"Good morning! Sorry if I woke you folks up."
"I was awake. Who exactly are you?"
A pair of voices roused Nori Carino from a rough sleep. He placed the second of them as his mom immediately. The other he didn't, until she identified herself.
"Satomi Kurusu, priestess of the Kannagi Shrine." There was a momentary pause. Probably shaking hands. "You must be Nori's mom."
"Ayume Carino," his mom replied suspiciously. "Why has someone from the shrine come here this early in the morning on a school day?"
"Ah, know it's unorthodox. But he wanted to have a chat with Lady Kannagi before this evening, and, well." The elderly woman chuckled. "Now or never. It's a school day after all."
After a long pause, she asked, "Is that true, Nori?"
He shifted and groaned. He felt something at the far edge of his bed, probably Pachi. "Yeah," he mumbled.
"Are you awake?" his mom asked for clarification. "You went to go see Prema last night?"
"I did." He tried to open his eyes. The light was blinding, so it took a few seconds to actually open them.
"And you said you got turned away, right?"
"Got turned away," he repeated, a little unintentionally. She knew most of this already, and was probably asking to show that she did.
His sighted his mom biting her lip and giving Mrs. Kurusu an unimpressed look. "Do you still want to talk to her?"
The boy yawned and started to carefully pull his legs away from his still-snoozing Pokemon. "Yeah, I better. They came all this way," he reasoned. "She here?"
"Is she here?" his mom repeated.
"Nah, set up a meeting spot," the elderly woman said. Nori saw a bit of hand movement. Shrugging? "Just need to head there!"
"Just…need to get up…" he said, swinging his feet out and yawning again.
"Lemme know when you're ready!"
The young official was frankly surprised his was in the condition to get up at all. Last night had gone horribly. He was up until 2am stressing over things, and only fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.
His mom shut the door and moved over to the stove. "Kettle's still warm, I'll make you some oatmeal." After a very brief beat, she followed up with, "Are you sure this is fine?"
"It'll be fine," he told her, weakly waving a hand. "Mrs. Kurusu's one of the good ones."
"Way more casual than I was expecting for a priestess," she muttered a remark while pouring and stirring the food.
"Just how she is," he explained as he groggily gathered his clothes for the day. Just the first he grabbed, which was a pair of jeans and a blue shirt. "See her motorbike?"
"That was hers?" His mom paused, her eyes arching at the mental image of a ninety-year-old woman racing down the street on a screaming hog.
"I know, right?" he said as he stepped into the bathroom to change.
"Be careful, just in case. Could be acting on behalf of the Master." She heavily snarked the last two words.
"I will, ma." He didn't think that was the case, but it wouldn't hurt to use some caution. He was sure Pawniard and the Demon were all that he would need on that front.
Nori sat in the sidecar as they drove to wherever they were headed. All he could tell is that it was to the north. It was hard to make conversation over the roar of the engine, so the ride only gave him time to think about how he was going to word the pitch.
They eventually ended up on the road near the shrine, which really got Nori wondering what in the world they were going. Mrs. Kurusu hung a right and turned into a parking lot. There were big yellow doors on gray buildings lined up all around like a bunch of garages. There weren't any cars around aside from a couple tucked in a corner near what looked like an office. Small wonder, a sign warned that parking was limited to 30 minutes or loading and unloading. A sign declared the name of the place, Donphan Trunk.
"She's here?!" Nori voiced his uncertainty as the engine sputtered to a stop. Of all the places to meet with Prema, a self-storage facility wasn't even on his list. In fact, he darted his head around. He spotted a security camera tucked in the northeast corner, which made him feel a little better.
"Why not?" the elderly woman asked as she smoothly dismounted. She raised her goggles to her temple and winked. "A nice private spot close to the shrine. Convenient for parking, wouldn't you say?"
Nori took another look at the door, then at the vehicle as he climbed out of it. "H-how much room is in there?" he hesitantly asked. The doors were big, sure, and there was evidently enough room for a motorcycle with a sidecar, but would this work for what he had in mind?
