Thirty One Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler hasn't heard from his mother in a while. This is nothing new, really. She only ever comes to him if she wanted something, it's always been that way, and he doubts she'd ever change, magical castle notwithstanding. But he hasn't heard from her since that dinosaur mess, and eventually, his love for her overwhelms his common sense and desire not to get his heart kicked in, as it always inevitably does. He heads off to her room, finding the nameplate gone.

Well. That was that. She'd left him. Again. Quietly this time, with no harsh words to bite into his memory as she drives away into the smog. Just a door without a name on it. He doubts he'll ever see her again, and he feels guilty for finding some relief in that thought. He exhales, opening his journal. He doesn't even know what to say at first, he doesn't even know if she even HAD any friends here]

For anyone who cares, my mom. [Pause] Flora her name's Flora. Look, I don't know if anyone knew her or not- but she's gone. Back home. So there you go.

[He'll just go try to find somewhere to brood where his friends won't find him now]

Comments

Once-ler

[atrophied]

Looking for a place to hide?

House

[whichwayyoulean]

[Acyually...that's not a bad idea. He knows out of everyone here, House won't try to make him feel better about this. He doesn't WANT to feel better about this]

...Yeah, sure.

[yay_heiress]

*Gasp*

She's gone? Aww, she was kinda fun! I have no idea who her stylist was, but I'd been meaning to ask her.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Holy christ, the woman managed to make a friend]

She did it herself.

...You actually liked her?

[tapshoetomove]

Your mum's gone home? Gosh, I'm so sorry Mr. Onceler.

[whichwayyoulean]

Nothing new there, kiddo. It's fine. [It's not fine]

Once-Ler

[kungfuwitch]

Once... I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?

Phoebe

[whichwayyoulean]

[Ugh, friendship]

No, I'm fine. I was expecting this to happen anyway. I'm surprised it took her this long.

[findatree]

Your mom was here? [Ted doesn't pay attention to anything]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh Ted you precious oblivious child. Not that Once has made ANY attempt to let the two meet. In fact, he's actively avoided it]

For a couple of months, yeah.

[secondchances]

Sorry, Once. You okay?

[whichwayyoulean]

I'll live. [He's really not. Losing her again stings more than he'd like to admit]

Once

[fanstheflame]

Wow, that was quick.

... You have weird taste in hats, by the way. I had to duck every time I went through a door the last couple days. ... But I saved you something. If you want it.

Gale

[whichwayyoulean]

It's her style.

Don't mock the hats. The hats are cool. [His tone hasn't got the same snarky bite it usually has, but Gale's piqued his curiosity] Oh? What's that?

[shortishandbossy]

[The Lorax only has one thing to say about this.]

Good riddance.

[whichwayyoulean]

You know, one day you might try this new thing, Moustache. It's called tact. It's super new and popular. You might enjoy it.

[fantasies]

[Oh. Henry knows this feeling well.]

I know it doesn't really help, but... I'm sorry. I still can't figure out why the castle keeps some people for ages and other people....

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh, Henry. His tone softens]

It's okay, Kiddo. I expected it, eventually. She's better off back home.

Once-ler

[the_effect_she_has]

[Well, obviously he wasn't okay. Katniss thought about it, for a long time, before sighing and offering.]

You want to learn how to fire a bow?

[Keeping your mind busy is one way to get through grief. Or it could just be ignoring it. Either way.]

Katniss

[whichwayyoulean]

[He almost dismisses this, but his gun tutor has gone home, so he's lost that long range weapon plan he'd been sticking to]

...You know what? Sure.

[whistles_the_blues]

Sorry to hear... Need some company?

[whichwayyoulean]

Nah, I'm not in a company mood right now. Thanks for the offer though.

[...] Still looking for your dad? [Still on your loss?]

[rogueofheart]

[Nepeta doesn't know any better. She only knows that mothers are kind of like lusii.]

:33 < i am sorry to hear that
:33 < but maybe she will come back again someday

[whichwayyoulean]

[He wouldn't hold it against her]

Maybe. I doubt it, though.

[hellofist]

[She doesn't ask him how he is because that would be stupid. She knows how she would be if her father showed up and then left, and it's not very good at all. She doesn't say anything, instead over the course of twenty minutes or so she draws him a picture.

Yes, she draws him with a smile. At the end, just to make sure he knows it's her, she adds a small yellow bat to one corner.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh, Cass, that does make him smile. It's been a crappy discovery, but this makes him feel a little better about it, even more so knowing who this is from. She understands, after all]

Thanks, Cass.

Master Once-ler

[ensorceler]

Are you just outside now?

[ Since her room was right next to that woman's. Whatever, Anne will be going to her door to check the hall. ]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He's about to reply, but then he realises that...oh right. Neighbours. Oh well, so much for trying to escape. He gives her an awkward wave as she opens her door]

Oh...hey.