"Actually, I think she picked me."Â?
The little creature was keeping one eye on Maeve as she inspected Colin, ruffling his hair and pulling back his collar. He wasn't sure if she was looking for food (Lord, he hoped not) or just making sure he hadn't been harmed. Her hunger rumblings were still there, though they seemed to be tinged with something else... he couldn't quite place his finger on it.
"See, the natives in the area where I was working catch them when they're young and keep them as pets. They can be quite handy to have around, but to be honest, the thought of keeping up with one was simply not appealing. So I always declined any offer that was given."Â?
He stood, reaching one hand up to steady the spider monkey, though it wasn't necessary. She had already wrapped her tail snugly around his neck for balance. There was a case over in the corner. He opened it, rummaging around until he found her food. Taking her out of the jungles had been a risk ~ but a doctor friend of his had come up with a food alternative that should suffice. More would be shipped up in the next few days. He poured out a dish of the stuff ~ he had no idea what it was and had been unsure if he wanted to know. Chirping happily, the little monkey scrambled down to eat her supper.
"Life doesn't always work out the way we plan."Â? He gave her a rueful smile and shrugged. He gestured at the animal as it ate. "This one... well, she picked me. And we just... clicked?"Â?
His expressions was a bit confused. "I developed a new talent ~ one of the perks of old age I suppose. There is one thing I was hoping you could help me with. She is not giving me any indication of her name. So I thought maybe you'd have some ideas?"Â?
Run that by me again? (open)
Colin had awakened the evening after his return to the Towers feeling refreshed and ready to see which of his friends might be hanging about. Maeve was always first on that list ~ he had spent the most amount of time watching over her and in some ways considered her a daughter. Well, he supposed, in their world she was.
He called her suite, leaving a message. If she was in town, she'd let him know. If not, well, he'd call her home and let her know he'd dragged himself out of the jungles. If she wasn't too busy he might be able to talk her into a quick trip across the pond.
Not surprisingly, the kitchen was bare. Well, that was nothing a quick trip down to the shops wouldn't fix. He didn't need much and it seemed like last time he was here there had been a gourmet food store or somesuch. That would work. The food was mostly for any humans that might come to visit, but a supply of ale wouldn't exactly go amiss.
"Yes, I think that will do just fine."Â?
Half an hour later, he had picked up the few things he thought looked good and tucked them away. Settling onto the couch, he hit play on the DVD player, wondering what movie he'd left in it 5 years ago.
Raising an eyebrow, he chuckled. Mission Impossible: II. It'd do. He'd have to find out what movies had come out since he'd been gone. It was the one thing about his work that he sometimes found frustrating. Losing track of what was happening here and now while he was digging around in the past. He always felt half a step off-kilter.
"Though that couldn't possibly be due to old age."Â?
Getting comfortable, he hit Play and prepared to watch Tom Cruise pull off the improbable.
(OOC ~ This takes place the same evening as the Banquet.)
Colin
18 years ago
Maeve
18 years ago
She watched as the little monkey devoted some serious attention to Colin. She smiled reasurringly at the little animal. "Well she's got good taste, at least about you. Not sure she's too sure about me quite yet. She looking at me like she's trying to figure out if I'm going to hurt one of the two of you."
Of course she also thought she saw a bit of mischief in the small eyes staring at her. She laughed lightly as the small monkey scampered off to eat. As she watched Colin's new friend she listened to his tale of how they wound up together. She could certainly agree with life not turning out like you'd planned. Seemed that summed up her life fairly accurately to her. She looked up with no small amount of surprise on her face hearing the words new talent.
"A new talent? Are you serious?" She was more than a little curious, and she couldn't help but grin. "What's it like?"
She peered back over at the snacking critter and watched her for a few minutes waiting for some kind of inspiration on a name. Thinking of the mischief she'd seen earlier brought her youngest daughter to mind. She couldn't help but smile when she though of how much she would have loved seeing what Maeve was seeing now. Ceana had loved animals. Her voice was just a tad wistful when she made her suggestion.
"Hey Colin, what about Ceana or Kenna if you'd prefer a less gaelic version?"
Of course she also thought she saw a bit of mischief in the small eyes staring at her. She laughed lightly as the small monkey scampered off to eat. As she watched Colin's new friend she listened to his tale of how they wound up together. She could certainly agree with life not turning out like you'd planned. Seemed that summed up her life fairly accurately to her. She looked up with no small amount of surprise on her face hearing the words new talent.
