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[ Fuck yeah, little girl. Let's go kill some people! But no, Tony can be mildly responsible. ] The adults can kill them. [ It's too much of a burden for a kid to take on. ]
But we will figure out some way back. [ A beat. ] Promise.
But we will figure out some way back. [ A beat. ] Promise.
[ She frowns. Now that right there she does not like. The adults. Like they get to tell her what to do. ]
I can kill monsters. People are easier.
[ She says that with a very calm, clear tone even if her expression is petulant. She doesn't boast here - this is her experience. ]
A promise is a thing you can't break.
I can kill monsters. People are easier.
[ She says that with a very calm, clear tone even if her expression is petulant. She doesn't boast here - this is her experience. ]
A promise is a thing you can't break.
I- [ Well he does not have a good argument against that. ]
I'm not gonna break it. Promise we're gonna figure out a way to get everyone home. Okay? [ A beat. ] You seriously fighting monsters back at home? [ As in, you know, can El actually handle combat? ]
I'm not gonna break it. Promise we're gonna figure out a way to get everyone home. Okay? [ A beat. ] You seriously fighting monsters back at home? [ As in, you know, can El actually handle combat? ]
[ She nods, as if he can see it. She doesn't trust adults easily.... but she does believe him when he says this. They will get everyone home. Tony said so. ]
Yes. The Demogorgon and the Mindflayer. From the Upside Down. And bad men from the government.
[ Quiet for a moment, but she already told Erik anyway. So she adds: ]
I closed the gate. So... no more monsters.
Yes. The Demogorgon and the Mindflayer. From the Upside Down. And bad men from the government.
[ Quiet for a moment, but she already told Erik anyway. So she adds: ]
I closed the gate. So... no more monsters.
Okay. Okay... [ He inhales, and knows he's gonna have an uphill battle convincing the others, but- ] Look, I'll be honest with you real quick: Eventually we're gonna need someone with your talents to make sure the Spring King can't brainwash us. [ A beat. ] If you've handled monsters before, you can probably handle another one.
You want me to kill the Spring King.
[ Not a question. She just leaps to that assumption. Considers it. And then offers something in addition: ]
I told you I can spy. But. I can do more. With my mind.
[ She remembers seeing Erik having a nightmare. It had been... surprisingly easy, to slip inside in his head. Just like Mama let her in to see memories. ]
I can. Go into heads. Memories. Dreams. [ A beat. ] Maybe... I can help? If someone's brain. Is washed?
[ Not a question. She just leaps to that assumption. Considers it. And then offers something in addition: ]
I told you I can spy. But. I can do more. With my mind.
[ She remembers seeing Erik having a nightmare. It had been... surprisingly easy, to slip inside in his head. Just like Mama let her in to see memories. ]
I can. Go into heads. Memories. Dreams. [ A beat. ] Maybe... I can help? If someone's brain. Is washed?
No you're not gonna kil- [ Mostly because no kid should have to fix this problem, but then El keeps talking, and Tony loves it when a lightbulb goes off. ]
No. You're not gonna kill him. [ A beat and Tony smiles wide enough to show fangs. ] But we're gonna practice you unwashing someone's brain. [ Because Tony could simulate the king's powers using his own Charm. If she can fix his efforts, she'd be able to fix Narciso's. ] You're gonna be our secret weapon.
No. You're not gonna kill him. [ A beat and Tony smiles wide enough to show fangs. ] But we're gonna practice you unwashing someone's brain. [ Because Tony could simulate the king's powers using his own Charm. If she can fix his efforts, she'd be able to fix Narciso's. ] You're gonna be our secret weapon.
Secret weapon.
[ Like she was supposed to be against the Soviets. She remembers that much from the lab, about her purpose. Except... Tony does not want her to hurt people. But to help.
Eleven gets very excited about the idea of being a secret weapon in a good way. She can do that. If she saves people, she's a superhero. Not a monster. ]
We can practice. I will try.
