(Continuation from this post, read more for length only)
The next morning dawned a bit foggy, the early air outside the house was close and comforting...at least to Hazel it was. Her sister was still asleep, her first day of break, and Hazel was loath to disturb her. Finn was asleep on the air mattress. She had no doubt that her brother and Logan were both sawing logs in their respective sleeping-places, upstairs and down. She stretched carefully and glanced to the window.
The fog would burn off. It'd be a pretty day. She slipped from the bed and began her morning, grabbing her clothes and shoes and washkit and heading for the bath. Once washed up and dressed, she tossed her pyjamas back on top of her suitcase and headed downstairs to start breakfast.
Edwin's alarm went off as she got downstairs, and she grinned, leaning over the couch and pestering him until he got up. He accused her of 'not changing a bit since they were children' and and informed her that she was 'just as thoroughly un-nice as ever.' She repented and begged forgiveness in exchange for making his breakfast before he had to go. He eyed her and nodded, and with that agreed upon he went to get ready for work upstairs while she started everything.
He came back down and she had tea, toast, beans, and some quick scones ready for him. She sat and talked quietly with him as he ate, both sipping tea. He left, giving her a fond smooch and wishing that they all would have a good day. She got up and kept working on breakfast for the rest of the house.
Finn was the first to descend, and she was greeted with a hug and a cup of tea. The toast and beans and scones were already done, and she scrambled a couple of eggs as the girl sat to start in on the rest. Her sister was next, unable to shake the early hours she'd been keeping. She took her eggs over easy. Logan brought up the last of the pack, looking pleasantly scruffy despite having already showered. She fixed him a large plate before sitting and herself having a couple scones and some toast.
When everyone was up and ready, they went out walking in the city. The streets varied - many were now paved with asphalt, but quite a few were still ancient cobblestones. The trees had new leaves and a lot were in bloom, and it was busy without being quite so much as New York. Window-shopping, pointing out of landmarks, a better explanation of the history of the district...the two sisters explained back and forth between the two of them to anything they could think of.
Enid was very kind to Finn, and gravitated towards her, sensing a slightly shy kindred soul of sorts,and thought the girl was just adorable as well. They all had lunch at a pub, sitting outdoors in the sunshine. The afternoon, they climbed into the car and Hazel drove them slighty further south to the village of Barlaston. This was more quiet, and had that feeling of a small country community. The houses were separated by yards, and rolling hills could be seen beyond the fences and rooftops.
Hazel parked on a main street, and they walked down Vicarage Lane together. Enid and Hazel joined arms and they came to a stop in front of a modest but very well-cared for two-story brick home that sat back a good seventy feet from the road. The front yard was dotted with flowers and fruit trees, ringed by a low stone wall. The sisters stood there for a while, putting their heads together in silence. Eventually Hazel put her arms around Enid and let her hide her face against her jacket, soothing her as she obviously cried a little. The moment passed and Enid straightened and wiped her face, and begged a quick stroll down to see how the neighbours' houses looked.
Hazel watched her walk down the lane with a sad look in her eyes., stepping up to Logan and Finn with her hands in her pockets. "Enid was still only nine when mum passed here in this house. And twelve when gran and grandda went here as well. So...she has more bad memories than good of the place, it seems. Don't mind her, she'll be alright, the walk will do her good. But...this was my grandparents' house." She smiled. "I lived here for seven years, until I graduated school.. Lots of good memories here for me to balance out the rest."
The rest of the day was possibly less interesting to the other two, but the sisters showed them around their old stomping grounds, including the church and the schools. It was getting late when they finally drove back up to the city and met Edwin, the younger two treating everyone out to supper at a very good restaurant.
The next day was relaxed, doing more sightseeing and checking out the countryside. Arthur was delighted to see other badgers, but their behaviour confused him a bit, so much of the time he was sitting on the patio edge, watching them go about their day. They didn't seem to notice him. If anyone had bothered to ask him, he would have said that he thought they were sorta dull, an' he was happy wit' mum.
The next day was Friday, and at some point mid-afternoon Logan went upstairs to pack his bag. When he came back down and came around the patio to say his goodbyes, he gently shook the hand of Enid, smiling and thanking her for the hospitality. Edwin took his bag and went to put it in the car since he was giving him a lift to the train station. He gave Finn a big hug and promised to talk to her soon-ish.
