[video]

[keeperfromtheflame]

People would tell me how much they hated this place.  Why they thought it was awful.

I used to think that it wasn't so bad, really.

[Hazel's expression is stone-faced and her tone calm, but there was a noticeable tightness to her shoulders.  She was sitting on her bed with a borderline defeated aura, closet door behind her partially open and a...bow in hand.]

[Those who had known him may or may not recognize it as Frank's bow.]

[Her fingers gripped it so tightly, it was a wonder the wood hadn't broken in half yet.]

Now?  I finally get it.

Comments

[keeperfromtheflame]

[Hazel considered him a friend, too. Which was exactly why she was going to give him the truth, straight:]

Frank's gone.

And this morning, I found his bow in my closet. It wasn't there last night.

[henrydaniel]

[What was with this place and people disappearing with literally no warning? He really hates that for people. Well, except for people like Pan.]

You said he's left and come back before, right? Maybe his bow is there because you're supposed to keep it until he comes back again. Or...maybe this place thinks you're gonna need it for some reason.

[Henry wants to have a little belief for her, that Frank will come back.]

[keeperfromtheflame]

[Hazel wasn't sure, but whatever it was, it had also taken her brother and the rest of her friends from home. Because of course.]

He did. But I left and came back with him.

Plus...I don't know how to use his bow. Not really.

[She had vague memories of picking it up and shooting. Only that hadn't been her. Not her her. It was very confusing.]

[henrydaniel]

I know someone here who can help you learn if you want. I mean, it had to be left here for a reason right? Maybe you're supposed to use it.

[keeperfromtheflame]

[Hazel was willing to believe in a lot of things, but something so specific as a choice of weapon wasn't one of them.]

[...in fact, half the reason why she had chosen her spatha in the first place was because everyone at Camp had told her not to. What good would it do? They wouldn't give her a horse, and it was cumbersome without one. Reasons she ignored. Blatantly.]

Who?

[That said, it wasn't as if she could just throw it away....]

[henrydaniel]

His name is Robin Hood. He's kind of a famous archer. He never misses.

[Henry wants to help, even if that means asking someone else to help, too.]

[keeperfromtheflame]

[Robin Hood. Robin. Hood. The name sounded so vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place it.]

I guess...I could try.

It's something to pass the time, if nothing else.

[henrydaniel]

Is there...anything I can do for you?

[keeperfromtheflame]

[Right around then, Hazel managed a weak smile Henry's way. He really was trying so hard, wasn't he? She appreciated that.]

I almost wish there was, Henry.

But...the one thing I want right now, I don't think anybody can help with.

[henrydaniel]

[His voice is softer and he looks down for a second before going back to the camera.]

I know I'm not one of your friends from home, but...if you just want to talk, or hang out, we can.

[He knows he's younger too, but it's not by much, and he knows he's a good ear.]

[keeperfromtheflame]

[It wasn't what she wanted right then, but...]

[Sometimes want and need were two separate things. And what Hazel needed most were friends. People she could fall back on so that she wouldn't be completely alone. No matter where those friends came from.]

I'd like that.

James... [Briefly, she wondered if Henry knew James, or if it mattered.] ...he invited me over to watch a movie for a bit.

Maybe we could work on that book of yours after?

[henrydaniel]

[Henry smiles a little. He knows James, and he's a really great person to hang out with right now for Hazel.]

We can figure out something, yeah. I'l talk to you later, okay?

[keeperfromtheflame]

Definitely.

[No movie could be so awful that she would forget.]