Moana in Easter Island

Aloha, makamaka! Moana here back with another post, this time revolving around Easter. (Even though I know it is not Easter anymore.) It's not surprising to hear that I didn't know what Easter meant. I only knew of the place, Easter Island, but I never figured it could be a holiday. But it was, and this year Magneto wanted to be sure that I knew of it. He and I have become good friends since the day he stole my necklace, but I couldn't figure out why. You would think the person who stole your most prized possession for the fun of it would be far from a friend. But he was to me, so much so that we actually did our morning workouts together. On the morning of April 16th, I found myself in the dead-quiet room she lives in alone. I was actually just about to climb, which was his favorite part. Magneto was my belayer, and he loved holding the scarf below me and giving it a little tug every once and a while to see if I could handle the change. Since it was unusual for me to be found in a place without any humans or dolls around, I skipped climbing long enough to grab my oar off the dresser and investigate.

I knew better than to call out for anyone just in case humans were present, so I tiptoed quietly as I could out of the Room She Lives In and down the hallway. However, I didn't make it very far.
"I feel that this is not the first time you had that paddle pointed at me." said a voice from the darkness.
"Gah!" I yelled, jumping back, but only stepping farther forward when I realized who was there. My belayer stood concealed in the shadows of a railing post, baring his teeth and raising his arms to look scary.
"Hey, you scared me!"
"Good!"
I groaned. "What are you doing out here in the hallway? I thought you were going to join me for my morning workout like usual."
"Today I've got something much better than a workout."
I raised an eyebrow as if to say "go on".
Magneto tossed something my way, and I caught it with both hands. I held it like a coconut, but instead it had an oblong shape to it, an egg, maybe, but eggs are usually not this color or size.

"What is this?"
"Your first clue. Have you ever done an Easter egg hunt, Moana?"
I didn't know what he meant. "No."
Magneto feigned surprise. He should have known I was without much experience, being the latest doll to She's collection. "You haven't? It's time we changed that, then. You have thirteen more eggs to find, and they are hidden all around the house."
"Okay," I looked down at the "egg" in my arms. "I didn't think eggs looked like this, though."
"They don't. We painted them to make them look festive. And they will be easier to find. Maybe." Magneto grinned smugly again. He liked that I was confused. "Each egg corresponds to a different doll. Find all the eggs, and you find all of your friends."
I was wondering where everyone was. Turns out they were hiding from me- just like these strange eggs.
"Can you tell who painted the egg you're holding?"
I knew it had to be Olaf with it's orange base and brown sticks design, to mimic the three hairs on his head. "Olaf." I said.
"Very good."
Magneto didn't usually complement me, or anyone. Someone was in a weird mood today. "What's the point?" I asked.
"Does there have to be one?"
"I guess not." I said, trying to keep my voice steady and cool. I didn't want to let Magneto see that I, too, was enjoying this. My legs itched in encouragement to start an adventure.
"Well, you better get moving. The humans may have gone out Easter shopping, but that doesn't mean they won't be home soon. And we wouldn't want them to see any dolls roaming about, would we?"
"That would be bad," I agreed, even though I had always felt that the Code of Dolls was something beyond me. "If they're really thirteen eggs like you said, how am I going to carry all of them?"
"Ah, I almost forgot. Here's your Easter basket." Magneto pulled a large woven basket from out of the shadows. It made me wonder how many things he kept that I couldn't see.

"Thanks." I said, even though my head was spinning with all these new Easter traditions I didn't quite get. But the egg hunt sounded fun at least. And Magneto was right in a way. It sure would beat going up the same chest of drawers over and over again.
"Would you like a hint for where you should start?"
I pretended to be mad, but really I was only excited. "No. I can handle myself, thank you very much."
He did that smug smile again, the kind that looked down on me despite Magneto not even being taller than Pua. "Okay, good luck."
When I had left the upstairs hallway and started my search for the second egg, though, I began to regret my prideful ways. I really could have used something, I don't know, maybe the color of the next egg, or what room it was in, or a game of hot and cold that we play when boredom strikes. Because I was completely and utterly clueless. It's not like I couldn't ask for one now. Magneto was tagging along behind me, enough so that I could still hear him snickering, but also enough so that I had my own space to work. But so far I had gone through three rooms and nothing was working. They must have hidden these eggs well. If only I had a-
"Hint?" Magneto suggested. "Would you like one?"
"No," I said sternly, frowning. "I want to figure this out on my own."
But he coughed anyways, and somehow I knew that was reason enough to stay upstairs for now. Something called me to the guests' room, the one place in the house the humans rarely visited. I crawled under the bed, found nothing, and crawled back out. I went into the bathroom, which was connected to the bedroom, but still nothing.
Magneto coughed again.
"Excuse me, I don't need any help!" I snapped, rolling my eyes, but as soon as they were pointed upwards, my sights caught on another tiny egg.
"Say something about how you don't need any help again?"
I groaned, but tried not to smile. The egg was located at the very top of a chest of drawers, similar to the one I liked to climb in She's room. Since we weren't that far away, I was able to run back to She's room to grab my climbing scarf.

