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

[unfulfilledstrex]

Of course...Strex isn't here.

[He doesn't want to think about that.]

I'll just have to build Strex from the ground up and start a new.

[preybeforemeals]

Is there nothing else that interests you? Just for the time being, I mean, until you can achieve what you want.

[unfulfilledstrex]

[He thinks for a moment and realizes...that no. Strex was everything. He did like his Strex pet...but that was Strex and the whispering forest was nice. Nature...? No.]

My Strex pet...back home. However that is involved with Strex.

[A pause, his smile dropping to a normal resting position as he thinks harder.]

I enjoy....being around my pokemon.

[preybeforemeals]

[You know what, he'll accept that.]

...Well, that is something. They're lovely creatures, n'est-ce pas? I've found that I enjoy mine more than I thought they would - very unlike my own pet back home, that much is certain.

[...Tsukiyama, your "pet" back home was a human being.]

[unfulfilledstrex]

Your pet back home? Aren't pets wonderful, always so obedient and willing to please their master.

[preybeforemeals]

Ah, mine is a little contrary sometimes, but I prefer her that way, honestly.

What's yours like...? This...Strex pet you've mentioned.

[unfulfilledstrex]

A new model actually. It was a round matte ball of brown fur with two beautiful obsidian eyes sticking out that were standard for that model. It was affectionate in it's own sort of way, by disposing of feline nuisances that weren't needed. Jealousy was a trait of it, wasn't wise to have another pet around when a Strex pet was active.

Mine was different...after awhile. I trained it to eat mice and have sticks thrown at it! I just wanted it to be different from the others.

[preybeforemeals]

[...He's not sure what he should be picturing, but the resulting mental image is more or less a Totoro that eats small furry animals, um.]

Ah, that would explain what you were doing with the Espurr as well...you wanted your pet to be different, then? May I ask why, or was it just personal preference?

[unfulfilledstrex]

[Exactly that.]

To be different...I think. Pushing the bounds of what the product could do as well, that seems more likely!