Monday morning came, and, as Lord Theodore had promised, Erik and Millie were waiting for Ki just inside the Canalave City library doors. Millie was mid-conversation with the clerk working the front desk while Erik stood admiring an old painting of Sinnoh's Lake Acuity shrouded in mist.
Erik turned at Ki's entrance, their eyes meeting. Ki had not met Theo's son before, he was one of the few of Niles' family he had not yet met. The man that stood before him was clearly among the older of Niles' grandchildren, likely around the age of thirty if Ki was not mistaken.
"Canalave City is fortunate to have such exquisite works here, and by such sought-after artists," Erik said, tilting his head toward the painting he had been admiring.
"There are many lords and ladies who hold the library in high esteem, you'll find a number of items throughout that have been donated by the families," Ki replied, pointing out the small golden plaque beneath the painting that indicated not only the name and artist of the piece, but also the name of the person that had donated it.
"I'd much rather see this map I've heard so much about than look at the art," Millie cut in, offering Ki a bright smile as she joined them.
Ki offered her a small smile in return, grateful for her cheerful energy next to Erik's more reserved manner. "Of course, if you'll follow me." Ki turned to lead them to the offices in the back, where their work awaited them.
As they stepped into his office, Millie tapped him on the shoulder, pulling his attention from the tables to her face where her cheeks were quickly turning pink. "Would it be alright if I allowed Sheldon out of his ball?" she asked hesitantly, the green poke ball already in her hand.
"That should be fine, I usually let Zel out myself," he replied, pulling out the buizel's poke ball and releasing her to prove his point.
The blush on Millie's cheeks faded and she smiled again as she released her turtwig. Zel bounced over to the grass-type, sniffing at him curiously as he shot her a warning glare. When she got too close anyway, the turtwig twisted around to nip at her and Zel reared up and tumbled backward with a small squeak.
Ki led Millie to the desk where the ancient map lay. The main focus of the map itself was Sinnoh, painted in fading greens and greys that swirled and sat surrounded by a stormy blue ocean. Where water stretched out to the North, East, and West, the drawings grew more fantastical. Great beasts of sky and sea threatened any who dared venture far off from the coasts into unknown waters.
"Oh. Wow," Millie breathed, running a hand lightly over the delicate canvas. "It's beautiful."
"Right now, it's no more than a nightmare and a headache. Do you think you can fix it?" Ki replied, running a hand through his white hair.
"I believe so, but it will be more difficult than I had expected." Millie didn't take her eyes off the map, running her fingers down the largest tear, feeling at the frayed edges. "I don't suppose you have any wurmple silk?" she asked, finally pulling her gaze away to meet Ki's eyes.
Ki hesitated, trying to recall what they might have in the supply room. "I couldn't say for sure if we have any left. If we do, it would be in that room. You are free to use any supplies in there, and we can get just about anything that's not there." He waved a hand in the direction of a door in the back corner of the room, crates stacked beside it.
Millie glanced down at the map one last time before disappearing into the supply closet, leaving Ki alone with Erik and the two pokémon. No, three pokémon, he corrected himself, finding a smeargle perched on the other man's shoulder when he turned back around. He eyed the painter pokémon warily, watching the tail as it swayed back and forth. Not a single drop of paint fell from it.
The tension leaving his muscles, he walked over to join Erik at the table of damaged books. "These are all the items that haven't been started," Ki informed him, pulling Erik from whatever thoughts had been going through his mind. "Books that are finished will go on that table there, while ones that have been started can go over there if anything seems to be missing. And loose pages over there."
"Got it," Erik replied, following Ki's waving arm with his eyes. The smeargle on his shoulder appeared less interested, until Ki began walking them through how to repair a binding.
They worked mostly silently, engrossed in their individual tasks except when one had questions. To Ki's surprise, Millie was the quietest of them all, so focused on the wurmple silk that she was working into a near-invisible thread that he had to repeat himself a second time before finally catching her attention.
"Sorry?" Millie mumbled, dragging her gaze away from the thread in her hands to meet Ki's eyes.
"If you're alright here for now, I have some business to take care of down at the port," Ki repeated, smiling as he shook his head.
"Oh, yes, of course!" Millie replied, grinning back at him. "You should fetch some treats while you're out, if you have time. Some pastries would be lovely while we're working."
"I will see what I can find," Ki replied, turning to glance at Erik. "Are you in need of anything?"
Erik shook his head no, eyes not leaving the pages he was re-inserting into a book being propped up by his smeargle. The look of concentration on his face provided a sense of relief for Ki. His two assistants were already proving to be invaluable, and they were only a couple of hours into the day.
