[ The delivery comes near the beginning of the month with an attached note. ]
Ren,
I enjoyed your photos and hung a few of my favorites in my restaurant. I hope you continue to take pictures and that you'll share them with me if you do. Here's something to help you along the way. Keep up the good work!
-RJB
[ It takes some time and some tech that's not native to Deerington, but Blake manages to put together a small photo album of his favorite pictures from Ren's little photography day. There are probably twenty-four of them and room to grow in the album. On the front is a little rabbit embossed on the silver cover. Inside the box there's also a Polaroid camera, which should help some with the burgeoning art career happening here, as well as a gift certificate for a free meal at B&B's restaurant, with their address in town listed. ]
[The gift is a surprise. She's never gotten a present before-not once in her life, so getting a delivery sends a surge of panic through her. It's a mistake, definitely. Her name's on there, and it's one of the easiest words for her to decipher, but it can't be right.
She almost goes to Chara because it's so incredibly unbelievable and it almost seems like a trick, but the more she's able to decipher, the less anxious she becomes.
Reading isn't her strong suit, but she tries. Makes the effort. Gets a few words here and there, like photos and good and-
There's an album of images she remembers taking on that kind man's phone, brought to life in a way she could never imagine. It reminds her so vividly of the images and photos in the empty houses she used to explore. She studies every image with intensity and delight, as if it's the first time she's really seeing them. Hours pass in front of that album, as she flips back and forth, back and forth, back and forth until-
She sees the coupon. The camera. Takes it in her hands and immediately manages to get the good side of the ever-growing garbage pile in her room. Amazing. Incredible. This is what technology was meant to be used for.]
[So... this had been happening for a bit, but in particular when it was clear that Chara was missing, and out of concern, Vira-Lorr had started leaving gift baskets. Food, mostly, but always the sort that didn't take an effort to really get at, because she had a strong suspicion that Ren really didn't 'do' cooking.
One day, there was a little note. Unsure of she could read, Vira included a smiling picture of her face and an arrow pointing along with the number 101. Hopefully she'd pick up that someone was inviting her over for food.]
Ren had found solace back in the alleyways. The small child that used to live there acted as a volitle protector and without that guidance, the house felt too small, too dangerous, far too much like a trap. The shut doors felt like they were keeping her in, so she left.
But from time to time, she stops by. Looks around the perimeter of the room, checks to see if that tiny child has returned from wherever they went or look for treasures she may have missed.
And on one such day-
There's a basket of food at the door with a note-a smile, a number and an arrow. She understands the message well enough-recognizes the thoughtful assortment of items as, more than likely, belonging to Vira.
So after hiding the food somewhere safe, she heads to the door that says 101 and-
[It was Winfield who informed her that Ren was present. One rock, and there was a baying of playful barking on the otherside, running around the house, looking and trying to get a gander at who did that. It didn't actually sound like it was going out.
'Out! Out!' came a shout from within, and someone called to a person named Susan. The barking receded and a door closed. Just after, a head poked through the door, looking around to see if she could find who'd done that.]
[The barking made her disappear in a flash. There's a barrier between her and the indoor pooch, but she's not about to mess around with that. She takes a step down the porch, which both makes her more visible to anyone poking through the door and protected by whatever might dart out.]
Vira, there's a dog in there. You have to be very careful.
[Wait, was that Ren? That was Ren! She smiled brightly as she recognized the voice and beckoned her to come in.]
Winfield? He's harmless unless you don't want to be licked silly when he pounces on you. Susan put him out in the back. You're safe to come in, promise!
[Licking is just a prelude to biting and everyone's one nip away from getting eaten by these creatures. But it's fine. It's whatever. Apparently the dog's gone for right now, so she ambles closer to the front porch, poking her head inside the home to ensure it's safe.]
Haha, he likes his dog food. I spoil the big idiot after all. Buuuut don't worry. Susan won't let him get you, and he's very intelligent for a dog.
[She opened the door further, giving he free reign to look in. The green chicken and dog were gone. As she started to peek around, Vira-Lorr considered for a moment. The Absol might scare her, but thankfully she was in her ball at the moment, and she decided to wait on her for a little bit.]
Did you want to come in? I think they're going to be in the backyard for a while.
[Is that dog food a corpse? For a moment, Ren's tempted to ask before deciding that she doesn't want to know the answer. She had seen what the dogs in her world could do when hungry and she's going to remain grateful that the creature's full for the time being.
