Video

[through_glass]

[July is used to his device turning on randomly so he ignores it as he sits on a couch at Hatter's place. This part isn't so unusual. What is unusual is that he is sitting there holding a teddy bear. It's one that Setsuna gave to him.

It's his now.

He looks over at the device and tilts his head.]

It turned on again. [Just to let people know why it's recording. Moving over, he turns it off.]

Comments

[mortemscintilla]

That's good. [ Because with 'Li's rosy worldview, why would he have any reason to believe differently? (And even if he didn't, why would he care?) ] You're certainly a quiet little boy. What's your name?

[through_glass]

July.

[Well if you want him to talk then ask more than that, silly.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ There's very little he's interested in asking. Beyond what affects him personally, anyway. ]

Nice to meet you, July. I'm Li. [ He smiles benignly at the screen, ] Is there anyone else from your homeworld with you? A guardian? An older sibling, maybe? [ Because a Concerned Adult would ask. ]

[through_glass]

[Well, based on those last two questions...] No.

[mortemscintilla]

No one at all?

[ Looking so very concerned. ]

[through_glass]

I do not have a guardian from my world.

[mortemscintilla]

What about friends? [ It's certainly a stretch. Since when do Dolls have a capacity for friendship. But if what's good for the Yin-Goose is good for the July-gander... ]

[ None of the rules about Dolls or Contractors are set in stone. ]

[through_glass]

[He shakes his head. Nope. Friends from home are not here.]

[mortemscintilla]

That's too bad. [ Doll or not, he's only a child, after all. ] But I'm sure you've made friends since coming to the City. Right?

[through_glass]

[Dolls don't have friends but July actually nods at that.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Just a few months ago, the response would've made him skeptical. His assumption would've been that July was ordered to agree to these questions. Dolls couldn't form attachments, any more than Contractors could. ]

[ But he knows better now. ]

Good. [ His smile softens at a kinder beam. ] Do you like sweets? [ Perfunctory question. (Besides. Yin likes them.) ]

[through_glass]

Sweets are fine.

[He has no preference but if he is given them he'll eat them.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ The boy doesn't seem like he's being mistreated in Hatter's care. But if Hei has an opportunity to observe their interactions on a closer scale, he won't pass up on it. ]

[ (Privately, he knows it's not his concern. But Doll or no, a child is a child.) ]

I work at a bakery. Well, more of a cafe, actually. It's called Cafe Satine. You can stop by there for snacks, if you're in town with your ... friends.

[through_glass]

I will tell them. [He thinks Hatter and Setsuna would want to know that.]

[mortemscintilla]

That's great. [ He nods politely, ] It was nice talking to you, July.

[ He'll continue monitoring the Doll in the meantime. (But he won't admit the interest is equal parts professional and personal.) ]

[through_glass]

[He doesn't say anything else or even nod. It would be unnecessary.]