Happy Birthday!

[thespaceopera]

[Wherever you are, passenger, whether on the surface of the planet, the way-station, or safe in your ship, all network terminals and personal communicators crackle to life. The Hosts have come calling, but there are a few differences, this time. Splashed across every screen in the Fleet, an eye-catching new image demands the attention of the passengers. And instead of the usual space-age jingle, your hosts see fit to interrupt the day with the sound of a much older song...

For the old-timers and archive-readers out there, this song has been heard once before. Much like last time, the familiar voice of Beau can be heard crooning pleasantly along in the background.

Unlike that other recording, however, Diamond's voice sparkles to the foreground before much time can pass. It would seem that the Drift Fleet's hosts are a little more on-top of things, this year.]

Hello, my darling passengers! We are here to wish you all an absolutely wonderful birthday. Sure, it's technically an anniversary, but we much prefer the idea of a birthday. It sounds better and the parties are so much more fun! You could even think of it as celebrating the beginning of a new life--two magnificent years spent under the stars...

[She sighs happily, and Beau pauses in his singing to chuckle fondly in her direction.]

And so, we have a very special present for all of you! We've been working very hard to make it a reality; it has taken quite a bit of time and effort... but we think that each and every one of you deserves it. I hope you all know how much you mean to us and to your adoring audience.

If you will look to the Marsiva, you'll notice that a special new hangar bay is open, waiting for you to arrive! That's right--we've opened up a special party room for all of you to go celebrate. We've provided games, food, and plenty of prizes. It has been hard to keep the secret quiet, but... oh, the looks on your faces when you see it will make it all worth it!

So, let's party! Relax, enjoy, and spend time with your friends... Your fans would be disappointed not to see all of their favorites there! The audience has been looking forward to this--so I'm sure it will be quite the ratings boost for everyone attending.

[Another pleased sigh, and she claps her hands!]

...But why wait? Let's start celebrating now! To kick off this special time of year, we have two questions from the audience: what would everyone like for their Drift Fleet birthdays, and if you could pick one vacation destination in all of the worlds, what would it be? Respond to this frequency with your answers, and who knows... wishes might just come true!

I am honored to have spent a second year with you wonderful people, and I can't wait to see what the next one has in store.

Enjoy your party, dear passengers! And, as always... the worlds are watching!

[The song finally comes to an end and the line remains open, presumably waiting for responses from the Fleet at large. And for those who head to the Marsiva to check it out, it turns out that Diamond's promises are true this time.

Happy second birthday, Drift Fleet!]

Comments

Video

[kill_switch]

I want my freedom, and I want to go back home.

[Furiosa had made friends here, yes, but this isn't where she needs to be, and she's not changing her mind on that matter ]

[robitussin]

i want you to go fuck yourself

how's that for an anniversary wish

audio

[guntoyourhead]

Does party room equal death trap? It sounds too good to be true, and things that sound that way, usually are.

[experiencepoints]

My wish is for you two to shove a cactus up your assholes and clench. And for our destination, I'd like it to be wherever you are, so we can meet face-to-face.

[stefanged]

I'm gonna second that destination thing. It's been way too long for us to stay this far apart.

[experiencepoints]

What, you're not seconding the first part, too?

[stefanged]

No. They're assholes, but until I have proof that they're the ones who kidnapped us, I wouldn't wish that on them.

Video

[killedwithlove]

[Cole just looks sad, watery eyed.]

I want someone who knows me.

[He knows people the moment he meets them, sometimes sooner. But very, very few people know Cole.]

Video

[monolike]

Cole...

[It's awful when you don't really even have anything you can say or do to help, too. It's not fair that people can just lose their friends in an instant, here.]

Video

[killedwithlove]

[Cole immediately perks a bit. It's impossible to say if he's genuinely just that cheered, or if he's trying to put on a good show.]

Hello, Sorey. I'm sorry I was unconscious when everything went horrible for you and Mikleo. I would have tried to help.

[And probably ended up making the problem worse...]

[namisan]

[Sugary sweet politeness, because what's the damn point in wishing to go home plus death threats:]

I'd like the other two pieces of my weapon, please. And my waver.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash has never been a death threat kind of guy and who knows? Maybe he could get something out of all of this. So, why the hell not. Let's have a bit of fun.]