"Hold these, would you?" I tossed my oar and basket down to Magneto on the floor as I looped the scarf around one of the rings and making sure it was nice and tight. I made it to the top in seconds flat, proudly holding the egg in my free hand.

"This one must be Bell's," I commented, noticing the light green color to match her dress and the glittery blue sparkle design to match her personality. "So Dorothy's must not be that far away." Even though I'd only been here a few months, I knew how close the two of them were.
I could have sworn I saw Magneto nod as I thrust open the top drawer, which had been left open wide enough for me to see another egg inside. This one was contained in a woven basket, and it had a creamy white color, with light blue checks all around. It was definitely Dorothy's.

"This isn't so bad." I whistled, tossing each egg so Magneto could catch it in the basket.
"I wouldn't say that. You haven't gotten to the other ones yet."
"True. But how hard can they be?" I said all too confidently.
The next stop was back the way we came, to the upstairs hallway. There was an egg I had missed there before thanks to Magneto blocking my view from it.

The dark blue squares and shimmery silver paint gave way that it was Benny's, but it was the location, the site of the smaller Christmas tree, that made it obvious.
"Should we go back into She's room now?" I asked, pointing my door towards the door.
Magneto shrugged. "I don't know, should we?"
That let me know that I should. Upon returning, I let out a frustrated growl at my previous blindness to two eggs! How could I not have seen two brightly colored Easter eggs while I was climbing earlier?

I went over to Loki's first. He had a green egg with a black Nordic symbol on the front, and was very fittingly set onto She's bookshelf. I had learned by now how much he liked to read- and how good he was at it.

"Loki was pretty smart in hiding his egg." Magneto remarks.

"How so?" I ask, settling myself down on the second shelf so my feet dangled over the side. 

"This collection is one of She's favorites. No wonder he hid it here."

I shook my head. I still didn't understand.

Magneto looked at me through a lowered helmet. "Loki has a massive unrequited crush on She."

"Oh." I said, but I didn't really get why that would constitute Loki putting his egg near She's favorite books. But it was none of my business, so I grabbed the egg and leapt off the shelf, pacing over to the closet.

This light blue and soft, darker blue zigzags had to be Idina's. Although she can't wear too much variety herself being an itty bitty plush, Idina delights in making new styles for everyone.

Going down to the first floor let me see another Easter tradition I hadn't before... Easter baskets. According to Magneto, a giant rabbit will sometimes sneak into human's homes on the night before Easter, leave candy in their baskets, and eat carrots from their supply. I don't know, that sounds a little scary and unusual to me! But as it turns out, Nessa didn't find this so strange, seeing that her bright pink and blue spotted egg was placed in She's basket and well hidden among candies called jelly beans.

I don't think either of us were surprised to see that Elphaba placed her egg by an unfinished puzzle! Hopefully the thoughtful ornament hadn't done most of the puzzle herself, or she might break the Code of Dolls! (Something I'm still trying to wrap my mind around.)

Magneto lead me to the living room and I nearly jumped up in surprise when I saw where the next egg was hiding.

"Whose idea was it to put their egg near one of the dogs?" I muttered, trying to make my steps as quiet as distant waves as I made my way over to the ottoman where the first dog was laying.

"Steve," Magneto shrugs. He points to the red and blue-squared egg. "He likes a challenge."

"Good thing I do, too!"

Climbing up onto the ottoman was easy, and it was easier than expected to get the egg from the dog. As it turns out, the ottoman was the perfect bed for the size of the humans' dogs, and the eldest was napping at the time.

I found Napoleon's shimmery gold and red-squared egg by the fireplace, the spot in the house where both the stockings and the big Christmas tree were kept. 

