82nd moon [video]

[paladinlost]

[Tap tap tap, goes a hand against a wooden surface. A counter, probably, since all the video shows is the ceiling of Celadon's best bar.]

On the one hand, Rosa is not here to dine with me tonight and I've won no badge today. On the other hand, I'm not still suffering from painful burns all over my limbs. All in all, I'd consider this third anniversary acceptable.

[The tapping is almost a song by now, one that could be familiar to him but to no one else.]

But I never was one to be content with a merely acceptable situation. Thus, let's improve it together. Reply to me on the network, and I'll offer you the most sincere compliment I can think of; come see me in person, and I'll pay all your drinks tonight. That sounds fair enough to me.

[It also sounds better than drinking the night away by himself, which is the important part.]

Comments

[video]

[voidportrait]

[She knows sad drinking when she sees it, and she's got no idea who this guy its but it looks like it blows for him. Plus, he's kid of really hot so ofc she's gonna respond either way.]

Man, if I still drank I'd totes take you up on there offer. I quit a few months ago though, so even free drinks are a no go.

[So what if she's only sixteen and even def looks it. Do Johto and Kanto even have a legal drinking age?]

So, like, does that mean you've been in this place for three years now?

[video]

[paladinlost]

If alcohol is a problem, there's always orange juice. Though a bar would possibly still be inappropriate. ...Which gives you your compliment: your willingness to renounce drinking is admirable.

[His second month involved getting completely drunk with a sixteen-year-old friend, he can hardly talk.]

Three years today, yes. There are still a few people who arrived here before me, but less than there were last year.

[video]

[voidportrait]

[It gets her to smile brighter at least. The more she hears that, the easier it is to believe it.]

Five months sober with only one hiccup, yup.

[But then she pouts because dammit that's a tempting offer.]

As awesome as that sounds, also kinda all the way over here in Pewter right now an' got no idea how long it would take to even fly out there. Waiting takes away the fun of having someone to keep you company.

[Her life. Can't even keep a hot guy company.]

I'd say it's kinda awesome to be here for so long, but that's all a matter of opinion. How do you feel about it? But if you'd rather talk about something else, that's cool too, I totes understand.

[video]

[paladinlost]

That's an excellent start; I doubt I could last that long without a glass of wine at dinner. ...And considering that flying here from Pewter takes more than a few hours, I think I'd be counting bottles instead of glasses by the time you arrived.

[Life is made of small injustices like that.]

...It feels more than a little strange. I've not seen anyone from my world in almost two years barring those... strange weekends, and that's two years too many. But I've also met people I'd never have known otherwise, and I've become quite attached to my team. I don't know if I should be happy or sad.

[video]

[voidportrait]

[She suddenly misses portals and teleportation pads. Those things were awesome and so convenient.]

Yeah, it's kind of a mixed bag there. I count myself super lucky that one of my friends was here for me when I arrived, dunno what I would have done without her. And I know there's important stuff I gotta do back home and I miss the ones that aren't here, but my pokeboys are like my babies now and I don't wanna give them up either.

But you know, it's not good to dwell on things like that. Lookin' at what you don't have doesn't get anyone any where, so it's best to just be happy with what you've got. There's always a bright side to everything, you just gotta be looking for it or you'll lose it in the void of what's not there.

[Video]

[alonelyworld]

Who's Rosa? Is she a friend of yours?

[Video]

[paladinlost]

Rosa is my wife. She was present here for a few months, during my first year.

[He speaks of her with love and happiness and fuzzy feelings.]

Now, your compliment: your swift progress through the Gym challenge is impressive!

[Video]

[alonelyworld]

Oh. Do you think she'll ever come back?

Thank you. I've been trying my hardest.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

...I've no idea. But if she did, I'd be the happiest man in the world.

[The only thing better would be having Ceodore there, too.]

I can see that. Seeing how type experts battle with their favorites is quite interesting, is it not?

voice;

[capax_infiniti]

By third anniversary, one would assume you mean of your tenure in this place?