"A new talent? Are you serious?" She was more than a little curious, and she couldn't help but grin. "What's it like?"
She peered back over at the snacking critter and watched her for a few minutes waiting for some kind of inspiration on a name. Thinking of the mischief she'd seen earlier brought her youngest daughter to mind. She couldn't help but smile when she though of how much she would have loved seeing what Maeve was seeing now. Ceana had loved animals. Her voice was just a tad wistful when she made her suggestion.
"Hey Colin, what about Ceana or Kenna if you'd prefer a less gaelic version?"
Colin
18 years ago
Colin grinned back over his shoulder.
”Of course she has good taste! In a lot of ways she reminds me of you. Very protective.” He added quickly before she could find something to throw at him. “We’ll let her finish eating then see if she’ll come see you.”
He wasn’t sure how to answer her next question. It was still confusing to him to have this other presence intrude at odd times. Sending was different ~ the thoughts were expressed in words, easily understood. The little monkey however…
“It’s odd. She doesn’t think the way we do, so the references are missing.” He frowned, thinking. “Right now it’s kind of like a mix of empathy and… pictures? But the pictures are focused odd. And the feelings are simpler and don’t always seem to match the images. And it happens quickly… I haven’t the control yet to hold an image from her. From what I understand it may be possible later to actually see through her eyes.”
Shrugging, he returned to his drink and picked it up, sipping absently. How do you explain the unexplainable? At her suggestion of a name, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had kept an eye on Maeve’s children, probably more than she knew. Watching them have families and grow old… eventually die, had been a small penance for what he had done to Maeve. He still owed her too much to ever repay the debt.
“I think that would be perfect. Caena it is.”
”Of course she has good taste! In a lot of ways she reminds me of you. Very protective.” He added quickly before she could find something to throw at him. “We’ll let her finish eating then see if she’ll come see you.”
He wasn’t sure how to answer her next question. It was still confusing to him to have this other presence intrude at odd times. Sending was different ~ the thoughts were expressed in words, easily understood. The little monkey however…
“It’s odd. She doesn’t think the way we do, so the references are missing.” He frowned, thinking. “Right now it’s kind of like a mix of empathy and… pictures? But the pictures are focused odd. And the feelings are simpler and don’t always seem to match the images. And it happens quickly… I haven’t the control yet to hold an image from her. From what I understand it may be possible later to actually see through her eyes.”
Shrugging, he returned to his drink and picked it up, sipping absently. How do you explain the unexplainable? At her suggestion of a name, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had kept an eye on Maeve’s children, probably more than she knew. Watching them have families and grow old… eventually die, had been a small penance for what he had done to Maeve. He still owed her too much to ever repay the debt.
“I think that would be perfect. Caena it is.”
Maeve
18 years ago
"Oh really?" She gave him a playful glare, and laughed. "Don't rush her or anything. If she needs time to get comfortable with me, I totally understand that. This has all got to be very strange for her. New place, new people. I know it would throw me for a loop."
She watched him closely trying to understand what this new ability was like for him. It was hard for her to imagine what it must be like. She remembered how long it took her to get used to her empathy and learn to control it. Empathy with pictures on top of it would be wierd to say the least, especially from an animal. She liked animals but she wasn't sure she liked them enough to have one running around inside her head so to speak. That just seemed a little more personal than she wanted to deal with.
"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. I'm sure it could prove handy, and just think you won't be lonely." She grinned as she teased him.
She wondered what he was thinking when he got quiet. She was suddenly nervous that she'd made a mistake with her suggestion. Hearing that he approved, she let out a breath that she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. She didn't know why she had been so worried about it, though she had to admit that Colin's opinion and approval had always been important to her.
She watched him closely trying to understand what this new ability was like for him. It was hard for her to imagine what it must be like. She remembered how long it took her to get used to her empathy and learn to control it. Empathy with pictures on top of it would be wierd to say the least, especially from an animal. She liked animals but she wasn't sure she liked them enough to have one running around inside her head so to speak. That just seemed a little more personal than she wanted to deal with.
"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. I'm sure it could prove handy, and just think you won't be lonely." She grinned as she teased him.
She wondered what he was thinking when he got quiet. She was suddenly nervous that she'd made a mistake with her suggestion. Hearing that he approved, she let out a breath that she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. She didn't know why she had been so worried about it, though she had to admit that Colin's opinion and approval had always been important to her.
