i don't belong to anybody

“Doing something that stresses you out seems pretty ridiculous.” Calcifer huffed, though they are aware that many in this world, without magic, kind of have to deal with stress if they want to get anywhere. They suppose that Howl had to deal with something similar, sometimes feeling the heart they were holding getting some pangs. But once the heart was back to their friend they never worried about stress. Until now. “I am not stressed or worried about your paper. You seem to actually read the material and have an interest in the subject which will help you in the long run.” 

“True, but if I didn’t take these classes, then I wouldn’t be able to graduate with the major I want to graduate with,” she explained.  “That’s why this class is kind of a blessing.  I don’t feel stressed about it.  It’s actually kind of fun,” she admitted with a smile.  “You really think so?  Do you...  I mean, I don’t know if it would be possible or what it would even look like, but could you maybe help me figure out how to turn this into a minor?  I’d love to be able to learn more about astronomy.”

It was hard not to keep laughing when she joined in. It was one of the best things about laughter, how it just suddenly got out of control. “I am known to confuse things,” he admitted when he recovered. Usually on purpose, but that was another story. "It could happen,“ he agreed with a nod. It wasn’t likely, but nobody expected Jack to be realistic.

After everything that she’d been through, not just in Fableton but in her life, it felt so good to freely laugh like this.  The kind of laughter that got away from them and had her eyes leaking as she struggled to catch her breath.  She simply shook her head at his admission, sighing softly as she finally was able to breathe again.  “Around here, stranger things have happened,” she assured.

“How would a big thing come in a small package? That’s nonsense,” he laughed harder. Talking about Pitch trying to sway him to the dark side was sobering though, and he shrugged it off. “Yeah. Like I said, we have some things in common.” He’d been alone for so long that even Pitch’s pitch had started to sound appealing. They’d picked their sides a long time ago though. “Oh, I don’t think he’s planning to. I just wouldn’t want anyone to completely give up on me.” So Jack could never completely give up on him, or anyone. He wasn’t the Guardian anyone expected to be realistic.

“No, you know what, I stand by what I said,” she decided, crossing her arms over her chest.  “Big things do come in small packages.  It’s ‘good things come to those who wait’.  You’re the one that got it all confused, so ha!” she exclaimed, making a silly face before breaking into laughter.

“Ah. Angel, yeah?” Calcifer looked at the girl with a raised eyebrow, acting indifferent and giving a shrug. “Sure.” Dropping their feet to the ground, they gave Angel their full attention, “Honestly I am willing to give you a few days since you have shown a great interest in the subject with it just being an elective. Everything good? Not stressing about your other classes, yeah?”

She knew that the class didn’t affect her major, and she probably didn’t have to work so hard in it, but she was really fascinated by the subject.  Clearly that interest was obvious, since Calcifer even picked up on it.  “Oh I’m always stressing about my classes.  Pretty sure all college students do,” she replied, laughing dryly.  “Thank you for the extension.  Hopefully it’ll be worth it with the extra time.”  She would be putting her best work into the assignment, but that didn’t mean it would be the best he’d ever read.

“I think it’s good things come in small packages.” He briefly pressed a hand to his mouth, trying to stifle another laugh. “Me too. He almost had me there, at first.” It was hard to imagine a Jack who’d chosen Pitch instead of the other Guardians, but he remembered a time when he hadn’t wanted a part of either side. He hadn’t been so certain who he was then. “Yeeaahh.” He stretched the word out, shrugging. “But not in the way I expect him to, y'know?”

“Shhh, don’t try to confuse me with logic,” she waved her hand dismissively, pinching her lips together in a failed attempt at stifling her own laughter.  “Really?” she asked, a bit surprised by that.  She probably shouldn’t be, since she had certainly gotten into a decent amount of not-so-good mischief with Peter when they were dating, but Jack was...  something different.  He was mischievous too, obviously, but any little prank he pulled, she could tell he did it with no bad intentions.  He didn’t go around trying to hurt people, and he always seemed to have a smile when she saw him.  “How do you expect he’ll try?”

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” Calcifer asked, looking away from their book to the newcomer that was standing in front of their office doorway. They finished up grading most of the papers and decided to take a break. For like an hour. Leaning back in their chair, with their feet up on the desk, they definitely looked at the new person with a raised eyebrow. 

“I, um, was hoping to talk to you about the paper due next week,” she repeated, biting the corner of her lip as she took a step further into their office.  “I’ve been spending a lot of time working on it, and it’s getting there, but I was wondering if you could give me a few extra days to finish it?  I want to hand in something I’m proud of, and I feel like I won’t be able to do that by the due date.”

