video. the giving tree.

[collegedropout]

[Sam's very much content with what he got from the giving tree. But of course, in the calmness of the world around them, he can't help but wonder more on everyone else — his memory box sits on his bed, some of the contents sitting outside of the box, some of which are pictures of his family, of odd things like a fake amulet, and a retirement home brochure. There's more in there just waiting to be dug through for the sake of nostalgia, but first...]

ATTACHMENT: THE_GIVING_TREE

You know, being a Silverstein fan, one of my favorite books growing up was The Giving Tree.  

I don't really know why. I mean, it's a depressing story, you know? Hell, it messed with me as a kid, I mean real little, and I remember asking why that tree kept giving up parts of itself for such a jerk. I get it when he's a kid, sure. Kids are kids. But the rest... I always remembered how good the tree was — and how I swore I would never be such an ass if I ever met that tree. Crossed my heart.

I guess I sort of did meet a giving tree on this planet, and the tree gave me some... really, really great stuff. 

[He holds up some pictures, the one on top a clear picture of him as a baby with his family. He's so very pleased to have these here.

Maybe he'll offer some to Dean; he's not sure if his brother is interested in photos anymore, but... screw it, he'll offer anyway.] 

So — thanks for that, tree. I'm content.

What'd you guys get?

Comments

[namisan]

I think you look better with hair.

[collegedropout]

[Without skipping a beat, he flips his hair back smoothly.]

[namisan]

Very attractive.

So did the tree just give you pictures?

[collegedropout]

Nope! I got lucky. They gave me a whole box of stuff.

video »

[trigeminalheadache]

That book was really... odd. And so sad. I guess it's supposed to be some metaphor about how your parents will always be there for you, how they'll always provide.

[ It's clear from the look on her face that she doesn't subscribe to either of those thoughts. ]

That's a beautiful picture.

video »

[collegedropout]

Guess so.

[Aw, bless your heart. His parents didn't really have time or, uh. Life. To provide. Or at least one of them died before then. His father... well. He appreciates what his father did manage to do; it's worth something.]

Thank you. It's nice to have something to look at, from time to time.

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[trigeminalheadache]

It is. I wish I had pictures of my dad here to look at.

[ Her dad, Ronnie. Barry. The giving tree hasn't granted her that. ]

[thetruehistorian]

A bittersweet story, to be sure. What did you give the tree in return for its gifts?

[collegedropout]

Not a hug, even if that's the custom for the people.

[He smiles.]

Don't tell anyone who'd make fun of me, I gave it a little prayer.

Maybe it'd be good to plant some seeds, too, though. I have a few of those.

[thetruehistorian]

Would you like help? I'd like to get to know you again, and I'm rather handy with a spade.

[robitussin]

i forgot how fucked up that story what the hell

[collegedropout]

Right? By the time you're finished with it, you're kind of just depressed.

[robitussin]

100% would punch that kid in the face

give that tree happiness

[aigue]

It's nice to see good literature being appreciated, even with all this nonsense going on
I'm sure the author would be quite happy

[collegedropout]

I hope so, too.

That's probably the best part of being an author, seeing your work leave a permanent mark on people's personal time, whatever size it is.

[aigue]

I agree
Being able to affect people in that way must feel very fulfilling
Are you an author, by any chance?

video;;

[reconstitution]

I've heard people getting pets from the tree, too.

[ ... ]

I got a few journals. [ His journals, all full of things that he'd remembered. ]

video;;

[collegedropout]

Journals?

[Come on, Winter, you know you can't leave it at just that.]

video;;

[reconstitution]

To keep track of memories. So I wouldn't be able to forget.

video

[kickingand]

[ Who knows where the fuck Dean is right now - probably hiding out in the forest being paranoid that a Croat will appear and eat his face. As he do. But at least no one around here is trying to hold his hand....

Even so.

Dean takes a minute to not have a single clue what to say because that's their family and why is this so painful. ]

That all you get?

video

[collegedropout]

Nah, I got a box of plenty more.

[He offers a content little smile, pausing for a moment as he thumbs the photos off-screen; it's nice to have these. And he's by no means going to deny Dean a few himself.]

You want some pictures? I've got plenty.

video

[kickingand]

[ Dean.... doesn't know how to respond to that, honestly. He doesn't know if he wants pictures from home, doesn't know if he wants the memories that come with them.

But if Dean's one thing, he's a sucker, deep down. At least when it comes to those he loves. ]

They're yours.

video

[passingthrough]

Same. [Softly spoken.]

A picture of my parents anyway.

That's you and Dean, right?

video

[collegedropout]

Glad you got something like that.

[He smiles a little, holding the picture up to give her a better look, tapping his finger against it.]

That little trollbaby in the middle, that'd be me.

video

[passingthrough]

Me too.

[Her expression softens. Not quite a smile but it is a tender sort of look. She imagines such a picture would be important to him. It would be to her.]

Cute. You can barely see the horns. [Too far? He did share a lot with her about being "wrong" before. But she wouldn't consider horns wrong and it was really just a troll joke he started.]