afraid_of_marshmallows: Nathalie Emmanuel (Lounge - Couch)
Arden Finch ([personal profile] afraid_of_marshmallows) wrote in [community profile] fandomtownies2024-10-09 02:08 am

Midnight Manor Boarding House Roof, Wednesday

Yep, Arden was still out on the roof, bundled up on a nest (ha!) of pillows and blankets and cushions. It had been several days since the...everything...and she had to admit she wasn't doing much better. The healing Alastair had given her had done her a lot of good, but she wasn't getting better. She was still pale, still drawn, pretty much anything physical was a chore, even eating and drinking left her exhausted. She knew she was still running a fever, from the way she went from sweating to chills. And she was doing her best baby fawn impression every time she had to go downstairs to shower or change, legs trembling, balance shaky.

Arden hadn't really ever been sick before. Othersiders healed faster than humans both from injury and what few illnesses were transmissible. The first time she'd been punished with bronze, it had taken her awhile to heal from her physical wounds but, ugh, at least she hadn't had a fever. They were the worst. But she was hydrated thanks to the Khans buying a truly absurd amount of Gatorade and she even had a huge care package from Raiden made up of donuts and more cheese than she knew what to do with (yeah, that wasn't true, she was gonna use whatever she hadn't already eaten to make a mean macaroni and cheese when she was finally better, that's what she was gonna do), and she felt a little closer to huma--to normal for a bit.

So, despite the books and magazines and the presence of her laptop that Cal and Kamala had brought for her, Arden was feeling a little bored and a little antsy. Maybe some folks wouldn't mind coming to visit for a bit...?

Pulling out her phone, she started sending texts.

[Open! If you think you got a text (or maybe you heard through another source), you did!]
wildgalegirl: (Dangerous)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
"You can look to us for help now," Charlie said firmly. "Every single one of us on this island. And that's before you add in the Aunties and the rest of the Gales."

She nodded her head at Arden's arm. "I'm guessing this Callista had something to do with that and why you're looking half dead? She can go die in a fire as far as I'm concerned."

And it wouldn't have been Charlie if she hadn't added a bit flippantly. "Besides, the stories say we Gale Girls are descended fun one of the horned gods, so technically I'm probably not human either, so she can go suck on that.

"Sorry. Listening again."
wildgalegirl: (Dangerous)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, just a little slavery thrown into the mix, no big deal," Charlie said darkly. "You are no one's asset. Wait, I take that can. You are absolutely an asset to all of our lives, but you are not a thing to be owned and you don't owe her shit."
Edited 2024-10-10 00:42 (UTC)
wildgalegirl: (Concerned)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
This was way out of Charlie's usual arena, but she wasn't going to let Arden down.

"Arden... you're talking as if you think this all is okay... It's not. I can understand you feeling grateful it wasn't worse, that your 'punishment' also paid off your 'theft'. Of your own damn self, might I add."

Charlie hesitated, then leaned in to gently rest a hand on Arden's arm. "I get that it's the way things work where you're from, no matter how wrong it is, but I want to make sure you understand it's really not okay and I, we, your friends, the people here, will stand behind you and fight for you to be free and safe. You're not alone here. You have people now."
wildgalegirl: (Default)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Then... I guess we're just going to have to work on un-fucking it up," Charlie said with a tad more of her usual cheer. "And in the meantime you're just going to have to focus on the awesome friends who love you."

She opened her arms wide. "I mean, you're pretty much stuck with me forever. And God only knows what you said to the Aunties, but I swear they're totally considering trading me in for you."
wildgalegirl: (Default)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
Charlie cracked up, even as her arms wrapped gently around Arden. "They didn't believe you for a second about the kiwi, just figured you were super loyal. They appreciate that in a friend."
wildgalegirl: (Default)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"They are," Charlie agreed. "But all things considered, I'm glad I have them in my life."

She smiled at Arden. "They want me to bring you how with me sometime and now that they've met you, you're not going to have an out."
wildgalegirl: (Looking Down)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
Charlie shifted just a little bit uncomfortably. "Yeah, well there's probably a thing or two you need to know before you visit. Not that I don't want you to come, but... there's stuff."

She turned her attention back to Arden's injuries. "I could try to help with that," she offered. "I've got a knack for healing. All the Gale Girls do."
wildgalegirl: (Dejected)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-10 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well... since we're talking about your stuff..."and we're already NFB... "It seems only fair..."

Charlie let out a sigh. "Please know that my not saying anything has nothing to do with my being embarrassed or uncomfortable about this. I just know that people outside of us don't always understand. So at any time if you want me to stop talking about it or if you decide you don't want to come I am totally cool with it and would never hold it against you or anything, okay?"
wildgalegirl: (Default)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-11 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
"So... you've heard of sex magic? Well, we don't call what we do magic. but our rituals are powered by sexual energy. And, well, sex is just a big and natural part of our lives."

Charlie shrugged. "Consent is vital, but we don't have the hang-ups and judgements around sex that people outside have. Sex is just... fun. And raises power. So, if you visit, you'll probably notice lots of openness about it. I wouldn't bring you there during a ritual, obviously, and no one will bother you, but... People aren't going to hide that they're getting it on with a bunch of people. And I get that a lot of people on the outside are super uncomfortable with that, so I get if you'd rather not be around."
wildgalegirl: (Concerned)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-11 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
"That's what I think," Charlie said, "But I've found people out here can get a little squirrely about all the free sex, so I figured you should know before you come home and find yourself in the middle of all of us."

Her eyes widened. "Not literally! I mean, not unless you wanted to, but I don't imagine you would."
wildgalegirl: (Default)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-11 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't drink, I don't cook," Charlie said easily. "Works for me. Is there a reason for the one glass only or do you just want to make sure you don't end up in Expereince 501?"
wildgalegirl: (Default)

Re: Conversation NFB from here please!

[personal profile] wildgalegirl 2024-10-11 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
Charlie laughed, then caught herself. Mostly. "I'm sorry. That's so not funny that it happened, but it's the last thing that would be a problem back home. Not to mention probably any one of us could charm it away."