From those locker rooms leading into the training facility, one of the event coordinators entered the main area and looked around for several moments. It was a Shy Guy who donned an official black and blue uniform of the stadium's staff.
He proceeded to waddle out onto the training mat, holding what appeared like a round and layered disc object in his right hand, while his left hand adjusted a little ear-piece microphone that hung mounted from the side of his hooded head.
"Ahum..." He cleared his throat and spoke up, getting the smashers' attention via the giant room's PA system, "Excuse me, everyone? If I could please have your attention for a minute. I know this is taking a bit longer than we thought. We're still getting everybody here and situated, but honestly you guys and gals, thanks so much for your patience. As y'all might also know, some contenders are still on their way, meaning they haven't arrived on the planet yet. So, on that note..."
All the smashers listened and observed as the event coordinator went over to press a small button on the wall. The lights in this corner of the main room dimmed more than halfway, before one of the tiles on the bare section of the floor started sliding off to one side. A narrow, rod-like stand then rose up in place of that tile and he mounted that disc object into a slot on its cup-like top.
The object flipped sideways, letting out a little whizzing sound as it rotated, but soon after, a bright beam of light shot out from its concave center and illuminated upon the wall in front of everyone. It was just like a powerful mini-projector.
"Fox McCloud sends a message," the coordinator then announced. "He wanted to call in and chat for a bit."
Interestingly, the response was a mixed swell of both thoughtful whispers and agitated groans coming from the whole crowd behind him. After all, everyone here knew in one way or another that the Star Fox team, and moreover, those who hailed from the Lylat System in general, held a powerful standing in the history of these tournaments.
Whether or not all those same people were a fan, friend, or something otherwise regarding this celebrated space mercenary team, that was another story judging by the range of reactions.
"... It's a live video call of course, so if you'd like to be part of the chat, gather right 'round here." He gestured to the backside of the disc object facing them, revealing a dark glass covered area which was the lens.
A number of the smashers, including the others already here from the Lylat System interestingly enough, actually began to go back to what they were doing before this little announcement. Among the ones who stayed however were the Mario brothers, along with Kirby, Yoshi, Captain Falcon, Little Mac, Link, Ike, and after some thought, Lucina as well.
Marth and Roy went with all those leaving, because it seemed they had better things to do than take part in a video chat. Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that they'd both lost matches to Fox in the past, but who was to say for sure?
Nevertheless, Mario definitely looked eager so he nudged Luigi on the shoulder.
"C'mon, bro," he said as his brother faced him a bit unsurely, "Let's-a-say hi to Fox."
The brothers found a nice spot right at the front of the group while they and the others waited patiently for the projected image to show something.
"Should be coming through any second now," assured the coordinator, "He said he'd get on a couple minutes or so after I talked with-... Oh, never mind, there we go."
Music: "Tunings"
Indeed, practically as those words left his mouth, both the image and sound flickered briefly before cutting to a relatively smooth feed of what looked like the top of a desk, surrounded by a rather dimly-lit interior of a futuristic bedroom.
Then, hurrying into view from the left side was the panache Fox McCloud himself. He took a seat in the chair in front of the webcam on his end just so his upper profile filled most of the frame. Quite surprisingly, Fox was only wearing a white tank top and tight athletic shorts over his semi-wet and ruffled fur, which bristled out from the sides somewhat. It looked a bit amusing upon first sight to Mario and the others.
"Hey there, guys," he warmly opened, making himself comfortable in the process. "Sorry for the slight wait. Just hopped out from the shower when I got the call. You know how that can happen, am I right?"
Some of the smashers chuckled casually in a thoughtful agreement, but not before the vulpine noticed the Mario brothers standing there at the front of the group. His ears perked up and his green eyes widened, beaming with happiness. His thick, bushy white-tipped tail even wagged a quick time or two behind his back.
"Mario? Hey there, Pisano, how's it going? It's been a while, man!"
The plumber waved back. "Ciao, Fox!"
They truly did sound joyous so see each other, because Fox was right. It had been quite a while since they last talked.
"Say," Mario expanded on that very notion, "How long has it-a-been... Two years, a little more?"
"Yeah... I think about that long..." Fox followed up with a shake of his head, "Sheesh... Time just flies so fast these days. There you are now, talking to me from the almighty training room with all the usual suspects behind you... Haha."
