paladinlost | 75th moon [video]

[ she giggles at the sight. ]

It looks lovely! More lavish than most women get for their wedding night!

Is it? That would explain why my head feels somewhat heavy. Then again, the women of Baron tend to favor headpieces over beads for their weddings.

Oh, we had that too. They were-- [ she gestures, it really does nothing to illustrate the headdresses she's thinking of. she's just making a vague shape over her head. like that! don't you see?! ]

But I think the beads are cute too!

[Why, of course he sees! His wife had the same one, lovely thing, they still have it somewhere in storage.]

I'm glad to hear that. I stopped wearing them daily years ago, but they had such nice ones in the Department Store that I had to buy them.

You should do the same for them! [ she stares at the gardevoirs for a second. do they actually have hair? she's not sure. ]

Or you can make them matching necklaces!

I doubt I'd be able to thread beads in the... somewhat hair-like part of their heads, but matching necklaces would be nice. Unless it's not fashionable anymore for mothers and daughters to wear similar accessories.

Well you could always ask them but I think it'd be cute! I still wear the bangle my mother left me! [ she holds up her hand a bit to show the jade bangle. ]

That's a very lovely bangle. It suits you well.

Thank you! I'm sure if you made something for your daughters they'd treasure it too!

If I had any. But the scarves I find for my son count, surely.

Oh, I'm sorry! I thought you meant the girls playing with your hair. [ oh well, she's relieved that he's not the 'mom' then. she was a bit confused for a bit. ]

You have a son? Is he here too?

Those two are among my girls, but if I made anything from them the others would be jealous. They'll have to take care of it themselves.

[Otherwise he'd have to make something in twenty different sizes.]

He's never been here, sadly. It's a shame; I think he'd like a pet or two.

Oh right, they really are like children. [ could Xiao'yu be jealous of how hard she's training Flaming Rabbit? ]

...I'm sorry, it must be really hard to be away from your son.

It is, but after two years and a half I've become used to it. After some time, you stop missing those who are absent and appreciate those who are here instead.

Two years! [ she knew people had been here a long time but...she hasn't gotten around to being resigned to that herself. ]

You're very strong, my Lord. I'll have to try to find inspiration in your positivity! [ her cheer comes out a bit more forced, but it's still there. ]

You'll be fine. Even after all this time, I learn much about this world every day. You still have many years' worth of wonderful discoveries ahead of you. It eases everything else.

You're right, I'll definitely be fine! [ she knows that as well even if she'll miss her husband to the point of pain...she never really grew out of the honeymoon phase. ]

You're not only strong but really kind as well! [ what a nice man, seriously. ]

Thank you. I'm glad I can be of help, if only through advice.

It's not 'only' anything! Kind words have great weight! [ she bobs enthusiastically, it's hard to tell she was down at all. ]

I'm Xiaoqiao, by the way. What's your name, my lord?

It's Cecil. Cecil Harvey. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[He manages an elegant bow for the camera, somehow.]

It's an honour, Lord Cecil. [ she returns the bow, someone with manners she recognises! ]

Have you been here very long?

[She was surprised when he mentioned the length of his stay, so probably not, but it can't hurt to ask.]

Just nine days! [ barely any time at all but it just seems to drag on. ]

That's only a start, but still a good start. One of my friends did not even last that long.

Huh? They found a way back?

Perhaps. He disappeared on the way between New Bark Town and Cherrygrove.

[ ...maybe she should walk up and down that route a few more times. it'd be good training for Flaming Rabbit if nothing else. ]

Oh, I'm sorry...it must be difficult to have to part with your friend.

That time was not too bad. He left before I had the time to become used to his presence.

[Hikaru's laughing out loud. So much laughing. So. Much. Laughing like this is pain!!]

They... they probably don't want you to see on purpose!

[Well, that's very reassuring.]

I can understand not wanting to show off an unfinished product, but they are surprisingly insistent about it.

[He laughs some more!]

If I were them, I wouldn't want you to see it at all. Ever. Not even on the day you die. They're probably already regretting this crime they've committed on your head.

Voirvoirvoir gardevoir.

[Oh dear, that sounded kinda angry.]

I think you might have hurt their feelings. It cannot possibly be that bad?

The real question is, what do Pokemon really know about styling?

[He holds up a finger and wiggles it.]

For shame. They should definitely appreciate you, if anything, for... having this much trust in them.

They're my little girls. Of course I trust them.

[Or his daughter and grandaughter, sometimes he's not sure.]

You'd be surprised. Leviathan is excellent at matching colors. She merely does not have the hands to use that knowledge.

[He pauses a moment, mentally repeating to himself the words that Cecil just said.]

I'm not sure which one Leviathan is, but if that's what you call matching colors, your furniture and closet must be an eyesore.