"Mm." Mrs. Kurusu outstretched a finger and exaggerated placing it on her forehead. "A few meters this way, a few meters that way. And a few up there, too!"
Nori grumbled. "That doesn't answer much! How much stuff is in your trunk?"
She smirked and nodded. "I don't keep much in there, just the stuff I can't keep at the shrine." The priestess patted her motorcycle. "Besides this gal, it's just some tools for working on her, a workbench with a chair – two right now—and some things I don't need regularly and didn't feel like carrying up. Of course, there's something very precious and irreplaceable there now." The woman abruptly burst into laughter.
"I'm surprised you don't keep that more secure," he jokingly scolded her with a smirk.
"True, true. It's just for a bit anyhow, and all I had to work with. But I'm sure you won't tell, right?" The woman winked.
"No." He shook his head. "Because I feel the same way about that as you do."
Her expression changed, all the joy draining out of it. In fact, her face was blank for a couple of seconds. "Well, I'm glad to hear that from your mouth," she said calmly with an approving nod.
Nori spun away as he felt the blood rushing to his face. He swallowed his words. He wasn't ashamed or embarrassed, but she somehow made it awkward. Did she tease everyone like that? Probably.
"Come!" She whistled and motioned to follow her to a garage near the corner. "That precious something is waiting for you."
In the dimly lit room that was the storage trunk of Priestess Satomi Kurusu, Prema Kannagi sat meditating on one of the chairs in the room. Her eyes were closed, yet her other senses were open to the world around her. While most would only think of the natural world, the artificial world is of equal importance. The scent of oil on the floor, the hum of the lights, the soft cushion on the seat, the cool and solid floor, the residual aura of the room's owner. It was as good a way to ready herself mentally as any.
Metal grinded against metal, culminating with a bang. The light of the outdoors brightened her vision. Prema slowly looked up to see two people standing in the light.
"Nori. Priestess Satomi." She rose from the chair and greeted them both.
"Prema!" Nori joyously said. His expression lit up upon seeing her and he stood taller. He glanced back at Priestess Satomi. "Thanks for this. Tell Mr. Jinnai thanks too."
"Consider it done," the elderly woman said with a nod. "I'll leave you two to your business."
This was the plan, to give them a place where they could meet in private. It was the best that Priestess Satomi was able to manage. As far as the rest of the shrine knew, save for perhaps Acolyte Jirou, they were doing some research for the benefit of the shrine. It was the truth.
Prema blinked, not realizing that the two of them were just standing there looking at each other. It spoke volumes about their relationship. They not only had full trust in one another, but at least how Prema felt, she simply enjoyed Nori's company. The green-haired teenager would not mind it were it not productive.
"Nori, I–"
"Prem–"
They both started speaking and stopped at the same time. Prema waited a moment for Nori to continue. When he did not, she took it as a sign to do so herself.
"Are–"
"Is ev–"
There it happened again. It was as though their thoughts were in sync. Nori smirked deeply.
"You first," he said.
She reflexively agreed as a lump rose in her throat. What to say? How to say it? There was so much she wanted to talk about, yet their time was limited. "I am very happy that I can see you, Nori. I only wish this could have been under better circumstances."
"It looks to me like things have been going badly for both of us," Nori noted, tracing a finger along his chin.
Prema shook her head at that remark. "I would not say things have been going poorly for myself. Only that I have had some fears about the worst-case scenario coming to pass. They were somewhat unfounded."
Nori motioned with his left palm. "That can still get you down, right? Pressure can get to anyone."
Prema glanced up at the ceiling, drawing in a deep breath. She held it and looked at her friend, and was forced to exhale into a soft smile. There were faint bags under his eyes, yet there was a warm glow within them. Even at a moment when he needed her aid, he still found time to be concerned for her.
"I suppose it can," she conceded, able to be honest with him. "Father is no exception to that either. The grief from losing his friend has been consuming him. I have been worried about him and the future of the shrine."
Nori tapped a finger to his lips. "Yeah, I can see why," he remarked. "If he went down, you'd have to take over, right? Since the rest of the Kannagi family splintered off?"
