thunderstroked

[thunderstroked]

Boiling Method || Mona & Felix

TIMING: current. LOCATION: mona's apartment. PARTIES: @recoveringdreamer & @thunderstroked SUMMARY: mona sits with felix and learns what is happening with them. CONTENT: emotional abuse.

Mona sat across from Felix, expression pinched. There was something they weren’t telling her, and while she’d never been the type to pry, Felix was her friend, and she refused to let him go through whatever it was he was going through alone. It had taken a long time to build up that kind of friendship with somebody, and the only other person she could think of that fit into that category had been Inge. Felix, however, was not Inge. Felix was a former version of themself, from what Mona could tell, even if she hadn’t known them for very long. Still, she leaned forward, slapping the table that they sat at with her palms. 

“You’re lost in thought again. What is it this time?” Perhaps a more aggressive approach was necessary here. Did he think that she did not mean it when she said she cared? If that were the case, she might wring his neck right there and then. There were only a few times that she had come to care for somebody so deeply, and this was one of those times. “Honesty, Felix. Give it.”  

—

They hadn’t been sleeping well. It was hard to sleep in the boiler room, hard to feel safe enough to settle down and close their eyes. Every time they tried, their heart seemed to flutter in their chest. Every footstep in the hall outside the boiler room sent it flying to their throat, sure that someone would barge in and interrupt the small amount of peace they could find. The dripping of the leak in the ceiling grated on them, the quiet sounds of the boiler felt too loud. That was to say nothing of the dirty mattress with the springs that dug into their back or the sheen of sweat that covered them in the heat of the small space. 

It had made it hard to focus, hard to remain present in the moment. He felt guilty about it now, pulled from tireless thoughts by Mona’s gentle prompting. Shifting their weight in their seat, they offered her an apologetic smile. “Sorry,” they said quietly. “I’m just — I’ve been really tired lately. But it isn’t anything you have to worry about! Everything’s fine, I just haven’t been sleeping well.” Didn’t Mona have enough going on without his problems being added to the pile? Didn’t everyone? Felix didn’t think they were very important, in the grand scheme of things.

—

Mona watched Felix, noticing the subtle twitch of his eye, as if backing up his story on just how exhausted he was. It frustrated Mona to no end that he wasn’t being honest with her. Did he feel as though he couldn’t? Was there something that was holding him back from it? Mona had endured two months stuck in fox form, and to be brushed off like this felt a little disheartening, even if Felix didn’t mean for it to come across that way. She knew she shouldn’t be frustrated with them specifically, because it was clear that whatever had happened was out of their hands. 

“You’ve been saying that for weeks. That you’re tired. I know tired, and you look it, but what else is happening?” She gave him a stern look before leaning forward, her own hair hanging in her face as she waved a hand in front of theirs. “I cannot help you if you do not tell me what happened.” Mona wasn’t sure what all she could do, but she would try. As much as she hated this town, she had two people in this town she loved more than the frustration she held for Wicked’s Rest. 

—

Felix brought a hand up, pinching the bridge of their nose between two fingers and trying, desperately, not to cry. It was stupid, wasn’t it? How hard it was to keep yourself together when exhaustion clung to you like this. The tiniest things could feel earth-shattering, the smallest slights could burn through you with ease. Felix swallowed, throat tight and chest aching. Part of them wanted to explode, to tell Mona everything, to take comfort in their best friend and just hope that she could help them make things better. But did they deserve that? Did she? Mona did so much for them already; wouldn’t asking for more just be… taking advantage?

Blinking their eyes open, they looked at her and shook their head slightly. “I don’t want… I shouldn’t add things to your plate, Mona. You’ve — You just spent months dealing with… something awful, and scary, and — and I shouldn’t be piling more on. I’m sorry. You deserve a lot better than that. I want to be here for you. You know? I want to help you… readjust, get back to yourself. That’s what I want to do.”

