I mean, it's a cool story. Super unrealistic, but.
[How does Lucy describe this to Atsushi..?
The 'Anne' in this story is the kind of poetic, freespirited, romantic character that Lucy pretends to be. It sort of hurts to see that version of herself find happiness.]
[Spicy caterpillar. That shouldn’t make her smile.]
Maybe a playmate would help him out. Whenever we had a really annoying kid at the orphanage, we found another really annoying kid to pair ‘em with. Made them wear each other out.
Not that Watty is annoying. If I was a fox, I would play with Watty. [Was that a dreamy sigh?]
How did you get him again? I’m sure someone else has to have a kid too.
[Hearing him refer to Watty as his child is both endearing and embarrassing. As is hearing Watty call her by her middle name; Actually, that leans towards “adorable.”]
Hello, Watty~! Maudie is tiny, isn’t she? She needs to visit you soon! [Actually,] I wonder if Watty would like Anne.
He came out of a stone I filled with chroma by carrying it around everywhere, that I got from Lumi. Of course, he told me it was just a charm to make me happier... ah, Lumi sells the bracelets that made my ears and tail permanent, too!
[Just glosses over the sad implications of why he bought such a thing in the first place--]
But you can visit whenever you want! Or even babysit him for a night sometime. But I'm not too sure how he'd feel about Anne... she's a lot bigger than him. He might feel intimidated.
[Wait... Does that mean... Lucy could get her own cuddly baby fox to screech at all hours of the night...?]
Lumi... sells stuff, huh? [Tell her more!
Also:] And yeah, that's... fair. The kids at the orphanage found Anne scary too and they were people-sized. But... But maybe Watty could get used to her...?
If he sees she's not scary, maybe... ah, but there's a lot of neat stuff at Lumi's shop! He even has these things that can summon stuff from other worlds! That's how Atsushi brought books from his world here.
[Dem convenient AC rewards]
He has a lot of weird stuff, too... and he doesn't always seem to know what it does, so you should be careful shopping there.
Watty is cute, sure-- but I know someone else who ended up with a kleptomaniac goose instead.
[ It's become evident that he's got Lucy to thank for quite a few things. So today Poe's on a stealth mission since Karl isn't strong enough to drop off the absolute unit that is this 'thank you' gift basket. Front and center upon the pile of goodies sits a teddy bear that holds an envelop addressed to Montgomery.
All there is to find inside is a simple message written in elegant handwriting.
Thank you.
As soon after he deposits it at the door and knocks Poe disappears around the corner. Can't risk being caught in the act, now, can he? ]
[Does it show that she's lonely? The way that Lucy rushes to the door, hoping someone came to see her? Sure, she's been trying to distance herself, but it isn't because she wants distance.
Instead of a person, she finds a basket. Complete with a bear and a letter. She looks up and down the hallway, assuring herself that no one is spying, before gently opening the envelope. So carefully that you know she's going to treasure it.
Reading the note
Lucy sighs.]
... You idiot.
[This is Poe, right? He's probably gone home by now. But she calls out into the hallway anyway:]
Just be the happier one between us! [No need to thank her. Geez.
[Lucy had been distracting herself in the kitchen: Brewing coffee. It’s what she’s done periodically for the past few days as stress relief. Messing with the beans here and trying to make an impressive cup.
So she hears Inaba, she flinches with surprise. Nearly dropping her cup before turning around.]
Inaba..?
[She looks... normal?]
Uh. No, don’t really need anything... [Lucy hesitates. It’s been a few days. She’s been worried sick and struggling to balance both sides of this break-up. It’s frustrating to see Inaba acting normal, when it has hardly been normal for her roommate.]
[She's had talks with a few people, so she's had more than enough time to cool herself off and return back to some semblance of normalcy.
Or an attempt at it, anyway.]
I don't necessarily need it, but if you want to come with, I'm not going to say no.
