042 ⇨ video

[brobeforehos]

I've got a jar of conffetti ready to be tossed at your beautiful head, Jamie Crawford. If you're around and have not texted your big sister yet, I will be very upset.

Anyone else should be welcome too, but not to the magnificent entrance.

Comments

[dys_lexithymia]

You sure know how to make a guy jealous.

[brobeforehos]

[Aaaah, it's been a while since her mark itched.]

Nick Ryves, as I live and breathe. So tell me, are you wet?

[dys_lexithymia]

Are you?

[brobeforehos]

Well played.

1/???

[enterpainment]

mae! my brilliant big sister! S O S

you'll be pleased to know i managed to avoid the fountain this time

[enterpainment]

really the SOS was for dramatic effect

[enterpainment]

well i mean. by "avoid" i was just perched precariously on the edge and had to test my quick as lightning reflexes

which is to say, i toppled on to the pavement

[enterpainment]

and now i am wandering in circles remembering how i am also sadly not blessed with a sense of direction

done!

[enterpainment]

[ And, finally, he switches to video. And gives Mae a wave and a smile. ] But I'm right at this... general location. So I will wait very patiently.

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[brobeforehos]

[Small excited scream - is the dignified sound of your sister, Jamie. She's definitely got a jar full of conffetti in it, and is now rushing out the door.]

I'm very proud of your ability to avoid falling into the fountain! And don't worry, because I had to move after mu- uhh, long story. Yes, long story. Nevermind, I'm on my way. Evidently.

I've missed you so much I think you'll have to stop me from crying.

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[enterpainment]

I am fully prepared to deal with tears. I'm very adept at embarrassing them out of people with my eccentricity. [ He's indeed waiting patiently for Mae. He remembers how these work enough to know it might've been far longer for her than for him. So, as he spots her...

Well, as he spots her, he'll quicken his pace to get to where she is ASAP. ] Mae!

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[brobeforehos]

[She's fumbling as soon as she catches him; fumbles to open the jar, shoving her hand inside and grabbing a fist-full of confetti, and throwing them in the air just as she reaches him.

Flurry of pink and purple around them, she finally gets to hug her brother. Maybe the rest of the jar's getting unceremoniously dumped on the ground as she buries her face in Jamie's shoulder.] Thought you wouldn't come. I feel like this is visitors hours and I'm serving time.

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[enterpainment]

[ He laughs as the confetti hits him - pink and purple. Fitting. He remembers the lock your sons up t-shirt fondly. Rebellious in purple.

He hugs her back just as tightly. ] Well, at least it's much more than only an hour or two. You'll be sick of me once I burn down the kitchen in a vain attempt to feed myself.

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[brobeforehos]

Me? Sick of you? Perish the thought. Maybe Jace would feel annoyed but it's really unimportant right now, because you're here.

[And he'll leave in a day.

She squeezes him so hard and tries not to think about it.] Anything I want to say sounds selfish.

[brobeforehos]

Not currently, though.

[dys_lexithymia]

[It almost seems like he's going to offer to help with that -- there's something that could be called a twinkle in his eyes -- but instead he just says:]

Where are you?

[brobeforehos]

You know how to find me, don't you?

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[enterpainment]

[ He notices the unfamiliar name immediately. ] Jace? Who's Jace? Is he... a friend? A male friend? A friend who is male?

[ A beat, and his tone softens. ] Do I want to know how many months it's been and how much selfishness you deserve?

[dys_lexithymia]

[He frowns, and follows that weird tugging feeling --

Soon appearing right next to Mae.]

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[brobeforehos]

I'm nineteen now. Getting slowly closer to the age where I no longer need to hide the fact that I drink alcohol.

[So, a few months. Some of them long, slow, tortuous. She doesn't mention that.] And yes, he is a friend who is male. He is the male friend of another friend who is female and lovely, her name is Clary. They're my flatmates...and occasionally heroes, when zombies are involved.

[She pauses, suddenly.] ...and they're demon hunters. Oh, crap. [Nick is around.]

[brobeforehos]

[Jumps a little - and yes, there's a definite twist and tug in her gut.

But that might be Pavlovian towards Nick by now. She can't tell when she only sees him once in a blue moon.] Maybe wear a bell next time?

[She gives him a look.] You're suitably dry.

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[enterpainment]

[ His face falls comically. ] I missed your birthday? Mae, this has to be rectified immediately! Not that I have money, but I could do a song and dance routine. Or teach you some yogilates.

[ ... do you really want either of these things, Mae. ] ... oh. Well, you have to introduce me to them. While possibly making sure Nick doesn't go near them and do his menacing thing.

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[brobeforehos]

Possibly. Assuming I have any sway over Nick's menacing thing. [Disregarding the invisible chord that ties them together. But that's more like a noose. Which is so romantic, good god.] Jace has a menacing thing, too. The funny thing is that they're both fans of weapons and stabbing their enemies. [THE FRIENDS SHE MAKES.] So! Ignoring that I live with sort of angels now, we're all going to get along so well.

Anyway, I could never say no to a song and dance routine. You know me, all for the arts. [A pause; she pulls away a little to look at him, concerned.] What about you? What've I missed?

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[enterpainment]

... Please don't tell me Jace is as horrifying and inappropriate as Nick is. Nick may be my friend, but I don't think I can handle a Nick 2.0. [ MAE HE WORRIES ABOUT YOUR FRIEND CHOICES.

... despite the fact Nick is his BFF. ]

I got as far as getting to London... for the battle. With mum. But other than that, it's sort of like being a ping pong ball between here and there. Except with random amnesia in between.

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[brobeforehos]

[That makes her frown a bit; for what's to come. Which Jamie seems to never reach - if this is in any way caused by her wish to save him the pain of knowing and finding out, then good. She'll take it.] You don't have the bounce of a ping pong ball. Or any ball, sadly.

[She pokes his shoulder.] And you like Nick, Jamie, so don't even. Inappropiate and horrifying and all.