Realistic or Modern Spellbound

[xrakkax]

“Ha ha no, probably not.” Theo chuckled and shrugged a shoulder in admittance. He held back a joke about there not being icicles to throw anyway. “But it would upset household. Is cultural thing, very ingrained. I mean no offense.” He shifted uneasily. “Maybe I can talk it over with Lyov and Granya some point. Bring it up at good time. But for now, please call.” Theo tried to meet halfway. Perhaps this would give him time to figure something out.

 

[Soliloquy]

"That's good, because I can promise you I don't look good with a black eye," she grinned, taking a small sip to make sure her coffee-flavored sugar milk to make sure it was just right wile watching him over the rim. The playfulness in him was not as evident as it normally might be, and she was a tad surprised by it. "Okay, well if that's the case then you need to answer your phone. If you're not at work, of course. It'll be hard to say if I want to come over if the only number I have isn't answer."

 

[xrakkax]

“Oh Da, fair.” Theo offered an apologetic smile. The topic had gone better than expected. He visibly loosened up, grinning, “Besides, we have no icicles here.”

Their food arrived just then, the smell taking away his attention. More so because he was hungry than anything else. The first bite of fluffy, flavorful omelette filled him with a warm sense of satisfaction he had not felt before. Three or four bites later Theo finally said, “So good.”

 

[Soliloquy]

And so their first speed bump seemed to have been crossed over, although only time would tell if old habits died hard or not. For now she could only stick her tongue out at him. "If you pull an icicle on me, I'll turn a bow on you, krasavchik."

The divine aroma of their breakfast was welcomed with 'yum!' as Willow took her plate. It was a delicious breakfast, similar to ones she remembered growing up, a sentiment she chose to share with him between bites. "When I was young we had a family breakfast on Sunday mornings. Big - big breakfast. Mom would make the best pancakes and dad made eggs however we wanted them. It was really just them filling up our bellies so we'd be quiet at church, but it was nice when they were around."

 

[xrakkax]

The story was almost as cozy as the meal. Theo brightened, “That sound wonderful. Maybe make that to eat sometime, Красивый.” If it was as good as what he was eating now, he couldn’t wait. Willow knew what they ate for breakfast. She ate it with them! Theo felt no reason to mention any specific special breakfasts of his childhood. "In Russia, we not have church. Some villagers walk to church once a month. Miles and miles. Too cold for that!" Theo chuckled.

 

[Soliloquy]

She shivered at just the thought of how cold it must have been, shaking her head. "Oh no, you won't find me doing that," she said after a bite. "I haven't been to church more than a dozen times since I was twelve, and always when my parents demanded it. Then apparently even they were too busy and I couldn't have been more grateful. I'm all about culture and traditions, but I don't think it's fair to force religion on children."

With no more mention of announcing their arrival or checking their phone, breakfast went smoothly. As promised, Willow made sure it was her treat, snatching up the bill with a playful smirk. Poor Dave got a healthy tip as well, mostly as insurance he wasn't going to go talking about the crazy guy chucking icicles at each other. Standing up, her hand found Theo's as they exited the omelette shop and a short motorcycle ride later were on their feet yet again in front of a gift shop. Thankfully it was not International Shop of Fun.

"So do you always get Granya gifts for these trips?" she questioned him as they walked down a colorful row. As she understood it, Moon fishing happened once a month, which sounded like that could get pricey over time.

 

[xrakkax]

In the very moment Theo nodded in agreement, he paused in mid bite, only briefly, wondering if the life they lived and how they lived it, and that they expected Granya to abide, could be considered similar to forcing religion. By all accounts, Theo couldn’t figure how to explain the Justification for their most basic foundation of ‘Live not meaning to harm others’. They just expect Granya to live by this same motto. There was no choice for her growing up. And he had nothing to point to as a reason than ‘because’. Phrases like ‘it’s good to be kind’ and ‘why not’ felt like weak, flimsy circular reasoning. It is good to be good because it is good? No, Theo would never hope to convince even him of that notion. Yet he couldn't shake the belief. Theo almost felt it written in him. But still, was it forcing? Would there come a day when Granya shrugged off the lessons of her childhood?