[There's a lengthy pause as she closes her eyes, as if mulling her words over in her head. Inaba doesn't like the idea of having to walk over eggshells around Lucy - around someone that she's allowed in her home, as a roommate.
But she doesn't want to be careless with her words, here.
Not when they're very important.]
I'm sorry, by the way. For... everything, I guess. And being both a burden and a pain in the ass the last couple of days.
[Lucy debates reaching for her bag and coming along, but slows her impulse. That's driven by loneliness, not Inaba. Knowing that about herself, she decides to measure this conversation before deciding if she'll come along.]
No need. You don't need to apologize for taking care of yourself.
[That's not a lie. Even if Lucy is frustrated by how lonely and anxious she's been, that isn't directly Inaba's fault. That, too, is a factor about herself that Inaba is quite aware of.]
Does this mean you're feeling better, or just that you're hungry?
[Which, really - she wasn't. She was just shutting herself behind closed doors. Not simply because she was feeling miserable, though.
She was also being selfish.
If she avoided people, she could shut them out. They wouldn't need to find her. They wouldn't need to ask the obvious question of "what happened?" and pry further. There was no need for Inaba Himeko to rip open her heart and smash it to the ground over and over again.
Which is why she chooses to be honest. For now.]
A little bit of both. It's still... [Hard, she wants to say, but she stops herself short.] ...but I think I can at least try and work my way through it. I can still change, and improve as a person. Maybe I'm just being sappy.
[Lucy would say that was still a form of selfcare, but she decides not to comment. Whatever the reason, Inaba did for Inaba what only she could. It's fair and valid, and Lucy isn't necessarily upset about it.
What has her upset is her own reaction. Her own fears of having this brief, happy lifestyle smashed to pieces so soon... But, likewise, Lucy has done what she must. The daydream is buried and reality is bittersweet.]
As long as you're doing it for you. This'll sound rich coming from me, but boys shouldn't be your reason to change.
[Does Inaba know that Lucy is in love with a tabby cat? Doesn't matter. This isn't about Lucy anyway.]
But if you've got a path, that's enough. Glad to hear you got that far. [Again, it's not about Lucy. She won't say that she's in the same 'self improvement' camp. Maybe at a later time, but this isn't it. Lucy certainly feels some unspoken kinship, though.]
[She doesn't know how to react to this, so she just winds up wearing a self-derisive smile that doesn't necessarily reach her eyes.]
Ha... boys are always the reason that I end up changing.
[It's kind of ironic, really.
She can't help but think about it a little. Those words she said before, from what feels like ages ago.
"You once changed me, but... apparently I can't change you."
That - maybe that was the issue, here. She was short-sighted, and wanted to cling onto something. And maybe she was a little desperate. She supposes that they just didn't suit each other.
And maybe there was an even... deeper rooted problem.
She's uncertain, though. She has no confidence in the answer she's found.]
Mm. Well - we'll see how it goes.
[The path is shaky. She doesn't know what will happen from here on out. And that thought is scary. Enough to almost clam up and never want to talk much on her past ever again.
To go back to distrusting everyone.
But... that wouldn't be fair to the others who put in so much effort just for her. For the one who even bothered to say that no matter what bad thing she did, it'd be okay.
It's a selfish thing to want to cling onto, but she doesn't have anything else to. She barely has anyone else.]
[Going to immediately switch gears and shelve this for the time being. If Lucy wants to actually talk about it at length, it'll have to be at another time.]
[Inaba has had plenty of days to think serious things in her room, after all. Lucy sees no reason to make every moment of her life a serious and depressing one. When Inaba is ready to talk, though, Lucy recognizes that it will be difficult. It will be a case where it is only fair she be equally as open. Though, speaking of boys changing you... Lucy makes a note to call one such boy later.
She shrugs her shoulders to the question, nonchalant in response.]
As long as there's room for two. [She's coming along after all.] I was starting to forget what you look like.
[Then again, she supposes if this were an actual normal city, in a normal town she probably would be. She looks like the more common Japanese person than most, after all.]
