A/N: This wasn't planned at all, but I got a bit of inspiration tonight and found myself writing this short chapter! I hadn't planned it to be anything but a drabble over on the Traveler discord server, but it kept dragging on and on and on until it felt like the only proper place for it was in Recollections. It might feel a bit more concise and feel a bit different than normal for that reason. Regardless, I hope you enjoy!
"Champion Lorelei. I have heard a great deal about you from my acolytes."
Her ill-earned title was spoken flippantly. A nicety, not a respect. Lorelei stared at the frozen white feather hooked into her visitor's throat and set against marble skin.
Just like Lance's.
The bottle weighed heavy in her hand as she poured a careful stream of golden brown whiskey into the snifter glass. "Hinoiki 50-Year-Old Single Malt." A farewell gift from Lance, though she didn't say it aloud. She set the bottle aside. Mamoswine sniffed at it from where he rested next to her, so tall his head could lay on her desk. She didn't dare release Jynx. "You might never see another bottle. There are only fifty in the world. Most never leave Blackthorn."
"I do not partake."
Of course not. Lorelei stared into the liquid as she swirled the liquid, then took a sip. The burning in her throat was her only comfort in this company.
"You've made forays into my islands."
"My acolytes spread the truth. The Walk of Winter is your salvation."
Lorelei's lip curled. "I've studied your cult's texts and listened to its sermons. There's no salvation. Just empty promises and a one-way road to cold hearts."
"The wheel turns. Your new world gives way to the old."
An armored figure burning azure, Lance broken before it. The Kanto-spanning storm. Shamouti. Her hand trembled imperceptibly as she took another sip.
"Yes."
She met this self-styled prophetess' cool eyes. Hard as marble and frigid as ice. How many winters had they seen?
"In such times, the only salvation is to endure no matter the costs. That is my Lord's way. That is my way. The old way. Those who follow it may weather any storm."
Lorelei's eyes narrowed to slits. "My people have only just opened themselves to the world. I won't allow you to drag them back to superstition and isolation. Now out! Take your people, take your Jynx, and go back to whatever icy pit in Seafoam you crawled out of!"
The white-robed woman didn't betray a hint of anger at Lorelei's words, only a cold recognition. She wasn't bothered by the hostility, though she wasn't pleased. This Haukea rose in a swirl of cloth the color of a fresh winter snow and stood tall in Lorelei's office, but did not dip her head or offer any sort of respect.
Not that Lorelei expected as much. Not if what Lance had told her was true.
"My work here is done." Haukea stated simply. One of her pale fingers reached upwards to brush against the icy feather embedded into her flesh with hooked splinters of pointed ice. "Your people know us now and see my Lord's truths. The world will shift. When you are ready, go to the Icefall Cave on this island and speak my name. When you do, you will buy the future of your people."
Lorelei stared, gobsmacked, and could find no words. None were necessary, or so Haukea deemed. The prophetess took her leave then and swept out of Lorelei's office like a Froslass.
Warmth flooded back into the room in her absence, the tropical climate of Floe Island finally making its return. Lorelei noted the heat struggled to take hold, thermodynamics struggling against whatever witchcraft Haukea carried with her, and decided to make a bit of heat herself as she forgot the little snifter glass, raised the bottle of Hinoiki to her lips and took a deep swig of the whiskey... then a second for good measure. Mamoswine snuffled at her side and opened his giant mouth patiently, then wheezed as she sighed and poured a good half the precious liquid down his gullet.
Hinoiki. Fire breath in the old tongue and a favorite vintage of the Wataru. Lorelei dearly hoped it lived up to its name – it might be the only warmth she found for quite some time as Haukea's cryptic words echoed in her skull. Where was Agatha when you needed her? She'd offer up her entire fortune to watch the old terror put Haukea in her place with a good smack of her cane.
She knew she should have stayed at the Plateau, just like Lance had begged her to...
