yumemigaoka | ☃️ HOLIDAY HIJINKS ☃️

[This is the Figment's first time in the Slumbering City, and Turo hadn't been here for ages, so really it has no idea that this shop is new at all! It didn't know people sold things in the Dream Sphere to begin with...how does that even work? Curious, it drifts inside, and examines the items Ango points out obligingly. Well, it's wearing a full helmet, so you can't really see its face. But it's looking in the right directions, at least!]

...why? Why are you selling these, I mean?

[Not "why shouldn't I drink a bomb", it gets that part.]

Ain't you ever played a video game? This is like an item shop where you can buy equipment to give you a power-up, or a potion to restore your HP, or an alternate costume.

[Okay, so Ango hasn't actually figured out the buying part yet since there's no money in the Dream Sphere, but he's not a filthy capitalist pig so that's fine.]

If you mean "why" in the philosophical sense, it's because I'm a Saver who's got fuck all when it comes to attack power, so I figure I can help more teams this way.

I haven't.

[Though it's not really that concerned about video games - not like it'll ever come across one in here.]

Oh - so you aren't actually charging. [???]

Yeah, because money is a social construct that doesn't exist in a free society! And, uh, because I'm pretty sure there's no money in the Dream Sphere. I mean, most of these Dreamer costumes don't even have functional pockets. How are you supposed to carry cash?

[Ango is a novelist by trade, so he's put way too much energy into critiquing the worldbuilding of the Dream Sphere.]

So yeah, everything's free. I'm just spreading the holiday cheer.

[The Figment listens attentively. It has never had or used money even once in its entire existence!]

That's nice of you. [...] I'm not sure I've had mulled wine before. What does that taste like?

[It's actually never really had any drinks before? It wants all of these maybe?]

Like regular booze, but with cinnamon and cloves and stuff. It's good.

[There's something off about this Dreamer, but Ango can't quite put his finger on what it is...]

So make yourself comfortable and take off that helmet, and I'll pour you a glass.

Oh, thank you!

[What's "regular booze"? Aren't there different kinds? Well - the Figment sits by the fireplace, tapping the side of its helmet to make it vanish in a sparkle of crystalline light.]

I'm, ah, Dreamer Miraidon.

Ooh, that's a neat trick.

[Ango seems to be one of the few Dreamers who can alter his appearance in the Dream Sphere at will, so he was a little worried that the helmet didn't come off. That would be really awkward at parties.

He grabs a mug from the shelf and pours a generous portion of hot, spiced wine.]

Nice to meet ya. I'm Dreamer Decadence, but you can just call me Ango. Haha, I feel a little self-conscious playing superhero at my age.

It took a little while to learn.

[But by looking at him, he's gotta be in his forties or so. Ancient, as far as Dreamers go.]

Oh, well. [The Figment hesitates slightly as it reaches out to accept the wine. Neither "Dreamer Miraidon" nor "Dr. Morado" are its name, of course. Both of them were equally stolen. Still, the Dreamer name at least feels a little more distant. A little less Turo himself, and so a bit easier to go by. But...] My actual name is Turo.

[Ancient!? Ango's only a year away from 40, and he's still a juvenile delinquent! He pours himself a cup of wine, too.]

Turo, huh? I don't think I've seen you around the DU main office, although I admit that I usually show up to work late so I miss out on some of the socializing... but hit me up if you ever stop by!

[It smiles thinly, torn between what Turo might have said and what it would.]

Oh, I tend to get very absorbed in my work and forget to take breaks. But - yes, I'll try to remember that.

[It's too bad, really.]

☃️ HOLIDAY HIJINKS ☃️

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