maskormenace | 01 [video]

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01 [video]

[ The camera angle is a bit shaky and low to the ground, like someone has accidentally switched it on too early. Which is, in fact, the case.

But it soon corrects itself, however! Though it doesn't show the filmer's face, gloved fingers briefly cover the edge of the camera before moving again. The video pans to show a department store's clothing racks, bursting with Christmas cheer. Or...something. There's certainly a lot of snow-themed items, anyway. And red, and green, and things with reindeers and candy canes...there's so much choice. ]

Um. So, um...I kind of looked up some stuff on Christmas, but it's kind of confusing! And I asked people too, but a lot of them seemed kind of stressed, so...

I don't really understand what Christmas is supposed to be celebrating! And people kept saying different things, too, so...does it mean different things to different people...?

Um, so...that's what I want to know! What Christmas means to everyone! It's kind of new to me.

[ Mumble, mumble. There's a bit of silence - looks like the broadcast's over - but then something new occurs to him. ]

Oh! Um, also...I think I need to get some new clothes. I really like my old ones, but...I think I need to build up a wardrobe? [ SOMETHING LIKE THAT? ] But I don't know where to start.

So, um, I don't want to bother anyone! But...everything's really big, and there's so much, and I think I really need some help with it...

[ He trails off. And off goes the video, after a few seconds. Looks like he really is done this time. ]

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It can be difficult to glean the true meaning of any holiday you weren't raised with. It is very new to me as well, but from what I have heard, it is a holiday that is whatever you make of it. I rather like to think of it as one of togetherness and charity, but I am certain that there are many that would disagree.

And in that spirit, I would be happy to help you with your wardrobe.

We had holidays, but they weren't so, um...big. [ He's kind of overwhelmed by how big everything is. ] But that sounds nice! It's a little strange having a holiday that doesn't really have one big meaning, though...

[ There were festivals and everything, but it was pretty obvious what they were for. Then again, he hasn't seen that many festivals to be completely sure about it. ]

Oh! Really? Thank you! I've just...never seen so many clothes before. [ He seems embarrassed to admit it. He's trying to be an independent kid, after all. ]

Edited 2016-12-12 09:36 (UTC)

[He chuckles, a warm, comforting sort of sound.] I understand. The holidays on my world were far smaller than the affairs that they have here. But I have heard that America is rather unique in its... scale. Evidently other parts of the world are slightly less bombastic.

But it's a rather nice thing, I think, once you grow accustomed to it. Including the variety in clothing; there is more than even this country can wear. Perhaps we can begin at the mall?

[Oh no, he's adorable.]

You're celebrating friends and family and caring about each other and stuff! [And now, on to the important things:] What're you looking for in a new wardrobe?! What's your ideal style!

That sounds really nice! Um, I guess I don't really have any family here, though. [ He's hesitant to call them friends at this point. They're definitely more like family now. ] But, um, friends are nice! And caring about each other's nice too!

Um...I guess...long sleeves? Coats? Um, hats...?
I don't really know what an ideal style is...

[ HE SOUNDS A BIT LOST...

--do you have anyone from home here? [Mabel remembers how terrible it was to be the lone Pines for a while, and wouldn't wish that on anyone. But not everyone's lucky enough to get people from their world brought in after them. At least she can help with his fashion woes, though!]

Well! You're in luck 'cause it's winter and that stuff's all over the place! What city do you live in?

Not really. Um, no. But, um, it's okay! Because I should be independent, and everything...so it's better! I think.

[ He's nine years old and the little waver in his voice says a lot more about how he feels than his actual words do. But he's trying his best to be brave. Everyone else was, after all. ]

Um...I live in Nonah! [ He fumbles the word a bit. It's strange to him, even with the names he's used to. ]

[She hears that little waver. Independence is great when you're using it to go to the store on your own and buy a pie for literally every meal is awesome, but independence in the winter when you're really just lonely? Totally sucks. She cannot allow this to stand.]

You can be independent but also hang out with people! I'm in Nonah all the time, I can come help you shop. [And maybe make sure he has at least a cool housemate who will spend the holidays with him.] I know the best stores 'cause I've had to shop for my brother there a ton.

I'm not sure that's how it works... [ He sounds a bit lost. He's definitely not going to turn down an offer of company. ] Um, only if you have the time! I don't want to bother you or anything.

Oh! You have a brother? [ The only siblings he knows are....
Uh. He hopes they have a better relationship than that! ] What's he like? Does he get confused by so many clothes, too, since you have to shop for him?

I'm an independence expert! Trust me on this. [At 13 she's an expert on everything.] And you're totally not gonna be a bother! Like I said, I'm in Nonah all the time anyway and I need stuff to do while I wait for my friends to get out of school.

--oh he gets so confused by clothes. He's basically hopeless at dressing himself. [Sorry, Dipper. But it's true.] But other than that he's great. Super brave and smart and funny.

[ he trusts you mabel ] Oh, okay!

