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 Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 3:44 pm
Quote: Prompt 7 (Illuminating Conversation): This time of year there are lights hanging everywhere. They come in different colors, different styles, different patterns of illumination. You might not remember when it started, but when you looked at a display, you noticed the lights seemed to be flashing in a specific pattern. When you look away, you might be able to see out of the corner of your eye that they return to normal--but any time you look at them, they repeat the same unique sequence. It’s not just one light, either; almost everywhere you go you can find some light repeating the pattern. Is something trying to send you a message? Could it be Morse Code, or something else? A coincidence? Either way, you can’t seem to decipher the message and it’s getting to you. Especially because no one else seems to notice it.
Well. Just in case she wanted to meet up. It was early enough that it shouldn’t be too much of an issue, and not late enough that Todd would be at work so.
Quote: Dagon, Hi! I’m going to be in the city for a few hours if you want to come and meet me? I know that you can’t write back so that’s why I’m letting you know, I’m going to be in the park with the one fountain in it, near the Seven Eleven over by the main square and sorta close to St. Mags? I hope that I get to see you! I miss you! Love, Stirling
She made sure to have everything she needed which…honestly was just a bit of money and herself, obviously, but after about half an hour, she was back in the city, and after the lizard incident was over, Stirling sighed and then made sure that nobody powered was around, she let her powered form drop and made a beeline towards the fast food restaurant that was right by the park, and as she bought herself a large meal, she headed to go sit down and eat, pleased to have something warm and fresh…or. As fresh as fast food ever way.
It was cold tonight, and there were holiday lights everywhere…some were blinking, but she didn’t think much of it, far too eager just to stuff her stomach, and hopefully wait for Dagon.
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 3:28 am
There had been a fear in Dagon's heart, the entire time that Stirling was gone. The girl was precious to her, a fragment of her old life found again in the new, and her loss...Dagon was not sure she would have recovered. So the letter announcing her return had been more than well received, and now there was an offer to meet.
Dagon did not hesitate--she made use of her powered form to get there as quickly as possible, before powering down to her human guise to find the familiar girl.
"Brooklyn!" She called, heart racing as she approached the girl's table--filled with a meal, good. Not the kind of food Dagon might have chosen for her, but better than nothing. "I'm so glad to see you--are you well?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:53 pm
Honestly, Brooklyn didn’t know how she would have reacted when she saw Dagon…she wasn’t sure that she would even get to see the woman but…
Her half finished burger was just at her lips when the woman came over, and she swallowed, putting the food down on the paper…was it paper? Did it matter if it wasn’t? How strange that this was what she was thinking about. Whatever it was, she put her burger down on the wrapping.
“I’m…I…”
She stared up at Ophelia and felt shameful tears filling her eyes.
“Not…really I mean…physically, yeah I’m good it just…life…life really sucks right now…”
s**t. Was she really going to cry? She didn’t want to cry, but…her self control seemed to break and she twisted around and all but threw herself at the older woman.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:08 pm
Something in Ophelia's heart shattered, seeing Brooklyn tear up like that. She was not a physically affectionate person--not anymore, at least--but she longed to scoop the girl up into a hug, and it was sort of a relief when Brooklyn launched herself over for one.
She squeezed, tight, holding Brooklyn close and petting her hair.
"What's wrong? Is there any way I can help?"
It was ever her desire to fix things. Especially for her little girls.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:16 pm
“I…I don’t know. Everythings just. I’m only fifteen. I’m doing my best living up on Stirling but it’s really hard....like…a lot harder than I would have thought…and I’m trying to just be brave for everyone but that’s hard too and I’m just so tired. You don’t even know how good this stupid food tastes right now…like, I’m not trying to complain! It’s better than it was in the home, and obviously being dead isn’t what I want either, so I’m glad that my starseed was put back…but I just…”
Pressing close against Ophelia, Brooklyn just shook her head. “I miss how things were. I miss going to school…I miss my friends...I just. I hate everything right now…and I don’t know what to do to make it better…”
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:45 pm
"Oh, darling," Ophelia's voice was warm and gentle, and she kept stroking Brooklyn's hair, an easy gesture of comfort. "You are only fifteen. As a Knight, you sohuld only just be starting your journey. In the past, you would still be at the Academy, learning from your peers. You have your whole life ahead of you--no one should expect you to be anything more than you are."
