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The snake hatched. Called him Menov. It's Venom backwards.

I'm glad to hear it, and so are his parents. With such a strong name, I've no doubt his talent for Poison-type attacks will be impressive.

Yeah. Sounds sort of Russian but it fits him. He's already good at coiling around my arm when we travel.

He can already recognize the most convenient source of warmth and transportation in his vicinity? You'Re quite lucky. He seems both smart an affectionate.

Seems so. He's got a strong grip. Maybe he'll learn to constrict his enemies soon?

That should be one of his first attacks, yes. Though Wrap's power is not in its strength but in its duration.

Will he learn any poison moves?

He will. In fact, I believe he should have inherited the move Toxic from his father. Most species are compatible with it.

From his father, huh? How ironic.

[Did that mean that Venom was this Ekans' father? It seemed so.]

It's usually how it works. Most eggs get their species from the mother, and additional moves from the father. And for the few that take after their father, move inheritance is even more complicated.

Looks like I am this Ekan's father then.

Good. Young Pokémon need all the guidance, training and love they can get, if you want them to grow up well.

When he evolves will his venom become stronger? Since I'm thinking he'll be quite a powerful poisonous snake.

Certainly, and he'll also have more than venom at his disposal. The elemental Fang attacks are not to be underestimated.

[ The image is a newly hatched Popplio, who is clearly getting used to not being in an egg anymore. They're looking up at the camera with a smile, lying on their back and waving clumsily to the viewer with a flipper they were learning to use. ]

I promised I'd show him to ya! I named him Ronan

He's adorable! Welcome to the world, Ronan!

Lenora has not stopped giggling since she saw the picture. Even when so far apart, maternal love truly is strong.

He's fast at finding his feet! He's already getting about and loving the water. He's swimming with my other water mons right now. Thank Lenora again for me; he's got a lot of people looking out for him, not just me!

[ There's another image! The baby Popplio is in a little pool, getting used to the water. A Slowpoke sits on the edge, watching with it's usual dopey expression, while a Lapras and a Gyarados with a scarred eye are in the pool with Ronan. The two big blue Pokemon are swimming alongside him, keeping an eye on how he's moving. ]

aksdhjfg

[This somewhat alarming first message is quickly followed by another.]

What a lovely picture, taken with both care and talent! I'll have to make a physical copy of it; Lenora keeps trying to take the gear away from me. Is he getting along with the other types, too?

Edited 2017-07-14 13:59 (UTC)

Aw, I wouldn't say I got talent. I've just been taking tons of pics of whatever Pokemon I find. [ And it's way easier to take a picture of his Pokemon than of a Hoppip that's randomly flying by! ]

Honestly, he seems to be getting along just fine with all the Pokemon I've introduced him to so far! There probably will be mons he doesn't get along with but that's just life. When he hatched I decided to get out my water types so they could help him get used to swimming and all that. Does Lenora wanna actually speak with him? I can switch to camera if she does!

Edited 2017-07-14 15:22 (UTC)

All that practice has certainly paid off. I could almost see them all move in front of my eyes.

I've no doubt he'll be happy among your team, even if he finds himself disagreeing with some of its members. are you certain you have the time for a video chat? Lenore may be difficult to stop once she starts.

Ah, I do have to go to work later. But I can leave the gear with my Pokemon. I'll just make sure it's the sensible ones I leave with him! If you're up for it too, idk if you've got a business call or something coming up!

I have no plans myself, but I fear Lenora would make plans for the whole week if allowed. I suppose this means I'll have to supervise.

[And coo at the baby himself.]

[ Instead of texting back, Ash starts up a video call. He winks and turns over his shoulder, calling to his Pokemon in Irish. ]

Ronan! Come here, someone wants to see you!

[ Ronan the Popplio came splashing over curiously, pulling himself up tot he water's edge and looking at the screen. Scuabtuinne and Dish stayed back, floating not far and still keeping an eye on him. Ash put the gear down, letting Ronan take up the majority of the screen. ]

[Cecil observes the sudden video with delight, beaming as the little one approaches.]

My, what a handsome young fellow! Hello, Ro-

[Annnd that's as much of an introduction as he'll manage today, thanks to Lenora bowling him over and grabbing the gear. Her baby!]

