deernet | TEXT - Anonymous

Same here! Some things you just come across for comfort reading!

[She could certainly understand that for Little Women. It was a little sad, now that she remembered it].

Oh no, I wouldn't worry about it! I know you wouldn't do that on purpose!

[Also, sixteen?? Weird! Luz was sure she was still figuring out what the heck she was doing still].

Hee! Thats sounds like "Just Dance!" Sounds like someone is anxious to go back to Karaoke!

[And now for the spicier topic].

So when did you start to like her? You seemed pretty fixated on Jack.

Yes! Exactly that! Even though there was plenty of room for even more sequels to the Anne of Green Gables books.

[Rose had wanted Jo and Laurie to be together so the endgame couples left her thoroughly annoyed]

No, I really should have known better.

[Rose was engaged to be married at seventeen. and Madeleine Astor was already wed with a baby on the way. Madeleine wasn't any older than Rose was, so she knew that her time would come.

and it is! she gives Melody a slight case of side-eye, but the canary continues chirping out its tune, followed by "Born This Way"] Melody has her quirks, like any and all Omens.

I was. I am. Loving one doesn't mean that my feelings for her are diminished and vice versa. I was expecting a return of the old love, but...it seems as though life has a way of sneaking up on people, doesn't it?

Of course! Always have to leave room for your favorites!

[Maybe Luz SHOULD pick up Little Women eventually].

If you say so.

[Luz wasn't going to argue there. There were times when she thought exactly this way too, and nothing anyone said was going to change what she was thinking].

Oh, mine too! Tempest, she starts to get moody if I dote on Owlbert or the Fathiers more than her, so I have to make sure I give everyone equal attention!

[Not that this was always possible when the Fathiers were so big].

I believe that! I just thought that because of your time, you might even think of being with a girl. I'm actually surprised, but in a good way!

[In other words, Rose was much like Luz in regard to her sexuality]!

Yes! And I really should try to find copies of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass," those are favorites, too.

[and she should, but only if she's prepared for some truly baffling romantic entanglements for certain characters.

another thing they have in common, the tendency to dig their heels in]

I'm lucky thus far, I only have Melody to pay my attention to. [but at "only," Melody stops her song briefly to nip at Rose's ear, prompting an ow! from her.

there were benefits to having smaller animal friends?]

Well, I must say that I never imagined myself going this route. But...I suppose life has a way of surprising you? You think you're looking for one thing, but then another possibility presents itself and it's hard to say no.

I love those! The words are old timey but the whole story is like something out of a crazy dream, with riddle and stories and absurd things and people walking around, and the whole areas having their own sort of sense!

[Gee, wonder why Luz would relate to that? Heck, how had she not recommended the good witch Azura]?!

Oh, I love them all! We do have a lot of animals though.

[Luz wouldn't change that for anything]!

I think that's what one of the great things about Trench is. Despite everything, you still get to find out what kind of person you are when you're not restricted from exploring your feelings and being close with other people!

I knew you would! I knew it! And they're both such fun to read, all of the riddles and stories make the books rereadable no matter how many times they'd previously been read!

[and part of Rose always wished she could go into the books and never return, but that hankering has dulled considerably since she arrived in Trench]

And I have too few! I'd be happy to take in some chickens, assuming you allow the hen to raise up some chicks. I think they'd do well in my backyard. Which reminds me, you haven't been to my cottage yet! There's a little outside patio and one on the roof which I think you'd love. I could brew some sweet tea with lemonade, it would be perfect for the approach of spring.

[she's heard that batcats are loving and sweet, but she wonders what one would make of Melody. and she's never been a dog person. she wouldn't mind a horse, but where would she keep it?]

Oh, yes. I would wish Trench's freedom on all worlds, the ability to be. To find out whom that is and to act on their revelations. To build families out of friends and deepen those bonds. To...be true to oneself. In all possible ways.

Hehe, you really know me then! And you're totally right, they're the right combination of readable and fun!

[Luz could also relate to THAT feeling, really].

I'd probably get more, but I think I would be overruled by our household because they don't want me to adopt ant more pets. The Fathiers were probably the last straw since they're so much bigger than all of us.

Ooh, yes, you're right! That sounds amazing! Though now that I think about it, I have to show you my room, don't I, now that you're here!

Exactly, exactly! I've been to a few worlds before Trench, and they all were great, but did have some things holding them back. There's always some sort of force trying to prevent true freedom. Trench has been one of the most liberated of those places!

[in a faux-haughty voice] I should certainly hope so given that we're sisters and such!