[ Like she was supposed to be against the Soviets. She remembers that much from the lab, about her purpose. Except... Tony does not want her to hurt people. But to help.
Eleven gets very excited about the idea of being a secret weapon in a good way. She can do that. If she saves people, she's a superhero. Not a monster. ]
We can practice. I will try.
Okay. Okay... [ He's gotta figure out a way to practice this. Find people Tony can brainwash, and that El can then break the brainwashing on... ]
Gimme a chance to get some logistics squared away. But you? [ Tony smiles, nods. ] You're gonna be great.
Gimme a chance to get some logistics squared away. But you? [ Tony smiles, nods. ] You're gonna be great.
[ Truly the world's worst volunteer position: Let the wild billionaire brainwash you, then let the psychic, traumatized child root around in your brain to try and undo it. Find a way to sell someone on THAT idea, Tony.
Regardless though, Eleven beams. ]
I'm gonna be great.
[ She believes it, because it's what she is told, and sometimes it is that easy to make her believe something. And Eleven is excited for this - to be useful, to be a secret weapon, to be great.
To be a hero. ]
Regardless though, Eleven beams. ]
I'm gonna be great.
[ She believes it, because it's what she is told, and sometimes it is that easy to make her believe something. And Eleven is excited for this - to be useful, to be a secret weapon, to be great.
To be a hero. ]
Hullo my dear, it's the less-pretty Nancy.
A few people have mentioned you to me lately, so I thought I'd reach out, say hello again.
[She's not absolutely sure why, but maybe it's because this girl is hardly older than she was when she started going with Bill, but Nancy's been thinking of Eleven a lot more, too. And so she reaches out, thinking what she would have liked to hear when she was thirteen and surrounded by boys and men and would have done anything for a warm female figure.]
I was wondering if perhaps you wanted to come out shopping with me? There's a new booth in the market I saw. Looks like they sell sweets- I'd be happy to get you a bag, if you'd like.
[She wants this girl to have a childhood. She, like all children, deserves it, and something about her makes Nancy wonder if hers had been ripped away from her, too.]
A few people have mentioned you to me lately, so I thought I'd reach out, say hello again.
[She's not absolutely sure why, but maybe it's because this girl is hardly older than she was when she started going with Bill, but Nancy's been thinking of Eleven a lot more, too. And so she reaches out, thinking what she would have liked to hear when she was thirteen and surrounded by boys and men and would have done anything for a warm female figure.]
I was wondering if perhaps you wanted to come out shopping with me? There's a new booth in the market I saw. Looks like they sell sweets- I'd be happy to get you a bag, if you'd like.
[She wants this girl to have a childhood. She, like all children, deserves it, and something about her makes Nancy wonder if hers had been ripped away from her, too.]
[ Nancy will not see that, but the first line actually does make Eleven smile. ]
hi, less-pretty nancy
[ There's a part of her that recognizes she was mean to Nancy. Perhaps it can be a joke instead of a mean thing, though. (And perhaps she will change her mind on the unflattering moniker soon enough). ]
you want to buy me sweets
even though I was mean to you?
[ Strangely, she's reminded of Max, whose entire presence in Mike's life made Eleven seethe, even when the girl was excited to meet her. Eleven tragically doesn't quite have the self-reflection to wonder if she should stop letting her own pettiness drive her sometimes. Oh, to be 13 and poorly socialised. ]
hi, less-pretty nancy
[ There's a part of her that recognizes she was mean to Nancy. Perhaps it can be a joke instead of a mean thing, though. (And perhaps she will change her mind on the unflattering moniker soon enough). ]
you want to buy me sweets
even though I was mean to you?
