Dress [2430-2-1 Thur 2:00 pm]

[Skye Thompson]

Imitating Persephone’s mannerisms might be harder than Skye had anticipated. She could never speak to anyone the way Persephone spoke to the saleswoman. It wasn’t that she though her friend was being mean, it was just that Skye had no idea how to give someone else instructions. All her life she had only taken orders, never told someone else what to do. And that was the worst part. Skye didn’t know how to give instructions, but her father had taught her all about giving orders. She could feel the anger burning inside her, and she wanted to scream at someone, order someone about the way her father had ordered her.

That feeling terrified her. How could she want to do something so terrible to someone, anyone, else? But unwanted as this new emotion was, it refused to leave Skye’s mind. She shook her head frantically, struggling to make out Persephone’s words over the cacophony of her own thoughts. Hot chocolate? That sounded strange. What was the point of making chocolate hot? Did it taste better that way than at room temperature? “Um, sure.” She murmured, still struggling to push her anger to the back of her mind. Chocolate, she thought, Think about chocolate. She’d had it a few times before. For whatever reason, there had been candy shops in the Below, and though it seemed their only customers were child-thieves, they somehow managed to stay open.

[Persephone Ruspoli]

Persephone frowned a little as darkness flooded over Skye's face, and then slipped away again. It was hard to tell what had brought on the storm, and maybe best not to start prying. She was sure that Skye would brighten up with some hot chocolate in her hands. And if not, it would be easy enough to head home and get Skye comfortable there.

The saleswoman came back with the bags, giving Persephone a smile, Persephone smiled back, taking the bags with a "Thanks!" and heading for the door, making sure Skye was following. The doors slid open, and she stepped out into the square. It was chilly, but at least the sun was out and shining down. "Come on, it's right down here!" Persephone told Skye, heading to the right. The smell of coffee was lingering in the air as they drew closer. "I think I'm going to get whipped cream on top of mine. What about you?"

[Skye Thompson]

Skye nodded vaguely as she followed Persephone out the door, still occupied with cramming unwanted thoughts into the back of her brain. She felt as though her mind were being sucked into a vortex. She could fight it for only so long before she had to give in. She’d gotten to the point where she could control her emotions enough to not burst out sobbing in public, but the detachment was temporary. The feeling didn’t vanish, it just got stored away. It would come out later when she was alone in her room and there was no one to hear her scream.

But for the moment at least, Skye let a smile creep slowly back onto her face. “That sounds good. I’ve had whipped cream a few times before.” It was easy to steal, in those compact cans, and a sweet treat. Just the kind of thing a considerate brother might bring home to cheer up his lonely little sister.

[Persephone Ruspoli]

And there was a smile again. Persephone returned it, glad that particular storm had been weathered so easily. And that it didn't seem to have been over hot chocolate, which opened up a branch of other possibilities. Maybe the store clerk had reminded her of someone. Or one of the other dresses in the shop had caught her eye near the end and brought some memory to life.

Persephone was really going to need to be more observant about some of this stuff. She shook it off and got in line at the coffee place. It was fairly short, and it wasn't long before she was at the front of the. "Two medium hot chocolates, whipped cream." Persephone rattled off, and flashed her charge-card over the sensor. Then she tucked it away and stood off to the side, waiting for her drinks to be made with the rest. Persephone pushed her pink hair out of her eyes and looked over at Skye, "My mom used to take me out for hot chocolate when I was a little girl. She didn't like whipped cream, so she'd always ask the barista to give my cup the extra spray. I ruined so many dresses by accidentally dripping on myself, but mom didn't care. I think she may have done it on purpose, so she had a reason to buy me new things before I went back to live with my dad."

[Skye Thompson]

“That was nice of your mother. She must have really loved you.” Skye smiled, and there wasn’t a trace of resentment in her voice. While even the smallest thought about her father could bring on a tidal wave of mixed emotions, Skye’s thoughts of her mother were simply empty. Sure, she was angry, she felt betrayed by the woman who hadn’t wanted her, but there was no real passion behind these emotions.

