mistletoe 2020;

[widenessofthesea]

Comments

[widenessofthesea]

There are so many.

Well, the way things are, pretty much anything's an excuse to sell things, where I come from.

[forgottenmercy]

Above, ah, all, and at the expense of other people...?

[widenessofthesea]

Precisely—

...depressing, really, the way money shapes so many things. Chaucer had it right about the root of all evil, I suppose.

[forgottenmercy]

Money and, ah, hierarchy...

[widenessofthesea]

Money and hierarchy.

But it's one of those things where—even though the historical record's a bit fuzzy, the idea of a doctrine that, as written, flies in the face of both of those things—it rather makes me want to believe it. So I do.

[forgottenmercy]

Something that, ah, brings hope...something to, ah, work towards, to make that a reality in the world...?

[widenessofthesea]

Precisely!

I suppose even though I didn't remember it at the time, that was in part the intention behind my naming myself the way I did.

[forgottenmercy]

So, ah, fitting, then, even though you didn't yet remember...

[widenessofthesea]

I'm a strong personality, one could say. Memories or lack thereof change that very little.

[forgottenmercy]

With a guiding star even, ah, without those memories...

[widenessofthesea]

I suppose that's among the reasons why so many of the things imposed upon us here I find intolerable; I don't like to have my sense of self changed.

[forgottenmercy]

Especially, ah, when it wasn't your choice...

[widenessofthesea]

Especially that.

Ah, I'm sure this isn't really a very festive conversation.

[forgottenmercy]

I, ah, suppose not, but I don't mind...

[widenessofthesea]

Ah, you're very kind.

...you're avoiding the festivities as well?

[forgottenmercy]

It's, ah, rather crowded, so...

[widenessofthesea]

There's just a lot of things I'd rather be doing than just... kissing people for points.

[forgottenmercy]

[nods] Ah, agreed...

If I, ah, wanted to kiss someone, I could do that on my own. And not...for something like this.

[widenessofthesea]

Precisely. Honestly, I don't know why so many people go along with it so easily.

[forgottenmercy]

I, ah, can think of a few reasons, maybe...

[widenessofthesea]

Such as "being very horny"?

[forgottenmercy]

[nods] And, ah, competitive...

[widenessofthesea]

It's not that I wouldn't describe myself as competitive. This just isn't a prize I care for winning, I suppose.

[forgottenmercy]

Given what it, ah, involves...

[widenessofthesea]

Admittedly the list of people I'd care for kissing is distinctly short, too.