The Story of the Child

[unvarnished]

[August hasn't left his room since he woke up here. He's a little afraid to, truth be told. Afraid that if he takes his eyes off her, she'll be lost. She's so small, and as he speaks she makes happy noises, as if she enjoys the sound of his voice]

So... so these kids. They're only with us for a week, and then what? Do they have someone to look after them?

Comments

[cloaklikeblood]

[Child? Oh, dear. Ruby manages to sound merely concerned instead of slightly amused]

August, honey? You sound a little frazzled. Are you okay?

[unvarnished]

She's just a baby... There's got to be someone who's looking after her, right? [he sounds a little desperate here]

[cloaklikeblood]

[Her tone is soothing when she speaks]

I'm pretty sure the castle wouldn't allow a baby to be harmed. Remember on that ship they had the children in that enchanted sleep? I'm sure when the children disappear, they're taken to a place where they're well looked after and they're happy.

[unvarnished]

Yeah, I'm sure you're right. [this is not going to make him leave the room, though, or to let her leave his sight]

[cloaklikeblood]

Would you like some help?

[unvarnished]

[truthfully, he wants to put her on someone else and run. But he can't do that again; he won't let himself]

I need to look after her myself.

[cloaklikeblood]

Even first time parents need help every once in a while. How about I sit around and watch and give you pointers while you take care of her?

[willrememberthat]

I was wondering that, too...

[unvarnished]

I think I'd feel better if I knew for sure. She's so small...

[willrememberthat]

I think it's happened before, here. Maybe--I dunno...

[unvarnished]

I read about that. [still, he wants to be sure]

[willrememberthat]

I'm sure it's not anything bad.

[unvarnished]

Better not be. She deserves to be loved. [anybody hurt his girl and they're gonna answer to him :| ]

[ensorceler]

They must be nothing more than magical constructs. I would assume they merely disappear just as other creations in this castle do.

[unvarnished]

Just because they're magical, that doesn't mean they're not real.

[ensorceler]

Regardless, these people are not their real parents. We know nothing of them, nor of the parents who actually struggled to bear and then raise them. How are so many so willing to take on such attachments from the castle, with no question? They could be demons or fey, oranything that could hide behind the guise of an innocent child.

[unvarnished]

It doesn't matter. She's still a baby, and she's under my care until the week's over. I don't care what she is.

[his father didn't care that Pinocchio was just a wooden puppet, after all. Why should August care if his daughter is a demon or whatever else?]

[ensorceler]

This is precisely the problem. The resident's complacency with whatever magic is thrown at their feet, so long as it does not immediately arrive with a sword or fangs.

[unvarnished]

I realize there's a price for this, but I can't just ignore her. I can't... [it won't make up for leaving Emma; he knows that. But he wants to do this anyway]

dictated

[psych0p0mps]

they do
actually the prevailing theory is that their guardians are alternate and presumably more competent versions of ourselves
but at any rate they seem to have decent homes

dictated

[unvarnished]

So another me will take care of her, you think?

[psych0p0mps]

yes most likely :)

[unvarnished]

Strange, but assuring.

[psych0p0mps]

i take it this is your first time as a guardian then

[unvarnished]

Not exactly. It's just been a long time.