Story: Meanwhile... Business as Usual

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The International Guild headquarters in Aether is officially complete: not a moment too soon, turns out, as a particular Typhlosion is due to arrive today to check on progress, and the guild members already present in the new headquarters want to give good news to the fire weasel. Members responsible for “guild grunt work” scurry around, attempting to spruce up the space for his arrival, while four more visible members, each from a differing branch of the guild, gather in the main entryway, some of them confident while others… not.
: Is everything ready? (rubs her arms together in nervous scratches) We’ve gotten the feast prepared in the dining area, yes? I believe it all arrived on time, and I checked the order, twice, no mistakes, but there was so much else to do, I’m afraid I may have missed something--
: I know that your kind has a natural disadvantage to his line of Pokémon, but your anxiety is misplaced, Madhavi. I do not think he would be barbaric enough to roast you alive for a simple mix-up of dinner forks even with his origins.
: Mindaugus is right, there’s nothing to worry about. All shall go according to plan, just as we have arranged.
: Yeah, no sweat, ‘havi, we’ve worked really hard to make this meeting perfect, so there’s no way anything can go wrong!
: Hmm, I suppose you’re right… Yes, I am certain everything shall go swimmingly~!
: Glad you think so -- because he’s here.
: (jumping) Ahh, already?!
: Yeh, a’ready, I’m not late t’ things like those Aetheri’ns.
The Typhlosion walks into the building without any fanfare, stomping up to his fellow guild members with his trademark frown on his face. Behind him stands a Lucario, eyes closed to the world and right arm dangling uselessly at his side; it almost appears that he’s sleepwalking, so silent and still he is, but the others are used to the Lucario’s quiet and pay him no mind, instead focusing on Bál who is busy glancing around the building’s interior.
: Not bad, not bad a’ all. (staring at Matteo) Did th’ construction hit any snags?
: No, everything was fine. The company you hired were professionals, just came in, did their jobs, and left --
: -- though I have some strongly-worded complaints regarding those imbeciles responsible for transporting my sensitive equipment halfway across Avalon --
: -- which ya can formally file wit’ Matteo here when you’ve completed ‘em.
: … Thank you.
: (ignoring Matteo’s pout) Well, we gonna just stand in th’ door, or are ya gonna lead me t’ my office?
: R-Right this way, sir!
The Tyrogue takes the lead down the main hallway going deeper into the building. Bál and the others fall in after Zhí, and the Typhlosion is content to just look around and admire the quick work his guild has managed to complete… only to be interrupted by Madhavi.
: So, um, Bál, how was your trip~?
: Long.
: O-Oh.
: I think Madhavi would like to know if you accomplished what you set out to do.
: (under his breath) I am certain we’d all like to know that…
: There’s not much t’ tell. I went where I needed t’ go, saw wha’ I needed t’ see. Just took a long tim’, is all. Wha’s more important t’ me is wheth’r we’ve been gettin’ along a’right wit’ th’ Aetherians. Any of ‘em givin’ us trouble?
: Heavens no, they’ve been delightful~!
: … Bas’d on th’ ones I’ve met, I highly doubt tha’.
: W-Well, it’s true that only six ‘mons helped us in the early stages of our arrival, a Charizard by the name of Gwyn --
: I would hardly call his infantile jar labeling as “helpful.”
: Then there was Milly the Mawile, she assisted me in the marketplace, and a Zoroark named Jingle, she helped Klutz catch some vandals who’d done some, ah, “damage” to the headquarters. Said damage was cleaned up by two Fennekin and an Eevee calling themselves the “Fluffy Club.”
: (catching Bál’s furrowed brow) Regardless, they did assist us in the tasks we assigned. There were also a few ‘mons who lent a hand to Zhí in her protection detail of the fireworks designated for the festival’s finale.
: (over her shoulder) That’s true, sir. They helped me round up some bandits that were trying to make off with the fireworks Master Hu Shen brought.
: Hrmph, tha’s all well an’ good, but I had hoped tha’ maybe, wit’ their queen givin’ us permission t’ be here, even wit’ th’ king’s reluctance, they’d be more willin’ to help.
: (with a squishy shrug) What else can you expect from bumbling misfits who have taken residence in an abandoned castle?
: Even so. I shall haveta do somethin’ t’ get ‘em to wake up and work.
: That “something” may come sooner than you think.
The Lucario’s first words since arriving with Bál makes everyone jolt with surprise -- and suddenly, Klutz comes spiralling through a nearby window, bumping into Bál’s shoulder and rebounding with a tiny puff of smoke.
: Oh! Sorry, Bál, didn’t see ya there --
: -- but hey, you’re back, that’s great! Did you just get here? --
: -- you weren’t waiting for me, were you? Gosh, I hope not --
: -- still, it’s nice to be wanted --
: For the love of -- spit it out, you glorified gadfly!
: Ah! The letter, almost forgot!
The Victini struggles with the bag slung at his side, withdrawing (and dropping twice) a scroll. He gives it to Bál who opens it up and reads it silently, subtly shifting away so the others can’t see. As Mindaugus slyly hovers close enough to spy the letter’s contents, Bál abruptly rolls it back up, ignoring the scientist’s harrumph and looking to the Lucario.
: You were right, Cecil. This is just th’ thing t’ motivate th’ Aetheri’ns t’ act their part in this so-call’d “prophecy.”
: What is it, Bál? Nothing serious, I hope.
: It’s business as usual, Madhavi, should be simple ‘nough for ‘em t’ accomplish -- provided we send one o’ our own t’ keep an eye on ‘em.
: (excitedly throwing a hand up) Ooh, ooh, I’ll go!
: And invite further disaster? I think not.
: Sorry, kid, not thi’ time; you’re needed h’re. Matteo, you’ll go.
: And where am I going?
: (tossing the scroll to the Pikachu) Read all ‘bout it yerself. I don’t have time t’ fill ya in myself, got somewhere else t’ be --
: You’re leaving -- now?
: But the banquet, it’s all set up!
: Next time. ‘Ave business elsewh’re. Cecil, stay here an’ send me any updates, a’right?
: Of course.
: Good. (turning to leave, pauses and glances back at Matteo) Oh, one last thing: when you meet wit’ th’ king, Matteo, make sure he sends some o’ his people wit’ ya up north. He wants t’ be a part o’ th’ prophecy, he has t’ start doin’ some good deeds ‘round th’ world an’ get more allies than just toga-wear’rs an’ war-mong’rs. Tell him tha’ from me, clear?
: I will. Safe travels.
Bál nods then walks back down the hall, leaving the building (and soon, the town) as quickly as he came. The moment he disappears around the corner, Madhavi sighs, antennae drooping behind her head.
: All that money, wasted…
: You can get a refund!
: Just like last time.
: What else is new?
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Category:Meanwhiles
Category:Arc 2
Category:Aether