[video | action open to Heimdall]

[whatagoodgirl]

I... I don't understand...

[The small, slender Japanese girl with the high ponytail and downtilted eyes might be familiar to some. She's standing in front of Heimdall House with a newcomer's letter in her hands, dressed in the same uniform as the first time she arrived, but it doesn't quite fit right anymore - she's gotten taller since she made it, started to fill out a little. At least in Asgard, which proves that she hasn't been completely reset.

The confusion on her face starts to contort into alarm as her words confirm that truth.]

Isn't - it over? I remember Freyr - when he - wasn't that the end? But now it's like none of it ever happened... the letter, and the maid, and everything looks just like the first time...

[And now edging into panic as she leans against one of the house's walls, wrapping her arms around her middle and shivering.]

What's going on?!

((ooc: and the thing is done ;D))

Comments

[dragonspeak]

Not just this once.

[He's not taking no for an answer! Merlin sets two cups of tea down on the table, pushing one toward her.]

I've got about a month's worth of fussing over you to make up for, you know.

[whatagoodgirl]

A month? [She nearly drops her teacup, but manages to keep it stable with both hands.] Has it really been that long?

[dragonspeak]

Just about, I think. It's been some time.

[He takes a sip of the hot liquid, looking off to the side.]

I've got to find you a Yule present, as well.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh, Merlin, no! You don't have to do that! You already gave me a cloak, and besides, I can't get anyone anything back for awhile...

[She stares down into her cup, looking troubled. Will her bosses at Tailor Made remember her? Will she have to start all over? They were like a second family to her, too, and now she might be dropped right back down to the bottom of the ladder... or not even accepted at all.]

[dragonspeak]

It's a good thing I don't have to, then isn't it?

[That's another thing he's grown to really love about Asgard. The fact that he can, and has the means, to give the people around him gifts when he wants to.]

I want to.

[whatagoodgirl]

[She sighs, taking a sip of her tea to stifle further objections. She's gotten much better at things like this, but sometimes the kindness still feels like too much, more than she deserves.

When she lowers the cup again, she is smiling, though.]

I - okay. Thank you.

[dragonspeak]

That's more like it.

[It's sort of amazing, how one person's presence can change his mood so much. Then again, Nakama had always had that sort of effect on him.

He taps the table with a finger.]

Think you should give your friends a call? If you'd rather rest and take care of everything else later, you're welcome to stay here as long as you like.

[whatagoodgirl]

No, you're right... I should talk to them. I'll just be a second.

[She opens up her holographic screen, and there are already messages from both Shou and Karu. They both seem shaken, but since Shou is sobbing and demanding she come home, she slinks quietly out of the living room and back into the entrance hall to take that one first.

Eventually she reappears, looking a bit emotional (but not all of the emotion is bad).]

They, um - they want me back.

[dragonspeak]

That's great.

[Merlin beams at her, glad that she's getting such a reception. She deserves it.]

You said the house was in Sigyn, right? Why don't I walk you there? I should head to the hospital for my shift anyway.

[whatagoodgirl]

Are you sure? You've already done so much...

[dragonspeak]

You know I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to.

[His smile turns teasing.]

You'll have so many friends trying to see you in the next few days, I should get a head start.

[whatagoodgirl]

[She blushes deeply, standing and pulling up her hood in advance of going back out into the cold - but mostly to hide her face. She knows it's true, can finally accept it, but it's still so strange.]

I'll make time for everyone. [Quietly, muffled by the edges of her hood.] You've all been so good to me...

[She chokes up a little, and finally just heads back for the entranceway to put her shoes back on.]

[dragonspeak]

You say that like you don't deserve it. But you do.

[Still grinning, he drains the rest of his tea. Then Merlin pulls his own cloak back on after looping his satchel over one shoulder.]

Ready?

[whatagoodgirl]

Merlin. [She looks a bit pleading when she lifts her head from slipping on her shoes - she's working on it, okay. Don't expect too much too soon.]

Yeah, I'm ready.

[dragonspeak]

One day, you'll just accept it.

[Another chuckle, and he leads them back out into the cold.]

So tell me about these friends of yours. I don't think I've ever stopped by your house before.

[Maybe he should remedy that.]

[whatagoodgirl]

One day. But it might take time. I've got a lot to forget first.

[She's quiet and pensive until Merlin speaks up again. So many people have asked her this, but she never knows how to answer.]

They're both... full of good. They have their flaws, like anyone else, but they took - take really good care of me. Shou is louder and more in your face, and Karu is more gentle and quiet. They kind of balance each other out.

[Sometimes. And sometimes they crash together and create frightening sparks. But Nakama can cope with that, knowing how strong and caring their hearts are.]

[dragonspeak]

They sound like good people.

[Another playful flick of her hair, this time with a small smile.]

I'm glad you have them to look after you. You should introduce me to them some time--between the three of us and your other friends, we'll get you to see how important you are to all of us.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh, yeah, sure! As soon as we're all settled again, we'll have you over for a proper visit. I'd say right away, but... um, Shou was crying, so he probably won't want to meet anyone new today.

[She's trying really hard to smother a smile. It's not mocking of Shou in any way - just affectionate, amused by the big man with his big emotions.]

I do know, Merlin. Honestly. It's just... hard to know how to react sometimes.

[dragonspeak]

Crying...with happiness, I hope.

[He has a hunch that's what happened, anyway.]

Tell me when you'd like me to come over. I'll even bring some treats for the three of you to share.

[whatagoodgirl]

Happiness and shock, I think. People weren't really expecting me to ever come back, were they?

[Because of what she said. That message did more harm than good, when all she was trying to do was express her love for everyone while she still had time.]

They'll have treats ready too, trust me. Shou loves to bake. You'll have to stay for days for us to eat them all. [She glances past the edge of her hood, giving him a shyly playful smile. Her way of showing him that she didn't reject the offer, for once.]

[dragonspeak]

No...I don't think we did.

[But she is back, and that's what matters.]

Loves to bake, hm? I think I like him already.

[whatagoodgirl]

You should see him bake. [She leaves off the topic of her disappearance for now, happy not to contemplate it any longer.] He just grabs huge handfuls of everything and throws them in, no measuring or anything. And things still turn out perfect. I don't get how he does it, I have to be so careful or it gets messed up.

[dragonspeak]

That's...impressive. [Really impressive.] I'll have to see this for myself some time.

Whenever I try to make something, it takes several tries to get them right.

[whatagoodgirl]

Me too! I burned so many cookies and muffins, and my cupcakes for that competition... they were edible, but pretty ugly. [She was horribly embarrassed at the time, but now she can laugh about it.] Cooking isn't so bad, but baking is really hard.

[dragonspeak]

The fiddly knobs are sort of hard to control.

[Cooking he can do. Baking is another story.]

It took me ages to figure out how to not burn cookies.