100th moon [video]

[paladinlost]

[The video starts with stones. Stones upon stones, stones that form floors and low walls until they give way to the sky. Someway, somehow, the Pokégear has found its way to the top of a tower.

The image turns east, towards taller walls and taller towers, before dipping to show a dark grey yard. A castle, it seems. One so solid it could withstand any army, with strong oak doors to match. As the video keeps moving more walls and outdoor passageways come into view, decorated with lit torches and banners of red and gold. It pauses for a few moments at the castle gate, left open to show the surrounding waterways and a few brave and curious locals who do not quite dare to enter.

Finally, the video moves towards the central courtyard, where dozens of Pokémon can be seen milling about curiously. Their looks of wonder as they explore are too far to be seen but still undeniably present, just like the smile of their trainer behind the camera.

What words could Cecil possibly use, to convey all the feelings that this slight slice of home awakens within himself?]

My Greninja has decided to play hide and seek in the castle. Help.

[...Baron's greatest public speaker, ladies and gentlemen.]

Comments

[paladinlost]

Not even the spears and the daggers. The barracks have been emptied of all weapons, and my own personal blades are gone. There might be one of Rosa's staves in the east tower's hidden treasury, but Rosie is too short to activate the door.

[The more Cecil speaks, the more annoyed he sounds. He knows weapons are hardly necessary in this world, of course, but he'd still hoped to see them once more.]

[islandshore]

Uugh. And here I thought there'd be some kinda loophole. The guys in charge here really need to lighten up.

[Though for all of Riku's exasperation, his Charizard starts snickering. This is kinda a no-brainer, but Riku still sends him a flat look.]

Yeah, laugh it up, but you've got claws.

[paladinlost]

Perhaps this is a test, and we need to prove ourselves worthy of an exception to that law.

[But then again, surely they've proven that a thousand times over, after so many years? Cecil shoots Flare a quick look when the snickering starts.]

...Or perhaps we are expected to grow claws of our own.

[islandshore]

Well, there was that one time we got hit with those weird mutations. Maybe we just need to trigger it again.

[He flexes his fingers, picturing this.]

Or I guess we could just make weapons. Not exactly legal, but I've gotten by using a blunt object.

[paladinlost]

Were they truly so useful? I was not affected at the time, and from what I understand there were side effects.

[Which is all too often the case with powers acquired suddenly, but that doesn't mean he likes them.]

I've found that frying pans are both practical in daily life and useful weapons in a pinch. But it's still not quite the same.

[islandshore]

Freaky mutations, sure, but the tradeoff was that we could use elemental attacks. It actually let us fight for a change.

[Which was awesome, and he still kinda misses it.]

Yeah, I'd still prefer a sword. Been trying to convince my Aegislash to let me wield him, but it's been slow going.

[paladinlost]

Slow going is still more than I've managed. Lightbringer and Ragnarok are not interested, while Deathbringer cries if she so much as knocks a Pidgey unconscious.

[That particular name turned out to be more ironic than was planned.]

[islandshore]

...Wait, how many of them do you have again?

[He's got two, but somehow he forgot just how many of those swords Cecil had scooped up during the swarms.

He's now giving Cecil a puzzled stare, while Flare simply shrugs. Some Pokémon just can't handle hurting humans.]

[paladinlost]

Only three; I gave the others away to worthy trainers. A low number, I know, but between party limitations and the few opportunities to give them different roles in battles I felt it would be unfair to catch too many.

[He sounds terribly disappointed about it, too. Ceo flaps his wings in what is probably meant to be a sympathetic gesture.]

[islandshore]

[His brows quirk, and he leans forward, spreading his arms to emphasize his next point.]

You call that low? Most people don't even have two of the same species.

[Yet as he says this, Flare snorts and points at himself. Three Charizards. That is all.

Riku opts not to comment.]

I've only got two, but one of them's shiny. Honestly, I kinda wish the shiny look was the default, because it's way more intimidating.

