private instant messenger (for empatheias)

[cilantro]

Need to talk privately with Cilan? Send him a message via the crystal or carrier pigeon? Want to meet with him without posting a log for it?
Here's the place to do it!

Comments

[10/08]

[gottacatch]

Cilan!

[ It's a meeting outside the city, spacial and quiet, with the sight of clustered trees not too far away and a man-made dirt path close by; all of which Cilan would have been able to witness before his arrival, images easily provided via mind-sharing - and Red even making sure to remember certain points from inside the city to out, just in case! - when he was 'called' by the boy for their meeting.

Red's got hold of his bag by the sraps, walking halfway to meet the gym leader, smile lighting up his face and a warming welcome. ] Hey! I was thinking, should we move further out? There's a lot of free space on this side.

[cilantro]

[When Cilan spots Red, he offers a cheerful smile of his own.]

If you'd like to move further out, then that's fine by me. Besides, it would be beneficial to make sure that there's enough free space to allow our Pokemon to move about freely.

[And also maybe so that they don't end up attracting too much attention from anyone that might be hanging around outside of the city either, so by all means, lead us further out.]

[16/08] voice; what if i did this too, you can't stop me

[gottacatch]

[ It's sent at a later part of the day, with the sky dulled and the likelihood of the tournament still ongoing - with people filling the streets of Verens again, bringing back the bustling noise (and perhaps even more than that) - being quite unlikely.

So, fortunately, Red was not sending Cilan a knock knock hum during any battling. Isn't he lucky! ]

Hey, Cilan. Are you back from the tournament yet?

[ Red was going to go - be a spectator, and it may even be that Cilan knew from a previous meeting between the pair that he planned to go (i will even have it come up in their other thread, watch me), but changed his mind in the end. For reasons.

But hey, it didn't mean there wasn't some curiosity...! Especially when a fellow trainer had entered! So hi there Cilan. ]

gosh what a rebel... (also I assume this takes place after the first round of the tournament?)

[cilantro]

[Cilan had entered the tournament, and lucky him, he and his Pokemon were able to defeat Silver (the non friendly one) in Round One, so they'll be able to move on to the next round. The next round is gonna involve having to fight someone who doesn't actually have Pokemon, which is certainly going to be a challenge, but right now, Cilan's feeling pretty good about his chances here. But little does he know that he's going to lose because his mun is terrible but ANYWAY...]

Oh, hello Red! Yes, we just got back from the tournament, though we'll have to go back tomorrow in order to take part in the second round.

[And here, there's a good amount of cheer and sunniness coming through on his end--someone is clearly very happy right now. Though, he had been too focused on his own battle to really pay that much attention to the spectators, so he didn't notice that Red had not been there to watch until pretty much the end of the battle. That's a little disappointing, but not enough to ruin Cilan's good mood here, so--]

What about you, Red? How have you been since the last time we spoke?

29/09 - in your heart i know you want this

[gottacatch]

[ With Sosyne's appearance and the monsters that she brings with her, the city of Verens has been quickly thrown into chaos. Buildings fall to the waves of her anger, people soon know to combat it with their own determined emotions. Some calling on calm in this time of panic, others using their own anger into a source of positivity. A need to survive.

They all had to do everything they could to survive. No matter what. ]

Cilan, you okay your end!?

[ anyway so enough of those fancy words, hope you don't mind a sudden call because just gotta know what you're up to and if you've got everything relatively in control where you are-- ]

... you know me too well...

[cilantro]

[Don't worry, Cilan isn't using too many fancy words right now when he responds.]

I think so. It's... hectic right now, but we're doing our best out here.

[He and his Pokemon have been repelling enemy monsters away from them, but gosh, they are certainly persistent in their attack here, aren't they? And then there's trying to look for and deal with Trip... but for now, he'll focus on the person he's talking to.]

What about you? Are you alright?

23/10; me and this inbox 5eva

[gottacatch]

Hey, Cilan! Do you or your pokémon like apples? I've got some spare if you want them!