She tentatively takes a step into the home, relaxing when she notices that the animals are, in fact, totally gone. She mentally says a quick thank you to Susan, whoever that thing is.]
[Nope! It came in a nice baggy and you added water to give it 'gravy.' It was positively disgusting to humans. Definitely not something to think about too deeply.]
Nope. Winfield's been living in my home since November, actually. He's very intelligent and well behaved. I used to be more scared about Susan, but she's sweet... lazy, but sweet.
So that you know and aren't scared, Susan is a green chicken. She has a gem in her forehead. She can understand anything you tell her. Probably as smart as you or I, possibly more.
[If they're not cats, they're problems in her eyes. But she would vastly prefer a green chicken over the weird dog.
She slowly moves into the home, cautiously looking at her surroundings and ensuring there aren't any other animals about. Just in case, she slips a hand into the sash around her waist and pulls out-
[She blinked when the rock was thrown. It collided with a wall and clattered tot he ground even as she closed the door behind, but didn't lock it. Her head cocked and she coughed once.]
I'm going to leave the door unlocked. All you have to do to leave is turn this knob anytime and you can go... but uh...
I see... you don't need to worry about ghosts. They're warded here by something that Sodder gave me. None can enter.
[Giggle. She was more amused than anything. Sitting down by the kitchen nook, she motioned in front of her and sighed. No promises about dogs. Winfield was harmless outside of licking, but he wasn't going to scare from rocks.]
[She looked at... whatever that was, and her look turned motherly for a moment. She motioned to one of the stools and started to go towards the fridge, intent on making a sandwich and some chips.]
I always store up. Enough for more than one in case someone needs to stay over... and I'd been planning to ask Chara to move in with me at some point. Had I known you two were together, I would have offered you both. So don't worry. I prepare for this...
I'm making you lunch and you can take something home to store, ok?
[Nope, she was feeding the little gremline today.]
[That? Was a pretty fully stocked fridge right there. Vira-Lorr didn't have it packed to the gills, but there was a lot of foodstuffs of every variety in it, the sort that you would us at a pretty quick pace to keep from going bad, along with a collection of things that would last for a while in the chill to cook with. She was pretty sensible about her choices.]
Mmm? Oh, I don't mind if you share. [She figured she probably would by now.] And sharing with the cats... is a good thing I think. They're sweet.
[They are sweet and she's thrilled that Vira sees the kitty benefit of her actions. It makes her smile as she trails beside her, watching whatever she does.]
They are. The ones here are very different from my other friends, but they're still good.
Oh, the ones here? They're ... very special kittens. They're good for anyone who needs to be protected. Did you know that Sodder made them?
[Oddly? She felt pretty confident that this was a story she could share with Ren. It told why they were special after all, so big, smokey and powerful.]
I think that she not only likes cats, but she trusts them to do a policeman's job better than one can. It's why she gave them all that power. They're quite good at protecting you.
[And there's a brief pause, as she really thinks about this girl. The one that concocted this whole place, that created these ethereal cats from nothing and-]
She's ... I think she's being kept in a very secure location. I don't think that she likes it there at all, but we can't be sure where it is, and we can't get there yet.
[None of that technically a lie, but she was leaving out the worst of her suspicions.]
[ In late-December, whenever Shinichi stumbles across Ren around town, in Hart Mart, or if she happens to creep into his windows, he'll be handing over a little package for her that he's been toting in his backpack:
β a sketchbook with a box of coloured pencils β a little tote bag; since she seems to enjoy shiny things, he went with very shiny..... He'll explain that this can be used to store her coloured pencils in, OR anything else! β a set of warm scarf, hat, and mittens
β he'll also explain that the single old, large, earring also inside is from Migi..... This was undoubtedly stolen and pocketed, and now he'll be handing it over to her...... ]
[You have been visited by Holy Mami! She descends from the winter night sky, presents in hand. She has a smile on her face as she hands you a gift with a note attached.]
βThese were made with love especially for you! Merry Christmas!β
[Before you have the chance to say anything though, sheβs gone! She has a lot of gifts to deliver and little time to do so!] Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!
[since he's not sure where she lives anymore, will leaves his gift out on the back porch, surrounded by balls of tin foil. because shiny. it's a box, on which he's painted "treasure", with a convenient handle for carrying things around.
it's also filled with candy in shiny wrappers and more tin foil. because he knows what girls like, obvs.]
titanic stuff!! cw for referenced death of several family members
[ Will probably shouldn't be anywhere near the ship's storage areas.
