pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
It's not like Andi never noticed him before. He's totally cute and everything. She's been noticing boys for, like, a while. (She doesn't have the date noted in Inscrutable Cipher like Bella, but it's definitely been a while.) It's just that until he had to give that report in week two of American History she didn't hear him talk very much.

Mmmmmmmmmmm British accent. There's probably kinds. She can't identify this one and doesn't care, they're all yummy. He's yummy. Yum. She's going to have to talk to him at lunch, or something, if she can get him off by himself. Maybe Bella will help.

Andi scopes out the situation around Ethan Rayne, He Of The Hot Accent, at lunch.
palmofyourhand: (⑦ the future never waits)
Author: palmofyourhand
There he is! Sitting very nearly by himself, tucked into a corner of the room.
aeskhyne: (④ without any plans)
Author: aeskhyne
The boy sitting beside him is also the reason no one else is sitting anywhere near them, beyond just the fact that they picked a small table and he is sprawled so low in his chair that he can kick (and indeed is kicking) the empty chairs at the next table over. He has one elbow propped on the back of his chair to hold his head up while he gazes adoringly at the much more upright Ethan.
pandion: (checking)
Author: pandion
Hmm. Andi can work with this! She has a secret weapon.
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
Andi's secret weapon rolls her eyes, but agrees to go with her to their table.

She plops down in the chair Ethan's friend is kicking. "Apparently," she says, "I'm supposed to distract you."
pandion: (smooth)
Author: pandion
Andi, meanwhile, sits next to Ethan. "Hi! I liked your report."

(She remembers absolutely nothing about the content of the report, but she sure liked it.)
aeskhyne: (⑩ i'll just play along)
Author: aeskhyne
Ethan's friend wriggles in his chair, ceases to kick the one Bella now occupies, hooks an ankle around it instead, and drags his own chair closer and himself more fully into it until he is slouching next to Bella facing into her table instead of sprawling next to Ethan facing out of his.

