Thirteen Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[Well, that was an eventful trip, wasn't it? He'd actually been enjoying the world change right up to the point the fake Lorax showed up. Those words had hurt, even if a small part of him was always expecting them. So, the Once-ler is in his room (where else?) idly strumming out a guitar tune. He's not even sure he remembers where he's heard it from. Somewhere in the castle, probably. He continues to strum along as he dictates into the journal]

Okay, I have a question. Did anyone else see horrible illusions when the...whatever they were attacked us? Because I'm kind of wondering. How did they know what illusions to cast? You know, which ones would really get to us. Did they have files on us or did they just go play around in our heads and turn our own minds against us?

[He's not sure why it's important he knows that. It's not exactly going to make him feel any better, but still. That done, he has some filters to see to]

[Jane]

Your Utility Belt is all done. I would have got it done sooner if the castle hadn't decided to throw all those shenanigans at us.

[Phoebe]

Incoming, your ghosts are brining your birthday present. [It’s a scarf. Because it was something he was able to make on short notice, and hey, winter is coming so it’s practical too!]

[Kalinda]

[He’s been concerned about her, really. They haven’t properly talked since that...nightmare mess and he’s not sure if she even wants to see him again or not. Still, she’s been quiet- very quiet. He's trying not to think about those really not subtle at all hints his beloved friends decided to drop concerning her. Carefully:

...Hey.

Comments

[kungfuwitch]

Is now a good time?

[whichwayyoulean]

Sure, it's not like I'm going anywhere.

[kungfuwitch]

I'm on my way, then.

[And she'll just pack a basket with a thermos and some nice tea cups and head down her tower and up his.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He'll just be chilling out, brooding in the dark and misery as always]

[kungfuwitch]

[Why so emo, Once? Better hope you turned off those booby traps Phoebe doesn't know about otherwise it's going to be an interesting walk up.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Because his life is a pile of crap.

Luckily, he has had the forethought to disarm them. No boot for Phoebe today]

[kungfuwitch]

[So thoughtful, Once.

Shortly there's a knock on the door.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[And, eventually, he opens the door to her]

Hey, Phoebe.

[kungfuwitch]

[She smiles, holding up the basket]

I come bearing gifts. Do you have a place I can put this down? A table or something?

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh sure...uh. There's one under all of this. [He raises a finger] Give me a minute.

[He'll just be pushing a pile of STUFF off a surface and hey look there's a table underneath all of that]

[kungfuwitch]

[Her eyebrows raise at the STUFF] I take it you don't have many guests, then.

[she sets the basket down and starts pulling the tea set out, setting it on the table.]

[whichwayyoulean]

Do I have to stick a definition of 'hermit' on my door? Because I'm starting to think I do.

[Still, he'll move to sit down]

[kungfuwitch]

[She raises an eyebrow at him as she opens the thermos to pour out the tea]

You may want to look up that definition yourself because last I checked hermits don't have houseguests.

[whichwayyoulean]

I consider you guys more 'invaders' than 'houseguests'.

[kungfuwitch]

Invaders don't generally ask for permission first. [she smirks and offers him a tea cup.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He'll take it with a nod of gratitude]

Polite ones do,

[kungfuwitch]

[She lifts up her own cup with a smile]

To polite invasions.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He'll smile a little, clinking his cup against hers]

The best kind.