Oh, there are some that come up every year. The mistletoe seems to be one--you can usually count on that. Oh, and one year we had, er, zombies, but that was only the one time. And last year the barriers around the City came down, come to think of it. But there usually aren't any curses on Christmas. Just near it.
It certainly is. Most people are usually understanding about it, though, no matter how awkward things may get because of it.
Oh, that was last year. A strange man showed up and said he'd come to take us all home, and all we had to do was go through one of the rips in the barrier to get there. And we were all seeing our homes through it, too, and so some of us thought...well, in any case, it was all a trick, and the people that went through ended up trapped. And then after a while, they were let out again, but we were all still made to stay here anyway.
You really do, yes. It's one of the earliest lessons you learn, to never hold someone's cursed actions against them. You never know when the one in the middle of a misunderstanding might be yourself.
Well, no, but it does come up, I'm afraid. Those of us that have been here a while usually know better, but that doesn't mean everyone does.
I'm afraid so. But one does get used to it after a while.
It would be nice, wouldn't it? But that's not how the City works, I'm afraid. I think people really only go home when it's their time to go, or when they're needed more there than they are here. It's not something we can cause to happen ourselves, I don't think.
If there is a way, I don't think anyone's found it yet. And I'm sure plenty of people have tried.
I did hear once of someone who almost did, but it turned out that he'd only turned invisible for a while. But for a few days, everyone thought he'd really gone, and quite a few people got excited about it, too.
It does sound rather awful when you put it that way, doesn't it? But of course, just because we haven't found it doesn't mean it can't be done. It's just...I like to think that we're here for a reason, and that's what it is that keeps us here.
Don't get me wrong, Rosella. I don't hate it here or anything. I was just pulled here in the middle of something important and well, I don't like leaving things half done.
Oh, goodness, no, I know exactly what you mean. Quite a few people were pulled here in the middle of something important, honestly. My poor father's been returning from the brink of death for more than two years now, since time doesn't move at home while we're here.
I'm sorry to hear about your father. At the very least time does stay still here, as you said. [Or it just moves very quickly compared to the outside. ] It's one thing to definitely be thankful for.
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So what you're saying is, we're generally allowed to enjoy Christmas Day itself?
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But yes, the past two Christmases we've had, we've always been without a curse on the day itself.
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Good to know. Maybe this year will be the same. And the year when the barrier went down. What happened then?
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Oh, that was last year. A strange man showed up and said he'd come to take us all home, and all we had to do was go through one of the rips in the barrier to get there. And we were all seeing our homes through it, too, and so some of us thought...well, in any case, it was all a trick, and the people that went through ended up trapped. And then after a while, they were let out again, but we were all still made to stay here anyway.
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An offer too good to refuse, huh. I can see how that would be effective here. Though it's a trick that can't really be used again.
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Well, no, but it does come up, I'm afraid. Those of us that have been here a while usually know better, but that doesn't mean everyone does.
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I can understand wanting to believe it. You stay here long enough and any chance to escape can becoming appealing, even if it's too good to be true.
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It would be nice, wouldn't it? But that's not how the City works, I'm afraid. I think people really only go home when it's their time to go, or when they're needed more there than they are here. It's not something we can cause to happen ourselves, I don't think.
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You really think it's impossible to leave here of one's own will?
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I did hear once of someone who almost did, but it turned out that he'd only turned invisible for a while. But for a few days, everyone thought he'd really gone, and quite a few people got excited about it, too.
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Don't get me wrong, Rosella. I don't hate it here or anything. I was just pulled here in the middle of something important and well, I don't like leaving things half done.
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