[ By the sounds of that introduction coming from the entrance and going over to the kitchen area, Red's decided to stay this night at the apartment unlike the one before, and the heavy, spreading noise the carriers make on the kitchen surface may put the amount of apples he has to spare more than just 'some'. Or Cilan can see for himself (possibly) the bulky things making themselves at home over there, Red turning around with his gaze on his hands where he massages the sore marks left before looking over to Cilan.

Hey dude, what you up to. He really had to put those down, okay. Also don't mind the huge lump at his chest, that's just one of those baby bugs all the other trainers like. ]

at this rate I'm gonna have to relabel this inbox as the "red and cilan" collection...

[cilantro]

Oh, hello Red!

[Cilan closes the book that he had been glancing through here as he turns his attention towards the other trainer and his... very impressive collection of fruit here.]

My, it looks like you have quite a lot of apples to spare... [Geez, carrying around that many apples is the sort of thing he would expect from Iris back home... which, that thought might be why he seems to be glowing a little brightly now at the reminder, as he smiles.] But, my Pokemon and I will certainly enjoy them... ah, in fact, I could probably use them to make something for us here...

[Have you eaten anything yet, Red?]

04/12; audio via amulet (screw italics)

[gottacatch]

[ A little after this...! Knock knock hum hum over the amuletphone! ]

Hey, Cilan?

welcome to the italics free zone

[cilantro]

[Hello, you've reached the amulet-answering machine of Cilan, but unfortunately he's not available at the mo--nah, just kidding, he's right here.]

Hello Red, is there something that I can do for you?

12/12; christmas shopping

[gottacatch]

[ So they're Christmas shopping together, or whatever other holiday name it wants to be called. There's presents buying and Cilan and Red are together, they're gonna do this thing.

And Red's prepared, with a piece of unfolded paper in his hand that he looks down to, his hat and a scarf keeping a chunk of his face nicely covered up. Definitely prepared. Prepared for this weather, prepared for the people he probbaaabbly should and or might buy gifts for???

There's just. One thing he isn't prepared for. ]

...I've got some ideas on what I want to get, but [ a nervous glance, from the paper to around the merchant square to Cilan ] ...do you have any tips for what to get the people I don't?

[ Cilan, you're so... responsible. Help us, sensei. What's the secret. ]

[cilantro]

[Cilan's prepared for a day of christmas shopping too, his own list on hand and a (green) hat and scarf to keep himself safe from the cold. At the question however, Cilan adjusts his scarf so that it's not covering his mouth so that he can speak.]

Well, personally I find that baked goods can be a sweet taste to offer to just about anyone, but I also think that depends on who those people are. [So...] Who are you having trouble coming up with ideas for?

SOMETIME BEFORE TALLER SILVER'S BDAY

[refuses]

[ okay, it's been— a while since silver's actually spoken to cilan. only sometime before the sosyne attack had they met again on better terms, and that was to sort of apologize about his mess during that championship, and ever since then . . .

well, silver's kept more to himself ever since sosyne, and the only trainer he still frequents company is red's ( truth be told ). it's not until white's announcement that has him inching away from the bustling and word of a surprise party soon, and it isn't because of that that he's calling cilan now, an awkward pause in his thoughts before they form words. ]

. . . Hey.

[ hi i'm not feeling awkward at all, just allow him to get used to talking to you ]

[cilantro]

[Well, this is quite an expected taste--normally, Cilan doesn't get to talk to this Silver very often, what with him being a bit more reclusive than the other one. Then again, perhaps he should have done a better job of reaching out to Silver himself, but then the stuff with Sosyne happened and Cilan's attention span has been all over the place since then.

Still, once his momentary surprise fades, the tone he responds with is warm and friendly.]

Hello Silver! Is there something that I can do for you today? [If he's reaching out to us, it must be for something important, right?]

