Oneiromancy Is The Loneliest Number (Thel)

Breakfast was an interesting affair, with Jasmine's Pokemon being difficult about eating their own food and not someone else's. They didn't have their own spot in the Gym itself, and it was for fighting not eating! So they would fight, just over food.

Those headaches out of the way, Jasmine accompanied Thel to the lighthouse to check on the patch from the day before and discuss the upcoming conference. The window seemed no worse than the day before, and she checked on the health of her boys before getting down to the thick of things.

"So then... Johto's political structure as a whole..."

"Then I must explain it to you as one might a child.". Jasmine sat back, stroking Sirius' head where it lay in her lap. "The Pokemon League is an international organization that designates the laws concerning competitive battling. They also have a direct hand in Pokemon rights, the Rangers who protect rare wilds from poachers and more. They are the highest level of our government and generally do not involve themselves in local or even regional affairs unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Right enough, yes. It may be that they have made attempts to enter the region in an attempt to prevent a reoccurrence of what happened the last time Team Aqua surfaced. If so, there has been no word, and the rain continues.". A scratch behind the Ampharos' ear.

"Regionally, the Elite Four and the Champion, the five strongest trainers across Johto and our sister region Kanto oversee disputes and tend to what crises they can. They are few, but very strong. The highest authority local to us. Needless to say, there are many, many places they are needed right now. You met Lance, when you were first changed. He was a former Champion."

"We aren't appealing to the Indigo Plateau, that being the champion and elite four. Instead a level down from that. There are eight gym leaders in total. Of them, Morty, Falkner, Clair, and Pryce are in the best position to help us. Chuck has declined to join the meeting at all. I suspect he has more problems then we do... So I can't fault him for that. Whitney has similarly declined. Being coastal herself, that is also fair. Bugsy has agreed to sit in and listen. So six of us in all, will be in attendence."

"They are community leaders. By volunteering their support, they are offering supplies and relief workers. Their own gym staff will likely accompany them, were they to be in attendence. The decisions we make today will affect many lives. Which leaves the actual political matters and topography.". Jasmine exhaled and closed her eyes for a long moment.

"Pryce and Clair are the most inland. Their cities are the least vulnerable to the majority of this weather. Both value solitude over solidarity. Like myself, they have a tendency to neither ask for, nor give help, but they have asked in the past and been denied.". Pausing to squeeze her temples, the weighed her thoughts.

"Morty may be the most willing but least able to help. He is sheltered inland, but Ecruteak sits mostly o flat ground. Ghost Pokemon aren't known for their physical abilities, but his presence may serve to calm the populace."

"Falkner will be in distress over what these winds will do to habitats and Pokemon. He was a Ranger before he became a gym leader, and is very fond of birds of all shapes and sizes. He would be the best to care for the Swanna... Arrangements could be made."

"Bugsy is a wildcard. Nearer the water but in a raised and forested area. He had a tendency to plan ahead and complete it meticulously. I've no doubt he had his city well sorted shortly after the reports came in. He may be sitting in to hear our case, to argue for or against... Or to find an opportunity."

"Thel, I wish you wouldn't say such things.". Jasmine sighed. "You are as much a person as I am. Even before you looked human, you were. Pokemon are intelligent life with their own goals and feelings. To say that you aren't like us, just divides me from you and belittles them and their struggles.". She took a breath and rubbed the Pokemon's belly.

"The world you are in now is larger in scope, and the one you left seems insignificant by comparison, but it isn't. It wasn't to you then, and it isn't to the brothers and sisters you left behind."

"That is called being a child, Thel. Humans aren't born into a wealth of experience, instinct, and social structure. A newly hatched Pokemon of many species can be more dangerous then most humans half my age for that reason. That you don't know your place in the world is all too human.". She rose and gave her friend one last rub of his belly. "You are young, but that doesn't make you less a person."

"It is about that time. The boys are tended and the window looks fine. Let's head to my office and get the conference started.". Jasmine exhaled slowly. "Maybe stop for some tea on the way home... Something to soothe my nerves. Haven't been this jittery since my E4 trial."

Crowding into one of the small cafes that remain open, catering to the needs of the cold and soggy, Thel bumps into Mable while he and Jasmine wait for their drinks. The gym leader offered him something called a chai tea.

"Oh... Hey... Hey Thel..." Mable cradled a coffee close, looking like she was struggling to sleep lately herself, and like she had sprinted from campus without an umbrella.