[ Concern flutters through the connection. ] Sounds like we're in the same boat then. [ Bad, but not too bad.
A beat of hesitation before she barrels forward: ] Hey, you want to rest and recover some together? You can come over, stay the night, and we'll do each other's makeup or whatever it is normal girls do at sleepovers.
[ A warm, gentle impression of a smile blooms along their connection, like the first hint of spring. Like Sharon, Lortel puts real effort into maintaining her outward composure, but within the Murmur it all falls away—laid bare by those unseen threads. Sharon finds herself treasuring the younger girl's affection, that soft flutter of gratitude. ]
Tonight's perfect. [ There's no hesitation. It's been too long since she's seen Lortel in person—she needs it, needs the reassurance and comfort that Lortel's physical presence will bring. ] Come by whenever. I'll make us some hot cocoa to get the night started.
[ smile meets smile in the murmur. her heart is so warm that it makes her feel a little silly. ]
Give me an hour or so. [ she just needs to gather clothes and, if she can find any, some treats to bring, as well as inform her roommates where she's going...
[ The comment about cocoa draws a soft chuckle from her. Cocoa is one of those things they save for specific moments. Arthur swears by its healing properties, and after everything that's happened, Lortel could use a little healing. ]
See you soon. [ The time before Lortel arrives gives her a chance to straighten up her room. It's been a disaster since gravity decided to take a vacation, and she hasn't had the emotional or physical energy to deal with it. Thankfully, it's mostly just art supplies and clothes that ended up scattered across the floor.
When done, she waits anxiously by the door, feeling a bit like a foolish, excited kid than the adult she is. It's been far too long since she's seen Lortel in person—and the dream doesn't count. ]
she'll turn up on Sharon's doorstep in almost exactly an hour; she apparently worked quite fast to make this all happen. the ratty backpack on her back, beat up but reliable, has everything she should need for the night. clothes, a few snacks, a pack of cards, and what hair elastics and bobby pins as could be scavenged from the wreckage of pharmacies (on her behalf since her return, by whichever of her boys agreed to help).
her coat hangs awkwardly on her frame, entirely because she's had to close it up over her injured arm still in its sling. ]
Hi, [ she'll beam when the door opens to her.
gods. would it be strange to immediately reach for a hug? ]
[ It was one thing seeing Lortel in the dream, it was another entirely to see her in person. The door swings open, and there she is, cheeks flushed, coat hanging a little too loosely from her small frame, one sleeve dangling loosely. Something wells up in Sharon, and she can't quite tell if it's relief or happiness, only that her heart swells until it almost hurts.
Normally, she'd just step aside and let her in. This time, Sharon reaches for Lortel's hand to guide her inside, and then, without thinking, pulls her into a gentle hug. She's never been good with loss, mostly because she's never had many people to lose. Every time someone she cares about is taken by Sleep, it leaves a new hollow in her chest, a space she doesn't know how to fill. ]
You are real. [ Voice thick, pressed close. Some part of her had been afraid Lortel was gone for good, that even her return might be some cruel trick. But she's here. She's real. And for this moment, that's enough. ]
[ Lortel is not ... given, as a person, to emotional honesty. with others, of course, but even withβmaybe especially withβherself. hurt, anxiety, pain, betrayal, none of it was anything she could afford the time to feel. the cost being that she also could not afford life's brighter emotions, either. love. unselfish care. happiness and warmth.
friendship.
Sharon pulls her in, and it feels like the other girl read her mind. Lortel feels her breath hitch, eyes suddenly brimming with hot tears over Sharon's obvious pain and care for her.
they're friends. they're friends, right?
Lortel
lets herself cry, tears streaming down her face as she returns that hug one armed. ]
I'm so sorry, Sharon.
[ it's not what she's meant to say. but she finds it's how she feels. her immense regret over leaving her first true friend remains frustratingly inexpressible in a way that would truly communicate...
how desperately she didn't want to leave. ]
I'm real, [ she'll echo, a shaky smile in her voice. ] And I missed you.