He was aware of the situation with the Kannagi clan? After a moment, Prema only found herself smiling and nodding. The subject likely came up in his lessons, but it still meant that he had an interest in the shrine. "Perhaps in the future, that situation will change," she said. A member of her extended family might return. Or, as Priestess Satomi stated, the shrine might move beyond blood rule. "That said, I believe we should move on to your business."
Much as speaking with him about it helped ease her mind, aiding him with Qwilfish would help further. Words were one thing. The will to take action was another.
"Okay, this might be a bit much, but hear me out." Nori held his chest out and his head high. He was calm and focused as he explained. "Qwilfish is really uneasy, and I haven't been able to figure it out. Like there's something bothering her and there's questions she needs answered. I know your family can understand Pokemon. So if you can help, that'd be great."
He was asking her to speak with Qwilfish? Prema's mind went blank for a few moments. When the thoughts finally came, they were all at once. She remained still as uncertainty gripped her heart. Though he was her friend, there were limits.
"Nori, I understand and empathize with your situation," she eventually started to calmly explain, with only a vague warble in her throat. "However, there are complications when it comes to using my abilities in that fashion."
He was not put off by her rejection in the slightest. "I know. I had to study that sort of thing. Your…" He paused momentarily, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Your relative, Kentaro Kannagi, actually came up by name."
Prema pursed her lips and closed her eyes. "Then you should know why I cannot easily agree to your request."
Kentaro Kannagi was a former Master of the Kannagi Shrine, leading it for 21 years. His tenure was before her father was born, so she had only heard of him through the shrine's elders, such as Priestess Satomi. He was considered one of the greatest Masters of the modern era before the incident that shamed him. No one had heard from him since that day he resigned in 1967. He would be in his nineties if he was still out there.
Nori frowned for a few seconds, with his nostrils flaring. After that, he stepped forward and looked her square in the eye. "Is it not true that this ability is inherent to your family?" he debated. "I don't know about your beliefs or where it's from, but I think it can help bridge the gap between humanity and Pokemon. And believe me, I tried with Pachi and the Demon, but neither of them could really understand Qwilfish. I don't have anyone else to turn to who might be able to help us understand each other. I'm not asking you to do this in any legal capacity. I'm asking as a friend. Between us. And if not, can you at least do some sort of assessment without?"
His eyes glimmered faintly in the dim light of the makeshift garage. He was crying a little. Prema turned away. She did not like this. In fact, she hated this. Her head was spinning. It was suddenly difficult to breathe. She wanted to help him. But she had to say no. "Nori, there is more to this than you are aware of," she forced out of herself.
"Prema, are you able to do this?" her friend asked. Then he shook his head, perhaps more at himself. "No. You're unsure of yourself."
She gasped and took a step away from him. Again, thoughts raced through her mind. It was not what he had said. It was correct. He realized it before she had, which is what bothered her.
Prema sat on one of the chairs. She lowered her gaze and frowned. "There are many ways in which the ability to understand Pokemon manifests itself. It is something that I am capable of. In order to open my ears to the words of Pokemon, I require an immense amount of focus and spiritual power."
"And you're not in a good state of mind."
With that, she hung her head. That was what she truly feared. The conversation would stay between them, and there was no issue with legality. She had used her powers twice recently to speak with her Pokemon. Both times had ended with her losing focus, and once passing out from the strain. What if it happened again? What if the consequences were more dire?
"Well, you won't know unless you try. There's no harm in trying." Nori snapped her out of it with some simple words. He scratched his cheek. "Um, is there?"
Try. Prema smiled. He had put it so simply. It was not something she could often do, with so many eyes upon her. Unlike him, she did have a reputation to live up to. But this was between them. "If it is you, I suppose not," she conceded. Were something to go wrong, he would not judge.
Nori's eyes again began to glimmer, for a different reason than before. He froze for a second. "Prema! I…" He lost his voice for a moment, but his huge open-mouthed smile said more than any words could. "Thank you!"
