abnormalizes | Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

You poor thing. You've gone through a lot, haven't you? Everything's going to be okay.

I'm going to unwrap you, but please don't run out the door. The city is very big, and if you get lost it will be difficult to find you again. It's supposed to rain tonight, too, you don't want to be stuck outside.

[Cautiously, she slowly attempts to open up the bundle.]

[As she does, the wiggly little nose of a pure white rabbit does its best to push through how ever much of their robes she's unwrapped.]

It would be rather unfortunate if it were to get lost among the buildings, here... I do not believe it has the knowledge to fend off predators, either.
There were very few animals left, by the time Everhood had to be destroyed; I doubt it can even remember what a dog may look like.

[... Yeah, the thought of dogs gets the little bunny to stop trying to push its way out of the bundle and subsequently out of Evangeline's hold.]

Oh, that's right, dogs would definitely want to chase it... Hi, little guy.

[At least she'll let its head free, it can't be very comfortable in that bundle like that.]

Has Purple given you anything to eat yet?

[If a rabbit could look upset, this rabbit would do so very hard, right now.
If anything else, it does seem to scrunch its little nose, at least.]

Ah, n... no, I have not... that wasn't something that I had considered.

[As they talk, they float over to Evangeline's side so they can peer at its little face.]

I cannot tell you if it is even capable or not. This is not a normal rabbit, after all -
Obvious, as it is from Everhood. Nothing from such a realm could be considered normal.

But its true identity is the sun from our darkened skies. Which is why I wanted your help, specifically.
I could handle a rabbit on my own, but a star is a different matter entirely.

Huh. A lot fluffier than the last star I met, but alright.

[Evangeline takes the fact that she's holding a star in stride, more than most other people in Ellipsa would.]

I think by that expression, it's grumpy about not having been fed. And it does have a mouth, which to me would mean it's pretty likely able to eat. What food do you have available?

[Honestly, that ease of hers is exactly why they chose her out of everyone else they know.
She understands how to interact with things that are, you know...
Abnormal, so to speak. Especially things that could be potentially destructive.
That said--]

Allow me to check. I am not the one who fills my kitchen, after all.

[- And so, they disappear into shadows. ... Which seems to calm the rabbit down a whole lot.
It even takes a moment to peer up past the robes it's bundled in, as if it's looking to see if Purple's really gone or not.

Unfortunately for the bunny, that's exactly when they return. So it ends up hunkering down again.]

... The cabinets are nearly empty, as is the icebox. However, I do seem to have bread, jam, and the ingredients for both tea and coffee.
As well as a bowl of candies upon the counter, but I don't believe Julie would appreciate it if I were to hand those out.

[The rabbit's reaction to Purple leaving, and then coming back, is something she makes a note of. Not a big fan of Purple specifically, huh.]

Yeah, no, that's not going to work. I need you to go to the grocery store and bring back some romaine lettuce while I calm this little guy down. -Do you know where the grocery store is?

[A very real concern, considering Purple's lack of use for it.]

Yes, of course.

[That's said with the air of someone who's used to taking orders far more than assuring her they know where the grocery store is.
They do know where it is, thankfully, but still.

They're also going to use their magic to scoop up their device, writing that down in their notes so they can remember how it's spelled - frankly unsure if they even remember what "lettuce" is - for when they go out.
But before they go -]

... I can trust you not to allow it to run freely, yes?

I promise I won't let it leave the house. I don't want it to be stuck outside all alone.

[Maybe you should phrase it more like a positive thing for the rabbit and it would be more willing to stay put!]

[But they're not good at that!!!!]

Thank you. I will return shortly.

[Well - as shortly as they can, of course. But they still fade away into the shadows once more...

... Only to reappear, gently reach for their wallet in their robes, and disappear again. Oops.

And while the rabbit had completely frozen up when their hand went near it, it seems to once again calm down the moment Purple fully disappears.
In fact, it doesn't even really seem to mind being held in Evangeline's arms, if only because she's been so pleasant thus far.]

Sorry about them, little guy. [Gently, if she's allowed, she gives the rabbit a pet.] They're awkward and bad at communicating and understanding other people, but they really do mean well. Ellipsa is a nice place and they probably called you thinking you would like it here.

