what once was mine.

[nowgoandgether]

Lena Austen has been turned into her six-year-old self. It was a shock to wake up and discover she was no longer a woman in her twenties and instead, the child version of her. She's retained enough memories to recognize people from her adult life, but her mannerisms and her way of thinking are now that of a six-year-old. It's quite a dilemma. That'

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[pwnspatrickjane]

Shawn doesn't have an invitation. Why he's at the pier? He doesn't know. All he does know is that there is a fairy sitting on the end of the pier and there's no way he's going to leave that alone.

He has a feeling that she probably isn't an actual fairy. The Rift has been doing a lot of crazy things this week, and this is probably just a resident who happens to have been caught up in the mess somewhere along the way. That doesn't mean he can't go and talk to the temporary fairy anyway.

... He winds up not actually saying much, though. He just moves closer and sits down next to her, looking up and wondering what she's looking for.

[allthesigns]

She is not a faerie, but it would be nice to be one, she thinks. She has no desire to be a princess. They're often portrayed as damsels in need of saving, and Sarah is no damsel, and if she needs saving, she wants to save herself. Faeries, however, are mystical creatures she can approve of.

Her wings don't actually flicker at the tips like fireflies. That's just for tonight.

And she notices Shawn sitting down next to her, and gives him a smile. It's easy to feel weightless and melancholy-free tonight. Almost as if noting the question on his face, she lifts up the invitatation, "Hello. I'm waiting for a sign," she tells him, before looking up at the sky again, handing him the invitation.

[pwnspatrickjane]

Knowing his question before he even asks it? That's pretty impressive, even by his terms. He takes the invitation from her, and smiles a bit at the idea, before nodding.

"Cool," he replies. "Mind if I wait with you?"

[allthesigns]

"Not at all," Sarah says with a smile of her own, making room for him so that he may sit down next to her. The night is warm, a rarity considering it's Chicago and it's October, to boot. There's warmth, however, and it's why she can wear a sleeveless dress out in the open night.

"I'm Sarah," she says, sticking out a hand. "Sarah Monroe."

[pwnspatrickjane]

Shawn settles more comfortably into his spot with a smile -- when you have permission, things seem to loosen up a lot more, and he feels better about not just shoving his nose where it doesn't belong.

This is a new thing for him. He's trying it out to see how it feels.

"Shawn Spencer," he replies, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you."

[allthesigns]

The week has made her infinitely more approacheable. Sarah often doesn't know how to talk to strangers, isn't talented at making friends with them, but the night is beautiful, and there's no sadness weighing on her chest, and he seems like an absolutely lovely person.

"Nice to meet you, too," Sarah says with a grin.

"Whether you got an invitation or not, supposedly, you can make a wish at midnight! I'm still wondering what to wish on myself."

[pwnspatrickjane]

That's fine by Shawn. He's good with people who are awkward at making friends and talking to people. This is mostly because he talks to everyone.

"A wish, huh?" he says as he looks up at the stars again. "Well, a wish takes very careful consideration. You can't just waste it."

[allthesigns]

"That's what the note says," Sarah says with a nod, glancing down at it briefly. She isn't sure why she's here, truth be told, save for the fact it felt like she should be. And she doesn't often get those feelings.

"There's also the whole careful what you wish for angle."

[pwnspatrickjane]

"True," he nods. "But I think that's more for people who are selfish about their wishes."

And it's true. Most people who wish for something for themselves, to make themselves better, end up really regretting it.

"I think it's a pure of heart thing. But it's been a long time since I've been offered the chance to make a wish."

[allthesigns]

"And the grass always seems greener," Sarah says with a nod. Her own wish, the one she'd really like to make, revolves around Elizabeth. Not because she thinks it's either selfish or selfless.

It's just the thought that keeps popping in her head.

"I think you're very right about that." Sarah smiles at him at that. "You've never wished upon a shooting star, then?"

[pwnspatrickjane]

"I've never seen one," he admits. "And that ... is actually kind of depressing."

But it's the truth. For all Shawn's endless hope and optimism, he's never seen a shooting star. He really wants to fix that now.

[allthesigns]

"...Fear not, my good man," Sarah says cheerfully, linking her arm with his. "There's always a first time for everything. Tonight is your night to see one. And you will be making a wish on it."

Sarah will be on the lookout now for a shooting star. This will be remedied immediately, Shawn. She is determined.

[pwnspatrickjane]

Shawn appreciates Sarah's determination more than he can ever say. He gives her a small smile as he inches closer, looking up at the sky and waiting for the show to begin.

"I've got my fingers crossed."

[allthesigns]

She smiles back at him, earnest and bright, and soon enough, a shooting star will find its way across the sky, only moments before the floating lanters drift upward to join it.

It makes for an impressive sight, and Sarah stands beside him, touching his arm lightly to point toward the star.

Whatever wish Shawn ends up making, she hopes it comes true.