She chuckled. "I suppose this is my duty. As a diviner, for the future of the shrine, and…as your friend." Everything was now in perspective. This was how she was going to help Father. Priestess Satomi must have intuited this. She turned towards a large wooden drum of which she was uncertain of the purpose of until this point. "I understand now why Priestess Satomi brought this."
"Barrel?" Her friend smirked at the sight of the water-filled object. "A rainbarrel she can sit in. She must've known exactly what I wanted to see you for."
"She is an expert at discerning the intent of others."
"Okay." With a nod of determination, Nori retrieved the Dive Ball from his pocket and moved towards the rain barrel. "You might want to stand back. Maybe somewhere where you can take cover."
Prema moved to the front of the garage as instructed. Her friend raised his shoulders and rolled them back. After stretching out his arms, he manually opened the capsule and let his Pokemon out into the barrel.
It was just big enough for her to float in. A squeak echoed through the room as the Qwilfish materialized. The sight of her trainer caused her to snort and stare at him. Though there was something else there. Her eyes were wide and she was as far back as she could be.
"Better than I thought," Nori remarked to himself before addressing his Pokemon. "Hey, Qwilfish. Sorry about…putting you there. I hope it helps! Um, I have someone who can talk to you." He motioned with a palm as if to present her.
Given her cue, she stepped forward and bowed to the Pokemon. "Hello. Give me a moment to prepare."
"Good luck," Nori encouraged, before scuttling back a few steps.
Prema closed her eyes and began to empty her mind. This was for Nori. She bent her wrists and leaned her body forward. This was for Father. She focused her breath and ears to let whispers flow freely. This was for the future of the shrine. She focused her thoughts upon the Pokemon in the rainbarrel. Above all, this was for a lost Qwilfish who desperately needed salvation.
Eventually, it was done. "I am ready," she declared as she looked upon her Pokemon.
There was a brief moment where Prema's heart still felt heavy. Did she do this correctly? Her doubts were extinguished when a lofty and cynical feminine voice reached her ears. "This is a waste of time."
Prema could not contain the beam that came to her mouth. "It will not be a waste of time, so long as you are willing to speak with me."
The pufferfish emitted a strange sound; Prema was uncertain if it was just a vocalization of surprise or an untranslatable word. In any case, the Pokemon's eyes shot wide open. "You can understand me?"
"I can, yes."
Qwilfish waved her tail and pointed it at Nori. "Then teach him to do that!"
Prema blinked. That was not what she was expecting Qwilfish to say. She set the record straight. "This ability I possess is not one that can simply be learned. It takes both years of study and a degree of talent in one's blood." The Pokemon quaked while growling lowly. Unabated and undeterred, she continued, "It is for that reason that Nori has asked me to speak with you in his stead. Let me introduce myself. My name is Prema Kannagi. I am pleased to speak with you."
"Kannagi?" Her family name appeared to resonate with her internally – Prema always wondered how so many knew of her—although there was some doubt in her eyes. Qwilfish eventually snorted, slapping her tail fin against the back of the drum. "My old trainer called me Spike, but I don't care anymore."
"Spike," she repeated, glancing back at Nori. His eyebrows shot up. He huffed and shook his head with a smirk. "Is it not a name you like?"
"It sounds like a boy name, and I'm a girl!" Spike stated. Yes, that was true. While Pokemon went as far as to not name themselves in respect for humanity, it did not mean they would always like what they were called. "Plus, it's just what Elle called me."
That would make more sense. "It is understandable if you wish to distance yourself from your old trainer after being abandoned."
"I don't even know why she did it!" The Pokemon's words came out in a rapid, anguished burst. "I didn't do anything to deserve it!"
"I cannot speak as to the motivations of your old trainer." It would only be speculation on her behalf, which she felt was not her right to do. "However, I can help you with adjusting to your present trainer. I will do my best to answer any questions and listen to any doubts you may have, so that you and Nori can better understand one another."
The Pokemon puckered and unpuckered her lips. "Okay," she eventually said. "Can you explain some things to me?"
"Yes, I can."
