[It does hit differently now, and that's the problem. Or, well, perhaps 'problem' is too strong of a word; the fact that Lysandre is still offering is wonderful, it's just that Sycamore's emotional response to said offer is stronger than he would prefer.
But on the whole, if he has to be honest...he can handle the emotions. They're a small price to pay to be able to contact Lysandre again.
(He definitely won't be moving him off the home screen, at this rate.)]
Likewise. Especially if you're offering cute animal time.
[...yes, yes yes yes he's still patting, good lord-]
Although I will get you into one of those boutiques with me, at some point. I've got some outfits I know you'll love.
You might be right about the coat; give me a moment...
[It's awkward to do when surrounded by So Many Goats, but Sycamore manages to shuffle his lab coat off his shoulders, before balling it up and shoving it under his shirt. The result is...definitely something, but at least now he won't have to watch it being eaten.]
There we are! I will be able to survive these dangerous beasts a little longer now.
[They seem to like his new belly, anyway, judging by the way some of the babies are shoving their faces into it. So...cute....
...anyway, as for those comments on clothing-]
You know we can't all be as fashionable as you. Are you sure I can't convince you to add some Lunatia shine to your outfit? Perhaps a shimmery red cravat?
[...It's been a while since he's seen this particular brand of ridiculous; it's nice, honestly.]
I'll pass with regards to Lunatia's taste in fashion. If I end up accepting any of it, it's going to be on my own terms.
[Because everything else is kind of gross, honestly.
That said, though, He's quiet for a moment; thinking and focusing on the goats as he does so, it's nothing terrible. Just...]
I hadn't realized how much I had missed doing things like this. Just spending time somewhere out of the way like this, where I don't have to concern myself with acting a certain way or being anything in particular.
It's peaceful, in a way I haven't been able to experience in a while.
[...how does he phrase this without immediately sending them back to the emotionally-fraught moments of their Holocaster-repair conversation...]
...it's something I'm glad you're able to experience again. There are plenty of reasons to find Lunatia confronting, but one of the best features, I think, is the fact that you arrive here without your reputation, be it good or bad. You're just another person on the street, free to just...be. No one expects you to act in any exact way.
[Thinking and focusing on the goats really does seem like an excellent plan, at the moment.]
So...I'm delighted the goats have helped you come to remember that freedom.
[And that will actually make him laugh, but it's soft. Gentle.]
Said as though I'm doing you a favour. We're going to get stuck in a cycle of thanks, if we're not careful.
[We're getting very good at that, lately....not that he's complaining. It actually makes him think of something, as he runs a hand down a particularly shaggy goat's neck.]
Let's make a deal. If we ever...I don't know, get into a fight, or end up upset or anything like that, let's return here and just...sit for a bit. Ground ourselves. What do you think?
[God forbid they fight, the goats will probably notice the displeasure, but that is a problem for future them.]
It seems a good place for it, at any rate. I may come back here on occasion anyway, simply because of how calming this place is.
[...]
That is, when I'm not being asked what's wrong with me for bringing a lion near goats, and being asked again in genuine confusion rather than anger when I said I didn't know what a lion is.
[HAVE YOU EVER NEARLY GOTTEN YOURSELF THROWN OUT OF A PETTING ZOO BECAUSE LIKE.....]
...MON AMI HOW HAVE YOU BEEN HERE FOR FIVE MINUTES YET YOU'VE ALREADY ALMOST BEEN EJECTED FROM THE PETTING ZOO-]
You...you what?
[Oh no, oh no, he's so sorry but he can't help but burst out laughing-]
A li....you brought...
[he's going to scare the goats himself, at this rate!]
Of course, Pyroar...he looks very similar to a creature called a 'lion', who would eat these little animals! Oh you poor thing, I was going to ask why Pyroar wasn't out....
[sorry, he's sorry, just...let him giggle a bit more. Lysandre...]
[It is, actually, really quite nice to laugh like this, especially with you...he will calm down eventually but good god, mon ami...]
I mean, I can't say I'm surprised, but still...if only we could explain that he just wants to look! It's alright, we can go for a walk somewhere else and let him out.
[Where there will be no goats to terrify, in all his not!lion-ness. If that's a word.
...it's probably not a word. Oh well!]
You're probably going to have that experience a few times, especially if you're walking through the city with him! Although you two do make a handsome pair, so I'm sure you'd get attention regardless.
[Or you could just, you know, buy another one...merely a suggestion...
...heh~]
Alright you three, we're leaving!
[The Kalosian starters will promptly stop rolling around (they're now...also requiring cleaning, look at all those grass stains...) and happily trot after Sycamore as he and Lysandre head back onto the path leading to the heart of the Groves.]
I have no other plans for the day, so we can take our time. There's plenty to see!
[Please tell him you have retrieved your coat from where you were keeping it from the goats.]
It seems impossible to see it all in one day; we'll have to come back sometime.
[It's an easy assertion, and one he doesn't seem inclined to amend or back off on. Just...we're going to be spending time together, we may as well do it here at some point.
