I agree with literally every point you’ve made (especially the ‘had to be there’ notes, it’s so hard trying to explain that) but one.

Here comes a billion words on how I love Sun and Moon. Feel free to skip them, I’m just trying to add to the conversation.

Sun and Moon is on my list of faves because of the slow island vibes, the sun and moon motif… Oh. Let me take a moment and say, as a grass type trainer, I have gotten absolutely effed with starter choices. I love plants, I love flowers, and… It’s insane how often the grass-type starter is the weakest in design. So let me say when Rowlet hit the scene, I fell in love. This precious little floof who turns his head all the way around to look at me in battle, and then turns into a moody teenager when he becomes Datrix (if you’re petting him after battle, and you touch the feather in front of his face he gets so MAD!), finally turning into the extremely badass Decidueye? Grass/Ghost? Hell. Yes. After watching water and fire get bangers of starters for ages, only occasionally getting a starter that felt like it was “good enough” rarely, finally getting my owl was like a sword-in-the-stone moment.

I hear you on Z-Moves but I do really love the idea of doing a little Hawaiian-style dance with your Pokemon to power them up. It feels more like I’m contributing than pointing a rock at something. I actually enjoy that some of the dances look really stupid because you have to ask yourself, “Do I want to look cool right now, or do I want to look a little silly and absolutely destroy my enemies?” There’s also something excellent in facing a friend in battle, and watching them choose to do a dumb pose with mounting horror. “Hahaha, Chris is doing a dance and the background is pink and oh god no he’s chosen to destroy me.”

I bet it’s playing a song from Sonic the Hedgehog.

We know who runs the internet.

Babish did? Jesus. Well my opinion of him has gone down a bit.

Would you say that the zone would be one of danger?

Grateful for your effort. I don’t have the time! It’s an important task.

The interesting thing is I could make the argument that the magic virus variant is the same as Anne Rice’s.

I remember reading a fever dream of a book when I was a teenager called Vampire Virus- I feel like I recall that book addressing voiding the digestive tract as well. It’s certainly addressed in some places…

It’s the kind of theory that makes me want to write again.

Fuck! How did I miss the most unhelpful option?

And now I’m here to fight with both of you, not about what you’re arguing about, but I’m going to police your tone and call you both stupid because you didn’t argue in the arbitrary fashion I’ve determined is “correct!”

This is the least helpful contribution I can make, while simultaneously attacking you both!

Medium answer: you bet.

Maybe cooking them is also a massive hassle?

He had a cauldron, sure, but I imagine preparing Smurf meat is meticulous with their tiny bones. Maybe turning them into gold was less of a hassle.

What on earth is a snack bucket?