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Call Me Out Post, 2023
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Also, please let me know through a dm or over plurk if you start a thread here, as I will not get a notification for any top-levels!
I truly cannot believe I am doing this but
I need your help.
I need your help.
So help me titan, if you gloat about this, I will make all of your dreadful abomatons spell out 'Alador is a hack' on your front lawn but
do teenagers require a set bedtime? I cannot remember.
do teenagers require a set bedtime? I cannot remember.
Why?
I mean, my kids do have a curfew, although for the longest time that was only needed for Edric and Emira. They were also sometimes sent to bed if they were seen up very late. But all of that was never my idea.
Is this about the former Golden Guard?
[He seems like a good kid, this is a positive development he's been vaguely aware of... But Titan help Alador if he can remember the boy's name right now.]
I mean, my kids do have a curfew, although for the longest time that was only needed for Edric and Emira. They were also sometimes sent to bed if they were seen up very late. But all of that was never my idea.
Is this about the former Golden Guard?
[He seems like a good kid, this is a positive development he's been vaguely aware of... But Titan help Alador if he can remember the boy's name right now.]
His name is Hunter.
[It's important, Darius thinks, that the child is referred to by his name; any name; anything but the twisted rank Belos had put on him when he was far too young to be thinking of such matters. Not that his name was completely free from Belos's influence either, but still, on the whole, a slightly less tainted thing.
Probably.
Truly, sometimes Darius wonders what he had been thinking when he had, slightly impulsively, invited the boy into his home. It hadn't necessarily been his intention walking into the room. It's just... he had been standing there far too alone.]
You may have noticed that despite my best efforts, he still looks as haggard as your reflection. He needs more sleep. But I don't know how much is enough.
[It's important, Darius thinks, that the child is referred to by his name; any name; anything but the twisted rank Belos had put on him when he was far too young to be thinking of such matters. Not that his name was completely free from Belos's influence either, but still, on the whole, a slightly less tainted thing.
Probably.
Truly, sometimes Darius wonders what he had been thinking when he had, slightly impulsively, invited the boy into his home. It hadn't necessarily been his intention walking into the room. It's just... he had been standing there far too alone.]
You may have noticed that despite my best efforts, he still looks as haggard as your reflection. He needs more sleep. But I don't know how much is enough.
[Rude but also, why is he helping to begin with? Hunter - like all of Amity's friends - deserves a happy remainder of childhood, with a good upbringing. Alador just wonders how desperate anyone, even if they weren't Darius, would have to be to ask him for advice on parenting?]
You know, stress makes it hard to sleep. Especially for teenagers who are used to overworking themselves. I know that for Mittens
[Wait no, Amity probably wouldn't want him to share personal stories, huh? Absolutely fair and understandable, really-- See, why ask him for help being a dad?]
If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say Hunter might benefit from dealing with some of those things than having a set bedtime, although it couldn't hurt to try both, I think.
You know, stress makes it hard to sleep. Especially for teenagers who are used to overworking themselves. I know that for Mittens
[Wait no, Amity probably wouldn't want him to share personal stories, huh? Absolutely fair and understandable, really-- See, why ask him for help being a dad?]
If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say Hunter might benefit from dealing with some of those things than having a set bedtime, although it couldn't hurt to try both, I think.
[Unfortunately, Darius' cycle of parent friends is very small. As it turns out, years spent getting to the top of the old coven system hadn't resulted in him being surrounded by many (any) family people.
Well, there were the Owl Lady and Raine, but frankly, Darius already has to deal with their constant, unsubtle flirting throughout the work day and short of Belos actually returning, he's not interrupting them after hours. Some might think he is being polite, but actually, he just doesn't want the headache.]
He has a horrible habit of insisting he is fine even when he clearly is not. I'm not sure how to get through to him and make him understand that he needn't earn his right to exist anymore.
Well, there were the Owl Lady and Raine, but frankly, Darius already has to deal with their constant, unsubtle flirting throughout the work day and short of Belos actually returning, he's not interrupting them after hours. Some might think he is being polite, but actually, he just doesn't want the headache.]
He has a horrible habit of insisting he is fine even when he clearly is not. I'm not sure how to get through to him and make him understand that he needn't earn his right to exist anymore.
