(Untitled)

[gold_i_locks]

Who: Amelia Wright (Goldilocks) and Neil McLaughlin (Caterpillar).
Where: Amelia's apartment.
What: A much needed chat and slight intervention.
When: 4:15 PM
Rating: TBD

The corners, floors, kitchen, and various other rooms, not including Eleanor’s, had been cleaned to such a state of spotlessness that dirt itself feared being found in such a place. The

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[off_the_hookah]

The excuse Neil had given to Amelia in their exchange on the compendiums was a little white lie. He really didn't have anything to drop off at David's. The reason why he wanted to see her was the same one he had months ago, when she'd written for help: Neil had grown very fond of her as a friend and was concerned for her welfare. Last time he tried to intervene, it wound up an unmitigated disaster, but Neil had learned from his hastily made decision to call an ambulance for her. This time, the problem was more psychological than physical, and while Neil wasn't trained as a shrink, he knew that if he could get Amelia to talk about what was weighing on her mind and preventing her from sleeping, it would be a huge breakthrough. Knowing Amelia, she was more likely to reveal her mind to him than some professional.

Some times a friend is all you need.

Bringing along with his a little potted plant for a peace offering / get well gift, Neil knocked on the door of her apartment and waited in the hall, idly wondering what David was

[gold_i_locks]

Febreeze, with its wonderful scents and easy to use bottle, had been no match for the bleach, which was likely going to be giving her migraines for weeks. The knock that sounded through the apartment made her jump out of her thoughts and discard the bottle into the sink before turning and leaving the kitchen. Jennifer watched her with sad brown eyes before tucking her head next to her paws as Amelia walked by. Stopping, for just a moment, Amelia gave the Doberman a soft scratch between the ears before standing to complete her trip to the apartment door.

With her hand on the doorknob, she breathed.

Okay, she could do this.

Opening the door, she arranged her expression to radiate what she hoped was a pleasant demeanor. Her eyes lingered on the plant in his hands for a second longer than needed, had he and her business partner bought their plants from the same florist? They were practically identical. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Amelia smiled slightly and pulled the door open farther, giving him enough room to enter, “

[off_the_hookah]

One glance at Amelia told Neil exactly how tired and ill she really was, and he managed to keep his cool and not make any exaggerated faces at how concerned he was for her health, what do speak of state of mind.

"Hello, Amelia. Plant." Lifting the plant up as if to introduce, or maybe present, her with the gift, he continued holding it as he entered the apartment. The place was so clean, it was unsettling. A whimper told Neil where Amelia's pet dog was lying - animals were incredibly sensitive to people's subtle vibrations, and to see Jennifer behaving so depressed was also something to bring him concern.

At this point, Neil thought he could engage in some pleasant chit-chat to help break the ice a bit more, but his mind drew a blank. "May I sit?"

[gold_i_locks]

The proffered plant was transferred safely into her arms, one of the large green leaves hitting her in the nose and making her eyes twitch then blink rapidly as Neil walked in. Turning slowly, her movements stiff and jerky, Amelia moved across the meticulously clean living room to set the gift next to its twin on the window sill, where hopefully it would survive the smoggy air of New York over the bleach fumes.

Turning, she vaguely heard him ask if he could sit and she nodded, “Yeah, of course. Would you like anything to drink? Tea, water…” she counted off the beverages on her fingers, her voice trailing off as she tried to remember the last. Finally she sighed and gave him a small apologetic smile, “That’s all I have, really.”

If there was ever a moment that reeked of lame attempts at putting up a pleasant front, this was one. She was certain, with all of her wavering might, that it wouldn't take much for Neil to see past it all.

[off_the_hookah]

"Tea's fine." Before he had come, Neil had considered bringing something to drink in addition to the plant, but didn't want to make any more stops along the way. "What's with the sterile environment?" he asked, speaking with equal parts of humor and sarcasm.

[gold_i_locks]

[off_the_hookah]

The frown Amelia made was mirrored upon Neil's own face. He could tell what was going on in her mind just by her body language. Getting up and going into the kitchen, Neil put his arm around Amelia's shoulders and with a budge, gently guided her back to the living room so she could sit down.

"I've decided I don't need anything to drink, after all. But thanks for the offer." Once they were seated, Neil said said, very seriously, "Amelia. Something else happened in that dream of yours."

It wasn't a question: Neil had an inkling that her dream held the key to what was bothering her. "Did something bad happen?"

[gold_i_locks]

It took several moments for Amelia to register the weight of Neil’s arm around her shoulder, and when she led her to the couch she gave him a grateful smile, eyes lowering to the floor. As he finished speaking, she looked up again, her chin lowering to her palm as her tired eyes closed slowly.

“Dreams,” she murmured, “I have many.” Opening her eyes again, she blinked away the exhaustion and scratched her forehead with her free hand, “We…we’re…” The frustration of the dreams, her current situation, the pneumonia, and the knowledge that she was going to have to tell someone something about herself all flitted across hers face in a clash of emotions as she stared at him, helplessly unable to complete the thought.

[off_the_hookah]

With his arm still around her shoulder, Neil pulled Amelia toward him so she was leaning against his chest in a comfortable, restful position. Giving her a few moments of silence to compose herself, Neil finally said, in a peaceful whisper, "What are you and your sister doing?"