Easter [Video/Action Open]

[youfool]

[What, the world makes a big hullabaloo about Christmas, but not its supernatural conclusion? You can't just proclaim Christ's birth without its telos! This will not stand! Genessia's about to be schooled by the lone man who cares enough about the holiest of holidays.

Ted's there, somehow even more gaily dressed than usual, along with all seven--the number of completeness--of his pokemon behind him.]

Good evening, ye merry gentlemen, and God bless you as we celebrate Easter, the day when the world died only to be reborn from dusk to dawn.

Christ, the paschal lamb, who had been slain but three days prior, was risen by the power and glory of God. Just as sin and death entered through men by the first man, Adam, so Christ became the firstfruits of life. He bore sin and death that he might trample both, and resurrect the sleeping ones yet in bondage to sin.

So Death, the last enemy, is and was destroyed by the Redeemer, who means life and life abundant for all who cleave to him. Take that, Hades! The tombs are emptied, the visible is overcome by the invisible! Rejoice, men and angels and all alike for whom life is freed!

[His pokemon rustle; clearly eager to join in on whatever festivities are planned. Ted turns around, laughs, then spreads his arms, gesturing to them.]

We were graced with parcels of life's abundance one month ago, and rightly rejoiced. How much more, then, for the life and liberty from sin granted two thousand years ago? Happy Easter, everyone; God take you all.

[With that his pokemon make a joyous, clamorous farewell as he ends the feed. With but an hour of Easter left, Ted takes his court of Pan--such wonderful representatives of life!--to the city streets for more happy singing.]

"Christ is risen from the dead, Allelujah!
Every people, every nation,
Soon shall hear the gladsome sound;
Joyous tidings of salvation,
Borne to earth’s remotest bound.
Then shall rise in tones excelling,
Praise for grace so freely shed;
And the Easter hymn be swelling,
"Christ is risen from the dead!"

[It did say every people. Neither Ted nor his personal zoo will be slack in spreading this gospel, oh no! He felt extremely happy, as though he were Adam himself, back with his named creatures in Eden.]

Comments

Action;

[innocent_royal]

[If Ted is Adam with his parade of Pokes, then Anastasia must be Eve with her own collection. Out and about on a walk with her cute little friends and a Nidoking.

She heard Ted's singing from clear down the road and stopped when the distance between them got short enough, stepping out of the way.

Hearing the line, "Christ is risen from the dead," however, ruffles Anastasia's figurative feathers as it implies necromancy. And she has a pretty big problem with it. She makes no mention of it as Ted began to pass, merely asking instead.]

"What is that you are singing?"

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[youfool]

[When two gangs of pokes meet, it's only natural the get to mingling. The parade is arrested as they start socializing, Ted powerless to intervene; not that he'd wish to. Swoobat, the "courting" pokemon, is being her usual, flirty self. Looking for a queen there, big guy?]

Oh, good evening Anastasia! I see life harries you too. That, dear girl, is a hymn.

[Ask a simple question, get a simple answer.]

Care to join in on the next verse?

[He enticingly flaps a music sheet at her.]

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[innocent_royal]

[The Nidoking doesn't care, but isn't immediately dismissive. He's chosen to be Anastasia's guardian and won't let the Swoobat lead him astray.

Meanwhile, Anastasia eyes the music sheet warily but doesn't accept it. She is just so naive when it comes to these holidays.]

"No thanks. It speaks of necromancy."

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[youfool]

[Thus, Anastasia's animals continue the proud tradition of being 100% no fun.

Ted peers at the sky with a stupid grin for a few pregnant seconds, then looks down at Anastasia with mock surprise.]

Huh! No bolts of the blue to blast you for such blasphemies. You got lucky this time, Anastasia, no doubt owing to the grace of the holiday. What on earth compels you to say that?

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[innocent_royal]

[It's just Nidoking. He's 100% no fun. Anastasia gently pinches a corner of the sheet in Ted's hand and pulls down for her to see the lyrics, then pointing to a line.]

