EIGHTH DESIRE ☠ VIDEO

[greatestcool]

[The feed opens to Ryuunosuke wearing a very puffy coat; apparently he's not too fond of the cold at all. He appears to be in the Pokémon Center (Goldenrod's, to be specific), with an Absol curled up at his feet. He grins at the camera, though he doesn't look anywhere near as peppy as usual.]

I guess some of you guys are probably going through the same thing I am. I really miss Fuyuki City and the people I knew back home. I mean, don't get me wrong, this world is pretty great, but the holidays are a time to spend with friends and family. It feels weird spending the time away from home.

[...What is he going on about now? This is a bit of an odd topic, considering Ryuunosuke murdered his entire family.]

I've never really liked the holidays, actually. I like getting gifts, sure, who doesn't? But picking out the perfect gifts is always such a hassle.

[He leans on his knees, propping his chin on one hand. There's a bright red mark visible on the back of his right hand. It looks like it might be some sort of tattoo. It's not a new addition by any means, but there are a few people here that might recognize it.]

How do you guys go about picking out the perfect gift for people? And I've got another question too - who here's from Fuyuki? Anyone? How about Japan?

[The Absol stirs at his feet and Ryuunosuke glances down at her.]

...I guess giving people Pokémon would be too predictable, huh?

Comments

[text / private]

[pretentions]

[It takes him a few replays to really understand everything that's being said, and how it all connects together; Tokiomi hesitates quite a bit before opening up a channel with which to respond, and even so, he spends a good amount of time not knowing what to say. This is normally something that he would have concealed well, if the circumstances here were anything like what they were back in the city in question; it would simply be a tactical and strategical advantage to keep his opponents in the dark. As it is, he doesn't recognize the young man on the feed, either; it's possible he's from the War that Shirou participated in, but...there were a few that hadn't revealed themselves, particularly the individual behind the Servant Caster.

But the fact remains that his closest friend here in Johto is another Master, fighting in the same War as Tokiomi is; even if this individual was connected to Caster in some way, Caster is no longer a threat.

It takes him a moment to figure out how to render conversations on the 'Gear private; there's no point in getting into this discussion in full view of the public, after all, and he's grateful that he doesn't break it this time or cause it to break into some sort of unholy dubstep chorus.

He'll stick to text because it's easier for now; always has been, really.]

I'm from Fuyuki City; I find myself missing it as well, especially at this time of year.

I can't help but notice the marks on your hand; you're a Master, aren't you? Chosen by the Grail?

[text / private]

[greatestcool]

[Ryuunosuke tips his head a bit at the text, pausing over the words Master and Grail. They're not very familiar - of course Caster's explained things to him, but it's been such a long time since he's heard the explanation. He responds quickly enough though.]

Are you one too? I didn't exactly plan on joining this little contest. It's been interesting though.

[If only because Caster is interesting. Still, Ryuunosuke's a bit wary about meeting someone else who has knowledge of this. Caster made it clear that this was a war - if they're holding grudges on the other team, they could very easily target him. Ryuunosuke's not in the mood to die today, thanks.]

The name's Uryuu. Nice to meet someone else from Fuyuki!

[text / private]

[pretentions]

[Uryuu...the name isn't familiar; should it be? He's not certain...]

"Interesting" is one word for it - though I have to ask what you meant by not planning on joining the battle. Are you trying to say that you didn't believe the Summoning would work, or was it accidental?

[He supposes such a thing is possible; it's not unheard of, anyway, but it's ridiculously unusual.]

Tohsaka, by the way. The pleasure is mine.

[video]

[artfuldestruction]

[[...he's gunna regret this

he's gunna

regret

this-]]

I'm Japanese, you know.

[[That's all you're getting for now, but....dude since when were you from Japan]]

[video]

[greatestcool]

[Judging from the >8D expression Ryuunosuke just managed to pull off, yes, Kato, you're going to regret this.]

No way, really? I'm guessing you're not from Fuyuki though?

[video]

[artfuldestruction]

[[god his life decisions have really been stellar this week]]

No; I'm from a place called Metro City. I've never heard of Fuyuki.

[[...this is going to get confusing reaaaaaal fast, Ryuunosuke-kun]]

Although I must say, it's nice to know someone here who has actually heard of Japan.

video;

[timelymaid]

I've never had the opportunity or reason to get so many gifts for anyone, so it's fairly new! I'm really just trying to keep in mind what I know of everyone, and from there try to get something they might like or at least need or use...

I'm not getting pokemon just because I have absolutely no idea what everyone has, aside from the people I'm travelling with.

video;

[greatestcool]

You don't celebrate any sort of holidays where you're from? What about birthdays? Or is it a cultural thing?

[No way, how can you live when you don't get presents for the holidays? Look at his priorities]

Hopefully you can find something unique and useful for everyone you're shopping for! Just out of curiosity, how many people are you getting gifts for?

video;

[timelymaid]

There's twelfth perigree's eve, which I believe is the closest to human Christmas, but that depends on the troll and lusus. Before I died, my lusus and I used to decorate, and she'd go and collect a behemoth leaving...

