081.

[hexuality]

Winter in July. I reckon there's something comforting about a bit of routine or familiarity here for all the mad things that happen. Sort of like how I'm almost positive we'll have summer around Christmas and definitely mistletoe again—that was my first curse, of course, and it's happened every year since.

Though I'm never sure how to handle birthdays here. I mean, with people who aren't around anymore. It feels a bit weird to ignore them altogether because it isn't just another day back home, so why should it be here? Then again, you don't just go around throwing parties for an empty chair, either.

I used to visit the Hall of the Missing, but that's a bit depressing, don't you think?


[ private | deity filter: laszlo jamf ]

I've gone a few years without it coming to this, but I suppose there's a first time for everything. I'd like to make a trade and I've heard you're the one to speak to about it.

Comments

[voice]

[keepinitsaucy]

Have something you like in their honour? Like their favourite food or drink or what their favourite movie. Something to remember them by, you know?

[voice]

[hexuality]

[She starts laughing.]

Treacle tart tomorrow and maybe spend today in the gardens, then?

[voice]

[keepinitsaucy]

See, there you go! You get to have a good time out of it too, so it's win-win.

[voice]

[hexuality]

I'd have to be a good baker to make a tart worthy of a birthday, though. And I'm afraid I'm only halfway decent.

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

Oooooooooooooooooh~ Me, in particular?

Flattered, I'm sure.

We've all the capabilities, but it's nice to know I'm Mr. Popular.

I think I'll put that on my nametag for the day. "Mr. Popular."

Do go on.

|| Deity Filter ||

[hexuality]

I know that, but I'm not especially fond of talking to complete strangers—and I at least know your name.

[Only because, by some stroke of luck, she remembers a conversation she had with Pavel before she left the City. If she wanted to make a trade, speak with this deity because he was fair. And she does trust Pavel.]

I was almost twenty years old before I went home a few weeks ago, now I'm not. I— [Well, here it goes.] —would like those years back.

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

We can do that.

Make me an offer.

|| Deity Filter ||

[hexuality]

[She's spent the month thinking this over and she hates, more than anything, the idea of toying with memories, but that's all she's ever heard about with these things. And it had to be something good, didn't it.]

My memories of people from my world ever being here. [Because she can't part with memories made at home.] Apart from the one brother who is here now, of course. But the rest—my boyfriend, my family, my classmates, all the time I spent with them... You could take those.

[If that's not enough, she has something else to add.]

[video]

[zipperbent]

I admit the first half of this post sailed right over my head, but the second half, now, that's different. The party wouldn't be for an empty chair- it'd be for the person who used to occupy it. And really, who needs an excuse for a party?

[pause]

The Hall of the Missing...is that the place with all the portraits?

[video] 1/2

[hexuality]

What about the first bit didn't you get? Curses muck with the weather and it happens more often than we think, is all. And you, Bolin—

[She laughs.]

I think you're the one who never needs an excuse to party. Am I right?

[video]

[hexuality]

Yeah, that's it. Portraits of people who've been here and gone home.

[video]

[zipperbent]

I followed you up until you reached the Christmas and mistletoe mark. That's where things went out of bounds. Is it time for a patented Ginny Explanation? [HE EMPLOYS HIS EAGER FACE. Er, one of them, anyhow.]

And excuse you, I do not appreciate the implication that I am predictable! Even...if...you are right. Shush, my feelings are delicate.

[and he nods in a contemplative manner]

Rita made a post from inside of it- there were more portraits than you could count.

[video]

[hexuality]

You don't have Christmas in your world? [She can't help but look a little surprised, even though she knows she shouldn't be.] It's a holiday in winter.

[She chuckles.]

Oi, I've said nothing of the sort! Hardly predictable, just—there's a certain kind of person. And not a bad sort, either. Don't let the City change that about you, though, alright? The Hall's just another one of those reminders you don't need.

audio, locked;

[aperfectthird]

Speaking of birthdays, we ought to do something for yours.

audio, locked; uuuuugh phonetags

[hexuality]

I'm not the only Weasley born in August, Perce.

audio, locked;

[aperfectthird]

I'm just going to be twenty-two. It's not terribly exciting. But you're going to be -

[A hesitation.]

- seventeen.

[...but she ought to be twenty.]

[flensing]

Would you like company to the Hall?

[Maybe that would help?]

[hexuality]

No, I don't think I'll be going this time around. I've got happier pictures, haven't I?

[flensing]

I certainly hope so, anyway.

[studmuffin]

There's a Hall of the Missing? Is it full of socks?

[hexuality]

What've socks got to do with it?

[What even.]

No, it's full of portraits. People who left the City.

[studmuffin]

They go missing all the time!

[ It's unfortunate. ]

Sounds pretty sinister.

[dr_conscience]

I don't think there's anything wrong with throwing a party for an empty chair. Sometimes a gesture means just as much for the one making it as the one receiving it.

[hexuality]

More cake for the rest of us, then, right?

[dr_conscience]

That's one way to look at it. Really, though, if you care about someone, doing something to honor them is never weird or silly.

And you get their cake.