fandomtownies | Chilly Boulder, Saturday Afternoon

So, originally, the plan had been for Karla, Warren, and all three children to show up at Fandom this weekend and do the whole reunion thing. They'd see old friends, show Nyles and Cora the island, and take a ridiculous number of pictures commemorating things that really didn't need to be commemorated. And then, last night, Cora had come into Karla's parlor before bedtime complaining that she didn't feel good. And then had promptly thrown up. Nyles, who had been a footstep behind her, managed to keep down his dinner, but was flushed and feverish.

Long story short, Cora and Nyles had come down with chicken pox. And as much as Karla would have liked to simply Heal them and be done with it, getting chicken pox now meant they wouldn't get worse illnesses later, and so Warren and Karla reluctantly agreed to let them stick it out. And that clearly meant that at least one parent needed to stay with them. But Kayla, being far too young, needed to be kept away. And so, after a spirited game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, (best two out of three, and no, Warren, she didn't cheat), Karla had ended up being the one who got to take Kayla away to the island for the weekend, while Warren and his healing factor took care of two thoroughly miserable children.

On the other hand, now Karla at least had a good excuse to take a million pictures? Like the ones she was taking now, of Kayla smearing vanilla ice cream all over her face as she attempted to spoon it into her mouth. Thank the Darkness for data plans.

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"So why stay?" Triela asked after a moment, still looking down at their hands rather than at Ino's face. "It sounds like you need a clean start. A chance to be happy again. You deserve that, you know."

Even as she suggested it, Triela doubted it was a realistic idea. It wasn't like she could have walked away from her own situation no matter how miserable it had gotten.

"Because it's my home," Ino said, "and there's worse coming. If I can, I want to help. And because Zack won't leave and I'm still the girl who'd followed him to his world after high school."

It was ridiculous. It was true.

Triela frowned, finally looking up at Ino. "Are you content?" Not happy, but content?

It was such a strange question that she stopped and blinked.

"What?"

"With your life," Triela expanded. "You may not be happy, but... is it enough?"

"Like... if I died, would it be enough to look at the life I lived?"

"No, not that." Triela shook her head, frowning as she tried to frame the question properly. "The life you have now... the Turks and Zack and," she paused, waving to indicate Ino. "Are you looking for more, or is it enough?"

Oh.

"Oh," she said blankly. "I. Well."

Was she content?

"I'm miserable."

Triela sighed, but nodded. About what she'd expected.

She took a deep breath, then looked up at her friend across the table. "I don't know how long I'll be here," she admitted after a moment. "But while I am, what can I do?" she asked. "Even if it's just for an hour or two, what can I do to make you happy?"

"I don't know," Ino said, sounding a bit... lost.

No one had asked her that in ages. She hadn't thought about it in ages. It was all about getting by.

"You can think about it, if you like," Triela offered. "I'm not in a hurry."

Besides, she knew that tone of voice. She'd used it herself once or twice. Heard it from some of the other girls at the Social Welfare Agency. And she was surprised by how much it hurt to hear it from Ino.

"I'll think about it," Ino promised. "I just... it's not..."

She shook her head.

"It's different, that's all."

"You haven't thought about it in years, have you?" Triela asked softly.

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Probably not since you thought Zack died."

Ino winced, but didn't deny it.

"Might be stupid, makin' someone your whole world, but that was what I did," she said. "Weren't the best plan, as it turns out."

"I'm not one to chide you for something like that," Triela said softly. "But I think that might mean I understand, too."

"At least a little bit."

Ino looked at Triela sharply.

"Do you want to tell me how you died?" she asked.

"If you want to know," Triela said, shrugging lightly. "It's... not very exciting." She sighed.

"I don't remember if we ever talked about it, but the drugs required to continue interfacing with a cybernetic body wear down the brain over time. It eventually caught up with me."

She smiled ruefully. "It might be best you weren't there for it. It's pretty tough on people when your brain can't hold onto memories of them anymore."

That... that actually sounded familiar.

Ino frowned at her ice cream.

"I think I remember you asking me to watch you for changes in your behaviour," she said slowly. "But I left abruptly soon after that."

"Well, it wouldn't have been too long after that. Once the symptoms start appearing, it's usually pretty fast."

Triela shrugged. "I didn't even know anyone, at the end."

"It doesn't matter, really," she said, making a little throwing motion with one hand.

Ino nodded slowly.

"I think I'm glad I wasn't there," she admitted. "Because you're my friend."

"Yes," Triela agreed.

"That's why I want to do something to make you happy, while I have this chance."

"Getting to talk to you makes me happy," Ino admitted. "Even though all I've been talking about are terrible things that don't make me happy."

"Is that all I can do for you?" Triela asked softly. If so, she'd keep doing it, as long as necessary.

"It might be," she admitted. "You're not a healer and there's nothing to protect me from."

Except herself, since Ino had always been her own worst enemy, but whatever.

"Maybe we should go bowling," she suggested. "I haven't been in forever. I bet I'm awful at it."

But it would be fun.