[ The Popplio is surprised by the sudden appearance of Lenora, but remains perfectly calm. He lifts a flipper and barks to her. Hello! His name is Ronan. It's nice to meet you! ]

[Ronan, sweetie, it's so nice to finally see you out of that egg! Why you look so strong and happy already...!

As Lenora keeps squealing excitedly, Cecil manages to stand back up in the background. Motherly love sure is heavy and painful, sometimes.]

It's a day late. Sorry about that! Things were kind of crazy with three newborns!

[The attached picture is of a Lapras, Popplio and Omanyte chilling in the shallows of a pond. The Popplio is front and center though is covering her eyes with one flipper in a shy manner while the Lapras seems delighted by her shyness.]

Her name's Quay. She's really shy. The shyest of all my Pokemon actually.

Do not worry. I can easily imagine how difficult finding time for a picture must have been, with so many little ones.

My, she certain looks sweet and shy! It's not a nature inherited from her parents, that's for certain. Do they get along well?

I love it though. And so do all my other Pokemon.

Yeah they do! She's really bonded to Altissa and Ravatogh both. And she only seems to get really shy if you try and compliment her. So taking pictures is really a challenge.

I'm glad to hear it, and I'm glad everyone is getting along and enjoying themselves. If that's the case, the obvious solution is to keep complimenting her and taking her picture until she becomes used to it, is it not?

Exactly! And my friend Ash got a Popplio from you two so we're planning on letting the siblings play together whenever we can. Hopefully that will help too.

What an excellent idea! So few siblings get the chance to play together, even when tneir trainers know each other. It's an opportunity best not squandered.

We definitely won't squander it, I promise. We want to keep these guys happy and make sure they can always play with one another or at least talk over the network.

It's very kind of you to arrange for it, even though you surely both have busy schedules. And if the children ever wish to see their parents, you're more than welcome to visit.

I'll let Ash know! I'll probably stop by one day; I have a feeling Quay would enjoy it quite a bit.

If she enjoys it half as much as her mother would, every other Pokémon in town will surely envy their happiness.

Cecil's first thought, after the last attack of the battle finally dissipates, is that the extra-resistant everything-proof glass panels he used to build the Gym's main room were completely worth the expense.

His second thought is that congratulations are in order.

"Well done, challenger. You've prevailed against our greatest team, and won the Selenian Badge fairly."

Nothing less than his Official Voice will do for that, but his smile betrays his delight.

Sion, of course, is grinning himself, but as the challenger, clearly he's allowed to. Recalling his last pokemon to a well-deserved rest, he nods politely to the congratulations.

"It was a good match," he says, no less sincerely for his politeness.

"I'd certainly hope so, considering our respective talent."

The Official Voice is now gone, along with some of Cecil's humility, but he figures they both deserve it after that battle. He starts walking towards Sion, taking a Selenian badge out of his pocket as he advances.

"Here it is. I'm glad its first bearer is such a worthy one."

Given the requirements they both had to meet to become gym leaders in the first place, a bit of pride is probably appropriate, really.

"I'm flattered to hear you say so," Sion replies while reaching out a hand to receive the badge. Not that he really means it in quite that way, of course, but he does appreciate the compliment.

"Though, now that that's over with, I seem to recall some talk about a post-victory dinner?" he continues, a hint of teasing in his eyes.

"With matching post-victory drinks, of course!"

Once the badge has changed hands, Cecil starts walking towards the door, gesturing at Sion to follow. He should probably check on the roast, it should be almost ready by now...

"I've also prepared a few treats for our Pokémon to enjoy. Your team is welcome to rest in the side rooms if they need to, or to ask any member of mine for a tour."

The kitchen would be the first room visited, he suspects.

"Naturally."

Sion follows, of course, nodding to Cecil's invitation.

"I imagine most would rather rest for now," he says wryly. "Particularly after a battle like that."

After they'd had a chance to recover would be when the hunger kicked in, most likely. Still, part of Sion wished he could swap at least one out for Dusk, but then again, this team certainly had earned a bit of a treat.

"True. Both our teams gave their all and perhaps even more, during that battle."

There is nothing in his voice but fondness for the twelve of them. Good job, everyone!

