Just a Face in the Crowd {Annie and Amy}

[Annie Prince]

Perhaps Annie's favorite thing about the Wave Dorm was that it had its own river inside the building. She liked to sit near the cool, flowing water and just listen to it for a while. It was so peaceful.

Annie had let Senka out to explore this part of the dorm. The Sneasel was so curious, and she had spent so much more of her time in her Poké Ball than Dušana had because Annie didn't think it was safe to let the Sharp Claw Pokémon roam around during class. Dušana was timid and needed to get used to different situations; the worst that would happen was that she would hide. Senka, on the other hand, needed supervision to ensure that she wasn't... up to something. So Annie sat in the living room, and watched her Sneasel, and listened to the musical sound of the running water.

[Amanda Dupomme]

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{''Petite fille, pourquoi êtes-vous seul?''}
''Little girl, why are you here alone?''

Amanda was bending over, smiling pleasantly at the small Ice-Pokemon she had stumbled upon right outside her room. Although she assumed that the odd Pokemon might be seen outside a room: she hadn't quite expected to find one so soon.


If the Snowrunt had any information, she didn't say. Instead, turning around and quickly skipping away. Amanda giggled, it was a cute Pokemon. Perhaps one day she could catch one of her own.

Turning around, she set off towards the commons. It was going to be a busy day for her: she knew, and the chore-list on her notepad would be quick to remind her as such. However, as she passed alongside the indoor river; Amanda noticed a new presence: a strange blue haired girl accompanied by a Sneasel, sitting peacefully. She waved politely at the fellow Wave-Dormer.

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{''Salut!''}
''Hello!''

[Annie Prince]

A voice caught Annie's attention. Keeping one eye on Senka (because it could go badly if she didn't), she looked up to see a blonde-haired girl walking past and waving to her, having called a greeting. Before she was completely aware of what she was doing, she had called out in return, "Salut."

Then Annie's brain caught up to her. That was the wrong language. It had been years since she had spoken that language, and so many years since she had lived in Kalos that she could barely remember anything about what it was like there. She shouldn't be speaking that language; either no one would understand, in which case it was pointless to say anything at all, or someone would understand and assume she remembered more than she did.

Hopefully, the blonde would notice nothing. Annie considered correcting herself, but that would only draw more attention to her mistake.

[Amanda Dupomme]

Amanda had originally intended to walk outside, but hearing her language being spoken by another. The blonde girl beamed. Doing her best to hide her excitement: she delicately sat down next to the other girl. Gently smoothing her dress, she looked at her fellow dormer: the faint smile on her face hardly betraying the torrent that was about to come.

It was then that Amanda spoke:

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{''Oh? Vous parlez Kalosian, je ne savais pas quil y avait dautres étudiants dans ce dortoir qui pourraient faire en tant que tel. Etes-vous de Kalos, par hasard? Quelle ville êtes-vous, je suis moi-même de Camphrier, il est vraiment tout à fait merveilleux de rencontrer un compatriote Kalosian, oh mais pardonnez-moi pour la randonnée, je dois vous laisser parler ainsi! ''}
''Oh? You speak Kalosian, I did not know there were other students in this dorm that could do as such. Are you from Kalos, by any chance? What town are you from, I myself am from Camphrier, it really is quite wonderful to meet a fellow Kalosian, oh but pardon me for rambling, I should let you speak as well!''

She rambled ecstatically. Overjoyed at meeting someone from the same region as herself!

[Annie Prince]

No such luck as Annie had been hoping for came her way this time. The blonde girl came over to sit next to her and spoke in rapid Kalosian. It had been altogether too long since Annie had had a chance to listen to anyone fluent speaking the language, and she found herself having difficulty understanding it, but she did pick up enough to understand that the girl was from Camphrier in Kalos, had not expected to meet anyone else from the region here, and thought she was talking too much.

Annie swallowed. She didn't remember nearly enough to carry on a complete conversation, but it hadn't been that long ago that she and her parents had spoken Kalosian together...

"Je suis né dans Snowbelle," she began, concealing her nervousness behind a thoughtful air, "mais douze ans--pardonnez-moi. It has been many years since I spoke Kalosian with anyone aside from my father."

[Amanda Dupomme]

Amanda blinked slowly: her mind slowly processing the mental switch from Kalosian back into the language she was becoming increasingly accustomed to speaking. With a somewhat disappointed smile on her face, she lowered her head apologetically. ''Oh, I do beg your pardon for the rapid-fire Kalosian'' Amanda folded her hands neatly in her lap, composing herself. ''It's merely been a while since I have had the chance to speak it with anyone. I... well, I'm afraid I got a little bit excited.'' She elaborated, hoping she had not inadvertently made a poor first impression towards the other girl.

Smiling faintly: Amanda reasoned a change of approach. Instead, opting to extend her hand towards the other girl. ''My name is Amanda Dupomme...'' she giggled: ''...it's a pleasure to meet you, miss...?''

