Video; un: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[Laura's been trying to adjust. Part of her wonders if coming here wasn't a grave mistake — she'd come thinking there are more like her, people who would accept her more willingly, and in a way, that's true. However... There are a few... annoyances. Grievances. Her rather overworked case worker Linda has been making sure she goes to school. Today isn't the best day for school, though. She's quiet and 'weird' and the other children usually aren't fond of her and her quiet but present danger.

And for Laura, well. She doesn't do well with anyone 'teaching' her. She's had too much of 'teaching' the last eleven years of her... eleven years.

She may or may not have punched another kid in the eye.

She may or may not have ditched school.

And now she sits on the top of a rather tall and dangerous brick-ish wall in the city, her feet hanging precariously off the edge. Close by, the shadow of a tram wooshes by, and somewhere out there, Linda the Case Worker is having a heart attack. Laura, however, seems more puzzled and annoyed than anything. She sits with a potentially stolen bag of mini-donuts, her favorite glasses pressed up on her forehead and her lovely albeit mildly damaged unicorn shirt clear and vibrant.]


Why do children have to go to classes? 

I can learn outside of school.


[There are mean children that exist. She's never ran into children who are so exclusionary; after all, mutants had to stick together.

And teachers aren't bad, but something about the set-up bothers her, in ways she's not sure how to explain.

Maybe it's harder to blend in than you'd think. Not that she had gone into this with any high hopes.] 

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[sweetlies]

[Why? That's a good question. And not one he wants to answer with complete honesty. He has things he refuses to discuss and secrets to hide, but Laura deserves some kind of answer.]

Because you remind me of me.

Years ago, I was in a place where... there were no toys, no candy, nothing happy. And I hated it. Knowing it still happens, it's the least I can do to trt fixing what I can.

[That makes him sound a lot kinder than what he thinks he is but it'll do.]

[shoplifter]

... Did they try to make you into something bad?

[It's spoken with some sympathy, even if Laura has a hard time emoting.

These sorts of things, they're... easier to understand.]

[sweetlies]

[How observant. In another world, he and Sebastian would have taken her into the Phantomhive household. Not as a servant like the others, he's not even sure what role she'd fill. But he could see her skills benefiting the protection of the estate.]

In a way. They did it to a lot of children. [Made them lambs.] They wanted us just to watch us die.

[shoplifter]

[She nods after a moment, mind drifting to the day they'd all ran. Some of them had already been put down before the nurses unlocked their doors and pulled them to freedom. And there are others unaccounted for, others who never reached Eden. She tries not to think too hard about them, most days.]

They wanted to watch us die, too.

[sweetlies]

I'm glad you don't have to be there anymore. It's no life for anyone.

[He does the same, avoiding thinking about the day he'd watched the cultists die, the day his life had started 'fresh' with his butler.]

Now all you need is to experience the things you missed.

[shoplifter]

[She eyes him for a moment, the stuffed doll hugged carefully.

Despite her upbringing, she did not want to harm the bunny, living or not.]

And you, too?

[sweetlies]

No. [The faintest smile, forced.]

No, I left my childhood behind. I experienced all I needed or wanted.

[shoplifter]

[She wrinkles her brow.]

But you are... happier now, at least, yes?

[sweetlies]

[Asking all the hard questions, why?

At least she's not asking if he's happy, that would be much harder.]

Happier, yes. I have a shop I dreamt of when I was small and I'm alive. Are you?

[shoplifter]

[She certainly looks very unsure for a moment, thinking hard on the matter as she pets the stuffed doll's head for some tactile comfort.]

I don't know yet. I think I'm happier.

[She gives pause, putting trust in the boy, because he's close to her age.

And he seems to understand.]

Sometimes I am angry, and sometimes I feel nothing. It's hard to understand.

[sweetlies]

There's plenty here, I think, that you coudl find to help you be happier.

[In Riverview, as a generalization. Although, he knows children are often happy visiting his shops in England.]

I can understand that though. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can help, or finding an outlet for your anger. [Pause.] You're welcome to message me if you need to.

[shoplifter]

[......... She gives a short nod, sincere despite its brevity.]

I'll remember.

You can talk to me, too, if you want. I am a good listener.

[sweetlies]

I'll remember as well.

[He doesn't want to burden anyone with his memories though, his scars, but taking on others? That he could do.]