∞ Twin Souls ∞

[Lakenna (DELETED 9850)]

Private correspondence between Craven and Lakenna

C R A V E N -

I’m sorry I didn’t meet up with you earlier!

I spent most of the evening attempting to convince my father that I could handle traveling five thousand miles away from home. I had thought for a moment that I had him – and then he just smiled. You know the one, where he know he’s about to deliver that final blow that ruins my life? I tried not to let the fact that he had opened my personal mail again irritate me, but it did. I swear, if he could, he would keep me trapped within this cage [Yes, I know you hate it when I call this mansion a ‘cage’] and I would never see the light of day. It’s been five years. You would think by now he would stop being haunted by my mom’s ghost. After all, he did manage to marry the Shrew, but he can’t seem to let me go.

Do you know what he actually said to me?
Did you think you could get away with this?

I was surprised that there hadn’t been anger in the question, despite the wording. Any other father – hell, any other person in the world would have been furious that I had gone behind their back, but not John Easton, renowned scientist and world class father. Of course, that was what the mug he had bought himself said. No, I’m not kidding. He somehow found himself a mug that said both ‘renowned scientist’ and ‘world class father’ written in blocky white lettering. Have you seen it yet? I could craft something better, but he refuses to let me try, because again, he hates when I play with fire.

That was the entire point of our conversation at dinner. I wanted to travel, to explore the different parts of the world and see the pieces they crafted to hone my skill, and he wants me to stay here and become a writer. A writer. Not even an author, not someone who pens beautiful fantasy, but a journalist. I think he just wants someone at his beck and call to keep track of his work. It’s not about me – it’s about him and how much more money he can make to support the Shrews habits.

Anyway. I’m at the café, drowning my sorrows in Pumpkin Spice until he calls me home.
Love you!

- L A K E

[Craven]

Laken,

It's alright. I haven't been doing anything much past working these past couple of nights, anyway. One of the designs that I did caught the interest of a man on his way through from Buffalo that dad ran into. He was trying some of the deer sausage. To be fair, even I don't think you'll do well five thousand miles away from home. You'll miss me. Although, I could always go with you. Do you think that would help, the fact he likes me and knows I won't let you do anything stupid? I don't think it wouldn't be too difficult to convince him to go. Also, that's really not legal for him to be opening your mail - even if he is a parent, you're an adult.

It is kind of rude.

You can always just move in with me, turn the guest bed that you stay into a better room where you can actually have your own privacy. Without someone else opening your mail. Honestly though, it can't be that bad living in a mansion. You can stay on the other side of it to avoid Lydia. Maybe I can mention it to my mom, see if she can get him to give you some space. Don't call her a shrew, that's insult to the little creatures. She's more like black mold, unwanted and increasing her presence slowly while making the rest of us ill. I don't get the whole clinging and controlling thing he's going through, though. Even my dad doesn't hover as much, and well, you know.

To be fair, your dad is weird.

I can't be totally surprised that got himself a mug that says both. You sent me a snapchat of it when you found it in the cupboard, remember? He's your dad, though, Lake. You have to give him some credit, he's trying. Even if his wife is a nightmare. I don't understand why he hasn't seen the portfolio that we put together, or if he has, why he hasn't accepted it. That's what you do, it's what you'll continue doing and it's what he'll have to understand it.

There isn't any issue working as a journalist. I'm working with a lot of them, at least. Maybe you can write fantasy under a pen name, same with your MV work being done and sold elsewhere? I don't know. I could always get you something temporary to just shut him up until we can sneak you out of the country - if that makes you feel better. You can take control of your life, Lakenna. You know they can't control you forever, we would just have to rent a moving truck... I think my neighbor has a truck we can borrow. You know the one that thinks you have a cute butt. I'm sure he'd probably even do all the heavy lifting for us, him and his friend.

And please put down the coffee. I can practically feel the vibrations coming of you in the air.

- Aurora

[Lakenna (DELETED 9850)]

C R A V E N

I had to sleep the coffee off.

Before you say anything, please consider that I could have worse vices – drugs, alcohol, even sex. Of course, that would require me to have any free time outside of you, work, and my father. I could only imagine the look on his face if I were to stumble through the doors in the middle of the night with a man on my arm, reeking of alcohol and cigarettes. I’m positive that would be what sent him to his grave.

Honestly, the thought of you going with me actually makes the thought of the move bearable. I think I could make it. I’ve gotten my medication under control, and Dr. Johnson claim that I’m making progress. Of course, I haven’t broached the subject of my nightmares yet. I’m worried of what he might do if he found out. I set the next appointment for October 10th, if you want to go with me. I know you’re wary of him, but he has helped me in the past. You have to remember that if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here. Father was pretty adamant on shipping me to that institution in France.

Ironic, isn’t it, that he was ready to push me out the door when it suited him.

I know I shouldn’t speak of him like that, but he isn’t the same man that he was. After her death, he changed. We both did, but it’s more than that, and I still believe it’s because of the Shrew. She took what was left of his spirit and crushed it beneath her heel. Anyways, I digress. If I managed to get away from him, if I felt comfortable enough to leave him behind, I’d take you with me. I find it hilarious that you think you’d have a choice in the matter, because you’re right, I would miss you – and I can’t trust you to be left on your own. God only knows what you would find yourself into if I weren’t here to drag you out of it. Remember the time I left you alone for two nights so I could go to camp?

