IC contact for wethelost

[devoutish]

Solomons & Melborn
1108 Sweet Cream Street

[Feel free to use this space for letter/package deliveries as well as visits/knocks on the front door!]

Comments

[devoutish]

Aren't birthday presents meant to be surprises? I can't very well tell you what I want, can I.

[furgood]

Depends on the purrson. Maybe you want something functional? Or something handmade or heartfelt or...I don't know, silly. If you wanted something in particular, you'd probably want to say something.

[devoutish]

Oh, heartfelt's nice, don't you think?

[He spreads his hands to her, offering a smile.]

If I wanted something in particular, I wouldn't dream of requesting it as a birthday gift. But you're gonna let me surprise you in return, yeah?

[furgood]

It is, it is. [ Her smile softens ] And that happens to be my speciality.

[ She tucks back a curl of hair and giggles ] I'll be dying of curiosity but I can let you surprise me.

[devoutish]

Then surprise you I will.

[He turns back to the stove, talking over his shoulder again.]

Catch me up on how you've been, then.

[furgood]

You have plenty of time. [ She beams ] I've been well. I met up with a friend in the dreams and all. I'm working on a bread recipe I found in the library but it's not quite right.

Also right now, I'm still getting over how different you sound than I imagined.

[devoutish]

[Say what. The look of surprise on his face is probably obvious.]

You wished your hearing back?

[furgood]

[She looks a little flustered but she nods and shifts so she's not quite looking at him] I've been thinking about it for a while. I felt guilty for a long time but I finally just decided to do something for me.

[devoutish]

And why would you feel guilty?

[furgood]

That's complicated... I don't mind telling you but it's not something nice.

[devoutish]

[He nods in acknowledgement, indicating that she can go on.]

[furgood]

I... Sorry I've never told anyone. Well. I told someone but they sort of assumed wrong so I wanted to set the record straight.

I was deafened when I was 13. By the father off my friend from the Capitol. To punish him. [She fidgets] I-- should have decided what I wanted to say before I started. But I was beaten until-- my left arm still isn't as strong.

He ended up muting himself sort of. As his own sacrifice. For me I guess? It's-- this is so dramatic. [She laughs awkwardly and dives her hair back with both hands ] I feel guilty because-- Well, obviously.

[devoutish]

[Alfie's quiet as she tells the story, his face mostly impassive, though if she's watching she might notice it darken a little, his eyes narrowing and his lips tightening.]

You felt like it was your fault that your friend did what he did.

[furgood]

I know it was. In the Capitol, he-- There was a thing that happened, a mix between the dreaming and the memory tree, where I saw what happened. I know he did because of me.

[devoutish]

[Alfie hmphs.]

You don't think it was the fault of a man who deafened a little girl?

[furgood]

[She deflates a little ] Of course, I've told him it wasn't his fault but he-- he does that. Did that. Takes blame for things.

[She breathes out] I know logically...But.

[devoutish]

Yeah. And you're doing the same, now.

[furgood]

Is it really taking blame if someone basically told you it was for you? [ She looks away ] I'm trying not to. That's why... And is more complicated than that. Than all that...

I don't know why I told you. It's not something you should have to deal with.

[devoutish]

You didn't hold his hand to the fire and force him, did you.

[Reaching back to the stove, he switches off the burner - he'll finish making the tea later - and makes his way over to her in the living room. If she's sitting somewhere, he'll sit down next to her.]

[furgood]

[ She shakes her head, still not even looking at him even when he's this close. She gestures out with both hands emphatically] I didn't even know he'd done it until I went to the Capitol-- and I didn't know he did it for me, to punish himself, for months. He never came back to Four and-- his father hurt me because he spoke out about our mutual friend being beaten.

[devoutish]

Then, my dear--

[He holds out his hand, but doesn't take hers; she can make that choice, or not.]

-- you truly bear no blame at all in this, do you.

[furgood]

[She looks up silently and reaches out. She gives his hands a squeeze. There's quiet for a moment before she tilts her head and smiles a little uncertaintly ]

See, I knew I was okay telling you for a reason.

[devoutish]

[He squeezes her hand back.]

Yeah, well, I don't much like thirteen-year-old girls being tortured and maimed, do I.

[furgood]

I think we'd have bigger problems if you did. [She brushes at her eyes with her free hand and takes a deep breath ] But... really. I knew you wouldn't think less of me. Or--or use it against me or something. I don't know. People aren't always kind about things.

[devoutish]

I'd have words with that father of your friend, if I could.