[Text]

[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

[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.