Just finished Chapter 14 of Cold Days, no spoilers.

[emptynight]

Happy now, darling? I'm awake.

Comments

HI 8D

[shadowsteps]

We've missed you.

HI :D

[emptynight]

Is that the royal We, Red, or did you bring friends?

\o/

[shadowsteps]

Oh, what did my brother call them? The "Majesties Mundane" are involved in missing you too.

[emptynight]

You know, given how well Sweetheart over there expresses her affections, I'd rather they didn't miss me.

[shadowsteps]

But, Thomas! If they didn't miss you, you'd never get to see me.

[emptynight]

Someone like you, Red? I'm sure you'd have found a way if you'd really wanted to see me.

[shadowsteps]

Oh, doubtless. Still, a girl can only do so much.

[emptynight]

Given the way She jumps at the mention of your name, pretty sure that's still a lot more than some of us who are just pretty.

[shadowsteps]

How flattering to know I can still make her jump.

[emptynight]

You make a lot of people jump, darling. Pretty sure you knew that already.

[shadowsteps]

And what if I did?

[emptynight]

Then I think you just wanted to be complimented.

[shadowsteps]

I live to hear them.

[chosenfamily]

My mun's still cackling. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised.

[emptynight]

"Surprised," no. "Scared," definitely.

[talentsgirl]

So... my mun isn't telling me anything about the end of this book. Like. At all. Completely shut door. But you can tell me if this is something I have to be worried about... right?

[emptynight]

You're Harry's apprentice, princess. You should always be worried.

[talentsgirl]

Oh, is that it. [Well, that's a relief.] But at least he's back, right? Really back? Not even mostly dead, no chocolate coated pills or miracle workers involved?

[Because clearly this is the important part and what, she's totally over him, shut-up.]

[emptynight]

He's back from the dead and you ask if there's miracle workers involved.

[Speaking of which...] Thanks for telling me that, by the way. Appreciate it.

[talentsgirl]

Hey, don't blame me! I didn't do anything yet!

[Except. You know. Wipe Harry's memory. She sure did that.]

And it's a Princess Bride reference, you heathen.

[emptynight]

Yeah, like not telling me you talked to his ghost. Or that he did it to himself.

[Yeah just a bit bitter about that. And he's pointedly ignoring the whole drinking-himself-into-a-stupor part]

[talentsgirl]

[Molly drops her gaze.]

I - I haven't talked to his ghost yet either. But that doesn't change what you're really mad about and I know that. I couldn't tell anyone. Harry told me - he told me that the less people who knew the better. He asked for my help. I asked him to call you first, if that means anything, but... it was his choice. And I had to help him.

[She had to. He'd come to her for help because she was the only one who could. So of course she did whatever Harry asked. Of course she did.]

[emptynight]

[He stares at her and sighs, rubbing his face wearily. Sometimes he forgets, just how bad Molly's got it. How easy it was for her to just do what Harry asked. It reminds him a little uncomfortably of Justine, years ago.]

Sorry, princess.

[talentsgirl]

No, you're right to be mad. [She lifted bruised eyes to him] I'd be furious.

[And she laughs a little.] You know, I'm in this place, right? [And she gestures to the ridiculous wings on her back, tiny, one bright blue and one cotton candy pink.] And Harry's there with me. And the last thing he remembers is his apartment burning down all around him. And he cornered me the other day and asked me why I'd been so distant. I can't even tell him.

[And it's been hell. So it's kind of good to hear that she manages to keep it a secret all this time, as terrible a secret as it is.]

[emptynight]

[He sighs again, and shakes his head. He'd rather be angry at Molly. Angry at Molly and angry at Harry. It's certainly easier than dealing with the reminder that his idiot little brother thought he was a monster that couldn't be trusted with something like this.

The idiot.]

Yeah well, not knowing what he's doing's never stopped Harry before. [A dry laugh there.]

[talentsgirl]

[She's relieved that Thomas seems to have dropped it. Though she knows that's probably only going to last until he actually sees a Harry in this place. Some things brothers just have to settle for themselves.]

That's true. [She laughs a little, wrapping her arms around herself.] It just figures that he'd go and pull a Gandalf on us.

[emptynight]

[Thomas stays distinctly apart from Molly, doesn't reach out, doesn't try to comfort her, or stare at the wings.]

Yeah well, better Gandalf than Saruman.