Fourth little lie ♰ 'Cause I'm half-sick of shadows, I want to see the sky

[beingdifferent]

[Once again it's a video today, and Esther is fresh-faced and bright-eyed, obviously not too disturbed by recent events. Her communicator is set up on her bedside table, catching the gauzy canopy of her bed behind her and allowing her to use her hands to sign.]

Excuse me. I would like to ask a favor.

Some of you are teachers for the older kids. I don't want to go to school, but is there anyone who could teach me something fun? How to make something or play something. This place can be so boring sometimes. [She quickly amends, so as not to offend anyone:] But I like the library and the art room and the kitchen. During the port I learned how to fish, and I liked that too. Sometime, I'd like to do it again.

Do any of you know how to do things like that?

[OOC: Esther is affected for the flood and has memory dates with Lua, the Emperor, Dent, and Ned, though everyone is welcome. CW: The memory threads may involve themes of violence, death, and sexual abuse, and are marked.]

Comments

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

Not today. No. Maybe today we...take a break from getting inside people's heads.

[He gives a tired but determined nod, setting his jaw back in a grim smile. Esther is...worrying, but she needs love and attention. He can provide that much.]

I'd like that.

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

That sounds very nice. [Anyone getting into either of their heads could well be a recipe for disaster, at least in her estimation. When he agrees, his expression is strange somehow, and although she nods and hugs him again she takes quick notice of it.]

I would too. Maybe tomorrow?

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

Tomorrow. Or. When the flood wears off. Either or. We can wait for the 'or.'

Do you want, um. Help getting back to your room? I could send Digby. Like a memory barrier.

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

I think in this case "or" is a good idea.

How would that work?

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

He'll walk with you and bark at whoever gets near.

It's not a perfect plan.

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

You'd let me walk him? [At least one good thing will have come out of this flood.]

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

Keep him with you for the flood. He doesn't usually..stay with me at night, anyway. My first inmate was scared of dogs and my second inmate makes jokes about killing him. So I keep him with other people. For safety.

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

Are you sure? [Esther certainly wouldn't mind borrowing him but he's used to Ned, not her, and she's not sure if he'll mope or cry.] May I brush him?

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

I'm sure.

He loves brushing.

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

Thank you!

I'll send him back once I'm home.

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

No rush. He likes field trips.