hadriel | [Video]

I would help you, but I don't think you speak a lick of English.

What is a... Vita?

Oh, I should have thought to explain better. I know a lot of folks here aren't from places or times that have video games. It's a little machine that can play a lot of different games, rather like the ones I mentioned on your little network device there. Have you tried them?

Well, I'd say I've gotten to be quite the champion at Pong. I've won five whole times. [Let him have this accomplishment,] The... Pac... man game is a little too busy for me. Those things are too fast.

What's the difference, then? It's bigger? Can it play cards?

Cards, mahjong, tetris, and even more complicated things like shooting and fighting games. It's too bad it's broken, or I'd offer to show you. There's a wide variety of games for all ages and skill levels, back where I'm from. [Gosh, he is just so enthusiastic about talking video games once he gets started.]

Of course the Vita isn't much bigger, but the old games used to come in the form of something called an 'arcade cabinet', which was a lot bigger. I thought it would be nice to get one for the bar, but it seems like the gods want some work put in, and I'm not quite sure how to fill their request the best way. Maybe if I had some help?

... What?

I have no idea what you're talking about..

Oh dear, where to even begin.

Do you like games, Miss...?

My name is Rydia.

And yes, I used to play tag when I was younger, hide and seek, fetch...

Not even board or card games? Of course there's nothing wrong with hide and seek, but that wasn't quite what I was thinking of right now.

Not the kind of games I used to play but I'm familiar with card games, yes. So, please, go ahead...

Now those titles sure are a blast from the past! I didn't think people would still remember them.

[Ravine doesn't spend much time with her phone to play with all these newfangled apps.]

It doesn't seem like it was all that long ago, sometimes. [Just young at heart, here.] But there's only so long you can play even a classic until it's time for a change.

That thing broke? How the hell'd that happen?

[Morbid curiosity, because that thing looked valuable and Sato is crazy, so Firo would not want to be a person who had a hand in anything like that.]

The last time we had a chat, I think I mentioned the culprit. You know, I think he was really trying to upset me.

[Last time? Firo doesn't enjoy having to dig through the old memory banks, but he does. The double was the last thing he can recall them talking about. That's a long time for a poor old man to be Vita-less!

He shakes his head.]

Wow, what a shock. I can't believe anybody would wanna do that, being as you're such a nice guy.

[Sarcasm aside... Time for Firo to offer his definitely-not-an-expert opinion.]

That thing looked like it was basically magic. You're probably better off going straight to the gods for something like that.

[Oh Firo, sarcasm. Hey, Hey don't be like that.]

Now now, Firo. I'm aware things haven't worked out so well the last couple times we talked. And getting you involved in that business with the Guard, well, maybe that was a mistake. [He shakes his head sadly.] But it's so difficult here sometimes, isn't it? The gods toy with our emotions, set up traps to turn us against each other. I hope that's not what happened here, is it?

As for the Vita.. you may be right.

[Firo'd be ashamed to admit that he actually gets nervous when he sees the conversation has switched to private. Is some kind of threat incoming? No, it doesn't look like it. Not for now.

He bats one hand at the air and looks away, trying to stay casual.]

Oh, come on, I was just kidding you. You don't need make a whole federal case out of it. You can take jokes, right?

[Sato sighs, seemingly just a bit disappointed more than anything approaching upset.]

Of course. I suppose I'm not a very 'nice' person to some people. But only the ones that deserve it.

[But it takes no time at all to brighten to talk about his favorite subject again.]

By the way, Firo. Have you seen what Rey has done with the new makeshift bar? There's plenty of opportunities for cards, dice and board games. Still no arcade machines yet, but maybe we'll find something in the shops one of these days!

[From what he's seen so far, Firo almost thinks that he can't argue too much there; the Guard are the only people he can recall Sato attacking recently.

And then, of course, he recalls the time Sato went and chopped his goddamn head off. He doesn't feel so charitable then, but it'd just be embarrassing to complain now about that not being 'nice.' A gangster doesn't need people to be nice to him.

Besides, bars are a much more fun subject; Firo's tone perks up as if he hadn't just been thinking of his own death.]

I sure did. We're working on making some of our own drinks for it too. It's not exactly like my place back home, but I figure it's close enough that I can try to lend a hand.

You thinking of trying any of the other games to hold you over until your arcade things?

[Hint hint. Firo can always use someone to play with, even if it is this guy.]

I'm always good for a game of cards, although I thought some of the board games looked pretty interesting too. Maybe we should give one of them a shot the next time you're around.

I take it you're getting along well with Rey, then?

[He asks curiously. Hey, he's never really known that they knew each other that well, so this is new and potentially useful information if so.]

I haven't played a board game since I was a kid... but if you can find one that's not too childish, I'll play.

[Firo is, after all, an adult. And he's not about to let anyone forget that.]

Sure we are. Apparently we knew each other before we wound up here, but neither of us remembered that. She's all right--she knows what she's doing.

[Rey herself might disagree, but Firo believes that her skepticism is proof enough that she has at least some things together.]

[That's a very odd-sounding situation, but then again, all kinds of odd things happen around here.]

She does, doesn't she. Or, I should say, most of the time.

To be honest, Firo, I think she's been acting a little odd towards me lately. I can't figure out why. Maybe you could could talk to her one of these days. There's no need to make a big deal out of it. I'm just curious about what she thinks.