[ An apology slips from Lortel's lips, and Sharon immediately shakes her head, refusing it, refusing to let her accept any blame for the pain she's carried from her loss. The only one who should be apologizing is Sleep, and Sharon swears she'll find a way to tear one from the mind of that great, ugly bitch before she's finally put down.
She pulls back just enough to offer Lortel a wet, teary smile. ]
I missed you, too. [ She says, her voice thick, then takes Lortel's free hand and leads her down the hall toward the kitchen. Two steaming mugs of cocoa already wait on the counter, dried marshmallows bobbing on the surface.
Her gaze flicks to the loose sleeve. ] You all right?
it's surreal to see someone hurt so much over her. to genuinely care enough as to even mourn her departure.
some small, traitorous piece of her wonders if there's a soul on Acken Island or anywhere else back home that would feel this way about her.
thus dragged, she has no way to stem or dry her tears, and so simply has to follow with a wet face. well, it's Sharon. if it's alright for anyone to see her like this, surely it must be Sharon. ]
I am. Truly.
[ she'll disengage her hand so as to remove her coat, revealing her sling. ]
Till has been helping to heal me. It should be much better soon. It's just a little tiresome, doing everything one-handed, [ she'll smile, making light. ]
[ Some part of her doesn't want to let go of Lortel's hand, as if the moment she does, Lortel might be swept away again. But that doesn't happen. Lortel stays in the kitchen, slipping out of her coat, and Sharon's gaze immediately drops to the sling, anger tightening in her chest.
She lifts her sleeve to dry Lortel's cheeks, her expression soft. ] God, I bet. You can't even do the classic two-handed mug hold, the one that says you're comfortable and lost in deep, contemplative thought over hot cocoa.
[ She reaches for and offers one of the mugs. ] What happened? Was it that big thing in the tunnels?
she can't help but smile at Sharon's gentle touch, something melty and all disbelieving, as if she can't believe such a lovely person is her friend.
a slight laugh. ] Then you'll have to savor it twice as much in my stead.
[ taking the time to find a place to set her coat and bag down gives her a moment to gather her thoughts. ]
It was, [ she'll nod as she returns to Sharon's side. ] I don't have any offensive powers right now. All I could do was try to stay away from it while guiding the others, but ...
[ shakes her head. ]
Everyone did well. The best they could. No one could be everywhere at once. It could have been so much worse... [ Ivan's fall flashes through her mind, and the heart-stopping horror that had come with it. ] If this is the only price I have to pay, then I'd consider that a very fair deal.
[ Sharon leans back against the counter. Rage flares sharp and sudden, the viper coiled in her chest rearing its head, kept in check beneath layers of masks and practiced goodness, but always there, always ready to strike. Protective, above all else.
Sleep did this on purpose. Sharon can't prove it yet, but the thought gnaws at her. Maybe she isn't interested in more Vessels. Maybe she wanted them to die down there, to pack the tunnels with fresh Hosts. Maybe she plans to pin it all on One, twist the fallout into another tool for control.
It's the way Lortel finishes that makes Sharon draw in a sharp breath, then let it out in a slow sigh. She can't say she doesn't understand, and still... ] It shouldn't have happened at all, but I'm glad this is the worst of it for you. I saw bits and pieces of what went down, and... [ She shakes her head. Yuuto wasn't the best journalist on the ground, but he'd been the only one. ] Is it broken? Do you need any pain meds? [ Eager to make things easier on Lortel, especially after she'd walked all the way out here for a sleepover. ]
[ and how could she not feel that rage? it is strange, however, to feel it on her own behalf. shifting, she'll take the mug with her good hand, and let Sharon lead them to a place to sit. a hot drink... will wonders never cease, truly. such things had been harder, before they got the water turned back on. ]
It's not broken, thankfully. [ the second offer she considered, but ultimately shakes her head. ] It only aches. I'd rather you save what you have.
[ wanting to cheer her friend, she'll move back towards her bag. ] I did bring a few things. Cards, a few hair barrettes and a brush... [ she can manage that much, albeit slowly. glancing at her, she ventures: ]
I'd wanted to try arts and crafts, but... [ couldn't find the supplies in time. ]
[ Her mouth twitches, insistence poised on her tongue, but Lortel distracts her as she turns back to her bag.