12/24

[refuses]

[ cacaw! would you look at that, a messenger bird! it's got something strapped to its little messenger backpack; it'll flutter over to any makeshift perch available for cilan to take what's his— a box, unwrapped, but clearly new if the seal of its little knob is anything to go by. once unsealed and open, cilan will find many recipe cards for bamboo, from milkshakes to curries— anything and everything a cook could think of.

there's no name, no return address, no extra note— just the box in question. the amazing box of bamboo recipes.

cilan liked to cook, right? so.

there you go. ]

[cilantro]

[Oh!! This... this is wonderful! It's quite a touching gift to receive, even if he's not one hundred percent certain of who sent this to him.

However, he simply cannot just take this mystery gift without doing something in return, so he convinces the bird to stay put for a moment so that he can write a note + pack something together, before putting it in it's messenger backpack and having it fly back to the person who sent us our gift.

And thus, Silver should soon expect the messenger bird to return sometime later, and opening the pack, he will find a small bag of delicious cookies (miraculously not having been eaten by the bird who delivered this) and a thank you note...]

Thank you very much for the gift you sent me! I'll be sure to make good use of it.

I apologize for not having something better to give back right away, but until then, I hope you enjoy these cookies that I baked today!

--Cilan

23/12

[gottacatch]

[ It's an early start of the day!! Actually rather early in the morning, and hopefully Cilan will be either awake or around when there's a rapid rap of knocks on his door. ]

Cilan? Are you around?

[ Cilaaannn it's Reeedddd, that brown-haired trainer who'll be ready to meet you with a giant smile on his face!! Also, a whole lot of bags to the side of him. A whole bunch. That is a lot of bags. ]

[cilantro]

[Luckily for you, Cilan is in fact a morning person, so he'll be able to open the door upon hearing Red's knocking, and greet him with a bright and cheery smile upon seeing who it is.]

Oh, hello Red! What can I do for you on this wonderful morning we're having today?

[...That sure is a lot of bags you've got with you though, what are those for...]

02/01

[gottacatch]

[ The weather is chilly, but bustling of the streets and the wide stretch of the tree in the centre of the market stops the snow from spreading as much as it could, and the company of Charizard--munching away on hot potatoes, one of which Red has himself balancing on his lap with a small fork stabbed into the top--keeps them from getting too bad a case of the chills with his tail out for them.

There's a small notebook sitting on his knee, kept there for the second he awkwardly scribbles something inside it, then closes it with the pencil tucked inside to sit at the side. Writing away is not how you're supposed to have lunch, or something. ]

Hey, Cilan-- how do you feel about the arehtei?

[ Conversation is always acceptable however, right? ]

[cilantro]

[Cilan doesn't have any fire-type Pokemon here, so he certainly appreciates Charizard helping to keep the two of them from becoming cold out here. He does have a nice cup of tea though, which he sets back down in front of him upon hearing Red's question.]

The Arehtei? [Hm...] ... To me, they have a similar flavor to that of Pokemon, particularly the ones that are often spoken of in legends. And considering the power and influence that the Arehtei have here, they're certainly worthy of respect, just like the legendary Pokemon are.

[There's a bit of a pause, before--]

Though, that influence they have is sometimes worrisome in regards to how everyone's emotions work here: if too many of us are angry or upset, then it can cause the Arehtei to have some particularly bitter mood-swings. And as we've learned, the repercussions of that tend to have an undesirable taste.

[...Maybe he shouldn't think about Sosyne though, it's causing his tea to start bubbling like boiling water for a second or two before he shakes his head.]

That said, however, I like them and I care about their well-being. I want everyone here to be at peace, and that includes them as well.

[...]

What about you? How do you feel about the Arehtei?

10/02 ( sad green monsters in snow )

[gottacatch]

[ Red, admittedly, had the idea of taking Cilan to somewhere a little more interesting when he'd talked to him of ideas of turning his expertise towards broader horizons than simply pokémon, when Red's previous month had been filled travelling to the western side of the island, near the Ferril Mountains where chimera-like beasts and all sorts appeared to like to hang out with adorable bunny-ish creatures.