Colin
18 years ago
Colin knew it would be easier to explain if he shared any talents with Maeve. He only had her own descriptions of empathy to work with and they seemed to work well enough, but it wasn’t that exactly. Or at least his experience wasn’t so far. It was almost like a lot of things he had read about but not quite. And it was extremely annoying at times.
“Oh, I’m rarely lonely. There’s to much to do, to much to see. And the natives are fascinating. It amazes me that they can maintain their cultures in this day and time.” He grinned suddenly. “And just think. Now people will assume I’m talking to her instead of myself ~ they’ll finally have proof I’ve lost my mind”
Caena, the newly named spider monkey pushed a few bits of food around and sat back, rubbing her face clean. With a much happier chitter, she bounded back over the Colin and raced up his body. She sniffed at his drink curiously and sneezed. The look she gave him was totally disgusted and she turned her attention to Maeve from her perch on Colin’s shoulder. He concentrated, trying to catch her mood before she thrust it at him. Confusion seemed the overriding emotion. The little one had no idea what to make of this stranger.
“Oh, I’m rarely lonely. There’s to much to do, to much to see. And the natives are fascinating. It amazes me that they can maintain their cultures in this day and time.” He grinned suddenly. “And just think. Now people will assume I’m talking to her instead of myself ~ they’ll finally have proof I’ve lost my mind”
Caena, the newly named spider monkey pushed a few bits of food around and sat back, rubbing her face clean. With a much happier chitter, she bounded back over the Colin and raced up his body. She sniffed at his drink curiously and sneezed. The look she gave him was totally disgusted and she turned her attention to Maeve from her perch on Colin’s shoulder. He concentrated, trying to catch her mood before she thrust it at him. Confusion seemed the overriding emotion. The little one had no idea what to make of this stranger.
Maeve
18 years ago
"I always love hearing you talk about your work with them. You always seem like you enjoy it so much, but I guess if you didn't there would be much point huh?" She returned his grin with one of her own, full of mischief and teasing. "But Colin, I don't think they need proof. I'm pretty sure they all already know you've lost your mind."
She laughed completely enchanted by the little Ceana. She could understand her reaction to the scotch. It was probaly a bit of an aquired taste, and one the little monkey certainly wouldn't have aquired. "I don't think she likes your choice of drink there, my friend."
She calmly watched Ceana watch her. She was definitely getting a feeling that the little animal just didn't know what to think of her. Hopefully if she was around more, they would get used to each other. It would just take time, and heaven knew she had plenty of that to give. She just hoped it would happen sooner rather than later. Since she obviously meant a lot to Colin, it was important to her that Ceana like her as well. Well she certainly couldn't rush it.
She laughed completely enchanted by the little Ceana. She could understand her reaction to the scotch. It was probaly a bit of an aquired taste, and one the little monkey certainly wouldn't have aquired. "I don't think she likes your choice of drink there, my friend."
She calmly watched Ceana watch her. She was definitely getting a feeling that the little animal just didn't know what to think of her. Hopefully if she was around more, they would get used to each other. It would just take time, and heaven knew she had plenty of that to give. She just hoped it would happen sooner rather than later. Since she obviously meant a lot to Colin, it was important to her that Ceana like her as well. Well she certainly couldn't rush it.
Colin
18 years ago
“Shame on you, to say such things about your elders!” Colin laughed, pleased that Maeve was more her usual self. She cope better with recent events if she was in a better frame of mind.
“Yes, well, she’s a bit young to be sharing it anyways. So I imagine it’s a good thing. Although, this is a very good bottle. Should forget I have them more often.”
The monkey had worked her way around to his other shoulder, still calm even after the laughing. She was use to it ~ Colin enjoyed life too much to not laugh whenever the opportunity presented itself. Black eyes peeked around his ear, still watching Maeve. Colin tried to reassure her, to somehow get the feeling across that Maeve was a friend ~ even better that Maeve was family. He could feel her relaxing against him, considering. Apparently making up her mind, she worked her way down to the end of the armrest slowly, watching for any sign of danger.
It was readily apparent that she was indecisive at this point and she glanced back at Colin who simply continued to reassure her. He would not force her to go to Maeve; that would be a betrayal of the little animal’s trust. But he did what he could to let her know he was okay with her going to Maeve. Slowly she moved down to the floor and walked on all 4 limbs until she was about 4 feet away. She sat there, staring up at the woman, obviously debating.
“Very slowly, calmly, set your drink down and hold out your hand. Do not show your teeth. Many species view that as aggression.”
“Yes, well, she’s a bit young to be sharing it anyways. So I imagine it’s a good thing. Although, this is a very good bottle. Should forget I have them more often.”