"What was that?" he says, cocking his head. "Kinda loud in here."
palmofyourhand: (⑥ could be anything)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Did you now," says Ethan.
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"Yeah. I think we maybe had math together last year? Something, anyway. Something without reports though."
instar: (human)
Author: instar
"I said, apparently, I'm supposed to distract you."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"Well, that's adorable," says Ethan's friend, sitting up straighter with a little shake of his shoulders and tipping his head toward Bella to better display his grin.
palmofyourhand: (⑦ the future never waits)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Hmm - math, yes," says Ethan. "Sounds about right. You sat by the window and your compass had that little—" He makes a fluffy wiggly sort of gesture with his fingers.
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"Yeah, it was supposed to be a pencil topper," says Andi, "but then you can't erase anything, so."
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
Bella shrugs. "My sister shares a school with a symmetrically-featured British dude, and I didn't have anything better to do."
aeskhyne: (④ without any plans)
Author: aeskhyne
"He's gonna break her hea~aaart," hums the friend. "Just like he broke mine. Well." He flashes a quick grin. "Maybe not just like."
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Ingenious," says Ethan.
pandion: (lock)
Author: pandion
"Uh, I don't know if you remember my name? I'm Andi - Alexandra but it's Andi - Swan."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"Should I be passing along dire warnings?"
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"Oooh, but where would be the fun in that?"
palmofyourhand: (⑤ from our victory)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Ethan Rayne," he says. "Pleasure."
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"I have the overwhelming majority of fun when I'm not comforting a heartbroken twin."
pandion: (lens)
Author: pandion
Andi giggles. "I know that. I have to do my report next week," she adds. "Any tips on not being, like, terrified because public speaking? They say people fear public speaking more than they fear death, I dunno about that but it's competitive with my fear of, like, falling out of bed and breaking my nose on my desk or something."
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Picture your audience in their underwear, isn't that the traditional advice?"
aeskhyne: (⑥ don't know what I want)
Author: aeskhyne
"In that case," says Ethan's friend, "you should probably grab her and run."
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
Andi giggles again. "It is, I just don't know why it's supposed to help!"
instar: (rabbit)
Author: instar
Bella casts a suspicious glance in Ethan's direction. "Why? What's wrong with him? What would he do?"
aeskhyne: (⑨ nobody grows up)
Author: aeskhyne
"Oh, nothing's wrong with him," the friend assures her. "Stellar sense of humour, adorable accent... thing is, though, he's a total ice queen. Girl's got more chance of winning the lottery than getting him to like her."
palmofyourhand: (⑬ and let me see)
Author: palmofyourhand
"I think it has its charms, personally."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"Are you basing this solely on him not liking you as much as you like? Because a majority of the population is, reportedly, heterosexual. Or do you have more examples?"
pandion: (brow)
Author: pandion
"Sure, but I don't think it'll do a good job of helping me not stutter when I try to talk about Czechoslovakia. Whose idea was it to name the place Czechoslovakia?"
palmofyourhand: (③ my love flowed for you)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Czechs," says Ethan, "and maybe Slovaks?"
aeskhyne: (⑩ i'll just play along)
Author: aeskhyne
"I never said he doesn't fuck me," the friend points out. "I said he doesn't like me. I know they kind of sound similar, but they're really not the same thing."
pandion: (Default)
Author: pandion
"Probably those egotistical Czechs and Slovaks, naming things after themselves. They should have named the place after something pronounceable instead."
instar: (shark)
Author: instar
"So he's emotionally unavailable," translates Bella, "and I should possibly remind Andi that there is an entire island full of people with accents like his."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"Yeah. Ice queen. Like I said."
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"And yet," says Ethan, "you just pronounced it."
instar: (owl)
Author: instar
"Thanks for the warning. I think she'll survive chatting and eating Tuna Surprise with him, though, so I don't think I'll literally grab her and run unless someone pulls the fire alarm. And she'd probably be the one grabbing me, in that case, I'm the one who can't run if her life depends on it."
pandion: (thought)
Author: pandion
"Yeah, but not in front of lots of people worrying about my grade."
palmofyourhand: (⑥ could be anything)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan shrugs.

"I wouldn't know," he says, "I never have any trouble."
aeskhyne: (⑥ don't know what I want)
Author: aeskhyne
"Suit yourself," the friend says amicably.
pandion: (lock)
Author: pandion
"Lucky," sighs Andi, and she sips her juice.
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"Always do."
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
He grins.

