I tried to get through to you

[archboxer]

[You know what that was? A fiasco. That was an utter fiasco. Three more people gone on a chance that may not happen! This is horrible. Even if some people dislike her, Rhea... is up to the challenge once more. This time she does it nearly herself: writing out the invitations, ordering the food and telling everyone to meet at the bar. In Ema's honor, of course.

She hands out the invitations herself and if she can't find you, she'll slide yours under your door.]

Comments

[philoxenia]

[ She at least, automatically, sinks down onto her knees and clings to Della. ]

S-she wanted to get me a panda, but I didn't think--

[nothingcanstop]

[ She holds her, very tightly. ]

Shhh. It's okay. It's okay, just cry right now.

[philoxenia]

[ It's good Della's holding her so tight, because she's certain she'd shake apart if she weren't. She hasn't cried like this before, not with Della. Not this much, this raw. Certainly not this long, so much that when she finally catches her breath and manages to speak, her voice is hoarse and exhausted.

She looks at the panda held tight in her grasp, and then to Della. ]

She-- she made this for me. I know she did.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Oh, Ema. Ema... Della squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, a tear slipping out. She runs a hand over Mira's hair. Gently, very gently. Tight, but soft. She won't let her go. ]

She was a good friend. She cared so much about you.

[philoxenia]

She... she was my best friend. [ Ah, there she goes crying again... She wipes at her eyes. ] It just-- i-it doesn't feel real at all, not having her here...

[nothingcanstop]

I know. I know... And it's not going to. It may never. [ From their vantage point, Della's actually...a little taller than Mira. She can pull back for a moment, and gently, very gently, run her hands down the side of Mira's face. ] But I'm here for you, okay? And...she would want you to still be your same, wonderful self.

[philoxenia]

[ Oh...

She draws in a breath, sharp and painful, and she puts one hand over Della's. The other still clutches that panda close to her heart. ]

D-Della, I-- [ She squeezes gently, and she nods. ] I-I know she would. [ She hasn't read her letter, just yet. Right now, it's too painful. But she thinks Ema would say as much... ] I-I know she would. It's just-- it's so hard right now, to... to think about doing that.

[nothingcanstop]

You don't have to think about it right now. [ Her eyes shine with tears but she tries to smile. ] You can just take things one step at a time.

[philoxenia]

[ She nods... and then she sets the panda down and takes Della's hands in hers. She looks at her firmly, that concern shining through. ]

... It's okay to cry, you know... I'm here for you. Just like you have been for me.

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...Oh. Oh that shakes her a little. ]

I know, Mira. I... I know. But sometimes... Sometimes it's easier...to smile for others. At least for the moment.

[philoxenia]

[ ... Yeah. Yeah, she understands. ]

I know what you mean. [ a pause. ] But I'm-- I'm always here, okay? I've been staying with Zaza, so... come by room two anytime. If you need anything... I'll always lend you my ear.

[nothingcanstop]

Zaza? ...Oh. Zerinda, right?

[ Della hasn't thought much about the rooming...but she remembers, Nova was next to her. They didn't chat all the time. But a friendly smile here and there. It feels a little empty. ]

...Thank you, Mira. [ She squeezes her hand. ] I... I certainly won't say no to that.

[philoxenia]

Oh-- yes, Zerinda.

[ She gives Della's hand a squeeze, too. ]

Good. I-- I really care about you a lot, Della. I just... want you to know that.

[nothingcanstop]

I do. I already know. [ She smiles again. Some tears fall from her eyes. ] ...I feel the same. I meant it, when I said I would help you. To...get you somewhere that appreciates you. ...If you wanted to...I would even take you with me.

[philoxenia]

[ Ah, the waterworks are starting up again... Mira wipes at her eyes quickly. ]

Y-you know, I've been thinking about that... and I'd really like that. I'd love to meet your sons, too, though....

Are there humans in your world? N-not that it bothers me, of course, I've just-- been wondering... if I would go there and get strange looks.

[nothingcanstop]

U-uuhh... [ That gives her pause. She grimaces, sheepish. ] This is...actually the first time I've ever seen humans before. But...if anyone could think of a way to help, it's my Uncle Scrooge. There's- he's where I get it from. There's nothing that can stop him, when he puts his mind to it.

[ ...except-- ...she doesn't think about that. she's thought enough about that, this week. ]

[philoxenia]

It's okay.

[ Hmm. She nods, though, after considering that. ]

Then... if-- when we get out of his place... I can't wait to meet him. Especially if he's related to you, I believe he can do anything he puts his mind to. And besides... I don't think there's much that can change my mind, now that I'm really determined to go back with you.

[nothingcanstop]

[ A moment passes, and Della...pulls back a little. So she can reach into her jacket pocket and pull out something. A picture. ]

This is...a little old. Eleven years, by now. But, that's him, in the center. And...that's my brother Donald, right there. And...well, obviously, in the front...

[ Three eggs. ]

[philoxenia]

[ Oh... oh, this is something special. Mira studies it. ]

Your sons? [ Her voice is soft. ] You know... I swear I can feel the love through the picture.

[nothingcanstop]

[ A moment...where she closes her eyes, and sucks in a breath. ]

Yeah. They're the most important part of my life. They are my life. [ And yet, she says that somewhat sadly.

Incidentally, is...Mira going to turn the picture over, at all? She can take it. But it's quite old, and a little folded. ]

[philoxenia]

I'd love to meet them.

[ She takes it, gently, and if she spots something on the back--a corner of the eye thing--she might just get curious enough to turn it over... ]

[nothingcanstop]

[ Well, when she turns it over, she'll find...this. Some doodles. Della doesn't try and stop her. ]

...That's...how I imagined they'd look. I told you, I'm a terrible artist.

[philoxenia]

[ Oh. Oh my goodness. For the first time today, she actually manages more than the barest hint of a smile. ]

Della... I think they're wonderful.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Oh... Oh, the smile. She clearly...didn't really expect that? Della stares at her for a moment. With a slightly shaking finger, she taps on the one on the top left. ]

Huey... [ Top right. ] Dewey... [ Bottom. ] And Louie. Or... Jet, Turbo, and Rebel. That's how I pictured them. They're...even better, in real life.

[philoxenia]

[ Oh-- before she can ask, Della draws her attention back to the drawings. ]

That's usually how it goes, isn't it? [ Her voice is soft, quiet. ] If you wouldn't mind, I'd love to hear about them... What they're like.