四 ❀ action

[naicha]

<sub>[ After going upstairs to her room and seeing this, residents of 1245 Williams Road will notice that Taiwan is nowhere to be found. Her cat will be there, though, with only half the ribbons she usually has on. It looks like she left through the back door. You can find her:

A Sitting in the same tire swing she got stuck in before in the morning. She's not stuck now, but she plans on sitting there all day, humming sad songs. ]

[ B Okay, no, this sudden bout of depression is getting her hungry. At around lunchtime, you'll find Taiwan standing in front of the Malt Shop. Oh, it's closed... She wanted to stuff herself silly with sweets, but it looks like that's not happening. She'll just stare at the front door. ]</sub>

I wanted the ice cream with the sparkles on it...

<sub>[ C Taiwan knows she'll get droned if she doesn't return in three days, but maybe that's for the best. She'll be kicking your mailbox, throwing rocks at your windows, drawing Hello Kitty on your property... I mean, ruining your Christmas. It's not much worse staying at home, but at least she'll be out of everyone's lives here in Mayfield if she leaves for good.

If anyone tries to confront her or call her out on it, she'll try to run away.

If anyone she's made friends with catches her eye, she'll run, too, but faster, and go great lengths just to hide from them. ]

[ OOC I'll be out of town from the 26th to the 29th! I'll be backtagging like crazy once I get back from the land of tarsiers and chocolate hills yesss. Merry Christmas! ]</sub>

Comments

[naicha]

_{[ She finally looks at him directly, but she's still troubled. ]}

I've been doing my best! I've been doing my best and nothing's been happening.... They said - they said they were happier without me!

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

Who said that?

[And he frowns at her here, but it isn't really directed at her. It's directed at the general comment.]

[naicha]

Everyone. Teacher, Japan, America - I saw them all! They were smiling and laughing, saying things like I was dead to them, or something....

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[Arslan looks confused. He has no idea who Japan is (he only knows the name America due to being here in Mayfield), but that's alright. He'll take a moment to wonder a few things, but he'll ponder on it thoroughly later. Instead, he'll ask another question.]

They said it to you?

[naicha]

No... they couldn't see me. _{[ A beat. ]} But they said it! After I opened that door...

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

Door? What door?

[Have an even more confused look.]

[naicha]

Santa gave me a key, then the door to my bedroom was locked, so I thought, maybe using the key might work. _{[ Not the best idea, obviously. She thought it was a lame gift at first! ]}

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

That's strange...

[Arslan frowns softly. He doesn't really know much about Santa, only what little bits he's pieced together thanks to Bill. Yet, it didn't seem as if the man was supposed to be evil. Why would he give someone a present like that?]

[Arslan actually rocks a little on his feet, forgetting he has hold of the chains, so the swing is probably moving slightly with her in it as he does this. He seems thoughtful for quite a while, before he looks at her again directly.]

Have you asked them if that's what they really think? I don't know if all the people you saw are here, but no one implied Santa would do something mean. Maybe it was a dream, or some sort of magic?

[naicha]

_{[ People are talking about magic again! Why does that always come up! ]}

Why would it be ma-- _{[ wait. She holds the chains and plants her feet on the ground to stop the swing from moving. ]}

They said Santa was up to no good this Christmas...

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[In Arslan's case, magic is existent, and thus a very real alternative. Although he doesn't know it was used at Atropartene, he does know of wizards and others who have strange power.]

[When she puts her feet down, Arslan sort of stumbles on his feet, but quickly steadies himself. He glances up at her, and listens to her words.]

Really? Then... you can't be certain that what you saw was real, right?

[naicha]

I thought it was real.

But if, _{[ sniff ]} if that was Mayfield's doing, then maybe...

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

You should ask. Isn't it best to be sure?

[He gives her a very gentle smile again]

[naicha]

_{[Taiwan gives it some thought before nodding in agreement.]} I... I'll try! _{[ she wipes the last of her tears away ]}

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

Good girl.

[The words are obviously meant as comfort, rather than an insult, and he smiles brightly at her.]

[naicha]

I'll find the truth as soon as I can! <sub>[ She stands up and gets going.

But, after she walks a distance away from him, she stops and turns around. ]</sub> Hey. ... Arslan, right?

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[He's also gotten up to prepare to leave. When she calls, he nods.]

Yes, that's right.

[naicha]

_{[ Taiwan walks back and takes both of his hands. She's been given new hope, and there's no way she can hides how elated she is at that. ]}

... Thank you!

_{[ She lets go, walks backward a little as she waves goodbye and finally sets off to look for her family. ]}

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[Arslan will wave after her, before heading off home or wherever he was on his way to]