He'll let Pyroar out of the ball once they're far enough from the goats for the lion to not be an issue; he seems pleased about it, though he isn't going far from Lysandre's side for now. ...The other Pokémon have his interest, however.]
[Thankfully the coat has been put back on, yes. It doesn't even have too many holes in it! Goats...so cute, yet so destructive.
Anyway, speaking of cute creatures; his little trio are. very excited (it's p y r o a r) by the sight of Lysandre's signature Pokémon, although they will fortunately just run around his feet for a bit and not launch themselves upon him (even though they would like to).
Their antics amuse Sycamore, and he has to stifle a laugh.]
Clearly, we'll have to - I apologise in advance to Pyroar.
[First the lion discrimination, now three over-excited Kalosian starter Pokémon ready to pile on him? The poor thing is having quite the day of it.]
And it's most definitely impossible, yes...but this section of the walk is rather nice. You know what I'm like; wherever you want to go, I will follow! I have so many places I want to show you.
[Pyroar, to his credit, does seem fairly pleased to see the other Pokémon in his own way; he will look for a moment like he's just kind of tolerating this before batting lightly at Chespin and then leaping off a short distance away and crouching down low, as though waiting for the three of them to do something about it. Come on, if you're going to pile on him you're going to have to work for it.]
...Somehow I think he'll be fine.
[Anyway,]
You've mentioned that there are a few places in the city that you would like to take me as well - I've no doubt you've already found the best café here.
[...oh, well. This is all looking extremely pure, isn't it; Sycamore is vaguely concerned that one (or more) of his Pokemon is going to explode from sheer excitement at the prospect of this game, but thankfully that energy is quickly expended as they shriek and charge Pyroar as fast as they can!
(Which is...admittedly not super fast, because they're tripping over each other, but it's the thought that counts.)]
Oh, naturally! I have a top ten. My criteria is very strict.
[As he lists said criteria off, he taps a finger for each one.]
I measure the quality of the coffee, the selection of food, the general ambience, and how attractive the waitstaff are.
[...yes, that last one is obviously a joke, but you're getting a sly waggle of his eyebrows regardless.]
[Pyroar shifts a bit, clearly looking as though he's strongly considering jumping away again. Come on, come get him - if you don't get him now he might get away from you again...]
You really are setting my expectations rather high - shall I let you decide where we meet next, then...?
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But on the whole, if he has to be honest...he can handle the emotions. They're a small price to pay to be able to contact Lysandre again.
(He definitely won't be moving him off the home screen, at this rate.)]
Likewise. Especially if you're offering cute animal time.
[...yes, yes yes yes he's still patting, good lord-]
Although I will get you into one of those boutiques with me, at some point. I've got some outfits I know you'll love.
['Love' might not be the word you would use.]
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[...There are so many goats.]
Do you want to stay here for a while longer, then? I'm entirely willing, though I'm not sure your coat is up to much longer.
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[It's awkward to do when surrounded by So Many Goats, but Sycamore manages to shuffle his lab coat off his shoulders, before balling it up and shoving it under his shirt. The result is...definitely something, but at least now he won't have to watch it being eaten.]
There we are! I will be able to survive these dangerous beasts a little longer now.
[They seem to like his new belly, anyway, judging by the way some of the babies are shoving their faces into it. So...cute....
...anyway, as for those comments on clothing-]
You know we can't all be as fashionable as you. Are you sure I can't convince you to add some Lunatia shine to your outfit? Perhaps a shimmery red cravat?
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I'll pass with regards to Lunatia's taste in fashion. If I end up accepting any of it, it's going to be on my own terms.
[Because everything else is kind of gross, honestly.
That said, though, He's quiet for a moment; thinking and focusing on the goats as he does so, it's nothing terrible. Just...]
I hadn't realized how much I had missed doing things like this. Just spending time somewhere out of the way like this, where I don't have to concern myself with acting a certain way or being anything in particular.
It's peaceful, in a way I haven't been able to experience in a while.
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...I know what you mean, mon ami. It's...
[...how does he phrase this without immediately sending them back to the emotionally-fraught moments of their Holocaster-repair conversation...]
...it's something I'm glad you're able to experience again. There are plenty of reasons to find Lunatia confronting, but one of the best features, I think, is the fact that you arrive here without your reputation, be it good or bad. You're just another person on the street, free to just...be. No one expects you to act in any exact way.
[Thinking and focusing on the goats really does seem like an excellent plan, at the moment.]
So...I'm delighted the goats have helped you come to remember that freedom.
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[That said, though, he doesn't sound distressed or upset in saying it.]
It seems like something I want to continue to experience for a while longer, though. And I'm... It's good that you're here with me.
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[He'll actually look up from the (admittedly very addictive) baby goats, then, giving Lysandre a warm smile.]
I can't say there's anyone else I'd rather be doing this with.
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Said as though I'm doing you a favour. We're going to get stuck in a cycle of thanks, if we're not careful.
