victory_road | 111th moon [video]

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111th moon [video]

Be honest, please.

[It's Cecil's voice speaking, but his face isn't anywhere near the camera. Instead, the video shows a pan filled with pudding. Pudding that looks like it contains enough food dye to poison a man, all mixed together into some sort of eye-searing slurry, but pudding still.]

Is this recognizable as rainbow pudding in any way, shape or form? The... separation between the colors is not quite as clear as I'd hoped it would be.

[Apologies to both pudding-haters and fans of tasteful color palettes.]

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[He thinks about it for a few instants.]

...Nostalgia had nothing to do with it at first; I merely wanted to prepare a delicious yet surprising recipe. But I must admit that I started looking forward to a little taste of home, as I bought the ingredients. It's been ages since I last tasted a proper pudding.

[ Well then, she will do everything in her power to curb his disappointment. If it's pudding he wants, then it's pudding he'll have... somehow. They're bound to figure it out together if they worked at it hard enough. ]

I can't begin to imagine how long it has been for you, Cecil. [ There's no need to worry though. He'll have pudding for tonight, if nothing else. ]

It's been... over a decade and a half, really. The monster population was on the decline for quite a long time; the opportunities to hunt down specific species became rarer and rarer each year, and we were often too busy to take advantage of them.

[He sounds neither happy nor upset about it. Their obligations and the world's state are realities he's long adapted to.]

[ It's a good thing to reflect on. There being less monsters in the world was a blessing, but to be too busy to go out on a hunt..? What kind of life did they have in their future? ]

Do you miss it? [ While she specifically meant hunting, Rosa doesn't go out of her way to single it out. If there was a part of that life Cecil missed, she would hear of it, no matter what aspect of life it was. ]

[Cecil shakes his head at that, a small smile gracing his lips. The lack of singling out is very much noted.]

It'd be too much like missing the years of my youth; they had their freedom and happy times, of course, but what I gained in return is far more valuable. Not even the most exciting hunt could compare to my life today.

[To his life six and a half years ago.]

[ That doesn't stop her from giving him a teasing smile in turn. ]

Those obligations are tucked away safely in another world, are they not? [ Which frees him up a little here. ] If you wanted to travel and see the world again, you could. Though you would have to substitute the hunt with something a little less deadly. Perhaps a rarer Pokemon?

I could always try to find Entei again, see if he still enjoys a good raw steak.

[The suggestion is not truly serious, but the thought going on an adventure to find a long-gone Legendary is pleasant in his mind.]

And with the warmer months slowly approaching, going to the beach and enjoying the sun would be nice.

[ Unfortunately, the suggestion flies over her head just a bit. Who is Entei again? There were so many Pokemon she had to learn about... ]

That and perhaps I should... [ Try to play catch up, she means to say but instead cuts herself off. ] I should go shopping for something to wear to the beach?

A most wonderful idea! The store offers so many models and colors, you could surely find the perfect outfit for every beach in the world!

[He volunteers for the noble task of helping her choose, if she wishes it.]

[ Of course, so long as he promises to be completely honest and not just say every piece looks great. ]

The important thing is to travel to those beaches to try it out though.

[Not even if it's the truth? ...He'll just comment on his favorites, then.]

That can easily be arranged. Over land, by flight, by sea... If you have any preference, I'll be happy to make it happen.

[ Otherwise they'll end up walking out of a store with more bags than either of them can carry. ]

I'll travel any method so long as I'm by your side, Cecil. [ It's a bit of an embarrassing proclamation to make, but she doesn't seem to flush at her own words. They are the truth in her mind and what's there to be embarrassed of by this point? ]

Caine would love the sea himself, I imagine. [ She pauses, then clarifies. ] My Pokemon, I mean.

It's much better for him to enjoy the sea than the mountains.

[Not a since trace of bitterness in his voice, he's so pride of himself.]

Perhaps he'll want a swimsuit, too? Or a chance to surf among the waves and feel the water splashing... That could also be a pleasant activity to try.

Surfing? [ She asks, not entirely familiar with what that means. ]

I'm willing to try anything you are, Cecil, no matter how difficult it is. There's no challenge or activity we can't best together.

It's a Pokémon move! It allows trainers to ride on their Pokémon's back as they swim in the open sea, free to travel between islands and cities... as long as there are no rocks or currents blocking the way, of course.

[There are always rocks or currents in the way, but that does not dampen his enthusiasm in the slightest.]

Be careful saying that, now. We might have to find the most difficult mountain chain to cross and prove you right.

I can ride on Caine's back? [ Well, he is a pretty big boy now that he's evolved. ] Perhaps he would enjoy that sort of thing...

[ Though it would be a little frightening at first. If Cecil is nearby with his experienced Pokemon, then perhaps it would be alright to give it a try. ]

Sorry, I was a little fixated on that thought. If you would like to find the most difficult mountain chain in this world and cross it, then I would travel beside you. There is no place in this world I would have you venture out to alone.

[ Well, there is one place, but she's conveniently trying to not think about that right now. ]

Who would not enjoy the thought of enjoying the waves with you?

[Had this not been a public post, he might not have used those exact words. Such impressive self-restraint.]

Mountain climbing could be pleasant enough, especially with you... But there's surely plenty more for us to see together at ground level, first.

[ What a good boyfriend. Behaving himself in public and everything. Good thing too, considering she's standing outside one of the shops of the city they're in, having the manners to conclude her conversation outside first. ]

Of course. I would see it all with you, Cecil.

I'm glad to hear it. The sights I've beheld over the years were not nearly as enchanting as they could have been, without you by my side.

[Not that he'd been unhappy, or that her absence had been impossible to bear... But it still would have been nice.]

[ Well, he can relive it all over again with her at his side this time. Someone needs to start collecting badges sooner or later, though she's rather settled on just enjoying life with Cecil. ]

Cecil... [ What is she supposed to say to that anyway? Taking her breath away when she's out of the house leaves her a bit unsightly, don't you think? ]

Of course. It would be wonderful to share in the moment with another.

[Terribly unsightly, and terribly rude of him to boot, but surely his sincerity softens it.]

Ah, but if we were to see all I wish to show you, we'd have no free time for the next century. We'll simply have to prioritize what interests you the most.

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111th moon [video]

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