No, those two are Lily and Terra. Leviathan is my Milotic, and I've no doubt she'd agree with you. Then again, whatever they've done cannot possibly be as bad as what my best friend would have in his closet...

[Sad thing is, he's probably right.]

Hm, maybe. It all depends the reaction you have when you see your hair. If you hate it, then you're probably right about your friend.

[Nods!]

I still think it cannot be too horrible, unless... Did they happen to use both the long brown ones and the heart-shaped sky blues?

Possibly. There's so much going on it's like everything is blending together, to tell you the truth.

Edited 2013-03-14 01:15 (UTC)

...I'll have to take the color wheel out and give them lessons again, won't I.

[Nods... slowly]

Yep. I'm afraid so.

I thought we were done with those months ago.

Well, I guess it's safe to say that you never quite know what to expect from Pokemon.

That's for the best. That knowledge would drive us mad quickly.

[He runs a hand through his hair.]

I imagine it would! It makes sense, considering we have many Pokemon of different personalities to deal with on a daily basis.

Indeed. The longer you stay here, the more you end up raising, and the more you find yourself wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea.

I'm already starting to think that way. It's already way too much! Too many Pokemon and too hard of a journey!

It's not hard until you've been teleported to the Ice Cave or your team destroys public property, I assure you.

... Thank you for that dose of harsh reality!

[Except not really thanks because he thinks that's horrible!]

It's best for you to be warned about it. Both of these happen surprisingly regularly.

[His mouth opens.

...and then it closes...

And then he rubs his eyes to make sure this isn't some wacky byproduct of his imagination.]

...It's, uh. Colorful?

[No, it's a wacky byproduct of Lily and Terra's imagination!]

...Just how colorful, exactly? On a scale of one to ten.

[Because he knows what beads he has, and some of them... well.]

I'd say... fourteen.

[Sorry, Cecil, but at least he's being honest, right?]

[Silence. Silence, Silence. And then-]

They put the pink ones and the orange ones together, didn't they.

Afraid so.

[He chuckles, rubbing at one of his cheeks.]

Can't really fault them for their enthusiasm, but what gave them the idea to work with your hair in the first place?

They should know better. I taught them better.

[Daddy's so sad right now.]

They were looking for my lipstick and found the beads along the way, I think. They were excited at the thought of playing with them, so I gave them the go-ahead.

...I'd ask about the lipstick, but hey, that's your deal.

[A guy with his own lipstick, though. Craziness all around.]

I'd just be careful about letting them get too crazy. Wouldn't want any more unsuspecting victims.

All men wear lipstick in Baron. I fail to see why everyone else is so surprised.

[Lipstick is perfectly manly, really.]

As long as they stay at home, they'll have to keep their experiments in my hair. Unless they decide to decorate Flare's fur.

Guess it's just a cultural difference. You don't really see guys wearing much makeup around here or back home.

[...though maybe mimes. Mimes tend to powder their entire faces, really.]

And, sheesh. Here I thought Sora was bad when he dressed up Twigs with Christmas lights. Then again, I guess beads are an improvement.

Edited 2013-03-14 00:34 (UTC)

That's a shame. It'd be nice to talk to people who could offer recommendations.

[Or clowns! Except if anyone mentions clowns, Cecil might end up burning his whole makeup collection.]

They're less likely to cause burns or trip anyone, if nothing else. Unless they fall and someone slips on them.

Edited 2013-03-14 01:38 (UTC)

Why not ask around town? Given how many people are into that sort of thing, you could probably find at least one or two people to give pointers. Maybe even Erika.

[He chuckles at the thought. While the girls around town are big on fashion, he hasn't seen many guys with makeup and lipstick.]

True. There'd have to be an awful lot of beads scattered around to pull that off, though. One or two don't seem like tripping hazards to me.

Perhaps if I were seeking advice, the Gym ladies would be more open to my presence...

[Biggest ladyland he's seen since Troia, really.]

Lily would find a way to trip on a single bead. Then again, Lily would find a way to trip without any beads.

[That earns him a harsh tug on his hair.]

A clumsy Gardevoir? You'd think something so graceful would have no problem sidestepping a bead or two.

[...Sorry, Lily. He means no ill will.]

But then, I guess every Pokémon's got their own quirks.

She's improved over the years, but she was clumsy like that even as a part of Suzuki's team. Terra is lucky not to have inherited that trait, truly.

Probably for the best. I don't know what I'd do with two clumsy Pokémon... not that it's a bad thing. Sounds like it's just one of those quirks that makes her who she is.

Kind of like how Sora's a big dork who never stops smiling. Pokémon aren't all that different from people, really.

Being a dork that never stops smiling is not merely a quirk, it's a selling point.

[Necessary in every good party.]

