[Text]

[az_shrimp_horny]

I'm not going to waste everyone's time with a bunch of excuses. I just wanted to clear the air and say I'm sorry to Atem for calling him out for trashing the apartments. He was under the witches' control and didn't know what he was doing. Try not to hold it against him.

[Some apprentices will be receiving boxes from the Emporium delivered by one of the employees. Inside are a few items and a handwritten letter in an envelope.

Aziraphale
Crowley
Ace
Second Doctor
Sylvando

She may or may not respond to anyone. She's just going to be hiding in her apartment for the indeterminate future.]

Comments

Aziraphale

[az_shrimp_horny]

[Inside the box are the nicest tea cup and saucer she could find and a box of English tea]

Dear Aziraphale,

I don't know where to begin. Just saying I'm sorry doesn't feel like enough. I may not have been myself, but I remember everything. And what I did to you makes me feel physically ill. I feel like I let you down. I took everything we've talked about and just ground it into the dirt. I considered you one of my closest friends here and... Well let's just say I'm not expecting you to invite me to tea again any time soon. And I don't blame you. If I could ditch myself I would.

All I wanted was to keep people from getting hurt. I thought if I could stop the witches myself, or at least one of them, I could protect the people I care about. But I ended up a fucking puppet and hurt people more than the witches could have. I fucked up and the people I care about paid the price. That's inexcusable. Michael keeps telling me that everyone is okay and things will be alright but I don't think I can just move on like nothing happened. I can't be like "Hey I know I just tried to kill you but let's do lunch!" it just feels wrong and unfair. So I'm doing everyone a favor and just staying away. You should find someone else to help with training. Use me as a warning of what not to do. That seems more fitting for me, anyway.

Shit. I didn't want to make this all about me. I'm just really bad at apologies. I can't even put into words how sorry I am for what I did to you... And what I put Crowley through. Shit like this is why I was sent to the Bad Place.

I'm not trying to buy your forgiveness or anything cliche like that. I just wanted to do something nice, as small as it is, to try to offset some of the nastiness.

I'm really, truly sorry.

Sincerely,

Eleanor

P.S. I hope someone was able to get your wings back the way they should be. You're too good to be a fallen angel.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[the letter is slipped under her door, smelling faintly of lavender and honeysuckle]

My dearest Eleanor,

Thank you very much for the cup and saucer (so elegant) and the tea. I could never go far without that staple. Though I do like my cocoa! (Perhaps overmuch)

You were foolish to go to the witches on your own. Yet, I think we all are foolish in one regard or another. Dreamfinder was foolish to go after Figment on his own in Corroded territory. And I've been foolish in many areas. Far too many to name. We will go to any lengths to protect what we love. To do what is right. To save others from harm. That is not something worthy of being sent to the Bad Place. That is something that should send you to the Good Place. Your system, I'm afraid, is horribly flawed, and if it were up to me I would see you are properly placed.

The fact of the matter is, I know it is easy to blame oneself for what one does under that kind of control. It gives one a sense of empowerment, I believe, to feel they deserved it. But they do not and you do not. I know it will take a while for those wounds to heal, but believe me that you are not at fault. They are.

Yet, there is something to be gleaned from this. Something to be learned. We will only survive if we work together. There is too much: I will protect you, I don't want to hurt you, so I will go alone. That only seems to lead to tears and fears. Hurting is inevitable. But the hurt is less when we are there to pick each other up. When we know where the other is. Where we can be there to lend aid or succor. Rely on us, my dear, as we will, in turn, rely on you.

Yes, even myself. Hard as that is for me. But it is something we must develop together.

Thank you for your kind words. I don't know whether I fell or whether it was just an illusion, but it certainly felt real. However, in the end I have discovered myself far more than I would otherwise. I have ascended. I am not a bad angel because I don't choose to be. If anything I am an angel who is closer to humanity and the Almighty's creation than any of the others, at least where I am. If that comes with some humanity and foibles of my own? Well, so be it. It can only endear me to them.

But more than that, I have discovered a breadth and depth of love that I never thought possible.

Which is to say that bad things to not always beget bad things. Sometimes they beget good.

I will leave this letter here, my dear. But I want to remind you that you are too good to be a fallen angel yourself. As you are kind and generous to others, be kind and generous to the wonderful Eleanor I know and consider my dear friend.

With love and gratitude,

Aziraphale (Principality)

Crowley

[az_shrimp_horny]

[Inside the box are two bottles of the most expensive wine the Emporium has to offer, an agreement with the bar that she'll cover his tab for the next month, A "Fuck off, Eleanor" card to make her shut up and fuck off any time he wants and a note promising him as many favors as he wants.]

