paladinlost | 98th moon [video]

I know it is considered uncouth to make requests before one's birthday, but I am in need of information.

[Cecil takes a small sip from the glass of juice he's holding before continuing. He's been putting this off for far too long, and his own procrastination bothers him, but that's no reason to look anything less than composed.]

Firstly, I wish to know where I could catch - not buy - any species with the ability Damp. Species recommendations and tales of personal experience with the ability would also be appreciated.

[He sets the glass down, taps it absentmindedly with his right hand. He should have done this months ago, truly.]

Secondly, I am also interested in catching species such as Goldeen, Finneon and Roselia. For those, purchasing or trading for an egg is also an option, if you can offer particularly interesting egg moves. The price is no issue, and neither is acquiring an egg from any of my own Pokémon in return.

[He'll use Gogo, if he has to. Not that he'll publicly admit that.]

Lastly, I would be most thankful if someone was willing to share a recipe for coffee cake... or willing to taste my first few attempt.s I intend to do some baking this week, and I'd rather not see it go to waste. Thank you.

[Asking about Damp species: done. Inquiring about potential future team members: done. Covertly inviting people to visit him for his birthday: done. With any luck, this'll be a productive evening.]

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That's kind of my assumption. Why the Elite Four closed down is still a mystery, but it could be because they're trying to either adapt to our arrival, hunt down whatever is causing us to be brought here, or both. I don't know them well enough to be sure if their various skillsets would work for either of those goals.

...It's been almost five years, and sometimes I'd swear we are barely a third of what we used to be. If they are still adapting, I fear we'll never have the chance to challenge them properly. Though if they are trying to explain our presence instead, I can understand why they've made little progress.

This world doesn't seem to adapt very quickly to changes outside of its own paradigm. I have to wonder how many changes they've even gone through before we arrived. If you think about it like that it's not really surprising that it's taking them so long. Disappointing, yes.

From what I understand, Lavender Tower's shift from cemetery to radio tower happened not long before we first arrived... But that's not exactly a wise or positive change, is it. Perhaps they would adapt to us more quickly if there was a financial incentive.

Perhaps, but given that all the money we have, we're getting from them, it's academic.

... One other thing. You mentioned in your message that your birthday's coming up? Or did I misunderstand that?

It is, yes. My fifth birthday in this realm; some would say that's five too many, but I've become used to celebrating without my usual guests. Besides, Pokémon can make any event lively.

I sort of agree with those theoretical complainers, but... Happy Birthday, regardless.

Thank you very much. ...And thank you for not attempting to guess my age out loud. The locals' few attempts this year were embarrassing, to say the least.

Like I know how to tell the difference in human ages once they get past the child stage. You could be anywhere from your mid-twenties to eighty for all I know.

...I can tell you that I'm not either of those ages, but as I'm also not fully human I'm unlikely to be a good reference, when it comes to aging.

Oh. I didn't know that. Did you lose something when you arrived here, then?

I've lost what little magic I had, but beyond that... Frankly, I'm not certain what else there was for me to lose in the first place.

Ugh, that definitely sounds awful enough to me.

Then again, when I was a unicorn magic was very much my main talent, so I suppose it just stands to reason I'd think that way.

Definitely. My magic would spare me some potions and a few hours of travel, at best; it's nothing worth crying over. But losing a strong talent that you've undoubtedly spent years training and refining... I'm surprised you can stand it.

In a strange way, having my body change into a human's may have helped with that. I was so busy learning how to walk and use my fingers that I didn't spend much time thinking about my lost magic until I was... well, as used to it as I could get.

Easing into that loss simply by having your priorities in order and basics to learn anew... I'd say it is a blessing in disguise, but I imagine learning how to use human legs and fingers while trying to understand a brand new world was not easy.

I honestly can't even figure out what the hardest part was, there was just so much to adapt to. If my friends hadn't been here, I don't know how I would have coped.

With more difficulty, perhaps, but I've no doubt you would have managed. Though I must say I'm glad they were there for you; too many arrivals have to deal with our situation without allies or support they trust.

Well I appreciate the faith in me, regardless. Still, it's not something I like to think about. I'm dealing badly enough with them all having left now as it is.

It's... difficult, I know.

[Oh boy, does he know.]

But I like to think that it's easier for people who have been here once to come back. That our presence and memories call them, somehow.

You think so?

[She pauses a bit, thinking that over, before venturing a question she's not sure she wants to know the answer to.]

And... when was the last time someone you know came here?

Too long ago.

[That is not an answer. That is the truest answer.]

...Bartz left two and a half years ago. The last arrival was Zidane... perhaps six months before that? If you only count people from my home world, everyone had disappeared not long after my first anniversary.

[None of that matches his belief, he knows. However...]

But I've seen two or three faces familiar from this world since the beginning of the year. One even remembered this land.

[She grimaces. Most of that is really not convincing.]

I want to believe your theory, but that's iffy evidence at best.

...I know. But a dear friend has told me long ago that our hearts are connected, and... I truly want to believe that. That they can help us meet again here, if we wait long enough.

[That belief is the last remnant he has of Aerith, along with sweet beloved Lydia. He refuses to abandon it so easily.]

[After a bit of consideration, she decides that even if it's unlikely, she can't argue with that kind of faith. Especially not when it's exactly what she wants to believe too.]

Our friends and us are tied together... if nothing else, I believe that, too. One way or another, we should see them again.

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paladinlost - 2015-04-21 03:46 (UTC) - Expand

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