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

[dragoon_pride]

A rather large surprise, indeed. But I cannot justify it just yet… I’m not truly ready.

[paladinlost]

That's fine. We'd not want to undo all your progress.

[dragoon_pride]

I'm not sure that I've made much progress at all, so... all the more reason not to undo it.

[paladinlost]

It'd be a shame to have wasted all that time, wouldn't it?

[dragoon_pride]

Indeed it would… I like my efforts to have meaning, to lead to something in the end...

[paladinlost]

Who doesn't? Especially after investing as much energy as you do.

[dragoon_pride]

Yes… I’ve devoted my entire life to it, after all.

[There’s never such a thing as half-assing anything for Kain. He gives his all to his causes, always, and this is especially important.]

[paladinlost]

Up until now, but I do hope you'll someday have the chance to enjoy a relatively peaceful retirement.

[dragoon_pride]

You know me, I'm hardly one to settle down... even if I should accomplish what I've set out to do now, I'll find something new to accomplish next.

[paladinlost]

That 'something new' could be whipping Baron's less competent soldiers into shape through sheer admiration and fear for their lives, you know.

[dragoon_pride]

Well, that certainly would be something I could put among my priorities.

[paladinlost]

It'd be a great service to your country, and also a very pleasant, stress-free activity. For you, at least.

[dragoon_pride]

It sounds plenty stressful to me… new recruits are remarkably arrogant. [Says he who always bragged about being Commander Ricard Highwind’s son. Yes, he knows how the more brash newcomers act because he’s been there.] Of course, I would also take them out to fight monsters, to hunt, and defend those who need defending… it wouldn’t ever be too easy.

[He would make it so. Kain is never one to sit back and be idle, he’s more the sort to be right in the middle of the action. At least it’s unlikely the various nations will ever be at war anytime soon… it’ll be mainly the monstrous threats to face.]

They’ll never learn without true experience in the field.

[paladinlost]

Really, now. Surely you'd have no problems dealing with a smattering of undeserved arrogance?

[His choice of 'undeserved' as the adjective might be very, very deliberate.]

With you, I've no doubt doubt they'd get all the practical experiance they need. And then some.

[dragoon_pride]

[Kain makes a bit of a face when he says that, but he lets him get away with it. Dealing with new, untested warriors is a truly difficult task and they really do remind him all too well of the way he’d acted.]

You know me, I wouldn’t ever go easy on them, either… but warriors must be hardened if they’re to ever conquer their enemies.