Cards, hair barrettes, a brush... Sharon can't help the smile that slips free. This is what girls do, isn't it? She's seen it in movies—brushing each other's hair, playing silly little games, talking about stupid crushes. When Lortel finally brings up what else she'd wanted to bring, Sharon's brows lift in surprise, and her smile only grows. ]
Well, you're in luck. I've got a ton of art supplies upstairs. [ She's raided more than her fair share of art stores, collected just about everything an artist could want—and then some. ] Plenty for both of us. Anything specific you had in mind? I'm sure I've got it.
Really? [ Lortel lights up in a girlish way she's only very rarely given to. ] That sounds wonderful. Perhaps we could craft or paint something together? I didn't have a specific idea beyond that... I just think it would be nice to have a little memento of our first sleepover.
[ Sharon's smile stretches so wide it borders on goofy, fingers curled tight around her cocoa. She's spent the night with plenty of people in Manhattan, but none of it has felt like this. Like a sleepover. Just two girls, still bumbling into friendship, buzzing with that giddy anticipation of what the night might bring. ]
I've got a ton of tiny canvases. We can paint something nice and swap them in the morning. [ The excitement rolls off her as she flicks a glance down the hall toward the stairs, then reaches for Lortel's mug with her free hand. ] C'mon, I'll carry it up.
[ Her thoughts are already racing as she leads Lortel upstairs, nudging her door open with an elbow and ushering her inside. The room is fairly large. A bed sits shoved against the wall, looking like it hasn't been made once in its life, drowned in pillows and blankets. A painting leans against the wall on the floor, and art supplies are scattered everywhere, mingling with half-finished pieces. Sketches and sketchbooks spill across surfaces. The desk is buried beneath books, and on the end table, a stuffed pink rabbit sits innocently beside the lamp.
[ her heart aches, but it's not a bad feeling. the opposite, actually. the way it squeezes and skips fills her whole chest with a heady warmth.
she laughs when Sharon takes her cocoa. ] How gallant of you! [ teasing and sincerely sweet. still, this allows her to grab her bag.
seeing Sharon's room ...
... is delightful. she can't hide her reaction, and doesn't even try. it's cozy and messy and lived in and every inch of it just radiates her friend's personality. who she is, as a person. it's lovely, and soft, and lovable. ]
You should teach me room decoration tips, [ she'll murmur, and the stars in her eyes make it clear it's a genuine statement. ]
[ Bright laughter spills out as she looks over at Lortel. ] My tips are as follows: wherever you set something down, that's where it lives now until you need it again. [ Simple. Effective. She never forgets where things end up. ] Controlled chaos.
[ A bean bag rests on the floor at the foot of the bed, and a chair is nestled against the desk, a green wool coat with faded blood stains hangs over the back. Sharon sets the mugs on the end table, shifts her rabbit onto the bed, and drops down beside it. ] Toss your stuff wherever, I'm moderately confident we won't lose anything!
[ It's a mess, though, and messes have a way of swallowing things whole. ] Any idea what you wanna do first? You brought barrettes and stuff, so we could mess around with hair. I could help you try out some new colors, too.
[ After a moment of careful focus, a controlled curl of magic, Sharon's hair bleeds from bleached blonde into a bright, vibrant pink. This is a classic sleepover experience! ]
[ beaming, radiant as the moon with soft happiness: ] Then I'll keep that in mind.
[ Lortel will fetch what little she needs from the bag for the moment: the pack of cards she brought, and all the little things for their hair. there's a soft brush, a comb, some hair ties and ribbons, and a handful of adorable barrettes. it's clear immediately they weren't in perfect condition when Lortel found them: some, when looked at closely, seem worn or stained.
but that it requires close looking makes a different thing clear: she put time and effort into making these lovely. because they were for Sharon, and Sharon deserves lovely things.
then she plops her bag down somewhere in the chaos and pays it no further mind. if it gets devoured by the mess, then, well, that's simply where it lives, now. and what a horrible shame it would be for Lortel to have to come back, to see it again.
she'll set the items she collected on the bedspread, and then debate where she can possibly sit that won't leave her trapped there with only one good arm. which, sadly, immediately eliminates the beanbag chair as an option. ]
What on earth is this thing?
