4th Mistake; video

[moralperil]

[Good morning, transports! Mahdi is still in his matched pajamas in lavender flannel, printed with a design of bright blue and purple owls. A glimpse of silver jewelry can be seen beneath the pajamas' unruly folds. His long, dark hair is loose and bed-tangled, a rare glimpse of it not pulled back. He looks a bit nervous and confused, and points to an adorable mini snowman on his nightstand.]

Um, someone was in my room?

Maybe it was Santa? I'm a little bit fuzzy on the Santa thing. I'm not sure I've been good enough to warrant a visit from such a big celebrity.

Anyway, it's a really cute snowperson. I think I'll name hir Snowball.

So thanks, I guess.

[Mahdi sucks in a deep breath. He doesn't mean to be rude...] But please don't come in my room when I'm sleeping, okay?!

Comments

[moralperil]

What do you mean there's no such thing? He was always on TV in December, he even has all of those impersonators! Why would they make such a huge fuss over someone that doesn't exist?

[Earth is so, so, so confusing.]

[invocation]

It's made up for kids. [How old is flashlight guy, she wonders to herself.

She finishes her little piece of fruitcake in one unceremonious bite.] How could anyone give presents to every kid in the world in one night?

[moralperil]

He could be a reality-shaper, a greater mortal. That would also be why he might want humans to think he wasn't real. [Mahdi's never really thought about it before, it just seemed obvious to him the whole time.] Large-scale stuff would require a lot of concentration to pull off, but he only does it one night out of the whole year, so...

[invocation]

Huh? [She's totally lost, and looks it.] What're you talking about? What's a greater mortal?

[moralperil]

Um, I'm a greater mortal! But obviously I'm not Santa.

Basically, my people were left behind by my ancestors to look after humans. We have the ability to make our thoughts into reality to different degrees, and also to observe humans unnoticed.

Some human religions call us angels.

[invocation]

[Wait, what.]

What? You're an angel? [She comes from a very religious background, so this is something of a shock (to say the least).] Why didn't you mention that in all this time?

[moralperil]

...I didn't know it was important! I don't have wings or a harp or anything!

[invocation]

...

[There is an opportunity here, to ask questions, she realizes, but it would be revealing more than she's comfortable with. So instead:]

Yeah, it's important. You're so humble about it.

[moralperil]

...Well, of course it's kind of important. That's a given. I wouldn't keep up with it if I thought there was not point at all. But when humans think of angels, they think of something beautiful and impressive. Something glowing and amazing.

They think of something that can just snap their fingers and save them. And it doesn't work like that.

I don't want to disappoint anyone.

[invocation]

People who think like that aren't practicing their faith in the right way. Expecting stuff like that is a joke.

[It occurs to her she's perhaps being a little too forthcoming, but she continues.] If someone expects that from you without doing anything on their own, you shouldn't waste your time.

[moralperil]

Is there a wrong way to practice faith? [Mahdi asks curiously.] I thought it was okay as long as you lived right...