[The message that appears in Arid’s inbox is puzzling. Though she recognizes the sender, it is obviously in response to a question that she had not asked—as if intended for someone else.
If Arid were more tactful, she would acknowledge it as none of her business and respond with nothing more than a notification that the message was sent in error. However, Arid is not more tactful.]
Outside of instances where my orders supersede the directives related to preserving human life, yes.
[ Between Rapture, the hyperviolent townspeople last month, and lacking a handler to provide these orders, this limitation has been a struggle. If not for Tech Boy's intervention, it's likely K would've already experienced his first death. And then he notices the error— ]
Arid? Sorry, that was intended for another recipient.
[ At least this isn't nearly as awkward as it would be if that had been sent to an unsuspecting human... ]
Hello, Arid. My name is Martin Blackwood. I was given your contact information by KD6-3.7. I wanted to contact you to apologize on behalf of Jonathan Sims. He's a small, scarred human with dark skin and graying hair. It's my understanding that you had an encounter with him a few days ago in which he violated your free will. That's obviously unacceptable, and I've spoken with him about it. It's my hope that we can ensure that sort of thing never happens again. To you or to anyone else.
I know how horrible his abilities can be, so I wanted to make sure there aren't any lingering effects you're experiencing. And I wanted to check if there's anything I can do for you to help make amends, or at the very least, make things a little easier for you.
If you'd rather not have me involved, please don't feel obligated in any way to respond to this message. And again, I'm so very sorry for what he did to you. Whatever reasons he thinks he had, they're not sufficient, and I'll do my best to keep him away from you.
[Arid is not accustomed to receiving apologies, particularly from humans. This one, she has to read several times in an attempt to understand. This “Martin Blackwood” is a stranger, one who, to her knowledge, has not wronged her before. And now he alone apologizes on behalf of the one who had?
How very human, to assign the task of remorse to another.]
You did not attempt to bind me. Your apology is irrelevant.
[His apology is also suspect. After all, the Archivist had informed her that his abilities are even more effective on humans. It seems a reasonable enough explanation why this one would accept responsibility for the misdeeds of another.]
Do you apologize because he compelled you to do so?
[ Not long after Martin contacts K about Arid, he sends a message to her chronologically after Martin has contacted her, now extremely concerned. ]
Are you all right?
Martin Blackwood just contacted me explaining how his friend may have "accidentally compelled" you to give him information, leading to you injuring him. He said his friend's ability can be traumatic and that he has no control over it. I'm dubious of the latter claim, but I have little information to go on.
What did he do to you?
[ Not "what did you do to him", because he sincerely doubts Arid is at fault here. And for the sake of full disclosure, he provides a verbatim copy of his exchange with Martin. ]
I apologise if it was inappropriate to provide him with your contact information. In hindsight I would have preferred to pass the message on myself so you won't have to deal with either of them again. Martin has been kind to me during our limited contact over the network, but in light of this situation I'm unsure what to think.
[To be truthful, Arid had considered contacting KD6-3.7 herself after the conversation with Martin Blackwood. She had wanted to know what exactly the human had told him about her encounter with Jonathan Sims and, more importantly, the android’s assessment of both men. As it turns out, she does not need to initiate contact; KD7-3.6 sends her a message within minutes of her conversation with the human.]
I am functional.
His friend’s name is Jonathan Sims. After he arrived, he asked me questions about what I had seen in Deerington. Initially, I believed I was answering of my own volition, but it soon became apparent that I could not censor myself nor cease speaking. I performed a soft reboot of my systems and ran a self-diagnostic. At first, I believed he had reactivated my former rules, but the diagnostic could not find evidence of this. I told him to cease in his attempts to bind me and that I had already disclosed everything of relevance.
He did not listen. So I attacked him.
[She does not regret it. She had told him to stop and warned him that there would be consequences should he continue. That he had disregarded her is his fault, not hers.
She reads through the log KD6-3.7 has provided of his conversation with Martin Blackwood, gratified to see how KD6-3.7 had defended her actions—and displeased by the implied logic that had been used in the decision to bind her. Jonathan Sims had felt “threatened” by her lack of reaction to human deaths—deaths she would not even have been describing if not for his coercion—and had perhaps assumed she was one of the “demonstrably evil people” he could subjugate with impunity. How convenient for him.
