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~ CHAPTER 6 ~

<< The Initial Investment >>

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Place: City of Arceliaze, Southern New District, Approaching East Illaminian District

 

Region: Central Arceali Valley

 

Day: Konsova

 

Date: Zshima 49th

 

Year: 5th Turn, 12

 

Even the short time in the old District had netted me small inebriation and muddy snow caking my legs and paws. Strands of hair were already slowly coming out of their proper place. Moving with the crowds of the Old District only made it worse. A smudge of coal or oil on my arm when brushing against some ruffian, sand and salt upon my hip and a wetness on my left hand’s fingers.

 

I was, in no uncertain terms, annoyed to be trudging through those dirtied masses. The harsh chill of winter was a better fate than warmth of that unclean origin. Arceliaze was more of a lingering, displeasing sensation than a city unto itself.

 

When I finally broke from the larger crowds of the Old District, their body warmth left me, now casting me back out to the cold winter air of Arceliaze.

 

When I finally came to the stone gate connecting me to the outer edges of the New District it was to some relief to feel my paws hit cobblestone again. Among these smaller buildings I walked, seeing the larger buildings of the inner New District far off and away.

 

And already I was seeing more businesses, more tools.

 

ARCEALI BROKERAGE

 

TIER F PAYOUTS BROKERAGE

 

Valley Pawn

 

Vawzani Trading Post

 

M&B Banking and Investments – South ND Branch

 

Rapid Cash – No Questions Asked

 

Turoni Trusted Loans & Investor Club

 

Where these signs may have been white noise before, now I could see…these companies were perhaps more common, more widespread than even those selling clothes and food.

 

The economy of Arcea must have been red-hot, with Poke’mon of all types jumping in to make businesses surrounding it, swarming to strike while the iron was hot. Was it any wonder, in a world that paid its workers with shares of start-up and high-risk companies? Shares those workers then used to purchase alcohol of all things?

 

I stared about those financial buildings- where other people may have seen new beginnings reflected in their glass and steel, I only pondered an unwitting end. A misstep or a miscalculation, and having one’s livelihood ripped from beneath their feet at the behest of a passed due date. And yet, I knew I would be reliant on them, inevitably.

 

But, these would be for later.

 

For now, if I was to people-watch the glamorous, ritzy, sinfully ostentatious and showy beasts of the New District then I’d need to at least look presentable, lest I be chased out by the guard…and with no Siranae to aide the escape.

 

Every step I took, I was either wiping the muck from my sides or grinding my paws into the stone, having to cleanse some facet of myself from the District I had just endured.

 

As I moved deeper into the New District I spotted…

 

…an answer to my problem.

 

Fountains.

 

Flowing with babbling water poured from stone jars held by stone beasts draped in stone cloth, sculptures radiating reverence…not unlike those one might find in Venezia or Roma.

 

Once those fountains had caught my eyes…

 

…well.

 

It was wretched to envision a nobildonna bathing herself in a marble fountain, like a failure of a maiden turned to the streets. But there was no nobildonna here, not until these Poke’mon of Arceliaze could see her in truth.

 

I sighed and spotted one nestled in an alleyway…a little more out of sight.

 

My body stumbled onward, letting the shade of the alleyway fall upon me, as I approached the beast-made fountain. I came to stand at its edge, eyes darting side to side…

 

…no, even if not a noble, I was aghast at the thought of someone watching me bathe.

 

My skin trembled.

 

There was no other choice.

 

With my documents put aside, I knelt at the barrier of that flowing water, pristine and pure, and scooped it in clasped paws as though a life-giving elixir. I pressed that moisture into my face, scrubbing and stroking through the folds of frayed fur- then again at my shoulders, wiping down and pressing gunk to fling off of my body.

 

Minute after minute spent, simply fixing what Arceliaze had damaged, obscured from the street by stone wall and garden plants hanging over from a villa’s back patio, all in the hopes that I could begin my work proper.

 

The indignity, the indignity of it all.The feeling of my position crept up and up, over and over, as I splashed and rubbed water against my furred body. Even the marbled eyes of the Poke’mon sculpture seemed to stare me down in judgement as I bathed myself in the waters from its stone jar.

 

The water was frigid, of course, with small sparkles of ice floating within. The water slipped down my hydrophobic otter fur…or, perhaps, Buizel fur. Still, the touch of the water combined with the chill of the wind to left me shivering.

 

Cold…but clean at least, and dry in no time.

 

But as I was finishing my preparations…something caught my eye…

 

Shoved in the corner by the fountain, caked in mud and snow…looked to be a piece of paper, discarded and forgotten…or perhaps just lost…

 

MERCHANT GUILD – GATE & GATE LOGISTICS – 10 SHARES

 

I sat at the water’s edge, eyes locked onto that tossed document- before springing forward toward it.

 

If I wasn’t careful, I’d be soaking the zoning pages and newspaper with my still-damp fur, but I had some civility left in me to not fling water about the alleyway like a drenched dog.

 

I read up and down the page, almost…disbelieving. I could not assume 10 shares were much, with how carelessly Siranae and Tulo offered it at that bar, but not much far and away outclassed nothing.

 

I pressed into the certificate’s edges, evening out the creases and sliding off gunk with my still-moist digits. I cared not how pathetic it still was- I would at least look decent when making my first purchase, or perhaps taking my first loan. Both my form, and my currency.

 

With the creases and mud tended to, the paltry little certificate of stock ownership, at the very least, looked less like it was fished from a gutter and could now pass as having been stolen off a wretch I’d mugged.

 

There was no signature on the certificate, so it seemed it simply…belonged to whoever held it.

 

Perhaps it could be traded for garments or other items, or even taken to a broker to be turned directly into money. Perhaps it would be enough to start a bank account with…assuming these beasts had anything of the sort.

 

Of course, it seemed now they likely would.

 

My tails lashed at the dirtied earth behind me, while I rose to my feet once more. The zoning document was stacked atop the shares, then the newspaper beneath them all to look less evidently impoverished. The stacked pages were pressed under my arm, as I returned to the chilling light outside of the alleyway.

 

This look was much more presentable. I likely looked rather busy or like a woman of business with the documents tucked under my arm, at least at first glance.

 

My wandering steps led me back toward that Fine Clothing Co. that I had glanced on my way into the city- I was unprepared to make a purchase; 10 shares were certainly worth nothing in that regard. But it behooved me to study what a young noblewoman of Arceliaze would wear, such that I could return and mimic those fashions once there was more gold to my name. Even a single garment would help to sever me from the image of a regular, dirt-caked, lowlife ‘Buizel’ that had started to creep over me.

 

In no time, I was brought back to the front of that building.

 

The building wasn’t quite in the ritzy, gilded portion of the New District but I could tell it was very closeby. The cobblestone road seemed much more even, with the stones taking neat rows and columns. The street was wider as well, allowing for a slight breeze to roll betwixt the buildings.

 

Lines of flags fluttered above.

 

A canal with rushing water flowed under a nearby short bridge.

 

Two red-roofed guard towers loomed overhead, their enormous flags billowing in the wind.

 

And there, just beside the entrance to a small boxed-in public garden was a bench with a plaque reading:

– Honoring those that fought and died for Arcea’s sovereignty –

Bench #54:

Reg. Adrius of Arceliaze, General Army 21st Battalion, 4th Regiment

~ 0B24 – 0B02~

 

I hummed, considering the bench. It could prove a good lookout point to watch patrons of the shop as well as passerby, while not being in the richest part of the district where I might be interrupted by eager guards.

 

What a legacy, what a fate. Fighting wars on behalf of these Poke’mon, for the… ‘honor’ of a bench in one’s name.

 

‘So be it- it was a serviceable location. You had lived your life with some purpose, ‘Adrius’,’ Thought I.

 

My body slumped down to rest in the bench, eyes wandering up to the flags above me.

 

It wasn’t proper for a noblewoman to be unaware of the political and social history of the nation she occupied… I would need to remedy that in due time.

 

My eyes fell to the crowds again, thinner as they might have been this close to the New District.

 

I let my gaze drift now and then- it was impolite in the highest to simply gawk at pedestrians- but I made no small effort to study those that would pass by, those that entered the store, those that departed it. It was not enough to see what was popular; I’d need to know what suited my age and gender, if not also size and… species.

 

A grimace passed through me.

 

I distracted myself from the thought and began my observation. In no time at all, I was able to draw several conclusions:

 

The Poke’mon of the New District were worlds apart from those of the Old District, that much was certain. Of course, the area I sat in was something of a border between the low class ghettos and the high class ivory roads. I saw plenty in the way of rude or loud beasts, laughing or hurriedly rushing to wherever it was they needed to go.

 

But these were not the ones that caught my eye.

 

No, the Poke’mon in the crowd that caught my interest were different:

 

Their gaits were steady and in-time.

 

They did not shout and talk rambunctiously or sing with bottles in hand.

 

If they spoke to one another at all then the Poke’mon here would speak softly, wait for two seconds, then allow the other to begin their speech. For indeed, these Poke’mon seemed to talk in speeches.

 

These were the ones I’d been looking for. If not nobles then at least those of class and means that sought to show as much. Indeed, while the normal rabble contented themselves with nothing more than bare fur and the occasional thick warming garment around the neck, the higher class Poke’mon wore a little more:

 

Hats, ranging from simple caps with lovely patterns to berets with flowers and even the occasional sunhat with trimmings or jewels hung from the brim.

 

Scarves, thick and long, hung loose over the front and back, with patterns of blue and gold most commonly.

 

Rings upon fingers and other extremeties where fingers did not exist, glistening with strange bright red and blue shimmering jewels.

 

Braclettes were also seen, often with cloth attached, hanging loosely down the arms or other limb.

 

Make-up was extremely common. Heavy eyeshadow and long eyelashes. Blush and even dots placed on the cheek under the eye. Painted claws. Tufts of fur on the head were even sometimes dyed for a subtle but noticeable flair…and not just for the women, but when I listened close…even the deep-voiced men wore such make-up.

 

Shoes were very rare and all that seemed to exist were simple slippers or sandals.

