[video]

[scootch]

[The journal clicks to life - shaky at first, then clearing up to show Ellie's excited face.]

Oh man- is this what used to happen during Christmas? The whole surprise-gifts-under-the-tree or whatever... it's kind of late, and yeah, there's no tree, but--!!

[She turns the journal around to show her sparsely-decorated apartment at first, and then, when she fixes it, a big, box-style arcade machine, the game title of "The Turning" splashed across the front in faded letters. It looks kind of beaten up, but not in too terrible a condition.]

Does anybody know about this game? It's supposed to be so cool, I heard all about it from a friend back home. I can't get it to work, though... they're supposed to be plugged in, right? It's in the middle of the room, so the cord won't reach anything.

Can somebody strong come over and help me move it? I wanna give it a try! ...And if it doesn't work, would anybody know how to fix this kind of thing?

Comments

[video]

[painfully]

[Looking doubtfully at that giant box thing.]

I can probably help you move it, but... what is it?

[video]

[scootch]

It's an arcade game machine! They used to be really popular on my world.

[video]

[painfully]

I... don't think we had those in Panem. It kind of looks like a television, but I don't remember games like that. At least not in the districts.

[Who knows, maybe these things existed in the Capitol. Effie would know, maybe. Or maybe it's just his memory failing.]

Anyway, did you want to move it right now?

[Voice]

[rutagraveolens]

I heard presents are usually delivered by Santa! He comes down the chimmey and leaves presents under the tree. But maybe this is how Christmas is celebrated here?

What is that thing?

[Voice]

[scootch]

Dunno. This is my first Christmas, so... maybe?

Have you ever heard of arcade games? It's one of those.

[Voice]

[rutagraveolens]

Arcade games? No, I haven't. [It might be something found in the Capitol, or maybe even District 3, but definitely not 11.]

If you get it working, can I see it?

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[An arcade game. There's something Ginia never expected to see in Luceti. Brings back memories of wasting quarters on lightgun games and skeeball, turning in tickets for useless trinkets easily lost or broken by the end of the day.]

Arcade games usually have a panel you can remove to get to the electronics. Most of the time it's on the back. If it doesn't turn on after being plugged in and being switched on, unplug it and turn it off, and take the panel off.

[Written]

[scootch]

[Oh dear. Her writing isn't exactly eloquent - she can do it, but lack practice or need makes it kind of a mess - but she tries.]

Really? Okay, I'll have to try that. [...] Are they easy to break? I don't want to wreck it by taking it apart the wrong way.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Arcade games are pretty sturdy. Most of the cabinets I knew had locks to keep the service panel in place and to prevent kids from removing it. If you didn't get keys, it's possible there's not a lock on it or there's just regular screws holding it in place.

[A pause.]

You can talk if you want to, by the way.

[Video]

[respect_points47]

[Now that's something she's never seen before, but it looks pretty interesting!]

If it does need to be fixed, I could probably help. I've been messing with machines since I was little.

[Video]

[scootch]

Have you ever fixed a machine like this?

[Video]

[respect_points47]

Nope! But it's a normal electrical machine, right? Easy peasy.

video

[theboywiththebook]

You got an arcade game for Christmas?

[This is the sound of a very excited and very jealous eleven year old. Wow, suddenly his pixie dust kind of looks cruddy in comparison. He hasn't had time for video games in ages.

Well, he totally needs to see this in person.]

I can try and help you move it. But, I'll bring an extension cord just in case.

video

[scootch]

[...Kid, no, please, you're just as little as she is.]

Uh... I think this is one of those things where we need a big guy around to do the heavy lifting for us.

[No shame in getting someone else to do the tough work.]

An extension cord might do the trick, though. If you've got one.

video

[theboywiththebook]

[The Power of Belief will move it for them! If he can make it work that is.]

I'm sure I can go grab one at the store. They've got everything there, I can go there and be at your place in five minutes.

[And he's giving her a smile that is just asking if it's okay. Because, video games.]

[Video]

[wildbluevagner]

An arcade game? Sweet! I don't think I've ever heard of that one... and I have to say, I'm no repairman. But I do happen to be the best mover you could hope for! All I ask in return is to get some free plays on it if it can work!

[Video]

[scootch]

Sure, but I get first dibs! It's my Christmas present, after all.

[She'd totally let other people play, though, assuming they don't break it. ...And that's assuming it is working.]

[Video]

[voiceinthedark]

Oh man, that looks awesome!

I can probably get Simon to come over with me and we can take a look at it, if you want.

[Video]

[scootch]

Awesome. If either of you guys can get it going, I'd totally owe you one!

[video]

[disastergirl]

Wait, hold on! First of all, what even is that thing?

[It sure looked interesting enough, though.]

[video]

[scootch]

It's an arcade game! Ever heard of those?

[risingwinds]

[And here we have one Ventus, using one of his usual ginormous grins. This... is really neat. An acrade box? Best present.]

Well, I'm not as strong as Terra, but I could always try using my Zero Graviga magic to move it around. It might be kinda tricky, but it's worth a shot, right?

[scootch]

...Your... zero what now?

[What the heck does that even mean.]

[Video] /LATE WITH STARBUCKS but I wanted to tag her

[dancing_flames]

Is that from the Malnosso?

[He's a little surprised, since he didn't think the Malnosso were in the habit of just handing out presents without asking for something like mission points in return.]

[Video] rofl oh you

[scootch]

I think so. I don't know, it just showed up. There's no note or anything.