I'm afraid I don't know how to get through to a child on that front, either.
[Amity has made (and continues to make, thankfully) improvements in the whole "self-worth" department, but Alador wouldn't say he's play a part in that yet. There were others who did. Not to mention that Alador can only assume Emira and Edric handled all the pressure because they always had one another. The thing is... That shouldn't be left up to the other children.]
I hate to say it, but I was not really raising my kids until recently. Someone else took the reigns there for most of their lives, thus far.
[It's as much a reference to the positive influence of Luz and the rest as it is the closest he wants to bring up Odalia, on the negative side of things.]
I don't know if I know any better than you in this area... So you can at least take some comfort in my saying that.
[He doesn't want to start things up, bring the bitterness between them to the forefront, but he types that almost as a defense mechanism, or at least, a reaction to having other old wounds picked out however unintentionally.]
[Amity has made (and continues to make, thankfully) improvements in the whole "self-worth" department, but Alador wouldn't say he's play a part in that yet. There were others who did. Not to mention that Alador can only assume Emira and Edric handled all the pressure because they always had one another. The thing is... That shouldn't be left up to the other children.]
I hate to say it, but I was not really raising my kids until recently. Someone else took the reigns there for most of their lives, thus far.
[It's as much a reference to the positive influence of Luz and the rest as it is the closest he wants to bring up Odalia, on the negative side of things.]
I don't know if I know any better than you in this area... So you can at least take some comfort in my saying that.
[He doesn't want to start things up, bring the bitterness between them to the forefront, but he types that almost as a defense mechanism, or at least, a reaction to having other old wounds picked out however unintentionally.]
Edited 2023-05-05 23:44 (UTC)
Despite that, they still talk to you. So there must have been something to your efforts.
[It's blunt and not entirely nice, but also, perhaps, a compliment of sorts. And if Alador chooses to read it in that manner, Darius supposes he wouldn't be entirely against the interpretation. Alador clearly hadn't been a great parent (or abomination specialist or person) during his marriage to Odalia, but he hadn't been the worst.]
[It's blunt and not entirely nice, but also, perhaps, a compliment of sorts. And if Alador chooses to read it in that manner, Darius supposes he wouldn't be entirely against the interpretation. Alador clearly hadn't been a great parent (or abomination specialist or person) during his marriage to Odalia, but he hadn't been the worst.]
Edited 2023-05-05 23:51 (UTC)
[There is a long delay ahead of the next response...]
I have a lot to learn, and I'm putting in that effort now. Whatever I learn that might help you, I'll share.
[...And a longer one still before the one after.]
It would mean a lot to me if you could do the same.
I have a lot to learn, and I'm putting in that effort now. Whatever I learn that might help you, I'll share.
[...And a longer one still before the one after.]
It would mean a lot to me if you could do the same.
[The delay is long enough that Darius has already dismissed his scroll, and gone to make some tea for himself. He isn't even certain if it is a response to what he said; Alador may have just wandered off, brain occupied by one thing or another. He'd always been like that.
So Darius' response is also a bit long in the coming because he absolutely categorically refuses to rush the slow process of preparing and slowly steeping his tea. He's not some savage.]
For what its worth, sewing lessons seem to help. Any sort of shared interest, I suspect. Perhaps ask your youngest about wolves. From what Hunter has told me, they seem to be the best thing about the Human realm.
So Darius' response is also a bit long in the coming because he absolutely categorically refuses to rush the slow process of preparing and slowly steeping his tea. He's not some savage.]
For what its worth, sewing lessons seem to help. Any sort of shared interest, I suspect. Perhaps ask your youngest about wolves. From what Hunter has told me, they seem to be the best thing about the Human realm.
[ There had been so much going on after Belos' defeat, and needing to repair the Boiling Isles. But the tense events leading up to that had revealed a lot about people's true feelings and motivations - specifically Odalia Blight, who had known about Belos' plan to use the draining spell and had still been willing to provide him with the Abomatons he wanted.
It didn't take long after their return and while they were fixing things up for Amity's parents to decide to separate, and the Blights minus Odalia deciding to move to a new house. Despite knowing that it was probably the best for them as a family, it was still difficult for Amity, so the rest of them tried to be there for her as best as they can.
