WELCOME TO DREAMWIDTH, HERO...

[someone is a grumpyskirt today]

I know that Halloween came from another holiday entirely, but doesn't it seem incredibly strange to have a day dedicated to fear? Haunted houses, terrifying costumes--they don't seem very, oh, I don't know. Intelligent. What can come of scaring people? I can't imagine it's anything terribly positive.

[don't play gem, there's a huge bowl behind you full of candy ready to go for tonight]

That said, I suppose costumes in themselves are fun. So long as they aren't anything grotesque.

I just realized that I've been here for over three years now.

[she pauses. she really isn't sure how to feel about that yet.]

I suppose I've changed quite a bit during my time here. [that gets a small smile out of her.] For the better, I'd like to think. Perhaps I should celebrate somehow. Any suggestions?

[gemma is sitting in her living room, curled up in her arm chair with her comm resting on the arm to record her. pippa is sitting with her huge head in gemma's lap. gemma herself is cradling a small device in her hands, one that looks like a tablet. she also looks incredibly pleased.]

I recently purchased this and I've found that even after all my time here, there's so much good literature that I haven't yet read. And I suppose that now I have a bit more free time, at least for a little while, that I may as well put it to use. [A beat. She clears her throat and pats Pippa's head when she sits to look up.] Well, because of that I should really get more up to date on what's available, and how it's available. And Angie suggested that I ask the network, since it seems as if quite a few of you are savvy with this sort of thing and might know how to go about it.

Right, so I suppose that this is a roundabout way of asking if anyone would like to be my, ah, Nook Friend? I believe that's what it's called. [She looks down at the tablet, checking.] Yes, Nook Friend, that's it. I do hope that any of you with a Nook will be willing to share. Economizing and all that.

[gemma is outside NOHoPE with a book cradled in one arm. she's walking away from the hospital, heels clicking on the pavement.]

Today is my twentieth birthday. I have been here for over two years, and this is my third birthday in the City.

[she's heading down some street, probably towards her house.]

Even after the--events of Father's Day, I didn't think anything could surprise me. But this morning, when I woke up, I didn't think about how much I wanted to be home today. I didn't think about being with my family or friends in my world.

[she turns down an alley, and stops, placing her fingers against the brick wall to her left.]

I just thought... about how happy I was to be here. And how much of an opportunity this was for me. That was a surprise. [she pauses.] Selfish of me. But it's my birthday. [she grins a bit, and there's suddenly a golden glow at her fingertips. from the base of the wall, a vine of roses spouts, and climbs up the wall, blooming with yellow roses as it goes.]

A girl can be selfish on her birthday, can't she?

[the post opens to this face sniffing all up on the new comm. suddenly, a pair of small freckled hands appear, trying to shove pippa out of the way.] --Pippa, move! Please. [it isn't until the "please" that the dog moves, shuffling her way across the room to lay beside one of gemma's many bookshelves. gemma herself shoves bangs from her face, her hair having become a bit ruffled from the encounter with the dog. she offers an almost apologetic smile to the camera, settling into a large armchair.]

Dreadfully sorry about that. She's almost too curious for her own good. Anyway, I know it's still a month away... but I was wondering if anybody knew anything about Holi? I mean--the way it's celebrated, now. If it's changed since--well, 1895.

[a short pause, and a slight blush rises to her cheeks.]

Is it strange that I've been here nearly three years, and I've never thought of--of going to India for the festival? It just never really crossed my mind. I don't even know why.

[her voice tapers off, and she shakes her head a bit, bringing herself out of some odd thoughts.]

At any rate, any information would be appreciated. Thank you.


( encrypted to severus snape. )

[hi, this is a blizzard on your video screen. and this is a gemma, in that blizzard, and oh god, none of her is dressed appropriately for that. her teeth are chattering, and she is fumbling with the comm, trying to get a good hold on it with her chilled hands.]

I d-don't know what happened--I was h-home and then h-here! I'm not sure wh-where I am, but--

[she pauses as a shiver rakes her body, and she starts walking once it's passed, still talking.]

I th-think I see a village in th-the distance, b-but I'm not sure. Please, s-someone--

[and the video cuts because oops her frozen fingers slipped.]

[ooc; trololol.]

[the video flicks on to show gemma... sitting in the park with the comm clutched in her hand. isn't this exciting!! her face is tinged a nice shade of pink, and she looks and sounds agitated. there's no clear indication as to whom she's speaking to, but you've caught her mid-sentence. let's listen in:]

--ot going to do that! Honestly, I can't believe you'd even suggest it. [a pause, as if she's... listening?] No. How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to? It would be rude and indecent, and a thousand other terrible things. I don't care how much you enjoy it. You're--different. Also, a bloody ferret. I don't think I have to listen to you at all.

[gemma gives a little huff, and casts a glance to the side, like she's looking at someone.]

You're absolutely dreadful. I don't know why I ever became friends with you at all, Fee.

[another pause, and she can't help but crack a smile at something she apparently heard.]

Oh, yes. It was because your locking me in the chapel was so witty and charming. I've never stood a chance against that type of wooing.