[ Strangely, she's reminded of Max, whose entire presence in Mike's life made Eleven seethe, even when the girl was excited to meet her. Eleven tragically doesn't quite have the self-reflection to wonder if she should stop letting her own pettiness drive her sometimes. Oh, to be 13 and poorly socialised. ]
[Nancy is secure enough in her looks to know that it's okay if someone else is prettier than her. There are plenty of women here prettier than her, as she was learning first-hand. Oh, pretty women, her newest weakness.]
I do. [And now comes the part where she says 'we should talk' but she doesn't know what about and really she just wants to see a thirteen-year-old girl who looks like her and realize how wrong so much of her life was, and feel good about putting it behind her. But that's too much to put on anyone's shoulders. So she doesn't say it.]
Are you telling me you're going to turn down sweets? If that's the case, maybe I can offer a pretty dress, or a hair comb?
I do. [And now comes the part where she says 'we should talk' but she doesn't know what about and really she just wants to see a thirteen-year-old girl who looks like her and realize how wrong so much of her life was, and feel good about putting it behind her. But that's too much to put on anyone's shoulders. So she doesn't say it.]
Are you telling me you're going to turn down sweets? If that's the case, maybe I can offer a pretty dress, or a hair comb?
no I want sweets
[ Oh that message comes REAL quick.
It might be very easy to bribe this girl, honestly. Sweet tooth confirmed. ]
we can meet
and shop
[ It's a novelty that she hasn't yet gotten to experience. Back home she was so isolated, always in hiding. Here, she skirts the edges. She's gotten some new clothes, but her only guide has been Laura, a girl basically as much of a gremlin as Eleven herself. ]
I will be nicer
[ Oh that message comes REAL quick.
It might be very easy to bribe this girl, honestly. Sweet tooth confirmed. ]
we can meet
and shop
[ It's a novelty that she hasn't yet gotten to experience. Back home she was so isolated, always in hiding. Here, she skirts the edges. She's gotten some new clothes, but her only guide has been Laura, a girl basically as much of a gremlin as Eleven herself. ]
I will be nicer
you’re welcome to be as nasty to me as you want- I’ve had loads of brothers your age and I promise I can take it.
But I do appreciate it.
Alright, sweets and shopping it is. Thank you for humoring me, I’m looking forward to it.
But I do appreciate it.
Alright, sweets and shopping it is. Thank you for humoring me, I’m looking forward to it.
I don't want to be a mouthbreather
I just got upset because you look a bit like me but old and pretty
I get mean when I'm upset
when do we go?
I just got upset because you look a bit like me but old and pretty
I get mean when I'm upset
when do we go?
What on earth is a mouthbreather?
It's alright. You're very pretty yourself, you know. Probably prettier than I was at your age.
Whenever you'd like.
It's alright. You're very pretty yourself, you know. Probably prettier than I was at your age.
Whenever you'd like.
you don't know? it's the most important word. mouthbreathers are mean bullies who pick on other people and hurt them, so it's fine to hurt them back.
so if someone is mean to you, you can call them a mouthbreather and hurt them. or you tell me, I'm stronger than you, and I can take care of them for you
I want now
[ She's a demanding little girl. ]
so if someone is mean to you, you can call them a mouthbreather and hurt them. or you tell me, I'm stronger than you, and I can take care of them for you
I want now
[ She's a demanding little girl. ]
Thank you for telling me. I'll be sure to let you know if I need help.
[She doesn't know anything about Eleven's powers, so as far as she's concerned, they're probably equally matched.]
Luckily, I haven't run into any mouthbreathers here yet. But you'll be the first to know!
Right now it is, then! Meet me at the edges of the common room by the bridge? We can go from there.
[She doesn't know anything about Eleven's powers, so as far as she's concerned, they're probably equally matched.]
Luckily, I haven't run into any mouthbreathers here yet. But you'll be the first to know!
Right now it is, then! Meet me at the edges of the common room by the bridge? We can go from there.