Mario chuckled and came back smartly, "Aha... Don't you mean I'm-a-with the usual smashers who try to win, Fox?"
"Heh. Yeah, maybe I do mean that... But whoa, hold the freakin' trigger..." Fox realized just then who stood beside Mario.
"... Is that your bro Luigi I see? He's in this tournament?"
Now growing more excited, he scooted forward in his chair to see his display more clearly. It was indeed who he thought it was, so he greeted, "Hey there, Luigi! Great to see you're a part of the gang now too!"
The younger green-shirted plumber offered a small, bashful wave of his own back to the live image of the vulpine pilot. "H-Hello, F-Fox..."
Mario just chuckled, replying in place for him, "Yep indeed. My bro's here to smash-a-for real this time."
Fox folded his furry arms and nodded as he listened, his maw slightly agape. "Well that's real awesome! I can't wait to see him in action! Who are you up against in the first round, Luigi?"
"Ehh, well," he clarified after a brief moment of hesitation, "I'm-a-with Link."
Unbeknownst, Link was standing just a few people behind Luigi, although he did nothing except cross his arms and retain a thoughtful smirk. He didn't want to intervene with anything here and just figured he'd let the conversation run its course, wherever it was going to go next.
"Oh man, I can already tell that's gonna be an intense smash. You might just have my money down on you, Luigi!" Fox was definitely energetic in his support, prompting Mario to gently nudge his brother on the arm and smile along.
Of course he felt happy for Luigi, because it sure was nice to have someone like the leader of the one-and-only Star Fox team supporting him. Luigi did end up smiling too, for more of that inner confidence seemed to be returning at last.
Little Mac then began on somewhat of a tangent by commenting, "Hey, I'm not sure how else I can lay it to ya, but it looks like you've got quite a rivalry and a distance between your fellow Lylatians here. They looked sorta ticked when they heard your name and didn't even wanna be part of the chat."
"Pfftt... No sweat at all there, boxer. You know, I kinda figured they wouldn't..." Fox scoffed, waving off the notion by being both somewhat amused and boastful at the same time. "I'll bet I know who all those wanna-be's are anyhow... And hey, they're probably just jealous 'cause we're Star Fox."
Mac shifted his eyes sideways, interested to see what the others next to him might be thinking about this unrelenting swagger in Fox's words. Most of them either chuckled again or tried to keep thoughtful expressions upon their faces. Luigi appeared unsure of what to say as per usual, yet it was Mario who kept on smiling. He knew it was only because Fox was as excited for this eventful week as the rest of them were.
"So, Fox... How are things with-a-Krystal back home?" The mustached man thought to ask in a friendly follow-up. At first, the vulpine relaxed his arms behind his head and leaned back in the chair. One of his pointy ears twitched a quick time, although a mischievous smirk had grown across his maw.
"Whoa, whoa, not so fast there ya little Cardinal... Only if you tell me how your Princess is doing first."
Mario lowered his eyebrows amid a grin of his own. "Hey... Who are you-a-calling a little Cardinal?"
Playful banter like this going between Fox and Mario was the type that proved definitive of any great friendship. It was even almost brotherly; the sounds of joking voices, yet it always held that underlying sense of honesty being both sent and received by one another.
"Anyway, Peach is-a-doing well," Mario explained happily, "We had a sendoff party yesterday evening at-a-the castle. There was tea, cake, friends, family... Then she and I stargazed-a-for a lovely while last night. We ended up forgetting just-a-how late it got, because it was-a-so romantic."
"Hehe," chuckled Fox, "Sounds just like what you see in the movies... But it is romantic too like you said, I guess..."
He may have been half-teasing, yet his intentions were still sincere and cheerful.
"Well, Krystal's doing just fine too, buddy. I feel bad for her though, 'cause she couldn't make it this time to watch."
"Oh... She couldn't come?" The mustached man inquired, quite surprised by this news.
"Mm, yeah, unfortunately not," Fox went on, "It's 'cause of her wack schedule back at base. The Brass suddenly decided to make her do double reconnaissance time around Corneria's vicinity, but she promised me she'll try to see it all live on air. Word was, the Cornerian Defense Force HQ's gonna be broadcasting the tourney for anyone who wants to watch, which will be a good portion no doubt. Hmm... I just hope Krys has the time to actually do it..."
