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

[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.

[jinzhong]

[Jackie grins ruefully.] Prob'ly heard a lot worse from me. [Cantonese swearing gets...creative, and sometimes he doesn't always remember to watch his tongue. Most of the time, actually.

Okay he's not even going to try to pronounce Feuilly's name, even hearing Enjolras say it just then. Fewwy? Feuwhee? FRENCH IS HARD.]

Yeah, okay. I mean, I do know how to make a couple things. I think Mimi tried to teach me how to make a crane once. [He'd practiced on gum wrappers, but the crumpled little birds always seemed clumsy and sad next to the gentle creatures Wei's sister used to make on old homework sheets before she got mixed up with Dogeyes-- anyway.]

Lead the way, I guess. [Enjolras seems like a leader, which is great, since Jackie's a born follower.]

[solo_patria]

[At that, Enjolras has to laugh, considering.]

Given all of the languages here, well, I can only imagine. I do hope we are not that bad of an example but...

[There is a little shrug there. And yeah, the names of his friends are...well, it's better not to try, really.]

Oh yes, I've seen those. They were in one of the examples here. But for now.

[He's flicking over to a page with the turtles, and directions, which, thankfully are in pictures instead of words, along with what looks like a dedication page to honor Asti.]

Mine have gotten very wrinkled, but practicing HAS made it easier.

[He's content enough to lead, for right now, certainly.]

[jinzhong]

[Jackie grins.] Yeah, I guess we can think they're just learning something then.

[He peruses the turtle instructions, his brow furrowing.] Wow, that looks...a little complicated. But I guess I can pick it up, probably. I'm pretty good with my hands. [Jackie, stealing is not important here.]

[solo_patria]

There's a way to look at it. And they ought to know anyway, I suppose. Better from an actual parent than a book.

Enjolras had learned about it from a book and found the whole thing too boring to pay much attention, beyond the basic idea of reproduction.

Than a book, OR the other children. That can never lead anywhere good.

[And there's a wink and Enjolras is leaning over to see which part of the beginning steps Jackie is on.]

Ah, this is easier if you see it happen. [And he's moving to his own piece of paper to make those folds, raising a little eyebrow at the statement.]

Oh? That might be helpful.

[jinzhong]

[Jackie laughs a little.] Yeah, I used to steal all sorts of stuff back home. Never did anything quite this delicate, though.

[He watches Enjolras fold the paper, and attempts to follow suit. Some of the angles are a little bit off, but it's passable for a beginner attempt.]

[solo_patria]

Ah, well. That would require a different sort of delicacy, and perhaps less speed than you would be used to.

[He's watching, though, and nodding at the effort. That OUGHT to get the job done from what he's seen.]

Not a bad attempt at all!

[jinzhong]

[Jackie beams at the praise. It's asymmetrical, and a little lopsided, and one of the flippers is backwards, but it still mostly resembles a turtle.]

Hey, yeah, not too shabby, if I do say so myself. [This was kind of fun.]

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras had to throw away his own first few, first five attempts, so that's far better than how he started.]

The key to it now is practicing. I admit I threw away several of my first tries, so much better than I was doing at first. I wonder about the size for display ones. If the hatchlings want to decorate them, larger ones may be best. But I do like the option of the smaller sizes.

[jinzhong]

Yeah, we could keep the small sizes to carry around. Like, I don't know, for good luck or something. [And everyone on this turtle desperately needs a shot of good luck.]

[solo_patria]

That sounds like it would be a really good idea. Jewelry perhaps? I think they could be easily strung onto things.

Good luck. [Enjolras is nodding firmly there.]

The hatchlings certainly have been that. It would be only fitting, wouldn't it?

[jinzhong]

Absolutely, [Jackie says, nodding furiously. Hey, maybe this can be how he goes legit! Selling crafts.

It's not what he had expected, but, well. Nothing in the past several months of his life has gone as expected, starting with Winston's wedding and getting curiouser and curiouser since he'd arrived here.] Just wait, I bet we can make 'em the new fashion trend.

[solo_patria]

[Crafts are a decent enough way to go about it, and if it helps someone go legit all to the better, isn't it? Enjolras would support that sort of thing if he had more details and all. As it is, he's nodding, rather enthusiastic about it. ]

Yes, I would expect so.

[It's so good to imagine a world like that, when everything is said and done. Enjolras, for one, can't wait to see it.]

A good plan, for the future. It helps just now, to think of it.

[jinzhong]

[Jackie nods, smiling a little.] Yeah! I don't know if I could start it until, uh...until things calm down a little around here.

[Besides, where would he get the startup capital? Maybe he could hit up that Stark kid for a loan. Wait, no, he hates Jackie.]

[solo_patria]

Ah, certainly not.

[There is a firm nod from Enjolras at that. If they are gearing up to DO anything, well, better the efforts get focused there.]

I cannot imagine it being a time when people would like to think very much about smaller things, even when it comes to what they symbolize. But after...whatever happens, happens, I think it should work, then.

[jinzhong]

Yeah, [Jackie says, his own demeanor taking a solemn cast.] Knock wood it turns out well. [Oof. He really doesn't want to think about the upcoming trouble with Malicant, building like a storm on the horizon. He just hopes it's a storm all of them can weather.]

[solo_patria]

Knocking wood?

[Enjolras blinks at that.]

I am not certain we subscribe to that philosophy as one to ward off bad luck at home, but we might find some just to be certain.

[Ah the perks of literal thinking.]