Prasha Kesiem's Exotic Foods and Sweets.

Prasha started to laugh. "Oh no those are just my Pokemon being rowdy. They laugh a lot. My Croagunk, Sawk, and Machoke are pretty much best friends and have tons of inside jokes." Prasha began to wipe dishes.

"As for being new, no we have been here for quiet some time. Various adventures and shenanigans. Both of us are actually business partners, I own this tea shop and he owns electronics." Prasha took a sip of tea. "Sure we just got here a few weeks ago, but we are pretty much talk of the town. Everyone eats my curry and candy." 

Zandrophin sighed heavilly and laid down his tea....visibly irritated that he was not allowed to finish drinking it in peace. He looked over at Prasha.

I don't like this one, lad...she asks too many questions. We do not recognize her...so it is best to give as little to her as possible. I'm going to push her a bit. If things go south, and I can't recover from it, I'll ask you to step in.

He spoke, aloud now, to the newcomer...lightly stroking Mentus' ears...appearing slightly distracted.

"Who wants to know? You can't just come here, ask us our business, and never once introduce yourself. Prasha might not have minded it, but I'm more of a traditionalist; protocol dictates you should've introduced yourself first."

Zandrophin knew that once this little formality was out of the way...things could continue quite agreeably. Until then, he knew he had to be stone-faced and harsh.

He paused and looked the newcomer dead in the face, a cold look in his eyes.

"Bad form, Miss...very bad form, indeed."

"I’m Yamada Mariko of Ecruteak City, Johto. I happen to run one of the only human and Pokemon clinics here in Pyron.”

Having heard what he wanted to hear, Zandrophin knew that this discussion could continue. Smiling slightly, he said,

"See now? Was that so hard to just give me your name?"

Bowing like the showman he was, he continued,

"My name is Zandrophin, and I do own the CTC. Allow me to welcome you, Miss Yamada, to Pyron City. You are standing in the hub of trade and commerce for the region of Cel---oh, I beg your pardon. I forget...you're not fresh off the boat...or at least you don't look too much like it; I'll spare you the introduction, and get back to your request. You want more supplies to be shipped in? That's fine; you just need to file a cargo requisition form. I actually have one with me right here."

Zandrophin handed her the sheet and a pen. He sighed and continued,

"Sadly, large-scale shipping for the next few days has been almost completely booked; next free slot is in four days. If you absolutely cannot wait four days for a large cargo vessel...I can try to push the steel shipment back; your other option is to take a smaller vessel...which I can get to you within....a few hours."

He waited a few moments while the woman glanced at the form. He continued,

"This is the best I can do, at such short notice. Perhaps later we can set up a more long-term agreement...but there is more paperwork involved. Do not think I am singling you out. You can ask Prasha...he had to fill out forms to have his ingredients shipped over here...and now he gets a new supply every few days."

He stood back and waited to hear the woman's response. Yes, she didn't have many options...but Zandrophin's hands were tied. If the schedule fell apart, it would cause unimaginable chaos to spread amongst the people. So many lives depended on his system...and everyone had to follow the same rules.

Mariko looked over the paper handed to her by Zandrophin with a careful eye. Everything seemed standard on it, but she couldn’t be too cautious. Looking over at Celeste, she showed the Pidgey the paper as well and had her give a second opinion. Celeste seemed to think it was okay as well so she took the pen and signed the paper where it said to do so. After she had done that, Mariko held out the signed paper and the pen.

“Alright, the paper is signed. Also, the sooner the better, I’ll take the shipment you can get me at the earliest. I have a patient right now, which is why I came to the marketplace today.” As she spoke, Mariko noticed out of the corner of her eye that there was a crowd gathering. It wasn’t until Prasha spoke and two Pokemon, a Machoke and a Sawk, started sparing that she remembered that she had, indeed, and heard of this stall.

“This is Pyron City is it? I don’t remember seeing sparing Pokemon as I was walking here. No this is only the marketplace. And now I do remember hearing about this stall. You have no idea, how much I want to break those two up. I am a medic, because I don’t want to see Pokemon hurt. Seeing them beat each other up is no better. Even if they are fighting type Pokemon and do this all the time.” Mariko knew that what she was saying may make her sound stuck-up, but she was strong in her belief. So much for this conversation being calm.

Mariko watched the sparing for a little longer before turning her attention back to Zandrophin. "I need the supplies as soon as possible, so going to your building might not be such a bad thing," she said glancing back at the sparing with a wince. "I suppose it would also be better than standing here and watching those two spar... I know it's all in fun and games but..." A shiver went down her spine slightly in discomfort.

"I never have liked seeing Pokemon hurt... I don't particularly like seeing humans hurt either... Memories of such things are painful. Reality more so if you could have done something about it." She shook her head. "Never mind that... It's your lead isn't it?"

Mariko nodded at Prasha to answer his question. "I'm sure. Thank you for the offer, but I really don't need tea right now." She hoped she didn't sound rude. Sighing she looked over at the Pokemon who had finished sparing.

"If you ever want me to check them over, just in case something goes wrong in one of the spars, come to my clinic. It's a little ways into the city, but it stands out. I usually leave Celeste there if I am not there, and I have no patients, so she'll come and get me if I am not there when you arrive." As an afterthought she added. "The only reason Celeste is with me today is because I was desperate to find the medical supplies I needed."

---

He had been riding for days. The Queen's summon was unexpected so he made haste. Fifty Armored knights rode with him each bore the standard of her majesty, the Queen. Pyron City was just ahead. He should have ridden on, but he wanted to make a quick stop to personally check on the portion of the Royal fleet stationed in Pyron Bay.

Upon entering the city he dismissed his entourage and went about his own way through the city streets. He made sure to keep Kokkinos calm so his Ponyta wouldn't injure any civilians. Chazz felt a slight rumble in his stomach. He didn't have time for a full meal, but he could go for a treat. Just then he spotted a candy stall. He didn't have time to wonder about so he made for the stall.

Upon arriving he promptly dismounted, and tied his Ponyta's reins to a near by post. Flipping back his cloak he proceeded to take off his helm and latch it to his companion's saddle. He calmly approached the stall. "Good Day, Citizens." Chazz tried to sound cheery, but his military tone was a little heavy. His armor didn't help his case any either.