But alright. [She has her phone out, she's already doing the thing.] ... ten to fifteen, it says. Is that enough for you to get prepared?
What can I say? I've never had anyone to remember for long, so it's difficult for me.
[Was that funny? Lucy thinks that it is.
At Inaba's insistence, she walks to the dining room and retrieves her tote bag. It's her cheap purse substitute and it's held the coffee she was previously brewing. Speaking of; Lucy will go turn off the coffeemaker and seal the coffee bags.]
Yeah, I don't need much. Just enough time to clean up. [While sealing the bags, she comments dryly,] The definition of 'coffee' is peculiar here. I've missed you telling what is or is not worth buying.
[She's already personally packed. There's no issues here.]
I know what places are good and have the safe stuff, so if you want to get some regular beans, we can. We still should have plenty of green tea, but I'll grab a few more of those as well once we get there.
[Since she uses tea quite a bit.
Especially when Atsushi - the one who lived here - was around.]
And also I just really want to get a large tub of some fucking good ice cream.
Oh, I had a little help with that! The shopkeepers from that place we went to before were quick to pick something out for me when I showed them what my husband was wearing.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Dear Lucy,
I hope you enjoy the other Montgomery's work. Let me know what you think of it.
-Atsushi
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Is this a joke?
It's about me.
[Lucy had expected this book to be about Anne. But instead... Anne of Green Gables is like Lucy. But a Lucy who found a place that wanted her.]
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It could be worse?
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I mean, it's a cool story. Super unrealistic, but.
[How does Lucy describe this to Atsushi..?
The 'Anne' in this story is the kind of poetic, freespirited, romantic character that Lucy pretends to be. It sort of hurts to see that version of herself find happiness.]
Good story, though. Did you ever read it?
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Just found out why the neighbors don't like us.
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What an angel! Your neighbors just have bad taste! He’s so precious..!
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[SUDDENLY]
[...]
Watty, no yelling.
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Watty must have a lot of energy tonight. The sound kinda reminds me of the island.
[Foxes are the provincial animal of PEI, after all.] Does Watty have an fox friends to talk to?
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He found a caterpillar and ate it before I could stop him.
[Quietly, in a tiny voice: "Spicy caterpillar..."]
But you know, he doesn't really. He likes playing with Karl, but outside of other fox prismals, I haven't really seen anything similar to what he is.
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Maybe a playmate would help him out. Whenever we had a really annoying kid at the orphanage, we found another really annoying kid to pair ‘em with. Made them wear each other out.
Not that Watty is annoying. If I was a fox, I would play with Watty. [Was that a dreamy sigh?]
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[Meanwhile, on camera, Watty has fluttered over on his tiny wings to sniff at the phone. "Maaaudie! Maudie is tiny!"]
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[Hearing him refer to Watty as his child is both endearing and embarrassing. As is hearing Watty call her by her middle name; Actually, that leans towards “adorable.”]
Hello, Watty~! Maudie is tiny, isn’t she? She needs to visit you soon! [Actually,] I wonder if Watty would like Anne.
[Anne doesn’t talk.]
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[Just glosses over the sad implications of why he bought such a thing in the first place--]
But you can visit whenever you want! Or even babysit him for a night sometime. But I'm not too sure how he'd feel about Anne... she's a lot bigger than him. He might feel intimidated.
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Lumi... sells stuff, huh? [Tell her more!
Also:] And yeah, that's... fair. The kids at the orphanage found Anne scary too and they were people-sized. But... But maybe Watty could get used to her...?
[Anne isn't that bad, right?]
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[Dem convenient AC rewards]
He has a lot of weird stuff, too... and he doesn't always seem to know what it does, so you should be careful shopping there.
Watty is cute, sure-- but I know someone else who ended up with a kleptomaniac goose instead.
A gift for good deeds
All there is to find inside is a simple message written in elegant handwriting.
