Countdown to Countdown!

[worked_through_labor_day]

[Video]

[At around noon on the 31st, the following announcement goes out over the network.]

Hello, everyone!  It's New Year's Eve, and I hope you'll join me tonight in counting down the end of one year and ringing in the new!  I'll be in the Virgo Ward at the Statue of Frost all day handing out some things to help everyone celebrate, so I look forward to seeing you all there!

[Action; all day; Statue of Frost]

[Anyone who stops by the statue at any point in the day on New Year's Eve will indeed see Isabelle standing there next to a big digital countdown clock adorned with balloons and other festive decorations.  There's also a small stand set up nearby with glasses of sparkling cider, party hats, and poppers for the big night.  She greets passersby with a big wave and a happy smile, and will gladly chat a bit with anyone who approaches.]

Comments

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[unbroken_chain]

When Kotoha drops by the clock, she's bundled up in a warm sweater and long skirt - the middle of winter is not the time to be wearing culottes and a summerweight shirt. For once, she's walking slowly, savoring the sound of the slowly melting snow crunching underfoot.

"Happy New Year!"

[worked_through_labor_day]

Happy New Year, Kotoha!

[Isabelle smiles brightly, waving at the young Pokemon trainer.]

action

[istotesbatgirl]

[Misfit appears across the square from Isabelle in her usual costume. She shivers as she crosses the street to the statue.]

Hey, Isabelle. Happy new Year.

[worked_through_labor_day]

Happy New Year, Misfit! Would you like some cider?

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha rummages through her bag for a moment before drawing out a cylinder and handing it over to Isabelle.

"I thought if you were going to be out here all night I could bring you a hot drink. Mulled cider!"

[worked_through_labor_day]

Oh, how thoughtful! Thank you!

[Isabelle gladly accepts the thermos, cradling it between her hands. She's got mittens on, of course, but it's still pretty cold out here.]

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha grins.

"No problem! Oh, uh, there's a little bit of cinnamon in there, too - you don't have any allergies, do you?"

action;

[trainwrecking]

[Bundled up in a long, thick winter coat and on the way home after fetching a warm coffee, Otonashi encounters... an adorable puppy-girl.]

A New Year countdown clock, huh? Is that what the stand is for too?

[worked_through_labor_day]

Yes, that's right! Would you like some sparkling cider, or a party popper? You wouldn't want to be caught without one during the big countdown!

[worked_through_labor_day]

No, I love cinnamon! Thank you very much!

[istotesbatgirl]

Yes some cider would be good. Hold on one second.

[Misfit disappears and reappears a minute later with a jacket on.]

Sorry, I forgot how cold it was.

I SPENT MY NEW YEARS WITH ISABELLE in AC aaaa (action)

[softreset]

[ New years, huh? It's been a while since she's seen one of those, and when you're reliving the same month over and over for years and years, it's a little jarring to realize that 2014 is coming after all.

Homura stands in front of the clock, just watching for the time being. ]

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha sighs in relief.

"Oh, good. I know a little bit of cinnamon is good for Lillipups, but I wasn't so sure it'd translate over well."

[trainwrecking]

Sparkling cider? I don't think I've ever even tried that...

[But he looks interested in doing so. He looks down at his coffee, back to the puppy-lady, then back to his coffee again.]

You a coffee drinker?

[worked_through_labor_day]

Lillipups...?

[Isabelle looks curious as she blows on the hot drink before taking a sip.]

[worked_through_labor_day]

[Isabelle claps excitedly when Misfit reappears, eternally impressed with that trick.]

Here you are!

[And then she gladly hands over a small paper cup filled with cider.]

[worked_through_labor_day]

It's a staple of New Year's celebrations in the town I'm from, so I thought I would share the tradition with everyone here! It's refreshing and fun to drink - the bubbles tickle your nose.

[She giggles a little.]

But yes, I like coffee too. It really helps me get going in the morning so that I can work hard all day!

[worked_through_labor_day]

[Isabelle smiles at Homura as she approaches, holding out a small paper cup.]

Would you like some cider?

[unbroken_chain]

"Oh, uh..."

Kotoha is never without her Pokedex, so she'll just slide it open and fiddle around a bit until a picture appears.

"This is a Lillipup!"

[worked_through_labor_day]

Oh, so cute! What's his name?

[Since where Isabelle's from, animals are just... people.]

[unbroken_chain]

Pokemon are people too! Just...remarkably same-looking people. Hm.

"Oh, uh...I dunno? Wild Pokemon don't really have names, most of the time."

[worked_through_labor_day]

Oh... like birds and fish?

[softreset]

[ A ... talking dog? Interesting... it seems this place is stranger than she thought. But there's a first for everything... plus, it could be an animal suit. ]

...Thank you.

[ She'll gracefully accept the cup with a small curtsy. ]

[worked_through_labor_day]

You're very welcome!

[Yup, big smiles all around over here.]

This is probably a lot of peoples' first New Year's away from their homes, so I wanted to do something to make it special and memorable.

[unbroken_chain]

"I guess? I don't know how it works where you're from, sorry."