91st moon [the 4th Wall of Jericho]

[paladinlost]

[Ah, it's that time of the year again. And unlike last time, Cecil wakes up in his own bed (even though he'd been on his way back from Saffron when he fell asleep), surrounded by his own Pokémon (and Grimers, but at this point they're almost part of the family), and with his own belongings exactly where he left them (except for his left sock, but he's long learned to expect that).

He's safe, he's in a good mood, and he intends to stay that way for the rest of this madness. And this time, he's even in a position to share the joy with any visitors!

Which is why he's now grilling all sorts of food on a fire pit in his yard, while his Pokémon are bringing chairs and large cushions outside. That they manage to do so while linked to each other with duct tape is somewhat impressive, but he's too busy not burning a steak to admire their efficiency.]

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[soggypastry]

[Lucky doesn't care that her brother's a clutz. She bounds straight for him, still barking, and throws herself at the pile to nuzzle and lick him like there's no tomorrow. Affectionate liondog is still very affectionate.

As for Lightning, she just makes an amused sound. Good old stable Cecil. Some things never change. Others, like that still somehow familiar Lilligant, do. She does, however nod at them. Give her a second guys; she'll be right there.]

So long as it only lasts three days. [A pause, then--wait. Crystals? Her smile drops into a frown.] What do you mean by crystals?

[paladinlost]

[All the affection, and all the liondog! And all the duct tape, too, but at least the adhesive is greatly weakened. Those doggy licks are probably stickier, by now.]

A few large crystals have been sprouting in various cities and giving innocent people headaches. But they've not killed anyone yet, and this world has seen worse.

[He starts rummaging through his pockets and takes out a small crystal shard as long as his pinky, offering it to her.]

[soggypastry]

[Stickier and they taste a little funky, but she really really doesn't care. Oh, it's been so long there's so much nuzzling to do the world could be on fire and she wouldn't care! ...Though the Flash Fire probably helps with that.],/small>

This might get worse.

[Said as she takes the crystal shard, holding it against the light. It seems unassuming and innocent, but after all her time back home...she shakes her head, handing it back and taking a step towards the trio.]

Things with crystals normally do. Keep your guard up.

[paladinlost]

[Flare would care, though. Mostly because some of his teamates would respond to a world of fire with Surf, and his beloved sister deserves better than all that nasty, sludge-infected water. Nothing but the best is acceptable for their reunion!

Cecil takes the shard back with a nod, putting it back in his pocket immediately.]

Of course. If nothing else, someone will surely try to steal every shard they can find, sooner or later. Even though there's more of a supply than a demand at the moment.

[The hope in their eyes turns into glee at that step. This isn't some sort of hallucination, right? Right?]

[soggypastry]

[Ah but the world isn't on fire and there's no water so it's already the best! She can't remember the last time she was this happy!

For her part, Lightning just shakes her head.]

For now. [Stepping closer to her former team members, then:]

They give you any trouble?

[Guys she's real can you pounce her already? She's half expecting it at any time now, but still walking closer.]

[paladinlost]

[He sure can, though. It's really easy to remember, because it was the last time he saw her! ...That's a pattern, right?]

Of course not.

[A beat.]

No more than any of the others have, at least, which is as much as one can expect.

[Between the pranksters and the Raw Chicken Incident, that might not be a reassuring as it sounds.

But if it's a group pouncing Lightning wants, it's a group pouncing she'll get. Along with more of that duct tape. They might have gone overboard with the duct tape.]

[soggypastry]

[It's the best possible pattern! She's always overjoyed to see her brother. ...Even when he's covered in sticky duct tape.

Lightning was going to reply to that, but then she finds herself burying in Lapras fins, Lilligant leaves, and Clefairy arms. Wow, someone's affectionate! When she finally gets her head free to breathe, her hair's mussed and there's a leaf stuck by her ear while Shiva croons happily.]

So they haven't been leaving you with a dozen eggs each?

[Yes she remembers those days, Cecil!]

[paladinlost]

[It's to make sure he's not teleported away! Which is good, because it means he's still here to see her, instead of in a dark cave with no sister at all!

Cecil is almost tempted to try and dig her out, but he figures the hug will do some good for everyone involved. Except perhaps Lighting's lungs. Thus, he merely smile at the scene.]

Please don't put that idea into their heads. Everyone has been very reasonable about eggs for the last few months, and I wish to keep it that way.

