2 ∅ [Video]

[callbacks]

[Whoa, what's this? A video post from our resident red-texter? The young man in the feed doesn't have much of a facial expression behind his shades, but he seems pleasantly keyed-up somehow, anyway--maybe it's something in the way he bounces as he flops into his chair.]

I was going to ask if there's some kind of survivalist secret Santa for birthdays around here, or if a Pokémon takes care of it. Like, maybe there's just a widespread anonymous cultural practice of delivering rope and hardtack to someone's door on the anniversary of their exiting utero.

[The corner of his mouth slides up a bit.]

But then I discovered the most important item I've yet received here in Pokéworld. Ladies and gentlemen...

[He turns the camera to reveal a Ralts in a scarf probably twice as long as it is tall. It's holding what looks like the kind of cheap wind-up Electabuzz toy you'd find at the bottom of a child's fast food box.]

The Happiny Meal^TM toy.

[Dave is so stoked. The Ralts, more bemused than anything else, winds it up and seems surprised when it rattles across the desk. It crouches to watch the toy more closely as Dave pulls the view back to himself, still practically bursting (you know, for him) with ironic amusement.]

Anyway, since I've got all this kit now, does anyone in the Violet City neck of the woods want to go check out those ruins? I know it's basically freezing and all, but they're not supposed to be too far out, and. [He shrugs.] They sound all right.

[Meaning he really, really wants to go see them, and it is his birthday.]

Comments

[voice]

[no_ufo_ending]

I'm not sure that's a good idea. They seem like they'd be haunted.

guess who

[doitrockapella]

!!!

ALERT ALERT ALERT
AWOOGA AWOOGA

INSERT QUERY TARGET USER
D A V E
S T R I D E R

IS TODAY YOUR
B I R T H D A Y

???

INITIATING EMERGENCY BIRTHDAY PROTOCOLS
BEEP BOP BOOP

ATT: birthwubs.mp3

[video]

[faintwaves]

[Not even going to lie, Xion's...kind of...entranced by the toy's progress. She nearly misses all the rest of what was said, and Arceus forbid anyone try to ask her what utero even means.]

...[!! Ri-right, there's a person talking.] Oh, h-happy birthday.

[Now, Riku told her if somehow she ended up in Violet City, Xion should get the hell out of there right away or risk being stuck Forever. It sounded very serious from the way he talked about it, so being dropped in Violet via that...weirdness should be Serious Business.

So that's exactly why she says:] The Alph ruins? Sure, when'd you want to go?

[Curiosity killed the Replica.]

[video]

[infinityunlimitedflame]

I would imagine such a talisman would protect you on your journey.

[...yes, he's aware it's a cheap happy meal toy. And yet, he seems completely serious about this.]

[Video]

[awesmazings]

[Excuse him did somebody say birthday.]

Woah, it's your birthday?! Happy birthday, dude! How old are you?

[Action]

[in4apounding]

[As Dave finishes his broadcast there's a knock on the door frame as Penny enters the room, a Vulpix peeking from behind her legs.]

Salutations Dave! Happy Birthday.

[Hope you like cake, Dave, because you're being presented with a small pre-made, grocery-store bakery cake on a decorative paper plate. A single birthday candle is flickering merrily away at its center.]

...This is still traditional where you come from, isn't it?

Video

[anexcitableboy]

Oh hey, happy birthday. I guess those still happen here, huh?

Yeah, those ruins are cool, I poked around'em a little bit recently.

[killer_sweets]

Happy Birthday, if you're having cake at some point send me some. [He asks a random stranger.]

Going to Ruins sounds pretty fun, even though there aren't any deadly traps or chance of being hit by a curse.