Oh! He sounds fun. [ That description gets a giggle out of him. ] I want to meet him sometime. Is he your age?

Oh, um...is school fun? I've never really been to one... [ What is a school tbh. He hasn't even paid attention to the fact he's supposed to be going to school.... ]

He's exactly my age, except five minutes younger! We're twins.

[That gets a head shake. Sorry Vivi, she is not pro structured education.]

It's usually pretty boring honestly! It's cool to meet people, but half the time you're learning dumb useless stuff anyway. You're better off learning stuff out on the streets.

Oh, okay!

[ Vivi just sits and reads in the library a lot because he doesn't really want to be around other children any more...oops. ]

I learned a lot of things from everyone who took care of me, but I don't think that's a lot like school...

Are people nice there...? [ He sounds curious. ] Do they think you're weird for being not from here?

They were really nice! But-- yeah, they act kind of weird around you. [Mabel shrugs.] And it gets a little lonely if you don't have any other imPorts in class with you.

Back home, Christmas is just an excuse for everyone to spend time together and exchange presents. I've heard that there's a religious aspect to it here, but I don't know much about that.

That sounds really nice! You must have had fun with it...picking presents for everyone, and everything. [ He sounds wistful. What was he doing in December? Uh, shit was happening, probably. ]

Religious...Um, does this have anything to do with Santa? Because they really like talking about him. Is he the person who started the festival?

[ He has approximate knowledge of Christmas. ]

Santa is... I guess he's more the caretaker of things more than the actual reason for it. I think he just... organizes everything?

[To be honest, Riku doesn't know a whole lot more about the actual workings of it than Vivi does. He's just used to the way it works. Which hasn't really changed much around here, except for that he's had to look into the various reasons people in this world celebrate it, which seems to be more complicated than the way it is back home.]

I guess you could read about it online... or the library.

[Riku votes the library, but the Internet is faster.]

[ Vivi makes a noise that at least sounds like he's comprehending it. ]

I guess that makes sense...he does have a workshop and everything! Or maybe it's more like a factory...

[ Or a shop? Except apparently Santa gives away presents for free. What a confusing festival this is. ]

They have Christmas books in the displays at the library I go to! But they're mostly just stories about reindeer and trees. I guess those are important, too...

[ He's pondering such a mysterious mythology. ]

Oh! Um, but, thank you for answering my question! It sounds like you have lots of nice people to spend time with, back home.

Edited 2016-12-19 12:01 (UTC)

I think they refer to it as a workshop, yeah.

[Though Vivi might be closer calling it a factory, by Sora's description. The Christmas traditions, though -- he's right, in that they're kind of all over the place.]

I don't know that I'd say "lots", but that's fine. Quality over quantity, right?

[Something occurs to him, pushed by the feeling of having seen this kid before. (Riku hasn't clued in yet that his feeling of deja vu isn't just from one source.) Wasn't he...]

You went to Naminé's party on the beach, didn't you?

[That huge hat is hard to miss.]

Oh dude, you should maybe go to the kid's section? If everything's too big. You can even do it online if you don't want to go to the store.

And Christmas is y'know. Big lit up trees, food, family. My sister's really into the decorating and presents parts of it.

Oh, um. I'm not really talking about the clothes! It's just...I've never been in a building this big before...maybe the palace, but that wasn't for shopping.

Oh! I've never had a christmas, so I don't really know what it's for! That's why I asked. But that all sounds really nice. [ He sounds pretty happy. ] Everyone looks really excited for it!

Online shopping might be your best bet, then. Or just a smaller store. Sometimes it feels like the department stores are a whole separate universe.

Christmas is the kind of the biggest holiday of the year for most people. My family always does Hanukkah too, though, so we get double holidays.

Christmas is for friends and family and gift exchanging. It's the time at the end of the year to show extra appreciation to your loved ones.

Oh, and about your wardrobe-- maybe we could go to the mall and try to find some clothes for you? There are a lot of winter sales right now, I'm sure there will be something you'll like.

I wonder why everyone was so stressed when I asked them about it...? It sounds like a really nice holiday...

[ Vivi has never experienced holiday-related stress before. ]

Oh! I have some people wanting to help, but it'd be fun to go shopping, I think? [ It had been fun to look at things with his friends, anyway. This is the same principle, right? ] But, um, only if you're not busy! I don't want to interrupt anything.

I think it's because people want to find nice gifts for their loved ones. But when everyone else is trying to do the same thing, it gets a little hectic.

[A little hum of disagreement.]

I'm not busy at all! I finished all my present making early so I would love to help you, Vivi.

Oh! That makes sense.

Wow, you're so organised...! [ He admires that, as someone who strives to be organised and is only a child can. ] I guess you got all your nice gifts ahead of time!

Um, where do you want to meet?

Oh no, it wasn't anything like that. I knew they would take a long time to make, so I had to start early.

Hm-- let's meet at the Heropa mall. There are a lot of stores we can look through there.

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