Imogen

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart this. It was certainly easier to manage family dynamics before I got my heart back. But when I open the door, I stop abruptly. Because just outside is @unfrozenheart* Oh. Hello, Lisbeth. Were you… planning to come inside?

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart Thank you. *it’s barely more than a whisper, but right now I just need to get away. To another world would be nice, but I’ll settle for the hallway, to keep the spell going. I practically run for the door, eager for a moment to myself to figure out why I keep doing things like —

*my life turns into a blur of lies and smiles and silence, and I do my best to reserve my pain for the safety of my apartment. I do my job well, and I pay my rent, but otherwise, I let life slide by me. But when the winter solstice comes, the day of greatest darkness, I call in—

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart it’ll be okay for me to leave the apartment for a minute, or will that break the spell? I really need some fresh air, and you all need your own time with Mother.

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart Right now, I think I just need a minute to myself. I’m sure we’ll have to deal with this again later, but it doesn’t really matter now, does it? *lets myself glance at my parents for just a moment before moving away from you, getting my emotions back under control* Do you think—

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart more self-destructive than anything else. But… I want to be a part of the family. I just don’t know if it’s even possible when everyone is constantly waiting for me to destroy everything. It just feels easier to prove them right.

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart I don’t know how to do that. *takes a few calming breaths, avoiding looking at you. At anyone, actually* It feels like anytime I get upset, somebody decides I’m on the verge of going on a killing spree. But that’s not me. *laughs bitterly* I think I’ve proven I’m much—

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart actual emotions are clearly the problem here.

@madammayortoyou @powrlvrmother @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart stories about how I was the embodiment of their love, and I don’t see any love between them. How am I supposed to feel? *lets out a harsh laugh, barely keeping myself under control* Scratch that. What response will make -you- feel best? Because my —

@powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart Aidan. At least Sam wants to help, instead of telling me how bad every decision I make is. Just leave me alone and ‘enjoy’ the situation I made possible.

@powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @HookHandedDevil @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart Spare me the condescending older sister monologue, Regina. I’m sure I’ll hear it the next time -I- bring the family back together, just to be told that I’m the problem. Both my parents are here. Guess who made that happen? Because it sure wasn’t you, and it definitely wasn’t—

@HookHandedDevil @powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart Enjoy away. As if you even care that she’s here. *holds the book tightly to my chest, going back to the kitchen to sulk in peace, muttering to myself about how disappointing your so-called love is*

@NeverABastard @powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t think we can make this better. We can try to make this family work better, but…I don’t think we can make it whole the way you want. No matter how much magic you throw at it. Can’t we just…try to enjoy the time we have?

@powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @HookHandedDevil @unfrozenheart You don’t know me. *It’s childish, but it feels like everyone is giving up. I need to fight for something, even if it’s a losing battle* You don’t get to tell me what to do when you weren’t there. *looks to my father* Either of you. I’m not giving up.

@madammayortoyou @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @NeverABastard @HookHandedDevil @unfrozenheart didn’t get the chance to grow up at all. I am okay. You need to let me go.

@HookHandedDevil @powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart work without Mother. I dont care what happens to me. One of you has to know a way to fix this!

@HookHandedDevil @powrlvrmother @madammayortoyou @OfHeartAndDark @StillHerBastard @unfrozenheart And she still doesn’t appreciate being talked about, instead of to. *glares at you both, before deflating when I find that the book truly doesn’t include a spell that’s strong enough for this. I turn to my siblings* Why will nobody help me? We all know that this family doesn’t—