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

[dothelokimotion]

I think it is different for infants who cannot feed themselves.

[thestoriesarereal]

Mmm, yeah, but the principle is the same: when someone's hungry, get them food so they don't get angry or upset.

[dothelokimotion]

I'm not sure how well that works.

[thestoriesarereal]

Well, something to keep in mind for next time someone's seemingly angry, offer them a granola bar? See if that helps perk them up?

[dothelokimotion]

Perhaps. I'm not in the habit of carrying . . . snacks on my person.

[thestoriesarereal]

Well...if you don’t have enough pocket space, you could have trail mix on you. They come in tiny packets.

But, how have you been otherwise?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki can conjure food, though he prefers not to. ]

I am well, for my part. Yourself?

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Well that’s a nifty ability. ]

I’m okay. Doing the whole, going to school, earning good grades and staying out of trouble general sort of thing.

[dothelokimotion]

[ His expression twists. ]

Mortal education seems to be very tedious.

[thestoriesarereal]

And lacking in some areas but... [ She shrugs. ]. Not much I can do about it. It’s good though, everyone’s nice for the most part.

[dothelokimotion]

Laura never seems fond of it.

[thestoriesarereal]

You know Laura?

I’ve only seen her once on the network. She said we could play tag sometime.

What’s she like?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Hmm. Calling her a hellion probably won't go down well. Besides, that is Loki's private nickname for Laura. ]

She's had a very unusual upbringing, so many things in life are new to her.

[thestoriesarereal]

Oh. [ Well, maybe that’s why Laura said she climbed trees for tag. ]

I didn’t know. I do know, she’s a hero. Did you see her post while she was in detention? She was defending another kid, and shouldn’t have been punished for it. [ Theres a fondness in her voice. Though they haven’t met in person, and doesn’t know much about her, Lucy likes Laura. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ A hero, huh . . . ]

I did. Though the nuances of public education escape me.

[thestoriesarereal]

What do you mean?

[dothelokimotion]

It means I do not understand the system. I never went to "school", as this place so quaintly puts it.

[thestoriesarereal]

Didn't you have tutors or anything when you were...smaller? [Lucy puts emphasis on 'smaller' by lowering her hand from her height to the ground a little. Younger would've been a better term, but hey! He could've been 100 years old and still be shorter than her.]

[dothelokimotion]

I had tutors in the palace. It was only my brother and myself. We didn't have companions until much later.

[thestoriesarereal]

So...school is kind of like having a tutor, but different? Like, one school will have a teacher for all the subjects, and for other schools, the subjects are taught by different teachers.

And unless you're in a private school, there's always a bunch of kids around.

Does that make sense?

[dothelokimotion]

[ He nods. ]

I can follow. Laura has spoken to me about it at some length.

Do you enjoy it?

[thestoriesarereal]

Have you thought about visiting for a day? Sometimes they let parents do that--I mean, not that you are her parent, but if you wanted to see what it's like.

It's...okay. Being the new kid isn't fun, but it's okay. Still has homework so.. [She shrugs]

[dothelokimotion]

[ his expression flickers. ]

Perhaps. I am not well-versed in children.

[thestoriesarereal]

You seem to be. [Wait, a moment, that didn't come out right!]

I mean! You've spoken to two kids, and you get along well with them. So, you're sort of versed in children? It's a start, and better than nothing.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki hesitates before tilting his head in acknowledgement. ]

I cannot deny that.