While Theo had faith that Granya would continue to live as her family did, with no real base reason as to ‘why’, it disturbed Theo to think it was even possible that Granya may believe choose to forsake their family creed if she was not satisfied with ‘because’ as a reason.

Perhaps it was the attitude and degree of care of the teacher that ultimately shaped the student. It could be argued even the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are harmless because the child eventually uses the reason and logic of the rationale being that they are to determine whether they would continue or not. But Theo had not heard of a child become disillusioned to the world from finding out that these figures were fictional. In fact, they joined in the fun when they got older! Theo attributed this to the nature of these fictions being pleasant. One gave you gifts at your request in exchange for good behavior, and the other paid for your teeth. But in addition to that, the parents and elders of society usually were just as pleasant.

Still, Theo had to admit that example allowed the child to no longer believe in those beings.

Theo figured he and Willow would agree to expect a child to behave and act and think a certain way-- saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, being respectful to elders like the Babushka at the Mall, telling the truth-- wasn’t inherently a violation of their person, true. These helped the child function in society.

But Theo would even agree to discipline if these expectations are not fulfilled; essentially punishing a child for failure to uphold the imposed behavior assigned to them by Theo and Willow. There was no threat of that for not believing in a bunny that hides eggs once a year.

But wasn’t that what parents were meant to do? So their children might thrive?

As much as someone could argue the arbitrary nature of saying ‘yes, please’ over just a simple ‘yes’, it was true nonetheless that not speaking politely often characterized that person as someone of low quality. This may mean they are thought of ill. While in general what people think should not define your view, surely when you mean to get a job or expect a significant other to trust you, or even make friends, you should consider the effects of your actions and how people perceive you? Lest you walk this Earth alone. Or worse, trail a blaze of destruction behind you. Some were willing, he knew.

While no longer being religious didn’t seem bad on the face of it, Theo himself not having a particular organized faith, he personally knew choosing not to live in kindness could spell doom. At least for many, many people, who were the target of unkindness. Just how easy would it be for someone to consider expectations of kindness as being forced on them?

Shaking these thoughts away, Theo rather hoped Granya, and any possible children he may have, would choose to live meaning to do no harm, whether or not they thought of it as a forced lifestyle. Theo would enforce a life of kindness during their time with him, at least, and hope it sticks. But love her, and them all, all the same, no matter what they choose in the end.

Breakfast ended too soon! Theo enjoyed his time at Sammy’s and promised he would take the tab the next time he went out with Willow.

The ride to the store seemed too short as well.

Theo held her hand as they scanned the shelves, “Mhm. Granya is stressed to Moon-Fish. But is must happen.” He said casually, picking up a book with an attached box for shrinky-dink art. “Gift make trip something to look forward. When trip done, I give to her on ride back to docks. Price is nothing to worry. She need it.” Whatever the expense, Theo believed Granya’s mental health to be worth the trinket in comparison.

 

[Soliloquy]

The fact that it must happen, especially right after voicing her own disappreciation for being forced to participate in family activities when she was younger made her frown for only a second. Granted, given the experiences she had with Granya so far, she also felt a large part of her 'stress' might have just been leaving her games and online friends. A teenager might act like the world was absolutely ending if taken away from their friends, after all.

"It sounds like she's pretty lucky to have you for an uncle," she said earnestly, nudging his shoulder with her own. She reached out and took a box of fairy lights advertised for picture displays off the shelf. "Does she like to decorate? Or did you do her room for her?"

 

[xrakkax]

“Oh ho, I not touch thing in Granya’s room.” Theo spoffed, and maybe-- just maybe-- he had a slight hint of nervousness.

It was probably because Granya had been on her period, but they had a distressing moment when Theo thought he had been helpful by taking out her trash. What could be more mundane? But that was what landed a washi-tape roll at his head.

“That mistake I will no make again. I can come in. Just no touch.” Theo looked over the fairy lights. “Oh so pretty. She will like this for Moon-Fishing trip.” He tucked that under his arm. “Now we find one for birthday.”