Mario smiled, assuring his Cornerian friend with what he figured was the right thing to say, "... She will do it, Fox. She'll-a-do it for you. Know that."
Not only was the vulpine pilot delighted, but initially at a loss of thoughts himself. A heartfelt sigh quickly escaped to accompany his happiness, though.
"Gee Mario, thanks buddy." He answered in pure gratitude for Mario's kind words, "Ah, I just wish I was there to give ya a big hug right now...!"
As with the Heroes of the Emblem, albeit on a more personal level, Fox and Mario had indeed been great friends since they first met sixteen long years ago; back when Fox was actually still a teenager.
During that memorable 46th Quadrennial Tournament, he was one of the youngest first-time smashers there and rightfully felt very nervous, yet it was the good-willed Mario who decided to make an acquaintance with the young McCloud and took it upon himself to show him the way things were done, at least from what he knew, since it'd been his first time competing as well.
Over the more recent years, since they weren't on any other vital missions to help the Lylat System, the Star Fox team would occasionally travel over to the Nassazar System and meet up with the Mario crew to hang out. They'd share time, catch up on the latest stuff from their lives and worlds, or simply do all those things together that great buddies do.
"If-a-you don't mind me asking... Did you not have-a-time to come visit or something these past years, Fox?" Mario then thought to ask, since he'd been thinking on that whole notion of being there with him.
Fox seemed to hold some very different feelings on it, however.
"Yeah, well, you know... It's weird, actually." He tried his best to explain after rubbing behind his large, pointy ears. "This'll sound like it's coming outta left-field, but tell me you guys have heard of the Venomian army?"
Mario and most of the others fell quiet all of a sudden, for they knew what he was talking about. Even some of the other smashers nearby turned their heads briefly, because any news or information regarding criminal factions like the remnants of the Venomian army didn't take long to spread across the entire sector.
"Well, ok, let's be honest," Fox admitted after a scoff, "Who does call them an army? The fact that they're still even around manages to amaze me sometimes. But anyhow, they've been strangely... Quiet this past year, which is out of the ordinary for them. They usually try to stir up a small ruckus somewhere, so this has kinda been a wild goose chase for the Cornerian Brass. Most of our recent gigs involved going out on I don't know how many week-long recons that led to no fruit whatsoever. Can't say I'm too worried though, 'cause I mean, we still got payed pretty nice. Plus, since Andross' defeat all those years ago, they've never stayed anything more than a measly guerilla group camping out near the edge of the system. There hasn't been an actual threat to Lylat since the Aparoids."
"Aha..." Mario let all that information percolate for a beat. "So, that's-a-why you couldn't have-a-time?"
Fox sighed and nodded briefly. "In short. Believe me, I feel kinda bad about it. I promise we'll visit soon. Heck, maybe even right after this tourney's done how 'bout? Well, unless another gig comes calling... So we'll just have to see..."
"Mm," agreed the plumber. A rather awkward silence has arisen in the conversation, though soon enough, Fox figured he'd shift back to a positive mood.
Today was the beginning of something truly special after all.
"... Agh, but come on... Why are we talking about that stuff right now? Let's get back to the good vibes, am I right?"
Everyone there for the chat including Mario surely understood, because they immediately lightened up as well.
"Well, the Great Fox slowed out of warp speed around a half-hour ago." He grew more excited. "Man, you guys should've seen the star fields as we were entering the Nassazar. I know I've been with up here with them my whole life pretty much, but wow, just... Something about the view right now. Hang on a sec..."
He picked up the webcam on his end which caused some clattering hisses of static from the fumbling.
"Here... Can you guys see out the window, sorta?" He tried turning his camera so it faced out the large pane-glass window which ran along the far side of the room. "There are strands streaking across part of the view... It's beautiful..."
Mario and the others squinted, trying to get a better look. Unfortunately, all they could make out was an image full of incoherent streaks and blurry spots amid that black void past the window pane.
"... How does it look on y'all's side?" Fox's muzzled face peered into frame from the side, checking to see if they could in fact witness what he was describing.
"Ehh," Mario sounded a bit doubtful, "Sorry, Fox, it's just-a-too... Fuzzy."
With his face still taking up half the frame, the vulpine's green eyes narrowed and his expression morphed into a very sarcastic look. Then he began clapping, slowly.
"Aww, c'mon now... Is that really the best one you could think of?"
