riverviewlogs | ( closed ) I'm painting my room in the colourful way

Ah. But that's a toast, not a sandwich. I was thinking more of the, you know... the sort you don't have to heat up.

[ Jim chuckles at her request, tapping on the screen a few more times. ] Done. Now, some juice... you like juice, right?

[ He asks her a few more questions regarding the order, including her drink choice and whether or not she wants dessert, then submits the order and puts his phone away. Now all they have to do is wait for their meal to be brought to them. ]

It's... not exactly like that. [ He tilts his head a little, frowning. How to explain this to an eight-year-old... ] A replicator can take something apart to tiny little bits, then put those small parts back together in another form.

[ There's more to it than that, of course, but Jim doesn't see the point in complicating it too much for her. It's not like they even have replicators here, so it doesn't make much of a difference.

He leans in when she shows him the phone, nodding. ] You did. Impressive, that's a big word.

Sandwiches can be heated too. [ But, whatever. They’re ordering pizza, so she won’t complain.

They go over what they want to order. Juice wasn’t best for a night time drink (she preferred that in the mornings) and soda wasn’t a good idea. So water was fine for her. Desert wasn’t ordered since there was left over pie in the fridge with ice cream.

As for replicators it’s....a bit confusing. So the food item is broken down and then reassembled into something else? It sounded closer to magic than anything else.]

So, you’re recycling things like food? Is that a better description of it?

[There’s a small smile on her face. ] It’s not too big of a word. Trying to spell out ‘tyrannosaurus rex,’ is difficult.

So then..what do you want to do until the food comes? Watch television?

[ With the order placed, Jim just puts his phone away on a nearby table, turning his attention to Lucy. The way she puts it is actually very apt, and he nods, with a small little smile. ]

Yes, exactly! That's the best description, yes. Replicators can recycle just about anything, and turn it into something else. There's practically no waste on Earth anymore, where I come from. But replicators are especially useful during long-term missions in space.

[ He raises his eyebrows at the mention of the dinosaur, tilting his head. ] You think that's hard, you should try 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'.

[ Part of him wonders if she'll even get that reference. Very few people would where he comes from, so. ]

That'd be fine by me, yes. I mean— you don't have any homework left, do you? Because that comes before TV. Or story books.

Just about anything? Aren’t there things that cannot be recycled?

[ Like tires on cars, nuclear waste, Evil henchmen? Ohh, he threw out the whole ‘space’ thing again. Trying to bait her into a conversation about himself? Maybe...or he was just really passionate about what he used to do. It does make her think of flying and who doesn’t like that?

The mention of that word is enough to make her smile a little more. ]

It’s hard to spell, but if I could I would be a precocious child, wouldn’t I? [ She sees where you got that pub from and it makes her like him a bit more...let’s see how long that’ll last. Or if she’ll grow to enjoy his company a bit more. Who knows!

Lucy gave Jim a flat look. ]

I did that hours ago, when I was waiting for Papa to get home. It’s fine and in my backpack. So television? Unless...you want to play a game? Papa was going to teach me poker.

Well, it depends on the replicator, and what it's designed to recycle and replicate. Like on a big factory or a shipyard you'll need to replicate larger items, things with more technical detail, than you'll need at a private home. But yes, I think they can recycle just about anything you need them to.

[ No lie, he was a big nerd about space. He wasn't trying to steer the conversation in any particular direction, but it was inevitable that he'd bring that up, considering what they were talking about. ]

Ah! But can you spell 'precocious'? [ He grinned, though, amused and excited both. A thought did come to mind, since she had suggested watching TV before. ] Oh, we could watch that movie sometime. I love it so much.

[ So, he may also be a nerd about old movies and books. Just a little bit. ]

Don't look at me that way, I was just asking. I never did my homework on time when I was your age. [ He huffed a little. ] Poker? Now, that's a tough game. I like it, though. It's fun.

[ He shrugged, though, since those were a lot of options... ] How about you pick what you want us to do tonight? I promise you, I'll be fine with anything.

So everyone has a replicator then, in your world? It automatically recycles and you're not having to do it yourself?

[He's starting peak her interest with all the replicator talk. What else did he have? A teleporter? Or, maybe something else? Flying cars would have to be a thing in his world right? If they could replicate food, how could they not have flying cars?]

