Grand Re-Opening of Carvanha Springs Inn

"You wouldn't be interested in trading me a few cases of the blend, would you?" asked Kazi as he sipped the tea again, "I know a few restaurants in Starfort that would pay a pretty penny to have a supply of this brew to serve to customers.  I'm sure I could send you a good percentage of any profits that are made from the endeavor."

While he talked with Prasha, Kamakiri crawled out of Kazi's bag and made his way down his back before scuttling around the floor, looking curiously around at the different surroundings while clicking his mandibles in curiosity.  Before he could scamper too far, Kit hopped down and herded him back toward their trainer.  As this was going on, Kazi fingered an item he had taken to keeping in his pocket these days.  He wondered when he would have the need to use it and secretly hoped he wouldn't need to.

"You don't need to worry about us; your concern should always reside with Ignacia. You put me in charge of Pyron City in order to maintain stability in the region. I plan to continue doing just that."

Akane would have blushed were she not so hollow. ”Zandrophin, a queen cannot pick favorites, in any aspect of her life. I will always worry and do my best for the entirety of my kingdom. Though, perhaps. I should learn to trust you a bit more. But In my experience, as I’m sure you understand, relying too much on others can topple empires. I don’t want mine to be next.” Her intense gaze softened as her eyes rested back on the tea cup she held, soaking in the remaining warmth of the near-empty cup.

She reveled in the snide comments from Zandrophin, but she was surprised and wary when the man who introduced himself as Aidan mentioned he was from Celosia. The Red Lady couldn’t believe it; he didn’t seem to have any gems or jewels adorning any part of his attire or jewelry. He also had many scars and poorly healed past injuries, while Celosia had remarkable healthcare. He surely wasn’t a native to the eastern kingdom, even if he did live there.

Her growing disdain for him exponentially increased when the dragon-type he had with him, dove for the tart. Such a reckless pokemon species, bagons; Akane surely didn’t like dragons types either, or at least, was very picky about the ones she did like. Unlike the dainty gothirita, when a bagon followed their over-sized head, it was often clumsy and destructive.

Shortly after that, Z arrived, bringing in another hoard of creatures running around, including a kabuto who’s curiosity carried it and its gaze around the room, at least until the sylveon could herd it back to its master. The tension in the air began to grow thick, and a little too lax for the queen’s comfort. Irritation set it, but she dared not show it. Preferring to quietly finish her second cup of tea, thanks to the generous Sophie, rather than engage in the gentlemanly spat Zandrophin found himself in, or the shallow pleasantries Z and Prasha exchanged in. Her eyebrow rose when Zandrophin took it upon himself to introduce her to the silver-haired young man.

"Oh, but where has my sense of decorum gone. Though she requires no introduction, least of all by someone in as low a station as myself, may I present to you Lady Akane, the Red Queen of Celosia."

”Charmed.” She growled rather unenthusiastically, neither rising from her seat, nor showing any interest in this man she grew more wary of as each moment passed. She felt naked. Pyrois was outside with her guards, but other than that she had no pokemon out to buffer or distract herself with. “Which part of Celosia did you say you were from. Mr. Aidan?” Her voice was politely melodic, but a dark and unnerving tone made her distrust of him very apparent.

Prasha addressed Z's question of possibly ordering a few crates of tea. "That is a very good question. You my sir have yet tasted my most exquisite drinks and brews of tea. After all the Festival will begin tonight and will go through the next week. I can assure you this particular brew is one of 30 I will showcase. After maybe I will consider sending you home with a few crates of your liking and favorite."
Sophia felt the presence of another guest and was delighted to receive more company. The little Gothorita made her way to the door and opened it to reveal a young woman wearing a kimono that was well suited for the occasion. "Welcome to the Inn at Carvanha Springs, please come in and join the other guests you are just in time for tea." She chirped and escorted the lady to the Lounge where everyone was gathered.

Prasha stood up and greeted Mariko."Ahhh Mariko, So nice of you to join us. You are just in time to enjoy a nice cup of tea with us and discuss the going ons while we wait to get the festival underway. Cream or Sugar my dear?" Prasha poured Mariko a cup. And cut a slice of tart to accompany the drink. "Welcome to my home. My servants will see to it that your belongings will be placed in the assigned accomidations." Prasha smiled and then let the other guests partake in their own introductions. 

“Zandrophin, my good man. You may call me Zandrophin: CEO of the Celosia Trading Company.”


Aidan snorted internally. Well of course he was someone important; those people always had to be condescending, didn’t they? He was from Pyron City too, where Aidan spent a decent amount of his time, so he would be a bad person to upset. Too bad he was probably already doing it.


