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[mypartnerintime]

[What were the things that made her happy?

She racked her brain, pulling ideas out one by one, straining against the cobwebs of her lazy thoughts.

Maybe happiness is a muscle. You have to tend to it, work on it, keep it healthy and limber. You find the things that make you smile and practice those passions, before you forget why it is they cheered you up and buoyed you throughout the day.

And after a long time of disuse, you find that the happiness you used to have is out of reach. Before you know it, it's been weeks or months. Too long.

But you start small, go easy, work those muscles back into form. Day by day. Thought by thought. With determination and a single-mindedness that shuts the darker things away.

Baby steps down a long road.]

I think I actually went home for a day.

It's all kind of muddled up in my head. Sorta like a reverse-vacation.

A noitacav!

:|

So... what's new? ...Besides the lizardly adjustments.

Comments

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[uncaging]

[ Elizabeth is midway through stirring her tea when the door opens. She'd been half afraid that Max wouldn't show up, after she's kept to herself for so long, and she's delighted to see her, jumping up and crossing the room to give her a hug. ]

Hello, Max!

action;

[mypartnerintime]

[Max accepts the hug, albeit with a little step back. She's glad to realize that the step is more out of surprise than anything else. Her arms come up to give Elizabeth a quick squeeze.]

H-hey. Glad to know I was missed.

action;

[uncaging]

[ She steps back, offering a somewhat apologetic smile at her own enthusiasm, aware that Max is more reserved than she is. Sitting back at the table, she takes a sip of her tea. ]

Well of course you were! I feel terrible that I didn't come and see how you were. I'm sorry I left it so long.

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[mypartnerintime]

[Max sits down too, wondering where she could get some tea-

Oh look. There's a cup right there. Whether it was left by Elizabeth or conjured up by the Mansion seems like a moot point, so Max reaches out to take a sip herself. It burns a little on the way down.]

No, it was- We could totally play the blame game all day... but I was the one with my doors closed. So I'm sorry. [She gives a small, sheepish smile.] It was anti-social to the max.

[uncaging]

[ Elizabeth chuckles a little at the terrible pun, leaning back in her chair. ]

You probably had the right idea, to be honest. You've managed to avoid some of the most awful events I've been here for.

[mypartnerintime]

Yeah... avoid and not help anyone. [It stings a little to say it so bluntly like that. Max glances up with a sheepish smile, before turning back to her tea.]

Were you okay? Everyone says it was really bad.

[uncaging]

I... [ She falters, staring down at the pattern on the tablecloth. ] I was trapped over on the Mirror side, the whole time they were over here. It was horrible.

[mypartnerintime]

Oh god... [Max's voice is tinged with fear and trails off as she realizes... If Elizabeth was over there, then her mirror was on this side. Wasn't she?] But you're okay, right? Did everything... work out?

[uncaging]

[ She was, and Elizabeth still isn't sure of the extent of the damage she caused. ] My friend Mr Crowley, his Mirror kept me safe. I don't know what I would have done without him. I don't think I'd have made it back in one piece.

[mypartnerintime]

Well, thank god for mister Crowley then. And I'm super glad you made it out in one piece. [She sips at her tea in a moment of silence.]

There are all these horror stories from the event going around... [Foremost in her mind being Ellie. The poor girl.]

[uncaging]

It was like nothing I've ever experienced here. I'd just begun to think I knew what to expect here, and then ... that.

[ She shudders. ]

[mypartnerintime]

...And it can probably get worse, right? [She grips Elizabeth's hand.] But you'll be okay. I mean, you're really tough and you've made it this far.

[uncaging]

[ She hesitates a moment before nodding agreement. ] I'll be okay, because the rest of you don't need me going and not being okay. [ She squeezes back, smiling gratefully at Max. ] And I'll be prepared now, for if it happens again.

[mypartnerintime]

You go girl. [Whenever Max says something like that, it sounds like a joke. Like she's poking fun at people who say "you go girl." But no, she's just nineteen and and trying to sound cool, and "you go girl" somehow sounds cool to her.]

Who's "the rest of you"? I'm kinda curious. I used to prowl the network a lot, but nowadays I'm not sure who's close with who.

[uncaging]

People still come and go all the time. I'm still close to Dr Pines, of course, and Mr Crowley - I'm not sure if you've met him, but he's been ever so nice to me. [ She looks a little sad now, casting her eyes down to the tablecloth. ] Sirius left. I suppose he was the other one I considered myself close to.

[mypartnerintime]

Pines... Ford? I don't think I've ever met Crowley, but he sounds hella reliable from what you've told me.

And Sirius was... I think I played chess with him once. [Max sighs, a slight grimace on her face.] For what it's worth, I'm sorry he left.

[uncaging]

Yes, that's him! And Crowley's lovely, if you ever do come across him - I know he'd appreciate having some more friends here but he'd never admit it.

[ She nods, smiling sadly. ] His friends left at the same time, so at least he's not alone.

[mypartnerintime]

Huh. Sounds like someone I know. [Max takes a sip of her tea as mutters to herself.

And that last bit sounds like the reverse of someone else I know.]

I guess we can call that bittersweet. Maybe they're better off back home, anyway.

[uncaging]

That's what I keep telling myself. [ Though if she had any idea of the hardships that would befall Sirius in the future, she'd desperately wish that he could return. ] I just wish it were possible to say goodbye. I hate that this place just has enough of people and makes them vanish without a trace.

[mypartnerintime]

...Me too.

[Max clutches her teacup in both hands, drawing into herself- shoulders inward, head down. There's a quiet pause before she brusquely holds the cup up to her lips again. The tea scalds her tongue. She coughs, spilling the liquid on herself, her eyes watering. From the heat. Probably.]

Ugh- Sorry!

[She sets the cup down with a clatter, trying to wipe the tea off her shirt with a bare hand. She clears her throat and tries to think of something to say to cover up the awkwardness.]

I, uh, I wish I'd gotten to know all of them better.

[uncaging]

[ Elizabeth jumps up, grabbing her napkin and offering it to Max, feeling a little awkward on her behalf. ]

Don't worry! It happens. And, well, there's plenty of people here who are worth getting to know better. You just have to remember to step out of your room sometimes.

[mypartnerintime]

[Max pats herself down, allowing the napkin to soak up the spilled drink. She tries to not look at Elizabeth in the meantime. Embarrassed. But she takes Elizabeth's suggestion with quiet acceptance. Yeah, Max is a loner these days, and it's probably a problem...]

Well I think my shut-in days are over. For now.