The barracks of Songstream Hall were pretty barebones in all honesty. Several Bunk Beds were set in rows, in varying sizes, with small bags and chests sat at the foot of each of them in a large rectangular room. Many were unclaimed, but it was easy to tell which bed belonged to whom. Whether it was the small decorations that sat on or around them, or the state of some of them, such as Squegg's unkempt blankets and crumbs of food littering his bed, or Rio's bed being surrounded by flowers and brightly colored dresses.

The barracks were empty, with the exception of one lone figure in the dim lights. It was none other than Pandora, who was busy polishing a crystal orb the size of her head to a perfect sheen. She sat near her bed on the floor, surrounded by several other strange objects. There was a deck of cards with strange pictures on them, a map of various constellations, a pair of bent copper rods, and other various fortune telling and divination paraphernalia stacked neatly on the chest by her bed.

Her being the only other Pokemon down there made it all too easy for Gale to find the Absol. One small issue still had to be overcome though; the matter of drawing Pandora’s attention. She seemed preoccupied to put things mildly, as well as Gale not being the most assertive mousey creature around. A light tap probably wouldn’t do; at best he’d be looked at funny, but at worst he could startle the woman. Well, she didn’t look like the easily startled type, but if she WAS, then Gale had no intention of paying damages for the crystal ball he might or might not end up being the cause of breaking. In the first place, Gale would need to-

-focus, and remember why he came here rather than get lost in his musings. [color=6CB0FF]"Uhm, excuse me?"[/color] he’d try to reach out. [color=6CB0FF]"Are you Pandora, by any chance?"[/color]

The Absol flinched ever so slightly at the sound of Gale's voice and touch. She looked around, somewhat confused, before looking down at the little yellow and blue creature. She set down the cloth she was using on the chest next to her, amongst the various other tools that laid there before turning back towards Gale. [color=9966cc]"Yes, that's me, who are… "[/color] she cocked her head to the side, eyeing up the small creature in front of her, seemingly taking in every detail. [color=9966cc]"Ah, you're one of the new recruits. Gale, was it? Do you require my services? If you've lost something I might be able to help you find it. Or I may be able to illuminate what lies ahead."[/color] As if for emphasis she looked over and put her paw onto a nearby stack of cards.

Gale shot it a quick glance, then back at Pandora. [color=6CB0FF]"...Yeah. Gale. I’ve come here for…"[/color] he’d voice, his words petering out as Gale took a hard look at the reason he actually came down here for. Sure, he came to get [i]his[/i] fortune told. And, truthfully, he’d appreciate any clues to his personal goals- to finding his sister. His first instinct was even to ask about it, just now. However… he couldn’t do that, not now. Both Ting and Fio were preparing for the mission and Gale couldn’t just be selfish when others were relying on him. Hurricane always did teach him to be a good brother to Breeze like that. [color=6CB0FF]"Actually, I’m going out on my first mission soon,"[/color] he’d say, [color=6CB0FF]"and I’m not doing it alone. I’m going with two other recruits, Fio and Ting. I wanted to know our fortune for the road, if it’s not too much to ask."[/color]

The Absol smiled gently at the seemingly shy boy's request. [color=9966cc]"Of course, of course. A little illumination for the road ahead. I'll tell you what I can. Now then…"[/color] Turning her head once more, Pandora’s eyes began to glow a soft violet hue, as the cards she had her paw on began to slowly shuffle themselves, turning in various directions and rearranging their positions for but a brief moment, until the cards were once again still. [color=9966cc]"Just a little trick I picked up during my travels. Only works on light objects like cards, though."[/color]

In one swift motion, Pandora swiped the top card off of the deck and onto the floor, face down. [color=9966cc]"Let's see what fate has in store for you today."[/color] She flipped the card over. The card had a picture of a cart, pulled along by two Rapidash in full gallop, the cart containing a thin, featureless bipedal figure holding some sort of golden staff under a starry sky. Although to the young Minun, the picture was upside-down. [color=9966cc]"The Chariot, in the reverse position. The Chariot in its reversed position usually represents opposition, or roadblocks of some kind. Perhaps you will run into a 'bump in the road' as it were. Or perhaps…"[/color] the Absol's voice trailed off as she seemed to explore her thoughts momentarily. [color=9966cc]"You may encounter a problem you cannot face head on, and you may have to approach from a different angle."[/color] She looked up from the card to Gale. [color=9966cc]"If I were you, I'd be wary of trickery, and try not to focus too much on things out of your control. Focus on the how and why, as you may be focusing your efforts on the wrong problem."[/color] She picked up the card and slid it into a random spot in the deck sitting on the chest.

[color=9966cc]"I wouldn’t be too worried, all things considered. If anything terrible were to happen to you, Kick would be on the hunt to bring you home safe personally. But otherwise, is there anything else I can help you with?"[/color]

Gale put his paw to his mouth. [color=6CB0FF]"Anything else…?"[/color] he repeated after her, pondering the offer over. The offer was tempting enough, but he felt like he shouldn’t take too much of the Absol’s time. [color=6CB0FF]"Well… maybe not now, no. I’d like it if I could come by again later, though. I might want my fortune told again for something else..."[/color]

Gale would’ve been lying if he said he hadn’t got other things on his mind, but they could wait at least a little bit longer. He shouldn’t hold up his team or his senior any longer. Further, he needed time to think about what that prediction meant. From the sounds of it, this first mission wasn’t going to be nearly as routine or simple as Gale had hoped. [color=6CB0FF]”Thank you for your time,"[/color] he said with a quick bow of respect, turning to rejoin his teammates.

[color=9966cc]"Of course,"[/color] The Absol mirrored Gale's bow. [color=9966cc]"Feel free to come back any time."[/color]