We're not only alike in personality types and variations. Pokémon often enjoy the same hobbies as humans, too. Some times I think that the only differences between us might be our shapes and languages.

True. Things would be kind of dull without saps like him to lighten the mood.

[Lucky for Riku, he knows two off the top of his head.]

And I think those are the clearest differences. Obviously, we can't all breathe fire or slip through walls, but that's just a minor setback, right?

Or to remind the rest of the group that we can be overly foolish and serious and that we need to relax.

[Definitely not thinking of a few specific friends, nope.]

...Third difference: they can keep those powers even in this world. This general depowering certainly counts as a major setback. Otherwise, I could teleport just as well as any Abra.

Yeah, that fits Sora to a T. He's got a habit of dragging me into all kinds of stupid situations.

[He says stupid affectionately, though. No offense intended.]

I still wish we knew what caused the depowering, though. I get that it's probably to even the playing field, but then you've got people like Sabrina who can use telepathy just fine.

That's unfair, truly. I can think of many powers that would not give nearly that much of an advantage in battle; being able to read your opponents' thoughts could easily ruin any challenge or fairness involved. Or perhaps it's because her type of telepathy is native to this world, unlike our abilities?

Naive or not, it doesn't exactly level the playing field. Plus, some people can actually speak to their teams, so there's another power that doesn't completely disappear.

...You know, it sounds very much as though the powers that are kept here are those that give trainers an advantage. Or rather, those that allow trainers to communicate with Pokémon more easily.

Maybe it's because they want us to be more reliant on them and... well, trust them, I guess. I've seen people beat them around or treat them like objects because they're not used to animals acting this smart.

[Heck, he was one of them when he first started.]

You'd think people would be able to tell that is a bad idea. Then again, I must admit that I'm always pleased when trainers who mistreat their Magikarp find themselves with a larger, angrier fish.

Hey, that's karma at its finest. Plus, it's always entertaining to see them react to a giant, vicious serpent. So much for useless...

[He chuckles.]

Makes you wonder how many people actually treat their Magikarps with respect.

Those who are warned about their inevitable evolution do, if they have any sense. And if they believe the person warning them, of course. Newcomers are particularly prone to thinking that people exaggerate the change.

It looks really cute!

[ What a canned response. But with the magic of being an idol it sounds genuine and there's vocal inflection to make it sound interesting! ]

Your hair is long and pretty, and it's very suitable for accessories like that.

Thank you.

[Why, it even sounds sincere.]

I've no worn beads in quite a long time. I'll have to get used to the weight again.

[ Oh she's being mostly honest about it... She finds the act endearing as hell and wishes her pokemon ~~had opposable thumbs~~ were cool enough to preen over her like that. Of course this type of endearing to her is like a child bringing their mother a macaroni and glue project and calling it "art"... ]

Yeah, you have a lot of beads in your hair! I can't wait for you to see it. Just remember that your pokemon spent a lot of time and effort doing that!

[Hey, there's nothing greater than macaroni art! Except Rosie's paintings, of course, they're lovely.]

Of course they did. They put all their hearts in choosing the perfect beads, and they were quite careful while threading them.

Then I'm absolutely sure you're going to love it.

[ Haruka calls into the pokegear loudly, to catch the two Gardevoir's attention... ]

Hey, girls! Don't forget that ribbons are an integral accessory too!

[ Haruka points to one of her never-comes-off ribbons adorned on her head... ]

[Ribbons! He approves. So do they, for that matter.]

Not the ones you girls all use, please. Zira was wearing them earlier and they've not been washed yet.

Come to think of it I've seen men work ribbons very well in their hair. There's a certain refined elegance when a man with long hair has it tied up in a pony tail, mmm mmm.

[ She's thinking of samurai though... ]

That's more my best friend's style. With wavy hair like mine, I think braiding the ribbons in looks nicer.

[Ah, the joys of talking fashion!]

Ooh, braids!

[ Haruka fusses with her shoulder-length straight brown hair. ]

I'm a little jealous! You could do so much with your hair, like put it in a nice long braid! My hair's pretty plain, and sometimes it doesn't listen, even when I threaten it with hot irons, hee hee.

Have you tried letting it grow? I know that if I cut mine too short, it sticks up and refuses to obey my brush. A few centimetres might make the irons unnecessary.

I really should let it grow out a little, shouldn't I? However if it gets just past the shoulders my neck starts to get tickled. Maybe I'm not mature enough for them or something!

You can always save your neck by wearing your hair up, or perhaps in two side braids.

The two side anythings would be encroaching my friend Yayoi's hair style, maybe... Just one second!

[ Haruka slinks off camera for a few moments. ]

Hnn. Like... this... Oh! No, that's not it... Ah, it came loose... This is hard to do with shorter hair, haha...

...

There!

