glad tidings | {overwatch} blitz

Orange autumn had bled into a harsh winter, holiday lights leading the way home for those in the wealthier parts of the District. Mercy was not allowed to go to bed places like this, not with the chance of running into her parents. She wondered if they would have even noticed her, or if her mother had picked something up in a shop and thought, This is perfect for Reyna, before remembering she wouldn’t be home for the holidays.

She stared at the slate gray building she was meant to call home, Jessie next to her on a bench. There was a lack of festivity, or warmth that she had come to expect over the years, but it was what she had. It was all she would ever have, and that was okay.

“We better get inside,” she mumbled, turning to Jessie, pulling the cigarette out of his mouth and stomping it out on the frigid ground.

She locked arms with him, much to his distaste, and skipped inside, smiling as they reached the common room where everyone else was sitting. She had done her best to make it look decent, with a large tree and several decorations on the walls and tables. It wasn’t quite as good as Halloween, but that was fine. At least people had bothered showing up to to this one.

She smiled at the others, standing front and center.

It wasn’t with her parents, but it was good enough.

“I’d like to start by thanking you all for participating,” she said, cheery voice echoing through the otherwise silent halls. She started to add ‘this time,’ but didn’t. It was all about manners, really.

“I’ll go first!” she chimed, picking up the box with her name and neatly opening it up.

“A medical kit!” she exclaimed, “Oh! And a note.”

As she read the carefully written words, her expression slowly turned less from warmth and more to something more strained. She made eye contact with Pharah and offered a very tight-lipped, “Thank you.”