"He…" Spike hesitantly gestured to Nori with her tail. She averted her eyes. "He said he's my new trainer because I killed someone, and he's reforming me. Is this true?"
"It is true," Prema explained. It made the Pokemon wince and shrink back. "Nori works with troubled Pokemon to help them integrate into society. Ours and yours alike."
"But I don't need help!" the anguished Pokemon argued, slapping her tail against the side of the barrel. "And he'd just hurt me! I just know it! He already almost did!"
Prema glanced back at her friend before responding. "Nori would never do such a thing. However, I do agree that your being assigned to him is unusual."
"Yeah, I think so too," Nori remarked in response to her words. "A lot of others said that."
She acknowledged the statement and continued on, "You are not like the Pokemon he usually rehabilitates. Perhaps we were mistaken and the scope of his assignments is greater than expected. The fact remains that the leaders of our society have decided you needed rehabilitation."
The Qwilfish shuddered. She spoke sharply yet collectedly. "So why am I here? Why is what I did a big deal?"
Prema frowned. "A Pokemon that…" She had to take a deep breath. "That kills a human of their own volition. We treat those very carefully in our society. I understand that it is taboo in yours as well."
"But he was trying to hurt me!" she interrupted. "I was just defending myself!"
Prema stared at the Pokemon, unsure of how to respond. Was this how it happened? A tragic misunderstanding brought about by fear? "Spike…" Her throat ached as she opened her mouth, but she spoke on. "Qwilfish, I understand that you were afraid. But that man was only trying to help you. His name was Pete Stephens. He was a beloved figure in our culture who did much for the sake of protecting Pokemon and their habitats. He was attempting to ensure you were uninjured. Then he would have left you be, or helped you if it was necessary."
"You don't know that!" she cried out. "And why was I attacked and caught after?!"
"I knew him, so I can say with certainty that he was trying to help," she replied. "As for why you were caught, it is because they were defending themselves."
There came a squeak, like a balloon deflating. Qwilfish thrashed. "You're lying!" she accused, shutting her eyes. "You're just trying to make me look bad!"
Prema folded her hands and sighed. "I truly wish it were falsehood. But it is the truth."
Qwilfish studied her intensely, trying to read her for signs of weakness. After that, she burst into a series of strange sounds. It took her mind a moment to interpret it as a scream followed by crying.
"No! No!" she blubbered. She violently shook, sloshing some water out of the rainbarrel. "This isn't…why? I was just defending myself! Why did I do that?! Now I'm stuck here with him!"
Stuck here? Prema had been observing the Pokemon carefully. The girl figured she had the answer. "Are you afraid of Nori?" she chanced guessing. It was that or dislike.
"Yes!" She shrank back as her skin hardened. "He's loud and crazy and moody and all his other Pokemon are scary!"
Prema remained still for several seconds as she wondered how to proceed. She could understand being afraid of the Demon and Pawniard. Something must have happened with Pachi for her to think that, or perhaps much like Nori, she was put off by his enthusiastic attitude.
"I can understand. Nori himself is an outgoing individual, and he has at least one…unprincipled Pokemon." That was the most reasonable and polite way she could think to explain Pawniard. "However, Nori is also a kind and caring person."
"You're just saying that," Qwilfish droned. "What if you don't know him as well as you think?"
A possibility, yes, however slim it might be. Yet Prema could only smile. "I can prove it to you with a simple explanation. Nori is aquaphobic. That means he has a fear of being around water."
"He did say that…" the pufferfish mused. "But why? Why is he scared? It's just water. And what does it prove?"
"It is not my right to explain what caused his fear," she said. Even she was not privy to the full details of it regardless, besides it being traumatic. "But do you think that he would put up with water if he did not intend to help you?"
She pouted her lips. "No."
Prema gently nodded. "He is trying to help you in spite of his fear. This extends to his other Pokemon; he cares for them no matter what kind of Pokemon they may be. He may not be the type of trainer you want, but I can vouch for him being compassionate. So please, give him a chance."
