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

[11calls]

It's okay, I know a lot of people who aren't very good at it either, and they've had a lot more time to practice than you have.

[Alex grins at Laura.]

So which one was your favorite to make? Totally different than your favorite person, I promise.

[Because no one should make anyone do that to someone on the spot.]

[shoplifter]

[Laura's pretty sure she's gonna be the adult who isn't good at it even still. But she appreciates the vote of confidence. She holds up Taako's little doll, decked out in a rainbow shirt and a fashionable wizard hat.]

Este es mi favorito. I liked deciding the clothes.

[11calls]

Taako, right? I'd definitely know him anywhere!

Did you base the clothing on stuff you'd seen him in or clothes you'd think he'd look cool in?

[shoplifter]

... Things I've seen them all wear, but also — some of it is from shops.

I like looking at all the clothes in the stores. It's nice to see the different ways people dress.

[11calls]

Looking at clothes in the store is definitely the best way to decide your personal style, I think! So, I do the same thing.

[shoplifter]

Sí, sí.

Especially when you have to replace clothes a lot.

[11calls]

Is that something you've had to do a lot of?

[shoplifter]

[A series of nods.]

Mm, I usually get blood on them.

[laURA NO]

[11calls]

Really?

Your blood or someone else's?

[Alex is probably not as disturbed by that as she should be.]

[shoplifter]

A little bit of both, depending.

... I get into a lot of fights.

[Laura is definitely not remotely disturbed herself, so good on ya'.]

[11calls]

That's got to be hard. Even here?

[shoplifter]

Mm. Mostly monsters, but sometimes people.

Most are nice, though.

[11calls]

Do you spend a lot of time outside of the wall?

[shoplifter]

I like the peace and quiet. Sometimes it's nice, being alone.

[And part of it is being used to being alone in a cell to her own thoughts.

Old habits are hard to break.]

[11calls]

I can get that way too sometimes.

[Not very often, because Alex is an extrovert but she's slowly learning to care for her introvert so she's more understanding than she was before.]

Do you go to school here, Laura?

[shoplifter]

[A nod.]

Elementary school, sí. They wanted me to adjust to being — normal.

[11calls]

You sound like you don't think that's a good thing.

[shoplifter]

... I'm not sure if normal is good or bad.

Just difficult to obtain.

[11calls]

Well, my mom would say that if something was difficult to obtain then it was probably worth it, but I'm also a big fan of the saying that goes something like "normal is only a setting on a washing machine" so... I think it depends on what you want to be.