[ Haruka reappears with her hair ribbons tied to her sides and in two very short side pigtails. ]

I don't think my hair's long enough to make this style look good!

Hmmm...

[Observing the results attentively...]

Perhaps thinner ribbons would be less overwhelming? The main problem is that you can hardly see the hair itself.

[Trying to not look that amused and...failing, really. She's never been the type to color coordinate--that's Serah's thing, not hers, but...well this is just a mess.]

You might want to find a mirror before they finish. They could probably use some help.

You think so? They seem to be threading them tightly enough; nothing feels loose. They're spreading them evenly, too.

[Of course, he misunderstood that completely.]

[Of course. Okay fine time to try this again.]

Cecil, you really need to look at what they're doing before you have to undo it all yourself.

...I think they'll not allow me to undo it for anything less than a shower, after all their efforts.

[Maybe he could take an extra early one. Everyone's reactions make that sound like a very good idea.]

Then you should take an early one today. [Yes it's a very good idea...some of those colors...yeah no. Neon pink and orange just don't really work on the same strand.]

This sounds more and more like a good- Girls, please stop sitting on my hair. It's painful.

[And yet they want to keep going so much.]

[A quiet sigh. Honestly, Cecil...] Though you should also get them a distraction first. Looks like they won't let you up without one.

I can think of one.

[He raises his voice.]

Rosie, you can open that box of double chocolate brownies now!

[The double chocolate brownies must be very popular, because the Gardevoir duo suddenly takes off at the speed of light.]

[Well. That...works.]

Get moving while you have a chance. You can talk to everyone once you've gotten some of those beads out. [And found a mirror to see just what everyone was so wary about. Curiosity might be driving him mad for all she knows.]

The orange and pink ones, at least. From everyone's reactions I have to assume that they used them, and those were never my colors.

[That one orange cape is not to be mentioned. At all.]

They did. More than a few, too. [It's certainly a stark contrast to the color of his hair. Blue would be a better color--even she can tell that much.]

[There's plenty of blue in there, too! ...Right next to the brown.]

Silly girls. They should know those look ghastly on me.

[He sounds both disappointed and amused.]

[Blue on its own, then. Or a smaller, calmer rainbow effect. Because that...well...that's just a mess.]

Looked to me like they didn't care what looked good or not. [They did seem to be having fun, at least. Color didn't seem to be a problem.]

Quantity over quality. An all too common mistake with first tries.

[Why yes, that does imply that he might let them do it again.]

[The implication of that earns him an odd look.] You're planning on letting them try again after this?

They mean well, and they're enjoying it. Who would I be to deny them their mother-daughter activities?

You could always give them something else to do. Something that doesn't involve them stepping on your hair.

...I could put them on pond-cleaning duty. They'd have the advantage over the Grimers.

[Mami stares at the result for a good long time, calmly considering, before giving her detailed report.]

It's quite a statement. What's the occasion?

Lily and Terra wanted a mother-daughter bonding activity and pretty beads. Is that enough of an occasion?

Oh- No, that's reason enough. But you're very nice to lend them a template.

[And she doesn't quite get how they decided on "beading hair" as a first choice activity.]

It was me or my Arcanine. The choice was very easy to make.

[All those beads in all that fur...]

Yes- that might not end well.

[Especially if they get on anywhere as bad as a couple of her lot.]

Have they always liked beads, or crafting?

Not as far as I know. Perhaps they merely like the color contrats, or the way they sparkle in the light.

That could be it.

[Though personally she has to keep blinking when the beads catch the light.]

Did you raise both of them?

Mostly. I raised Terra from an egg, but Lily had already gained a few levels with her previous trainer when she disappeared.

Oh- So you took over the care of one of them from a friend?

[That's a topic she still hasn't really tackled... She found Madoka near immediately, after all, and isn't sure how well she'd cope alone, anymore.]

I did. I also received both of my Luxrays from her, years ago.

[Not quite received, really, but he'd rather not use 'inherited'.]

-that must be a nice, since they're a link to her, along with being your own partners now.

[Not that she would hope for it- It would mean losing her own company.

And he all but confirmed he hasn't seen the original owner for a long time.]

It is, in a strange way. But I'm glad I received them; as those Luxrays are also mother and son, I could at least keep two families together.

[The very tiny silver lining to the cloud of disappeared people.]

-I didn't even think about splitting families apart.

[This is a good question since she just bought FOUR eggs!]

Some Pokémon care little about their parents, siblings or children. But other tend to take over the Gear if their family appears on it, which can be dangerous if they are particularly large.

Then- What about your own? Do they like to keep tabs on their children?

[She did buy an egg from him, after all.]

It depends, truly. Mist likes to speak to her children if she sees them, but she'll not seek them out. Flare, Lia and Leviathan are more affectionate, while Rosie has little time for her eggs since she takes care of the whole team. Gogo, likes making egss a little too much, but beyond that...