[Annie Prince]

Annie nodded and politely waved away the other girl's apology. She had understood enough, after all. And she was surprised--pleasantly so--to have the opportunity to practice, a little bit, this language that she had once spoken but now did not.

The blonde, extending her hand, introduced herself: "My name is Amanda Dupomme. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss...?"

Annie took it with a perfunctory handshake and returned the courtesy: "Prince. Annie Prince." She gave the other girl, Amanda, a measuring look, trying to figure out what to make of her. Amanda seemed to be easily delighted, but also knowledgeable about refined behavior--at least, that was what Annie presumed, given the very ladylike way Amanda sat and the politeness with which she introduced herself. And she evidently spoke two different languages quite fluently. Annie would have assumed, if this were an old book, that Amanda was some sort of courtier. As it stood... this was not an old book, but the silver-haired girl still felt like her unexpected companion might have just jumped out of one.

[Amanda Dupomme]

A light blush coloring her face from her earlier embarrassment: Amanda lightly held the hand of the pale haired girl, politely shaking it. Nodding politely as Annie gave her name.

Her smile now more natural: she released the handshake, placing it back into her lap as she sat upright: examining her new acquaintance. ''Well then, Miss Prince: once again it is a pleasure to meet you!''

Amanda was not quite certain what to make of Annie: the girl seemed to observe her with a certain degree of aloofness. As if not particularly interested in what was going on around her, or maybe simply the blonde herself. Her appearance was quite striking, pale skin and silvery white hair seemed to make Annie look almost glacial. With the exception of her eyes: which created a striking contrast. She couldn't help but imagine how such a girl wouldn't be too out of place in some fancy historic Parfum Palace banquet: one of the richer noblewomen, perhaps.

Overall, Amanda found herself unsure how to feel about Miss Prince. Her demeanor and appearance combined served to provide a rather chilly air, but Amanda knew assumptions were improper.

''So you say you are from Snowbelle?'' she spoke cheerfully, tilting her head slightly. ''I have been there a few times in the past, it is quite lovely. Myself, I am from the central region, Camphrier to be precise.''

Glancing down at her hands, Amanda went on: ''I did not know there was anyone else from Kalos here in the Water Dorm. Although, only having been here for a short period: I don't quite know so many people here yet.''

[Annie Prince]

This Amanda seemed to be very enthusiastic about various matters. For all her politeness, she seemed to have plenty of energy nonetheless. Annie couldn't decide whether that was odd, or if she was the odd one.

"I was born in Snowbelle, but my family left Kalos years ago," she explained quietly, "so it's hardly strange that you wouldn't have known. You say you are from Camphrier?" If nothing else, Annie could remember how to pronounce the names of the towns. "A lovely little town, as I recall. Isn't that the one nearest to the grand palace?"

She did not comment on Amanda not knowing many people. She thought it was obvious, that none of them would know many people, since the year had just started.

Why was everyone so much more excitable than Annie?

[Amanda Dupomme]

Amanda nodded, listening carefully as the other girl spoke. There was something about her that seemed to make her want to listen; even impress. Perhaps some strange effect Annie had: simply made Amanda feel a bit daunted: as if to shirk away. Rather reminding her of the roles she played as a maid, when younger.

All until the other girl asked a question about Camphrier. Amanda could feel her smile grow to Cheshire proportions. It was a subject dear to her heart and experienced extensively, this was her time to shine!

''It is!'' she beamed: ''I actually lived quite close to it, oh it was such a beautiful place. Even more so than the Shabboneau Chateu, although that was itself so very grand at that.''

She giggled: feeling unusually energetic: ''...actually, I spent quite a great deal of my time there when I was young, we had plenty of festivals and celebrations around it. Historic re-enactments, festivals, the like. I actually participated in most of them, playing various roles. Maids, town girls...'' she nodded towards the white-haired girl in acknowledgment: ''...noble ladies. I don't suppose you have ever experienced those events?''

Amanda sat proud: while likely not a particularly amazing feat by itself, her pride in her town and her region gave her no small amount of joy at having been part of it's historical community from such a young age. Certainly as a fellow Kalosian: Annie would be likely to appreciate that.

[Annie Prince]

Amanda seemed to be plenty willing to talk about her hometown. Annie was glad that she wasn't being pressed for further information, though her face kept a certain icy cast. And not only that, but Amanda's description highlighted quite a few things that Annie liked. Grand palaces, historical reenactments... she wished she could have seen such things.

It was a surprise when Amanda indicated her, Annie, while talking about noble ladies. Did Amanda think Annie was a lady? Well, it was certainly a more pleasant way to be seen than as a demon.

"I don't suppose you have ever experienced those events?" Amanda was saying.

"I never have," Annie admitted, her voice a little wistful. She didn't really want to admit how much she wanted to know more about the matter, so she cloaked her feelings behind a mask of polite interest. "Would you like to describe them further?"

[Amanda Dupomme]

Amanda smiled as she found herself pressed for information by the other girl. Certainly, it was true that the other girl remained mostly polite and reserved throughout. Yet Amanda was certain she felt that Annie was genuinely interested in what she had to say, if simply not as excitable.