Precocious. P-r-e-c-o-c-i-o-u-s. [There's a grin on her face when she's done spelling the word. She does enjoy reading and picked up on the spelling of a few things.] I liked the movie, the penguins were my favorite part--but I want to read the books sometime. I've heard they're much different from the movie.

[Maybe that's something the three of them could do together? Victor watching a family film with 2 people who've seen it probably countless times. It really is a classic.]

It's the only way I'm able to have lessons with Papa, and do other things. Rather get it out of the way now than do a poor job on it. [Lessons that involved science, or gardening, or anything else to expand upon what she was learning in the classroom.]

Mmm..whatever I want?

[Oh that's a dangerous thing to say to a child. Whatever she wanted to do. She'll save the poker thing for another day, that was something she should learn from Victor...but what to do in the mean time?]

....Truth or Dare?

[That was a game she hadn't played in sometime, and maybe it'll be fun to see if Jim was up for a few dares or truths.]

Most people do— but not everyone, no. But there are replicators with public access, so people without replicators at home can still use them to recycle their trash and the like.

[ He could get into the details, but then they'd be talking about replicators all night long. Not that he'd be opposed to it, but maybe there could be more fun ways for them to fill in their time. ]

Oh, you should! They're fun. I think we can find copies on the library or a bookstore, if you wanna go look for them sometime. [ With him, that was.

He nodded and hummed at her question, waiting to see what she came up with. He probably should've known better than to let a kid choose what to do, but... well, truth or dare wasn't that bad. Granted, Jim only ever played racier versions of it, but he couldn't imagine it could be that bad to play a tamer version with Lucy. ]

Sure, why not? [ He shrugged. ] Should I go first, or will you?

[Lucy perked up a little when he mentioned the library. He made it some what clear that they could go looking for the books together...and maybe she would take him up on his offer. They were still getting to know each other, and why she could now see he was a good guy, she didn't want to rush into it. She still had to make sure he was a good fit for her Papa.]

Those are two places that Papa and I go to often. When I first met him we ended up staying at the library for hours.

[Just combing through each section and meeting up after an hour or so just to see what the other found. Then talking about what they found and going over different things, like what her dad was like as a child and how he was like now...]

I'll go first. Truth or Dare?

[She may have had a dare or two in mind already....but as for truth? Well, those questions would have to build up to the ultimate question! Nothing would get too racy or dangerous...not unless Jim wanted her to go the dangerous route--but Victor probably wouldn't like that...so they'll keep things tamed.]

He told me. You should keep doing that. The library here keeps getting new stuff from new worlds so there are always new things to find out there.

[ Jim could understand all too well the comfort of books. He honestly couldn't say why he liked them so much, but it was something he'd liked ever since he was a kid, and as he grew up, books became one of the things, if not the main thing, that he loved collecting and surrounding himself with.

He hummed thoughtfully at the question. Most people went with truth on a first round, but just to stir things up a little, he went the other way. ]

Dare.

What else did he tell you? [Because before, Jim said he didn't know about Lucy. Was Victor now just telling Jim everything and anything? Or just certain things?]

I try to go to the library at least once a week, just to see if any new comes in, but it never has the book I want...or need. But, that's okay. It'll show up sooner or later...I think.

[There's a slight shrug of her shoulders. The book was magical and sometimes had a mind of its own, or at least that what she thinks.]

Okay dare so... [Which one to pick, which one to start off with.]

I dare you to drink vinegar.

[Because it's sour and he'll make a funny face and she wants to see what his tolerance is.]

Hey, save it for truth and dare. [ He waved a finger at her, smiling playfully. Not that he minded her questions in the least, but he figured it'd be more fun to turn their attention to the game right now.

That also involved that tidbit about the book. It didn't surprise him to hear it. He knew how much that book meant to her, and could only imagine how happy it'd make her if it showed up here.

He winced a little at her dare, looking a bit apologetic. ]

I, uh... can't. Sorry. I'm allergic. [ Not in a mood to have his tongue swell up like crazy right now, nope. ] Give me another dare? Or a truth, if you prefer. As a penalty.

I...did not know that. [Lucy reaches out to her phone again, jotting that down.

No need for someone to have an allergic reaction in her home. She doubted Victor would want to see Jim in the hospital...and know she was the cause of it.]

Okay so not that...uhh. [okay, another dare, another dare..or maybe she'll take him up on truth then.]