 

Even more rarely did I see robes or flowing dresses, though some Poke’mon indeed wore them. None reached the ground, always stopping just short. They looked to be of a soft material that fluttered in the wind, with spiral patterns stitched into the edges. They were the spiral patterns I’d seen most often, in just about every part of Arceliaze from garments to documents to even the very architecture I surrounded myself with.

 

Indeed, the more I looked the more it became clear: there were hundreds of thousands of body types. Long snouts, short bodies, fat bellies, claws, hands, paws, hooves, talons short necks, long necks, tails, no tails, short legs, long legs, wings, beaks, foxes, bears, serpents, crabs, on and on and on and on and on.

 

I didn’t even see one other buizel in the crowd.

 

It became no wonder so many Poke’mon wore nothing…for it was likely any garment worn would have to either be generic…or custom made.

 

It was as enlightening as it was troubling… beyond that spiral flair or the specifics of what did not appear, I could not glean a single and simple style for a girl such as myself. No guidance on what was pleasing and what was off-putting.

 

Were more wealthy Pokemon able to afford more of these scattered garments, or did they invest in singular items that dazzled and delighted? Certainly, I had no semblance of what species were more prone to this wealth, if any were- I could not rely on my impression of the beasts in that sense.

 

It indeed seemed like the presence of any clothes were a sign of status. The style was coherent between them, at least, with deviations for personal taste. The vestments all tended to be rather colorful but always had, somewhere, a hint of gold coloring.

 

As gold as the dome on Lippi’s castle.

 

Still… it was a comfort. If no trend could exist among these disparate body types and…appendages, then I could do no wrong except by erring from the garments and concepts I’d already seen. No fanciful footwear, nor full attire that could hide my shameful form. I could take solace in knowing I’d only need adorn myself with a few items, if that.

 

What would suit me, then? A dress would be most comfortable, yet I imagined the costs for a full body’s worth of fabric were unmanageable. Albeit, I’d need to purchase two of such dresses in due time…

 

It was not to be decided yet. I had not the resources to fund any elaborate attire- I would remedy that now.

 

After enough time stewing and staring on the bench, I rose again, papers tucked against my body… and, with a check of the zoning documents, I made my way toward the heart of Arceliaze-

 

…toward the ‘Illaminian District’.

 

I had no mind for which bank would not seek to rob me blind, and which still would be accessible. Tulo’s guidance towards ‘FastiCoin’, as unseemly as it was, would be my only guidance as I marched along the New District’s border toward my destination.

 

As I trudged on to the west, I could see more and more businesses with signs that, while having a normal alphabet, were still…illegible to me:

 

Hsohmoe Qis Gaudu – Vavvo cipwipavo!!

 

Voquhsegoi Illamini

 

Wistu Dete: Aggodo Fo Woehhou

 

The Poke’mon that surrounded me seemed clean and clothed…many of them, in fact. Going in the direction of the district, I noticed that in this area hats were more common, especially ones with flowers and colorful brims…

 

…in fact…the further west I went, the less I saw gold. Both in architecture and in clothing.

 

The architecture of the massive buildings seemed to change. The spiral patterns were slowly replaced with harsh, jagged patterns. Soft waves and bumps now gave way to lines of strange, clacking wood chimes and multi-color baubles on strings. Even the lanterns…I could see the glass was tinted in different colors of red and green and blue.

 

It must have been a sight at night.

 

And the noise…mixed with the sound of crowds and the whistling of the winter wind…a noise echoed dully over the stone roads as they turned from cobblestone to…stone with glass centers with light fixtures under my feet.

 

And as I turned the corner, that noise hit me all at once, as though a steam locomotive barreled over me.

 

 

Signs surrounded me. Song thumped my skull. Flags flapped loudly in the wind. Wooden chimes clacked. A sign over an archway proudly read:

 

“Pittapu Ene Hmo Illamini Duni Arceali”

 

This…must have been the Illaminian district.

 

If only for a moment, I wondered if ‘Arceus’ had failed to bestow me with the proper ability to read- but my thoughts dissipated under the sheer noise of this glimmering district. I had expected more stone houses bound on dirt streets, more beasts pulling carriages towards smoky mines where creatures toiled for their daily bread.

 

This… it was more a festival, with how it assaulted the senses by its mere existence. The Poke’mon here must have been resilient… or deaf. Some blindness would help, too…

 

With how Tulo and Julvana acted, it was no wonder they’d linger in such a chaotic environment- I just could not envision a financial institution prospering here.

 

My tired paws marched across the stone, while my eyes darted between the flickering lights and strolling Poke’mon, hoping to catch a glimpse of this ‘FastiCoin’ amidst the rows of non-gilded structures.

 

Would it even be advertised in my language?

 

…the lack of gold was, at least, a blessing. I’d almost forgotten the visage of a city where one was not forced to bear a burning luster in their eyes at all times. I could take my time searching my surroundings, perhaps even admire Arceliaze.

 

…no, the noise still burned through my skull. Searching would have to do.

 

While the different parts of Arceliaze bore their differences, they at least felt like different sections of the same city, some poorer than others.

 

But this? This Illaminian district was as though someone cut a slice of a completely different city and dumped it into the center of Arceliaze.

 

The buildings were different, now narrower and closer to the street.

 

The architecture and art was different, no longer with statues but with massive murals painted upon the wall, and no longer colored ivory and gold but now assaulting me with every color possible to put in a cacophony of noisy colors.

 

The sound was different, no longer a muted rumble of crowds and an occasional guitar or violin plucked, now horns merrily blasted from within buildings and even from bands on the street.

 

The Poke’mon were different, no longer did they speak softly to one another or laugh and brawl with alcohol in hand, now they seemed to greet everyone as though they were old friends, dancing in the street, milling about aimlessly, as though the street was not comprised of a hundred shops but was rather one giant establishment.

 

I would have almost appreciated this clash of design and music and visual stimuli, if it was not so readily hostile to my senses. And yet… there was still some comfort in that absence of haughty well-to-do’s and raucous beasts, in the simplicity hidden beneath the chaos.

 

And yet, something else arrived to disrupt that comfort beyond the stimuli-

 

“Caup Qunisohhou~!!” A voice SHOUTED to me from across the street in a merry tone.

 

“A-ah-??” I reeled back, eyes wide in fear that I’d been caught for some ruse or crime I’d not even committed.

 

I could see a burly cat beast waving to me before he immediately turned his attention elsewhere.

 

I could only manage a wave in turn, once he had already stopped paying me any mind.

 

As I moved past the gate, under colorful signs and clacking wood chimes, I immediately saw a residential area. It was here I could see what seemed to be log cabins with polished wood and clean roofs. The road was made of colorful bricks with arrows painted on the surface, directing me to:

 

“GOOD EATS / CAUP DOCU”

 

“BIG MONEY / CIO TUMFO”

 

“ETERNAL LOVE / WISU ENUSI”

 

Intertwined with the beautifully crafted log cabins were large brick buildings. They looked brand new, with polished bright red brick and more colorful lanterns lining the whole road, signs hanging over head. A group of Poke’mon in a brick lot played for a wildly dancing crowd, a blue and green bucket filled with coins and stock certificates as donations.

 

This place was… lively, with performers, business, simple street life-

 

“Tdateno!” Another voice called out beside me. I felt a hand on my shoulder holding me back, a beast grabbing me!

 

I made no panicked noise, only thrashed at the sudden touch I received.

 

On my shoulder was what looked like a bulky fingerless white-gloved hand. A queer sort of blue, round beast with a dizzying spiral placed in the center of its body stared at me with frog eyes. To his left he was flanked by a blue and black lion of some sort with yellow eyes.

 

I reeled back from the frog-beast, fuzzy arm forcing his hand away from me. The pair of Poke’mon backed off at my thrashing, the blue frog beast shaking his hand as though it’d been burnt.

 

“U-unhand me!” I yelped. “I did not come here to be manhandled by such… such…!”

 

My glaring face settled, looking over the duo.

 

The pair stared back at me curiously as I fought to recompose myself. I lifted a hand to pat down the fur of my shoulder, smoothing it, eyes transfixed on the two.

 

Their expressions were…friendly enough, even if their appearances were shocking to say the least. The lion was most worrying of all.

 

They, at the least, did not seem to be street thugs, but they lacked manners and intellect all the same. Still, their presence was close to pestering- were these beasts so sociable that they believed they could accost a lady like this-!?

 

The round, blue frog creature spoke again:

 

“Duputdo me tvsefe qis me hsohmoe fim gaudu Dsitdovini?”

 

I hesitated.

 

“I-I do not… speak your tongue,” I muttered, eyes shooting to the ground. “And I’m quite busy. If you would, excuse me…”

 

“Ah, ahhh! Arceali, ei?” The blue lion thing said, cocking his head to the side. “Ah, Tdate.”

 

“Ooookayyy, you speaks Arrceali? Arrceali, To?” The blue beast said, placing his hands on his swirl-patterned stomach, relaxed. “I only ask: wherre is, ehhhh…Dsitdove Firre Grrill?”

 

Their accents were familiar, the same as the foreman’s and Mama’s. This must be the ‘Illaminian’ language and accent, confirming my suspicions.

 

Of course, it was something of a miracle I could hear them, even as they spoke loudly and boisterously, over the wail of horns and trumpets blaring loudly from a nearby eatery. More shouting…all in the foreign tongue.

 

I let out a weak exhale, regaining my grip upon my mind. My expression twisted and grimaced while trying only to listen to them amidst the storm of noise and musical assaults that swirled in the open air here. At the least, they truly meant no harm… and, at least, their accent was one I could parse, after an evening where I was surrounded by it.

 

“I am… unfamiliar with that location, I apologize.” I shouted over the music, my breaths steadied, even if I struggled to keep eye contact with the lion-beast. Against my whim, my arms fidgeted on the documents I’d collected under my arm. “I’ve never been to this district. My… my friend Tulo had said there was a ‘FastiCoin’ or some such banking institution… I came to inquire about a loan, and nothing more.”

 

There was some shame that lingered on my tongue, solely from admitting that to the duo. It was unbecoming of me- but, with how violently the colors and calls echoed around me, I would prefer the help, along with the chance to end this uneasy interaction.

 

The both of them looked at me, then to each other. The blue frog was first to speak, giving what I could only assume to be a wide smile that the lion matched.

