melodiesofkupo | [Video]

Everyone...! I did it!

[When Azusa addresses the network, she looks equal parts breathless and excited. It looks like she's been doing hard work, but really it's all been phone calls. So many phone calls!]

Goodness...I didn't think it was possible, but I found the perfect place for it...isn't that wonderful?

[Offscreen, her Moogle, Wendy, informs her that they have no idea what she's talking about. Azusa blinks and refocuses.]

My, my...I'm getting ahead of myself. Everyone, I found a wonderful place for a holiday party. It was tricky to get permission to use it, but we managed in the end. It's in Tark Varentain so it's a little far away, but when you see it you'll understand.

[She chuckles to herself.]

There's so much I'll need to do. Decorating, drinks, food...it looks like I'm going to be a little more fast-paced than usual this month, doesn't it? Ah, Wendy, maybe we should have a gift exchange, too?

["You're getting ahead of yourself again, kupo! Stay focused!" comes exasperatedly from off-camera. Azusa nods and centers herself, staring right at the camera.]

What I'm trying to say is...if it's not too much to ask...will you all spend New Year's Eve with me? Let's all take a break together~.

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[Dang. He does seem a little disappointed at that, but it doesn't last very long.]

Yeah, I get'cha. Just don't run yourself ragged tryin' to impress, okay? [That's Red's job, thank you.]

Still, it sounds like it's gonna be impressive if you had to get a special place for it. How many people are coming?

I won't. I promise. Wendy is here to help me, too, after all.

[She's going to run herself ragged trying to make sure everyone has a nice time, yeah.]

Let's see...if all the Heroes come, it'll be that many. Ah, but I'm inviting a few people from the Curti Center as well. It would hardly be a New Year's without Ganeshan-san, don't you think?

All of us? You and Wendy must be some kinda miracle workers, because that's a heckuva line-up! Oh man, can you imagine if Ganeshan started drinking?

[...Maybe she needed this particular place for its reinforced walls.]

My, my. If he doesn't share a drink with the hostess, I think she'll be very disappointed.

[...oh.]

Unless he doesn't drink. I guess that'd be okay then, right?

Eh? I suppose that's possible. He certainly seems old enough for a Zora...maybe it's different for them?

[Okay, good. He still had a shot at keeping up appearances in spite of being a little shy of twenty-one. After that incident with Richard, Red couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious.

He hastily shifts the topic of discussion back a step.]

Weird to think it's a new year already... or that we've been here, what, eight or nine months now?

It's a long time to be somewhere, isn't it? It's starting to feel like home to me, just a little.

[Or maybe it's starting to feel too much like home? She tilts her head, lost in that thought for a moment.]

It might not be the right thing to think, but...at least I know there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now than Vaikuntha.

Me too. This is what they mean when they say 'home away from home', right? It's not like I never want to go back to The Shepherd Republic, but...

...I don't wanna leave Vaikuntha, either. Kinda like that?

You're...you're from somewhere known as the Shepherd Republic?

[She chuckles before quickly covering her mouth and regaining her composure. She shouldn't laugh. But it's so cute.]

That's right. Mm. If I found a way home, I'd be too worried about everyone else to take it. I'm so fond of everyone here.

Yup. I spent a lot of my time in Airedale, actually, but I always went where the jobs take me. [Blink. What's so funny about that?]

And this is one job I can't leave unfinished. We'd have to be heartless to leave each other to our fates at a time like this.

M-my, my...Airedale, hm? It sounds unfurgettable.

[She's trying not to laugh again...their conversation is a little serious!]

The next few months are going to be hard work. I'll be counting on you, Red~.

Yeah, it--

[Wait. Why does he get this nagging feeling he's missing something here? And how did Azusa suddenly come down with the giggles?]

...Yeah. It's going to be pretty rough, but you can count on me to lend a paw any way I can.

I'll be looking forward to it~.

[Wait, a paw?]

When you say a paw, do you mean your hand or your foot...?

Depends on whether you need me to punch or kick.

[One can almost hear the drum sting in their head.]

My, my. Such spirited options~. How am I ever supposed to pick?

Trust me: Go for the laser cannons. They get the job done a lot faster.

But if both your hands and feet are laser canons, how are you going to hold hands with anyone, Red? You might meet someone special one day, you know~.

[...

There's a protracted pause before a quiet, nervous laugh.]

We'll see.

[The pause, this nervous energy...perhaps he already has a special someone? Are they here or back home? Azusa chuckles, now determined to find out if she's right or not on another day.]

I guess so~. But if you ever need a love fortune, I'll be happy to tell one or you.

[She can't help but tease a little.]

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