[ while it's a rhetorical question, it's undeniably true this weird thing is fascinating to her. is that actually furniture? it's a sack. outrageous. she nudges it with a toe, shaking her head with a smile, before sitting on the edge of the bed towards its end.
the pink wins a real grin, a sunnier, laughing thing. ]
It suits you.
[ she curls a finger through a lock of her own hair, her smile going crooked. ]
I've always had such bright red hair. It's really hard to imagine an other color. What do you think would look good on me~?
It's great for reading in! [ Do not dare judge that bag of beans. It is comfy, Lortel!
Lortel's excitement feels almost sacred. There had been a time Sharon thought she'd lost her for good. Thought that light had gone out completely. Seeing her like this, animated, practically beaming, feels like a gift she doesn't take lightly. After everything, Lortel deserves to smile like this. ]
I was thinking maybe... a cool pink. [ Sharon rises from her seat, weaving an illusion as she closes the bedroom door to reveal the full-length mirror hanging on it. When Lortel looks, she'll see the shift immediately. Lortel's bright hair has softened into a muted, dusky rose, and it tumbles over her shoulders in loose, beachy waves, framing her face in something sweet and effortlessly girlish. ]
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A beat of hesitation before she barrels forward: ] Hey, you want to rest and recover some together? You can come over, stay the night, and we'll do each other's makeup or whatever it is normal girls do at sleepovers.
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followed a little too quickly by: ]
I do. T-that is, I...
[ for a moment she's rather overcome, and the murmur lays mercilessly bare her wordless, bottomlessly affectionate, careful gratitude. ]
Whatever it is, [ she echoes, with a shivery and awkward little laugh, ] I'd like very much to find out.
Then, is tonight...?
[ it's not like her to be so hesitant, but she's also never had a friend before. this is all new to her. ]
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Tonight's perfect. [ There's no hesitation. It's been too long since she's seen Lortel in person—she needs it, needs the reassurance and comfort that Lortel's physical presence will bring. ] Come by whenever. I'll make us some hot cocoa to get the night started.
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Give me an hour or so. [ she just needs to gather clothes and, if she can find any, some treats to bring, as well as inform her roommates where she's going...
... maybe ask for advice ...
she's doing her best!!! ]
I can't believe you have cocoa. Such luxury. [ with warmth just shy of laughter. ]
Then I'll see you soon, okay?
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See you soon. [ The time before Lortel arrives gives her a chance to straighten up her room. It's been a disaster since gravity decided to take a vacation, and she hasn't had the emotional or physical energy to deal with it. Thankfully, it's mostly just art supplies and clothes that ended up scattered across the floor.
When done, she waits anxiously by the door, feeling a bit like a foolish, excited kid than the adult she is. It's been far too long since she's seen Lortel in person—and the dream doesn't count. ]
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she'll turn up on Sharon's doorstep in almost exactly an hour; she apparently worked quite fast to make this all happen. the ratty backpack on her back, beat up but reliable, has everything she should need for the night. clothes, a few snacks, a pack of cards, and what hair elastics and bobby pins as could be scavenged from the wreckage of pharmacies (on her behalf since her return, by whichever of her boys agreed to help).
her coat hangs awkwardly on her frame, entirely because she's had to close it up over her injured arm still in its sling. ]
Hi, [ she'll beam when the door opens to her.
gods. would it be strange to immediately reach for a hug? ]
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Normally, she'd just step aside and let her in. This time, Sharon reaches for Lortel's hand to guide her inside, and then, without thinking, pulls her into a gentle hug. She's never been good with loss, mostly because she's never had many people to lose. Every time someone she cares about is taken by Sleep, it leaves a new hollow in her chest, a space she doesn't know how to fill. ]
You are real. [ Voice thick, pressed close. Some part of her had been afraid Lortel was gone for good, that even her return might be some cruel trick. But she's here. She's real. And for this moment, that's enough. ]
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friendship.
