Our avatars are in a room together

-Hugs her-

-This isn't her usual feel-good hug, this is something else-

-It actually hurts a little-

You're gonna— this is okay. You'll be okay. You're my number one priority, you're gonna— you'll make friends and all of this will stop mattering and I'll take care of it.

"-caught off guard by this- B-but- this isn't- you don't-"

You're twelve. Twelve. And kids your age don't stay up this late worrying about dying.

They watch dumb movies with their buddies. We're gonna watch one I think you'll like, it's called Young Frankenstein. Mel Brooks is freaking fantastic. Okay? Okay.

-Breaks off, trying to look enthusiastic, but has a telling amount of stiffness and discomfort-

"... U-uhm... alright."

-She sets up the DVD and sits down beside Ramona, arm over her more for her own comfort than the witch's-

-And they watch a monochrome Gene Wilder comedy classic-

"-is a little surprised and more intrigued with the MOVING PITURES she's read so much on- ..."

-Explains some of the stranger elements and elaborates on some of the gags that rely on pop-culture grounding-

"... -makes... some sort of noise, keeping something in...-"

-And then this gag plays, perfectly timed-

... oh

oh lord that's funny

she's not even giggling that's fulblown laughter right there

-Sandra grins-

-Then starts laughing along with her-

"That- that- he said "could be worse"- and then that happened- and- -gosh she's never been this happy before-"

Yeah, yeah it's— eheh, the first time you see a comedy film is always the best time. I'm glad this one is your first.

"-eventually simmers down to a intelligible point- Oh- oh gosh, that was... that was amazing, Sandra..."

she's so happy...

and i'm so DEAD JESUS FUCK It's 5:32 AM GOODNIGHT

-the door to the main room swings open-

-a man in an old, worn and heavy coat strides in, a cane in one hand and a heavy suitcase in the other-

-his similarly old and worn hat covering the bandages that cover his head, and the dark goggles that cover his eyes-

-he takes a moment to breathe in, and take in his surroundings-

-before he starts to head for the stairs-

-there is a man leaned against the wall-

-he idly watches the man in the trenchcoat with his gray eyes-

-a light smile plays itself across his face-

-he feels eyes upon him-

-before looking back at the man-

I trust this place still has rooms to spare?

I should think you'll be able to find one, at the least, that will suit you.

Good.

I intend to stay here a while, though...

-his look lingers near the door, before shifting to the stairs and back again-

I don't believe introductions will be necessary.

The chances of us sharing extended conversation again are slim.

I am not a social creature. And I don't expect people to be looking into my affairs.

No? You might unfortunately find your affairs examined all the same. I have found that people, on the whole, tend to be more curious, not less - and doubly so in a small locale, as this one is. Word, you see, travels... -flashes a predatory grin- Impossibly fast.

I'm not a fool.

I already know that, I have experience with it.

But words don't travel, if there are none spoken to begin with.

That's also what I know.

It is not what is said that matters... but what is left unsaid. Who can trust a hermit? I, in particular, find your business rather intriguing already.

Do you, now?

-he puts his suitcase down, feeling the weight in his arm-

-smirks, without concern- Can you blame me?

... It is- in a reasonable man's nature to be curious.

I can't deny that.

But the blame comes when one can't keep a control over their impulses.

That is when rationality must temper you.

To know when to stop.