SirSoundwaveIV wrote: Flashback dreams, ominously named churches, and april's fools pranks, oh my :V. Well done!

BulletForMyValentine wrote: I would totally live in this universe if I had that job. Making pancakes in a little, run-down place, growing my own berries, and doing a little business on the side sounds sweet.

[+] One tiny little nitpick. My eyes are blue. :V To the actual chapter, I thought the imagery and whatever-the-equivalent-for-taste-imagery is were about as good as those pancakes sounded. As in very. Nicely written chapter, man. I would totally live in this universe if I had that job. Making pancakes in a little, run-down place, growing my own berries, and doing a little business on the side sounds sweet.To the actual chapter, I thought the imagery and whatever-the-equivalent-for-taste-imagery is were about as good as those pancakes sounded. As in very. Nicely written chapter, man.

[+] Part 18 Sita stepped into the church and was immediately awestruck.



Dozens of ornately carved wooden benches stood in two separate rows, the left side painted white, the right black. A plush carpet ran through the middle of the pews, also half black and half white, with embroideries of fire and lightning in the opposite colours. The rug continued up a few stairs, stopping in front of an altar made of the same reddish wood as the floors and walls. Abstract tapestries hung between stained glass windows, sunlight somehow managing to come through both sides at the same time. Ornate chandeliers and candles waited, unlit, for their turn to shine.



But by far, the most impressive parts were the two sculptures staring at each other from either side of the altar. Each depicted a massive winged dragon several feet tall and, in keeping with the theme, were carved from ebony and marble, with the exception of their tails. Those were forged from metal alloys, leaving the inside hollow for fire and lightning to dance.



Sitad read about the subjects. They were considered the most powerful Pokémon in Unova: Reshiram and Zekrom. Reshiram, the vast white dragon, representing the truth which people sought after like moths to a flame. Zekrom, the deep black dragon, symbolizing the ideals which could change and split as fast as lightning.



Sita stared up at the mythical creatures from the middle of the room. A hand clapped her on the shoulder, snapping her out of her trance. Spinning around, she was met by a man in a fur cloak clasped with a shield insignia. Grey hair cascaded down from his upper lip, styled into the shape of a whales tail fin. A leather fez adorned his head, and though his mouth was obscured, he smiled with his eyes.



Greetings, he said, folding his arms across his stomach. The plain brown garb seemed out of place amongst all the extreme colours. In his warm, friendly voice, he continued, I am Sage Rood. What brings you to our place of worship?



 Just looking. Sita was slightly intimidated by his size, despite his positive disposition.



I see. He closed his green eyes and tilted his head towards the ceiling. Your deity is Lugia.



Sita blinked. How 



Were a long way from Johto. He opened his eyes and fixed them on the girl. Lugias gaze spreads not this far, but may He find you here nonetheless.



Still confused, all she could reply with was, Thanks.



A lavender scent drifted across the girls face. Glancing around, Sita spotted a staff leaning against one of the benches. Sticks of incense burned at the top, thin streams of smoke wiggling into the air.



Noticing this, Rood said, We are holding a service in an hour. Though I doubt you are interested in our gods, feel free to pray to yours until then. I shant disturb you.



Is that really okay? Sita asked.



The Sage nodded, taking up the staff and gesturing to one of the windows. The coloured glass formed a person in regal purple robes with green hair, hands folded in prayer. Our founder, Harmonia, Rood explained, linked the two major religions in Unova. It aligns with their ideals to have followers of different faiths within our walls, no?



Oh. All right. She chewed her lower lip, the taste of caramel still lingering.



Gods bless you, old and new.



And you.



Rood began walking methodically through the rows, chains hanging from the staff clinking as he went. Sita approached the altar, doing her best to stay as centered as possible. Nothing good could come from favouring one, especially when she wasnt praying to either.



Two spheres sat in round indentations on top of the block of wood. One looked just like the stone shed seen in the Nacrene museum, while the other was similar, but the colour of onyx. She left them both alone and sat down.