 

[Soliloquy]

Even without having an idea of what might have transpired, Willow still chuckled at his reaction. "Good, that means she gets some space to herself," she decided, pleased that once again she had succeeded at picking out a gift. Even the greatest uncle still needed to let a teenager girl be herself now and then. She hoped he wasn't too protective to the freedom they craved now and then.

"Oh, when's her birthday?" she asked, mentally ready to start marking a calendar to keep dates straight. "Do you guys have a party planned for her?" Maybe she was being too bold, but she certainly hoped she'd be included.

 

[xrakkax]

“November seventeenth.” Theo said, crouching down to pick up a crafting object he bumped. Upon taking a closer look, Theo considered the item a possibility.

Granya often used a glue gun. But her desk had several lumps of accidental droppings from knocking it over with her elbow when she set it aside. The glue gun stand just might make be the right gift. He pondered this while he answered Willows last question.

“Da, we take day off of work. Is at my house at two.” Theo tucked this next gift under his other arm. “Granya eat with us, have gift, and then leave to be with friends. They have own way of celebrate birthday.” And ‘old people’ were not invited. “Rest of us stay and socialize.”

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow watched as he continued to browse different gift ideas. The glue gun stand he had found seemed practical, but as a former teenager girl, she wasn't sure if it was something that would be delightful as a birthday gift. After all, you only got a single birthday a year; you wanted your gifts to be as great as they could!

"That sounds like quite the affair," she remarked, now on the fence of whether she would ask if she was now one of the 'us' he mentioned. "Although it must be nice for her to get a small break from her being around family all day." Deciding to try and be indirect about it, she added, "I'll have to pick out a gift for you to give to her for me."

 

[xrakkax]

“Small break?” Theo chuckled. After a thought, he hummed in admittance, “I guess for Granya it is.” While she spent most of her day in her room, crafting and gaming, he knew her temperament enough to know any time outside of her room was a task.

Theo meant to look for a card next, but her comment caught him off guard, “Oh, Granya will miss you. Are you busy?” Theo switched the fairy lights to the same arm as the glue gun stand to check his phone. He had been trying to put details about their schedules so he would know what to expect and try to work his job around it. They shared Google calendars for that reason. Theo was pretty sure she didn’t have anything on that day.

 

[Soliloquy]

Perfect, her indirect question paid off! "Oh no, nothing is planned," she assured him, something that was going to be quite evident from her calendar. "I just thought that was more of a family affair. One that might not have been an open invitation for hopeful future family members to join." A significantly more bold statement from the woman who moments ago was avoiding simply asking if she was coming to the party as well.

He deserved a better explanation than that though, and she knew it. "I just don't want to overstep any boundaries is all," she added in a more hushed tone, bending down and picking up a book of tie dye ideas and designs.

 

[xrakkax]

What heart warming sentiments. Theo’s now freed hand pulled her into a one-armed hug, chuckling how it squished her arms together and made it a little difficult to hold that box she picked up, “Of course you come! Is hopeful you are one day family member too.” He let go so she wouldn’t drop anything. “No worry, if something we not ready for come up-- like unexpected visit-- we let you know.” And of course, mistakes here and there weren’t an issue. “Don’t worry to ask. If you curious and want to know.”

 

[Soliloquy]

That was a relief, even if it meant she was going to be half bear-hugged to death in a gift shop. She couldn't help but beam as she was released, glad to have found they were eager to accept her, with some understandable adjustments. Glancing at the book again she decided against it, returning it to it's place on the shelf. She was going to get something more special for a young woman on an important day.

"I'll try," she promised, continuing the slow walk down the aisle.It was a change from how she was raised. Her parents were very much of the 'if you need to know you'll be told' mentality, and curiosity had been frowned upon. Even after almost a decade of living apart from them, some habits were still lingering. "So we have both gifts. Do you usually wrap them?"

 

[xrakkax]

“Not Moon-Fish gift. Birthday gift I use same bag.” Theo chuckled. “If it fit. I have different size bag.”