[With Lia being the Mama Chandelure, for the record.]

Well. If the mother or father of Renata - that is the Litwick you offered me - ever want to see her, I'm happy to pass the gear over.

She's been doing fairly well, so far.

[Barring the burning of sheets and harassing baby fish, but hey. Given the Litwick nature she takes what she can as progress.]

Lia will be glad to hear that. ...Though I'm sorry to say that Avenger will not care at all.

I take it that's the father.

[She remembers a "Babette" listed when she bought the egg, but no name.]

Whoever the news is pleasing to, I'll do my best with the girl.

I'm certainly pleased, if no one else. I sell eggs to whoever wish them, but I'm always glad to hear that their new trainers treat them well.

-then I'll make sure to keep you in the loop on any changes.

[If not the latest candle pranks.]

That would be quite kind of you, thank you. Though I've no doubt she'll always be happy, with a trainer like you.

Now you're being too kind.

But you have my guarantees- She's under my watch now.

And soon you'll be under hers. They grow quite protective of us, over time.

That sounds just fine to me.

That's good to hear, as they'd do so even if you disagreed. Even flowers and caterpillars can be surprisingly stubborn.

Oh, I've already noticed- And very cuddly about it, sometimes. I'm constantly combing cotton out of my hair.

[Make what you will of that smile.]

At least it's only cotton. Cuddly Grimers or Trubishes would be much messier.

...I assume they require a low-contact relationship.

...A low-contact relationship with rubber gloves and clothes that are easily washed, yes.

I see-

And if they're especially affectionate?

One of those full-bodied rubber suits should suffice. They help against the smell, if nothing else.

I see.

...so far, I haven't had any team members with that problem, but I'll remember. And pass the advice on to my friends.

Edited 2013-04-05 22:49 (UTC)

That would be for the best, yes. Especially if you ever visit Celadon or Goldenrod.

-are these types rampant in those cities?

Not quite rampant, but certainly present. I have to clean the pond in the yard every morning before my team can approach it.

...I guess that just shows how some Pokemon can be harmful to each other or trainers, without even meaning to be...

Poison-type trainers must be quite dedicated.

That they are. The trainers working for Fuschia's Gym battle very carefully, and do their best against every opponent.

The poison specialists? Yes... I can't wait to reach their gym. I haven't been to one yet, and specializing at all is intriguing... But they must be quite a group.

All the Gym trainers are, though the leaders are always the ones with the most... interesting personalities.

Yes, I'm looking forward to meeting them...

Have you met all of them yourself?

I have. It took me exactly two years to visit all the Gyms.

-two years? That's, quite a while...

[And she wouldn't mind if it took that long for her, either, but she wonders what her friends will think of that.]

Do you keep in touch with any of them, after winning their badge?

I don't. All have very busy lives, and some are very... upset with those who defeat them.

-isn't accepting defeat sometimes part of their duty?

They shouldn't bow easily, but if they never did, no one would complete the badge challenge.

It is, but some of them have not yet realized it.

That's unfortunate... But I guess I understand.

It can't be easy to swallow defeat often or watch teammates get hurt, even for a good reason.

Of course not, but most of them manage it easily enough. There are only a few of them that do not even try.

[Oh my Etro. Cecil, you look like something that would come out if a fireworks display mated with parade confetti.]

Ah--

... Well. Let's just say that a rainbow would be envious and leave it at that.

[Really, now. If that was the case he'd be more on fire than that.]

...Envious of the quantity of colors, or the coordination between them?

More on the former, plus because of brightness of the colors.

...They added every bead they could find without caring about shades or shapes, did they.

[Not even a question at this point. He now has a pretty good idea of what he must look like.]

[About a ten-second pause.]

Yes. [Not sure if Cecil would consider that a good thing or a bad thing.]

Even the ones that clash so terribly together that they could make artists weep.

[There is a very slight undertone of whyyyyyyy in his voice.]

At least they tried?

[Or... well. He got nothing.]

...That, they did. They had fun with it, too; I suppose hairstyling is the sort of mother-daughter activity that ends well no matter what the results are.

I think that's a topic best had with a woman, considering neither of us... are.

If there is one to be found. ...Well, I suppose there are plenty of daughters here; mothers are much trickier to find, considering the average age of the new arrivals.

You could always ask one of the locals. Or even 'Mom'.

For all that 'Mom' has many daughters, she never seems to spend any time with them. Does she even have a real child?

That I'm honestly not sure of. She may have had at least one once though, considering how she acts-- or it's simply a natural mothering instinct.

One that extends to a surprisingly large number of people. I can understand worrying about the children, but the adults...

Is unnatural, I know. The fact that she thinks we're all her children makes me believe foul play is involved.

And not just with her either.