—

Felix looked like they were going to fall apart, and something in Mona’s chest stirred. It was clear there was something very wrong, but would Felix trust her enough to tell her? Was this not so much about trust, but about something else? Mona forced the feeling of frustration down, strangling it with her heel. She wouldn’t fall prey to those emotions when it came to Felix, because it was clear that there was something bigger at play, something that Mona could not yet see. That Felix was not allowing her to see. 

“Felix, if I did not feel like I couldn’t handle it, I would not be asking you. Stop making decisions for me, or for others.” There was a pointed edge to her words and she sighed, getting up from her seat to circle the table and drop into a kneel next to where they sat. Mona placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I care about you, and as much as I care about myself, what I went through is done. It was solved. It’s fine. I’m here for you now, and it’s clear you need me. If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine, but please let me find a way to alleviate whatever it is.” 

—

Would it be easier if telling her everything was an option? If the Grit Pit’s cruel contract didn’t tie their tongue into knots, if it didn’t bar them from saying the truth of their employment plainly and clearly, would this feel any simpler? It seemed odd to complain about something they weren’t even allowed to speak about in detail, seemed silly to invent some game of charades to help her guess how their life was being ruined. Three words. Second word: punch. No. Hit. No. Fight. Yes! The mental image might have been laughable if it didn’t ache the way it did.

Felix swallowed as Mona got up, as she circled the table and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. There were a lot of things he couldn’t tell her, but maybe there were some things he could. “I… One of the people I work for is my — um, my ex-boyfriend. And some things — you know, like I told you, I got — I got in trouble at work. And now, I can’t — I’m not…” They trailed off, unable to find the words they wanted. “I want to get away from him,” they said quietly. “From — From all of it. But I can’t. There are — There are reasons why I can’t. And I can’t change them or fix it. I’m just — I’m stuck. And now I’m more stuck than I was before.” It was vague and it hardly made any sense, but Felix had to be careful. They had to dance around the wording of their contract any way that they could. They’d learned that the hard way.

—

“Men,” Mona hissed bitterly, scrunching her nose. She knew now was probably not the time, so she pursed her lips, nodding as if to encourage Felix to move along in his explanation. “You’re… stuck.” What did that mean? Could it mean something similar to the way she had been stuck, fused to her fox form no matter how many times she had tried to shift out of it? It’d been a flower that had helped her, but she figured that was not the case here. It didn’t seem the same at all. 

“Stuck, because…” Had something been said? A contract signed? “Did you write something down? Sign it?” Mona tried to understand, not completely getting why Felix couldn’t tell her outright. It went completely over her head, just why they wouldn’t be able to. “Was it magic?” In this town, that seemed possible. “There has to be some way to break a spell if that’s the case.” After learning that Felix had worked at the Grit Pit, she’d done some research, but hadn’t gotten very far. It was all kept hush hush.

—

Felix let out a nervous, uncertain half-laugh at her simple statement, looking down at their hands and wringing them together absently. There was no judgment to her tone; he’d known there wouldn’t be, but it was still a relief. They shifted their weight as she asked the inevitable question, shrugging a shoulder and not knowing if they wanted her to drop it or keep pushing. Did it matter, they wondered, if Mona knew the truth if she couldn’t do anything about it? Wouldn’t knowing only serve to make her feel helpless the same way he did? She wouldn’t do what Wyatt and Zane had, wouldn’t go behind their back and make things worse for them because she was trying to make things better. She wouldn’t do what Charlie had, either, wouldn’t get herself into trouble because she wanted to know what Felix wasn’t telling her. He trusted Mona implicitly, but it still felt wrong to drag her into this. The helplessness that came with this situation wasn’t something they’d wish on her.

“It’s… not a spell.” Uncertain frustration tugged at his chest, the contract’s bind wrapping a hand around his throat like a silent warning. “It’s — something else. But it’s not — I can’t break it. The only one who can is…” They trailed off, grimacing. Leo had made it pretty clear that it was up to him whether or not Felix was freed from the Pit, and Felix doubted that he’d ever decide to show mercy. He might have grown bored of being with them, but he never seemed to tire of tormenting them. Felix didn’t know why, didn’t know what they’d done to earn the ire their ex seemed to regard them with. “It’s dangerous to try. Trying is what… got me into trouble.”