"With the attacks they were using, I'm both surprised and relieved they did not break the Gym's systems. We tested them, of course, but no test is a efficient as a real battle."

"They certainly did, didn't they?" Sion agreed. "Though, I must admit, while I can appreciate the idea of testing a trainer's understanding of the various types, I'm rather glad we've been allowed to choose other focuses for our gyms. This certainly made for quite the challenging match unlike any other, after all."

It had certainly been... nice, really, to have to think so differently about his strategies for once.

[A couple days after Krieg's age guessing game, Cecil will receive a small package and a note via Pidgey Post. Inside the package is an Everstone. The note is handwritten in some kind of legible, all-caps chicken scratch.]

THANKS FOR GUESSING! HERE'S YOUR PRIZE. SORRY IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!

-KRIEG

[A few days later, Cecil sends back a picture and a note.

The picture shows the Everstone in question, carefully placed on a colorful homemade egg pillow. Someone, probably not a human, drew a wobbly smiley face with glitter on one of its sides. It is wearing a tiny sombrero.

The note simply says 'My team has decided to adopt it, thank you.']

On Christmas Eve, Cecil will receive a visit from a black Charizard, bearing a very carefully-packaged gift! Inside that package, he will find the following:

5x Bulbasaur-shaped ceramic succulent planters, complete with succulents.

Also, a note!

I KNOW THE SLAG STACKS KEEP RUINING YOUR GARDEN SO I GOT YOU SOME PLANTS YOU CAN KEEP INSIDE.

HAPPY XMAS!

-KRIEG

Via Pidgey Post, Cecil will receive a delivery from a certain prince! Said gift contains a feather quill pen made from a Chocobo feather that Noctis had found leftover in his things from that strange weekend not too long ago and several bottles of ink to go along with it. There's also a handmade journal that Noct picked up in Olivine while he was passing through to go along with it.

And a note, of course.

'Cecil,

I hope you're able to make good use of these--I'm not much of a writer myself and didn't want the feather to go to waste. Have a merry Christmas and I'm sure we'll cross paths soon enough!

-Noctis'

[Cecil will get a note sent by Pidgey mail (god why god) sent before his big party, along with a bottle of wine since that seems like the right thing for celebrations. It's in messy cop writing, but he means well.]

Glad all that time paid off. Congratulations on your success. Go help other people kick more ass.

-HANK

Surprise! A courier Dragonite with an official-looking messenger bag has landed nearby. It seems to be a little tired, but as it approaches it manages to pull together an air of professional composure. The letter it presents you with has the official Pokémon League mark on it, and you might catch a split-second glimpse of several similar letters in its bag before it tips its tiny delivery hat and takes off again.

The letter itself reads:

Greetings, Aurora League Champion Cecil.

Your presence is requested immediately at the Indigo Plateau to discuss a matter of deepest urgency. Please find enclosed your new personal Champion's Key, which will allow you access directly to the Indigo Plateau from any warp pad in Johto or Kanto.

Regards,
Indigo League Champion Lance

Sure enough, contained in the envelope along with the letter is a golden keycard. It looks like Lance wants to be very sure you can get there without delay.

[Goodness, what has Lance in such a hurry? Be on the lookout for an OOC post in the coming days!]

Cecil, I hope I am not catching you at a bad time. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about running an Aurora League gym. I'm familiar with the application process and getting the construction started (my own application was recently accepted) but I was wondering if you have any advice for a gym leader to be? Things you may have underestimated when you started off yourself, or things to keep in mind. Anything would be appreciated. Yours in gratitude, Armin

Greetings, Armin,

First of all, congratulations! Designing your gym and waiting for the league's response is, frankly, the most nerve-wracking step in the whole process. What will follow should be a far simpler task!

I do, as a matter of fact, have a few bits of advice to offer, though you may find some of them torturous and unpleasant at first. They are as follows:

1. FILL ALL YOUR PAPERWORK AS PRECISELY AS POSSIBLE AND IN A TIMELY MANNER. You'll thank me later. This is especially important when it comes to expenses that need to be reimbursed. Keep all receipts, separate those purchases from any personal items, and do not wait more than a day before sending them to the League accountants.