 

“Dute je fivvu?” The Lion asked, glancing at the frog.

 

“Tve disdepfu raim qutvu op qsitvovu ‘Fast Coin’.” The frog replied glancing at his friend before turning to me. “Eiii, we help, To! We maybe find Dsitdove Grill on di way, ei?”

 

What an odd pair. Rather pushy, too. If this was some scam or trap it’d be a foolish one considering how many people were out and about, walking the brick paths, dancing in the street…but who knew with these beasts.

 

The frog looked hopefully while the lion only cocked an eyebrow.

 

“Ehm… dute tve taddifipfu? Dute jeo fivvu?” The lion asked the frog, seemingly confused. It seemed the lion didn’t speak a word of Lombard, only this ‘Illaminian’ gibberish.

 

“Foenumi opfodeboupo!” The frog replied, patting his friend on the chest. “Quvsinnu vsuwesi me hsohmoe maphu me tvsefe.”

 

“Ahh, to, to.”

 

I could only stare between them, hoping to sever some intonation or intent from the garbled mix of an almost unpleasant language. At most, I’d gleaned that optimism and eagerness, but they had made it little a secret.

 

It was almost insulting, to be spoken over and around in an unknown tongue, but I stifled my dismay.

 

“What you say? We take you?” The blue frog finished. I almost flinched when the frog creature returned to speaking in Lombard, as if forgetting that he could do so.

 

Could this still be a false promise, to lure me into some harrowing end? I had not the energy to manifest yet more dreadful scenarios in my head- I would stick to the open streets, and keep my wits about me throughout.

 

Better some malicious vagrants that I could attempt to call officers upon, than no guidance at all.

 

“If you insist… but I will be departing as soon as we locate the bank,” I uttered with a weakened huff. “I would hope that we can hurry, as well…”

 

“To, to, we head off and ask someone else when we get there!” The frog exclaimed, following after his friend and beckoning me follow.

 

The three of us crossed another gate. Multi-color chimes criss-crossed overhead. Many of the cabins along the brick road had their doors wide open, propped by lil marble ornaments. I could even see the families inside, cooking or tutoring or even the children just playing.

 

We followed the ‘EASY MONEY’ arrow painted on the ground as it snaked through a winding, curving path past pawn shops and what looked to be squares where Poke’mon were…gambling, in broad daylight.

 

 

Dice rolling, cards, shouting. Here and there I’d see smoke from a heating grill where skewers of food simply…sat for the taking, with naught but a cup beside them to drop some money, honor-system style.

 

Gaudy decoration, incessant noise, debauchery laid bare on the open streets. It was no wonder the Poke’mon of these parts were so jovial, they had not known restraint a day in their lives.

 

Praise be to God that Siranae and her family did not practice these habits.

 

My sight-seeing was swiftly cut off by the frog’s voice again.

 

“So, what is name? I am: Vuvo! Husband is Wulsono!” The frog said cheerily. I winced while my attention was drawn to the foul-tongued frog. “We come frrom old country to make money! Farrm worrk strrong rright now!”

 

“Djoifomi fe raepvu vinqu i ef Arceliazini.” The lion, Wulsono, said to the frog, now Vuvo.

 

“Ah, Wulsono ask: how long you been in Arrceliaze? Must be new if you neverr been to dis slice of Old Illamini!” The frog asked. ‘Vuvo’, it seemed- altogether stable…

 

…albeit clearly failing the language he purported to understand. He had failed to translate either ‘wife’ or ‘friend’, the fool that he was.

 

“Ah, I…” I hesitated.

 

There was some consideration in my mind, but no suitable falsehood to create for a name or history. There was no harm, I would be rid of the duo soon regardless.

 

“Adelaide Imperator. From the town of Bologna… it is not near Arceliaze, and I am foreign to much of the land. I assume you and your…” My digit darted between the two. “Friend, have not been in the District for much time?”

 

“Bologna, To! Sounds a good place!” The Frog turned to his friend, speaking to the lion in their native tongue. “Fodi dji woipi fe ap wommehhou djoenevu Bolognini!”

 

“Pup pi ju neo tipvovu qesmesi…” The Lion shrugged, looking back at the frog and I. “Eccoenu fewwisu cotuhpu fo ape neqqe fo Arceali”

 

“Ah, too true! We need map of Arcea.” Vuvo nodded, turning back to me. “We arrive in country last month! Got to Arceliaze two weeks ago and want to see Illamini Op Arceali District! We took out loan to get started with house!”

 

“DOEU! CAUPHOUSPU!” A voice shouted to us three from the side.

 

“CAUPHOUSPU!” Vuvo and Wulsono shouted back at the top of their lungs, their voices bellowing over the thumping music. I couldn’t even see who had shouted. All I could see were public lounging as though the street was a front parlor for all.

 

I even saw two beasts…kiss where all could see.

 

Disgusting.

 

Each raucous screech between the beasts caused me to avert my focus- and each new sight I’d place my focus upon would cause me to shoot my gaze forward once more. Even those open displays of… unnerving romance- if the two beasts were not so jovial and busied with that noisy slurping, I’d have thought they were sharing in that social transgression solely to deter or repulse.

 

As our group followed the arrow, I began seeing more and more buildings with a ‘P’ shaped symbol on the signs. It looked like banks and loan offices openly mingling with gambling houses as if they went hand-in-hand.

 

I silently studied over that ‘P’ symbol… I supposed it was similar to the lira with which I was more familiar.

 

Simple cash finance, as opposed to the ‘shares’ that ones such as Siranae dealt in. My digits pressed at the ragged corners of the certificate I held, worry plaguing my thoughts as to what all I could accomplish with that single document.

 

I stifled those concerns, eyes shooting up to Vuvo and Wulsono to assure they had not betrayed their purpose in the short time I had allowed my mind to wander. I spoke up at once.

 

“You mentioned needing a map…I have a small document that shows zoning districts, but… it is likely of no use to you both. I suppose you could not simply, shout for directions here…?” A weakened laugh from my tired snout.

 

“Ah, of course!” Vuvo said excitedly. Without missing a beat, he cupped his hands around wherever it was his mouth may have been and bellowed over the street: “IJO! RAEMDAPU TE FUWI TO VSUWE ME HSOHMOE FIM GAUDU FO DSITDOVINI?!”

 

“I OM ‘FAST COIN’??” The Lion shouted also.

 

From somewhere else, a woman’s voice shouted:

 

“EMVSO TIO IFOGODO OP CETTU, E TOPOTVSE QIS ‘FAST COIN’! DSITDOVINI GOSI HSOM I TAMME TVSEFE FIM ‘DOCU CAUP’!”

 

My thoughts crashed against the walls of my skull, with those ringing cries of words unknown. Again, amid the shouting crowd it was impossible to tell where it was coming from. Vuvo bounced excitedly, shouting his reply.

 

“HSEBOI! WOIPO EMME HSOHMOE, ME NOE FIMOBOE!”

 

“Cij, taqquphu dji nephisu e caup nisdevu pim detu…” Wulsono laughed, patting his friend on the shoulder.

 

“Ah, pup qsiuddaqesvo. Qauo dupfowofisi om nou docu.” Vuvo told the lion before turning back to me. “She say: six more buildings the left!”

 

I only managed a nod in response to Vuvo’s speech, that part of it I could actually understand, while a paw clutched the side of my head where I supposed my ear was.

 

“How wonderful…” I grunted.

 

The blue frog beast pointed down the colorful brick road. Just ahead, I could see it curve to the left then to the right in a snaking route between the buildings. Indeed, when I squinted past all the flashy sights and gaudy decorations then I could spot the sign:

 

FAST – COIN: Qoa Tumfo Gedomo!

 

The chaotic spiral of visual noise made those buildings blur together more than stand apart, but the sign still managed to catch my dazed eyes for one moment. By second nature, I stumbled ahead of the two beasts to study that place more closely.

 

“Ah, this is… I believe the correct place, yes?” I huffed, rubbing my temples.

 

…‘Fast Coin’ seemed true enough, although ‘FastiCoin’ was an odd way for Tulo to have named it.

 

Still- it was a destination, and an escape from the rampant shouting that Vuvo and Wulsono had invited into my life. I gave a weak laugh to the both of them.

 

“This would be where we part ways, would it not?” I asked, trying to mask the hopefulness in my voice. “I do thank you both for your kindness, and good luck with your pursuit of the, ah… fire grill. I wish you only the finest meals there.”

 

“Ei, To, to! We now know where to go!” Vuvo said, suddenly grabbing my hands into his. “We hope to see you at di fire grill sometime soon, to?”

 

That sudden touch caused my skin to crawl, but I had little time to struggle or writhe before the lion, Wulsono, spoke, coming up to place a paw on the frog’s shoulder.

 

“Ej, vitusu, mu teo dji hmo Arceali ufoepu ittisi vuddevo…” The lion spoke in a reminding tone, making Vuvo drop my hands at once, much to my relief.

 

“Ah! Tdati. I forget Arceans are not fond of touch.” The frog cupped his hands together. “What is it Arcean do, eii…”

 

Vuvo took a second pause…then did a little awkward half-bow, closing his eyes, a gesture that Wulsono mimicked with a soft smile.

 

I watched their pitiful attempts at bowing in silent dismay, before returning the gesture- gripping the edges of my hip fur, and bending down in a curtsy to show respect to the confused beasts.

 

“Ei, feels impersonal, but we do as Arceans do when in Arceali.” Vuvo laughed. “It was very nice, Adelaide. May it not be the last..!”

 

“Yes, yes, we shall meet again, Vuvo, Wulo… take care…!” I said, my tone yet more hurried as I silently wished the pair away at once.

 

As the pair turned to leave, I could only barely make out their voices as they vanished into the noisy crowd.

 

“Tincsewe desope.”

 

“Tincsewe ap qu qsitapvaute…”

 

“Ej pu, pu. I duto dji tupu hmo Arceali.”

 

“Ti mu fodo va…”

 

I let out a soft sigh while tuning into their odd mutters. My own voice whispered in turn.