"What's your name, anyway?"
palmofyourhand: (⑨ it just don't mean a thing)
Author: palmofyourhand
Yes, consuming the least questionable parts of their meals in silence, what a brilliant plan.
instar: (butterfly)
Author: instar
"Bella. I'm afraid I don't remember yours confidently enough to hazard a guess."
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
Andi will not be thwarted! He should talk. In his lovely accent. Hmmm. "I guess I wouldn't actually have to talk about Czechoslovakia in particular since it's American history. Is that weird for you, doing a whole year on American history?"
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Sort of comes with the territory, doesn't it?"
aeskhyne: (⑦ i'll make you see)
Author: aeskhyne
"I," says Ethan's friend, with immense pride and satisfaction, "am Trouble."
pandion: (checking)
Author: pandion
"I guess. Wow, if we moved to another country and went to school there I guess we'd learn all kinds of details I never think about. How come you moved here, anyway? Do you like it?"
instar: (rabbit)
Author: instar
"That isn't remotely like what I would have guessed. Nickname?"
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
Trouble giggles. "You bet." He tips his head back at Ethan. "He came up with it. It's my favourite."
palmofyourhand: (⑧ keeps the human soul)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Oh, dull family reasons," Ethan dismisses. "It's all right. Can't complain."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"It is an unusual nickname," observes Bella.
pandion: (still)
Author: pandion
"I don't think I'd like to move to another country," muses Andi. "Not forever, anyway, maybe a semester in college or something."
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Why not?" says Ethan.
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Mm-hmmmmmm," says Trouble. "I'm an unusual person."
pandion: (checking)
Author: pandion
"It seems like it'd be a lot to get used to even if they spoke English. Is it true they don't have peanut butter, in other countries?"
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"I'm getting that."
aeskhyne: (⑦ i'll make you see)
Author: aeskhyne
He giggles again, kicking at the frame of his chair.
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"I'm sure there's some country somewhere that doesn't have peanut butter, but I've never personally been to one."
instar: (human)
Author: instar
"So I have to distract you for another ten minutes," says Bella, glancing at the clock, "what's a good way to do that?"
pandion: (Default)
Author: pandion
"That's good then, peanut butter's awesome."
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan laughs.
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"We could go make out," Trouble suggests.
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"It is though! Reese's Pieces are the best candy. Unless it's Starbursts, those are also good."
instar: (cat)
Author: instar
"My agreement with my sister doesn't extend that far."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
Trouble shrugs. "Your loss."
palmofyourhand: (⑪ one more hole in space)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Ugh, don't get me started," says Ethan. "American candy is a tragedy."
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"Does offering to make out with near-strangers usually get you very far?"
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
"Ooh, why, what's British candy like?"
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Genuinely edible chocolate. Real Smarties, not little tubes of chalk. Maltesers. I can't explain maltesers, just trust me that if you had ever had the pleasure you would miss them too."
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
Trouble grins. "Sometimes. Sometimes nnnot. Can't hurt, though, can it?"
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"What's a 'real' Smartie...?"
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"I suppose that depends on what you're trying to get."
aeskhyne: (⑩ i'll just play along)
Author: aeskhyne
He tilts his head questioningly. "Mm?"
palmofyourhand: (⑦ the future never waits)
Author: palmofyourhand
"You know M&Ms, right? Think those, but bigger and tastier."
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"If, for example, you cared about certain aspects of your social reputation, it'd be a bad move. If all you want is to make out with one hundred percent of the people who will respond positively to that invitation, on the other hand, then your strategy is perfect."
pandion: (skepticism)
Author: pandion
"Wait, then why are they called Smarties? Did two different candy companies name different candies that, what about, like, trademarks?"
palmofyourhand: (⑩ even deserts burn)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Damned if I know," says Ethan. "Probably it's something to do with the fact that they come from different countries."
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"Ooh, you tell me how much I care about my social reputation," snorts Trouble.
pandion: (smooth)
Author: pandion
"Huh. I bet if I tell Bella about this she'll look it up for me."
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"I'm going to guess, 'not'," says Bella.
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"You win!" says Trouble, clapping his hands. "Wanna guess your prize?"
palmofyourhand: (⑤ from our victory)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Bella your wingman?" inquires Ethan, with a gesture over his shoulder at Bella and Trouble.
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"Ten dollar gift certificate to Staples," suggests Bella.
pandion: (thought)
Author: pandion
"I, um," says Andi.
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan smirks.
aeskhyne: (⑤ okay boys)
Author: aeskhyne
Trouble makes a buzzer noise. "Ennh, wrong!"
pandion: (Default)
Author: pandion
Andi squirms. "She's just, you know, talking to your friend."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"Do I just keep guessing?"
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Until you give up," Trouble agrees.
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Very well-planned operation," says Ethan.
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"Is there," Bella inquires archly, "actually a prize, or is it just entertaining to listen to me name random objects?"
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"...Thanks?"
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan laughs.
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"One way to find out," says Trouble.
pandion: (lens)
Author: pandion
"Well, I mean, she said she wouldn't mind, so."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"Only if I guess correctly, which I can only verify in the case that there is a prize," Bella says.
aeskhyne: (⑥ don't know what I want)
Author: aeskhyne
Trouble shrugs. "Does that mean you don't wanna play?"
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"And you didn't think I'd notice?"
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"Enh. I don't have anything else to do with the rest of the lunch period." She finishes off her banana. "I should probably be guessing things you might actually have on you. Stick of gum? Thirty-seven cents in assorted change? A snazzy-looking pencil?"
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"I didn't actually think about that," confesses Andi.
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Not so well-planned after all."
aeskhyne: (④ without any plans)
Author: aeskhyne
"Ooh," says Trouble. "You're good."