Then there's wriggling days, of course, but it's not really celebrated like humans do! I think I prefer the human way, really. So basically I suppose it's a cultural thing! [ Trolls generally don't get together for much. It probably wouldn't end well, anyway. ]

Hmm. Eleven people from home, barring anyone else showing up, and four people from here!

[video]

[ortion]

[Okay so Dist has no idea wtf Japan or Fuyuki is but he is kind of curious about these holidays. He's seen this guy around the base like...once so he figures he'll ask him.]

I haven't given the gift idea much thought; I still don't understand the point of it all as these holidays are not celebrated on my planet.

[Even with that infodump on the network last week, he still does not get the point.]

[video]

[greatestcool]

On your planet? So you're an alien?

[WHOA NO WAY HOW COOL!]

Well, there is a point, but I think someone else covered it. Basically you can sum it up by saying this is a holiday that represents "we made it through another year, good luck on the next one"! At least, that's how I've always interpreted it. It's important if you're religious, but I won't go into detail on that, since I doubt you follow a religion from this world.

[And that would just get into Ryuunosuke's Feelings On God and that's always a messy topic.]

[video]

[ortion]

[The alien comment gets an annoyed stare from Dist. Not this again...]

It goes both ways, you know. But yes, I am likely not from whatever planet you are.

I see. That is the simplest explanation I have heard so far, and makes much more sense than what I read through last week. So this event is usually celebrated by giving gifts, then? It doesn't exactly seem important enough to warrant that.

Video;

[remainingtwin]

[She hadn't really thought about the holidays much. It makes her heart ache and the red butterfly mark on her throat throb.]

...I miss my family. I made a few really good friends here, though, so I look forward to eating cake with them. That's something I have going for me, at least.

I've never had to buy someone a present though. [She runs a hand through her hair and blows out a sigh]

I'm from Japan though. I lived up in the mountains in the Minakami area though. It's somewhere up in Aomori and the mountains.

Video;

[greatestcool]

Yeah, I understand the feeling. I miss my family too.

[...Not really, but that's what's considered normal, right? He can act like he's normal at least!]

I'm Uryuu, it's nice to meet you. I hope you have fun this year with your friends. I know they can't replace your family, but hopefully you can at least have some fun while you're here!

Video; i just realzied I repeated 'up in the mountains' twice in that tag I am so sorry

[remainingtwin]

Did you have any siblings? [Color her curious.]

Nice to meet you too, my name's Mio. [She even bows a little] I hope you do too. Are you doing anything special with them?

[video]

[reallybeloved]

I'm not from Fuyuki, but I am from Japan.

But giving animals as gifts is terrible, I think. You're giving someone a living thing, and saying "here, take this thing and now you have to spend the time and money to take care of it".

[video]

[greatestcool]

Huh, I hadn't thought about it like that! I mean, Pokémon seem to be easier to care for than regular pets, but that is a really good point.

The name's Uryuu. It's nice to meet you!

[video]

[reallybeloved]

Nobody wants a gift that they have to pay for. That's why people who get cars from game shows usually aren't too happy because then they have to buy the insurance.

I'm Nisei.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

I ain't from Fuyuki, but I've been there before. Not for all that long, though.

[video]

[greatestcool]

Ah, really? Did you enjoy your time there?

[voice] [locked]

[enjoymyatelier]

[...are you kidding him

he has spoken to this person once or twice before and the force of his are you-

...well okay not every master can have elegance and composure, perhaps some are prone to throwing contests over what's "cool"

ugh]

I can't consider myself to be a native of Fuyuki by any means, but I will say that I was in that city the last time I was in my original world.

[He'll leave Ryuunosuke to draw his own conclusions about that.]

[voice] [locked]

[greatestcool]

[HE IS THE COOLEST, THERE'S NO CONTEST ABOUT IT

besides, look at his "competition"

...okay, maybe Kiritsugu would be considered kind of cool, but the rest of y'all don't stand a chance!!!]

Ah, were you? Were you there on business, then?

[He suspects he knows why you were there but... playing dumb always works best!]

video | placeholder since hiatus

[saxsongs]

Picking up a gift depends a lot on the person you're giving it. Usually I try to think of something that he or she might not have and would find useful.

Also I'm from Japan, though not from Fuyuki. [He's pretty sure he's never even heard of the place either, but never mind such small facts.]

video

[greatestcool]

That's a good point. What about people you don't know very well? Do you just get them some sort of all-purpose gift, like a journal or something?

I didn't realize there were so many people from Japan here! It's nice to meet you; my name's Uryuu!

video; but what if she doesn't want to give him cr GOSH....

[ex_cashcow493]

[ That man... She has seen him before, hasn't she? Initially, Saber believes that this man was just someone she's seen over the PokeGear, that he's not possibly anyone from Fuyuki City because that means she'll need to think back on a time she's not sure she needs to. The gears in the back of her mind begin to turn and she remembers beyond the past year, back to an event she doesn't want to think about.

Back to a Master she can't think about, yet she does. ]

No.

[ HEY RYUUNOSUKE, REMEMBER THAT GIRL CASTER WAS OBSESSED WITH? Because boy she remembers that war now as a result, thanks a lot. Things she didn't need to think about once Irisviel and Shirou left this place: this. ]