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Episode 29: Lullaby For You
FRET: Welcome back everybody, once again, to the Wickedly Tongue-Twisted podcast! It's good to be back~ And it's me again, one of your hosts, Fret!
NAGI: As I am Nagi Usui, second of hosts.
SHOKA: Name's still Shoka. Still don't wear it out.
RINDO: And everybody knows that it's Rindo, just like usual.
NAGI: Now then, we have finished perusing each of the Wicked Twisters' backstories. Whence does our journey lead us next?
SHOKA: Actually...
FRET: Ooh, what's up, Shokie?
SHOKA: Come on, dummy. You should know. Y'know yesterday's lunch at SPICY CURRY DON?
FRET: Uh, yeah, I remember! I mean, we were all there, eventually.
SHOKA: Well, Fret and I were there before Nagi or Rinrin showed up. And we ended up mentioning the podcast and whatever to Rhyme.
RINDO: Okay, that's cool I guess?
NAGI: I see...? Would that she finds it as intriguing to listen to as we do to speak it into life.
SHOKA: Well, like, she said she'd want to hang out and play video games with us.
FRET: Yeah! But, like, not immediately! She said in a little while, right?
SHOKA: Well, yeah, but it got me wondering. How long are we gonna do this for?
NAGI: Aherhermerhm...
RINDO: That's kind of, uh, an existential question.
FRET: I mean, what'd ya mean? We go on for as long as we wanna go on!
NAGI: Mmgherlke...
FRET: ...Unless if you had, like, a thought about it or something? Like, I don't mean to k-keep you guys here!
NAGI: Ind-deed. We seek not to cage.
SHOKA: Whoa, no, we can keep this going as long as you guys want. It's fun. It was more like, I dunno. It's fun to actually play games with you guys, too.
RINDO: Yeah, I guess I can see what you're getting at... This whole time, we talk a lot about what it's like to play games, instead of just doing it together. Not that I don't think it isn't valuable or anything—
FRET: But, like, having these short conversations—I feel like we get into the details a little more! I mean, I liked hearing everyone talk.
NAGI: As do I feel graced by your collective opinions.
RINDO: We could always talk, I don't think we'll ever stop talking, dude.
FRET: Yeah, but, I dunno! It feels...weird to think about, like, not having this!
SHOKA: Hey, we could keep going! I just wanted to bring it up.
NAGI: I can see the wisdom in a deliberate check-in. To assess whether we are continuing this out of routine, or out of choice.
FRET: Yeah, guess so.
RINDO: Fret, are you okay?
FRET: Yup! Perfectly fine! Never better!
NAGI: Lord Tosai, you needn't share if it would discomfort you. Yet know that your Players 2-through-4 are here beside you.
SHOKA: Yeah, I...didn't mean to kick you down. I'm not going anywhere.
RINDO: None of us intend to leave, y'know? We're having just as much fun as you are.
NAGI: Whatever the quest, the party goes on!
SHOKA: Yeah. Even if it's curtains for the podcast, I want to talk to you every day, idiot. Play games. Make fun of you. Cheer you on when you finally get it.
FRET: Y-yeah. I mean, I don't ever wanna stop talking with you guys. Even if we, like, shut down the podcast or just, take a break, or like, you know, whatever we do. Yeah.
SHOKA: You're my friend, you know. Whatever we're doing.
NAGI: I daresay you shan't shut my mouth with anything short of duct tape, Lord Tosai.
FRET: Yeah, it's like I said a little while ago, talking with my besties is all what I wanted this to be, anyways. So, like, let's talk, I guess?
RINDO: If you wanna talk. I'm always down. We, uh, got a topic or something?
FRET: Could always draw something from the cue cards! Not sure what we'd talk about in about half the time left, though?
SHOKA: Yeah, that's on me.
RINDO: Don't worry about it, I think it was a question worth asking.
NAGI: I hesitate to query something myself, but "thou must." Ahem
FRET: Heh! Boss to the rescue yet again! Wonder how long I'll be able to say that, too?
NAGI: Nay... I do not ask this to halt the podcast. I...very much enjoy these transcriptions.
FRET: That's...one way to start a topic.
NAGI: Yet, how shall we decide when the podcast does end, or cease recording every day?
FRET: Um, like I said, when you guys don't wanna anymore...?
RINDO: Hmm, that's kind of a tough metric. Because, when wouldn't I? Unless if I was super busy—and I make time in my schedule to do this—why wouldn't I come?
SHOKA: Thanks for making the time, Rinrin. I guess it's just ten minutes out of your day right before class. That's easier to time than a whole vidya session, huh?