Which is how the group of them could be found helping to move their things from the mansion to their new residence. It was a bit smaller than their old place, but it would be easier for the family to reconnect with one another, and Edrich and Emira were due to graduate soon anyway. All in all, this house was an improvement in a lot of ways.
Especially since there are certainly no bad memories associated with this place, as Willow places a box of Amity's stuff down in her new room. And she knows it's would help Amity and her family, but a selfish part of her is also glad for this fresh start for them.
It certainly would make it easier for her to visit, at least. ]
It didn't take long after their return and while they were fixing things up for Amity's parents to decide to separate, and the Blights minus Odalia deciding to move to a new house. Despite knowing that it was probably the best for them as a family, it was still difficult for Amity, so the rest of them tried to be there for her as best as they can.
Which is how the group of them could be found helping to move their things from the mansion to their new residence. It was a bit smaller than their old place, but it would be easier for the family to reconnect with one another, and Edrich and Emira were due to graduate soon anyway. All in all, this house was an improvement in a lot of ways.
Especially since there are certainly no bad memories associated with this place, as Willow places a box of Amity's stuff down in her new room. And she knows it's would help Amity and her family, but a selfish part of her is also glad for this fresh start for them.
It certainly would make it easier for her to visit, at least. ]
[ Belos was finally defeated, but there was still so much work to do. There had been a lot of damage to the Isles after Belos' brief control of the Titan's remains, and it would take a lot of work before things would ever feel like normal again.
But it would be a new normal; a better kind of normal, with a more hopeful future.
Still, as much as Willow enjoyed working on helping to rebuild the Isles, she knows better than to push herself too hard. That had been a tough lesson to learn, but she's trying to be better about it. But it's been difficult to be idle for too long, she finds; when she isn't working, she often can't help the thoughts that pass through her mind.
And they weren't always bad thoughts. Just...ones that she's not always sure what to do about.
With a soft sigh, she leans back against the tree she's sitting under, tilting her head back to gaze up at the sky. ]
But it would be a new normal; a better kind of normal, with a more hopeful future.
Still, as much as Willow enjoyed working on helping to rebuild the Isles, she knows better than to push herself too hard. That had been a tough lesson to learn, but she's trying to be better about it. But it's been difficult to be idle for too long, she finds; when she isn't working, she often can't help the thoughts that pass through her mind.
And they weren't always bad thoughts. Just...ones that she's not always sure what to do about.
With a soft sigh, she leans back against the tree she's sitting under, tilting her head back to gaze up at the sky. ]
Oh I thought maybe you left.
Shared interests, though... Thank you. I know it's helped me connect to Amity already. It's been so long since I gave enough thought to anything but work, but now that I'm not doing anything Blight Industries, I can work on that.
Shared interests, though... Thank you. I know it's helped me connect to Amity already. It's been so long since I gave enough thought to anything but work, but now that I'm not doing anything Blight Industries, I can work on that.
[Alador is very grateful that his kids' friends are helping the family move. Not so much because of lightening the load, but rather, because the kids are clearly having a hard time. Not that Alador isn't, but that's really neither here nor there. It's about his children, and.... He knows this is all for the best, but he can't help worry that he's going to do his own kind of awful job even with Odalia.
At that's all constantly on his mind these days, but right now, he's more focused on tracking down Batric, who got away from Edric in all the commotion. Ed insists the creature will be fine and come back to him soon without causing any trouble, but Alador would like to be sure on all fronts. So he pokes his head into Amity's room to see if she has seen any sign... Only to quickly realize Amity isn't there.]
Mittens, do-- Ah. Hello, Willow.
At that's all constantly on his mind these days, but right now, he's more focused on tracking down Batric, who got away from Edric in all the commotion. Ed insists the creature will be fine and come back to him soon without causing any trouble, but Alador would like to be sure on all fronts. So he pokes his head into Amity's room to see if she has seen any sign... Only to quickly realize Amity isn't there.]
Mittens, do-- Ah. Hello, Willow.
[Passing by, Gus spots Willow deep in thought, he can't help default to a bit of worry. He's no pessimistic guy! But after everything they've been through, after everything Willow's been through especially... It's a bit of red flag. He doesn't approach his friend right away, but he definitely wants to check in, and cheer her up if she needs it. So he decides to take a bit of a chance, in that this hasn't always worked out before, but... He thinks it's a good call here. He hopes so, at least, as an illusory flower pops up by Willow, doing a silly dance.]