After a moment, she responds with the logs of her own conversation with the human.]
I do not fault you for providing him with my contact information. It is better that he received that information from one who could explain my perspective.
Martin Blackwood does not seem outwardly hostile. However, he is determined to protect Jonathan Sims. I do not know if he will be so understanding if Sims attempts to compel me again and I react accordingly.
I'm glad you were able to free yourself from his control. I hope it hasn't had any lasting effects on you. The lingering effects Martin mentioned have me worried they could manifest in a different manner for you.
Sims ignored your request to stop. It's unclear whether his ability makes him incapable of stopping himself or if that was a conscious choice to continue violating you. I'm concerned the latter is what happened and the offer of an apology now is suspect, especially coming from an uninvolved party.
[ If Arid had a more passably human appearance, would it have reached that point in the first place? It's hardly unreasonable to assume there's bias against synthetics at play here. ]
Either way he can't be trusted, that's abundantly clear. I think maybe Martin can under normal circumstances, judging by his honesty, but there's a distinct possibility Sims may have him bound the way he did you. It's equally as likely Martin will act in the best interests of his friend of his own volition.
You should also have someone who will act in your best interests if it becomes necessary. I'd like to accompany you for this in-person meeting, if you're comfortable with that.
[ The thought of Arid facing the two men alone doesn't sit right with him, never mind that she's obviously capable of taking care of herself. This is more about the moral support. And he can probably incapacitate a human without causing them harm, if it does become necessary...
Sent a few moments afterward, as a slightly amused afterthought: ] Have you noticed the way humans assume all synthetics know each other simply because of what we are? Maybe we should start a club with the Technical Boy and Seven.
Hello, Arid. It's Martin again. Thankfully, this isn't about Jon! I just wanted to ask if you eat organic food? I made more pie than Jon and I can reasonably eat, so, if you'd like it, I've got half a pie for you. If not, that's totally fine! I was just looking out toward the theme park when I was making it and thought about you.
[ When Arid sees a message in her inbox from Martin Blackwood, she does indeed assume it is related to Jonathan Sims. Perhaps the Archivist had just compelled a synthetic and his associate is here to plead for her mercy on his behalf. While such a message would be disappointing, it would not be entirely unexpected.
She certainly isn't expecting an offer of pie.
There is. A long pause.]
I do not have a mouth.
[ If Martin were actually there, he would detect more bafflement in her voice than irritation. The notion that a human would think of her of all people while producing baked goods is perplexing in the extreme.
But then she remembers something he had said during their in-person meeting—something the Archivist had compelled him to say. ]
I have no interest in providing a written statement.
[The first message has Martin's cheeks flushing with embarrassment. He... he probably should have thought of that. This was stupid. God, she probably thinks he's a moron. And then the second message takes the wind entirely out of his sails.]
I didn't ever expect one. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I just thought you might like something sweet.
If there's anything else you like and... is relevant to you, please let me know. We're all working together here, and I'm trying to prepare for as many different things Deerington might throw at us as possible. I can keep an eye out for anything that might help you.
[It's just one of those days. Work at the hospital had been daunting with his local colleagues giving him a hard time, so when Luka comes home - tired and cranky - and finds Arid missing, he expects the worst.
He's not entirely sure what the worst is here, but that's definitely it. In Deerington, that's always it.
He holds the fluid at a slightly wrong angle, betraying that he's not overly familiar or confident with this level of video technology.]
Arid? Are you there? It's Luka. Call me back if you're getting this.
[Arid, too, has had a difficult day. Seeing the anomalous red lights outside Luka’s residence, she had gone to investigate, only to find her pilot waiting for her. She had felt both joy and trepidation seeing him again—only for both sentiments to evaporate into horror as her memories returned.
In her efforts to flee from him, she had unthinkingly returned to her own residence—and then proceeded to stand guard at the door for the next hour, sidearm in hand. She does not know what it means that Josephs is here. She does not know what it means that he had become intangible when she had lashed out in an attempt to silence his cruel words or that his skin had glowed a luminescent red. He had not pursued her. Had it been inability or disinterest that had stilled him?
