[ACCIDENTAL VIDEO]; UN: [USER NAME NOT SET]

[demonicbeauty]

[The feed springs to life without warning, as so many of the share memories have been doing, lately. At first it's mostly a wash of shadow and golden firelight, difficult to pin down to an exact time or place or person.

That changes as a mirror appears. A little girl is standing in front of it. She can't be terribly old. Maybe ten. But she's unmistakably green. It's Ariadne, no question. Skin the color of the underside of a maple leaf. Hair blue as candy floss, pulled into a tight braid over her shoulder. Little girl or adult, she has the same look of wonder in her gray eyes. Like she's completely fascinated with every single thing she encounters.

Right now, that wonder is her reflection.

An older--impossibly beautiful--woman appears at her side. She seems to be Human, with pink skin and black hair. She puts a hand on Ariadne's shoulder. Very, very carefully. Her voice is equally gentle.]

How do you feel?

[Ariadne looks at her in the mirror.]

Tired, mostly.

[The woman nods.]

Yes, that's to be expected. Does it hurt?

[Ariadne frowns.]

A little.

[She turns, looking back over her shoulder to keep her eyes on the mirror. The back of Ariadne's dress is stained with blood. Two long lines of it, running down each of her shoulder blades. She gasps, looking more startled than hurt. The other woman holds her steady.]

There will be scars. But they'll fade. In time. And you'll be able to pass for a Human, once you've healed. We'll survive. Together.

[Uncertainly, Ariadne wraps her arms around the woman's waist, burying her face against her side. The woman strokes her hair lovingly, as the memory fades.]

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

Fortunately for both of us, you're neither type.

At least, I don't think so.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Hmm, I've had my moments. Thankfully, my adopted family showed me better ways with deal with it.

[demonicbeauty]

That's what family is for.

Making us better.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[His smile grows into something full and bright.]<

Yes.

[demonicbeauty]

Hold on to the family you make here, Ezra.

I...I know you didn't ask me for advice, but I want to give it anyway. It's...important.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Solemnly-]

As long as the Force keeps up together. [In other words, holding on fine. As long as he knows when to let go, too.]

Hey. Doesn't have to be right now. But we should do something fun when you're up for it.

[demonicbeauty]

[How did she get so maudlin?

Ariadne's ability to see possible futures has been completely shot since arriving in Deerington, then Trench.

...does she have a bad feeling about something?

She shakes her head trying to shake off the thought.]

Oh, yes. Please. I would like that very much. Something fun. Preferably without the bad memories involved.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Absolutely.

...I think I've been stuck in work and caretaking mode too long. Uh. Is there something you've been wanting to do?

[demonicbeauty]

You know, now that the weather has gotten nicer... There is something I've been meaning to do.

When I was in Deerington, I was gifted with this contraption. It's called a "bicycle." I'm not sure how it works, but it's like a horse...without being alive.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Oh! I...think I remember Ben teaching me to how to ride one when I was really little. [He squints thoughtfully, trying to dig up those memories.]

But most American cities aren't really bicycle friendly so....blurry memories and rusty.

[demonicbeauty]

Well, you can teach me.

Or else we'll figure it out together.

[ezra_of_lothal]

I'm pretty sure we can manage. Should I meet you at Serenity?

[demonicbeauty]

Yes! That would be wonderful!