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

[shoplifter]

I needed a little help, to make sure they were perfect.





And also, Linda made sure I did not get angry and break any of them when I messed up.

[umbrastaff]

They sure are perfect. Taako looks so happy!

Damn I used to do that a lot when I was younger. Or now. Yeah, probably now too, I did throw out the soup I couldn't get right.

[shoplifter]

I have a




small temper.

I am working on it. Does it get better? The anger?

[umbrastaff]

Yeah I DEFINITELY have one too. It gets better when you learn how to deal with things in different ways, but it's a thing that takes time.

[shoplifter]

How do you deal with 'things'?

[umbrastaff]

Well, if I'm making something and it pisses me off I usually step away and do something else for a while. Then I can get back to it later again when I'm not as angry.

[shoplifter]

That one, I have learned. Very well.

But I do like making things. Carving things is fun.

[Things that aren't people! Who knew.]

[umbrastaff]

That's awesome. You should do things you like, stuff that makes you happy. It gives you a good thing to think about when you're angry about other shit, too.

[shoplifter]

Yes. Sometimes it's hard to remember the nice things that make you happy.

But I am trying harder, so I can learn.

You are Taako's sibling, yes?

[She's been around Taako enough to know that much, anyway. She's a little jealous, because she never had a 'sibling', and that would've been... nice. Especially since the rest of her family is long gone now.]

[umbrastaff]

I'm sure you'll do well

Yeah, I'm his twin sister. How long have you known my brother?

[shoplifter]

A while. When I came in August, he told me about elves and law-breaking.

And he calls me bubbale.

[umbrastaff]

That long, huh? I'm not surprised talked about those things, though.

He only calls people he likes that, so you know he likes you.

[ A bit of a lie, but hey. Child. ]

[shoplifter]

It's a funny name. I prefer Laura, but I do not mind, if that's what he likes. People have called me worse things.

You are magical, too, yes?

[umbrastaff]

[ What is it with kids here and shitty backgrounds? Lup just wants to punch whoever hurt them. ]

Laura is a lovely name.

and yeah! I'm very magical. I like fire.

[shoplifter]

Thank you. The nurses named me.

[Oh yeah, extremely shitty backgrounds indeed.]

Fire is very cool. And very good against your enemies.

I knew a boy who could make fire with his hands.

[They had to put his hands into iron containers sometimes, poor Tomás.]

[umbrastaff]

[ Lup isn't the motherly or the responsible type, but damn, she can at least to go punch people in the face for being shits to kids. ]

It is very effective.

He could? That's pretty cool. Could he make anything fun with the fire?

[shoplifter]

Sí, he made me a fire horse once in the air.

It was not the best horse I've seen, but it was the best fire horse I have seen, so it counts.

It's nice to use your abilities for creative things. I carved the dolls with my claws.

[umbrastaff]

That sounds beautiful.

[ She means it, too. ]

You have claws? That's cool. It worked really well, too!

[shoplifter]

Yes, they come out of my arms and through my knuckles.

Do you know anyone who has claws?

[umbrastaff]

I've known some people with claws, but they usually sat at the end of their fingers. Yours sound unique!

[shoplifter]

I suppose it is good, to be unique.

Though sometimes it makes people afraid... and sometimes I worry it is for good reason.

[umbrastaff]

Why would people be afraid of claws?

[shoplifter]

Because the claws belong to someone who can hurt people very easily. It makes people afraid, when someone is different. And especially when they are dangerous, too.

[umbrastaff]

Cats have claws. Some people are afraid of cats, but it doesn't mean cats are unnatural.

[shoplifter]

Cats are not usually created as weapons to kill others.

[.......]

My claws are a little different from a cat's.