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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"Obsessing like this isn't healthy," she observes. "You should just go talk to her. Tell her that you were a jerk, and that you were wrong ... which, by the way, is definitely all true ... and maybe she'd take you back."

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

He raises an eyebrow for a moment and chuckles. "Obsession is such a...I prefer to think of myself as being occasionally single-minded when not otherwise diverted. But now I have you here. Was there any part of schooling you still needed to finish up? Or did you finally decide that fencing lessons were a good idea?" He finishes cleaning the egg from his plate with the English muffin and signals for another refill on the orange juice.

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

She makes a dismissive little "Pfffft" noise. "If mom told you I was coming then she's just letting you backstop me until she comes to collect. I took Greyhound, she can just," at this point she does a bizarre little wiggly motion with her hands in front of her face, "and beat my time by a mile. I don't think there'll be much time for lessons."

She glances at the door, notices Ian noticing.

"If I make a break for it ... are you gonna shoot me?"

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

A look of mock-hurt appears on his face. "Am I that bad of company? I thought you preferred real food to Greyhound plastic." He checks his pockets. "No guns, but I could turn you into a pin-cushion with most of the silverware on the table, if you really want me to." He reaches across the table and clasps her hand in his. He turns very serious. "Is Mom that bad? If you don't want to go traipsing around Shadow with her you can stay with me."

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"Yeah," she says, "And when she shows up at your door and says 'Your sister is coming with me now,' then what?"

The girl's tone is clearly meant to be dismissive and cynical, but she stares carefully into Ian's eyes as she waits for him to respond.

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Then I say, 'Mom, when April was born, you made me promise to always look after her. Protect her from all enemies, from outside and inside the family, and protect her from herself, if need be.' And I said, 'Mom, if anything bad ever happens to April and I was there to prevent it, it will have happened because I will be the dead body on the floor. April doesn't want to go on the grand tour of Shadow anymore. She's staying with me. It's what she wants.'" With that he releases her hand and sits back. "Mom knows I've always had your best interests before anything, including mine." He stares back into her eyes. "April, you know I love you and at very least, I would duel her to cover your escape." He hopes the levity lightens the mood but April knows that Ian would draw on his mother, if need be.

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April launches herself partway across the table (and some of the food) to hang off Ian's neck in a fierce embrace. She gives him a big kiss on the cheek.

"You're the best brother ever," she says simply, as she backs down and tries to peel a flattened croissant off the front of her blouse. "I'll do something to pay you back, I promise!"

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"You know me. I don't keep score, for better or for worse." He puts some money down to pay for the check. "And by the way, April, I had no idea you were coming today."

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"What, now you tell me this?" April replies with an exasperated laugh. "But good. Good. Maybe things'll work out."

"I'm totally paying you back though," she says, pointing a finger, "and I know how. I'm playing matchmaker. I'll talk to Allison for you. I mean, really, looking for a picture of her when the woman herself is still somewhere nearby? That's soooo sweet, but ..."

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Allison? Oh, yes. Allison. Not to change the subject..." he grins "...but in your neverending journey have you been back?" He finishes his coffee.

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"Back where?" April asks, her face all confusion.

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Mom hasn't brought you to Amber?" He sits up, with a look of dismay.

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"'Course not ... if there's one place she knows Corwin isn't, it's Amber."

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

He shakes his head and looks down at the table, then sighs and closes his eyes for a moment. "I can be so much like her sometimes." He shakes his head, then nods. "But not this time. I'm going to say something to you you've probably never heard before. April, what do you want to do?"

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"Hrmmmm ..." April says, "What do I want?" She scrunches her face up a little, pondering.

"I want to go shopping," she replies, finally. "My sneakers are a disgrace, and half my clothing is centuries and worlds out of date. Don't worry, you won't have to spot me, I arm-wrestled truckers most of the way down I-55, so I do have a bit of a bankroll."