21

[prayingone]

[Voice]

For those who aren't aware, Stella -- [There's a soft sigh as Shirley turns away from the view of the journal.] Stella Coolidge was sent home in the chaos last week. Fenimore, Walter, and I will be taking care of Sophie now

Comments

[Voice]

[unseenspy]

Stella is...?

[The news makes him depressed, as he was finding himself growing attached to her despite himself, and the fact that they hadn't spoken much. It has to be because of the doll she had made him.]

[Voice]

[prayingone]

... she's gone.

[Voice]

[unseenspy]

I see. The timing was impeccable.

[Voice]

[prayingone]

The timing?...

[Action, because Luceti needs lesbian action]

[xelhes]

[Fenimore was rather overjoyed by the return of the grocery food, which is evidenced by how weighed down she is by bags from her visit there. Still, as much as she's starting to get tired of carrying the heavy bags, she can't just walk by this scene without stopping to listen and watch.

When there's a sufficient pause after a round of the song, she speaks.] Where did you learn that song? I haven't heard you sing it before.

[Action, because it's a good thing we're here to provide]

[prayingone]

[Fenimore's return sparks a faint smile from Shirley.]

From Grune... she likes to sing it when she plants seedlings.

[Action]

[xelhes]

[She returns the smile and crouches on the other side of the garden, setting down the bags on either side of her.]

From Grune? I didn't know she sang. Or that you could sing so well, either.

[Action]

[prayingone]

She's full of surprises, isn't she? [Her cheeks pink at the compliment.] You think so?

[Voice]

[markofthewise]

... I'm sorry, Shirley. I know I never met her, but... [Man. What a bummer.]

[Voice]

[prayingone]

I wish you could have... she was very kind. ... but, thank you, Sokka.

[Voice]

[markofthewise]

Are you going to be okay?

[Voice]

[prayingone]

[It's hard to be okay when your sister's just gone home to be dead :(]

... it's hard. But... I still have Fenimore and Walter. And Sophie, too...

[Action]

[antisilent]

[And this is a - in his mind - not very unusual event. That is to say, Atsuki Saijo walking up to House Ferines to see the girls. However, something is off, even if he doesn't recognize it as such. Namely... Atsuki Saijo is in the body of a ten year old at best. A cute little kid, really.

...Even if he has the same eyes.]

[Action]

[prayingone]

[Hello, small and oddly familiar child wandering into her yard.]

Hello, there.

[Action]

[antisilent]

Hey there. Hope I'm not interrupting.

[With a cute little wave, even]

[Action]

[prayingone]

[How adorable. Shirley waves back at him, and smiles; Sophie linefaces, before returning to her game and pretending mini!Atsuki isn't there.]

Of course you aren't. What brings you all the way out here? [Meaning: Are you lost?]

[skyborne_mage]

Stella is...

How... how's Sophie taking it?

[prayingone]

... ... she misses her mother very much. [There's been a lot of asking for mama, crying when she won't come, and a few tantrums when Stella isn't there to help her go to bed. And it's bound to get worse before it gets better.]

[skyborne_mage]

Bet she does. [Arche remembers not growing up with a mom around. Of course, Sophie has it even worse since Arche actually did have her dad.]

What about you? You gonna be able to get through this okay?

[prayingone]

It's... hard. [Knowing that if she ever goes home, Stella won't be there.] ... ... but, Sophie needs me.