Nori skateboarded his way to the northeastern part of Veilstone City. He didn't care about religion one way or another, but he was close friends with the sole heir to the Kannagi Shrine. It did not take him long to reach his destination, whereupon he was forced to dismount and disassemble his ride before continuing up the hill.

They had evidently been making sure to superbly maintain the path. Autumn was in full swing, but there were only a few stray leaves scattered along the lightly forested path. Nori speculated they cleaned it daily if not more often. He slowed his ascent as he reached the apex of the stone staircase. It was more caution than necessary, but he wanted to ascertain something before he passed under the red arch. Torii, was that what it was called?

A fair number of visitors and members (some of whom apparently lived there) were in front of and to the side of the large building which was now a place for the gods. The only way you would know it used to be the JSPR station was if you had seen it before. Or maybe you could piece it together if you saw the gated off radio dish on the left side. On the right was the place you washed yourself at before you could go inside. Nori never had, not since it became the shrine anyway. The back had some open space, a place to battle, and a trail through the woods that wasn't open to the public.

He was in luck! A bright-eyed woman in the shrine's long-sleeved violet robe was standing watch near the front entrance; her outfit had elaborate silver trim (especially along the shoulders) which served as a denotation of her rank. She was in her nineties, but she hardly looked it. She had wrinkles, but not as many as one would expect from a woman her age. Her dark hair was only faintly gray. Granted, the middle-aged man with ragged black hair and brown eyes did make him worry a bit – his robe had simple and plain white trim – but Priestess Satomi Kurusu was here. Him being here didn't mean a thing because of it.

She greeted Nori when he was halfway to them. "Well, look who it is!" she said, giving Acolyte Jirou a nudge.

"Someone who should not keep coming here," the man snarked in reply.

This guy had always had it out for him. Nori reflexively leaned forward to shout back. He would have too, if Priestess Satomi hadn't preemptively intervened.

"Now, now, Acolyte Jirou," Priestess Satomi wagged a finger at him teasingly. "Remember what Master Haruto said about Nori here."

Jirou stiffened. "To treat him properly," he grumbled through clenched teeth.

"Well, close enough." Mrs. Kurusu rolled her shoulders before turning back to him. "So, what brings you here today?"

He didn't even try to hide his light smile over Jirou getting shut down. It felt like there were too many people at the shrine who didn't like him. It was a relief that the people in charge thought otherwise, at least enough to allow him to visit despite not worshiping. "I got a new Pokemon," he explained to them, keeping a cool head. "And I really need Prema's opinion on something!"

Jirou crossed his moderate-sized arms. He lowered his gaze and moved in front of the door. "Didn't you just get one?" he lowly inquired.

"I did," he replied. For a moment, he thought about showing the ball as proof, but he didn't want to chance that just in case. "This was like, something imminent. It's way different, too."

"How so?"

"That's not your concern," Nori harshly replied. Then he giggled. He had been waiting to throw that one back at him. From how Jirou turned away, it seemed he had no good response for it either. "Sorry. But I can say I need a bit of help on this one."

Jirou turned back and seethed. "Lady Kannagi is not your personal assistant."

"I know that!" he argued. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think I'd need her help!"

Priestess Satomi was about to speak before he cut in, and did so after he finished. "Now Acolyte Jirou," she said, before pausing and tapping her chin with her palm. "Well. I'm sure you know. We're always willing to help trainers connect with their Pokemon. No matter who they are!"

"This might not be connecting, but…" Nori said under his breath.

"But it doesn't matter." She started her sentence where he stopped and snapped her fingers. "If not as a diviner, then as a friend!"

He slowly blinked. Yes. Him and Prema were friends. He was actually her only real friend at this point. They trusted each other more than anyone else in the world. That was why he was here. If he could share this with anyone before it got out, if there was anyone who would never ever judge him over it, it was Prema Kannagi.

"I'll let her know you're here," Mrs. Kurusu said. "She'll be out to join you shortly."

The elderly priestess left, leaving Nori with a man whose lip had curled so far back into his mouth that he was sucking on part of his five-o-clock shadow. The bitter acolyte turned his nose up and glared, as if daring him to try to make conversation.

Nori did want to. He rubbed the nape of his suddenly prickly neck. "Mr. Kannagi said that?" he inquired. He supposed it was a bit of a rhetorical question to ask, given the man's response and the fact that Priestess Satomi would not lie about such a thing, but he was curious.