...And I found Elsa's in the freezer.
"Why am I not surprised?" Magneto grumbled disapprovingly when he saw the light blue and glitter-spotted egg sitting on top of the ice machine.
"It suits her," I commented. "I just wish it were more within reach."

Her sister, Anna's egg was placed artistically in a white lily, which Magneto told me was a symbol for Easter. This was one of my favorite finding places of the entire day. In addition to sharing close finding days, Anna and I both love the warmer seasons, though she more greatly prefers spring to summer.

"That's it then, right?" I asked, smoothing back my hair and walking confidently away from the lily. "That's all the eggs I need to find today. So where did you hide my friends?"

Magneto laughed. "Relax. I didn't do anything to them. They're my friends, too. But you still need to find too more eggs."

My eyes widened. "Two more? Oh right, I haven't found yours yet, lolo."

Magneto looked like he didn't know whether to be offended or complimented.

"It means I just called you crazy."

Magneto folded his arms. "I suppose I have to be a little crazy to hide my egg where I did."

"Where did you...oh..." I looked up, my head nearly parallel to the ceiling when I saw my newest challenge.

Magneto had hidden his red and purple egg at the very bottom of a tall glass of water all the way up on the human's kitchen counter.

"Oh, you sneaky, slimy, son of a-"

"AHEM."

"You just wanted to see my do my powers again."

Magneto looked sheepish. "Maybe."

"Fine then. I will."

What I didn't tell Magneto was that I wasn't sure if I really could command the ocean again. The ocean is a force of nature, it does what it wants. Last time it only worked probably because it took pity on me for missing my prized necklace so badly. 

But it was better to try and fail than to not try at all. Once I was standing up on the counter, I grabbed the side of the water glass with one hand and held my other over the icy still waters. I smiled Mangeto's way to keep myself from sucking on my bottom lip (a nervous habit) and tried talking to the water below, coaxing it forward.

"Please, ocean, if truly chose me, bring this object to the surface."

Magneto sniggered. "Talking to the water, are you?"

My brow furrowed. "You don't know. It might work."

Amazing, and to both of our surprises, it did! The water in the glass seemed to give a curt nod before swirling the egg around at the bottom and bringing it to the top. I snatched it up, my fingers barely grazing the water as I shook it around in the air triumphantly.

"Haha, see? I did it!"

Magneto still looked smug. "So you had zero doubts?"

"Yeah... yeah I did," I was happy for a quick subject change when I remembered there was one more egg. "Let's go in the basement! We haven't been there yet."

Magneto did not make a gesture or disagree, so I made my way down the carpeted stairs a second time since my finding day. This time I wasn't afraid. I was just excited. And I was almost certain the final egg lay in the large cookie tin deliberately in the center of the room.

I ran towards the container, tossing my oar and basket over my shoulder for Magneto to watch.

"It's stuck," I grunted, trying and failing to pull upwards on the lid. The tin was a little taller than me, but it should not be heavy. "Guess the egg can't be in here after all."

I looked to Magneto for help, but he wasn't meeting my eye. Instead he was frantically searching the room, for the egg, maybe, but then, turning up empty, went back to me and the tin.

"Stand back." He commanded, raising his arms.

Even though I had several questions, especially if Magneto was really lolo or not, I took my hands off the tin and stepped back against the wall.

He shot another quick glance over his shoulder before breathing out and raising his arms. A tremor went through the air, and suddenly, the stubborn lid lifted into the air and levitated gently downwards until it leaned against the side of the container.

I stood there awestruck, not moving until Magneto's arms were at his sides again.

"I've told everybody I had magnetic powers," Magneto explained. "But I've never used them. That must have been the first time in ages. I must be a little... rusty."

I groaned at the pun. "You have magnetic powers, Elsa can produce ice and snow out of thin air, and I can control the ocean. Is that all?" I still found my jaw hard to close after seeing that.

"I believe so."

"But... why did you never use your ability before?"

Magneto paused. "Why don't you check for an egg in the tin?"

I sighed out my nose, figuring Magneto could tell me whatever it was later. For now I had an egg to find.

And there it was, a light yellow egg with two orange zigzags was at the very bottom of the tin. I almost had to jump inside to retrieve it.

"Here it is!" I proclaimed, crawling out of the tin and holding the egg in the air. "The final egg. Now to find everyone else."

