[PQ] pull yourself together

Ophelia

we're just two ghosts
swimming in a glass half empty

Cal's vibrancy is appreciated, and met with a beatific smile like those seen in Renaissance paintings, somehow both worldly and innocent. "My pleasure. It is what family is for." Their devotion saved and reserved for chosen family in place of blood, as if knowing all along this would be their fate. As they begin to part ways to set their minds to the tasks at hand - or perhaps the reverse? - Ophelia hears Wessex's voice in their head, as clearly as if the Wraith had spoken, and their ghostly blue eyes widen with an academic sort of delight. A furrow forms between their fair brows, an adorable look of concentration flitting over their features as they try to somehow think 'loudly'. There is nothing in my mind you are unwelcome to, sister. Releasing the lip they hadn't known they'd bitten in order to give a parting smile to the woman before they trail off to their chosen abode.

Rats are far from the worst fate, and Ophelia contemplates silently on how once upon a time it would have been a lucky find - food for the evening if other meat was short. Such worries are beyond them now however, and all that's left is the task of relocation. With no fear of pain if bitten, Ophelia heads straight for them, bare hands pale and reaching for the smaller ones tails. Perhaps the parents will follow if their offspring are in distress, and as such Ophelia heads back out of the house and across the pathway to find a more suitable - but still decrepit - home for them.

- - -

Ophelia scoops up the baby rats to relocate them first!

trying vainly to forget
the pain that came with heartbeats