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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EARLY EVENING
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Annika was just the tiniest bit grumpy, on the surface anyway, ears flicking around as she eats her soup one armed, the other arm wrapped up in a sling. She's on the mend now, with her wounds plastered up, her starting to heal over a little, that and a proper clean up made her look..well, still fairly bruised and roughed up, but fur and careful groomed covered most of it. She wasn't happy about being under effective house arrest, no matter how much she insisted she was 'fine' and denied that any foul play took place.
Narrator: There is the sound of conversation outside, one voice being the guard at the door, the other sounding familiar, if a bit upset. A moment later there is a knock at the door, and May's voice coming through a little more distinct, "An-Annika? It's May..."
Annika: "Hey May. You can come in if you want" Her room is fairly plain, table, bed, dresser, wardrobe. There's a small family photo on the dresser, which seems pretty standard, two parents, two kids. Everyone dressed very plainly, standing in front of a small cottage. It seemed a while back, since Annika is holding a baby, and is a good bit smaller herself. Everything fairly normal really.
Maybelline cracks open the door and slips inside. She's dressed in her little overall and skirt outfit once again, but it now feels very inappropriate in her own mind. She doesn't take in the details of the room, focusing in almost totally on Annika, her voice low as she approaches the bed, "Aw hell, Annika... I'm so, so sorry."
Annika is confused "Uh..Sorry..for what?"
Maybelline just gives a half-wave towards Annika's arm, "All of this... just sorry that you got hurt."
Annika: "Oh" She pats her arm briefly "It's fine. It was an accident anyway. I just fell" She's said it so many times at this point it just came out so smoothly "Everyone is just overreacting" She continues eating her soup. She was hoping if she just got -better- at lying about it, people wouldn't press her as much, and then she wouldn't be upsetting people and making everything worse..and she could just go back to her life.
Maybelline frowns, "It still sucks, no matter how it happned. I... I have to admit, I've been worried about you recently, with how tired you've been, and just... just..." She reaches a hand out closer, then hesitates and stops, clearly debating something in her own mind. "I-I'd ask if I could give you a hug, but...m-maybe I could just hold your hand for the moment?"
Annika: "I..think you're too worried over something that's not a big deal" The more May fretted, the more Annika put into the 'Face' "It's fine. I was just putting in a bunch of overtime while Mr. Lanier was away. Now I got paid, and I would be able to get a place..but I'm stuck here" She stands up..and gives the girl a hug, a light enough one "There! I..think you need this" She breaks it away, with a pat on the back of the hand "You worry too much, but I appreciate it" She'd been nervous before, and showing it, but now was the picture of poise and confidence. May could feel the tender flesh on Annika's arms when she got hugged, but she didn't seem to react to the bruising being nudged about, Annika was -quite- focused on giving nothing away after all...
Maybelline gently hugs back for a moment, sniffing slightly, "Y-you're far too concerned with what others need." She carefully ends the hugs and eases Annika back into the bed, and with a little more confidence, she doesn't let go of Annika's hand, holding it softly with hers. "Maybe I can help you find a place while you rest up? Or just... be here to be give you company? Or, I don't know... something. I want to help you, Annika."
Annika: "Well, I sorta want to look for myself, but I appreciate the offer" She settles back into her seat "I dunno. I just don't want to see anyone else unhappy, so it's kinda just a different kind of selfishness"
Maybelline nods slowly, but her words run on a bit quickly, "M-maybe. I mean... ugh... t-this will probably sound stupid a-and rushed and... we barely know each other, and everyone says I should wait but... I'm being selfish too."
Annika: "Uh...you're..not really making that much sense. Being selfish about what?"
Maybelline sighs, fiddling with her free hand, "I... I know. I'm being selfish because I just... don't want to see you unhappy or hurt either, cause... I kinda..." Her voice strains as she forces out the words, "K-kinda... have a crush on you."
Annika: "Oh. Well..I mean, I quite like you too, but..I don't think I'm going to be able to give that back in the way you want. I'm just..not into girls in that way" She winces at that "..Sorry"
Maybelline winces slightly, but after taking a moment to gather herself, she nods, "N-no. No, that's fair. Probably for the best I didn't drag it all out then." She looks down at her hand, still holding Annika's, and smiles. "But... we can still be friends, right?"