For starters, all the entrances to it are in steerage, in the third class hallways. To even walk through them is to gain some measure of attention because even dressed down, it's clear that Will Graham, heir to the late John Graham's railway company out in the less-tamed but still wealthy parts of the western US, doesn't belong in third class. From the simple fact that he can afford hair products to the more glaring issue of eyeglasses and the make of his shoes, Will sticks out when among the small throng of people seemingly always in the hallways down in third class.
But the benefit of his station in life is simple and one he takes full advantage of: that he doesn't have to answer to any of them. Will brushes past everyone, as he always does. Chin up but no eye contact, shoulders back but a fine tremor to them until he finally passes through the door into the storage area of the ship.
In here, it's just the myriad of things that the rich aboard the ship decided to take with them back to America. Will shuts the door behind himself and keeps walking, doesn't even start to slow down until he's trailed between the piled-high boxes and cars and wire cages long enough that he can almost forget where he is. Until it's almost possible to let go of the fact that he's trapped in a small space with hundreds - thousands - of other people.
Will sighs deeply and sinks down onto a shipment trunk, far enough in that he's collected a thin layer of dust on his shoes just from walking among everything. And here, finally isolated in a way he couldn't achieve in the spacious but very purposeful and flashy quarters he has here on the ship, Will puts his head in his hands and just breathes.
And thinks, unfortunately, of all the failed relationships that have brought him here. He's here because of his cousin - Peter - and needing to guide the teenager to a new place to live. The two are traveling together in the wake of the accident that killed Peter's parents...and Will's wife. Molly Graham had been drifting from him even before the sudden death, but the loss is a raw ache still; a loneliness Will had been lying to himself existed even before he had to pick out a coffin.
Getting away from the little aches and pains of the rest of people here is a small luxury, and one he needs after almost a solid week on board.]
The pressure from above-the culmination of confusing emotions intermingling and the sheer amount of people forced together in this small space is what urged her to. There's no alley to hide in or cats to huddle up near. It would be pointless to speak into the Fluid, when the few friends she has remember nothing and-
It was easier to move. To follow an unmarked path further and further and she almost gave up when it got worse-when the cramped quarters and passages somehow got tighter, when contact with others became compulsory because it was impossible to navigate without bumping into shoulders.
The reward though-
Is this.
Is this room, still somehow packed to the brim, but with items and trinkets and large pieces of furniture and machinery instead of people. She can still feel the hum of emotions above her-she didn't go that far down. She can get back up later. She's not trapped and-
This is what she needed. A second, a minute, where she can hide. Where she can just shove herself into a quiet corner and listen to hearts with her body instead of her ears and even now she can feel the swirling-
Sadness?
Loneliness?
It permeates the air and she twists her head to either side to find the source. It's not her. Not this time. It's close though. Strange. Familiar and safe and-
She spots him. The situation almost comically similar to how they first met-two lonely people trying to get away from everything and somehow finding each other despite it all.]
[ Will's sense of other people, while disruptive to the point of causing self-isolation as his preferred coping mechanism, isn't actually supernatural. Even his paranoia isn't enough to have him notice that someone's sneaking up near him. Not until that someone speaks.
Will makes an undignified noise of surprise, somewhere between a gasp and a grunt, not even an attempt at a word. He also jolts harshly enough that he nearly stumbles right off the trunk he's been sulking on. His fear only goes so far - he turns and sees her, thin and shorter than him and closer to a child than an adult, and she looks real unlike the strange grass-teenager he'd met the other day - but he's not sure what to replace it with. ]
...Yeah. [ Not a ground-breaking response. He swallows, brows drawing together in confusion. ] Are you-- alone? [ Because children shouldn't be alone. Not even ones that give Will a sense of...
It's not deja vu. He's not yet really plagued by the sense that this place is wrong. But there's something here that he can't place - Will wonders if it's just paranoia about wherever her parents must be, and having to interact with them when they arrive. ]
[It's easy to read the mood surrounding them-she surprised him, despite his relative ease picking her out of an empty alleyway last time. There's something different and while she can't sleuth it out with so few words between them, she's met so many people who have lost their true memories by now that-
While she can't be sure, not until he says it, she has a sneaking suspicion some variation of that is happening here.]
I'm alone. No one came with me. I just-
[She plops down beside a large, fabric covered box and covers half her body with those dirty sheets. That's better.]
