I cannot believe I was lucky enough to make such an amazing friend right after arriving here. You have been such a caring and supportive friend, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who loves her friends so deeply and fiercely. I’m glad I got all my memories back because there are so many wonderful ones with you.
I’m so sorry that I’ll be another person leaving you, but I’ll finally feel safe and I get to be with my family. Any time you are able to travel (like when someone kind claims you soon, which will happen I know it), you are always welcome with Octavian and I, or at my family’s house. When you graduate, there will be room for you with us whenever you want. I hope they let you call us for your phone calls, because I’m going to miss you so much.
You are going to be an amazing photographer, I know it. I hope you think of me when you use the camera strap, I got the idea sitting outside and I was going to wait until Christmas but I finished it early and wanted you to have it.
I hope you know how much I love you and care about you, Vi. Your friends here are lucky to have someone like you looking out for them, just like I was.
I can’t even begin to thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me while I’ve known you. I would say it’s more than you know, but I suppose you already do. Thank you so much for being such a kind and genuine friend to me while I’ve known you. You helped me be more comfortable with myself and were so incredibly supportive when I was in the hospital and afterwards. I don’t think I would’ve gotten all my memories back if it weren’t for you, and I can’t thank you enough for that.
You are such a wonderful professor, I’m so excited that I learned guitar and so much else from you and get to take that with me when I go (I hope). Even with all your abilities, you’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. All the slaves here are lucky to have you here with them, just like I was.
I hope the gift doesn’t end up too messy, it was my first time attempting to decorate a guitar strap! If you ever travel, you’re always welcome at our place in Chicago, and we’ll introduce you to all the best people and places. Even if it means I won’t see you as much, I hope you stay a professor here for a long time, helping people like you did with me.
I just want to thank you for being a such a sweet and caring friend while I’ve known you on the island. You are such a rock for so many people, I hope you know you’re really loved here, and for good reason. Thank you so much for all your help when I was in the hospital, and afterwards, and for being such a good friend to both Octavian and I all this time.
You are going to help so many people, whether it’s here or wherever you go after this. You’re a great nurse and an amazing baker, and a really good friend. If you happen to travel any time soon, stop by Chicago for a free place to stay and Octavian and I will show you around!
I know we haven’t known each other for a long time, but I still want to thank you for being such a great friend to me in the time that we have known each other. I knew I would enjoy working in a library, but working with someone like you made it so much better. You are such a kindhearted person to everyone you meet, please don’t ever let that change.
I know you are going to do amazing things after you graduate (and before that, even). If you get the chance to travel when you’re claimed and are near Chicago, you’re always welcome at our place and we’ll show you around! If there’s anything you want me to send somewhere once we’re back home, let me know okay? I hope you have a safe and happy stay here until graduation, you deserve it!
I’m so glad I found someone so similar to me while I was here, and I know you’ll understand why I’m so excited to be home with my family even though I’ll miss people here. You have such a big heart, and I was really lucky to get to know you, just like everyone else who meets you.
If travel when you’re claimed, or are able after graduation, look us up in Chicago? You can of course stay with us, and I’ll introduce you to all my little sibs! Or vice versa and we’ll come visit you! If there’s anything you want me to send to your family when we get home, let me know okay?
You’re going to make an amazing nurse, because you’re already an amazing big sister and friend to everyone. I hope you stay safe and happy the rest of your time here, you deserve it!
Where: Tiff’s house, in Octavian and Noelle’s room
When: Thursday, August 31
What: After a lot of thought and worries, Octavian decides it’s safest for Noelle if they both leave the island and go back home to Chicago with their families. After some hesitation and convincing, Noelle agrees, is excited to return to her family, and prepares to say her goodbyes to those she cares about.
@ocxshields
Octavian: Octavian bolted in the door after a shift at the bakery. It had been slow, a common occurrence in the summer with how many masters left the island for vacation. It gave him more time to think on things as he sat in the back between customers. Even more lately his head had been elsewhere, contemplating Noelle and her future. Their future, really. He had been on edge, ever since Noelle came out of her coma. The cambion was nervous about what was next. Things only seemed to get worse for the two. He had started talking to his brother, Zaki about using the money he used on Octavian's education, and giving it to Noelle. Zaki was all too eager to help make Noelle safe and agreed. That was a few weeks ago, and remained on his mind. He missed his mom, but he would also miss the steady stream of feeding he could get here. It wasn't an easy choice for him. But today he made his choice. Octavian ran upstairs, passed Noelle in the living room and started tearing through his room.
