♛”It’s a strange kind of hurt to think of her. We can’t help it when we see something she would have liked, so united for so many years on pleasing her, as we were. The sound of laughter from a little girl as it echoes down a street often draws us closer together, slipping our arms around eachother protectively.”

“We rarely mention her. So many things that we’ve been through, we have scars that can only be prodded at, not reopened.”

“David was almost meant to fit a similar role for us, but from his first night as one of us, I knew that could never be.” 

“On the subject of people we feel close to… Are you aware of our dear 3rd wheel personal assistant, Brian? He rapidly became someone we both care for deeply, who knew we desperately needed his kindness, calm temperament, sharp wit, let alone the daytime help he was hired for! He’s one of those whose personality lights him from within, and we’re both drawn in. We’re mostly respectful in our interactions with him, it wouldn’t do to treat him like a pet. But I have always had trouble respecting boundaries with objects of my affection.” Laughs.  (pssst he’s gairid‘s OC!)

“To answer your question, yes, I showed Claudia how to thread dandelions into a chain, which she improved into elaborate wreaths for our front door.”

“Louis was subjected many times to florally decorated plaits simply because his hair is longer than mine, and the darkness made a better backdrop for the blooms. Or so she said. More likely she just wanted the excuse to play with his hair.” he smirked, leaning back. 

“After his ‘makeover,’ she would indulge him in a game of chess. She was one of the few who has ever been able to beat him, but I suspect he

purposely made mistakes when playing with her. He’s certainly never pulled any punches with ME at that game or many others.”

“Claudia not only made flower crowns, but she also made dresses for her dolls from the larger petals of hibiscus flowers. The last dress she ever wore was, according to Louis, one she had designed herself.”  

“Some of the things Claudia enjoyed…” 

“Drawing and painting, watercolors. She had a deft hand. I can still remember her style vividly in my mind, perhaps it’s for the best that those works did not survive the fire. I think Louis is relieved of it. After all, he chose not to save the art she made during their travels together. Too painful, perhaps. I don’t bring it up with him.”

“Her music lessons. Piano was her foremost interest, which I encouraged because it is the basis for all other instruments. Other instruments were more difficult for her small hands. I commissioned a flute maker to make one her size, which she tried, but soon lost interest because she simply became winded too quickly. I think that experience turned her away from any other woodwinds.”

“String instruments were usually too large for her, as well.”