 

“May God have mercy upon you…”

 

As they faded into the crowd, I could now take stock of where I found myself:

 

Deep in the Illaminian district, I was surrounded by wood cabins and tall brick buildings. Here, at ‘Fast – Coin’, I could see the shop was operated out of one of these log cabins. Just like the rest, the door sat propped open with gaudy signs welcoming any and all patrons, regardless of background, even those with none at all.

 

Perfect for ladies having recently dropped from the sky.

 

With a deep breath, and some fear lingering, I stepped forward into ‘Fast – Coin’, peering about as though searching for a soon-to-be attacker.

 

“Hello…?” I called as I approached the door, peering in. “I came to inquire about a small loan…”

 

I stepped into the building, my paws touching upon cold polished hardwood, then a colorful rug depicting some scene or another with figures I could hardly decipher, if I even cared to in the first place.

 

The most striking thing about the establishment was the fact it was merely a home. I stood in what was clearly a living room with furniture pushed to the side. Children’s toys sat discarded in the corner by the hallway leading to bedrooms. The only thing indicating that this was a loan office was the long desk sat by the kitchen, with a line of bookshelves and filing cabinets sat behind.

 

There was nobody here, but a voice called from the bedrooms.

 

“To! Ap nunipvu!” A woman’s voice called.

 

There was a shuffle, then the sound of a door creaking.

 

From the hall came a bizarre…green creature of some sort with frightening spikes and empty yellow discs for eyes. The only feature on it that could be described as pleasant were two flowers upon appendages on its head. Its sharp mouth was curled up into a smile.

 

“I apologize, I was putting the young ones to bed.” The…cactus woman spoke. It was clear she had the same accent as the others, though seemed to be putting in effort to mask it. “It is very nice to meet you, welcome to Fast Coin! We are the number 1 low-income loan servicer this side of the Rocky Hills!”

 

The woman shuffled past the living room sofas and sat at the desk looking at me with as much a friendly face that a beast could muster.

 

“Do pardon the mess. I try to get the young ones to pick up after themselves…I admit, I was not expecting much business today!” She continued on.

 

 

I was less caught up in the decor itself, and more the sheer thought of operating a business from one’s home. I was no stranger to mothers that would sell small wares from their homefronts, gaudy and boorish as it was- but a banking institution? How could one trust the security of a loan, when the lender could not amass the finances to keep their bank notes out of reach of a child?

 

…and yet, I had come this far- my options were slim and my patience was worn thin. The sight of the spike-laden creature did not even warrant a jolt from my mind- I only mimicked her odd smile, approaching the desk that we both pretended was not adjacent to small wooden toys.

 

“Ah, it is of no trouble… you are able to operate, and that is enough for a woman such as myself,” I offered a meager laugh, allowing myself to traverse past the unnerving homestead and seat myself before the woman. “I am Adelaide Imperator- I am new to Arceliaze, and… I must confess, I am in need of some money in times such as these.”

 

A nervous giggle, perhaps not as farcical as I had hoped.

 

“My catering work will not begin for some time, and…” I gave a little wistful sigh.”That ‘some time’ is too long to find sustenance and suitable living. I was told by my friend Tulo, you are able to offer a loan…? Name, birthdate, and residence- that was all I would need to offer you, in order to qualify. Is this… true…?”

 

“Ohhh, Tulo! Yes yes, he’s in my record book!” The cactus woman said merrily. Without further prompting she hoisted a book up onto the counter, slamming it down with a billow of dust. I stifled a reflex to cough into tears from that waft of dust, nodding with a weakened smile at her words.

 

At once, the woman cracked it open, flipping a few pages.

 

“Heeere, just made a payment yesterday.” She announced, tapping the dusty page. “Oh my goodness, did he tell you what it was for? He’s to be married soon, to a sweet little thing he’s known since he was a pup! I never fret over repayments from him, sweet man.”

 

She giggled softly, swaying her hips almost by instinct, which seemed a rather…risque idle motion, but she seemed to pay it no mind.

 

“I had…not been told about his recent business, aha-” I laughed softly. “He always seems the charmer when we meet for drinks, however. I could say I’m proud of him~”

 

“Oh, well, shame on him for not telling you…! But yes, I can understand. Fresh in Arceliaze?” She asked, getting a pen and paper to write down your name. “Ah…duh…lay…duh…where you coming into Arceliaze from? You don’t sound Illaminian or Quayoffi, and I assume a noble’s daughter wouldn’t be getting a loan from my little hole-in-the-wall~!”

 

She hummed casually. It was clear the question wasn’t actually part of the loan process, just…idle chatter. Likely it was because she wrote…very slowly, now only halfway through my surname..

 

I watched the woman scribble down my name, almost scrutinizing each symbol to verify the spelling of my name… although it created an altogether unpleasant sensation. Watching her write curves and lines, dotting sigils, making letters unknown to me- only for them to appear as proper Latin figures the moment I’d blink. I did my best not to think on how the words corrected before my eyes.

 

“Hm?” My mind clicked into place again a moment after being addressed. “Aha, not a noble’s daughter, of course… of course. I am from the village of Bologna…”

 

I lowered my snout toward the woman, as if seeing whether or not she would recognize the nearly fictional location.

 

“North of Arceliaze, in short- but I have come to reside with acquaintances of family for some time, in S’Ran. While their generosity is appreciated, I wish to stand on my own financially, if you understand. It is simply a matter of responsibility, I suppose.”

 

“Aha, a village of Bologna? Must be new! Perhaps somewhere between Kollovan and Me Saqi, like where my husband worked for a while before we moved here, mostly in shipyard work at the cold port. I imagine you must be used to the cold and the snow, then! And I must wonder what industry Bologna falls under…” The cactus woman said merrily, finalizing her dots and marks. “Okay, Adelaide Imperator! What a beautiful name. You don’t mind if I share my own, do you?”

 

The cactus gave a cheerful little wiggle, a little necklace of beads and opal leaves jingling against her chest.

 

“I am Kalae! Ah, but you may call me Kala, of course, if it’s more comfortable!” She said, marking a line on the paper in front of her. “Now then, Ms.Adelaide Imperator…or is it Missus? Are you old enough to marry? Oh! I suppose that segues into your birthdate!”

 

…my body tensed. I had been so prepared to recite what was natural to me. The 22nd of March, 1847.

 

And yet… I had no knowledge of the matter, but I had spotted that crucial issue in the newspaper- they had different dates in this dreadful realm, their years and months were marked with letters…!

 

Z for the month, was it…? Zshima 49 for this day… such months were far larger than what I knew, but did that change the dates and years themselves as I knew them? I’d been so caught up in the ease of one’s birthdate, I hadn’t given a thought to that conflict-!

 

A small yip came from my lips, before a coo of delight.

 

“Ah, if you must know…! I actually celebrated my 17th birthday not 6 days ago, in time for my arrival to S’Ran. My dear companion Siranae and her family had celebrated it with me, on my family’s behalf…~ But, joyous times aside, I had figured I was old enough to make such important investments in my future as these, yes?” A little laugh, as I contemplated. My words were uttered softly, as though lost in thought and failing to grasp correctly. “So, Zshima 43, it would be…?”

 

All that I could manage on short notice. Better to work with the dates I could manage, and let this woman fill in the rest, than risk a catastrophic assumption.

 

“Oh! Well, happy birthday, dear Adelaide Imperator! My neighbor has a 17 year old, just finished Adeptiary last year! He was thinking of going into a Doyentiary, maybe in Souljraan or in Arceliaze…” Kala’s golden eyes lifted as she scribbled ‘Zshima 43’ in her meandering way…even having to erase when she made a smudge in the ink or accidentally ripped the paper.

 

She was rather uncoordinated and ditzy for a loan office bookkeeper.

 

“Were you planning on doing any higher education, Adelaide, or will you just be working with your family in S’Ran?” Kala asked. “You know that village is owned by the Ironworking guild…what was it you said you were going to work in again?”

 

Her little head appendages perked up as she looked down at her paper.

 

“Oh! And I suppose I should put down ‘S’Ran’ as the place of residence…what household? You can just name the owners of the house if you are unsure of the address!”

 

My feigned laughs were all I could muster to force my way through the myriad unknown terms and blundering of her own paperwork… this woman could not maintain an official persona for even a moment. If nothing else, it created less strain on me to produce responses to her pondering.

 

“Ah, I am going into catering work… Siranae’s mama, she is quite excellent with it. A server in heart and soul.” I waved a paw at the air, as though recounting tales of a woman whose visage did not stir a pit in my stomach. “Perhaps a higher education in another year, yes…? I should hope to find a good university here in Arceliaze, perhaps even close to a vibrant district such as this~”

 

My tired joyousness faded, while I recalled the names of the beasts that hosted me.

 

“Ah, and…to answer you other question:” I began, trying to keep up with her outflow of queries. “The names of the residence owners are…Ms. Puchanae, and Mr. Dulchus- will that suffice? I apologize for my unpreparedness…”

 

Kala nodded thoughtfully, seeming to struggle with writing the names down, one letter at a time. It was rather painful to watch her.

 

“Ohh~! You are already looking into higher education? Goodness, and a Doyentiary near to the Illaminian district? Why, you must be very interested in Literary studies, hmhm? One of my customers had a daughter studying in Illaminian poetry at the end of her Adeptiary, Ionika, have you met her? She was rather well known among the crowd of book-readers!”

 

Kala giggled softly, humming a light tune as she carefully traced Mama and Papa’s name…and nearly bumping her ink well into spilling.

 

“Here…Pu…Cha…Nae…and what would her species be? Just to know it’s the correct Puchanae. You say these are family you are staying with, yes yes? I had stayed with my mother when I first came to Arcea. Are they your parents?”

 

A bead of sweat dripped past my brow- I could not discern if it originated from Kala’s constant pestering and presenting of unknown terms, or from Kala’s blatant carelessness with her own business. It was a maddening force, to try and hold civil conversation whilst she dangled my future in ink-stained fingertips.

 

“P… Puchanae, that would be a Mega Audino. And Dulchus would be Breloom.” I made an effort to recall the gibberish that was supposedly their species.

 

The cactus woman began the arduous process of writing that down as I continued.