As soon after he deposits it at the door and knocks Poe disappears around the corner. Can't risk being caught in the act, now, can he? ]
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Instead of a person, she finds a basket. Complete with a bear and a letter. She looks up and down the hallway, assuring herself that no one is spying, before gently opening the envelope. So carefully that you know she's going to treasure it.
Reading the note
Lucy sighs.]
... You idiot.
[This is Poe, right? He's probably gone home by now. But she calls out into the hallway anyway:]
Just be the happier one between us! [No need to thank her. Geez.
No take backsies on the bear, though.]
action;
She seems to be less distressed than she was the last couple of days, having calmed down a bit.
And since the moon is waning, she can relax a bit. The effects of Iris aren't as strong now.
If she spots Lucy-]
I'm heading out to grab some stuff. If there's anything you want me to get at the store, speak now or forever hold your peace.
[She speaks those words casually, as if there weren't any problems just a few days ago.
Odd.]
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So she hears Inaba, she flinches with surprise. Nearly dropping her cup before turning around.]
Inaba..?
[She looks... normal?]
Uh. No, don’t really need anything... [Lucy hesitates. It’s been a few days. She’s been worried sick and struggling to balance both sides of this break-up. It’s frustrating to see Inaba acting normal, when it has hardly been normal for her roommate.]
You gonna need an extra set of hands?
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Or an attempt at it, anyway.]
I don't necessarily need it, but if you want to come with, I'm not going to say no.
[There's a lengthy pause as she closes her eyes, as if mulling her words over in her head. Inaba doesn't like the idea of having to walk over eggshells around Lucy - around someone that she's allowed in her home, as a roommate.
But she doesn't want to be careless with her words, here.
Not when they're very important.]
I'm sorry, by the way. For... everything, I guess. And being both a burden and a pain in the ass the last couple of days.
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No need. You don't need to apologize for taking care of yourself.
[That's not a lie. Even if Lucy is frustrated by how lonely and anxious she's been, that isn't directly Inaba's fault. That, too, is a factor about herself that Inaba is quite aware of.]
Does this mean you're feeling better, or just that you're hungry?
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[Which, really - she wasn't. She was just shutting herself behind closed doors. Not simply because she was feeling miserable, though.
She was also being selfish.
If she avoided people, she could shut them out. They wouldn't need to find her. They wouldn't need to ask the obvious question of "what happened?" and pry further. There was no need for Inaba Himeko to rip open her heart and smash it to the ground over and over again.
Which is why she chooses to be honest. For now.]
A little bit of both. It's still... [Hard, she wants to say, but she stops herself short.] ...but I think I can at least try and work my way through it. I can still change, and improve as a person. Maybe I'm just being sappy.
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What has her upset is her own reaction. Her own fears of having this brief, happy lifestyle smashed to pieces so soon... But, likewise, Lucy has done what she must. The daydream is buried and reality is bittersweet.]
As long as you're doing it for you. This'll sound rich coming from me, but boys shouldn't be your reason to change.
[Does Inaba know that Lucy is in love with a tabby cat? Doesn't matter. This isn't about Lucy anyway.]
But if you've got a path, that's enough. Glad to hear you got that far. [Again, it's not about Lucy. She won't say that she's in the same 'self improvement' camp. Maybe at a later time, but this isn't it. Lucy certainly feels some unspoken kinship, though.]
1 / 2
Ha... boys are always the reason that I end up changing.
[It's kind of ironic, really.
She can't help but think about it a little. Those words she said before, from what feels like ages ago.
"You once changed me, but... apparently I can't change you."
That - maybe that was the issue, here. She was short-sighted, and wanted to cling onto something. And maybe she was a little desperate. She supposes that they just didn't suit each other.
And maybe there was an even... deeper rooted problem.
She's uncertain, though. She has no confidence in the answer she's found.]
Mm. Well - we'll see how it goes.
[The path is shaky. She doesn't know what will happen from here on out. And that thought is scary. Enough to almost clam up and never want to talk much on her past ever again.
