Practice

[alittlebitofjoy]

[in the lobby on the first floor, a little girl plays. Her hair pulled back into a tiny pony tail, just enough for a little tuft to poke out from the back of her head (some loose strands falling over her face because she hasn't really mastered the art of ponytail tying). She dances around the room in her little bloomer pants and white middy blouse

Comments

[old_papa_john]

[The old man was to wander on by but he ends up stopping dead in his tracks when he sees a child he hasn't seen before. Not to mention that, but she's practicing a fighting technique that's vaguely familiar.]

...

[He watches her for now, not wanting to interrupt her practice.]

[alittlebitofjoy]

[Lilly's a very diligent little girl and keeps throwing punches and kicks at the air. Each swing accompanied by a grunt. Her aim is a tad sloppy, but that's what practice is all about. Too bad little Lilly hasn't learned to be entirely aware of her surroundings yet. She'll get there, you'll see.]

[old_papa_john]

[That's for the best. He's got this thing about distracting good kids from good work, but if he spies that knee he may have to stop and CURE patch her up.]

[alittlebitofjoy]

[He won't have to stand back long. One misaimed jab in the air and a startled yelp pitches against the walls as the knife clatters to the ground. Red droplets trail down the back of her hand, down her forearms, and drip from her elbow. Lilly's cut herself and she just holds her hand palm down, staring at the angry diagonal streak. It stung and brought tears to her eyes, but she didn't cry.

Not yet.]

[old_papa_john]

[Oh no!]

[old_papa_john]

[He steps toward her and looks down.]

That doesn't look so good. Let me see...

[alittlebitofjoy]

[Lilly glances up at him with wide, tear brimmed eyes and holds her hand out for him to see (with a slight quiver in her bottom lip). He looked familiar. Was it-]

-...John?

[old_papa_john]

...?

You know me?

[He very carefully takes her hand and looks it over. Since she's still bleeding he decides it is best to go ahead and CURE her so he takes a moment to disinfect, close her wound with sutures, slow the bleeding with styptic, and bandage it neatly.]

There.

...

[He disinfects and slaps a Band-Aid on her knee while he's at it.]

[alittlebitofjoy]

[She wiggles her fingers and doesn't even feel a stab of even a little bit of pain. Boy, she sure wishes she knew how to use the CURE menu~. Lilly wipes her arm across her face, wiping away tears and beams back in appreciation.]

Uh-huh. Well...kind of. Many many months ago I met a John and he said he'd take care of me and gave me a room to sleep in. It was good, but I don't see him anymore and I don't see many people much anymore.

[She shrugs, rubbing a hand over the bandages and feeling its texture.]

But that's alright. Did you see it? I was practicing like a good little girl! Daddy always wanted me to practice.

[old_papa_john]

[Her story was difficult to hear. He shakes his head and closes his eye.]

I'm sorry.

[After a moment John glances back at her and nods as he answers.]

Yes. Yes, I saw. You did very well, but you need to be more careful.

[alittlebitofjoy]

[She nods]

It's not your fault. I guess people just find their way home and that's all. Somewhere here I'm sure there's a door or maybe they just wake up and aren't here anymore.

I sure do miss them. An Awful Awful lot.

[Some days, Lilly feels like she's found that door too and is back home, sleeping in her own bed in her daddy's big mansion with all the servant ladies. But then she wakes up.]

But it's okay. I have to be strong because I can't be a soldier if I'm not, right?

[old_papa_john]

[He nods slowly.]

Right.

Heh. If you have a change to go home...take it. Me, I am stuck here.

[alittlebitofjoy]

Why are you stuck? You're just as stuck as everyone else, right? Or maybe you're just stuck because you some gum under your shoe and that's why you can't leave.

[old_papa_john]

I can't leave. It is by the grace of this Nexus that I am alive. In my time I am dead.

...

But this is nothing you should even concern yourself with.

[alittlebitofjoy]

[her face falls as the words sink in.]

...you're dead?

[old_papa_john]

Not at the moment, but technically I was revived when I woke up in this place.

[Now he's sad that he explained it all to her.] I'm sorry...

I shouldn't be telling you all of this when I don't even know your name.