But as I went over to put the egg in with the others in the basket, I realized something didn't add up.

"Wait a minute... there's thirteen eggs here. That should be everyone, and unless we're counting Sven and Pua and HeiHei, this one doesn't belong to any doll."

"Are you sure about that, Moana?" Magneto says. "You counted correctly for the most part, except you forgot yourself."

Really? I stared down at the egg in my hands. It did look like it would be made in my image now that I thought about it, the pale yellows and jagged orange mimicking the pandana overlay in my skirt.

"Do you like it?"

"I can't imagine why I wouldn't," I smiled. "I wasn't expecting you guys to make an Easter egg for me. That's really sweet."

"Oh, there's something bigger than that. Come on, follow me upstairs."

"Are we going to see the other dolls?"

"Yep." Magneto agreed, as I picked him up as I was starting up the stairs. But there was something about the tone of his voice that made me think the eggs and my friends were not the only things hiding from me.

It turns out, and as Magneto explained to me on our way, everyone was back in the Guest Room where we'd first started the egg hunt, waiting in the closet in that same room until I'd left with Dorothy and Bell's eggs. But when I opened the door, I noticed they weren't there. They were probably downstairs where they were normally kept, so I'd have to remember to thank them for a fun time later.

"She's here!" Napoleon cheered.

"Was this a surprise?" Olaf asked, rushing forward with his arms wide to give me a big happy hug.

"No, unfortunately not, Olaf. Magneto gave it away."

"Aw..." the snowman whined.

"Not so fast, Olaf," Anna giggled. "We still have something up our sleeve for Moana."

"Oh, right!" Olaf backed away and grinned at Idina. She only blushed.

"What? What's going on? I can't imagine what else there could be besides the egg hunt."

I waited as the group went silent and Elsa extended both arms, holding a ring decorated in shredded leaves and pink flower petals and mini seashells in front of her. Could it be they'd made a circlet for me?

"Go ahead, take it. It yours." Elsa coaxed.

 I reached out and took it gingerly, placing it upon my head. It was a perfect fit.

"Idina made it." Olaf blurted.

I smiled down at his girlfriends, Idina's pink cheeks darkening from being in the center of attention. "It's absolutely gorgeous. Thank you, Idina."

"Eet is nothing," she said. "Nessa helped in gathering ze supplies, and Elphaba found ze hot glue gun."

"Thanks, girls." I waved over at the ornament sisters, who only nodded in reply.

"They wanted to crown you queen of Easter." Magneto explained, almost like he had been reading my mind in wonderment at why I was given such a gift.

But queen didn't sound right to me. That was Elsa's job.

"Could I be chief of Easter?"

Loki shrugged. "You can be whatever you want. The crown doesn't come with the title. You could be trickster god of Easter if it suits your taste."

Steve chuckled. "Or soldier of Easter."

"Patriot of Easter!" Napoleon exclaimed, stamping the end of his flag on the ground.

"Guardian of Easter." Benny added.

"Princess of Easter," said Nessa. "Unless you're not a princess, either."

"Hero of Easter," Mangeto finished, striding back to the Guest Room door. "We should probably be going back to our positions soon."

Everyone agreed that was a good idea, so they started packing up and leaving. I made sure to shake each one of their hands in a final thanks.

"Alright, pets, it's time to go." I said once the room was clear, excepting Pua and HeiHei and Magneto. I bent down so Pua could leap into my arms, but HeiHei thought my crown would be a tasty treat as he started pecking at the front conch shell.

"I don't think you can eat that, silly chicken." Not wanting my special present to be devoured, I decided to let HeiHei walk on his own back to the Room She Lives In.

Magneto was still waiting for me at the door when I decided Pua better walk, too. We were in no hurry, but better to be safe than sorry, as I could drop the poor pig while still trying to balance the Easter basket and then my oar.

"Want to hitch a ride?" I asked, holding the handle of my oar out to Magneto so he could fasten his key-chain clasp onto it.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Magneto looked exhausted and grateful to get a break.

"Well there's only so fast you can run on those two little legs." I joked.

Magneto bared his teeth at me and rolled my eyes. "Let's go home."

Once we were back in She's room, it seemed most of the dolls stationed there were busy... taking naps.

"Not a bad idea." Said Magneto.

"Yeah, I might take one myself." I agreed. I climbed up onto the dresser, helped Pua and HeiHei along, then unclipped Magneto from my oar and settled him down to rest in his box bed.

