Story/A Snowy Night Capriccio/E1-3 (Part1)

... In the Griffin base.

Kalina

Looks like everyone's ready. In that case, let's start gathering the presents at the appointed location!

Kalina

No need to push, everyone! Line up single-file in front of me for registration!

FAL

Quit shoving me, I'll turn you into a snowman if you get my clothes wrinkled.

Fel the Ferret growls threateningly.

SAA

Whoa, FAL's shoving her way forward while she's complaining!

Am RFB

Careful with that cola, it's dripping on my console!

WA2000

Hey! Aren't you lot getting too excited about this?

OTs-44

There's dolls pushing all around me, I've been lifted off my feet...

Ameli

Uh... where am I... I can't see anything except legs...

M21

Stay close, M14! It would be bad if your fire control core gets popped out from all these dolls pushing us!

Overhearing M21's words, Gr MG5's hands freeze in place. She gives them a look that is normally reserved for idiots.

M14

Don't worry, if your fire control core gets popped out we'll visit you at the cafe every day...

Gr MG5 does a double-take, now fully in disbelief.

Gr MG5

It seems S.F. has finally developed some kind of idiot ray...

Gr MG5

M14's IQ is now on the same level as M21's. How could any Doll believe that their fire control cores can just pop out like that?!

Springfield

Everyone, please line up. There's no need to push...

As she watches the live broadcast from the Dinergates, Destroyer has a good idea of what is currently happening in the Griffin base.

Destroyer

Hehe, you stupid Griffin Dolls.

Destroyer

I just need to figure out how to navigate your base, and then the presents you put so much effort into preparing will be mine!

Destroyer

Lady Luck is still on my side, hahahahaha...

Destroyer

Now go, start plotting the route!

After receiving their orders, the S.F. Dinergates nimbly split up and head out.

One of them sneaks through the dorm corridors, computing the ideal escape route.

Suddenly, a foot presses down upon its body, pinning it in place.

ART556

Teehee, objective secured. ♪

As Destroyer watches the Dinergate getting dragged into the darkness from the live feed, all she can do is clench her fists...

Destroyer

Dammit, dammit, dammit!

Destroyer

Why does Griffin have such unruly Dolls...

Destroyer

I need to find a way to get that Dinergate out of there...

... Inside the dorms.

ART556 places her captured Dinergate — all trussed-up like a turkey — into a repair bay.

ART556

Hehe, time to begin my perfect plan!

ART556

For starters, I'll modify this Dinergate to look like one of S.F.'s.

ART556

Then, I'll send it to the present storage area.

ART556

That's bound to cause chaos, and I can simply help myself to the presents amidst the confusion! Hahahahaha!

As ART556 talks excitedly to herself and works with her tools, the poor Dinergate is reminded of the terror it just went through...

On the other side of the connection, Destroyer chews on her thumb and frowns. She finally manages to relax upon grasping the situation.

Destroyer

Whew— good thing she only changed its external appearance. This Dinergate is still under my control.

Destroyer

I might as well just play along with her plan...

... Half an hour later.

Inside the Griffin base.

Kalina

Alright, we've finished counting up the presents!

Kalina

After this, take the number you drew and find the present which matches it.

Kalina

Hope everyone gets something they like~

Kalina

Wait, what's that?

A Sangvis Dinergate suddenly pops up in front of the Griffin Dolls. The poor, defenseless critter shivers for a moment, and then immediately runs off in despair.

CZ75

That's a Sangvis Dinergate!

Suomi

Go! Get it!

The Sangvis Dinergate darts through the Griffin Dolls' legs, nimbly avoiding all the obstacles in its path.

WA2000

Ahhhh, what a pain! I'll try to flank and block it!

SAA

Hold my cola, I'll help too!

Am RFB

Hehe, I just cleared this map, nobody can beat me at parkour!

M21

M14, look! My prediction came true—

M14 — who has been aiming at the Dinergate — loses her concentration as she compliments M21.

M14

Well done!

The Sangvis Dinergate takes the opportunity to brush past M14's legs.

M14

Whoaaaa! Did the Dinergate touch us?! It touched us, right?!

The tiny silhouette of the Dinergate continues weaving through the Griffin Dolls, leaving chaos and shrieks in its wake.

ART556 lowers a rope down the chimney, nodding to herself in satisfaction as she watches the excitement unfold.

ART556

Just as planned. Now I can help myself to the presents like the cool thief that I am...

And so, beneath her feet, chaos unfolds...

END