Chapter Text
December 8th, 1968
What's your name?
She imagines someone asking. Someone outside Candlewood. She's barely been outside of the institute in years. But she needs to practice. Her 19th birthday was a week ago. She signed the contract a week ago. Tomorrow she gets to leave this place. But outside people have names, so she mutters:
"Maree Reynard. Maree Reynard."
How funny was it, to have to practice saying your own name again. Having to remember what it was like to respond to Maree and not Maris. At least her change is easier than others.
"You know, if Ludvig has his way you ain't gonna be Maree Reynard for much longer."
She can't keep the smile from her voice, "Redmond."
Redmond Bright is standing in her bedroom doorway, a smile upon his face.
"Hello Maree," He huffs a laugh at her, his too sharp teeth a familiar comfort, "I saw you had a meetin' with the Good Doctor the other day. Anythin' important?"
"No," she says tersely.
Redmond laughs, "'Cuz you got the kinda look on your face that I used to get after I would have conversations with Mr. Everett."
She pauses for a long moment, "How do you know if you love someone?"
"You're askin' me this? Jesus Christ- Maree. You think imma good judge of that shit? My Mama married 5 times and never once to a man she loved, and I've never had much luck in that particular department either."
"That's not true, I've seen how you look at Nielton."
"Well that's neither here nor there, Maree," he pauses for a moment to think, "Do you feel safe around them, comfortable? I mean comfortable enough to tell them your feelin's and regrets and all the shit you wish wasn't true about you. If bein' with them feels like freedom. Then you love them."
"Thanks, Redmond."
"You haven't answered my question yet."
"I signed a contract."
"What kind? I know it ain't like mine. You don't got the constitution for it."
"It's a... monetary agreement."
"Well, shit. How come?"
"They want me to keep an eye on Ludvig."
It's not exactly a lie. The Good Doctor did want her to keep tabs on Ludvig.
"Ah. They made you up like Nielton. Makes sense, luck manipulation is a powerful thing."
"So I've been told."
Redmond laughs like he’s coughing, it’s a sound that makes her wish she could be one of his team, she wishes her contract was like his.
"Finish packin' Maree, Hellions and I are staying for supper."
"How ever did you get the Everett's to approve of that name."
"I didn't," he replies with a smile.
"Oh fuckin' of course not."
"See you at supper, Maree."