Most of the locals are aware that we are foreigners unused to their customs, at least. Whatever is happening with them, it's strongest on her.

The closest term I can think of is hypnotism-- another is programming, although a human isn't an artificial construct to be controlled through pre-written code. I've no evidence to prove all this though.

It could be mind control, but all the forms of it that I've seen involve making use of part of the victim's personality. I've no idea what trait would lead to that effect.

Mind control isn't something I've come across before, so I honestly don't know either.

Consider yourself lucky. It's not a particularly pleasant power.

[Not liking the tone of Cecil's voice.] I'll take your word for it.

There is also the possibility that everyone here is an actor, but I doubt anyone has the resources to pay them for so long. Unless they're hoping to attract tourists, in which case it's working in a very twisted manner.

[Not thinking more about mind control unless he has to, thank you.]

They must be very good actors if they're willing to be so lenient with us.

[Not exactly buying that particular theory.]

Or paid so well that even dealing with the worst of us if worth it. ...But at that point, it'd become so expensive that all the potential tourism in the world would not be worth it.

That wouldn't be logical. Just the price for keeping the police quite, let alone the civilians, would be too great and the cities wouldn't be able to handle the deficit. We may be paying for services, but they also pay us should we work for them-- more so each time we defeat a gym leader.

Which is even stranger. We are paid for our work, we pay for services and products, but I've never heard of anyone being asked to pay taxes. Yet we are allowed to use free national services such as the Pokémon Centers. The more of us there are, the more likely they're operating at a loss.

_{[--holy CRAP. It's like Lisa Frank married a mop and had a baby with it.]}

Jeezus. What did they do?!

_{[... Sorry Cecil that probably wasn't the best way to break it to you.]}

They threaded beads in my hair. How does it look?

[That reaction should have already told him how it looks, but never mind.]

... I... it's...

_{[It's like something chewed up an entire 100-piece set of Crayola crayons and then slathered it all over his hair.]}

... It'll be really attractive to all the colorblind singles out there...

[That's... Um. That's. After a few seconds of hesitation, a very human hand enters the feed, grabs some hair, and moves back out.]

...Forest green and acid yellow next to each other?

[A man has his priorities.]

On the bright side, you're probably a walking wild Pokemon deterrent.

_{[If that hair isn't a perfect demonstration of 'these bright colors probably mean I'm poisonous so don't eat me', Heather doesn't know what is.]}

Along with a trained Pokémon deterrent. Most of my team has learned better from my color-matching lessons; this'll drive them to tears.

[The girls just go 'hmph' at that and grab his hair back. Nope, not stopping.]

You must have the patience of a saint.

_{[Heather can only dimly contemplate what it must be like to have the ability to sit still despite the knowledge of what they're doing to his hair, but she admires it all the same.]}

...It's nice to see them happily spend time together, giggling over shared secrets. That must be worth a few hours of orange and pink.

[It's been a long time since he had the chance to spend with his own child like that, after all.]

_{[... Well, when he puts it THAT way...]}

... Heh. I guess you wouldn't be a very good trainer if you didn't let your Pokemon have fun every once in awhile, huh?

It's not as if they're particularly demanding. If it was Avenger asking to play with my hair, I'd worry much more.

[If it was Avenger he'd probably set the beads on fire as a precaution.]

Yeah?

What kind of Pokemon is Avenger?

A Banette. A Banette from three Septembers ago.

[That should explain it all.]

... From thr--

_{[She pauses, mentally calculating, and the implications hit her.]}

... You mean from the FOG?

I never claimed to be thinking clearly when I caught him.

[And yet he caught him, and he still has him.]

Well yeah, but... you kept him?!

His very presence was a great source of motivation for Rosie, even before he mellowed out.

[By giving her something to beat up, mostly.]

Besides, he accidentally did me a favor at the time. The least I could do was try and not set him on fire.

Fair enough, but... still.

If I'd caught a ghost from that whole clusterfuck, I'd have ditched it quicker than you can say 'Who ya gonna call'!

I was tempted to do so a few times, believe me. But we get along much better now, barring a few pranks and regular instances of poor judgement.

Wellp.

I guess it'd be in bad taste to say 'It's your funeral', huh?

It'd be unnecessary. If he wished to kill me, he'd have done so years ago.

[...That expression, he might not be familiar with it.]

You never know... ghost types aren't exactly trustworthy.

_{[Heather is a Class A skeptic.]}

I feed him, let him sleep on one of the guest room beds and buy him TMs regularly. If there's any way to keep myself safer, I'd like to know it.

I dunno, if I had a man-eating tiger, I'd be even scareder if all that was keepin' it happy was the fact that I was letting it sleep in the house and throwin' it a baby every now and then.

... That's an exaggeration, but.