He rummages in his pocket for a moment and pulls out a pencil. The paper wrapped around the wood is sparkly pink, and there is a large eraser on top shaped like a chunky blue-and-pink butterfly. It is unsharpened.
pandion: (skepticism)
Author: pandion
"Well, I didn't have any other ideas."
instar: (human)
Author: instar
"Yay, I win," chuckles Bella. She tucks the pencil into her backpack.
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"You do," says Trouble. "You're a winner."
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
"And it worked like a charm," Ethan observes. "Kind of."
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"I will treasure it forever. That or actually write on things with it until it is a nubbin."
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"Kind of?"
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Depends what you wanted, doesn't it?"
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"One of those," laughs Trouble.
pandion: (thought)
Author: pandion
"I just wanted to talk to you."
instar: (rabbit)
Author: instar
"How come you hang out with Ethan if he doesn't like you? Or vice-versa, for that matter."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"He thinks I'm funny," says Trouble. "We have fun together."
palmofyourhand: (⑤ from our victory)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Mission accomplished," says Ethan. "Congratulations."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"...And this doesn't qualify as liking you? What am I missing?"
pandion: (still)
Author: pandion
Andi giggles. "Thanks."
palmofyourhand: (③ my love flowed for you)
Author: palmofyourhand
He grins.
aeskhyne: (⑨ nobody grows up)
Author: aeskhyne
"There's 'like' the way you like a friend, and then there's 'like' the way you like a really good video game. That bakes awesome pies."
pandion: (thought)
Author: pandion
"...So is there stuff you miss about home besides the candy?"
instar: (shark)
Author: instar
"I don't know, I'd be really fond of a video game that baked me pies," remarks Bella, but she doesn't look unsympathetic.
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"Maybe I should be your friend," Trouble jokes. "Let you get in on some of that pie."
palmofyourhand: (⑥ could be anything)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan shrugs. "The language. It's not as bad as if I'd moved to France, but it's still a headache translating all the little things back and forth."
instar: (butterfly)
Author: instar
"Stranger things have happened," snorts Bella.
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"Like..." Andi struggles for a moment to think of an example, then says, "Biscuits?"
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"And pants."
aeskhyne: (⑤ okay boys)
Author: aeskhyne
"And it's really good pie," he tempts.
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
"What's the word for pants in British, then?"
instar: (mockingbird)
Author: instar
"I do like pie. I dunno, does being your friend come with any other perks?" Bella snorts.
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Well, I figure you'll wanna skip the blowjobs," says Trouble. "And you probably won't get a kick out of watching me set things on fire."
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"The word for pants in British is trousers. The word for underwear in British is pants."
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"Yeah, this pie just comes with all kinds of features I do not need."
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"Oh! Well, that sounds really awkward," giggles Andi.
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
"You have no idea. I was very confused before I worked it out."
aeskhyne: (④ without any plans)
Author: aeskhyne
"So? Take the pie, skip the rest. I don't know, what do you do for fun?"
pandion: (lock)
Author: pandion
"Is that the worst one?"
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"I read a lot. And write, some, but not stories or anything, just thinking on paper. I hang out with Andi, sometimes other people, do whatever they're doing as long as it doesn't require gross motor skills - watch movies, complain about homework, whatever."
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Complain about homework, yeah, that sounds like a blast," snorts Trouble. "So why don't I just make you a pie sometime?"
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Probably the most embarrassing, at least."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"Does that involve one of us traveling to the others' house?"
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
"Is there a story there?"
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Hah. I'm very proud to say there isn't."
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"Yeah," says Trouble. "Why, is that bad?"
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
Andi applauds softly, giggling.
instar: (owl)
Author: instar
"More complicated. Involves parental permission, transit, and deciding which house."
aeskhyne: (⑥ don't know what I want)
Author: aeskhyne
"I could make the pie and then just bring you the pie," he suggests.
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan cracks up.
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"Pie delivery service. All right. I still have to ask Renée if I can have you over, though."
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
"So what do you do besides school and reminiscing about foreign candy and avoiding making mistakes with the word 'pants'?"
palmofyourhand: (③ my love flowed for you)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Nothing exciting," says Ethan. "The pants thing takes up a lot of concentration."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"Sure," Trouble says agreeably.
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
Andi laughs again. "I bet you lie awake at night rehearsing conversations."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"Do you just really like making pie and give it away so you can reuse your pie plate again sooner?"
aeskhyne: (④ without any plans)
Author: aeskhyne
He shrugs. "Maybe."
palmofyourhand: (⑥ could be anything)
Author: palmofyourhand
"You caught me," says Ethan, eyes twinkling. "It's true. I admit it."
instar: (human)
Author: instar
"That is an unusual, yet productive, hobby. What kinds of pie?"
pandion: (lock)
Author: pandion
"You don't look tired at all, what's your secret?"
palmofyourhand: (⑦ the future never waits)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Insane amounts of tea," he deadpans.
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"Every kind. What kind do you want? You allergic to anything?"
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"Sooooo stereotypical," giggles Andi.
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"No food allergies. Don't like raspberry seeds in my teeth, though. Is rhubarb in season yet?"
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"No raspberries, check," he says. "Want rhubarb? There can be rhubarb."
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"You wound me."

