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 Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:35 pm
As expected, Julian was reorganizing his room. So far he didn’t have much to show for it but he was clearly making his best effort to utilize the space he had. Julian’s room was rarely anything but spotless but as he moved some of the furniture he’d had to relocate things from one place to another. His bed was currently functioning as a table.
Julian hadn’t heard Talia come upstairs. The television was on and showing some travel show but he wasn’t watching it.
He stood in the middle of his room, brows furrowed as he chewed on his cheek. He cupped his chin in his hand and seemed to be debating on what he wanted to work on next. The window was open and the curtains danced just slightly in the breeze. By all counts, this should have been a peaceful day.
Instead, he was worrying about Riker, too.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:39 pm
Talia made her way to Julian’s room, and for a moment just stood there watching him, worry on her face, but a small smile on there too. Julian made her happy. She couldn't help it.
“Hey kiddo. Can I help you with anything? Evan just let me know about Riker…are you doing okay?”
She held her arms out in case he wanted a hug. She wanted to simply run over and hug him regardless, but she was still careful. He didn’t ever seem to mind affection though. It was hard, trying not to overstep, or it had been at first, but they had learned.
Her eyes flickered around the room, taking in everything and trying to figure out where the best spot to put in a mini fridge would be, as well as an air mattress….
It was the attic and really wasn’t that large…
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:41 pm
Julian jumped when she spoke and quickly turned to face her. “Oh, Talia! I’m sorry, you surprised me.” Her arms were out, she must want a hug. Obligingly, he crossed the distance between them and stepped into her arms.
“I’m okay. Worried,” he admitted, but he seemed more mellow about it than Evan had been. “Riker, um, he’s going to stay up here with me,” he said slowly, still somewhat questioningly. He didn’t think Talia would have objected but he didn’t want to upset her or anyone else.
“I was just trying to clear out a little bit more space. I’m sorry, I’ll have all of this cleaned up soon. I know it looks like a mess but I’ve got a plan,” he promised.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:45 pm
“I don’t doubt that you have a plan. We figured that you would.” Talia hugged him gently and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
“I want to help if I can? Tell me what your plan is, Evan and I thought of a few other ideas but I want to hear what you’re thinking first! Then I’ll start jabbering about all the blankets that I want to get Riker, and everything else I want to do to make sure he’s comfortable.”
Julian knew how she was.
She knew he had a good head on his shoulders, and if he had a plan, she wanted to listen.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:46 pm
“Oh, I don’t know,” Julian was quick to answer. He drew away from the hug, but only so he could look around his room again. It wasn’t that he didn’t have a plan, it was just that he wasn’t confident when it came to discussing his own ideas.
It took him a few seconds to shake off his uncertainty. Getting things ready was important, he couldn’t afford to doubt himself.
“I was thinking I would keep the bed against the wall, I like it there.” It was one less side not to roll off of, too. “I was thinking I should…I would like to get a bedside table or something close to the bed. And a lamp that I can keep closer to the bed. Maybe a touch lamp, or one with a remote, so he wouldn’t have to get up. Um. A laptop tray. And some more pillows. I want to go to the library and borrow some books, too. Do you think that sounds okay? I have enough money for those things,” he said, because he was very good at saving the monthly stipend he got.
It wasn’t like they charged him for rent or food, and he did his best to afford the other things he needed with the money he got from the foster care system. He was frugal and careful with what he bought just in case there were ever emergencies–like this.
He might not spend money on himself for frivolous things, but this wasn't frivolous–this was important to him. He wanted to do this.
He just also wanted Talia to tell him it was a good idea.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:49 pm
Those were all good ideas! She nodded and looked around again. “I think those all sound great, and I’m happy to take you shopping whenever you’re ready! Evan had the suggestion of a mini fridge? So that you boys could keep snacks and drinks up here, and I was thinking maybe and air mattress? I know you two share a bed, but it might be good for the first few days at least for him to sleep alone? Just in case there’s rolling or anything?”
Talia gave a little smile. “An air mattress isn’t a bad idea to have in the house anyway so it definitely wouldn’t go to waste. The pillows are a fantastic idea, I’m always so fixated on blankets, but keeping him propped up might be useful, the laptop tray too, I would never have thought of that. And we can go to the library whenever you want. I think that sounds great, Julian!”
She was proud of him, and it showed in her expression. At least she hoped it did.
“I’m so proud of you for how you’re handling this. You’re a very good friend.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:49 pm
He breathed a soft sigh of relief when she said it sounded like a good idea. Approval still meant a lot to him, even if he was getting better at hiding it.