Hazel waited for him by the back door in the kitchen. She smiled to him and wished him a good visit with his friends. He nodded and ran a hand over his hair, said that he hoped the rest of her vacation here with her brother and sister was good, and to get back safely. He stepped in and cupped her cheek, and whispered "See ya soon, darlin'" before heading out the door, his next destination to visit friends in Scotland.
//had a nasty long eleven-hour day at work with the usual 2-hour commute atop it. I have replies but my eyes are absolutely stuck shut. In the morning, my lovelies. I promise.
Hazel met Logan up on the flight deck at two and boarded the QuinJet, sitting together and strapping in for the ride. She had a couple of huge boxes of cupcakes...peanut butter frosted chocolate with little peanut butter cups on top. She also had a bag that had a few presents in it that she tucked into a cargo net for safety before settling in for the flight.
It was a warm day in Westchester, a sign that spring was marching on towards summer. They exited the plane with packages in hand and she followed Logan into the kitchen entrance of the mansion. A younger girl with brown hair squeaked and went to greet him, hugging him tight around the boxes. Logan grinned a bit. "Hey, Kit. Kitty, this is Hazel. Hazel, this is Kitty. One of the ones that picked the chocolates out for ya. And she's helping teach Finn too."
Hazel greeted the girl and smiled, setting things down on a counter. The young woman was quite helpful and found platters to put the cupcakes on, and they were quietly carried along with some pitchers of milk to one of the larger parlors on the front of the building. She carried the wrapped gifts and grinned as students and faculty alike realised what was going on and fell in quietly to help set up the treats and wait for the guest of honour.
When everything was in place, and paper cups and napkins set up neatly, Kitty volunteered to go to the library (because that's surely where she was) and somehow get her to come to the parlor...
Finn: ::Her flight arrived a little early and Finn headed right for Hazel's quarters. She was expected and was excited about the chance to visit...knocks at the door::
Hazel: Come in!!!
Finn: ::lets herself in:: Hazel?
Hazel: FINN! :grins, coming out of her room:
Finn: Hey! ::smiles brightly:: Sorry I'm early.
Hazel: What!? No sorry! ::greets her with a big hug:: I'm glad you're here!!
Finn: ::hugs her back:: thank you.
Hazel: Good flight?
Finn: Yeah, Johnny Storm came to pick me up.
Hazel: Was he polite? :;grins and ushers her in:: He's been warned.
Finn: Yeah, he was fine. ::smiles:: I think Hank said something to him before I left. So he was on his best behaviour.
Hazel: ::chuckles:: It's a miracle the man hasn't been hurt yet. He's rather sassy. So come on in, relax, put your bag down...how are you?
Finn: ::sets down her bag and sits on the couch:: I'm good. Things have been going really well. You?
Hazel: Just fine! Are you hungry or thirsty or anything?
Finn: Um... may I have a glass of water?
Hazel: Of course!
Finn: Thank you.
Hazel: ::she goes to get it from the kitchen:: I'm sorry I couldn't get the door. I just finished vacuuming and straightening...putting laundry away...::still a pile of books on the coffee table, the tv on to the news feed::
Finn: ::the TV catches her attention... they're honouring someone for their work in the community. Mrs. Evelyn Asher, dead at
Hazel: ::brings her a glass of water::
Finn: ::stares at the TV, sick feeling creeping up...starts shrinking back in to the couch::
Hazel: ::frowns:: Finn?
Finn: ::they're interviewing people she worked with, singing her praise...a pillar of the community...helped hundreds of children. Worked tirelessly::
Hazel: ::glances from her to the tv she's locked on to::
Finn: ::The Atfield Home for Girls...::
Hazel: ::blinks and...stares at the screen for a moment::
Finn: ::half whispers, half mumbles:: Will you excuse me, please?
Hazel: Of...of course. ::steps back::
Finn: ::doesn't wait, stands up and all but runs for the bathroom::
Hazel: ::frowns and follows:;
Finn: ::curls herself in to a ball and sits in front of the bathroom cabinet::
Hazel: ::hesitates and knocks lightly at the door:: Finn? Sweetie...are you ill?
