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 Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:22 pm
Talia walked into the living room and flopped down on the couch, basking in the warm sunlight that came in through the window. Soleiyu was home, and she knew he had been working on getting things settled for Julian and hopefully Brooklyn too. The room for Julian was…well. It wasn’t as well decorated as she would have wanted, but it was something…and she had put in a little…she hadn’t told anyone. The ceiling had glow in the dark stars stuck to it, and she really hoped that Julian would like them. Sure they were dumb, but…they were neat...and they made the room feel special…it was just the attic room but. He deserved nice things.
Talia wanted to give him nice things.
Hearing the soft tap of Soleiyu’s nails, Talia raised her hands up. “Sol~ Come cuddle?”
Cuddling would solve two issues. One, she would be cuddling her warm Mauvian friend. And two, she could get information. A win/win.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:29 pm
Soleiyu huffed as if inconvenienced, but he trotted over to her on the couch. “Why are you laying down in the middle of the day, what have you been doing to wear you out?” he huffed, like he wasn’t already jumping up on the back of the couch to knock the blanket down onto her stomach so he could nest atop of it.
“I’m doing an update on my computer, so I suppose I have a few minutes. What’s your excuse?”
He enjoyed being busy, but waiting was always the most frustrating part of all of it. Even if it wasn’t supposed to take more than fifteen minutes.
He supposed ‘cuddling with Talia’ wasn’t the worst way to spend his time, and she always seemed to thrive from the attention. Besides, he liked being basked in attention.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:47 pm
“The bread is rising! So therefore, I’m resting. Besides. I know that normal cats enjoy sitting in sunbeams, and I wanted to give it a try, the couch looked so appealing. Also, I wanted to chat with you about the kids.”
Talia couldn’t help but grin, scratching behind Soleiyu’s ears. “I’m glad that you have a few minutes, I have about twenty until I have to punch the dough down again. This is going to be a new cinnamon raisin bread recipe. I hope it works out well. So! How are things going with Julian, and Brooklyn too, are they both going to be able to go to school in a few weeks?”
What she really wanted to know, would Julian be able to come and live with them and have no issues?
She wanted to be nosey...wanted to be sure that things would all turn out to be okay.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:48 pm
Soleiyu huffed again as he leaned into her scratches. “I know you are not comparing me to a ‘normal’ cat. I’m a Mauvian. And an exceptional one, at that.”
He was sure that he didn’t have to tell her all the reasons why, but for now he’d just stick to the topic.
“I’ve gotten Julian’s records transferred over, he’ll be ready to go to Azure. It’ll be a more seamless transition there than Meadowview. I think he might like the structure there. He and I spoke a bit, I know he was saying ‘whatever was easiest’ but I took what you and him both said into account. I also ordered him some uniforms, they’ll be here soon. I had to jump through some hoops to get you registered as his legal guardian but,” he shrugged. “I’ve finished all that, too. You are currently the government sanctioned foster parent of one Julian McCann. I had to falsify some documents and records but I think it’ll work out better this way. He’ll have insurance covered, he’ll get a monthly stipend, and it’ll help with college applications. And, if he ever needs access to any of his records, he’ll still be able to connect with someone without having to jump through hoops. Though I doubt that’ll be something we have to worry about.”
Soleiyu was still leaning into her hand but had begun to knead the blanket just slightly as he sat on her. “Brooklyn Vendove has all new records, as requested. She’s still figuring some things out but I’ve got a backdoor into Meadowview and Crystal depending on where she wants to go to school. I’ll be ready to help her when she’s ready, she just needs to let me know where her heart is. I want to make sure she has everything she needs.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:49 pm
“I was absolutely not comparing you to a normal cat my sweet, sweet Soleiyu. I was saying that I have seen cats enjoying sunbeams and I wanted to do it. The only cat here is me.” She gave a soft laugh when the Mauvian began making biscuits, but listened to his words with a pleased smile. “I’m so glad. Why…were there so many hoops to jump through to get me as his guardian? What’s his story, Sol?”
Obviously he would know it, and while she didn’t want to seem…didn’t want to intrude. Talia knew that it was a bad one. And…she knew he was jumpy…
“I don’t want to be nosey. I don’t want to fish for information…but I don’t know how to get him to tell me, and I want to make sure I’m doing my best for him.”
Brooklyn…she was glad that the girl was getting a new start. She was so proud, and while Talia still had the invitation open for her to come and live here, she refused, still living up on Stirling…but. At least she could have a life again and not worry about being put back into the system.
“You are an amazing person, Sol. Just so you know.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:54 pm
Soleiyu continued to work at the blanket, adjusting it until he was comfortable and then finally laying down in the little nest he’d made for himself. He wouldn’t have minded if Talia continued to praise him a bit more, but when it became apparent that she wanted him to answer, he hmm’d instead.
“Hoops, because he’s in the foster care system,” he clarified. “I’m sure they’re just trying to do their due diligence to make sure no one disappears in this city. He’s been with the same home for a few years so I had to get everything processed so they wouldn’t start asking questions. You know, the usual.”
