contemptibility | ｡voicemail

[Okay she should probably give some warning to the Embryon that she plans to drop off these cookies. And also a more personal present for Tiir.

Honestly she's not sure why she got into the spirit of the season so easily, when most of her friends are still gone, but . . . well, maybe it's a way of forgetting that.]

Moorning Tiir, merry christmas!! even you can't be a grump today, right?? （-＾〇＾-）

[. . . she's just kidding. mostly.]

\';

[A few moments later—]

That was an accident. Disregard that.

[Congrats, Yukari, you broke his brain.]

I wasn't aware I was being a grump. However, merry Christmas to you as well. That is the customary phrase, I assume?

[Relax, would you? It's just a text message, eesh, and she was just teasing besides --

Ah well. She's a bit confused at the first message, but when the second one comes, she just looks amused.]

Yea, it is. Haha, I guess you didnt really celebrate it much at home, huh?

[He can't even wrap his head around why Yukari is wishing him a merry Christmas, complete with a smiley face—]

Last year was the first time I'd heard of the holiday.

[It's okay -- Yukari's a little baffled herself. She's gotten a lot more presents than she usually does for others, even attempting to reconnect with people she hasn't spoken to in a while.

Currently, she's telling herself it's a good thing and leaving it at that.]

It's okay- it's not exactly rocket science ヽ( ´¬`)ノ
i'm sure you know how it works by now, unlke the locals

[She's a human. He's not. He used to hate humans. For that matter, she used to hate him.

How did they get here?]

They do seem to celebrate some things strangely.

You're supposed to give gifts to those you care about, correct?

[Protagonists happened.

It'd be hypocritical to hate him for what he is, when she's still friends with Serph the rest of the Embryon, right? Especially when his attitude on humans has . . . actually improved. That's where Minato came in . . .]

Yea, that's generally how it is. but it doesnt exactly work when the gifts are stolen from other people, hahaha...
That's actually why i txted you though- if you're not busy, ive got something for you ^^

well for all of the embryon, actually

[...

Eh?

His response might be coming in a little late, seeing as how he had to stare at that for a while.

And then think over his response.

And then stare some more.]

I'm not busy. I don't think the others are either.

[Slowpoke.

Oh, finally --]

Good! i'll stop by then if that's cool. but i probably won't stay too long, so no worries :P

[Other presents to deliver and all.]

[This is utterly baffling to him???]

That's fine. I'll wait outside. It'd probably be for the best that someone like Heat not be the first to see you.

...yea, you got a point there (ーー;)

I'll be over in a bit then. Wont take long

I'm sure the others will be happy to see you.

[... and maybe kind of him too.]

[RUDE, Tiir, tsunning is her job.

. . . She won't even dignify that with a response; she is just going to show up at the Embryons' doorstep as promised, a while later. The familiar dash of orange on the door greets her, and makes her smile.

Knock, knock, knock.]

[Hope you're not expecting for the door to open, Yukari, since as Tiir said, he's waiting outside. Or rather, while waiting, he decided to wander around the perimeter of the house in his usual restless.

It's while walking that he hears the knocking, and so he heads back to the side with the door.]

Ah, you're here.

[Oh, yeah. When no one was waiting for her near the door, she'd kind of forgotten that he said that . . .

But anyway, when she hears Tiir's voice, she turns around and gives him a nod.]

Yeah. Now you are, too.

[In her hands are what look like two gift bags -- one larger and one smaller. They're not labeled or anything, but look nice nonetheless.]

[He shrugs slightly.]

That I am.

[... This is weird. What is he supposed to do in this situation—]

Here.

[Before he can fret for long, Yukari holds up both of the bags and holds them out towards him.]

The big one has some cookies in it that I made for the whole tribe. You're going to want to share those . . .

But the smaller one's for you.

[He glances away for a quick moment before looking back at Yukari.]

... So you were serious.

[Not that he really thought that she was kidding—it still just hasn't entirely sunk in yet.

He manages a smile as he takes the bags.]

Well... thank you, then.

[She's about to say 'You're welcome,' though she can't help but fold her arms and and look offended instead at the implications.

. . . It's kind of hard to look mad for real though, since he's smiling for once and all.]

Well, I obviously wasn't lying.

[Hmpth!!]

... Ha. It seems that way, yes.

[This is so weeeeeeird.]

[. . . Awkward pause.

And also a lot of sudden staring, before she finally gives in, allowing her arms to fall back at her sides.]

Don't want to look inside?

[A beat.]

I understand. I'd be scared, too.

[The sarcasm, it is suffocating. Yes, she's teasing you.]

[...

He smiles wryly.]

I hadn't considered the possibility of it being dangerous, but thank you for reminding me.

[Surprisingly.]

So it's all right to, then?

[Yukari just nods, ignoring the implication that she'd even do such a thing. If she can tease, he can too, right?]

More than all right.

I . . . might have to explain a bit, so you should open it while I'm here.

[She figures this would be easier than writing a note.]

Very well, then.

[Opening it! And... what is this.]

[A gem! And if he looks closely, he can see it glow green, very faintly, in beats -- almost like a heartbeat.

She gives him a moment to take it in, and then finally asks.]

Ever seen one before?

[He holds it, turning it over in his hand.]

I can't say I have. What is it?

Something from Port Island. My world.

[Which means she got it from the Nostalgia Nook. But that's an easily overlooked detail; she won't stop there.]

It's . . . called a Garula Gem, and it casts Wind magic when you use it.

[...

He's silent for a moment, as he stares. He can't deny that it's a thoughtful gift, but...]

... You're truly giving something like this to me?

[Don't look so surprised, she wants to say. Jeez, what does he take her for . . . ?

But she opts for slightly different words instead.]

Well, I wouldn't get too excited. Unfortunately it's got limits, and it'll only work once before it's just another piece of jewelry.

[. . .]

But . . . yeah. I thought it'd come in handy.

[... A part of him is still dumbfounded—that she would trust him enough to give him a source of magic like this. For all she knows, he could put it to use in a way that she wouldn't want.

... Still, he manages a smile.]

... It likely will. Thank you—this is rather thoughtful of you.

[It's not like he can turn its powers against her. And if he tries to use it against someone else, for whatever reason, well . . .

He'd better not.

She nods to say you're welcome.]

I usually keep one or two on me in case of an emergency -- like, if I ever run out of magic or whatever. So just think of it as a fallback.

You probably won't need it . . . but ya never know.

Indeed. You can't be too careful, and it'll spare me the trouble of having to devour someone instead.

[. . . Just. Yep. Nodding. She winces a bit at the thought -- she hated devouring -- but maintains her composure.

It's been so long now.]

E- Exactly.

Um . . . [Whatever she'd been about to say had been lost. But after an awkward moment of silence, she continues:] So, just let me know if you ever have to use it.

I can show you where to get more.

[...]

I will. Thank you—it really is a thoughtful gift.

[It takes her a moment, but she nods in reply, rather proudly. For the first time that day, maybe it'd occurred to her how deeply she'd gotten involved with Christmas this year. It's a little embarrassing, but she still doesn't regret it.]

Don't forget to share the cookies. Tell the others I stopped by -- okay?

[He nods.]

I will.

[So next to Tiir's door lies a small box labeled "FOR TIIR". If he looks around, there is no address or name of the person who send it to him. However, if he does shake it around, there's not much of a sound. Instead, it sounded like it was soft.

Hi, Tiir, hope you like a knitted scarf because she has no idea what you like. Honestly, while he might not agree with it, it means a lot to Shirley to see that he was willing to talk to Walter.]

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