Easy to say, Ophelia knew. The weight of magic on one's shoulders was heavy, no matter the age. Perhaps moreso now, with all the avenues of support and learning utterly shattered by time and Chaos. There was no one else to tell Stirling that it was okay to be afraid, to not know what she was doing.
"You've already been throguh more than many Knights of my era. That you continue on is a sign of strength all its own. As for the rest, the mundane things...I admit, the ways these things work are beyond my understanding. I don't know your Earth very well. But perhaps we can find a solution."
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 4:37 pm
“I don’t…I don’t mind the Knight things…I like that I’m a Knight. I’m proud of what I am I just…”
Brooklyn shuddered and honestly, didn’t know what else to say. Of course the person she felt safest to unburden herself to…was the one who didn’t seem to really understand what she was saying and.
“...I just need to toughen up…get the farm going and start finding ways to keep better food up there…”
Drawing in a slow, steadying breath, Brooklyn finally drew away slightly from Ophelia, wiping at her eyes. “I miss hot food a lot. A person can only eat so much peanut butter and jelly, you know?”
Not that there was anything wrong with the sandwich. It was easy, cheap and she had plenty of supplies of it.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 6:13 pm
Ophelia shook her head, and when Brooklyn drew back, she moved her hands to gently rest on Brooklyn's shoulders.
"You do not need to toughen up. Being alone...it isn't how sapient beings are meant to exist." It had nearly broken Dagon herself, centuries of loneliness on her world. She did not want to imagine Brooklyn suffering anything even remotely similar. "Restoring your Wonder and making it more livable--this is something to be lauded, and I am proud of all the work you have done. But fi you wish to return to earth, to have somewhere to stay here--my home is still open to you."
They had never gotten her into Ophelia's care before, but surely it could be managed now. Somehow, some way.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 6:42 pm
“I…I don’t know how we’d do it. I’m…pretty much a fugitive now. Like, it’s not as simple as it was…I really…”
Brooklyn chewed her lip until she tasted blood and then hastily ran her hand over it, hopefully before Ophelia noticed. “I’m not sure how it can be done, but…I would honestly love that. I miss school. I miss…having a real life...I miss being Brooklyn…like…Stirling is great but…I miss…”
She shrugged and struggled to hold back another sob that was threatening. “...I miss being me. And knowing who I am.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:35 pm
It would be difficult, it seemed. But, in Ophelia's mind, what was the purpose of a Guardian Cat's knowledge of technology if not to help in exactly these situations?
"We will find a way. Ophelia Kreimhild was born thirteen centuries ago, on another world, and yet she has been made to exist here on Earth. Surely we can find a way to help you."
There was simply no other option allowable. Brooklyn could not be left to suffer, rootless, nameless.
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 2:48 pm
“You…really think so?”
Brooklyn was…wary of hoping. She wanted to, honestly, she was rather desperate to hope but…
“I guess I could contact Soleiyu or something…he might have ideas…if you can talk to someone too, that would be cool…I uh…” She chewed her lip. “I try to come down once a week…and I can send you another letter when I do, if that would be helpful…I could even write the day before to make sure you’re able to meet me? I…”
She blew out a long, stressed breath.
“...I appreciate you, Ophelia. I really…would like you to know that…”
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:20 pm
"I am certain," Ophelia replied. Because she was. It was not so much "hope" for her as "Certainty"--this was a problem that could be solved, it would just take cleverness and consideration.
"I will speak to the Mauvian I know," Ophelia promised, "and I will meet you when you return, in a week. We will ensure that you are safe, well, and at home."
She reached out, putting her hands on Brooklyn's shoulders.
"You are important to me, Brooklyn. I will see you taken care of."
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