"Here. It says, Christ is risen from the dead. Is that not necromancy?"

[satori_komeiji]

Satori took the time to watch Ted's broadcast. As curious as his faith was, she was aware that this most likely meant something quite dear to his heart. Nevertheless, the youkai that dwelt in a forlorn hell had much to learn about these human customs. Of course, she had to ask a couple questions of her own. She looked up from a book she'd been perusing as she'd signed on only to add.

"Interesting, how human collectives, regardless of faith or creed, will happily attach their devotions to winter and spring. Perhaps the birth and death of nature has much more meaning when your God's rise on is associated. I am glad to see that your faith and optimism have not been trampled. Like your Redeemer, you always seem to rise with high spirits and zeal."

The book tilts into view. It's a copy of Milton's "Paradise Lost".

"While your God's a curious one the more I hear, I should hope you find good cheer, this fair 16th Uzuki."

Satori knew that Ted probably wouldn't understand her homeland's dates, however...

"Ah, yes. Uzuki would be April, of course. Old habits d-..."

Satori's expression gets remarkably stern as she's cut off, what with the phone all fumbled around!

[INTERRUPTING SISTER!]

[koishi_komeiji]

It was then that the door of the room slammed open and something very green and excited charged into the room. Satori was not given time to respond to it as the ears of a chocolate bunny were shoved into her mouth mid-syllable.

"Sis! They're selling chocolate! A lot of it! Everywhere! It's really good! And really inexpensive!" From Koishi's excitement she clearly had already eaten a little bit too much. "I got some for you! And lots of other candy!"

Said candy was dumped unceremoniously into Satori's lap, the green youkai darting again out of the room, laughing merrily and undoubtedly scarfing down yet more sugar.

[satori_komeiji]

Satori just about sputters as the chocolate treat is jammed into her mouth, catching the phone just in time and looking every bit more flustered than a second ago. It seems Koishi's sudden return startled her. The elder sister ends up having to take a little bit of time to chew up the chocolate, as chobobun ears aren't the easiest to get down in one bite. She eventually catches her breath. It was quite good, of course, but not really her ideal way of receiving chocolates. Not anyone's, really.

"...Gods, Koishi, could you be a little more careful? You could hurt someone that way..."

After a moment, however, she regained her composure, realizing Koishi had bolted out of the room by the time she'd started chastizing her. Once again, she seems to have embarrassed herself on a live feed due to Koishi's spontaneous interjection into it. Such was her life.

"I...really do wish Koishi would pace herself, sometimes. She's eaten too much sugar, so it's basically impossible."

Speaking of those in bondage to sin...

[youfool]

Oh dear, these two. One meant death for herself, and the second meant it for others. Suicide and murd--

No, none of those thoughts today. Ought to cast out all dread, as the good hymn said. He endeavors to simply enjoy the two without minding any latent darkness. The holiday is too good for that.

Milton? While he approves of the subject, he can't quite condone the choice of author. A marble, puritanical sort. He can see why; Milton's coldness is probably very congenial to Satori's taste, which makes Ted think him very uncongenial to her health.

As he listens to Satori's prolix well wishes, he makes a face straddling between confusion and amusement. Her words give the impression of gas, which made Ted expect one of two things: either a thrilling climax, like explosive fuel for a rocket ascending to heaven, or a popped balloon, squealing and farting through the air only to ingloriously end in a shriveled husk of meaning. Given the aloof and vaguely superior airs she's putting on, he mildly fears the latter.

How fortunate to the pitch of grace, then, that Koishi compelled a third ending. After the assault, his howling laughter told just how much he liked it.

"Haaaahahahaha! She did what I had half a mind to do! How ingenious, to dam the discursiveness with sweetmeat! So these are the kind of rabbits you've taken to hunting, eh? I've heard of honeyed words, but chocolate-covered? Goodness, for one lobotomized she shows good sense and better style! Ahaha, I sometimes wonder if she isn't the saner sister.