 

“They are not family, aha… family friends, I would suppose?” I twirled fur around a fingertip while giving the grassy woman a renewed smile. “I am close with dear Siranae, and they have welcomed me to stay with them for some time in turn… a generosity beyond familial relation. I am blessed in that sense~.”

 

Kala’s pen paused.

 

“Ohh! So then Siranae and her family must be from Bologna village, too! To be living in an ironworker employee residential village now…one of them must be employed by the House of Hajus.”

 

Her eyes flicked back to you. A droplet hit the paper.

 

“Then if ironworkers came from Bologna I can assume at least one of Bologna’s industries. And I must say you have such polite mannerisms! A good girl through and through, certainly not an ironworker’s daughter…”

 

She tilted her head.

 

“Though it seems a bit cruel…for a sweet girl to be sent away to celebrate her own birthday with family friends and not her own family. Sent to a new town with which you’re unfamiliar…assumedly abandoned and cut off by your family, considering you’re seeking both employment and a loan…and a loan to…‘financially stand on your own’, too…that sounds of venture capital…an initial investment.”

 

Kala hummed thoughtfully, that same gormless look on her face. Another drop on the page.

 

“For not being a noble’s daughter, you certainly have the investing mindset of one…”

 

Kala’s head swished to the side.

 

“And yet despite only being six days living in Arceliaze you’ve also made the acquaintance of my customer, Tulo, who recommended me…and you sound of longtime friends despite him not even mentioning the woman he’s to marry…perhaps Tulo, who is working as a traveling merchant guild carriage driver, mind you, is also, coincidentally…a family friend?”

 

Another drop. Kala gave a bouncy swish and warm smile.

 

“Is that correct? Do feel free to correct me! My customers are like family to me, after all.”

 

…my blood had run cold- perhaps halted altogether.

 

Had I been mistaken?

 

This… airheaded fern of a woman, barely capable of keeping her paperwork clean- was she prying open the small tears and wounds in the folds of this crafted identity? Or was her pondering so thorough and yet so hollow that she had only scraped at the truths lying underneath, and failed to understand any of it?

 

A blankness had fallen over my mind, the threads of my ruse poorly grasped while I attempted at that same time to parse what Kala had said. She knew far more than she let on, and I couldn’t bear to remain in her company, lest she unwittingly or cruelly pull back the veil on my very existence.

 

“My,” I muttered with a giggle, “…for a banker, you are quite a socialite…”

 

A slow exhale, embracing what I could, steeling myself for what may come- whilst my digits flicked through my papers, pulling forth the damaged share certificate in the event it was needed.

 

“I could not imagine Siranae’s family have their roots in Bologna, such a quaint burrow as that…” I explained. “It is not part of ‘the old country’ as they might say. She is, as Tulo is, simply a kind soul I’ve come to know upon my visits and ventures into Arceliaze. A visitor of some years, a resident of only six days.”

 

My eyes shut, as I slid the small document toward Kala.

 

“As for my family… I apologize.” I sighed. “While I respect your openness and interest with whichever customers may be acquainted with you- I am not so joyous to speak on those matters. Mother raised me with the mindset that one should pull their own weight… as such, I find myself unwelcome at her doorstep. That is all, yes?”

 

I opened my eyes- a weak, almost sorrowful smile given to the woman.

 

“I simply wish for a fresh start.” I told her. “And, if Tulo is to be believed… you could give me that. But, if it is not so… I will thank you for your time, and you may be rid of my presence.”

 

Kala’s eyes looked at me curiously as I spoke, my sentences fluttering here and there to patch the holes her simple questions had punched.

 

“A fresh start…” Kala’s golden eyes traced upward toward the ceiling.

 

Then her gaze returned to me. And she said…

 

…nothing.

 

She set her pen down, folded her hands together…

 

…and said nothing.

 

A hush fell over the home. Even the street outside seem to quiet.

 

No distracting noise.

 

Just her gaze. Her mouth turned such that it was hard to tell if she was frowning or smiling.

 

The silence dragged on a moment.

 

Then two moments.

 

Longer than seemed…reasonable.

 

…

 

Kala reached her hands up, adjusting the necklace on her chest.

 

But said naught, only returning her gaze to me.

 

Another uncomfortable moment passed, her silence burrowing into me.

 

Then…a breath. A single breath in her lungs.

 

A moment passed…

 

Then, at last, as though releasing me from a spell…her voice.

 

“…when Tulo entered my home he saw me write slow.” She said in a measured voice. “He saw me give a friendly look, heard me gossip excitedly like we were talking over tea, all while in a home decorated with children’s toys and signs of unprofessionalism.”

 

She paused.

 

“He explained plainly: he wished for funds to purchase a wedding necklace for his wife. He spoke slow and carefully so that I might understand. He wished for it to be a secret. He would repay the loan with his paycheck. He lived in the Old District in a flat but the missus was on holiday to visit family in Yahneri. We did not indulge in what he was unwilling to share but he made certain I understood, for he wanted to be honest.”

 

She paused again. Slowly, her eyes broke from me, a reprieve, as she picked up her pen.

 

Scribble scribble scribble

 

Suddenly, her meandering hand gracefully flew across the page before her. Her letters were sharp, swift and flowed into one another with an expert calligraphy.

 

---

ADELAIDE IMPERATOR

AGE 17

BUIZEL

RESIDING IN S’RAN WITH FAMILY FRIEND:

PUCHANAE – MEGA AUDINO

DULCHUS – BRELOOM

SIRANAE – AUDINO

 

REPAYMENT METHOD: CATERING JOB

 

REASON FOR LOAN:……

---

 

Her swift pen paused. A flick of ink jumped from the pen and away from the desk.

 

Kala looked back up at me, smile still upon her face.

 

“You thought me a dullard, did you not?” She asked. “A simpleton to bamboozle…or perhaps I was simply another peg to knock down in your present venture. And as a result…”

 

She made an addendum to my name.

 

---

ADELAIDE IMPERATOR [LIAR]

---

 

“…I’ve learned much about you, Ms.Adelaide Imperator. And I do not like to service liars.“

 

The words hung like ice in the air. The cold winter wind crept over the floorboards and around my ankles.

 

I stared at the page as she spoke- it almost consumed my thoughts, my very world. The words at the top struck me like a searing iron.

 

‘Adelaide Imperator’.

 

‘Liar’.

 

…this was… failure, was it not?

 

I’d… failed.

 

The blasted noise of this district, the searing lights and horrid culture and hostile, hostile strangers- it had worn through my patience. Worn through my guard. I’d pressed so harshly when I thought I was safe, and all it earned me was yet more strife.

 

‘Adelaide Imperator’. ‘Liar’, for managing what truths these beasts did not accept. ‘Liar’, for small omissions that did her no harm. ‘Liar’, for cobbling together what I could, for struggling to no end but the chance, the hope of a future, for me- for Siranae–

 

…another exhale, as the sirens blared in my mind. ‘Adelaide Imperator’. ‘Liar’.

 

It… could not end here.

 

This insidious she-beast- it was certain that her rotted roots did not remain in this home, she would have contacts. My name would be uttered in these streets, in these corridors of pure disorientation, sharing what she had learned, and I would find no easy answer- no simple escape.

 

Not for a liar.

 

“…I can only apologize, then.” I placed my arms on the table, forsaking whatever modicum of manners I could still lay claim to. “Lying has become common for me, in Arceliaze. It is a safety and a comfort, in many ways.”

 

My eyes fell down to the paper once more.

 

“I had tried my hand at truthfulness- I was spat upon for it. The Poke’mon of Arceliaze- Gur’Don, New District, Old, wherever I might try to rest- they loathe my truth.”

 

I brought my stare up to Kala, and let myself… relax.

 

What was I, under the veil…?

 

…there was a tiredness to my fixed stare, an unblinking fixation- not vicious, but not forcing any joy that she had so cleanly robbed from me.

 

“Would you accept the truth? Or will I be denied that too?”

 

I reclined to my seat, a slow and weak breath meeting my lips.

 

“I would… wish to tell it, if you would hear.” I muttered.

 

“I confess, your lies were rather mundane.” Kala said immediately.

 

She frowned slightly…then pushed herself from the desk. The cactus woman let out a long sigh, as though letting out the held breath she’d taken in at the beginning of her speech.

 

“Mundane lies thusly imply…an extraordinary truth.”

 

The woman stepped around the desk carefully, approaching me with a small smile. A fragile smile, easy to break, to be handled with care…a grapevine.

 

She lifted her hands, her claws taking my paws in hand. Her ‘hands’ were rather…smooth, soft and cool to the touch, like feeling an aloe vera.

 

Slowly, she guided me to the side, towards the couches of the living room, inviting me to sit. I moved with a weakness, as though her urging was all that compelled my body to move to the couch. 

 

“If you would like your fresh start to not be ruined before it has even begun then I shall promise to hear every word of the extraordinary truth…and I shall trust you to be truthful this time.”

 

She nestled down onto the couch beside me.  On the table before the couch was a plate with what looked like wrapped homemade candies and a small tea set. Kala reached over, striking a match to light a small flame under two fine china cups, pouring water into each from a beautifully colored flask. One for each of us.

 

These objects…seemed nicer than what destitute rabble would have.

 

The faint flicker of a flame’s light almost caused me to flinch, but my lidded eyes simply stared at its glimmer. A fragile warmth, in the darkness and cold of an unknown setting.

 

As she let the water heat, she turned her attention back me.

 

“Let us start with this before starting over: you say you were spat on for the truth…why? Is it obscene?”

 

I glanced to the smaller woman, crossing my legs and placing my paws in my lap.

 

Yet more fabrications crossed my mind- yet more faltering for her to pick at, and her to judge. I could not allow such a risk, and yet… what I would do felt all the more ill-advised.

 

“I suppose it is absurd to the Poke’mon of this land.” I stroked needlessly at the slick fur on my thighs, grasping for some place to begin. “That is what I understood from dear Siranae’s behavior.”

 

No reason to find some part in particular. All of it was inane, to someone like her.

 

“I am from – Milan. It is a city, a fine place to call home. I attended university in Bologna. Not in some Arceliaze but within the Kingdom of Italy.”

 

I stared forward, letting my life flood back into my mind, after a day spent repressing all that I was.

