Back at the Breeding House, Victor, having finished his planning, began to process the trees they had brought back.
He directed Pinsir to clean them up, then took out a ruler, measured, and drew lines.
He had Pinsir use its horns to clamp down and snap the large trees along the lines.
Watching the Pinsir strain with its two large horns, Victor thought, It would be great to have a Bisharp or a Gallade right now.
It would make this a lot easier.
After Pinsir had processed the wood according to Victor's requirements, he glanced at the time and went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
During dinner, Pinsir ate the meal that Victor, Mime Jr., and Gothita had carefully prepared.
Tears streamed down its face again.
"Pinsir!"
So delicious!
The Heracross and Mime Jr. at its side comforted it.
It and Heracross had worked hard today, so Victor had prepared a lavish dinner for them.
After dinner, Victor had Dali escort Nurse Joy back to Twinleaf Town.
Although it was unlikely anyone would be foolish enough to harm a member of the Joy or Jenny families, Victor still took the precaution of having Dali see her home.
Meanwhile, Victor was in the kitchen, taking out the Honey.
He looked at the crystal-clear, amber-like Honey in his hands.
He dipped a chopstick in, and brought it to his mouth.
It had a different texture than Sweet Honey, but it was just as delicious.
A different kind of flavor.
Of course, it couldn't compare to the special edition Sweet Honey.
Victor thought for a moment, then took a small jar and poured half of the Honey into it.
"Gengar, help me take this to the Vespiquen."
He handed the jar to Gengar.
Gengar's cheeks puffed out, but it took the jar.
Victor pulled at the corners of its mouth. "When I have time, I'll use it to research some new dishes to make for you."
"Gengar—"
Gengar took the Honey and headed for the forest area.
Victor watched its retreating figure and smiled.
That Gengar. Although it's stingy about food, when it counts, it's the most generous one of all. He then took a little of the Honey for himself and mixed two cups of honey water, giving them to Heracross and Pinsir.
"Pinsir!"
This is so good! I'm never, ever leaving this Breeding House!
"Heracross."
Thank you!
The two Bug-type Pokémon hugged each other and started crying.
As expected, Honey is a powerful temptation for Bug-type Pokémon.
...
In the forest area.
The Combee saw Gengar floating towards them, holding a small jar.
They paused for a moment, then turned and fled, flapping their wings desperately.
Gengar, without any effort, caught up and blocked their path.
"Gengar?"
Why do you run when you see me?
The Combee trembled, looking at the purple fatty.
Just as Gengar was about to ask again, the Vespiquen flew over.
"Ves!"
Gengar looked at the Vespiquen and grinned.
"Gengar—"
Long time no see, Queenie.
The Vespiquen ignored it.
We just saw each other at dinner.
It knew Gengar all too well. It was always thinking about stealing its honey.
Gengar floated forward. The Vespiquen blocked it.
It went left; the Vespiquen went left. It went right; the Vespiquen went right.
Gengar pouted, looking heartbroken.
The Vespiquen still ignored it.
It used that trick last time. I'm not falling for it again.
Gengar tried all sorts of tricks, but the Vespiquen didn't fall for any of them. Gengar finally sighed.
"Gengar—"
Has the misunderstanding between us really grown this deep?
The Vespiquen's mouth twitched into a grim smile, its crimson eyes never leaving Gengar.
Misunderstanding? I fall for a different trick every time, and you call it a misunderstanding?
Seeing this, Gengar broke into a wide grin, showing all its white teeth.
It laughed sheepishly.
Unable to scratch the back of its head, it scratched its rear end instead.
Then it held out the small jar.
"Gengar—"
This is for you.
The Vespiquen stared at Gengar for a long time before slowly taking the jar and opening it.
A rich, sweet aroma drifted out.
It was unusually attractive to Bug-type Pokémon, especially to Combee, who lived to gather honey.
"Ves?"
"Gengar—"
Victor asked me to give this to you. He said it's to thank you for all the honey you've shared.
The Vespiquen nodded, took the jar, and handed it to the Combee behind it.
It then looked back at Gengar.
After a long pause, the Vespiquen tilted its head, puzzled.
Strange. Why isn't it making any demands today?
Gengar, remembering what it had seen on TV, didn't make any requests. It just turned to leave.
Only by doing this will I be able to get more honey next time.
Gengar nodded to itself, satisfied, and floated back towards the house under the moonlight.
"Gengar—"
Gengar, you're a genius.
The Vespiquen, left behind, was even more confused.
Has it really changed for the better?
It then looked at the Honey its Combee were holding, and thought for a moment.
It shook its head.
Whatever.
It then happily led its Combee back to the hive.
...
Gengar phased through the wall back into the room.
Victor was lying in bed, playing on his phone.
The Vulpix under the covers had only its fox head sticking out, fast asleep.
Gengar greeted Victor, letting him know the Honey had been delivered.
Victor nodded.
Gengar then picked up its tablet, floated to the ceiling, and lay there, watching its cartoons with the volume turned down low.
Victor watched the Gengar on the ceiling, one short leg crossed over the other, controlling the tablet with its psychic powers, all while shoving snacks into its mouth.
Victor smiled and shook his head.
He then looked up the recipe for Old Gateau.
If he remembered correctly, Old Gateau was made with Honey.
But he didn't have the other ingredients.
After a moment, Victor gave up.
I'll just try to use the Honey to make a different kind of food later.
He then pulled up his chat with Laura.
Victor: Hey Laura, are you asleep?
Laura: ?
Seeing her reply, Victor told her about his idea to add more facilities to the Breeding House and asked if she knew any reliable construction crews.
Laura sent him a contact.
Victor checked the time and decided to call tomorrow.
After thanking her, Victor closed his phone and lay in bed.
His mind was buzzing with ideas for how to expand the facilities. He wanted to build a small diving platform in the lake area, so the Marill and Psyduck families could dive in their free time.
He also wanted to add a few seesaws and some more swings.
At the same time, he wanted to plant more flowers in other suitable places. And, considering some Pokémon liked to battle, he was also planning to set up a small battle area in an open space near the rock area.
Although they could battle elsewhere, an open space was better.
Plus, the planting area was now self-sufficient, providing enough vegetables and berries for the house, but he wanted to try planting some new things.
As he thought about all this, he pulled the Vulpix into his arms, feeling its comfortable warmth.
Victor slowly drifted off to sleep.
"Gengar—"
Sensing Victor was asleep, Gengar turned off its tablet, switched on the small desk lamp, dimmed it to a warm color, turned off the main lights, and closed its own eyes.
...
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