The question gnaws at her until she's startled by the chime of the Fluid on her wrist. The message ID reads as Luka. She remembers that he had prevented her from seeking deactivation, even invited her into his home to conceal her from her pilot. They are even now. Still, she hesitates to open it, reluctant to remove her attention from the door. It is only after another minute that she finally holsters her gun and allows the message to play.
If his earlier assistance had been surprising, his concern is more so now. She responds promptly. ]
I am in my own residence. My memories have been restored. [ It should be good news, but her tone is tense. Does he know something is wrong? Had he, too, seen the red figures? ]
[Luka had just put the Fluid away and decided to stretch out on the couch when she responds after all. He hurries to sit up again and scrambles for the device, coming up on the feed immediately after playing her message.
My memories have been restored. Oh. Yeah, that explains why she wouldn't stick around. Maybe she didn't like staying in a human's house or maybe she saw no logical point in staying, now that she was back to normal. Or maybe she's the robo version of embarrassed. Did she do embarrassed? She sure did anger and contempt, so why not that. She doesn't sound particularly happy about it. Is she angry with him? Had he miscalculated, had he somehow misunderstood what deactivation would entail?
But then she mentions her pilot and Luka gapes at the camera.]
What?
[That's almost more surprising than her being back to her old self. He immediately looks around the house for signs of struggle or at least a break in but there's nothing.]
I didn't tell anyone you're here. I don't know how he could have found you here. Are you okay?
Hi, Arid. How are you feeling? Are you safe after the dome shattered?
I wanted to warn you that Jon is alive again. And I want to know what I can do to make you feel safer when he's still around here.
I don't like that you killed him. But I can understand why. I never want him to hurt you again. I know I can't control that completely, but whatever I can do.
It is too late. If your care is genuine, the opportunity to demonstrate it ended with his trial.
[ Would Arid ever admit to feeling betrayed? Perhaps not, but her anger is on full display. She extends so little trust to humans and still they manage to disappoint. How foolish does Martin think she is to hope she might still believe that his interest is in her protection at all? ]
Instead, I will address your true priority: If you wish for Jonathan Sims to remain alive, do not allow him to enter my presence again.
He came home after what he did to you and told me what happened. We talked... I found out he had a potion that might be able to stop his powers. Or it might kill him.
I made him take it, Arid. It's why he didn't see you coming.
[ When Arid next arrives for a shift at the Deerington Public House, K is in the process of opening — tidying chairs, ensuring all the glasses have been washed, seeing to the general daily upkeep of the pub — and pauses what he's doing to greet her at the door. From one of his pockets, he produces a patch of a similar style to the Sleeper Scout ones along with Martin's letter explaining its purpose and offers both items to her.
(His own Beholding-blocking item, the katydid brooch, is already pinned to his dress shirt.) ]
This is for you. According to Martin, it's supposed to help block Sims's abilities.
[ Arid's curiosity is immediately piqued when she is greeted at the door with what seems to be a new Sleeper Scout badge. She is, of course, wearing her sash when she arrives. She takes the patch with interest, followed by the letter, examining both as KD6-3.7 speaks. CLOSE YOUR EYES. She is puzzled by the words at first—until KD6-3.7 explains. ]
That is... useful.
[ More than useful, it is immensely reassuring. It means that no matter what course Sims may take in the future, at least she and her immediate allies are protected. As for the source... Arid tries not to linger on that. She does not relish having cut off contact with Martin, however necessary it may have been. Reminders that he is still as doggedly helpful as ever leave her oddly sad. ]
I will affix it to my sash when able, [ she says, already calculating the optimal placement alongside her three other badges. For now, she stows it.
And promptly changes the subject. ] Do you require any assistance opening for today?
[ Some of which are still stacked upside-down on the tables to facilitate cleaning the floor. And it's a task he could as easily attend to himself, but he does have ulterior motives for wanting Arid to stick around right now.