Dear Crowley,

I fucked up and I'm sorry. I may not have fought you face to face, but what I did to you was worse than what I did to almost anyone else. I can put myself in your shoes and imagine what it'd feel like if someone was hurting Michael and I could only watch. It makes me absolutely sick. You and Aziraphale are... Were... Two of the best friends I had in this place. What I did was inexcusable... Even if I wasn't in control of myself at the time. I was stupid. All I wanted was to stop the witches from hurting anyone else. She made me her puppet and I hurt people I cared about more than they could have. I didn't mean anything I said. I think you and Aziraphale bring out the best in each other.

I understand if you don't want anything to do with me. Fuck, I don't even want anything to do with me right now. I know I can't even begin to make up for what I did, but I want to at least do something nice for you. Think of it like giving someone flowers after a fight, only less lame.

I'm really, truly sorry.

Sincerely,

Eleanor

[serpentinthegarden]

[ That is going to be a large bar tab. He would make certain of that! Crowley was a epic level drinker when he wanted to be and this offer just gave him free reign to be something of an ass about it.

There was no reply to what Eleanor had written but after a day or two a package would arrive with a witch's ball wrapped carefully inside it and a handwritten note detailing how to use the glass bauble to catch spells directed at you. A peace offering that he thought might give her some comfort. He had used something similar to prevent Winifred from placing him under her mind control.

Just don't catch too many spells too quickly or the glass ball would explode and you would be affected by all of them at the same time. ]

Ace

[az_shrimp_horny]

[Inside the box are two bottles of something alcoholic that she thinks he'd like and nice sweater he can wear (open) when winter does come]

Dear Ace,

I fucked up. Big time. You said anything we should do we should do together... And I went off and tried to take the witches down by myself because I didn't want anyone else to get hurt. Then I ended up their puppet and hurt the people I care about more than the witches could have.

I'm so sorry. I let you down. I hurt you. I was a total bitch and don't deserve a friend like you. I know giving you stuff won't fix this... But I want to at least do something nice for you after that cluster fuck. I'm really, truly, sorry.

Sincerely,

Eleanor

action

[ace_of_hearts]

[Bangs on the door until she or Mrs. Brisby let him in!]

Come on Eleanor! I can do this all day!! You know I don't have a job!!!

[az_shrimp_horny]

[It takes a long time, but she eventually cracks the door open just enough to not have to shout through it.]

What do you want, Ace?

[ace_of_hearts]

[He pretty much glomps her in a hug and kisses the top of her head.]

It's not your fault, stupid.

I brought the booze. I'll only drink it if you share it with me, and I'll only wear the sweater 'cause you got it for me.

But listen, yeah? It's not your fault.

[And picks her up because she's tiny and he's used to picking up feral animals like it's nothing. Also Mal.] I ran away against my Pops' orders. I got my ass kicked, and rather than leave me to my fate, they all risked their lives to save me. So I get it. It's the worst. But it's not your fault. Not even because you ran away. I get it. I couldn't sit by and do nothing. Don't beat yourself up. You're a really good friend, Eleanor. It's okay to mess up, your friends will still love you and understand.

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She gasps, unable to keep him from coming through the door and forcing his friendship on her.]

Ace... Get o-offheyputmedowm!

[She squirms, trying to get free of his grip. But he is a big strong pirate and she... Is not. She sighs, letting her head fall against his shoulder.]

It doesn't feel okay...

1/2

[ace_of_hearts]

[He pats the back of her head and sets her down, bowing his forehead to hers briefly, before putting his hat on her head so she can hide at will!]

Of course it doesn't! And if I could bring myself to do it, I'd punch you, if I thought you'd let it go with that and stop beating yourself up, but I know... it doesn't work that way. [Soft smile he ducks under the hat so she can see!]

But see, you wronged me, and I'm telling you... it's okay.

[Tousles his own hat on her head.] If you hadn't gone after them, someone would have. And maybe you cost them enough energy, especially when Michael started breaking you out! -- that it let the others kick their asses!

I still feel like shit about what happened with my family. 100%. Nothing can make that better... but...

2/2

[ace_of_hearts]

It helps that they all tried to kick it through my thick skull that all was not lost. That they still thought I was worth it. And...

[Well, this was depressing the shit out of him!]

I'm not drinking until you drink with me. [When in doubt; act like Luffy. He was such a brat that all sense of reason or logic or thinking was wasted on him!]

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She made a little noise of protest when he put the hat on her head. What the hell? But it did make it easier for her to keep her head down and not have to see his face while he gave her a talking to. She grumbled when he tousled the hat, feeling like a kid... but she realized that in some ways she was acting like one. Hiding away, pouting about what happened... emotions were hard!

But he was right.

She sighed, dropping her head for a moment while his words sank in. Michael had been telling her much the same thing... but if Ace was telling her this, too, it must be right... right? Finally, she nodded.]

Okay... You're right. I don't have to like it, but you're right.

[ace_of_hearts]

[Ace is with her on that! Emotions suck!]

