Congrats! Video

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony's counted up the ballots and finished up with lunch. He's still in the dining carriage looking relaxed and pleased with the news he's giving.]

Congratulations to the new Council Members!

Those voted in are Sarai, Lightning, Feanor, Manabu, Dread, and Ignis! Ash is going to be an alternate.

So if you have any issues you'd like us to address, please contact one of the members and they can bring it up at our first meeting.

Comments

[runs_on_batteries]

Yeah, that's my excuse. But why were you being such a tool?

[siriusly]

A-? [?? ? ?? ?] What do you mean? I was...me?

[runs_on_batteries]

No. I normally enjoy talking to you and you have interesting things to say. You seemed.. cranky. What was going on?

[siriusly]

...N-nothing. Sorry. I don't really do parties, so maybe that was it.

[runs_on_batteries]

Well.. guess I should be glad you made the effort at least. So, thanks.

[siriusly]

Uh, sure! I mean--if most everyone had a good time, then it was worth the effort, right?

[runs_on_batteries]

True, although it would've been nice to help you have a good time too. Is there something I should plan for next time that would help?

[siriusly]

[with a nervous laugh:] Why me, specifically? Tony, you already went above and beyond what I'd have expected. I have a working dragoon again! I think that's plenty. Isn't the whole point of this council-thing to be looking after the others?

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony pauses, visibly thrown off guard by the question. He thinks it over for a moment before answering very simply, but with about as sincere a tone as Manabu's seen from him.]

Because I like you, Manabu. You're my friend.

[siriusly]

[taken aback:] A--er... [bashful:] O-of course, ha...but, but just because we're friends doesn't mean you have to go to any extra lengths for me! I-I'll be alright.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Manabu might as well be speaking Greek. Tony knew a lot of languages like Italian, French, and Japanes, but not Greek.]

Why wouldn't I? Friends are the very people who you're allowed to inconvenience, because they'd do the same for you.

[siriusly]

Er, uh...right... [having friends who dote and emote about friendship blatantly: how does one deal with that?] Well, if...I think of anything...I'll let you know. Is that fair?

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony wasn't about to admit he hadn't had the best experience with actual friends. He met many, many people who just wanted things from him or were forced to work with him. But real friendship? That was unusual and he wasn't that good at knowing the rules.]

Great. Can we move on before they make a chick flick out of this scene?

[siriusly]

[flatly:] You started it.

[runs_on_batteries]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[He doesn't maintain that serious expression for long.]

You wouldn't happen to know how to make ramen do you? We have some pasta in the kitchen and while it's not the correct ones to use to make the dish, I was hoping I could make something similar enough to it.

[siriusly]

[a beat.]

I...I almost exclusively know how to make ramen, actually. My mom owns a noodle shop back home, so I grew up knowing the stuff pretty well.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony's eyebrows rise in surprise and his grin widens.]

Excellent! Come on, you can show me.

[He waves for Manabu to follow him to the kitchen. The young man might have had the cooking chore last month, but tonight he was getting roped back into it.]

So is it the noodles or what that makes it 'ramen'?

[siriusly]

Oh--

[well. okay then! time to peel off the ICP and go meander to the kitchen, then. his second-most visited place, thanks to aforementioned chores.]

Uh, yeah, it's the noodles. You can prepare the dishes however you like, but if it's the noodles, then it's ramen. So you've got options. [a beat.] Some options. I'm not actually that good at making all those dishes.