[and back to normal] Hmm. Well, if you need a place to put a pet, just think of me. I have more space than I can believe, at least some of it should go to pets.

Yes, you do! Just as I have to show you mine. I mean it, the patios are extraordinary!

It is. And I'm eternally grateful to have been brought here. I don't know what I would have done otherwise.

[Luz laughed, smiling]. True. Really shouldn't be surprised!

I'll be sure to do that, but I'll spare you the fathiers. They're very lively and much taller than both of us.

Great! The lighting in my room is perfect, and there is a LOT you can do with rustic attic space! I can't wait to see your place!

I hope you thrive here, despite everything. Just remember to lean on us when it gets rough! It helps.

[and Rose grinned back warmly] No, not at all. I'd imagine I've become rather predictable? [and she laughs a little]

Oh, my. That's...rather unlike anything I've heard of before. Are they Earth animals or are they native to here?

It sounds very cozy. And a good way of getting privacy when you need it. As for my place, it has so many bedrooms! I wanted to find a roommate or two, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Now that you mention that, which do you think you'd prefer to be like?

No, not at all. They're from the universe Darth Maul's come from. So basically, none of those. He needed to give them a home and asked me, and how could I refuse?

[She could, but she still wasn't, so there]!

I'm in an attic, so I pretty much always have privacy! If I wanted SOLITUDE, well, that's what the tower is for!

No kidding! Has our forest friend crossed your mind?

I'm not sure? I'm grateful to this place for allowing me to be me, without some silly veneer of propriety. So I think I'll keep on exploring what makes me, me.

That was very kind of him to make sure they went to a good home. I wonder what Cal would do, should he ever find his way here? His omen would have to be a snake. Or a hyena, I've heard they're terrible.

[one of the many reasons why she's proud to call Luz her sister, the other young woman had such a big, open heart]

It still amazes me that you have a fairy-tale tower on your house.

...maybe a little? I'd need to make sure there was plenty of room for her animal friends.

That sounds like a plan to me! I hope you find yourself here then. We're all doing that all the time anyway, right?

Darth Maul and I know each other fairly well. He knew I'd take care of them if he gave them to me, and we had the room because of the stables!

Poor omen then. They shouldn't be responsible for the bad things their person does.

[Aw! Luz was proud to be that too]!

That's Rapunzel's story, though we actually had it before she arrived here? I never asked Varian how that happened.

Ha ha, true! She does have a lot of them, and they love her!

Yes, and I'd imagine that it's a process which never quite ends. There's always more to learn and discover, depending on what one encounters along the way.

He seems very intelligent. He taught me meditation and it's really helping with my stress level. And, stables! Do you have horses?

Indeed. Still, I'd love for him to be here long enough to have to use trade goods and deal with a Pthumerian's quirks. Then he can go home.

[Rose has never had a friend and sister like Luz before and now that she does, she wonders how on Earth she survived without her]

Maybe some...oddity in things being transferred? Were they in the Dream, too?

Yes! And as much as I hate to admit it, they're better at modern appliances than I am.

You sure got that right. I'm sure that there'll be a lot for you to find out about yourself in the coming months.

[Luz was obviously sure she'd be right along there too].

He did? Really? Good on him! He doesn't have the greatest history, and if you mentioned to some people that he was teaching meditation they'd probably think you were joking.

Oh, I wish! Nah, just most of the other animals.

[There are a LOT. The Fathiers were kind of better than horses anyway].

Mean, but it sounds like he deserves a good bit of it!

[Luz would be gratified for that! On Earth she was pretty sure that people would have had no problem doing without her save for her mom].

They were, yes. That's how we all met each other, we three, and Reaper. Luca and Ahiru came in Trench.

Oh, don't worry! With my help, you'll get there!

It sounds like quite the journey, one which may never be finished.

[she can imagine herself still learning and trying new things even into her later years, her restless spirit refusing to entirely settle]

Really? He's been entirely pleasant to me. I am aware that he has a...history. But don't most of us?

That still sounds like a great deal of animals. How many do you all have?

[and Rose feels much the same about herself. she knows that her role could be filled easily enough by some young woman who would be content enough to be a wife and mother. but that wasn't Rose]

Reaper, I don't believe I've made his acquaintance. Ahiru, either, but I have met Luca and he's very sweet.

I do hope so. I nearly electrocuted myself with a toaster the other day.

I'm still learning, so yup, you got that right!

[Luz figured she was the same way, most likely].

Oh, I meant with other Sleepers, not his backstory. If I were judging backstories, there'd be people in my own house I'd have objections too.

[It was honestly still surprising to Luz how many of her friends and relationships were with people that had questionable backstories].