I didn’t even get to finish the whole week.

I could move in with you, you’re right, but I’m not willing to give this place up. It has her memory in every hall, and the moment I give up my rights to it, she’ll move in and try and stake her claim. I have, however, approached the subject with Father about moving into the guest house. It will put space between us, and I tried to explain that I need my privacy. I said nothing of him going through my mail, but I did slide a hint or two in there about the Shrew interrupting me while I’m trying to write. Should I feel bad about the fight that caused? It wasn’t exactly a lie, because she hasn’t been home as often lately, but at this point, I’m grasping at straws to get the space that I need.

‘You need to take control of your life, Lakenna.’

I swear, doll, you need to get that tattooed somewhere, for the amount of time you say it. How is it that I can’t be like you? Why am I stuck here, standing still, while you’re unafraid to take a hold of your life? With everything you’ve been through, you’re still unafraid. You’re strong – reckless, but strong. I envy you – and wait, which one was he again? Now that Michael and I are officially over, I’m looking for something to cleanse my palette – of course, the second I try, you know he’ll come crawling back.

Maybe we can start looking at places to go together, but for now, I need to head to the shop. I saw something online that I wanted to try and craft. It was a small dinosaur – I just hope it comes out better this time than my last attempt. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to look at cows the same.

Oh, and I found that book you were looking for. I left it on my dresser. If I don’t get to it before you’re off, go ahead and swing by, just use the side entrance. Shrew is having ‘company’ today.

L A K E N

[Craven]

Laken,

Sorry, this was buried - I hadn't forgotten to reply. Please don't bang some stupid asshole. I don't want to have to come pick you up in the middle of the night because your dad kicked you out of the house. I will without any hesitation, you know this, but between him and the shrew, it would be a headache waiting to happen. Then again, if he kicks you out, my mother would be on the phone with him and screaming... so, win win?

I had another episode, as mom calls it. Night terrors have returned from.. that night.

Medication can distract me long enough that I forget to eat. Mom got upset with me, I'd lost a few pounds and she threatened to send me back to the hospital. I'm fine - don't worry. She mentioned that I should probably get out of town for a little bit. I'm going to talk to your dad and see if I can convince him to let me borrow you for a weekend. I think we both need it. I could tell him I'm going to show you the good parts about journalism, maybe that'll work? I'm sure if he thinks you're going to try to do what he wants, he won't argue against it.

Your nightmares can't be that bad, Lake. What's he going to do, tell you that you're crazy? If he does, we can always go back to the one quack I had to deal with after I was released. It's not like he's irreplaceable. But, mm. I'll go with you, even if I do think he's a quack. Losing your mom took a toll on all of us, even me. I think it just hit him into becoming paranoid, which is entirely understandable but smothering you isn't going to be the answer. The Shrew, I don't know. She's a ***** and we'll figure it out. Maybe he'll come to his senses.

If not, we will get you away from him.

We can go visit the states? I need to get some pictures of the flora in Seattle and the fashion. They want to do something nice and pretty, according to Bob. I mentioned the idea of having you come work with me to him - he said he'd like to see some of your work, I had told him about the fact you're a glass blower.

And... I was heartbroken that you went to camp without me. It was very not fun, and in my defense, I've come home early a lot for you, too. You miss me too much, too. We both know what kind of trouble I can get myself into, though. Even without actually physically getting in trouble. My dating life isn't too awful. I think. I like to think, at the very least. Tommy wasn't bad. He just didn't have the ability to put up with my... what do you call it? Sparkling personality? Screaming nightmares?

Your stepmother can't take claim of what isn't hers. We both know that if something happened to your dad, he wouldn't leave a penny to her. If anything he'd make sure I was able to take care of everything for you. Besides, it's not exactly giving up any rights. It's not changing the locks on her like I've suggested that we do in the past.

I'm not really brave in regards to taking control of my life, and I'm not afraid... I just don't let people control me. I don't let it get to me, I still have my relapses, obviously, and I take my medication... but I can't let myself stop living every time I think I see my brother. I had to swallow after I started typing that. Fear can't stop someone if they've got stuff to lose, you know? If I let myself fall back into that dark spiral, who would keep you sane?

Why is it his name escapes - oh. Brody. Brody and Bryce - Brad? Brian? I think they're brothers, cousins? Either way, they're cute. And you still need to have fun. As for getting that tattooed, if you think your dad would freak out about you sneaking away, just imagine the thought of getting that witnessed. It'd be on our graves. Although, I could probably sneak it into a design... Hrm. I may play around later.

Let's not have another repeat of the cow. Someone said that they really liked the pig you made me - it's sitting on my desk beside my computer at work, so don't be surprised if you ever get requests. Maybe I should make you some cards, make it look really official and we can irritate them with it. Don't you think that'd be fun? But, it'd also be a good way to show him how professional of a business it is. I can't say much for its safety, but truthfully between the two of us, you'll probably the one to less likely burn yourself.

I did a doodle today for a comic strip. I'll attach it below.

I'll head by. I forgot to pick up the book, again.

Maybe we can have another girls night out.

- Aurora