—

Mona watched Felix intently, searching their features as they spoke. “Not a spell,” Mona echoed, finally understanding. It was with the help of their comment afterwards. “A fae bind?” She knew that Felix wouldn’t be able to confirm whether or not she was right, but Mona figured that she was. It all felt so obvious now. Felix’s cut descriptions of their work life, of the way they couldn’t mention too much. 

Anger boiled in the pit of Mona’s stomach, an unfamiliar feeling. She flexed her fingers, then leaned up to pull Felix into a hug. “I’m sorry you’ve had to endure this, whether it’s been alone or not.” Surely, if somebody knew, they would have done something to help, right? Or was it not that simple? She recalled the fae bind she had been under and how it had controlled aspects of her life. squared her jaw, getting to her feet. “I understand, but I will try to help you in… other ways.” She offered them a small, encouraging smile. She didn’t know what that looked like yet, but she would brainstorm. She would figure it out. Perhaps she could enlist Inge to help her. “Is there anything you want me to do? That I can do?” She wouldn’t go against their warnings, not because she was self-preserving, but because she knew that by going behind their back, it may result in a harsher sentence. 

—

It was a guessing game, wasn’t it? A quiet back and forth that led to a truth that could only be told in pieces, each new connection bringing as much dread as it did relief. Felix sighed as Mona finally hit the nail on the head, nodding with a small grimace. Was it better to have it out there? There was still so much shame that came with it, like it was a thing he should feel guilty for. Shouldn’t they have known better? Shouldn’t they have been smarter about all of this? How many of their problems would have been solved if they weren’t so stupid? 

Mona pulled them into a hug, and Felix wondered how much they actually deserved her sympathy. “It… I mean, it’s my own fault, isn’t it?” Leo was always eager to remind them of this, always quick to point it out. I can’t do anything to you that you didn’t agree to, you know, he’d say, and Felix couldn’t argue with it. Hadn’t they signed that contract with their eyes wide open? Hadn’t they made every promise they’d ever spoken to Leo on purpose? Everything weighing on them was put there by their own clumsy hands. How much of Mona’s understanding did they really deserve? They sighed, looking down at their feet with a shrug. “I… don’t know what can be done,” they admitted. “I know — I know you shouldn’t try to get me out of it. Going to him, trying to talk to him or threaten him or — That’s not what I want.” Mona, they thought, would listen to this plea. They were sure of it.

—

“No, of course not.” Not all fae were into trickery and word play. Not all of them had dedicated their lives to sending others into a flurry of turmoil and Mona knew that, but it was apparent that whatever fae Felix had run into, that had been their outcome. Mona felt sorry for them, even if she knew they wouldn’t want her to. 

“I won’t do that, I would never do that if you ask me not to.” There was a time and place for ignoring what was asked of her, but when it came to fae binds, things became tricky. Things got… convoluted, and the last thing Mona wanted to do was make things worse for Felix. It was clear that things were already terrible, given his new sleeping arrangements. Had that been a part of it, too? Had Felix willingly given another promise? For the sake of themself, or something else? “Do they have something else over you? The fae, I mean. Aside from the promise?” That was perhaps a good place to start– understanding what had happened to get Felix to this point. 

—

Mona didn’t think it was his fault. She wasn’t the first to assure Felix of this, though it never quite seemed true. Wasn’t Felix the one who had made that promise? Hadn’t they done so with their eyes wide open? Maybe they’d had the wrong idea about what it meant, and maybe they wouldn’t have done it if they hadn’t been so sure that they were helping someone they loved, but hadn’t they still signed that contract of their own free will? They shrugged in response to Mona’s reassurances, unable to believe them fully even if they’d never insult their friend by accusing her of dishonesty. 