Qwilfish looked away and closed her eyes. No one could force her to get along with Nori. Prema could only ask. She was certain that this was a case of simply not knowing her new trainer and expecting the worst. Nori had gotten it a lot from people in his youth. Prema was certain that she just needed to get used to him, and for that, needed to be receptive in the first place. You do not know unless you try.
"I guess he is trying." The pufferfish opened her eyes and looked over at him before responding. "So I'll try too."
"I am glad to hear you say that." Prema had to admit, there was a part of her that was worried. She was holding her breath, and sighed with relief at the positive answer. She smiled and looked back at Nori. Her friend idly nodded, although he was otherwise in thought. "Is there anything else you want to talk about?"
"Not right now. I have lots to think about. Like a battle he said is today." The Pokemon puffed out her lips. "Can you talk to me again?"
"We can talk whenever he brings you to see me." She was certain that Nori would have no issue with it. And that was assuming he was not able to answer things himself.
"Thank you."
Prema bowed to the Pokemon. "It was a pleasure to speak with you. I will be turning off my ability in a moment."
She closed her eyes and began the process of dropping her focus. She had made it through. It was a longer conversation than expected. In the end, she got it done. She only prayed that this would be the push needed for Qwilfish to find happiness.
Nori had watched and listened intently. Through that, he was able to get what he thought was the gist of the conversation between his friend and his assignment. It was also why when Prema started to teeter, he was able to react in an instant by reaching out and catching her by the shoulders.
"You okay?" was the first question on his mind.
Prema had to catch her breath. Once Nori was sure she was steady, he released her. She turned to him with a radiant smile. "Yes, thank you," she answered, her voice subtly straining.
"I shou–you don't sound fine," he replied, catching his instinctive response to being thanked. As their gazes met, he noted her face was a little paler. "Or look fine." He shook his head and leaned forward. He wasn't just seeing that. A small lump rose in his throat.
But his friend dispelled his concerns with a mere shake of her head. "It is nothing to worry about," she assured, in an even tone that told him that it was the truth and not posturing. "It is natural for me to feel tired after using this ability."
Nori tapped the side of his mouth as he processed it. He knew very little about how spiritual powers worked. When he thought about it from a biological perspective, however, he had an idea. "Oh, I think I get it? It uses a lot of brain power to hear and process their words, so, like, it wears you out mentally."
Prema blinked. "I had not thought about it in that sense. That is an adequate way of explaining the matter."
Nori exhaled sharply to mask his sigh of relief. So that made some sense after all. He turned to his Pokemon, who was still floating in the barrel. It was hard to tell when she was glaring. Her eyes were always like that. But she was afraid of him? Nori wasn't sure what to make of that.
"Well, come back for now, Spike…ette." Spikette would fit a girl more, right? No, he agreed, the name sucked. The boy huffed as he raised the capsule. "Gotta find you a better name than that. Reminds me of someone I don't like. Puku? I dunno." It was a taboo to rename Pokemon that have a nickname already, some said it was bad luck, but he didn't believe in that. He was sure she didn't care for the name much either. Besides, he only found out about it because of Prema. It was better if he thought of something else.
The Qwilfish only stared back without giving a response, verbal or physical. He recalled the fish and turned back to his friend. She met his gaze with a silent nod. Out of nowhere, Nori felt tired. It wasn't the lack of sleep catching up. It was more of a somber realization.
"She's really comfortable around you," he noted. Even in that barrel with barely any room to move around, Qwilfish was more at ease than he'd ever seen her when talking with Prema.
"My family has an inherent connection with Pokemon. Some know us by name," Prema explained in a matter-of-fact tone.
"She's never comfortable with me," Nori lamented as he fell onto one of the seats. He rested his elbows on his legs and his cheeks in his hands. "I don't know how I can make her unafraid."
"I am certain you will get along in time," his friend encouraged, speaking as evenly as she usually did. "She has acknowledged how hard you are trying. It will only take her some getting used to your personality."
"Getting used to…" he repeated.
That was the other thing. He was going to have to get used to her as well. That had to be part of the reason Qwilfish didn't like him much. His phobia. How long was it going to take for her to accept him? Would she ever accept that? Could he ever get used to that? Nori tensed up. The mere thought made all his limbs tighten, his head hurt, and made him want to back away.
