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

[luthored]

[ She's more than happy to show him. But she's wary of anything else, ever since that time Sansa bit Ezio... Then again, she thought he was holding food. ]

Just warn me when you come by, and I'll make sure she's in a mood for treats. That's the best way to bond with her.

I think I still have some Halloween candy left over that you should take off my hands, too. I don't need the calories.

[fantasies]

Dinosaurs and candy? I'm okay with that.

[It's like a little kid's dreamland, are you for real.]

[luthored]

I had a feeling you would be.

[ Damian sure never complained.

Okay that's a lie, he complained about everything, but she knows he loved it. ]

You're welcome to bring your friend, too.

[fantasies]

Yeah? I bet she'd love dinosaurs. I'm not sure if she has them in her world.

[luthored]

Well, it's not like they exist in ours anymore, either...

[fantasies]

But I don't know if she's ever even heard of them.

[And that's a travesty for a kid.]

[luthored]

I'm sure the library has a lot of books if you want to prepare her.

[fantasies]

That's a good idea! I can show her the big ones, too, like T-rexes and brontosaurs.

[luthored]

Those are always the favorites. Try not to freak her out too much before getting her to meet Sansa.

[fantasies]

She'll be okay. I don't think I can freak her out.

[luthored]

Made of strong stuff, huh?

[fantasies]

Oh, yeah. Big time.

[luthored]

Well, you know where I'm at. Just don't take too long before the candy's gone.

[ She's a liar, she'll get more candy. ]

[fantasies]

I won't!

[And there it is, something to look forward to. He needed that.]