Sitting up and crossing her legs for a more comfortable posture, Amanda smiled softly. It felt good to have her passions validated, certainly she wouldn't disappoint with her recounting of them.

Amanda looked up to the ceiling thoughtfully, considering which of the many things she could talk about. There was always the option of her own personal favorite: the Snorlax festival. Although she had reservations about how much the other girl would care about that one. Perhaps the Parfum Palace would be a better starting point.

''How about the Palace du Parfum, have you heard of it?'' she queried. ''It can be found at the end of route 7, right near my own Hometown actually.'' Smiling, she began to recount some details about the area.

''You see, while there are certainly no small amounts of important buildings in our home-region, the Parfum Palace is considered to oestensibly be one of the most vital to history. As it was built by the King of Kalos himself! Following the events of a three hundred year old war.''

Withdrawing a small notepad from her purse, Amanda flicked through it before showing the contents to the other girl: a rough sketching of the Palace itself.

''What's certainly the most interesting about the Parfum Palace is that while it is the subjectively the largest and most beautiful out of all the chateaus in Kalos. It is for lack of a better term a salute to war!''

Her face grew somewhat more dim. ''The war itself was a bloody spectacle, only ended by the supposed deployment of a massively powerful weapon. Legend has it that it was so dangerous, after it had been used a single time it was buried for all eternity. The Palace stands tribute to this war in many ways, most of the decorations are are of Pokemon and people that fought in the war. Generals, commanders, those that lived to accomplish greater things against impossible odds.''

Amanda sighed softly, somewhat depressed by her own narration. ''It was a very dark time in Kalosian history, and it pains me somewhat to think that the greatest national treasure we currently have is a reminder of the worst time our country ever faced.''

She forced herself to smile once more. ''I suppose that is how life works sometimes, the mistakes we make can haunt us for an eternity, yet the remnants we have from those same mistakes can be the most defining.'' 

[Annie Prince]

Annie listened with some interest to Amanda's description of the palace she had asked about. She certainly had heard of it, but not in such detail before. Amanda even had a drawing in her purse, seemingly as a matter of course!

The way the Kalosian described the palace sounded hauntingly familiar to Annie, whose hand went reflexively to her face, touching the scars there. Being defined by reminders of bad times... Annie could certainly understand the idea.

"Life is like that sometimes," she agreed on impulse. It was true, even if she didn't always share how true it had been for her.

Annie shook herself slightly and decided to steer the subject back on track. "You said there were celebrations and festivals... what kinds are there?"

[Amanda Dupomme]

Amanda felt quite solemn at that moment. In her attempts to impress the other girl with something rather more ''cool'' than what she normally talked about, she had only managed to make herself feel rather depressive. She enjoyed history, she enjoyed the remnants and the traditions brought on by it, she enjoyed how people all developed from what the past had left them. Unfortunately, those remnants couldn't always be good things: sometimes history was a list of wars and atrocities, nothing romantic or appealing about it. Even if you loved something, the unpleasant parts could overwhelm and remove any traces of pleasure you once had, if you chose to dwell on them.

Then there would only be pain: pain and regret. To the young girl, certainly someone that had yet to struggle or suffer to any significant degree in her life. The mistakes of her homeland was her dramatic back-story.

The other girl seemed to agree, and her gesture: touching the scar on her face. It did not go unnoticed by Amanda. She wanted to ask Annie why she had that scar, what could have caused it. Yet Amanda knew better, it would not be polite to prod at such things, regardless of how her curiosity might demand it. With some hope, she thought rather selfishly: at least she would never have a scar like that.

Decided against asking of the scar, she simply went for the far more simple question of:

''Are you alright?''

To the relief of the young blonde, Annie didn't seem to wish to dwell on the topic either.

''Festivals?'' she mused thoughtfully. ''Quite a few variants, actually. For example: once a year, at the grand Palace, the local regions hold a large re-enactment of when it's gates opened. It's an event as much for tourists as it is for locals that wish to relive history.''

Amanda smiled, letting her pleasant memories overtake her discomfort.

''Different people sign up to the Palace staff and welcome all visitors while playing the roles of different period-individuals. From the great emperor himself to the members of his court, their servants, the palace guard, and the staff. It's something I took part in nearly every year!''

[Annie Prince]

Annie had some difficulty determining why Amanda was asking if she was all right. "I'm fine," she informed the other girl reflexively, puzzled that it was even a question. Perhaps she looked pensive. Or perhaps it had something to do with her scars; the people she had met here before had taken her face so in stride that she had all but forgotten that her looks could be odd or worrying to others. Everyone back home had known exactly how she got those scars, and everyone she had been around here had asked so little...

It was a relief to move from that thought to the happier considerations of festivals. Annie genuinely enjoyed Amanda's description of the great historical reenactment of the palace opening, and nodded, impressed, at the thought that the girl next to her had participated in it. "What roles would you play?" The question came out naturally as anything. "It sounds--like terribly much fun.