No she doesn't.
instar: (butterfly)
Author: instar
"Strawberry rhubarb is possibly the highest form of pie," says Bella.
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
"My sincerest apologies," chuckles Andi. "However shall I make it up to you?"
palmofyourhand: (⑤ from our victory)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan raises his eyebrows.
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Strawberry rhubarb it is," says Trouble.
pandion: (checking)
Author: pandion
"I can tell you where my mom goes when she's in the mood for fancy imported tea," suggests Andi.
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"Excellent. I think this is the first time I did a favor for my sister and was rewarded with pie. Though she did bake me brownies once."
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
"Ooh, brownies. Were they tasty?"
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
"That would certainly help."
instar: (human)
Author: instar
"Sure. From scratch, even."
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
Andi names the intersection and the name of the tea shop.
palmofyourhand: (③ my love flowed for you)
Author: palmofyourhand
"I'll remember that," says Ethan.
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Very nice," says Trouble. "What was the occasion?"
pandion: (Default)
Author: pandion
"They have this peach tea that's really nice," Andi adds.
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"I stayed up all night to help her with a Social Studies project her partners bailed on, eighth grade."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"Aren't you sweet," says Trouble, with apparent genuine feeling.
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"That's no good to me," says Ethan. "I'm allergic."
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"What else was I gonna do?" shrugs Bella.
pandion: (thought)
Author: pandion
"Oh, that's too bad. They have other stuff, anyway."
palmofyourhand: (⑤ from our victory)
Author: palmofyourhand
"I'll be sure to take a look."
aeskhyne: (④ without any plans)
Author: aeskhyne
"Leave her to it?" suggests Trouble.
pandion: (lens)
Author: pandion
"And tell me what you think of it," suggests Andi.
instar: (butterfly)
Author: instar
"We share a room. I have an easier time sleeping through noise than she does, but she would've had the light on, too."

