"Maggie, please…" he called after her, but she was gone. He sat there for a moment, trying to blink his tears away, but it wasn't doing much. Did Esme really think he…? Shaking his head, he stood and followed the sound of babbling. He wiped his eyes as best he could, hoping they weren't red already.
When he found Esme and their guests in the guest rooms, he greeted them. "Just thought I'd join you." He tried to smile.
(Oh no I didn't mean to have Margaret be that harsh oh dear-)
Esme immediately clung to her Uncle's side, smiling up at him. "I was just telling science-witch Victor about how I've been doing science. But Victor says that bug collections aren't science. I think that's stupid, but if I could have your 'expert opinion', whatever that is."
"Oh, dear child, Robert is hardly an expert in science. And collecting bugs as pets is hardly real science."
"I study them, you dumb-dumb! There's Dolly, who eats green leaves more than red leaves, and Bobathan who eats more red leaves than green leaves, and…" she started listing off bugs and what types of leaves they ate, and what sort of jars she kept them in. Victor didn't seem fazed by the insult, he was simply lying back staring up at the ceiling from the bed. The creature was in another room, presumably, and probably didn't want to be bothered.
(too late, the damage is done :p)
Just her touch and smile made Robert feel better, and he felt his smile grow. He kneeled and put an arm around her shoulders. Though still emotionally taxed, he managed a snicker at Victor's new nicknames. Then he realized he was probably being a bad uncle and said, "Esme, we don't call our guests dumb-dumbs, yes? That's very impolite. And anyway, he's both right and wrong. I'm not an expert in the sciences, but of course your bug collecting is real science. It certainly demonstrates her observational skills, wouldn't you say, Victor?"
"Perhaps, although observation is only one part to play in the world of science, and it's a fairly simple one at that. Apparently a man must spend his time entertaining useless conversations instead of resting after severe shock and trauma to the senses." he complained, and Esme stamped her feet a little.
"You're mean! I do real science, you're just jealous 'cause your science hurt people." she said. "And mine helps people."
Victor looked furious, but he didn't say anything. Apparently that was enough for Esme, because she exited the room, dragging Robert along with her. "Come on, Mum got some new flowers for the garden, wanna see? I've been studying how they grow." she said, a bit indignant.
(Esme is like how I was as a child: a bit of a rat bastard but loveable anyways, and always with too much energy.)
(Like we are both feral and obsessed with bugs, and are readily going to sass anyone we don't entirely like.)
(I was definitely a toad/frog/turtle kid as opposed to a bug kid)
(I was a rock and stick kid. Alaska has neither a large bug population (except for mosquitos lol) nor a large toad/frog/turtle population (1 species of frog, 0 species of toads or turtles), so I would collect rocks and sticks and pinecones lmao)
(I mean valid.)
Robert, very tired of these conversations devolving into disagreement and hurt at this point, relented and said, “Fine. Sorry for disturbing you, Victor.” He let Esme drag him away.
“Esme, dear, remember what we’ve been telling you? If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” he said, almost helplessly. Then a small smile creeped back up on him. “Sure, I’d love to see. Has she told what kinds of flowers they are?”
(Me: has virtually no memories of my childhood)
(But srsly I feel like as much of indoor person then as I am now. I did like animals tho, I wanted to be a Disney princess and talk to squirrels and birds and other ppl’s pets lol)
"Blue ones!" Esme said. "I forgot the name," she admitted, "and sorry for being mean. But your science-witch is mean back, so I think it's fair. He says I can't do science because I'm a girl, and that girls can't do science because they aren't sensible enough. He said he learned that from his University, but I think Universities are stupid. Why do you have to go to some big fancy place full of mean people who think you can't do anything just to do things? Why do people think that that's so important? I can do science here at home, whenever I want! It's just learning things, right? And I'm good at learning. Mother says that scientists are fools and that doctors are the real 'makers of discovery', but I don't think they're so different." Esme babbled on, showing Robert to the flowers and letting him look. They were small, and blue, and were very clearly forget-me-nots, but Esme probably wouldn't remember that even if you told her hundreds of times.
(Victor Frankenstein top ten cringe moments compilation)
(Honestly Victor is just like: I hate this fucking family (except you Robert) i hate it so much. Like, he is grateful, but at the same time he's just a little bitch bastard and it's tiresome.)
(Victor be like "how dare they be happy :(" is the vibes I'm kinda getting lmao)
(I mean that is what I'm going for. It also doesn't help that Esme reminds Victor so much of William but furthermore of himself, even if he won't admit it.)
(Victor: Science is a lie. Don't do it.
Esme: Shan't.)
(I mean, as if Esme would actually listen to his sexist blustering and shitty excuses.)
(Idk this was rushed- https://s3.amazonaws.com/notebook-content-uploads/content/uploads/original/46b24d08-92f9-4bbc-801d-31ba940a6fb9.jpeg?1611544364)
(I would like to remind you all that: this)
(Victor, trying to scare Esme off of science by being a sexist asshole: women can't be scientists because they aren't sensible enough and–)
(Esme, not giving a shit: your science-witch is mean— anyway check out these bugs i found)
("Idk this was rushed")
(Proceeds to create beautiful art that I couldn't even dream of making saddfjgfh she's so talented-)
(Also, Ice and/or Eva, if either of you wants to join, if @Tired-but-passionate agrees you can totally join in or such, if you want to contribute your opinions to this.)
("Idk this was rushed")
(Proceeds to create beautiful art that I couldn't even dream of making saddfjgfh she's so talented-)
(exactly, I'm so jealous)
He furrowed his brow, then shrugged. “Can’t argue with that, now can I? I think you’d be great scientist, if you wanted to.”
What… concerning opinions Victor had. At least it didn’t seem to be getting to Esme. In fact, she displayed wisdom beyond her years, and Victor’s opinions for that matter. Robert felt a small surge of pride, but half-heartedly gazed at the forget-me-nots and not making an attempt to remind his niece of the name.
“They’re beautiful,” he murmured. Then he sighed, not wanting to wait any longer. Just to get her attention, he said, “Hey, Esme?”
("Idk this was rushed")
(Proceeds to create beautiful art that I couldn't even dream of making saddfjgfh she's so talented-)
(Indeed!)