He wasn’t exactly dragging his feet, but what information he had about Julian wasn’t exactly anything he’d obtained fairly. Of course he made sure to get his medical records, and any documentation that they might have needed, but still. It wasn’t like Julian was a child, he was a teenager. And old enough that he’d be an adult soon, anyway.
Talia only wanted what was best for him, but it wasn’t easy to navigate the path of what was reasonable to share. It wasn’t his story to tell, and Julian had guarded his secrets well. Soleiyu hadn’t meant to pry, he only accessed what he needed. Some things were just out for easy to review.
“What do you want to know? He’s been in foster care for a while. I don’t know if his case worker’s told him that his family doesn’t even live in the state anymore. I think he’s still hoping they’ll have a successful reunification and carry on with things but I think, after this amount of time, maybe his parents don’t have the same plan. I don’t know, they didn’t seem like the type of people anyone should want to know. I don’t think Julian wants to close any doors, so I didn’t. More hoops. I doubt anything will come of me making the effort, but I wanted to do right by him, anyway. That’s all I meant.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:55 pm
“You don’t think that they’ll ever want to reunite? Did…you find out why he was in the system? Was it drug use or…something worse?”
Talia didn’t want to think of Julian being in such an unfortunate situation. Brooklyn. Brooklyn had never been shy about her past. Unwanted. Given up. Abandoned. They were chips on her shoulder that she wore…well. Not proudly, but they were what made her…her.
Julian was so…jumpy. So private. So quiet. She had an inkling of what might have gone on but. It wasn’t something she wanted to really think about.
“How long…has he been in the system, do you know that much?”
She was sure he would. Talia was damn sure that Soleiyu must know everything. He was good at that. Figuring things out. And she appreciated having that on her side.
“How…could anyone want to leave such a wonderful boy…I just. Don’t understand.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 7:56 pm
Soleiyu hummed again. His tail swished behind him, like it always did when he was thinking deeply.
“I wish I had all the answers, but there are some things logic can’t apply to. Julian is a good boy, but not everyone’s cut out to be a parent. Not everyone asks for it. Not that it justifies anything, of course, but people don’t make sense. I think, ‘worse’, would be an apt way to describe them? But he’s in the system because they weren’t safe for him. They’ve had a few years to sort their things out. A bit more than three, really, but.”
Soleiyu crossed his arms neatly before him and watched Talia.
“I haven’t spoken to Julian about any of it. I understand he’s a bit shy, close-lipped. I don’t blame him. I never had a ‘teenaged boy’ phase in my life.” None that he could recall, at least. He and Talia had it in common that they lacked clear recollection of their formative years. Zac didn’t press to know much about Julian. He’d been quick to dismiss it as ‘his own business’ and didn’t think they needed to know everything about him to make sure he had a home here.
Zac had taken cleaning out and renovating the attic very seriously, and though he didn’t admit it, he seemed to thrive when it came to working on the house.
“You don’t take it to heart that he doesn’t talk about such things, do you?”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 8:47 pm
Talia was quiet, frowning as she stroked the space between Soleiyu’s eyes, up and down his nose. “Do I.take it to heart? I try not to…but I guess. I always feel like I’m doing something wrong. I was…so utterly happy when he asked to stay here. I just. Want to take care of him. To give him safety. To show him that he’s cared for. But. Yeah. I guess I took it a little bit to heart. Felt like I was messing up at everything. Felt as though I was someone that people couldn't trust or talk to. And…yeah. It bothered me…”
She stopped herself from saying ‘a bit’, because…it was more than a bit.
“You know I’m still not. Totally comfortable in my skin. It just. Added to the notion that Talia is…wrong. I suppose. Talia isn’t worth talking to. Talia can’t keep people safe. Talia isn’t worth marrying. Talia isn’t good enough. I don’t know. It’s stupid, and I’ve been really good at just. Keeping it to myself.”
Which. Was what Julian did and she was upset by it but. Her problems didn’t matter. And when she tried to talk about them…nothing good ever seemed to happen. It…
Hm.
“Thank you for telling me, Sol. I appreciate it.”
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2024 9:37 am
Though Soleiyu looked content with the way she was petting him, there was a shrewdness in his eyes that indicated he was thinking about something. Looking for something.
“Why do you do that, Talia? I can tell you’ve got things rattling around in that brain of yours. You’ll have to forgive me for making assumptions, but…I worry that you’re giving weight to some things that might not warrant it.”
He was a large cat, so when his tail twitched behind him and hit the couch, it made an audible thumping noise.
“There’s nothing wrong with ‘Talia’. Where’s all this negativity coming from? I’m not saying it’s stupid, but I am saying that what you see isn’t what I see. And I don’t think a child’s reluctance to talk about something is indicative of poor characters on your part. I have secrets. You have secrets. It doesn’t mean we don’t trust each other. It means, there are parts of ourselves that we file away from everyone. Maybe even parts we’d throw away, if we could. Talking about things doesn’t always feel good. Sometimes it can breathe new life into old problems. But give him time. I don’t know him as well as you do, but I know he’s always trying to look on the bright side of things. I don’t think he wants to see evil in the world. So when you ask him about his experience with it, he tries to find the good in it.”