"I know it was you who did most of the planning for today, so... thanks for that," I whispered. "But I expect to hear more about these magnetic powers, lolo."

"I suspected you would." Magneto yawned.

Once he rolled away from me, I stretched out on a spot on the dresser not already taken by the other dolls (namely Elsa and Anna, since they're sixteen inches each) and closed my eyes. I considered making a sleeping mat, and maybe more than one for the others in the future, and that's the last I could remember before passing out in a satisfied sleep.

Ioihi makamaka,

Moana of Motunui

Captain's Log: Steve's Year in the Attic Part Five

It was winter at last. Snow blanketed the roof above and further insulated our attic. We could exhale clouds like dragons, and the sound of sleigh bells were in the air. It was a cozy, comforting time for the humans, but a stressful time for us dolls, as Zayn and I had been waiting a full year for December to arrive.

And the humans, as I heard, were making room for new gifts they might receive by clearing old ones out from the basement to donate to a local charity.

"You know what that means." Zayn commented one day.

"No, actually, I don't. I was only here for less than a month before being put up here."

"The basement is the last place in the house you'll ever see before being kicked out to go somewhere else. Now you know."

"Ah," I said thoughtfully. "But weren't you in the basement before ending up here?"

Zayn nodded quietly. "Yeah. That's where I met Derek."

"Who's Derek?"

Zayn didn't answer my question. Instead he said, "I hope he isn't gone by now."

"Yeah, me too," I agreed vaguely. "But this is the first I've heard of the humans doing such a thing, so it's likely he's still down there."

"Not for long," Zayn grumbled. "I can't wait to get out of here."

"Me too, buddy. Me too."

That night I'd had a dream that I'd slept through the escape from the attic, but somehow I still ended up in the house again. Loki had nudged me awake with his scepter, a sheen I had never seen before in his eyes. He lead me downstairs to Napoleon's big Christmas tree, and waiting there were all of my friends from the few months I'd known them. They all cheered when they saw my face, and I felt like a soldier being welcomed home from war. Olaf ran into me to give a hug, and Sven bounced around excitedly at my feet. I hadn't realized some Frozen dolls would have such an attachment to a Marvel one like me.

Wait, Frozen...

"Nessarose, is Elsa here?" I asked the ornament, who was clapping her hands with joy.

She nodded enthusiastically and pointed to the tree. Elsa came from her hiding place, looking more gorgeous than I could remember. There was glitter in her hair and a concentrated elegance in her step, and even though her eyes looked a little sadder than before, they brightened suddenly when she saw me. We locked hands and almost lips as well, until I stopped midway, panic rising in my throat.

"Wait, where's Zayn?"

Elsa's deep blue eyes blinked in confusion. "Who's Zayn?"

I looked over at Benny, who's hair was standing up on its end in sudden fear. "Someone I met in the attic. Is he okay?"

"Ve haven't zeen anyone but you all day." Idina mumbled.

Whump. There was a sound coming from the garage, and the dolls scattered in terror that the humans might be home. But only I knew better. I'd lived over the garage an entire year, and I could point out the slam of a car door anywhere. My sights darting from the garage door to the outline of missing boxes on the floor, I sent my legs to sprint and started running. The humans had cleaned out the basement, and now Derek was leaving.

Somehow I was able to spring up from the ground and land on the doorknob, twisting it open and launching myself into the garage. But the large rolling door had already opened. I came outside just in time to see it closing again, and the sight of a car leaving the driveway at a speed slow for humans, but much too fast for a doll to catch up.

I heard mournful sobs coming from above me. Zayn was still in there, in the attic, and Derek was gone from him forever. I had failed them.

That's when I was relieved when I was woken up for real by Zayn, who appeared much happier than in the dream, blissfully unaware of the pain the both of us had just been through.

"You were crying in your sleep." Zayn said. He looked amused as I swiped a fist across my eyes.

"Dolls don't cry." I insisted.

"Right..." Zayn sounded skeptical. "Maybe not real, watery, tears, but you were still definitely crying."

"Dolls don't cry." I repeated, although quieter this time. In reality, I wouldn't be surprised if I had been.

"Anyway, I wanted to tell you it's December 23rd today."

"Christmas Eve Eve," I recalled, perking up, only to have my grin falter seconds after. "I think today's the day, then."