“But I do not wish to discuss myself; I want to learn about you.”


Prick.


But he did a double take when Zandrophin introduced him to the woman in the red dress. The Red Queen of Celosia.


The Red Queen of Celosia.


Aidan felt like hitting himself. The woman he’d once been so obsessed with had walked right past him and he hadn’t even noticed. What kind of a hunter did that make him? His father would have been ashamed. Sure, he’d never seen her in person before and he’d given up his grudge against her as stupid and childish years ago, but still. It was just embarrassing, especially since she was wearing a RED FRIGGING DRESS. Aidan decided he would never tell anyone.


And now she was angry for some reason. Why was she angry? Aidan didn’t want her angry. Aidan wanted her calm and content and further across the room from him. Why did the world hate him? And it was only after he’d finished thinking all that that he realized he’d let his surprise show.


“Charmed. Which part of Celosia did you say that you were from, Mr. Aidan?”


“Ah…” he said, faltering for a moment before he remembered himself, and bowed slightly, a little deeper than the one he had given Zandro-face. “Near Pyron City, your Majesty. I’ve set up my own place just to the northwest. Well outside the city limits.”


It was a lie, of course, but not a total lie. He simply lived much, much further northwest than implied. It was a lie he told frequently, to make sure unwelcome visitors had to look a little harder to find him. Anyone truly determined would eventually find him anyway. In any case, he was so practiced at that lie, he wasn’t sure even the Abra would notice it.


“As I said, I’m on a training trip, for myself as much as Bragor here,” he said, patting Bragor, who had gobbled his pie somewhat messily while Aidan had been focused on the conversation and was now eyeing the other pieces lying around the room. “We have lots of training to get done, on strength as well as technique and strategy. As we are now, we’re still only amateurs, wet behind the ears and hardly worth anyone’s notice.”


He picked Bragor up from the floor. “If you’ll pardon me for just a moment, I think I’d better find something more for my friend to eat. He hasn’t eaten in a while, and I think it’ll take a little more than an afternoon snack to settle him. I’ll be back momentarily,” he said, giving a small bow again and turning to find the innkeeper, whose name, he suddenly overheard, was Prasha. That clicked.

It served as a good excuse to get away from what he had just found out were the two people in the world he was least willing to piss off. Giving himself time to settle down from the shock and think out how he should act was his only hope of not ending this party in disaster. That and he really did need to get Bragor more to eat before he started tearing up the floorboards. He approached the innkeeper, who was chatting with two more people Aidan hadn’t seen before. He paused, waiting for a lull in the conversation and asked, “Excuse me, but could I get a little more for my friend to eat? He hasn’t had anything in a while, and he’s rather antsy. I can pay.”

Prasha acknowledged Z's question about his gym's status. He took a moment to answer, thinking about what he had planned. "As of right now the HMU will be closed, I plan on reopening it in the spring. The Gym will have to go through some renovations, so I haven't really had many challengers. If you come back maybe January, I will have a rematch if you wish." Prasha took a sip of tea. 

Prasha sighed heavily at the fact the silver haired guess did not realize he just made a proposal and that he got up to find the host when he was sitting there with them engaging them in conversation.

"Sophia please help this poor sod find good for his Bagon. Fix him Draco's favorite meal." Prasha rubbed his temple in frustration. Sophia glided to the kitchen to instruct the chefs to start a meal for the Bagon.

Prasha then focused his attention back on his other guests and their conversation. But interjected to remind everyone that the Inn's hospitality was free of charge for all.

"Accomidations for all who attend the festival are free of charge, this includes meals, Pokémon baths and luxuries and meals, as well as storage and other miscellaneous charges." Prasha smiled then continued. "The festival will commence tomorrow evening. Dinner and after dinner tea will be served this evening. The schedule for the festival will be posted in the morning." 

He seemed. Surprised? Surprised perhaps that a woman of her station and reputation would be out here for a silly party? Or confused. Had he not heard of her before? That would be refreshing... and irritating just the same. Perhaps she really had gone soft. Perhaps she needed to show these ignorant fools how crass and cruel she could be.

Just outside of Pyron's city limits, well away from the city? ’That's a goddamn lie. I travel that path often enough to know that is not fact.’ Clearly the man didn't want to be found, but that just fueled her desire to find his lair. To know. Is he dangerous or not.

"He doesn't like me...what a shame...I was really hoping to make friends with a total stranger today..."

She erupted from her seat, so fast she stood up in a huff. Gritting her teeth and growling, "Excuse me for a moment. I need to... go burn something." Fire was the best remedy for stirred emotions. As she walked by Aidan, her eyes burned with hatred, though in truth it was just irritation and she honestly didn’t intend for it all to be directed at the poor silver-haired man.

