page eleven

[fantasies]

[It's the second time he's woken up to an empty room, and somehow he's still surprised.

It figures. Just when things had been getting better, when he'd started feeling alright after having Emma taken away, when the castle had brought Snow back--

Well. It wasn't like his family had ever been whole before, anyway.]

Um. [A beat. He started talking too fast. Try again.] Um, the castle sent Prince Charming home. [amending:] James.

[Home to a curse, which isn't any better.

He's quiet for a while, looking at the other pages of the journal when he doesn't feel like doing anything else.]

I guess it's doing that thing again, isn't it. Where it sends a bunch of people home at once.

Comments

Henry

[persequor]

[ ...oh the name makes sense now. ]

Are you alone?

Arya

[fantasies]

Yeah.

[He thinks she means right now, which he is. But in any case, there's a disconnect between him and Snow without Emma around; he likes to think she'd agree to let him stay with her, but...

He sighs.]

I guess I'm going to have to switch rooms again.

Henry

[persequor]

You can stay with Mother and me. My bed is big enough. But if you kick me, I'm pushing you to the floor.

[secondchances]

[That doesn't sound good.]

Hey, you okay?

[Dumb question, but it's a conversation starter.]

[fantasies]

I'm okay.

[He's not, really, and he doesn't sound it, but he's done this before. If he says he's okay enough times, it'll start being that way.]

I just was kind of hoping he'd stay longer, that's all.

[secondchances]

[She figures as much.]

I know. It's always tough when people leave. No matter how long they're here, it's never long enough.

Do you want some company?

Henry

[inafadingcrown]

[Gently:] Do you find yourself in need of company?

Galadriel

[fantasies]

I don't know.

[That's honest. The last time this happened, he felt the same way. He thought maybe he'd have it figured out this time.]

I don't think I want to be in here right now, though.

Henry

[inafadingcrown]

Would you care to visit with me? You are welcome to join me in my quarters.

[luthored]

Who is James?

[ Other than 'Prince Charming' because that's jack to her, could just be a weird cute fantasy nickname from an adoring kid, who knows. ]

[fantasies]

My grandpa. I was staying with him since, um, since my mom left.

[luthored]

[ Wow this kid canNOT catch a break, can he?! ]

Henry, I... I'm so sorry. Where are you staying?

Henry

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh, Kiddo :(]

I'm sorry. He's your grandfather, right?

The Once-ler

[fantasies]

Yeah. It's... okay, though. [The curse will break. That's what he keeps telling himself.] I have somewhere to stay.

Henry

[whichwayyoulean]

He was still important to you, right?

[He'll still worry precious child]

Yeah? So you're safe?

Henry

[the_effect_she_has]

You have a place to stay? Because if not ... well ..

[She cleared her throat.] You can come. Stay with me.

Katniss

[fantasies]

I got somewhere. Thanks, though. [It means a lot to him to know that he wouldn't be stranded here alone. There's a smidge of a smile in his voice.] Really.

Henry

[the_effect_she_has]

Not a problem.

[She shifted a little, shrugging uncomfortably.] You need anything ... you come and let me know, okay?

[ftssusstgsetfwe]

Someone you knew? I'm really sorry to hear that.

[fantasies]

My grandpa. I'll... get to see him again, though. When I go home.

[Maybe.]

[ftssusstgsetfwe]

[Man, she really hates thinking about people going home. Especially if that person is her. There's a lot she wants to go back for, of course, but the idea of losing this new-found (relative) freedom is scary.]

Oh, I'm really sorry. I'm glad he's waiting for you back home, at least. [A beat.] What is having a grandpa like?

dictated;

[valuedstrength]

I'm sorry, Henry. You want to go do something for a while?

[fantasies]

Yeah. [His voice is small.] Yeah, kind of.

[staggeringego]

[ There's another one of the people he got close to when he first showed up. His "brother-in-law" when he arrived here. He does wish people would stop disappearing like this. ]

Are you all right, Henry?

[fantasies]

I'm okay. I'm-- ["Used to it" isn't what he wants to say, even if it's what he's thinking.] I'll get to see him at home, the real him, once the curse breaks.