“I work in a flower shop” Maia smiled, “Sophie’s Flower Shop actually. Over by Town Square.” She laughed a little knowing that it meant that she not only made flower crowns and necklaces but also work at a flower shop. There was a time that she loved singing and being on stage but that got her so much trouble. “Well maybe you just needed a friend that did trust you” She suggested, shrugging, “Are you happy being more behaved?” Watching Angel work she gave a soft smile before resuming her own necklace, wondering if Cornelius would like it. Almost immediately she stomped that thought down, knowing it might be weird to give him a necklace. 

“I’m starting to think you like flowers,” she joked a bit more, smiling back at her.  At least she found something she enjoyed, something that could bring her happiness while bringing happiness to others as well.  It was what she hoped to get out of her art.  Maybe not happiness for all of it, but some feeling, some reminder that they were all human.  “I think it was more that I needed to find someone I could trust first.  Someone that I could depend on.  Didn’t have someone like that in my life for a long time,” she admitted.  It was easier now to talk about how much she had gone through now that she was in a stable place.  She had a family, people who loved and cared for her, so she could look back on the girl that felt like the world was against her and not feel the same pain she once did.  “I don’t know.  I still get up to trouble sometimes, but I feel happier knowing that I can do more than just be a punk.”

“Sure, you would.” It wasn’t clear whether he was agreeing or teasing, since he was still laughing. Jack would probably laugh his way into hell. “Pretty much, yeah.” His laughter faded as the topic turned serious, or as serious as Jack ever got. “I don’t like to think anyone is unredeemable. But I don’t think he’s trying for redemption at the moment, and that makes a pretty big difference.”

“Big things come in small packages.  I am the big thing.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid,” she warned, though she wasn’t sure it was all that effective since she was laughing as she did so too.  “That’s a shame.  For him.  Not for you.  I’m glad you chose the good side,” she admitted.  They probably wouldn’t be friends if he was one of the bad guys.  Then again, Peter hadn’t exactly been a good guy and she’d loved him.  “I take it you want him to try for redemption?”

“Just me then,” he shook his head. “I saw a nurse when I first got here, even worked in a hospital for a bit.” Because clearly that was the same as talking to a doctor. “I mean it’s not like I forgot how to breathe. I still have the basics down. Birthdays are just fuzzy.” It’s not like Angel didn’t have a point. She did, even Ben knew that, but yet he still couldn’t bring himself to let Shock claim him. “It’s… it’s not that easy.” Ben looked down at his hands. “Honestly? She does seem familiar, they all do.” He pointed at the funeral home. “Some more scarily than others. I-I just can’t explain why, but I can’t. I can’t let her down like that. I hate feeling like I’m just letting them down, that I can’t get passed whatever it is that keeps me from remembering.” Ben kept staring off at the funeral home as he spoke before signing and returning his gaze to his hands. “Keep the poster, I’ll grab another and uh… when you see her will you tell her thanks for always leaving me lollipops? I know she’s the one, even if it’s weird and a little creepy to find them.”

“Not just you.  It’s just not often I’m as curious about someone as I am right now,” she admitted.  “And no one could explain why you were missing memories?” she asked, brow raising.  That just didn’t seem right.  Someone should have been able to help him more, and maybe then, he wouldn’t be avoiding Shock like he was.  “You had an identity.  You had a life.  Why would you not want to know what those are?” she questioned, frowning slightly.  “Wait, are you telling me you know Jack too?” she asked, eyes widening slightly.  It was bad enough he was hiding from Shock, but if Jack was missing him too, she really couldn’t let it go.  “They could help you.  I can understand not wanting to let someone down, but you don’t even know if you would let them down because you’re not giving them a chance,” she pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest.  “I’ll tell her...  Look, I understand you’re not ready, but if you ever change your mind and don’t want to face her on your own, let me know.  I’m sure you’ll find a way to find me if that time comes.”

He leaned back and gave her a cheery grin at the threat. “You can’t fight me. You’re miniature,” he teased. He actually didn’t doubt that Angel could hold her own, knowing where she’d grown up. He blew out a breath as he considered what actually was between him and Pitch, but that sounded right to him. “Can’t it be all those things? They’re all true.” he chuckled.

“He’s my nemesis when he’s trying to hurt other people. But I think maybe Sandy and I are the closest things he has to actual friends. And I get where he’s coming from. It’s hard when nobody sees you, and he’s been alone for a long time. But that’s no excuse to go all supervillain.” And that was the real difference between them. Jack didn’t want to punish everyone because he’d been alone. He wanted to make sure nobody else felt like that.

Her mouth dropped open at the tease, her eyes squinting even smaller before she reached over and smacked his arm.  “I may be miniature, but I am spunky and will totally kick your snarky ass,” she warned, shaking her head as she laughed softly.  “That sounds a little complicated to me,” she admitted.  “So you two have a similar experience.  You took your circumstances and found a way to do good with it.  He chose to go to the dark side,” she gathered, frowning slightly.  Stuff like that did happen, so she supposed it made sense.  “Do you think he’s redeemable?”