Ever since she could remember, her mother had been just a figure, and she couldn’t feel true hatred for a figure. She hadn’t been raised that way. She had been raised to think of her mother the way Adrian had always spoken about her, and the way Skye could think of nothing else; cold, dispassionate, utterly factual. Mom is gone. She left because she didn’t love us. End of story. Point blank.

[Persephone Ruspoli]

"She does." Persephone's voice was fond as she thought about her mother. She didn't see her as much these days, the by-product of living on her own and them both having busy lives. But she tried to call at least once a week, and anytime she got any exciting or important news, she always made sure to give her mom a call. "My mom's always been really good to me. My father too. I got lucky, considering how weird the arrangement is."

The barista brought the cups over and Persephone took them, handing one to Skye. "Be careful, it's hot. Sip it slowly." Persephone warned, and took a few extra napkins, just in case they had an accident. She make sure to sip hers slowly, licking her upper lip when she was done to rid herself of the inevitable whipped-cream mustache. It wasn't coffee, but it was still delicious, and the perfect treat on a cool winter's day.

[Skye Thompson]

“Yeah.” At the mention of Persephone’s father, the bitterness started to creep out, but Skye pushed that too into the back of her mind. She didn’t want to get mad at Persephone. It wasn’t her fault that she was lucky. It really wasn’t. But Skye could still feel the rage burning inside her. It wasn’t directed toward Persephone, but if she let it out into the open here that would hardly matter. She pushed it away ever more frantically, an automatic terror rising in her.

And for once it seemed that fighting fire with fire actually worked. As the fear filled her mind; it pushed the anger back into its place. The fear too started to subside as she took her cup of hot chocolate from Persephone. Skye noticed her hands were shaking slightly, and held them steady. “Thanks Persephone.” She gave her friend a weak smile. “You’ve been so nice to me.” Skye hesitated for a moment, and then added, “If I knew my mother, I- I’d want her to be like you.” Now that thought brought some emotion to the topic of her mysterious maternal figure.

[Persephone Ruspoli]

For a second, it seemed like Skye might lose control. But she didn't. She got herself back under control, and it was only the gentle shake of her hands that gave Persephone any sign that it had been a struggle. That was an amazing improvement over what had happened a few weeks ago, but Persephone couldn't help but think that Skye wasn't anywhere near 'normal'. She was going to have to gently push at therapy again, and maybe this time, she could talk Titus into a little of it too. They were both so broken...

Persephone put an arm around Skye's back, rubbing her shoulder a little as they walked away from the strip of shops. "If I ever have children, I'll be a lucky woman if they're even half as brave and wonderful as you. For now, I think I'll have to settle for having an awesome best friend." She told Skye, sipping at her hot chocolate again. "Are you ready to head back?"

[Skye Thompson]

“Yeah. Maybe that’s a good idea.” Skye hadn’t realized how tense she was until her muscles relaxed under Persephone’s touch. “And… and thank you.” Her eyes were stinging with the hint of tears. It was impossible to describe the diverse mix of emotions she felt when she heard the sincerity in Persephone’s voice. Gratitude was part of it of course, but there was also a strange sort of ache deep down inside her, because she didn’t know if she really deserved Persephone’s compliment, deserved to be Persephone’s daughter.

But Persephone wanted her. No one had ever done that. Not even Adrian. Skye had always known her brother loved her, but she’d always received the impression that his life would have been a whole lot easier without her. But Persephone said she wanted a child like Skye. She twisted her hands together and looked at the ground, shaking her head slightly. “I- I don’t think I could ever have a child.” She confessed. “I just… I wouldn’t know what to do.”

[Persephone Ruspoli]

Persephone rubbed Skye's shoulder as they headed across the square. The things that made Skye the way she was wouldn't be cured overnight, and not by a few kind words. But over time, with enough words, maybe she could make a dent. Maybe she could make Persephone realize and accept that people did love her and worried about her, and wanted her around. And maybe she could break through Titus' walls too.

