I SHOOT THE LIGHTS OUT | TAVEOVER MEETING

[vellichor]

THE MOON'S WATCHING OVER— Today was like any other, she supposed. Well, perhaps other than that her plans had changed. For the first time in what felt like ages, her plans had changed. She wouldn't just leave flowers at Alexander's grave and visit the church. She would see Freddie. The nice man she'd met at church. She wasn't quite sure why she felt intrigued by him but she'd promised to speak with him again and she intended to hold true to that. Why shouldn't she? He was kind and handsome, she saw no reason not to. Besides, she liked the idea of having some sort of company. The house was so quiet and the only voices she ever heard were those that passed her by on the streets. To have a conversation over dinner again would be more than welcome, especially compared to sitting in her garden silently while watching all sorts of plants spring up around her. It seemed the garden grew larger and larger every single day. Meal times were the worst. Sometimes she chose to forego them completely. It was so quiet and horribly lonely. She could remember when Alexander sat across from her and laughed and made awful jokes or days when he came home with tears in his eyes and anger burning in his heart. She could remember it all. And it was too much. Far too much.

But then things got even more different. A strange boy and other people swept by her and she felt immediate unease rise in her. She didn't know who they were or why they were here but something felt wrong. Sometimes told her she shouldn't go to church today. But she'd gone to church every single day, prayed for Ivy and Alexander's safe return or travel to Heaven every single day. Surely God would forgive her for missing just one. She glanced to the other citizens before pausing, taking a few breaths before she turned and walked towards what was, apparently, some sort of meeting hall. She didn't think she'd ever been here before. She listened quietly as the boy spoke and said nothing when he finished. She was still stuck on the name. Freddie. It couldn't possibly be... how many Freddie's could there be? Why hadn't he told her that he was the King? That was why he looked so sad after she mentioned the Queen. Well now she just felt awful to herself. But then she felt something else. Obligation. He was the only person that saw her in so long. That spoke with her. He was her only friend, no matter how little they currently knew each other and, regardless of if she agreed with his practices or beliefs, friendship was worth something. Something more than safety. 

During all this, her face was completely impassive. Trained apathy. She wasn't sure when it happened. One of the days when she'd stayed in that empty, wretched house by herself. She used to be so bad at hiding her emotions but pretending things were fine, pretending not to be upset, had somehow started to come easily to her. At the sound of Abella's voice, she felt her jaw tighten a bit but she said nothing. Shouting wouldn't do anything. At least, she was pretty sure it wouldn't. She supposed she was far from qualified to speak on such matters but that was the way she saw it. Eliora had lost everything she'd built here but Blackfall didn't care. They'd willingly done it. If they regretted it, they wouldn't be here now. —YOU AND YOUR DREAMS

"SPEECH"

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