He heads back behind the bar to collect some cleaning supplies, his voice slightly muffled as he stoops down. ] Martin tries his best to help. [ He carefully ventures. Standing back up, he spares Arid a glance before starting to polish the surface of the bartop with his customary thoroughness. It's unnecessary to do it as often as he does, perhaps, but since every aspect of running the pub is now at his discretion, he takes a certain amount of pride in maintaining it. It isn't just a business, it's his business. ]
Can I ask what happened? Between you and him.
[ Martin hadn't shared the details and Arid's brusque reaction has him curious. He doesn't mind acting as an intermediary, particularly in instances like this, but he worries it might be bothering Arid. ]
[ Holidays aren't exactly relevant to his brand of demon, but Paimon's curiosity and desire to learn have had him very interested in what's going on with this. When he learned it was a time of giving, it's definitely been on his radar. Maintaining his bonds with others in this place is extremely important for him; he often bestows little gifts to people. Now here's a time designated for that.
He's been practicing his art, and he's evolved to making more detailed miniatures again (something a past self used to do.....) Delivered sometime on the 25th, left on the porch, is a figure:
The little doll is very intricately made, comprised of different pieces and parts of random things he's been collecting over time, glued and fastened together. For Arid, the inspiration is the form he'd sensed something of her in, in his way. Birds are his favourite things to work with (.....sometimes literally; it's just a good thing he didn't use pieces of a real bird for this). Happy Holidays, Fellow Nonhuman Being. 👑 ]
[On the 25th Arid will find a gift has been left outside her door! According to the tag it's from Fern, and inside the meticulously wrapped package is a decoratively carved skull.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text | un: kd6-3.7 (misfire event)
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If Arid were more tactful, she would acknowledge it as none of her business and respond with nothing more than a notification that the message was sent in error. However, Arid is not more tactful.]
You are unable to harm humans?
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[ Between Rapture, the hyperviolent townspeople last month, and lacking a handler to provide these orders, this limitation has been a struggle. If not for Tech Boy's intervention, it's likely K would've already experienced his first death. And then he notices the error— ]
Arid? Sorry, that was intended for another recipient.
[ At least this isn't nearly as awkward as it would be if that had been sent to an unsuspecting human... ]
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[It does not occur to Arid that perhaps she should apologize for prying into matters that are not her concern.]
Have the humans here attempted to harm you before? Are you at all able to defend yourself in the event of an attack?
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un: mkblackwoodesq; text
I know how horrible his abilities can be, so I wanted to make sure there aren't any lingering effects you're experiencing. And I wanted to check if there's anything I can do for you to help make amends, or at the very least, make things a little easier for you.
If you'd rather not have me involved, please don't feel obligated in any way to respond to this message. And again, I'm so very sorry for what he did to you. Whatever reasons he thinks he had, they're not sufficient, and I'll do my best to keep him away from you.
text;
How very human, to assign the task of remorse to another.]
You did not attempt to bind me. Your apology is irrelevant.
[His apology is also suspect. After all, the Archivist had informed her that his abilities are even more effective on humans. It seems a reasonable enough explanation why this one would accept responsibility for the misdeeds of another.]
Do you apologize because he compelled you to do so?
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No. We haven't talked about me doing this at all. I just know that after what he did to you, it's probably better that he not speak to you.
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text | un: kd6-3.7
chronologically after Martin has contacted her, now extremely concerned. ]Are you all right?
Martin Blackwood just contacted me explaining how his friend may have "accidentally compelled" you to give him information, leading to you injuring him. He said his friend's ability can be traumatic and that he has no control over it. I'm dubious of the latter claim, but I have little information to go on.
What did he do to you?
[ Not "what did you do to him", because he sincerely doubts Arid is at fault here. And for the sake of full disclosure, he provides a verbatim copy of his exchange with Martin. ]
I apologise if it was inappropriate to provide him with your contact information. In hindsight I would have preferred to pass the message on myself so you won't have to deal with either of them again. Martin has been kind to me during our limited contact over the network, but in light of this situation I'm unsure what to think.
text;
I am functional.