The situation could be much better, I admit. But if the worst comes to pass, I have a few very sturdy frying pans.

... Well, I guess you can't go wrong with those.

Swords would work much better, but there's a very alarming lack of them here. Then again, Queen Sheila of Fabul was able to repel part of an attack on her kingdom with nothing but her cooking implements...

Well, I think I speak for a LOT of people when I say I miss the hell out of my weapons, but still... if you're resourceful, anything can be a weapon.

I can hardly argue that. I once saw one of my comrade battle using a bottle of cologne.

Look, I ain't any fashion icon myself, but... holy shit.

I taught them all about the color wheel and matching accessories months ago. I have no idea where they went wrong.

[Sweet mother of Yoshitaka Amano.]

At...least they tried?

That they did. They even contented themselves with the beads; I quite appreciate their restraint.

You look like a damn gumball machine.

...That would quite probably be a very alarming description if I knew what a gumball was.

It's a piece of candy in the shape of a ball, and you don't want to look like one.

I suppose not. One of my Gyarados loves candy, and her mouth is large enough to fit my head. She might get ideas.

Is that the dragon Pokemon that looks like it wants everyone to get in its belly right now?

Yes. I received three of them from trainers who disappeared.

What do you mean, disappeared?

They've returned home, after stays that lasted months or years. I suppose we are meant to be happy for them.

...Did they do that by choice or is it...enforced?

Because I really like it here. Really.

Enforced and unpredictable. You wake up one morning, and your roommate is gone without a trace.

[Howard starts to breathe very quickly and shallowly.]

And this doesn't bother anyone?!

Of course it does. But as the months and years pass by and the people you know disappear, there is little you can do but grieve and move on.

[Goodness knows he's had to do that a lot.]

I mean...how does society not totally collapse?

[People randomly disappeared in his old home. His old home was a post-apocalyptic cesspool.

He brings a hand to his chest and tries to breathe a bit slower.]

It only happens to us, not to the locals, so they care little about it. And we've had enough returnees to know for certain that people are sent home safely, at the exact moment they were taken.

[Which can be a very meager comfort at times.]

I don't want to be sent back. I can't. I can't breathe.

[He releases his Sneasel from her Pokéball and pets her head, clutching a bit at her fur. She growls but doesn't resist.]

[Oh dear, that doesn't sound good.]

Are you alright? You don't sound so good.

I need a minute. [gasp] Bye. [Howard shuts off his PokéGear. He'll deal with his panic on his own.]

Good-

[And it's off!]

-bye. That didn't sound good.

[But it looks like he can't help much with that.]

Edited 2013-03-29 17:57 (UTC)

--That's, uh, really...

[How is he even supposed to describe the horror that's happening there without hurting anyone's feelings in the process...?]

Believe me, it'd leave anyone speechless.

...You know, in my world being hit by a Silence spell and left unable to cast spells is generally a bad thing.

[Not neutral enough, try again. Though the girls themselves don't seem to have caught that.]

[WELL CRAP. That's what he gets for being shit at telling lies.]

... It's very, um... unique?

[Can't decide if stating the fact or asking a question.]

You just wait. They'll inspire other Pokémon with their creation and it'll soon become the new unwilling fashion.

[He kinda hopes not, though.]

NO!!

[... That's one hell of an objection, but it's for the greater good, honest.]

I mean. That way, it wouldn't be unique anymore! I think they should keep it a secret. Yeah.

[A secret that no one would ever find out.]

In other words, you wish for me to suffer alone. How cruel.

[Cecil has a surprisingly good poker face, for a paladin.]

Edited 2013-03-17 00:21 (UTC)

Oi, I never said that...

[Making it sound like that wasn't his intention at all, but if you think about it, that's basically how it is. Uh. HONESTY TIME.]

... It's probably better not to let it spread, yeah, but we'll try to find some way to save you, too.

[This time, Cecil can't quite hide his smile.]

It's fine, there's no need to save me. The girls are having fun together; that's worth a few terrible color choices.

You're very...

[What's a good word for this?]

...well, it'd put a peacock's feather tails to shame?

[Atsuro, what is even that description]

...I can look decent in quite a few colors, but peacock-like might be a little too much.

[Cecil, the warm colors were already a little too much.]

I don't mind some colours, but there is such a thing as "too much colours".

[He's not the most fashion-conscious and he still knows that.]

Indeed. I'm quite certain I explained that to them some time ago, in fact.

[They're Gardevoirs. What do they care about human fashion ideals?]

I see...at this point, you're already went past the "too much colour" part.

[Should he suggest getting a mirror...]

It seems we'll need remedial lessons after all. The other girls would know better.

[No, the sight of the orange beads might kill him.]

[Either to spare Cecil's mind until later on, but when Atsuro's most likely unable to watch, or exposes it to the beads for the reaction.

