"It's that wonderful time of the year again!"

The fake applause sounded over the stage as I walked onto the set dressed in a bright green sweater with a red-nosed Stantler on the front and jeans. I bowed to the imaginary audience before me and took my seat in my armchair.

"Another year come and gone. How'd we do this year?" I pulled open the blinds to the window behind me and caught a brief glimpse of the inferno in the horizon. "Ah, better than last year." I shut the blinds and leaned back in my chair. "Well, I'd say there was a lot to look forward to this year. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have finally been released, for one."

"Wasn't that trashed for its rushed release?" I glanced over at the sofa next to me, where our usual regular Ryder made himself comfortable. He nestled into the cushions and crossed his arms. "You know, for the abhorrent glitches and framerate issues? As in, more than the expected amount you would find in most games after launch?"

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, admittedly, they are some of the…worst designed Pokémon games from a technical standpoint. Though, luckily for me, I haven't experienced anything like that during my Scarlet playthrough. At worst, I just saw the framerate drops and Pokémon occasionally sinking into the ground. Kind of a shame, too, because these could've been some of the best Pokémon games to come out. I enjoyed the story and a bunch of the new Pokémon. Plus, it actually had a great postgame. I had fun, but I can't deny the horrible quality of the technical stuff."

Ryder shrugged. "Eh, why bog down the festivities when there's other games to look forward to?"

"True. I plan on getting Fire Emblem Engage and Tears of the Kingdom when those come out." I sighed. "Honestly, I don't know what to make of this year. It's been a bit of a slog, I guess. Just going through the motions."

"Perhaps, but there's still plenty to celebrate over. For instance—"

"The one-year anniversary of the PM64 Discord Server." We looked over as Laura walked onto set wearing a red sweater and hat with a jingle bell hanging off the end. She smirked. "That's been going well, hasn't it?"

I smiled. "Yeah, I say it has. Just a casual place for everyone to hang out or check in. I should really set up more game nights. Haven't had the time since setting everything up for a limited group in different time zones and daily obligations can be…exhausting. I should look into streaming games from my Switch."

Laura sat down on the couch and leaned back. "So, in regards to plans for this year…"

"We'll get to that soon enough." I smiled. "We're in wake of the end of Secret of the Idol. I can't speak to when it'll finish, but hopefully before 2023 ends. And we're still going strong on Bandits of the Forest."

Ryder asked, "And what are your plans for after Secret of the Idol?"

"Well, after working on a monster like that for the last six years, perhaps something easier before I move on to another big story project. I've made hints about it on the server regarding what I plan to do afterwards. Plus, it'll hopefully give me more energy to work on BOTF."

Laura grinned. "Seems like BOTF is becoming your most popular story."

"Certainly the most insane," Ryder mumbled.

"Agreed!" I jumped as Melissa popped out from behind my chair, wearing a simple green dress and Santa hat. She pouted at me. "Keep in mind the server started up around the time of a certain arc."

"Heh." I scratched my nape awkwardly. "Well, drama sells, am I right?"

"Uh huh." She bounced over to the couch and sat down. "You must've had a lot of ideas planned before you finalized everything for BOTF now."

I grinned. "That may be an interesting avenue to discuss. I've been playing with the idea of having a live discussion regarding the early days of BOTF to discuss things that were altered or outright cut from the final draft. Seeing the evolution of its starting grounds could be fun especially with how far we've come into the story."

Ryder nodded. "That could work."

Laura smirked. "Assuming you can work up the nerve to host a live event like that."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, haha, very funny."

"I'm serious. Do you know how nervous you get before answering a phone call?"

"Hush!"

Melissa giggled. "Perhaps we should cut the pleasantries and get started with the Q&A stuff. Who will be joining us this year?"

A knock sounded off the door. I stood up and walked over. "Well, it's going to be a smaller group this year, but I thought to invite some folks who normally don't show up for this." I opened the door and stepped aside for my guests.

Juniper, the Spinda-Mienfoo, walked through downing a can of diet cola. She belched and waved to the audience. "Yo. How's everyone doing?"

Angel Sapienti, pun-loving Raichu, and Cheri Sapienti, pun-hating Pikachu daughter, followed after. Angel smiled. "Well, there was snow way I was expecting an invitation, but I'm not missing a party wreath delicious food."

Cheri covered her face and groaned. "Somebody kill me already..."

Armant, the titan among all Machamp, ducked his head as he entered, carrying barrels of ale under his arms. "Where should I set these down? I plan on getting wasted for this."

And finally, Pandora Day, the mad scientist Growlithe, skidded onto the set. "What up, my minions! Give it up for your supreme overlord!"

Laura waved her over. "Hey-a, bestie!"

Pandora rushed over and hugged the android. "Hey, Laura! Great to see you again!"

Laura hugged her back. "Oh, how could I possibly not miss my favorite ball of malevolence and diabolical devastation?"

"D'aww, you say the sweetest things!"

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "Of course. Seats are over there. Make yourselves comfortable." I closed the door and returned to my armchair.

Melissa jumped in her seat as Armant landed back on the couch. After recovering, she smiled up at him. "Long time no see, Armant."

He grinned. "How you doing, shrimp? Want to try some of my ale?"

She chuckled. "Oh no, I couldn't—"

"What's the matter, cottontail?" Laura teased. "Too strong for the wittle bunny?"

Pandora snickered. "Don't tease her, Laura. Mels can't help that she's a lightweight."

Melissa's eyes twitched at the duo before shooting a glare at Armant. "Give me a tankard. Now."

He threw his head back in laughter. "Can do, shrimp!"

Ryder rolled his eyes and leaned forward to acknowledge me. "So, what's this about being a smaller event than usual?"

I shrugged. "Well, since I've started up the server, I ask plenty of questions for everyone already. Feels a tad redundant to do the usual routine every year. Plus, with Secret of the Idol coming to an end next year, I figured I should focus much of December on writing that and BOTF. So, we'll be doing things a little differently to ease the burden."

Juniper shrugged. "Whatever works best for you. That's what I always say."

"For the sake of simplicity this year, we will only be doing one session of questions. Two for each person. Gives everyone more time to come up with something they want to say and gives me more time to work on it while I'm working on the stories. And by the time we finish the special on Christmas Day, I might have that live discussion figured out, as well as what I will want to discuss."

Armant smirked. "Sounds like a plan!"

Angel laughed. "Well, this sounds like it'll be entertaining. And you said something about talking about the early days of BOTF?"

"…Were you all eavesdropping before I let you in?"

Cheri smirked. "What did you expect us to do before we came in?"

"Fair enough, and yes. I have talked about some of the early stuff for BOTF, but I feel this would be a good opportunity to go into more detail of how some things changed and got cut out. After all, if you've been on the server, there have been quite a few details I discussed. Now would be a good time to fully cover what the original plan was."

Laura grinned. "Well, let's cease the stalling and get on with the festivities!"

Melissa raised her tankard full of ale and laughed. "Start the Q&A!"

I laughed. "Very well! I look forward to seeing what you all have to ask this year! Let the 7th Annual Christmas Special commence!"