Wanted to hide again and it's quiet, so I came here.
[ Will watches her with a rapt attention he can't quite place. He knows he's always wanted children of his own, with the sort of deep ache that feels like a bone that never healed properly, but he's also used to that sensation by now. It plagues every family gathering he goes to with young relatives, whenever he sees the other branches of his family tree being a bit more successful at having their own kids. This is...different, though. And he can't quite place why...
She drags sheets over herself with a clear lack of worry for who they might belong to, and Will has a feeling this child is absolutely not in first class alongside himself. Will would never have acted that way in front of an adult at her age - what is her age, anyway? she seems small for it, whatever it is - so that must mean...
'Wanted to hide'. The thought is at once sad and relatable. Will laughs shortly, although his expression's unsure if it can relax into a smile yet. ] Well, it's a good place to hide. The kind of people who can afford to use this room are happy to leave it alone until we hit land again.
[ Will hesitates for only a moment before he sits back down again, on the trunk he was using before. There's some foreign sense that mirroring is actually good, will work, and it comes from beyond Will's usual instinct to do that...
No, it must just be usual impulse. Nothing more.
What follows is perhaps standard procedure for when an adult comes across a child who's alone, but Will asks it with a captivated sincerity: ] What's your name? Mine's Will.
action; delivery via a Husky dog!
I enjoyed your photos and hung a few of my favorites in my restaurant. I hope you continue to take pictures and that you'll share them with me if you do. Here's something to help you along the way. Keep up the good work!
-RJB
[ It takes some time and some tech that's not native to Deerington, but Blake manages to put together a small photo album of his favorite pictures from Ren's little photography day. There are probably twenty-four of them and room to grow in the album. On the front is a little rabbit embossed on the silver cover. Inside the box there's also a Polaroid camera, which should help some with the burgeoning art career happening here, as well as a gift certificate for a free meal at B&B's restaurant, with their address in town listed. ]
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She almost goes to Chara because it's so incredibly unbelievable and it almost seems like a trick, but the more she's able to decipher, the less anxious she becomes.
Reading isn't her strong suit, but she tries. Makes the effort. Gets a few words here and there, like photos and good and-
There's an album of images she remembers taking on that kind man's phone, brought to life in a way she could never imagine. It reminds her so vividly of the images and photos in the empty houses she used to explore. She studies every image with intensity and delight, as if it's the first time she's really seeing them. Hours pass in front of that album, as she flips back and forth, back and forth, back and forth until-
She sees the coupon. The camera. Takes it in her hands and immediately manages to get the good side of the ever-growing garbage pile in her room. Amazing. Incredible. This is what technology was meant to be used for.]
Action
One day, there was a little note. Unsure of she could read, Vira included a smiling picture of her face and an arrow pointing along with the number 101. Hopefully she'd pick up that someone was inviting her over for food.]
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Ren had found solace back in the alleyways. The small child that used to live there acted as a volitle protector and without that guidance, the house felt too small, too dangerous, far too much like a trap. The shut doors felt like they were keeping her in, so she left.
But from time to time, she stops by. Looks around the perimeter of the room, checks to see if that tiny child has returned from wherever they went or look for treasures she may have missed.
And on one such day-
There's a basket of food at the door with a note-a smile, a number and an arrow. She understands the message well enough-recognizes the thoughtful assortment of items as, more than likely, belonging to Vira.
So after hiding the food somewhere safe, she heads to the door that says 101 and-
Throws a rock at the door from the edge of lawn.]
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'Out! Out!' came a shout from within, and someone called to a person named Susan. The barking receded and a door closed. Just after, a head poked through the door, looking around to see if she could find who'd done that.]
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Vira, there's a dog in there. You have to be very careful.
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Winfield? He's harmless unless you don't want to be licked silly when he pounces on you. Susan put him out in the back. You're safe to come in, promise!
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[Licking is just a prelude to biting and everyone's one nip away from getting eaten by these creatures. But it's fine. It's whatever. Apparently the dog's gone for right now, so she ambles closer to the front porch, poking her head inside the home to ensure it's safe.]
You have to be careful when they do that.
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[She opened the door further, giving he free reign to look in. The green chicken and dog were gone. As she started to peek around, Vira-Lorr considered for a moment. The Absol might scare her, but thankfully she was in her ball at the moment, and she decided to wait on her for a little bit.]
