Finding Space | AvA/AvM one shots

Party Speech

Agent jogged through the doorway right at 4:30pm. Reviewing the security camera proposal had taken more time than he had anticipated, and he had wanted to at least skim the document before the party today.

The warehouse bay had been transformed into a party area with streamers and balloons everywhere. Scala seemed to have made good on his promise to bring his DJ equipment and dance floor. In the front was a cluster of tables and a giant Rocket logo sign with gold balloons spelling "4 YEARS".

Agent stood in the doorway, catching his breath, then collected a drink and made his way to the tables. Everyone had gathered there and were loudly chatting away. He muttered to the nearest person, who happened to be Jenst from Engineering TV Branch, "Have they started yet?"

"Agent! Good, you made it." Jenst shook their head. "Nope, you got here just in time."

Someone clapped their hands three times from the front, and he faintly heard Mitsi yell, "Can everyone hear me?"

The cheering and clapping (and then shushing) started from the front and made its way to the back. Everyone settled down and Agent saw Mitsi and Vic in front of the balloon sign.

Mitsi spoke again in a slightly quieter tone of voice. "Scala's extra mic broke, so we will have to do this the old-fashioned way."

"My friends! Coworkers! Welcome everyone! It is our honour to open Rocket's FOURTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY!"

Everyone cheered and clapped. Little Sheep's bleat could be heard over everyone else.

"We are so glad you could make it! We have so much to celebrate from this past year."

"We have five major product lines in operation with a sixth currently in design!"

Cheers and applause.

"The Rocket TV 2010 has sold over one million units!"

Cheers and applause, especially from the sales team who were sitting a few tables ahead of Agent.

"Our research branch is fully functional!"

More cheers and applause.

"And most importantly, we've finally struck a truce with the crows!"

That got big laughs and applause, Agent among them. Two years ago a group of crows had taken up residence in the trees around the buildings. It had taken a year of "gifts" to appease them. Someone at a table behind Agent called out, "They're especially good friends with Jenst!" That got laughs. Jenst had been divebombed by the crows six months ago.

Jenst hollered back, "my hat was never the same!" More hoots and cheers, followed by others calling out jesting remarks. Jenst had lamented dramatically for weeks about their ruined hat. Said hat had actually received one small hole that was easily patched.

Mitsi raised her hands and everyone quieted down again.

"Four years ago, when Vic and I set up our little booth, we just wanted to make our little bit of the world better for our friends and family and everyone we came across."

Mitsi seemed to give the briefest of glances at Vic. Agent smiled; he and Little Sheep had found the two of them wrapped in a blanket together one late night.

"We never expected to end up with a large successful company, a wonderful team, and a bright future. Whether you are a janitor, warehouse worker, product linesperson, or the Chief Technology Officer" – everyone cheered and clapped for Vic, who grinned shyly and waved – "we give you our warmest thanks and gratitude for helping us make it to this day."

More cheering and applause.

"This party is for you, so please enjoy yourselves! Appetizers and sliders are in the left corner, drinks in the back right. Dance floor will be up shortly. Please keep all food and drinks in this room. A professional cleaning company will come through here tomorrow but that is not an excuse to make a huge mess!"

Someone far up - one of the janitors, Agent thought - shouted, "That goes for you too, Vic!" Everyone laughed and cheered. Vic had once spilled coffee all over a freshly mopped hallway. He and the janitorial team had had a playful feud ever since that accident.

Vic grinned again, raising his drink. "I keep telling you, I'm a changed stick!" Everyone laughed and cheered again.

Mitsi cleared her throat and held up a confetti popper. Vic mirrored the motion at her side. Everyone else raised their drinks and poppers. Agent held his own drink aloft.

"Cheers! To four years and to many more!"

She and Vic pulled at their popper strings. Everyone else followed suit, cheering and applauding as confetti flew through the air.

Vic lifted Mitsi onto his shoulders and she called, "DJ Scala, hit it!"

Agent grinned. It was going to be a wonderful night.

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Notes:

Posted 30 Apr 2025

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Sometimes, ideas take me months of brainstorming to create a first rough draft (true story). And sometimes, I get a little idea that refuses to leave my brain, and within ten hours have something reasonably post-worthy xD

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Thank you to my Discord friend who looked over a portion of this!