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[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER

consider this your warning about stairs. itll just keep happening bro. im telling you man

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[parodeity]

Both of them are old and into potentially dangerous shit still?

[windeity]

Tony Hawk is not that old, come on. He's like...in his fifties probably? Which is still way too old to be on a skateboard but who am I to judge? I was watching some old Ninja Warrior courses when we were still training and there was this eighty-year-old guy doing the course. I want to be that cool when I get old.

[So here they are on their walking tour, holding hands, gazing at Christmas lights, and comfortable with the background noise of some Christmas music probably and the occasional hoot of an owl or a bark of a dog. As far as John's concerned this is perfect.]

[parodeity]

Oh, yeah? And what else do you picture eighth year old John doing?

[windeity]

Traveling. Exploring the world, maybe. And apparently trying my hand at stand-up in at least one lifetime.

[parodeity]

You were apparently very successful.

[windeity]

[A shrug.] Maybe someday, but that won't be for a while. I have other things to think about before then. [...] This girl at your birthday party was talking to me about this life compared to our old lives. I kind of agreed and kind of didn't.

[parodeity]

Since I wasn't there for the conversation, I'll need a little more explanation than that if you want me to know what you're talkin' about, dude.

[windeity]

I don't know if the specifics are important but it was just...a lot of people are in agreement that the people we were back then aren't the people we are now. I'm still not sure I fully believe it since who I was has definitely helped me figure out who I am now, but at the same time the stuff I do in this life is really the most important part.

[parodeity]

[ there’s just. a smile that’s a little off somehow.

dave misses thinking it wasn’t him. ]

I’m the same person with a few extra chronological experiences at this point. But it depends on the person.

[windeity]

I am the same person but I like the person I am right now. Kind of like how I like the person you are, or Rose, or Eleanor or Yukiko or Karkat or any of our other friends. I'm not going to tell someone that they are wrong for thinking this way though.

[parodeity]

Its easy to see you in you. [ a shrug. ] I try not to tell people they’re wrong about that kind of shit. I think there are people who aren’t?

[windeity]

Who aren't the same? Or who aren't wrong? [The conversation's a little deeper than he meant but he's still keeping his hand firm around Dave's as they start on the second block, laughing a little at a display featuring an upside Santa kicking his legs out of the top of a snowbank.]

[parodeity]

Take your pick. [ dave shrugs, uncertain how to frame what he means in words. Instead he sips at cider that doesn’t taste like anything at all. ] Do you believe in mundane magic?

[windeity]

Like card tricks and stuff? Or something else?

[parodeity]

Like, the answer is undoubtedly yes, but the stupid things that make the world seem a little different than it really is. Christmas lights or gingerbread rockets made really badly with a friend.

[windeity]

I see it every time I hang out with you. [It's out there before he can bother filtering it but he doesn't quite fumble the way he normally does. Instead, he pauses to consider that and continues.] But yes, I believe in it. I think the mundane things are the ones that stick with you more than you realize and it just makes you feel more like a person. Christmas lights and carols and snowball fights and just seeing people enjoy the company of other people. Stuff like that is so important.

[parodeity]

[ oh my god john what the fuck. dave. laughs like he does when he doesn't know what to say? ]

Holy shit, you are a heartbreaker. [ who says things like that. ] And I notice that you have brought up snowball fights again. Exactly how long do I have before I wake up to something city wide and you with the world's worst grin on your face?

[windeity]

[A crooked smile. Maybe he is, but he's also very serious about that. He'll leave it alone though and settles for squeezing Dave's hand again.]

About a week? I want to get some things figured out first. You know. Logistically. [He wants to master the windy thing ok.]

[parodeity]

You just mean you want to learn to cheat better.

[windeity]

Maybe. I think I am allowed to cheat a little if you are? I am just saying. [He uses his cider hand to gesture at a house to their left.] I like the light-up candy canes on that one.

[parodeity]

Do you want to get candy-cane fairy lights? Also, no, I am the only person in any given situation who is allowed to cheat, obviously.

[windeity]

[An enthused nod.] I think they'd be cool. Either those or snowflakes? They make the kind that change colors, they'd be cool to leave on overnight and stuff. And that is bullshit and you don't get to cheat!

[parodeity]

Why not both? And also, what do I get if I don't cheat? [ bribery is so much harder without aj ]

[windeity]

I like both. We have four walls. And hm! [Give him some time to think.] Something really cool? Music-something.

[parodeity]

That sounds temptin' but if you cheat, I cheat. [ also sometimes if john doesn't cheat, dave cheats, but details, ] Also you give me music somethings anyway?