First Impressions

The greeting does well to lighten the mood, even drawing a sincere grin from your formerly nervous features. Arro and Lyra both share your smile, glad to be done with the dour standoffishness that previously blanketed the room. In an effort to deny its return, you begin to speak.

“Sooo, uhh… thanks for the help with the feral back there.” You motion over your shoulder with a thumb. Lyra doesn’t immediately respond, and for the briefest of moments, you’re almost certain you see her smile falter with a twitch annoyance. You then hear the Vaporeon to your left clear his throat loudly. Assuming Arro is being coy, you roll your eyes before adding, “And of course, your Stalwart Defender did his village proud!” You turn to shoot him a sarcastic look, continuing, “After he was able to scramble out from under that… door…?” Your words catch as you look upon what you’d thought to be another of Arro’s patented smirks, finding instead a look of genuine concern. Looking back to Lyra, you see that she too has lost some of her earlier warmth.

“I apologize, Chieftain.” Arro speaks quickly. “It escaped me to explain to our new friend here that we find the word Feral,” he turns to meet your confused stare, “to be somewhat distasteful.” You cock your head a bit at that, recalling more than a few instances where Arro had freely used this supposedly forbidden phrase. You think to state as much, even beginning to open your mouth, before his expression suddenly shifts. His palms are raised defensively, ear fins folded back, and a slight look of worry comes over his features, all of which culminate in a rather flustered looking Vaporeon. It’s a welcome feeling to have the normally bold and playfully assertive pokemon on the back step, practically begging you not to rat him out to the esteemed Elder Lyra. So much so that you can’t help but return his look with a devilish half-smile.

“I am sorry, Ma’am, for my rudeness.” Comes your reply. Hiding the grin behind calm stoicism, you turn back to face the woman, offering a repentant nod as well. You catch the slightest hint of an exhale from your left as you continue. “I didn’t think to ask about any local customs that I might observe. One of my many, MANY flaws, isn’t that right Arro?” You shoot a devious wink to the Vaporeon who now seems to be fighting the urge to blush. “I meant no offense, and I’ll be better about it in the future.”

This earns a diplomatic nod from Lyra, the sudden heaviness in the air dissipating soon after. “You are blameless, Stranger.” She offers calmly. “We do not expect outsiders to know our ways. I, instead, take heart as the less that others know of Cove Crest in these dark times, the better.” She leans back upon the cushioning beneath her, resting easy against the base of her tail. Following her lead, you reline in your small straw pile, glad to be making some progress with the solemn woman. “You can appreciate the need for caution with the lives of my people, yes?” You quietly nod, not wanting to speak out of turn. “I am glad we understand each other.”

Taking advantage of a pause in the conversation, you decide it is time at last to begin your journey proper. “As Arro mentioned earlier, I arrived before yesterday's storm. At the time, I thought only to get out of the rain. A need which was more than provided for by the generosity of your guardian, here.” Casting a thankful smile toward the Vaporeon, he returns your praise with an exaggerated bow, sweeping arm and all. “That said,” You continue, facing the sleek older women once more, “I had another reason for seeking out your village…” Over the next few minutes, you explain your decision to search for the source of the infection plaguing the land. Elder Lyra takes it all in as stoically as ever, never interrupting or asking for clarification, content to let you volunteer your reasons as you will. “..Soo, that’s why I’ve come to you this day. I’ve no idea where I might start looking.” You shrug helplessly as you conclude your piece. “I had hoped you might-”

*CRASH*

The sudden racket from the adjacent room Lyra had previously emerged from has the three of you jolt upright. Arro is the first to his feet, a look of grim seriousness in lieu of his normal disposition upon his face. You are quick to rise as you follow him to the bead-covered archway, neither of you breaking the now deafening silence. Just as you prepare to breach the dangling shell behind your friend…

“Boys…” Lyra’s voice is quiet, barely a whisper, though the sudden noise makes you flinch despite yourself. “I ask for calm.” The elder slowly stands, no haste or sense of urgency in her movements. The pair of you are thoroughly confused as she easily makes her way across the room, stepping up to the entrance to her quarters. Arro begins to express concern, but is quick to hush when the Milotic places one of her large hands on his shoulder. “There is nothing to fear, my friend.” If the words are intended to ease the apprehension in the room, her sullen and unsteady tone indicates that Lyra might be trying to convince more than just the two of you. With a heavy expulsion of air, the chieftain ducks below the arch and steps through the decorative curtain.

Left stunned by Lyra’s vague words and sudden disappearance, you share an awkward stare down with Arro. Neither of you are certain of how to proceed, and the seconds tick by as you both listen intently for any more signs of distress. “Should we go in after her?” You silently mouth to Arro, unsure if you should risk another social faux pas by invading the Elder’s private quarters. She seemed completely unphased by the noise and judging how she handled the previous threat, you don’t doubt her defensive capabilities. The Vaporeon merely shrugs, likely coming to the same conclusion as yourself.

“You both may enter now…” Comes the soft, somewhat out of character invitation from within. “ I… I urge you to remain civil.” Her voice is barely a whisper now, and the grave undertone is not lost on you. After another nervous glance to your friend, you draw back the curtains with a handpaw and take the lead inside.