007 ✞ [VIDEO]

[unetrustworthy]

[Somebody's in better spirits than she has been since...well...almost since she first arrived in Keelai.  Spending time around her newly-hatched Turtle baby had that effect on a young girl.]

[She was even smiling.]

[Yet there was a faint hesitation behind the smile, and Midii side-eyed something just off screen several times before speaking.]

Not that I'm not grateful for the gifts...but...um...how do I say this?

I've never carried anything made of magic before.  I'm...not sure I would be the best person to have it.  I'm not even sure how to use it.

[Unspoken sentiment: she's slightly afraid of it.]



((ooc: In addition, the following individuals will have received a small package from Midii around Christmastime: Kyle, Eponine, Monet, Bean, Jack, Frank, Jor-El, and Damian.  The girls will receive a lovely wooden jewelry box with a secure key lock, and the boys will receive a small wooden chest...with the exception of Damian, whose chest will be locked not by a simple key, but with an intricate puzzle he'll have to solve in order to get inside.  Obviously custom-made))

Comments

Re: video;

[wintershepherd]

[ And he's happy to see that smile on her face, one that he thought should grace there more often. ]

I feel like that too sometimes.

[unetrustworthy]

You do?

Which part? The not knowing what to get, or the wanting to say 'thank you'?

[wintershepherd]

A little of both. Sometimes I'm not sure giving them something will say what I want it to. I'm pretty new to gift giving too.

[unetrustworthy]

[That was a bit surprising to her, consider what she had come to know of him.]

But...aren't you a Winter Spirit? I know not everybody celebrates Christmas, but I would have thought...

[Maybe she was mistaken. Then again, he celebrated it now. Why the change?]

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, I am. It wasn't about celebrating, I just didn't have anyone to give a gift to.

[ The words are light, with no trace of self-pity. He knows it's not the same now, both here in Keeliai and back home and for a moment, he allows himself to indulge in a few thoughts of what he might get Jamie and Sophie when he returns. ]

[unetrustworthy]

[The words might have been light, but they told her far more of the things he didn't say. She couldn't know for certain, of course, but she could suspect.]

Why not?

People here seem to love you. Especially the kedan children.

[wintershepherd]

Because I was on my own, that's all. It's not a problem here because I have the chance to be seen by everyone.

[ Mention of the kedan children are entirely what ground Jack these days, give him focus. ]

Well, they are pretty special.

[unetrustworthy]

[Here, Midii has the grace to look guilty. Her eyes briefly lower. Well...almost everyone.]

I haven't spoken to many of them. The ones I have were very nice.

[wintershepherd]

[ He immediately recognizes his faux pas from her guilty look. ]

Oh, Midii, no... I didn't mean it like that. Just that people's belief here evolves a little differently. I mean, you couldn't hear me at all before, right? And now you can, so there's no reason to think that you won't be able to see me one day too. I can be patient for that.

[unetrustworthy]

[She nodded, though it wasn't a full comfort. For her, it was far beyond that. Jack was still something she couldn't understand. Something she might never be able to. Except, rather than an unsolved mystery that would plague only her, she felt like her failure was affecting him, personally.]

...I wish I could see you, Jack. I really do.

[wintershepherd]

I know. But I'll let you in on a secret, if you want?

[ His voice drops lower across the feed. ]

I'd rather be seeing that smile of yours again than have you see me.

[unetrustworthy]

[Intentional or otherwise, his words had that exact effect on her. She was caught off guard, of course, especially from how genuine he sounded.]

...I can honestly say nobody's ever told me that before.

[wintershepherd]

There, see? That's worth it right there.

[unetrustworthy]

[She laughed. If was maybe half a second, but it was there. A momentary outburst before she regained herself.]

You might be the strangest boy I have ever met. [And she meant it as a compliment.]

[wintershepherd]

You know, I think I can live with that.

[unetrustworthy]

[There wasn't much more to be said on that subject, so she switched topics, reaching at something just off-screen for a moment before pulling back, holding a small trinket from the chain between her thumb and forefinger.]

By the way...I don't suppose you know anything about this? I figured, since you can do that ice magic of yours, you might have a better idea than I would.

[wintershepherd]

Oh, you got one too? Mine was waiting for me at my suite when I got back, but it didn't come with anything to tell me what it does.

[unetrustworthy]

Yeah. I did. It came with the small basket of gifts waiting for me at my front door.

I was suspicious at first, but most of the rest of it was really helpful. There was some money and fruits, and things to help heal if I ever get hurt. This is the only thing that I was confused about. It says...I think...that it's supposed to make me fly?

[The way she phrased that last sentence meant she was skeptical.]

[wintershepherd]

Really? That's great, flying is awesome! I'll bet you'd be really good at it too.

[unetrustworthy]

[For some reason, Midii didn't appear to share the sentiment.]

[She didn't seem...frightened at the idea, exactly. Just less than eager to try it out.]

No, thank you.

The only time I ever wanted to fly was in a space shuttle. Otherwise, I'll keep my feet on the ground. At least I know how to steer them.

[wintershepherd]

Suit yourself, but if you change your mind the Fire Sector looks amazing from the air.

[unetrustworthy]

I'm sure looking down from one of the taller rooftops would be just as nice of a view.

[wintershepherd]

Like I said, if you change your mind. It's your choice, Midii.

In the meantime, I should probably figure out what if anything mine does. Otherwise it's going to be a paperweight.

[unetrustworthy]

Is it...safe? To keep on your desk like that?

[wintershepherd]

I've no idea, I guess I'll find out and let you know.

[ Then his voice softens from its whimsy to one more understanding. ]

Magic's still pretty hard for you, huh?