"Probably," Zayn was leaning against the wall and pretended that the window-hole was still there. "Nice meeting you, Captain. It was a good year." He starts picking casually at a few stray pieces of insulation.

I stood still in shock. "That's it? Just... goodbye?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Zayn sighed. "I expect this year to go like any other. When Benny was around instead of you, he'd get picked up along with the rest of the Christmas decorations while I stayed here."

"Why? You had plenty of chances to go."

Zayn was angry. "Because they all failed, Steve!" He gestured to the mess of boxes around us. "Look at what happened when he tried to escape before. Now try doing that five times more. It's never worked out for me. I could never leave," Zayn looks embarrassed as he rubs his arms. It strikes me how lonely he must be. Year after year, alone in the same place, and on Christmas, no less. "Benny was a nutcracker. That's why he got to go every year, because he was seasonal. I was a member of a boy band. My season came and went already. It's long gone now."

Things were quiet then, but not the awkward kind of quiet.

"Well," I started, clearing my throat. "I'm not Benny, Zayn. I'm not seasonal. I'm not a Christmas decoration. I'm a toy from a movie that's already lost it's craze. So, it would be a Christmas miracle if I were to get out of here. And if I do, I promise I'll find some way out for you, too."

"You really mean that." Zayn stated, his voice flat to keep heavy emotions at bay.

"Absolutely. It's my sworn mission to protect and save all those I meet when the time arrives."

Before I could react, Zayn had me tackled in a hug. "Thank you, Steve. You're my hero."

"I try to be," I said, letting Zayn squeeze me before I backed away. "If it truly is Christmas Eve Eve and the humans are getting the decorations today, we're going to have to think of a plan. Someplace to hide where we'll still be found."

"Some place to hide where we'll still be found," Zayn snapped his fingers. "Isn't that an oxymoron?"

I didn't know.

"Hey, what about this box over here? These are German ornaments, I think," Zayn unfolded the lid and lifted a shiny red bulb with a detailed scene of the creature called Santa Claus in a workshop. "It may be creepy, but the humans always put these ones on last. I'm sure of it. If we're careful, we can sneak out and hide somewhere in the house before they notice."

"Good thinking, Zayn. You're becoming more like a super soldier every day."

Zayn looked proud of himself before he said, "But it looks kind of thin. I think only one of us can fit inside."

"Then you take that one."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll find someplace to go. And it's you who deserves to see the light again first, not me."

Zayn crawled into the box gratefully, then looked out from the gap the lid left. "Then see you on the other side, Captain." He saluted before the lid shut soundlessly.

I mimicked the gesture, even though Zayn could not see it, then my world became a mad scramble of options. This box had a tear down the side, this box was too tight, this box didn't have a chance in making it downstairs. It was like I was the little girl in Goldilocks And The Three Bears, searching for just the right fit. I remembered hearing that story from Elsa one time. I just hoped I'd make it down to see Elsa in time.

Creak. I muttered a curse under my breath, and then cursed myself for swearing. I was so distracted in my own mind I didn't even hear the humans come in the garage. And now the ladder was being lowered to bring the final boxes down.

Finally, my sights caught on a box that would do. It was a festive red color with some gold text on the side. I titled my head to read it... Starbucks. Without further hesitation, I hopped inside and prayed that the humans would take this one downstairs, too.

It only took a second for me to come to the conclusion that Starbucks had nothing to do with the symbol on my shield or my character's good friend Bucky.

***

I waited in the darkness until I heard a scraping noise, like an object sliding over wood. Thanks to dolls having far better hearing than humans, I could tell it was Zayn's box being moved when I heard him suck in his breath. A sense of relief washed over me when, immediately after, I heard a box being caught down below. Zayn was free.

But would I be?

More waiting in the darkness.

I took a deep breath.

Before I could let it out, I felt all of my weight being lifted at once. My fighting instincts wanted to move, but I remained still and silent, reminding myself that the humans were not enemies and this was what I wanted.

Even more waiting in the darkness.

Based by the different sounds the footsteps below were making, we were leaving the linoleum-floored garage and passing the tile-floored kitchen, crossed the wooden-floored hallway, and then up the stairs to the carpet floor. My box was placed down on a similar surface.

I wondered where Zayn had ended up.

Maybe by the tree like he said those ornaments would be.