Jirou turned his head away. "Unfortunately," he snorted, without giving any details.

"Do you know why?" That was why Nori was asking. There were signs that Prema's dad was a silent supporter of their friendship, but he had never taken any action against their detractors. Until now, it seemed.

"All he said is because you are Lady Kannagi's friend," Jirou answered. "If he had a deeper reason, and I trust that he does, he didn't tell us."

Nori silently nodded. Was it just a matter of being utilitarian? He supposed he could only speculate along with the others, but it was not something he was going to question. There was a saying about not looking a gift horse in the mouth. With some of the trouble he had in the past, he was glad about it.

"Well, thanks," he said with a tiny nod. "It helps put my mind at ease about being here."

"I am just doing my duty." Acolyte Jirou shook his head with utter derision. "Even if I disagree with it."

"But why?" he decided to prod. "Is it because I'm not a worshiper?" This guy had given him flak in the past for that reason, although the fact that he was chatting with him was a step up from before. "The way I'm treated sometimes doesn't really make me want to be a part of it."

Jirou's arms and face dropped. He recoiled a little, as if in realization. However, he stiffened and forced himself to glower.

"Not that you ever would," he growled.

Nori could only smile a little. The guy felt a little bad about it. "Yeah, probably not," he confessed. It's not that he wasn't interested in learning about the teachings of the Kannagi Shrine, especially considering their mark upon the world. He just didn't believe in the rigidity that came with religion. "But you didn't answer my question."

Jirou harrumphed. "I just don't like you."

Nori shrugged. It was personal, and the guy didn't feel like sharing. He got that sometimes. But he could gather enough from the context in this case. It probably had something to do with his personality and thinking he was a bad influence on Prema.

The young official glanced at the door, pacing a couple steps. A sharp exhale escaped him. He was hoping it would be quick, and evidently, so was Jirou.

"So how was taiiku no hi?" he decided to make some idle banter in the meantime. "I was thinking of coming by, but I had to cover it at my school." Of course, it was overshadowed by world news, but still.

"Health and Sports Day?" the man asked, rolling his head and crossing his arms again. He gave a furtive scowl. "That isn't something we celebrate."

"Oh. I thought you would. I know you hold festivals around holidays."

"That shows your ignorance of our faith. We don't throw a festival for every holiday," the man smugly quipped. He turned up his nose and looked down at him with a smirk thin enough to cut vegetables on.

"I guess not," Nori shrugged off. Most of what he had learned about the shrine had come from his law textbooks. Apart from that, he knew that they were polytheistic and of their general beliefs in respecting all Pokemon, just not specific nuances. He had to laugh a bit. "Would've been so embarrassing if I came by without knowing!"

Jirou's eyes darted away with his next words. "Not that it would have mattered."

"Why not?"

The guard leered. He heaved through his pinched lips. It turned into a sharp sigh as he conceded. "We had someone pass on Monday," he explained, his gaze dropping to the ground for a moment. "We held an informal sosai for him a couple of days ago."

"Oh. Sorry to hear. That had to be hard." That was not something he expected to hear. Odd coincidence they had someone significant pass away as well. "Who died? Um, if I might ask?"

Jirou furrowed his brow and took a step closer. He took a deep breath. "Who else?" the man slowly asked. Nori only stared blankly. It was a valid question. Was it something he was supposed to know? Jirou eventually gave the answer, "Pete Stephens!"

Before he could even begin to process that, the door opened. His friend was standing there, but nothing was registering. They were mourning the Krookodile Tracker? Was he one of them?! Was coming here a mistake?!

"Nori?" Prema asked, leaning towards him. "Are you well?"

"Did Acolyte Jirou cause you any trouble?" came the voice of Satomi. He heard her, but he couldn't see her. His head was spinning too much! He was probably going pale too. And it felt like bile was about to rise out of his throat.

"No, no! I mean yes, he did fine. I mean, he's…" He clapped his hands against his face. "Focus, Nori!" He vigorously shook his head and did a double fist pump. "I need to talk and Mr…whoever did fine."

For a moment, he thought about brushing it off and leaving. But no, it was too late. Doing that now would just make things worse.

Prema smiled gently at him as their eyes met. "Let us go behind the shrine," she said, offering for him to lead the way. "It seems that you are unwell, so I will prepare tea for you."

