video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on with Lucy smiling and then giving the camera a wave.]

I know it's a bit late, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.

Also, all the Valentine's Day chocolate should be marked down, perfect time to get a lot of chocolate and candy.

[The video feed ends there, but she is a clever girl and thought this would be a better way to address those she left a valentine's day card and various candies for.]

For Emma

For Victor

For Nico

For Jefferson

For Older Loki

For Stan

For Younger Loki

For Laura

[And for Ivar for when he comes back.]

Comments

[jolting]

Mmmn, no, I don't get a night shift for a while. [he tilts his head] Did you want to come over?

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Well, Emma is on that mission thingy until the 17th...so yes she’s coming over. ]

Yes please! I’ll be over soon with my bag—if that’s okay?

[jolting]

It certainly is.

Action

[thestoriesarereal]

Okay! See you soon.

[ And like ten minutes later, she’s at her door with book bag and her sleep stuff. Cause leaving an 8 year old to fend for themselves is bad. ]

Victor?

[jolting]

[and he will be happy to welcome her. He has already made space for her and has all the toys he won for her at the festival ready for her use]

You made good time.

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Yes! All the toys and she does have the headband he got her in her bag. She’ll wear it when she changes into her pajamas. ]

Yeah! I didn’t need to grab much. Did you need help with dinner? I can wash dishes.

[jolting]

You can help me cook, if you want. I found some easy recipes we could experiment with.

[thestoriesarereal]

Okay! Sure! [ She starts to pull her hair back a little and pulls a small hair tie from her jean pocket. ]

What will we be creating tonight? And where should I put my stuff?

[jolting]

You can set your stuff on the couch for now. And we're making tater tot nachos. It sounded like just the sort of combination that would appeal to the mad scientist in me.

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Lucy does as Victor instructs, her book bag by the couch and her actual bag with her sleep clothes on the couch. The idea of tater tot nachos is a very appealing one. ]

It sounds delicious. Are we making the tater tots too?

[ Cause she has no idea how they’re made. ]

And we adding bean dip, sour cream and everything?

[jolting]

No, I already bought those. But we are going to cook the hamburger meat. Wash your hands and we can get started.

[he says as he gets all the important ingredients and cooking tools out]

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Grinning. ]

Yes, Doctor.

[ She goes off to wash her hands at the sink, making sure to do a thorough job before turning off the sink and drying her hands and moving to him. ]

I’m ready!

[jolting]

[he beams at her, then starts instructing her, starting with the meat. He goes over everything, pausing to make sure she understands and letting her do as much as seems feasibly safe for a child her age]

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Lucy pays close attention to Victor’s instructions. If she doesn’t understand something, she asks to have it be explained again. She helps out with the hamburger meat, stirring it a little or patting it down with the wooden spoon.

It’s times like this that she misses her mom and Sabine...]

...do you think Emma’s okay?

[jolting]

Emma's a tough woman. She's very capable and has a strong fighting spirit. So yes, I'm sure she's okay. If she can face off against a dragon and ogres and whatever else, I think she can handle anything this place can throw at her.

[thestoriesarereal]

Yeah but....[ She pauses for a moment. ]

What if she gets hurt? I mean, she is The Savior and all but she can get injured too.

...or cursed.

[jolting]

She could, but I'm a hell of a doctor, so I'll take care of her. And I wouldn't worry about her getting cursed. She's the product of True Love, and that's supposed to be stronger than any curse.

[he was there when Emma's kiss broke the first curse; he can't deny the strength of True Love]

[thestoriesarereal]

Mm, I know you would be able to patch her up. But...she’s still human. She’s still suspectable to it. It’s not like she has an anti-curse spell on her or anything.

[jolting]

Honestly, after everything I've seen your family accomplish, it wouldn't surprise me at all if she did. Just think about how you'll get to show her your new cooking skills when she gets back.

[thestoriesarereal]

I don’t think that’s possible. Not even the Dark One was immune to the first curse.

[ She is not going to say Rumpy, she’s too old for that. But, there’s a nod of her head. Focus on Emma coming back...and she would be okay. But she still worries...and finds herself missing home. Her spirits are a bit dampened, but she’s still helping with cooking. ]

[jolting]

Yeah. The difference was he wanted to go to the land without magic.

[when the food is done, Victor gets plates for them] Believe me, I know better than most how easy it is to think of the worst scenario. But I also know where those thoughts lead. So even though it's hard, try remembering how strong and capable Emma is, and know that she's been through a lot and came out okay.

[thestoriesarereal]

That is true. He wanted to find his son though.

[Lucy wipes her hands, grabbing two forks and a serving spoon for the tater tots.]

I know she’s been through a lot and she can over come anything. But...I miss my parents...that’s all.

[jolting]

[Victor doesn't know what to say about that. He just gets them both a generous serving of tater tot nachos]

What's your mother like?

[thestoriesarereal]

Before the curse or currently?

[And yes, that is a big helping of food. She may not go for seconds.]

[jolting]

Whichever. Just... what's the first thing you think of, when you think of her?