12 -action/dictated-

[takethat]

[For once, Phoenix is cleaning his room.

Yes, he could probably ask the ghosts to do it, but really, he's stubborn and hardheaded when it comes to doing things for himself around the castle. So, he's all decked out in rubber gloves and a mask, and he's busy throwing out the who-knows-how-old beer cans and dirty napkins and other messy odds and ends that he's accumulated since... probably November. With his door propped open by his desk chair, he's depositing the trash in the hall, from where he intends to collect it and dump it elsewhere when he's finished.

His desk has become the safe haven for the few items he wants to be doubly sure not to throw away, and Sunflower--his recently-aquired Eevee--is gently batting around the tiny hourglass he tucked away behind his lamp.

Of course, in the process of doing so, she knocks open his journal. Innocently?

The distant sounds of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" playing over some abandoned headphones at their highest volume might be picked up by more discerning ears before Phoenix's voice comes over the journals.]

--don't know how I managed to get all this garbage in here, really, Sunflower. It's not like I'm a messy person.

[He hauls another trash bag out into the hallway and deposits it there before heading back in to rifle through his desk drawers.]

Oh, hey, Sunflower. Here's that crystal thing I bought for you back in your world... everybody I asked about it said it would make you evolve, or something, but I guess it's a dud, huh?

[She yips in response.]

Dat's okay! Because you're the cutest widdle Eevee there ever was--yes you are!--so it doesn't even matter!

[And he goes on ridiculously baby-talking Sunflower for a few more minutes before returning to his cleaning.]

Comments

[cantacquityou]

At least you've figured out that much.

[takethat]

[Sunflower barks a belated greeting, having taken a little while to remember where she's heard this voice before.]

At least Sunflower seems glad to hear that tone of yours...

[cantacquityou]

Hello, little one.

[takethat]

[She gives the paper a lick--have some Eevee saliva over there.]

She doesn't seem too bugged that her water stone isn't doing anything.

[cantacquityou]

[He chuckles]

...That was unexpected. In any case, when did you obtain a water stone?

[takethat]

I got one not too long before we all came back here to Paradisa.

[cantacquityou]

Did you verify its authenticity at the time?

[takethat]

No... I was just so glad to find one at all, I didn't really bother to find out if it was real or not.

[cantacquityou]

Well, I suppose you could consider it a souvenir.

[takethat]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong! Maybe it's me and not the stone.

[cantacquityou]

Have you asked Gold?

[takethat]

No... he doesn't have a lot of patience for me.

[cantacquityou]

Oh, Wright... [Thoroughly amused]...What have you done this time? Though, I can't say I fault the boy. With you, one would have to have the patience of a saint, indeed...

[takethat]

Apparently he doesn't appreciate my shouting things over the journals...

[cantacquityou]

Whatever gave you the idea that anyone would want to hear that?

[takethat]

If I'm excited about stuff I like to share it...

[cantacquityou]

Not everyone has the same zeal for life as you do, Wright.

[takethat]

Yeah, okay, but can't I be zealous if I want to be, how I want to be?

[cantacquityou]

Isn't there a way you can think to do so with regard to being considerate to others?

[takethat]

I can't help it. Sometimes I just want to shout about why I'm happy!

[cantacquityou]

If you want to ensure that you'll be able to continue shouting for many years to come, please don't do it over the journal system. You soon forget that you may inspire wrath within many unsavory characters, here...

[takethat]

What, are you worried about me?

[cantacquityou]

You worry me in more ways than one, Wright...

[takethat]

I guess I should take that as a good thing...

[cantacquityou]

Ah, but can I help it? After all...[mock Phoenix baby-talk] ...you are the cutest widdle Phoenix there ever was -- yes, you are!