Chapter 8 - Festive Season

[photonicfighter]

[Action A - 458 Stone Street]

[Regular life in Mayfield, as much as Dakki had previously come to dislike it, was a relief in comparison to what had happened after Thanksgiving. She had been content to just live, and tend to the house, and take care of her drone daughters, and pet Chen, and be so, so thankful that Gat was still there...

Then came a small box for her in the mail, that morning. Which reminded her of all her previous discontenment, and then filled her with excitement. It could be her body! HER BODY! He real, honest-to-light body, right there, in that box! She scooped it up, tucked the other mail under one arm, and rushed back inside.]

I have mail! I have mail! Guys, guys!

[It was all plunked down on the kitchen table, and Dakki ripped the lid off of her package in her excitement. And seeing what was inside, her face fell. It was not her body. It was a small stock of Gurhalian healing items.]

...aw, c'mon! That's not fair!

[Action B - Library]

[Once again, Dakki finds herself at the town library. While it may hold few new cookbooks for her, she's on the hunt for something different this time. And there are three or four books already held in the crook of her left arm. They're all about knitting. Approach?]

[Action C - Shopping]

[Having decided for herself that she's going to learn how to knit, she's off to get supplies. Getting the needles was no real problem, but picking yarn.. that's tough. She's holding up two different balls of red, each with a slightly different shade, trying to make up her mind.]

If I could just get one of each... no, it'd cost too much...

[Phone, evening]

I didn't even realize it until everyone else started talking and decorating but... Christmas is coming, isn't it? It seems a little different than the Christmas I'm familiar with... but there are still presents, right? And trees? And special food?

Although... on the subject of presents... I'm not sure what I can get for my friends. I can't afford to buy them all something big. I'd like to make something... but I'm a bad cook, and I'm only just learning how to knit... Would anyone have any suggestions...?

Comments

[nanocerancowboy.livejournal.com]

[In Gat's case, he wasn't aware that the town sends commonplace items from home like that, which was part of his surprise. On the other, well—he can't understand why Dakki hasn't gotten her body back while it was the first thing they sent him.]

[Does the town know that's what she wants, and is keeping it from her?]

[Gat crosses over to Dakki and puts a hand on her shoulder.]

[photonicfighter]

[Why hadn't she gotten her body back yet? Her Mun is a horrible, horrible person Who knows?

She sighs when Gat puts a hand on her shoulder. And then laughs and gives a shrug to encourage him to move it away.]

It's still useful. Here. You should take a few, in case of emergency. [She offers a trimate to him with one hand, and an antimate with the other.]

[nanocerancowboy.livejournal.com]

[Gat doesn't offer any resistance when Dakki shrugs his hand off, putting it back down by his side. However, he remains attentive to Dakki—Gat glances at the trimate and antimate, and shakes his head.]

I don't got a place to put them things yet. No nano transformer of my own.

Hang onto 'em for now. I'll have to get some kinda pouch I can fix to somethin'.

[Looking thoughtful, Gat props an elbow up with a hand, lightly tapping his chin with a knuckle.]

Maybe I'll jus' wear th' belt I was usin' when I was still human.

[photonicfighter]

You can always get a bag? I think that's what people did, before they had nano transformers.... [She laughs. She's teasing.]

I'll keep them safe. You let me know when you have somewhere to put one, right? Even if you have to rummage for it for a few seconds, you'll still have it.

The belt's not a bad idea at all.

[nanocerancowboy.livejournal.com]

[Gat shrugs.]

Bag, pouch, it's all th' same thing.

[His tone of voice suggest he's taking it in good humor, though. However, he looks at Dakki more directly after that—and his tone of voice changes to something more somber.]

You'll get your body back some day, Dakki. They can't keep it from ya forever.

[photonicfighter]

Backpack, knapsack, purse... [She bites the inside of her cheek to help stifle a snicker.]

...no. No, they can't. Maybe I've been wanting it too hard.

[Her expression becomes darker and more thoughtful, too.]

How well do people usually treat you, Gat? They might be surprised to see you, but... they aren't distrustful? Scared?

[nanocerancowboy.livejournal.com]

[Well, that was a bit out of left field! Gat tilts his head in an inquisitive manner.]

Here in Mayfield? Well—I ain't met anyone who's been scared or distrustful of me outright, naw. Most folks just seem surprised to see a CAST walkin' around.

[A beat. There's a tinge of concern in his voice now.]

Has anyone been givin' you trouble?

[photonicfighter]

[She suddenly looks embarrassed. Oh dear, is she making Gat worry, now?]

Not really... trouble. A few people have been a little leery of me once they hear that I'm a CAST. [There's a pause, and she lowers her head slightly.] Well.. wait, that's not the main factor, I don't think... it's interesting to be a CAST, but alarming to be a CAST that has weapons and has made a career out of using those weapons on things...

[Her head snaps upwards. Revelation has descended. Enlightenment of some sort has been reached.] ...everything makes a bit more sense, now.

[nanocerancowboy.livejournal.com]

[That causes Gat to tilt his head inquisitively.]

What're ya sayin'?

[photonicfighter]

[Dakki laughs, somewhat embarrassed now.]

I'm sorry. I should start from the start. Taiwan seemed a little frightened of me, once she found out that I was supposed to be a CAST. But there aren't any artificial lifeforms like us where she comes from, I think.

I was just a bit upset at the idea of her being upset. I'm not a bad person.

[nanocerancowboy.livejournal.com]

Huh ... Never met somebody by that name.

[Gat holds the back of a fist up near his chin in thought, while supporting its elbow with his other hand.]

Can't say I've really met anyone who's acted frightened, though. Though there was that one car that slammed on th' brakes when I was walkin' past, a while back.

[Gat shrugs.]