Noelle: Noelle had mostly kept to herself lately. Not that she hadn't appreciated everyone's care and help in getting all her memories back, or how excited she was to feel like she was living a normal life again. Well, as normal as it could be at the school. But ever since she'd woken up from her coma something had felt different, like being that close to losing herself forever had changed her outlook. She was itching to do more with her time, more eager to meet new people and try new things than she had been before. By Noelle's standards it was a change, even if it didn't seem that drastic to anyone else. One thing that took her a while to notice was how different Octavian had been acting. He was definitely more distracted and distant lately, but she didn't want to push him because she knew how hard he was working. When he came home from work she looked up from her spot on the couch and watched in confusion as he sped past her. "Hey, how was your..." she started to ask but he was gone already. She hopped off the couch and followed him into the bedroom, her brow furrowed in concern. "Whoa what's going on? Are you okay?" she asked gently.
Octavian: Octavian heard her. But he was committed to get to his room. It might have appeared rude, but it was in Noelle’s interest. The last thing they needed was someone hearing about his plans, stopping him from dropping her from her classes, and taking her off here. He wasn’t sure how the administration would feel, but he could imagine they wouldn’t be too happy. He grabbed armfuls of his clothes and placed them on the bed, then went scrummaging for his gym bag. As Octavian went back to the bed, he could see Noelle in the doorway. “Start packing,” he told her. It wasn’t a yell, but it was obvious he wanted her to hustle. Octavian began to fold his clothes and place them in his bag. “Just like some essentials. We can get Tiff, or Sage, or Vi to mail us whatever we don’t take back home,” he added, hoping it would get her in motion. It was time to get home, he’d had enough of this place. But even when he prompted her to start. Noelle remained frozen.
Noelle: Noelle watched him frantically packing, starting to panic at how urgent this seemed to be. When he told her to pack she jumped a little, opening her mouth to speak but not even sure what to say. "What - why? What do you mean?" she asked, getting more confused when he mentioned home and people mailing things to them. "Wait - home? What are you talking about?" she asked, feeling her stomach turn and she finally forced herself to move and walk into the room. "Octavian," she said softly, stepping in front of him and reaching up to set her hands on his shoulders. "what's going on? You're scaring me."
Octavian: Octavian was brought back to reality, when Noelle stood in front of him. His eyes traveled over her, taking her in. So much had happen in nearly two years of knowing her. He wasn’t the same person back then, teasing her, just looking to fuck her. It scared him as he went through it, that someone could have that sort of pull on him. But now, he didn’t mind it, he had no choice but to accept it. “Why aren’t you packing?” he asked her, taking a small break from his own manic packing. “Look, I know you just got through this compulsion. But I don’t think we can handle four years of this. Just when we think we’re safe, what happens? More shit. We need to leave,” he said. Octavian pulled back, and walked over to one of his shelves. He grabbed some of his recipe books, a couple of trophies from intramural sports and brought them back over to his bag. “We need to go now though, before I change my mind, and think everything here is fine,” he added.
Noelle: Noelle didn't know what to think, let alone what to say. He was suddenly so set in this idea of leaving, not giving her a chance to even consider it or understand what he meant by all this. "Slow down for a second." she urged. "Please." she asked, letting her arms drop when he pulled away. The fact that he wanted to leave terrified her because she cared about him so much, but he kept saying 'we' or 'us', like they were definitely going to go home together. "I don't know - how can we go home? We have friends here, we're getting degrees, we can't just..." she shook her head and sat on the bed, half sitting on the clothes he was gathering. They had lives here, right? Or, The Institute's version of lives... "Please can you talk to me?" she pleaded, looking up at him with wide eyes and needing him to slow down if her nervousness was ever going to improve.
