Siren's Pull

[Phibrizzo looks concerned when he appears on camera.]

I'm not sure if anyone saw the news, but poor Mr. Stoneson is sick with a mystery illness that the doctors can't figure out. It looks like it's not contagious, but it's still pretty scary.

[It's a curse of endless suffering, with only one cure: kill the one who placed the curse. Doctors have called it a flesh eating disease, though, and he's not likely to correct them. After all, why would a little boy know better?]

I had flowers sent to his hospital room and I'm going to pay for up to three months' pay, depending on how quickly he recovers, so his family's got something to fall back on.

[He sighs.]

We still need another manager, though, so I'm turning to Newcomers first.

[He'll promote Xellos and/or William first, but that opens up an assistant manager position.]

Uzushio employees who'd be interested in an assistant manager job can apply, too.

[Phibrizzo's looking very enthusiastic and pleased with himself today.]

Hi everyone! I've got big news! Xellos and I are opening up a magic shop called the Seyrunn Shop of Sorcery. The grand opening is this weekend, so come and check it out!

[He holds up a map with a star marking a location in sector four.]

We're hiring. Sales staff should know about magic. Cashiers don't have to, though.

[Lowering the map, he pauses and remembers something.]

Oh, and we need two boy athletes and two girl athletes for a short term contract. We're introducing a new sport to Siren's Port called Brass Rackets and we need people to demonstrate the sport on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You'll be paid for your time and you'll each get a set of two magic rackets.

[He smiles. The Brass Rackets events should get a lot of attention.]

Make sure you find the time to come out on at least one of the three days, everyone. You won't want to miss it.

[Phibrizzo looks mildly grumpy. He's rapidly reaching the conclusion that he dislikes human holidays - except for Halloween. Halloween is acceptable. This holiday that focuses on love and romance? That's not. Of course, it doesn't help that he's not only not capable of those emotions, but that being in the presence of them makes him feel nauesous. Still, he has to maintain his innocent act. Fortunately, he's noticed that some boys who are as young as he appears to be don't think much more highly of this holiday than he does.]

What do people do when they don't celebrate Valentines' Day and don't want to be around people who do?

[He's going to make sure he's well away from the Uzushio Ryokan tomorrow. That much is certain. But he is open to suggestions.]

I want to get away from all this...

[He tries to remember the exact wording he heard other children using for a second before it comes to him.]

...mushy stuff.