An embarrassed blush quickly grew on each of the plumber's cheeks as he realized the punny way that Fox actually took it.
"Oh... Um, sorry...! I didn't mean it quite-a-like-a-that... Hehe...!" His attempt to save some face was met only with more casual laughs from the others just behind him. Even Fox couldn't help but chuckle too while he returned to the table, setting the webcam down before seating himself once more. He set his elbows on top and let the bottom of his maw rest upon his knuckles.
"Ah, it's all cool, Mario," he went on jokingly, "Puns... I mean, what can you do about 'em? I guess you just take 'em when you get 'em, but yeah. You'd think with all the improvements in trans-sectarian tech these past couple of years, they'd get their asses on fixing the actual streaming quality of video calls too. Anyhow, I wish you guys could see what it looks like up here."
"Don't-a-worry, I can imagine what-a-you mean," Mario shared, "When Peach and I were out-a-last night, the weather couldn't have been-a-more perfect. The stars, some other planets, even-a-the galaxy center was-a-so visible too."
The vulpine kept resting his chin on his knuckles, smiling. "Oh yeah, I'll bet it was beautiful."
After a few moments, Captain Falcon called from a bit further behind, "... So ya almost here then, Fox ol' buddy?"
Fox shifted slightly in the chair, silent at first. He brought up his bushy tail and brushed his anthro hand through it while thinking for another beat. His eyes squinted and he even darted them away from the camera, as though he felt down about something.
"Ah... Yeah, about that, Cap," he answered with regret, "We're gonna be missing the opening ceremony..."
The F-zero racer's face lowered in disappointment. His gaze dropped to meet Mario's which had likewise glanced back at him. In fact, everyone who remained here for the chat appeared to be a bit let down by Fox's surprising announcement.
Mario turned to hear what the event coordinator, standing off to the side checking his tablet had to say about this. He confirmed it though with a brief nod.
"Yep, I'm aware. Everybody higher up on the coordination staff knows they'll be arriving late, along with the others."
The plumber then turned back and was about to inquire why, when the vulpine freely filled them in himself.
"I know you're all gonna ask, so I'll say it. It's 'cause we departed a few hours late off of a sudden matter back home. It does suck, I know, but hey..." He leaned a little closer to the webcam. "... You can bet your Blue Falcon we're sure as hell gonna be watching it. Besides, we're still getting there in time for our first brackets, since we don't start 'til quite a bit later. Pretty sure I'm set to smash in bracket twelve..."
Captain Falcon pursed his lips somewhat, nodding in acknowledgment of that idea.
Next Mario asked, eager to know, "Say... Speaking of-a-blue and birds, where's your wingman, Falco? He's-a-with you too right?"
"Psshh..." was all Fox needed to utter before following with a not-so-subtle jubilation, "Oh hell yeah! Like he'd ever wanna miss this tourney. Right now though, well, I think he's up in the bridge helping Slippy with something. That, or he's just flat-out ignoring Slippy and practicing some kicks instead. Heh... I'd probably bet he's doing the second option..."
"Ah yes, the famed fighting pheasant. How fares he?" Now it was Lucina who spoke up, using her little play-on words to keep this lighthearted and happy mood going between them all.
Fox glanced around his bedroom as if to make sure no one else could be listening to him.
"Well," he said, "Just between y'all and me, Falco's really, really full of himself this time. He won't shut his beak about how he's gonna make everyone get down and suck his di- AHEHEM...!"
Just in time he managed to stop himself, pretending to cough and clear his throat instead, because he realized the royal status of who he was actually talking to and therefore didn't want to be that crude.
Lucina just lowered her face, however, sarcastically unfazed at what the next word would've been anyways. It was hopeless; it appeared that she couldn't catch a break from this ongoing juvenile crudeness coming from the more energetic boys.
Fox tried hard to keep a straight face as he went on, gesturing with his claws, "Mm... Excuse me there, I had something in my throat... But you get my drift, right... Princess of... What was it again? Y-Ylissoo...? Yliss-eee...?"
"Perhaps I do..." She retorted, a bit nonchalant and under her breath.
The Star Fox team may have been known across much of Sector N for their own heroic deeds, but groups like them were also given a bad rap sometimes due to having a particular brand of the coined-term space mercenary humor. On rare occasions in public, it was unfortunate that many people overheard them at the wrong time and formed the biased view that most Cornerians were in fact bad-mannered like that, when in reality it was certainly not the case.