But then, nobody exactly woke up that day expecting to find one of the western roads to be utterly covered in the most monstrous of beasts who wished to do nothing more than to wail in high-pitched voices like cats about their miseries and to slump around in further dismay over the woes of their life. That is, the western side roads.....outside Verens.

Fear this horrid sight, for they are many and with nowhere to go in the world.

Despite their constant cries and what their lithe and long forms would have one to believe, and though they were generally harmless when not exhibiting odd behaviours, their bodies weighed more than that of an adult kodiak bear--a fact that was left off from the task board note asking for assistance in removing them by whatever means necessary, which of course meant that Red needed to drag out extra help to get the work done. ]

...are those cats?

[ Because standing on the road leading to them but not yet too close, they look (and sound) like green cats if you ask him. Red had the idea the problems were going to be more the size of onixes than that of arcanines. And growlithes. It was a mix, really.

An oddly cute mix. ]

[cilantro]

... They do seem like they'd have a similar taste to cats, don't they?

[At least, in terms of appearance and those noises they're making right now. Cilan's currently got that notebook Red got him for Christmas out at the moment, currently writing down his observations about these creatures they've come across. He also brought one of the old-timey Empatheias cameras on this trip, but attempting to use it might startle them so he'll hold off on that for now.]

I'd even say that they were cute, if it wasn't for that high-pitched crying they're doing right now.

['cause wow, that is not easy on the ears to listen to...]

[2/15]

[bondsofsuffering]

[After all of the fun that came of Valentine's Day, in the end, the fridge still needs stocking. As such, the duty falls on Hizumi to go make sure they have the necessary ingredients.

He's doing a fair job of it so far. Only one jar of candied sweets has found its way into his basket among the vegetables. He'll go to a butcher later to get some proper cuts of meat, but for now, ah...

He pauses in front of a shelf, deeply considering the bags of dried fruit chips. He'd been avoiding chocolate in light of making so much of it the day before, but other snacks were still fair game, right...?]

...'Sides, he can't get on my case if it's fruit...

[What probably should've been a mumble comes out loud and clear thanks to the low level of fucks Hizumi tends to give about these things. Of course, with such a distinct voice, and an equally distinct "accent," it's only too easy to spot the minty-haired kid.]

[cilantro]

[Well, that voice certainly gets Cilan's attention from where he had been taking a look at some of the snacks further down the aisle. For a moment he considers whether or not he should say hello or leave Hizumi be, but ultimately he ends up doing the former as he's curious enough to step closer to look at what Hizumi's got there.]

...Oh, those are a good choice to pick: even with the amount of sugar they add to some of these chips in order to enhance the taste, they still have some nutritional value.

[...And of course he opened his mouth to comment on them too, so much for being discreet with just getting a closer look here.]

a day in june / action

[gottacatch]

[ The decision starts with a question of whether Cilan's feeling better, and agreeing as well that he looks and sounds it too. Probably sick of having pancakes every morning and then for supper if the far more experienced chef didn't ever intervene, but at least Red knew how to bring some variety to the apartment, making sure the cupboards couldn't ever be called empty and using what takeaway services were available. Sometimes extending the offer for Cilan's pokémon to come out with him, especially when he slept more often than not, to help him pick out what they thought "Cilan would like best" by looks. The perfect excuse to make sure they got some fresh air too.

(And he'd like for Pansage and Crustle, especially Crustle, to get rid of any worry that there was anything but friendliness between them all. What's a knock to the head between friends, after all?)

So it starts with a question, but the plan had always be in the back of Red's mind, finding an innocent picnic basket and idly poking around for a fishing rod, and passing a shop that dealt with baits and equipment... That day, however, brought the idea into motion, and a small hushed meeting with the pokémon of the house to get their approval, but for them to keep it quiet. We could be straightforward about it, or we could make it a surprise.