Well, a joyous Easter to you two too. Would that I could make yours so merry."

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[whiteas]

...Is that part of your world's creation story?

[ She's a little confused. She knows her world's and she's not sure how much or little she believes of it, but she gathers this must be some kind of holiday for Ted to be acting up. ]

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[youfool]

[He resists a curt "no"; a testament to just how happy the holiday's made him. Rich people--especially this rich person--aren't known for any genuine interest in spiritual matters.]

You could say that. Such things were laid out before the foundation of the world.

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[whiteas]

[ "Rich" might be the wrong word considering some of Weiss's recent decisions, both home and here. Though she's always up for learning, particularly about cultures. ]

So in your world, one person can die and take on the sins of everyone in the world?

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[youfool]

Heh, one very particular person, yes. The Mystery of Substitution, which, operating as it does on universal law, is true everywhere.

[Video]

[shy_mage]

I-I like when people paint the eggs.

[How did Ted miss the most important part of Easter?]

Re: [Video] nou

[youfool]

[Bracken, Bracken, Bracken. You thought you could just drive-by and drop off some innocuous comment like that? HAHA NOT TODAY SINNER.]

Those eggs are very lovely, much like the ones we received in March. Are you aware of the meaning?

[He'll be very satisfied with either answer.]

[Video]

[shy_mage]

[He should know better by now with Ted.]

Th-There's a meaning?

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

Of course there's a meaning! They'd be either nonsense or utterly vain otherwise, which of course, they aren't.

[Video]

[liorafae]

"R-Risen from the dead...?"

[The thought suddenly makes her panic. She doesn't know who Christ is, but for her, risen from the dead = undead monster that attacks anything that moves.]

How can that be so...joyful?

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

[A satanic dragon would think that.]

Hello, Liora, and happy Easter! To answer your question: it's joyful in all the ways death isn't.

[Video]

[liorafae]

[If only he knew of her destiny (which even she isn't aware of yet).]

That...doesn't tell me anything. The last time I saw things risen from the dead, they were soulless monsters that attacked the living.

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

I'm very sorry to hear that. Nonetheless, you shouldn't judge a thing by its perversions. The resurrection I speak of is practically the opposite: out of that death came a soulful man who saved the living.

[Video]

[om_nom_namur]

Only y'd explain a thing an' have it wind up murkier'n when y' started.

[By this point in the evening Namur has had at least one decent meal, and is beginning to look somewhat less haggard. He still looks too tired to deal with this, in spite of having just woken up.]

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

[Ted knows what he's getting Namur next Christmas.]

Oh, I'm sorry Namur. The correct answer was: "What a sterling and scintillating speech! I'll convert on the morrow, and I'd like you to perform the baptism! In the meantime, I'll gift you the biggest and brightest egg money can--or can't--buy."

[Or something along those lines. His Namur impression may need work.]

But not to worry; I'm sure your very large head is more than up to the task of grasping the essentials. Speaking of which, how are you feeling? Things any more cogent?

[Video]

[om_nom_namur]

Ain't sterling a kind a silver? Second place, second rate, sheheheheh!

[APPARENTLY HE'S WELL ENOUGH TO GIVE TED SHIT so that's something.]

The hell's the deal with all the eggs anyway? Most a 'em smell dead already...

Got some fish in me, so that's helpin'. Probly ain't gonna be bustin' up any bounties 'til I had a chance t' do some trainin' first. Means I gotta find a gym. Or hit up the Pleco-bait t' use his shit. But peeps can be real funny 'bout their weights so ehhh.

[He shrugs.]

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

Yes, silver: a noble metal, whitest of them all. Very handy for slaying creatures of the night. (he assumes, all very dreamily).

Ah, symbolic of tombs; which ought to explain the dead smell. Hopefully the living things inside have escaped, as they ought.

[He nods sympathetically, stopping to tilt his head in curiosity.]

"Pleace-bait"?