During Lucina's talk, meanwhile, Ike had been glancing over at her a few times and finally found the time appropriate to add something of his own to the chat.
"I think you and I can talk pretty straight as mercenary to mercenary, so I say... Let's see that feathered fowl get past my blade first."
Ike stepped forward and held his great sword up so it was pointed directly at the camera. The broad tip of his blade ended up being poised just a mere couple of centimeters away from the lens on their side, so much so that Fox widened his eyes and even had to lean back a bit from the effect.
Lucina now eyed Ike from the side through an amused kind of disbelief, shaking her head at this little act of his. She also couldn't help letting out the cutest giggle in thinking about how Ike had poked fun of amateur theatrics only a minute or so prior.
"Oooohhhh snap," Fox then exclaimed, waving his furry hands in front of his face in a don't-hurt-me kind of manner. He pretended to be scared at first as a joke. "You know, Ike, if Falco were here right now he'd reach right through this screen and strangle ya."
"Ha...!" Ike drove his point home with a confident wink. "Well tell him, I'd love to see him try."
Fox had his muzzle partially covered by his claws. Nonetheless, he nodded. "Mm, maybe I will... But now it sounds like it's not only Falco with this cockiness..."
He stated that rather amused, yet the Greil Mercenary leader remained firm on his stance. "I guess it's just the way I'm feeling about it too, then. I mean, why not be confident?"
The Shy Guy event coordinator then stepped forward after glancing over at that time display on the large wall adjacent to everyone, though he gave them another few moments before speaking up himself.
"... Alright all you social butterflies," he started, probably hating to break their conversation because he sounded somewhat apologetic. "It's getting to be about that time, so we'll have to let it end here. Finish up any last things you want to say."
He was right. Mario and the other smashers here at the chat also concurred.
"Well, Fox," the plumber began to bid his farewell in tandem with a sigh. "It looks like-a-we have to go now, so I guess-a-we'll see you later once you and Falco arrive."
The pilot, still relaxed with his arms behind his head, flicked a small military-like salute back.
"Yeah, I heard the man... So likewise to you, Mario. Just look at me; I still gotta get dressed and everything. Oh, and hey, Luigi... Well, all of y'all really... Hope it's a great time out there during the opening ceremony. I hear the stadium's absolutely packed for this one."
"Packed? You bet your fur coat it's packed," Captain Falcon confirmed energetically. "Heck, the crowd's gotta be at least two-hundred thousand by now. That's like a full house!"
He was almost giddy throughout his body language just thinking about it, but then, from behind the F-zero racer's attention, Link made an amusing gesture for Fox. He subtly pointed to the back of Captain Falcon before twirling his other finger around his ear and rolling his eyes, implying that he might in fact be a tiny bit on the unhinged side of things.
Fox caught sight of this and just about burst out laughing.
"Ha! You're sure a quiet but clever one, Link!" He clapped with delight at the Hero of Time, pointing a gun-style finger at him.
It was lucky for Link however, because right as Captain Falcon suspiciously turned around to see what Fox meant, he stopped doing the motion and shrugged instead; pretending to be unsure of what the vulpine was trying to get at.
"... But-a-really though," Mario added his final thought, "Just-a-wait 'til you actually see the crowd-a-for yourself."
With one last chuckle and friendly nod, Fox acknowledged, "Indeed I'll have to, and that's the thing... I can't wait! Alright then, take care all of you guys... And girls. I'll tell Falco and the others you say hi... And I may just tell him of your little challenge, Ike."
"You do that. I'll be waiting for an answer." The mercenary remained fully confident.
"... S-Safe travels the rest of-a-the way, F-Fox." Surprisingly, it was Luigi of all people here at the chat who got to have the final say, yet perhaps it was because he really wanted to. He'd mostly been holding back this entire time after all.
"Will do, little green. Smash Brothers 'til the end, guys." With that, Fox held his fist up against his chest in a sort of symbolic brotherhood-like gesture. His fellow smashers on the other side of his screen were very quick to grant the same.
"Smash Brothers 'til the end," most of them chimed back in unison. A beat of silence followed closely in wake of those last, unifying words for everybody there as they watched the projection of Fox's profile flicker off to the blank wall.
