[Video]

[stitch_witch]

[As the video starts, Lark is clearly seated by a warm fire, the communicator pointed toward her, and her hands are busy with what is clearly a pair of knitting needles. She looks insanely comfortable doing this, even with the head of her dog in her lap, just barely on screen.]

Good afternoon all. I was hoping to request some assistance in assisting you. I'm trying to make mittens to help keep us warm when outside this winter. But I need hand sizes. Anyone who would like a pair is welcome to come visit me in the hotel so I can take measurements.

[Then she smiles, shaking her head. Chances were people might find that weird, but she moves on.]

Where I'm from, it's very common to work on projects like this in the winter, and it makes me feel at home to do such things. So I would like to do this, not only to pass the time, but to help you all keep your fingers warm and comfortable this winter.

Comments

[stitch_witch]

I do not work leather. and I can do the silk easily enough.

[quark_assassin]

[Dustin glances up, arcing an eyebrow at her.]

You...don't mind using it for this?

[stitch_witch]

Why would I?

[She offers him a warm smile.]

You would not ask for something so precious were it not important, correct?

[quark_assassin]

[Dustin doesn't hide his emotions very well at the best of times, so his surprise should be written plain on his face when Lark doubles down.]

I mean...it is, yes. For me. [He blinks a couple of times.] But compared to the potential needs of everyone else? I can't justify it. Not without paying you back with something equally valuable.

[stitch_witch]

[Lark resists rolling her eyes.]

Can you make a cat door?

[quark_assassin]

A...cat door.

[Dustin passes a pointed look down at the large dog that he's still petting at his side, then back to Lark.]

Sure. Why?

[stitch_witch]

There is call for some to be installed in areas around here. Have you seen Salem about? The black cat?

[The poor guy needed help, and he refused to talk to Tommy to get into the Diner sooooo.]

[quark_assassin]

[Dustin ponders that for a moment. He has not spotted Salem around, actually, but--]

No, but I've heard of him.

[There was that message on the Network recently about a stray cat, which Dustin promptly ignored. Not his cat and not his problem was the thought process around that. He also hasn't checked the "Dictionary" for new arrivals lately, since there's been such a dearth of them, so the fact that Salem is actually one of the Agrii's new recruits has totally escaped him.]

I'll do it, but it sounds unnecessary. Most buildings around here don't have enough standing walls to stop a cat from finding a way into them for shelter.

[stitch_witch]

[Yes, Lark expects most people fail to notice that Salem is there and a proper He Row. Or that he talks. He'd got opinions on talking to 'mortals' after all. What a strange young man.]

The diner is rather secure, and so is the hotel. And he is cold. He is rather vocal in his annoyance of the cold. Perhaps also the library, Jon and his mothcats could benefit as well.

[quark_assassin]

[That feels like a weird choice of words, but Dustin can picture a normal cat being vocally upset about something well enough. Probably sits outside of buildings and yowls and annoys the piss out of whoever's inside.]

[Satisfied with that reasoning, Dustin shrugs and nods his agreement.]

Fair. I'll do it.

[A beat.]

...Is this something you just came up with, or do the people who upkeep those locations know it needs to be done? [He's mostly thinking about Jon - the last time Dustin tried to "modify" part of Jon's property, he'd gotten in very hot water for it. Such situations are to be avoided if at all possible.]

[stitch_witch]

[No, he chatters annoyingly when he is upset.]

You are probably right on the library. But the hotel is a communal space, and so is the diner, so those should absolutely be accessible to all of our residents.

[quark_assassin]

[Dustin's shoulders sag.]

Fuck.

[Said under his breath like an oath - he really doesn't want to make a Big Deal out of this, but, well, he told Lark he'll do it. No backing out now.]

I'll...check in with everyone. [Dustin's eyes roll to the ceiling just thinking about it. Ugh--people. What a pain.] When do you expect to have those gloves done?

[stitch_witch]

[Yes, people are the sort of people he should interact with. She’s doing him some good here too.]

Give me two days?

[quark_assassin]

[Dustin blinks at her.]

Don't you have... [The little snippets he remembers of their conversation during the most recent storm pop into his head. Oh, right - thread magic. Of course she could make clothes that quickly, even if she's working on several batches of them at once. He shakes his head with a small, anxious frown.] --Never mind. Two days. Got it.

[stitch_witch]

[That was an interesting point to trail off, but she doesn't argue. She just smiles.]

Wonderful. You will return here to pick them up?

[quark_assassin]

Yeah. [Dustin gives Little Bear a few more scratches behind his ear before extricating his hand and shoving it back in his coat pocket for warmth.] My end of it should be done in a couple weeks, depending on how long it takes me to coordinate with everyone else.

[stitch_witch]

Wonderful. I'm sure Salem will appreciate it, even if he will not properly express it.

[It's clear the cat wouldn't thank anyone.]

[quark_assassin]

[Dustin huffs a derisive laugh. Cats are fine, but he's in agreement with Lark (even if he's unaware of how literally she means what she says) - he's never met a cat that showed appreciation for anything.]

Right.

[He turns to Little Bear and lowers his voice.]

Good boy.

[Then he just...leaves. bye or whatever ]

[stitch_witch]

[The comment earns another vigorous thumping of tail, because yes, Little Bear is a good boy, and he likes hearing it. And Lark, she smiles and offers a small wave before rising to go get the silk. Time to get working.