"I know you felt that way," she says. "But I...rarely do. I know I am loved, by many, but...I think it's habit. I play tricks, I am a Trickster; some part of me feels I've tricked people into loving me. And I have disappointed those who wanted to believe in me more than I would like."

Her words are halting and awkward. This is a struggle to admit, and a struggle to put into words.

"I try not to measure my worth by others' standards. I know that even for the best of us, that's a fool's errand. But even a god has a beating heart."

She closes her eyes and smiles at the stroking. "I will work on all of that," she promises. "Yule is coming. I think perhaps a holiday activity would be a good way for the children to meet you. Though I will have duties at night-time, between the Solstice and the sixth of January."