wtfox | [seasonality] catchall for bradley

That's the guy? Didn't think he'd be so...

[He does not even know how to explain what he saw there. "Like that"? "Willing to chat"?]

What lead up t' it?

That's how he does things. He... talks to you. Gets in your head. The butterflies are attracted to people who are really angry, or sad, or jealous, or... any kind of negative emotion, really, and once they've got you, he convinces you that there's no other way except to do what he wants in exchange for the power you need to deal with whatever upset you.

[she sighs.]

I was already convinced of that. Ladybug and I didn't really get along very well, even though we were supposed to work together, and that day she told me she didn't need someone like me on her team. She... [her hand curls around her necklace.] ...she took my necklace. Even though it was passed down to me from my grandmother - my family's always been the one to use it. But she's the leader of the team, so she said she gets to make the call on who can and can't use them. Normally, I would have tried to fight back myself, with it, but it's the necklace that gave me powers. So, when I saw that butterfly, I thought... this is my chance.

...she ended up freeing me from Hawkmoth and we made up. She gave it back, and she even apologized for taking it, but...

[Were children always this petty? He doesn't remember this, but he also hasn't been 14 for... something like 600 years, and the kids he knows are:

1. raised in a cult
2. a mess because of other reasons.]

I'd be fuckin' pissed if somebody took my shit.

I was so mad. It wasn't even just that it was my necklace, it was... It was left to me by my grandmother. Even if it wasn't magical, it's not the sort of thing that can just be replaced.

[she sighs!]

...and even ignoring that, it... the way she told me to leave the team just made me feel worthless. But... I still shouldn't have done it that way. Every time I remember it happened, I remember that I have to do better than I did that day.

[He plays with a ring on his left hand, a dark black stone set in silver.]

You shouldn't ignore that t' begin with. The things that people gift you are important. Feelings are wrapped up in gifts.

Y'know? Long as ya wanna change, there's always time.

They are. It was - it was that she took my grandmother's gift, and what she said, and how it made me feel, and...

[she sighs again and finally stops gripping her necklace so tightly. it settles back down against her skin.]

...I do want to change. I definitely won't let something like that get the better of me again. [...] I'm going to be worthy of the things that were left to me.

[He stops playing with the ring.

If her hair was shorter, he'd ruffle it. As it stands, he pats her head.]

There ya go. You already got yer answers. Might wanna talk to Fall's Dorm Head. He's got some regrets too.

[she looks a little startled by that! her mom isn't really around enough for her to be used to even vague gestures of parental affection. even if he doesn't mean it that way, it's still startling.]

...you think so? I know we've got that, like, phone booth now, but he's probably pretty busy...

[He pats her again, before putting his hand back in his pocket.]

Think he'd be happy t' know we're all fine. Ain't bad t' just try reachin' out some.