[The reason reveals itself before too long, as Fifi turns, her eyes wide and immediately brimming with tears. She steps back toward him quickly, taking barely a moment to set down her cleaning basket before she tightly embraces Bastien.]
It was you, [she whispers, muffled by his shirt,] you needed help.
[ It's instinct to wrap his arms around her as soon as she's there, even though he's still trying to catch up to what's going on until she speaks. ]
Oh.
[ He squeezes tighter for a moment, then leans his head and shoulders back to try to get a look at her face and make her get a look at his: he's smiling still. All's well. ]
I did alright. It's all fine. I shouldn't have scared you that way.
[ What might logically follow is that Bastien, aware something was wrong and people did not remember them, tried with Fifi anyway because he hoped their care for one another would be stronger than whatever magic had fallen over everyone. And because he was desperate enough to be stupid. But he's hardly going to say that while trying to make her feel better.
Instead, he kisses her forehead. ]
You have nothing to be sorry for, but if you insist, you can make it up to me by coming over for dinner this week.
[She closes her eyes, surprised but charmed by the gesture, her smile blossoming anew when Bastien straightens again. It's nice to have people around, she realizes, whom one really likes, and doesn't just say hello to out of pleasantry.]
It's a deal, then, [she agrees hoarsely,] I'll bring dessert.
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It was you, [she whispers, muffled by his shirt,] you needed help.
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Oh.
[ He squeezes tighter for a moment, then leans his head and shoulders back to try to get a look at her face and make her get a look at his: he's smiling still. All's well. ]
I did alright. It's all fine. I shouldn't have scared you that way.
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You didn't know. You couldn't have known. None of us could.
[Finally, sheepishly, Fifi pulls back and brushes herself off, raising her head with a faint, tearful smile.]
It-- was an awful day, [she admits,] but that isn't your fault. I'm sorry.
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I had an idea. I could have known.
[ What might logically follow is that Bastien, aware something was wrong and people did not remember them, tried with Fifi anyway because he hoped their care for one another would be stronger than whatever magic had fallen over everyone. And because he was desperate enough to be stupid. But he's hardly going to say that while trying to make her feel better.
Instead, he kisses her forehead. ]
You have nothing to be sorry for, but if you insist, you can make it up to me by coming over for dinner this week.
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It's a deal, then, [she agrees hoarsely,] I'll bring dessert.
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[ He loves dessert!
And Fifi. But he lets go of her. ]
And if anyone who is not me ever does that to you in the market, let me know. I will find him and will kick his ass.
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Talin was about to kick yours.
[That was an interesting day.]
He's... [a long, deliberating pause,] ...he has opinions.