But this is not really why Bella helped.
aeskhyne: (① loves to light the fuse)
Author: aeskhyne
Trouble laughs.
palmofyourhand: (⑥ could be anything)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Could do, could do."
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"She helps me with things, too, anyway."
pandion: (brow)
Author: pandion
"But will you?"
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"I don't know, will I?"
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
"Aww," says Trouble.
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"You'd know better than me!"
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"What're you awwing about? We're twins and we act like it."
aeskhyne: (③ smile on my face)
Author: aeskhyne
"Yeah," says Trouble, "and that's cute."
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Are you sure?" says Ethan, impishly. "Maybe you're reading my mind."
instar: (Default)
Author: instar
"What's cute about it?"
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"No-o-o," laughs Andi. "I wouldn't do that without asking, that'd be mean!"
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
Ethan laughs.
aeskhyne: (⑥ don't know what I want)
Author: aeskhyne
"You know," says Trouble. "People being nice to each other, having good relationships and getting along and stuff. It gives me nice fuzzy feelings."
pandion: (skepticism)
Author: pandion
"And Bella would get on my case about it if I read people's minds, too. 'Specially hers."
instar: (rabbit)
Author: instar
"I suppose that's good, then. You an only child?"
aeskhyne: (② all night cannonball)
Author: aeskhyne
He laughs. "Yeah."
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Is uninvited telepathy a big problem in your family?"
instar: (dolphin)
Author: instar
"Do you wish you weren't?"
pandion: (laughter)
Author: pandion
"Nah, not really, I just read novels and then I explain what the story was about to Bella and then she goes on and on about all the things that are wrong with it and then," says Andi, "I have a book report."
palmofyourhand: (① ever seen your eyes)
Author: palmofyourhand
...Ethan laughs.
aeskhyne: (⑤ okay boys)
Author: aeskhyne
"Oh hell no," says Trouble.
pandion: (lens)
Author: pandion
"And if it's science fiction or fantasy and somebody reads somebody's mind she always latches right onto that," says Andi. "So I know how she'd be about it if I were reading people's minds."
instar: (rabbit)
Author: instar
"Why not?"
aeskhyne: (⑥ don't know what I want)
Author: aeskhyne
"Skip it," says Trouble. "Juuuust skip it."
palmofyourhand: (⑤ from our victory)
Author: palmofyourhand
"Aha," says Ethan. "But on the other hand, how would she know?"
instar: (shark)
Author: instar
"Why?"
pandion: (do tell)
Author: pandion
"Sometimes in the books people can tell. Anyway I wouldn't do it, she'd be so upset. She writes her notebooks - like her diary, I mean - in cipher because one time years ago she caught me reading one."
palmofyourhand: (④ in heaven hell or earth)
Author: palmofyourhand
"And you're a good sister and you'd never go reading her mind if it would upset her so badly," says Ethan.
aeskhyne: (⑨ nobody grows up)
Author: aeskhyne
"Did I not just say, 'skip it'?" says Trouble. "Is that not what I just said?"
pandion: (still)
Author: pandion
"Yeah."
instar: (ermine)
Author: instar
"You did say that. Now I want to know why it is to be skipped. No going up a level of meta, either, huh?"
aeskhyne: (⑦ i'll make you see)
Author: aeskhyne
"Nope," says Trouble, with an explosive pop on the p.

He shoves his chair back, gets up, grabs the back of Ethan's shirt, and hauls him out of his seat.
palmofyourhand: (② from the beginning)
Author: palmofyourhand
"It seems I'm being carried off," says Ethan to Andi. "Probably to some marvelous adventure. I'll see you later."

And he detaches Trouble's hand from his shirt, not especially gently, and follows him out.
instar: (doe)
Author: instar
Bella blinks.
pandion: (pearls)
Author: pandion
"Bye!" calls Andi to Ethan.

"What happened?" she asks Bella.
instar: (rabbit)
Author: instar
"I seem to have touched a sore topic. I'm not sure. Lunch is over, anyway," Bella says, glancing at the clock.

And so it is. The bell rings. The twins go to class.