"I see." Phoenix sighs heavily, but tries not to dwell on it too much. Johto is fickle, that's for sure -- tossing people in and out for no conceivable reason -- but it's also given Phoenix a wonderful second chance, here, so it can't be ALL bad...right?

That last comment certainly earns a laugh out of Phoenix, still petting Butch absently with one hand. "Well, thank god for that. It's bad enough knowing I'm going to have to give it to Trucy one day...I'd like to continue putting it off as long as possible, thanks."