9th Mistake, an anniversary mistake [video]

[moralperil]

[Mahdi is wearing his hair down, a rarity for him. He's dressed in a loose-fitting shirt, nothing too impressive, sitting in his room and smiling.]

I've learned a lot since I arrived here a year ago. Most of all, I learned that people are more than just a sum of their good and bad deeds, People are much more complicated than I ever understood at first. So I want to thank everyone for being patient with me - or uh, not, as the case may be - because it's been a chance for me to learn. Thanks.

Have you learned anything really surprising while you've been here? I'd like to know.

...On the note of anniversaries, um, I'd like to go out dancing? Somewhere with really upbeat electronic music, that's my favorite. Sort of as a personal celebration for making it this far. Maybe I'll have a dinner or something too, if I can think of something nice to make. Would anyone like to come with me? Dancing, not to dinner. Dinner's still in planning stages. I'll need a buddy, or um, a bodyguard, because I'm so small. It's not good for me to go crowded places on my own. I'd feel more comfortable if I had someone big and tough by my side! Or just tough. Pretty much anyone's tougher than me.

[As if to prove him right, a small black kitten crawls up his arm and begins chewing on his hair.]

Truffle! How many times have I told you, I'm not your mama! You don't need to groom me!

Comments

[moralperil]

Oh, hi! This is my kitten. His name is Truffle. [Mahdi picks up the kitten, pointing him at the screen. The kitten mewls in protest and squirms away.]

You might be a little young for a dance club.

[diedahero]

[Link wiggles his fingers at the cat, expecting that it can interact with the video like he does.]

What's a dance club?

[moralperil]

Oh, it's a place where they play fun music and everyone dances! It's like going to a party, but it's a grown-up party!

[diedahero]

[That sounds really fun!] I wanna go. I'm grown up! [...No, Link, you're not.]

[moralperil]

[Ohhh... but he's so cute though.]

How old are you?

[diedahero]

Umm... I don't know. [He didn't usually think about that beyond "old enough".] Ten?

[moralperil]

Ten is a very good age to be. [Serious nod.] Have you met Ico and Kaede? I think they're a little older, but I'd bet they'd want to be friends.

But dance clubs are for grown-up friends. You have to be at least 18 to go inside. Thank you for offering to help, though. My name's Mahdi. What's yours?

[diedahero]

Uhh. I don't know. Maybe I did. [Lot of names in a short span meant a few didn't really stick.]

My name's Link. How come only people who are 18 can go inside?

[moralperil]

Link. That is an awesome name!

Only people who are 18 can go inside because people are drinking alcohol, and it's dark and crowded so it's kind of dangerous. I'm even making sure to go with a friend because even though I'm old enough, I'm so small I could get hurt.

[Mahdi figures that's enough of the truth to be convincing.]

[diedahero]

I don't know what acohol [alcohol, Link] is but I can take dangerous places! I really could protect you!

[This is just giving him more reasons to want to sneak in...]

[moralperil]

Alcohol is a drink for grown-ups. It doesn't taste very good, but sometimes we like to have it when we're having a party. Like coffee.

[Most kids don't like coffee, right?]

And it's very sweet of you to worry about my safety, but I'll be fine. Some of my grown-up pals will help me. They have swords and everything.

[diedahero]

I have a sword too. [Sulk.]

[moralperil]

How about you guard me when I go shopping instead, Link?

I got bullied by someone and I haven't gone out on my own since then.

[diedahero]

[Well okay. Shopping can be fun. Not as fun as the other place sounds, though.] You want me to? I'll make sure the bully leaves you alone!

[moralperil]

Okay! Next time I need to go shopping, I'll definitely have to hire you as my bodyguard, Link. [serious nod]

What kind of foods do you like? Do you have a favorite cookie or cake?