-refugee musings-

Geppetto understood loneliness. After being widowed in his youth and left without an immediate family, over time he found himself relegated to the position of village eccentric, left with no company but that of animals and his work.

Loneliness was an epidemic in Traverse Town, that little world stuck in eternal night. How many of these frightened refugees had the misfortune of being sole survivors, plagued with guilt and memories?

He looked at Pinocchio, Figaro, and Cleo in their corner of the one-room house Leon had graciously provided them with. The former two were sprawled out and curled up on the bed respectively, and the latter had retreated to her small castle, a stream of bubbles emerging from the opening. They shared a deep sleep untroubled by nightmares. The peace felt alien after weeks of separation and anxiety.

The Heartless threat had not disappeared. The four of them were still without a home and unaware if there would ever be a world to return to. But come what may, they would be together.

And as long as they were all together, Geppetto didn't mind if they should never go home again.