[We're getting very good at that, lately....not that he's complaining. It actually makes him think of something, as he runs a hand down a particularly shaggy goat's neck.]
Let's make a deal. If we ever...I don't know, get into a fight, or end up upset or anything like that, let's return here and just...sit for a bit. Ground ourselves. What do you think?
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[God forbid they fight, the goats will probably notice the displeasure, but that is a problem for future them.]
It seems a good place for it, at any rate. I may come back here on occasion anyway, simply because of how calming this place is.
[...]
That is, when I'm not being asked what's wrong with me for bringing a lion near goats, and being asked again in genuine confusion rather than anger when I said I didn't know what a lion is.
[HAVE YOU EVER NEARLY GOTTEN YOURSELF THROWN OUT OF A PETTING ZOO BECAUSE LIKE.....]
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...MON AMI HOW HAVE YOU BEEN HERE FOR FIVE MINUTES YET YOU'VE ALREADY ALMOST BEEN EJECTED FROM THE PETTING ZOO-]
You...you what?
[Oh no, oh no, he's so sorry but he can't help but burst out laughing-]
A li....you brought...
[he's going to scare the goats himself, at this rate!]
Of course, Pyroar...he looks very similar to a creature called a 'lion', who would eat these little animals! Oh you poor thing, I was going to ask why Pyroar wasn't out....
[sorry, he's sorry, just...let him giggle a bit more. Lysandre...]
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[LISTEN, IT'S- okay no it's actually pretty funny and he will concede that, good god.
...Look, it's good to see you laugh, okay.]
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I mean, I can't say I'm surprised, but still...if only we could explain that he just wants to look! It's alright, we can go for a walk somewhere else and let him out.
[Where there will be no goats to terrify, in all his not!lion-ness. If that's a word.
...it's probably not a word. Oh well!]
You're probably going to have that experience a few times, especially if you're walking through the city with him! Although you two do make a handsome pair, so I'm sure you'd get attention regardless.
[7ft tall, also with not!lion, etc.]
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I'd like to let him out at some point while we're here, though, yes. Just not...near the goats, apparently...
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[No goat-pats for you, Pyroar. Sorry about that.]
Why don't we go for a bit of a stroll, then? My three would love to climb all over Pyroar, I'm sure.
[...speaking of which, they're still. rolling around in the grass, but apparently they do not bother the goats. Good to know.]
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[He'll get up, either way; god, he's going to have to get this outfit cleaned later. Worth it, though.
Shall we, then?]
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...heh~]
Alright you three, we're leaving!
[The Kalosian starters will promptly stop rolling around (they're now...also requiring cleaning, look at all those grass stains...) and happily trot after Sycamore as he and Lysandre head back onto the path leading to the heart of the Groves.]
I have no other plans for the day, so we can take our time. There's plenty to see!
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It seems impossible to see it all in one day; we'll have to come back sometime.
[It's an easy assertion, and one he doesn't seem inclined to amend or back off on. Just...we're going to be spending time together, we may as well do it here at some point.
He'll let Pyroar out of the ball once they're far enough from the goats for the lion to not be an issue; he seems pleased about it, though he isn't going far from Lysandre's side for now. ...The other Pokémon have his interest, however.]
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Anyway, speaking of cute creatures; his little trio are. very excited (it's p y r o a r) by the sight of Lysandre's signature Pokémon, although they will fortunately just run around his feet for a bit and not launch themselves upon him (even though they would like to).
Their antics amuse Sycamore, and he has to stifle a laugh.]
Clearly, we'll have to - I apologise in advance to Pyroar.
[First the lion discrimination, now three over-excited Kalosian starter Pokémon ready to pile on him? The poor thing is having quite the day of it.]
And it's most definitely impossible, yes...but this section of the walk is rather nice. You know what I'm like; wherever you want to go, I will follow! I have so many places I want to show you.
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...Somehow I think he'll be fine.
[Anyway,]
You've mentioned that there are a few places in the city that you would like to take me as well - I've no doubt you've already found the best café here.
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(Which is...admittedly not super fast, because they're tripping over each other, but it's the thought that counts.)]
Oh, naturally! I have a top ten. My criteria is very strict.
[As he lists said criteria off, he taps a finger for each one.]
I measure the quality of the coffee, the selection of food, the general ambience, and how attractive the waitstaff are.
[...yes, that last one is obviously a joke, but you're getting a sly waggle of his eyebrows regardless.]
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You really are setting my expectations rather high - shall I let you decide where we meet next, then...?
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...and oh, well. We're apparently going to have an Emotion over here while our Pokémon play, aren't we.]
Absolutely. I want to take you to all my favourites.
[...he has a lot of favourites. Just letting you know. Many meetings will be required.]
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...You sure are having a good amount of emotions over there, aren't you.]
I'll be looking forward to it, then.
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(they are absolutely tackling you, Pyroar)]
Do you know what the best part of that idea is?
[Have a light nudge.]
Since I've been here longer, I'll be the one paying.
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