-I don't know what history you two have, if any, but you can believe them when they say they don't want to hurt you.

[The rabbit seems to allow her to pet it... though the moment she tries to reassure it about Purple, it turns its head to look at her better from one of its eyes, ears falling back.
There's a lot of distrust, there. But at least it seems to be listening?

(Purple, meanwhile, has teleported to the wrong store. Give them a second, they're trying very hard.)]

Did they hurt you before? -I guess you can't answer. I'll ask them later about if they've given you any reason to dislike them before. It would be like them to just forget to mention an important detail like that.

[She's fond, if a bit exasperated.]

Sorry about them.

[For a moment, it seems to sink into her arms - and the bundled robes - even more as she speaks... but at least its ears perk up when she apologizes in Purple's stead.

And eventually... Purple finally returns!! With a bit bigger of a bag than one might expect for someone who's just buying lettuce.
Because they obviously bought more than just lettuce, considering how many colors can be seen through the somewhat-opaque plastic of a grocery bag.]

My apologies for taking so long. I asked a clerk for assistance, and they suggested many things to go along with the lettuce as treats.
And I was incapable of telling myself not to buy a few of them, at the very least.

[Again the rabbit hunkers, turning away from Evangeline purely so it can keep its gaze on the Mage. ... But the mention of treats does get it to perk a little bit.
Just a little.]

Don't worry, clerks are just like that. Give it here! I'll feed it while you tell me about your history with this star.

[She doesn't say 'and why they're so scared of you' but that is very much the thought. She can prompt them further if they don't initially say anything revealing.]

[The bag and all of its contents are floated to her gently, and inside she'll find not just the lettuce, but several red apples, a packet of basil, and even some roses.
Dethorned, of course.]

My history...? I have no personal history with the sun.
Aside from cursing its heat while traveling the desert alongside Gold Pig, perhaps.

[The question marks above their head may as well be real instead of metaphorical, here.
They haven't done anything to the sun directly, what sort of history would they have???

(So sorry, Evangeline.)]

[Evangeline tears off a small piece of lettuce and offers it to the bunny-sun.]

Okay. Can you explain why it's scared of you, then? Because it's not scared of me.

[The sun-bunny sniffs at it gently, pauses for a moment like that, but does actually start to nibble at it.
While still keeping its eye on Purple, of course.]

- Oh. As I mentioned, it was fought and killed before.
It was the method we used to finally destroy Everhood altogether, and cast everyone into the Abyss.

Perhaps it can sense my spirit from that time...? I did not make a pleasant spirit to look at, I can assure you.

...So, to be clear. You helped kill it, or at least encouraged somebody to kill it, and you have no idea why that might make it scared of you?

[PURPLE.]

I did assist, yes. But we had no other choice -
Surely it did not want to remain the only living thing in all of Everhood.

[The scowl that would be on their face if they could do that can be heard plainly in their voice.
As if they really don't get why this is a big deal.]

[Oooohhhh my god. Evangeline inhales deeply. Exhales.]

Being killed is terrifying even if you understand the reason for it - which you cannot guarantee that it does understand, because it is an animal in addition to being a star.

[How smart are stars? It kind of varies??]

If you want to keep it, the first thing you need to do is apologize.

[- Purple actually pulls back at that, as if they're surprised they're being told to apologize.
Which they kind of are. Her logic behind it is sound, they understand, but they can't help but feel a sting of offense at being told to do so.]

... If it does not understand the reason for its death, why would it understand my apology for having a hand in it?

[The rabbit pauses in its munching. Just for a moment.]

'Immortality becomes harmful after long enough and a life completely alone is not worth living' is a complicated concept. 'Being killed is scary and painful' is a simple concept that any animal can grasp.

[Purple is a good friend to her, but they are also capable of untold amounts of denseness.]

[Not just denseness! They unfortunately struggle a bit with self-importance, too.
Sorry, Evangeline.]

If its thoughts are so simple, what effect would "I am sorry" have on such a creature? Would it not see me as a predator animal despite my attempts?
What difference would it make?

It isn't as though I plan to harm it if it hates me.

One: it would make it feel better.

Two: if you don't apologize, I'm going to take it home with me where it won't be scared all the time.

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