[paladinlost]

In that case, my team is a great exception. I have two trios and five pairs, though the Aegislashes are the only ones I've all caught myself.

[Of course, that's because most of the other doubles lost their trainers and found his way to him.]

Is that so? I've never seen a shiny Honedge; what is their color scheme?

[islandshore]

Well, the Honedge and Doublade look like they've been dipped in blood.

[He flips through his 'Gear, pulling up an image of each.]

Deep, dark red, a blue, later gold eye. Then there's Aegislash.

[He flips to the next picture, in all its dark glory. Black and red, gold trim? Heck yeah.]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil looks at the pictures attentively, his eyes sliding to the tips of the blades.]

...I've seen enough bloody swords to find their regular colors refreshing, but they do look quite impressive. I can only hope yours does not have the bloodthirsty personality to match.

[islandshore]

Heh. Well, my normal Aegislash-- Ultima? He's all about fighting. Practically obsessed with brawling, so if any of them's the bloodthirsty type, it's him.

[He eyes the pictures with a fond smile, while his free hand drops to his hip.]

Soul Eater's... quiet. Still not sure what to make of her, but she's a lot calmer than he is. Seems to prefer special attacks, too.

[paladinlost]

Near opposites in personality, then? Do they prefer to train and play together, or do their differences lead them to seek out other friends?

[He's seen it go either way often enough that he's long stopped trying to predict if two Pokémon will get along, same species or not.]

whoops, missed this

[islandshore]

It's a mixed bag. Sometimes they tolerate each other. Half the time they butt heads. Literally. And usually it's Ultima who starts it.

[The corners of his mouth twitch a little, and he tries to hold back a laugh.]

It's almost like he's hitting on her.

Very sneaky thread. Good at hiding in inboxes.

[paladinlost]

Almost? It sounds very much like a tentative courtship to me.

[And he sounds absolutely delighted by that.]

They cannot express their interest with Draco Meteor, at least. Be glad, and appreciate the lack of property damage.

yet again, even! Gmail needs to stop being a butt so I can keep up on my threads :|

[islandshore]

Ugh. Please tell me you're joking...

[He shudders at the mere mental image. Is that really how Pokémon express affection?]

Have you tried tracking with the DW inbox? Never caused me any issues..

[paladinlost]

...As we were travelling at the time, there was no actual property damage. Thankfully.

[Everything else is 100% Not A Joke.]

...that's a good idea, and I feel silly for not thinking of it sooner.

[islandshore]

Good grief.

[He smacks his palm over his face, grumbling, while Flare gives a sympathetic pat on the back.]

So, who were the culprits? Dragonites? Garchomps?

[Any other number of dragons?]

There's a limit for the number of threads tracked, but it's high enough that it's not an issue.

[paladinlost]

My Dragonite and my Altaria.

[Said Dragonite and Altaria are, in fact, currently arguing about who-knows-what somewhere down below. It's both amusing and terrifying to watch.]

For some unexplainable reason, I did not bother to teach that particular move to my other Dragon-types.

'm not sure if free accounts can track threads, but I'll give it a try >/a thanks for the tip!

[islandshore]

Wish I'd had that kinda foresight with Terror...

[But, nope, he just had to teach her some of the most destructive moves out there. His regret's crystal clear from his grimace and the way he shudders. Seems Flare's in the same boat because he's slumping now and blowing out some smoke.]

There are some moves you just shouldn't use indoors. Earthquake's one of them...

You're welcome~

[paladinlost]

[Cecil and Ceo shudder as one. They can imagine the damage, and the picture is not pretty.]

And here I thought merely using it near the house would be too risky. How often does she practice it?

[islandshore]

Whenever she's hungry.

[Said with the straightest face and a tone dry as sandpaper.]

Or whenever she wants to maul something. Or fly... Basically, it's her way of saying, "pay attention to me or die!"

[paladinlost]

...Open and clear communications form the backbone of a healthy relationship between Pokémon and trainer.

[Too bad this particular communication method is destructive and dangerous.]