"You'd know what to do sweetie. You'd know what to do, if only because you know what not to do." Persephone was sure of that. Motherhood was a long way off for Skye, but when the time came, if the time came, she would be fine. She'd had a lifetime of experience in what not to do. If she had to, she would do the right thing. "Nobody knows what sort of mother they'll be until they give birth, but you'll be a good mother Skye, if you want to be one. And if not? You don't have to be anyone's mother. That's your choice."

[Skye Thompson]

What Persephone said was true. Skye did know what not to do, although it would have been more useful if she were going to be a father. Her dad had taught her all the wrong ways to do that job. But the fact was that if Skye ever had children of her own, she was going to be their mother. And the only thing she knew not to do was abandon her children. Well, duh.

But perhaps she could learn from watching Persephone. Her friend was kind, understanding, patient, and creative. Those qualities would make a good mother, wouldn’t they? Before that very moment Skye had never thought about having children of her own, not even once, and now she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about it. “I’m just not sure I’d be a very good influence. And I’m not very responsible.” Adrian had always been the responsible one. He’d always taken care of her. Skye had only ever been responsible for her father in the later years, and she knew that could hardly be called a healthy parent-child relationship.

[Persephone Ruspoli]

"Of course you're not responsible, you're barely an adult." Persephone reminded Skye. She was barely eighteen, and she'd spent her life with an abusive step-father. She'd been so powerless that she clearly couldn't think of herself as anything but, even when that was wrong. "That stuff comes with age. I'm much more responsible now than I was four years ago, and in another four years, I'll be way more responsible than I am right now. The older you get, the easier some of this stuff will get."

"As for good influences.... I think you are one. You're a good influence on Titus. He's been happier since you came into his life, and that's not a minor accomplishment. If you can make Titus happier, then Skye... I have no doubts that you could be a great mother." Persephone sipped at her hot chocolate as the wind came around and her dress fluttered slightly in the breeze. "I know it seems like a lot, but this stuff will figure itself out given time. You're still really young. We both are. And we're too young to be worried about who we'll be in another five years."

[Skye Thompson]

“Really? I… I’ve never… never made anyone happy… before. I didn’t know I could do that.” Skye finally tilted the edge of her cup toward her lips and took a sip, but the feeling of warmth spreading through her had little to do with the hot liquid that filled her mouth. After everything Titus had done for her, she had finally done something for him.

It was a strange feeling. Skye once again found herself in the grip of an emotion she could neither define nor describe, but this time it was different. This time it felt good. Confusing, yes, but good. She smiled at Persephone. “I think I like hot chocolate. It makes me feel… warm.”

[Persephone Ruspoli]

"You're going to be surprised by what you can do." Persephone knew that much was true. Skye was too young to know her own potential. Especially when it came to Titus. He'd spent so much of his life obsessed with his parent's death. A sister would fix that. Hopefully...

Hot chocolate was far steadier ground, and Persephone happily moved to that topic. "It's the best when it's chilly outside. It just warms you up, and of course it tastes great. It's my favorite winter treat. And the cup keeps my hands warm, so it's better than gloves." Far more fashionable too. She took another sip and got out her card to swipe when they reached the elevator. It was noticeably warmer when they stepped inside and the wind died down.

[Skye Thompson]

“I guess I already have been.” Skye had certainly never expected to make it here. She had dreamed about it her entire life, but it had always just been that, a dream. Even when Adrian had promised he’d take her there some day. She’d thought of what that day would be like a thousand times, but no matter how hard she tried, she could never make it seem real, even for a moment. Now not only would it seem real, but it would truly be real, for the rest of her life, if she wanted it to.

And did she ever. Skye smiled as she followed Persephone into the elevator, nodding in agreement as her friend spoke. “It’s wonderful. It’s like… drinking a hug.” In quick demonstration she leaned over and wrapped her arms around Persephone, then pulled away.

But as the elevator jerked into motion she clung to her friend once more, this time in desperation and fear rather than in a display of affection. “Why are we going down?” She cried shrilly. Bad things were down. Her father was down. Fear was down, and death too. In her nightmares, she often found herself right here, in an elevator, going down. It felt just the same now. Except that in her dreams, she was always alone, completely alone. So now she hung to Persephone, the only thing that proved she was still awake, and therefore, safe.