Now young faces grow sad and old and hearts of fire grow cold [Video]

[solo_patria]

[It is not so much that Enjolras is unfeeling, as he's been accused of in the past, but, rather, when it comes to emotional ideas, he sometimes has no idea what to do. Nonetheless, awkwardly stiff as he seems, he's here, regardless, and if he looks a little tired, and a little sad, isn't everyone these days.]

Taraja and I have been talking, and we've had a few ideas she's asked me to share with you. [In the background, the currently sleeping hatchling can be found, for those who happen to look close enough.]

We were speaking of memories, and friends and families and ways to help those that we love go on to whatever else awaits them, and some things that might help them to remember, and...

[Now, Enjolras is holding up something in his hand. A tiny folded paper turtle, actually, one that's very wrinkled, and messy, but still a reasonable attempt at a turtle.]

We were thinking, maybe, that we should make turtles like this, for each of the young ones who have been lost. If those of us with hands folded some turtles, larger than this, big enough to decorate, or to write messages or thoughts on. Things to remind us of those we've loved, a way to keep them in our minds, and their memories alive. We could decorate them together, foreigners, hatchlings, those of the kedan who might still like us, and maybe...save them somewhere for a few days, like some sort of a memorial?

Is that borrowing trouble, does anyone suppose, or would it be too soon to consider it in the wake of trying to actively heal exactly as we are?

It is...something of an idea, at least.

Comments

[oneofthegoodguys]

It's a great idea. I'll start work on finding places to display them in each sector if you can find a way to fold them and people to help you do it.

[solo_patria]

That would be excellent. Thank you.

[oneofthegoodguys]

Let me know if you need any help protecting the turtle. I can take shifts or something.

[solo_patria]

That might be very much appreciated. I'll check with the others, certainly.

[oneofthegoodguys]

Thanks.

[gathersnomoss]

Can you show me how to fold those?

[solo_patria]

I can, yes. Or, at least the directions for doing it. Mine...came out a bit battered, I am afraid. But we do have a book now, with pictures.

[Mostly because the words were in the local language, something created during the festival celebrating the hatchlings that had been left over stock. But even so!]

If you would like to take a look at that too, you would be welcome.

[gathersnomoss]

I would like that.

[solo_patria]

We should set it up then. I have, well, very little going on these days, actually.

[gathersnomoss]

Nothing?

[solo_patria]

Not quite nothing. There is Taraja when she is spending time with me. I was working at the hospital for a while, but ever since the business with the cultists, I have stepped that back a bit.

[Enjolras is pausing, trying to figure out a way to put this that does not sound paranoid, when it comes to the next thing.]

And well, I cannot help but feel that many of us are distrusted among the kedan now, so I try to make any stops I need rather quickly. I was adopted by a family during the festival a few months back, and they were very kind to me. Now that I know them, and several other kedan I've spoken to before, I would hate to cause them any sort of panic, or trouble when it comes to what other kedan might have to say if I spend too much time out and among them.

[Feuilly had often mentioned co-workers who were afraid to get involved politically with things that they supported, for fear of being shunned, or blacklisted throughout certain businesses or areas of support in the city. While this does not relate to unionizing exactly, Enjolras can see the same principle perhaps applying here, and he'd rather not doom any kedan who are friends, perhaps were, at this point, to a difficult time of it because he needed coffee. So, there that is.]

[gathersnomoss]

We could use more help with the hospital. Especially if there's more trouble.

[solo_patria]

I can certainly find my way back there if my hands are needed.

[There is a smile at that, even though it is a sad one.]

Taraja also has found a third parent. It should be easier to work out schedules in the light of all of this so that she never needs to be alone, and I believe I am healed well enough from the cultists and their poison to...

I feared myself for a bit after that. But I am calmed again, and I do miss the work.

[gathersnomoss]

The more parents the turtles have, the safer they seem to be. The ones targeted were the ones missing parents.

[And a stab of guilt, despite the fact Zel had no idea how Napoleon had chosen his 'parents'. Maybe he could have hurried the turtle along. If he had known...]

[solo_patria]

Indeed.

[There is a firm nod from Enjolras at that.]

I certainly do not intend to let Taraja go anywhere un-escorted now. Before this, I would sometimes send her to find The Captain if she was not far away. Now I know never to let something like that happen again.

And they...they will be missed so very much. I wish that we had had some warning so we might have protected them a bit more. I think all of us would have tried our hardest, certainly.

There are so many "if onlys" in life, aren't there?

[He's sighing, because that does make him upset and uneasy now.]

We must do better in the future, all of us.

[jinzhong]

[Jackie's been haunted by the deaths of the turtles. At least Rio'era is still with him.] I'd like that. How do you make them?

[solo_patria]

We found a book with some instructions, and I can also show you, if you would like. Mine are a little...crinkled in spots.

[And then, there's a bit of an awkward pause because, well. Enjolras has seen him before, but he is not sure. Oh. OH! They've been sharing a house for a fairly long time now, though Enjolras has been keeping mostly to his, or "Combeferre's Room" despite the fact Combeferre's not here anymore.]

I...actually we live in the same building. I've...not been good at introducing myself properly. That ought to change.

I........forgot they were housemates lmao

[jinzhong]

Oh yeah! Thought I'd seen you around. I'm Jackie.

I'd like to try and pick it up. Maybe make some for Rio'era's siblings, you know? Mine'll probably be a lot more crinkled up than yours, heh.

Don't worry! so did he!

[solo_patria]

Ah, you have not seen the very earliest attempts of mine. [Really. They're...special.] It does seem to take a bit of practice but I think that we could get a handle on it perhaps.

The next time they are both with us, we should arrange for them to spend some time together too. I think that may help them both right now.

[jinzhong]

That's a good idea. [Jackie nods. He knows the value of being able to turn to people you consider your family in a crisis. But he never really thought he'd be setting up a giant turtle playdate.]

Hey - this is dumb, talking on the consoles. You're in your room, right? Want to just hang out in the common area? You can teach me how to make those paper turtles.

[solo_patria]

[There is a blink from Enjolras, because he has honestly not considered that before, although on mentioning the fact, well.]

It really, rather is. I would be glad to join you then.

[jinzhong]

Cool. See you in a minute?

[Indeed, in a couple minutes, Jackie's downstairs, hands jammed firmly into the pockets of his hoodie.]

[solo_patria]

Of course. Let me shut this down so I do not end up distracting myself and leaving you there for hours.

[Because that tended to happen back in the days when his friends were in and out of each other's rooms like....like the incredibly co-dependent people they were.

At any rate, he IS actually emerging, the book, and some bits of scratch paper, which really do have various scribbles in french written across them, hopefully ready to do this thing. Hopefully.]

[jinzhong]

[Jackie's face lights up when he sees Enjolras come down the stairs with the origami supplies.]

Hey, awesome. You're gonna have to be real patient with me, I don't know where to begin with this stuff.

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras is going to very carefully start setting things out now, himself.]

I can manage patience, I think. Well, not when *I* was trying to make my first few attempts. I apologize if Rio'era comes up with some...interesting phrasing in the next few days. I managed to forget that a few...words from home would directly translate for them.

[There is an embarrassed head duck there.]

A dear friend of mine worked in a fan shop for years. He was mostly a painter, but he did enough fine work with his hands that he had a few fun tricks to try and teach us. I doubt I can be as patient as Feuilly, but I do know how it feels to be the one getting frustrated by something like this.

Really, I've found it's better not to worry. We can always start again, after all.