video;

[juniberries]

[she's always certain to make herself broadcast-ready before making a video for all the network. even when it's an off-the-cuff sort of chat. so here she is!! dressed in (for Heropa) a weather-appropriate floral shirt, in some sort of diner with a milkshake set off to the side that.......one of her space mice is currently stuffing his face with.]

It has come to my attention that there is an upcoming Earthling holiday called 'Thanksgiving' that one typically spends with their friends, family, and loved ones. We've had similar celebrations on Altea, but the focus had never been on the food.

[she gives a bit of a side eye to the mouse who is currently taking a breather from gorging himself on her milkshake. a big, chubby yellow mouse. he grins at the camera before going back in for another dive into the milkshake.

Allura sighs, smirking.]

I am among those fortunate to have people I know and care for here in this reality. Though there are still many people I care for who...I will likely never see again.

[she frowns. then shakes her head.]

Anyway, I am curious about one thing regarding this 'Thanksgiving' holiday, and that is...what is the significance of 'Black Friday'? I continue to see advertisements preparing us for this major Earthling event. Do I have to wear all black in order to participate?

I've only heard it is quite chaotic and I am wondering if I should bring any weaponry to defend myself while hunting for the best deals available. It sounds similar to the Swap-Moon Frenzy my advisor, Coran, used to tell me all about, and I've always wanted to participate...

Comments

video;

[looseleaves]

[ He was going to talk and wax poetic about how important family and friends are and how he misses them too, but she mentioned Black Friday.

There's an excited air to him, a bright smile on his face. ]

Ah, this is my first time really seeing Black Friday in America! I had completely forgotten... it's mostly a Western tradition in my world, but Japan started doing it, too.

[ He grows serious: ] Though, it's much more dangerous here, I've heard... I don't think weapons will be necessary, but you definitely should go all out! Mm, I haven't heard much about why it's celebrated, though...

You're supposed to get up really early, so... maybe 'Black Friday' because it's black outside...?

video;

[juniberries]

[she too gets a really serious look on her face!]

I see...so it is dangerous. Perhaps I will wear my armour just in case.

And that sounds likely. Luckily I am an early riser.

video;

[looseleaves]

[ Armor?

He thinks of medieval knights in clanky tin can armor... ]

Mm... maybe armor is too extreme? Wouldn't it be hard to move in?

video;

[jeaniegrey]

[ Jean can't help but smile a little at the woman's concerns over the day. ]

I don't think you'll be needing any weapons for Black Friday. It's sort of a shopping thing, not really a fighting thing.

[ Pause. ]

But I guess it can get a little... chaotic sometimes.

[ Those sales and all. ]

video;

[juniberries]

From what others have been telling me it sounds like more than simple chaos.

video;

[jeaniegrey]

What have they been saying?

[ Hopefully no one is trying to make it sound a lot worse than it is which might confuse her? ]

video;

[legionnaires]

It's a shopping holiday where people go crazy over money saving deals they can almost get any other time of the year.

Weapons are optional, I guess. A few people in Texas decided to have a shootout over a TV once. I don't remember if anyone died....

video;

[lasersounds]

Keith no.

[Jesus Christ. He's going to buy child harnesses for the lot of you and keep you all on a tether.]

video;

[legionnaires]

[ Is he joking? Is he serious? YOU'LL NEVER KNOW. ]

Keith yes.

video;

[juniberries]

[chin in hand]

Our paladin armour should suffice as protection should such an event occur here.

[or...er...]

...or your Blade of Marmora uniform, I suppose...

video;

[legionnaires]

We... might not have to go that far. I mean who knows - maybe it's different in Florida.

[ Despite the fact he giggles over "Florida Man" headlines far too often. ]

Video;

[lasersounds]

Allura...

[He probably should have foreseen the need to explain all of this to her.]

No. No weapons are necessary. Seriously, the deals aren't that good that people need to get hurt over 'em. But uh...it is a good way to get something shiny at a decent price.

Video;

[juniberries]

Then why all the hullabaloo if the deals aren't that good.

I keep seeing television advertisements that make this seem like a sort of violent race.

Video;

[lasersounds]

I mean, they're good deals...but nothing that's worth getting injured or worse over, you know? Material things and all that.

...Some people just get really into it. Like seriously into it.

video

[fuckalligators]

[She's kind of mesmerized by that mouse, because that's adorable, but more importantly--]

Yeah, you definitely wanna stock up on the weaponry for Black Friday. Riot gear and all that shit. You ever seen a pack of monkeys fight each other for food on the Nature Channel? Black Friday's a cursed day when the boundaries between man and beast are weaker than normal. Demons possess people at random and force them to trample each other for TVs and shit. You're supposed to wear black to ward them off.

[That's definitely believable.]

video

[juniberries]

I am afraid I am unfamiliar with such programs. But when you put it like that it certainly sounds exactly how Coran used to describe the Swap-Moon Frenzy.

...hmm. I don't have much black in my wardrobe, but do you think armour would suffice for protection?

[I MEAN to her it sounds believable.]

[fuckalligators]

[She makes a big show of tapping her chin, appearing to think it over for a while.]

Mmm, it'd probably protect you from the raging hoards of possessed shoppers, yeah, but not from the demons themselves. You gotta ward off the demons by finding the best deals before they do.

video.

[oddbod]

I popped out for some paper towels last year, and almost got run over by a shopping trolley, if that gives you any sort of idea.

video.

[juniberries]

...a shield at the very least should suffice for such a brawl.

[oddbod]

One would think, but I'm presuming you haven't met an American "soccer mom" yet.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Wear armor and bring a taser. It's the only way you're going to get whatever it is that this world's equivalent of Best Buy has as a doorbuster.

[juniberries]

A taser... [if only Pidge were here]

And what is a 'doorbuster'? I keep hearing that word thrown about during these ads. Are we meant to bust down the doors, or is this an object that will bust doors down for you?

video;

[shiroics]

[ He's got that little smile on his face reserved for their rare moments of downtime. Which is...all the time, here. That's still strange to think about. ]

I'm thankful to have you and the others here too, Allura. [ Minus Pidge and Coran. And the lions. (Now there's a thought.) ]

...But please don't bring any weapons. I don't want to spend Friday evening bailing you and Keith out of jail.

video;

[juniberries]

[well, three of the lions are here technically. just....downsized.

but she smiles, clasping her hands and leaning forward towards the camera.]

Despite the circumstances of this world, I am glad you were finally brought to us as well, Shiro.

And from what I've been told...I do not think we'll bring weapons, but wearing our paladin armour and using our shields should suffice for such an event.

video;

[hunksmash]

Okay, do not go armed into Black Friday, and, like, you know what?

Don't listen to Lance and Keith anymore. Ever.

Except maybe during battle, I guess. Keith's kinda the leader and everything. Or he was. I don't really know how that works any more.

So, yeah, never mind. Don't listen to either of them.