[Homeless] Suddenly a new muse with an active voice.

[mulchlove]

So what you're saying is that I'm stuck here? Inside the head of young-adult, for the purposes of roleplay. And that my daughter is here somewhere? And the Other Jones'.  Lord knows, I need a holiday.

 [She sighs] Listen... I've got deadlines to hit and a family that need me to function properly. I haven't got time for these games, so if you'd just put me back home, then... yeah. Work to do.

And he needs to stop staring at me. He's not my husband, just some impostor. And his eyes are starting to creep me out.

Comments

[beldambuttons]

Oh sweetie...you have no idea.

See I know you don't believe in magic...as much evidence as there is to the contrary, but I really am you. You made me you see?

Every time you chose responsibility over your own wants. Every time you turned away from your family because there was a deadline. Every time you tried and failed to connect with your daughter or left your husband longing for a little comfort because you had to be the "adult".

I'm the you you wish you could be. The you that you could be if only things were different.

[Flashes that perfect smile, standing close enough Mel can even smell a hint of mint on her breath like she just brushed. And the scent of Mel's favorite perfume, not too much. Just the right amount. It was the scent she wore when she first started dating her eventual husband]

[mulchlove]

You can't even begin to imagine what I've had to go through to keep this family afloat! My family afloat!

[She's panicking inside; panicking and raging. What if this woman is that? What if Coraline got the wrong end of the stick? All she knows is that this woman's stolen her face, attacked her family and now she's judging her.]

You didn't have to go nine months baring a child! You didn't have to give birth to her, or raise her, or clean up after her! You didn't have to stay up with her when she had nightmares, or put a plaster on her cuts when she fell over, or teach her what's right and wrong.

Not to mention, you didn't fall in love with my husband! You don't have to clean up after him when he does a lazy job on our work, or when he makes a mess of things. You didn't fall in love with him, with his goofy smile and his always-crooked glasses!

There is no way you could love my family, so you know what? No, I don't wish I could be you.

Anyway, if you're the 'me' that I've always wanted to be, then why did you need my daughter? Wouldn't there be another Coraline? And I'm pretty sure that thing in this 'Mundane's head isn't all Charlie 'wants to be'.

[There's a hint of smug in her voice, not to mention the small hint of a cocky smirk playing at her lips.

You know that spunky attitude that Coraline had? Where'd you think she got it from, 'sister'? Although her bravery came from both Mel and Charlie... running into bees nests and all.]

[beldambuttons]

[Her smile never falters, never wavers. Just watches and waits patiently for Mel to finish her protest.]

Feel better?

[mulchlove]

[Yes and no. She feels crummy, but it was something she hadn't gotten off of her chest in a long time. She does a lot for her family and she sometimes just feels like she doesn't get enough praise; like she's being judged for being some sort of a bad mother.]

You didn't answer my question.

[beldambuttons]

There isn't another Coraline because that's not how the magic works sweetie.

And the same works for our dear husband. Only mothers can create. Father's can help but let's be honest, we both know who's in charge in this family.

Someday, god willing, there will be an Other Coraline when we're grandmothers. Won't that be lovely?

[mulchlove]

So what you're saying, as soon as you give birth, another 'mother' is made?

[That eyebrow raise she's giving you is basically shouting 'bullshit' for her. She doesn't believe you one bit.]

And are all Mothers spider-witches?

[She knows about that too. From Coraline and from the weird Other, Other Charlie in the headspace with her.

She's pretty sure this'll help her get a one up on the Other her, but it might not... She's just looking for that upper-hand right now.]

[beldambuttons]

[chuckles]

Of course not.

Some of us are rats. [totally unphased]