afraid_of_marshmallows: Nathalie Emmanuel (Random - Reading (Book))
Arden Finch ([personal profile] afraid_of_marshmallows) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2026-02-04 01:18 pm
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Fandom Library, Wednesday, February 4th

Arden couldn't skip two weeks of work, even though she felt 'bitten by a gremlin' was a really good excuse for missing one, and so she was back behind the circulation desk today. With a book. And determinedly ignoring everything the gremlins did, so long as they were doing it more than five feet away from her. See if the little jerks got any attention from her for awhile.
not_a_haint: (mellow caleb is mellow)

Re: Talk to the Aide

[personal profile] not_a_haint 2026-02-06 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
He supposed he might have gathered that, upon reflection later but as it was that was kind of fascinating to hear. He had not yet done enough reading to be familiar with more than basic folktales on fae and the like to really be able to contextualize it though.

"Oh wow! What-" Nope! He was quick enough with the water, mostly. That would have been very rude to ask, however curious he might be.

"I've sometimes questioned whether I am. A manifestation of vengeance called me a haint when I was a kid and I was never able to completely convince myself it was wrong."

That time he'd actually chosen not to stop himself. He hoped it would create more common ground.
not_a_haint: (Default)

Re: Talk to the Aide

[personal profile] not_a_haint 2026-02-07 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
"It might have been on account that I died." He was moving the bottle to his mouth but actually stopped. "Oh...I haven't thought of that in I dunno how long. I told my adopted brother Floyd that I could pretend to be like anyone else. I think I was pretendin' that I just got knocked out. But I guess I can't lie t' myself t'day either."

Deep down he had known, and it hadn't been any supernatural influence that kept him from acknowledging it. That thing seemed to be having no trouble resisting the truth day effect.
not_a_haint: (Default)

Re: Talk to the Aide

[personal profile] not_a_haint 2026-02-07 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
"We were playin', me, my brother an' his friends. But somethin' pretendin' t' be Curt's daddy came t' fetch 'im. Curt kep' screamin' 'you ain't my daddy you ain't'. His daddy was dead an' this thing...I could see it for what it was, but I didn't really understand. I told it t' leave Curt alone, thought just by tellin' it off, standin' up to it it would back down.

"But it hit me." His hand went up to his neck. "I felt my neck..." Water.

"I heard my first family callin' t' me but the door slammed shut an' I woke up. I didn't hurt no more but it was dark, an' everyone was gone. They'd ran when it happened an' the school house was closest. I could hear Floyd inside yellin' they had t' go back for me but just as the teacher, Miss Belle...huh, heh, Miss Belle. No relation t' your fellow aide."

Another drink. He needed to at least try to collect his thoughts.

"It was shortly after that I had t' leave my second family. I couldn't pretend no more."

And that had been only a few months after losing his first family.