Oneiromancy Is The Loneliest Number (Thel)

"Maybe trying to sleep again... The nightmares these last few days have been twisting my insides in such terrible ways...". She admitted as the conversation carries on. "I could make some time for you, what did you have in mind?"

"O-oh... What about... Six O'clock? I can meet you at the gym, or in the main hall?". She seems curious, if a little stricken by the offer, pausing to wipe her eyes.

"Here Thel, your tea... It'll be hot, and have a milky texture to it with some spices added.". Jasmine warned him as she handed him his drink. "Who's your friend, Thel?"

"I should really be going. It was nice meeting you Jasmine.". Mable scurries out into the rain, the gym leader's attention following her. "What a peculiar girl..."

"Some more than others.". Jasmine replied in a strange tone before shaking her head. "Let's get settled in for the conference... We can talk more later."

Jasmine's office is well kept but scarcely used as far as Thel can tell. A wide, stout desk with a video monitor that folds under a glass writing surface swivels up and out as she punches in one number after another, the monitor dividing into segments to reveal each face as they answered.

To have them both in the picture, they needed to be sitting rather close, hip to hip even, but Jasmine had insisted he attend and so there the boy was.

The first to join was a purple haired boy of a build similar to Thel's, with a bright expression and a modest green outfit that looked like it was more suited to exploring in warmer times. A large spider, similar to the one Thel had saved Serenity from sat on his shoulder.

Rapidly, and in short order a series of new faces joined the call, with Morty arriving towards the end. A male with ice white hair and a passive, stern expression. A female with bright blue hair and an imperious look. A man in his early twenties with violently spiky hair was the last to join.

"Thank you all of you for agreeing to this council.". Jasmine began. "With me today is Thel Lucasta, one of the Evolution Horizon Pokemon we have discussed in the past."

"Thel, it is good to see you again.". Morty gives a placid wave. "Decidedly more feminine then Em had described but I have heard good things.". Clair made unabashed comment.

"Fewer pleasantries and more business, if we could.". Pryce grumbled. "Some of us have things to be about."

"Flowery words for a Pokemon in a human skin.". Pryce snaps, but it immediately provokes an indignant reaction from Clair. "She's got better then ice in her veins at least!". "Better I make way for the problems of others, because record setting snows in summer is something I well prepared for.". "No one asked you to be here you curmudgeonly old man!". "It's a matter of state. Called responsibility. Maybe if you children had a grasp of it we wouldn't be having this talk!"

With Thel's grasp of social tells, Bugsy is barely containing his amusement at the spectacle. Falkner rests his face in his hand. Morty releases a small red spindle with purple eyes and little lightning bolts for arms, mumbles something to it, and it disappears from screen.

"EXCUSE ME!". Jasmine cuts into the ongoing argument. "WE ARE NOT HERE TO BE PETTY, NOR DISCUSS THE NATURE AND MERIT OF ONES BIRTH!". "Of course not, just how we can help you.". "Not me Pryce." Jasmine jerked her camera to face the desk, and started sliding photos of the progressively worsening Olivine. "I am NOT the only one living in this city."

"Blackthorn's residents have significant stockpiles of food and wood, more than ample water with the snow. Her people are self sufficient and will manage in my absence, but two strong bodies will not be enough for the tasks at hand. I would rather hear the state of each city before going anywhere.". Claire offered with a sharp look in her eye.

"Sprout tower has taken significant damage, and Dark Cave is becoming a flood zone. The Ruins of Alph, too, a site of great historical significance is at risk. The water is forcing many Pokemon from their habitats and sends them encroaching on people's basements. The Unown have been the worst for it.". Falkner explains with remorse.

"Unown?". Morty sits straighter at that. "What are they doing?". "Plastering every livable surface in town with creepy messages that don't make any sense? Stuff about the rose half dead, a war of land sea and sky, and the word "Essentia" repeated over and over?"

"I should like to hear of these dreams, in as much detail as you can muster.". Morty urged gently. After a brief moment of consideration, Falkner nodded agreement. "Dozens of Pokemon expressing the same warning, and an Evolution Horizon subject knowing of the same... I would like to hear it too."

"Enjoy wasting your time then.". Pryce snipped once more before hanging up, which prompted a disappointed sigh from Bugsy. "I do do enjoy the squabbling. If only Whitney and Chuck were here, we could repeat the 'put on a shirt's argument.". "Nice of you to join us officially Bugsy.". Clair smirked coyly.

"..." Morty holds his chin between a thumb and a forefinger. "Context is important to dreams. What is a Salazzle to you Thel? What emotions do they invoke? What do you see them as?". The remainder remain quiet but listen in with degrees of curiosity.

Silence was the first response Thel received. Clair sat back and rested her thumb under her chin, pointer finger along her cheek. Falkner folded his arms across his chest. Jasmine gently squeezed the boy's shoulder. Morty nodded slowly.

"It sounds like this 'Essentia' is a dangerous absence of free will. I'd need to be present to really glean more from your accounts though. Either way, dangerous portents... Would the Rangers be enough to make headway on new habitats?"

"Doubtful.". Falkner replied sullenly. "I might manage.". Bugsy offered, catching attention.