 

“None of these are known to Poke’mon such as you. Similarly… I had never heard of a Poke’mon, as a…human.” My tails wriggled, perhaps even smacked at Kala’s couch. “For 17 years, I lived my life wondrously. I was not some Buizel that begged for borrowed funds- I was a nobildonna, I studied and developed my finest self, and I lived a life in honor of a God that cared for me… not this Arceus.“

 

My paws clenched into some paltry, quivering facsimile of a human’s fists. I felt heat… I felt that fire gnash within my stomach once more. And yet, the suffering I’d endured had tempered it, preventing another fiery spew of nonsense.

 

“And then- just a day ago- I awoke here.” I continued. “No Milan, no humans… nothing but a task to find a woman named Lippi. To fulfill some role.”

 

I returned my gaze to Kala, merely hoping my anger had not stained my sorrowful face.

 

“I now reside with a girl who trusts beyond all reason, and parents that would scorn her for that trust.” My mouth turned to a frown as I recalled poor Siranae’s situation. “I could say more, but… I cannot imagine there is much to salvage here. My story is something that these Poke’mon spit upon- for good reason, I would suppose.”

 

“Better.”

 

Kala’s smile brightened, strengthening with every truthful word I spoke. She placed her hands upon my fists in comfort, claws wrapping around encouragingly.

 

“I can see why you would fear to say such. It sounds absurd. Imagine if you had heard it from another: a girl appearing, saying she is a mythical creature from a unheard of city from another world and a noble to boot, with a task from the Conduit…and not even worshiping the same deity.”

 

A sympathetic look crossed her eye as she patted my hand.

 

“If what you say is true, then I am glad you are being honest. Even if it comes to pass that what you say is delusion I will happily accept delusion over being told a knowing lie, for it means you still, in some way, intend to be truthful with me.”

 

It was bizarre, listening to her. Even Siranae, as simple as she was, expressed some shock and disbelief at my story. Yet this older woman listened carefully…neither her face nor voice betrayed any sense of pity or thinking me mad.

 

“I admit, of all things you’ve said, the notion of you being a noble seems the least fantastic.” The cactus woman giggled. She gestured to the position of my hands, the way I sat, my posture. “Your mannerisms betray your class. That is certainly not something that one can simply fake so unconsciously.”

 

A thought came to mind. For a moment, I looked at the way Kala sat…

 

Her lower body, what one would consider her legs, were lifted and lying on their side on the couch. Kala sat up straight. Her eyes were filled with wisdom and kindness in equal measure. Her hands had no marks of labor…not to mention how fluently she spoke another language, with her accent barely noticeable.

 

…and where did a woman living in a house like this procure funds to give such high risk loans…?

 

Before it could be pondered on further, Kala gave a mirthful giggle.

 

“Do talk, Ms.Adelaide.” The cactus woman pressed. “Tell me more of where you’ve come from, or at least what you remember. You’ll hear no mockery from me.”

 

…the uncertainty she provoked unnerved me- it was only natural. I’d gone from gracing the garish abode of some mindless bankteller, to squirming within the well-furnished hideaway of some financial mastermind.

 

My stomach continued to churn.

 

Perhaps such was too generous an analysis of her… or, perhaps too cruel.

 

She had… listened.

 

She’d put aside all prejudice and rightful disdain, and put faith in my words. I’d only experienced that once while in this godforsaken land, and… I had been too ready to retaliate against yet more distrust.

 

She had listened to me.

 

I let my eyes wander from her visage, although the casual yet tender nature she let flow off of her was not lost on me. I simply could not muster the strength to match it.

 

“I suppose my behavior has been too deeply learned to simply discard- I carry myself as a noble, whether I mean to or not. Whether Poke’mon see it or not.” A soft sigh, my fidgeting paw moving to my head, to toy and futz with the hair that no longer draped over my cheek. “I appreciate your kindness here. And… I will speak as I can.”

 

I tilted my head to stare at the woman’s ceiling, as though God himself might shine guidance down upon me. But that was unlikely, in this realm.

 

“My name is Nobildonna Adelaide Imperator de Milan. I was born in Milan, to my mother and father, and elder sister. Father was… taken before his time, by spineless Austrian soldiers. A patriot, struck down for serving a revolution of man. I did not know him well due to my age, but I mourn the loss of a great man all the same.”

 

My eyes shut tight, while ruminating on my own past. Kala was quiet, respectfully silent as I spoke. My hands remained in her soothing grasp, her claws softly brushing my fur as I continued.

 

“After his passing, my uncle Enzo took hold of Father’s land and banking assets, as was expected for next of kin. Under his grace, and the guidance of Mother and dear Piera, I was trained and educated as a Catholic student… if that term still has any meaning here- I was a woman of God, in some sense. I’d only just started my curriculum at the University of Bologna, sharing a small dorm with Piera…”

 

A scowl came over my face, then a wince that twisted my fair features into a sorrowful mess.

 

“Oh, Piera…” I spoke, giving all my strength to not let my voice break. “It’s been no more than a day, and yet-“

 

A weak sigh.

 

“I’d give anything to see her again. To let her know what has become of me… to promise her of my swift return. But for that, if I were to trust what I could assume was the word of Arceus, I must meet Lippi… to meet Lippi, I must show some worth in myself as a noble, or as a guild member… to meet that mark, I must have funds, prestige, access, trust. And… to attain any of that, I must start somewhere. A small loan, one I could… toil quietly for. Earn just enough for myself, to elevate my status and dear Siranae’s with me.”

 

I brought my tired gaze upon Kala once more. No matter if she could not believe it as any more than a delusion of a mindless girl- it did me wonders to express it all. The cactus woman’s eyes remained fixed on me, drinking in every detail of my face in a deep scrutiny, unlike any I’d seen from any Poke’mon before.

 

“I hope that explains… anything.” I said, hopefully. “My purpose being here, and my deception. And… I apologize again, for my behavior- it was not befitting a lady.”

 

As I finished, Kala exhaled, closing her eyes.

 

“I forgive you…Nobildonna Adelaide Imperator de Milan.”

 

She let the sound of my full name and title hang in the air.

 

My breath hitched.

 

To be addressed as myself- not a fragment of my identity, nor a ruse I’d created- it was almost surreal. I’d nearly forgotten I was meant to be called as such… I was too used to being the wretch pulled off the streets. Kala, in her eerie yet comforting way, dissuaded that dreadful feeling.

 

Kala sat in thought a moment, as though reviewing all she heard, before continuing.

 

“When Poke’mon tell fantastical tales, even the most practiced one, there’s always a sort of…grandiosity to their features. Even when crying they will act and voice the part of a story teller, their inflections might match a speaker at the Court of Fiction in the most nuanced of ways…”

 

Her grip on my hands tightened lovingly.

 

“…you speak of places and things alien to myself and this world, yet speak of them as though you’ve seen it, lived it, that it is I and this place that are the aliens to you.“

 

She…subtly pulled me a little closer.

 

“…you are scared, are you not? The quiver of your voice, the shake of your paws, the clench of your fingers…do you fear me, Adelaide? Not as an Illaminian but as, perhaps…a monster? You may say so, I will not be offended. If anything it lends credence why you would lie in such a way.”

 

“I suppose that which is fantastical to some is mundane to others…” I sighed. There was a faint laugh from my lungs, though I did not will it. “The Kingdom of Italy must seem like a fabrication to others, and, in turn…”

 

My tails trembled.

 

“I am not… adjusted, to the existence of ‘Poke’mon’.” I admitted. “These beasts and creatures that roam the streets, fangs bared in laughter, claws that could pry off a doorframe, these… these beings that my God could never have created, wielding otherworldly powers in some aspect-“

 

A shudder ran through my body.

 

“…the sight of you all has been no small source of strain for me.” I admitted. “And I apologize.”

 

“I forgive you once again, Nobildonna.” Kala said in an assuring tone. I hadn’t even realized how close she had brought me- how near to her own body she had allowed this reviled stranger to be. The yellow pools of her eyes did not cease to unnerve, and yet, there was tranquility in them.

 

The cactus woman paused a moment.

 

“But…I feel that while you did not lie…” she gave a warmer, almost knowing smile. “…you have omitted something. In your quest for nobility, this seems an odd move, coming here, to Fast Coin. There are many other, much less risky ways to slowly build yourself up without coming here, the business for the desperate…I am sure you know well the reputation of establishments like mine. You seem, at your core, a rational girl, and even with the need to get home you’ve turned to guile and trickery, tools of the wise…yet coming here for investment capital while having none of your own…”

 

She giggled.

 

“…it’s such a risk, so very aggressive and determined. Calculated, of course, but throwing oneself to the fire like this often requires more than one’s own interests alone…”

 

She shifted a little, tilting her head in faux curiosity…for her eyes seemed perfectly knowing.

 

“…who is Siranae to you? You mentioned her so briefly yet…how does she factor into any of this?”

 

That gave me pause. She spoke of my mission, and of… Siranae. What was there to ponder?

 

…what was there to ponder?

 

“I suppose, she is…” I muttered, grasping at the strands of my thoughts. “…a blessing.”

 

I looked aside.

 

“I spent my first day in this land as a cretin- begging my way into safe passage, then enduring mockery for what I knew as truth- my life, my history, the nature of my world. I stared across foreign hills and felt my eyes ache from the gleam of foreign statutes. I was… alone.”

 

A weak smile crept across my face.

 

“But Siranae was… trusting.” I said. “Perhaps too much so. She did not laugh at the thought of my being human- she did not speak ill of my heritage. She only put faith in me, comforted me… and, in turn, I heard of her wants. The yearning to belong to a guild, the whimsy of noble living- a life that I had known and could not yet give her- she only wishes to live well and be cared for.”

 

I thought a moment.

 

“I saw some of myself in her… and I saw someone deserving of that nobility.”

 

My lips fell, returning my expression to calm neutrality, as my paws fidgeted softly upon Kala’s hands.

 

“I wish to return home, and to be where I belong… human. Noble. Or, simply with my family once more.” I continued on. “And… for her kindness, for her boundless goodness- I wish for Siranae to have what she is owed. A place to belong within the highest echelons of this world, adventures to share with the most daring… and, as she had said- a fine dress to dance in.”

