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[titled]

"... Speak."

{ video { voicemail { text { action }

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[immobileyes]

But you're so... so graceful and pretty and cool and-- [ WAVES HER HANDS ABOUT FOR EMPHASIS. ] So I bet you wouldn't-- didn't have as much trouble!

[ She can't see herself being one of those princesses she loved so much, honestly. The stories never had princesses tripping over themselves or spilling tea on their skirts or other people-- ]

[titled]

[Pretty? Huh. That's one he doesn't hear often. Arles raises his eyebrow and looks down at her with amusement.]

Ah, but I was younger then. Elvira, on the other hand, I felt was far more composed than I.

[immobileyes]

... They do say really proper ladies can stay composed during anything.

[ She's sure she read that once. ]

[titled]

Is that what they say?

[Where do you read these things, Mary?]

[immobileyes]

I remember reading it somewhere!

[ Proud nod. ]

[titled]

You seem to pick up many things from what you've read.

[Such a bookworm...]

[immobileyes]

Yeah. I was by myself before, so I read a lot when there was no one to talk to.

[titled]

By yourself?

[Are they gonna head to the children's section for books? They sure are. Arles will find something...]

[immobileyes]

Mm-hm. For a really long time, it feels like.

[ Not actually an exaggeration. ]

[titled]

Why was that, Mary?

[Perhaps the timidness is a giveaway of a long time alone, but nevertheless.]

[immobileyes]

[ Why? That's a complicated question to answer, so Mary takes a moment to think about how to make it simple, running her fingers along the book spines as she walks. ]

... I lost my mother. After that, there was no one else.

[titled]

...I see.

[Arles's voice is coloured with regret-- and sympathy. He always had his pack so he's never been alone, but other than Rath, there is no more of his family left.] I'm sorry.

[immobileyes]

I read all the books I used to read with her, though-- over and over. [ Why she's saying this, even Mary isn't sure. To keep the grief from rising up again, maybe. ] But I was never as good with the voices.

[titled]

[Arles listens, his head slightly inclined, his expression serious and somewhat sad. A hand shifts where it hangs by his side.]

Is that how you remember her, Mary? [Read the same books, over and over... The thought grieves him, the picture of it.]

[immobileyes]

And I try to remember what her voice sounded like. It was always just easier when I'd read over the same words she'd read to me.

[ It wasn't the same, but it had been faint comfort at the time. ]

[titled]

[Arles's breath out is nearly silent. He gazes at Mary for a long moment.]

I understand. Reading is important to you because of her, isn't it?

[immobileyes]

Yeah. [ Plainly, but soft. ] It's my strongest memory of her.

[titled]

That is good.

[Arles's voice is gentle and he moves to place his palm lightly atop her head.] It is important to keep the ones who were important to you close to your heart, even if it might be painful sometimes.

[immobileyes]

Yeah... [ She peers up at him, as best as she can. ] I'd never want to forget anyone important to me.

[titled]

Me, either. [It's clear from his expression that he's thinking of someone-- he's thinking of Elvira. Ah, Elvira...]

[immobileyes]

... Then let's do our best to remember them, okay?

[ DON'T BE SAD, ARLES!! ]

[titled]

Yes.

[He gives the top of her head another touch before chuckling.] I did not expect to speak of this today. Shall we get back to books?

[immobileyes]

Mm-hm! [ MUCH LIGHTER SUBJECT... to book-hunting!! ]