006. [VIDEO, ALSO TWO OTHER THINGS.]

[preybeforemeals]

[VIDEO]

Ah, good afternoon, messieurs et mesdames!

[Holy shit, it seems somebody's in a great mood today – particularly when compared to the last few times he's been around on the network.

It's not exactly the greatest out there, weather-wise, but he seems to be going...somewhere outdoors as he broadcasts, filming as he goes; it's overcast but it's above freezing, and he's got that one bright blue coat on and over it he's got the most godawful scarf in the history of anything (it's got way too many colors and it's about two feet too long and basically it was made by a knitting bug and it looks it – so we can all thank Fujisaki-chan for unleashing this monstrosity on the world, cheers to you Fujisaki-chan), and his face is a little flushed due to both the cold and Tsukiyama just generally being worked up for god only knows what reason, and clearly it's a good day all around.]

It's been an excellent day so far, a good day for pursuing one's passions, for seeking out the ultimate experience...pleasure is the greatest reward one can give oneself, and if you haven't rewarded yourself today – ah, the only question left is why you haven't!

[And from the sudden aggressive blur of colors in the background, that was accompanied by the most enthusiastic little twirl because of course it was.]

So listen to me – I want you all to pursue something for me today! Something new, something you already enjoy - anything you want, just as long as it's something that pleases you. And tell me about what you've decided to do! I want to hear your voices today, mes amis – so make it good for me, all right?

[And with that the feed cuts off; at least he's having a good day today.

Happy birthday, you crazy bastard.]




[TEXT; PRIVATE TO MERIDIANA]

While I know it's short notice, would you mind going out to dinner with me tonight? I'm inviting Banjou-san as well; I would appreciate it greatly if both of you would join me.


[TEXT; PRIVATE TO BANJOU]

Do me a favor and pretend to tolerate my presence tonight; I'd like to take both you and Miss Everett to dinner with me this evening. Don't worry about payment; I'll handle it. I'm just asking for your company, that's all.

Comments

[ACTION] I DO WHAT I WANT

[sadisticwarfare]

[It's really cold out today. Archer normally wouldn't even bother going out, but he's running low on notebooks and since he's been trapped inside for weeks, he really needs the notebooks. He would normally never let himself run this low, but it looks like his Alakazams have taken to exchanging snarky remarks in one of them while he's left them out, so here he is, out in the cold. He's ditched the military uniform today and instead has on a longer black coat, buttoned up as high as it'll go. He's also wearing a scarf, but it's a muted blue as opposed to that abomination Tsukiyama's wearing.

Speaking of Tsukiyama... Archer happens to be in just the right place at the right time to witness Tsukiyama's nearly manic video and that little twirl. Archer immediately turns and starts heading back to the house. He's not here for this today.

He might have actually managed to escape if it weren't for the pair of Meowstics he has out with him. They're nowhere near as reliable as his Alakazams, but it's better them than no Pokémon at all and the Alakazams are grounded. Morgan and Morgana decide that they'd rather approach the crazy gentleman, so both Meowstics walk up to Tsukiyama. They don't demand his attention or try to speak with him, they just stand there, staring up at him, waiting to be noticed.

...Archer will notice they're missing eventually. Probably.]

WELL THAT IS IN FACT WHAT HE ASKED EVERYONE TO DO SO GOOD HUSTLE THERE

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, though they may not be demanding his attention, he has learned that sometimes the streets just contain small animals for no real reason, so at least he's not going to trip over them. They are unexpected, however, and the completely unabashed staring is a little...yeah, but at the very least he's vaguely familiar with the species line - he has an Espurr himself, after all, though Claudia is going to stay that way for quite some time from the look of it.

So just...let him bend down a bit, bracing his hands on his thighs to get a better look at them.]

And who might you be, mes amis?

[sadisticwarfare]

[Hello!! The male Meowstic is perfectly happy to introduce himself and his friend as Morgan and Morgana (because their trainer has officially stopped giving fucks about naming his Pokémon). Morgan says that his trainer should be back soon and that said trainer definitely recognized you!!

Meanwhile Morgana lets Archer know where they are. Needless to say, Archer isn't very pleased when he comes back to pick up his stupid cats.]

...I hope they aren't bothering you. Come on.

[He motions for the cats to follow him, but neither of them do. Morgan just looks confused while Morgana completely ignores her trainer.]

[Text]

[grapeeater]

Happy birthday, Tsukiyama-san. It's good to hear that you're enjoying yourself.

[preybeforemeals]

[Oh, hey, it's you. He'll actually do the decent thing and text you and not drag you onto video this time.]

It's as good a day as any to enjoy myself, really - life's too short to not just enjoy it for its own sake once in a while.

Thank you, though; hopefully today is finding you just as well?

[grapeeater]

Today's been an alright day. I've just been training my team as much as I can since the weather's cooperating. I'm not unused to the cold, but some of this weather has been more trouble than I'm used to.

And what have you been up to?

text; | private

[occultigen]

A dinner, all together? Why, I should like that very much! What sort shall I dress for — something very fancy, or a less formal sort of meal?

[preybeforemeals]

[...Oh, god bless you, Meridiana. Both because he's pleased you're taking him up on the offer and because this will make it so much easier to guilt Banjou into tolerating his presence if he's not, in fact, in the mood to tolerate his presence.]

Nothing too formal tonight - it's more for the sake of spending time than anything else.

I appreciate it, though; I'll be looking forward to it.

[occultigen]

Why, yes, of course! I'm certain I can find something suitable.

[...]