Finn: ::tries to sound like she's not crying, fails:: I... I'm fine...thank you.
Hazel: ::pushes the pocket door open a little and slips in, shutting the door behind her as she sinks down next to her on the floor:: Hey. Hey, sweetie, talk to me. What's happened?
Finn: That... that... woman.... ::spits out the word like a bad taste::
Hazel: The one on the news?
Finn: They're honouring her... for her *good* work. ::wipes her face with shaky hands::
Hazel: ::puts a hand on her hair and strokes lightly:: <q> What do you know of her?
Finn: The Atfield Home for Girls...Atfield...I know her *good* work...
Hazel: That's ...your name.
Finn: No... it's the name they put on my birth certificate. It was where they sent me. Mrs. Asher... ran the home...
Hazel: ::frowns more and listens, a dull tightness of anger starting::
Finn: ::in a voice Hazel had never heard before, raspy, bitter, and unloving:: "Punishment is good for the soul. In suffering you will find the way to God".
Hazel: ::starts at that and sits up, staring at her::
Finn: "We will drive the wickedness from you, child. You bear the mark of the devil and I will not abide it."
Hazel: Oh, Finn. No.
Finn: ::shakes, chin quivering::
Hazel: Sweet girl, you...are *not* that. ::slips her arms around her and hugs her::
Finn: I... I know all about her *good* work.
Hazel: ::snuffles and hugs her tight::
Finn: "Take this time in the dark to remind yourself of why you seek the light" And they're honouring her...a statue...a monument to everything she's done...
Hazel: :;leans back and holds her at arm's length:: Finn. ::shakes her head:: Finn, they don't know what she did.
Finn: No... they don't... Because no one ever asked.
Hazel: How long were you there?
Finn: Six years. "You are a freak. An abomination under God." And that's all I was to any of them...the social workers wouldn't listen... or didn't care...they called me a liar.
Hazel: :;flushes and has a moment of murder in her eyes::
Finn: And they'd leave... and she... she...the closet at the end of the hall.... they'd tell her what I'd said...she'd be so angry...I was supposed to be grateful.
Hazel: ::looks furious and heartbroken all at once::
Finn: ... locked in the closet to consider what I had done. Until I was ready to thank her. For allowing me to stay.
Hazel: ::shakes her head again::
Finn: And she gets a staue...no one will ever know...no one wants to hear about how a pillar of the community broke dozens of children... especially not freaks.
Hazel: You just told me.
Finn: It doesn't change anything.
Hazel: It might.
Finn: She's dead...
Hazel: True. It won't change *her.* But it might help others like you. That's a terrible thing to happen and you can't be the only one.
Finn: No.
Hazel: Maybe ....you can work to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Finn: ::defeated:: why would anyone ever listen to me?
Hazel: Hey. Because you're going to tell the truth.
Finn: And they have dozens of people... *normal* people who are singing her praise.
Hazel: Here's the thing. I'm sure that she did help a lot of non-mutant children. But the people who protected *her*...are still around.
Finn: ::stares at her::
Hazel: It took more than that one woman to let that happen to you.
Finn: ... yes.
Hazel: Which means they're still in the system with other mutant children. ::sets her jaw::
Finn: ::feels a bit sick::
Hazel: And...you can help them.
Finn: How?
Hazel: There are mutant anti-defamation and aid groups out there. Tell them your story. Let them start checking into it.
Finn: ::nods slightly::
Hazel: Finn. That woman was *wrong.*
Finn: ::curls up again and cries, shaking::
Hazel: Oh, sweetheart. :sighs and curls up with her, pulling her into a hug:: She can't hurt you anymore, she can't hurt anyone anymore. You're in a good place, with friends and people who care about you, who *like* you...no more abuse. I'll thrash anyone who tries.
Finn: ::Looks up at her, looking more like the broken child she was than she has in a long time:: Thank you.
Hazel: I'm serious. I will come in with cricket bat, badger and assistance.
Finn: ::forces a weak smile::
Hazel: You...are a good person, you are not a freak, not some unholy thing. You are sweet and smart and gentle and have an amazing talent. And I love you.
Finn: ::more tears spill over::
Hazel: :;snuffles a bit herself:: Do you know...if that woman had been kind to you...I would never have met you. I would rather she had been kind to you.