The monkey had worked her way around to his other shoulder, still calm even after the laughing. She was use to it ~ Colin enjoyed life too much to not laugh whenever the opportunity presented itself. Black eyes peeked around his ear, still watching Maeve. Colin tried to reassure her, to somehow get the feeling across that Maeve was a friend ~ even better that Maeve was family. He could feel her relaxing against him, considering. Apparently making up her mind, she worked her way down to the end of the armrest slowly, watching for any sign of danger.
It was readily apparent that she was indecisive at this point and she glanced back at Colin who simply continued to reassure her. He would not force her to go to Maeve; that would be a betrayal of the little animal’s trust. But he did what he could to let her know he was okay with her going to Maeve. Slowly she moved down to the floor and walked on all 4 limbs until she was about 4 feet away. She sat there, staring up at the woman, obviously debating.
“Very slowly, calmly, set your drink down and hold out your hand. Do not show your teeth. Many species view that as aggression.”
Maeve
18 years ago
Maeve chuckled and took another sip of her drink. "Colin, only you could manage to forget you have a good bottle of scotch in the kitchen. Although how long have you been away this time? That could explain it. I wonder if I have anything in my cupboards I've forgotten about." Her look was a bit puzzled and a bit curious all at the same time. She usually cleaned her cabinets out before she left town, but then she usually wasn't in town long enough to have much in them in the first place. She might want to take a peek though to be sure.
She was actually surprised that Ceana began moving toward her as soon as she did. Maybe this wouldn't take as long as she thought. She watched her carefully, trying to be as nonthreatening as she could manage. There was no way in the world she'd ever hurt the little animal, and not just because she obviously meant a lot to Colin. Maeve would never hurt any animal. She wasn't the animal lover that her daughter had been, but she was just generally a gentle person. Now bugs on the other hand were fair game. They were just way too creepy, too many legs.
She nodded her understanding and slowly leaned forward to set her drink on the coffee table. She was doing her best to give off a calm, reassuring vibe, but to be honest she had no idea how to do that. So she was more or less just trying her best not to scare the monkey off. She stretched out a hand toward Ceana and smile warmly while keep her lips firmly closed over her teeth. Her eyes darted back and forth between the monkey and Colin looking for signs that she needed to back off. She didn't want to alarm the little visitor by any means. Now to wait...
She was actually surprised that Ceana began moving toward her as soon as she did. Maybe this wouldn't take as long as she thought. She watched her carefully, trying to be as nonthreatening as she could manage. There was no way in the world she'd ever hurt the little animal, and not just because she obviously meant a lot to Colin. Maeve would never hurt any animal. She wasn't the animal lover that her daughter had been, but she was just generally a gentle person. Now bugs on the other hand were fair game. They were just way too creepy, too many legs.
She nodded her understanding and slowly leaned forward to set her drink on the coffee table. She was doing her best to give off a calm, reassuring vibe, but to be honest she had no idea how to do that. So she was more or less just trying her best not to scare the monkey off. She stretched out a hand toward Ceana and smile warmly while keep her lips firmly closed over her teeth. Her eyes darted back and forth between the monkey and Colin looking for signs that she needed to back off. She didn't want to alarm the little visitor by any means. Now to wait...
Colin
18 years ago
Colin shrugged, smiling good-naturedly. “I’ve been away about five years, this time. Though that particular bottle was a gift about 25 or so years ago. You know I prefer ale.”
He was pleased at Maeve’s acceptance of his instructions regarding the spider monkey. It helped as he tried to get across to the little creature that it was okay. Ceana inched forward a bit more, her nose busily sniffing at the air around her. Another glance back at Colin and she rubbed her hands together, uncertainty clear. Colin backed off immediately and instead tried to convey affection. She chattered happily and jumped up and down a few times, suddenly stopping to look sheepishly up at Maeve.
Colin almost laughed that Ceana being embarrassed turned the trick. She ran quickly over to Maeve, rubbing her head under the offered hand, almost in apology for her outburst. Just as quickly she ran back over the Colin and hid behind his legs, peeking out.
“Well, that was unexpected.”
He was pleased at Maeve’s acceptance of his instructions regarding the spider monkey. It helped as he tried to get across to the little creature that it was okay. Ceana inched forward a bit more, her nose busily sniffing at the air around her. Another glance back at Colin and she rubbed her hands together, uncertainty clear. Colin backed off immediately and instead tried to convey affection. She chattered happily and jumped up and down a few times, suddenly stopping to look sheepishly up at Maeve.
