(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[How's my girl?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[You're back!]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Not so great, to be honest.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Would you like to talk about it?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Maybe you should put away the groceries first- otherwise the eggs are going to go bad if you leave them out. They wash them, in Drydenne. It's not like Europe. You went to Rome when you were young, didn't you?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[I did, when I was a younger man. Completed a training course there- in exorcism, can you believe that? Duties of the job.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[That's true. I'm not sure whose bright idea that was. It was probably to comply with some bit of legalese they slipped in under the table at one of the town hall meetings. Well, it'll only be just a moment.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[That's okay, I can wait. It's not like Taffy's in a hurry to go anywhere either. Don't worry about [[hurrying.->2]]]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 0, 0))[Some text you want to appear red.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105)) - catherine
(text-colour: (rgb: 105, 191, 255)) - dad
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 172, 65)) - taffy
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 )) - alexander
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Is there anything you'd like to tell me?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Are you only allowed to confess in church?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[You know that the voice of God is everywhere, Catherine. He isn't limited to a single structure, or abode. That'd be pretty silly, right? You can always talk to the saints or angels, if you need to. Praying is something you can do all of the time, it isn't limited just to mass. They're always going to be there for you.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Because they love everyone.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[That's right.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Even if you've been bad?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Perhaps especially then. Who would need grace and compassion more than the sinner? We don't hate people for being fallible. In that imperfection is humanity. No man is perfect. Only divinity brushes close.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Besides, darling, you know that I'm always going to love you. If you'd like to talk, we can. If you'd rather we wait a little awhile, perhaps before you say your prayers before bed- we can do that too. It's all at your own pace.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[There isn't anything you could do, or not do, that would make me not love you anymore. God's compassion isn't finite. As long as you're willing to repent and take those first steps towards making amends- then you can be absolved of sin. Any sin.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I'm scared.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[It's okay if you are. I am here. Taffy's here too. Even if we weren't- loving someone means thinking kindly of them, and hoping for goodness to grace their path. That matters, even if you aren't in the same physical space as one another. You are not alone, [[ever.->3]]](text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I'm worried that I've done something awful.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[I've heard many a confession, Catie. Try me on for size. I'm sure it won't surprise me.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[You have to promise you won't hate me.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Your father and mother entrusted me with the caretaking role for both your spirital and physical self, when they made me your godfather. I couldn't hate you even if I tried.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Pinky promise?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[With all my heart, dear.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Now, what's been biting away at you? Perhaps there's something [[I->4]] can do to help.](text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Dad's gone.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[...]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Well, that's concerning, but hardly grounds for such terror. There's more to this, isn't there? Is there something else?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[There was something- or someone, at the door, and they sounded like him. They were trying to get in. There was- this sound, almost like music, or someone scraping their fingers along a violin, if they didn't know how it was supposed to be played. And it got louder. They kept knocking, and- they were asking for help, Father Alexander. Up until they weren't.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[And I didn't help them.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[But it sounded like dad...]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[You know what your father has told you about opening the door to strangers, [[sweetheart.->5]]](text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I know, I'm not supposed to. That's stranger danger 101.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[That's right.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[He's never explained to you why, has he? Or Tony?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[[[No.->6]] He said that I was too little to, and maybe when I was older he would.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[You know it isn't my place to undercut his authority. He is your father, after all.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I know.](text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[Tell me, was Taffy in the room with you, when this visit happened?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Yeah, he was doing the big poof ball thing he does when he puffs up like a cheeto puff or popcorn popped in the microwave and making that like, leaking air noise. Like, at the door.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[He wasn't very happy.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[No, I don't imagine he was. He's a very perceptive cat.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[He's also a very rude little man.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[ 'Little man[['->7]], huh? I suppose so.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[And did Taffy do anything else?](text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[He [[tried->8]] to eat like, the fire poker. Like he tried to pick it up with his mouth, and pull it out of the ashes. I think he had to take breaks to like, breathe, though, or maybe he just wanted to scream because Taffy loves screaming.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I helped him grab it though, I didn't just like, let him scream.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[I see. That was very nice of you to help Taffy out with that. It's hard to pick up things, without hands. And you two went into the room, to check on Anthony? And he wasn't there?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Yeah.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[You know, you were much the same as Taffy when you were younger. You'd holler up until you needed to swallow a clump of air, and it was right back at it. I think your colic was even louder than the church bells tolling at the top of the house.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I'm not a baby!]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[No, you aren't. Anymore.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[You sound like dad right now.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[I am your god//father//, after all.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Real funny, pops.](text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[[[Why->9]] didn't you wait for me to come home?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I didn't think that I'd have the time to. The noises at the door were pretty scary. It was like- a time to do something, or not do something. Make a choice. Any choice. That's better than no choice, Miss Tony told me so- because at least then you had some active agency in the matter, you didn't just let it happen to you.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[That's understandable. You didn't open the door, did you?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[No, of course not.](text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[And [[how->10]] are you feeling?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Okay, I guess. Not so scared anymore.