Prema broke him from the thought. "She also mentioned you said you will be having a battle soon, and that she has no issue with it. Otherwise, our conversation revealed nothing else we have not already inferred or knew."
"I see." That was one thing off his chest. She was good to have this battle. That was one thing taken care of for tonight. Now there was just everything else.
He eyed Prema, feeling a weight on his back. She kept unnaturally still. He was sure the name of her old trainer had come up. But what good would knowing that do? It wouldn't help the situation and just end up being a distraction. One that he didn't need right now.
Nori leaned back, putting his hands on his knees. "Thanks for this, Prema. May not help much, but I'm sure it'll help a little. Owe you one."
She tilted her head. "Owe me?" the green-haired teenager asked in confusion.
"Oh." He chuckled. "I meant, if there's anything I can do for you, just tell me."
Prema closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she replied, "There is one thing."
Color him surprised. Nori threw the offer out of politeness and because it felt right. He had expected Prema to simply say it was part of her duty or that there was no need. But there was something she wanted? He leaned in, his heart swelling with anticipation.
It took her some further seconds to reply, during which she took a deep breath in and out, followed by another before she spoke. "Father has not been the same since this incident. He needs closure. It will be not only for his sake, but the sake of the shrine as well. Moreover, I am sure you have heard, but people have been harming Sinnohian Qwilfish. There are some who do not want to see them any other way anymore. There is far more riding on the line here than one life." She punctuated and finished her request with a gentle bow. "So please, Nori. Succeed in rehabilitating her. That is all I will ask in return."
Nori smirked. "Like you have to ask that," he said in response as he rose from the chair in a show of force. "I'll get it done! Don't you worry!"
His positive declaration got a chuckle out of her. Nori had to laugh too. He hadn't even considered the situation at the shrine. He thought her dad was just being a stupid moron about it. But he was suffering? And the shrine with it? So why wouldn't he judge with his own eyes? Wait!
"Hey, Prema?" He got an idea! But now that he thought about it, he rubbed the nape of his neck. "Um, I know this is sudden, but about that battle she mentioned?" He hesitated for a brief moment. Was this a good idea? Well, he already started. "It's actually today at the Mynwest Court in town this afternoon. That's sort of why I needed this yesterday. Maybe your dad can come and see what she's like in person. But just to warn you, it's going to be…" The boy's throat tightened. "She asked me, my opponent."
A pool. Slippery floors.
He spoke quickly to get the thought over with. "She wants it in a place with water. She wanted to battle Qwilfish specifically. I'm…" He sniffed and put his left hand over his face. "I know I'm going to embarrass myself. But…" His voice abruptly gave out.
"You want people to see Qwilfish."
He turned away. She intuited his plan. His real stupid plan. "It's dumb. I know."
"No. It may work." He peered at her. There was a glow in her eyes. There was something else there. Like she was suppressing something. Excitement? She was smiling a little wider, and her tone was more charged. "I will speak to Priestess Satomi and see if we can convince him. If not, we will attend ourselves regardless."
"That should help." On one hand, he didn't want her to see him like that. On the other, he knew she wouldn't judge. And somehow, knowing she was going to be there gave him a strange peace of mind. Maybe it was because he kind of feared the worst and knew that Prema wouldn't let that happen.
There was a brief moment of peace between them. There was nothing Nori wanted more than to just stay here and relax. If he could do that, he would've.
"I'd love to stay longer, but I have school today. I'd better get going." And even though there was a temptation to skip, he knew she needed to get back to the shrine as well. He waved. "Bye, thanks again."
Prema nodded. "Take care, Nori."
Nori knocked at the door and called to Mrs. Kurusu on the outside. He still wasn't sure how exactly things were going to go tonight against Emi. He hadn't even told Agent Studd his reasons. It was a gamble to be sure. Yumi changed her mind when she saw Qwilfish, but would anyone else? That was the question. When Prema said it might work, he could believe it.