entranceway | video/action;

[Time for Wonderland's fifth annual Japanese KFC Christmas! The diner has been decorated just like everything else in the Mansion. Of course, like every year, Souji's made his own additions, with Minato's help. They've dragged out the Colonel (it took them several tries to get one that wasn't made of gingerbread) and in the background of the feed, Minato is stringing him with twinkling fairy lights.

Souji isn't helping. Sitting at the counter in front of a small army of strawberry Santas, he's holding one in one hand, looking at it from all angles, as though deciding which direction it's best to attack from. To the side are several undecorated Christmas cakes, which Minato will be tending to once he's finished helping the Colonel get dressed.

Realizing the device is recording, Souji sits up a bit straighter, because he totally wasn't slacking off.]

The diner's ready for anyone who wants to eat fried chicken. [He smiles a little. In the background, Minato waves to the camera.] We do this every year, but if you weren't here before, it's a tradition from home. In Japan--the Japan I'm from anyway--we eat fried chicken and Christmas cake each year.

We'll be making it from now until Christmas, as long as things stay like they are now.

[I.e. without too much ridiculous chaos going on.]

[Note: Both Minato and Souji will answer responses (separately from one another). Feel free to have Mirrors wander in as well. There is enough chicken and cake for everyone.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Heck if he knows, he's not quite that far along in his own timeline, either-- although selfies definitely aren't unheard of.]

Sure! I'll have to drag my boyfriend with me, he'll get a kick out of this-- although he's been here a long time, so I guess if you've been doing this every year, it's not like it'll be a surprise, but who doesn't love fried chicken and cake?

[And Christmas spirit.]

Invite him too. Can I ask who he is?

[The more, the merrier! Minato definitely had no objections with anyone bringing anyone else to the Diner.]

Billy Kaplan. Do you know each other?

[Considering Billy's been here for years, he figures it's a possibility.]

[Minato shook his head, though he had heard that name here and there over the network.]

No, but I wish I did now. What's your name, if I can ask? Mine's Minato.

Sorry! Didn't mean to be rude. I'm Teddy-- Teddy Altman.

[Here to partake in Bill and Ted's Wonderland Adventure.]

Nice to meet you. How long have you been here?

[If he could ask that, even if this conversation was supposed to be on the happier side and about the holidays.]

[Fortunately, Teddy doesn't mind in the least. He's pretty easy going, all things considered.]

A few months now. I showed up in the middle of summer, I think? Hard to keep track here. It wasn't summer back home, but I'd say I'm coming up on half a year. What about you?

A little over a year. It's still nice though to be able to meet new people even after being here for that long.

[He only had a year at home to get to know people. Having a similar experience here but then extending the time to do that? He was so lucky.]

You've been okay throughout all of the events so far?

Mostly, yeah.

[A beat.]

The 'worst' memory one was pretty rough, actually... but I got through it. How about you? Has the year treated you okay?

[Minato nodded. It had its ups and downs. A lot of them.]

It's okay. Sometimes I wish that people I've met here get to stay a little longer before they have to leave. But I wouldn't wish this place on anyone if they wanted to go home.

[If that made sense at all.]

I guess that's all anyone wants, here or anywhere else. More time.

[With the people they care about, or for themselves.]

I haven't been here that long by comparison, but I can relate.

[If Minato could have a wish about anything, then time and having more of it would definitely be in the running. It was nice to have someone feel the same way. Minato wondered how many people spent their days here just thinking about the worst about this place and were unhappy to be here. It had to be hard on them.]

Thanks. I'm glad that at least we got the time here now.

[He was happy to meet Teddy who seemed more positive or optimistic despite circumstances.]

Sorry to get us sidetracked. Christmas should be a happier time.

Me, too. Things are a little crazy back home, at the moment. This is actually a welcome break, to an extent.

[Although he knows he can't stay here forever, at least he's here with Billy-- and knowing that time isn't marching onward back home makes him feel a little less guilty about the mess he's left behind.]

Don't be sorry. It's important to talk about this kind of thing, isn't it? We're all living it.

[Minato nodded and smiled a little at that. It was important and he understood that things were a break, especially in a place like this.]

If there's anything you'd like to talk about, I'm happy to listen and share too. But we can do it over food, if that's better.

I'm not sure I'm ready to dip into anything that heavy right now, but I definitely appreciate the offer. I'll keep it in mind-- and extend the same one to you, if you need someone to talk to. I'm a pretty good listener.

[Or so he's told.]

Thanks. I'll take you up on it some time.

[Though not to be too much trouble to him, of course. Whenever it was convenient for him.]

But if you're ready for food, we're here.

Awesome.

[On both counts.]

Billy and I will be along soon.

See you both. Thanks again.

[And he really was ready. He was looking forward to the meeting.]

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