Did you want to come in? I think they're going to be in the backyard for a while.
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She tentatively takes a step into the home, relaxing when she notices that the animals are, in fact, totally gone. She mentally says a quick thank you to Susan, whoever that thing is.]
You aren't scared to live with a dog?
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Nope. Winfield's been living in my home since November, actually. He's very intelligent and well behaved. I used to be more scared about Susan, but she's sweet... lazy, but sweet.
So that you know and aren't scared, Susan is a green chicken. She has a gem in her forehead. She can understand anything you tell her. Probably as smart as you or I, possibly more.
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She slowly moves into the home, cautiously looking at her surroundings and ensuring there aren't any other animals about. Just in case, she slips a hand into the sash around her waist and pulls out-
A rock that she throws towards the living room.]
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I'm going to leave the door unlocked. All you have to do to leave is turn this knob anytime and you can go... but uh...
...
Why did you just throw that rock?
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[Look, better safe than dead and sorry. That's her motto, but she glances back at the door to see what Vira's talking about and-
That's good. It's better than being stuck somewhere with no escape. All she has to do is look behind her to get out, so-]
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[Giggle. She was more amused than anything. Sitting down by the kitchen nook, she motioned in front of her and sighed. No promises about dogs. Winfield was harmless outside of licking, but he wasn't going to scare from rocks.]
Did you want anything to eat perhaps?
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But she does move to collect the stone from across the room, cautiously eyeing the decor and other parts of this home.
And at the mention of food-
Well, Vira seems to have enough. She's always shared with her, but Ren digs into her sash to pull out-
Well, something. Something not great. It's got a look about it. Who knows what it used to be.]
I have food. It's okay. You need to save it so you won't run out.
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I always store up. Enough for more than one in case someone needs to stay over... and I'd been planning to ask Chara to move in with me at some point. Had I known you two were together, I would have offered you both. So don't worry. I prepare for this...
I'm making you lunch and you can take something home to store, ok?
[Nope, she was feeding the little gremline today.]
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She even drifts closer, like she's going to help. Not that she will. Who knows what her plan is at this point-she just wants to see what's inside.]
Okay. I won't let the animals get it, unless the cats say they're hungry. I'll only share with them.
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Mmm? Oh, I don't mind if you share. [She figured she probably would by now.] And sharing with the cats... is a good thing I think. They're sweet.
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They are. The ones here are very different from my other friends, but they're still good.
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[Oddly? She felt pretty confident that this was a story she could share with Ren. It told why they were special after all, so big, smokey and powerful.]
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[She must in some way and that's something she'll remember. Anyone who understands the importance of cats isn't bad-not at all.]
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[You know... as long as they saw you in trouble.]
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[Like, there's no doubt about it. Of course cats do a better job than people.]
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[Mostly because she didn't think Ren was the type to actually break the laws that they'd punish her over.]
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[And there's a brief pause, as she really thinks about this girl. The one that concocted this whole place, that created these ethereal cats from nothing and-]
Why doesn't Sodder live here too?
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[None of that technically a lie, but she was leaving out the worst of her suspicions.]
delivery
β a sketchbook with a box of coloured pencils
β a little tote bag; since she seems to enjoy shiny things, he went with very shiny..... He'll explain that this can be used to store her coloured pencils in, OR anything else!
β a set of warm scarf, hat, and mittens
β he'll also explain that the single old, large, earring also inside is from Migi..... This was undoubtedly stolen and pocketed, and now he'll be handing it over to her...... ]
Christmas Eve
[You have been visited by Holy Mami!
She descends from the winter night sky, presents in hand. She has a smile on her face as she hands you a gift with a note attached.]
βThese were made with love especially for you! Merry Christmas!β
[Before you have the chance to say anything though, sheβs gone! She has a lot of gifts to deliver and little time to do so!]
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!
christmas gifts
it's also filled with candy in shiny wrappers and more tin foil. because he knows what girls like, obvs.]
titanic stuff!! cw for referenced death of several family members
For starters, all the entrances to it are in steerage, in the third class hallways. To even walk through them is to gain some measure of attention because even dressed down, it's clear that Will Graham, heir to the late John Graham's railway company out in the less-tamed but still wealthy parts of the western US, doesn't belong in third class. From the simple fact that he can afford hair products to the more glaring issue of eyeglasses and the make of his shoes, Will sticks out when among the small throng of people seemingly always in the hallways down in third class.
