63 - video;

[islandshore]

[It's that time of year again, network. The time when two island doofuses set the stage for the ultimate bet of all time. A matter of life and death, of... okay, so maybe nothing that extreme. Still, here we have Riku, dressed in a black jacket and a scarf, looking slightly. So, right. He should probably get the ball rolling, but first, he turns to look at Sora and Kairi.]

You guys ready for this?

[ third year. it's officially a tradition. Sora? he's bouncy. two year victor here. he's pretty confident this streak is going to last. ]

I dunno... Are you ready to lose again, Riku?

[See that? That would be Riku slapping his face with his palm.]

Don't get ahead of yourself. A lot can change in a year.

[Not that he particularly feels invested by now, but it is tradition, and he can't ever turn down a challenge.

The camera pans down to Kairi, the lovely host for this little wager. She grips a pair of clip-on antlers in her hand, disappointed that she couldn't convince Riku to wear them. She will, however, make sure he at least ends the night with the glowing red nose.]

Hey everyone! It's time for us to see which one of these two is the bigger dork.

[Wait that's not it.]

We're looking to see who believes in Santa! If you don't know Santa, he's the big guy who flies around the world with his magic reindeer delivering presents to all the good boys and girls.

[And the fluffy red hat atop her head should make it easy to see what team she's on.]

Old Man Riku is such a stick-in-the-mud that he doesn't believe in magic presents anymore, so Sora wants to prove him wrong. Whoever loses gets to show off their "Christmas Spirit" for everyone to see, so make sure you all vote!

[Riku rolls his eyes, flicking Sora's shoulder.]

Hey, if I'm old, so's he. But anyway, consider this our Christmas tradition. So... place your bets. We'll see who ends up singing their heart out this time...

Pfft. Coming from the guy with white hair? I'm not so sure that you're not old... Foofyku.

[ Sora snickers, escaping to stand by Kairi and throws a friendly arm around her shoulders. ]

Just remember this, guys... Voting on Riku's side means you have to hear me and Kairi sing and do you really wanna have to put people through that?

[Riku smirks.]

Hey, we gotta shake it up somehow. Besides, Sora's gonna need a decent backup singer, otherwise it'd just be painful.

[The feed ends with Sora pouting and sticking out his tongue.]

Comments

[video]

[paopuprincess]

Kinda makes you wish you could torture them both, huh?

[paopuprincess]

I don't think, I know.

[paopuprincess]

Well... maybe it would be fun?

[She sounds like she's trying to reassure herself.]

[video]

[captainash]

Almost. Will they sing a duet if this somehow ends in a draw? Because I can help bribe voters for balanced results if you want.

[heartdive]

...Are you sure?

[paopuprincess]

I like the way you think.

[video]

[heartdive]

Hey! No cheating!

[captainash]

And you like the thought of getting to film the potential duet?

[video]

[captainash]

That's not cheating, that's working as a team to reach the best results.

[paopuprincess]

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't record it for posterity?

[captainash]

A terrible one, and I have absolutely no doubt that's not what you want to be.

[islandshore]

You sure you're not being hard on yourself? They do say you're your own worst critic.

[islandshore]

I guess, but it doesn't really match with the whole fat man in a suit motif. Put them side by side, and you'd probably think this evil Santa came from a Halloween card.

[Still, she's got a point. He's just a bit too baffled to admit it.]

How they can even digest metal's beyond me. You'd think that stuff would chop up their insides....

[video]

[islandshore]

Kinda goes against the spirit of the bet if you do that, but if you hadn't said anything, I don't think we would've suspected it.

[Still, he doesn't sound too worried. Not yet, anyway.]

[video]

[captainash]

So I've ruined my grand plan with my idle musings? That's a shame. Maybe I should have bounced the idea off my Pokémon instead.

[dressofheaven]

Look, just don't worry about the boys, okay? Focus on me.

[dressofheaven]

All Hallow's Eve is just as venerated and important a holiday as Christmas is. Perhaps more so, depending on who you ask.

[But she's hardly an expert on matters of religion, so she won't delve further than that.]

I suppose they just have really strong stomachs. Much like some of my Pokemon, given what I've caught them eating...

[dressofheaven]

Are you questioning my knowledge of my own country's legends?

[Deliberately sounding more insulted than she actually is there.]

[paopuprincess]

Okay. Not a problem. I can totally do that.

[Just keep talking yourself up, Kairi.]

[dressofheaven]

[This is actually rather sad. Ilya's expression turns thoughtful for a moment before she decides to try a different tactic.]

Look, it doesn't have to be today or anything. Just come to me when you think you're ready.

[islandshore]

Huh. I never did get the background of it beyond the whole costumes and candy gig. Is there really more to it?

[If so, he really needs to pay more attention. Silly Riku.]

...I may have to keep an eye on my Skiddo. She hasn't caused too much trouble yet, but if she's anything like a real goat...

[video]

[islandshore]

Heh, probably. But hey, it kinda depends on what you consider a better performance. Better quality? More entertaining? There's more than one way to look at it.

[dressofheaven]

[She gives him a flat, almost offended look, but it quickly fades into something more resembling exasperation.]

Yes, there certainly is. It's the day where the bonds between the world of spirits and the world of the living are at their weakest. Ghosts and demons wander the land, and things outside normal human knowledge are commonplace. The feast of All Hallow's Eve is meant to honor and placate these otherworldly beings. It's a tribute, and a celebration of something we don't fully understand.

[video]

[captainash]

That's true. I need to carefully consider what I hoping for, ask people for their opinions on previous performances to see who can offer what I want... But a good, in-depth research would take months, and I don't have that time.

[paopuprincess]

[She crosses her arms.]

What? Not every princess needs an awesome voice.