Sita crossed her legs and rested her hands on her knees, thumbs touching her middle fingers. She closed her eyes and inclined her head, imagining she were on a beach, waves gently crashing onto the sand. With her breathing matching the pace of the ocean, a calm washed over her, easing away the tension in her muscles. She planned what to say.



Oh Lugia, guardian of the seas, Sita intoned softly, hear my prayer. I beseech you, calm the waters of your domain, and let safely pass the fishermen of Cianwood and Olivine. Lead them back to their children and wives, with plenty of tasty fish to bring to market. Grant them the kindness to give some to the orphans living in the alleys, and may the leftovers fall to the mouths of needy Pokémon. Thank you.



Words came so easily when she wasnt talking to someone. She sighed and pushed herself to her feet, warm tingling spreading throughout her body. The grooves in the snowy sphere smouldered with orange light. Sita frowned and turned around.



The thingys glowing, she said, pointing.



It does that. Rood smiled  or, at least, the fin lifted. Take it as assurance that your faith is strong.



Why didnt the black one light up?



Because of how your faith is manifested.



What? Sita scowled, turned to look at the orbs.



Stared at them.



Realization dawned slowly upon her, and she let out an Oh.



Sita shook the remaining tingles from her hands and turned from the altar. The trainer and the Sage bid each other farewell and the girl left in search of lunch.



It turned out someone else was doing the same.



A girl with long black hair was walking down the road in the opposite direction of Sita. Blue eyes met yellow, then narrowed in confusion before widening with recognition.



Oh! Youre the girl from Nacrene! the taller noirette said. Sita felt like she should know her name, but couldnt recall it.



The other was in a similar boat, pressing a finger to her lips. Umm 



Sita.



Ah, nice to meet you properly, Sita. She offered her hand. Im Dawn.



They shook politely.



Are you looking for lunch, too? Dawn asked.



Sita nodded. Yeah.



Care to join me?



She shrugged. Sure. Have any ideas?



Nope!



And so they wandered. They chatted idly as they walked  or, more accurately, Dawn questioned Sita and the girl answered. The pair passed over a couple places. Businessmen began trickling out from the high, grey buildings, and Sita insisted on going into the next place they found to avoid the flood of suits.



The next place turned out to be a small confectionery shop. Lunch didnt usually consist of sweets, but therein laid the appeal.



There wouldnt be many people.



Dawn purchased a box of candies, and Sita got a parfait. Ice cream was more appealing now that shed had some actual food, and the long walk did nothing to hinder that.



They sat across from each other at a cream coloured table. Sita scooped up a spoonful of the soft vanilla ice cream, a vein of razz syrup running through it and sprinkled lightly with crushed nuts. Dawn flipped open her box, revealing an array of warmly coloured treats. They both dug in simultaneously.



As her supply of ice cream began to dwindle, Sita glanced over her companions candies. A translucent pink cube, lightly powdered, caught her eye, and she grabbed it without permission.



What are these called again? she asked, popping it into her mouth and closing her eyes to savour the taste comparable to a roses scent.



Dawn didnt object to the pilfering, at least not vocally, and peered at the legend printed on the inside of the lid.  Er Unovan jelly delights. She leaned forward. You really like those, huh?



Sita nodded as she swallowed. Delicious 



Dawn mimicked the motion, twiddling her thumbs as Sita snatched another of the jellies. So, what brings you to Castelia?



Not truly having a strong reason, Sita merely shrugged, sliding the ill-gotten snack into her mouth. She hummed contentedly.



Ah! Dawn abruptly got to her feet, grabbing her coat from the empty chair. I-I forgot!



Face red, the older girl ran out of the store, nearly knocking over a kid on his bike in her haste.



Sita cocked her head.



What had the girl forgotten ?

What's ominous about harmony?Well, you coulda told me that...So, big news everyone! My Vita deck in Sword Girls now has more wins than I have posts on this forum! Okay, maybe that's not so big... Bigger news! I got part eighteen written! This one took more research than any of my others (atheists have limited experience with churches), but I got it done in two days! And haven't slept in 20 hours! Could those two things be related? And maybe even related to how many exclamation marks I'm using?! Who knows! Have a chapter!No notes this time, too busy passing out.