♥ 02

[celebrity_commentator]

[Video]

[Rise appears to have set up her camera in the park - currently sunny tank-top weather, which she finds preferable for this kind of thing - to ask everyone a question. Naturally, at this time and this being Rise, she's singing and holding the watch part of her COMP like a microphone.]

Santa baby, drop some info under the tree, for me
I've been an awful good girl
Santa baby, I'm really worried 'bout this weather today.

Santa baby, the snow and ice and sun are all neat, they compete
To start making us sick
Santa baby, it's getting really awful today.

Think of all the people that can't deal with this
Think of all my senpais with element weakness
It's gonna get even worse
Unless we can find the source of this!
(Boo doo be doo)

Santa honey, if anyone out there can help me, I'd be
A really useful backup.
Santa baby, please help me check out things here today.

Santa cutie, the singing stuff I really don't mind, it's fine
I'd never get this to scan
Santa cutie, I might put this in my next CV.

Come on please, help me out
I can't find Yu and Naoto's nowhere to be found
I really do believe in you
So please help me, search around
(Boo doo be doo)

Santa baby, forget about what you're doing now, say how
You can help me fix this before
Santa baby, soon we cannot take anymore,

Soon we cannot take anymore!

[She blinks, and looks down at the COMP she was holding.]

Man, if I knew I was gonna do that one I'd have gotten a costume...

Comments

video;

[selfgodded]

Freedom, and a promise that no matter how much you struggle, how much you hurt, how much you despair and cry out for the end, that you will continue to fight for your dream and life. To never accept defeat. To keep on being human.

That is all.

video;

[celebrity_commentator]

Oh.

Well I was already doing that anyway...

video;

[selfgodded]

Were you?

[Anant's voice becomes a bit flat]

Humans say that often, only to falter and recoil when challenged. That is fine. Cowardice and misery is just as part of humanity as perseverance and stubbornness. I love them no matter what type of human they are.

But.

Many many humans say they live in that way, but it is a lie that not even they know. Joining the cult means that you will always be reminded, and offered the support and protection from your brothers and sisters. Those who join my cult even come under my protection!

[Oh yeah, Anant learned a lot from their first clumsy cult proposal! Lay out all the benefits!]

video;

[celebrity_commentator]

Hey, you know my COMP log, not my story, okay? I've spent a lot of time figuring out what I was lying to myself about and what I wanted to reach for, and besides, I already have people like that.

video;

[selfgodded]

[Hmm, Anant made a misstep somewhere. They tilted their head in obvious thought, not all that ruffled by Rise's tone]

I see. You feel stable enough to survive on your own, both mentally and emotionally.

[They made a happy noise, pressing a hand against their mask]

Wonderful! That passion, that self-confidence! Mmhmm, I am imitating happiness. Congratulations on such stern foundations.

video;

[celebrity_commentator]

Yeah, exactly that.

Uh, thanks.

video;

[selfgodded]

I like you.

I hope you have a - what is the term - 'Merry' Christmas. Thank you for indulging in my questions!

video;

[celebrity_commentator]

You're welcome, and the same to you!

[And then she disconnects before the conversation can go anywhere else.]

What a weird guy...