21. It only happens once a year. [Video/Action for Goldenrod]

[isthedeadcat]

[The transmission opens to show Lion, sitting in the outskirts of Goldenrod. In the background we can see a Dragonite (wearing a red ribbon), a Salamence, a Milotic and an Altaria playing around (in varying degrees of "playing nice"), a Lucario is sitting to Lion's right, and a not-suspicious-at-all book on the left.

If the book moves, well that's totally normal. It's just a book. Yep.]

Today it marks two years since I arrived here.

If I look back, I don't think I could've imagined spending this long here, and even less all the things that I've seen and done, or the people I have met.

[There is a thoughtful pause, before Lion smiles once more.]

To celebrate, I have a small question for everyone. It's an easy one, I'm sure almost everyone must have an answer.

What makes you feel happy?

Small things or larger ones, it doesn't matter... Let's talk about the things we enjoy or love.

Comments

[isthedeadcat]

[Facebook relationship status between Shinn and Johto: It's complicated.]

I'm glad of having arrived here.

I got many chances to do things and meet people I wouldn't have met otherwise.

[There is also the whole "being dead" thing.]

[impulsives]

Don't you miss home at times, though?

[...shinn...]

[isthedeadcat]

A bit yes.

[A pause...]

Though there isn't much of a "home" left for me now.

[Can you feel the turn for the horrible, Shinn? CAN YOU??? XD]

[impulsives]

...Did a disaster happen or something?

[right, this part almost never came up in their conversations considering how both of them just.

danced around the subject whenever it comes up.]

[isthedeadcat]

[There is a very awkward pause here.

Lion has known Shinn for a long while, after all, but talking about those things is just uncomfortable.]

Can you keep this a secret...?

[private]

[impulsives]

We've known each other for a while, Lion. Of course I can.

[yep.]

[private]

[isthedeadcat]

[A nod, and then a small frown.]

I... I died before coming here. Will was there too, so I take it he died as well.

[private]

[impulsives]

...That...

[...Makes everything about how Lion acted whenever they mentioned their home make sense.]

...Ah, now I get it.

[private]

[isthedeadcat]

I don't really like talking about that too much, so I've kept it as a bit of a secret.

I'm not comfortable with the idea of people treating me in a different way because of it, either.

[private]

[impulsives]

Well, I won't say a word for it, that's for sure.

[just. man, this was a bit to take, he'd joke about how he knows all the dead blondes but that's just tasteless.]

Here's a promise, for as long as I'm staying here, I'll be there for you as a friend.

[beat]

But if you ask me to be your pretend boyfriend I'll have to say no.

[private]

[isthedeadcat]

I'd aim higher for a pretend boyfriend anyway.

But thank you. I'm glad I can count on you for other things.

[private]

[impulsives]

Hey, that's what friends are for, right?