“Thank you.” This assurance did bring relief with it. The last thing Felix wanted was for Mona to get into trouble. They didn’t want to get into any more trouble, either, but that was a far more selfish desire. If they got into trouble, they could handle it. If Mona got tied up in all this? Felix didn’t think they’d be able to forgive themself. He shrugged at her question, throat feeling tight. “He… knows me very well. Knows what to… use against me, I guess. He got me to, um, thank him so he could keep me in the boiler room. Because he — My friends went to him. They were trying to help me, but they just… pissed him off. And he didn’t hurt them, and he said I should thank him for that. I didn’t want him to… change his mind, you know? So I — I gave him what he wanted. He’s good at getting what he wants.” The confession made them feel small, but they found they didn’t fear judgment for it. Not from Mona. 

—

Mona refused to become agitated with Felix. His delicate nature and reluctance to believe in himself had been a point of contention before, but at this time, it was impossible to lay in on him about those things. She wanted to believe in him in the way he needed, and perhaps that was to say nothing at all, and instead offer him support in the now instead of speaking to a future that neither of them could clearly see. 

As she listened to Felix explain what had gotten him to the boiler room, she let out an annoyed breath. “Of course. He’s prolonging it, cutting you off.” That had happened to her, in a way. Only, there’d been no promise. It was simply the decaying relationship with her mother and all of the things that were never said, head in a guillotine. “That isn’t your fault. He did something to you to hurt you, and you did something to keep your friends safe. You weren’t wrong for doing that. You do know that, don’t you?” She offered them a small smile, somewhat less encouraging than the last. The situation Felix was in was… far worse than what she had anticipated. “Are you able to tell me the conditions of the promise at all? Is there anything that will fulfill it?”

— 

The thing about Mona, the thing that made her Felix’s best friend in the world, was that no matter the situation, she’d always at least try to understand. The two of them operated differently, there was no doubt about that. They viewed the world through different lenses, understood different parts of it to different extents. But that had never once stopped Mona from at least trying to understand Felix’s point of view. And, once she’d done that, she’d help them find solutions. Mona was proactive, a planner. Sometimes, Felix needed someone like that in their life.

They smiled as that understanding washed over them now, feeling a little lighter in spite of everything. “Yeah,” they confirmed with a small nod. They’d wished, a thousand times over the years, that Leo had just let the break be clean. Why keep Felix around just to torment them? Had they been that bad during the course of their relationship? Had they been so insufferable that Leo genuinely believed they deserved some retribution for it? “I don’t regret it,” they admitted. “Keeping my friends safe, I don’t — I don’t regret that. I’d do it again.” Zane and Wyatt might have messed up, might have gone against what Felix had asked them to do, but they didn’t deserve to be hurt for trying to help him. Sighing, they shrugged. “I just… I’m stuck until he says I’m not. He gets to decide.” Wasn’t that always how it went?

—

Mona knew that Felix would have saved their friends a million times over and ended up in the same spot without much complaint, but it made her upset to know that they blamed themselves for it instead of the person whose fault it actually was. She watched them for a moment longer, a sad smile pulling at the corners of her lips. 

“I wouldn’t figure you would. Regret it, I mean.” But it was awful what had happened to them because they cared so deeply. Mona got to her feet, moving to the opposite side of the kitchen to grab Felix a glass of water. “Well, maybe something can help him decide.” She tossed a glance over her shoulder, “maybe there’s something that can push him forward.” It was a dangerous game to play, and she wouldn’t do anything without their permission, but to see them in this state was infuriating. “We’ll figure it out, Felix.” After the glass was filled, she returned to Felix’s side and placed it in front of him. “I won’t do anything unless you tell me to do it, but I’ll think of ways to help regardless.” 

