Audio Broadcast | December 1st

[lonelysmiles]

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for tuning in to 666 AM with me, your host and local Radio Demon, Alastor!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Alastor! It isn't Saturday yet! You're spoiling us!"

Indeed I am, dear listeners, for I was approached by a very lovely lady who wanted to help get us all in the winter holiday spirit regardless of what specific winter holiday you in particular celebrate! I was so touched by her offer and enthusiasm that I saw no reason to deny her!

With all that out of the lady, do sit back and enjoy the performance of a lady who requires no introduction as she serenades us all!

[The music starts with thirteen tinkling bells. Then a very familiar woman begins singing, and anybody who has been around Reverein long enough realizes just who Alastor is allowing to perform on his station:]

[It's the Siren. She's back again for another year!]

Comments

Sender: Denji

[mansbestend]

Huh

Didn't peg ya as a Christmas guy, Bambi

[lonelysmiles]

[Why is it always Bambi?]

Is there something wrong with the idea of a demon celebrating Christmas?

[Gonna try putting you on the backfoot for a moment for his own amusement.]

[mansbestend]

[One day you'll learn. But today is not that day.]

Nope

figured it'd be too holly jolly when you're a walking halloween mascot

[lonelysmiles]

On the contrary! I am a deer demon, after all! There's plenty I can do to look more Christmas-y!

[And there's going to be imprinted on the page via dreamotion an image of himself in green with a glowing red nose.]

[mansbestend]

LOL that's awesome
Any sleigh plans? Santa should be around soon

Sender: Maedhros

[holdshisown]

Bravo!

Such a lovely song to grace us with. Do give the lady my regards for the beautiful performance.

[lonelysmiles]

I shall pass along your compliments! She so does love being heard. A shame so many others don't seem to want to listen!

[holdshisown]

Whyever not? She has such a lovely voice.

[lonelysmiles]

Honestly, I'm not entirely certain. Most folks around here seem to greet her appearance with dread when the lady only wishes to sing her song.

[holdshisown]

How strange... but perhaps they are not as used to Song as my own people are. She has Power in her voice but so does my own people, so I suppose I wouldn't find it as disconcerting as others would.

It is a very nice song, however, so I am happy I had the opportunity to hear her sing it.

Sender: Hu Tao

[localweirdo]

I have to admit, as lovely as she sings, I do not have any real knowledge of Christmas.

I'm afraid I just know it is a holiday where you give gifts to others.

[lonelysmiles]

Christmas is a bit complicated largely due to so many overlapping traditions.

Religiously, it's the Christian celebration of the mortal incarnation of the Creator who was gifted to the world to pay the blood price for humanity's sins. Up until then, it was traditional to sacrifice a lamb as an offering to cleanse one of their sins so that when they died, they would be able to join the Creator in His house to live forever after they died. All that's required is to accept the gift and then strive to live the rest of one's life on a more virtuous path without sin.

There are other religions who have their own celebrations around the same time, but I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination on those.

Secularly, it's a way to lift the spirits in the dead of winter. With snow heavy on the ground, people had to deal with dwindling food supplies and shorter days. Not to mention the cold that could kill someone in their sleep. Quite depressing, really. The idea of a holiday in the middle of it all to give gifts and celebrate time with one's family and friends helped bolster their spirits long enough to reach the springtime.

[localweirdo]

In other words, this holiday has special meaning depending on whoever the person might be. How interesting, I have never heard of a holiday that could hold so many meanings. While I am aware that there are many celebrations for Gods back home, it seems interesting to hear of one that would require a sacrifice in such a manner.

But I do not disagree in needing holidays during difficult times to help boost people's spirits up! Even though death is only natural, it can be rough to handle such a thing.

That and who wouldn't love gifts and food anyway? It seems that I might have to join in and give things out as well.

[lonelysmiles]

I don't believe it's that He Himself requires the sacrifice, but perhaps the laws of magic itself. Blood magic is one of the most ancient forms of it, after all. The Creator only knows for certain.

Wonderful! I do hope you enjoy yourself!

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Oh, what a lovely song.

I don't think I've ever had chance to hear this one before!

[lonelysmiles]

Yes, for some strange reason the locals dread her song. I haven't the foggiest why.

However, I shall pass on your compliments!

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Couldn't tell you myself, either! She has a splendid voice.

Oh, um, while I've got your metaphorical ear and literal eye -- Do you have any preferences when it comes to holiday gifts? Either in the sense of disliking them entirely or preferring to request specific ones, or a particular day you would like to receive them on?

[lonelysmiles]

[There is a pause of pure surprise.]

I see I apparently need to ask you the same question. And I don't suppose you have any favorite colors or patterns?

[He's got everybody else's things done. He can whip out one more...]

Though honestly, my good fellow, the only thing I'd dislike would be sweets. I've not much of a sweet tooth, after all, so I'd end up only giving away your hard work.

Sender: Zelda

[multidisciplinary]

[ Normally, Zelda loves listening to the radio in the morning. Alastor always has something interesting to talk about or interesting music to play. But this morning, she instantly recognizes the music... and her blood goes cold.

She throws aside her hairbrush and frantically grabs her journal. ]

Alastor! What in the world are you doing?

[lonelysmiles]

Good morning, Miss Zelda! Why, it's been quite some time since I last heard from you! Good to hear you're still around!

Which reminds me, I have something for you for the winter holiday! Hopefully you like it!

And whatever is wrong, my dear? There was a performer who wished to sing for all of us, so I gave her the microphone. I've heard it dozens of times by now with no ill effects if that's what you're concerned about.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Yes, it probably has been awhile, hasn't it? Zelda has been more single-minded than usual in her quest to return home to Hyrule and put into motion the carefully laid plans that Songerein disrupted. But here she is, back once more, no closer to her goal than she was before.

But that's neither here nor there. What's here and now is Alastor, who has, as ever, thrown Zelda off-kilter from her original intention of chiding him. It would be rude to skip right past the nice things he wrote and go straight to the lecture... ]

I do apologize for my absence and offer my hearfelt thanks in advance of your kind gift. [ But... ]

But simply because you do not suffer any ill effects from her voice does not guarantee that your listeners will be so lucky!

[lonelysmiles]

My dear, could you tell me what calamity is supposed to result from listening to her song? In the two years I've been here, nobody has been able to give me a solid answer.

Is it madness? Well, listening to the same song over and over with no reprieve can drive one to temporary insanity even if it's from mundane musicians. My wires have always been a bit frayed, but I can certainly attest to a single song endlessly playing driving one to cutting off one's own ears to make it stop. Though in my case, it wasn't my ears picking up the song that wouldn't stop playing for a solid year.

[There's a reason he insisted "The Macarena" be on the ban list at Reverein's radio station.]

Sender: Anya

[grandduchess_anya]

I see that she is back at it again to entertain the town again. That is a lot of fun to hear her once again.

[lonelysmiles]

So few people appreciate her music. Such a waste! At least you have taste, my dear!

[grandduchess_anya]

Oh I can agree with that fully heartedly. She really deserves a lot more attention for her kind of music without a doubt indeed.