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[Yarrick looks quizzical] ...Do tell.

[Yvette tiptoes up to Larry] Thank you for making today really special. You look amazing. [Smiles sincerely]

[Benny helps do the cooking while occasionally sneaking out and giving Kimmy cookies from the kitchen]
[Bridget is sat cuddling Kimmy on the sofa]

*Jordan looks at the spot, shrugs, and sits on Billy's lap*
J: I prefer it here.

~

*Maiev shakes her head at Verdai*
M: I can't imagine how it would have been to be there. But you're...Well, safe isn't the word I'd use, but you're here with people that, generally, want you here.
*Shrugs at him, and looks back at Kara, with mild worry, and mild amusement*

~

Amy: Is a secret. No spoils.

*Larry looks down at Yvette*

Larry: Thank you. I don't believe we have met. I am Larry.

*Larry bows his head*

*Leo nods*

Leo: O-ok.

[Yarrick looks thoughtful] Even if I become tickle-ninja?

[Yvette salutes] I'm Yvette, I only came here very recently, but you have all been so kind and welcoming. Thank you Larry.

[Bridget looks around] ..has anyone seen Perron?
[Kimmy stops chewing a reindeer and shakes head]

*Scatty smiles*
Scatty: So? Shall we go?


*Aoife walks out into the main room, tired of waiting and flops down on a sofa
Aoife: I wish Grandfather was here...
*Morri wraps a arm around her cousin's shoulders*
Morri: I know, but you've still got other family here too


*Billy grins*
Billy: That works, that works


*Quetz is preparing food and 'accidentally' leaves out a tray of cookies within easy reach of the twins and their new playmate*

-PURGED (EMANATUS RAMAZVOUS)-

Larry: You are welcome.

*Larry charges his spines again to make sure the lights on him don't go out*

*Leo nods*

Leo: Ok lets roll.

*smiles*
I might be.
*looks back at Verdai*
Believe me when I tell you this, the Fade is a huge part of many people's lives. But you can carry on.

*Amelia shakes her head*
Amy: Even then.

~

*Maiev sighs at Verdai*
M: Now is the time to be happy. Don't drag your depressing life into it.
*Takes Kara's hand and tries pulling her away from him*
M: ...

~

*Jordan smiles and leans into Billy slightly*

Hmm... I'm interested. Now, can you do me a favor? The Fade has certain properties. So does your universe's magic... and your demons. Can you write down their properties and ways to nullify them? Methods of dampening magic, destroying demons, etcetera. I'd like to know, so that never happens to me again.
*Blinks*
So, how is life?

[Bridget trots over to Verdai] [Smiles] It's been a while. Are you going to be staying and having food with us?

*Cal looks over at Billy and Jordan and smiles*
Cal: How are you two doing then?


*Scatty leads Leo into the main room*
Scatty: Hi everyone!
*Chorus of hellos from people*

Hello, Bridget. I'm glad to see you. Yes, I'll be staying. The food is excellent.
*Hasn't eaten a bite*

[Bridget cocks head] Verdai, you're lying to a daemon of excess... And right now you're an absolute sensation black hole...
[Looks concerned] Are you putting yourself on a diet?
Or you are not feeling... festive? [Smiles sadly]

*Leo waves as she holds Scatty's hand*

Leo: Lets go have some cookies. We put all that hard work into them.

*Larry starts to drools slightly*

*Larry then quickly head to the kitchen for something to eat*

*I trot over to where Kimmy is and crouch down in front of her*
And how's the cutest little girl this side of the Segmentum?
*I take off my helmet and clip it to my belt*

[Kimmy beams and floats some contraband cookies to WK while sshhhing very unconvincingly]

[Benny comes out of the kitchen and laughs] You were supposed to be keeping those secret before dinner.

*I chuckle softly and take the cookies*
Our little secret huh?

*Scatty nods*
Scatty: Sure! That'll work
*Heads into the kitchen to grab some milk and cookies*


*Milodinar, Dria and Morgan are already enjoying cookies and milk*
*Scatty sneaks up behind the twins and hugs them*
Scatty: Gotcha!
M&D: Aunt Scatty!
*Laughter*

Technically, I haven't lied. I am indeed glad to see you, and I'm sure the food is excellent. No, I'm not on a diet. And I don't feel festive at all. Can you see souls? How much of mine is left?

[Bridget looks at Verdai] ...Sit down with me, Verdai. [Pats sofa and sits] Why do you feel you have less soul?

-PURGED (EMANATUS RAMAZVOUS)-

*Leo smiles as she walks into the kitchen*

*She grabs a cookie and takes a bite*

Leo: Yet again Quetz has out done himself.

*Jordan shrugs*
J: Response: I have been fine. I am still figuring out my new capabilities.

I did get you something for the holidays Kimmy
*I reach into a belt pouch and pull out a small box full of chocolate*
Its from one of the best chocolate shops on my home planet of Macragge, I hope you like it

*Quetz bows his head to Leo*
Quetz: You are too kind!


*Scatty toasts Quetz with a glass of milk and her mouth full of cookie*


*Cal's brow furrows slightly*
Cal: Are you o-
Billy: It's fine Cal, don't worry.
*Billy waves Cal off and cuddles Jordan*
Billy: So, anythin' you wanna do? Christmas cookies? Sledding? I hear Orkmart added a artificial snowy hill just for that purpose
*Morri raises her eyebrows*
Morri: Really? That sounds like a great idea. Cal, I'll grab the twins and see if Milodinar wants to go, you go ask his parents if he can alright?
*Cal nods and they both wave to Billy and Jordan, Morri hugs Aoife and they depart*

*Jordan leans in close to Billy and whispers in his ear*
J: Inquiry: Do you want to prepare the keg of beer?

[Bridget puts her hand on Verdai's shoulder] ...You really have been through a lot.
But, you have your soul... It's as bright as ever.

You're worn, but souls are not a finite size. Much as any part of you can heal, your soul can too.
You do indeed leave parts of it in places, but it doesn't detract from the whole, because you just keep persisting and growing. And you take on parts of other people...
It's not like a paint can, Verdai. You can't run out of soul. [Smiles]
If I look at your soul I can see who has been in your life. I can see Eli left a trace, your friends, and even the enemies you've felt strongly for. You're not alone in there.
You do need rest though, feeling worn thin emotionally is something you need to take care of, and let people take care of you.

[Blinks] So the short answer is, you need time to heal.. And it's not something you can just will away.
It will feel terrible for a while. [Lifts Verdai's chin with her hands] But not forever.

...My soul must look like a poorly sewn quilt.
*Giggles*
I... think I need to check SAN. Wait, no. That's not right. That's a game stat, not a real construct. I'm not Wade.
*Looks relieved*
Thank you. I.... honestly appreciate it. Thank you for helping me. What constitutes rest? Amnestics and sleep? Just sleep? Is there a possibility that taking drugs that erase my memories isn't a good idea?

*Cal, Morri, the twins, Milodinar and Mia all start getting ready to go sledding*

*Morri walks over to Benny*
Morri: Hey, we're going sledding, and I wondered if you and Kimmy wanted to tag along?


Billy Sure thing!


*Cal pauses in the midst of helping Dria into her snow pants*
Cal: Hm. I feel like I forgot something...