driftfleet | (no subject)

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(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?

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[ She thinks that it can't possibly be fair, her asking Charles all these questions, laying her burdens at his feet and not considering how he might feel, but she relies on him - she trusts his advice. When she looks at him she sees family, and she knows that what he tells her will come from the heart.

He won't be cruel, or guide her wrong. Hermione has faith in that.

Does it? It's been a little while. But it makes sense. It's how she kept her head on in the Drabwurld. I'm sure I could think of something. ]

[ Something will come to you. He's certain of it. Charles knows how difficult it is at the beginning, how lost and uncertain one feels when they lack a purpose but there's purpose all around them. Even in places like the Fleet where it feels like their agency has been taken away.

You just need to find it. ]

[ Breathing out, she softens, nodding her head. It had been easy in the Drabwurld because she'd had a thousand and one things to keep herself busy - she'd buried herself in paperwork, in quests, in travelling, enough that she didn't have to think about anything else - but here it's... Calmer. She knows she has to figure out how to make herself comfortable in an entirely new situation.

I've always been very good at finding things out. Maybe that'll work out for me here, too. ]

[ His answering smile is kind. It takes time, trying to find our way but there's a way for all of us, even in places that leave us bereft. Nothing can take away purpose. It exists in our hearts. ]

[ I always knew you were a very good teacher. Hermione's hand squeezes his gently and she breathes out. I promise I won't always be like this, too. I won't always have to burden you. ]

[ Charles shakes his head.

I'm not burdened. His tone is light. He's not lying about it. This kind of sharing, of connection never feels like a burden. It's unfortunate that people don't always understand it or see the worst possible uses for it.

You don't have to promise anything. You're fine the way you are. And you'll be better too. ]

[ Their connection is still there, open and real, and there's a warmth that Hermione can feel that eases the tension that might have risen to overtake her somewhat. She breathes out a soft noise, tilting her head up to look at Charles before she smiles, expression gently, soft - completely loving, too, because she does love him. He's still family to her.

I'm glad. I'm glad we can do this, together. That you know that - that nothing that happens will change how much I trust you, Charles. ]

[ He finds himself smiling despite himself. Carefully, he squeezes her hands and lets go. Charles even brushes some of her hair back.

As am I. ]

[ Leaning back, Hermione breathes out a quiet noise, relaxing a little before she tilts her head up and looks at Charles with a gentle tenderness she can't hide. ]

Thank you.

[ He shakes his head, smiling ruefully. ]

You're welcome.

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