video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on with Lucy smiling and then giving the camera a wave.]

I know it's a bit late, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.

Also, all the Valentine's Day chocolate should be marked down, perfect time to get a lot of chocolate and candy.

[The video feed ends there, but she is a clever girl and thought this would be a better way to address those she left a valentine's day card and various candies for.]

For Emma

For Victor

For Nico

For Jefferson

For Older Loki

For Stan

For Younger Loki

For Laura

[And for Ivar for when he comes back.]

Comments

[thestoriesarereal]

[A nod of her head.]

Yeah, my mom's Cinderella, but she doesn't remember. Like Henry doesn't remember being an Author.

[A pause...]

Maybe? Stranger things have happened...like my step-grandma being Lady Tremaine and Rapunzel.

[jolting]

[he frowns. He can't help wondering if this possible other self had a better or worse time]

If you give me a good description, I can try drawing your mother for you. If you want.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Hard to say, she never ran into him or his other self.]

...I'll think on it. She's tall, almost as tall as Henry. He might be more of Emma's height, I think. I want to pick the right words for her.

[jolting]

The last time I saw Henry, he was just hitting puberty. Picturing him as an adult might take me a while.

But yes, think on it and let me know. And your food should be cool enough to eat now.

[thestoriesarereal]

Did his voice crack a lot?

[Another nod of her head. She picks up the fork and starts to pick a few tots. It's all cooled down and it does taste good.]

I like it. Maybe we could make it for Emma when she gets back.

[A small smile, she's trying not to be a downer.]

[jolting]

Yes, it did. It finally settled after a while, though.

[he smiles at her, giving a little encouraging nod. Being optimistic is not a skill he's mastered, but he's trying for her sake]

She'll love it. And hot chocolate with cinnamon to drink, of course. Isn't that the way everyone in your family takes it?

[thestoriesarereal]

I wonder if anyone recorded it. It would be funny to watch.

[Something she would love to watch, to know how he actually was as a kid. Sure, she could read about it, but it was different to watch it on a camcorder or on a screen. ]

Yeah, it taste great that way, but I like it with the beignets that my aunt Sabine makes. They’re delicious! Maybe...we could make some?”

[jolting]

I heard people get things from home sometimes. Maybe Emma will be sent recordings of Henry that you can watch.

[he tilts his head in thought, chewing his mouthful] We could try.

[thestoriesarereal]

Maybe...any idea how those things are brought here? Or what people need to do to get them?

[She would love to try and get a certain book, if possible. There's a few more bites from her, thinking over what ingredients would they need for beignets..and where she could find the recipe.]

[jolting]

I'm not sure. I'll work on that question and get back to you.

[he doesn't want to get her hopes up, but he will try to figure it out]

[thestoriesarereal]

Okay.

[At least he's being honest with her, telling her that he didn't have an answer but would try. That's all she can hope for at this point. Either way, the dinner was great and she finished her serving.]

If you want, I can help with the dishes. [Since she's his guest and all, and she did help out back home too.]

[jolting]

Sure. And you can take the leftovers home with you, if you want.

[thestoriesarereal]

[There's another nod of her head, picking up her plate to place in the sink carefully. She doesn't want to break anything.]

Sure, I can take it for lunch tomorrow too--for school.

[jolting]

How is school these days? Are you enjoying it any more since I started helping you?

[thestoriesarereal]

School is okay, but the teacher is boring more or less. Like...she just talks and doesn't make things fun like you do.

[And she may have made a friend or two, but it's nothing like back home. And Victor is a way better teacher.]

[jolting]

Well, I’m not sure my type of “fun” would be permitted in schools. But I’m glad it suits you.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Sighs]

I think 'fun' and 'school' rarely go together. I just go in and pay attention and then wait to get out.

[jolting]

Hmph. I don't see how they expect students to care about the material if they don't bother trying to make it engaging.

[thestoriesarereal]

Could be just the teacher. Some teachers aren’t into teaching anymore. Or, something. I don’t know.

[jolting]

Makes sense. I can't say it would be my vocation of choice, but I like teaching you.

[thestoriesarereal]

I hope I'm a good student, but I like you as my teacher too....and as my friend.

[jolting]

[he smiles down at her] And I like you as my student and friend.

[thestoriesarereal]

[And in that moment, Lucy stops what she's doing to move over to Victor and hug him tightly. She's really missing home and it's nice to hear he likes being her friend to.

...Really, Victor has this whole parenting thing down.]

[jolting]

[he's still getting used to the hugging, but he does hug back. He has no idea if he would've been a good father, but being around her does make him wish more and more he would've had the chance]

I have something for you in my room. Go see.

[and enjoy way more stuffed animals than one child should probably own. It's Jefferson's fault for convincing Victor this is what kids liked]

[thestoriesarereal]

[He'll get the hang of it soon enough, and if he needs more practice, then Lucy will be more than happy to give him hugs. Really, Victor would've been a great dad, and if he ever becomes one, she'll show him the ropes--sort of.]

You do?

[Well, that wasn't something she was expecting.]

Which way is your room? [And her hand just goes into his, holding it, waiting for him to show her where his room is.]