Colin almost laughed that Ceana being embarrassed turned the trick. She ran quickly over to Maeve, rubbing her head under the offered hand, almost in apology for her outburst. Just as quickly she ran back over the Colin and hid behind his legs, peeking out.
“Well, that was unexpected.”
Maeve
18 years ago
She was still intently watching Ceana. It seemed that the little monkey was still unsure what to do or think about Maeve. That was okay though. She was determined to give the little darling all the time she needed. She calmly continued to hold her hand out, really unsure of what to expect. Colin's comment of unexpected seemed to cover what happened though.
It was all she could do to stifle a laugh at the little dance Ceana seemed to give and the look she directed at Maeve afterward. It was quite possibly one of the cutest things she'd ever seen, and she'd seen a lot. The sudden dart to rub at her hand startled her a little, but since she'd been watching the monkey closely the whole time she was able to keep from jerking away. She was surprised by how soft the fur was, and she gave a little chuckle.
"See, I'm not so bad." She settled back against the couch with her drink once more in hand, though she kept the other free in case Ceana felt like a repeat performance.
Looking up at her "father", she smiled. It had been way too long since they'd spent any time together. "Why is it that we almost always wind up in town at completely different times?"
It was all she could do to stifle a laugh at the little dance Ceana seemed to give and the look she directed at Maeve afterward. It was quite possibly one of the cutest things she'd ever seen, and she'd seen a lot. The sudden dart to rub at her hand startled her a little, but since she'd been watching the monkey closely the whole time she was able to keep from jerking away. She was surprised by how soft the fur was, and she gave a little chuckle.
"See, I'm not so bad." She settled back against the couch with her drink once more in hand, though she kept the other free in case Ceana felt like a repeat performance.
Looking up at her "father", she smiled. It had been way too long since they'd spent any time together. "Why is it that we almost always wind up in town at completely different times?"
Colin
18 years ago
"I hadn't considered that she could get embarrassed, but that's definitely the feeling I got from her. How strange..."Â? Colin glanced over at Maeve and looked a bit sheepish himself. His habit of talking to himself could throw people, but he was fairly certain she was used to it. "No, you aren't so bad and I imagine she'll be grooming you to within an inch of your life sooner than you'd like. Trying to get her to understand that you're family is a bit of a challenge. Open to ideas here!"Â?
He took another sip of his scotch which earned him a disgusted look from Ceana. She really didn't like the aroma. He'd have to remember that.
"Luck? And all bad. Maybe you should come down to one of the sites. Spend a few weeks in the mud, trying to ignore bugs, trying to interpret the local dialect, eating whatever came out of the local river..."Â? He intentionally listed some of the more... adverse aspects of his job, teasing her. "Seriously? I'm not sure. Seems like the few times I was able to come up here you had shows or somesuch happening. And it's kind of a delicate matter to get me in and out of the jungle, so I don't like to do it too often."Â?
He took another sip of his scotch which earned him a disgusted look from Ceana. She really didn't like the aroma. He'd have to remember that.
"Luck? And all bad. Maybe you should come down to one of the sites. Spend a few weeks in the mud, trying to ignore bugs, trying to interpret the local dialect, eating whatever came out of the local river..."Â? He intentionally listed some of the more... adverse aspects of his job, teasing her. "Seriously? I'm not sure. Seems like the few times I was able to come up here you had shows or somesuch happening. And it's kind of a delicate matter to get me in and out of the jungle, so I don't like to do it too often."Â?
Maeve
18 years ago
The look she returned was one filled with understanding. After 300 years it would be impossible for her to not be used to Colin talking to himself. As far as she was concerned, it was just part of his charm. She smiled and began to laugh richly. "Lucky me. That has got to feel strange though to have her picking through your hair. As for ideas, don't ask me old man. This is your talent, not mine. I wouldn't even have a clue where to tell you to begin." She shrugged. She really didn't have any idea how to help him with this, but being who she was she couldn't help but try to suggest something. "Have you tried projecting a feeling of love toward me and seeing what that gets you?"
She gave him a definite grimace. "Uh, I think I'll pass on that one. How in the world do you stand it? I mean I'm sure it has it's good points, but those sound like pretty huge bad points to me, especially the bugs." she shuddered, her body showing a visible shiver and closed her eyes shaking her head. "Did you have to mention bugs? You know how I feel about those critters."
