[After...party?] I would give anything, but for the grace of God I'm here and still aware

[madgiganticfeelings]

[So that... certainly happened. Christine ran along with everyone else to escape the suffocating smoke, slamming the doors behind them in the hope it would slow the flames down. She tries not to see sticky beer-stained carpet as she runs, tries to hear the voices of her newfound friends, rather than the screams of teenagers, but it's certainly difficult.

She only stops to hastily throw open the door to Steven's room and let out Lion with them, but otherwise retreats into the gardens before... letting herself watch the opera house in silence.

Thankfully, it doesn't end with as much damage as the last fire Christine experienced. In time, she can stop shaking and unfold the note still clenched in her hand. And then she looks back at the opera house with... a different kind of fear on her face.

A fear so deep that when Mephisto and Anne finally start suggesting the possibility of returning inside, she's up on her feet in an instant.]

Meeting in the woman's first floor washroom. Give me ten minutes and I'll be there.

[Before anyone can argue with her, she runs off, hoping she sounded firm enough for them to follow her request.

She and Lion move to Stephen's room first to acquire whatever notes might still be there, but she's returns to the bathroom soon enough, all the papers now collected in her binder.]

Okay. We're probably freaked out. God knows I still am. And I want to encourage you to leave when you need to, take a break if this all gets to be too much. But I think... I think I speak for everyone- [Finally, finally she can speak for everyone. Her voice is strong enough now.] - when I say this.

[Her knuckles go white around her binder and her eyes spark back to life.]

We are not letting that fucking Wizard win anymore. So let's talk time loops.

Comments

[heathencall]

Screwed us all over, didn't he?

[Something catches in his throat. That, coupled with Anne's expression, means that Mephisto is almost helpless against the new wave of emotion that takes him.]

Who does he think he is?

[likemypicture]

[A martyr. Anne doesn't speak it. Instead, she sits up, and opens her arms, giving Mephisto an expectant look.]

[heathencall]

[He considers her for a very long moment but. What's he going to do? Say no.

Here he comes for that hug. And maybe just shake once. Only once.]

[likemypicture]

[Anne's not as restrained-- She pulls him into an embrace, turning her face away so he can't see, but she's definitely crying. It's not nearly as dramatic or as long-winded as her crying sessions normally are, she just needs to get it out of her system.

When she finally pulls back, she's settled her face into a steady expression again.]

Can I-- just-- hide away here until tomorrow? I'll leave you alone. You can pretend I'm not here. I'm not ready to go out there and be Queen for them.

[heathencall]

[Mephisto... really isn't sure how to do this comforting thing. Certainly not with an adult. It had taken awhile to get used to it with Stephen even. He just... pats her shoulder a few times, just a little stiffly.]

Yeah.

[It feels wrong to allow her to stay, not when he and Stephen have spent so many nights in here. But right now, all he can smell is her. That's better than catching the lingering scent of Stephen in his sheets.]

Stay as long as you need. We'll be stronger tomorrow.

[likemypicture]

[The fact that he even tries to comfort her is enough for Anne, who flashes a hint of a fragile smile at him, her shoulders sagging with relief that she doesn’t need to be a force of strength for the rest of the evening.]

Ja. Tomorrow. I can do it, tomorrow. [She stretches, then, intending to keep her promise to leave him alone, scoots off the edge of his bed, taking a seat on the floor.]

[heathencall]

Hey.

[He reaches down to grab her shoulder, grimacing as the bandages pull against his knuckles.]

Up here. Won't have a lady sleeping on the floor in my presence. [A beat.] That's what a proper man would say, right?

[likemypicture]

[Anne can’t help but laugh at that, but she doesn’t need to be told twice, and she’s back up on the bed with him.]

Ja—- Are you a proper man now? And I’ve been downgraded to a Lady?

[heathencall]

Stealing your nobility, I suppose. Don't make a big deal of it.

[Mephisto pushes himself against the wall, trying to be as small as possible.He also tries not to breathe in the scent of his pillow.]

[likemypicture]

You can have the nobility, but no one’s taking my crown. Not ever again. [Anne just goes ahead and makes herself comfy— before giving Mephisto a slightly raised eyebrow.]

You don’t have to be afraid of me. I shared a bed with Henry for six months, and if he managed to keep his hands to himself, I’m sure even a demon can.

[heathencall]

I don't think I could handle a crown, if we're honest.

[He shakes his head, chuckling to himself.]

I just want to be sure my Queen has enough room. And I can't taint the virginity she's planning to trade.

[likemypicture]

You couldn’t. We’ll have to leave it up to me, then. [She laughs, but lays her head down.]

I’m fine, I’m small, and don’t take up much room. ... Thank you, for letting me stay.

[heathencall]

[He shrugs, and is content to leave it at that. Anne can fall asleep, Mephisto can... hopefully also convince himself to sleep soon enough. Even if his mind is racing still. At least there's a distraction, a warm weight next to him just as it ought to be.

Even if it is an unfamiliar one.]

Thank you.