said it's a culmination of a story and a goodbye session

[innocentralized]

[WELL, THAT ALL ENDED WELL.

As usual (why is this usual, again? Damn it, London), people have to resume their everyday lives. Time waits for no man, after all. No man, no woman, no one inbetween. This is exactly why Michi can be found hitting the books outside at her usual cafe! ... Or more like. Sitting there, staring death into the book until its information sticks in her brain. She plays with her hair idly and watches as the people pass by, head sort of lolling off to the side in a very unladylike fashion -- she couldn't look any more bored if she tried to.

But if that's not your cup of tea, feel free to head on down to the Thames, where you'll see a young blonde girl, approximately age sixteen, washed up on the shore. Her clothing is a good 61 years younger than "today's" fashions, for anyone that would notice. A cute, yellow dress. A-line, floral print. Very 40s.

She doesn't scream. She doesn't even try coughing the water out of her lungs. All she does is sit up and look around the area, with wide eyes -- one blue, one a brilliant gold.]

Comments

YES GOOD AWESOME

[hairpine]

The world outside London is one familiar to me only through the books that I've read -- are you familiar with the Nautilus, Mr Christopher? I would one day like to travel in such a ship, though only if I were permitted a happy ending.

[inhumanity]

If we can't make one, we could always climb into the belly of the whale and pilot it under water. But forget that. You need to come out with me to Epping Forest. I visit it at least once a week.

[hairpine]

[Started to open her mouth to ask if they could legitimately pilot a whale, because hey, it makes sense, but then she gets distracted. Sitting straight up with rapt attention omg!!]

-- The People's Forest, Mr Christopher? Could we truly?

[A sliight pause, while she thinks. She'd really rather not have anything turn out like that time with the corpse :(]

... If I would not be a burden, could I possibly accompany you when you next visit?

[inhumanity]

We could go now, if you're bored. [He is going to avoid the places where crooks bury corpses!]

[hairpine]

[> Michi shouldn't you be studying
> Studying is boring but outside is exciting]

Yes, I would love to!

[inhumanity]

[Excellent decision-making.]

I'll hail a cab.

[By letting his hair hide his eyes and keeping his mouth closed, he is able to call a cab in before they realize they probably shouldn't be giving rides to him. He opens the door to Michi with a bow.] After you!

[hairpine]

[Oops lol
Ah well, people who have no issue with lying: Michi. She hops on in, perfectly cheerful!]

Thank you!

[inhumanity]

[He's extra excited because friendship + nature = ultimate winning combo here.] Have you ever seen deer before? Or wild tigers? The experience will nourish your soul! [Are there any wild tigers in Epping? You should instead be asking if he cares.]

[hairpine]

[Well, she would, but she's more distracted by the specifics. Deer make perfect sense, she. Thinks, but tigers? She thought tigers only lived in India! So she says, extra-super excited:]

... Are there tigers in Epping, Mr Christopher?!

[inhumanity]

I haven't seen any proof to the contrary.

[hairpining]

I believe that I'll find one! ... No.

No, Mr Christopher, today we shall find two tigers! One will belong to me, while the other is yours.

[inhumanity]

[He is obviously touched by this tiger-hunting declaration of friendship.] Of course! We can keep one each in our home to remind us of one another. Then we won't ever be apart.

[hairpining]

Yes, that's absolutely correct!

I have been fond of cats for some time.

[inhumanity]

Excellent! Then you'll have twice the cat and so will be twice as fond of it.

[hairpining]

Are tigers quite large, Mr Christopher? For you to count them as multiple cats, they must be.

[inhumanity]

They're as big as this. [And he gestures something that is approximately tiger-sized with his hands.]

[hairpining]

[Looks more than appropriately shocked! Not inappropriately, she's just. Literally never seen a tiger in anything other than a picture book before.]

That's amazing!

Are there tigers in America, Mr Christopher?

[Of course she knows the answer's no -- for all her naivete and issues brought on by her sensitivity, she's fairly intelligent. But it's Mr Christopher, and he always has an interesting answer for her.

It helps her keep herself busy.]

[inhumanity]

Of course! Tigers in every English-speaking nation in the world! That's the beautiful legacy of humans terrorizing their own!

[hairpining]

So, then, the tigers are not native to these nations... but were introduced as a method to frighten misbehaving children? Though, I have always been as well-behaved as my capabilities allowed, Father very rarely...

-- Ah, they're Bogeymen! A good child mustn't stay out past his bedtime... lest tigers emerge from the fog and take him away!

... Is that correct, Mr Christopher?

[inhumanity]

It sounds like the truth to me. I believe it wholeheartedly.

[The terrible thing is that in this second, that is true.]

[hairpining]

How scary! But, because it is still day, you and I are in no danger.

[inhumanity]

Unless we didn't go to sleep last night! Then the changeover hasn't happened.

1/2

[hairpine]

-- Oh, no!

[hairpine]

[Wait. Damn it, she got really caught up in it for a second there.]

I believe that my night was spent sleeping, Mr Christopher, as well as I tend to.

[inhumanity]

Oh. Well, then, I suppose we're both safe!