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[maellum]

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[cache_coeur]

[She nods against the top of Maelle's head.]

It's very difficult, but it should get easier with practice. I know you'll get there.

[maellum]

Mm.

[It's a noncommital sound from her. She's not as optimistic as Sciel, but she will try her best. Once she gets out of bed.]

Are you doing okay? With Verso being back and everything.

[cache_coeur]

[And getting out of bed will have to come somewhat soon –– Sciel can feel her stomach rumbling.]

I'm sad about how it's all turned out, and not looking forward to certain conversations, but I'm glad to see him again. I missed him.

[maellum]

[... Maelle, close as she is, maybe feels Sciel's belly complain, too. It makes her smile. Nothing deters Sciel.]

I'm glad it's not just me that missed him.

[cache_coeur]

[Life's too short to starve out of sadness, kid!]

Mm. He's one of us, it'd be surprising not to.

[maellum]

What conversations are you worried about?

[She wonders if they're about her. Old Lumière and what happened there seems to be a constant thorn.]

[cache_coeur]

[She pauses. How to word it?]

Mostly what happens if we reach a stalemate on answers to Gustave and Lune’s burning questions. If Verso doesn’t want to, I don’t want to take either side.

[maellum]

Is that even possible? Not taking a side. Gustave and Lune might see not taking their side as taking his side.

[cache_coeur]

You’re exactly right. And I’ll see their point! But I don’t see any other way. Forcing anything is an act of destruction.

[maellum]

You're right. [But...] I don't think I can choose the side Gustave isn't on. I can't make him feel I'm choosing Verso.

[cache_coeur]

That’s fair. You’ll make the choice that is right for you, and I think you should feel confident in that.

[maellum]

I should feel confident in that... but it doesn't feel good.

[Which feels paradoxical.]

[cache_coeur]

Because you care about Verso too. But he’ll understand; Gustave is your family.

[There’s no way to avoid it, but at least they’re fortunate enough to be in a situation where where both parties want what’s best for Maelle… complicated as it is.]

[maellum]

[They both feel like family. Which feels... insane, in a way, and unfair to Gustave.]

I wish we could all be family.

[cache_coeur]

[Oh, Maelle. She presses her nose into the top of Maelle’s head, hugging her tighter.]

I know you do. I wish you could have it all.

[maellum]

Too greedy, yeah?

[She's got Gustave and Sciel and Lune. That's enough. It should be enough.]

[cache_coeur]

I don’t think it’s greedy to want. It’s just not something anyone can control.

[Her own life would look very different if she could.]

Are you worried you don’t be able to see Verso at all?

[maellum]

... yeah. If... Gustave decides I shouldn't, or Verso just... doesn't want to? It's like you said. It's not something I can control.

[She's not a rebellious teenager. Gustave has her love and her utmost respect. If he doesn't want her to see Verso, she won't. And if Verso doesn't wany anything to do with her, she'll leave him alone.

But she'll miss him. Miss him like she's missed him during this time apart, which she tells herself she can deal with. Been through worse and all that, right?]

[cache_coeur]

[Either seems possible right now, though she doesn’t feel particularly convinced that Maelle can’t sway them to more moderate ground. She looks down at the top of Maelle’s head, still stroking her hair.]

If there’s anything I can do to help, you let me know. I respect wherever Gustave ends up on this, but I’ll do what I can to make it easier.

[maellum]

I don't want you to damage your friendship with Gustave just so I can hang out with someone that might not care to see me. It's not worth it.

[It's easier to assume Verso simply doesn't want to see her.]

[cache_coeur]

I don’t think a modest defence of your wanting to see Verso will spoil my longest friendship.

[She does think it’s unwise for Maelle and Verso to be alone together right now, but explaining to either that they aren’t allowed to feels like it could backfire. A hard no often begs why, and Sciel feels a little twist in her stomach when she considers that Verso might not respect it anyway.]

[maellum]

I don't know. Gustave is strange when it comes to him.

[Or are she and Sciel strange when it comes to Verso?]

I just don't understand. Verso wouldn't hurt me. You know that, right? I can handle myself and him.

[cache_coeur]

[She's not so sure she agrees. Fears about Renoir and his own death aside, it feels true to who Gustave is, and his experience, no matter how much she wishes it was different.]

I know, Maelle. But it hasn't even been a day. Give Gustave some time to work through this, have a good talk with him yourself... Lune and I will both talk with Verso, too... and we'll see from there, hmm?

[maellum]

I guess. Not like anything else can be done and they've already done something stupid all on their own.

[Sorry Gustave and Verso, the sixteen year old is never going to forget this brawl and she absolutely will use it to defend any stupid actions she takes.]

[cache_coeur]

[Sciel groans a little.]

It really was so unbelievably stupid.