A machine that can make fresh donuts whenever I want! Piping hot and delicious! Something like that probably exists.

Ooh, it's hard to pick a location for a trip when you don't know that options. I bet there are a lot of great places out in space, but I most want to see a world filled with all kinds of different and beautiful flowers. Of all different colors!

Ah! And not be dangerous man eating kind of flowers. Not be.

[video]

[hot4engines]

Well, howdy and a Happy Birthday to you all as well!

I don't suppose a whole ship is too much to ask for? I know that sounds a little greedy, but you seem like nice folks! Serenity'd make a good addition to the Fleet, even if you can't bring her crew over...

[Kaylee's totally sincere here. She hasn't had any dealings with the hosts yet, after all.]

audio

[poisoninmypocket]

Good day, Ms. Diamond, Mr. Beau, and a very happy birthday to you, as well. I should very much like to have a simple conversation with you. Good company is the best gift, is it not?

[And he wants to see and question these fiends.]

Video

[preformthisneigh]

Did you think we'd collectively forget what you did to us the last time we were all on the Marsvia together, or?

But- yeah, sure, whatever. Like I said last year; I take exactly zero joy in doing this, but I have party pony obligations to fulfil...so.

[He half-arsedly throws a hoofful of glitter into the air. He isn't smiling. At all. ]

Happy freaking birthday, ye heartless space box.

Woo.

[spontaneouscombustion]

[Yiiiiiikes, that's got to be the most bitter, scathing birthday wish EVER. Pinkie knows it's not exactly unfounded, but it's still pretty dang surprising.]

... You okay, Cheesy?

[preformthisneigh]

[Cheese is only okay like 70% of the time. ]

Well, I'm not about to get them a cake or anything. Anyway, it's less a birthday and more a "congratulations this is how long we've been keeping everypony here".

[He knows he's failing in his party pony duties, he just can't bring himself to do it properly. He'll just be salty about it instead. ]

text;

[aigue]

Some chickens would be nice
And blueberries

I would also be very pleased if we could go back to the planet of the foxes some people purchased
So they can be returned to their proper home

Video

[magicpanchira]

A bouncy house. Birthdays with big bouncy houses are the best! And confetti, and a big stage so that I can put on a proper magic show! As for a vacation... uh, I dunno, maybe an island planet? With a big beach?!

[ ...Someone should stop her before she gets carried away. ]

Video

[geonomy]

I've actually been to a planet like that! It was the first one I actually landed on while I was here!

[Technically. There was one before that, but their ship was new, their crew was new, and the planet was considered dangerous. They didn't want to risk it.]

Video

[magicpanchira]

Really!? That's so cool! Aww, I wanna see one like that! Or a bouncy house planet!

[ Bouncy house planets sound good to her, too. Maybe one with an ocean... ]

[Video]

[sansseraph]

[Lailah has zero trust and affection for these people. It's kinda hard to regain that when the suffering of her closest friends has been nothing more than entertainment for these people. Still. She'll be polite and she won't turn down their offer.]

I wouldn't say no to a bouquet of roses, and I suppose my ideal spot for a vacation is either a beach or a hot spring. It's hard to choose between the two.

[Her smile is so sweet.]

Bless your hearts and thank you very much.

[Video]

[monolike]

[scary] You could probably make a normal spring into a hot spring on your own, huh?

[Video]

[sansseraph]

[At least Sorey will never have to worry about being on the receiving end of her scariness.]

I could, but that'd disrupt the harmony of the spring's environment! It's best to find one that's naturally hot.

Video

[spontaneouscombustion]

[The broadcast goes live JUST as Pinkie's in the middle of taking a few seeds and cuttings for the Caprine. Normally the idea of the party room makes her VERY excited- and for the first few seconds it does- but Diamond wasn't too honest the last broadcast. Not to mention the horror stories Cheese told her about the Calibrations last year.

Still, might as well answer the questions.]

Hmmm I'm not THAT choosy about where we go, buuuut you know what I WOULD like? A pressure canner to help preserve all these yummy fruits and veggies.

[She's keeping her REAL desire close to the chest in case the Atroma decide to take it away: a way for everyone to keep their memories of this place when they leave.]