Outside of the library, the day had warmed considerably, and there was not a cloud in the sky. There was also not a single empty carriage in sight. His own driver usually did not hang around, instead running errands and gathering supplies for the house while Ki worked.
The docks were not too terribly far away. By carriage it was usually a very short ride. With the warm sun encouraging him, Ki set off down the cobblestone street on foot, enjoying the light breeze against the exposed skin of his hands and face.
The port was in sight by the time Ki had to stop for a rest. Leaning against the guard rail that ran along each side of the canal, he peered over into the waters down below while he caught his breath. Regret over his decision to walk lingered at the edge of his thoughts, but he pushed it back, reminding himself that the naval office was just out of sight.
His gaze drifted down the canal, to where the stone ended and the sea continued to the farthest edges of the horizon. The water glistened and sparkled with the bright sun shining down on it as it churned below. An inviting vision and reminder of the vastness of the world. It filled him with a sense of longing. A longing to chase the horizon and see what other wonders were hidden from him.
A cough wracked his thin frame, his hands gripping the guard rail tightly to steady himself until the fit passed. The cloud of dreams and longing slipped from his mind as quickly as it had come over him. His gaze slipped back down to the port as he resumed walking.
His destination came into view as soon as he rounded an old shed. The naval office was a squat, stone building seated on the south side of the great draw bridge that connected the two sides of the city. It was, as always, bustling with activity when Ki arrived. The front door was constantly opening and closing as sailors and officers came to and from the building while messengers hurried about with their letters and packages.
Ki stood back against a wall until the harried young man sitting behind the front desk was free. Stepping forward, he addressed the young clerk, "I'm here to see Lord Roric."
"Name?" the clerk replied, glancing up at him from across the desk.
"Ki. From the library."
"One moment, please." The clerk scribbled something down on a piece of paper before disappearing behind a door. The young man reappeared moments later, beckoning Ki to follow him. "Right this way, please."
Ki followed him down a tight hallway lined with doors, tucking himself against the wall to avoid crashing into the officers heading the opposite direction. He was ushered through a door at the end of the hall and into a large office. The lone window overlooked the canaland the sunlit waves coming down the channel from the sea beyond.
The door closed behind him as the clerk ducked out of the room to hurry back to his desk. Ki turned his attention to Lord Roric, waiting quietly as the young man finished penning a letter. With the starly quill tucked into its holder the captain looked up at Ki, meeting his gaze.
"Lord Roric." Ki ducked his head in a small bow. "My name is Ki, I work at—"
"—the library. Yes, you were the one I spoke with the other day. Please, sit." He waved his hand toward the pair of chairs facing the desk. When Ki had taken a seat, he continued, "I hope you are here with good news?"
"I wish that were the case. Unfortunately, no, I am here to inform you that Niles has come down with the winter fever. He is recovering in Jubilife City with his family. It will be some time before he is able to return to work." Ki's gaze slipped down to his hands, intertwined on his lap as he forced the memory of his mentor in his sickbed from his mind.
There was a moment of silence while Roric processed the news Ki had shared with him. "I'm sorry to hear that, hopefully it is a quick recovery."
Ki glanced up, seeing the creases between the other man's brows and the firm set of his mouth. He seemed sincere. "Thank you. However, if it is the services of the library that you seek, I have worked with Niles for several years. In his absence, I serve as the head archivist." Ki forced a small smile, hoping his expression was both reassuring and confident despite the way his stomach flipped at his own words. He spoke the truth, but he had never really been in a position where it mattered.
Roric paused again, steady eyes studying Ki. Whatever he found there must have satisfied him because, a moment later, he sighed and asked, "What news have you heard about the other regions recently?"
It was an odd question. Ki's eyes narrowed and his gaze went to the window, watching the waves in the canal as he thought back to anything he might have heard. Finally, he pulled his attention back to the man across the desk and answered, "I can't say I have heard much. I know King Nathaniel and Queen Adrianna declared a new royal champion, a trainer from Johto if I heard correctly."
"Ah, yes, that much is true. I suppose it is good if that is all that you have heard, the longer it takes for word to spread, the better." In that moment, Ki could see Roric drop his composure for the briefest of moments. He looked both young and uncertain, and Ki could see the shadows beneath his eyes that would seem to hint at a lack of sleep.
Ki said nothing, for he had nothing to say. He simply raised a brow, puzzled and concerned at the strange statement.
Roric rubbed a hand down his face. "What I am going to tell you, you cannot repeat to anyone." Steel returned to his gaze as he met Ki's eyes.