Finn: Just don't ask me to thank her.
Hazel: Never. I'll visit her grave sometime and thank her, and tell her how well off you are. Let her chew on that.
Finn: You'll forgive me if I don't join you.
Hazel: Of course I will. ::strokes her hair and kisses the top of her head::
Finn: ::quietly:: thank you.
Hazel: They say that the best revenge sometimes is just to live well.
Finn: There are a few things I'd settle for that aren't "best" then.
Hazel: I'm sure.
Finn: I'm sorry... I shouldn't say that.
Hazel: You can say anything you want. Following through is where you need to be careful.
Finn: I don't need to follow through. She'll be locked away in a box forever.
Hazel: ::nodding, sighs soft:: I...I wish there was something I could do.
Finn: It's okay...it's not your fault.
Hazel: Doesn't change my wish. :;wraps her arms around her::
Finn: Thank you.
Hazel: You think of anything, anything at all, you let me know.
Finn: I will.
Hazel: ::sighs and ...blinks as the badger climbs up through the floor nearby, eyeing them warily::
Finn: I'm sorry... I came for a visit and... this is not how I meant for it to go.
Hazel: Oh, sweetie. You do *not* need to apologise for anything.
Arthur: :;crawls up and waddles over to them, worming his way into the tangle::
Finn: ::pets his head::
Arthur: ::growly purr, 'lo shifty-gurl....dun be sad...::
Hazel: I tell you what. Let's go back in, turn *off* the fecking news...throw in a stupid movie and relax a bit, mm?
Finn: ::nods::
Hazel: And if that doesn't work then we'll go do something.
Finn: ::slowly gets up, wiping her face::
Hazel: ::helps her, and scoops up Arthur:: If you want to wash your face, there's a cloth there for you.
Finn: Thank you. ::wets the cloth and wipes her face::
Hazel: ::opens the pocket door and sets Arthur down again...watches him waddle back out towards the living room::
Finn: ::folds up the cloth and follows Hazel::
Hazel: ::leads her out, the TV...off....already...huh::
Arthur: :;curled up on the couch by the remote::
Finn: ::curls up as far in to the corner of the couch as she can get::
Hazel: ::hands her the glass of water::
Arthur: :;creeps over and curls up against her::
Finn: ::strokes his head:: Thank you, Arthur.
Hazel: ::smiles a little and sits, pulling up Wall-E::
Finn: Hazel... I... Uh... Thank you. No one ever believed me before.
Hazel: And that is their terrible mistake and loss. But...you're welcome. Very welcome. You're stuck with me now by the way. ::grins a very little to her::
Finn: ::smiles:: I think I can live with that.
Hazel: Good. Tell me...how fond are you of your surname.
Finn: ... It's a name. It's not really "mine".
Hazel: :nodding: Aye. But you could change it if it bothers you.
Finn: ... Change it? To what?
Hazel: Something you want. Something that won't drag you back to that place every time you see and hear it?
Finn: I... I don't know...I've never really thought about it.
Hazel: Well. You've got time to think on it now. ::smiles crookedly and starts to speak....then thinks better of it::
Finn: What?
Hazel: Me being selfish.
Finn: ::confused::
Hazel: ::smiles gently and shrugs:: I...personally think you would be an ideal Brompton.
Finn: ::looks like she might cry again:: I...I... ...Really?
Hazel: ::nods and manages a smile::
Finn: ::whispers:: thank you...
Hazel: No, lass...thank *you.* I mean it. I love you very much and ...I'd do anything for you.
Finn: I love you too, Hazel.
Hazel: :slides over and hugs on her::
Arthur: ::HEY HEY HEY BADGER IN THE MIDDLE HEY::
Finn: ::hugs her back::
Arthur: ::squirms and escapes::
Hazel: You can be the daughter I'll never have. ::soft chuckle::
Finn: ::smiles:: I'd like that.
Hazel: ::grins and puts her head to hers:: And we shall rule with an iron fist.
Finn: ::holds up her fist, clad in an iron gauntlet::
Hazel: ::laughs::
Finn: ::chuckles::
Hazel: ::smooches her cheek loudly and lets her go::