Red rather likes the idea of surprising Cilan. He even goes out of the way to prepare the food outside the apartment slipping the basket out with him and coming back in later before lunchtime without much fanfare, giving an ordinary hello, definitely not any more giddy than usual. (Actually, being here has made it easy to keep happy.)

He sets the basket onto the counter, and Cilan could have been doing whatever, doesn't matter, just as long as he's in the room for Red can make the announcement he's been going over in his head all day: ]

Cilan, [ a pat on the basket! ] it's a great day outside, so let's have lunch at the lake!

[ Yeah!!! ]

it sure is a day in june

[cilantro]

[Cilan probably did intervene once or twice as far as having pancakes again for dinner, but he also probably helped point things out to Red that he could attempt to prepare instead that would surely be easy for the kid to make. He also really appreciates Red taking his Pokemon out and about so that they got some fresh air while he had been resting. (Especially Crustle, who has highly enjoyed doing so.)

Yesterday, he thinks his fever might have finally broke, and as such he doesn't feel as sick and tired as he did previously. Maybe now he'll be ready to work again once the restaurant re-opens to the public... but until then, he can take this time to do things that are fun and enjoyable.

When Red comes back, he'll find that Cilan's reading a book. It's something he's taken to doing when he wasn't sleeping, but he's sitting nearby rather than in his room, so that's a pretty good sign that Cilan is definitely feeling better now.]

Oh? [Looking up from the book now to the basket, and then to Red with interest.] So that's what you were up to, hm?

[Color him curious--did Red put this lunch together himself?]

another day in june / action!!

[gottacatch]

[ Who knows what they're currently doing, you're not the boss of me, it's action because I say it is. Are they even still living together. ]

Hey, so at Alvin's get-together I met a girl who said she knew you called Sonia. Pretty face, long blonde hair?

[ Really, really pretty face?? ]

[cilantro]

[they probably still are. either that or taking turns crashing at one another's houses.]

Oh? That does indeed sound like Miss Sonia... [Sonia, after all, does in fact have long blond hair and a really pretty face......] I take it that you had a good time getting to meet and talk with her?

01/07; voice

[gottacatch]

[ brng brng, Cilan. Sorry we are likely bugging you during work, but-! ]

Cilan! Got a second?

[ ...Red might sound slightly fussed over here, but don't mind that. ]

[cilantro]

[He is working right now, but Cilan doesn't mind the ping.]

Sure, Red. What is it?

[Voice] 7/9

[properprincess]

[She's thought a lot about this but the more she's thought the more convoluted her thinking has become. So, it's just best to do it and get it over with.]

Ah, Cilan-san, are you busy right now? I... I would like to talk to you about something important. Face-to-face might be best, but we can do it over the crystals if you're unable to get away.

[cilantro]

[... Is everything okay? Should he be concerned?]

I can be there soon if you'd like to speak face-to-face. Where would you like me to meet with you at?

09/07; action

[gottacatch]

[ Whatever time Cilan returns to the apartment (or is it a house), Red will be there in the living room, stood up from the sofa he had likely been sitting on and looking the way leading into the hallway that'll let him see anyone coming through. He doesn't say anything before then, not even calling out to let Cilan know he's there.

Red just waits to spot him through that open space connecting the two rooms, then speaks quickly to catch him from continuing on into any other direction. ]

Cilan.

[ It's something of a greeting, if not usually more of his cheery and welcoming ones. Hello how late did you come in are you going to be whistling a happy tune or what, mister connoisseur-- ]

[cilantro]

[Cilan seems rather dazed when he comes back from wherever he was, to the point that he almost doesn't even realize that Red was home until he spoke, which will get Cilan to turn and look at him properly now.]

Huh? Ah, Red... how are you doing this evening?

inbox all the time (05/08 -- 08-09/08)

[gottacatch]

[ The excuse for the trip to Shaarnath, at least for on Cilan's side, was researching the dishes and foods available and how it might be incorporated in the From The Hearth menu while the city below was once again a hot topic on peoples' minds, if for this time more excitable reasons than before. Red hadn't known what to expect when he presented the Very Clever Proposal to Alvin, but that the man had agreed, and that Cilan hadn't minded at all, well.

