IC Inbox

[disdainfully]

✆ THORSSON's hardware
You have reached Thorsson's hardware, my name is Dory Valin. What can I do for you?

✆ the Thorsson residence
You have reached the private number of Þórir, Mardís, Jón, Albin. Filbert, Killian and whoever else happens to be home right now. If you are calling for business matters, please call xxx-xxxx-xxx instead. If not, please record your message after the tone and you will hear from us.

✆ Thorir's mobile
Hello, this is Þórir.

And the network options
✆ voice | ✉ text | ➲ video

Comments

[espigeonage]

I do think it needs to be quiet. She didn't want it spread. Anyway word could easily get back to the wrong people, and even if things could have been a lot worse, they don't need that.

It's about Blaine. You know, the tall rude girl who's always arguing with Killian? Who turned into a monster the other day ago?

[disdainfully]

You have my word that I will not speak about it to anyone.

I never met her, but I know whom you mean. [Waiting for more. He could say a lot of things, but right now sees no point in it.]

[espigeonage]

Thanks.

[There's quite a long pause, during which at some point he actually changes his mind and types "I'm just really worried. She's my friend", then changes it again. He sends the truth before he can change a third time, and regrets it in the next moment.]

She's my cousin actually. Same grandma, different grandpas.

[disdainfully]

[...oh.]

When did you find out?

[espigeonage]

She told me when I tried running out on people in March. I guess she knew before.

It's not exactly a close knit family. Honestly I can see it though and my sister looked some things up.

[disdainfully]

[At least, he thinks, Julien won't have to deal with someone that he was close to going back to not knowing him at all. But... this really isn't a much better option.]

You didn't know each other before at all?

[espigeonage]

No. I met her when I put an ad out on the network for a roommate. I have no idea how she found out or why she looked.

I don't get along with most of my family. My sister, my niece. I send cards to some of the others. But I'm kinda the black sheep, I take after someone who hurt them and I come across as insincere to them. Shady.

[disdainfully]

Not as shady as her.

[He rubs his head.]

You take after that person in looks?

[espigeonage]

I made friends with a lot of people they don't really approve of. I got a poetry degree and worked in a slum clinic for the shadiest guy ever.

Yeah. My father. I have Japanese ancestry on both sides, actually.

[disdainfully]

And you still stayed a reliable and friendly person.

[Emphasis on reliable.]

So why do they think of your father and not the other side?

[espigeonage]

More friendly than reliable.

It's not just looks. My sister looks like him too a bit. But I'm flashy and I love attention and I smile all the time, and I'm better than him but still, similar. There's a petty stupid history there. I understand why it raises their hackles.

[disdainfully]

I understand troublesome family histories.

[Considering the shit that his own family has pulled over Hjalti and Catherine, and by extension Killian...]

[espigeonage]

I don't need all that. I have my sister, and maybe my niece if she's not scared of me. Otherwise it's cards and not much else, and that's fine. 'Chosen family' narratives are so much nicer.

But it was still good to find out.

[disdainfully]

And you lived with her for a while, even afterwards?

[espigeonage]

Nah. We lived together after we met, then she had to move out and told me this later. After that she didn't want to move back in. She was touchy and private and pretended not to like me. I'm pretty sure it was pretending. You know I'm optimistic with people.

[disdainfully]

That you are.

[And he'd really like to hug you right now.]

How did you feel about her?

[espigeonage]

She was challenging. Not someone to relax around, not comfortable, and she didn't want to be. She wasn't nice.

I liked her. I liked cooking for her. She was always kinda surprised and weirded out that I could do it, she'd half forget that she wasn't supposed to be that interested.

I liked being happy and embarrassing her, like she was too cool for me. And being cynical and crude to try and match could be fun, too.

[disdainfully]

[He smiles at that; it is a pattern that he has seen in some of the teenage friends of his children with older or younger siblings when they were in their "too cool for you phase.]

Like siblings, in a way.

[espigeonage]

I guess. My big sister always took care of me since we were kids. Half raised me. It was a different relationship there, but it would be.

I hate feeling like I always have to move apart from people. It's no one's fault usually, it's natural. No relationship or person will always be the same, no one can always stay. You think I'd know not to pity myself about it.

[disdainfully]

You will always be welcome with my family.

[espigeonage]

[He doesn't mean that, Julien thinks instantly. It's just a nice gesture.]

Thanks.

I appreciate being invited to your gettogethers, you know. Thanksgiving would have been lonely.

[disdainfully]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it; and you will always be welcome for Thanksgiving and similar occasions. Yet I mean the invitation beyond that. [A brief smile, trying to be warm but ending up looking almost pained.] Whatever we become, you will be welcome.

[espigeonage]

It's good to know. Thank you.

[Julien... doesn't believe him. He personally can't be worthy of that.]

[disdainfully]

Will you be with us for Christmas?

[espigeonage]

I want to be. In the mountain?