2. Becoming a gym leader makes you a public figure, as far as the locals are concerned. This will grant you a certain measure of respect, but also leaving open to their comments and judgements. Behave irreproachably when you are out and about, and make sure to be seen playing an active and positive role in the local community. Any form of charity they cannot witness will not count in their minds.

3. Unprepared beginners will attempt to challenge you, no matter how many warnings you may put in place. It's best to have a gentle but encouraging refusal speech ready, especially if you fear for their Pokémon's safety. As that might still not suffice, a medical kit on the premises is essential, as are a few snacks to soothe their disapointment.

4. Bring a book. Every gym has its slow days.

5. Your Pokémon that are too young for gym battles or that are not adapted to your format may become jealous of their teammates. Be sure to dedicate some time to their training outside of work hours, or give them tasks to accomplish around the gym while you battle. (I tend to put my little ones on garden path-clearing duty. No visitor has yet slipped on a stray leaf!)

6. If you have a specific theme, lean into it. Make it the first thing people talk about when they speak of you. It'll help spread the word about your gym. Also, if I must be honest, watching people's reactions to your performance is also amusing.

7. Lock any room in the gym that is not intended to be open to the public twice over. Thrice over. Travelling trainers are curious and see closed doors as a challenge. Strongly-worded warnings are not a deterrent.

I hope these meager tips will be of some use to you. Should you have any other questions or concerns on the subject, please do not hesitate to contact me. It would be my pleasure to assist you if it is within my power.

Cordially,
Cecil

[Cecil coming through spectacularly.]

I actually do have some follow up questions. About the paperwork - how much paperwork should I be expecting? Is it the kind of work that can be handled on a day to day base, or should I set aside a specific day fully dedicated to it? And do have any tips on letting down beginners easy? My gym will involve underwater battling, so many pokemon will not be able to participate. (I really do no want to be responsible for anyone's pokemon drowning!) I worry I might need to let down several challengers, especially in the beginning when my gym's reputation won't be as established yet.

[Experience is the greatest teacher. Has he ever had to convince children that he was secretly a moon spirit to stop them from trying to break a lock? Possibly!]

The exact amount of paperwork will depend on many factors, so I'd recommend taking care of it daily. Dealing with a file or two per day is far less daunting than trying to contact an accountant and a repairman simultaneously during a weekend afternoon. It also ensures you'll not miss any requests or important information that could be time-sensitive.

I find young beginners easiest to deal with, though that may be a side effect of my experience as a parent. By gently reminding them that they do not wish to see their Pokémon harmed, you'll be able to convince most to delay their challenge, if unhappily. After that, by offering a snack or even a tour of the gym (if you have the time), you can soothe their hurt feelings and help them learn more about the gym circuit in general, leading to improved strategies in the future.

Late bloomers are trickier. They tend to be more confident, often to an excessive degree. The format of your gym may be an advantage here, as I've had some success by simply agreeing that they surely knew their limits best, right before asking them to sign a waiver declaring that the gym and the League were not responsible for any injuries incurred by their Pokémon. Wearing the smile I usually reserve for particularly loathsome courtiers. It stopped quite a few in their tracks!

In case it does not, well. Sometimes, giving them just enough rope to hang themselves is for the best, as long as you can avoid greatly injuring their Pokémon. I'd not try it against someone trying to send a Rhyhorn underwater, but using that strategy against a trainer using a full team of level nine Magikarp would send a very clear message.

If allowing them to challenge you and fail is not an option, throw them out. I've sent a few scampering away by treating them with the stoicism and authority of a general facing unruly soldiers, which is admittedly easier with officer training. One memorable time, my Conkeldurr has to physically pick a woman up and leave her outside, but that should only happen after an act worthy of a ban is committed. Exceptional circumstances, and all that.

[This is slightly backdated, but somewhere around the fifth/sixth of January, every Aurora League member is going to get one of these. It's a hand-written letter with a Pelagic gym letterhead leaving no doubts as to the sender.

It reads:]

I hope this letter will not be seen as me overstepping my bounds but --

I think the Aurora League should meet.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed that strange things are happening -- first the wild rumours about pokemon losing control, then the incident at the Safari zone, and now the message that was visible in the sky during the New Year.