Ki nodded his acknowledgement, hoping that Roric could see how serious Ki was taking their conversation. Hoping that he would not see how much it thrilled him that he would share what seemed to be an important secret.
"There is a sickness spreading across the other regions unlike anything they have seen before. The plant life is dying, the wild pokémon are starving and attacking human settlements. People and pokémon are dying." Roric informed him, the words matter-of-fact and his voice flat. This was not recent news to him.
"And you think it's going to spread here," Ki guessed, his words drawn out as his chest tightened.
"It seems likely. There's talk of closing the ports to slow it down…" Roric trailed off, the uncertainty that came with youth and inexperience becoming more evident.
"What can I do to help?"
"Take these. Show them to no one," Roric replied, handing Ki a bundle of letters from a drawer in his desk. "I had hoped to give these to Niles, that with his knowledge of Sinnoh's history he might be able to shed some light on this problem."
Ki accepted the letters, considering them. "The library has more information on Sinnoh's history than anywhere else in the region, if there's anything there I will find it."
"If you find anything, you must let me know," Roric ordered, rising from his seat. "And remember, you must share this with no one."
Ki followed Roric's lead, rising from his chair and following him as he escorted the younger archivist from the building.
That evening, Ki found himself seated at the desk in his room at home, all of his personal books and papers pushed to the side to make room for the stack of envelopes that Roric had handed him earlier that day. Supper had been simple, yet his stomach was roiling as he untied the pale blue ribbon that was holding the stack together. His hands shook as they grasped the first letter, his breath catching in his throat as he flipped back the flap on the back and pulled the first letter out.
There was no turning back now.
Ki closed his eyes tight and drew in a deep breath, feeling his chest tighten as his lungs filled. His lips parted and he expelled all of the air at once, finishing with a cough. He could put it off no longer, he unfolded the letter in his hand and took in the worn, crumpled edges from multiple readings and the tight handwriting that spilled down the page.
Your Royal Highnesses, Princess Natalia and Prince Liam,
It is with the gravest of concerns that I write to you.
We have discovered what seems to be a disease spreading across our lands. Western Johto has seen plant life wither and wild pokémon have begun attacking human settlements. Our best guess is that they are looking for food as their natural sources are dying out. The survivors of the attacks are left shaken and some have begun speaking nonsense. Our doctors believe this is just an effect of the shock and that it will pass.
King Emery of Hoenn has been in contact with us as well. What he has described to us is not unlike what we ourselves are seeing here in Johto and, most recently, pockets of Kanto. The lands of Western Hoenn are sick with a disease that does not seem to differentiate between crops, grasses, and trees. Great fires have decimated many acres of his land, the rotten plant life acting as a tinder. Emery has closed off the western parts of the region to travel so as to prevent panic amongst his people. Though Emery was the first to identify that there is a problem, we do not wish to assume that Hoenn is the epicentre of this disease.
While we hope that Sinnoh has been untouched by this, we ask that you task your best people with this concern. It is our belief that only together will we be able to put a stop to this sickness that is harming our lands. For that reason, we ask that you share anything that you discover with us as well as with King Emery.
Hoping this letter finds you well,
Queen Adrianna of Kanto
The Kanto seal adorned the bottom of the page, symbols of fire, ice, and lightning pressed into melted blue wax.
Ki flattened the page out on the surface of the desk, his eyes poring over every detail as he read it through a second time.
Lord Roric had told him the basics. He had known that what he would find in the letters would be bad. What he hadn't expected was how depressing it would be to read. Only one letter into the stack and he was already beginning to see how mentally unprepared he had truly been.
Lead filled his limbs as he reached for the second letter, an invisible weight pressing against him as he opened the envelope. The second letter was an easier read, a simple copy of the Sinnoh royalty's response to the request for help informing that they would do what they could. An easy transition into the third letter.
The third letter detailed the research done by a Doctor Birch of Hoenn. The doctor had taken samples of the affected plants, detailing with sketches how the roots appeared to have darkened and become rotten while the leaves and stems became dry and woody as the plant slowly died. He compared the effects to other diseases and flooding, but had no explanation as to why it was affecting everything, why it was appearing where it had, or how it spread.
Ki leaned back with a sigh. Three letters done, countless more to go. The evening was still young, but he already knew it would be a long night. He pushed back from his desk, the chair scraping over the hard floor. If he was going to go through the entire stack that night, he was going to need refreshments.
Resolved, he made his way down into the kitchen, only to nearly run into Annika on her way out. A small herd of pokémon followed at her heels; her kricketune and piplup, the family's glameow, and his own buizel, Zel.
"Oh, goodness, you scared me!" Annika smacked his shoulder lightly, holding her other hand to her chest.