[soggypastry]

[Ah! Well then, that makes perfect sense. And it worked, so all's well that ends well, yes? It means more nuzzles. He's going to smell of her by the time this is all over, and she of him. It'll be perfect!

Lightning's lungs have survived worse. Especially after she manages to get Shiva to practically turn into a puddle of Lapras goo after rubbing a certain spot behind her horns, the giant creature barely more than a housecat with her head in Lightning's lap now. She still remembers these old tricks to keep herself breathing.]

Do you really think you can? [up goes an eyebrow.] You know how sneaky they can be sometimes.

[paladinlost]

[It's going to be awesome! Well, until Minerva doesn't recognize his smell and tries to bite him, but who cares about Minerva she's too serious and not nearly as fluffy as his beloved baby sis anyway.

The other Lapras in the yard coos at the sight of her baby girl looking so happy. Parental approval from a giant blue water dinosaur, yay?]

Another clutch of eggs is inevitable, I know. But I think I might have found a way to temporarily distract them.

[soggypastry]

[Oh, Minerva can deal with it! And family reunions are worth getting bitten for, especially after so long apart!

Lightning will take what parental approval she can get...but really she's just glad her former team members are doing so well. Cecil's clearly been good to all of them, judging by how Sunny's twirling as if she can't contain her happiness anymore.]

And what's that?

[What finally worked to keep his breeding under control? It seemed to be such a problem before she left...]

[paladinlost]

[Totally! She just jealous because she doesn't have such a sweet and wonderful and awesome sister. They all are.

He did his best to make them feel loved. Which probably shines through when he smiles at them all.]

I've asked them to find out who could possibly breed with Bavarois before they make more eggs. Considering even Dittos are unable to do so...

[This will most definitely not go wrong.]

[soggypastry]

[Well that's their problem. She's just going to snuggle up next to him now; Trainer's too busy being buried under Lapras goo and other such cuddles to leave now, so she's going to just. Lay here with her brother and enjoy it ever so much.]

It buys you time. [A short nod, then:] How long do you think it'll last? They're pretty smart when they want to be.

[Lightning the Clefairy makes a half insulted noise--she's always smart!--but gives a tiny little bounce anyway, for once dancing a little. Today's a good day for them, craziness included.]

[paladinlost]

[...If there's a link between Lapras goo and staying here, maybe they should make sure there's always Lapras goo! Forever and ever! Then they could play as much as they want every day!]

It's lasted three whole months already, but I'm hoping the question will stump them at least two more. Having an egg-free bed every night for so many weeks in a row is a small pleasure I'd long forgotten.

[soggypastry]

[And making Lapras goo is really easy, too! They just have to get Trainer to pet Shiva, that's all! Then she'll have to stay!

Lightning almost laughs, shaking her head and giving him a half amused look. She knows what he means, but...]

Have you considered getting another bed? They're going to figure it out eventually.

[And it'll be back to square one. At least with another bed he'll have room.]

[paladinlost]

[Wow, that's just as easy as getting Goodra goo and it sounds less icky! That's awesome!]

You underestimate their ability to take over both my own bed and any guest room in the house. Along with the chairs. And the couches.

[And their trainer, because now some of his smaller Pokémon are getting jealous of all the love going on over there and trying to climb up his legs.]

[soggypastry]

[It's awesome and effective and means they stay together. ...But right now Shiva's got her so Lucky doesn't have to do anything but cuddle and that's what she plans to do. They can enact their plan later.

When Lightning's not trying to hold back a small laugh. Some things never change.]

And you, apparently. [up goes the eyebrow.] Maybe you'd need another room and a door they can't get through instead.

[paladinlost]

[First cuddling, then other plans? Now that is a plan Flare can get behind. Especially if the cuddling is with Lucky.]

Ah, but is there such a thing as a door no Pokémon can go through? Especially when taking Ghost-types into account, or larger species that could tear a whole house apart.

[soggypastry]

[All the sibling cuddles...though she's likely to fall asleep like this, so there is that.]

No, but you could post a few on guard. The ones who aren't going to climb into bed with you.

[She'd recommend discipline or putting them in their balls for the night, but...that really wouldn't help, would it?]

[paladinlost]

[That's okay, she can use him as a pillow! Or they can borrow his trainer's pillow! He has at least five, he won't miss one or three.]

That could work. The guards would be greatly outnumbered, but most are clever enough to deal efficiently with such a disadvantage. Or large enough to scare less determined siblings away.

[Fu is neither, but Fu is also harmless to everyone except himself. Even when inside his pokéball.]