As penalty, you have to answer two truths. Deal?

[That way she can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.]

That's alright. [ He glanced over, smiling a little. While she was at it, he added. ] I'm allergic to strawberries too, if you want to type that down.

[ A good thing to remember, just in case. His reaction to strawberries was even worse than to vinegar. At least the latter had never sent him to the hospital, so there was that. ]

Yeah— it's a deal. [ He perked up a little, curious as to what she was going to ask him. ] So, first truth?

[There's a nod of her head. Lucy is quick to type that down. So no strawberries or vinegar. Good thing she didn't keep any strawberry ice cream in the house...or strawberries. Not yet anyway.]

Well..you sort of answered the first truth. I wanted to know what else you were allergic to.

[Just in case, and to tell Victor if he didn't know already.]

What is or was the stupidest thing you've ever done?

Oh, wow... that's a tough one.

[ He chuckled, rubbing his forehead awkwardly. He wasn't lacking in options, honestly. It was just hard to pick the stupidest of all the idiotic things he did, particularly as a kid. ]

I think I'll have to go with— driving an old Chevy Corvette off a cliff. When I was ten years old.

You did what?!

[Lucy placed her phone on the couch as she scooted closer to him, leaning forward.]

You actually got the keys to a car, and drove it off a cliff, and managed to survive?! And no that's not the second part of the truth. [Either he's really lucky, or the future or world he lives in...it's that scientific to where miracles could happen at the drop of a hat.

Okay, there's a story there, one she wants to know, but not right now.]

Okay, second truth...what did Papa tell you about me?

[ He grinned a bit at that. Well, at least it seemed to be interesting enough of an answer to get her attention. ]

Yes. Well, I jumped off before it actually went off the cliff, obviously. Or else I wouldn't be here right now. And then I got... sort of arrested.

[ Only 'sort of' because ten-year-olds don't get arrested, they get escorted to the precinct until their parents come pick them up. Or they're dropped off at home, where they're grounded for like six months. ]

He told me Emma was your grandmother— before you did, anyway. He also told me Cinderella's your mother, and that's where the Operation Glass Slipper comes from. He mentioned those lessons he has with you, and that you like books and stories a lot. Mostly he just... talks more about you, now. Since you're his family now, and he wants us to get to know each other a little better.

[ He smiled a little. ] He was very happy when you told him you wouldn't mind me looking after you, by the way.

Oh...so you jumped out of the car before hand. I thought you were in it, and your future sort of...just saves people left and life.

[She shrugged her shoulders then. But, he was arrested?! Okay, his story is getting much more interesting, but she is trying to not let it show. No, she needs to figure out what Jim was about. She was giving him easy questions, softening him up before asking the biggest question of all.]

Mmm...so he told you most of it. He's...doing the same with you. Talking about you, so we can get along..like each other.

[Which isn't hard to do, but it's more difficult when someone tries to make a kid do something they weren't entirely ready for. Granted, Lucy was willing to try, and she is taking an interest in Jim, but she is cautiously optimistic.]

I know...he was surprised I suggested it. I said I would try...and I am.

[There's a small smile there.]

Think it's my turn...truth.

Well, we do have more advanced medicine. There have been some miracles.

[ He did die and was brought back to life once, but he wasn't going to go into that right now. That would be a whole other story entirely, and not only would it derail their game, he wasn't sure it was fit to tell a kid. ]

Mm, he's not very subtle, is he? [ He chuckled softly, though, a warm endeared smile settling on his lips. It was sweet of Victor, actually. He really did want Jim and Lucy to get along, that much was obvious. ]

I'm glad you are, Lucy. It's good, getting a second chance. [ After that first meeting, he'd honestly had his doubts.

He hummed thoughtfully as she picked truth, eyebrows knitting together just so. ] Okay, then... naughtiest thing you've done that no adult ever found out.

[ Every kid had to have something like that, silly though it might be. ]

...we’ll have to get back to the topic later. [ Because there were more truths and dares to be had!

But learning about the miracle that was performed on Jum, that probably wasn’t something a young kid should know. Then again, she’s heard tales of other things. Like the lengths Emma went to for Hook. True Love at its finest. ]

Yes...and no. He’s not subtle about what really interests him or what he really likes. [ Lucy could see that warm, endearing smile on Jim’s face. He really was smitten with Bictor and Victor probably felt the same way. She loved Victor a lot and wanted him to be happy, which was why she was trying. A second chance and clean slate was really working well in their favor. They were getting to know each other and building a rapport. Jim was turning out to be a sweet guy. ]

Uhhh....I haven’t done anything naughty or bad....