[a little laugh, and she crosses her arms, still holding the comm. this reveals that she's been speaking to... nobody. well, well.]

[the video flickers on as gemma’s dog nudges it with her nose. gemma herself doesn’t know it’s been turned on. a target is set up about fifty yards away from her. she has a bow in her hands, and a quiver slung across her back. there aren’t any more arrows; they’re all strewn across the ground in front of the target, though sadly, none of them seem to have hit. she has obviously been at this for a while, as her hair is tousled and she is barefoot.

after pausing for a moment, she reaches towards the quiver; half a dozen arrows appear inside, and she easily grabs one. she takes aim, and pulls back on the bowstring. the arrow flies through the air for a moment before skidding to the ground, a few yards away from the target. gemma continues to try, until only one arrow is left in the quiver. she grabs it, and notches; her arm trembles as she pulls back on the string before letting the arrow fly.

it strikes the very bottom, outside ring of the target. even gemma is surprised with herself.

she flops backwards onto the grass to rest, just staring at the target, illuminated by the setting sun. pippa has picked up the comm in her gross doggy mouth and takes it over to her master, dropping it on her dress with a happy bark. gemma squeals, sitting upright and wiggling around until the device falls to the ground. the camera is, alas, facing the dirt now, but the audio is still active:]

Oh, Pippa! That was absolutely disgusting. Your namesake would be appalled. That’s ten bad conduct marks. [pippa gives a reproachful whine. gemma’s voice softens.] Yes, well. I’ll teach you to be a lady yet, you silly brute. Ugh, this is filthy now.

[she’s picked the comm up with her dress; the camera is facing the target. which suddenly disappears, because gemma has finished with it.] And so are you. I suppose it’s bath night, hm? Both of us could use a good wash after this. You know, I didn’t even think about Nell whe—

[and the recording ends after gemma drops the device into a small basket she’s magicked up just for the occasion.]

[gemma is outside the local theatre, holding her shawl tightly around her shoulders. as she speaks, she begins to walk down the street.]

Has anyone seen Matthew Murdock? He was... supposed to meet me here at the opera, but he never came. I thought he was running late, but obviously, I was incorrect.

[after a few moments of silence she makes a frustrated sound and turns down into an alley. the redhead leans against the wall. her gaze is worried, her brow wrinkled with concern.]

Please, does anyone have information? I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm--worried for him.

[gemma looks... surprisingly well. she's had a few days to come to terms with everything that happened, and the fact that she seems to be without her magic. for some reason, she seems okay with that. she takes a deep breath before speaking.]

I'm so terribly sorry to everyone. What I--the magic did was unacceptable. I know that a simple apology isn't worth much, but it's all I have to offer.

[awkward pause.]

It won't happen again. I've--learned. And I will control it.

[another awkward pause. she will be full of them for a while.]

Again, I'm sorry.

[her voice is very clipped, very businesslike. this isn't the first time she's had to make a post like this.]

Wanda Lensherr has been 'ported out. I'm--sorry to anyone who knew her.

[she takes a deep breath, then the recording cuts.]

[gemma's face is rift by concern. she isn't looking directly at the camera, but rather off into the distance. she's standing at an open window in her home, curtains blowing in towards her along with a bit of snow. she seems to be ignoring the latter rather well. there's a glowing coming from somewhere in front of her, illuminating her face, but its source is ambiguous. she was murmuring to herself when the video started, and the last bits of her sentence are caught on tape:]

--n't be the same.

[she finally turns her face to the communicator, brow furrowed.]

Something feels--off. I don't know what it is, or where it came from, but--

[her head snaps towards the window again, and a breeze blows some snow towards her face. she wipes it away impatiently, not seeming to care about the chill at all.]

It doesn't seem right. Something's different here.

[and then, insecurity and mild paranoia in her voice. she presses a hand to her forehead, almost as if in pain. she murmurs to herself again:]

I just hope I'm not going mad.

[she bites her lip nervously, then turns her face back towards the window, cutting the feed.]

[ooc; this is directly in relation to this!]

[this is gemma just stepping in from the cold. her cheeks are rosy red, her eyes are a bit watery from the wind, but overall, she doesn't look so bad. she's dressed rather jauntily, and looks absolutely pleased.]

I do so love Christmastime. One may set aside all their own worries for a bit and concentrate on making others happy. It's such a refreshing change.

[pause.]

What I mean to say is that one mustn't allow their own past to catch up with them at this time. Can't spoil the Christmas cheer and all that, you know.

[another pause. she sets aside her hand muff and takes off her beret, twirling it a bit around her finger.]

I do so wish Felicity and Ann were here to see this place. I'm sure it shall be absolutely lovely, once the snow comes. Could you believe that until a year ago, I'd never seen snow? Me, a British lady through and through, never having seen snow or experienced winter in London. It was absolutely absurd.

[her smiles curves a little mischievously, and her voice takes on an absolutely impish tone.]

I need hardly say that this place shan't be as much a bore as Spence during the Yuletide. Making Christmas ornaments out of cotton and tin foil was such a chore, after all, and I plan on doing nothing so silly this season.