—

The last thing they wanted was to piss Leo off any more, but they knew there was little risk of Mona running off on her own without their say now that she knew how things had gone for Zane and Wyatt. And, regardless of how things might have gone between them, Felix did like to think of themself as something of an expert on what pissed Leo off. It was the kind of thing they’d learned by necessity throughout their relationship, the sort of lesson that became a survival tactic sooner instead of later. With Felix offering input, maybe they could find a way to… convince Leo without angering him further. It was kind of the only shot they had.

“Thanks, Mona,” they breathed a sigh of relief at her promise, secure in the idea that she wouldn’t act without them. “We’ll figure something out.” Mona was one of the smartest people he knew. With her at their side, Felix was pretty sure they could do anything.

[thunderstroked]

[user gives address] You can find it here.

Sounds fake, man. Where is this?

[thunderstroked]

[pm] Maybe I am.

You couldn't have done anything. They would have hurt you too, right? You would have ended up like him. You're good, Felix. Even if it feels like you are not.

[pm] I know I should. You're the smartest person I know.

I guess I know that on some level. I just [...] feel like I let him down. I mean, I just stood there, you know? Just stood there and watched. I think what I have now might already be worse than I don't feel like I am right now. I don't feel like I'm good.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] That does not seem very fair. What if I told you I was not interesting? I mean, that is a lie. I am very interesting. I do not communicate with boring people, it's beneath me. Therefor I do not believe you are boring, and it does not seem that [user refers to what Regan called Jade] your bone partner would be par for that course either. You work at Apple? There are worse jobs. Like most humans is an odd way to put it. Do you always talk like that? Congratulations on being an Apple human. I hear I am rectangle shaped. Doctors are important, I suppose. They make a lot of money, but the hours must be [...] awful.

I do not believe it is my loss. You should probably remove that soon before it starts to smell.

Yes, we could. As long as we're outside, I do not believe it'll be an issue. It already smells there, I imagine. Please let me know, as the alley would be good enough if you'd like.

No, but you said you would break it. Why?

[pm] It will not be making any kind of deal or exchange. You will tell me about yourself and I will decide if I tell you anything. Not that there is anything. Not only am I not interesting; I am boring, average. It is the best. Have I mentioned I work at Apple? I do. How dull, right? How magnificently mundane. I am the envy of every celebrity, astronaut, and president. They would look at me and say "I wish I could simply work at Apple like most humans". If they look at me at all, which they are unlikely to, because I am just an Apple human. I mean, who would wish to be a... a doctor, or something like that?

It's your loss. I have been thinking of retrieving a raccoon that's stuck in the rafters at the Apple store. Fortunately for you and Jade, I have other ideas. We will probably still sweat.

Jade is the only one strong enough to... actually, I do know someone. I will ask. We could include the carcasses in the alley? [user is idle; user thinks about this very hard for an hour and a half] She would not like them touching her bike. I will ask about the bike being carried. There is someone who owes me. [user is delusional]

Do I seem like someone who would toss anything at a wall?

[thunderstroked]

Somebody can be adept at something and suddenly think they're a professional.

I see. That makes sense. I hope they get the jello they want without visiting the hospital.

That's very true. A lot of people claim to be experts. It's pretty confusing sometimes.

My partner likes green jello from the hospital, so I like that because it makes them happy.

[thunderstroked]

How so? Expand on that, as I'd like to see if we have similar issues. Oh, did I? Congratulations on being inspired.

I have a photography studio. It is not mine, but a friend's. I'm watching it for her while she is away, but I suppose it has become a hobby. Over the months I've been responsible for it, I've gotten quite better. And you?

Whenever it comes to coffee and wine I definitely know what I like, but sometimes other areas of my life are a little less straight forward. I think you've inspired me to step outside of what I'm used to and trying something different though, the next cup I have I'll add something I don't normally.

What other hobbies do you have that don't include watching men fall down? Not that you necessarily need another hobby because that one is certainly entertaining enough.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] I am right, and you should listen to me.