It felt like a bit of the weight lifted off his back. It was weird how just a look and an offer of hospitality helped put his mind at ease. He quietly nodded, returning her expression as he started to walk to the back. Things were going to turn out fine. She would help him.

The thing that Nori liked most about Prema Kannagi – at least at that particular moment – was her empathy.

Through rigorous training and some kind of inherent powers in her blood, Prema had abilities that normal people didn't have. But she certainly didn't need any to tell that he was on edge. He was rarely one to hide how he was feeling from others. He accepted her offer of tea to buy himself a little more time to think about what he wanted to say to her and how he wanted to say it.

The two were on an outdoor sitting mat with a tea table set up between them; Pachi and Shu (her Spritzee) were off playing together in the nearby field. Prema had a cup of her own, but she had not drank much from it. She was dressed in the traditional attire of the Kannagi family: the same kind of robes Priestess Satomi and Acolyte Kirou wore, except with elegant gold trim with a vague floral pattern to indicate her position as heir. A tiara made of wood and metal bound together was in her shoulder-length hair, which was a forest green color. Her retinas were a deep cyan.

"How is it, Nori?" she asked. She had a gentle if flat tone, although Nori knew she could be emotive.

"It's really good," he replied, taking another sip. He carefully placed the cup on the tray on the table before them, making sure not to drop it or spill any. There were no handles to hold, but he could put it down at least. "The temperature's just right, and it's really helping me relax. What's in it?"

"I prepared it using chamomile and peppermint. Both are herbs renowned for their calming effects. I added lemon to balance the flavor."

"Wow." He'd made tea before, but this wasn't something you'd be able to get from a bag of tea. "I know what peppermint tastes like, but I didn't taste like, the minty flavor. You're great at making tea."

"Thank you," was her response, in a polite fashion that told him that she got that compliment all the time to the point of where it didn't mean much, even coming from him.

Nori rested his hands on his legs. There was still some tea left in his cup; he was keeping it in case he needed it. He leaned back and wiggled into the cushion to get a bit more comfortable.

"How's the situation with Nariya? Have you heard anything from her?" he inquired. She was a mutual friend of theirs. However, Nariya's parents had forbidden her from visiting the shrine after she had gotten hurt helping Prema.

She sighed, taking a sip of her tea before she answered. "I have heard nothing."

"That figures." He moved his hands to his knees. He could relate to Nariya in a weird way. Both of them had trouble making friends. For different reasons, but still. If he knew where she lived, he would go say hi faster than a Pidgeot diving on its prey! "Have you tried reaching out to her?"

"Reaching out?"

"That is, have you tried to contact her?" He chuckled softly yet with reassurance. It always amused him how Prema failed to understand colloquialisms sometimes.

"Father has written a letter commending her performance that night. We do not know if she received it." Prema sat fairly still as she spoke, evidently suppressing any emotions she might have had.

"Maybe she might come by on Halloween?" he put forth, folding a palm outward. His arm suddenly dropped. "Uh, if you celebrate Halloween. If not, maybe some festival. It could be they're waiting for a good moment."

Prema closed her eyes. "Yes, perhaps then. We can only pray," she said, a palpable touch of regret in her tone.

A thought occurred. Maybe Yumi would know how things might go with the parents? She and Nariya used to be friends too before things went crazy with YAMS, and there was an indication they still could be. Actually! He clapped his hands. "Maybe she doesn't know how to approach and mend things. It's like that between her and Yumi."

Prema remained stone-faced. "Regardless, we will find out in time."

"Yeah. Oh!" He snapped upright as he remembered what he had come by for. He paused before he could speak about it, better judgment taking over. There was something he needed to get clarified first. "So I heard you had a…" What did they call it again? "Um, some sort of funeral? For Pete Stephens on Wednesday?"

"We call them sosai," she clarified to him in a gentle tone. "They are rituals to help souls reach the other side in peace. It was not a proper one, but we chose to honor him all the same."

So that guard didn't make it up. "I guess I did kinda the same thing in a way, since we wrote about him in the school newsletter. It hit a lot of people hard."

Prema nodded slowly. "Truly, it did."

Nori suddenly felt a vice on his heart. "What did you think of him?" Was he reading that right? Did it hit her hard too?

