[action;]

[for_altea]

[Perhaps a few hours away from Union, there's a stream which leads to a small spring. And there's trees. And there's distant mountains and grass and woodland and--

And the smell of cooking.

- and a campsite. Yes, firewood's burning, signalling the sun beginning to hang low in the sky. Yes, there's certainly signs of recent life.

A rather young looking teenager, quite short, and quite thin, sits just shy of the fire upon a folded, long strip of fabric. There's a bowl in his hand, but it appears he's feeding an eevee and a purrloin. He appears to be speaking to them as well.

That is, until the eevee hears your footsteps. She struggles from the youth's lap and bounds over, the whites of her (small) teeth not all that much of a threatening sight. ]

...Argent?! Please hold!

[Soon enough, the youth moves to her side, a gloved hand on the hilt of some longsword at his side. But looking to his face should inform any visitor that he shows little chance of actually attacking. His eyes are curious, tone gentle.]

Argent, please calm down. Forgive us, friend - for we are not used to visitors. We wish you no harm, unless you wish it upon us.

[The eevee continues to snarl. The purrloin soon saunters to her side as well, looking at this visitor almost hungrily.]

Comments

[for_altea]

....I cannot agree more. Whomever did that, for whatever reason... if there is anything remotely akin to justice left in this world, they must be brought to justice.

[The Purrloin seems to be conveying the conversation to the Eevee. If Rydia's listening...]

"That's humans. Some Enlightened are even like that too. But look at her, talking like it's happened in the last five minutes. More like five years ago. Marth didn't notice, he wasn't around then. I was~! I had a cute little den around those parts before I moved to the forest, saw the whole thing. That place? I know it. It was called Mist... though the name Charcoal seems to suit it more now. I don't even know why Prince Marth bothered with risking his life to protect it. It's gone. Even the ghosts have left. So thieves want to steal everything there worth stealing. Who cares?"

(I missed this, sorry. Inbox is a mess right now)

[rydiaofmist]

[She looks at the Purrloin, paling.]

Did you say Mist?

No worries! If you need, we can resume when you're less busy? I don't mind!

[for_altea]

[Sable simply fixes Rydia with a lazy look, tail swishing.]

"I did. Judging by your garb, you're from there? Well."

[A small yawn.]

"Isn't that a happy coincidence?"

Nah, it's cool

[rydiaofmist]

[Normally a very quiet Pokemon, Whyt frowns, ready to speak on his friend's behalf. Rydia stops him, however.]

That's right, I'm from Mist.

Re: Nah, it's cool

[for_altea]

"I've no idea who you lot riled up, but..."

[Another yawn, as Sable moved her eyes from Rydia to Whyt, and back again. There was no concern in them. No pity. Not even the slightest flicker of compassion. Marth, on the other hand, displayed enough for the both of them. ]

"Mist..? I apologize for interrupting, but if I might ask... was that village your home?

[It was what they were speaking of before Sable interrupted him, after all.]

[rydiaofmist]

[By every right, she should be angry, and Whyt at least is simmering over the comments made by Sable. Instead, Rydia nods.]

It was.

[for_altea]

I am so sorry, lady Rydia.

[The statement is simple, but it's entirely heartfelt. While he can't quite grasp the extent of Rydia's loss, Altea at least makes him feel some of it. He turns to look at the fire, exhaling slightly before he continues to speak.]

...If speaking of it is painful, you need not trouble yourself to answer my questions. But I must ask- why? Why was it destroyed?

[rydiaofmist]

[She would correct him later. Instead, she clenched that fist even tighter, head lowering a bit more.]

...I don't know.