[ But she was close to it. Might as well be honest. ]

When I was still unsure of you, I tried to convince my friend Nico to help me interrogate you and have a zombie hold you down. Nico said no, and I realized it would get me in a lot of trouble with Papa so I dropped the plan.

[ She looks down a little, sheepish and feeling guilty for thinking of that plan. ] Everythung was changing so fast and I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t hurt Victor or me.

[ Yeah, he wasn't really planning on getting into the details of that particular chapter in his life. It really wasn't a story suited for an eight-year-old. ]

That's true, but— that's kind of nice, isn't it? I like it when people are honest like that. [ It's a trait he appreciated. Not that subtlety and honesty were mutually exclusive, mind, but in this particular case, he very much liked that Victor wasn't often subtle, or smooth. There was a candid aspect to him that Jim couldn't help feeling drawn to. ]

You what? [ He gasped, too dramatic to be serious, then laughed a bit. ] I can't believe you were planning on feeding me to a zombie!! Wow, and then I'm the bad guy.

[ Evidently he wasn't all that upset about it. Chuckle dying down, he sighed a little and nodded. ] I get that. I'd have done the same, if I were in your place. Well, maybe not the zombie part, just— doing whatever it took to protect them.

[ At least they were opening up to one another, talking and finding common ground. They could tell stories of each other’s Home world’s and have a stronger friendship than they had now. It didn’t feel forced or rushed—in the beginning it had, but the longer they kept talking, the more natural it felt. ]

It’s nice to have someone believe me and not just say I have an overactive imagination. Someone who understands.

[ Somethubg Lucy was sorely missing in the world she was in before. Not that she held it against her mom or Henry, they were cursed, but it was nice to talk to someone who understood where she was coming from.

There’s a pout on her face, but it dissolved into a smile followed by a few giggles. ]

I’m not that mean. I wasn’t going to feed you to a zombie! The zombie was for back up in case Nico couldn’t hold you down. And, I was going to use truth serum but, I couldn’t figure out how to make it so, that was another reason why the plan fell through...

[ Jum wasn’t upset, thankfully, but part of her wonders if he thought she wasn’t being serious. Oh, she was willing to do it. Lucy was a brave and resourceful girl. She was willing to do whatever it took to keep her family safe. ]

I already lost my family once...I didn’t want it to happen again. [ Furst with the curse and then with Emma. She wanted to keep victor close, and Jefferson too, so they wouldn’t be taken away from her. ]

[ In the beginning it was outright awkward, honestly. Jim never really dealt with kids much himself either, so he admittedly lacked the experience. Luckily their time together now was going a lot better than their first meeting, or the conversation they'd had since there. Things felt more relaxed and natural, and Jim appreciated that. ]

Victor's got quite a story himself, so it makes sense he'd believe it.

[ As for Jim, well... he'd seen a lot back home and here too, after a while it was easy to believe just about anything. As he told Victor once, he preferred thinking of it as being openminded rather than gullible. ]

Oh, of course, because a truth serum is so much better. [ He couldn't help grinning and shaking his head, though. ] You don't have to use truth serums on me, by the way. If you want to ask something, then... just ask. I promise I'll be as honest as I possibly can.

[ He placed a hand briefly on her arm, smiling more honestly. ] You won't. Victor won't leave you, and you know I'm not here to get in the way.

[ He sat a little more upright, nodding firmly. ] Alright, my turn. So... truth.

It's not just that. [Lucy shifts a little to sit cross-legged on the couch, her elbows resting on her knees.]

Victor knows who is he, he isn't cursed. He remembers who he is. Back in Hyperion Heights, most of the people that are there are cursed. They don't remember who they really are, and whenever I try to bring it up to convince my mom or Henry, it doesn't work. I'm trying--was trying to break it. Can't really do that here.

[Trying to be the only person to see through the curse, to know everyone there wasn't happy, but couldn't figure out why. She was trying so hard to get her mom and Henry together to break the curse with True Love's kiss...but things happened and now she's here. Part of her still feels like she failed. Henry left and her mom was kissing someone else...but no need to go deeply into that, not tonight anyway.]

