foolishmortals | This Used to Be the Life but I Don't Need Another One

This Used to Be the Life but I Don't Need Another One

[Well Ratigan couldn't care less about what happened, but he really didn't get his fill of partying from the bar and everyone simpering wasn't how he wanted it to go down. Soon after the trial little notes are slipped beneath each door.]

You are cordially invited to a mourning party in the lobby. RVSP ASAP.

[In the lobby Thalia will have moved some tables to the lobby and provide her choice dish of cheeseburgers along with a smattering of bread, fruits, and vegetables. Reyna will have brought along hot chocolate galore.

For those that aren't your thing? Well in honor of the recently departed there's pine tree shaped cookies (Thanks Thalia.) and triangle crackers with cheese (thanks...Ratigan?). And there's a helping of drinks if the bar wasn't enough for you wink wink. Ratigan has every intention of making this a party.]

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It's...my reality. [ Finally, she stands and turns from the fire, taking the portion of food she didn't eat back into her hands. ] It's the reality of most demigods, honestly. The gods are busy. And Zeus...well, he's one of the busiest of all.

[ This isn't said as an excuse but rather a resignation. Never would she make excuses for her father. ]

[It might be Thalia's reality, but that doesn't stop Belle from finding it incredibly sad. She rises as well, hugging her arms around her middle, watching Thalia turn away from the fire.]

Thalia...is there something I can do? I don't....I can't pretend to know how your life works, but I'd help you feel better, if I could.

[ Ah... She's doing it again. Come on... Thalia calms herself with a leaderly smile. A bit of a mask. ]

It's okay. I've had a long time to get used to it. I guess today just got me thinking, again.

I understand.

[Belle draws a deep breath, glancing sideways into the fire.]

My mother...I never knew what happened to her. My papa wouldn't say, all those years. And even now that I know, and I've had a little time to accept it, I still think about it sometimes. It's difficult not to.

[ Mother... That word also... Thalia keeps her face neutral. ]

Not knowing what happened to a loved one... It's horrible. I'm sorry, Belle. I know, it's the worst possible kind of uncertainty.

It's alright. This isn't about me. I just want you to know...I can sympathize. I know it isn't much, but...

[Her smile is small, and cautious.]

That's what friends are for.

...It is.

[ This kind of commiseration, she finds, is much better than the type she did with Luke, bitterly on the road. ]

How are you holding up? It's...been a bit of a day, hasn't it?

[Belle spreads her hands wordlessly out in front of her.]

That's one way of putting it. I just...can't help feeling like there's something we missed. Like the explanation we got was much too simple.

You too, huh? ...There's so much I don't understand... The snacks, the pile of toxic chemicals and weapons... And why Roddy just rushed us along.

It didn't slot together right. None of that was explained...

[She shakes her head.]

I'd like to think all will be revealed, but...I don't know that I like the sound of that, either.

I don't like whatever path he's leading us down. Roddy's acting more and more suspicious by the day.

You can say that again. And I didn't even trust him to begin with, let alone now. How can you be so casual about a sick game like this? Immortal or not!

If he's existed for so long, maybe he's just stopped knowing how to care. It's... Well, it's common, with all-powerful ones, who can't die.

That's...sad. [She can't imagine feeling that way...unable to care about other people.] Don't you find it sad?

It is...but it's how things work with them. Immortals view things differently, because we're nothing but a blink in their eyes. Sometimes, you get lucky, like with Lady Artemis, but most of the time...not exactly.

You're immortal, right, Thalia?

[Belle slowly turns her gaze toward Thalia's, worrying her lower lip.]

Will we all just be a blink in your eyes, too?

No.

[ Thalia answers this immediately. A determined look on her face, almost in spite of what they've been talking about. ]

I won't let you. I have a mortal life behind me. People I...still love from it, young and living. I'm always going to be apart from everyone else, but, I...

[ Has she...been thinking about this...? ]

...I won't let myself become like the immortals I've hated.

[It brings her some comfort, at least. To know that if something does happen to her, to any of the rest of them, they won't be forgotten so easily. Her smile is tiny, but it counts.]

I'm very glad to hear that. I hate the idea of being...forgotten.

[She's seen what being forgotten does to people.]

[ Her smile, marginally wider. ]

You won't have to worry about that, with me. I'll remember everyone here, as long as I can.

[That's comforting. She needed to hear that.]

I won't forget you either, Thalia. I won't forget any of you, as long as I live.

Thank you, Belle. ...Just make sure not to exaggerate any hokey legends. I've had enough of those.

I'll be sure to tell only the strictest truth.

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This Used to Be the Life but I Don't Need Another One

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