HELLO, TRAVELER.

“You think?”

Katie’s glance to the full length mirror, as if trying to look at different angles, looking in different lighting, trying to get a complete picture with everything included, though Katie tries to ensure that she doesn’t cross from confidence into arrogance.

There’s a slight twinge, as if a physical pain rather than an emotional one, when Katie thinks of Silena, of how much her other friend enjoyed fashion and makeup and all things that she considered beautiful. Yet the grin, radiant and full of eagerness, doesn’t dim, even as Katie gives a very content nod.

Comfortably, without even waiting for a response, Katie sits on the edge of the bed now. One of Katie’s knees gives an excited but fidgety bounce before she leans over in a clearly exaggerated and joking manner. It feels like Katie is discussing crushes with fingers splayed as Silena and she painted nails, but with more environmental concerns being addressed, and sometimes more questions than answers on both ends of the conversation.

“Sooo…who are you texting?” And then, knowing Blue’s very vocal opinions on the subject, “It wouldn’t happen to be a certain Raven Boy, would it?”

“Pshaw, I can’t think when you’re this pretty!” She giggled, playfully bowing before Katie, that’s just appropriate for a demigoddess, right? Blue was just glad she made the girl’s face light up with a simple gesture. Makes her wonder if this was a career option for the future since it gives her joy to see someone happy wearing something she’d chosen - or even altered. 

Blue failed to notice Katie sitting by the edge of the bed, her eyes suddenly drawn towards the group chat Gansey had created. What could he possibly want now? The message read: A call to arms. Had a breakthrough that require scrutiny and some refreshments. Assemble at 0700 hours. Bring sunscreen.  

Please don’t make her go to the beach. She didn’t particularly like the beach. 

She blew raspberries and threw herself back against the bed beside Katie, “Boys plural.” Although arguably it was just her and Gansey on the group chat, because Ronan would not EVEN be bothered to leave them on “SEEN”, Adam doesn’t have a phone and well, Noah’s dead. So it’s basically just Gansey speaking ON BEHALF of the other three, already assuming she’s okay to go to the beach tomorrow morning. 

Unable to contain the relief that he is being listened to, the relief that the other might be able to provide some sort of direction to begin understanding what had happened, the relief of offering closure to the ones left behind to mourn, Colton gives Thomas a hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

One thank you for each aspect he’s grateful for, and Colton thinks that list might grow. Colton then steps backward, beaming in a way that most would not consider suitable for one facing the investigation into their own murder. He feels almost warm as he does, as if he’s glowing, before his fingers tap against his thigh in almost impatient manner.

For a moment, Colton also has thoughts of warm embraces and kisses, of another boy who had hair darker than Thomas’ and eyes as green as spring grass, as emeralds. Colton has memories of sketches and art and clocks; even now, Colton has imagined what it must be like to have the feeling of hands gently running through locks of hair and legs tangling, of laughter again.

Even though the truthful answer causes his shoulders to lift in an indecisive shrug, Colton considers his answer for only a moment.

“I think so! I have so far. I mean, that’s how you’re able to see me. Well, I think that’s how, anyway.” Head tilting in his almost signature manner, Colton presses forward with his own questions in his usual rapid pacing. “D’you think anyone else can see me? What’s your name? Do you know how you’re able to see me? Who are you going to ask to help? Are you familiar with a city called Enfield?”

Thomas, not particularly a hugger, was naturally staggered by the sudden arm lock of the other. Still, he was a gentleman (arguably, he could already hear Wadsworth saying) and didn’t move away, even made the effort of gently stroking the other’s back and let him be the first to pull away. 

“Don’t thank me yet, not until we’ve seen this through.” 

But he was at least grateful for the trust he was given. Pressured, but only a little. He didn’t have the heart to just coldly let this one go, not when this ghost was being nice about it. At least, he wasn’t being spooked or worse, possessed by it. 

“— You don’t even need to do a séance. I’m already right here!” 

Colton looks somewhere between frustrated and desperate, trying to not sound offended (and failing) in his previous reply. He remembers laughter, holding hands with another (another boy, though he holds that information close to his heart for now), and how happy he had been. And then, a knife, a startled cry, and white-hot pain searing through his entire body. The memories are opposites, but blend together, tainted. With his usual curiosity, truly impressed by his height, Colton stares up at Thomas before finally continuing to speak. 

“I have loved ones worried that they’re never going to have answers. …Please.”

“Which makes this even more compelling. I’m tempted but I shouldn’t - you see, I’m rather clued up on most murders, but NOT the spiritual kind.” Of course, that wasn’t the whole truth. It is just best to avoid those angles, especially when they were too close to home (especially with his very own bloodline). This would probably explain why it was easy for him to see Colton. 

It would have been easier to walk away if the ghost was faded, washed out or almost an after image, but Colton was not. Everything was vivid, including all sorts of emotions - human emotions - emanating from those golden eyes. He can’t help but be entranced by him. 

Looking up from a planner where looping handwriting has made notes (exam, call Dad, group study, various birthdays) and a few have been highlighted with neon colors, Katie puts the cap back on a green highlighter as Blue speaks and withdraws the dress from the bag.

“It’s lovely, Blue!”

Katie agrees, fingers delicately holding the fabric reminding her of a pelpos. Katie decides that there’s no time like the present to try it on. Denim shorts and floral off the shoulder shirt, land on Katie’s bed with well-placed aim, before she slips the dress on. Moving long hair out of the way, attention caught on turning bracelets so it faces the correct way, adjusting a necklace pendant, Katie twirls to get a complete look in their full-length mirror before she finally grins even more in uncontained excitement.

“I think it fits perfectly, thank you!! What do you think?”

She managed a sneaky glance at Katie’s planner - looking pretty packed with ornate handwriting, brightened by sudden flashes of neon highlighter that made her blink away. A weird thing to note that the page alone could look good as a fabric. 

“I’m glad you like it.”

Blue nods, then patiently twiddled on her mobile phone while Katie eagerly tried the dress on. She didn’t even ask her to do that - but the enthusiasm was very charming, and Blue was just very grateful to see it. Besides, Katie would be stunner on any sort of clothing - is that a quality that all demigods have?