the limerence

Oh come on, it’s perfect weather for a nice cup of coffee or cocoa. And snowball fights. I thought Pines did well in snow.

I'm not a big fan of coffee or cocoa, or getting pelted with balls of snow. Guess I'm doing a disservice to the tree, then.

Shocking.

Is that sarcasm?

"It never snowed where I lived. I like it."

I never snowed where I lived either. I don't know, I liked it at first. But it's cold, like you said, and... too white.

Not out of no where. They all came from somewhere.

Okay, from a shot. That still— that just bothers me more, you know? That's the first shot I've gotten, and I didn't want to get it but I trusted that it was for the better. And now I've let— I've feel let down.

For those of you who have not been offered this shot, I suppose this is the best time to offer. There have been a surplus of reactions to the shot that will cause mutation but these mutations have proven interesting and possibly helpful for the future. For those of you who have experienced the mutation and would like for it to go away, the doctors and myself are doing everything in our power to come up with an anti vaccination. 

It's kind of hard to trust that this shot will work after what happened with the last one.

Because I didn’t want to be here in the first place? That’s a good start for any reason to leave, safe or not. No place is really as safe as it likes to say it is, not even this one.

I guess you're right. Especially after all those fucking mutations that popped up out of nowhere.

The problem I have is with other people being so idiotic about it, person I’ve never met. 

Why does it matter what other people do with their resolutions? It's not on you if they don't follow through with it. And it's Pine.

There’s no point in doing anything for New Years. Sure people always forget what their resolutions were one month in. If you want to make a change just fucking make one. 

Or you could just not take New Years resolutions so seriously?

A New Year’s resolution? Yeah, to get out of this town. Think I’ll get very far? [ She honestly didn’t considering how easy it had been to drag her here despite the obvious lack of her wanting to be here at all. ]

Maybe. But why'd you wanna leave? This place is safe, like you said.

[ She eyed the outstretched pack of cigarettes along with a sharp quip on the edge of her tongue about welcoming an early death with bad breath before she let it die. It didn’t feel right, no    she didn’t feel right as she crossed her arms over her chest. ] No. [ pauses for a moment before adding ] Thank you.

Okay. [He withdraws his other hand that had been protectively wrapped around a lighter sitting in his pocket. Slipping a cigarette out of its pack, he places it between his lips before lighting it, completely lost for manners as he takes a drag. He turns aways from her as he exhales the smoke before clearing his throat from the burning coat.] So, Prudence. Did you make any New Years resolutions?

No, I’m not. [ It didn’t meant she didn’t love him, locked somewhere beneath the anger and exhaustion at keeping out those who hurt her the most. ] I’m fine but it’s probably for the best you just go.. please.

[He nodded once, stuffing his hands into his pockets, almost willing to take her suggestion to leave but his disbelief of her assurance that she was fine made him rooted to the spot. His fingers clenched around the cigarette pack in his pocket and he quickly withdrew them, holding out the pack to her almost like a go-to gesture of comfort.] ...Want one?

Of course. I’m alive and my brother and sister are here, we’re safe for the time being.. what about that isn’t something to be excited over? [ rubs at her eyes in an effort to rid herself of looking every bit of exhaustive as she felt ] What do you want?

I thought you weren't too fond of your brother. [He watches her, somewhat wishing he hadn't entered the conversation though not rude enough to voice it] Uh... friendly conversation? Nothing? I don't know. Are you okay?

Happy new year to me.

Well, someone looks excited.

They wanted little shrubs running around everywhere?

Possibly. Like an army of plants or something.

The cities are messed up, but they were messed up before, too. People were just less afraid of it. Or less aware. Either way, there’s always something to do there, at least.

Sometimes I think there's too much to do in the cities. Nothing's ever still. It can get a little disturbing. 

Oh, sweetheart, you don’t need to try hard. Just be yourself and everything will be fine! Now, tell me, Pine, what brings you here to Birdcage? Family business, personal matters, or just the typical need to get out from the craziness of the world? 

Uhm, okay... Thanks. A combination of all three, I guess. But mainly the last one. Out there was just... too unpredictable and dangerous, so. How'd you end up here?