...I don't get why you think I'm gonna run your errands for you. I'll do it, but only because I know both of you, okay? Don't get any ideas.

[He sighs. He's going to talk to her all right, but in his mind it's just as much a warning as anything else.]

Anyway, I didn't realize you guys were close enough friends to be worrying about stuff like that.

We've had a few adventures together.

[He says cheerily. You know, since Silent Hill Zone and the caverns outside the city are definitely adventures.]

Let me know when you want to play a few rounds of cards. I'll see if anyone else I know is free.

[Like for instance, Richie. Games are always better with more people, after all.]

[Iiinteresting. He grunts his assent and leaves it at that.

And as always, moving on to cards swings his mood easily in the opposite direction. It's a near-immediate about-face as one topic drops out of his head in favor of the other one.]

Now you're talking. It's been ages since I had a really good game with more than two people. You don't use the same skills when you don't have a whole table of people to watch out for.

I'll let you know. ...Actually, I was probably gonna be there tomorrow anyway. You know, just if you were in the area.

[Not that Firo's, like, actually really eager about this or anything.]

If I am, I'll be sure to stop by.

[Finally, someone speaking Prussia's language!]

You've got a Vita here!?

I did. I'm beginning to think that the others are right, and I may have to go to the gods for help in this case, unless you have any other suggestions?

I would try to fix it, but I wouldn't want to risk making it worse. Not when we're so lacking in video games as it is. [He wonders if his brother could fix it. If only his brother was in Hadriel.]

I guess asking them is the only way, if you can't find someone among us to do it... Though I understand why you wouldn't want to just turn to them for every little thing.

[Why get indebted to them if you don't have to?]

I don't really mind. But sometimes it's a lot of work to go to for their requests, so it seemed like a better idea to ask around first.

Tell me, I'm curious. What kind of games did you usually play?

Yeah? I haven't asked 'em for anything yet. What sort of things do they make you do?

Survival horror mostly. Though I think after living here, I might give those a break for a good long time. I like FPSs too, co-op stuff especially.

[More importantly than talking about the specifics of god requests, Sato has priorities now that he's found a fellow gamer. So he's very intent and serious about asking:]

Which do you like more, Battlefield or Call of?

Ooh, tough call! But I think I'm slightly more of a Call Of guy. Why, what about you? What games ya got on the Vita?

[Slightly aghast. Battlefield is the far superior game. On the other hand, the number of people in this city who even known what an FPS is are few and far between.]

Battlefield requires a bit more skill, and the tactical options are far better.

of course there isn't much for shooters on the Vita, but I do have a copy of Killzone Mercenary. Oh, and Mortal Kombat X--

[Except, you know, his Vita is still broken.]

I'm sure if we did something to make people happy, Delight would be able to lend a hand. Maybe even make an arcade machine or Xbox. What do you think?

[Even better if he can get the other guy to do the work. How do you make other people delighted? It's a good question.]

Yeah, but I like Modern Warfare! So that's that. [Not that he hasn't played most of the Battlefields too. Sometimes those World War 1 and 2 shooters get a little too real, so he's put a lot of time into that game instead.

He looks unhappy at the idea of doing something for the gods, frowning and hesitating for a moment to come up with something. But if it's for some video games...]

That'd probably be easiest, right? Making people happy? I guess if there's any god I'm gonna do a favor for, it's gonna be the one in charge of the bar.

You'd think that the happiness from letting people play games would be enough, but I don't think the gods understand technology very well. [he continues cheerfully.] If it was you, what would make you happy?

[That sure catches him off guard. He has a few ideas of what would make him happy, but he doesn't want to voice them. After a few moments, Prussia comes up with something, grinning.]

Going home. Seeing my brother. Cable TV. Some decent weizenbock on tap at the bar. But I dunno if those would apply to anyone else here.

Hmm. TV would delight some people around here, but I'm not sure about the rest.

[Honestly this thing is a bit of a puzzler. What could make anyone happier than video games? But to get video games, making people happy... this is a real chicken and egg situation.]

There's got to be something that's like, universally loved, right? Sunsets? Puppies? How're we supposed to make people happy when we have nothing to work with?!

I suppose we'll just have to think about it and wait for the right opportunity.

I didn't know you were a video game guy. Guess I just pictured you as all murder all the time.

[Not that Sato needs anyone's approval, but Richie needs some time to soak in that information.]

Oh, I've been a big fan since I was young. Games are a great way to improve hand-eye coordination and your reflexes, as well as being entertainment. And they're not just for children, as some people seem to think. There's been studies showing that playing video games helps to keep the mind sharp as you get older. They're good for everyone.

[Just soak in that enthusiasm and video game evangelism, Richie. This man does love his games.]

You don't have to convince me, man. I think they're fun but my only experiences have been arcades and phone games.

[Just more reasons why Richie is a good guy to have around. Video game appreciation!]

The arcade days were good, but being able to carry around as many games as you want on an SD card these days is really amazing in comparison. Technology sure has come a long way in the last few decades.

How do phone games compare to consoles or playing on the computer? Do you lose the immersion?

They're usually a bit simpler, and the graphics aren't as good. I'm looking forward to the day when we get better VR than in the 90s. That'll be real immersion!

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