Akane here, I cleared it up with Prasha, this posting order is for his actual festival thread. The post order I assigned in the sub-header is the one we shall follow for this thread. Sorry for the confusion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It seemed like Aidan was suddenly surrounded by people who didn’t like him. The Red Queen, at least, was known for her temper and he’d been wary of Zandroface from the beginning, but Prasha had seemed very welcoming and the sudden brusqueness had caught him flat-footed. The fact that it clearly wasn’t malicious didn’t stop it from stinging. So as he followed “Sophia” into what was clearly a kitchen, his mood was not at its peak. He walked over to a counter to lean against and brood angrily for a bit while the Gothorita prepared some sort of meat dish. Once Bragor had gotten it and was happily chowing down, the Gothorita walked back out to the main room.
Aidan mulled over his situation. He still wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but it was clear that everyone here was immensely powerful, and that he was horribly outmatched. He was also something of an outsider, as they all seemed to know each other quite well, whereas he had heard of the Red Queen and only vaguely remembered the host (his name was already fading out of Aidan’s memory) from that one battle in Pyron. He wasn’t even sure how long ago that had been. He briefly wondered why he was even a part of this whatever-it-was and wondered if he should leave and keep going just to avoid all the awkwardness that was sure to ensue. The continued aching in his feet spoke against that, though, and he did think Bragor would enjoy the spa, if they got a chance to use it.
That said, he did have to step lightly around the queen and her mind-reading subordinate. He supposed the best plan was just to act casual and let everything play out around him. There was not so much a danger of them having some personal vendetta than just deciding they didn’t like his face and squashing him like a bug. He bet that Rapidash’s hooves could cave his head in if he got to close.
Aidan sighed, and resigned himself to staying. He wondered how long this thing was going to last and what exactly he was going to have to do. Whatever happened, he needed to get himself and his rebelling emotions under control.
Bragor finished eating and burped happily. He had been quite messy, so Aidan pulled a cloth out of his pocket to wipe his face off. Bragor pulled back and complained a bit, but Aidan eventually got the job done. He put the cloth away and rinsed the dish in a nearby sink. He stretched out his hands to the Bagon, offering it a ride back to the main room, but Bragor ignored him. Aidan walked out of the kitchen and back down the hall. On the way Bragor spotted a door to the outside, and as he was apparently not interested in going back to the room with all those people in it, he ran outside. Aidan watched him go, knowing he wouldn’t go too far and would come back when he was done. He headed back to the main room (a lounge?) and took his seat again.
Kazi glanced around the room at the different faces, some new, others quite familiar and smiled as he remembered the many great times, and occasional mishaps they had in the past. Glancing up, he noticed a silver haired individual re-enter the room and raised an eyebrow. Before he could react though, Kamakiri hopped off his shoulder and scuttled across the room toward where the newcomer was, causing Kazi to chuckle and sigh as he shook his head.
"That one... *sigh* Is this what having a child is like?"
Kazi motioned Ruby to float over and he followed his curious fossil pokemon as it made its way toward Adian, eager to see more of this new place and the people in it. As he walked, he noticed Kit blast Ruby with another Moonblast as the Dark/Ghost type tried to make trouble again by sneaking up on a guest, before pouncing on her and dragging her back to their master.
I'm going to assume that it is my turn...? As it is, we seemed to have started at the halfway point of the list... If I need to delete this to post it later, please let me know.
Mariko let out a sigh at the fact that everyone was still seemingly tense. But perhaps things would get better as time went on. She should not judge the atmosphere the way she was without knowing what had occurred before her arrival. What seemed to be a calming factor was the number of Pokemon around her, all in good health and not suffering. To see some of them running around so curiously, or mischievously was a relief as well. Even seeing Mentus in a well state was nice considering the weeks she had been having before she decided to come here for a rest. Well... She was a little worried about the white-haired strangers Bagon, but it seems that he was only hungry and he looked much better now that he had had something to eat.
Looking down at her bracelet, she fidgeted with the Pokeballs on it for a while before she sighed to herself again and pressed the buttons on two of them. The bright lights of red that appeared formed the forms of Celeste and Snowdrop, one taking perch on the back of her seat, and the other appearing in her arms with a yawn.
