Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

... One skeleton...?

You mean ... has Jack disappeared?!

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[Incredibly, someone was actually able to decipher the truth from her seemingly random question. Considering who it was, Hel wasn't surprised. Lydia seemed to know almost everyone here.]

.... Yes.

[Averting her eyes]

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Oh, no. ... I hope he's okay.

[she frowns]

We've only had a few people disappear, but I'm beginning to think it's something we should bring up to Merlin. Dreamfinder has enough trouble keeping the mirror in order, and Hades probably doesn't care.

[a pause]

Are you okay? Do you want some company?

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...

[Lydia was meant to take this silence for a "me too", though that likely wasn't obvious. That being said she added the following:]

If he's been taken by corrupt beasts they'll release him as soon as he drives them nuts with his optimism... and incessant questions.

[Ie. She had some confidence that he would be able to fend for himself wherever he ended up, despite her misgivings. As to the comment about Merlin, she had her doubts that the old wizard would have any answers for them.]

I'm fine. I'm not the one that's missing. [Or in other words: yes] ... but if you're so upset I suppose I could meet you for tea.

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[she's no expert, but she's still good enough at reading between the lines that she can tell Hel is more upset than she's letting on. if nothing else, she's a teenage girl: she speaks exaggerated complaining]

Tea sounds perfect on a cold day like this. Do you want me to come over, or would you rather meet somewhere else?

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[It's fortunate for Hel that she does]

You can come over. It should be ready by the time you get here.

[... because what was this going out in the cold idea? She might be a queen herself but she was not Ice Queen Skadi.]

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Okay, thanks.

[she takes a second to rifle through the kitchen and raid their cabinets for a tin of cookies from the Emporium. there are chocolates, too, but raiding their candy stash without consulting Mal seems like a Bad Idea. she puts her hair up in its usual explosion of goth, then heads over to Hel's apartment. she's got a neat knee-length dress on with dark red leggings underneath]

Hey - I brought some cookies.

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[With the initial transmission concluded, Hel placed her mirror aside and set to work preparing the tea. As the water heats up, she stares at the teapot wondering what they're even going to talk about once Lydia gets here. The short duration was long enough to give her second thoughts, but whatever, she's committed now. Upon hearing the other's arrival she heads to the door to let her in. The new dress fits in with the decor rather nicely.] .. That's new. [Acknowledging it]

… [Looking to the tin briefly, she looked back up at Lydia] Come in. [Stepping aside she she could. The scent of tea wafted into the seating area from the kitchenette] You didn't have to bring anything. [Thanks or something] You can sit wherever, I'll go get the tea. [It wasn't long after that that she returned with two cups. Placing the tray down on the little in table she took a seat across from Lydia]

…. [So...]

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Thanks. I found the fabric and the pattern at the Emporium.

[she waits for Hel to step aside and invite her in, then takes a seat and looks around. only as she's waiting does she realize that she came to spend time with someone she doesn't know very well at all, and that they only have a few things in common: a brief friendship with Jack, a love for all things creepy, and their Apprentice class. she tries hard to remember the advice Sylvando gave her for starting up good conversations, and wraps her hands around her teacup]

This smells really good - what is it? I don't think I've ever had this kind before.

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Must have been before the Christmas invasion... [When everything in the shops all seemed to transform into reds, greens, and whites]

[The pair of them had realized the immediate problem which was essentially 'how does one small talk?'. Usually Hel had other companions that would contribute, pushing things forward but left to her own....

She thought back on previous encounters, as she collected the tea for distribution. Since she didn't know much about the human girl, Hel could ask literally anything without fear of too much repetition. Once situated she answered the first question that was posed.]

It's jasmine silver needle tea. [White in coloration it was a pleasing combination of subtle flavors. The jasmine could have been overpowering if not for the blend.] So..... you knew Jack too? [#nailedit.]

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Yeah, they had some really great stuff around Halloween.

[she took a slow sip of tea, careful not to burn her mouth.]

We only spoke a few times. I really wanted to get to know him more ... he told me a little bit about the world he came from, and that everyone he knew spent all year getting Halloween ready for the rest of the world. I'd never heard of anything like that before ... except for the stories about Santa Claus and the North Pole. Did your world have any stories like that?

[she paused] Then again, you might not even have the same holidays, huh.... is it really different here, for you?

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( ciri would be thrilled if she never heard about halloween again for a long, long while. still, she couldn't help but notice the undertone of sadness in princess hel's tone. even so... she wasn't about to bring notice to it since the other girl didn't outright speak on what bothered her. )

No, I got rid of all that shit faster than you could say, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater. You could perhaps craft one with the right essentials, though.

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[It was likely for the best that Ciri did not mention what she had picked up on for Hel would have denied it. She was not one that was good at showing her affection for others so you really did have to read between the lines.]

Considering that it's been months, this is what I fully expected. [It wouldn't be the same anyway. A decoration had no more personality than a doormat, so the room would still feel empty] I have been working on some spells.....

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Spells to conjure a skeleton?

( she certainly didn't want to make hel uncomfortable. but the lack of snark was a bit distressing. )

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[That question prompted a stern look to the screen which might have allayed some of Ciri's concerns. Hel was upset about this sure, but she was still her fiery queen of the underworld self]

What use would that sort of spell be normally? ... I meant in general but I could adapt one of those for the task.

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( ciri couldn't help but roll her eyes in response. )

You're the one moping about a bloody skeleton, Hel. What else am I meant to think? Stow your pointed looks for someone who warrants them rather than someone attempting to sort out while you're so glum. ( she shook her head. ) What sort of spells have you been attempting, then?

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....... I'm not moping.

[She was totally moping]

[Since Ciri insisted on this direction for the conversation, Hel switched his over to private]

All I'm trying to do is to finish reorganizing my room and you're giving me a hard time about it. [Sure. Hel tried to maintain this story for a few more lingering minutes, but when it was clear that no one was buying it she fessed up.] Jack Skellington... is gone.

[a beat]

We shared a room. That's all.

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That's a load if I've ever heard one. ( of bull, that is. she shook her head but raised her brows when hel actually ... confessed to her. ciri hadn't exactly expected that from her. she smiled though albeit more sympathetically than anything else. )

Hel, it's alright to miss someone that you grew accustomed to being around. Do you want some company? I may not be as brilliantly chipper as he was but I am willing to be there for you.

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[If Ciri didn't want to be shot another look, she was going about it the wrong way. It made it worse that she was on the money here. Sure, Hel was trying to mask he more sentimental side but it was clear that she had failed to do so on two counts now.]

[It wasn't alright, at least not to Hel. It denoted a weakness in her and she hated to admit that she had any] What's to miss? Now I have all this space to myself as it always should have been. [If it had been anyone else, Hel likely would have tried to throw her roommate out to start with, but she had an affinity for the deceased, skeletons inparticuliar] I guess you could come over and help me finish up... [The work was already done, it was the company she was after]

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