The two rounded a corner to see a street bustling with all types of pokémon, though the majority of them were dark, poison, and ghost types. While the street in question had appeared to be empty from the view of the plaza, now vendors lined the every edge, calling out their wares to all.

Es marveled at the sight with wide eyes. There were murkrow selling shiny trinkets, preaching to any who would listen of their value. A weavile sold shaved ice, surrounded by smaller pokemon all clamoring to get a bowlful. There was even a booth with a zweilous selling many kinds berries and seeds, though they were busy debating the price of a cheri berry between themselves. The air was filled with the smell of spices and foodstuffs, of perfumes and herbs, and the sounds of music and laughter. The air was free of tension, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves at the night bazaar.

Upon being noticed by the various vendors, Av and Es were welcomed with offers of food, drink, several various trinkets, and an astonishing amount of hugs, though most of them were from the younger pokémon. Es and Av smiled at little ones before Av shooed them off so they could continue walking. As the pair walked along, several pokémon recognized Av and rushed to greet him.

"Hey Avi!"

"Where ya been, man? And whose your cute friend?"

"So nice to see you at the baazar for once! You really should spend less time at that weird temple."

Av, though clearly surprised to find the three in front of him, begins talking to them with a smirk.

"What are you guys doing here? I thought the bazaar wasn't interesting enough for you."

One of the group, a noibat, pipes up. "We thought you were too busy at the temple to hang out with us, so we came here. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Well I-"

Before Av can continue, another one of the group of three, a buizel, steps forward and cuts him off.

"Whoah now! S'not get ahead of ourselves. You never even introduced us to your new friend over there!" He points at Es, who had been watching the exchange with curiosity.

Avior nods. "Yeah...Well, everyone, this is Esther. Esther, meet...everyone."

The noibat chimes in indignantly. "Avi! We have names you know." She lets out a harumf before continuing. "My name is is Vera. I'm sure we'll be great friends! This super chill buizel over here is Stride." Vera pauses to jab Stride in the ribs.

"Ow...Hey there Esther. Glad t'make your aquaitence."

Vera went on, not allowing Es a moment to respond. "And the stunning sneasel over there is the ever-prissy Alrai."

Alrai glares daggers at Vera before proceeding to address Es. "Just ignore her sweetheart. I am absolutely charmed to meet you." She glances at Avior for a moment. "Speaking of meetings..."

Av suddenly speaks up. "I know what you're thinking, and I will explain. Just...later."

She nods while the others look at one other in confusion. "Then we should head to the base, no? Then let's be off."

She spins and walks away with a sense of purpose, but soon turns around to stare frustratedly at the others. "Are you coming or not? We don't have all night." She turned again and continued walking.

Stride let out a sigh. "C'mon y'all. No point 'n arguing with 'er when she's serious about somethin'."

Everyone turns to follow Alrai through the crowds before they lose sight of her.

* * * * * * *

The streets that the group walked were once again empty and dark, having left the bazaar several turns back. Alrai stops in front of a dome-shaped building and heads inside, the others not far behind her.

"Welcome to the base of Team Soul! "Go on ahead an' make yourself at home." Stride stands dramatically in the center of the room as the group walks in, arms spread wide with a huge grin on his face.

Alrai groans. "Must you do that every time we have a guest? You'd think that it would get old eventually."

"Never has, never will."

"Well right now there are more important things to discuss, so please just sit down already."

Everyone sat.

"Thank you. Now, as many questions as I have, I think it would be best to start with you, Esther."

Es gives a startled look. "Why me? I haven't said anything all night!"

Alrai gives him a stern look. "That is precisely why we are starting with you. You've been awfully quiet, so I want to hear what you have to say."

Es, still reluctant, thinks for a moment. "Well...do any of you know what's going on? I woke up a couple of hours ago to a facefull of fur and no memories and now I'm in some kind of base? And Alrai's been glancing at me all night like she's seen me before and right now I think I'd like an explanation."

Av squirms nervously and speaks. "I guess I should take this one. Well... you all know that I made a deal at the Moonlit Temple in order to restore a dead...friend." Av chokes on the word as speaks. "I had to do a year of hard work to be granted a single wish, and I wished for his return. You came to me instead, but thats not a bad thing. These pokémon here are Team Soul, one of the many rescue teams in this region. They took me in when I didn't have a place to stay, and I often help them with missions in my spare time."

"But what about Alrai? Why have you been staring at me? Do you know who I am?"

"No!...It's just...I knew Esther before the accident as well. He was like a brother to me. Truly irreplaceable." Alrai looks down as she talks, not wanting to meet Es's eyes.

"Ok...well what about-"

"That's 'nuff for tonight. It's late and we have a mission tomorrow, and you all know that." Stride interrupts Es and walks over to one of the beds at the edge of the room. " 'Night." is the last thing he says before he lays down.

Vera sighs as she walks toward an unoccupied bed. "As usual, Stride has a point. Goodnight you three."

Alrai stares at Av and Es intently. "I suppose that I do need to rest for tomorrow. But don't think we won't be talking later, Avior."

Av shudders and turns to Es. "C'mon, there's probably enough space for both of us in my bed."

Es frowned at not being allowed to ask anything more, but followed Av into bed and promptly fell asleep upon laying his head on Av's fur. The last thing he saw before he closed his eyes was Alrai; staring at him with a look of curiosity.