But the benefit of his station in life is simple and one he takes full advantage of: that he doesn't have to answer to any of them. Will brushes past everyone, as he always does. Chin up but no eye contact, shoulders back but a fine tremor to them until he finally passes through the door into the storage area of the ship.
In here, it's just the myriad of things that the rich aboard the ship decided to take with them back to America. Will shuts the door behind himself and keeps walking, doesn't even start to slow down until he's trailed between the piled-high boxes and cars and wire cages long enough that he can almost forget where he is. Until it's almost possible to let go of the fact that he's trapped in a small space with hundreds - thousands - of other people.
Will sighs deeply and sinks down onto a shipment trunk, far enough in that he's collected a thin layer of dust on his shoes just from walking among everything. And here, finally isolated in a way he couldn't achieve in the spacious but very purposeful and flashy quarters he has here on the ship, Will puts his head in his hands and just breathes.
And thinks, unfortunately, of all the failed relationships that have brought him here. He's here because of his cousin - Peter - and needing to guide the teenager to a new place to live. The two are traveling together in the wake of the accident that killed Peter's parents...and Will's wife. Molly Graham had been drifting from him even before the sudden death, but the loss is a raw ache still; a loneliness Will had been lying to himself existed even before he had to pick out a coffin.
Getting away from the little aches and pains of the rest of people here is a small luxury, and one he needs after almost a solid week on board.]
no subject
The pressure from above-the culmination of confusing emotions intermingling and the sheer amount of people forced together in this small space is what urged her to. There's no alley to hide in or cats to huddle up near. It would be pointless to speak into the Fluid, when the few friends she has remember nothing and-
It was easier to move. To follow an unmarked path further and further and she almost gave up when it got worse-when the cramped quarters and passages somehow got tighter, when contact with others became compulsory because it was impossible to navigate without bumping into shoulders.
The reward though-
Is this.
Is this room, still somehow packed to the brim, but with items and trinkets and large pieces of furniture and machinery instead of people. She can still feel the hum of emotions above her-she didn't go that far down. She can get back up later. She's not trapped and-
This is what she needed. A second, a minute, where she can hide. Where she can just shove herself into a quiet corner and listen to hearts with her body instead of her ears and even now she can feel the swirling-
Sadness?
Loneliness?
It permeates the air and she twists her head to either side to find the source. It's not her. Not this time. It's close though. Strange. Familiar and safe and-
She spots him. The situation almost comically similar to how they first met-two lonely people trying to get away from everything and somehow finding each other despite it all.]
You're here too?
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Will makes an undignified noise of surprise, somewhere between a gasp and a grunt, not even an attempt at a word. He also jolts harshly enough that he nearly stumbles right off the trunk he's been sulking on. His fear only goes so far - he turns and sees her, thin and shorter than him and closer to a child than an adult, and she looks real unlike the strange grass-teenager he'd met the other day - but he's not sure what to replace it with. ]
...Yeah. [ Not a ground-breaking response. He swallows, brows drawing together in confusion. ] Are you-- alone? [ Because children shouldn't be alone. Not even ones that give Will a sense of...
It's not deja vu. He's not yet really plagued by the sense that this place is wrong. But there's something here that he can't place - Will wonders if it's just paranoia about wherever her parents must be, and having to interact with them when they arrive. ]
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While she can't be sure, not until he says it, she has a sneaking suspicion some variation of that is happening here.]
I'm alone. No one came with me. I just-
[She plops down beside a large, fabric covered box and covers half her body with those dirty sheets. That's better.]
Wanted to hide again and it's quiet, so I came here.
no subject
She drags sheets over herself with a clear lack of worry for who they might belong to, and Will has a feeling this child is absolutely not in first class alongside himself. Will would never have acted that way in front of an adult at her age - what is her age, anyway? she seems small for it, whatever it is - so that must mean...
'Wanted to hide'. The thought is at once sad and relatable. Will laughs shortly, although his expression's unsure if it can relax into a smile yet. ] Well, it's a good place to hide. The kind of people who can afford to use this room are happy to leave it alone until we hit land again.
[ Will hesitates for only a moment before he sits back down again, on the trunk he was using before. There's some foreign sense that mirroring is actually good, will work, and it comes from beyond Will's usual instinct to do that...
No, it must just be usual impulse. Nothing more.
What follows is perhaps standard procedure for when an adult comes across a child who's alone, but Will asks it with a captivated sincerity: ] What's your name? Mine's Will.