Octavian: Octavian was good at judging how upset Noelle was, based on her voice. The higher pitched she got, the more she needed him. This was to nearly a new level or panic that was in her voice. It was enough to get him to stop for another moment, setting down the items in his arms on the bed. “Yeah, we have friends. But You’re more important to me than them. I can talk to them later, meet them another time. But your safety is the most important thing to me,” he explained. Octavian grabbed a golden trophy and tossed it in his bag. “And I worked it out. Zaki has some connections at Northwestern, and U of I – C. He can get you in there,” he added. Octavian hoped it would put her mind at ease. The last thing he wanted to do was mention that Zaki agreed to pay for it. Octavian wrapped his arms around her, placing his head next to hers. “You trust me right? Have I ever steered you wrong? You doubt that everything I do is to keep you safe? I need you to trust me on this Noelle. You weren’t meant for a place like this. We weren’t. We deserve to be happy,” the cambion said to her, speaking into her ear softly.
Noelle: "But I'm safe with you, I thought." she offered. Noelle knew that Octavian sometimes felt he couldn't keep her completely safe, but she had no idea it was so bad he felt like they should both run and leave. "You talked with Zaki?" And not me, she wanted to add. She was the one he decided was joining him without any discussion and it scared her. Like maybe part of him thought he was owed a slave when he left this place. The thought made her fingers curl tensely around the blankets of the bed she was fidgeting with. Noelle tried to relax when he finally wrapped his arms around her, but still couldn't shake the fear that settled in her stomach. "I do trust you...I know you try everything you can." she assured gently. "I just - how can I walk away from a free education? Even if Zaki can get me in somewhere else I can't afford it, I'll still need to help my family with whatever I'm making. And we'd just be leaving Violet after everything we've been through with her, and Tiff all alone in this big house." Even thinking about it made her feel scared and guilty. "Do you want me to come because -" she cut herself off. Noelle couldn't bring herself to ask him, afraid that his reason for wanting her with him were different from the reason she might want to go with him.
Octavian: Octavian shook his head. She was safer with him. But not safe. That didn’t exist here. He lied to himself often about it. He liked it here, with the job opportunities he had, the fact it made his mom proud of him and of course, the many beautiful women that lived there. It allowed him to justify staying there at the expense of Noelle’s safety. “Yeah,” he told her, not sure what else to say about the fact he talked to his brother. She knew how rocky that relationship was. He swallowed his pride, and spoke with him, cutting a deal to use the money he promised his mother he would spend on Octavian’s education, and give it to Noelle. It was a deal for the incubus, considering even paying for a few years of college at Northwestern was cheaper than going here at the institute as a master. “I did. He’s going to help us. The money he was using to pay for me, he’ll give to you. And I’ll keep paying him back,” he explained to her. Octavian took in a deep breath, and pulled away from the hug. “I can help too. I mean, I want to help my mom with her rent. But I can get a job back home no problem. And I can help your family,” the cambion said. Tiffany had offered a few times to give him a loan to start a restaurant. Maybe he would take her up on that, eventually. He looked at her when she stopped mid-sentence. “I want you to come with me because I love you. And I’ve been a shitty boyfriend up to this point. I can’t care for you like I should here. I can’t see you getting tortured every month from Xavier for another two years. I know it’s selfish, but that’s how I am. I need to take you some place where the stuff that happens here, can’t happen to you,” he added.
Noelle: She was surprised that he had spoken to Zaki at all, let alone about something like this that he had apparently been debating a while. Noelle's mouth fell open when he said that his brother had offered to pay for her, "I shouldn't - I can't ask him to do that. That's so sweet of him, but he shouldn't pay for something like that." she said, shaking her head at her gut reaction to something that incredibly generous. "That's so much for you to worry about, I have such a big family, and I can send them a lot of money from here." she pointed out. The idea that things could be better for them though, she could be with him, safe, in school, by her family...it was admittedly alluring. But it still scared her. She wanted to know why he needed her to go with him, but when he finally said it she felt like everything slowed down for a moment. "Y-you do?" she breathed, hardly listening to what he said after that. She knew he had a point and was scared for her, but to hear it was because he loved her...she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "You love me?" she repeated softly.
