"Like the Incredible Hulk. But with sadness. I'm the Incredible Sad, that's my superhero name. I'm going to start a superhero comic and it'll be a true story based on me called the Incredible Sad."

Snort. They're at the library now. "I'm gonna go see if I can find George and then I'll be, uh, I'll be at the gym. Let me know if you need, like, help with something."

"Great. BYE."

It's surprisingly lonely, without Clay around. But that doesn't matter. He doesn't want Clay around. Not because he's scared or anything, just angry. Fuck Clay, and fuck Tampa. He doesn't need anyone else, he is a strong independent woman who don't need no man, and Clay's a weirdo who-

Right. Where was he. To-do list. He's got his notebook, at least, so he doesn't have to repurpose the back of his homework.

TO DO LIST:

- repair shirt

- make new mana storage

- *URGENT* MAKE NEW KNIFE

That's... About all, he reckons. He must look incredibly stupid, from everyone else's perspective, walking around with no mana and no knife, needing a senior to come save him like he's some sort of Disney princess. Not, like, Moana, though, Moana's a badass. One of the really old ones, from before feminism.

...Tommy's around without Clay, for once.

Eret approaches slowly, nervously, their hands fluttering and fidgeting with their pocketknife, flicking it open and shut. "Hello."

...

"HELLO."

"I, um, I have something for you." They put the pocketknife back in their pocket and take out a small crystal. "If you wanted it." Hopefully this doesn't get them in trouble with Clay, but-- it's not right. Tommy needs something. Surely some mana storage is fine.

"That's--that's so insulting, do you think I can't get my own? Fuck you. I'm not taking your, your pity things."

"It's not out of pity, it's a gift. Because--you know, Christmas is coming up, I thought I'd get you something."

"Fuck you. I can make my own mana storage."

"It's a Christmas present, not a handout." Eret puts their hands up in surrender. "You don't have to take it."

....Sigh. "D'you have any--like, metal? Or wood, I'd take wood."

"I... might? Why, what do you want it for?"

"None of your fucking business."

Then: "A knife. But I want to make it myself. No pity things. And I'm not allowed to steal. You can help, I guess."

"Okay. I can help." It's honestly probably more effort than just giving Tommy things, but Tommy'll just snap at them again if they say that. "Want to head to shop?"

"I mean. Do you think Clay'll be fine with it?"

"I don't see why not. I'll tell Tina where we're going, and we'll be back before he is."

"Okay."

It kind of sucks that the only Christmas present he's getting is from someone who won't come near him when Clay's around. He's-- kind of pissed off about that, honestly. And Wilbur hated Eret, Tommy doesn't know the details but Wilbur's been right so far.

Eret grabs some scrap stuff and lets Tina know where they're going, and then they can make a knife. Or, more specifically, Tommy can make a knife (not very well), because he doesn't need Eret's help, except for how Eret is very much still the one handing him wood and metal and glue while watching out for mals.

(Eret lets Tommy pickpocket them for the mana storage. It was supposed to be a gift in the first place; if this is what makes Tommy feel better about taking it, that's fine with them.)

Two out of three items on the to-do list isn't bad. And true to his word, Clay isn't around for the rest of the day. Tommy's feeling pretty good about everything, honestly. Optimism and shit. He's got a knife, he's got a mana crystal, he's feeling good. Maybe later he can ask Clay if he can make more mana storage.

Christmas Eve starts the same as every other day, with Clay sticking his hand out and asking for Tommy's mana.

"C'mon, man, it's Christmas."

"...Okay?"

"You are like the villain in a Hallmark movie, you know that. You are like the fucking, uhhhhhh, the grinch, except worse. You're even green. And I am like the hero who knows the true meaning of Christmas. Like Santa Claus."

Clay rolls his eyes. "Just give me your mana."

"Please, can I keep it? For Christmas? It can be my Christmas present."