Chapter 9: CAST Kringle

[nanocerancowboy]

[If it weren't for Mayfield's usual brand of cruelty, Gat wouldn't have been much surprised by the celebrations this month. Coral and the planets of the Gurhal System celebrate something akin to Christmas, after all-and many festive customs are quite similar to those practiced on Earth, right down to gift-giving.]

[That's what makes this morning

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[duck_duck_laser]

[Dakki had been sleeping, because she very much needed it. And her spirits were far too low for her want to try staying up to all hours of the evening. Everyone had forgotten her. The ones that hadn't forgotten her didn't pay her any mind because she wasn't real anymore. She had been absolutely miserable since this whole mess had begun. So she resolved to stay in bed as long as possible.

Besides, it was nice and warm in bed, when you piled all the blankets in the house on it.]

Nff...

[...too warm. Too warm? Wait, since when were things too warm? The town had been trying to freeze everyone to death. The surplus of heat and a rush of confused thoughts actually woke Dakki up. Her natural curiosity got her out from under the blankets. And since she was out, she had to go to the bathroom, and then she was hungry so... well, so much for the intent of moping upstairs away from the people that didn't recognize her

[nanocerancowboy]

[Gat does notice! At the sound of Dakki's voice, he looks up from where he'd been busy cleaning the dining room table.]

Howdy, Dakki.

[He says that a little quietly in response to her question, glancing over to the TV set and its nonstop playing of that sugary television special before continuing.]

Seems like.

[Gat pauses, having trouble figuring out what to say about ... well, everything this month. What do you say to a person you've hurt, albeit from having your own memories and perception forcibly altered?]

[Well, an apology would be better than nothing. So, he speaks up as he turns his head to look back at Dakki.]

Listen-I'm sorry for th' way I've been treatin' ya.

[duck_duck_laser]

[Dakki doesn't answer right away. It was a friendly greeting... but awfully quiet. So it was likely Gat just being polite.]

Good morning, Gat.

[It's said almost too quietly to hear. She turns herself about and rests her back against the wall, head turned away from him. Christmas was here, but were things better, at all?

....he had apologized. Her head snapped around, and she stared at him.]

You've been pretty nice to me, all things considered....

[nanocerancowboy]

[Gat shakes his head.]

Y'still deserve an apology. Even if it wasn't somethin' I could help.

[He looks off to the side.]

Th' town was pulln' th' wool over my eyes.