asgardeventide | Audio... Radio? 001, Backdated(?) to Night, Day 6

Okay, is anyone listening? Today we’re bringing you something special! I’m Ayumi Shinozaki, and with me is...

[ A remarkably similar voice follows close behind, though this one is calmer and a bit more restrained: ]

Chihaya Kisaragi. Welcome to our first episode of... of...

[ There’s a distinctly awkward pause here. IT’S PROBABLY A GOOD THING YOU CAN’T SEE CHIHAYA’S FACE RIGHT NOW-- ]

...Come to think of it, did we figure out a name yet? Hmm... Well, we’re both in Freyr House, and our voices are the almost the exact same, so for the time being, why don’t we go with Freyr Unity?

Freyr... Unity? … I suppose that could work until we think of something more permanent...

Naming issues aside, we’re going to be running this show weekly. It’ll be done every... Wait, what day is it anyways? I mean, it was Sunday where I came from, but... I don’t recall seeing any calendars around here.

I... don’t think they ever mentioned that when we arrived, either- ah, and if anyone would like to call in with their thoughts on either the name of this program or the day of the week, please feel free.

[ Chihaya pauses for a moment. Even this momentary silence sounds faintly embarrassed. ]

... we’re off to something of a strange start, aren’t we, Shinozaki-san...

Well, that’s how it goes around here, I suppose. For the time being, I’m going to refer to today as Saturday. So, every Saturday, we’ll be here until we get evidence of what day it actually is!

[There’s a short pause as Ayumi takes a deep breath.]

Anyways, since we’re going to be talking to you guys a lot, we should probably do another short introduction for those that missed our introductions on the network. I’ll start things off: As I said before, I’m Ayumi Shinozaki. I’ll be doing horror stories on here, but I actually have another role. One I haven’t even told Kisaragi-san yet! It’s going to be a special surprise for those that tell us what they think.

[And there’s the sound of something being written as Ayumi says this.]

Anyways! Aside from that little surprise, I’m sure Kisaragi-san would like to introduce herself as well!

A-A surprise...? In any case, I also introduced myself earlier in the week, but I’m Chihaya Kisaragi of 765 Productions, and I will occasionally be singing in this show. We don’t have any guest speakers this week, but... I’m sure that will be changing within the next few episodes. If anyone else would like to help us host, no matter if you’re an idol, a singer, a performer, or even none of the above, please do not hesitate to call in.

[ Yup, she’s totally looking at you, fellow 765 Pro members. ]

Yeah, we’re always looking for someone else to help out! I’m especially looking forward to getting some of the more physical arts, like fellow writers and artists. It’ll be great to see your perspective on this place!

[And there’s another short pause.]

Speaking of which... It’s really snowing heavily, isn’t it? You never see snow like this in Kanagawa. Oh! I have a good ghost story for this! If it’s okay with you, Kisaragi-san?

Eh? Ah... of course, Shinozaki-san, by all means.

Okay! There’s only one proper way to do this, so!

[And there’s the sound of something being lit.]

S-Shinozaki-san... the lights are still on...?

Well, I don’t mind if you turn them off, but it’s for effect. They can hear it being lit, so they can imagine the candle in their minds!

Besides, the scent’s nice, don’t you think?

[And Ayumi coughs a bit before beginning her story.]

Ahem! So, I know not everyone here is from Japan, so it’s possible that not many people here know about the yuki onna. So, let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

A long time ago, there was a beautiful woman, beloved throughout the small village she lived in. Her beauty was actually famous around the nation, and she had no end to suitors coming to court her. In fact, it came to the point where even the emperor himself came to court her, offering a large dowry in exchange for her hand.

Her father accepted automatically. After all, what woman wouldn't want to marry the Emperor? However, she had a lover in the village already, and the two had promised their lives to eachother when they were children. In reaction, her lover headed off deep into the mountains, declaring that the only way the two could be together was if they were to disconnect themselves from everything, and live as hermits.

Naturally, she gave chase, but by the time she evaded her father and the emperor’s soldiers sent to bring her to the capital, the trail had long grown cold. Nonetheless, she continued deep into the mountains, and never returned.

It’s said that she never found her lover -- that she was got lost in the mountains and froze to death. However, her spirit would not falter. It’s said that during a large snowfall, she appears, searching for her lover’s warmth, unaware that she now saps the heat out of anything she touches, and, unaware that her lover is long dead, believes everyone she sees is her long lost lover. and so she runs up to them, and unknowingly steals their life away with a kiss.

[There’s a deep breath, and then it seems that whatever was lit was blown out.]

That’s how the story goes, anyways! Do you think we’ll see anything like the yuki onna, Kisaragi-san?

[ Chihaya hesitates a little bit before speaking. ]

... I don’t think we will. At least, I sincerely hope not. This world is strange enough without spirits wandering about...

Then, I think we’ve about covered things for our first episode... Unless you’d like to sing so that they can get a little bit of both of us for our first show?

... would it really be alright? The episode’s already run for a while now-

It’s fine, it’s fine! I’m pretty sure that at least some of the people are going to be listening to hear you sing, so we ought to go all out for the pilot!

If you’re sure... I’ll do my best to keep it short, however.

[ A chair can be heard scraping back, and Chihaya, before she takes a deep breath, quietly says- ]

“Blue Bird."

