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(2/2)
Footsteps through the puddles and a flashlight sweeping the area woke you up. Your wakefulness jolted Irene awake as well with a sneeze. The principal walked up to the fire pit and inspected the disaster, wearing a rain jacket and a dumbstruck expression. Thankfully, she promptly canceled the expedition and arranged for your exit. You were allowed to go home, take showers, and sleep in warm beds. The last you remember from Irene from that night was her sighing in relief and sneezing again- you almost threw up yourself given the exposure.
After everyone was comfortable talking about the incident in terms besides resentful mumbling, you were teased a bit for how the two of you were found. Irene didn't object, and there was never any sort of concern raised. It was just kind of nice to have that link, and you each used it to expand that minor link into something just a bit more than convenience. How could she protest attention, after all, when she had counted on you to 'protect her'? How could you refuse her support, when you had provided her some in the past?
You never got any more than a kiss out of her, but that didn't really bother you. The relationship was transient and not very energetic on either side: You mostly just spoke from time to time. But it was an acknowledgement, something hard to come across despite humanity's newfound rarity. Ultimately, that's what it came down to: Being valued simply for existing- loving her for no reason in particular.
By the time you're done, you feel a bit embarrassed. You were expecting your oration to make it appear palatable, but there was really no fluffing up a summer love beyond what it was.
Habetrot, however, doesn't seem to mind, pressing a packet into your hands. Unfolding it, you realize that it's a tapestry detailing an image from the experience, as spun into thread and formed into cloth. She takes it back, indicating, "The memory you have will not fade- I am not taking it from you, as some spirits might. But as long as you remember it, it will provide me a line of cloth from which I can draw essences of your experience, to be shared the same way a tale is retold. Love, after all, is productive."
Placing the bundle aside, she returns to her human form and nods eagerly. "I think I've got your measurements now, both inside and out. I'll make you your suit."
You're feeling better about that, then, and eager to find out what she has in stock for you. After all, she is capable of incredible feats.
Beatrice is still asleep, which makes you feel nostalgic. It's warmer in here, though, and dry, so you've got that going for you.
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Due to a mixture of being slow as shit (writing can be fast, my drawing takes forever) and being on page 8+, I'm going to call this proof of concept closed for this thread. If there's enough momentum in my brain, I'll see if I can write a continuation, and it's otherwise up for grabs.