Perhaps I'm worrying too much, but it is starting to feel like what happened a year ago when that creature managed to find its way into this world. That didn't come out of nowhere either; there were several smaller events that preceded it though we didn't see the connection at the time. I'm not necessarily saying that this is because of that same creature (though 'He will be back' could certainly be a reference to it) but something certainly seems to be going on. And perhaps this time, if we act early enough, we can put a stop to things before it gets that bad.

I know the Pokemon League is undoubtedly monitoring this situation too, but there is no reason why we of the Aurora League couldn't look into things as well. Or at the very least share our thoughts. Several of us are gym leaders and come into contact with a lot of trainers. Someone may have heard or seen something that, on its own, isn't particularly troubling, but if put together with other, similar accounts, could indicate something brewing.

Plus, even if there is nothing to share of that sort, I think it would be good to get to know each other a bit better. Several new members have joined us since that November. Who knows, we might need to depend on each other again in battle, and wouldn't knowing more about each other and how we fight help if it ever comes to that again? It's easier to trust someone at your back if you know what kind of person they are.

I know all of us are pretty busy, but I'm hoping you could all make time to meet on the 27th of January. That is still nearly three weeks from now, which should give those of us with gym schedules and other jobs enough time to arrange for some time off. I've even found a good place to meet at, where we can both talk and even battle if people would like. I've enclosed the address on a separate card in this envelope.

I hope to see you all there, though please let me know if you cannot make it.

Yours truly,

Armin Arlert

PS. Please do not worry about the costs involved. When I asked Lance for suggestions on where to meet, he told me the Pokemon League has a discretionary fund for these kinds of things.

[As mentioned, there is a card inside the envelope with the address of a battle club in Viridian City.]

hey.
Dimitri is hosting some kind of picnic event on the 26th in goldenrod.
if you want to come we could finally have that sparring match.

A picnic, you say? How lovely. It would be a pleasure to be there and to finally put those training swords to use. Would a bottle of wine be appropriate for the meal?

idk probably?
it's also something called a hanami
which is apparently about watching flowers.
it sounds boring but that's what the sparring is for.
a few others will be there to spar too.
geralt, korra, thace, steven.
if you know them.
and dimitri will bring his lance if I ask.

Watching flowers? That's a very appropriate way to greet spring, though I wonder many will have bloomed by then.
Some of those names are familiar, yes; Thace and Steven came to challenge me a few weeks ago. I've no doubt seeing their talents as fighters rather than trainers will make for a pleasant day.

that's right.
you have a gym.
I look forward to the time when I can challenge you as well.
have you ever played hockey?

And I look forward to your challenge. I've no doubt my team will make it worth your while.
Hockey? That's the winter sport that's particularly popular in Mahogany, is it not? I can't say I have.

is it?
that's good news.
I wasn't sure this world had hockey at all.
I'll be setting up a game at the picnic.
so you can play if you like.
bring ice skates if so.

Cecil, I understand you were one of those possessed by the Yamask during the Rockets' plot. If you wish or need to speak with someone about it, Ryner and I would be glad to assist.

My apologies for not contacting you sooner, it seems we missed you in the confusion after.

It was all rather chaotic, was it not? And I hardly helped with that.

[The annoyance in his voice and on his face is very difficult to miss.]

Despite what happened, fear not; I'm well enough. It barely lasted one evening, and at least this time no one died.

'This' time...?

*a pause, then Sion continues*

Ryner and I could drop by, if you like. We have some familiarity with... similar situations.

*he's not about to blurt stuff out over the 'gears unless Cecil's okay with talking about it that way, though!*

...Goodness, in how many worlds out there does such a terrible power exist?

[Does he truly want to know? Perhaps not.]

I'm always glad to receive visitors, of course. Especially now that we can expect a few weeks of relative peace.

I would dare say that even one is too many.

*seriously, he'd never wish the crap he deals with on anyone*

We would need to make some arrangements for the gym first, of course, but otherwise we can be there within a couple days.

Gym duties do tend to put a crimp on our ability to travel spontaneously, do they not?

[It may or may not have wrecked havoc on his initial coping strategies.]

Take all the time you need. It's not as if I'll be going anywhere.

They rather do, at that, though I suppose it's not so different from my duties back in Roland, in that sense.

