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

[furgood]

I'm... I'm fine. Just upset by what Norfinbury put you through. Upset about things I can't change. [She lets go and picks up her empty tea cup. In a swift motion she stands and tries on a tight smile] Maybe I'll just get a refill.

[devoutish]

Here, here - let me.

[He reaches for her cup, if she'll give it to him. He is the host, after all.]

[furgood]

[ She lets go, if a little reluctantly. It doesn't stop her from trailing after him, like she's going through the motions either way ]

I have to have you over again so I can make you let me get everything. [Her voice sounds at first a little absent and detached but soon picks up.] If you'll even let me.

[devoutish]

Sure, I will. Yeah.

[He pours her another cup and hands it back to her, then leans against the counter with his arms folded.]

Is Norfinbury really all that's bothering you?

[furgood]

Norfinbury is pretty awful. [ She takes a gulp, more so she doesn't have to soak than to quench any thirst ]

... Do you remember Rae's brother? I don't know if you met him. But he controlled her, controlled anyone. And she loved him anyways even if he hurt her. She knew better but she couldn't help it.

[devoutish]

I did hear about it, yeah.

[He waits, assuming that she has more to say.]

[furgood]

[She opens her mouth to speak but nothing comes out. The silence stretches for several long moments and then she takes a deep breath] I'm sorry. I never thought I'd tell anyone any of this. Not about what happened to my hearing or--

[Another deep breath.] I loved someone, trusted them, even though I knew better. Or I should have. And they... didn't control me like Slink did to Rae. But they let someone else in my head and told me it was right. That it fixed me. And I agreed for a long time until someone else helped me.

[devoutish]

[Aha. He knew there was a fully story behind that look.]

You're free of them now?

[furgood]

[Wince ] I...I like to think all the programming is gone but it pops up sometimes. It was worse around those who loved the Capitol. Not many of those here.

[devoutish]

Was he one of them? Did he love the Capitol?

[furgood]

[softly:] More than he loved me sometimes. I think. No--he just... I don't know.

[devoutish]

Duty over love? That sort of thing?

[furgood]

I don't know. I'm not being fair. [ She leans against a wall and shakes her head ] I'm sorry, I'm making excuses--I just. I don't know why I'm bothering to try to make you think he was a better person than this when you've never even met him. He wasn't horrible, he just... made some bad decisions. That involved me.

And I can't trust him.

[devoutish]

He was for the Capitol, as well. That also tells me something.

[He clears his throat.]

You don't trust him, and I don't blame you for it.

[furgood]

I can't trust him. He--[Waves hand ] I'll just go around in circles justifying him. [Pause</small] That's why I like it here. I'm not... no one's trying to change me or push me you do things. And I don't have to try to keep him or anyone else sane and alive... I know everyone else wants to go home.

[devoutish]

Not everyone. There's a good number of people here who want to stay.

[furgood]

I guess I always hear about those who don't want to be here anymore.

[devoutish]

Us pesky Norfinbury folk? John and Sherlock?

[As far as he knows, they're the most vocal about it.]

[furgood]

Well yes. I'm closest to the Norfinbury people after those from Panem. Though Sherlock doesn't like me I think.

[devoutish]

Well, that's no surprise; Sherlock doesn't like many people at all.

[furgood]

I think he was determined to make John's life
as awkward as possible. Well. Most of the Meadous was.

[devoutish]

Is there a story behind this?

[furgood]

A month or two after I arrived, John tried to take me on a date. Only he didn't say it was a date. But he did it in the rec center. It was pretty amazing the concerted effort made by people to ruin his attempt.

In the end, Sherlock embarrassed me so bad I left so-- just no thank you. Never date someone who's best friend is sabotaging your date.

I think he's doing well anyways. I've seen him leave parties not exactly alone.

[devoutish]

A date in the rec center, really?

[Alfie's judging a bit; sorry, John. He clicks his tongue.]

And not a mutual date, at that. Who's this he's leaving parties with, Mary?

[furgood]

Well I'm not gossiping but I can safely say it wasn't Mary? [She is confusion ] And well, he wanted to get coffee, I suppose.