Hm.]

Yeah, they would. At least go over the colour theory.

Perhaps I should make them practice on each other first. That might teach them carefulness.

That's a good idea. After they're done with their current "masterpiece"?

Of course. I doubt they'd be willing to let me go now.

I'd like to see what their finished masterpiece looks like as well.

The more people comment on it, the more I feel it would be a bad idea.

Aww...too bad. Not even a peek?

That'd hardly be fair to everyone else who wishes to see.

I guess I'll have to deal with waiting like everyone else.

Waiting and wondering for a very long time, I assure you.

I hope my patience can endure such a long wait.

You're still young. Your patience will withstand it all.

...PPPFFFFT-

[this one's really obvious in his reaction, at least.

Just give him a second for him to stop snerking like an idiot.]

...That bad, is it? In what manner?

[Not Amused.]

In that you can literally say that someone just puked rainbows on you.

[Still snickering a bit.]

Rainbows don't include brown, gray and pink.

[Have I mentioned all those colors are present in there? Because they are.]

Maybe I should add 'and then some' there, then.

[yep.]

That would work, though they'll not stay there very long.

[So removing this the moment they let him.]

You sure about that? They look preeetty adamant about you not removing them.

[just saying bro.]

They do know I'll have to wash my hair sooner or later.

[Preferably sooner.]

Well, think of this as practice before you eventually get a daughter or something.

That's a rather unlikely possibility at this point, but some practice cannot hurt, yes.

You never know, anything can happen in a married life, after all.

[SHRUG.]

Such as quintuplets that share a passion for hairdressing, pretty clothes and goblin-hunting?

[That is quite possibly the worst case scenario.]

...Let's hope it doesn't get that bad.

I'd not mind all that much, to be honest.

I'm guessing you're kinda used to a rowdy household?

Of course. I've lived in one for two years and a half, after all.

Must've been nice living with a family.

[He hasn't been in once since he's like. 14.]

It's even nicer than I ever imagined it would be.

Well, you never know what you're missing until you either have it or lost it after all.

[thumbs up.]

It's much nicer to learn by obtaining it, however.

'Course it is. Losing things never is a fun thing to go through after all.

Unless it's applied to colds and debts, but that does not happen often.

Let's not forget loan sharks too.

[...like a kingdom could even be bothered by that.]

Unless you count loan sharks lost in mysterious and suspicious circumstances, but we'd done our best to stop that.

[Loan sharks are citizens, too. ...Supposedly.]

Boy, you sure have a lot of things on your shoulders, huh.

[not that he expects any less of royalty.]

Quite a lot, but taking care of them helps Baron and its people. It's more than worth the effort.

Well, yeah, peace tends to be harder to maintain than conflict after all.

It's not too difficult. We have good relations with every other country both over- and underground, luckily.

...Boy, your world must've been pretty big to even have an underground kingdom.

Technically we have two, if we count the Feymarch. Along with three other smaller settlements, including the Sylphs' Cave.

A spaceship, underground kingdoms, monsters of every sizes... It just gets more interesting the more I hear it, to be honest.

Truly? In that case, perhaps I should find a way to encourage otherworldly tourism. So should most worlds, if possible.

Thing is, I don't think my world's capable of that kind of technology just yet.

[since it's obvious his world is one without magic.]

...Neither is mine. We'd have to find whatever allows us to be here and copy it, somehow.

Hopefully without things exploding, I presume?

That would be very nice, but with our luck it's powered by Voltorbs.

Don't. Jynx it.

[Get it, Jynx?

yeah that's bad isn't it.]

[Yes it is, but it still gets a laugh out of Cecil.]

I'll try not to.

[Icon is the most appropriate face.]

...It's like someone dyed a Silver Chocobo the color of the rainbow, yo.

That would never work. A Chocobo would fight back after the first feather.

[A beat.]

...You also have Chocobos in your world?

True, ya'd probably end up gettin' the thumpin' of your life if ya tried ta dye one of those birds.

...Whoa, hold the PHS, ya had 'em too?

A few worlds do, including mine. But they are only a handful amongst all the lands represented here.

Huh, never figured that different worlds would have the same critters on 'em. Would be nice ta meet some others that have similar creatures...

Yeah, been talkin' ta some people and their worlds seem really different.

A surprising amount of them have no wild monsters at all. It's even stranger than thinking about worlds that have no Chocobos or Eidolons. But even between worlds that have those, the technology levels can be surprisingly different.

Eh, none at all? Must be a borin' kinda life.

Yeah, so I've heard. Just talkin' ta some people here... so much is different. Thought my world was pretty up on its tech, but now I ain't so sure.

Does it somewhat compare to the local level, at least? Mine does not have technologies that this land takes for granted, such as electricity. Arriving here was a bit of a shock.

75th moon [video]

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