oh honey

“i’d like to think i’ve been very good about asking questions. and not trying to help.” has it been incredibly difficult? yes, but ambrose made it very clear she wasn’t to harass mikha about this once she found out. not that she thinks asking questions is harassing, but she knew that’s what he meant and he asks so little of her. “maybe it’s good he found out first,” she says out loud with none of the added context.

"you've been shockingly good. did ambrose threaten you?" it feels like the only reasonable explanation. she's never this good at boundaries. even if a threat doesn't seem like ambrose's style. mikha blinks. "it's as good as anyone finding out was, i suppose. but i think no one knowing was still the best option."

“threat takes it a step too far. but i think he was, like, trying to dad me? he was definitely very clear that if i ever listen to him about one thing, it should be you taking the lead on all this and he seemed so earnest and like, i couldn’t disagree.” she looks him over again and thinks of what to say. “i mean, i agree. but could you imagine if i knew first?”

“definitely wouldn’t hurt. i’ll arrange something with the healer tomorrow, it’s so late that i think it might cause a scene to wake her at this hour.” it might not be as bad as she thinks, but why risk it? and this way, she also has time to come up with what to tell her. “right and if it wasn’t, there’s probably more unpleasantries to be discovered. but let’s keep optimistic about this being an accident, hm?” she can’t even begin to imagine ciel’s reaction if this winds up an even bigger deal that it already is. and much as she loves them, she is so not looking to spending time with them getting a lecture. “great! now you have a name we can use and we know that you’re alright to at least eat fruit and cheese. i think that’s progress?”

"great point. i think you're doing much better than me at the thinking ahead and planning thing. i'm glad one of us is succeeding at that." are they always this bad at that? it feels like yes, but they're not sure. "i had not considered that!" he says, maybe a little too cheerily. "i'm just... gonna stick with the optimism thing. maybe i just like... crossed paths with the wrong faerie at the wrong time. that's not unheard of. i don't think, anyway?" they're pretty sure that there are some faeries that don't have a right time to interact with them. "that is progress! and i'll take any wins i can get today."

“i think it’s probably because your whole, like, frame of reference is gone now, you know? but i will gladly take the lead and hopefully navigate us through us safely,” she answers with a nervous sort of chuckle. she can tend to be a bit of a control freak, but this seems like one of those times she’d gladly give control to someone who seems more sure of what to do. “right, it’s definitely not unheard of. sometimes fae are just mad and next thing you know, someone’s cursed.” there are plenty in her court like that and fuck, she hadn’t considered she might be trying to help undo something someone she’s related to has done. “great way to look at it!”

"not too hard, i hope," they tease. "and i promise i won't cause any diplomatic issues. much too much work to deal with."

"not without consent," he answers, giving them a wink before making himself comfortable next to them. "oh good, because more work is the last thing i think any of us wanna deal with."

ciel laughs, delighted by the wink and the willingness to play along. it’s been a while since they’ve had someone new to have some fun with. “darling, i barely want to deal with the work they try and make me do now. but i was thinking topics of discussion like, say, a certain noble’s penchant for picking the least flattering color in every dress she wears. how many times must we remind her teal doesn’t suit her?”

“i was thinking it might be worth it to ask her. i don’t want to get your hopes up, but we should try everything we can, don’t you think?” she asks, biting at her lip. this whole situation is so messy, she can only hope it will turn out well. “i think it’s…an interesting sort of thing that will likely draw more attention than we want…although, most changelings are in the mortal realm, so it might help us find out who you are? but if who you are is someone who has not so great people looking for you, that might help them find you…did that make any sort of sense?” she sort of just started saying everything she was thinking. she runs a few options over in her mind, trying to think of one that might fit. “what about dominique?”

"yeah i'm not sure it'll help, but i don't think it can hurt? i mean... that seems like the exact opposite purpose of a healer, so." is he normally this rambling or is it just the memory loss? what a fun and not at all alarming question to have about themself. everything's so fine. "ah. unfortunately, it makes a lot of sense. maybe whatever happened to me wasn't an accident." that hadn't occured to them yet. it feels possible, but anything feels possible when they have no idea who they are. they consider the name for a moment before giving a nod. "dominque works. it's as good as anything."

“definitely wouldn’t hurt. i’ll arrange something with the healer tomorrow, it’s so late that i think it might cause a scene to wake her at this hour.” it might not be as bad as she thinks, but why risk it? and this way, she also has time to come up with what to tell her. “right and if it wasn’t, there’s probably more unpleasantries to be discovered. but let’s keep optimistic about this being an accident, hm?” she can’t even begin to imagine ciel’s reaction if this winds up an even bigger deal that it already is. and much as she loves them, she is so not looking to spending time with them getting a lecture. “great! now you have a name we can use and we know that you’re alright to at least eat fruit and cheese. i think that’s progress?”

“it’s very helpful. there’s not much she can’t fix…” she trails off, wondering if it might be worth it to take her take a look at him. sure, it seems more likely this is some kind of curse or spell, but on the off chance it’s not? it might do some good to have her give him a once over. the tricky bit will be getting her to keep it quiet, but babette’s sure there’s something she can give her. the admission surprises her, wondering if she should stop them but he keeps going before she can think one way or the other. “it’s probably best you don’t tell anyone else that,” she starts because it seems like the most important bit. “maybe we should come up with something to call you? at least until you remember your name.”

