The Morning After...

[paraplots]

To think all of five days fluttered away in what might felt like just a day for the residents. Only yesterday the enemy showed its face only to be defeated, and today, the sleeping residents wake to a brave new world.

The castle itself seems much the same if not for that renewed spark of beauty in everything. The glittering veneer has returned. Every sweeping staircase, every turn of the hallway and every glint of sunlight against the windows would take your breath away. Paradisa defines its very name today.

But the greatest change will be felt by those venturing out to the City Royale, now brought centuries back to be reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Even here the air smells of hope and rebirth and the townspeople speak of the recently defeated enemy like an ancient piece of history that they are rightfully proud of. The Steward, they say, is planning to erect a statue to commemorate it but he has been busy on city matters. Far too busy. It can wait.

Paradisa, after all, seems to care little for trivialities such as time.

LINKS: THE CASTLE | CASTLE GROUNDS | CITY ROYALE | Start your own!

Comments

[samson]

[Well, the cabin is still intact, at least, from the sound of it... not that he's going to say that. Sometimes Brock has tact.

Frowning, he comes closer and moves to crouch down next to her, though swear to god if that bear growls at him again, he's bopping it on the nose.]

What... all of 'em? Like, are you sure the fence didn't just get, uh... magicked away or something? [He might be waving his hand. You know. Magic.]

[molotov]

All of them except these four, and Mishka was not even out there. The fence is gone, everything is gone. They would not stray so far.

[samson]

Well, I just mean it's a big forest... [He hasn't gone out there yet, but if the castle changed, he imagines the forest changed with it.

He's about to suggest they go take a look together (like maybe she hasn't done that already? Which doesn't make sense since she already knew what happened to the reserve, but anyway), but then he just sort of looks at her instead.]

You're taking this... pretty well...

[molotov]

Brock, I think I could find thirty bears. Besides, if these three were all together, why would the others be spread out?

[She shrugs, and lights a cigarette.] They were never supposed to be here. I cannot be so selfish as to want them stuck here forever. I am sad, I loved them, but it is better this way. Besides... [She reaches back to stroke Grom] I still have the ones left. Grom would be thousands of years dead... Rykov would be stuck in a zoo... Mishka might be captured by hunters or something... and we have seen that Pokemon just get left behind when their owners are gone.

[samson]

[No, it's a big forest!!!!! They could be all.... hiding... in burrows....... or something...]

Okay. [He's still waiting for the other shoe to drop, some hysterical shooting submachine guns at the sky or something, but she seems to be... fine... so.]

What're you, uh...

[Where are you going to put them. They are bears.]

[molotov]

[Another shrug.]

I thought maybe Grom could stay in the stables, if worse comes to worst, but I do not know about Rykov and Chihanchka.

[samson]

Well, people just kinda keep their little pokemans like pets... Rin used to ride hers like a horse, it was like this tiger/dog thing.

[Haha but wait. He squints at her.]

Are you sure he'd be okay, like... around a bunch of horses?

[molotov]

Bears do not eat horses, Samson.

[samson]

You don't know what cave bears eat. [Let's see your paleontology degree, Molotov.]

[molotov]

I have been feeding him for two years, so I am pretty sure I do.

[samson]

You ever put him next to a horse? Maybe it's like a little Milkbone for him.

[molotov]

Okay then, where do you suggest he live?

[samson]

[Maybe Brock needs to learn to stop being contrary just for the sake of being contrary. He holds up his hands in defeat.]

Okay, okay. Let's not make this into a... thing. [Sighing, he scoots closer to Molotov, eying the bear a little. She treats them let pets, which is weird, but Brock's not fully convinced about their domesticity.]

I'm gonna guess you don't wanna just let 'em loose in the woods, right. I think probably... Chihan... [whatever] He's probably gonna do the best in the stables. Right? There's all kinds of weird animals in there.

[molotov]

No, Chihanchka needs to stay with Rykov. They are friends.

[samson]

[THEY'RE BEARS...]

Is he gonna be okay? I mean, it's still winter, but...

[molotov]

I do not know. I do not know what to do with him.

[samson]

[He frowns and reaches out to pat her hand.] It'll be okay, baby. We'll figure something out. If it comes down to it, we could probably... magic up a winter room or something...

[molotov]

[She shrugs.] I just do not want anything bad to happen to them.

[samson]

When it comes down to it, I don't think the castle screws around with pets too much. They're probably gonna be okay. [Maybe it can't eat animal souls, he doesn't know.]

[molotov]

[Molotov just falls silent and settles back into Grom's fur.]

[samson]

[He frowns. Baby lady...]

Are you sure you're okay?

[molotov]

I just miss them. But it will be all right.

[samson]

[Brock reaches to tuck some of her hair behind her ear, peering down at her eye.]

On the bright side, you won't have to wish up barrels of fish anymore. [Weak attempt at humor...]

[molotov]

[She shrugs.]

They were important to me.

[samson]

What were, the fish? [Just go with it, he's trying...]