Open Lamentation - [Video] Open!

[paradoxical_personality]

[At first Hel was indifferent when her roommate unceremoniously disappeared. She had tried to convince herself that it really didn't matter and now she could do with the room as she pleased. That had included a little redecorating- though it hadn't required much since her aesthetics and Jack's had not been so far removed. As she looked around now at the room that was bathed in a mix of purples, blacks, and pinks she didn't really feel pleased by it.

There was something missing.

Something skeletal.

So with a shot of her new furnishings in the background she turned on the mirror and huffed out a sigh that was audible for all to hear]

Does anyone still have any decorations left over from Halloween? I think my room could use one skeleton.

[In some backwards way this was her manner of telling the populace that Jack was gone while also trying not to appear overly sentimental]

Comments

[paradoxical_personality]

...

[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.

[strangeandunusual]

[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?

[paradoxical_personality]

[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.]

[strangeandunusual]

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.

[paradoxical_personality]

[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...]

[strangeandunusual]

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.

[paradoxical_personality]

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.]

[strangeandunusual]

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?