rubilykskoye | INBOX

[noburden]

● ○ ○ ○

○ ● ○ ○

○ ○ ● ○

○ ○ ○ ●

JILL WARRICK, 30

❆ TEXT | AUDIO | VISUAL | ACTION ❆

CODE BY

Comments

Voice

[wyldfire]

If you're not too cold, care to come out and see a wolf at the back porch of the west bakery?

[noburden]

Of course. Is everything all right...?

[wyldfire]

Is it ever? No, I just want to see you. See how you're doing. Make sure you're warm.

I have something for you.

[noburden]

Warm enough, given the circumstances. I was born in the North--a place cold and frigid like this, but we were far more better equipped to handle the temperature than here. The wolves never complained, of course.

What is it?

[wyldfire]

It's a surprise. Tell me, do you have winter holidays back home?

[noburden]

Depending on the region. Why? Is it a special surprise?

[Someone might be mildly impatient when it comes to surprises.]

[wyldfire]

I like to think it's special. [The grin was audible.]

Where I'm from we have a holiday called Christmas. It was originally a religious holiday, but it's since become more of a secular thing to celebrate family, friends, and loved ones. One of the traditions is gift-giving. So I have a gift for you.

[noburden]

You know you needn't have gone through the trouble, Jordana...

[Mild panic because she has no gift to give in return.]

[wyldfire]

It wasn't any trouble. You're my friend, and it's Christmas time. So, too bad; you're stuck with it.

[noburden]

Stuck is going to be too strong of a word, I'm sure. Can I bring you anything as I'm headed your way, then?

[wyldfire]

Is it too cheesy to say a hug? It's been a bad month... beyond it being a bad month. A bone to chew on would be nice, but I'm pretty sure we're all out of those. So, just the hug.

[noburden]

[Any bones she has are in use, unfortunately.]

I have a hug or two to spare.

[wyldfire]

I will happily take them. I'll see you when you get here.

[And there will be a woof on the back porch waiting.]

voice;

[whatsinfrontofyou]

So. We've been here, what, four or five months? Long enough for things to get weird, do you think?

[noburden]

[Nearly half a year. She feels ill thinking on that.]

Things were weird the moment I woke up naked in the woods.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

I suppose I can't argue that point, dear. Still.

Weirder.

[noburden]

Anything is possible, isn't it?

Is everything alright, Vex? Relatively speaking.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Yes? Or no.

I'm still working it out.

[noburden]

Care to think aloud?

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Honestly, darling, I'm having a hard time not... which is uncommon for me.

I usually excel at not talking about things.

[noburden]

[That doesn't sound particularly healthy.]

What's on your mind? Might as well air it out if it's not leaving you alone.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

[Vex sighs. She doesn't say she suspects it has something to do with the ropes. She can't be sure, but...

Well, she's not the only one who's said more than she meant to.]

I... I was in love.

[It's the first time she's admitted it aloud, excluding Saundor and that fucker certainly didn't count.]

Before I came here.

[noburden]

[Jill, who was probably lounging comfortably somewhere, sits upright. You can't slouch with this tea.]

Oh?

[whatsinfrontofyou]

It's—well, it's not actually a long story. He was a member of my team. And he's handsome, and thoughtful, and fascinating, and also absolutely infuriating.

But he's not here.

[noburden]

[Oh. Oh, no. This is--sweet.]

Sounds like someone able to keep up with you, then.

[Vex has a big personality, after all.]

You miss him?