"I met him once, when I was very young." A neutral tone. No, rather one of quiet admiration. "Even then, I could sense he was a wise and wonderful soul. He created his television program with the intent of spreading awareness of Pokemon and animal conservationism to the masses. That was his life. It is unfortunate that he is no longer with us." She sighed heavily and took a sip of her tea. "He had planned to visit the shrine here as part of his tour, before his passing."

Nori put a hand on his hip. He couldn't help but crack a grin as he felt a tingle in his chest. "I knew those convert claims were made up."

"Convert claims?" Prema asked, leaning in while blinking.

"Nothing much, just people spreading rumors." He snorted, reveling in the minuscule bit of joy. The young official elaborated, "When we were doing research, we found some people online saying he became a Ceutholic two weeks before he died. We didn't print it, and if he was planning on coming here, we were right not to!"

She chuckled softly. "As far as I know, Mr. Stephens did not adhere to any one faith. It was his way of appealing to more people. But our values aligned, and he was a friend of my father's." She surveyed their surroundings, leaned closer, and spoke quietly to him. "Do not tell, but the sosai was partly a way for Father to get closure."

Nori made a lip-zipping motion. Prema fully trusted him, which is why she confided that. He wasn't going to betray her trust. "I can get that," he chuckled nervously. "Not getting a chance to say goodbye to someone is hard." He knew that well, namely with his friend Lux Blomgren. Lux only moved away abruptly, but still.

Reality came crashing down on him. He glanced over at the shrine's battlefield, a currently unoccupied area cordoned off by a tall chain-link fence. This was bad. He couldn't help but wince at the predicament he had thrown himself into. If the head of the shrine was fricking friends with the guy, they'd hate this Qwilfish no matter what! He let out a small wheeze and sniffed.

"Is something troubling you, Nori?"

Prema shuffled a bit closer as he turned back. Her posture was open, and her eyes were soft.

"Yeah, something is," he admitted.

She sat up taller. "Priestess Satomi has told me you have received a new Pokemon in need of rehabilitation, and that you require my assistance."

It hit him like a slap to the face. So much for avoiding the subject. He gave her a blank stare, yet her radiant smile softened his guise. She silently and patiently waited for him. He brushed his hair behind his ears and straightened it.

It wasn't just she who trusted him. He trusted her completely as well. She hadn't told anyone about how his Pawniard had killed a Ninetales to protect him, he hadn't spoken about her self-doubts that she felt were unbecoming of her position. They could talk to each other about anything, as long as they understood the subject. Prema wouldn't judge him, he knew that at the back of his mind. The problem was everyone else here, especially her dad. But they were going to find out anyway! No, he was going to talk about it here and now!

He gulped down the rest of his tea, hoping it would help get him through this. Silently, he reached into his pocket and took out Qwilfish's capsule. He liked the design of it. The whole thing was blue except for a wavy pattern on top like foam. Apparently, it was called a Dive Ball, which was weighted specially to be thrown underwater.

After staring at it with a thoughtful expression for several seconds, Prema frowned and nodded with understanding. "I see," her words echoed with kindness. "An aquatic Pokemon would be difficult for you."

Nori felt a slight tingle in his feet. Prema remembered? It had only come up once in passing. "That's just part of the problem," he said, rubbing his cheek with his free hand.

"Is it one that could be considered dangerous?"

"I really don't know, but I, well." Nori had seen the video of the Krookodile Tracker's final moments. His initial impression was no, it wasn't dangerous or anything like that. But that was just going to make things worse. Pawniard reveled in his infamy, but this…

The young official shut his eyes and clutched the capsule tighter. He knew in his heart that Prema wasn't going to think ill of him, so why was he so worried? Did his subconscious know something that he didn't? "No, no, get it out of the way, so you know, Nori," he mumbled to himself. "Just say it. It'll be fine."

The self-encouragement worked to invigorate himself, and he powerfully scooted next to her. Prema blinked rapidly and tilted her head.

"It's the Qwilfish," he whispered close to her ear. "You know." He didn't need to say which one.

Prema's reaction was quick and instant. Her eyes shot open, she recoiled backwards, and she covered her mouth. When she stood and didn't respond verbally, Nori smacked himself. Had he made a terrible mistake coming here and telling her? Prema glanced around. Her expression and body language gave no indication as to her true feelings, but the initial expression of shock was not a good sign.

He opened his mouth to protest in anguish, but the words were choked away from him.