RINDO: Yeah, and I get to see you guys a lot more too because of it. So like, I get feeling a little off about stopping?
FRET: If you were busy, then we'd figure out times and stuff, Rindude. With or without the podcast.
NAGI: We may have our own scheduling conflicts, but we shall happily accommodate you, Lord Rindo. 'Twould not be a complete war council in your absence.
RINDO: I... Thanks. And like, yeah, we always can and will do that, I appreciate it all, but...
SHOKA: You know, if you like seeing us a lot more, you could...get less busy? You can thank Cap'n Obvious for that tip.
RINDO: Yeah, I mean, I guess. Ahem, I'm just trying to do everything I can.
FRET: ...I was just saying, the podcast was more of an excuse to see all of you. I probably shouldn't be so, like, attached or whatever.
RINDO: If you're attached then that's okay, dude.
FRET: Maybe... Maybe a break would be good? A break from the podcast.
NAGI: Lord Tosai... A break from the podcast I can understand, but not a break from you. U-unless you wish that, too.
SHOKA: I can't believe you got into college being this much of a dummy. No one's taking a break from our friendship.
RINDO: No way. If that's what this was, well, I'd be pretty upset, heh. But like, it's all good, between us.
SHOKA: Besides, I'm...just as attached to all of you.
RINDO: Uh, s-same here. That's a, uh, a little embarrassing to say out loud.
FRET: Rindo... Thanks.
SHOKA: Aww, Rinrin. Just look at your face.
NAGI: As I...am equally attached to my dear allies. To my precious friends.
SHOKA: Hey, sis, right back atcha.
NAGI: And, Lord Tosai, about your earlier query... I shall come to your rescue whenever, wherever, so long as I draw breath, podcast or not.
FRET: Hehehe... Thanks, Boss. I just think, you know, maybe a break from the podcast would be, like, good. Good for playing more games! We gotta catch Rindude up on a lot of stuff.
SHOKA: We can always record more episodes whenever we want. Maybe do a special after we play through games or when we get inspo for topics.
NAGI: 'Tis true.
FRET: ...And, like, a break good for me, maybe, since I'm pretty, uh, protective of it, I guess. I, like, I don't wanna be attached to the podcast. I wanna be attached to you guys.
NAGI: Lord Tosai, never have I perceived you as more attached to a collection of bytes than to us. I, too, have grown quite attached to the transcribing process, to maintaining my cue card collection, to... Ah.
FRET: I just...wanna hang out with you guys.
NAGI: I, too...wish to pass time in mutual companionship, even if college pulls my hours away.
FRET: We'll always make time, all of us, right?
RINDO: Yeah, dude, come on, what have we been saying this whole—argh! This stupid—Fret, I'm sorry, but—!
NAGI: Hghrehk!?
FRET: Hey! That timer came outta my wallet!
SHOKA: Holy shit!
RINDO: There, it's done. Rest in pieces.
NAGI: Such a fierce throwing arm, although not quite to piec—ghwrhak!?
SHOKA: Now it's in pieces. Fuck the timer! Sis, you better keep that one in the transcript! Fuck the timer! Our friendship isn't on a time limit, stupid! You get us whenever you want, as long as you want!
FRET: Sh-Shokie...
NAGI: Mmwehghfhwel... I...
SHOKA: You wanna stomp on it too?
NAGI: ...Symbolically speaking. Ahem. A-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-taaaaaaa!
SHOKA: Okay, well, that's beyond repair. Later, loser.
NAGI: Lord Tosai! Lady Shoka! Lord Rindo! The time we spend together cannot be measured in minutes timerbound!
RINDO: Hell yeah. Phew. Fret! Shoka and Nagi are right. Like hell am I gonna put a timer on how long we'll be friends, or think about when it's time for things to end. I'll just be your friend and enjoy it for however long it lasts, alright?
SHOKA: Yeah. No way you're getting rid of me that easily. Who else is gonna help me knock over chairs? And all the other stupid, stupidly fun things we do?
NAGI: May the golden binds of camaraderie we choose to tie about our wrists hold us more tightly than any red string of fate!
FRET: Guys, s-stop, I can't...
NAGI: Neither can I. But I do know a remedy, if you would assist me in casting Cure.
FRET: ...Yeah, yeah, of course, Boss.
NAGI: Then, it begins with a summoning circle. Take my hand, Lord Tosai. And you, Lady Shoka.
SHOKA: You got it. Any time. Rinrin?
RINDO: Am I invited?
NAGI: But of course. I have but two hands...yet the magic of friendship lies in its capacity for transfinite interlinking so long as the circle remains open.
