Re: Christmas spirit is in short supply.
"...never stopping," she had finished in unison with Caltrops. "You're one hundred percent aware, I know, but your poker face is lacking. It'll be nice, you'll see. Any dinner requests?" she prodded. "Crinkle fries?" Her eyes had twinkled with glee when Nate's phone emerged covered in the case she'd given him, stating 'I'm a potato'. Her own past confusion about Nate's home state had spread, including to Troy and Jimmy and some others. Yes, she knew now that he was from Iowa. Did she care that he wasn't from Idaho? No. Cattle/Iowa, potatoes/Idaho: literally potato-potahto. As she read Kitty's text to Nate, she lightly whispered, "I'm a potato!" in a sing-song voice, then clucked her tongue that Brayden was causing Shadowcat a stink.
"Perhaps a distraction will be nice."
"Indeed. You can even put on your best nose," she quipped as she honked him with her free (left) hand, insinuating he was Mr. Potatohead. Back to business. Never stop never stopping. "Thea is a wonder, really. She's been my rock, and Thor knows her so well; she literally grew up in the original palace. She studied with the best of the best," not to mention her natural magical healing powers. "Do you wanna give her a pep-talk, spud?" er, "stud?" Her arm released Nate's and she turned to face him better as they walked once more.
"We can put this off until tomorrow night. Why don't we all have that dinner tonight and regroup after some sleep?"