Video; un: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[The feed opens to Laura looking a little uncomfortable in her own skin — you'd think she was in trouble again or something, forced to give another on-screen admission. But nope! Trouble was totally a few days ago. She's been an angel as of late (or as close to one as a stabby mutant can be). Instead, Linda motions for her to go ahead and start her video broadcast. What for, you ask? She steels herself.]

Prijata is coming up; it is a celebration to give people things. I am not very good at it.

But we had wood-carving for the end of the year art project, so I — made some... wooden dolls for people. [She pauses, looking up again at Linda. She motions for her to continue on.] I am not very good at it yet, so the painting is not perfect. Even so, I have... made... many good friends. Friends I didn't think I would make. So... Quiero agradecer a mis amigos. I want to thank my friends.

[This is clearly something she's not used to saying. At all. And her cheeks are slightly flustered by the time she stops and she's plucking at her tattered shirt sleeve — a new visual compared to the usually cool and collected child who never seems to care enough to be embarrassed. It's just, you know. It's different when it's something you've made for someone else. And it is their faces, a face she had studied in that way of hers over the last few weeks as she worked on the project. Her bed is covered in crafting materials, a sign she'd rushed to get them done in time.

She shows them in detail, don't worry about being left in suspense. Indeed, they're all carved carefully from wooden bits, with little items and clothing pieces glued together.

The kid sits in this earnest hope that she did well enough to not be teased. It's a normal thing to do, right? Something a person does, not a science project.

She hopes it's obvious who is who:]



I can bring them to you, wherever you are... if you want yours. If you do not, I can keep them on my dresser.

[Honestly, knowing how many she made is an eye-opener for her; she didn't realize she cared about so many people here.]

.... Feliz Prijata.

[... Even if it's a bit early.]

Comments

[winscenario]

[ This is seriously adorable. Jim can hardly keep the fondness from showing on his face. Not that he seems to try particularly hard. ]

Those look wonderful, Laura. Of course I want mine. Plus, I have a gift for you too, so maybe we can meet and do an exchange?

[shoplifter]

You do?

[She can't help but be surprised. She's gotten a few gifts here and there, but it's not particularly something she's used to. Not with all things considered.]

Sí, sí, I can meet. Should I - wrap it?

[Laura, that's not what wrapping is for, when you've already shown the gift...]

[winscenario]

Of course. Why the surprise?

[ She got him a gift! So of course he got her one, too. It's not unreasonable. Jim likes Laura. If anything this is kind of like a Christmas gift coming in a little late.

He chuckles at her question. ] You don't have to. I already know what it is anyway, so there's no point.

[shoplifter]

[Oh, well, that makes sense.]

... I am not used to gifts; we weren't allowed to have anything like that, before.

[They got things like... little toy balls, so they didn't leap all over their cells. Her, personally, she got a toy horse after they'd fled the compound; she still has that horse, loves it and keeps it on her dresser.]

Riverview is very different.

[Loki and Ciel and Taako - among others - have gotten her things.

It's really nice.]

[winscenario]

[ He smiles a little at that, not too surprised to hear it. After what he's learned of the place she comes from, he would sort of expect that. ]

Your world should've been very different, too.

[ But at least she gets to have that here, so... better than nothing, he supposes. ]

When do you want to meet?

[shoplifter]

Any time you would like.

Maybe we can fly in your ship more.

[Is she trying to get a free ride in a rocket ship again? You betcha.]

[winscenario]

[ Jim smiles a little. Well, can't really blame her for trying that. Flying is pretty awesome. ]

Alright, well— I have some free time right now, if you want to meet. Is it okay if I bring my dog?

[shoplifter]

... You have a dog?

[winscenario]

I do! Hold on— [ He looks off-camera. ] John, c'mere boy.

[ Then the camera pans away from him, as Jim turns it around to show this big pile of fluff sitting next to him. ]

Okay. Say hi, John. [ The dog barks once, tail wagging against the floor. ]

[shoplifter]

Hello, John.

