( video )

[garotted]

[ the feed opens with alex's face, a kerchief over her green curls and a shit-eating grin on her clay-spattered face. she's obviously in her studio, and there's a half-dozen half-finished projects spread over her work-bench, some finished ceramics in the background. ]

You know, I think my boyfriend is finally getting the hang of this clay thing. [ she flips the video, showing off a slightly horrifying cactus in a hat, zooming in and then reaching out to turn the cactus around so you can appreciate it from all sides. ]

Meet Prickly Jim. Pretty sure Magnus is too busy groaning in embarrassment somewhere, but I think he's cute. Sheriff of his own little cactus town, maybe. Or the town drunk. Possibly both.

[ she wiggles the little cactus around as if it's excited. ] Honestly, this is worlds better than where he started. I think I'm gonna' turn him into a sculptor yet. Right, Prickly Jim? [ she makes the cactus bounce and bow in agreement, then sets it down, flipping the video back around. ]

I know you're all jealous that you don't have a boyfriend as great as Prickly Jim or mine, but them's the breaks. Guess you'll just have to lust over them from afar. [ she flashes a 'deuces!' and the feed ends. ]

Comments

Video

[plasticbow]

[Hearth takes a second to stare flat-faced into his camera (despite being like two rooms away), then quickly gives the sign for "scared", which is essentially just him jumping and clutching his chest like he's startled. And then he's back to staring.]

Scary.

[garotted]

[ she laughs. ] Aw, don't be mean, Hearth. I think he's getting pretty good. Did you see his first attempts?

[plasticbow]

Also scary.

[garotted]

A lot scarier. I should've made them the golems, really.

[plasticbow]

[Okay, now he actually looks a little scared. Just imagine a couple of two-story Prickly Jims lumbering about.]

Please don't.

[garotted]

Oh my gods? Oh my gods, Hearth, I'm gonna do it.

[plasticbow]

[TWO EMPHATICALLY SIGNED LETTERS:]

N. O.

[garotted]

It's too late.. [ she's already edging toward her seat at the bench. ] It's happening. The golems are getting prickly friends.

[plasticbow]

Wait! [Two hands, palms-up, arms extended forward.]








Magnus has to make them.

[garotted]

.. Damn, you're right. [ she rubs her chin. ] I guess they'll have to wait for another day.

[plasticbow]

[He makes a sign like he's wiping a tear from his eye, which should really do all the talking necessary.]

[garotted]

You're safe, Hearth... for now.

Re: Video

[fehus]

[Magnus flattens his hand out, draws his middle finger down his extended palm in a jerky motion]

Rude. Prickly Jim wouldn't hurt anybody.

-- Um, apart from all the Prickling.

[plasticbow]

He hurt my eyes.

[fehus]

That's not constructive criticism. Isn't feedback supposed to help me grow?

[plasticbow]

Make something less bad.

[fehus]

That's not constructive criticism.

[plasticbow]

That's not a cactus.

[fehus]