I feel like Saint Nicholas is pulling my leg

[cloistre]

[So. THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED, LONDON. It is Christmas. A light snow falls upon the city, and even the Old Ones seem quiet and non-existent against the hustle and bustle of people giving gifts or doing emergency shopping despite the chances that literally nothing is actually open right now.

But that's probably just wishful thinking. You could pretend, if you tried hard enough.

What are you doing?]

Comments

[birdenesque]

[At least she doesn't invade her personal space any further than her current perch. She's too happy for that. Yay! She helped!]

I'm glad I could help, miss!

[Then, oh right name! When she speaks, it somehow comes off like some really uncomfortable translation that doesn't parse right. Except it's a name. What even.]

Yulia Raskolnikov, at your service.

[Her energy can power an entire city's lightbulbs.]

[cloistre]

[... Unsettling! Because Carine is not A Michi, she is slightly disturbed and it shows clearly on her face, but because she is played by me, she continues to speak politely anyway. Or as close to it as she can get, anyway.]

Carine Regnaldi. You're the first useful person I've met in this country. It is... a pleasure.

[birdenesque]

[It is obviously all in her head, simply because this girl is an idiot. If she were standing, there is the highest probability she'd be bouncing at that compliment.]

I'm useful! Thank you much, miss Carine! 'ts a pleasure to meet you as well!

[cloistre]

[... Unsettling and worrying. If she's here waiting for things to die down back home, she might as well look into it later. We'll see.]

Do you live here?

[birdenesque]

Mhm! Me and Stephen took an abandoned building near the river.

[It should only be worrying in the sense that there is someone this bird-brained that exists. You do not tell people you are homeless, what if she's a cop, ughhh-]

[cloistre]

[Well, she can't really judge anyone for not knowing things, with her upbringing, so...]

You took it? I heard rumors that people sometimes washed up on the Thames from parallel worlds. Is that the case, or are you just poor?

[Carine do you even know what being poor means.]

[birdenesque]

A bit a both, really.

[So poor, washed up in the Thames, then got poorer. Best luck ever.]

[cloistre]

Would you and your friend care to move? I'm staying in my family's summer home.

[birdenesque]

[Blink. ... That came out of literally nowhere.]

I would have to ask him first, but I doubt he'd mind. Why?

[cloistre]

I thought I would try being "nice," for Christmas.

[birdenesque]

[Give her a moment she's staring at you like you offered her the universe and some really nice shoes.]

I... I would like that, but I'm not sure our services could make it up to you, miss.

[cloistre]

Company is good enough. I'm dealing with one freeloader already. You're welcome to stay.

[birdenesque]

[She will figure out some kind of nice present to get you nice lady!]

...I would hug you, but you seem to like your arm's distance, da? I promise to repay your kindness somehow!

[cloistre]

[... Awkward.]

... Yes. I do.

No payment is needed.

[birdenesque]

That's why I'm still over here, mm?

[It is a miracle and a half that she didn't go through with said hug anyway. And still hasn't. It means the personal space really is respected.]

I know that! But I'm paying you back anyway.

[cloistre]

I have more than enough money.

[Because. That is the only way you pay people. Right?]

[birdenesque]

There's more to life than money, mm!

[Her presents will now remain eternally a secret.]

[cloistre]

Yes. I'm learning that.

[birdenesque]

Then I'll help you learn faster!

[cloistre]

... All right. Thank you.