Her smile was a bit rueful. It was certainly true that anytime she'd been here over the years was usually on business, which didn't exactly give her a lot of time to visit with old friends. "You could always come up to one of my shows you know. Or even drag yourself out of the jungle to come back to Scotland. Thank goodness for the postal system huh? We'd totally miss out on each other's lives otherwise." Even though they didn't really get the chance to write or talk except every few months it was still better than not at all.
She gave him a definite grimace. "Uh, I think I'll pass on that one. How in the world do you stand it? I mean I'm sure it has it's good points, but those sound like pretty huge bad points to me, especially the bugs." she shuddered, her body showing a visible shiver and closed her eyes shaking her head. "Did you have to mention bugs? You know how I feel about those critters."
Her smile was a bit rueful. It was certainly true that anytime she'd been here over the years was usually on business, which didn't exactly give her a lot of time to visit with old friends. "You could always come up to one of my shows you know. Or even drag yourself out of the jungle to come back to Scotland. Thank goodness for the postal system huh? We'd totally miss out on each other's lives otherwise." Even though they didn't really get the chance to write or talk except every few months it was still better than not at all.
Colin
18 years ago
"Actually it can be rather soothing sometimes. Something like having your hair brushed by someone. Not quite but close."Â? Ceana peeked out further at Maeve and cocked her head, chittering softly. "I think in a few days she'll be climbing all over you. She's a bit shy at first when she meets someone, but once she's sure of you, well, I hope you don't mind being used as a climbing post."Â?
"Oh, it's not so bad. Well, the bugs and lizards can be, but it is the jungle. And it's incredibly beautiful. The people are fascinating. The lifestyle is so very different... I should have come back to Scotland to visit. I just don't like to intrude in your life anymore than I must."Â?
Colin scratched idly at Ceana's head, thoughtful. "In some ways it's like you truly are my child and I don't want to be one of those overbearing parents that get involved in every little detail of their children's lives and drives them away."Â?
"Oh, it's not so bad. Well, the bugs and lizards can be, but it is the jungle. And it's incredibly beautiful. The people are fascinating. The lifestyle is so very different... I should have come back to Scotland to visit. I just don't like to intrude in your life anymore than I must."Â?
Colin scratched idly at Ceana's head, thoughtful. "In some ways it's like you truly are my child and I don't want to be one of those overbearing parents that get involved in every little detail of their children's lives and drives them away."Â?
Maeve
18 years ago
She perked up and raised an eyebrow. "Hair brushing huh? Yeah I think I could definitely get used to that." She'd always loved having her hair brushed. Her girls had delighted in getting to brush and braid her hair when they were younger. Maybe that's where it stemmed from, but she found someone else running a brush through her long hair extremely relaxing. She gave Colin one of those are you nuts looks and laughed. "Um, Colin, I was a jungle gym to three kids for almost eighteen years. I think I can handle being climbed by a monkey. Besides if it makes her happy and comfortable, it won't be bad." She was such a softy.
She smiled softly. The world he lived in really did sound beautiful, and she was once again struck by how much he loved it. "You know maybe I should come visit you down there sometime. Just promise me bug spray and that you'll come kill any creepy crawlies that invade whatever space I'm living in at the time." She winked at him. Geez, what in the world would it be like to leave Scotland for something other than work?
Her smile became a bit more sober, but still very fond. "Colin, I don't think it would be possible for me to think you were intruding too much. I've always looked up at you and respected you, even before my changing. I mean it when I say I'd love to see you more. Come on dad, you know you want to come back to dear old Scotland." The teasing just kind of slipped out and she gave him an impish grin.
She smiled softly. The world he lived in really did sound beautiful, and she was once again struck by how much he loved it. "You know maybe I should come visit you down there sometime. Just promise me bug spray and that you'll come kill any creepy crawlies that invade whatever space I'm living in at the time." She winked at him. Geez, what in the world would it be like to leave Scotland for something other than work?
Her smile became a bit more sober, but still very fond. "Colin, I don't think it would be possible for me to think you were intruding too much. I've always looked up at you and respected you, even before my changing. I mean it when I say I'd love to see you more. Come on dad, you know you want to come back to dear old Scotland." The teasing just kind of slipped out and she gave him an impish grin.
Colin
18 years ago
"I'd be more than happy to do the best I can to keep the creepy crawlies away. Though I imagine Ceana would do a better job."Â? He really didn't get to see his friends often enough. Maybe he'd stay longer than usual this time, actually do a bit of siteseeing. See what was new in town. Connect some faces with names... that would be a bonus.
