved over to the stain glass window. “Unemployment is also never a problem for us because of the army.” Her fingers trailed the etching around the single, massive window.


“It is however, unfortunate you confirm my suspicions of such a village. It’s fine. I have plans to meet with her anyway, to find out information.” No. She wouldn’t injure her, especially if she was in fact royalty. She didn’t seem to be the hostile type anyway.

It would be unwise for you to just ignore it. Again with the doubt?

“Of course I wouldn’t ignore it Sir Zandrophin. I am not a moron. I have already been planning and setting plans for emergencies.” She began to get frustrated. She hoped for no wars anytime soon, but she would first address lady Eira.

I hear that my competitors are leaving for that village soon. You could use someone who can get in and out without drawing too much attention. Not to be too bold, Highness....but you could use someone like me.

The red lady stopped to think about his offer. It was true, she wanted to hire him. She needed an invisible man to do some dirty work, and now more than ever. She soon realized she needed his help. But before she would take the fall, she had a suspicious feeling. But she knew he wouldn’t tell her everything.

“What do you get from this? Or more specifically, what do you want from this?” She was interested in the man, but not as the risk of losing her kingdom to him.

“You think me a fool? To leave any of my extremely wealthy cities ungarrisoned is a crime in my eyes. My people are so carefree because they know they are safe. Again, my army is vast because we are such a wealthy nation. Much trade and riches from all over the world circulates through our borders.”

This comment irritated Zandrophin, but he dared not show it. Instead, he just repeated his point:

"I do not doubt your intelligence, nor the vastness of your resources and manpower. However, it is simple logistics. You need men to be in certain places at certain times. They will get there...but they won't do it instantly. That is all I am saying."

Lady Akane still believed Zandrophin was still insulting her intellegence....until Zandrophin came to the point of the entire discussion: their business partnership. Lady Akane fell silent at this, then turned and demanded,

"What do you get from this? Or more specifically, what do you want from this?"

Zandrophin chuckled once again.

"Now it is you who take me for the fool, Highness. You need not fear for the security of your throne. I care not for large-scale politics. I require only a place to stay to do business within your borders, and to make a bit of profit for Mentus and myself. Pyron City needs someone with a mind for logistics and who can take a small opportunity and turn it into a big success. I also caught sight of a Silph Co shipping container when I went through the marketplace. If who I think is coming is indeed on their way here...you'll need someone who can talk to them. Businessmen do not care for politicians. I can be your emissary. What say you to that?""