[ About to step out of the room, Willow quickly stops short to avoid running into Alador. And she can't help wincing just a little, because this particular scenario is probably what she worried most about happening since agreeing to help Amity move. ]
Oh, uh...hi, Mr. Blight.
[ Because she hasn't forgotten the part Amity's parents had played in ending their friendship all those years ago. And it was easy not to forgive Odalia, who doesn't want nor deserves forgiveness. But now that Amity is working on things with her dad...where does that leave her? ]
I think Amity is with Luz to head back to the mansion to pick up the last of her things.
[ Because that isn't going to make things more awkward. ]
Oh, uh...hi, Mr. Blight.
[ Because she hasn't forgotten the part Amity's parents had played in ending their friendship all those years ago. And it was easy not to forgive Odalia, who doesn't want nor deserves forgiveness. But now that Amity is working on things with her dad...where does that leave her? ]
I think Amity is with Luz to head back to the mansion to pick up the last of her things.
[ Because that isn't going to make things more awkward. ]
[ Willow can't help startling a bit at the flower's sudden appearance. But as it dances, she quickly relaxes and a giggle even manages to slip out of her.
Sitting up a bit straighter, she glances around a bit. ]
Gus?
[ Because who else would try to cheer her up like this? ]
Sitting up a bit straighter, she glances around a bit. ]
Gus?
[ Because who else would try to cheer her up like this? ]
[Gus laughs a little as he comes over, pleased that he was able to make her laugh.]
You caught me. Hey, Willow... How's it going?
You caught me. Hey, Willow... How's it going?
[ She smiles, though some of it slips at the question, even as she pats the ground beside to invite him to join her. ]
It's...going.
[ It's certainly not a real answer, she knows, but at the moment she isn't entirely sure what else to respond with. ]
It's...going.
[ It's certainly not a real answer, she knows, but at the moment she isn't entirely sure what else to respond with. ]
[His smile fades and he sits in front of her. When he speaks, his voice is small and very sincere.]
I'm here for you. What's up, Willow?
I'm here for you. What's up, Willow?
[ She sighs softly, her gaze falling to the ground between them. ]
I...I'm not even really sure, to be honest. It feels like there are all these little things, but when I try to focus on any one of them they all just kind of slip away.
[ She idly plays with some blades of grass between her fingers, before glancing up at Gus. ]
I don't know, does that make any sense?
I...I'm not even really sure, to be honest. It feels like there are all these little things, but when I try to focus on any one of them they all just kind of slip away.
[ She idly plays with some blades of grass between her fingers, before glancing up at Gus. ]
I don't know, does that make any sense?
I think so? [Gus offers a brief and apologetic smile.] I mean, sometimes it's hard to know what's bothering you, especially after so much has happened.
Oh, I see.
[Even Alador can't miss how uncomfortable this situation is. Of course he can't, he's deeply ashamed of forcing his daughter to end that friendship. And not just ashamed, but regretful. Who cares how powerful a witch Willow has grown into, the real point is she and Amity were such good friends for one another. They would have benefited from having each other around through their early adolescence. But what can he say to express that, to apologize without making things worse?]
Have you seen a one-eyed bat?
[Even Alador can't miss how uncomfortable this situation is. Of course he can't, he's deeply ashamed of forcing his daughter to end that friendship. And not just ashamed, but regretful. Who cares how powerful a witch Willow has grown into, the real point is she and Amity were such good friends for one another. They would have benefited from having each other around through their early adolescence. But what can he say to express that, to apologize without making things worse?]
Have you seen a one-eyed bat?
[ She nods with a sigh. ] Yeah...
[ She's silent for another moment, before creating a small spell circle that brings a flower to bloom from the ground. ]
Hey, uh...I never did apologize for what happened, under Hexside...with my magic going out of control.
[ Apparently that had been bothering her enough that she could focus on that. ]
[ She's silent for another moment, before creating a small spell circle that brings a flower to bloom from the ground. ]
Hey, uh...I never did apologize for what happened, under Hexside...with my magic going out of control.
[ Apparently that had been bothering her enough that she could focus on that. ]
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