*being king also limits one's spontaneity at times, after all*

I'll make sure to warn you once we know when we'll arrive.

*and true to his word, he does, giving Cecil a brief call a few days later that he and Ryner will be there on the following day. He doesn't show up empty-handed, either: Sion's picked out a selection of wines the three of them can share as they talk!*

I trust you've been well since we last spoke?

((Ryner's player will jump in after another tag from Cecil--let us know if you'd rather keep all three in one thread or split into individual threads for Sion and Ryner!))

Very well. I'll be sure to prepare for your arrival.

[And prepare he does. By the time Sion calls, he's already purchased the ingredients he needs. By the time Sion and Ryner do arrive, Cecil is perfectly made up, perfectly dressed and perfectly ready to face other people. From the kitchen, a variety of smells both sweet and savory are spreading throughout the house.]

I have, thank you. Going back to my usual routine has helped chase away whatever might remain of that rather unpleasant evening.

[[Go with whatever works best for you guys! I'll adjust as necessary.]]

That's good to hear.

[Ryner is here, a little behind Sion but helping to carry the wine. ...Between them, there is maybe a bit more wine here than one might reasonably assume would be needed for three people, but it's fine.

(He would have asked Marian if she'd make cookies or something to bring as well, but figured that might be in poor taste.)]

[[Unhelpfully, I am also good with whatever works ^^;]]

Indeed. Though I hope you didn't put yourself out for our sakes.

*Sion's noted those smells wafting about, yes*

Of course not. Cooking for others is always a pleasure.

[The fact that he didn't manage to get advice on preparing proper rainbow pudding during the party is a disappointment, but that one he can live with. Smiling, he opens the door fully and moves aside to allow them in.]

As for the less pleasant chores, I had plenty of mostly willing help. Please, make yourselves at home.

Mostly willing, huh? Maybe I should ask what you bribe them with.

[His tone is light and friendly, and knowing what trouble troublemakers can get up to when not sufficiently appeased or distracted.

He'll come in, though. Probably after Sion, so as to not push in front, but.]

Well, in that case I hope you don't mind that we brought a few refreshments.

*"few" for Sion, at least! though in any case, he doesn't hesitate to step inside at Cecil's invitation*

Why, the leftovers, of course. And perhaps the possibility of a new TM, or a visit to a move tutor, before their next breeding frenzy.

[As he speaks, he leads them inside towards the living room. On one of the couches, a Ledian is snoozing.]

More refreshments are always welcome! I have the feeling they'll be both needed and appreciated.

I see, I see. Maybe I should try that some time... though new moves can be dangerous...

[Ryner can't help but smile a little at the sleeping Ledian, though. Seems someone has the right idea.]

There's always simply training them to behave themselves in the first place, you know.

*Sion not everyone has your sheer charisma....*

It's a practical form of danger, at least, as long as you choose them well. It also works on the lost cases that no training can convince.

[Does Cecil have any of those? Very possibly! But he also has hors d'oeuvres ready to be taken out of the oven, and that's obviously more relevant at the moment.]

I have attracted a couple of those. Hmm...

[Whether Arius and Strato-Viper's issues in particular make up for Ryner's notoriously lax training methods is another question entirely, but it's fine.]

*hors d'oeuvres do sound tasty, though the current conversation is admittedly rather entertaining to Sion, too*

While I suppose there's merit in that, I don't know that there's necessarily any truly 'lost causes' so much as ones who happen to be best served by alternative regimens.

*though really, give Sion enough time and he'd probably win just about anyone over*

Yet what is bribery, if not an alternative regimen? Every Pokémon has its price.

[His oven mitts are moon-patterned. The canapés he's bringing are crescent-shaped. Not even dealing with possession again can ruin his theme.]

I dunno, does Strato-Viper have a price that isn't just Cobra showing back up and taking him back, do you think?

[He mostly ignores the inherited Skarmory's attempts to be a nuisance, but they are noticed...

But anyway, now that it's coming outis when Ryner will finally comment on the food---]

Mmm, those smell great!

I refuse to believe that there are any that are truly incorrigible. Merely extremely difficult.

*he thinks the same thing about people. Whether or not he's right, well, probably depends on one's point of view. But yes, the food does indeed catch his attention!*

They do indeed. And you say you prepared everything yourself?

