The Sin Within

I apologize for being out of contact for such an extended period of time without warning, but it was...necessary.

I'm currently returning to Goldenrod.

[Lust supposes there's more she could say, but that's all she wants to at the moment. She's still tired and emotionally worn, but she's been wallowing in isolation for long enough. Regardless of her state of mind, she has responsibilities she needs to return to.]

I'll be home in a day or two.

[Lust thought about sending individual thank yous, but that seemed like a great deal of work. And she's noticed that it's common to draw attention to these sorts of things. So she decides to simply make a general address.]

I just wanted to express my appreciation for the kind...birthday acknowledgements.

[She really isn't sure what else to call the gifts and cards and words. It's all been a bit overwhelming.]

I'd forgotten it had come around again. It's only my second one.

I suppose I should get used to celebrating it. Or at least make an effort to remember the date next year.

"Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and Pokemon. Welcome to the Miss Fitz Story Hour, Presented by Random Assortment Productions. Tonight, please join us for the second installment of The Golden Hand, a tale of blinding greed, dastardly doings, and revenge from beyond the grave.

When we last left our heroes and villains, the fair Mirabelle was wooed under false pretenses by the wicked Thaddeus, who only wants her for her solid gold hand, even murdering her fiance to attain it. But all is not lost....

Envy stars as Thaddeus Kraven, Elsa as Mirabelle Smith, Alphonse Elric as Francis Flemmet, and Teddie as Peter Clemment."

( The Golden Hand Part 2 )

"Thank you for listening to our production of The Golden Hand. Please tune in next week for Gone Courting, a macabre but lighthearted tale of a man who just wants to find that special someone.

Goodnight, and Happy Halloween."

[The feed opens on a dim, candlelit room that's obviously been decorated for this specific broadcast. Lust is seated in a wingbacked chair, dressed for Halloween. There's a skull with a burning candle on it on the table next to her. She's smiling enigmatically, eyelids lowered.]

Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and Pokemon.

In thanks to a number of talented volunteers, I'm pleased to announce the official debut of The Miss Fitz Story Hour, a weekly dramatic radio show to be broadcast over the network. Our productions will air in two parts, beginning this weekend.

To ring in the season of spooks and spirits, we're bringing you two chilling tales of terror this month. Love, loss, mystery, and murder are all in store on the airwaves. But don't worry, even the little ones can listen in. We don't want anyone dying of fright.

So keep your ears open for our premiere broadcast, The Golden Hand, this weekend. I do hope you'll all join us. It's going to be a scream.

[Lust winks, and the feed cuts.]

[Lust's expression is thoughtful when she flicks on her 'gear, the device propped on a coffee table in what looks like a living room. She's settled on her couch, a stack of books visible next to her.]

Indulge my curiosity...

Does anyone else come from a world where the predominant entertainment is radio? Much as I enjoy television and films, I miss a good radio drama. There's something to be said for allowing the imagination to fill in the pictures.

[The video feed shows Lust sitting on the kitchen floor, in her black sweats, hair pulled back. She's been practicing her solo act with Guttle, and it's the ridiculously large and food loving Spheal that is on her mind at the moment.]

...so how large is too large for a Spheal?

[Nothing makes any sense whatsoever. Lust feels like she's in a radio drama only she doesn't have the script and everyone's speaking a different language. She understands, but understanding doesn't help her make sense of it any. How she got here or why. And the spherical blue abomination she's found herself with looks more like something that should be on a little girl's toy chest, not following her. It isn't as though he's difficult to take care of, or even an annoyance, she only questions the judgement of placing any living thing in her care.

She's thankful at least, for the fact that she's finally escaped her master's reach. Strange as this place is, she's no longer a tool for some miserable husk of a woman who should have been long dead. And she's thankful also for the information device, even without much context for the information it holds. And the fact that it can apparently be used as a communication device. Most comfortable with telephones, she initiates the voice function.]

Much as I hate to simply call out to the void, I'm afraid it's likely my most fruitful option.

Do I understand that I'm expected to work?

[She's never held down any sort of job in her life. How did one even get a job?]