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[kidsmenu]

Bon soir. I am Claudia de Lioncourt.

[Small, blonde, extremely curly. A little more articulate and staid in her manner than your average twelve-year-old girl. She's wearing a flowery T-shirt and a backward, pink baseball cap.]

I am seeking information on how family relationships mature as a child grows up, in this world and time. In my old world, it would hinge on marriage, and childbirth, and separation from the ancestral home. But it seems that times have changed. Or perhaps they never were.

I'm given to understand that ImPorts don't tend to have children or anything, but I'm open to hearing stories gathered from the natives. Or your other cultures. Apparently, there is a saying, 'when in Rome.' And it would seem there are infinite versions of Romes to choose from.

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[youresovein]

[ there's an uncharacteristic pause as he actually (drumroll) considers his response. ]

Well, it isn't as if someone has to sever every last bond just to find oneself, or whatever they're calling it these days...

[kidsmenu]

Yes that does seem to be the preference, [Claudia answers, a little stiffly, but not as suspicious and catty as she might have been months ago.] To keep a few tethers. I can't say "finding oneself" has been a popular undertaking. Or phrasing. Or whatever the case should be.

[youresovein]

[ one of those dismissive little scoffs. ]

Of course not, no one ever calls it that until afterward, when they're trying to make it sound like a grand adventure instead of a series of accidents. But that's what it is, when you get down to it.

[kidsmenu]

How ever did you seduce Louis, when this your most romantic notion?

[She's teasing him. A little sharply, but only that.]

[youresovein]

[ calling attention to his sulky mood seems to rouse him from it a bit, at least. ]

Who knows! Perhaps even our dear enlightened Louis can be shallow every now and then. [ is that vain or self deprecating? moving on! ] And if it's a lack of romance you're accusing me of, I'll remind you that I'm doing my best to assign a loftier narrative significance to something as ordinary as getting a job.

[kidsmenu]

Yes I suppose that's true. You are.

I've been enjoying my candy store position. If it's dreary and demeaning to wait on guests, I've yet to notice it. We have some nice ones coming in now and again.

[They're fencing with their olive branches. It's fine.]

I can't say it feels very significant otherwise.

[youresovein]

Just something to do.

[ A little shrug, agreeing with the triviality of it. ]

Well... what about taking lessons? A young lady can learn all sorts of things nowadays without anyone clutching their pearls about it. You told me so yourself, as I recall.

[kidsmenu]

Yes, I suppose that's true. I would have to pick a subject. There are all sorts of colleges and universities about now. Do you know any mor— anybody doing that sort of thing?

[Old habit.]

[youresovein]

Not presently, I don't think so, no. [ he pauses, reflecting, tapping his chin for emphasis. ] But I could ask around, make some calls, I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to find someone who knows something about it. And there are night classes, too, and private instructors... endless options!

[ three steps ahead already. he remembers his childhood, how starved he'd been for a glimpse of the world beyond his walls. too little too late, perhaps, to mean anything from him, but maybe it could be something for her anyway. ]

What would you like to study? I mean if I were to ask you right now, what springs immediately to your mind?

[kidsmenu]

[There's the barest pause. And then, easily,]

I would like to build something.

[youresovein]

[ that answer is so unexpected that he doesn't bother pretending otherwise. ]

Really? What kind of something?

sorry i got donkey punched by RL, feel free to disregard if this is too old now

[kidsmenu]

I'm not sure. Buildings? Bridges?

Something that lasts. Something impressive. Something that would impress me.

[youresovein]

That's my Claudia.

[ He can't help himself. He's just so proud. ]

You want to carve your name into the world. To give it something to remember you by.

[kidsmenu]

It'll never forget, [Claudia says, with slightly terrifying intensity.] I dare it to try.