Second feather [Video-phone / Monday afternoon]

[charcoalfeather]

[Out and about in the city, Rakka was walking down the streets, wrapped in winter clothes and trying to avoid any contact with anyone. The introduction to the numbers club had made her even more apprehensive of others than before, if that was even possible. All of the information that traveled through her mind sent shivers down her spine. She was in a battle now, whether she wanted to be or not. Stopping in front of a store, she stared at the window for a moment, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do.]

[The network opens and the screen focuses on a store window, a small nativity scene set up in the window. A tiny manger, with a tiny baby, surrounded by tiny shepards, and a tiny flock of angels. The screen then moves, obscured by a finger, until it finally settles on Rakka's face. She doesn't seem to be sleeping well, which is likely a common side-effect of discovering that you're a reincarnate of someone else.]

Okay, so Christmas is coming soon. I'm still pretty new to this whole... numbers thing and all, so I have to know.

What's it like during the winter here? Is there going to be some kind of Christmas invasion I'll have to look out for now? Some information a few days in advance would be nice.

Comments

[Voice]

[espigeonage]

Huh. Hey, I just saw that display. I'm not too far - wanna meet me, Rakka?

[Voice]

[charcoalfeather]

Meet?

Uh, yeah sure. If you're up to it.

[cuze last time she heard form you you were kind of bleeding all over]

[espigeonage]

[He got better. Mostly.]

Sure! I'm keeping away from heavy exercise for a while, but here they've even got the sidewalks cleaned so no one'll slip. Isn't the snow nice?

I'd be the short guy with dark clothes and blue hair.

[charcoalfeather]

["Mostly"?]

Well... the snow is pretty nice.

[Reminds her of... things.]

Uh, okay. I'll be... the short girl in front of the store, ignoring and being ignored by everyone around her.

[espigeonage]

When you're warm and not shoveling it it certainly is! And I won't ignore you if you don't ignore me. We have a deal?

[charcoalfeather]

There is that.

[She things on it for a moment, then nods.]

Yeah, sure. Deal.

[Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[L is passing by when he notices the girl, just as his phone buzzes to alert him of a new post on the enigmatic numbers network. He recognizes her from her last post, and his footsteps slow.

He is a shabby creature, too pale and too thin, with dark eyes that are glazed and glassy. He looks like he hasn't combed his hair in days, and his blue coat has a tear in the shoulder that no one has bothered to mend.

Though he knows that he has something in common with this girl (the numbers club), striking up conversations was never his strong point.]

Have you ever noticed that in nativity scenes, there is never any blood from the childbirth in sight?

[Yeah. That's what I mean.]

[Action]

[charcoalfeather]

[Rakka's more rich looking attire probably stands in stark contrast to him. Her brown jacket isn't worn in the slightest and appears to be brand new and her hair is combed back. Though, she does share a kind of pale complexion.

She glances up at him when he speaks.]

I... uh, yeah? I have.

[What do you really say to that anyways?]

[Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[It is a ridiculous way to start a conversation with a relative stranger, and that is fairly objectively true. Rakka can be forgiven for not really having a more detailed and well thought-out reply at the ready.]

For accuracy's sake, it would probably make more sense if there was a bucket or something included in every nativity scene. I refuse to believe that even the birth of Christ came with no mess whatsoever.

[Action]

[charcoalfeather]

I...

[she really doesn't know how to respond to that. You're kind of throwing her for a loop, L.]

I guess... that would make more sense. I don't know much about the story actually. The angels are nice though.

[Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[That's, horribly unfortunately, just what he does. Even in a world of weirdos, L sticks out as a really, really odd duck.]

The story is that God remotely impregnated a woman. That man, Joseph, is the poor sap stuck raising a deity's son.

Do you like angels?

[The relative normalcy of the question might actually be jarring at this point.]

[Video]

[destinedforrock]

We~ have. Never had threat of monster invasion looming over oour heads in the winter before, dear, that I recall; can't tell you what to expect!

[Being playful and flippant, not overtly teasing.]

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

...Well, that's helpful.

[Video]

[destinedforrock]

Perhaps it's not, dear, but it's true!

[Bats her ears and tosses her head aside for a moment.] I should hope not, though, of course.

That we have a - "winter invasion" to look forward to. This is going to be my first Christmas with the Bells. [Needless to say that's not the only reason to hope all goes smoothly, but she does sound a tad agitated on that point.]

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

And it's going to be my first christmas in this city. [She looks to the side for a moment.] I wonder if my parents will give me anything this year...

[She looks back.] B-but yeah, I hope not too. Don't want to find an exploding snake in my stocking.

[Video]

[allformii_ko]

It's really cold.

[Winter, that is. Apparently.]

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[Hello.... cat.]

Uh, yeah. It's a lot colder than back home.

[Video]

[allformii_ko]

[She doesn't seem to notice Rakka's surprise at all.]

What's it like in your home?

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

Uh, well, it's... a lot warmer than here.

[Having come from the middle of Japan, Rakka was used to much more tropical weather.]

[Video]

[allformii_ko]

Warm would be good. It's so cold, usually I have to sleep right next to the he-- the heater!

[It takes her a second to remember the right word, but at least it's not a very difficult one.]

voice;

[unimpressive]

What was it like for you before?

[Totally the best place to start, totally.]

voice;

[charcoalfeather]

Before when I was normal? Pretty good.

Back home I got lots of stuff from my parents.

voice;

[unimpressive]

Back when you were normal?! [Well, that's one way to put it... He huffs out a breath, but still keeps his tone light when he continues to speak.]

Anyway, it doesn't matter! You're still you, right? So it shouldn't be that different from before!

voice;

[charcoalfeather]

But it is! Everything's different! I'm seeing things that I'd never see before! Getting memories of someone that's not me! And now I'm stuck in some kind of war between bugs and.... and whatever the hell we are!

voice;

[unimpressive]

Yeah, but... Even if you're remembering things from another you and all of this is happening, it's...

[Wait, this sounds weird... But, oh, what the hell, he'll say it anyway.] It's still not that different! You're still the same person, you just know different things now! That's all!