victory_road | [video] eighteenth feather

--I think it's on. Okay. Yeah, I see the light now.

[The feed turns on, taking a moment to focus until it settles on Rakka's face. On this crisp afternoon, it looks like she's outside, which isn't too interesting in itself, but she seems to be putting up decorations. Behind her is the side of the Homestuck House, a ladder is set up against the wall with boxes of lights and other things sitting around. And on the ladder, currently aided by her Florges, is Penny Polendina.]

Hello, everyone! Happy holidays!

['Salutations!' is called out from behind her, the voice unmistakably belonging to Penny. Rakka laughs for a moment before continuing.]

Uh, we were just getting some decorations up, and something Penny brought up got me thinking about it too.

[She looks away for a moment, waving to Penny who was still working with her Florges, but waves back and starts coming down the ladder. 'Wait for me, I want to ask too.']

Well, we were wondering what everyone's plans are for the holidays. Back where I come from, we don't have a Christmas, or a Hanukkah during this time of year. [Sure was her second time trying to pronounce that. She's trying.] So maybe it would be fun to hear what other people that know about it are doing!

[Penny seemed to be about to speak before noticing something offscreen. 'Oh my! Rakka?']

Huh?

[A bark comes from offscreen, and the whole world shifts as Rakka is suddenly stumbling through the snow after her Houndoom, who currently had Christmas lights tangled in his horns. There's plenty of shouting.]

Ah! Moyasu, no! Heel! Don't worry, I'll-

[And that's about where Rakka's button slips onto the Off button, and the feed dies.]

[OOC: Replies will come from both Penny and Rakka for this post!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I... don't know.

[He winces, rubbing his neck.]

Sora and I... we'd spend the holiday together. Heh, for a while we even would make this stupid bet where we'd poll everyone to see if they believed in Santa, and the loser'd have to do something embarrassing.

But that was a long time ago. After a while, we just sorta stopped and just kept things lowkey.

But now it's just me.

[Shaking his head, he loosely folds his arms.]

But eh, that's no biggie. This isn't just about me. I know a lot of people have special traditions. Caroling. Meals. Cheesy Christmas specials with creepy stop motion animation... There's a lot you could do.

Oh, really? Those all sound like great ideas for spending the holidays with other people.

[. . .]

Your friend disappeared, did he?

Yeah. A while back. It's... been pretty jarring. One of those cases where he stuck around for a long time.

[But he waves his hand, like it's no big deal.]

But it happens. There's always that chance here... and I guess it's better to just make the most of things, especially this time of year.

[Easier said than done for Riku, sadly.]

I mean, this is the time for corny carols and Christmas cookies and goofy stuff like snowball fights.

Mm, I'm sorry for that.

[Even as he waves her worries off, it still strikes her as a bit sad.]

Yeah, it is for those kinds of things. Carols and cookies, and hanging out inside while you watch the snow fall...

[She remembered doing a lot of fun things back last year. Of course, there were more people in the house back then...]

So, where are you staying this year?

Celadon, same as always. Sure, I could travel somewhere, but when you've got dozens of monsters to tend to, plus a business, sometimes it pays to keep it close to home.

[He cracks a small smile, pausing briefly.]

But I might stick around Goldenrod for a little while. Already headed that way after the news, but it's not very often I hang around Johto these days.

Really? Oh, well, Goldenrod is a nice place, especially this time of year.

[...Hmm.]

Um, if you need anywhere to stay, the house I live in has a few spots open for the holidays.

Your friend left? I'm sorry.

[She knows that feeling. A lot.]

..Do a lot of people here believe in Santa?

[Cause she was, like, ninety percent sure that was supposed to be like a fairy tale.]

[He waves his hand. No big deal. He doesn't wanna burden others.]

Comes with the territory, I figure.

[As for Santa, he lets out a soft chuckle.]

Well, the last time we checked was years back. Statistics change. Back then, though? Sora won the bet. So... yeah. More people were inclined to believe.

[However-long-it-takes-to-catch-a-running-Houndoom later, Penny is squatting next to Moyasu carefully untangling the string of lights from around his horns. She's breathing a little heavily, but the pinkness of her cheeks and nose are largely from the cold.]

I didn't see him getting tangled until it was too late. At least I don't think he's hurt at all?

[Thank goodness he's not a very fast Houndoom then. It was still quite the chance, but Rakka was just glad it was over, and Moyasu had finally learned how to heel.

Rakka is crouched opposite Penny, breathing just as hard and quietly petting Moyasu to keep him still.]

He must have just been sniffing around them. It's his first Christmas- poor little guy.

[Said "little guy" is currently sniffling at both of them, seemingly non the worse for wear, despite the trouble he just caused. It's kind of like he doesn't even know what he did.]

[video] eighteenth feather

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