(no subject)

[deterrence]

[backdated to an earlier hour in the evening --]

[filter: "House Sage"]

[the message appears without any pauses, she'd thought about what to write over and over before actually setting pen to paper]

Although those weren't the best circumstances to meet under, the fact remains that I was in your care for the past few days. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

[/filter]

Should that "holiday" be considered a world change? The gap between it and the previous one was shorter than before, I think.

And if it was, did we pick up any newcomers or past residents?

[there's still much more on her mind, but she needs to mull over those things longer.

For now, Shizuru is on the roof, very decidedly not for the most common reason folks come here, accompanied by a little tinkling critter hovering in the air just beyond the edge. It seems happy...probably because it was turned into a phone strap during the "family reunion" and misses having walkies (fly-ies? floaties?)]

Don't go out too far, I won't be able to pull you back.

Comments

House Sage filter

[inafadingcrown]

You need not thank me, at least. Though, I agree, the circumstances were not ideal, it was a pleasure to meet and care for so many I would not otherwise know.

[Pause]

I suppose it would be foolish to apologize for being overly familiar when we were all under the illusion that we were kin. [But she still kind of wants to...]

filtered forever!

[deterrence]

[oh mamadriel] It would. I don't expect you to, though I only hope the others feel the same as us.

[inafadingcrown]

As do I.

You are well, I hope? This past week seems to have troubled the hearts of many here. [Yeah... that ever-present maternal attitude? That wasn't castle influence.]

[deterrence]

The castle outdid itself back there, compared to simply foisting children on us. [it wasn't that she minded being a family with anyone in particular, or anyone at all -- the filter wouldn't have been there if she did -- but there were other things, other details in that life, she would rather she not even have memories of]

I think I'm doing better than some. Perhaps many.

[inafadingcrown]

It did. It was a rather intricate deception. [Galadriel was rather fortunate in that regard. There was little in that life that she found truly objectionable. And she knows that further feelings, especially false feelings planted by the castle, do not diminish those she holds for her true family. So all and all, she's willing to just shrug it off.]

I am glad to hear it.

[deterrence]

What about you? How have you been? [the question stems more from courtesy than actual concern. She realizes she has no inkling of what the others in that "family" are like as their actual selves to be able to tell how they'd handle coming back]

[inafadingcrown]

Well enough. Like you, I believe I am taking this better than most.

[Pause] It is strange to think we know so little of each other.

[sexyhitchhiker]

[have some footsteps approaching from behind. Between her crossed arms and the fact that it looks like that scowl is going to be etched permanently on her face, it's probably safe to say that she didn't think too highly of the events of the past week.]

Hey.

[scooowl. The cute pokemon gets a scowl as well, when she notices it floating there.]

[deterrence]

[and here comes one of said things on her mind.

Intimidated, the poor Chimecho falls back on the one habit she's never been successful at making it kick, and clings to her hair. Shizuru continues to look unruffled]

Hello.

[sexyhitchhiker]

[the hair accessory gets another look before she finally turns her gaze away and stares at the surrounding landscape instead.

After a few moments:] That was the dumbest week of my life.

[sort of]

[deterrence]

[she strokes her Chimecho, ostensibly to soothe it, but also to keep her hands from letting on more than she cares to say at the moment]

We'll give you some privacy. Unless you feel like talking about it.

[she doesn't, not much. She's not sure she can. That's irrelevant, though]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[have a sidelong glance, and silence for a minute. Wasn't that the whole problem? Not talking about anything important?]

I don't need a family. My own was messed up enough.

[deterrence]

[so they are. Okay.

Okay.

As long as they don't bring her side of things into this]

Would you say that if the world change didn't end?

Shizuru

[soccerwhisperer]

I had a lot of fun as your cousin too! If you still want to hang out, I wouldn't mind, even if we're not related anymore.

Tenma-kun

[deterrence]

Glad to hear that.

I think we'd have to start learning about each other from the beginning, now.

Shizuru

[soccerwhisperer]

Okay, I'll start. I'm Matsukaze Tenma. I'm a first year at Raimon Junior High and I'm in the soccer club.

Tenma-kun

[deterrence]

[the journal barely picks up the chuckle on this end. She'll go along with his enthusiasm!]

A pleasure. My name's Fujino Shizuru. I'm in my third year at Fuuka High School, but before I graduate, I still am the president of the student council.

Shizuru

[soccerwhisperer]

Is it hard being the Student Council President? I know it must be hard on Captain to direct ten other people on the field, so it must be tougher to get everyone!

Tenma-kun

[deterrence]

Quite true, when you put it that way. I have very capable associates, which helps a lot in getting things in order.

[for serious, she could sit back and just let Suzushiro take charge of whatever project had gotten off the ground. And usually did]

written forever

[mom_to_us_all]

[This filter pulls some heart strings... in a good way. She's not sure who she's talking to though, but the feeling remains.]

It wasn't so bad, was it? Thank you for trusting.

and ever

[deterrence]

[same here. In a sense, that makes it all the more worthwhile, that this unknown party cares enough to write back]

I don't have any reason not to. [save for perhaps Legato, who's been conspicuous in his absence from the castle and all the repeated warnings regarding him. But it's unlikely he bothers enough for the filter, and she's not expecting him to]

[mom_to_us_all]

Maybe, but you could have chosen not to.

[deterrence]

It'd be ungrateful of me. Everyone helped me out, in one way or another. [even if by just being there. She has no intention of owing anyone anything]

[mom_to_us_all]

Hopefully I helped you a little.

[deterrence]

That much I'm certain of. [why, though, she omits, because it's awkward, not to mention embarrassing]