 

I let out a faint giggle. Kala smiled warmly, nodding her head as she listened to me speak. With every word her features softened, until she looked as jubilant and warm as she did when I first walked in.

 

“Perhaps a bit more simple than the rest.” I finished.

 

“I see we are of the same mind there, Ms.Adelaide.” Kala said with a giggle of her own, matching my own. “Nobility is a matter of character, not simply of means and clout. Even as those that tower over you and I assert otherwise, we know the truth.”

 

She looked to the side with a shrug of her shoulders.

 

“Perhaps it was, in part, that disgust in the world of nobles that I decided to remove myself from it…with all my assets, of course.” She spoke softly, politely, looking across the cabin home and all of its simple, yet ornate, decorations. “I have…found myself much preferring what I would once call the ‘rabble life’.”

 

…she had chosen to remove herself from nobility? With how reclusively and exclusively the Arcean nobles operated, it was no wonder why. And, in turn, it explained her wit and cunning to some degree.

 

I could not tell if I should have been humbled or simply comforted.

 

Kala said no more on the subject, merely pulling me a little closer into a little hug…and I even felt her press her cheeks into mine, quick social kisses to me.

 

“But I understand. Whether your story of Milan or Bologna is true or not does not matter to me; your nobility in your wish to help a girl like sweet Siranae shines. To wish nobility, even faux nobility, not just for yourself but for one you’ve come to adore as friend…”

 

The cactus woman nodded, pulling back and sitting up, pulling at my hands to follow her from the sofa to the desk.

 

“…thusly, shall I help you. And perhaps not just in funds but…I may even help somewhat in, let us say, the minutiae of mannerisms for the Conveytion of Arcea.” Kala offered as she settled back to her desk, back to square one.

 

She picked back up her pen, taking a new sheet:

 

---

ADELAIDE IMPERATOR DE MILAN [A good friend]

---

 

“There…now…shall we discuss the nuances of your loan once more?”

 

All it could pull from me was a weakened laugh, and a faint redness on the cheeks.

 

“It… means quite a lot to me, Kala- all of this. Humoring my words, and pardoning my mistruths. And… listening to my hopes. I had not…”

 

I nestled down into the seat at her desk, snout lowered.

 

“I had not expected to find a kindred soul in a place such as this- if I may venture that far. I am glad to have met you.”

 

I winced slightly, bringing my sheepish smile back to a formal and calmed expression. Some part of me still did not abide being so… happy, in the presence of someone I had only just met. Even if I knew such joy was not ill-mannered.

 

“I would appreciate such help, in all facets.” I said. “For now… my loan, I did not wish for much.”

 

My eyes shut, while I collected my thoughts.

 

“I had wished to purchase some garments, perhaps even makeup tools… Siranae’s parents have only humored my stay under the pretense that I am some noble of this realm, that I might uplift them and their daughter- something I am not capable of. For the time being, presenting as a noble will allow me to remain there… my intent with catering work was true. And, I had also…”

 

I glanced aside, feeling my shame well up from within.

 

“…I had also… planned to pilfer some wine, to assure my supposed nobility.” I confessed. “But, I am feeling this may not be a… wise, decision. Aha.”

 

Kala’s golden eyes glimmered, hearing far, far more than what I said. She scribbled some information down.

 

“Then your residence at S’Ran is true. As that being with Siranae and her parents.” The woman hummed, flicking her pen from side to side in thought. “A pity that they’d only invite a stranger into their house on pretense of social advancement, forcing you to abide by abide by a lie. By Puchanae’s name I’d have hoped she’d have a bit of her Old Illamini altruism still intact but, ah, Arcea corrupts all, it seems. Mind, Adelaide, that you try to make your lies few and easy to remember.”

 

Her golden eyes fell back onto me seriously.

 

“That goes for all, even beyond Siranae’s parents.” She said, almost commanded. “I trust you told Tulo similar half-truths, hm? You never know when you’ll be called upon to recall a fabrication, so be judicious in what you say. In fact, better to give no information at all unless absolutely pressed.”

 

Kala giggled softly, ending her lecture there.

 

“But, yes, I shall assist you in fooling what I gather to be a rather shallow…perhaps…base or crass woman, this Puchanae? Just an assumption, of course.” Kala said, returning to her paper. “Now then…garments and make-up, in starting supply. Plus one bottle of wine popular currently with connoisseurs and those wishing to pretend to be such. Plus, may I suggest, funds for a few shows of extravagance; at the very least a 4 person meal at the Arkinon Vo Cenur Vort…then later a necklace or some other shiny bauble for Puchanae to fawn over. That last one will certainly be cheapest, ironworker laborers desperate for clout would accept colored glass just as much as any Roppi stone. Then a little extra as an emergency…”

 

Garments and make-up, the fine wine, a good meal to present, a trinket to amuse Mama, and some spare bits else to cover what might arise. All was accounted for, but it’d all be something to repay in due time.

 

Kala hummed, writing a few numbers, crunching them in her head.

 

“All in all…The total loan shall come down to 21,000 p. I’ll need to deliver the sum to your residence to verify it. I will be discreet of course. But I can give you the 2,000 p for a bottle of Emmiwenipvo fo tino Duphimevini Eksai. Go to a shop in the New district called ‘Well of The West’ and tell them ‘Kalae sent me for a fine Duphimevu, red berries mixed in black’. That’s the passphrase for a discount, and they’ll let me know you made the purchase. That way I know you’re following through on your intended use of this loan.”

 

“Goodness…” I huffed, my smile returning briefly. “You’ve got your hands- well, thorns?- into quite a many places, and you’ve the wisdom to calculate those interactions thoroughly. I can’t fault a woman for taking such precautions with… well, I assume this is a fair amount of money.”

 

“A fair amount?” Kala laughed. “Yes, quite a fair amount but nothing unreasonable, I assure you, hardly the most I’ve ever given. It’s those connections, dear Adelaide, that allow me to give such high-risk loans.”

 

I gave a weak sigh.

 

“Well I’ve yet to be acclimated with the specifics of finance here…or many a cultural matter…” I admitted. “‘Conveytion’ is still an unfamiliar term. I had done my best to fabricate only lightly with Tulo, borrowing what knowledge I had gleaned from Puchanae, but I am well aware of the follies of overt lies. It has been a struggle to get this far, I suppose.”

 

“Speaking of which…Are you sticking with ‘Zshima 43’ as your birthday?” Kala asked, dipping her pen into the ink well.

 

My eyes drifted down to the paperwork once more, as I immersed myself in similar mental work.

 

“That date for a birthday could work…” I mused softly. “Truth be told, I had similarly not known any other month, let alone year, to date myself.”

 

“Well then, let us make some of your lies a little easier for you to remember.” Kala suggested. “Tell me, Adelaide, for you imply you are also unfamiliar with even the system of dates; were you born in the Spring, the Summer, the Autumn or the Winter? And how far into those seasons was it, roughly?”

 

I took a moment to think on that- my birthdate. The 22nd of March, in 1847… although, knowing Arceliaze, that could have been any date under the sun- or, freakish reddened moon, instead.

 

“It would be 22 days into the first month of Spring…” I said. “About- about 81 days after the start of the year, at least as I knew it. Somewhere in that area would be suitable…”

 

“Then it is most simple. Let us say your birthday is ‘Viosna 22nd’. That is Quayoffi for ‘Spring’.” Kala perked up as she spoke. “Ah, but I must assume you do not know Quayoff, either, the country to the south. It’s by their wisdom we measure dates, time, the stars, and thus it is by their language we call things.”

 

The cactus woman let out a small sigh, finishing off her documents.

 

I kneaded my digits together, some concern still compelling me to speak.

 

“Tulo had said your loans were generous, but his companion had… spoken as though you’d collect suddenly and harshly.” I sighed. “I suppose, when should I be prepared to repay you? And, at what rate…?”

 

Kala’s eyes flicked to my kneading hands, a soft laugh trilling from her.

 

“Oh do not be so fearful, Adelaide. Unlike my profit driven peers whose money has come from rigorous investment, I’ve made my money long, long ago. These loans are a reinvestment into my community, both the Illaminian District and Arceliaze as a whole, and I thusly try to keep my interest rates low. And though I call them high-risk loans…in truth, I find no risk at all in the loans I do approve. I don’t even employ collectors…though if his friend failed to make her payments, I imagine she found herself a mite…unpopular.”

 

Her eyes shimmered. It was clear what she implied by that.

 

“As for the rate, I’ll apply a flat interest to the sum of the full loan. Believe in this, Adelaide, that this is a great discount, as Illaminian District interest rate is 13%. That will essentially add another 2,730 p to the loan, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the full amount, yes?”

 

Kala lifted a scale, placing some stones on one end, as though using the device to measure cost.

 

“Thusly, 23,730 p paid over a year comes out to 66p daily…or 330 p per week.” Kala said at last, looking back up at me. “You can pay in person here, in cash, not stocks, starting next Konsova. 5 days from now. Daily waiter work rounds out to about 80p a day, so you’d still have a little spending money even after your repayment. Lucky, lucky you~!”

 

16p a day… Tulo had tipped for a meal and cheap drinks with 10 shares. From all I had seen, and what I could infer, I was not going to have much to my name at all, albeit much of that was the fault of my expected work and not the woman herself.

 

I wished to stifle my reflexive disappointment and show simply appreciation, but she could see through such falsehoods, couldn’t she…

 

I sighed weakly, in earnest.

 

“It is… a far cry from what I am accustomed to, but I have come to expect as such, while I remain in Arceliaze. And I am thankful for it all the same, Kala.”

 

Kala giggled warmly, setting her pet down, continuing.

 

“Of course it’s not just the money…” Kala said. “I told you I would assist with the minutiae of mannerisms and I shall keep my word. Running under the assumption all that you have said is true it is thus fair to assume you’ll need to be taught a great many terms, names and places.”

 

Her giggle turned into a lighter laugh.

 

“I must confess, I feel some excitement from this.” Kala said merrily. “Perhaps, if this pans out and you are serious, this could turn into an amusing project; smuggling a penniless girl into the world of elitism with every upturned nose of the Arcean upper echelons none the wiser.”

