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

[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.]

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, that would be...pointlessly destructive but a little flattering, maybe. I mean, if he made enough of an impression to warrant leveling a city in his honor...

Either way, however, he'll just sort of take that in, and he's smiling a little at it maybe because this sounds like a trainwreck in progress, and after a moment he just tips his head a bit.]

Didn't I tell you to pursue what makes you happy today? If that's what you're doing, then I don't see how I'll regret it.

[That said.]

There are certain things, of course, that will make me a little unhappy if they come to pass - directly involving my territory in whatever situation you have planned, for example, would make me very discontent with you, amore. But for now, I don't think that will be a problem.

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

And what territory is that?

[Because if it's one of those stupid islands, there's going to be a problem.]

[preybeforemeals]

...That's just giving you leverage in case you one day decide that you're cross with me, isn't it?

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Perhapsssss. Though another way of looking at it is that it's determining now if we're going to have a problem in the relatively near future.

[preybeforemeals]

Tell me one thing - are you targeting specific people, or is it more along the line of thinking that people may happen to get in your way and they're collateral damage?

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[Man, he doesn't really want to reveal what he's doing, but he's going to have to say something to find out if there's going to be problem.]

In my time here, I have done both. But for the time being, it is far more likely to be the latter than the former.

[Because he's targeting a specific island, not specific people. Unless certain specific people happen to be on the island, then it's sort of both?]

Sssso if I were you, I would dissscourage any unnecessary travel for anyone you consider to be part of your territory.

[preybeforemeals]

[...For the...time being...]

Oh, don't worry, monsieur - if people get caught up in something of their own volition or due to some sort of accident, it's out of my hands. I'm not anyone's keeper.

[That's the point of territory, Cobra. If someone encroaches on it intentionally, there's a problem. If it gets itself in trouble...well, then he might have to slap the shit out of it for being stupid, mightn't he.

#ghoulproblems]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[Wow, someone who isn't going to blame him if some idiot they know walks into a building he's blowing up at the moment. Yeah, he definitely has no idea what to think of Tsukiyama at all because wow, you are one of the only intelligent reasonable people here apparently.]

Then I don't forssssee us having any problems at all.

[preybeforemeals]

Ah, dolce - I'm glad to hear it!

Here's to the pursuit of happiness, then.

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Yesss, here's to it indeed!

[And he's just going to laugh like a lunatic and disconnect. Because that's apparently an appropriate way of saying goodbye for Cobra commander.]