(Untitled)

[no_justice]

The sleigh is still there.

The boars are still there.

The smell is tisll there, and will probably be there long after they've gone.

The skeleton is still dressed in red, he's still there.

Have you been a good boy / girl / being this year?

[OOC: No, I will tag all slowtimes and tags from this post and the last one, when I'm not running around

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[whitest_witch]

Jadis. . . eyes the man. . . skeleton. . . being in the red outfit. Then eyes some more.

She thought she'd missed Christmas. Apparently not. Still, for curiosities sake. . .

"Just what," she asks, managing not to sound too imperious, "are you supposed to be?"

[no_justice]

The Hogfather, he explains. Ho. Ho. Ho.

[whitest_witch]

Well. . . at least he's not Father Christmas, that's something. Although. .

"Is that," she hazards a guess, "something along the lines of Father Christmas? Only with less. . ." regarding him, "belly?"

[no_justice]

Death puts his hands under his pillow, and adjusts it awkwardly.

Different god, same aspect.

[whitest_witch]

Gods. Joy. Especially that, particular, God.

"I see. So, how does it work, then? I admit, I'm only familiar with basics. Gifts and so on."

[no_justice]

The Hogfather gives out presents, Death explains. Small humans offer a sacrifice of sherry and a pork pie, and pledge to be good for the coming year. Then the sun comes up.

[whitest_witch]

"Well, yes," Jadis says. "The sun generally does. Or are we talking about this on a more metaphysical level?"

She suspects so. Ah, belief. Such a powerful thing.

Although she hasn't heard about the pork pies, before.

[no_justice]

We are talking on a real level says Death. The level that matters to humans.

[whitest_witch]

Jadis raises an eyebrow.

"The interesting question," she says, "is on what level the rising of the sun depends on the belief that it will rise, and on what level the belief depends on the rising of the sun. It is a rather circular argument, wouldn't you say?"

[no_justice]

No, I wouldn't, Death says. I'm not really a philosopher.

[whitest_witch]

Jadis laughs. Just like a God to refuse to explain. But then, belief has no power if it's proven - only if it's taken on faith.

"Very well, then. Pies, sherry, gifts, sun. Nice and simple."

[no_justice]

Well, there's more complex rituals, but that's the basic part, he says.

[whitest_witch]

"Interesting."

She tilts her head to the side.

"What brings you to Milliways?"

[no_justice]

I am encouraging belief, he says. Nothing like a public appearance, Albert says.

[whitest_witch]

"Well, that is true," Jadis says. Not that she has ever disbelieved in Father Christmas - or, indeed, the Hogfather - she's just never been very fond of him. Of what he represented. But then, he's not a threat, now, is he?

[no_justice]

I've never gone in for them myself, Death reflects.