fifteen truffula stumps

[shortishandbossy]

 [He hasn't been to his room since Christmas. Mostly because there's a pile of rocks arranged in the shape of a circle in the middle of his room. The word that's been carved into the largest stone is one he could go the rest of his life without ever seeing again. He wish he could.

So now he's near the tree again, feet feeling cold in the snow. Just standing there with an odd look on his face.]

...I've never gotten a gift before, from anyone. Don't usually celebrate holidays. I'm not even the one that needs the gift I got from the castle. Guess it's supposed to be a cruel joke or somethin'.

Comments

[the_effect_she_has]

[Oh god damnit, this was all they needed. The castle giving people cruel gifts. And even though she didn't know the voice on the other end, she couldn't help but reach out.]

What did this damned pile of stones give you?

[shortishandbossy]

[He can't help but chuckle at her choice of words.]

A smaller pile of stones.

[the_effect_she_has]

That ... is a really horrible present. You know what you should do? Throw them at the windows.

Dictated forever

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler has been quietly coming apart at the seams since Ted's leaving, but at least it says that not everything is lost that the Lorax's entry makes him pay attention to the journal at last]

What did it give you? [There's concern in his tone, somewhere amongst all the bitterness and tiredness]

and ever

[shortishandbossy]

Nothing for you to be concerned about right now.

[shortishandbossy]

What good would that do?

[whichwayyoulean]

...That bad?

[shortishandbossy]

I don't want to put you in any worse of a state, kid.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, it would make me feel better. I'm not sure about you.

[shortishandbossy]

I'm not too big on vandalizing thing.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, you've got a pile of stones ... and you seem to be of a more ... moral note than me. [A wry smile.] You could always build a flower bed. That's what Prim would have done.

[strangewonders]

The castle does seem to enjoy those.

[shortishandbossy]

That's not a bad idea. Would have to wait until spring, though.

[shortishandbossy]

At least it's getting a nice laugh out of it.

[strangewonders]

That I'm sure it is...

Then again, I seem to recall holidays are always rife with emotional baggage. Perhaps it's just trying to play the part of everyone's least-favorite relative.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, spring's a few months away. You could do some planning, until then. Build something new, here.

[fissions]

[ Mako's new here, but even she knows that this isn't right. The strangeness of an orange, bearded, little individual aside... ]

Could you return it?

[shortishandbossy]

I guess so. Couldn't hurt.

[shortishandbossy]

But I don't have relatives in the first place.

[shortishandbossy]

It didn't come from a store.

[strangewonders]

No? You're better off.

[the_effect_she_has]

...I would still save at least one rock to throw, though. That's just me.

[whichwayyoulean]

...


Please tell me it's not a Bar-ba-loot or something.

[shortishandbossy]

You can have one to throw on your own if you like.

[shortishandbossy]

No, it's not a Bar-ba-loot. Why would the castle give me a Bar-ba-loot?

[shortishandbossy]

Debatable.

[whichwayyoulean]

The castle sent me Melvin last year so it's possible.

[the_effect_she_has]

That is very sweet of you. Giving one of your own rocks. Tell you what, I'll trade you. What would you like?

[shortishandbossy]

Well, this year the castle sent me a pile of rocks.

[whichwayyoulean]

Well, that's weird, why would the castle send you...

[There's a horrible silence as that sinks in.]

Oh.

[strangewonders]

I suppose... It likely depends on the type of relatives one ends up with.

[shortishandbossy]

Yeah, "Oh" is right.

[shortishandbossy]

It's not like I actually need it. And I don't want anything from you. [Trying not to sound as rude as can be whoops]

[shortishandbossy]

I wouldn't know the ideal type to have either way.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well fair - and the point of presents is not that you want something, but someone gives you something in turn. [Rude? Pls.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[It could be worse, he guesses. At least he's used to the word following him around]

Sorry you didn't get the giant unending pile of pancakes you actually wanted.

[shortishandbossy]

Why would I need those if you're already here to make 'em?

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh right, sorry. Forgot for a second I was your personal pancake slave.

[It feels good to joke again, albeit briefly]

[shortishandbossy]

Could use some right about now, actually.

[shortishandbossy]

I'm new to the whole Christmas thing. Never actually participated.

[the_effect_she_has]

This is my second. Don't you all have something similar?

[strangewonders]

Hmm. Well, it's like having friends, but a lot more difficult to deal with if you wind up not getting along.

[whichwayyoulean]

That's the joy of living in a magical wishing castle.

[shortishandbossy]

Or having someone who's capable around with probably nothin' to do.

[whichwayyoulean]

I wonder where you'd find a person like that.

[shortishandbossy]

No idea.

[whichwayyoulean]

Maybe you should do a poll.