His friend’s name is Jonathan Sims. After he arrived, he asked me questions about what I had seen in Deerington. Initially, I believed I was answering of my own volition, but it soon became apparent that I could not censor myself nor cease speaking. I performed a soft reboot of my systems and ran a self-diagnostic. At first, I believed he had reactivated my former rules, but the diagnostic could not find evidence of this. I told him to cease in his attempts to bind me and that I had already disclosed everything of relevance.
He did not listen. So I attacked him.
[She does not regret it. She had told him to stop and warned him that there would be consequences should he continue. That he had disregarded her is his fault, not hers.
She reads through the log KD6-3.7 has provided of his conversation with Martin Blackwood, gratified to see how KD6-3.7 had defended her actions—and displeased by the implied logic that had been used in the decision to bind her. Jonathan Sims had felt “threatened” by her lack of reaction to human deaths—deaths she would not even have been describing if not for his coercion—and had perhaps assumed she was one of the “demonstrably evil people” he could subjugate with impunity. How convenient for him.
After a moment, she responds with the logs of her own conversation with the human.]
I do not fault you for providing him with my contact information. It is better that he received that information from one who could explain my perspective.
Martin Blackwood does not seem outwardly hostile. However, he is determined to protect Jonathan Sims. I do not know if he will be so understanding if Sims attempts to compel me again and I react accordingly.
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Sims ignored your request to stop. It's unclear whether his ability makes him incapable of stopping himself or if that was a conscious choice to continue violating you. I'm concerned the latter is what happened and the offer of an apology now is suspect, especially coming from an uninvolved party.
[ If Arid had a more passably human appearance, would it have reached that point in the first place? It's hardly unreasonable to assume there's bias against synthetics at play here. ]
Either way he can't be trusted, that's abundantly clear. I think maybe Martin can under normal circumstances, judging by his honesty, but there's a distinct possibility Sims may have him bound the way he did you. It's equally as likely Martin will act in the best interests of his friend of his own volition.
You should also have someone who will act in your best interests if it becomes necessary. I'd like to accompany you for this in-person meeting, if you're comfortable with that.
[ The thought of Arid facing the two men alone doesn't sit right with him, never mind that she's obviously capable of taking care of herself. This is more about the moral support. And he can probably incapacitate a human without causing them harm, if it does become necessary...
Sent a few moments afterward, as a slightly amused afterthought: ] Have you noticed the way humans assume all synthetics know each other simply because of what we are? Maybe we should start a club with the Technical Boy and Seven.
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un: mkblackwoodesq; text
text;
She certainly isn't expecting an offer of pie.
There is. A long pause.]
I do not have a mouth.
[ If Martin were actually there, he would detect more bafflement in her voice than irritation. The notion that a human would think of her of all people while producing baked goods is perplexing in the extreme.
But then she remembers something he had said during their in-person meeting—something the Archivist had compelled him to say. ]
I have no interest in providing a written statement.
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I didn't ever expect one. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I just thought you might like something sweet.
If there's anything else you like and... is relevant to you, please let me know. We're all working together here, and I'm trying to prepare for as many different things Deerington might throw at us as possible. I can keep an eye out for anything that might help you.
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video; un: KovacMD
He's not entirely sure what the worst is here, but that's definitely it. In Deerington, that's always it.
He holds the fluid at a slightly wrong angle, betraying that he's not overly familiar or confident with this level of video technology.]
Arid? Are you there? It's Luka. Call me back if you're getting this.
video;
In her efforts to flee from him, she had unthinkingly returned to her own residence—and then proceeded to stand guard at the door for the next hour, sidearm in hand. She does not know what it means that Josephs is here. She does not know what it means that he had become intangible when she had lashed out in an attempt to silence his cruel words or that his skin had glowed a luminescent red. He had not pursued her. Had it been inability or disinterest that had stilled him?
The question gnaws at her until she's startled by the chime of the Fluid on her wrist. The message ID reads as Luka. She remembers that he had prevented her from seeking deactivation, even invited her into his home to conceal her from her pilot. They are even now. Still, she hesitates to open it, reluctant to remove her attention from the door. It is only after another minute that she finally holsters her gun and allows the message to play.
