calm[nervous] Valory: “Oh, hello there, Mister...”
[neutral] Eric: “Just Eric is fine, no need for formalities; we're all partners now.”
[sweatdrop] Valory: (Technically you're still the boss since you can fire us and all...)
[side glance] Valory: “Okay... Sure. Um...“
[side glance] Valory: (Well, this is awkward.)
[CE smile] Valory: “So, err, Eric, the old costume designs are really nice! Did you have some sort of theme for the costumes?”
[warm smile] Eric: “Haha, thank you. Truthfully, I wanted everyone to have a correlated theme, but unfortunately, that idea didn't go so well.”
[surprise] Valory: “Really? Why's that? Wouldn't having a theme be more organised and neat?”
[neutral] Eric: “That's what I thought, but unfortunately my suggestions get promptly shot down by Ivory before they get anywhere...”
[thoughtful] Valory: “What, really? What reason would she have had to reject your ideas so quickly?”
[frowning, looking away] Eric: “Right? I mean, what was wrong with a visual kei theme? I was thinking the make-up job would've been great too.”
[confused] Valory: “Visual kei? What's that?”
[realisation] Eric: “Hm? Oh, well, costumes like... Hang on; I should have a picture somewhere.”
[Show: photo of VK Eric]
[speechless] Valory: “I-is that you?”
[neutral] Eric: “Yes, that's me, from last year.”
[speechless] Valory: “This is, uh... really 'out there'. Was this a trial or for some sort of costume party?”
[neutral] Eric: “Neither, I was off preparing equipment with various companies that day.”
[surprise] Valory: “You wore that while visiting companies?”
[neutral] Eric: “Yes, I did. Is there a problem with that?”
[sweatdrop, eyes wide] Valory: “Um, not really, it just seems a bit extravagant.”
[realisation] Eric: “Is it? Well, I suppose that the black and red eyelashes and eye-shadow combination were a bit much...”
[sweatdrop] Valory: (That's definitely not the only thing that was a bit much.)
[fade: photo of VK Eric]
[eyes wide] Valory: (...Doesn't that mean that the clowns would've had to wear that style of make-up as well? Whoa, talk about obscure.)
[neutral] Valory: (It's a good thing Ivory had enough sense to oppose this idea.)
[sweatdrop] Valory: (I can only imagine the scarring it would cause to young children.)
[realisation] Eric: “Valory? Are you okay?”
[realisation] Valory: “Huh? Oh! Yes, I'm fine.”
[OM smile] Valory: “You know, even without the theme, last year's costumes are still extremely stunning.”
[CE smile] Eric: “Haha, I agree. We always order our costumes custom made and designed for each person. It costs quite a bit, but money's not a worry.”
[warm smile] Eric: “Because then everyone will have a costume that it theirs, and theirs alone.”
[realisation] Valory: “Whoa, r-really? Does that mean that...”
[soft smile] Eric: “Yes, you'll be getting your very own costume. Sizes will be taken closer to the performance date, and you'll be able to detail what kind of costume you'd like as well.”
[sweatdrop] Valory: (Makes me wonder why Eric decided on a skulls theme...)
[surprise] Valory: “Wow, that's very elaborate. Is there a reason you go to so much trouble?”
[CE neutral] Eric: “I just like to be particular about details.”
[realisation] Valory: “Hang on... Wouldn't each costume cost a fortune then?”
[realisation] Eric: “Hmm, I'm good friends with the designers, so one costume would only cost anywhere from fifteen hundred to three thousand dollars.”
[realisation] Valory: “How much is that in euro again?”
[neutral] Eric: “That's from about twelve hundred to twenty four hundred euro.”
[shocked] Valory: “R-really? For every person? That's... that's really...”
[CE neutral] Eric: “Seemingly frivolous, I know.”
[sweatdrop] Valory: “Well, I was more thinking along the lines of...”
a. “Err... Free spirited and carefree?”
b. “Okay yeah, it does seem a bit frivolous.”
c. “Honestly? It seems kind of wasteful...”
a. “Err... Free spirited and carefree?”
[nervous] Valory: “Err... Free spirited and carefree?”
[warm smile] Eric: “Haha, is that your way of saying I'm frivolous in a 'gentle' manner?”
[nervous] Valory: “Haha... Yeah, whoops. I didn't want to appear rude, is all...”
[neutral] Eric: “There's a difference between being frank and being rude. As long as you're not rude, it's fine to voice your opinion. I admitted to it anyway.”
[sweatdrop] Valory: “E-Err, perhaps so, although better safe than sorry I'd say. After all, you do have the power to fire us.”
[CE soft smile] Eric: “That's true enough, though that doesn't mean I won't listen to suggestions from others. After all, without you guys I wouldn't even be here.”
[smile] Valory: (Looks like he values his performers a lot.)
[CE Smile] Valory: “Alright, I'll keep that in mind.”
[END] (+2)
b. “Okay, yeah, it is a bit frivolous.”
[confused] Valory: “Okay, yeah, it is a bit frivolous. I guess this is a case of where the ends justify the means?”
[CE Smile] Eric: “Haha, that's exactly it.”
[soft smile] Eric: “You see, it's not just because I'm particular about the details. I really want something that the performers will be able to cherish and look back upon.
[soft smile] Eric: “As their boss, there's not much else I can do, you know?”
[sad smile] Eric: “Especially for those who are unable to join us the following year...”
[soft smile] Valory: (As stoic as this guy looks...)
[smile] Valory: “...You really care for everyone, don't you?”
[embarrassed] Eric: “Well, uh, it's just the least I could do to show my thanks... After all, it's... uh... What's that word, um... my responsibility... That's it; it's my responsibility as the ringmaster...”
[smile] Valory: “Haha, if you say so.”
Valory: (Looks like he just has a hard time expressing his feelings...)
[END] (+3)
c. “Honestly? It seems kind of wasteful...”
[raised eyebrow] Valory: “Honestly? It seems kind of wasteful...”
[angry] Eric: “I already told you that money is not an issue. I obviously wouldn't have chosen to do this if it were to endanger the circus in some way.“
[stern] Eric: “Besides, don't you like the idea of having a memento for your performance? I'd love for our performers to have something that they could cherish for all of their hard work.”
[CE Neutral] Eric: “The costumes, if taken care of correctly, will be a lasting memory, especially for those who aren't able to join us the following year. I'd like to be able to at least show my gratitude somehow...”
[sweatdrop] Valory: “Ah, right... Sorry about that.”
[realisation] Valory: (Wow, I didn't realise how much Eric cared for all of us. I guess the pressure does get to him sometimes.)
[END] (+1)