The human's footsteps were up close, then they got quieter until they were nothing more than raindrops on a window. They were a distance away. Maybe I had time to get out and see how my home had changed in a year, but I also didn't want to risk it.

Waiting in the darkness was my specialty.

I must have fallen asleep in there, because the next thing I knew I was jerked awake by a light tapping on the lid. I raised my wrists as a makeshift shield as light and air hit my face once more. A silhouette of someone familiar stood over me, so I knew to clamp my hand over his mouth, nearly covering his entire face, before he could say anything.

"St-" Loki began, shocked to see me and even more shocked to not see anything at all a second later.

"Shh. Loki, it's me, Steve. I'm back from the attic." I whispered, using my other hand to press a finger to my lips, then carefully removed my hand.

"I had gotten that vibe," He muttered, displeased. "But it good to see you back, soldier." Just like in the dream, there was a light sheen in Loki's eyes. Maybe he really did miss me more than he liked to show. I knew Loki wasn't all that good at displaying emotions, and it looked like that hadn't changed a bit.

"I know," I breathed. "I missed this place. And I missed you, too."

"All of the dolls, or me specifically?"

I shook my head. "Strange to think I missed your humor, too." I said.

"We're decorating our Christmas tree right now if you want to join. Everyone will want to be seeing you." Loki said calmly.

"No, wait. I want to make a big entrance. Something to throw everyone off. I can't just waltz right in there and pretend like a full year hasn't gone by."

"Right," Loki tsked, then looked around. There was nobody but him and me. "But how?"

"You're the trickster god, aren't you?" I say.

There's a pause, and then Loki's lips curl into a smile."That I am."

"Then I need you to find some way to get me in that room. And make it a surprise. It will be better that way."

"Already on it," Loki said confidently. "But your box is too heavy for me to get alone. I'll go fetch Benny and Napoleon for some help."

"Guess I'll just stay here and wait." I whisper. Loki turns his back, and with a swish of his cape, he had disappeared through a crack in the door to the Room She Lives In. I savored the light streaming in from that room as long as I could before the door closed and the lid had to go back on.

I may be back in the darkness for now, I had thought at the time, but the light I will soon see will change things forever.

***

Once it was evening on the same day and everyone had washed me in happy tears and handshakes, I thought it a good idea to see if Zayn had made it somewhere safe. Following my dream, I remembered the humans would keep boxes to be donated on the floor in the kitchen.

Luckily, and a little scarily, my dream had been right. Cardboard boxes stacked full of dusty antiques and unwanted human clothes covered the fake square markings on the floor, and beside them was a wooden bench, Amish built, but the things on the bench were not Amish at all.

"Zayn. You're okay." I said, my voice quavering in relief.

The copper-skinned singer looked at ease at last, and that in turn made me so relieved that I failed to notice the wild and wavy-haired male Barbie doll standing with him.

"More than okay," Zayn nodded. "Steve, this is Derek. He was with me all that time in the basement."

"Pleased to meet you," I saluted. "Zayn's told me about you."

"Of course he has," Derek rolled his eyes over to Zayn, but he was smiling. "He's told me about you too, Captain. Thanks for saving him from the attic."

I shook my head. "Oh, I didn't save him. In fact, I probably got him into more trouble. Zayn was the one who finally figured out how to get himself free."

Derek and Zayn clasped hands. "Good for you. I knew you had it in you, Zayn." Derek said.

"Please. Steve's still a hero," then Zayn turned to me. "Derek and I plan to hold hands the whole time so that no matter where we end up after being sold in the donation store, we can never be separated."

"Smart idea," I said. "But will you be happy? Even if your future is a mystery and you're leaving She'd house forever?"

"Let's just say we're not going to be lonely anymore." Derek nodded.

"Good. Then my work here is done."

I told the two I had to go back to where I belonged, and then wished them safe travels and a good home. I shook Derek's hand, Zayn gave me another hug, and then we parted ways as good friends. 

***

Zayn and Derek left the house by the next morning. I had said many goodbyes, but the last one still didn't feel like enough. And maybe that's why I felt like I had to write these posts. Storytelling is a way of healing, and even though Zayn and I had some great adventures, it's sad to think those adventures are over now. I can only hope that he and Derek have many, many more together, wherever they may be.

***

Since it's Steve's final Captain's Log post (how sad!) I figured he could use a sign-out picture. After all, who knows? Maybe he'll want to write some more in the future.

Happily reunited,

Steve Rodgers