It was already off to a good start.

And it became one good thing after another soon after arrival, with just the sight of something so new, at least for Red, only seen through the flowing waters available in Verens when Thras's challenge had been concluded, he was trying not to be so obvious with the vibrant energy around him, from the architecture to the people, to the atmosphere, and...

to the tasks outside the Drask Association, Red's finger tapping excitedly at one of the jobs. ]

Here, Cilan, look! There's someone who wants people from Verens to try Shaarnath foods and make meals with them! You have to do this!

[ There was no way this was going to be their singular trip. ]

inbox all day every day

[cilantro]

Oh? [Cilan's going to immediately skip over and take a look now, tapping his own finger against the ad now.] My, what an excellent opportunity to get to taste the various delicacies that this city has to offer... plus, this will help our research for the restaurant back in Verens!

[Because of course we're a good little worker bee, even when we're not actually at the restaurant right now.]

11/08 [Letter]

[properprincess]

Cilan-san,

Since the arrival of Tanaka-san, I have relinquished the Dark Devas to their true owner. However, In the last week, I find myself missing their constant presence. I would like your opinion, and Tanaka-san's as well, as I go and attempt to find a new companion.

If you would be amenable to this, I would like to go tomorrow, as I have a party planned for Saturday. If you're unable to come, I would understand as well.

Thank you,
Sonia Nevermind

[cilantro]

[Oh!! Yes, Cilan is definitely going to respond to this right away--]

Miss Sonia, I would love to come and help you out with seeking a new friend, as well as getting the opportunity to meet Tanaka-san. I'm very curious to know what the master of the Dark Devas is like; do you suppose that he would be interested in meeting our Pokemon as well? Then again, I suppose I'll be able to find that out as well as how he tastes tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you both,
Cilan

plops this in here for eventual clothing adventures

[gottacatch]

[ It's a day of food shopping, where Red is actually around to help out because it's only fair given the extra mouths that come with his pokémon and three porrings. Except coming down a street, there's a cake and tea shop that catches his eye, and he tugs on Cilan's arm with his free hand when he stops. ]

Hey, Cilan -- have you been in there before?

oh boy

[cilantro]

Hm? [He looks up at the indicated shop with the arm tug, looking at it curiously.] No, I can't say that I have, actually. What about you? Have you tasted the cakes and tea they have there yet?

Bird visit

[futureprofessor]

[It's berry tasting time! Wherever Cilan may be at the moment, he'll be visited by Bianca's new mechanical owl. It brings him a paper bag with some berries in it, and a note attached. Enjoy~]

a sudden voice in your head I'm so sorry...

[cilantro]

[A little while after sending the berries and note, Bianca might be minding her own business when suddenly...]

Oh my goodness, how cute! What a sweet flavor this little one has...

[... Is that Cilan fawning over this adorable mechanical owl that brought him Bianca's gift that he accidentally transmitted this thought out loud to it's owner, it sure is.]

11/11

[gottacatch]

[ Surprise, surprise, it's one of those days that Red isn't off somewhere else in the world and has plans to stick around for dinner with Cilan and his pokémon for once, though Red doesn't have any expectations about what dinner will be like, despite some preparations he's made.

But as soon as Red hears the front door open and close, he'll be coming out of his room, clicking the door behind him. He's thought about how to approach this since he heard, but... ]

Cilan? ...Welcome back.

[ Well, he's not going to tell him as soon as he comes through the front door. ]

[cilantro]

[Upon being greeted by Red, Cilan offers a bright smile and a wave with the hand that isn't holding some bags right now.]

Red, hello! I'll be getting started on preparing dinner here in just a moment after putting away some things--do you have any preferences in particular for what we should make, or... ah, do you already have plans for tonight?

christmas

[gottacatch]

[ Since they'll likely be spending this day together, Red will make the suggestion they go out and give out their presents to friends, and maybe do some last minute shopping that they need to.