To go back to distrusting everyone.
But... that wouldn't be fair to the others who put in so much effort just for her. For the one who even bothered to say that no matter what bad thing she did, it'd be okay.
It's a selfish thing to want to cling onto, but she doesn't have anything else to. She barely has anyone else.]
2 / 2
[Going to immediately switch gears and shelve this for the time being. If Lucy wants to actually talk about it at length, it'll have to be at another time.]
You don't mind if I call a lift, do you?
[No trains.
Absolutely not.]
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[Inaba has had plenty of days to think serious things in her room, after all. Lucy sees no reason to make every moment of her life a serious and depressing one. When Inaba is ready to talk, though, Lucy recognizes that it will be difficult. It will be a case where it is only fair she be equally as open. Though, speaking of boys changing you... Lucy makes a note to call one such boy later.
She shrugs her shoulders to the question, nonchalant in response.]
As long as there's room for two. [She's coming along after all.] I was starting to forget what you look like.
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[Then again, she supposes if this were an actual normal city, in a normal town she probably would be. She looks like the more common Japanese person than most, after all.]
But alright. [She has her phone out, she's already doing the thing.] ... ten to fifteen, it says. Is that enough for you to get prepared?
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What can I say? I've never had anyone to remember for long, so it's difficult for me.
[Was that funny? Lucy thinks that it is.
At Inaba's insistence, she walks to the dining room and retrieves her tote bag. It's her cheap purse substitute and it's held the coffee she was previously brewing. Speaking of; Lucy will go turn off the coffeemaker and seal the coffee bags.]
Yeah, I don't need much. Just enough time to clean up. [While sealing the bags, she comments dryly,] The definition of 'coffee' is peculiar here. I've missed you telling what is or is not worth buying.
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[She's already personally packed. There's no issues here.]
I know what places are good and have the safe stuff, so if you want to get some regular beans, we can. We still should have plenty of green tea, but I'll grab a few more of those as well once we get there.
[Since she uses tea quite a bit.
Especially when Atsushi - the one who lived here - was around.]
And also I just really want to get a large tub of some fucking good ice cream.
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What do you think?
Cutest couple in Lunatia?
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Oh, I dunno.
Maybe the pair in matching outfits?
That's so cute! I can't believe you found a perfect match for the dress so quickly!
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The shopkeepers from that place we went to before were quick to pick something out for me when I showed them what my husband was wearing.
[Casually throws around the word husband nbd]
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That store had really great staff, didn't it?
Did you two have fun dressing up together? Go anywhere, or is this a romantic secret?
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I took him down to Caihong so we could be all dressed up at a tea house, since I knew he'd love that!
[Insert selfie of fancy tea time here.]
[...the number of traditional sweets and cakes on the table is ridiculous, but this is Ranpo after all.]
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Are those sweets from home, or unique to Lunatia? I've never seen some of them before.
[And if anyone knows about sweet treats, it would be the sweet sleuth.]
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Some was similar to stuff from home, but I don't know too much about Chinese sweets to be sure if others were or not.
But they were all really tasty!
Except this one that had chocolate covered bugs in it.
I couldn't get past those.
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I don't think there's any chocolate good enough to make me want to eat a bug.
Atsushi didn't eat it, did he?
[He's so polite that he might, okay??]
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I went to take a bite, saw a bug, and sorta threw it across the room.
Besides, then he would have had bug breath!
[He gave a nice big tip to make up for it, it's fine.]
But it's a shame they were covered in chocolate, or else Watty would have probably loved them!
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You two planning to dress up again anytime soon? You look like you were having fun.
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You're still not gonna get me in a dress in public, though.
[Inside the dress shop is as far as he goes okay.]
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Even though you were really cute. You looked like you could be my sister or something!
If I had family.
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1/2
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Friends brother!
[She can't admit to feeling familial bonds! That goes against her orphan image!]
1/2
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