There wasn't anything you could have done. You would have died, too. You would have died, and then I would have had to get my hands dirty. Or worse, if there's something worse than death. I think that there is. You're mourning. It's not that easy, and I think it's ridiculous to assume that you would be okay immediately after something like that. It will take awhile. You're a kind person, and [...] you are a good person.

[pm] Okay. I know you're right. It's just [...] hard sometimes.

I just [...] feel like I should have done something. I was right there. And I just [...] watched it happen. And I don't know what I'm supposed to do with that. [...] The [...] people in charge at work think I should. Get over it, I mean.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] I suppose it is. Given the fact that you could see something that reminds you of that person a decade, maybe a century later and it brings you back to a previous time. I'm sure you'll find a way to make something out of it, art or otherwise. You're talented enough.

[pm] No such thing.

I suppose so. Finding closure is a farce, though, with our longer lifespans, isn't it? So much more possibility to rekindle things. For now, I guess [...] it's best to leave it at this, though.

[thunderstroked]

Nobody is an expert on anything, as much as they want to believe they are.

There is no point to jello. I do not understand it. Why would I want to eat jiggly water.

Yes, I think so. I'm not like, anywhere even sort of an expert on language though.

I think they could be! No offense to anybody but I do not want to eat Jello salads.

[thunderstroked]

Such things as [...] weird sloppy creatures. Things out of a film, actually.

Those who don't get vaccinated are [...] well, we see how they turn out. Both physically and emotionally.

[pm] I haven't the slightest idea. I would assume not, given [...] we're more on the magic side of things, but I do know we can contract other supernaturally inclined diseases. Perhaps there is a supernaturally derivative of rabies.

What sorts of things?

Pretty much, but the benefits to human health is a bonus and another good selling point. I mean, that's probably why you'd get vaccinated, right? I figure that's what it is for most people.

[pm] Can kitsune get rabies? I don't know much about all of that.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] I understand, but you don't need to take it all on on your own.

I'm sorry to hear that, Felix. Of course you wouldn't feel right after something like that. It makes sense. Nobody would expect you to be. You're allowed to sit with it and deal with it as you see fit, there shouldn't be any pressure to feel any which way. Are you feeling pressured to get over it?

[pm] I know, I know. It just feels unfair sometimes. A lot of the time. Maybe all the time. Everything is just [...] so much, you know?

I'm sorry. I'm just [...] in a bad headspace.

[...]

My friend died. He worked with me, and he died here. And I was there, and all I could do was watch. I couldn't even What good am I, Mona? My head's not good. It hasn't been good since.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] We could change that. You could learn more, if you wanted. I have no issue in telling you about myself if you give me the same courtesy. Sure you are. I do not believe somebody like Jade would be [...] enamored with anyone less than interesting. That is a good thing. Your'e an expert? I see.

I do not actually think that's the case, but if you would like to think that, then go ahead. I'll have to say no to the carcasses, but you can bring bones as you see fit. Videos? [user is amused, maybe it is true that boring people like to get freaky in the bedroom] We can arrange that, sure. I'll make sure the air conditioning is on high for you so we do not sweat with the combined heat of us, as well as the lights.

[user is going to take a crash course on videography]

She's none the wiser. [user has spilled the beans, user is terrible at keeping secrets about people she hardly knows] Then you don't have to. The bike may be difficult to get up the stairs into the studio, but I'm sure we can adjust something to your liking. Do you know anybody strong enough to bring the bike up and get it down without damaging anything? If that's the case, you can use the bike. Or else, we can go into the alley and try to get photos there. In that case, you can bring the carcasses. They could be on the back. We wouldn't want to ruin the photos with ugly text, would we? You need to be the one in focus.

I'll see what I can do.

Are you going to toss it at a wall or something?

[pm] I know very little about you. I suggest you find something or someone else interesting instead, as I do not tolerate questioning without receiving. And I am not. Interesting. At all. I'm a perfectly normal You're the one speaking of tree goats. It's strange. I'm an expert on humans so I know that is strange.

