An International Welcoming Party

Twilight has begun to set upon the kingdom of Aether, bathing the snow piled high around the capital in orangish hues. Though a cold wind blows through the streets, inside the castle it’s warm, fires stoked in every fireplace within the great stone structure, and that warmth can even be felt in the throne room where Alaric and Tara sit. The two snakes listen to Gaius’ final report for the day, half-listening as their tail tips inch closer and closer together; to his credit, Gaius ignores his royals’ attempts at “playing footsie,” instead burying his face in his scroll as he reads about the latest results of the snowball fight, and he’s just about finished when the throne room doors suddenly burst open!
: HAAAAAAAY, EVERYONE!
Alaric and Tara straighten up, pulling their tails away from each other, and Gaius turns, almost dropping his scroll in his surprise. Reilly trots into the throne room, tail wagging a mile a minute, leading quite the bizarre group of four Pokémon behind him. Two of them are familiar: Matteo, the Pikachu knight, and Madhavi, the Lurantis tradesmen, both of whom are facing towards the thrones with purpose. But the other two are strangers to the Aetherians: a Reuniclus, wearing a cloak with all sorts of gadgets on it, peers about him with a calculating, disapproving eye, while a Victini wobbles and flutters around on a crooked path, gasping and wowing every little thing he sees. Reilly and his band of ‘mons halt just a little ways away from Gaius, and the pony offers a quick bow before speaking.
: Greetings, guys! How’re you doing this awesome, winter evening?
: We’re, uh, fine, Reilly, thanks for asking.
: But why are you here? Nothing issss wrong, isss it?
: Oh no, not at all! I just wanted to introduce my friends to you!
: And who might these “friends” be?
: Members of the International Guild, of course! Now that the headquarters is essentially finished, they’ve started to come in groups, and these are just a few of the more well-known members of each faction.
: Is there a reason why you’re here to introduce them and not Bál?
: Welllll, Bál’s not here yet -- and I don’t think he’ll be here any time soon. Has a lot to do.
: ‘Course he does.
: (shooting her husband a calming look) I’m sssure that Bál will come to Aether when he isss ready. Until then, we are happy to meet any membersss of the guild.
: Well said, milady -- and might I say, it is good to stand before you as a member of denizens branch of the International Guild.
: Denizens? I thought you were a knight, Sir Matteo.
: Just ‘Matteo,’ sire. I am no knight.
: I merely… acted the part.
: If you are a member of The Land’s Heart, then who is the representative of The Free Swords?
: That would be me, sir! (flutters a little too close to Gaius, almost knocking him over) The name’s Claus, but everyone calls me Klutz, and I’m a messenger for the guild!
: Which is much more responsibility than you are fully capable of handling, stumblebum.
: Ssspeak up, sir, we cannot hear you.
: Mine name is Mindaugas, scientific leader of the Tellurian Astasia, and I do not feel the necessity to repeat my complaints regarding this lummox of a fae, as it will not change the fact that he is a schlub who cannot better himself.
: (trying to diffuse the tension) A-And I am Madhavi, as you know, owner of the general store and member of the Artificer’s Union. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to meet the tradesmen of your kingdom.
: It is good to meet all of you -- (narrows his gaze at Mindaugus) -- even if some of you are reluctant to be here.
: Actually, there is one more ‘mon that’s supposed to be here. (turns to Madhavi) Was the news that Cecil was coming wrong?
: No, he’s here. He just, um, disappeared into the woods before we arrived.
: Makes sense. That Lucario is more comfortable with trees than ‘mons; would be better to let him introduce himself in his own time.
: And encourage his inability to deliver public addresses? Nonsense; as I have said countless times before, Cecil would benefit greatly from my scientific wonders to assist in curing his reluctance with meeting new Pokémon.
: Fairly certain he’d disagree with you there… But speaking of your science, why don’t you tell the king and queen about your latest experiment? I’m sure they would be glad to hear of your brilliance.
: I would show them the fruits of my labor if I could, but alas, the galoot flapping about is responsible for the destruction of not only my work, and my lab, but also for my removal from the original headquarters!
: I said I was sorry, Mindy--
: And I have told you never to call me ‘Mindy,’ but I suppose none of us can get what we want, can we?
: In any case, I am here now, without any of my tools or research, and my assistants still on the way. You shall have to wait and see my genius, serpentine royals, but I assure you that my talents are obvious even to the dullest of minds.
: We await with bated breathsss.
: (his turn to peer calmingly at his wife) Until then, you are all free to make yourselves at home in Aether. You will all be staying at the International Guild headquarters within the city walls, yes?
: That’s right, king snake sir! And there’s lots for us to do, so we better get going!
: He’s right, milord, we have a number of tasks to do in order to get the guild ready to work~
: In fact, if it’s not too much trouble, we would like to ask the Aetherian citizens for help with these tasks. Could we give out behests for them to accomplish?
: That is fine, I’d be happy to help you write them up--
: That will not be necessary, I do believe we have the wherewithal to operate a quill pen.
: (oblivious) You can show us where we can post them though!
: … Quite right. Just let me know when you have finished. I will show you out.
With that, the Kricketune walks the group of five ‘mons towards the doors, leading them out of the castle. Once the doors have closed behind them, Alaric and Tara exchange glances, both of them sighing with relief.
: Well, they’re an interesting group.
: Underssstatement of the century, dear…
Category:Events
Category:Arc 1
Category:Aether
Category:Branching Objective