[ there's no response, because sometimes Eleven just lacks basic manners like that. Oftentimes, she's not rude on purpose. She just puts her leaf away, and makes her way downstairs after letting Laura know where she's going. She arrives soon enough. Her hair's grown out since she first talked to Nancy, almost a shaggy bob at this point - does look like someone trimmed it though, so it's not as messy as it could be. Definitely still growing out though. She has a few flowers braided into it, and is wearing what can best be describe at a mad mix of clashing colours and patterns.
Whether Nancy arrives after Eleven or is already waiting by the bridge, she gets greeted with a small, soft: ]
Hi.
Whether Nancy arrives after Eleven or is already waiting by the bridge, she gets greeted with a small, soft: ]
Hi.
[One of the things Nancy's father had made sure to train his gang of thieves in was their manners. They might have been poor, but that didn't mean they were rude. They knew how to use forks and napkins, curtsey and bow, how to give people that were due respect that respect. She knows lots of people weren't raised like her, so Eleven's lack of response wasn't read as rude, but she did hope she wasn't going to look like an idiot waiting for Eleven at the bridge.
She smiles when she sees her younger doppleganger, gives her a warm wave. Nancy's hair is held back from her face with a few braids, though she keeps the length- long enough it would reach her mid-back, as was the fashion for young women in 1838. Her dress is much more put together than Eleven's, but there's no judgement. She was still figuring out how all this worked, too.]
Hullo, my dear! [She's not going to push for a hug.] Well, you look ready, don't you? Then let's not tarry- Shall we? [She offers her elbow to Eleven to take.]
I was thinking sweets first, then we see what they've got to dress us in, what say you?
She smiles when she sees her younger doppleganger, gives her a warm wave. Nancy's hair is held back from her face with a few braids, though she keeps the length- long enough it would reach her mid-back, as was the fashion for young women in 1838. Her dress is much more put together than Eleven's, but there's no judgement. She was still figuring out how all this worked, too.]
Hullo, my dear! [She's not going to push for a hug.] Well, you look ready, don't you? Then let's not tarry- Shall we? [She offers her elbow to Eleven to take.]
I was thinking sweets first, then we see what they've got to dress us in, what say you?
[ The offered arm gets a long, puzzled glance. After a moment of having no idea what to do with that, Eleven reaches out and gently pats it in a very 'there, there' kind of gesture before she starts walking. It's not a rejection of the gesture - Eleven simply doesn't quite get what to do with it. She's never walked arm in arm with anyone like that. ]
I like sweets first. Yes.
I like sweets first. Yes.
[What a strange girl.] Alright, no walking arm-in-arm, I can respect that. [She's got no problem with that boundary, though boundaries are new things to her.]
Sounds perfect! What type of sweet is your favorite, Eleven? [She knew people liked to talk about themselves, and she knew a teenage girl was certainly going to be no different.]
Sounds perfect! What type of sweet is your favorite, Eleven? [She knew people liked to talk about themselves, and she knew a teenage girl was certainly going to be no different.]
[ Eleven's face scrunches up briefly, as if trying to puzzle something out. ]
Waffles. With whipped cream. And sprinkles. And chocolate syrup. And... I really wanted Halloween candy. But I didn't get any. Not allowed to trick-or-treat.
[ Welcome to that mostly nonsensical answer that lacks any and all context and is of no help in terms of shopping for sweets here. Eleven already makes liberal use of the waffle iron Tony made her, and can often be found making stacks of waffles in the kitchen.
After a moment, she turns her puzzled, unsure expression up to Nancy. ]
What is. Arm-in-arm?
Waffles. With whipped cream. And sprinkles. And chocolate syrup. And... I really wanted Halloween candy. But I didn't get any. Not allowed to trick-or-treat.
[ Welcome to that mostly nonsensical answer that lacks any and all context and is of no help in terms of shopping for sweets here. Eleven already makes liberal use of the waffle iron Tony made her, and can often be found making stacks of waffles in the kitchen.
After a moment, she turns her puzzled, unsure expression up to Nancy. ]
What is. Arm-in-arm?
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