Soleiyu was a curious creature, and it wasn’t always easy to keep secrets because he liked to show off how much he knew, and how much he’d accomplished. But, he understood. He’d learned a lot about people in the house just by observing them.
Evan had scars he didn’t talk about. Zac did, too. They hid them well in the day to day. Soleiyu didn’t ask, and they didn’t offer. He didn’t think there was any mistrust or deception, there. Life was filled with scars, and not all of them were worth picking at.
Julian might have his own scars. Maybe one day he’d be willing to talk about them. Maybe not. Soleiyu was patient, though.
“It doesn’t mean you’re messing up anything. You are someone people trust, and talk to. You keep people safe. You’re more than good enough. And what’s this about marrying? Are you still stuck on Zac? I don’t even know what you see in him,” he huffed, though it was probably more for show since he'd gradually--begrudgingly--learned to like Zac.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2024 10:15 am
Talia hummed softly and then gave a shrug. “Maybe. I just think differently. There’s. Less of me than there is of the others. I’m afraid of forgetting things. I want to know things. I. Suppose I hope that if I can know and learn things…”
She shrugged. “Supidly, I suppose I hope that maybe it will make part of me come back again. I know it won’t. But. I’ve been trying to stamp it out. I’ll keep my questions to myself and just keep being as open and welcoming as I can. I’m glad that you told me everything, truly I am, and I won’t betray your confidence.”
It wasn’t worth answering the part about Zac, of course it was about Zac but. It was fine. These were just silly worries. They didn’t matter.
“I think I’ll go shopping…get some blankets for him for the winter…maybe some…there should be Halloween stuff out already. Maybe I’ll get some seasonal decorations…”
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2024 10:23 am
Soleiyu raised a brow.
“Talia,” he breathed, drawing her name out. “Everyone thinks differently. It’s okay. Everyone’s experiences are different. There’s no less of you just because you don’t have access to old memories. Everyone has stories they can tell you, to share their memories. And we can make new memories.”
He hadn’t lost his memories to Chaos, but there were things he was so sure that he should know–maybe memories, or maybe something else. Things right on his peripheral, so close that he thought he should be able to grasp them.
There wasn’t anyone to ask. No one knew.
He moved forward anyway.
“I’m not saying you should keep your questions to yourself. I’m just saying, be patient. Ask questions, but don’t expect a full answer. Most people can’t do it–can’t just peel back all the layers they’ve built over bad memories. It takes time, and patience. And I know you’ve got plenty of both to spare. You don’t have to rush through everything.”
He stood up so he could step forward and headbutt her, and he collapsed on her chest dramatically.
“It’s still summer, at least wait until blankets go on sale. Halloween shopping, of course. That sounds fun. But don’t bottle these things up, Talia. What can I do to help? I don’t want you to make yourself miserable with thoughts that only make you doubt and dislike yourself, and that only bring you grief and anxiety. You have so many people here that love you, that come to you when they need help–or even just a friend. We’re all so happy to have you in our lives, you know that, right?”
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2024 10:27 am
Talia looked at him and lifted herself slightly, moving and making an “Ump”, sound, pretending to bite his ear, only using her lips though. “It is still summer, and thus, they should still be on sale! I’m going. You can’t stop me, and I won’t stop!”
She knew what he was saying was true. But. At the same time. Whenever she did bring up her insecurities, she was simply told she shouldn’t have the thoughts. It wasn’t worth bringing them up. It wasn’t worth making waves. She wanted to share. And if others did not, that was fine. She would handle it and deal with it. “I’m happy to be in your lives and to have you too. Don’t you worry about that.”
Shifting, she sat up and picked Soleiyu up under his armpits, pressing kisses to his face and then booping his nose against hers.
“I’m going to get blankets and who knows! Maybe decorations for every part of the house! Can’t stop me now!”
She paused and bent to put the Mauvian down, her eyes suddenly sparkling.
“...Can’t stop…me-ow….”
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2024 11:12 am
Talia was deflecting, and she wasn’t even doing a good job about it. Soleiyu huffed and kept his thoughts to himself because it seemed criminal to bring up something she’d just said when she already seemed like she’d pushed herself to move onto something more exciting.
She could fake a lot but the sparkle in her eye and her unbridled joy seemed sincere enough.
“Oh, puns? Already?” he sighed dramatically. “I might not be able to stop you, but your bread can. I know how hard you work on that. Do you want company while you go out? I guess I could get rid of my ears and tail for a bit. And put on shoes. I want to pick up some components. I want to make Julian a nice cell phone before school starts. And put together a good computer for him. And he needs a graphic calculator. Let me come with you? I’ll help you carry bags.”
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2024 12:22 pm
Her bread!
Talia felt her cheeks growing warm but she nodded. “My bread might stop me…I forgot about it, and I’m really glad you reminded me! I’d love for you to come!”
Going shopping with Soleiyu might earn her some judgy looks…but it would be nicer than shopping alone.
“I appreciate you putting on shoes for me. My prince charming. Give me a few minutes to punch the dough down and then we can head out?”
Honestly…she really couldn't wait to have Julian here.
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