He was surprised to feel humbled by Maeve's next words. He felt honored that she would call him "dad"Â?, even if she was teasing at the time. "Well, that's good to know, but I'd hate to push my luck. I do promise to come back to Scotland next trip. One of the best parts of having access to private jets. They're already setup to deal with our peculiarities. Remind me to get permission from Alfarinn for a sidetrip."Â?
And how had the conversation turned so serious? Well, as long as it had, might as well get something else out of the way. Colin just hoped he didn't mess this up. He'd seen little evidence that she was ready to move on from Latham, so her arriving tonight with a man in tow was a good sign "Nic seems nice."Â?
He was surprised to feel humbled by Maeve's next words. He felt honored that she would call him "dad"Â?, even if she was teasing at the time. "Well, that's good to know, but I'd hate to push my luck. I do promise to come back to Scotland next trip. One of the best parts of having access to private jets. They're already setup to deal with our peculiarities. Remind me to get permission from Alfarinn for a sidetrip."Â?
And how had the conversation turned so serious? Well, as long as it had, might as well get something else out of the way. Colin just hoped he didn't mess this up. He'd seen little evidence that she was ready to move on from Latham, so her arriving tonight with a man in tow was a good sign "Nic seems nice."Â?
Maeve
18 years ago
"Well then if I do make it down there, I am so kidnapping the little sweetie to protect me from the freaky little six legged menaces." She looked over at the little face still giving her pondering looks and laughed. "Well if she's decided I'm okay by then anyway."
She emptied her glass and set it on the coffee table, then sank back into the couch some more. Propping her sprained ankle on the table, she tucked the other foot under her making herself comfortable. "I will definitely remind you to do that. I would be so thrilled to have you come visit. Who knows, maybe you'd actually get me out of the studio to entertain you." She grinned at him again.
Then he mentioned Nic and she frowned. She was still beyond confused by his abrupt departure. "Yeah, he's nice enough. Like I said before though, he's just a friend, Colin. I met him in the gym here in the Towers the night I got into town, and he asked me to the ball. I really don't know him all that well to be honest." She paused and her mind flashed to the kiss upstairs in her suite. She also thought again about their first conversation. She was still a bit baffled by her acceptance to the ball in the first place. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Colin, what did you make of him leaving like he did?"
She emptied her glass and set it on the coffee table, then sank back into the couch some more. Propping her sprained ankle on the table, she tucked the other foot under her making herself comfortable. "I will definitely remind you to do that. I would be so thrilled to have you come visit. Who knows, maybe you'd actually get me out of the studio to entertain you." She grinned at him again.
Then he mentioned Nic and she frowned. She was still beyond confused by his abrupt departure. "Yeah, he's nice enough. Like I said before though, he's just a friend, Colin. I met him in the gym here in the Towers the night I got into town, and he asked me to the ball. I really don't know him all that well to be honest." She paused and her mind flashed to the kiss upstairs in her suite. She also thought again about their first conversation. She was still a bit baffled by her acceptance to the ball in the first place. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Colin, what did you make of him leaving like he did?"
Colin
18 years ago
Colin watched as Maeve settled in, more than pleased that their paths had crossed like this. He really did need to get out of the jungle more often, make a trip on occasion to Scotland. It would be worth the hassle and effort.
“I just may do that, and when you least expect. It would be worth it to drag you out of that dark and musty old studio.”
He winked at her and sipped his own drink. Ceana had moved to his lap and was curled up in a little ball, tail wrapped around herself and eyes peeking out to watch Maeve. Absently he scratched her back thinking back t Nic’s sudden departure.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I think we missed something there. I’d hate to think I did or said anything that offended him. He did seem to be very nice.”
“I just may do that, and when you least expect. It would be worth it to drag you out of that dark and musty old studio.”
He winked at her and sipped his own drink. Ceana had moved to his lap and was curled up in a little ball, tail wrapped around herself and eyes peeking out to watch Maeve. Absently he scratched her back thinking back t Nic’s sudden departure.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I think we missed something there. I’d hate to think I did or said anything that offended him. He did seem to be very nice.”
Maeve
18 years ago
Narrowing your eyes while trying to hold back a smile at the same time was not exactly effective for making someone think you were really mad, but at least she was managing not to laugh. "My studio is neither dark nor musty thank you very much." She couldn't hold it in any longer and giggled. "You'd be proud of me though. I only brought one sketch with me this time. I was working on it when I was talking to Fiona, actually the sketch was why I thought to call her in the first place. You'd have to see it, but it is a very Fiona suit. I have to remember to show her sometime." Okay so she didn't really talk to herself much, but mental notes were a frequent thing.
