#thread (lighting the lanterns) & lottie

[mxsterhxku]

@lottalottie

Haku arranged a few products so that they wouldn't clink so loudly together as they carried them, enjoying the sunlight streaming through the windows of Fountain of Youth. It had been several weeks that Haku had returned to the shop, their mistress pleased with the products and the referrals from Maude.

Their fingers found the piece of paper at the bottom of the box, and they smiled as they withdrew it and slipped it into a pocket.

Another customer approached the counter and Haku smiled over at them.

"Good morning, beautiful day, is it not?"

[lcngstcryshcrt]

Haku's head whipped around to look at her, hardly of their own accord. She had... come by? To ask?

"I can't imagine my mistress was very forthcoming," he replied after a moment, bitterness lacing the words. His hand moved across the countertop, landing on top of Lottie's and squeezing.

"Thank you," they murmured, hardly daring to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry to have worried you."

She refrained from asking questions, not wanting them to relive their worst moments; despite what they'd said, she had an inkling it hadn't been easy for them, that they had gone through something awful.

"They put up lots of posters... all over town." There were so many faces, she could hardly bear to look at them, to wonder where they had all gone, if they were... okay. If they'd ever come back. "I went by your workplace," she admitted softly, feeling like she should have done more as she said it. "I had hoped it wasn't true, or just some silly nightmare..."

[lcngstcryshcrt]

Haku found that he was genuinely relieved to hear that Lottie had been spared the nightmare, relieved that she wouldn't carry around such a burden each day and night as they were doing now.

"I doubt my experience was the worst of them," they replied, trying to play it cool, but still a shiver ran up their spine.

He knocked back a bit more of his drink, wincing at the burn sliding down his throat.

"What did people do?" they asked, curious if anyone had looked for... Him. Or any of them. The rational part of him knew that others who had gone to that other place would have had families who searched, but did Lottie? Did he want to know if she had?

Always so polite, Lottie remembered as soon as they spoke how comforting Haku's presence was; goodness, how she hoped they hadn't gone through too much while they were away...

"Sometimes here is all you can be," she offered with a knowing smile, though really, she didn't know. She had no idea. Even though she had bad days just like everyone, for the most part, Lottie was content. Happy, even. "No, no, I wasn't. I imagine it must have been just... awful."

Lifting her glass, she hesitated to take a drink, trying not to stare at them too long, just happy to see them in one piece. "It was so quiet around here... like half the town went and disappeared. I guess they did..."

[lcngstcryshcrt]

Haku slid into the seat beside Lottie, giving her a wan smile and catching the bartender's attention with two raised fingers.

"Miss Charlotte," they replied, leaning their forearms on the bar. "It's a pleasure to see you as always."

They nodded their thanks as the bartender slid a glass in front of them, studying the contents instead of the look on Lottie's face.

"I wouldn't say 'okay', but I am here," they finally replied, sipping from the glass and finally looking over at the young woman.

"Were you... Also taken?"

Haku wasn't really even sure why they asked. They hadn't spoken to any of the other... Survivors? Hadn't sought out sympathy or closure or healing.

Haku didn't deserve to feel at peace for everything they'd done for Yubaba.

LOCATION: any bar ?? FOR: @lcngstcryshcrt (haku)

Lottie didn't frequent bars to drink; at least, not usually. She often would come by for an hour or two in hopes to meet Mr. Right, despite all the times that had simply not happened. Tonight, though, she was here for a drink. Everything felt heavy lately, Tia was so busy she felt like she hadn't seen her in awhile, and she was lonely. Bringing her glass to her lips, her eyes flickered to the side, landing on Haku. "Hey, darlin'," she greeted him softly. She hadn't seen them since their return, hadn't been by the spa, hadn't wanted to add to whatever stress they may be dealing with... but she had worried. Gesturing to the open seat, she offered a small smile. "You doin' okay?"