“Thank you,” he mumbled sheepishly, and had to take a second to pull himself together. His cheeks darkened just slightly and his eyes found a corner to focus on while he sorted through the praise. It didn’t take him long.
“A mini-fridge? I don’t think I got that far into planning,” he admitted, but he turned to examine his room. There was space, he could probably fit one–and maybe Riker would prefer having access to food, fast, without having to go up or down. Riker wouldn’t admit it but he was a bit shy, and a bit antsy around adults–and there were a lot of strangers in the house. He might appreciate having an area that was ‘safe’, where he didn’t have to worry about running into people except when he was feeling up to it.
Julian nodded shortly afterwards; it didn’t take long for him to realize that was a good idea.
“An air mattress, um. Okay,” he said, ready to agree even if he found himself debating on how much use it would get. Julian slept lightly but hardly ever moved, and Riker was pretty good at staying still, so he didn't think there would be much rolling around–but he also didn’t know how hurt Riker was, or if he’d want some space to himself.
“I don’t mind sleeping on the floor but, um, if you were thinking you wanted one anyway…”
He shrugged meekly and then nodded again. He didn’t feel bad about saying yes to more things if it was something she wanted around anyway.
“Do you think…um, would now be a good time to go shopping?” He tugged and stretched a thread at the bottom of his sweater. “If it’s not too much of an imposition. I just want to be ready, and I’m already moving things around now so it might be helpful to have it all together…but only if it’s a good time for you! I don’t mind waiting. Have you–have any of your friends ever been hurt really badly?” he asked, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:55 pm
“I don’t want you to have to sleep on the floor, so we’ll get one regardless.” Talia nodded and watched Julian, feeling a rush of pride as she did so. “I’m fine with going now! I just got back! Oh! I got socks for you!”
She reached into the bag and withdrew three pairs, holding them out. “I thought they were really cute. I got some for everyone, and when we go out I’ll have to get some for Riker! You can help me pick them out.” They were useless, but she hoped that the dancing candy corn, the sheep dressed as witches and the squirrels dressed as vampires would at least make Julian smile. Sometimes that was all she wanted to do.
“Evan said he’s going to make some sandwiches, are you okay with eating before we go? He’s…really stressed out and I thought–he thought that cooking would help him calm down.”
It always did as for people being hurt…
“Not…that I can remember? I have healing magic, you know that and I am more than happy to use as much of it as I need to, if he wants or needs more. I…did have a unicorn that got very badly hurt up on Lysithea who I was able to heal…so I do…know that I can heal big wounds…in time. It’s easier when I’m up there. Everything seems to be.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:58 pm
Julian seemed surprised by the socks but only because he had been totally oblivious to the bag she’d brought up. He’d been so distracted by everything else going on that his eyes had completely glazed over it.
…Maybe that was a good sign that it was time to take a break.
He didn’t know if Riker was the sort who would enjoy silly socks but he smiled when Talia suggested it. He knew she was just trying to think about whatever she could do to make him feel welcome. Riker might not make it easy on her but Julian thought she was patient enough that she might be able to see through him.
He’d had plenty of hardships already, it wasn’t really a surprise that he would treat kindness like it was a trap. Riker was uncomfortable around strangers, especially adults. To him, a gift with no strings was no different than a hook with bait to a hungry fish.
Riker didn’t want people to see him hurt. If it was safe for him to go home, he might have tried to hide it from everyone–including Julian and Evan. Julian wasn’t sure what to expect but if he’d been hurt as badly as it sounded, he doubted he would be in the mood to try and make friends or warm up to new people.
Julian had nothing bad to say about Riker but neither was he in any position to explain Riker.
He hoped Talia would understand.
“These are really cute,” Julian said as he held the three socks. “Thank you for thinking of me while you were out. And for Riker, um–I don’t know what state he’ll be in when he gets here,” he said, but he seemed sheepish to admit it. “But I appreciate the offer a lot, thank you. I’ll let you know as soon as I do. I know he’ll need a lot of bedrest, and to take it easy.”
Beyond that, they’d just have to see how much he could heal in the next few days.
“I’ll get ready to go so we can leave after we eat. I need to get my list so I don’t forget anything. But I won’t take long.” He had breakfast but he hadn’t eaten since then. Maybe that was why he was so shaky. “Um, but–I was wondering…the unicorn you healed…”
His voice trailed off. Julian sometimes had a hard time finding the words when he had something important to say. He did his best, but being blunt wasn’t a skill he’d ever mastered. Sometimes he talked around what he wanted to say.
He was trying to be better.
“...Were you scared you might lose it?”