In Theo’s closet, he had at least a handful of small to large bags that he reused for gift-giving to family members. They had no real friends outside their family who cared to celebrate birthdays. Everyone in his family never understood the idea of wrapping gifts and tossing away the paper. For family. They could get behind handing a wrapped gift to a friend or someone who wasn’t going to open it right there, or someone saving it for later.

“Did you want to wrap?” Theo asked as they looked over the cards. Maybe that was something Willow enjoyed.

 

[Soliloquy]

She didn't question him keeping bags; there were much worse items someone could horde. Besides, if it wasn't in her house currently it wasn't her problem for unnecessary clutter. When he asked if she was offering her services, she couldn't turn it down fast enough. "No! Uh, no. Please," she quickly calmed herself down, offering a sheepish smile. "I'm quite horrible at it, in case you hadn't noticed on that box." There had been at least 4 layers of paper to make up for the fact that corners were missed. Wrapping was definitely not a talent of hers.

 

[xrakkax]

“Ha ha oh, that is right. That look so bad.” Theo said playfully.

Once they picked out an appropriate card the two of them checked out and headed off to his house. Theo quietly hid the gifts he got in his closet. Then they helped Granpa Lyov in the family’s modest Toyota Corolla. Granya came out slower than normal. Usually Willow being around brought out a more talkative side. For now she flipped up her trench coat collar and sat in silence in the back with Lyov. She did say hello. But it was a quiet murmur compared to her usual. Theo sensed something was off, but he wasn’t sure she’d like him to poke for information right now. Finn did his best to comfort her.

When they arrived at the park the four of them made their way to the blankets. Jovan had set up the lunch. But Natalia, Amalia, and Micha were not present. Just as they got to the picnic Molly came walking over.

“Oh good, I’m not late.” She sighed in a smile. Molly said hello, but asked, “Where’s the rest of ya’ll?”

Theo had meant to ask that as well. Jovan answered, “Dr. Kobayashi is sick. Natalia take over Monday.” He seemed displeased, but it had to be done. “A pipe burst at pub. Amalia and Micha stay to fix.”

“Aw, too bad.” Molly frowned, sitting down. No Bear, no Micha. “Well I hope they come soon.” She said, getting into the food already. “How have ya’ll been?” She asked Theo and Willow. Even Molly saw Granya wasn’t in a mood to talk. At least not to her.

While Theo explained his absence and his morning with Willow, except for the gift shopping, Granya shifted uncomfortably. Finally, she sneaked to Willow's side, remembering what she had offered before, that day in the bathroom. “Willow. . .” Her voice was almost too quiet, full of hesitancy and some skepticism. She hadn’t come to Willow for comfort or advice before. “Can we talk?” She drew her eyes to the shoreline.

 

[Soliloquy]

It wasn't lost on Willow how reserved Granya had been, but like Theo she opted not to press for it while they were all in a hurry to leave for park day. Something rightfully told her that if there was something she should know of, it'd be brought to her attention. Instead, she did her best to try and keep the mood of the car cheerful crossing town. Once at the beach, she took up post on one side of Lyov, helping him down to where Jovan was waiting.

Seeing only a fraction of the family was odd, but things certainly did happen. When it rained it poured, and that seemed to be no exception for the Russian family. Settled down on the blankets, Willow was fairly close to Theo, offering him a quick hand squeeze when he had to go over the weekend hospital loss. He was doing better it seemed, which was good. She agreed it had been a nice quiet morning together, something they both needed.

Their chatter continued when suddenly a certain Shchenok was at her side. Willow might have normally made a jest at her sneaking about, but something in her request warranted no jokes just then. She flashed a quick smile before climbing to her feet. Brushing herself off, she gave the others a quick wave. "Going to go take a stroll," she explained any questioning looks. "Granya can come keep me company."

 

[xrakkax]

The people on the blankets who noticed smiled that their curiosity had been answered before they could voice their question. Theo in particular observed Granya’s intent as a good omen and offered a sympathetic “Okay, have fun.” A little hint to let her know he was wishing her well without bringing too much attention to it.

