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]

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.

[umbrastaff]

[ Fucking fuck, who does she have to set on fire for this? ]

How are they different? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

[shoplifter]

It's okay. I'm used to explaining now. They are claws I inherited from my father. They come out from between my knuckles. But they are metal now, because they were surgically altered to be stronger.

[umbrastaff]

That sounds pretty damn cool to me! I mean, it's probably though to deal with and all that, but you seem like a smart girl.

Maybe you could be a superhero!

[shoplifter]

My father was a superhero.

I don't know if he would want me to follow in his footsteps, though.

[umbrastaff]

Why would that be a bad thing?

[shoplifter]

Most of the superheroes in my world are no longer alive. Bad things tend to happen to people who become heroes, I think; he would have worried.

But even then, I do not feel I would be a good choice, anyway.

[umbrastaff]

I'm sorry to hear that. It seems like everywhere there's heroes, there are villains.

Darling, I've only talked to you for like ten minutes and I can already tell you want to be a good person.

[shoplifter]

I'm just happy to be a person.

I've done things people would fear me for




but if I can be something like a hero, I will do my best.