Octavian: Octavian shook his head. “It’s fine. He promised our dad he’d look after me. This is his way of doing it. I don’t need an education, I never wanted one. It’s fine, it’s cheaper this way too. He already agreed… don’t make me go back and tell him not to,” he begged her. It was hard enough for him to speak to Zaki the first time. Octavian couldn’t imagine going back to tell him, ‘never mind, I need the money now.’ The cambion had went back to packing, trying to fit all he could in his duffel. “Tiffany, she offered me some money before to start a restaurant here. I bet she’d do that same to do one back home. Hell, even a food truck would be good, just to start. Then slowly get enough money to buy my own store front. We can only help your family for so long. Let’s do something so they can help themselves. They could work for me, develop a skill too,” he told her. Octavian wasn’t sure if her family would be interested in helping him, but he would at least offer, if he could take them on. Octavian stopped, when she repeated what he said. “Oh, I… yeah,” he said, not even realizing it had come out. Hadn’t he said that to her before? He could have sworn he had. “I do love you. I sort of have, for a long time. I just, never wanted to admit it. And now that I have, I know I need to protect you like I do,” he added.
Noelle: "But -" she started, but heard the desperation in his voice at the thought of going back to Zaki like he couldn't make up his mind or that it was easy to offer that much money. "Okay, no it's okay, I get it. That's just so...that's really generous. I dunno if I've done anything to deserve something amazing like that, I promise I'll help you repay him." she offered quickly. Noelle was starting to be able to imagine it though, being back near all her siblings and parents, maybe even working with them at Octavian's restaurant, living a real life with him where she knew she was safe and loved. Romantically loved, that was new for her, someone other than friends or family, someone being really in love with her the way he said he was. "A long time?" she repeated, feeling silly for repeating him so much, but she was so happy to hear him say it. "I love you too," she said gently. "you know. Well, you probably knew that for a while I guess...I thought maybe I was, that it was just me." she admitted. "Can I -" she didn't finish or ask, just stood up and stopped him again, but this time lifted to her toes and gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you, for caring about me so much." she said with a small smile. "I know that's why you want to do this."
Octavian: Octavian nodded to her. “Yeah, well, he likes you. He wants to see you safe. He almost seemed happy to do it,” he told her. He wasn’t lying to her. Zaki basically told him it was for the best that she was some place where she couldn’t be hurt. Made sense, considering she was one of Zaki’s oldest friends here. Octavian stopped, and smiled for the first time since entering the house as Noelle said she loved him too. The cambion always hoped that true, maybe even figured it to be. But he’d never heard it. At least, not since when they first met, when she was under that crazy spell. “I do. I’m tired of you getting hurt and taken advantage of. And as long as we’re here, that won’t stop,” he said, his hands on her hips. “But, we need to go. Like, now. Before something happens. Before someone talks me into staying,” Octavian told her, going back to packing. “You can tell me how much you love me and make out with me later, on the plane,” he joked.
Noelle: "Still, I don't want to just take money like that. I'll work on paying him back." she promised, and she meant it. Noelle's smile grew when she saw his, happy that they could both admit their feelings and enjoy it. Or somewhat enjoy it, before he was back on track insisting she get packing. "That sounds like a good life, a great life, really. Back home and going to school and with you...but it's not that easy for me to just pack up my life here." she pointed out. "What about all the people we care about here? We can't just disappear without a word, can you imagine what they'll think happened if they don't have a way to find out?" she pointed out. Noelle nudged his arm lightly when he tried joking, not really ready to joke about such a big decision. "Octavian!" she protested, and suddenly gasped lightly. "Octavian the plane. The island, the spell." she said, her face falling back into a frown as the smile faded. "I just got all my memories back, I dunno what will happen when we leave here. I don't think - I can't, I can't do that again and forget everything." Her words gained speed as she grew panicked again. "What if I forget people like Vi and Jude and Tiff? What if I forget you again? I don't want to do that again." she said, her voice growing frantic as she pressed a hand to her forehead in stress before running it back and over her hair.
Octavian: Octavian knew that Noelle would never take charity like that. He was the same way, having worked to pay back Zaki back as best he could. It was pride that motivated Octavian for that, but for Noelle, he figured it was just because she never wanted to be a burden to anyone. She often hinted to feeling that way around Octavian. But she never was. He did however, hope this move would prevent her from feeling that way. “It’s the one we deserve. We’ve given too much to this place. Literally our blood sweat and tears,” he reminded her. That wasn’t to say there weren’t some good memories here. There were, ones he’d enjoy looking back on. But none were more important to him than Noelle. Octavian thought for a moment, remembering what would happen if she left. Of course, he’d thought about it previously, when he concocted his plan. But never worked out a solution to it. “I know… I know… but we worked through it the first time,” he said with a shrug. Octavian looked at his desk. “What about… a letter. Something to help you. You’d have to leave those memories at some point. Better now, then when you make new memories you won’t be able to like, retain. And I know them. You know them. They will always be in your lives. I bet they want you safe too,” he suggested.