As for a compliment, there is no need. I am far to new to have even the basest acquaintanceship with anyone here.

[video]

[paladinlost]

If you are so new, I must say that you are taking your new situation better than many!

[There might be no need, but Cecil wants to give them.]

And yes, that is what I mean. There were about three months' worth of arrivals before mine, but few still remain from that time.

voice;

[capax_infiniti]

[He chuckles pleasantly.] One could say that I am well-versed in traversing new worlds. Arriving here was only marginally different than anywhere else.

[Though the loss of power was a bit of a kicker, he's taken that in stride. Sometimes worlds have specific rules to them.]

You must have quite the base of knowledge of this place, having been here for such a time. Is there anything you would care to pass on to those who are just starting a legend of their own?

[video]

[paladinlost]

Well-versed, you say? You're very lucky. This is only my second time, but that's still more than most here.

[That's one rule he's pretty sure no one likes, though.]

Of course. Would you like to hear about the Pokémon themselves, the different towns, some little tricks that could help you along the way...?

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Free drinks somewhere I'm not? You're killin' me here, Cecil.

[video]

[paladinlost]

Is it not a good incentive to discover the secrets of teleportation, instead? ...Also, your ability to survive everything the world throws at you with so few injuries is the greatest I've ever seen.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Eh...I kinda specialize in being a tough guy to kill. But I think teleportation's a little beyond me for now.

[video]

[paladinlost]

It's not such a complicated spell. even I can normally manage it.

[A beat.]

...Of course, these days I have to depend on my Psychic-types.

video

[islandshore]

Hey, welcome to the club, old timer.

[It's said with a snicker and a smirk. It's a strange mix of reassuring and daunting whenever he sees fellow oldbies around. How many are even left?]

Seems like we're almost an endangered species these days. I can't even remember how many people have stuck around since the old days. Maybe ten? But that might be a bit too generous.

video

[paladinlost]

Why, thank you. After how many years will we receive a congratulatory certificate?

[And will anyone last that long in the first place?]

Not many, that's for certain. I know for a fact that everyone who arrived during the same weekend as me is long gone.

video

[islandshore]

Five? Seven? Maybe ten? It's hard to say. Not like there's a precedent, unless somebody came years before us and hasn't outed themselves yet.

[But wouldn't the locals have known about it? Eh, it's unlikely at the very least.]

I think just about everyone who popped up my first week vanished, too. Could always take a headcount sometime.

video

[paladinlost]

You'd think they'd have offered to shae their experiences by now... It could be interesting to see if certain waves have endured the passage of time better. That might be a clue to the reason for our presence here.

[A beat.]

...You show an excellent entrepreneurial spirit, by the way.

[Compliments for everyone, he said.]

[voice]

[pinnedbangs]

[Rin doesn't want nor does he expect a compliment. He's mostly concerned about how Cecil seems ... forlorn.

But he hasn't really spoken to the guy long enough to just ask what's up. So he tries something else instead.]

Are there still badges out there for you to earn? [Oh, he should mention it, just in case.] ...Don't bother with the compliment thing.

[voice]

[paladinlost]

Not in Johto or Kanto, unless there are some hidden underground Gyms in obscure caverns. It'd not be that surprising, mind you, but as far as I know I have all sixteen.

[As for the next part, screw that he wants to bother.]

Also, you've readapted quite quickly to your surroundings, even after all this time. Congratulations!

[voice]

[pinnedbangs]

Maybe. With how this place it, I wouldn't doubt it.

[He has a long way to go before then. Rin was going to make "get all the badges" a goal. For now.]

Thanks, but it's not that big a deal... [ARGH HE SAID NO]

[video]

[paladinlost]

In fact, I'd say it's likely. None of the known Gyms cover the Ground- or Dark-types, after all.

[No matter what the Viridian Gym's badge says.]

It might not seem much, but it'll make your first few weeks more comfortable.