tfln #4 return of the terrible choices

[muskeg]

you know the drill. have at it, swampians.

Comments

[foxtwo]

grateful for what?

[strewn]

Grateful to be here. No one has to let me be here, but they do.

[foxtwo]

this house is a shelter for lost souls. everyone has a right to be here.

[strewn]

I could be dangerous. I don't want anyone to have to shelter me and still worry about getting hurt.

[foxtwo]

all of us, in some degree, are dangerous. if not through our powers themselves, then by necessity. it does not mean you are undeserving of a home.

[strewn]

I'm glad I found this one. Or that we did, I mean.
I feel better being here, even if I'm still a little worried in certain ways. It's better. Thank you.

[foxtwo]

don't thank me, i did nothing. but you're safe here, and i'm glad you feel good.

[strewn]

You encouraged me. I want to say thanks, really. It helps me a lot.

[foxtwo]

oh. well, you're welcome. i hope whatever you do, you have an excellent time. and if you have more questions, don't hesitate. or talk to your pianist.

[strewn]

My pianist.

I'll do that, yes. Talk to him, I mean. Thanks for the offer, too. I might bother you again.

[foxtwo]

is that not right? to call him yours?

that's okay. you're welcome any time.

[strewn]

It might be right, yes. I'd never thought of it that way. [ Spoiler: it made his heart do funny things. ]

Any time? I do keep weird hours sometimes still.

[foxtwo]

i also keep weird hours, don't worry.

[strewn]

I'm starting to think weird hours might actually be normal hours in this house.

[foxtwo]

a lot of us have grown used to keep odd hours, i think, out of necessity.

[strewn]

Do you think it's so someone's awake all the time to keep watch or is it something else?

[foxtwo]

i think so, in part. myself, i just prefer not to visit my dreams, they are a bad place, so i avoid sleep. and that way i can, indeed, keep an eye on things.

[strewn]

Isn't it harder to keep an eye on things when you're tired? I don't think I really dream, so I don't know about it being hard to sleep for that reason, but can you do anything to stop them?

[foxtwo]

i'm not tired. i doze during the day. i take naps. i'm fine, really.

i have never managed to stop them. i don't think it's really possible.

[strewn]

Naps, right. Naps are good. I like taking naps.

Even with magic?

[foxtwo]

i don't want to use magic to get rid of my dreams. magic's the reason why i have them to start with

[strewn]

Your magic gives you those dreams? I'm not sure I understand, sorry.

[foxtwo]

no, an event involving magic is why i've got these nightmares.

[strewn]

Oh, I'm sorry. Bad memories?

[foxtwo]

very.