❀ fifty-six unicorn statues for my desk

[iamdamnloyal]

Anyone that knew Gun-- Charles Gunn or Vivian Volkoff... they've gone back home. I didn't really know Vivian, but I know that Gunn is a really amazing guy and he's a great lawyer. [Oh... Harmony, the future isn't exactly sunshine for him.] I mean, who knew he'd be the one to get all that legal stuff shoved into his head, right?

Anyway... [Yeah, that sounded weird.]

There's been a lot of crazy things going on. People going home is pretty standard, but there's been a lot of it. Also, there was that whole family business that happened and I worked at a coffee shop for that. I saw how some of you were acting.

Which brings me to my point. I have been trying to set up some counseling groups and I know that the instinct is to just ignore me and try to deal with your problems on your own, but that's not gonna work. It'll sit in your stomach and rot and fester and then your eye will be twitching all the time from your extreme levels of stress!

[She'd take a breath, but she doesn't breathe.] I just want people to understand that they're not alone. Now, I'm turning this page to filter so that no one but me and you can see what is being written and I'm even okay with you using that weird magic filter that makes it anonymous. I just want to know what you want to talk about. What sort of thing in this castle makes you feel like you're the only one. I'm not gonna judge. I honestly, really, have no place to judge because I've been hurt and upset and lonely in this castle too. I've had the castle take advantage of my weaknesses with losses and I've been lied to by other residents.

I just want to make sure that everyone knows they're not alone. Is that so bad?

Comments

[fredless]

[She hasn't talked to Charles in a few days, but then they do that. It's how they managed. It's...]

Harmony?

[iamdamnloyal]

Hi, Fred.

[fredless]

You're sure, then? Really sure?

[Of course she is]

[iamdamnloyal]

Yeah, I checked all the places I thought to check. The names are gone, too.

[fredless]

...he didn't even say goodbye.

[Not that they ever do. Fred shakes her head in an attempt to clear it]

Thanks, Harmony. For letting me know.

[iamdamnloyal]

Of course, Fred. [a beat]

Do you want to do movie night?

[fredless]

[After a moment]

That sounds good, actually.

[iamdamnloyal]

Okay. I'll be by in a bit. If you want to start the popcorn.

[fredless]

It's going in the microwave now.

[iamdamnloyal]

I'll be there really soon. Promise.

[and in a few minutes, she's there.]

I can smell the popcorn all the way down the hall.

[fredless]

[Fred glances up]

It's the extra buttery kind. It tends to carry.

[iamdamnloyal]

It clings to the walls in the halls. [She says it with a bit of a sing-song quality and then she gets sad. She misses Lorne.]

What movie are we going to watch?

[fredless]

Something...[The right word isn't there when she needs it. Still, the brightness of Harmony's words still carry and Fred finds it soothing]

Something not hard. Thoughts?

[iamdamnloyal]

Can't Buy Me Love!

[fredless]

[She blinks]

Isn't that a song?

[iamdamnloyal]

Yes, but it's also a coming of age movie staring the young Patrick Dempsey.

He plays Ronald. Or Donald. Either way, it's a good movie. We should watch that.

[fredless]

Then Can't Buy Me Love it is. I'm going with your infinite pick-me-up wisdom on this one.

[iamdamnloyal]

We can even do the dance.

[fredless]

...there's a dance?

[iamdamnloyal]

Oh, totally. It's fun. We'll have fun.

[fredless]

[There's a warm look]

I really didn't doubt that part.

[iamdamnloyal]

Good, because I always have fun with you, Fred.

[fredless]

[Someone's getting a hug, if they want it or not]

[iamdamnloyal]

[Hugs are always welcome!!]

[fredless]

I think it's movie time. Are you going to do the honors?

[iamdamnloyal]

Definitely!

[And with that... they watch the movie!]

[valuedstrength]

There's nothing bad about that, Harmony. Sorry about your friend.

[iamdamnloyal]

No one seems to really want that, though.

[valuedstrength]

People are stubborn. They rather have a stiff upper lip than get into what bothers them.

[iamdamnloyal]

I just want them to be able to talk about it. I don't want to give up, but it's really hard to keep trying.

[valuedstrength]

I get it. Is there anything I can do to help?

[iamdamnloyal]

No, but I'm glad that you're okay! I was worried.

[valuedstrength]

Two comas in a row probably doesn't look too good for me, huh? [But for real:]

I'm sorry I worried you. I've had some rotten luck lately.

[iamdamnloyal]

Two comas? [She'll shake that off.]

You're fine now, though. I think that's all that matters.

[likethetragedy]

[Don't mind Elektra taking advantage of that little anonymous feature.]

During my time here I've received a lot of filters from people who are dead or know they're destined to die once they return home looking for advice on how to cope with it. If you're serious about this you're going to need to set up a something for them.

[iamdamnloyal]

That's a very good point. I've been here a while and it happens too often, if you ask me.

[likethetragedy]

I think the castle is fixated on our type.

[iamdamnloyal]

The prone to death and dying type?

[likethetragedy]

That's us. It makes sense. We don't really have many places to go if we're supposed to be dead or going to be soon.

[iamdamnloyal]

There are people that have died here, too. It's always so sad.

[likethetragedy]

We never lack misery here. [A beat.] Still things can get better. It'd be nice if people saw that.

[iamdamnloyal]

I think so too, it just is hard to get people to actually listen to me.

[likethetragedy]

Why? Your opinion is just as valid as anyone else's here.

[iamdamnloyal]

I'm not sure anyone wants to listen, regardless of who's opinion it is - to be honest.

I'm just another voice on the journal that they can ignore if I get too loud.

((so so late ;_;))

[demonologist]

Both of them?

[The news is a shock and he can do little more than react with incredulity at the thought of losing not just one, but two friends so suddenly.]

[iamdamnloyal]

Yes, both of them. I checked both rooms. The names are gone.