But for actual gifts--
- A book on common plants around Empatheias with pictures.
- Three small plush toys he got made of Pansage, Crustle, and Stunfisk!!!
- A comically oversized chef hat to wear the entire day
- Actually expensive silver cuff links with a green stone in the middle
- Remember those talks about finding somewhere to have a garden??? Somewhere along southeast of Verens is a small cottage that's been rundown and nothing done with it the entire time Red's been there!! How about, Cilan... they take it and build up their own variety garden there.

Cons:
- The house is a wreck and would need to be done up.
- Does anyone own it?? they're probably dead
- Cilan will have to go by the cemetery because that's the side of the city it's on....
But Red will be on board with this greenhouse paradise with Cilan and will help him pay for it!! Protection shall be no issue!! ]

christmas!!!

[cilantro]

[Oh my god, you're the bestest friend a guy could ask for, and you will probably be told so when Cilan practically starts swinging Red around in excitement upon having space for the garden now. We'll worry about ghosts haunting it later.

Also today, Red will find that he's also getting the following for Christmas too:

- Handmade scarf and gloves. Despite this winter being surprisingly warmer than last year, better safe than sorry! They're knitted with cotton and are a red and orange color, with what appears to be a Charizard design stitched in that can be seen across the bottom of the scarf.
- Several different treats and candies, some of which he very well may have prepared while wearing that ridiculous chef hat you got for him when he cooked some more food today.
- This also included specially made treats for Red's Pokemon, having mixed in certain berries that will actually help boost some of the stats of Red's Pokemon when eaten.
- A new fishing lure shaped like Red to match our Cilan shaped one... no, we're not kidding, Cilan might have had this made solely to laugh at Red's reaction to seeing it after the way he made fun of our fishing lure that one time.
- In all seriousness though, he also had one of these made, which Red can pin to whatever he likes or keep somewhere with his things. Cilan has a policy about not giving out gym badges outside of his gym, but considering where we are right now, consider it an agreement that Red would be absolutely deserving of one, had they been able to have a battle at our gym back home.]

Delivery around the 15th

[futureprofessor]

[Red has told her that Cilan's birthday is around the middle of the month, but he doesn't like celebrating without his brothers. A little disappointing, but she can respect that.

He didn't say anything about gifts though.

So Bianca's mechanical owl will visit Cilan and drop a package with an apron that has Pansage painted on it and brown gardening gloves with Stunfisk's face. And there's also a card of course! Enjoy.]

17th March; gift

[gottacatch]

[ In the kitchen on this day, Cilan will find a pot of flowers similar to alstromerias in appearance, along with a wrapped box and a card sitting right next to them. The card has his name on it, and... gosh, this all almost looks like a present, doesn't it?

That's because it is, with the box even reading 'for your birthday'. However, the card reads under his name 'Read this today'. And if he does... ]

Cilan,

Happy birthday. That's what I want to write, but I don't know the exact day your birthday falls on. I just remember that it's sometime this month because you told me after it had passed. You told me too you don't want to celebrate it because it reminds you of your brothers and how far you are from them.

I didn't want to push it then, but it's made me sad to think you're going to feel like that again when it does. I don't want your birthdays to be that way. I want you to be able to celebrate them: Your birthday, and your brothers. No matter where you all are, you'll always have this day.

I won't force you to tell me the day or your feelings to change... but I hope you will. I really want to say happy birthday to you on the right day. I picked your present thinking about your brothers and how you want to share this day with them.

Red

[ Will Cilan open the present early or on the right day? Or will he refuse it. ]

25th of March

[cilantro]

[Cilan is not going to refuse it... but he is going to wait until the actual day of his birthday to open the gift. Until then, the flowers are well taken care of, placed in a spot where they can get the best amount of sunlight and care, and he spends quite some time just looking at them with his Pokemon too until March 25th arrives.

In which case, he will then return his attention to the present at hand, ready to open it and see what it is...]