1x1 Pokemon: The Road of the Tamahime (WavePearlxSAF)

@SAF the Nekomancer

The road to the Aiiro City was emptier than usual.

Normally, the road would be filled with people from all walks of life as they journeyed to the Aiiro City to wish their princess well on her birthday. But alarming rumors of yokai, wild Pokémon being more aggressive than normal, and evil sects on the prowl had spurred many to stay home.

But there were some that dared to make the journey anyway, many of them brushing up on unarmed and armed martial arts before the trip. The dojos of the good and neutral sects had reported hundreds of new students, as many sought to learn self defense for the trip.

While many in the small town of Masara had elected to stay home this year, a group of four best friends had vowed they were not going to let alarming rumors prevent them from performing for Hikari-hime on her birthday.

They had offered to escort others on the journey, but many turned down their offer.

But just as they were about to give up on offering to escort someone to the Aiiro City, someone took them up on the offer...

 

@Kittimancy

(Cafes are usually teahouses in this ancient Kanto, but musicians, dancers, and traveling theater troupes do perform in restaurants as well)

 

@Kittimancy

(You'll meet up with Ash, Misty, Brock, and Serena in town...)

 

@Kittimancy

In the town square, a band of four yokai hunters watched the people of Masara go about their daily routines:

--Ash and Serena, two best friends who were never apart for long. Ash was renowned as an expert swordsman and bansi performer, while Serena used a whip-like ribbon in a holy dance that channeled divine mahou.


--Misty, a wandering warrior originally from the seaside city of Hanada who settled down to enjoy a relatively peaceful life. She still retained her warrior spirit and sense of honor, wielding twin blades in battle.


--Brock, himself a traveling musician and storyteller originally from the mountain city of Nibi, who had the gift of singing mahou as easily as a song. His zest for life and easy going demeanor belied an expert archer and madoushi, allowing him to hit and hit hard in battle.

"Not very many on the way to Aiiro City this year..." Serena mused. Normally the way out of town would be filled with people journeying to the Aiiro City by this time.

"With all the rumors, the desire to stay home is understandable." Brock replied. "But we've agreed to escort someone to the Aiiro City, so we will pay our respects to Hikari-hime as well."

(post about the music of this ancient Kanto coming shortly--it's basically ancient China with a sprinkle of Celtic stuff.)

 

@Kittimancy

"We are them, and they are us." Serena replied--a Kantonian turn of phrase that confirmed to the asker you were the people they asked about.

"Were you looking to go to the Aiiro City?" Misty asked. "We can take you there, no charge."

 

@Kittimancy

(That works)

"Shinou? That's way off to the north..." Misty remembered.

"Well, Hikari-hime is known for her wisdom and kind nature, so it's no surprise people come from far and wide to pay their respects." Brock smiled. "Even from far away Kalusiene and Galaria...how else would we have gotten the suji and mandolin?"

"I remember that kind koujin that gave you your suji..." Ash smiled at a memory. "That rabbit Pokémon with her was very energetic...Scorbunnies, I believe they're called?"

(Kalusiene=fantasy Kalos
Galaria=fantasy Galar)

(in ancient Kantonian, koujin is a nice way to refer to a foreigner--Ash is referring to Gloria and Scorbunny)

 

@Kittimancy

"The Aiiro City sits at the northermost point of Kanto." Brock explained. "But you must first brave the trials of Victory Mountain before reaching the Aiiro Gate."

 

@Kittimancy

Misty noticed the sun was setting. "Well, it's too late to travel tonight. Come join us in our humble home for the night."

"You'll get dinner, entertainment, and a comfy bed." Brock agreed.

 

@Kittimancy

The four hunters' home was no different from any of the large houses in Masara. Some Pidgey meat was simmering over the fire in the kitchen, making a meaty aroma fill the air. The fire also made the silvery pipes of the kibakofue in the living area glitter, projecting silver lights and one gold light from the protective mouthplate cover on the wall. Some tableture was on the kibakofue's stand, signaling Serena had plans to play it that evening. The other instrument in the room was a majestic harp-like instrument on the left wall--Brock's vina. The firelight also caused silver lights from the vina strings to dance on the wall.

"Let me get some vegetables and spices from the cellar--the meat should be ready by now." Brock assured the others as they arrived in the foyer.

"Hope you're hungry--seeded Pidgey is very filling." Misty smiled.

(seeded Pidgey=sesame chicken in ancient Kanto)

 

@Kittimancy

In the kitchen, Brock added some broccoli and mushrooms to the simmering meat, then tended the sauce in another pot. The sesame sauce lent a sweet tinge to the meaty aroma, but the sweetness came from honey, not sugar.

(Most cooking fireplaces allow for multiple pots to be cooking at once, so this is how Brock has the meat and veggies, sauce, and rice going at the same time.)