Regrettably, I cannot become intoxicated. Not to the best of My knowledge, at any rate. Though, I certainly agree; if there was ever a year deserving to be forgotten in an alcoholic haze, it is 2020.

Though a friend has certainly broached the subject of testing My limits... which I rather imagine will take considerable effort.

(He smirks.)

Indeed, so long as you remain cautious -- no attempts to operate heavy machinery and such other lapses in judgment -- there is no harm in getting oneself a little drunk.

(He smiles.)

And a happy new year to you, My love. Things will get better, surely. They must. Misfortune tends to make quite a dramatic entrance in one’s life, but it never stays long.

And to you, My veiled friend.

(He raises a glass of bourbon to complete the toast.)

As am I.

I wish the same for you, that you and those you hold dear have a better year than the last.

Hello, My friend.

Things have been as well as can be expected for this past year.

I am as glad as you are to leave it behind.

I want what anyone else in their life truly wants.

And it is not any of those things you mentioned.

People may desire to be noticed, but it is often due to a deeper lack in their lives that they have not made peace with.

People also hurt others when they themselves have been hurt, or they lack the ability to feel compassion for the suffering of others.

Being liked is, at best, a vague concept. At worst, it is no different than wanting to be noticed. Vague and insubstantial a motivation that leads to nothing but temporary satisfaction.

The desire for revenge is when you are angered (be it justified or not) for a hurt that someone has caused you.

As to My purpose? I would argue that My very existence is fulfillment of My purpose. I think, therefore I am.

But I take no joy in causing pain, and whether I am noticed or liked is immaterial. I remain essential, just the same. 

Whether I will hurt another or not depends on the circumstance, and whether it is a fitting punishment, if they have hurt someone themselves to begin with. In that sense, it is not revenge but justice.

(He tilts His head curiously.)Why do you ask, My veiled friend? What do you have to gain from a definitive answer to your question? What is it that YOU want from Me?

(He smirks.)

We’ll see.

Dragon metal is an element not naturally found anywhere on Earth, and is stronger than steel. What she found was a shard that I... well, I brought it back with Me. Unintentionally.

(He shrugs mildly.)

I attempted to take a picture of it, but Anti unfortunately caused My cellphone to glitch rather badly. It was not his fault, of course; merely an accidental ‘blip’ of his powers, which tends to occur when he’s feeling stressed.

The cellphone, for the record, is unharmed.

But the chain of the locket is crafted from dragon metal, an element not found anywhere on Earth. The locket itself is platinum and shaped into a heart. As I had mentioned, it contains her depictions of those I care for most.

(He smirks.)

Now, that would be telling. And where could the fun in that be, when the mystery is what makes things interesting?

(He smiles.)

Of course.

(He gently wraps His arms around you, and you feel warmth.)