Hey, I didn't know you to well, and I thought you'd be like any other step-parent. [Teasing, almost ready to stick her tongue out at him.

She doesn't shy away from his touch, but she does avert her gaze a little.]

..I thought the same thing with Emma. It's..I know I can't control who stays and who goes, but I know Victor will do everything he can to stay--he promised that much. And you... [She looks back up at him with a weak smile.] I know better with you now.

But truth... [Well, might as well ask it now before the pizza gets here. Lucy sits straight up, squares her shoulders and looks at Jim sternly.]

What are your intentions with Papa?

Mm, that's true, it's different. [ He smiled understandingly at her. ] I'm sorry you didn't manage to. But I'm sure you'll find a way when you go back.

[ Whenever she ended up going back. As far as he knew everyone went back sooner or later. Even if the thought of parting ways with Victor was particularly painful... alright, best not to think about that again.

His smile was a little more awkward when she mentioned him ending up being just like any other step-parent. It's not like he was planning on being Lucy's stepdad to begin with. He was just dating Victor, after all. Becoming a stepdad was just... a whole other level, and his relationship with Victor had already gotten very serious very fast.

That awkwardness only lingered when Lucy asked her question. He shifted a little on the couch, frowning slightly and pressing his lips. ]

I, uh... don't know. I just want to be with him, and enjoy the time I get to have with him here. I intend to make him happy, I guess. Most of all.

[There's a shrug of her shoulders...and Lucy doesn't know if she wants to go back. It already felt like she failed in breaking the curse. What else could she do differently? Henry left, and she had no idea where. Her mom was kissing someone else, so clearly she didn't feel the same about Henry...

The train of thought makes Lucy look a little somber. Who knows what will happen.]

I don't want to think about that right now. It's....it's really complicated.

[She doesn't want to go back unless Victor and Jefferson go with her. They're part of her family too.

Looking at Jim, she can see and feel the awkwardness that starts to settle between them. He wasn't expecting her to ask such a serious question, but it had been on her mind for a while. He was giving her an honest answer....that much she could tell, but she wanted to press him just a little bit more.]

You want to be with him and only him?

[Because, sure, he can make Victor happy, but if Jim was also going to see other people in addiction to Victor...that wouldn't be fair to Victor. It wouldn't make him happy, and it would make Lucy upset.]

I'm only asking because I know Papa really likes you, and I want him to be happy too. But, I don't want him to get hurt either. [If Jim did...well, maybe she would ask Nico have a zombie eat him.]

[ Jim nodded and simply let the matter drop for now. He could understand that, really, because he'd been here with Bones for the longest time and he'd never wanted to go back home. Now... well, part of him missed home, being with the people he knew and loved, but he also didn't want to part ways with Victor.

Thankfully it wasn't a decision he had to make right now. He was more than happy to stay here, and make the best of the time he had with Victor, regardless of how long or short. ]

Of course!

[ His answer was quick, and a little surprised she'd even ask. Not because of the nature of the question, or the implications of it, but because it was coming from a kid. ]

If I wanted to see other people, then I'd have talked to him about it, and we wouldn't be calling it 'dating'. I... I wouldn't be looking to spend time with you like this if we weren't serious about each other.

[ Too serious too fast, he was aware of that too, but that didn't scare him as much as he thought it would. ]

[Lucy stayed still, letting Jim explain himself that he was exclusive to Victor. She leaned forward a little, locking eyes with him as if she was trying to see straight through him to what was really in his heart. She stayed silent for several seconds before she pulled back.]

Good. That's the answer I was looking for.

[Hey, just because she was a kid doesn't mean anything. Lucy knows what dating means. She knows that two people can fall in love with one another, but she also knows that some people liked to just date rather than be committed. While Jim was making the effort to get to know her, she just wanted to make sure. She was cautiously optimistic, but hearing the words and having Jim follow through with the actions were very telling.

Plus, at no point did he tell it wasn't any of her business. He didn't dumb things down for her because of her age.

There's a knock on the door breaking the awkward tension between them. Lucy turned her head, almost ready to go open it, but that probably wasn't the best idea. And, she didn't exactly have a tip for the pizza delivery guy.]

I'll go set the table, or do you want to eat here?

[She was fine either way, she just didn't want to get the furniture messy.]