Sharon pulls her in, and it feels like the other girl read her mind. Lortel feels her breath hitch, eyes suddenly brimming with hot tears over Sharon's obvious pain and care for her.
they're friends. they're friends, right?
Lortel
lets herself cry, tears streaming down her face as she returns that hug one armed. ]
I'm so sorry, Sharon.
[ it's not what she's meant to say. but she finds it's how she feels. her immense regret over leaving her first true friend remains frustratingly inexpressible in a way that would truly communicate...
how desperately she didn't want to leave. ]
I'm real, [ she'll echo, a shaky smile in her voice. ] And I missed you.
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She pulls back just enough to offer Lortel a wet, teary smile. ]
I missed you, too. [ She says, her voice thick, then takes Lortel's free hand and leads her down the hall toward the kitchen. Two steaming mugs of cocoa already wait on the counter, dried marshmallows bobbing on the surface.
Her gaze flicks to the loose sleeve. ] You all right?
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it's surreal to see someone hurt so much over her. to genuinely care enough as to even mourn her departure.
some small, traitorous piece of her wonders if there's a soul on Acken Island or anywhere else back home that would feel this way about her.
thus dragged, she has no way to stem or dry her tears, and so simply has to follow with a wet face. well, it's Sharon. if it's alright for anyone to see her like this, surely it must be Sharon. ]
I am. Truly.
[ she'll disengage her hand so as to remove her coat, revealing her sling. ]
Till has been helping to heal me. It should be much better soon. It's just a little tiresome, doing everything one-handed, [ she'll smile, making light. ]
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She lifts her sleeve to dry Lortel's cheeks, her expression soft. ] God, I bet. You can't even do the classic two-handed mug hold, the one that says you're comfortable and lost in deep, contemplative thought over hot cocoa.
[ She reaches for and offers one of the mugs. ] What happened? Was it that big thing in the tunnels?
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she can't help but smile at Sharon's gentle touch, something melty and all disbelieving, as if she can't believe such a lovely person is her friend.
a slight laugh. ] Then you'll have to savor it twice as much in my stead.
[ taking the time to find a place to set her coat and bag down gives her a moment to gather her thoughts. ]
It was, [ she'll nod as she returns to Sharon's side. ] I don't have any offensive powers right now. All I could do was try to stay away from it while guiding the others, but ...
[ shakes her head. ]
Everyone did well. The best they could. No one could be everywhere at once. It could have been so much worse... [ Ivan's fall flashes through her mind, and the heart-stopping horror that had come with it. ] If this is the only price I have to pay, then I'd consider that a very fair deal.
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Sleep did this on purpose. Sharon can't prove it yet, but the thought gnaws at her. Maybe she isn't interested in more Vessels. Maybe she wanted them to die down there, to pack the tunnels with fresh Hosts. Maybe she plans to pin it all on One, twist the fallout into another tool for control.
It's the way Lortel finishes that makes Sharon draw in a sharp breath, then let it out in a slow sigh. She can't say she doesn't understand, and still... ] It shouldn't have happened at all, but I'm glad this is the worst of it for you. I saw bits and pieces of what went down, and... [ She shakes her head. Yuuto wasn't the best journalist on the ground, but he'd been the only one. ] Is it broken? Do you need any pain meds? [ Eager to make things easier on Lortel, especially after she'd walked all the way out here for a sleepover. ]
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It's not broken, thankfully. [ the second offer she considered, but ultimately shakes her head. ] It only aches. I'd rather you save what you have.
[ wanting to cheer her friend, she'll move back towards her bag. ] I did bring a few things. Cards, a few hair barrettes and a brush... [ she can manage that much, albeit slowly. glancing at her, she ventures: ]
I'd wanted to try arts and crafts, but... [ couldn't find the supplies in time. ]
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Cards, hair barrettes, a brush... Sharon can't help the smile that slips free. This is what girls do, isn't it? She's seen it in movies—brushing each other's hair, playing silly little games, talking about stupid crushes. When Lortel finally brings up what else she'd wanted to bring, Sharon's brows lift in surprise, and her smile only grows. ]
Well, you're in luck. I've got a ton of art supplies upstairs. [ She's raided more than her fair share of art stores, collected just about everything an artist could want—and then some. ] Plenty for both of us. Anything specific you had in mind? I'm sure I've got it.
