[ti]quest[/ti]Anu belore dela'na

Twilight had fallen by the time Alistair got to log in again. Sarthor had been in a mood today, keeping him long after hours and then rounding on him, ferocious, with very strict instructions.

"So here we are again," Alistair said, glancing down. Falas was once again pitter-pattering just a little ahead of him on the sand. He seemed to like the sand, seemed comfortable moving over it in a way he wasn't on streets or grass. Perhaps he'd lived on a beach... Meanwhile, the Pidove was perched on his shoulder, looking at him critically. Falas also cast a look backward at Alistair. Why were they here again? Last time had been scary. The Sobble skittered on top of a broken column, stretching up to look and then settled back on its feet a little. Alistair thought they were more confident since the scuffle with Pidove, and it made him a little happy.

<Should we even be here?> The bird asked, scratching behind her head with her foot.

"That's debatable," Alistair responded lightly, "But Sarthor was quite clear about investigating these 'Night Parades'," He continued.

<We have far more important things to be considering right now than some frivolous fairytale.> The pidove shuffled closer to his face as they walked. Like my name.

Alistair decided to not turn to face her, given the proximity of that needle-sharp beak to his eye already. He would pretend not to notice her looking speculatively at the dangling tassels and jewelry in his ears, too. "Hmmm. I've been thinking of a few, but I'm not sure," He said, meandering down the broken pavement. Falas carefully scaled a crumbling wall.

"I was trying to remember if there's words for birds like you," He told her, "There's maiwë, the gull, and tikka the woodpecker,"


Are you going to change Falas's name to be "Sobble", too? She snipped, finally taking a good snap at one of the dangling jewels. Alistair just happened to look away at that moment, and it jingled out of her beak's grasp.

"That's true. savikiekko isn't really terrifying or impressive. That's 'pigeon' by the way," Alistair teased, watching the small grey bird fluff up angrily.

Falas abruptly stopped, his tail coiling back up tightly. Ali moved forward, eyes narrowing against the shadows.

Another man was there, sitting down among the ruins. The stars were bright, lining everything silver-blue, glimmering off his long hair. The light from the looming sundial threw everything into gilded contrast, illuminating his face, peaceful in his rest. It cast his clothing into sharp relief, edging the rich greens and browns in bright gold. Alistair fell still, taking in the familiar patterns and shapes; the silhouette in the delicate starlight and the blaze of the Sundial. Then, Falas, recovering from his panic flung himself off the wall under the shadow of Alistair's own crimson robes- drawing the attention of the vulpix at the other trainer's side.

Alistair paused, still feeling a little dazed, looking slowly between the alert vulpix and her person. "Ah, good evening. Or is it almost morning?"

"Well met, Tiernan," Alistair echoed, his bright eyes flickering from the man to his vulpine companion. At the Pokemon's name, Alistair's ears pricked with interest, his expression becoming intent on the pair.

"Rae'shalare?" he tilted his head, the jewelry on his ears jingling slightly. He had to search through his memories, piece together some context clues- "That's a grim name for a little pokemon, isn't it?" He flashed a smile at the trainer regardless.

"I am Alistair Fireblood, and this is Falas-" He said gesturing to the sobble peering out from under his hems, "We're still working on the name for the pidove."

<It needs to be right.> The bird affirmed, looking down at the expressionless vulpix consideringly; more like a hawk might size up a cat or a fox than the pidove she actually was. Alistair could only hope the pidove wouldn't get them into trouble. <What does the vulpix's name mean? Is it a Fae name, too?>

"It's from the same language as Falas's name, yes," Alistair said, looking at Tiernan consideringly again. The guy might have just googled cool names, or seen something in a video game or book. But his whole appearance... the details were too precise. The trim, the color of the dye... it was just like his parents had shown him. And yet, he wasn't even sure how to ask if Tiernan spoke the language or if he'd come from that place without coming off combative... "It means 'The Whisper of Death'." He answered the pidove after a beat of silence.

The pidove started, leaning down to study the vulpix more closely, before leaning back, seeming appeased. <That's a good name for a pokemon that could be a Ninetails one day.> She said- an odd compliment from a creature who so rarely gave them. Or at least, it was mostly a compliment. <I can only hope you'll come up with something as creative. Maybe he can give you pointers.>

Alistair snorted. That hadn't lasted long.

"My pokemon and I are here to do a quest- someone told me about mysterious 'Night Parades' that happen out here with strange pokemon. Would you like to travel with us?" He directed to the other man. It was partly politeness, but also open curiosity, a hint of eagerness coloring his tone.