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

[preybeforemeals]

...If you really want to, I won't insist otherwise; just know that it's not anything I'm requiring.

[...]

Thank you, by the way. I know it's been rough here and there, but I really have had a good time since coming here, and you've done a good amount to make it turn out that way.

[occultigen]

Have I? I'm...a little beside myself to hear it, really; of course I'd not like to be a bother, and it's always flattering to hear that one is found to be pleasant company.

...I feel much the same, you know.

[preybeforemeals]

You've never been a bother to me, actually; I've rather enjoyed getting to know you over the last...well, it's coming up on six months, actually. It's a little strange to think it's been that long; it doesn't feel it.

[occultigen]

[Her responses are coming slightly slower now, solely because she's getting ready to run out and pick up a pair of cufflinks she saw the other day, so as to have them wrapped and ready for presentation at dinner.]

It truly doesn't! If anything has seemed long lately, it's the winter — but it's March already, so that will be coming to an end soon, too. I'm glad; that means there'll be flowers again soon.

[preybeforemeals]

I'm looking forward to it, believe me. I've never minded the snow very much, but the beauty of it gets old after a while and everything else seems a bit dull along with it.

I've always been partial to spring, though.

[occultigen]

Is that because your birthday is in the spring?

[preybeforemeals]

Among other reasons.

[occultigen]

That's one of the reasons I favor the spring, myself.

That, and because in the spring one has the coming Season to look forward to.

[preybeforemeals]

[Oh, what's this, now.]

Hopefully you won't leave it quite as close as I did - when's your birthday, then?

[occultigen]

The tenth of March! I...had been planning to mention it today anyway, actually, but then it seemed a bit improper to follow a wishing of happy birthday with a mention of my own right afterward.

[preybeforemeals]

A week from now, then - I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

...Although I admit I'm also curious about this "Season" you referred to.

[occultigen]

The...social Season? The balls and parties and dinners — when girls of marriageable age make their coming-out in society and begin seeking a good match. It's...I suppose it's a little like something out of a fairy tale, all the meeting and dancing and courting and whatnot.

[preybeforemeals]

...It sounds fascinating, fairy-tale or otherwise. It's nothing that I'm familiar with, granted, but I'd like to hear more about it whenever you have the time and the inclination.

[occultigen]

I suppose it's not so surprising to hear it's fallen out of fashion, what with methods like that L.U.C.Y. business to resort to, instead.

But I would be happy to speak of it, all the same! Even if there's to be no occasion to hold a dinner or a ball outright, talking of the delights of one would be just as pleasant, I think.

[preybeforemeals]

...You know, I actually don't see why we couldn't hold something like that.

[occultigen]

...A ball?

[preybeforemeals]

Well, yes. It'd take preparation, of course, but again, I don't see why not.

[occultigen]

I only ask because one would need to start with a ballroom, for that.

Would it be a modern ball? With the modern dances and fashions? ...I suppose it must be, in a modern place and time. But if balls aren't so in fashion in this day and age, then certainly anything that was done for it would become so, having set the standard for a modern ball and such.

[Meridiana, you're talking to yourself.]

...I know a few ladies that I might invite, if such a thing were to come to pass. One is Miss Ludenberg, who I've mentioned, and the other is a princess.

[preybeforemeals]

We can discuss it sometime. My family would put on some very ornate parties from time to time; I have a very vague idea of what I'm doing, but not much outside of very basic things.

...And I know of a few who might enjoy it as well, actually. The princess' sister may be one of them, if we're thinking of the same princess.

[occultigen]

If it's Princess Anna and her sister the queen, then yes, they're one and the same!

Goodness, wouldn't that be something to boast of later — hosting a queen! Perhaps we might even find you and Mr. Banjou an emperor to invite, as well, that we might all be a little beside ourselves.

[...oh no it's humor]