That sounds like a problem with your nose, not the carcasses. Your air flow is faulty too. If I fix it, I can bring the animals? By the way, are you capable of doing videos as well as photos? I would like to do a strip tease with a winter coat. And do you know how to do a strip tease? You will need to teach me how to do a strip tease.

She will know why you're asking. She has a sense of these things. And... I do not want to hold a knife. She said that, yes? It's obvious. She likes danger. (I mean that it arouses her. Sexually.) Perhaps I could borrow her bike and do some photos with it.... without a helmet. I think she would like that. It needs to come with a disclaimer to wear a helmet, though. How do you do disclaimers? Would they be across the photos?

I do not – I will not allow anyone to step on m No one will step on me. You mentioned the green screen. I assume there is no actual rainbow cemetery in your studio, so why can't it be underwater, too? The case is for authenticity, which I mentioned was important.

...I am not afraid, but I will probably break your camera.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] That is sometimes all that there is. I admire you for wanting more, and of course I do, too, but you cannot blame yourself if it stays that way. There are much bigger things than what you or I are capable of, choice or not.

Felix, if you so much as suggest I turn my back on you, I will kill you myself so that you do not need to worry any longer.

[...]

I would not actually, but it offends me that you'd even suggest that we should no longer be friends because of your hardships. That's ridiculous.

[pm] I don't want to think like that. I want [...] everyone to survive. I want people to just keep surviving. I don't want it to be a choice. I don't want it to be a thing where some people survive and some don't. That's not right, Mona. That can't be all there is.

I [...] don't know if it's safe to be my friend anymore.

[thunderstroked]

At least you know what you like, and how you like it. That's appropriate. [....] That is something I don't think I've ever experienced. Taste means a lot to me, personally. This has nothing to do with being wasteful, because of course I'd drink something given to me, but if I'm going to put in effort, then [...] Maybe you could stand to do that. It's important. A word of advice from me, given you also like to watch men fall down.

Usually finishing or starting a new book, whether writing it or just reading. But celebrating friendship is a terrific reason to drink wine! I like white as well, red is for more intimate occasions, I believe. I'm not sure how I do without it either, but I think it might have to do with all of the sleepless nights I've endured while working on different projects in college and not having the time to spruce up my coffee and just drinking it as it came.

[thunderstroked]

Language is always evolving. It's a powerful tool, given the dialects. I suppose [...] salads are [...] malleable.

Yes. I made sure my partner knew what they all meant. Some of them do mean very strange things and I am not the biggest fan of that.

[thunderstroked]

[pm] Good for her.

Yes. Are they actually sealed? I mean it [...] I did not mean to tell you straight away what she was up to. Though, I suppose there is nothing straight about this which is, in my opinion, the best way to go about things. She did say something like this. We have a common goal, and that is to get you your photos. I hope you enjoy them.

[pm] YUP! She's gorg!! And like, finally getting her due. We support her success in this house. Truer words have never been spoken, my friend.

Session like, photo sesh? You're doing that? 👀SHE is doing that? [user needs a moment] !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My lips are totally sealed. I'm shook. You're getting your money, fear not! I dunno if I can help with the dead animal situation though, I'm afraid. But if you tell her it's policy she'll understand, even if like... she'll think you have poor taste.

[thunderstroked]

Not a lot of flying pizzas. A lot of other things, however. You will learn in due time.

Oh, I see. So it has nothing to do with the disease others are contracting, and the liability it poses to the bats [...] I can understand this. You work a good case.

This is true, yes.

No, they didn't. One did, however, chase me into a burrow for several days. I've just seen them.

Have you seen a lot of flying pizzas or something? I got the sense you hadn't seen one before either.

Oh, I mean, it's really more about the bats for me. Rabies concerns are one of the biggest reasons that bats get relocated, and every year bats die because of rabies fears.

For instance, if someone might have been bitten by a bat, if that person's vaccinated for rabies, it's not so much of a concern, right? And I think it could help reduce fear of the animals in general.

Probably good that they're gone then. Did they attack you or anything like that?