 

I gave a soft laugh in similar amusement, at what she had proffered- a simple girl, uplifted from the bottom rung of society, to be deftly sneaked into the highest peaks of nobility yet unseen-

 

…oh. She had meant myself, not Siranae. That much was fair, as I took a moment to calculate exactly how penniless I truly was.

 

Kala leaned forward, her hands folded together.

 

“Let us begin with ‘Conveytion’, as you indicated this word is unknown to you. I confess, Adelaide, that I hail from Illaminamo, a country to the west, so I am first and foremost of New Golden Orthodox faith. ‘Conveytion’ is something only for Arceans of Conduit Orthodox faith.” Kala explained. “From what I understand, in old time, Conveytion were ‘Conveyors of the word to the Conduit who thusly speaks to Arceus’, essentially the highest men and women of faith just below the Conduit herself, to speak prayers and requests to her, guarding their section of the world and all its people, being sure they are represented equally to Arceus almighty.”

 

Kala clicked her tongue, her continence taking an almost malicious cheekiness.

 

“Today, however, Conveytion are simply business Poke’mon that look out for the interests of their guild. Members of the board of advisors to the Conduit for matters of state. Nothing more.”

 

She leaned forward, looking over me closely with a hand to her chin.

 

“It is a rather tight-knit group so it would be inappropriate to call yourself Conveytion Adelaide. ‘Selveytion’ is an unofficial title often given to simple tradesmen who highly regarded among their peers in a guild, but to call yourself ‘Selveytion Adelaide’ would likely be seen as…shall I say…a little desperate. I think simply introducing yourself as ‘Adelaide Imperator’ will stand out enough but not be so overtly wanting of attention as to turn others away from you.”

 

Kala nodded, leaning back.

 

My thoughts of the Conveytion were kept silent- but I made no effort to hide the disdain that had stained my mind. A title denoting such closeness to their God… reduced to a status symbol- a role of such importance, turned business advisor for the absent Conduit.

 

Such a godless world, despite my supposed encounter with the godly beast itself. Lippi, at the center of it all.

 

I was a peasant approaching the throne- but a woman of God approaching a heathen seated so high. I could scarcely ponder what our meeting would one day be, but I felt… anger brewing in me once more. I was happy to focus on Kala as she continued.

 

“What a shame. So much to learn in so little time. As I said, it will be best to speak to only what you know for certain and to make up very little. Certainly refrain from fabricating villages and places that fall apart against even a modicum of worldliness.” Kala continued her suggestions as she pulled out a small coin-purse with ‘FAST COIN‘ written on it – a free piece of merchandise it seemed. “If you wish for a plausible background simply say your father does stock trading on companies in Kollovan, a city up in the northeast. Lots of Poke’mon are getting their start there, too many to keep track of. If anyone looks down on you for being an upstart, you can say it’s only a recent venture your father has partaken in but swear to secrecy what his other ventures are. Nobles and tradesmen will understand well if you keep your secrets to yourself lest they steal them.”

 

She paused, taking another slip of paper to write all this down for me.

 

“Now you’re simply in Arceliaze to make your own fortune, nothing more. But as for whatever story you told Puchanae…I will leave it to you to maintain that. But even with her good graces I’d recommend finding your own accommodations soon. And a job even sooner.”

 

“Aha…” I rubbed the dried fur on the back of my neck. “For Puchanae I had fabricated an entire island from which my family would arrive… Arcean nobility just off a shoreline I had poorly specified. Pompous empty words about stock trading that I had little an idea of, in companies I’d barely gleaned the names of from Puchanae herself. I had expected her to be a simpler mind… and then, I expected it of you. Perhaps I should stop being so careless about the wits of those I assume to be below me.”

 

“Indeed, you should not assume others to all be of low intelligence. For never forget that their knowledge shall always far and away outstrip yours when it comes to Arcea.” Kala said. “Never underestimate what even the lowest-brow Poke’mon can teach you.”

 

My paws smacked down on my lap, before one of them came to gingerly claim the slip of paper.

 

“Agreed…but what is done, is done.” I sighed. “I shall not attempt to mix and redesign an old story with new concepts, lest I blunder my rapport with her even worse. She already seems to loathe me for showing her up in some manner, so I shall play these empty cards close to my chest.”

 

I added that paper to my documents, nestled snugly in walls of written pages to keep it secure.

 

“I suppose any catering work shall do- any toiling that would allow me to glimpse the upper classes will be toiling well spent.” I said. “And any accommodation away from Puchanae’s cruel grasp will be acceptable. I simply… hope I will remain in touch with dear Siranae, while I busy myself in these plans and keep the ruse alive.”

 

I turned my snout aside.

 

“I apologize- that is not a matter you can resolve, only the mutterings of a girl that has been foolish twice over. I… cannot repay you, for all that you have done today- at the least, I can begin work on repaying the finances themselves. I thank you, um… Kalae, if that would be the correct name to use.”

 

The cactus woman nodded.

 

“Kalae absolutely works.” The cactus woman replied with a smile. “And please. Do not fret repayment. Aside from the obvious repayment, of course. I only mean to say that I’m happy to help. If for no other reason than I’ve found little profit in scoffing and brushing others aside. The entire reason I have the connections you complimented earlier is because of what I am doing for you now.”

 

She lifted the coin pouch, heavy and filled with coin.

 

“Though some Illamini may forget it, in the Old Country we believed that all kindness was worth the investment. Perhaps not in money or means or materials but in the very least kindness was worth its weight in the enrichment of others. And that is never forgotten. That is community. That is how we survive.”

 

Kala, or perhaps Kalae, stepped around the desk, offering me take the satchel.

 

“Here. 2,000 coins. Exactly how much you will need for a bottle of Emmiwenipvo fo tino Duphimevini Eksai. Do you remember where to go and what to say, Adelaide?”

 

As I rose, I took up the coin pouch with trepidation, almost worried that the weight of such investment would be too much to carry. My eyes darted back up to the cactus-like woman.

 

“I’ll tell them that… Kalae sent me for a fine Du-phi-me-vu, red berries mixed in black.” I sighed. “Goodness, I still do not have the tongue for Arcea’s words… or, Arceliaze’s words-“

 

“Well, do not fret being unfamiliar with ‘Duphimevu’, for it is not an Arcean word.” Kala laughed lightly, waving a hand to dismiss the faux-paux. “It is my home city back in Illaminamo.”

 

I returned the laugh, weakly, while I brought the pouch into my possession as I continued.

 

“That much is something to learn, too… where one culture begins and another ends.” I confessed. “But… at least from your gestures, I can see the kindness I’ve come to know in Arceliaze is Illaminian in its roots.”

 

My face still reddened from my prior shame, I turned toward the exit of this humble abode- this den of simple loans and deep roots- pouch in one paw, documents stuffed under another arm.

 

I’d… not been given the funds to procure garments as well, but that would come in time. I’d been given a start, and it was more than enough for a noble-turned-wretch.

 

With a step towards the door, I glanced back at the banker, that tired smile returning to my face, as I began my departure.

 

“From one noble to another- or… perhaps, from one simple Poke’mon to another- I thank you, Kalae. May your kindness and investments return to you tenfold.”

 

As I approached the door, Kala stepped out from behind the desk to see me off. Even the world outside seemed a little warmer, the noise of music a little less grating.

 

One might have even described it as somewhat…beautiful.

 

“Of course, Adelaide. But please, you need not only come for business.” Kalae said, clasping her hands together. “You’re always welcome to visit for a chat and a cup of tea from my collection. Perhaps, one day, I may even get the opportunity to shake Siranae’s hand?”

 

She laughed again, patting my shoulder and adjusting her hat.

 

“Good luck with getting the catering work. And I do hope to see you again.”

 

With that final, friendly wave, Kalae let me go. Coin pouch in hand, back to Arceliaze.

 

The time was noon. Siranae would likely return home in due time.

 

Thus…it was time.

 

Time to compile every scrap of information and resources at my disposal.

 

 

Loans and catering and guilds and more…

 

My breath was drawn deep with the crisp air beyond Kalae’s abode. Once piercing, now simply refreshing… a district once roaring in disarray, now an odd blend of mirth and extravagance. Harmless throughout.

 

I tipped my snout forward and strode with a start, coin pouch giving a brief but jubilant shake with that swing. I’d had my understanding shifted, but- there was little else to pursue, was there not? Take a catering career, pay what I owed… and slowly, slowly but still so certainly, wrest myself from the muck along with dear Siranae. It was simply inevitable.

 

For now, my tasks remained. I had myself a bottle of fine wine to claim- a little shop to grace with my presence called ‘Well of the West’ in the New District, and from there… a job to acquire. I ignored the shudder that went through my body, and forced myself onward. The swirling sights and sounds of the Illaminian District clouded my step, yet put wind in my sails all the same. I had reason to stride on through the chaotic brightness, and no need to stare about and let it trouble me.

 

My path toward the guild was trudging and tedious in the highest- but there was little else I could do.

 

The guild required prestige and purpose.

 

Prestige and purpose required insight and wealth.

 

And I’d only build any modicum of insight and wealth from days spent earning it…

 

…from the ground up if I must.

 

My brow furrowed. My documents clutched to my side. Eyes widened. My mind was alight with thought.

 

There was the plan, locked in.

 

STEP ONE

Acquire Eksai Bottle as gift to Mama to keep a place in her home.

 

STEP TWO

With the loan, acquire fine vestments.

 

STEP THREE

Use appearance and poise to acquire a catering job, getting me closer to nobles and paying my loan

 

STEP FOUR

Use knowledge acquired in job to find the strongest entry point.

 

STEP FIVE

Acquire my own housing

 

CONSIDERATIONS:

Can this stock certificate get me some head start money at a broker?

 

Can I find what catering company is working on Prista’s banquet at the Guild?

 

 

CONCLUSION:

THE WAY FORWARD HAS BECOME CLEAR

 

 

With the coin pouch snared tight in my paw, and a calmness restored in the air about me, I set forth on my path, tails swinging through the air behind me.

 

The gilded thrones of Arceliaze’s highest nobles, and the looming den of that cursed Lippi, grew closer with every step.

 

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~ CHAPTER 6 ~

<< F I N I S >>

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