Good enough. But if anyone asks, I didn't give it to you.

[slices the top of the pumpkin clean off.]

[reaches in and pulls out a goopy stringy handful] Ew, like this. You want to try?

Yeah, it's pretty gross and slimy. [scoops as much out as she can]

Sometimes I miss when messes would clean themselves up, but once I learned why it seemed a bit... unfair.

Because cleaning things up myself might be inconvenient and annoying, but... the suffering derived from somebody else's soul isn't worth something so petty. Not to me. I can make my own bed, it really isn't that much a hassle.

[wipes her hands off on her sweatpants]

... Okay, so sometimes I make my husband do it.

Isn't it you that told Fio that as long as somebody remembers, it's like you're not really gone?

[offers the knife over to Sparkles, blade turned toward her direction so it doesn't come off as a threat]

[sets the knife down and watches the poor pumpkin burn.] I thought it was a nice sentiment. But alright, I didn't mean to upset you. I know it's hard.

[refrains from trying to put the flames out, even if she's concerned Friday might come and spritz them both with a water bottle like naughty cats.]

Sorry, but I've known for awhile, more than anyone else. Fio trusted me when she didn't know who else she could tell. Because she didn't want you to be forgotten either.

That's understandable, given you have no reason to and don't know me...

Or do you mean you distrust me specifically? I know I haven't made a particularly good impression. [waves her hand intangibly through the fire back and forth.]

Did I...?

[trying to recall any particular incident.]

Ah... [pauses, remembers the shrieking. but she didn't hurt it directly, just dodged its attempted attack on her...

but the frustrations she might feel towards an adult don't manifest, Sparkles is still stunted in experience and she's willing to be patient.]

Well. Yes, they wanted to protect me. None of us wanted to hurt you, but it must have been intimidating for you, three of us and only you. What were your intentions, when you jumped at me?

Because I scared you? Made you upset?