Archive of Our Own ^beta

“You know dear, stress can cause grey hairs…” Wallter cooed, making Folly jolt ever so slightly. Wallter and Folly stood on the regretevator alone, a once comfortable but tense silence shared between the two before Wallter's comment broke it.

“Spare me your lectures slab, I have no use for your advice.” She sneered after a moments pause. Instead of being offended by such a rude response however, Wallter gave a slight chortle; he was seemingly amused by her response instead.

“Come now my penumbral companion, something is troubling you no doubt. You're fidgeting! I know you well enough to know that when you fidget there's something wrong.” He said, before giving a knowing smile. “You've haunted my dreams more than enough times for me to know, ohohoh!” Folly glared, her glowing red eye narrowing into a dangerous slit as she scowled at the concrete figure before her.

“Silence.” She hissed. “You are an insufferable fool, and you know nothing of me. Spare me of your jovial facade and let me ride in peace.” With an indignant huff, she leaned back against the elevator rail, turning away. She hated people prying at her emotions. Why is it any of their business how she did or didn't feel? Who were they to question her? Folly tried not to let it bother her; her shadowy form writhing on the inside with foreign, alien feelings that lay long forgotten- dormant within her broken psyche. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it however, the words kept coming back to her mind. It felt as if he was mocking her… pitying her. Making her out to be sniveling and pathetic like an orphaned animal in need of shelter… and yet there was a sort of longing. It was not long before the tension became unbearable and Folly had simply had enough. With a wave of her hand she disappeared, nothing but a puff of viscous black smoke in her place.

Wallter sighed. “I suppose I will see her in my dreams tonight… Perhaps then she will answer me.” He mused quietly to no-one in particular.

That night, as Wallter stumbled into bed after his fifth can of grey stuff, a passing thought came though his mind. ‘Will she even be there tonight? Oh I do hope I haven't made her too cross with me…’ Before he could think more about this, however, Wallter's mind drifted off into a heavy slumber, his dreams transporting him to the place it always did when Folly came to visit. Stretching as he rose from his spot on the greyed forest floor, Wallter made his way down the winding path through looming aspen trees which stared down at him oppressively. A musty yet faintly metallic smell filled the surrounding air as he pressed on; dark leaves faded into the ebony sky, darker still as silence stifled the forest air. To most, this environment was hostile, unfriendly or unpleasant at best- but to Wallter it was a familiar comfort. As he casually strolled down the path, he noticed a distinct lack of the familiar inhabitant of this realm in the clearing under the red and white gazebo in which they drank tea.

It was a gorgeous gazebo, beautiful white aspens tall and proud served as the support pillars- branches tangling into a beautiful sable canopy. The flooring was blood red wood, the innards of the aspen trees of which roots snaked upon and met at the center to create a small table. At this table, sat two gnarled chairs, and at the very back; a large grand piano stood mightily. Seeing as she was not currently present, Wallter sat in front the beautiful marble topped grand piano- it's beautiful crimson wood glistening under the subtle moonlight and began to play.

Moonlight sonata, first movement, by Ludwig Van Beethoven; a gentle yet somber melody of which carried itself through the trees, the winds slowly breezing by him as his scarf fluttered. Wallter's eyes closed, brows furrowed as he felt himself in the music, body arching into the instrument as his hands graced the heavy wooden keys. The leaf litter from the sodden floor swirled around him, almost as if dancing to his command- begging him to continue playing as the tender song drifted out into the twilight. The timber growth seemed to lean in to listen, eagerly awaiting every note as his movements crafted such a beautiful yet haunting song. As it came to a close, body returning to its relaxed upright position, Wallter felt the tension leave the air and eyes fall onto his body from all angles as the leaves settled back amongst the blades of slate grass.

Chuckling heartly he started to speak. “Folly?” He called into the treeline. “How many sugars would you like in your tea? The usual one lump? Or perhaps are you feeling a little more daring tonight.” Getting up from the grand piano, Wallter brushed his lap off and stepped towards the garden table at the center of the beautiful gazebo. The table in question had a small tea set of beautiful red china, white and black floral patterns sprawled across the glasses. Amongst the cutlery were two darling teacups, a matching teapot, a boat for the creamer, and two little jars- one which held honey, and one which held sugar. A rack which stood at the back of the table held several smaller glass jars containing various types of loose leaf tea, marked and labeled as to their kind and date. Wallter began measuring the loose leaves, depositing them into the mesh steeping chamber of the teapot as hot water poured from seemingly nowhere and filled the pot. Fixating the lid back within its proper place, Wallter waited a moment before he began to hear her voice floating towards him from the shadows.

“Two for tonight.” She said matter of factly, not leaving the treeline as Wallter began to drop two cubes of sugar into each of their cups. Humming, he spooned a drizzle of honey as well, before checking on the tea. Deciding it was not ready, he looked up from the pot and let out a slight chortle into the darkness.

“Will you be spending tonight in the shrubbery? Or will you come join me at the table. You know I will not come bring it to you.” There was a pause, and then an unamused grunt as Folly appeared within the chair upon realizing she would not get her way to sulk quietly.

“Hello Wallter.” She greeted as coldly as ever.

“Hello Folly!” Wallter chirped in response, finally deeming the tea ready as he poured them both a cup. After doing so, he splashed some milk into his own before stirring both and handing Folly's off to her. “There you are dear. Careful, it's hot!” He warned with a smile. Rolling her eyes, Folly took the cup and stared into the glass. She peered deeply into the rich brown liquid, her molten eye searching for something unseen as Wallter sipped on his own beverage. After a moment she spoke. “Why do you come here?”

“Pardon?” Wallter asked in confusion, Folly refusing to look up from her glass.

“Why do you come here.” Folly repeated. “I am not going to change. I am not looking for your pathetic compassion. I do not understand why you insist on returning here almost every night. You say you know me but you know nothing of me or what I have seen and done. You speak of me as if I am some charity case. What do you have to gain from this- from any of this.” She snapped.

Wallter's eyes widened in surprise. “Oh.” He breathed out softly. “I… hadn't realized I made you feel that way Folly.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I suppose… if I am being honest, I see parts of myself in you. You are. Hm… you are broken, like I am. And I suppose I want to give you the companionship I never had.” He paused. “Everyone deserves someone in their corner.” He trailed off, it now being his turn to stare into his cup of which he cradled in his grasp. There was no response. It was acknowledged, but she didn't dare respond; however neither did he. They drank their tea silently, before Folly finally broke their voiceless tension.

“It's morning Wallter. It's time for you to wake up.” She whispered, a much softer tone than her earlier, much more accusatory one.

“Ah, it seems so doesn't it?” He muttered as he finished his tea. “Well…” he straightened his scarf as he stood, breathing deeply. “goodbye Folly-” he started, “I'll see you later today my friend.” He smiled, though it was weary and saddened.

As he began to leave Folly caught his arm, not moving or looking up at him. Grasping it tightly within her clawed hands, slowly she spoke. “Goodnight. Wallter.” She paused and swallowed. “Thank you.”

With that, Wallter sprang awake, head pounding. Today was going to be an… interesting day.