FRET: Uh, only—sniff—if you want to.
RINDO: Don't be dumb. Of course I want to. It's nice to, like, hold hands with you. You too, Shoka, but you knew that already, heh.
SHOKA: Duh. So squeeze it tight.
RINDO: You got it.
SHOKA: So what's next, sis?
NAGI: Next, we ask Lord Tosai his deepest desire at this moment.
RINDO: Okay. Fret, what's your deepest desire? Uh, at this moment.
FRET: Right, sniff, now? Uhh, well, first something to wipe up all...this...
SHOKA: Hey, don't let go. It's cool. You're our friend, snot and tears and all.
FRET: Oh, right, heh. Then I guess number two on the list is...a hug?
RINDO: Heh, say it with your chest. Don't be wishy-washy.
FRET: Okay, then I want a hug! From all of you. Yeah!
NAGI: Ehehe! I did not miscalcula—oogh!
FRET: Ah! Timberrrrrrr!
SHOKA: Whoa! I guess I should get used to always ending up on the floor. As long as I'm with you guys, the floor's fine by me.
RINDO: There we go, that's a little more comfy.
FRET: Little warning next time, Rindude?
RINDO: That works in both directions.
FRET: Yeah, guess so... Can we just lay like this for a couple minutes? I gotta cool off my brain with my best buddies.
NAGI: We can do this whenever you wish, for as long as you wish.
SHOKA: Yeah you literally just gotta open your mouth and go, "Hey, can we cuddle puddle?"
RINDO: And maybe we'll start on the floor next time, huh?
FRET: What the hell, I don't deserve friends as cool as you guys... Thank you.
RINDO: Dude, shut up. Who cares about "deserving" or not? Sometimes I don't even know why you were friends with me in the first place, but you know what? I'm glad you were. All of you guys.
NAGI: I could not concur more.
FRET: Dammit, right when I thought the waterworks were finished... Thanks, Rindo.
SHOKA: The real video games were the friends we made along the way.
FRET: Heh! Yeah, you're right.
RINDO: ...
SHOKA: ...
NAGI: ...
FRET: ...
RINDO: ...Also, fuck that timer, it can't scare me anymore. I win.
FRET: Pffft, hahahaha! God, I love you guys.
SHOKA: Y-yeah, well, we love you too.
NAGI: I adore—nay, I love you all even more preciously than my maxed-out Lord Tomonami...!
RINDO: Heh! Love you too, Fret. And Shoka, and Nagi. All you guys.
FRET: Yeah... Hey, I'm still thinking about that break.
RINDO: Oh yeah?
FRET: Think it'll be good to focus on playing a little more. But that's not gonna be the end of the podcast, not by a long shot.
SHOKA: No way. I've still gotta perfect my shoe-slinging technique.
RINDO: I have a feeling that'll be pretty useful.
NAGI: I cannot say I would mind beginning each morning with EleStra dailies beside my comrade-in-arms, a hale and hearty breakfast, and then my friends' warm embrace.
FRET: Awww, Boss...!
SHOKA: What, like, we don't do the podcast? We just get together and hug it out?
NAGI: Such is my elegant strategy!
SHOKA: Well, I'm not gonna say no.
RINDO: Me neither.
FRET: That makes three of us! And, like, whenever we do start up the podcast again, maybe we could have some other people on too.
NAGI: We may peruse additional episodes at our leisure. The more the merrier!
FRET: Yeah! And Rindude can actually do more than ask a bunch of questions each episode!
RINDO: H-hey, I tried my best...
FRET: Heh, I know! I'm just messing around.
SHOKA: Hey, bully him and you'll get the horns. I'm the only one who gets to bully him.
NAGI: As you are the only one capable of slinging one's shoe with such precision.
SHOKA: I got you. Okay, Wicked Twisters, any last words before that recorder goes off the table?
RINDO: Uh, th-thanks for listening all this time, I guess?
NAGI: My deepest thanks for all the prompts and queries!
SHOKA: Yeah, thanks for listening to us ramble about video games for, like, a whole month. And the SMT recc.
FRET: Thanks for all the good times! And hey, this is a "see ya later," not a goodbye! So... See you guys next time, whenever that is! Okay, Shokie, wanna show us who's got the best throwing arm in here?
RINDO: Hey, I threw the timer pretty well...
SHOKA: Then I'm not gonna let go of your hand. C'mon, let's sling this together.
RINDO: ...Yeah, let's do it.
NAGI: ...Thank you, Lord Rindo, Lady Shoka, Lord Tosai, for your friendship. At last, those fateful words: thanks to you, the listener...