Ummm. Eight, I think, and the Fathiers, so...ten?

[Boy, that was a lot of animals. Also, Luz was sure that Rose wasn't the type to be fine just being a wife and mother].

He'll be back by the house soon enough, and Ahiru, well, if you ever see a scrappy little girl with a cowlick practicing ballet, that's her!

Luca is the best! [She was proud of her Bonded brother]!

Oh you-wait, what?! How?

My goodness. I can't decide if that sounds exciting or daunting. Perhaps a bit of both?

[it made perfect sense why they hit it off so quickly]

Ohhh. Well, I don't live with you, but I likely qualify, too. I was, for the most part, rather...unpleasant to be around. Unless it was Jack. Then I qualified as something of a human being.

[Rose would definitely count herself among them. she did sort of humiliate J. Bruce Ismay at brunch on purpose]

And I've yet to see them? Now I rather feel deprived!

[just as she was sure that Luz wouldn't be content with that, either. maybe Rose had been a trailblazer by 1912 standards, but Luz was one for the 21st century]

Oh! Ballet! I used to take lessons! I can still go en pointe, but it hurts like hell.

He is, he's such a sweet boy. We rather...ran into each other in the river that the Moss King orchastrated.

I was trying to make toast for someone else! And I stuck my fingers directly in the toaster. Clearly not my wisest choice.

Definitely both! Kinda fun that way!

[It sure did, and other reasons]!

Oh come on! I'm sure you were a pretty great person, but they were burying you. That isn't your fault. Anyone can be great if they meet the right person, but if you're surrounded by nothing but people that leech on your nature, it can get pretty destructive.

[Luz read Macbeth, thank you].

Well then I'll just have to go and show you all of them, won't I?

[She sounded pretty pleased with herself there].

That's one point you have over me then! I have no idea what en point even means!

He really is, and inquisitive and smart too!

Whoa. Why did you-I mean-why put your fingers in the toaster?

Yes, I think so, too. I like the notion of always learning new things.

You're right, as usual. [Rose says fondly] but now I won't have to worry about anything they have to say about my life, well...forever! And that's still exciting to think about!

[Macbeth was wonderful. the play, not the character]

Absolutely! I'll accept nothing less. [and she winks to show that she's teasing.

and she should be pretty pleased with herself!]

Oh! It's up on one's toes. Specifically balancing all of their weight on their big toe. It hurts like mad, even when one is used to such things.

He certainly seemed that way! I'd like to see him again, to make sure he's doing as well as possible.

I, um. I was making toast. And the dratted toaster didn't push the finished toast up!

Same here! That's one of the great things about being around people who've been all over the multiverse, you get to find out all these new things about yourself!

It happens more than you'd think. In media, there's a lot of exploring on how people's toxic natures can color someone's whole living experiences. We're all products of that, don't you think?

Aww, well. Maybe one day!

Really? I can kinda do that, have to be good at shifting weight on a staff. But I never tried it on my toe. That could be interesting!

I'm sure he feels the same way!

[Luz blinked].

So how...I mean, what did you do to try and get it out?

Well, I think I'd like to keep my travelling to different worlds to this particular version of what Earth used to be. I already think I'm learning a lot!

Toxic...natures? Is that like poisonous?

Interesting and terribly painful, even if you are used to it! I hadn't taken lessons for years, but I kind of felt that I needed to show off a little at the Steerage party, so I did it. I only lasted about five seconds, but that was enough.

Good. He's a good person.

[Rose looks sheepish]

Well, first I tried a butter knife. Then I tried a fork. Both of which I've been told are terribly dangerous.

Good point. There are lots of different worlds, and heck, different versions of Earth out there!

Not in the literal sense, more of a metaphoric thing? As in, repeated behavior that's bad for you.

Sounds fun! I can already do more than I was able to back home, but I always like learning something new!

He is, and really smart!

Oh. Oh NO. I'm really glad you didn't have your first death Rose, because that would have definitely killed you.

Yes, so many versions of Earth! So many that it's really improper to think of one as the correct Earth, though I did a little at first.

Ohhh. All right. Like my mother or Cal. Even Father would count, given how he always let Mother have her way when it came to raising me.

Well, there will be a lot of practice and strengthening before you can even try. It doesn't happen quickly.

...really?

I think I agree with that. There are a lot of similarities though.

Exactly. And now you have a chance to break away!

I'll bet! I mean, you'd have to teach your joints to be able to do that in the first place, right?

Oh, yes. The last thing you EVER want to do is mix electricity with metal. I think it's an automatic conductor or something like that.

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(CW: underage/overage relationships/pregnancy)

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