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:59 pm
Talia nodded, glad that he liked them, but she hesitated at the question, and thought about it. “...Yeah. Honestly I was. From what I’ve read, horses legs are like, super important…which. Really sounds stupid saying it out loud but…a horse with a broken leg? That can be fatal, and honestly, I don’t think my magic works on healing bones…”
Was she saying too much? Was she going to end up scaring him? Was this just him asking if Riker was going to die and she was saying the wrong thing?
Well. Too late now.
“I was up on my Wonder, and it was the first time I had seen a unicorn! She was beautiful. But she fell and broke a leg. So I freaked out. I was alone up there. Trying to find myself or something. I don’t know. I suppose I did. I just kept pouring everything I had into her. I figured I wouldn't be able to heal the leg, but…with time…and I think with Lysithea helping me…I was able to. It took all night. I was absolutely exhausted…but she was fine.”
Until she got corrupted from the residual gunk later on but…that was a whole other story and she was already afraid that she was saying the wrong thing.
“It’s scary. When someone you care about is hurt…ah.” Talia closed her eyes for a moment. “There was…ah. The. The General who had. I think I told you about him. Faustite? He was…dying. Or something…and I…tried to help him. And thought I lost him…and that…”
Had wracked her with guilt for far too long. Her expression was somewhat dull and she sighed. “But now he’s a General King and a threat to me. So. Yay. I guess.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 5:00 pm
Julian didn’t know much about horse–or unicorn–anatomy so he nodded along as she explained. He didn’t think any of it sounded stupid; it sounded like she’d been faced with a serious issue and that it had been a stroke of very good luck that she had healing magic to share.
His brows furrowed at one point, like maybe he was thinking too deeply about people being hurt–or worse–and his expression shifted into something more somber. His eyes fell to the ground while he listened.
He’d heard about Faustite, too. Maybe not everything, but enough that he thought he had a good idea. Whatever his thoughts were, he kept them to himself for a long moment before he finally nodded.
“I’m sorry that you had to go through all of that. I’m glad you were able to help the unicorn. But I’m sorry that trying to help Faustite left you hurting so much.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 5:01 pm
Talia gave a little smile and shook her head. “The point of all of that was, yes. I was afraid…but I didn't lose the unicorn, and you won’t lose Riker.” From what she knew, he was being taken care of, and would stay here and recover, and lord knew that they had the power to do whatever was needed if it came to extra healing.
“There’s nothing wrong with being afraid, Julian. So long as you know that we’re going to do everything that we can so that he’s all right.”
Hopefully, those were the right words. They were the only ones that were coming right now at least.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 5:03 pm
Julian nodded again but it took him a moment to find words. He hadn’t yet broken his habit of keeping most of his thoughts to himself, and even if he was getting better at being more forthcoming, it wasn’t always easy.
This was already a difficult situation. He had many thoughts and many feelings, and wading through them was taking a lot out of him.
He was just doing his best to stay on top of things.
“I know,” he assured softly. “Thank you for telling me your stories, Talia. I’m sorry if I made you bring up bad memories.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 5:04 pm
Talia shook her head, and then shook it again, hoping that the message would stick. “You didn’t, I promise you didn’t. I was just trying to think of situations like you were talking about. And those were the only two.”
Bad memories would always be there, and there was no reason to throw blame around. She had gotten better with things, and things had gotten easier. “I’m glad that you want to listen to my stories…and thank you for trusting me to help your friend. If you can think of anything else he needs, while we’re out just let me know…but for now do you wanna…go and eat so we can get ourselves together for shopping?”
She wasn’t sure how much else they could hash out right now, the plan seemed solid, and Evan would be waiting with the sandwiches…at least she hoped he would.
She wanted to make sure everything was all ready for Riker when he arrived.
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 5:04 pm
“Yeah, I can meet you down there in just a minute. I’ll get my list and change clothes. But I won’t be long,” he promised. “If you want to start eating, I’ll be down to join you soon.”
He doubted he’d have a complete list of everything Riker might need, or want, but they had a starting point. He hadn’t had time to do much research, or talk to his friends, but having anything done was better than nothing. The more he could finish now, the less there was to worry about later.
He could put that energy towards something more productive.
His room was a bit disorganized right now, and it felt wrong to leave it in such a state, he knew no one was going to give him any grief for it. Especially because he was usually so clean and organized, and he’d promised to have it all proper before he went to bed.
Julian smiled once more at Talia. He was grateful she was willing to take him out so he could prepare his room for Riker, and relieved that she was willing to do it now, too.
He might have been able to offer space if he’d still been at Hillworth but more than ever he was glad to have a place where he felt safe so he could share it.
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