fridgetothefire | 022 ☣ Video (Open + locks + locked spam)

[Public]

Okay, this is a long shot, but I know we've got all kinds of magic and tech here that I don't know all the capabilities of, so here goes:

Does anybody have, or know of, something that can like...turn memories into photographs? We never really had cameras around when I was little and I guess I'm just. Being maudlin about a few things.

[aka she misses the twins when they were stupid babies]

[Private to Arthas.]

I know things are different. But I wanted to say thank you, for looking out for me.

[Private to Cassel]

Still think I should give him the squid hat?

[Private to Alex

Were you really into the Space Race too?

[Private separately to Babs and Charles]

[With a warm smile]

Thanks for helping me out.

[Private to Tosh]

Would you teach me how to program?

[Private to Touko]

You were a really cute kid.

[Spam for Erik]

[She gives him a little time to himself, after the flood, but there are some things she needs to say. She's not dressed for effect this time, just in jeans and a soft, light sweater despite the summery barge atmosphere.]

[Spam for Jesse]

[She's used to coming in and out of Lua's room whenever she feels like it. She knows it's early, but there's a comfort to being here, for her, simply existing in a space she shares with someone she trusts. She didn't expect to to see Jesse making breakfast, but she puts it together pretty quickly. She leans against the little table, arms crossed, not smiling even though she wants to, a little.]

Well. So. You and Lua, huhn?

[Private to Lua, later]

Hey, are you free? Nothing to worry about, just checking in.

[Because if not she can check in...later later.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're welcome. I probably should have realized you were always quite industrious.

It's how I was raised.

[It's a little bit wry, because it can't not be, but mostly it's sincere. It's not even about Magneto or Magda, entirely, because neither of them ever reined her in much on that score. But there was a culture of it, in the village, of things to be done, chores and crafts and communal games all blending into each other. It's one of the few things she's held on to, that makes her feel like she has a culture.]

If it helps, I was being serious about my complete lack of knitting ability.

[She actually laughs a little.]

Don't worry. My self-esteem is pretty well repaired by not attempting projects thirteen years ahead of my current skill level anymore.

Well, that's good to know.

[She takes a breath, considers how to start -]

I've been talking to Zane.

Yes?

I think he needs to get some of his metals back soon. Or like, at least...he needs a date for it. Because he's hearing eventually as 'never' right now, even though it's not true.

I'm not trying to dismiss what he did. Touko's my friend. But I don't think stripping him down is. Helping him anymore.

[She frowns. It feels awkward in her mouth, saying someone volatile would be better served with more power. She'll work out the implications of the case study later.]

Maybe bronze. That's not offensive, right? And it would help him avoid Vin.

[Charles heaves a frustrated, heavy sigh.] He does have access to tin and copper, and I've been trying to arrange some kind of schedule on getting his metals back, but he's been incredibly stubborn about discussing anything with me. I'm doing the best I can to get him back to some semblance of control, but I can't force him into doing anything.

[Well. He can, but he won't.]

Oh my god, I know. He's just so - fixated on his own wallowing.

It's not that I don't understand where he's coming from, [Sort of, anyway, because he's definitely struggled with crushing depression too.] But it does make it difficult to have anything resembling a productive conversation.

[She runs a hand through her hair, tugs on a handful of it for a moment. Her crash after the Christmas flood - pure, artificial happiness and compassion after more than a decade with precious little of either - had been awful and intense, left her flat out catatonic for an evening, but it hadn't lasted, a different thing entirely.]

I know he's. Stuck, in his head. I feel bad for getting so frustrated. But I can't - it's like he wants me to vindicate him for not wanting to try anymore. I just want to shake him.

That sounds just about right. I know we can't force him to listen or change, but I wish there was something that would motivate him.

When he's mad, he feels like he's suffered so much he shouldn't have to earn anything anymore, or doesn't care enough to even though he knows he doesn't deserve it.

[Her voice is - restrained, trying to be empathetic. She can't help a certain amount of contempt. Powers are a crutch; she wants to hiss at everyone who falls apart without them. It helps to remind herself that it was Cassel being hurt when Zane was helpless that started it, that he complained bitterly about first.]

What kind of arrangements are you thinking of? Because if you could just...lay down conditions and hand him a vial, I think he's desperate enough now that it would jump over his objections and his disbelief at once.

I've been trying to explain to him that when he feels as if he's starting to get out of control, he needs to come talk to me or Kelsier or someone, instead of just letting it overwhelm him. It doesn't even feel like he's listening to me when I suggest it, though, it took enough effort to convince him to ever come out of his room again.

I know.

I offered to teach him to meditate, but he said no. I was - we were both mad then, though. Maybe someone else? I know he's friendly with Barbara.

That's not a bad idea. You meditate?

Bruce taught me, while he was here.

It helps me...not think in knots, so much.

Which certainly sounds like something Zane could do with learning. I'll suggest it to him again. If he's more open to it, would you still be interested in being involved?

...I, sure, if he's alright with it.

I'll let you know. Thank you for trying to help him.

When he doesn't remind me of me, he reminds me of Erik.

[Which is. Not always easy. But, well.]

[Charles chuckles, because, well.] Me, too. I've even told him as much.

[Zane told her about that, once, after guessing that Erik was her father, in a hideous miscommunication that sent her into a paranoid tailspin. She doesn't mention it.]

We're friends, I think. I want us to be.

Good. He desperately needs those.

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