[ And what follows is about a minute and a half of a hauntingly subdued song, with bittersweet lyrics; Chihaya’s singing voice is much more expressive and confident than how calmly she normally speaks... and the effect is somehow stronger, as if there’s some other power at work there.

[Once the song ends, there’s a surprisingly long moment of silence.]

Ah... that was amazing, wasn’t it? I... Ah, sorry, I think I lost myself for a bit there.

[And Ayumi coughs slightly before continuing.]

Anyways, that’s it for today! Normally we’d include a bit of conversation with anyone willing to call in as part of the show, but that can wait until next time. Don’t let that stop you from calling in, though! Just remember to mention your name and house if you want the surprise, okay?

Thank you very much for listening. Until next time,everyone.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's just so much in this that speaks to her, both in the story and the song that she feels she should say something back. She doesn't mean it as intended to be part of the radio show itself (and wouldn't have even if they hadn't said they weren't including calls as part of the show).]

That's sad.

[It's woefully inadequate, and she knows it, but it does accurately express how the show made her not-feel.]

[ well why not give some feedback. ]

That was good. I liked the story and the song at the end. But it's hard to tell who's speaking since you sound so alike...

What a remarkable idea, to host a radio show on the network! Have either of you done this before where you came from?

Ah- Chihaya! That was so good! Way to show Miki up before she even does anything.

[ because she's too lazy to perform at the moment, obviously. ]

But! Miki thinks you should call yourselves 'The Cutting Boards!'

[So few days here, and already it feels somehow like a festival even with the dullness in the surroundings. There are so many performances and outlandish people over the bracelet and in person.

Allen willingly lets himself get carried off by the music -- it's enough to let you forget anything else. What a wonderful feeling.

It's a long moment before he responds with a small round of applause.]

That was really something. From both of you, thank you.

[Another pause.]

... Though, you are right, I have no idea of the date or the day myself.

... Chihaya, you have truly placed such powerful emotion in your song.

[ she... might sound a little subdued herself. ]

That's part of the fun, though!

I'll do my best to keep the tension up, if that helps.

You told me you had this idea, but I didn't know you'd do it so soon.

Well, I think Kisaragi-san might have some experience, but this is the first time I've done something quite on this scale before. I mostly just told stories and drew.

It's important to strike while the iron's hot, after all! The quicker I'm doing something, the better.

..."The Cutting Boards?"

[Nope, someone's not getting it at all.]

I'm just happy you're enjoying the show.

But yes, not knowing the date is pretty worrisome, so I just decided to make a frame of reference we can work with!

...Though I kind of chose Saturday because "Saturday's a good day for doing something like this".

By the way, I heard you changed Houses? Which House are you in now?

[ you can't really see it, but a smile anyway. ]

That's a good attitude. It helps... everything feel more normal.

Which part? The story? The song? Our improv skills?

I guess the better question would be: Did you enjoy the show?

Both the story and the song. I don't know what improv is.

I thought it was very nice but

the story seemed more sad than scary.

[Still,] I don't think that's a bad thing and it's very nice of you to do this for everyone. [...--] So yes I think I enjoyed it. [Sad or not, she's never really gotten the chance to hear stories or music firsthand before, and it's a nice experience.]

In my experience, a lot of "horror stories" are actually tragedies in disguise. Yes, there is a dangerous monster, but it didn't start that way. The ideal ending in a horror story isn't just about the protagonists being saved, but the monster, too.

Still, I'm glad you enjoyed it. We'll be doing this again in a week, so I hope you'll be listening then, as well. Also, if you could tell me your name and house, I would love to send you a little thank you gift for listening.

That would be a good ending. I'm not sure if it would be as scary but I don't think I would mind.

I think I will be. [She pays attention to the network, after all. She is a bit hesitant about giving that information out, though, and] You really don't have to give me anything. Listening is supposed to be fun isn't it? [That's enough reward.]

It's very colorful.

[A small smile. This city makes the compliment more interesting, doesn't it?]

... I'm still not sure I understand what's so special about Saturday, but I suppose it's as good a day as any.

I was moved from House Heimdall to House Freya.

There's not really anything special about Saturday, really. Sunday is typically a day off in my world, so Saturday tends to have more of these late-night shows than any other day, as people can stay up late without worrying about waking up early.

I'll take that as a compliment, then!

Ah, by the way, before I forget, how are you doing with the drawing, Seta-san? I could find some books that helped me out when I was learning to draw, if you want. They really help with figuring out the nuances of new styles.

The rest is mostly practice, of course.

That would help. I think I can control it a bit better now too. But my drawings are... [ the message cuts off there for a bit, before he finally continues after a minute or two. ]

No good. I would have paid more attention to art in school if I knew this would happen...

--I see. That's very practical reasoning -- I do not mind it being Saturday until further notice.

[It seemed so arbitrary considering the haphazard nature of the program! But it looks like there was thought put into it.]

... what is?

Seta-san- thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

... yes, we're still trying to figure that part out. Since our voices sound so much alike and all.

Ah... I've co-hosted a variety show before, but a radio show is really something quite different.

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Audio... Radio? 001, Backdated(?) to Night, Day 6

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[video] well this is going to make the Freya snowwoman more interesting :p

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[video] But of course! I am so glad I remembered about that.

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[video] ahahaha |D

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