"maybe she can fix me?" they suggest. which sounds... bad, when they say it out loud, but that's not what they mean and they hope she gets what they're going for. "is it a bad thing or just like... maybe i should trust that instinct that thinks i shouldn't mentioned it?" he asks, because he has genuinely no idea. he goes for cheese next, and quickly discovers that yeah, he likes cheese. cheese is great. "ooooh, good idea. any suggestions? nothing's calling to me."

“i was thinking it might be worth it to ask her. i don’t want to get your hopes up, but we should try everything we can, don’t you think?” she asks, biting at her lip. this whole situation is so messy, she can only hope it will turn out well. “i think it’s…an interesting sort of thing that will likely draw more attention than we want…although, most changelings are in the mortal realm, so it might help us find out who you are? but if who you are is someone who has not so great people looking for you, that might help them find you…did that make any sort of sense?” she sort of just started saying everything she was thinking. she runs a few options over in her mind, trying to think of one that might fit. “what about dominique?”

"huh. congrats, then? having a healer seems helpful." he wonders if one could help him, but they don't think they're hurt. aside from the headache that comes when they think a little too hard about the situation. but there's no pain and no injury that they can find. probably a curse? or... something else? but not something they think a healer could help with. maybe they're wrong. he gives a shake of his head. "not really? like... i know i'm a changeling, and i know i'm not usually supposed to tell people that, but i think you're also fae, so that's fine? it seems fine. but maybe i'm not supposed to mention it to anyone? i don't know. i don't even remember my name which is just very annoying."

“it’s very helpful. there’s not much she can’t fix…” she trails off, wondering if it might be worth it to take her take a look at him. sure, it seems more likely this is some kind of curse or spell, but on the off chance it’s not? it might do some good to have her give him a once over. the tricky bit will be getting her to keep it quiet, but babette’s sure there’s something she can give her. the admission surprises her, wondering if she should stop them but he keeps going before she can think one way or the other. “it’s probably best you don’t tell anyone else that,” she starts because it seems like the most important bit. “maybe we should come up with something to call you? at least until you remember your name.”

babette sets the items down and is so thrown off by the line of questioning that she lingers in the position, half bent over, and cocks her head at them. “maybe your instincts will kick in if you are? are allergies common where you’re from?” she asks before realization sets in. “that was a very stupid question. ignore that. i’m sure it’s going to be fine. and if not, i will get the court healer and we will fix you up and then i’ll have to explain why you’re here but that’s totally fine. let’s just hope you’re not allergic.” she perches herself on the foot stool nearby and sighs. she knew her social skills were a little rusty, but this is…bad.

"are allergies common here?" he asks. "because this is sort of the only frame of reference i have right now. but noted, noted. glad you have a healer nearby. is that... normal? that feels... important? i mean, healers are important, but i more mean that that feels like a thing important people have. am i making any sense?" they're not sure if they are or not. which they suppose is fine, considering everything. the reach for one of the fruits and take a bite. "wow. this is... i don't know if it's because i don't remember what i like or don't like but this is just... really good."

“not particularly.” she thinks one of the cousins farther down the line has some sort of allergy to shellfish but that’s the only one she knows about. she narrows her eyes, trying to follow their train of thought, and softens before answering. “it’s normal for families like mine to have healers. i don’t think it’s normal for everyone.” she’s sure that people who aren’t royal have healers nearby, but probably not on hand for just their family. she knows so little of life outside the palace and court that it’s hard to say anything with any sort of certainty. she watches as they take a bite, hoping there’s no reaction, and laughs lightly at the comment. “i’m glad you’re enjoying them. there’s more, if this isn’t enough,” she offers. she probably shouldn’t ask the next question, but she also doesn’t have the will power to stop herself. “there’s really nothing you remember?”

she chuckles a little at the salute and backs out of the room. she knows better than to turn her back on a literal stranger, even if she’s trying to help them. she makes her way into the hallway and runs a hand through her hair. gods, what has she gotten herself into? she heads down to the kitchen and grabs water and some fruit and cheese. she knows there’s pain reliever stashed somewhere in the kitchen and it takes her longer than she’d like to find it, but she manages to do it. she knows she has extra blankets in her room so she starts her way back, hoping she doesn’t see anyone and have to explain this away. “i have water and some food. hopefully these help a little.”

she could be dangerous. she could be the reason they can't remember... so many things. they're not even sure what their name is. or how he got here. or where here is, actually. but their gut says she's not, and they don't have anything to go off of aside from that. so might as well trust it. "can't hurt. probably. ...do you think i would like. know if i was allergic to anything? i don't think i am? well... iron, i guess. is that an allergy? huh. anyway. i'm actually very hungry, so i'll take my chances either way?"

babette sets the items down and is so thrown off by the line of questioning that she lingers in the position, half bent over, and cocks her head at them. “maybe your instincts will kick in if you are? are allergies common where you’re from?” she asks before realization sets in. “that was a very stupid question. ignore that. i’m sure it’s going to be fine. and if not, i will get the court healer and we will fix you up and then i’ll have to explain why you’re here but that’s totally fine. let’s just hope you’re not allergic.” she perches herself on the foot stool nearby and sighs. she knew her social skills were a little rusty, but this is…bad.

she chuckles a little at the salute and backs out of the room. she knows better than to turn her back on a literal stranger, even if she’s trying to help them. she makes her way into the hallway and runs a hand through her hair. gods, what has she gotten herself into? she heads down to the kitchen and grabs water and some fruit and cheese. she knows there’s pain reliever stashed somewhere in the kitchen and it takes her longer than she’d like to find it, but she manages to do it. she knows she has extra blankets in her room so she starts her way back, hoping she doesn’t see anyone and have to explain this away. “i have water and some food. hopefully these help a little.”