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?

[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.

[tapshoetomove]

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

Once-Ler

[kungfuwitch]

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

[whichwayyoulean]

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

[whichwayyoulean]

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

She did it herself.

...You actually liked her?

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.

Phoebe

[whichwayyoulean]

[Ugh, friendship]

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

Once-ler

[atrophied]

You know where my room is. [ And he flips the journal shut. ]

[yay_heiress]

Uh-huh! We got along great! Although I guess I should have told her that animal pelts are so 1940s...

[findatree]

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

[whichwayyoulean]

[He wants to ask how but he bites his tongue. No, it's good she had a friend here]

She probably wouldn't have listened to you.

House

[whichwayyoulean]

Yeah. Okay.

[And eventually, he'll just show up and let himself in. Sup not!dad, please say you have alcohol here]

[atrophied]

Catch.

[ there's a beer flying to you. what did you expect really. ]

[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.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He does. House you are the best fake dad in the world. Let no one ever doubt your parenting skills. He'll open it and sit on the couch, staring at it for a moment before drinking]

Thanks.

[atrophied]

[ he makes a sound of acknowledgement and returns to the couch. he picks up the electric guitar leaning against and sets it on his lap. he finishes tuning it by ear and starts playing "Kashmir."

what is talking. ]

[secondchances]

Sorry, Once. You okay?

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.

Once-Ler

[kungfuwitch]

[IT'S A WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL THING, ONCE. Shut up and let her care about you!]

That's a little pessimistic, don't you think?

Phoebe

[whichwayyoulean]

[NO]

No, it's facing reality. She's gone back home, too. She disowned me as soon as she realised I wasn't going to make her any more money.

[whichwayyoulean]

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

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?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He'll listen, but he sure doesn't feel like talking. If he did, he probably wouldn't have opted to come here. He'll just stay in this hidey hole with beer and the chance to collect his thoughts]

Once

[fanstheflame]

Well ... your suit had a fresh corsage on it both mornings. And I thought ... you know.

[a pause, because how to do nice things without blatantly admitting it]

There might be seeds. So I kind of saved them.