15th Grail: [Video]

[dressofheaven]

[A single, huge red eye takes up the screen for a moment before the gear pulls back to reveal a Metagross.]

Greetings. I am delivering a message on behalf of our Mistress, Ilyasviel von Einzbern. Everyone who does not recognize that name is encouraged to mute or ignore this message.

[There's a brief pause as Talos waits for everyone to do that.]

The Mistress's birthday is on the thirtieth of this month, barely over a week from now. I am sending out a mass invitation to a surprise party we are planning for her at the Training Center in Celadon City.

[A Sylveon suddenly rushes into the frame and whispers something. Talos's eyes widen.]

What do you mean we forgot to tell the others about this? Who was in charge of that?

[Another whisper.]

ORPHEUS! IS THIS YOUR IDEA OF A JOKE?

[The message cuts out after that.]

Comments

[islandshore]

[There's a snickering Haunter on the screen at first. This was so poorly planned it's hilarious, but amusing as it is, he's already grabbed Riku with one of those floaty hands and shoving him onscreen.]

Ugh. Okay, okay, I--

[Wait. Give him a second to replay the footage. Party? Birthday? Huh, this is kinda sudden.]

Might've been good to let us know a bit earlier, but I'm sure we can work something out. Just gotta improvise.

[dressofheaven]

[It's not easy for a Metagross's glaring red eyes to look sheepish, but Talos is doing a pretty good job of it.]

You should have known. Orpheus failed to inform you earlier. I knew I shouldn't have left that task to a ghost...

Nevermind, we still have over a week left. The problem is that we don't actually know what to do for a party.

[islandshore]

Ugh. Just be glad Phantom wasn't put in charge. Can you imagine how that'd--

[BZZZZZZT!

That'd be Phantom blowing a vuvuzela in defiance, making Riku shudder and cover one of his ears.]

...Point is, you could do better. Sora's one option.

[dressofheaven]

I shall keep in mind that you are likely to need assistance outside of your own team when your birthday comes up.

[Yes, Talos is completely serious.]

Sora would know party preparation better than you would? Hmm, very well. What about Miss Kairi?

[islandshore]

Kairi's not too shabby. Plus, she's been hanging with Ilya from the start-- I'd say that makes her a good authority on what to add.

[Not to mention presents. Riku's... not entirely sure what would work best as a gift. Gifts are hard in genral, though.]

[dressofheaven]

I quite agree. Hopefully she will respond to this message soon.

But you have at least had birthday parties of your own, yes? Perhaps there will be something there we can use.

[islandshore]

True. So, hmm. How to do this...

[He folds his arms, glancing upward. He's had some pretty crazy birthdays before.]

You know, there's a Karaoke bar close by. Don't know if you guys want to take things out of the Center, but there's one option.

[dressofheaven]

Ah, a chance for the Mistress to use her voice! Splendid idea! Though... we may wish to discourage Miss Kairi from participating. Lovely and pleasant a girl as she is, her singing voice...

[islandshore]

Heh. But wasn't Ilya supposed to be teaching her to sing? I thought she might've gotten the hang of it by now.

[dressofheaven]

She has been... resistant to the idea of lessons. She lacks confidence in her ability to improve, we think.

[islandshore]

Ha. I know how that goes, but maybe she just needs an extra push. If I could handle those goofy bets, then I'm sure she can pull it off.

[dressofheaven]

Perhaps you can speak with her on the matter. The Mistress hesitates to push her.

But we are getting somewhat off topic. Are there any other ideas you can think of?

[islandshore]

Hmm... Does she like movies? Or there's always party games.

[Pin the tail on the Ponyta, Marowak Party, the list goes on.]

[dressofheaven]

Both good ideas. I think she's a fan of horror in particular... She tends to find them amusing, though, which I don't believe was the intended reaction.

[islandshore]

I don't know. Some horror movies are practically coated in cheese. They're just so hokey that they might as well be comedies.

[dressofheaven]

True. Still, how are the rest of you at handling that genre? It seems Miss Namine might be a little too sensitive for it...

[islandshore]

We could always ask. I'm sure Sora and Kairi can handle it, and Roxas doesn't seem that timid. As for Xion... couldn't tell you, but I think she'd be okay.

[dressofheaven]

Good then. Even if Namine is frightened, the Mistress can keep her focus on soothing her. As for young Roxas, I hesitate to believe he will be involved. He seemed taken aback by her.

[islandshore]

Sheesh. Did they get off on the wrong foot?

[He wasn't around when that happened, but there's a hint of a frown on his face now. Things might get rough if they aren't all on at least decent terms.]

[dressofheaven]

He seems to lack both tact and the understanding of things she considers basic knowledge. She is not overly upset with him, annoyed at worst, but I think she may have frightened the boy with her reaction when he questioned her status as a lady.

[islandshore]

...He seriously thought she was a guy?

[He may've misinterpreted that a bit, but wow. Just wow. That gets a very dry, deadpan look.

He can't believe it.]

[dressofheaven]

I do not believe that was his interpretation, though as I am not permitted to read minds without prior order from the Mistress I cannot say for sure. I think he simply does not understand what a "lady" is.

[islandshore]

Man, I gotta remember whose Nobody he is.

[Heh. Bit of a joke there, since Sora's not that dense.]

I'll see if I can talk to him. And if he won't listen, well, there's always Sora. He's better with people, anyway.

[dressofheaven]

Most likely if he can be convinced to approach her again, things can be cleared up. She's no more than irritated with him, and her irritation, while not something to court, is not the worst one can get.