Noelle: Noelle stayed quiet for the time being, chewing on the inside of her cheek nervously. She knew he was scared for her, and the more she thought about it the more of a point he had. She really cared about her friends here, but she missed her family so much it hurt sometimes. If she was home with Octavian, she would be with him and them together. "Our super friends could always come visit us, right?" she asked, realizing they were able to take trips a lot easier than she ever could here. "Even Violet, if she gets claimed by someone nice then they'll probably take her. She can call us on her monthly phone calls or even crash with us after graduation if she needs, right?" Maybe this was doable. She could feel like she was taking back control of her life for the first time in two years. She would be safe finally. "A letter...?" she repeated, looking at his desk too. She could explain everything she needed to remember, and Octavian had been so patient and helpful with her when she lost her memories before. "You promise you'll help me remember? Even the bad stuff?" she asked, wanting to remember all of her time even if it was scary. Noelle looked down at her lap again and fidgeted with her hands, taking a long shaky breath. "Will you give me time to say goodbye?" she asked quietly. "I want to at least write and explain to some people...and give them a hug or something. I'll miss some things about this place."
Octavian: “Look, if your friends really care about you, they’d understand. Those close to you know what you’ve been through. I bet if they were being honest with themselves, they’d want you to leave,” he told her. Octavian hoped it didn’t come out mean, or cruel. He just knew that being if someone was selfless they could appreciate Noelle’s departure. Violet might be mad, maybe, but in time she would probably be happy for her. “Sure yeah. I bet your family would like them too. I mean, if they like me, I can’t imagine how they’d react to someone who was actually, you know, nice,” he said, half-jokingly. Octavian liked the idea of seeing their friends, once they left, someplace safe. “Why do you want to remember the bad stuff? This is an opportunity for you to restart, to forget the bad shit that happened,” he reminded her. Octavian didn’t want her to even have nightmares about this place, forgetting about it wouldn’t be such a terrible thing. “How long? Like, a couple hours? A day?” he asked her, suspicious just how long she wanted. Like the cambion had told her, the sooner they left, the better. The last thing Octavian wanted was to talk himself into staying.
Noelle: "I get what you mean." she offered. "I just want to say goodbye to them, I'd always feel bad if I left without that, and the last thing I want people to do is worry about me all over again." she pointed out. Noelle's lips quirked a little towards a smile at his comment, "You keep saying you're not nice." she said, shooting him a look that said she still didn't believe it for a second. Slowly she shrugged, "I dunno, I just - it's a part of my life now. It's part of my history, what made me who I am today. Even if it'd be easier, I don't want to discount some things that have happened in my life. When you lose all your memories maybe you'll get it." she added. "I don't want to pick and choose what parts of my life I get." She hoped that made sense, and that he would help her remember everything. Noelle still needed time to adjust to this, too. See the beach one more time, hug her friends. "Umm...is a day okay? There's a few people I really wanna see. I'll miss my classes and find them." she promised. "This still kinda scares me." she admitted, wanting him to sit down and calm down with her for a moment but he seemed too worked up. "But...I think it'll be good." she admitted, letting out a slow breath she felt like she'd been holding. Noelle slowly stood again, walking close to him and wrapping her arms around his abdomen in a hug.
Octavian: Noelle had a big heart. He liked that about her. He needed it in a partner, to compensate for his own lack of compassion and empathy. Octavian could be a jerk, and yet she often saw through it to his intention. “I know. You can tell them goodbye. I want you to be happy. I just, don’t want them to talk you out of it. It’s selfish. But I’m hoping you’d listen to me, and know that my intentions are genuine. It’s not to keep you from your friends. But to make sure you can share future memories with them,” he said, looking down halfway through speaking. It was hard to look at her when he felt to emotionally vulnerable. Octavian stopped packing. Partially because he was nearly done, but also because he wanted to give her some time to say a goodbye to her friends, properly. “Okay,” he started. In his head, he repeated to himself to hold steadfast to his decision. He’d see Sage, or Tiff undressing and might want to stay. The cambion could be so predictable that way. But how he cared for Noelle trumped all other relationships. “It will be good. It will be fun. We’ve talked about this. Now it’s time to see if we can really survive back home. Like a normal couple,” he added.
