[Well, it seems Karla's mind has gone into hyperactive mode again. While she didn't sign herself up for the auction, she finds herself disappointed that no one had bid on her. Then she thinks about Namur's speech. Why was she even that desperate to meet new people that she would resort to a silly auction? But then...how else was she going to meet people? All these parties and dances weren't getting her anywhere. Even if she had met new people, what would it lead to? Nothing, as usual?]

[And why is she even thinking about all of this? Perhaps she's feeling a little lonely. She lets out a melancholy sigh.]

...How does one go about meeting new people? How do you even bond with them?

( Tentacle monsters again )

***

A. The Art of War, what is it good for? 

Ted didn't feel quite right from last night's ventures, so he's gone to the Genessia City Park for a reprieve. And what better way to soothe oneself from the stress of violence and death than a book about the best way to deliver mass violence and death?

So the madman sits comfortably on a bench overlooking the pond with Sun Tzu's The Art of War in his hands; a gift from the Moon fairy he's finally getting around to reading. A surprisingly short book; he'd finish in an afternoon easily. Every so often he gets to pondering, out loud, its contents.

"All war is deception? Every one? Goodness, even the war in heaven? The White Rider seemed straightforward enough. Then again, the same is said of swordplay: conceal your intention, and find victory thereby. At this rate, Gengar might make a better warlord than I. God knows he's deceptive enough..."

B. Pokemon playing ponies

Speaking of Gengar the ghost, he and Trevenant the tree were taking a rest of their own, settled on a blanket beside the pond. Even battle-hardened pokemon deserve a chance to goof off every now and then, right?

They were surrounded by five brightly-colored pony toys, with life-like horsehair for their manes and tails. Gengar had eagerly requested these toys once Ted won them off a newspaper contest. The grinning ghost liked them for less than wholesome reasons. 

The first thing he'd done is rip one of the tails off, revealing a hole in the toy's rear. He dipped it in the pond, filled it to the brim, then began his demented drama. He held it high in the air, then splashed its contents about, making squeals of terror.

(Ahhh! My anus is leaking!) Drops flew on Trevenant who merrily played along, innocently ignorant to Gengar's toilet humor. He then shook the rest onto the heads of the other ponies.

(Oh no my butt juice is getting all over your faces! Oops! Talk about horse-$#!%!)

What a blessing it is to be Ted, absorbed and oblivious to all the awful ways they're playing...