Granya followed Willow, just inches from her right elbow. Her head bowed a little in some slight shame. Finn snuggled to the side of her head and coo’d gently. When they were far enough away Granya began to explain what was going on.

RedBlade42 hadn’t spoken to her, or the group, for weeks now. Granya was the last to interact with her. They had been exploring a cave in an MMO Red had wanted to try out. Granya and Red killed a monster and got a rare item. Red dealt the final blow. They had made it a policy that the items go to the person who took the last hit. In Granya’s opinion, the item would best serve them in the market. Red wanted it for her collection. They got into an argument and Granya angrily sold it for less than it was worth out of spite. Red signed off right then.

“I want to say sorry.” Granya teared up. “I got it back and everything. I spent all my gold on it. But she won’t read any of my messages. She’s been on ‘offline’ for so long.” She hid her eyes beneath her curls. “I don’t have her number. I don’t have a phone. I don’t need it, I am always home on my computer.” Granya didn’t think she’d ever be in this situation. Perhaps getting a phone was in order. “All I know of her is her name is Ruby and she works at Papa Pizza.” A little shop in the Mall, where Molly and Willow had gone to a while back. “I want to repair our friendship. I will even go to Mall! But I can’t drive. Theo is busy. And I. . .I was embarrassed to say this up till today.” Granya had hoped it would only be a matter of time before her friend returned. Now it seemed it wasn’t the case. And she had hoped maybe she could get one of her Aunts to take her sometime. “I don’t know what to do.” She sniffled. Finn brushed his beak against her cheek.

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow listened as they walked along the beach, immediately relieved to hear it wasn't anything more serious. Now, that wasn't to say that she wasn't concerned for Granya and her friendship, but she did feel like this was drama she could certainly handle. She knew it wasn't easy for this to be shared and was grateful for the opportunity to try and help.

"Aww, I'm sorry shchenok," she said, easing an arm around her for a small squeeze before letting her go. "It's hard to make up with someone if they won't give you the chance. I'm sure she'll calm down soon and you can talk with her." But even as Willow said that, she knew it wasn't going to be enough for the emotional girl. She was feeling distraught and lost a friend, even if it was someone she hadn't met face to face before. "I know that tomorrow we are closing a little after noon. Maybe we could see if one of your aunts can take you then?"

She really, truly did want to help Granya out, but also didn't know how well she'd take if she tried to step up and offer assistance herself. The mall wasn't that far off, despite Molly's gripes about the drive, and she wouldn't mind taking an hour or so out of her day to try and patch up a virtual friendship. "How many weeks has it been since you spoke to her?"

 

[xrakkax]

“I was going to ask them today.” Granya admitted, before answering Willow about the length of time. “Four weeks.” Granya frowned. “I had thought she’d contact me by now. Or at least one of us. This hasn’t even been our biggest fight and she’s just. . .vanished.” And none of the others had said they had heard from her either, since that day. “Today I asked and HunterX said the last thing he knew was she said ‘I’m done’ the day after that happened. So I am afraid. . .I’m afraid she’s really hurt and I want to fix it.” Granya wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

 

[Soliloquy]

She winced at the length of time; a month was a long time to hold a grudge, particularly over a game. "That is a long time," she agreed gravely, wrapping her arms over her chest as the nearly November wind came off the water. "Well, I think it's admirable that you want to be the good person and apologize. I may not know a lot about dungeons or loot yet, but I do know a thing or two about trying to keep friends." She paused, still tiptoeing on the line of what she could safely offer to Granya in an attempt to console her. "Since they're busy I could always drive you to see Red. We just have to be mindful that if it's where she works she might not be able to talk about it right away. Maybe you could make her a card or something small to give her since you can't give her the item in person?"

 

[xrakkax]

Granya perked, “Oh, yes, I do have one.” She rummaged around in her inner pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope. “I was worried I may not be able to speak when I faced her. So I made this.” She showed Willow the pale blue whale on the front with a frown face. “Willow, would it be. . .too much to ask of you to. . .take me there today?"