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[drawsblood]

// username: joric

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XIMILIA

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[deaddrop]

Didn't we just cover that friends will be happy to receive any gift you made for them. It's not like they're even mittens—no one would have to wear it if you carved them a little... fish? Maybe a duck.

[Would a duck be difficult to whittle?]

Maybe a fox?

[drawsblood]

[ He briefly laughs at her suggestions. ]

Never tried a fish before. That might prove simpler than a deer or horse.

[ Shrugging, since he really doesn't go out of his way to get wood to whittle, he adds: ]

If I ever pick it up during a dull moment I'll make you a fish.

[deaddrop]

Maybe for next Christmas?

[Very much teasing. Who knows if they'll even be here in six more months?]

I be you'll make a really neat fish.

[Also kind of joking, but in a gentle way.]

[drawsblood]

Yes. By that time I'll have more people to give gifts to.

[ A pause. ]

Unless they leave or this whole thing ends. Not the best thing to think about.

[deaddrop]

I think for the time being it makes the most sense for us to assume we'll still be here. If not... [Natasha shrugs as she pauses, considering her words.] Plans change. I'd still rather make them.

[drawsblood]

[ He nods slowly, considering her point. ]

I suppose it doesn't hurt to be optimistic. You'll be the first person I make something for, since you inspired the idea.

[deaddrop]

I'll take the blame for that one, sure.

[Natasha's not sure she'd call herself an optimist, but she does know something about not giving into despair.]

If I take up knitting, we can make it a trade.

[drawsblood]

Sounds good to me.

[ Who knows? He might even wear it. One shouldn't let something warm go to waste just because of how it looks. ]

It will be nice to have more activities to do in these quiet moments.

[deaddrop]

It will be. And as boring as they are... to keep getting quiet moments.

[Since they don't know how long they'll last.]

[drawsblood]

What, you don't like battles while flying in space or storming a castle where a man transforms into a dragon?

[ Just to recall a few things he's been through. ]

[deaddrop]

I guess they must have gotten boring since that's just an average Tuesday around here.

[Ironically, though there may be some truth to it. Not that it's boring, but it's a little more commonplace than one would expect.]

[drawsblood]

I hate to break it to you, but I doubt knitting will be a step up from that.

[ He gives her a bit of a smirk since obviously he's joking around. ]

But I suppose it's not a bad thing to fill our days with activities so we don't go mad while waiting for another mission to start.

[deaddrop]

It's either that or try to guess what the next mission is going to be.

[Knitting is probably better.]

Who knows? Might be somewhere cold.

[drawsblood]

[ Natasha, you just said the magic word. His eyes positively light up. ]

I'm hoping it is! I will be in my element and can have a good laugh at the rest of you feeling it.

[deaddrop]

I'm Russian. You think I can't handle a little cold?

[She might had defected, but that doesn't mean she doesn't take a little offense at that.]

We'll see whose coat I steal when we're all snow and ice now.

[drawsblood]

[ He gives her a look that suggests "You serious?" ]

I'd have to know what Russian even is before I can answer that.

[ He's not from Earth, after all. ]

Not mine. I won't even need one.

[deaddrop]

A person from Russia—known for long cold winters.

[Not something she expected him to know, but all the same.]

So I can expect you walking around outside in the snow in nothing but a henley? Maybe a flannel.

[drawsblood]

Ah.

[ Now that he has the context it makes sense. ]

That's right. If it's blizzard conditions I wouldn't risk it and I'd bring a coat, but most of the time I won't feel it for a good while.

[deaddrop]

So I see you're going for thirst tap again.

[Teasingly.]

We'll get you out there chopping wood. You'll attract a crowd.

[drawsblood]

You're going to have to refresh my memory on what that means.

[ If he's ever even been told before. ]

Better me out there than someone who'd freeze to death in the attempt.

[deaddrop]

It's when you get people's attention by being sexy. If the rest of us are bundled up and you're rolling up your sleeves?

[Distracting.]

[drawsblood]

Such a strange phrase for it, but I understand now.

[ He shrugs. ]

What can I say? The cold doesn't bother me.

[ Let it goooo, let it goooo... ]

[deaddrop]

The kids are very good at coming up with strange ways to say things. Part of their charm.

[She will kindly not sing at him, but she will have that song stuck in her head later.]

[drawsblood]

I guess so.

[ Darn youths! ]

Now I'm going to be disappointed if the next mission is not at such a place. And everyone else will be too if they can't see me chop wood.

[deaddrop]

Probably shouldn't spread it around too much, hm? That way they don't know what they're missing out on.

[She winks at him, playful.]