driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Caster, everyone, and one unfortunate victim.
Broadcast: Text! Anonymous text. She's so sneaky.
Action: On the Vanquish!
When: Backdated to yesterday, the 19th!

[Bright and early in the morning, there's an anonymous text post flagged as urgent to the network. Does the network even have urgent flags? It apparently does now. Magic is great.]

ATTENTION, FLEET:
Today is the birthday of an incredibly amazing and talented person! The Vanquish's very own Hermione Granger!
It seems like she's keeping it secret, because she's humble along with everything else, but that won't do at all! People of importance have to be recognized!
So, be sure to shower her plenty of love and praise today, and also gifts! Birthday presents are important too!
All celebrators are to come to the Vanquish immediately!
This is how birthdays work, right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not about feeling old. It's just appreciating the day in itself.

[ He pauses, faintly rueful. ] Though it's best not to compare ages here.

Neither of you look that much older - you or Erik, I mean. It's not about looks, though, is it?

[ Hermione shakes her head, breathing out a soft noise. ]

I suppose it just makes me a little... Homesick. It would be nice if my dad was here, or my brother.

Really? I'm pretty sure we got a few more wrinkles.

[ He glances at her. ]

I'm sorry. It's harder without family.

Nothing that stands out too much, honestly.

[ But she smiles, absently rubbing her fingers over the scarring along her neck. ]

It's okay, really. I have a new family here, even if it's not exactly the same.

Not even the hair?

[ But he's joking. ]

No, it never really stays the same even when the same people are around.

I was being polite.

[ But she is sheepish as she pushes open the door. ]

I think we just need to get used to it. I do, at least. One of my friends from the Drabwurld is here, but it was ten years ago for her - I don't have a choice but to adapt these days.

[ That sounds painfully like the words Charles has been telling himself. With a mild shake of his head, he moves on. ]

We always have a choice. That being said, it does feel easier to adapt.

[ She's used to putting on a brave face with everyone - and, admittedly, sometimes she forgets that Charles can see more than most. She's too used to him as well. ]

I can't change her, and I'm happy just knowing she's here. That's enough for me.

[ Abruptly. ]

No, it's not. Because it feels like they're so close but you can't bridge the gap.

[ He purses his lips, irritated with himself. ]

[ Hermione pauses, struck, for a moment, before she breathes out. ]

No. Maybe - maybe you can't. But at least they're here, and not somewhere else where you can't see them or help them.

. . . Is that really better? One's help isn't always necessary. Or needed.

Maybe it's not necessary, and maybe they don't need it, but they might want it all the same. Or... Or maybe they need something to ground them, to make things easier.

[ She shakes her head, pursing her lips as she pots around making tea. ]

It's not the best, being here. But at least they're here with someone that loves them.

[ Is he? Charles wonders. Erik doesn't want to be here. He didn't want that even before they had their comas. Not that it matters. Nothing before or after seems to matter. Except for Erik's well-being. ]

No. We all have to make do.

It's easier for some people more than others.

[ Sitting down for a moment, Hermione just... Stops. ]

I don't really know how to explain it. It's... Not that you choose to accept it, maybe, perhaps it's more that you just... Do? You don't have another option. We can't go home from here, so... We try to manage.

[ He nods. ]

While I agree, I think it's also important that we're conscious of those choices and it's something we believe in more than just something we do.

Oh, yes, of course. Everything we do is a choice. I learned the hard way what consequences choices can bring.

[ Memories of literal starvation and exhaustion to the point of passing out flicker through her mind before she shakes her head. ]

It's just hard to balance being there for someone and smothering them.

[ This, Charles thinks bleakly, is not a conversation I'm prepared for. Still, he remains placid on the topic. ]

It certainly is, but I'm sure you'll manage.

[ Hermione pauses for a moment before she shakes her head, shrugging a shoulder. ]

I will. And - and that's fine. And we're okay, so we don't need to talk about this anymore. I could show you something interesting instead.

[ He smiles. ]

I'd like that.

Okay, watch this.

[ She moves, tugging the screw that Erik had given her months and months ago from around her neck before she shifts, pressing it into the palm of her hand. When she lets go, it stays there, stuck. ]

[ He stares at it. ]

It's . . . magnetized.

A gift from the Atroma.

[ She smiles, definitely shy and uncertain. ]

I already showed Erik. This is nothing compared to him, of course - I'm like... a fridge.

[ He grins back. ]

It's still fascinating. I had no idea you could gain abilities that way.

I have another one, too. I can calm people down - when I'm giving them potions or medicine. I just help them relax.

[ Her fingers wrap around the screw and she holds it gently. It's obviously important to her even if it's tiny and silly. ]

It helps with people who don't like magic.

It sounds like you've chosen useful abilities to keep and hone.

[ He wonders what others are there. ] I didn't know people weren't fond of magic.