The magic doorway

[Paul Valmont]

"It sounds nice," he admitted. "Would be nice if we didn't have to be so careful in the states. But I'll see what we can do."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Well, we can hide it well. I mean we don't look weird or anything. Frankie knows to hide out. He's mean, but he knows the dangers of things. Wiggles..." She looks back at Wiggles. "Not sure she understands quite yet." Understand what? ARE WE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE?! Wiggles' eyes lit up. "Erm..."

[Paul Valmont]

He eyed the fox uncertainly. "Well, if we're going to get you a tattoo, she won't be there at first, I guess?" Unless I draw her again... That was fun. And maybe she wants to try it higher like she wanted... Just the thought of it made him turn red.

[Elise Holdrust]

"Oh yeah that's true. I mean, like, it wouldn't work to get ink done over the henna, right? Wouldn't that mess things up? I dunno." Elise thought for a moment and then looked sad. "Aww...so she'll have to go away for a bit..." Wiggles' ears lowered sadly in answer. I don't wanna go away...

[Paul Valmont]

"I... Guess? I mean, I don't know how your power works, so who knows if they could draw it a second time right over the first. It might make a whole new one, right?"

[Elise Holdrust]

"Whoa...then there'd be two?" She looks at Wiggles, then back to Paul. "That would be weird. I dunno how this stuff works either, but I think that'd be crazy." She laughs.

[Paul Valmont]

"Yeah, so... probably ought to just let them work fresh," he said. He shot Wiggles an appologetic look. "I'm sorry?"

[Elise Holdrust]

Wiggles was probably giving a very pathetic look. Ears down, eyes sad. Kind of like a sad puppy. "Aww, don't be sad, Wiggles. Seriously, I'll make sure you're back. You're a lot more fun than Frankie and don't tell him I said this, but you're my favorite." She smiles reassuringly to Wiggles, but it probably didn't seem to be doing much. Okay...

[Paul Valmont]

Paul's heart was breaking a little. "A-and if she can't, I'll just draw you again until she can!" he offered, hoping that it was as helpful as he was attempting to be.

[Elise Holdrust]

Wiggles perked up a bit. Do you guys promise? Elise nodded. "I promise." She then looked to Paul expectantly, not really thinking about the fact that, you know, he can't actually hear Wiggles.

[Paul Valmont]

Paul just gave her a confused look. "What?"

[Elise Holdrust]

"....OH!" As per her usual, she facepalms. "I keep forgetting not everyone can hear them. She wants you to promise."

[Paul Valmont]

"Oh, of course. Like I'm not going to promise when she makes you happy."

[Elise Holdrust]

"She's sooooo much better than Frankie. And like...a billion times more adorable." She says with a nod-nod.

[Paul Valmont]

"Definitely suits you better than Frankie, then," Paul agreed with a grin.

[Elise Holdrust]

"I mean don't get me wrong, Frankie can be pretty cool sometimes. We used to hang out a lot when I'd be painting. Since I had to move though, he's been...I don't know, almost mopey."

[Paul Valmont]

"Well huh," Paul said, mulling that over. "Then maybe he'll be less of a jerk if you guys get to visit home."

[Elise Holdrust]

"You think so?" She asks, tilting her head. "Poor thing. Maybe he's just homesick."

[Paul Valmont]

"Makes sense. I mean... aren't you?"

[Elise Holdrust]

Elise is quiet for a few moments, looking out at the water. "Yeah, I am. I miss my friends. I miss my room. Miss my mom. But we all gotta move forward, right?" She gives a meek smile. "What about you? Do you miss home?"

[Paul Valmont]

It was Paul's turn to be quiet. "A little. I miss my parents. I miss everything not being all weird and dangerous." He shrugged. "Isn't really anything to miss but that."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Do you ever think about going to visit quickly? I mean I know we have to be careful, but still."

[Paul Valmont]

"I did a couple times. My mom told me to knock it off, because she didn't want anything to happen to me. I guess they'd been by asking if she'd seen me, since they knew what my power was." He shrugged. "She says they'll visit at Christmas, so I'll just be happy with that."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Aww that sucks you had to stop. But awesome they're going to visit you for the holidays! And that's not too far away, you know."

[Paul Valmont]

"Oh, I know. It's not too bad. My old school kind of sucked, it's not like I had anything to miss there, so I can get past a lot of it."

[Elise Holdrust]

Elise nods in understanding. "Ugh, I know what you mean. I hated my school. My art teacher was pretty cool, but the rest sucked. Especially math."

[Paul Valmont]

"Most of my teachers were okay. Could've done without my classmates," Paul admitted. He chuckled. "And now I do get to do without them."

[Elise Holdrust]

"What do you think of our classmates here?" She asks offhandedly.

[Paul Valmont]

"Well you and Haley are awesome. Graham's pretty cool. I'm not reply popular enough to talk to the other guys much."