Noelle: She held him in the hug and smiled softly against his chest. "Thank you." she said gently, tilting her head to look up at him. Sometimes it took a few tries to get past his attempted tough exterior and reach the teddy bear she knew was inside, but she could usually do it. "Not just for giving me time, but...for caring enough to want to do this. Despite what's happened to me, the island has been good to you I know. You're giving up friends and jobs and opportunities and I know this isn't easy for you either." she assured. Noelle smiled wider at what he said, giving a nod in agreement. "A normal couple. I like the sound of that, especially with you." she admitted, lifting herself her toes to kiss him softly, pulling away with smile.
“They’re not just words sweetie, I really mean them. And as you can see, so did everyone else who came here for you. They care about you, and were worried. Everyone is going to be so relieved to know that you’re okay. Don’t be surprised if you get a little bombarded when you get out of here” she chuckled. Qhuinn hoped that not too many people approached Noelle at once, as that could be overwhelming as the poor girl tried to regain even her most basic memories. “Tiffany. And yes, the house is just as pink as you’re probably imagining it to be. It stands out” she chuckled too. She had only seen the outside of the beach house and the cavern, but she could only imagine what the interior looked like. “I think being back in your own room, surrounded by just the most mundane, every day things will really help you a lot. And..I have heard of that happening, but it’s very rare. That happens when the body is still weak and sick, and not ready to function just yet. That’s not you Noelle. Your vitals already look good, you’re going to be fine” Qhuinn assured the other, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I did. And I have one here too. The horse I had when I was a little girl, his name was Absinthe. And he one I have here’s name is Voodoo. Guess I have a liking for the dark side” she joked.
Noelle laughed lightly, glad that she had people who cared about her, though the idea of a big group greeting her when she got out made her nervous. She hoped that Octavian and Violet would help keep things calm for her like they had been with her visitors. “That sounds fun, living somewhere like that.” she said, trying to imagine it, or remember it more like. “It feels weird that I can’t remember my own room, but hearing people describe things to me has helped me remember, so I think you’re right. I’ll probably remember more just being there.” She bit her cheek nervously when Qhuinn assured her she wouldn’t fall back into the coma, trusting her opinion but unable to help the nagging fear in the back of her mind. “Aw that’s really cool, horses are beautiful. I never knew anyone that had one because I lived in the city, but there are probably more horses here than I’ve ever seen.” she admitted, “I’ve only seen a few in parades.”
“Oh I was more of the realism era of painting. It was like photography back then. Paint a scene, real or not.” He shrugged. “But I teach painting actually. So if you are interested in that, I look forward to seeing what you can do.”
“Back then?” she repeated, realizing what he’d said. “You were...around, when that was happening?” she asked, amazed. Noelle smiled and nodded eagerly, “Yeah definitely! I’m not very good but I like art classes and hopefully I’ll get better. Do you have room in your class this fall?”
“Well, that’s quite the optimistic approach. You should be teaching something here.. or anywhere else”, Joey returned with a soft chuckle. Her reaction alone assured him that his decision to join her was a good one. He didn’t think anyone had been so happy about his company for such a long time. The male then nodded at her idea, actually sort of glad to get to know her a little better first. “Sounds great, count me in.”, he smiled before looking at her. “Lead the way. By the way, how long have you been here, Noelle?”
Noelle giggled a little, “People always tell me I’m optimistic, I dunno if that would make me a good teacher. Maybe though, huh? I could teach a summer course of optimism.” she joked with a smile. She was glad he wanted to join her, and it would be more fun to go to the gallery together if they got a chance to talk first. “It’s not too far from here.” she said, tipping her head and leading them towards the coffee shop. “A while now, actually. About two years. What about you?”
“I don’t really know a lot about art,” Levi admitted as he took the booklet and began to look through it. He looked at her and smiled then looked back at the book. “But I do like looking at it,” he said. “And this looks like it could be pretty cool.” He flashed her another smile, nodding. “Thanks,” he said.
Noelle gave a shrug, “You don’t have to know much about it to enjoy it.” she offered. “I think it’s fun to know more about the history and artist behind it, but it takes some of the fun out when people are exclusive or picky about it.” she admitted. “I’m Noelle by the way.”