“Yeah that is interesting!” Maia listened to Angel as she began to organize the flowers around them to start their own lesson of sorts. There could be something there, taking a class or two. She has never been around people like herself until now, never able to be in a classroom. Now she can do all those things. It still seems terrifying but very exciting too. “Well that is a shame” She remarked, “I am sure you are a nice person. But assumptions often get people in a bit of trouble.” At least, sometimes. “Oh this. I am not sure. Maybe it took me a bit. I’ve been working on it for quite a few years.” She took two flowers and began to show Angel the small knots she was working on. 

“What do you do?  Other than make flower crowns,” she added, slightly teasing with a friendly smile.  School was a big part of her life, even if it wasn’t the only thing, but she was curious about what Maia’s role in Fableton was.  “Oh, no, they shouldn’t have trusted me back then.  I’ve been more behaved lately, but I really was as far from an Angel as it came before I came to Fableton,” she admitted with a shrugged shoulder.  As Maia began showing her, Angel followed her instructions, her tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth as she concentrated.

Listening to Angel talk about taking classes that interest her made Maia wonder what it was that she actually enjoyed doing. She loved flowers and animals, but did she want to take classes to know them better? There was also dancing and singing. Maybe there were classes for that. “Maybe I will see what classes I can try first” Maia nodded, “That is a good suggestion.” It was good to branch out like that. Right? “I don’t think names are quite meant to be so literal” She commented, knowing she full on changed her name from Thumbelina, “But of course I can teach you!” She patted the spot next to her, “Have a seat and we can get started now.” 

“It’s what a lot of advisers recommend for new students.  There’s a lot to learn there.  It would be a shame to just do something that you think you should do when there are so many other options that might be more interesting, you know?” she mused.  “See, you say that, but try telling that to the many, many people that have heard my name and then assumed I wasn’t the devious little punk I was,” she replied, laughing softly.  She supposed she was living up to her name a bit more nowadays, but she still felt like it was misleading.  Angel sat beside Maia and smiled over at her.  “How long did it take for you to learn?”

“That is wonderful! It is really good that you are working hard to do something you enjoy” She remarked, smiling, “It sounds interesting, going to school, but I wouldn’t know what I would study so I am impressed you got that all down.” Misleading? A small look of confusion fell on her face but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she smiled brightly at the mention of the necklace. “Oh, I practiced a lot when I was alone growing up. I also have… A good friend that I gave one to before. I like to keep up the practice.” She wasn’t going to say that she did them a lot more when she first came to Fableton, the necklace reminding her of Cornelius. It was still a little strange, to continue just calling him a friend but she knew that she will get used to it. In time. 

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been told,” she replied, tucking some hair behind her ear.  She always got a little weird whenever someone pointed out a way that she was being responsible, the trait still one she was adjusting to having.  “You could always take classes that interest you.  I knew I wanted to do art, but plenty of people try a few classes first before deciding what they want to study,” she suggested.  Her confused expression had her smiling.  “I just mean that I’m not exactly an angel.  Not a monster either, but definitely not an angel,” she admitted, shrugging a shoulder.  “It’s a good skill to have.  Could you... teach me?”

“Oh right. There is a university here” Maia remarked, smiling as she wondered about the school. “Do you like it there?” She has briefly thought about going to school, furthering educating herself on this world. But that cost money, another thing in this world she had to understand about quickly and she wasn’t sure if she could afford it. “Angel is a lovely name” She smiled, “You are a really good artist.” 

“I do.  It’s harder than I thought it would be, but I can tell that I’m becoming a better artist, so the hard work is worth it,” she admitted.  She had never thought of her as the school type, but she was really enjoying her time at FU.  “It’s a little misleading,” she replied, laughing softly.  “Thank you.  So are you.  Well, flower necklace artist at least.  I don’t think I could do something like that.  How’d you learn to do it?”

“Anyone ever tell you that you ask a lot of questions?” Ben shook his head before taking a deep breath. “I mean before here I don’t know anything. I woke up here and that was that. I know my name is Ben and even that took like a week to remember.” Frankly he wasn’t even convinced it was Ben, but the name felt as good as any and it did feel more familiar than say Frank for example. “Jury is still out on you and whether this is really a nice meeting.” He admitted to her. “Again with the questions. What’s it to you anyway?”

“Nope,” she answered honestly.  She could get curious, and that’s when the questions seemed to bubble out of her, but otherwise, she wasn’t a super chatty person.  “Wow, so you have like total amnesia.  I’m gonna assume you haven’t seen a doctor, so how have you been getting by without remembering anything?” she asked.  “Trust me, I’m a peach and you’re lucky to have met me,” she assured, nodding seriously.  “I spent a lot of time trying to avoid the idea of having a family, and it was the biggest waste of time.  You have someone that wants to claim you as family.  Even if she’s mistaken, why would you try to run from that?” she wondered.  “Just trying to figure out what your deal is.”