‘Remember “The End of the World Is Not an Excuse to Skip Tea”? I was obsessed with that book. That’s actually how me and Lucille became friends. Misha loves it too. You just know the little guy has good taste.’ Marie grabs her copy—the same one from her childhood. They read it every other Tuesday. “IT’S TIMEEEEEEEEEE!” Misha screams like the next Mariah Carey. It’s more of a screech, really. “We’ve read this like a hundred times, Misha. How can you still be that excited?” “You know you want to read it too.” “You bet I do.” Marie winks. ⸻ The rest of the day goes by in a snap. Not really, of course, but it sure feels like it. Between Misha acting out full chapters with different voices and the regulars asking for Marie’s recommendations like she’s some ancient oracle of books, time just… slips. And then comes the time to walk him back. Marie always likes this part of the day. The sunsets seemed even more beautiful when she listened to Misha yapping on about his favorite book of the day. Today, he was talking about the dragon in Chapter 12. He holds her hand. She lets him talk. Outside the orphanage gates, she crouches down and ruffles his hair. “Good night, you little gremlin.” “Bon nuit, Sol Koroleva!” “Did I say it right this time? I said it right, didn’t I? YEAH, I DID!” She waits until he’s inside. Just like always. Then she reaches into her pocket. “This time it’ll be… heads.” Marie says in her head. Flip. Heads. Her small smile grows into a grin. “Did you get it?” Marie turns. Misha’s peeking through the iron bars, grinning like a gremlin. How is it that this 8-year-old boy always manages to scare her, but she can’t manage to sneak up on him even once? “You got it right, didn’t you?” “Maybe,” she says, stretching the word, slipping the coin back into her coat. He beams. She beams back. And she follows the path home. The people around her have had quite the influence on Marie. ⸻
⸻ She walks with her face tilted to the sky—towards the star. “Hey, Mak. Sorry I couldn’t talk yesterday. If I’d gotten home any later, Mr. B probably would’ve called the cops.” ‘I met Mak years after that. We’d formed a group—me, Lucille, and Mak. When I was about seventeen, he was drafted into a war too. Lucille begged him not to go. I didn’t say anything. We all knew he wasn’t coming back.’ The memory of Mak dying was always enough to put her in a sulk. His body in the battlefield—bloodied, broken. Though now, his voice was fading from her memory. “See you in the stars, Marie.” She wasn’t allowed to see her papa when he died. But she and Lucille had passed off as family and went to see Mak. Because that’s what they were. Family. “Hi Marie!” Ms. Holly’s voice pulls her from her thoughts. “Hi Ms. Holly! How’s little Ruby?” “Oh, she’s just fine. Loud as ever. How are you doing, darling?” “Better than usual, actually.” Marie gives her a soft smile. “You don’t know how delighted I am to hear that,” Ms. Holly chuckles. “Good night, Marie.” “Good night, Ms. Holly.” Marie quickens her pace. Just a little. So no one notices. ⸻ Marie enters her cozy little house and heads straight to her desk—where she left the letter. She never finished it. ‘I’ve picked up a few habits. I don’t know where they came from, but they help me through the day. I smile more now. There are people who know me. I think I belong here. Maybe not forever. But at least for now. I tried to draw you yesterday. I think I got the eyes wrong. I couldn’t quite imagine them. I settled for adding Mr. Baxter’s eyes instead.’ References: I am forever undone - The Cruel Prince (Queen of Nothing - "By you, I am forever undone" <3333) Misha - Shadow & Bone (Ruin & Rising, also appears in Rule of Wolves) IT'S TIMEEEEEEEE - Mariah Carey's November 1st Christmas jokes.. Sol Koroleva - Shadow & Bone (Siege & Storm & Ruin & Rising - "Sun Queen") Mak - Powerless (Powerful and Fearless) "See you in the stars" - no need for explanations but Powerless (Powerful and Fearless T-T) Music - Ordinary - Alex Warren (instrumental) Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (first half) Part 4 and 5 in the works!
