godbent | 24th: The Jocundity of Haruhi Suzumiya

[Filtered to the SOS-Brigade // 90% Unhackable]

As some of you probably noticed by now, Mikage's gone. [a beat] ...What this means is that the Deputy Vice Chief position is now vacant, and in addition to this we have Christmas coming up - New Years too. Winter Holidays! In light of those two facts, I'm proposing a simple solution! In addition to the existing projects we have - the Friendship Club from our trainee member and Operation Hydra Social with Oswald and his buttmonkey - that the show we're going to put on for Christmas be a trial for all of you! The one who shows the most promise will get the esteemed promotion to Deputy Vice Chief!

What exactly we'll be doing is to be discussed at the next meeting, but keep this in mind.

[See: here for further and OOC discussion]

[Open Voice]

Luceti, listen up! In this Holiday Season we're coming into now, no doubt there'll be even more parties and such than what has already happened and no doubt the Organization will throw something at us too. However, I want you all to bear in mind that there is an outlet for whatever complications you run into as a result of all this: the legendary SOS-Brigade. Like always, come to our HQ if you have any problems, particularly if they're interesting.

[Take that, Angel]

Besides this... If you want to join our ranks, you can apply there as well. Furthermore, keep your eyes peeled for something way more impressive than our efforts last year.

Haruhi, over and out!

[Filtered from Winry // 90% Unhackable]

[...] But hey, for any of you who don't know, Winry's birthday is on the eleventh. [A beat] She's been sick for a while now, and I don't know if she'll be 100% by then, so we're not going to do some huge party, but if you're her friend you better still get her gifts! Nice, thoughtful things!

[Filtered from Kyon // 90% Unhackable]

[And then this has been bugging her for a while. Seeking insight from the whole village - her, the leader of the SOS-Brigade - would be disgusting. But she can at least get one thing out of the way here]

If you happen to - [...She was going to introduce everyone to him as "Kyon" to make sure he has no chance to reclaim his name. She remembers doing something similar in Luceti, years ago, the last time Kyon was here. But the moment she starts, her heart isn't in it] ... You know what, forget it. Whatever.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

['Mostly cosmetic. Well, from one perspective--one particularly heartless, cruel, and overall insensitive, as well as boorish and generally improper perspective--that is what Asahina-san is...']

So the trial is going to be 'cosmetic' in nature...?

In a sense! I'm just judging performance through New Years, essentially.

...Performance, I see.

Well, I hope whoever it is richly merits the position.

I'm sure they will, that's the point of a contest like this.

I know, I know.

['I'm just hoping there's someone else to provide some of the menial labor. That zombie, maybe.']

Not that you have a chance of winning right now, but you really need to pick up that enthusiasm Kyon it's a matter of principle!

I think my current enthusiasm level is a matter of principle as well.

['And you know I never had that chance, Haruhi.']

And that's precisely why I'm so generous.

Yeah, that's definitely a word I associate with you.

['Along with attachments, like "helping of crazy served with a side of energy".']

As well you should.

In fact, I'm moderately surprised your generosity hasn't extended to introducing me to everyone as "menial laborer Kyon" yet.

W-well, the Brigade got an introduction to you, right?

[And she felt... almost out of line... to give an intro like that to the village]

['What is this tone from Haruhi? I've got to say, that's a little unexpected. Does she feel some kind of qualm about that idea?

If so, I should probably encourage that... Right? I don't know. For some reason, I feel hesitant about it. I guess you might say, I liked... That is, the old Haruhi was kind of Stockholm Syndrome comfortable to be around.

Okay, maybe that's just all paranoia.']

Well, if it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me, Haruhi.

[ ... ]

Fine, then maybe I will! The whole village, calling you Kyon!

[This is clearly more of an awkward unsure reaction than anything]

['...You know, Haruhi is kind of cute when she's like this. Or no. Maybe that's not even the right word. Haruhi is...

As I've said before, Haruhi is always Haruhi. Even this Haruhi. But this is when she's really being most like the Haruhi underneath, despite being outwardly most like the Haruhi on top.

I don't know, though. Maybe I'm reading too much into that. I just suddenly feel strangely comfortable with it. Maybe that was the thing. Maybe she didn't know what to think of me being back here, after time passed for her. And I'm going to have to see what to think of her, in the same way. And maybe even in a situation as stupid and small as this (and may my aunt be damned forevermore for creating the nickname anyway), it comes out... Whether it's okay to go back to how it was between us at home, or whether she's beyond that now.

And I've been saying for a month now that I've got to choose the former. But do I? What does it mean? Is it because I want to hang on to what was special between us that doesn't seem the same anymore? Is this her thinking about doing the same thing?

It's too much for a stupid nickname to bear...'

After that prolonged pause:]

Haruhi.

...You know, I would be thankful if you didn't.

But... it's okay. It's okay, whatever you decide.

[...This is a breakthrough. Even through her haze of being indignant and red in the face and flustered and all that she can recognize this is a turning point. So...]

...Of course. Just trust me in these things.

[He nods, with a smile coming over his face.]

Yeah, I will.

[He pauses.]

...Anyway. Are you intentionally growing your hair longer again?

['...Because that was a smooth segue.']

[He noticed...]

Well uh- yeah, actually.

['She is, huh?']

...Probably not for the benefit of any aliens, though, I'm guessing.

['Begging the question of whose benefit it is for.

...Undoubtedly her own unfathomable reasons. Right?']

What? No, they don't care - C'Thun wouldn't anyway. Get your head on straight.

['Who? Is this just supposed to be another reminder that I have no idea what Haruhi knows anymore?']

How would I know what someone who sounds like they have an apostrophe in their name would care about, anyway?

...Anyway, it looks good, that's all.

Who asked you?

[.............doki doki. She actually is annoyed at herself how much the compliment makes her bristle]

Of course it does.

[...He smiles wryly.

'Yeah, typical. Would you have said it like that if Koizumi had said it?!']

Just volunteering an opinion.

I'll consider it for later review.

['That means you're going to file it away and forget about it, right?']

...Yeah, okay.

24th: The Jocundity of Haruhi Suzumiya

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