You seem very cheerful today, Mr. Tsukiyama; it's most pleasant to see.

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Well Veronica's watching Tsukiyama with mild contempt and confusion. Last night had been spent taking care of multiple baby pokepokes and goddamn was she tired. The bags under her eyes had bags.

Still, whatever this guy seemed to be saying was... nice. It was nice, that was the right word.]

.... [She opens her mouth to speak, only for a yawn to escape.]

[Video]

[preybeforemeals]

[...At least he doesn't look offended.]

Been burning the midnight oil a little too long, mademoiselle?

[I mean it's either that or you've been pleasure-seeking a little too hard lately.]

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Thankfully so. Tired beyond belief or not, Veronica wasn't one to be intentionally rude to people she barely knew.]

Ah. Uh, oui. Yes... [She rubbed her eyes.] I have a lot of, uh, young Pokemon that I've been taking care of. They like to make a mess sometimes.

[Hah, and he thought she was the partying type.]

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[...okay, so that's the guy from the New Year's Eve party, and normally Cobra wouldn't bother, but

1. He was interesting enough for Cobra to remember.

2. He needs a break from filling tanks with poison gas.

3. The fact that this coincides with his plans for next week is far too entertaining an opportunity for him to pass up.]

An excellent ssssuggestion, though one I do not require. However, I will be more than happy to tell not just you, but everyone, exactly what it is I have chosen to pursue when the time is right.

[Video]

[preybeforemeals]

[Oh, hello. It's this one again...both from the New Year's Eve party and from the...ah, rather interesting network broadcasts since. Tsukiyama isn't the heroic sort, and if anything he's more inclined to watch such things from a distance and see how they go; he only really gets involved if Kaneki wants him to because fuck having the ability to make decisions like a person with agency apparently, and as such he finds this...less of a threat and more of an interesting assertion.

...besides, at least Cobra isn't doing this on his damn birthday. He'd be a little mad if that were the case.]

Planning some more excitement for the lot of us, monsieur?

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[Okay, but what if it was for Tsukiyama's birthday? Happy birthday mysterious stranger, he got you some sort of terrorist attack.

Anyway, Cobra's slightly confused by his reaction. As far as he knows Tsukiyama's not a Rocket. Nor has he done anything to make Cobra think he's some sort of freelance mercenary type...person. And he's also not vowing to chase Cobra to the ends of the Earth and stop him.

So he just seems to be one of those weird people that doesn't really care what he does which is weird. There's never really too many of those around and he's never really sure what to do with them.]

That's right. I do indeed have sssssomething planned. Which might make you regret offering such a sound ssssuggestion to the entire world.

[He's trying to provoke some sort of reaction one way or the other here because he really does not know what to do with this. And also because he doesn't think "go take over an island" was the type of thing this guy was suggesting.]

video

[fortunatetoaster]

[ well she can only assume something Really Good just happened because she's never seen Tsukiyama so... buoyant before. but it's kind of infectious too and she can't stop herself beaming as she sends off her reply. ]

You're all kinds 'a chirpy today, Tsukiyama-san. Somethin' happen ta get you pumped?

[preybeforemeals]

[Infectious enthusiasm is good! It's very good.

...IT'S ALSO VERY GOOD TO NOT BE DEALING WITH MASSIVE DEPRESSION LATELY SO THERE'S ALSO THAT...]

Ah, Mademoiselle Labrys! It's just that everything is going well, and it's a special occasion for me besides - I'm 23 today, after all.

[video]

[codeforhope]

[...at first, Chihiro isn't sure whether he should be happy or just a tiny bit mortified that Tsukiyama is actually- seemingly unironically- going out in public wearing that scarf. But he IS and he looks like he's having a grand time, so he can't exactly complain. It's always good to see a friend in high spirits, after all.]

Good afternoon, Tsukiyama-san! I am glad to see you are having a good day.

[preybeforemeals]

[come on fujisaki this scarf is literally Fifty Shades of Nay

why wouldn't he wear it in public]

Ah, bonjour, Fujisaki-chan! It's good to see you - how have you been?

private text;

[irenicly]

[Whether or not Tsukiyama catches Banjou on a good day is a little hard to gauge. If this is a good day or not doesn't really matter, though, because Meridiana is pretty good leverage towards "tolerating Tsukiyama's presence" even on days when Banjou feels like arguing.]

When you say, "don't worry about payment" it makes me nervous.

[Seriously, he can't pay you back.]

[preybeforemeals]

[Why do you think he explicitly mentions Meridiana whenever he wants you to do something...]

Well, I don't see why it would. I did say I was handling it.

[Video]

[unfulfilledstrex]

Aren't you just oozing with joy and happiness! One might say it's nauseating; I see it as a joy to witness, but what is the reason for this? Some special occasion?

[Your happy attitude does well to deepen and widen the smile of his.]

I didn't need your encouragement to pursue something I enjoy on this day, but I will continue to be as productive as ever Tsukiyama. Since productivity is what makes me happy and others happy as well!

[preybeforemeals]

Ah, good to know, monsieur - I'm not going to judge however you choose to seek your own happiness today, as long as you do it in the first place.

[Kevin, you're a damn weirdo but you're a decent damn weirdo, weirdness in Night Vale aside.]

As for the occasion...well, you only turn twenty-three once in your life, and I see no reason to not celebrate it as I see fit.

Video

[the_pilgrim]

You seem pretty happy.

Uh, not that it's bad, I guess.

[preybeforemeals]

[...Well, all right.]

I see no reason why I shouldn't be, amore.