[Video]

[most_unwanted]

Looks like someone knew exactly what I wanted... or should I say, needed.

[The image focuses on a poster on the wall of Mulder's office area in his apartment. There are a bunch of other things pinned to the wall as well- mostly his own notes, and other things of interest he's collected over time here. But the poster is clearly the focus of the picture. Finally, Mulder moves in.]

Did anyone else catch sight of that sleigh in the sky on Christmas Eve? I know I saw something up there, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't a spaceship. This time.

You see... on my world, Santa Claus is a mythical character believed in by children... but I'm starting to wonder now if there might be something to that supposed legend of good old Saint Nick. It would explain the freaky little elves who were running around demanding things, too.

[Believing in children's fantasies is a bit of a stretch even for him usually, but after his sighting and the gift he wonders. Sure, it's just as much possible it's some trick of the Malnosso... but would that matter right now with what this means to him? He glances back to the poster. Back home, it had been burned up in that fire, along with a great deal of his work. Having it back gives him a feeling of hope and renewal.]

Maybe that's what Santa- or someone- wants to tell me. To keep believing, to never give up. It's a very different message than I'd have gotten from a fruitcake.

Comments

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

I can imagine... here's hoping the gods also know better than to misuse their powers. From talking to you, it sounds like you'd always be reasonable... I hope it's the same for others.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Gods have a role to fulfill. As do spirits. Stepping outside that roll is something they just cannot do.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

Can't do because they're not capable of doing so... or because they run against consequences if they do?

[Voice]

[windandrain]

There will be consequences. There are rules and laws in heaven. We are generally given freedom to do as we will, unless it impinges upon the domain of another or disrupts the natural order.

Mortals wielding the relics of the gods would ruin that order and shatter it. But they serve necessary functions.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

Does the natural order get upset often? I wonder, because I've run across so many instances where people are overstepping those boundaries, tampering with forces they don't understand.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

No, we don't let that happen. The duty of any god is to help maintain the natural balance of things.

That isn't to say that they don't try.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

I bet that still keeps you guys busy, maintaining that...

So how would this place fit into the natural order of things?

[Voice]

[windandrain]

It does not. At all. Everything about this place is...wrong.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

Do you think that means there might come a time when enough gods out there notice? And get it in mind to do something about it?

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Yes, I do. Were any of my kindred to learn of my abduction, that alone would spur them into action.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

Then there's hope out there yet. Although I know that something about this place prevents that discovery from happening... still, it can't be perfect. Something has to give eventually.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Eventually, yes. And I'm content to play the long game. Patience is rewarded, after all.

It's just a matter of making the best of what we can.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

I feel the same way, and I'm willing to stay patient as well, to do what we can in the meantime. [Sticking to a single quest for years is one of the things he does best.] We can't lose our faith that there will be a resolution to all of this, one day...

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Yes, that's so. All things end, after all.

I think it's best to concentrate more on keeping people from falling to despair.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

You're right, that's important in a place like this, to keep our spirits up.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Definitely so.

I've been trying to think of ways to lift spirits around Luceti, but that's not...easy.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

Especially when you can't be sure if what works for some people might not for others.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Right, exactly.

Though food seems pretty universal.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

Especially if you promise the good stuff, like junk food or dessert.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Or bacon. For some reason, mortals seem very fond of bacon.

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

This, I will agree is completely true. You can wrap most anything in bacon and it'll be more delicious. One of those facts of the universe...

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Oh, I don't disagree. But the fondness for it? Recently I've heard a lot of raving about it. It's strange, for such a fatty meat to garner such attention...

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

[The most serious conversation, this is.]

It really is the dark horse of the meat world, even if we're talking a different farm animal entirely. I think it's popular also because of its versatility. You can pair it with so many other things, have it for breakfast in strips, for lunch in a salad... on a pizza for dinner...

[But not in ice cream. Never in ice cream.]

[Voice]

[windandrain]

I've seen it eaten with cheese, on fried potatoes as well. And...on hamburger. Is that good? I've never really tried that sort of thing. It smells good, at least.

[The most dire of conversations]

But in salad...that's really good!

[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

All of the above, I would pick all of the above.

[Now he's just getting hungry.]

Hamburgers are always a good one for bacon, especially if you pack it with some lettuce and cheese, and a condiment of choice too. I've also encountered scallops wrapped in bacon, that's also pretty tasty. Or in a croissant with eggs and cheese...