"I wasn't expecting to find anyone else down here," Ki replied, raising a brow in question.
Zel wound herself around his legs, chirping softly up at him. There was no denying the big black eyes that stared up at him; relenting, he picked her up, helping her to wrap herself around the back of his neck. Her short coat was soft against his skin and she radiated a welcome warmth.
"I just thought I'd see if there was anything leftover from supper." Annika was matter-of-fact as she answered, careful not to look down at the small gathering around her feet.
"Ah, of course, and I'm sure you didn't give them any of it and break mother's rule," Ki replied, voice dripping sarcasm as he stepped around her into the kitchen.
"Well, of course, and that's exactly what you'll tell her if she asks. Besides, what are you doing down here?" Annika followed him back into the kitchen, nearly tripping over the glameow that was wrapping itself around her ankle. The catty pokémon hissed, glaring at the young woman before darting out of the room.
"I thought I would get myself a cup of tea."
"Sorry, none left."
"Then I'll just make some," Ki laughed.
"I've tasted your tea, are you sure you know how?"
"Very funny, as if yours is any better." Ki rolled his eyes as he pulled the kettle down from a shelf.
Annika plucked the kettle from his hands and made her way around the counter to find the water. "Sit back, baby brother, and I will show you what flavour is," she called back over her shoulder.
Ki shook his head, leaning back against the counter to watch as his sister prepped the water and scavenged through the cupboards. She was so cheerful, he could almost put thoughts of the letters and the problems of the world out of mind. Almost.
"You didn't hang around after supper to visit." It was a statement, but Ki heard the question behind Annika's words.
"Today was a lot," Ki replied simply. It was the truth, and it wasn't uncommon for him to retire to bed early.
Both were quiet, listening to the low bubbling of the water as it began to boil over the small fire. The only one that made any noise was Zel, chirping quietly as she adjusted her position around his neck, stretching her paws out.
Annika finished fiddling with the tea leaves and pot, pulling the kettle from the fire and pouring the water in. With the tea steeping, she leaned against the counter opposite from Ki. Her dark eyes met his light ones, studying his face. She offered him a soft smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"If it's Niles you're worrying about, he's going to be okay," Annika assured him, her smile fading.
"I know. I'm fine, honestly, you can stop your worrying." Ki glanced away. He meant his words, but somewhere in the back of his head he wondered how honest he was really being.
"If you say so," Annika replied dryly, her eyes never leaving his face. After a moment, she added, "You know you can come to me with anything, right?"
"I know," Ki repeated, looking back at her, head cocked to the side as he met her stare. "That tea must be just about ready."
"This is why your tea has no flavour! You need to give it time," she replied, drawing out the last word to further make her point. Throwing her arms up in the air, she walked away from him to pull a pair of mugs and saucers from the shelves over the counters. She left the teapot where it was, though, determined to wait even longer.
Ki snorted but made no move to grab the teapot. He would humour her if it meant he didn't have to listen to her insult how he made his tea again. There was, perhaps, another reason that he decided to obey her, though he did his best not to think about it. The sooner the tea was ready, the sooner he would be returning to his room and the doom and gloom that awaited him there.
"Millie seems like a nice girl, and she's nearly the same age as you," Annika said suggestively, turning her attention back to her brother.
"She has a bright future." Ki knew exactly where his sister wanted to take the conversation, and he was not interested in having that discussion. It wasn't that he had never considered Millie in that light — he simply did not believe he was an adequate suitor, not with his poor health. Instead, he turned the conversation back on her, asking, "Whatever happened to that last fellow that mother and father tried introducing you to?"
"As if that was ever going to happen," Annika scoffed, rolling her eyes up to look at the ceiling before meeting his gaze again. "I think if his ego was any bigger his head might have burst. You know, he tried telling me Princess Natalia had eyes for him. Imagine that," she finished with a laugh.
Ki chuckled, shaking his head at the thought.
Annika chatted on about the failed meeting as she poured the tea and added a pinch of sugar. Finally, she offered him a mug resting neatly on a saucer.
"Enjoy." She smiled brightly at him before wandering out of the kitchen with her own mug, her piplup and kricketune close on her heel.
Ki made his way back upstairs with his tea in hand and Zel napping comfortably around his neck. There was a knot in his gut and his shoulders were beginning to ache from tension and the weight of the buizel, but he promised himself he was going to get through every last one of the letters that night, all else be damned.
I just want to say a quick thank you to the folks that have favourited or left reviews. I'm terribly behind in replying, and I do not believe that will be changing until life calms down a bit, unfortunately. Just know that everything is read and appreciated.