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.]

Comments

[paladinlost]

I get a brand new reminder every week, these days. You'd be surprised by the ferocity of little pink fairies.

[dragoon_pride]

And what do these fairies do to you?

[He's afraid to ask.]

[paladinlost]

Wake me up at four in the morning to mediate arguments between dragons. By cruelly stealing my pillow.

[dragoon_pride]

You're the only one who can resolve their troubles at such an hour, are you?

[paladinlost]

It's not as if other humans live with me, you know.

[dragoon_pride]

Ah, so it's just you in a house full of your creatures?

[Ok, somehow this is an amusing mental image to him.]

[paladinlost]

Most of the time. I've had long-term visitors, but all have left now.

[dragoon_pride]

Such isolation sounds ideal, in my opinion. We all need our own space away from people... I'd think they'd be good enough company.

[paladinlost]

They are pleasant enough, though I still wish Rosa and Ceodore could also be here.

[dragoon_pride]

I suppose I can understand... [He looks away to avoid showing any jealous feelings in his expression.] ... after all they are your family...

[paladinlost]

After seventeen years, you do become used to living together. Then again, I'd not mind anyone else's presence either; I have plenty of free rooms, after all.

[dragoon_pride]

It would surely be too crowded before long...

[paladinlost]

No more crowded than a tent on the moon would be.

[dragoon_pride]

Well, when you put it that way...

[paladinlost]

Then again, the tents were less likely to be covered in dog hair.

[dragoon_pride]

And if the weather was pleasant enough, one could just as easily sleep outside as in the tent.

[Something Kain always tended to do!]

[paladinlost]

I must say I miss choosing to sleep outside. Being forced to do so is not nearly as pleasant.

[dragoon_pride]

Then you're forced outside that often?

[paladinlost]

Not nearly as often as two years ago, but still more often than I'd like.

[dragoon_pride]

Then are you often traveling?

[paladinlost]

...Not nearly as often as two years ago. I've become used to having my whole team around me; that's impossible on the road.

[dragoon_pride]

Then what forces you to be outside so much? Surely you're not living in the wilderness... [Only brooding dragoons go on stupid camping trips that last so long.]

[paladinlost]

I might enjoy the presence of my whole team at once, but the younger ones do still need to train and gain levels. The closest monsters are too weak to be worth the time spent setting them on fire.

[dragoon_pride]

Ah, I didn't realize... that would become very crowded indoors, I've no doubt.

[paladinlost]

'Crowded' might be the understatement of the century, in this case.