unknownseas | I tried to get through to you

I tried to get through to you

[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.]

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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.

[ 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.

[ ...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.

[ ... 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.

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.

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.

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.

[ 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.

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. ]

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.

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ 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. ]

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... ]

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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.

They're perfect. [ That's too broad. Far too broad. And yet, it covers everything she's thinking, doesn't it? ] My perfect little boys. They...color-coded themselves, you know, red, blue, and green.

Huey's a little researcher. He loves the Junior Woodchuck Scouts, he's a Senior Junior Woodchuck right now. And Dewey, he wants to...do everything, see everything, an adventurer in every sense. Even...without me around, he seems to have taken after me, perfectly. And Louie... Oh!

[ She reaches into another pocket and withdraws a different photo, of a laidback duck boy. ]

I...actually have a different picture, of him. He's a cunning boy. Wants to follow in Scrooge's footsteps, start his own business, but...also wants to always be taking a nap.

A researcher, an adventurer, and an entrepreneur... They've got big dreams, don't they? I'd love to help Huey with his research... it's one of the things I know I'm good at.

[ Oh gosh, look at him. ]

Oh, he's so cute... [ And relatable. ] They're triplets, aren't they? No wonder they color-coded themselves.

Yeah. I guess they didn't want to be mistaken for each other. They're all...little troublemakers. They drove poor Donald crazy. He was always the more cautious one, so...he tried his best to keep them safe.

[ Something catches in her throat. But she pushes on. ]

I think...they'd all like you, you know.

[ She's about to say something like how lucky they are to have such great brothers, but... what Della says next makes her pause. She looks at her, blinking. ]

... You think so? [ There it is, that quiet bewilderment at the idea of being liked. ] I hope you're right.

[ Della keeps her gaze. ]

Of course. Heck...Webby would be crazy about you. She-- the...housekeeper's granddaughter, she lives with all of us. She's always so enthusiastic about documenting things, learning... She keeps saying she wants to be...just like me, but she's solved things I never could. She and Dewey get along great. I... I'll introduce you. When all of this is over, I'll introduce you.

[ It's a quiet, fervent promise. They'll get out of this. Together. ]

[ Della's so firm about it, so earnest... Mira can't help but believe her. Somehow, she thinks that promise of Della's might just help keep her afloat. ]

... We will. [ She squeezes her hands again. ] If we can travel freely... there's something I need to do back in my world. But, if it all works out... There's room for two more, right?

Of course! It's a huge mansion, and... Two? [ She has a curious look about her. ] Your... Your other friend?

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