If his earlier assistance had been surprising, his concern is more so now. She responds promptly. ]
I am in my own residence. My memories have been restored. [ It should be good news, but her tone is tense. Does he know something is wrong? Had he, too, seen the red figures? ]
I encountered my pilot.
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My memories have been restored. Oh. Yeah, that explains why she wouldn't stick around. Maybe she didn't like staying in a human's house or maybe she saw no logical point in staying, now that she was back to normal. Or maybe she's the robo version of embarrassed. Did she do embarrassed? She sure did anger and contempt, so why not that. She doesn't sound particularly happy about it. Is she angry with him? Had he miscalculated, had he somehow misunderstood what deactivation would entail?
But then she mentions her pilot and Luka gapes at the camera.]
What?
[That's almost more surprising than her being back to her old self. He immediately looks around the house for signs of struggle or at least a break in but there's nothing.]
I didn't tell anyone you're here. I don't know how he could have found you here. Are you okay?
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fin!
un: martink; text
I wanted to warn you that Jon is alive again. And I want to know what I can do to make you feel safer when he's still around here.
I don't like that you killed him. But I can understand why. I never want him to hurt you again. I know I can't control that completely, but whatever I can do.
text;
If your care is genuine, the opportunity to demonstrate it ended with his trial.
[ Would Arid ever admit to feeling betrayed? Perhaps not, but her anger is on full display. She extends so little trust to humans and still they manage to disappoint. How foolish does Martin think she is to hope she might still believe that his interest is in her protection at all? ]
Instead, I will address your true priority:
If you wish for Jonathan Sims to remain alive, do not allow him to enter my presence again.
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He came home after what he did to you and told me what happened. We talked... I found out he had a potion that might be able to stop his powers. Or it might kill him.
I made him take it, Arid. It's why he didn't see you coming.
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[action] a special one-of-a-kind patch for Arid
(His own Beholding-blocking item, the katydid brooch, is already pinned to his dress shirt.) ]
This is for you. According to Martin, it's supposed to help block Sims's abilities.
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That is... useful.
[ More than useful, it is immensely reassuring. It means that no matter what course Sims may take in the future, at least she and her immediate allies are protected. As for the source... Arid tries not to linger on that. She does not relish having cut off contact with Martin, however necessary it may have been. Reminders that he is still as doggedly helpful as ever leave her oddly sad. ]
I will affix it to my sash when able, [ she says, already calculating the optimal placement alongside her three other badges. For now, she stows it.
And promptly changes the subject. ] Do you require any assistance opening for today?
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[ Some of which are still stacked upside-down on the tables to facilitate cleaning the floor. And it's a task he could as easily attend to himself, but he does have ulterior motives for wanting Arid to stick around right now.
He heads back behind the bar to collect some cleaning supplies, his voice slightly muffled as he stoops down. ] Martin tries his best to help. [ He carefully ventures. Standing back up, he spares Arid a glance before starting to polish the surface of the bartop with his customary thoroughness. It's unnecessary to do it as often as he does, perhaps, but since every aspect of running the pub is now at his discretion, he takes a certain amount of pride in maintaining it. It isn't just a business, it's his business. ]
Can I ask what happened? Between you and him.
[ Martin hadn't shared the details and Arid's brusque reaction has him curious. He doesn't mind acting as an intermediary, particularly in instances like this, but he worries it might be bothering Arid. ]
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gift | December 25th
He's been practicing his art, and he's evolved to making more detailed miniatures again (something a past self used to do.....) Delivered sometime on the 25th, left on the porch, is a figure:
The little doll is very intricately made, comprised of different pieces and parts of random things he's been collecting over time, glued and fastened together. For Arid, the inspiration is the form he'd sensed something of her in, in his way. Birds are his favourite things to work with (.....sometimes literally; it's just a good thing he didn't use pieces of a real bird for this). Happy Holidays, Fellow Nonhuman Being. 👑 ]
Dec 25
Merry Christmas, Arid!]
[Delivery]
It's a bouquet of flowers! And it comes with a handwritten note:]
Hey,
I just learned about this rad human holiday where you give people stuff if they're important to you, so I hope you like flowers!
And if this isn't how the holiday works, sorry. I'm trying my best here.
-Fern