"I just don't know. I don't think you said anything wrong, but then I'm honestly not sure what set him off about Fiona either. I really can't understand what happened that rubbed him the wrong way. I really can't. I'm totally at a loss, Colin, and honestly I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now."
She leaned her head back against the couch and sighed. She was so confused right now. How did things just suddenly go so...wrong. It felt to her kind of like when the bomb went off at the ball. It was just sudden and completely unexpected. She was just starting to recover from the first shock when she got hit with the second, and to be honest, she was reeling. She doubted anyone but Colin or Fiona might realize that. At least she was comfortable with her "father" seeing that in her.
"I just don't know. I don't think you said anything wrong, but then I'm honestly not sure what set him off about Fiona either. I really can't understand what happened that rubbed him the wrong way. I really can't. I'm totally at a loss, Colin, and honestly I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now."
She leaned her head back against the couch and sighed. She was so confused right now. How did things just suddenly go so...wrong. It felt to her kind of like when the bomb went off at the ball. It was just sudden and completely unexpected. She was just starting to recover from the first shock when she got hit with the second, and to be honest, she was reeling. She doubted anyone but Colin or Fiona might realize that. At least she was comfortable with her "father" seeing that in her.
Colin
18 years ago
Why did these things always have to come back to Fiona? He knew full well the girl could try the patience of a saint. That she and Maeve had managed a friendship for so long was amazing and in some ways inspiring to him. They were such complete and total opposites. Absently, he began working through the mess outloud.
“Right. So you show up at a major event unexpectedly. And if that’s not bad enough, you also show up with a man in tow. Two things bound to surprise Fiona, which she’s never reacted well too. If Nic saw that, he may have misinterpreted what was happening. That makes sense, especially if you don’t know her well enough to know that she hates surprises. I imagine her initial reaction was not favorable, which he could have taken two ways. Either as a slight toward you or maybe even toward him.”
Colin paused, needing more details. “Was she there with Sorin? No wait, you said Sorin was with her. Who else?”
“Right. So you show up at a major event unexpectedly. And if that’s not bad enough, you also show up with a man in tow. Two things bound to surprise Fiona, which she’s never reacted well too. If Nic saw that, he may have misinterpreted what was happening. That makes sense, especially if you don’t know her well enough to know that she hates surprises. I imagine her initial reaction was not favorable, which he could have taken two ways. Either as a slight toward you or maybe even toward him.”
Colin paused, needing more details. “Was she there with Sorin? No wait, you said Sorin was with her. Who else?”
Maeve
18 years ago
She looked up at Colin with a weary expression. "Yes I know. We've covered the bad Maeve for surprising Fiona thing. I really didn't mean to, Colin. I fully intended to talk to her before I saw her again. I tried calling her and we wound up playing a really great game of phone tag. I didn't blurt out on her voice mail that I was in town, cause I'm sure that wouldn't have gone over well either. I kept thinking I'd somehow get in touch with her before the ball, but it didn't work out that way." She grimaced inwardly. She so sounded like some teenager explaining how she wrecked the car to her father.
"No obviously she was irritated with me, but I honestly don't think she did or said anything that could have be seen as a slight. Considering the irritation I thought she was perfectly civil, especially considering we're talking about an annoyed Fiona. She said she it was nice to meet him and that it was good to see me and that we had a lot of catching up to do. Of course you and I know there was more to her statement of catching up than meets the eye, but she didn't say it in a way that sounded bad or condescending."
She leaned her head back again and sighed. "Let's see. Alfarinn was there with a man named Thaddeus. That was why Nic wanted to go over there to begin with. He wanted to say hello to Alfarinn and talk to him. When he first suggested, saying hello I hadn't seen Fiona and didn't know she was there."
"No obviously she was irritated with me, but I honestly don't think she did or said anything that could have be seen as a slight. Considering the irritation I thought she was perfectly civil, especially considering we're talking about an annoyed Fiona. She said she it was nice to meet him and that it was good to see me and that we had a lot of catching up to do. Of course you and I know there was more to her statement of catching up than meets the eye, but she didn't say it in a way that sounded bad or condescending."
She leaned her head back again and sighed. "Let's see. Alfarinn was there with a man named Thaddeus. That was why Nic wanted to go over there to begin with. He wanted to say hello to Alfarinn and talk to him. When he first suggested, saying hello I hadn't seen Fiona and didn't know she was there."