Annika: "Of course!" She gives the hand a squeeze "I hope it won't change anything at all, you're probably my best friend here...and, well, we can still have lunch and all that stuff I hope"
Maybelline nods quietly, smile growing just a bit, "I'm honored, Annika, really. I... yes. I mean uh, yes. I think we can do all of that still. I just... I... well... no, I shouldn't push my feelings on you. I uh... w-well, hope you can forgive me from making this awkward." She laughs a bit nervously, trying to make light of her mood at the moment.
Annika: "Oh..it's..not..too bad" She smiles a little "It's..well, you're still a really nice person, and..I would be happy if I..uh..swung that way" She squeezes her hand again "I'm sure there'll be someone who can return your feelings some day, and you'll have no trouble charming them"
Maybelline blushes a bit, "Th-thank you." She catches herself after a moment, "O-oh! Uh.. do you need anything? I mean, I guess, maybe not so selfishly, but I still want to help you if I can. Even if that just means sitting and keeping you company for awhile, as uh... a friend, for sure... then I want to do it."
Annika: "Oh, it's not selfish to want to help a friend" She giggles a little "But..ah, there is one thing you could do for me" There's a little bit of seriousness. She moves over to the dresser, and takes out an envelope, passing it to May "..Could you deliver this to the Lanier house?"
Narrator: It's a simple white envelope, with the single name of 'Oliver' on the front.
Maybelline takes the envelope carefully, reading the name. "Oliver?"
Annika: "Yes" She nods
Maybelline nods, then gives Annika a sincere smile, "I'll take it there personally, Annika. That's a Frecklemeyer promise, and a Frecklemeyer always keeps their promise!"
Annika: "Thanks!" She gives May another hug "I really, genuinely appreciate this"
Maybelline carefully hugs back, a little tenatively, still struggling with mixed emotions towards her friend, but still wanting to be there for her. "Leave it to me."
Annika: "I'd send it myself..but..well..I'm stuck here, and I certainly can't go back to the Big House"
Maybelline: Yeah... I'll tell the guard outside that if you need anything, they can come get me, anytime, alright? Same goes for once you're able to leave, you need anything, I'll do what I can to help.
Annika: "Thanks! I don't want to take advantage..but I appreciate the offer"
Maybelline grins, "I thought you might only come if it's an emergency, but I wanted to be clear."
Annika: "Right!" She nods "That's fine! You're a great person May"
Maybelline blushes a bit and nods. "I... well, I try, Annika. You're great too. And... thank you, for... being honest, even if it hurts a bit. B-better hurt a bit now then hurt a lot more later, right?"
Annika: "Yeah" She smiles a little, wanly "I..wouldn't ever want to lead you on"
Maybelline slumps a little, but smiles, "N-no... thank you."
Annika gives her a squeeze on the shoulder "Keep Strong, okay?"
Maybelline nods, straightening back up, "I, yeah! I will. You too, okay? Feel better, and as soon as you're able, I'll help you look for a place, or whatever you need."
Annika: "Yeah, we can scout out a place together. That could be fun!"
Maybelline laughs, "Exactly! I didn't get to do that for my place, I just got assigned lodging. So actually shopping around in the town would be neat."
Annika: "Aye, You probably know the city better than I do"
Maybelline shrugs, "Maybe? I know where there's a really good sweets shop. That uh... I never... go to... twice in one day."
Annika: "Oh! Though maybe a bad idea to live near..."
Maybelline chuckles, "Maybe... I'll look around. I kind have a feel for the town a bit better now, but I still feel like a stranger sometimes."
Annika: "Well, maybe this will make both us feel more comfortable in the town"
Annika: "But..ah..I..hate to ask this..but.." She coughs awkwardly "The letter?"
Maybelline brings it up carefully and nods, "Oh uh, yeah! I should go and get that delivered. Thanks again, Annika!"
Annika: "Thanks again!"
Maybelline grins, turning to exit, stopping only to look back at Annika with a reassuring smile, "Take care. I'll be seeing you!" before she slips out of the room.