Thus, the Shy Guy event coordinator came forward and disconnected that disc object from its stand. He pressed the button on the wall again which caused said stand to retract back into the floor and cover up with that automated tile. Then, over the room's PA, he gave a new announcement to all the smashers:
"Ok everyone, it's getting to be that time. If you could please find your designated opponents for the first round and begin pairing up. Go ahead and form a line here behind that marking, in front of the glass doors..."
He started walking off toward the crowds of others whilst talking indistinctly, leaving the trio of Mario, Luigi, and Kirby alone with one another.
"... Now, wasn't it nice-a-to see Fox again, Luigi?" Mario asked his brother, to which he gave a thoughtful shrug in return.
"Ehh... I suppose it was, bro. At least he seemed to support me..." The more Luigi thought about it though, the more that idea of Fox's enthusiastic support grew on him.
"Hmm... The leader of-a-Star Fox supporting me... ME... Oh yeah...!" He formed a large grin and could really feel that inner confidence of his returning more and more.
"Of course he believes in you. Both Fox and-a-probably Falco too. They're almost like-a-relatives to us, you know..." Mario stopped and thought a moment. "Wait, speaking of which, where are Wario and-a-Waluigi anyway?"
Luigi took off his cap to adjust his sweatband.
"Remember at-a-the party last night? They said they had to leave-a-early for some quick business? They said they didn't have-a-time to stay there at-a-the castle with us. Can you believe that, Mario? They probably went back-a-to their shop to make-a-more micro-games or something for-a-money. You know how they are-a-whenever they're down in-a-Diamond City."
"Well, they do have-a-some strange friends there, I'll say that," the older sibling agreed. "But-a, it still doesn't explain-a-why they haven't arrived here yet. They'll be disqualified if-a-they don't show up real soon."
Kirby occasionally gazed between the two brothers meanwhile, intrigued by this conversation they were having.
"Poyo?" He wondered as Luigi took another look around the facility, seeing how the other smashers were beginning to pair up with their first-round opponents.
"So, ehh..." He was thinking of what else to ask that might help pass the remaining time. "Wh-Who else was arriving late again? Not everybody is-a-here yet."
Mario counted on his fingers as he listed, "Well, Fox and-a-Falco of course, the burlies as you put them, Bowser, Ganondorf, King Dedede, some Xylvanians from-a-Kyterra, the Planet of Unified Nations, and... Hmm... There's someone I know I'm-a-forgetting..."
Kirby's pink appendage reached over and tugged on the side of the plumber's athletic shirt.
"Poyo," informed the Dreamlander, winking happily. Mario's face brightened likewise after he'd recalled the last major smasher of those late-arrivers.
"Ah yes. Grazie, Kirby," he chuckled. "Gracious, how could I forget? It's-a-your fellow Star Warrior and mentor, Meta Knight, of course."
Luigi nodded thoughtfully and seemed to silently repeat those names he'd just heard in trying to keep at ease with himself. "Hmm... Both fast and-a-burly smashers? Well, maybe it's not... Ehh... Too bad, I suppose."
Mario then leaned close. "If anyone, I'm-a-worried about you if-a-we do get to face each other later on."
His brother shook his head, not really wanting to imagine such a scenario. "G-Grazie bro, but... Face you...?! I... I'm-a-not better than you, Mario. You've been here smashing-a-many more times than me."
To this, Mario simply raised an eyebrow amid a smile. In a very supportive and brotherly manner he asked, "Ah come on, Luigi. Haven't you ever heard of-a-something called beginner's luck?"
Luigi didn't quite know what to respond with, because it was a good point. Anything indeed could happen on someone's first time smashing in a big quadrennial tournament; especially in such a milestone occasion like this one.
For some moments he gazed with his mouth slightly agape from being at a loss of words, until a whole wave of energetic guitar riffs and massive-sounding rock n' roll music surged in from the arena outside. It all came channeling down the exit hall with such force, straight past the gaps around those large glass doors to quickly flood everyone's ears throughout the entire training facility.
This was the sign. It sounded like Sector N was now ready for them.
The celebrations were about to begin.
"... Oh..." A last realization came over Mario after he stood back up and caught sight of some angelic warriors across the room. "Mama-mia, it just-a-hit me. You know who else-a-couldn't make it-a-here this time either?"
His brother shrugged. "Who?"
"Our angel friend, Pit."