asobouyo | 17th Teddy Bear [A Sad Accidental/Action] [forward-dated to tomorrow]

[Gracia's gone.

Elicia didn't expect such an impossible idea again, not after having to experience it a first time when she herself had first arrived without her mother. Despite the news and the tears that followed, she still went to school. Be brave, be strong; mama never cried in front of people. So she won't either. She sits through her classes, blank-faced, attentive. Papa must be hurting really bad right now, too, just like mama did when he left.

So she has to be tough, like him.

School is out, and she sits quietly where she always does for her father, near the doors. Expressionless. She goes through her bag, taking out her journal and tucking it behind backpack, taking her fairytale book, tucking it behind her journal, searching, searching—and at last pulls out her sketchpad to draw while she waits; she really doesn't feel the urge to right now, but she's not sure what else to do. She flips open the front, and sees a picture of all three of them.

...all three.

Elicia hugs the sketchbook close to her, crushing her bag and everything in it. The journal slips down at her side, recording the almost-silence; little, quiet sobs shake the backpack, muffled in it. The blank look twists into a pained one, downcast into her drawing.]

...W-where did you go...? You were here, mama... Papa and I want you to come back...!!

Please come back...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Clumsily wiping away tears now, before trying on her best smile]

Mm... if you want to... I was just—I was just gonna draw some, if you'd like to...

It's all right. Of course I'll stay with you. [She'll offer the small girl a clean handkerchief.] Lets find a good place, so we're not too near the door when that cold air blows in. All right?

[She nods, taking the handkerchief and wiping her cheeks and eyes.]

I-it is pretty cold outside, huh? 'Cause it's winter...

That's right. We bundle ourselves to keep warm, but sometimes that isn't enough. [She stoops down to help gather the dropped book and bags.] Would you like some cocoa to drink?

[She nods, before noticing Raine going to pick up her stuff and running to help—manners, she was always taught, manners... She picks up the sketch drawing and holds it close to her, breathless from the cold.]

She's safe now, right? She's safe at home...

That's right. And even though you and your father are still here... someday, you'll all be back home together.

[A pause, as she considers how to help console her.] But getting the chance to see her... even if it wasn't for very long at all, made you feel happy, did it not?

[Well, that first line of dialogue isn't very helpful at all. ;;

But—she was right. She was really happy to see her... now if only she could keep it like that; unfortunately, a hard thing for a child to do. Time... seems to move so slowly. Waiting to see mama felt like forever, and now waiting again was even more painstaking.]

I was really happy. I'm glad she was here, so I could tell her all about how much I've been learning...

[... Well probably not, but it's not as if she knows details.

But that was important to keep in mind -- that Elicia was a very young child, even with her maturity.]

It's okay to feel sad that she's gone-- to miss her, because she is your mother. She's very important to you, after all. But... that happiness, that you felt when she was here. That's important to remember as well. To keep it close, right in here-- [she points to the girl's heart.]

[And Elicia looks after that pointing hand.]

Is that what you do, Miss Raine? ...When you miss someone...

I just try to remind myself that they're always be here. [The hand moves to her own heart.] Even if they aren't here. And think... you got a chance to do something that many people here haven't in a long time. Even if it wasn't for very long, it's still special.

Mmm... That's true. I know lots of people would like to see their mama or papa... [she looks down bashfully, hands clasped in front of her.] A-and she's definitely always there! Even if she's not, she is...

That's right. And no one can take those feelings away from you.

Yeah! I can keep those safe, so when mama gets to come back someday, I'll be ready.

17th Teddy Bear [A Sad Accidental/Action] [forward-dated to tomorrow]

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