open | haven't I given enough?

[castitas]

Who: Kate Marsh + You
What: Catch All.
When: Late October — November + December.
Where: Various.

Content Warnings: N/A, threads will be marked appropriately.

Comments

[castitas]

[ Maybe it was a while ago, and that's why she can't remember. And like, adults are so much better at remembering everything. Maybe that has something to do with it. Kate smiles, because okay. That totally makes a whole lot of sense.

And then her nose wrinkles a little, even as she smiles, because this whole 'clothes being too much' is totally a problem. It's like all her clothes grew, or maybe she put on her mom's clothes this morning by accident. ]

Okay! That sounds good. [ She nods her head, before pausing and pointing to the wolfdog sat beside her. ] Oh. His name is Merry. Can he come too?

[ Merry gives a little low wag of his tail, lifting his head from her lap and moving to stand as she does. She thinks he's hers, and he must be — he's never left. But she doesn't remember getting a dog, but like— she has a dog—?! That's so cool. ]

Can you call my parents when we get there? So they know where to pick me up?

[fidior]

[ She knows Merry's name, too — it seems Kate, in this state she's been reduced to, truly does still retain some memory of her usual self, or at least those she's familiar with. But it isn't a full memory, perhaps like some dream. He must be very careful what he says and how, not wanting to risk upsetting the girl.

It also means he needs to be careful not to reach out to her in that mental voice that he now knows the two of them share. He doesn't know how Kate might react to such a thing, at least not yet. ]

He most certainly can. In fact — he's meant to be yours. Stay close with him, and he'll watch over you.

[ He smiles, bending down for a moment to offer Merry an affectionate scratch on top of the head, before standing again and looking down at the girl. Once more, he doesn't want to lie to her, but he won't dare tell her the truth. That communication with anyone is impossible. That her parents are nowhere to be found in this world. Instead, Edward smiles again, eyes warming. ]

It shall be the first thing I do once we arrive. Now— it's just this way. [ He begins to make movement back down the porch stairs, but hesitates. With her baggier clothing and shoes, making the trek there will be difficult for Kate as it is; there's also the fact that it's colder now, darker, and the snow is quite thick. Winter is on its way. ]

I've had an idea of something that might be fun. What if you rode upon my back? I could carry you there, as though you were a princess. After all, I am in service of Her Majesty, the Queen.

[castitas]

I get my own dog—? [ Her tone is incredulous, but she's super stoked about it all. So it's true, then. She gets a dog. Like this is the most awesome day ever, because the dog is a very good dog and she gets to keep him? Thank you, Jesus, for sending her this furry friend....

She nods, ready to follow but stops when he does — blinking and looking at him expectantly. An idea that might be fun...? And then her eyes widen a little.

A princess. She goes all bashful: princess isn't something she'd equate herself with. She wrings her hands a little, huffing out a small breath — vocalised with a soft hum. ]

I... don't know about... princess.

[ SHE'S SHY.... Her lips press together, but it... would be super fun— ]

That does sound like fun, though. And, I mean— only if it's okay. [ There's a little pause, and she frowns, remembering something: ] You're on a boat, right? I think I remember that.

[fidior]

( He smiles, but gently, at the reaction, not one to tease. Instead— )

It is certainly all right. I am here to assist you. ( He can't have her walking around in the snow with shoes and clothing too big, and this time... well, Kate's much too small to wear his coat as she had that first time he'd met her. Best that he carries her through it all to the warmth of the saloon, and from there he can get some help from Wynonna.

He moves to a lower step than where the girl is, sliding his gun carefully from its strap to be held in one hand instead. Then he crouches in front of her, offering for her to get on his back. As he does, he turns his head slightly to the side as though to look back at her, brows lifting. She remembers that detail...? Perhaps a little skewed, as with the other details she recalls, the ghosts of things. She seems to remember him in present tense — you're on a boat. Not were. )

Oh yes — The Terror. She's a magnificent ship. Strong, sturdy. She served in war before.

( He still remembers, even if his mind has gone strange in its ways. But he won't forget this. The way the vessel was repurposed for exploration, the way her bones beneath had survived many harsher things. He was so proud to serve aboard her; perhaps a glint of that shows in his voice. )

But now she's meant to explore the world.

[castitas]

[ It's not an often thing: getting a piggy-back ride. Like she's probably too old for them now, especially when she's got a baby sister — she's supposed to be the grown up now. But it would be fun, and he really does mean it when he offers.

She wrings her hands, still shy, for a few beats longer before she finally gives in — stepping forwards to gently clamber onto his back — her arms hugging around his neck and shoulders. She listens quietly before she frowns, shaking her head. ]

... Terror isn't a good name for a boat that explores. [ Like, why would you call a boat that explores the world Terror. That doesn't sound right. ] If I had a boat, I'd call mine something less scary.

You should give the boat a new name. One that's better for exploring, not for war.

[fidior]

[ Edward smiles at the words, making sure Kate seems secured before he stands upright, arms moving backwards to help hold her onto him like that. He begins to walk, carefully, making certain Merry is following at his side. ]

What would you name yours? I haven't a very creative spirit, not like you do. Perhaps I can find inspiration from your thinking.