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[That's good. I'm glad that that's the case, Catie. You do know that your father will come back home, right?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Yeah, because if he doesn't, you're going to bludgeon him with your suitcase six ways to Sunday.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[...]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[So you weren't asleep.](text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[No, I wasn't.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[I suppose I should have anticipated that.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108 ))[You were like that when you were younger, too. A light sleeper. Anthony would have to just settle in and get cozy wherever he was [[once->11]] you'd gotten it into your mind to drift off, as a baby. Or else you'd wake up kicking and screaming all over again. Your favourite place was him sitting in the rocking chair on the porch, nestled up against his heart. He'd fall asleep sitting up. Never came close to dropping you, though. Not that Taffy would have allowed that to happen, I don't imagine.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[No, I don't think so either. Taffy's a good boy.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[What was outside?](text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[[[You’re->12]] still a little young to be told that, Catie. It’s up to your father- he has the final say. Of course, me and Tony will be consulted throughout the process, and I imagine she’ll draw on the wisdom of her delightful Anne- as married folk do, presenting a united front- but that’s not for me to say. Not yet.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[It doesn’t feel really fair.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Sometimes life isn't. I know it’s upsetting, but someday you’ll understand why your father chose to stand by the course of action he’s taken.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[That’s kind of a weird thing for you to say.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[I’ve never lied to you, honey. I’m not about to start up that nasty habit. Couldn’t even if I wanted to.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Otherwise, I wouldn’t be a very good spiritual advisor, now would I? [[Or->13]] father figure.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Honesty’s imperative. That’s something that dad says whenever he’s two noses deep in a whiskey snifter.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[You sound just like him, when you imitate his cadence. The pitch could use a little work, but it’s a very good impression nonetheless.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[I’m his daughter, right? It’d make sense. Miss Anne says that there are birds out in the mountains, the cuckoos- do you think it could’ve been one of them?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[That’s possible.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[But you don’t think it’s probable.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[God’s plan isn't for me to ordain, Catie. You know that.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[But dad’s coming home, right? You’d tell me if that wasn’t true?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[I’ve never lied to you. I keep my word, Catherine. Your father taught me the importance of that, and he’s been a very wise man to hand it [[unto->14]] you.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Sometimes it feels like dad’s closer to you.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[There are some things only adults can, and should talk about. That’s no surprise. There are confidances that only lovers share. But that doesn’t mean that your father loves you any less, Catie. He loves you more than anything.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Anything?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[‘More than the moon and stars and the greatest ends of beyond. I love you more than words can contain. I will love you come rain or shine, come stormy weather or high tide- you are my baby. You’re always going to be my baby.’]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[It’s hard sometimes. I wish he would just tell me already.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Sometimes it’s safer for you not to know, Catie. He loves you enough to shelter you from this world- and perhaps it can feel misguided, or condescending: but it comes from a place of fierce adoration. He wants only to protect you from what might hurt. He wants the best for you. He always has.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Do you remember what he told you about love?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[[[That->15]] it isn't finite. That there’s always more of it. That’s why he can still love mom, but love you too- even if he loves you like he loved her, it’s still different, but not less. Just different.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[That’s right. The love that exists between two people is never quite the same- but it might be of a similar shade. That doesn’t diminish it.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Do you remember what I told you about the numbers?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[What-]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[I know that you moved your father’s ID card.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[...]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[[[How’d->16]] you tell?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[I have a keen eye for details, sweetie. You also put the wrong side facing up.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Oh.](text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[It’s alright, [[I’m->17]] not mad.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[But I am genuinely curious, when it comes to the numbers. What do you remember?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[The angel ones?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[The very same.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[It’s the same as the little voices that sometimes whisper to you- brushing up against the divine. You can shiver, that’s okay, it’s not a bad thing to be scared. The angels will tell you first thing off of the bat- it’s okay to be scared, but you don’t need to be afraid. Sometimes they reach out to you, and it doesn’t make any sense- and that’s okay, because you’re only little.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[//You’re// only human. And little.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Yeah. And the numbers are another way that the angels can speak to you- they’re trying to point you in the right direction. So they flash them, like index cards to spark your memory when you’re trying really hard to cram it all into your brain before Miss Tony whips out one of her super hard science tests at the play group- over and over. It’s significant. It means something through its repetition.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Hey, wait!]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[You’re only saying that because you’re taller than the freaking doors!]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Both can be true.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[[[Now,->18]] I think that’s enough excitement for tonight. You should try to settle down Taffy as well- I’m a little worried he’s still agitated after all of that fuss. I’ll come tuck you in for the night, and him as well with his little tiny blanket- and then I’ll go get your father. How does that sound?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[After dinner?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Of course. And some hot chocolate, because you were a very clever girl- for not opening the door. You remembered what your father and I taught you, and that’s important, Catie. You have to promise me that you’ll do the same in the future, if a similar situation arises.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Promise.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[Good girl.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[Wait- shouldn’t you go looking for him now? Otherwise he has like, the drop on you- a time advantage, because he’s already had a couple of hours to go running around the woods, and even Lake Drydenne is pretty big, even if the town isn't: I don’t know why he would go out into the mountains, but the range is really hard to get around according to Miss Anne, and how long are you are going to be gone-]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[I’ll be back before morning.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[How can you be so sure?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[I have a feeling that I [[know->19]] where your father is.]
(text-colour: (rgb: 255, 105, 105))[How?]
(text-colour: (rgb: 59, 222, 108))[It’s all about connecting the missing **links,** sweetheart.]