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I've got a ton of tiny canvases. We can paint something nice and swap them in the morning. [ The excitement rolls off her as she flicks a glance down the hall toward the stairs, then reaches for Lortel's mug with her free hand. ] C'mon, I'll carry it up.
[ Her thoughts are already racing as she leads Lortel upstairs, nudging her door open with an elbow and ushering her inside. The room is fairly large. A bed sits shoved against the wall, looking like it hasn't been made once in its life, drowned in pillows and blankets. A painting leans against the wall on the floor, and art supplies are scattered everywhere, mingling with half-finished pieces. Sketches and sketchbooks spill across surfaces. The desk is buried beneath books, and on the end table, a stuffed pink rabbit sits innocently beside the lamp.
It's a mess of things. A mess of Sharon. ]
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she laughs when Sharon takes her cocoa. ] How gallant of you! [ teasing and sincerely sweet. still, this allows her to grab her bag.
seeing Sharon's room ...
... is delightful. she can't hide her reaction, and doesn't even try. it's cozy and messy and lived in and every inch of it just radiates her friend's personality. who she is, as a person. it's lovely, and soft, and lovable. ]
You should teach me room decoration tips, [ she'll murmur, and the stars in her eyes make it clear it's a genuine statement. ]
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[ A bean bag rests on the floor at the foot of the bed, and a chair is nestled against the desk, a green wool coat with faded blood stains hangs over the back. Sharon sets the mugs on the end table, shifts her rabbit onto the bed, and drops down beside it. ] Toss your stuff wherever, I'm moderately confident we won't lose anything!
[ It's a mess, though, and messes have a way of swallowing things whole. ] Any idea what you wanna do first? You brought barrettes and stuff, so we could mess around with hair. I could help you try out some new colors, too.
[ After a moment of careful focus, a controlled curl of magic, Sharon's hair bleeds from bleached blonde into a bright, vibrant pink. This is a classic sleepover experience! ]
no subject
[ Lortel will fetch what little she needs from the bag for the moment: the pack of cards she brought, and all the little things for their hair. there's a soft brush, a comb, some hair ties and ribbons, and a handful of adorable barrettes. it's clear immediately they weren't in perfect condition when Lortel found them: some, when looked at closely, seem worn or stained.
but that it requires close looking makes a different thing clear: she put time and effort into making these lovely. because they were for Sharon, and Sharon deserves lovely things.
then she plops her bag down somewhere in the chaos and pays it no further mind. if it gets devoured by the mess, then, well, that's simply where it lives, now. and what a horrible shame it would be for Lortel to have to come back, to see it again.
she'll set the items she collected on the bedspread, and then debate where she can possibly sit that won't leave her trapped there with only one good arm. which, sadly, immediately eliminates the beanbag chair as an option. ]
What on earth is this thing?
[ while it's a rhetorical question, it's undeniably true this weird thing is fascinating to her. is that actually furniture? it's a sack. outrageous. she nudges it with a toe, shaking her head with a smile, before sitting on the edge of the bed towards its end.
the pink wins a real grin, a sunnier, laughing thing. ]
It suits you.
[ she curls a finger through a lock of her own hair, her smile going crooked. ]
I've always had such bright red hair. It's really hard to imagine an other color. What do you think would look good on me~?
[ that is 100% an invitation, Sharon. go nuts. ]
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Lortel's excitement feels almost sacred. There had been a time Sharon thought she'd lost her for good. Thought that light had gone out completely. Seeing her like this, animated, practically beaming, feels like a gift she doesn't take lightly. After everything, Lortel deserves to smile like this. ]
I was thinking maybe... a cool pink. [ Sharon rises from her seat, weaving an illusion as she closes the bedroom door to reveal the full-length mirror hanging on it. When Lortel looks, she'll see the shift immediately. Lortel's bright hair has softened into a muted, dusky rose, and it tumbles over her shoulders in loose, beachy waves, framing her face in something sweet and effortlessly girlish. ]