For once, I know I am. [Laughs!] But only because my nakama said it all first!

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She peeks up at him from under his hat.]

Nakama?

[ace_of_hearts]

No one knows this word, huh?

Your crew. Family. Chosen family, found friends. People you'd kill or die for. Allies against the world. I guess that kind of thing matters more to pirates, but like you and Michael. [Note: Unless the hospital thread changes, he still doesn't know they're dating.]

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She shakes her head.]

Never heard of it. I like it, though. Sounds like me and my friends from back home. We called ourselves Team Cockroach... because Michael called humans cockroaches. You know... before he wasn't as much of a dick anymore.

Two

[az_shrimp_horny]

[Inside the box are a recorder cover, a set of sidewalk chalk in as many colors as she could find, and a "Shut up, Eleanor" card to be used to tell Eleanor to shut up and go away whenever he'd like.]

Doctor,

I know we haven't always seen eye to eye... And just as we were getting past that and starting to get along I go and fuck it up. I didn't want anyone else to get hurt, so I went to try to stop the witches... And we know how well that turned out. I ended up hurting the people I care about worse than the witches could have. I made a huge mess of things. I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. You tried to get through to me. You got the closest to pulling me out of it until Michael finally got through to me. You tried to help me and I cut you off from your best way to cast magic. It was a super shitty thing to do and I'm sorry.

Giving you stuff feels like a lame thing to do. But I want to do something nice for the people I've hurt... Even if it's just something small. Thank you for trying to save me. I'm sorry it didn't work.

Sincerely,

Eleanor

Re: Two

[funnylittleclown]

[ The gifts would be put to very good use! A few happy sidewalk chalk drawings might help to cheer the locals and who didn't love a good recorder case? He would have liked to speak to her in person but her door always seemed to be shut and she wasn't spotted at work so... letter it was. ]

Eleanor,

You are being awfully hard on yourself, aren't you? You did what you thought was best and it worked out entirely the opposite. I do think everyone would understand. Those witches were far more powerful than any one of us and they did hold very impressive powers of mind control. You aren't to be blamed for that.

If anyone is upset with you it certainly isn't me. And I won't be needing this.

[ (Enclosed was the "Shut up, Eleanor" card.) ]

Best Wishes,

Doctor

Sylvando

[az_shrimp_horny]

[Inside the box are a beautiful royal purple coat with "The Great Sylvando" embroidered in gold calligraphy on the back and some fabulous dance music for his next party and/or whenever he wants to perform.]

Dear Sylvando,
I'm shit at apologizing but I'm going to do my best. I'm sorry I was an idiot. I tried to go after the witches on my own and just ended up one of their puppets. I was trying to keep people from getting hurt and ended up hurting people I care about. I fucked up. Big time. I can't make up for what I did, but I wanted to give you something anyway. Like giving someone you're dating flowers after an argument, only lot lame. So please accept these gifts with the most sincere apology I've ever made.

Sincerely,

Eleanor

[Text]

[king_of_egypt]

[Seeing no reason to alter the method she had selected, Atem texted back]

There's no need for you to apologize to me Eleanor, in fact I would like to thank you.
Strange as it sounds even your retaliation served a purpose.
If you hadn't struck me with that water spout- I don't know what would have jarred my memory later.
Everyone needed to know that I was a potential danger to them so have no guilt over that.

I only regret the pain that I caused both you and the others.
I'm sorry for my involvement because if there is anyone to blame it should be me.
I knew Hades shouldn't be trusted with those artifacts, and yet I did nothing to prevent handing them over.
So please, let your conscious be clear.

[Text forever]

[az_shrimp_horny]

[It took her a while to reply. She was dealing with a lot, after all.]

That does sound pretty strange. I still feel shitty about it, though. I was worried about Mrs. Brisby and I freaked out on you like a total nutcase. People did need to know, but I'm still sorry I hurt you.

Hades is an asshole. Lydia told us about that mission for him. If he really wanted them he could have found a way to make you guys give them over. I think we just need to be careful about any special "missions" from him in the future. We all paid a price for this one...

[Seconded!]

[king_of_egypt]

[That's something he likely understands more than most] Some of those feelings are likely to linger, but just know that I don't hold any feelings of enmity towards you. If our roles had been reversed and I thought that you had harmed my roommate I might have behaved in a similar fashion. [Atem was willing to make up any excuse for her] Perhaps, but I should have been prepared for that and I should have done something to prevent the process early on. I somehow deluded myself into thinking it was better to know where the artifacts were, and be able to deal with them after the fact when in reality we should have left them where they originally rested. I completely agree with you.

[az_shrimp_horny]

Thanks. I'm still kinda surprised by how cool people are being about this. It's like I just got a free pass because of those bitches. Is the same thing happening with you?

I don't know about you but I'm gonna start questioning everything. We have to be careful because people almost died.