[audio]

[70ftandcounting]

Is...is it over?

[A soft, quiet noise. Not a whimper, not a cry - but maybe the tiniest of sniffles]

Is he gone?

[Bartimaeus was RIGHT.]

Comments

[likesfootnotes]

[audio]

Evaded the jolly fat man, did you?

[70ftandcounting]

I did -- did you?

[likesfootnotes]

He'd have to roll out of the right side of the sleight to get me.

[Ever again, that is.]

[70ftandcounting]

Oh, good - I'm so glad you're safe.

[likesfootnotes]

What a sweet statement!

[Even if he doubts you mean it.]

Congratulations on surviving your first Christmas! You have a year to fortify before he rolls around again.

[70ftandcounting]

[But she really does.]

Oh! Thank you!

[Pause.]

I...have something for you! Since it's...well, it's Christmas and all...

[likesfootnotes]

...it wouldn't happen to be silver, would it?

[70ftandcounting]

Um...no?

[likesfootnotes]

Excellent to hear!

The next begged question is: Why do you have something for me?

[70ftandcounting]

Well...it's the season of giving, after all - or so I'm told and...

You were nice enough to warn me about Santa, so...I made you something.

[likesfootnotes]

[Not sure if.... sane?]

And what is this thing?

[70ftandcounting]

It's a surprise, silly! It's a gift!

[likesfootnotes]

Ah, the surprise element. You will expect us to meet up in order to process an exchange, no doubt?

[CAUTION ACTIVATED; Y SO NICE. Humans are never nice - they are self-serving, unless they are young Egyptians named Ptolemy.]

[70ftandcounting]

Well...yes! Of course! I can't stuff it through the book...

[likesfootnotes]

[There is a loooong pause before he responds. Meet'n'greets are not typically good things, you see. Poof into existence, meet a brand new magician, get stuck doing something inane, like retrieving the gold-plated soother of Alexander the Great.]

If you insist. When and where?

[70ftandcounting]

[Sheesh, she's wondering if she said something wrong!]

Well, how about now? I can...I can come to you, if you like!