To be fair, retraining a Pokémon initially raised by that man is very possibly beyond the capacities of most people.

[He still remembers good old Cobra Commander. He wishes he didn't.]

Why, thank you very much. But I can hardly claim all the credit. Noelle and Lightbringer helped greatly, while Rosie kept the others out of the kitchen.

[The most important task of all!]

Ahh, well, when you put it that way, seeing as I'm only average at best when it comes to raising Pokemon, maybe he is a lost cause for me after all...

[This is him trying to give himself a tiny bit of credit and not call himself bad at it. An attempt was made?]

That's good, that they were able to help out like that.

Are you sure you aren't selling your own skills a bit short, there?

*he means both of them*

Knowing your limits is important. Stopping Kayne from torturing wild Pidgey is one thing, trying to undo the damage done over years by a particularly twisted individual is another.

[Has Kayne actually stopped torturing Pidgey? Perhaps, or perhaps not.]

Still, I find that introducing difficult Pokémon to new hobbies can help, in certain cases.

New hobbies, huh... Now there's an idea. I wonder how easy it'd be to convince a Skarmory that I'd find him helping out with chores annoying.

[You may have given him a direction to try.]

You could probably start by simply forbidding him from it whenever there's an opportunity.

*the trick would be being consistent about it, of course*

Exploiting his contrarian personality could lead to decent results, yes as long as you pick a chore a large metal bird could safely accomplish. I imagine the most difficult part would be never letting him find out your true intentions, and never allowing the rest of your team to spell it out.

I could probably get Rose on board with it, and she could probably help with keeping the others quiet about it...

[The real question is what sort of chore would work, but there's gotta be something, right?]

...I'm gonna have to think on this one.

Well, you can think while you eat. And drink.

*since of course Sion's already found something from amongst the wines they've brought that'd go well with Cecil's appetizers*

Please do! Otherwise, a few of my Pokémon might decide to consider the food 'leftovers' far too early. They've a gift for sniffing out loopholes.

[He shoots a look at the bottle Sion picked and nods approvingly. Excellent choice!]

You've got a point there.

[Ryner will grab a plate, then. Sion has the wine handled, after all.]

Your cooking is quite good, by the way, Cecil.

*that's not just pleasantries, either, Sion really does find it quite tasty!*

I'm glad to hear it. I've a decade of experience, by now, but every time I meet new chefs I can see how much I still have to learn.

[Even if he never did get tips for preparing rainbow pudding during the party...]

That just makes it more fun, though, right? Never running out of new things to try.

Says the fellow who would rather nap than do anything productive...

Fabul would call every nap a new and productive experience, were she awake.

[She's absolutely dead to the world, though. Turns out Ledian can snore.]

Still, surely a balance between the two can be reached.

I can't help that I have a condition.

[He says that just a tiny bit more dramatically than he strictly needs to...]

She has the right idea, though.

Yes, yes, it's a wonder you get anything done at all. Perhaps you should follow Cecil's example, instead.

Surely there are plenty of productive hobbies that can be attempted while lying down and rest. Knitting, perhaps.

Sometime after the festival, either by Pidgey or possibly when Allura comes to pick up her eggs, Cecil will receive an envelope and friendship bracelet woven in midnight blue and a pale pink not unlike the markings on Allura's cheekbones.

Dear Cecil,

I woke up with this under my pillow last night. Keith tells me it’s a “friendship bracelet,” and I have a feeling this one belongs to you. You are not just a talented breeder and coordinator, but a calming presence, and I greatly enjoy knowing you.

Thank You So Much, Allura

Voicemail/Inbox

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Image/Text!

[text]

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Video!

Video!

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[Text + Picture]

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Re: [Text]

[Text]

February 21st, Post-Gym battle

Re: February 21st, Post-Gym battle

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Pidgey Post | August 23rd

Re: Pidgey Post | August 23rd

X-mas gifts!

Delivery - Christmas Eve

Sent Friday Evening

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Text so Cecil can respond at his leisure whenever.

Sent at an ungodly hour of the night aka during gym business hours

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[Text] | 3/16

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Video, shortly after prom

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Video -> Action

Video -> Action

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