Well, I guess my time here's comin' to an end, folks.  I've got the prettiest wife you ever saw and she's off waitin' fer me.  I got a family now, see?  And it's been real hard stickin' 'round these parts without any means o' seein' Miss Nell.

So I'm off.


Max, I'm real sorry t' do this to ya, pal.  I promise I'll come 'n visit--and yer welcome at our place anytime.  Same goes fer you, Col...after all, yer family now.  'Course, you gotta stay in school, but now y'got a home t'come home to and all...

Shucks, I'm makin' my goodbye a whole lot longer than I meant to.  If'n y'wanna come see me off, I'll be around a bit before leavin'.



So long.

Shoot, I ain't too good at updatin' these things.  Sorry, folks.  I've been...uh, plannin'.  A whole bunch.  Barely had time fer much else.

Anyway--Nell?  What flavor o' cake do y'like?  And uh...guests?  Shucks.  This stuff's hard work, but I'm real glad we're doin' it anyway.

I love you.


Oh, an' Colin!  We gotta talk to ya soon!

Uh, Maxie?  I know I ain't seen ya much since the war ended but...I got somethin' real important to tell ya.  And somethin' big t' ask ya.  Best t'do it in person, so when y' get the chance...I'm here in our room.

( Private to Nell [unhackable] )


Shucks.

Shucks.  Col' went home t'take care of some stuff in Blue Moon.  Nell went back t' Orange Star.  Guess it's just Maxie an' Olaf an' me.  Miss Lash, too.  Don't see Andy 'round much.


I can't lie--I ain't feelin' too hot since Nell an' Colin left, so I apologize if I ain't actin' right.

At least all my parts are back in th' right place.



Max.  I kinda feel like drinkin'.  I ain't decided if this is a good idea or not.

( Private thoughts [p. much unhackable unless you're reading his mind and seriously why are you doing that?] )

Shucks, why do I feel like a gorramn tornado ran through my head?  'Ow long have I been sleepin' for?

[[Somewhere in here, Grit notices his ruby red lips, beautiful pigtails, and priddy liddle chest.  Panic ensues.]]




POSSUM SPIT.


Max?!  What in the sam-hell's goin' on?!

Shucks, folks--real sorry about bein' gone so long.  I was off spendin' time with my family and gettin' yer presents!  Jus'...didn't expect t'stay fer so long.

One o' the horses was sick.  Real sick mare, about t'be a momma.  Couldn't jus' leave the ol' girl!  So I stuck 'round to help my pa out.  It was...needed.

Olaf, if y'want a good explanation as t'why I went missin', talk t'me in private.  You know where I was.  [[I assume Olaf would know about how devoted to his father Grit is.  Because yeah.  Maybe I DON'T KNOW.]]



Presents!  I brought y'all some presents.

Miss Lash, I brought ya a hat.  Made it myself.  I was on a farm while I was gone, so it's all natural, if'n yer worried about that kinda stuff.
Maxie, you get more Orange Star Soda (t'replace what the theif took) and some Tank-in-a-Can.  'Cause I know ya that well, ol' pal.
Miss Petunia!  I bought ya more winter clothes that should fit ya, along with gloves an' a hat an' some boots.  Don't want y'to be cold!
Olaf, my beardy buddy--I gotcha a picture of me, jus' in case I'm ever gone or y'can't find me--then y'got something to yell at!
Miss Nell.  I, uh...  I was really at a loss fer what t'give ya.  I made ya a scarf.  Hope that's alright.

Oh, an' Colin--I gotcha somethin' real special.  When I saw 'er at my pa's the farm, I knew she was perfect for ya.  I already checked with th' RA, so it should be alright.  You've been showin' a lot of responsibility lately, so I gotcha a kitten.  She's in my dorm, waitin' for ya, Col!  C'mon and get 'er.  Good gracious, she sure is a cutie.  Hope you'll let me help ya take care of 'er!


Merry late Christmas, ev'ryone.

He's here.
I told y'all.
I knew it.

It...snowed.  Col', you doin' anything in the snow?  Make sure y'wear somethin' warm.  I don' want you catchin' cold, now.


Nice t'see you here, Olaf.

The air...  It's gettin' colder.  A lot colder.  Now, I know it's about to be December an' all...but...this is kinda...sudden.

He's comin', I know it.


( Private to Colin )

Well, looks like tomorrow's the dance.  Max, have fun on yer trip.  I'll miss ya.

( Private but hackable )


Nell?  Would y'like to go out t'dinner before the dance?  I mean, if not, that's no big deal, but if you'd like to, I can come 'n pick you up around 6?