i'm like a bird, i only fly away

[decohere]

Who: Ava & OTA
When: End of December
Warnings: Village discussions likely

i. you're beautiful, that's for sure

Do Not Disturb.

The sign is posted outside their cabin door the day they return and remains through the end of the year, to discourage any well-meaning visitors from bringing any extra stress. She takes great care in securing an environment that Peter can feel safe to recover in, until he's ready to face anyone else.

(text if needed -ava)

ii. you'll never, ever fade

Though she doesn't leave the room much herself, she does occasionally convince herself of the need for fresh air, to walk off the anxiety around the sports deck. She isn't paying much attention to where she's going though, eyes fixed on the stars.

iii. you're lovely, but it's not for sure

She can be found sometimes at the cafe, staring into her cup of tea or preparing a platter to bring back to the room.

iv. that i won't ever change

Toward the end of the week she's got a large pile of dirty clothes she's sorting through in the laundry room, separating the lights (mostly hers) from the darks (mostly Peter's). She has a small pile of things she's pulling out of the pockets, after making the mistake of having washed her pens one time too many. She finds the number badge, and clutches tightly to it.

v. and though my love is rare

And in the middle of one afternoon she's completely passed out in a library armchair, too many late nights watching guard over her husband sleep catching up with her. Jurassic Park lays open on the floor by her feet.

vi. and though my love is true

wildcard me

Comments

[decohere]

<3 going to be a little while, peter needs to rest

i missed you, sunshine. im not going next time.

[sabigoe]

Did you get hurt? Did Peter get hurt?

I missed you too. And good. You shouldn't have to go anymore, right? No one should. There's enough energy, isn't there? The ship isn't falling apart or anything right now.

[decohere]

the realm was run by somebody from peter's world who doesnt like him very much. took him away the day we arrived. they treated him very badly. treated a lot of our friends very badly. he didnt touch me, but not being able to help them did hurt a lot. they took my powers away. but some of our brave friends got our powers back. and then i ended it.

did not think it would be so long. but i couldnt stay there any longer.

i hope not, fio. i hope soon we can be away from all this. im sorry i missed your birthday this year. but if you want to do something special?

[sabigoe]

[ There's a long delay before her answer comes. Peter's... world? A long time ago, she drew something on paper that Peter recognized from his world. He was clearly unsettled by it. ]

Did that world have a parade with a lot of colorful parasols?

Ended it? So you saved everyone?

A lot of people keep apologizing to me and it's no one's fault. It's not your fault. I didn't really think much about what to do for my birthday this year. I just wanted everyone to come back. I'm happy enough everyone's back.

[decohere]

really loud marching band music, all the time. did you see it before?

a bit like saving. i think the realm is gone, and so is the man that hurt everyone.

i know, but apologies dont have to mean fault. sometimes it's just regret. i would have liked to be here, with you, instead of there so long away from you. but when im feeling less tired, we can do something fun.

[sabigoe]

I saw them in one of my nightmares once. A year ago I think. I made a drawing of the parasols before because I thought they were pretty but when Peter saw them, he got a little upset.

Gone for real? Or can he come back like how other people disappear and come back on the ship?

[ A brief delay, before her next text. It has been long. And she does want to spend time together. ] I want to eat snacks together and drink hot chocolate.

[decohere]

it's a very upsetting memory for him. it's the type of place that tries to look very nice, but it's mean underneath. we thought that going back, maybe he could feel braver and overcome the bad memory. but unfortunately it still hurt him.

i hope gone for real. but i don't know why some leave for good and how others come back. it makes me hope that not everyone is lost though. not forever. that their souls can still be given peace.

:) what a coincidence. i want to do those things too, with you. i'll bring spec and boo along.

[sabigoe]

I understand. [ Peter made it clear to her when he first saw the drawing. ] That's how it felt like in my nightmare. It looked nice at first but it became scary. There's a lot of memories like that. Maybe I should've been there. I can fight too!

No one's lost forever. I don't think so.

I'd like to see Spec and Boo again. They remind me of old friends. Can you make my hot chocolate? Please? Every time I put the cream on the chocolate it goes all over the place.

[decohere]

one day we won't have to fight anymore at all.

you want to tell me more stories of your old friends? while i help with the hot chocolate. and i can show you some tricks for not making as much of a mess. you should have seen me when i was learning how to use the frother. foamy milk everywhere!