[She waves, lips twitching pleasantly.

He is cute — really cute. Therefore, her tunnel vision intensifies.]

I'd like to visit John.

[winscenario]

[ Jim smiles. Kids and dogs, it always works. Not that he was planning it, but it's so cute how secretly excited she gets. ]

I'm sure John would like you to come visit him too. We're both at the Perimeter Guard, so if you know the way, you can come by.

[shoplifter]

I'll be over there soon.



...



Should I bring John a treat?

[winscenario]

Well, you don't have to, but I know he won't say no to it.

What do you say, John? You want a treat? [ The puppy promptly barks and whines, and Laura will see a giant snout as he nudges at the camera with his nose. Jim laughs a bit. ] There's your answer.

[shoplifter]

[She brightens a little, watching John; what a good boy.

.....]

Can I jump on the ship from the community roof?

[LAURA NO]

[winscenario]

[ Jim chuckles at that. ]

That's a terrible idea. [ And yet... ] Get yourself into position. I'll fly by in about ten minutes.

[shoplifter]

[This is the sound of a child's booted feet tap-tapping out of her room eagerly, and up some stairs.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED SHE'LL SEE YOU THERE, YOU AWFUL INFLUENCE.]

[winscenario]

[ HEY, it's important to encourage children to value their strengths! Laura's ability to leap off tall things is definitely a strength. Plus, the shuttle will be right there, and Jim knows she won't fall off or get hurt. It's totally fine!!

Also she will probably make it to the top of the building a lot faster than him. He still has to change into his flight suit, fit John with his rescue vest and strap him in on the shuttle, rev up the engines, then finally fly out and towards the building. She'll see the shuttle easily once it's close enough, and Jim will open the hatch at the top so she can come inside. Then he moves the shuttle so it's hovering really close to the building, so she doesn't have to jump too far. Counts as 'playing it safe', right?? ]

1/2

[shoplifter]

[WOOOOOO SHE'S FLYING SO SUDDENLY THROUGH THE AIR TOWARD THE SHIP YEEEEEET-!]

[shoplifter]

[Oop, and she's landed inside, doing one of those cool superhero landings.

It's an acquired skill. She looks toward Kirk sharply, wearing her glasses.

Casually:]

Hello.

[winscenario]

[ That was probably super cool, sadly Jim wasn't really looking. He only turns his chair around once Laura's inside and he closes the hatch again. ]

Hi, Laura.

[ He raises an eyebrow, lips quirking into a bit of a smile. John's strapped securely to one of the seats with a harness, and he's already looking at Laura curiously, stretching his neck towards her as much as he can. ]

[shoplifter]

[Sorry can't hear you making a beeline for the dog.]

Hello, John.

[#BETRAYAL.

But then she looks to Jim after she's confirmed there is a fuzzy dog underhand.]

What kind of dog is he?

[winscenario]

[ He barks out a laugh, shaking his head. ]

Well, that's rude!

[ Like seriously, he's RIGHT HERE. And unlike John, he at least said hi! All John cares about are the treats. Which he seems to be trying to sniff out of her. ]

He looks like a German Shepherd, but I don't know. Could be some alien race that looks the same.

[shoplifter]

[Yeah it's rude, what about it, sucka.

She is very pleased to dig out piece of a convenience store jerky stick to offer to the pooch.

GROW STRONG, JOHN.]

I don't know many types of dogs, so I would not be very helpful.

But there seems to be too many to count, sometimes.

[winscenario]

[ One day he will demand being gifted treats, too. This is totally unfair treatment. ]

It's alright. Doesn't really matter, does it? [ He shrugs and pats John's head with a smile. ] He's a good boy. That's all that really matters.

[ Glancing at Laura, ] So, where do you wanna go?

[shoplifter]

[She chews on her knuckle, thoughtful.]

Can we look way beyond the wall?