Maya hardly knew what was happening. Did she get an invite for a festival? She couldn't recall but before she knew it she and several others were being ushered away. She glanced down at her clothes, a thin layer of dust caking her skin and poncho. Aki followed after, keeping his wings close against his body, and long bulky tail curled tightly around him; trying to make himself as small as possible for a 6"8 dragon Pokemon. He almost knocked his head on the tops of doors as they were lead around. Aki clearly was not happy in the confined space. Maya sighed patted him on his bowed head and quickly returned him to his Pokeball.
Whether she liked it or not Maya had inevitably been sucked into a sudden public event and as someone with some importance she had to at least act like this didn't blindside her like a wild Tauros. Granted she usually kept out of the public eye and rarely interacted with other leaders.
Regardless, she was lead to a very nice lounge, cozy yet sophisticated. Needless to say, she felt very out of place in her travel clothes and she wished she could crawl into a Pokeball herself.
On the way in she spied a beautiful onsen that she itched to try, wanted to rinse the dirt off her skin and maybe cleaner clothes. She didn't have anything formal though. Not by a long shot. She had a change of travel clothes and that was it. When they offered to take her luggage all she could do was pass over her small backpack. Rather than stay here she attempted to follow the woman who took her bag in the hopes she could change clothes that were at least presentable. That and the uncomfortable feel in the air coupled with the faces and Pokemon here was not a good combination. It unnerved her. She recognized Z and a few others and kept her head down.
As Akane hunched over on her fence, looking out towards the distance she noticed something strange. A woman, with auburn flowing hair and long robes approached the inn, and in the silhouette next to her, a flygon by the looks of it. Akane seemed to remember somebody she knew having one. But who? It was made apparent when she walked by the queen resting on her fencepost. She had always made Maya nervous; it was no surprise of her to simply walk on by. She heard the door slam shut behind Maya and the red-haired woman dipped her head. She was tired.
"My Lady? Everything all right?" Akane recognized the voice but only gradually did she raise her head. He must’ve come out as Maya went in.
”If emotions are insanity, then why is fire clarity?” Aziza put her paws on the fence next to Akane and lit the leaf she had been fiddling with. Akane showed it to Prasha, eyes clouded as they focused on the burning leaf. A gust of wind blew away the ashes and eventually, the leaf as it floated in the wind and faded away. Her violet eyes locked with Prasha’s in a rare moment of humanity in the red haired woman. ”Prasha. What am I to you?”
A moment of silenced passed.
”I’ sorry Prasha. Fire just gets me thinking sometimes. It clears my mind, and wipes my emotions clean. I’m sorry. For some reason that ashen haired boy angered me, and he didn’t even do anything to deserve my anger.” she huffed and rested her forearms again on the fence. Her fiery locks spilled over her shoulders like lava, and gathered at her bent knees. ”I must formally apologize for leaving so suddenly.” She realized just how lonely she had been outside, and how thankful she was at Prasha’s presence.
”Thank you, for coming out here. Was it just for me?” she laughed, but knew if he did, it had to be fear or respect. Not true friendship. No. that just wasn’t for her. People like her didn’t deserve such luxuries. She turned to head back inside, resting her hand on the larger man’s shoulder. ”Great party, I shouldn’t keep you much longer.” Sorry for the philosophical post… However Akane is facing that point in her life where she must decide what is important to her, and what isn’t. So she’s having an insane mid-life crisis moment.
"Sanity is only an idea made real, to make those who are boring feel better." -Akane
Prasha gave a small smile to Akane. He could see the fire inside of her through her eyes and also noticed even in her coldness how much she cared for him joining her outside. Prasha gave a bow and in a reassuring and soothing tone. " You are my Queen, Lady Akane. Despite all of the things that has happened in battle and off of the battlefield, a friend and loyal at that." He continued "Royalty is a tricky subject as well as the principle of life. A queen has many responsibilities, including the well being of herself and longevity of life. " Prasha then turned to face Lady Akane "If it means anything, My Lady. I have always thought of you as a friend. Lets get this thing started shall we?"
Sophia glided back into the room and tapped on a crystal glass. "Everyone! Dinner is served! The Festival shall commence! Please follow me to the dining hall." Sophia happily glided along the wooded floor hopefully leading the guests into the main dining hall.
Prasha headed back inside and waited for the guests to Arrive in the Dining hall.