38th moon [action] backdated to the 29th

[puppet_paladin]

[Most people, when visiting Olivine, go right for the Gym or right for the beach. After all, the city is an important step for all trainers, and the sun is shining beautifully upon the sea. Most people would wish to enjoy it.

But Cecil is not most people at the moment, which is why he can be found walking around Olivine's more residential

Comments

[action]

[usedroar]

[ Leon is working, and otherwise preoccupied, so sadly he isn't in any position to help poor Cecil. Leon does have an eye in the sky, not that he's always aware of it. Skarmory likes to spend time outside of her ball, and the complicit trust she's built with her boss means that she gets to roam.

She sees Cecil's bright white hair and instantly recognizes it from the innumerable times Boss has spoken to him over the communicator. She dives easily, curving around Cecil and bringing herself to a stop a few paces away. She caws at him cheerfully, a terrible sawblade sound, before moving forward to demand throat scratches. ]

[action]

[usedroar]

No--don't. There's plenty of work for you to do, it's just...

[ He looks around at the vast, empty house. ]

Now there's just me, working.

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

...Such a nice house should host dozens of volunteers, smiling and working and getting in each other's way.

[And not simply to go faster, either.]

I've not been able to bring as much help as I wished, but Rosa might be able to help with the decorating. I think the two of you will get along.

[action]

[usedroar]

Ah...most of them left. Or were taken home, is what I should say.

[ Which he should be happy for! But judging by the slightly tense slope of his shoulders, isn't the case. He manages a small smile for Cecil's sake. ]

I'm happy for any help, but decorating decisions are Minnie's jurisdiction--it is her house.

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

It seems to happen all too often, these days. Or perhaps I merely think so because I know more people that can potentially disappear.

[Cecil finds it hard that anyone could truly be happy about the disappearances, home or not. But he usually keeps that quiet.]

That might please Rosa even more. I doubt she's had the chance to spend times with many ladies since she arrived, considering...

[Considering the fact that Cecil keeps dragging her around.]

[action]

[usedroar]

You're definitely not the only one who thinks that way.

[ Leon's brows knit together. ] Rosa...? Rosie? Is Rosie named after Rosa?

[ Clearly, Cecil, you need to talk about yourself more often, because Leon isn't acquainted with the (future) missus. ]

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

[Cecil smiles fondly.]

Ah, yes, she is. I've named quite a few of my Pokémon after loved ones, in fact; it's something of a family tradition. But naming Rosie after Rosa was particularly important to me.

[Well, he's talking about himself right now.]

[action]

[usedroar]

I see. Rosa is your...?

[ Leon is going to take advantage of this! ]

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

My wife! Well, my future wife. By my time the two of us have been married for nearly two decades, but she comes from before that moment.

[The moment he starts talking about her, Cecil practically beams with the force of a thousand suns. Moons?]

[action]

[usedroar]

[ At the obvious fondness Cecil uses to describe Rosa, Leon's lips turn up ruefully at the corners. With the way things are between himself and Lightning, that kind of happy just won't be for him, and he's come to accept it. ]

It must be tough for you. To know you can't...be with her.

[ Not with a twenty-year age gap in the way. ]

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

[...Cecil will have to interfere, won't he? With all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, even.]

It's easier than I thought it would be, actually. Because we were both best friends long before we fell in love, perhaps... Or perhaps because I've become used to it. Everyone is seventeen years younger than they should be, after all. What's one more person, even Rosa?

[action]

[usedroar]

[ They're big kids, they'll figure it out. Eventually. ]

She doesn't mind?

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

[Before or after they turn thirty?]

I think not. She never said anything about it, at least, other than the surprise she expressed at first. That's a rather mild reaction, all things considered. I was expecting more shock.

[...Which might or might not be because she doesn't know they'll end up married. Haha.]

[action]

[usedroar]

[ ....before Lightning turns thirty...? ]

Well, to be fair, I guess you age pretty well. [ The barest, slyest hint of a smirk. ] She doesn't have much to complain about.

[action]

[puppet_paladin]

[...Sledgehammer. They need it.]

Thank you. In that case, you could also say I'm quite lucky. She's as lovely in my time as she is now. ...Even if she's taken to wearing much longer dresses.

[He sounds almost disappointed by that, too.]

[action]

[usedroar]

[ A small laugh, before Leon nudges Cecil playfully with his elbow. ]

Keep it in your pants, old man. She isn't married to you yet.