On her way out she passed by Mariko, the woman who built a clinic out of nothing but hard work and determination. She had applied for the clinic years ago, and since its completion, the Red queen could now boast the best healthcare on the continent. Yamada was a woman she well respected, so much so she merely bowed her shallow bow of acknowledgement, but kept on walking so as to not say something she'd regret. She knew her eyes were intense and burning with irritation and silent, screaming, rage and her pursed lips twitched with all the will power it took to keep calm.

---

Once outside, she ordered a guard to fetch things to burn. Twigs. Leaves, and the like. One by one she watched them get licked by the flames in Pyrois’ mane; one by one the fire would consume them all and she would release the charred, shriveled carcasses on the ground. After the fifth or sixth one she breathed out and patted the grazing rapidash’s neck.

”Thank you friend. Would you like to return to your fastball for a rest?” The rapidash lifted his head up for submission, and faded into light. Akane put away his pokeball, and released instead a more indoor pokemon. ”Aziza, would you come out?” and a brilliantly copper and golden pokemon appeared, its coat brilliantly sparkled as it caught the sun’s rays.

She stroked the warm and soft mane of her flareon. She was in a dreamlike state, entranced by the amber fur, almost like each individual hair caught the sun’s rays and shined with a rare brilliance. She was alone, save for her guards nearby, and didn’t care to have her guards up at all; she didn’t need to. Her mind was hollow and empty as the thoughts she needed to protect burned away with the fire and settled in the back of her mind. She simply rested against a fence, twirling her fingers in and out of the flareon’s fur.

”Isn’t strange Aziza? How Zandrophin sprung up to greet Miss Yamada? I think he has a thing for her. I could see them together. It would be a strangely effective relationship.” She laughed, and Aziza tilted her head.

Now she waited, she didn’t think she’d be welcome back until she was sure she had gotten out most of her irritation. She did lock eyes with a few party-guests, and she was sure she unnerved some of them. And she acknowledged she should apologize to Zandrophin and especially Prasha, for having to leave so suddenly. She turned around to rest her forearms and hunch over the fence, to just watch and observe the scenery. It was true, she rarely came to this side of the isle, but it was still lovely and beautiful in its own right.

She was lost. It was just one territory over and Maya was already lost. At least she was fairly certain she was lost, as she squinted down below from the top of Aki's back. The Flygon's wings vibrated in place as his owner tried to search out the distortion. Still nothing. And all she could see is clouds. Maya huffed in frustration. She was tending to her usual duties at the Yurei no Machi Temple as a head priestess and dealing with her satanic leech when she felt the disturbance of a distortion. It was a little ways outside the Northern Territory she had claimed in an effort to stem Giratina's distortion abilities from outside. This distortion was beyond the mystical ward markers she had up which could happen but was rare. It was small, minuscule really, but could still cause issues. It just made it that much harder to find though.

"Whooops was that me~? Butterfingers." The voice that had lately taken to bothering her beyond space and time just for shits and giggles. And likely because it was bored.

“You don't even have any fingers,” Maya replied tersely. 

So now she was in her travel clothes, sturdy sandals and thick fabric poncho and hood on as she flew beyond her borders. It was a chore to search out the distortion beyond her wards that she had set up around the land. So now she and Aki idled somewhere over what appeared to be the Western Plains according to her map. 

"Go?" Aki questioned, twisting his head to look at Maya holding out the map.

"Sorry Aki," Maya apologized. "You're probably tired huh? Why don't we land then while I figure this out. Maybe something is interfering with my senses." According to other priests and priestess at the Snowpoint Temple there were certain legendary Pokemon that could tamper with their natural sixth sense and abilities. Giratina was one such Pokemon but those same abilities could also be its weakness if they were strong enough.

"You can have quite the ego on you don't you?"

Maya didn't bother to grace it with a response. The leviathan creature was probably just bitter. Aki dived through the cloud cover and stopped just before the ground, wings flapping powerfully, dust and dirt flying up around them. Maya was thankful for her tightly braided hair or else it would be all over the place. She hoped off and looked around searching the area with her senses, trying to get some idea of a direction to follow. To her surprise there was a building in the distance that she didn't see through the clouds. She hadn't expected to encounter any kind of civilization out here. In fact... it looked like party out there. How odd. 

Aki drew his wings closed and made a questioning croon, sniffing the air. He looked pretty excited about whatever it was, his tail swishing on the ground. 

"Ok ok ok," Maya chuckled. "We can walk in that direction. See what it is about until I get the trail of this distortion."

"Partycrasher."

"Shut up." And Maya and her Flygon started walking out towards the structures and lights.