[ She was a kid, but she wasn't stupid. Actually, if anything, she seemed to know and understand a lot more than most kids her age. Reminded him of himself a little, actually. He was just a lot less well-behaved and a lot more... ticking time bomb. But anyway. ]

Well, it's the truth. I'm not just saying that.

[ He also would never tell her it wasn't any of her business. All things considered, it sort of was, wasn't it? She was an intrinsic part of Victor's life now. Granted, there were questions he wouldn't answer, but then he doubted an eight-year-old would ask them anyway.

He looked up when someone rang the bell, and promptly got to his feet. He stopped and gestured to the coffee table. ]

Oh. Let's just... sit on the floor and eat there, how's that? We can turn on the TV while we're eating. Anyway— I'll be right back.

[ With that he went off to accept their order, paying the delivery guy and coming back to the living room with the pizza box, a smaller bag with a dose of garlic bread, and their drinks. He set it all down on the coffee table, then sat down on the floor crosslegged. ]

[There was a nod of her head. The 'truth' could be up for interpretation. one person's truth may not be the same for another, but Lucy is placing faith and trust in Jim. He wanted to be with Victor, and Victor wanted to be with him. Lucy wasn't going to stand in the way of that.

Besides...Jim was growing on her. Not like a weed, but more like...a nice plant--like an orchid.]

I believe you.

[She watched him get up to go to the door and came back with their food. The coffee table was fine!]

This works. Did they include napkins and paper plates? [Because if not, she knew where to find them...and actually, she'll grab a few extra napkins. No point in creating a mess if they could prevent it. The smell of garlic bread and pizza tickled her nose, so she was quick to go to the kitchen and came back with a handful of extra napkins.

She sat down next to Jim, eating her pizza and turned on the television.]

There really isn't much on, but I'm good with anything. If there's a documentary, I'll watch that with Papa.

[ Kinda hard to fudge the truth when it came to a direct question like that, though. Jim would either mean it, or be making it up, and honestly, he couldn't see the upside to lying to Victor about his intentions. He certainly wouldn't be bothering to try and get close to Lucy if all he wanted from Victor was a fun time with no strings attached. ]

Both, yes. [ Settling in comfortably, he opened the wrapper with the garlic bread, handing one of the pieces over to her on a napkin and a paper plate. ]

Pick whatever you want. You can choose a movie too, if you prefer. Mm... [ He hummed around a bite of bread, nodding slowly. ] This is really good.

[Lucy took the garlic bread on the paper plate. The scent of it tickled her nose and her stomach rumbled again. She blew on the hot piece of bread before biting into it and immediately wanted another piece.]

This is amazing. Good call on adding it.

[She would've thought pizza was fine on its own, but this garlic bread! Maybe they could try to make it...her and Jim. Something else for them to do together. A little bit more bonding time. The food was there and now they needed something to watch.]

Okay, uh...let's see here... [She reached for the remote, careful of the garlic bread on her plate and started to flip through one menu after another. There were animated movies and other kids things, but she didn't want to put Jim through that. There was one movie that caught her eye.]

How's this? It's the making of Mary Poppins.

[A docu-drama, but it looked interesting!]

We need to get Papa to watch it, he make question the dancing penguins, but it's a great movie.

[ Jim smiled, tipping his head down a little. ] Thanks. Didn't feel right without some garlic bread.

[ The pizza smelled great, though, that was a little distracting. He ate his portion of the bread quickly, pouring himself some juice and taking a sip while he waited for her to finish too. ]

Oh— funny coincidence. Sure, that works for me.

[ He handed her some napkins so she could wipe her hands once she finished her bread, then he opened the pizza box. The scent of the melted cheese and the toppings wafted up in the air and Jim let out a happy little hum, reaching for the packets of red pepper and parmesan that had been sent along with their order. ]

Alright, choose your slice. [ Once she did, he opened the crushed red pepper and sprinkled just a hint on top of the slice. Going back to her remark, he added— ] Victor's a scientist. They like questioning stuff all the time. I know a lot of scientists so I know what that's like.

No, it wouldn't have. The same with spaghetti, those are the two times where garlic bread is mandatory.

[Because it goes well together, especially with pasta sauce and fresh meatballs. Maybe that was something the three of them could make together: an Italian dinner complete with home made sauce, garlic bread, and meatballs. It's an idea that Lucy could pitch to Victor later...after seeing how tonight went.]

Great! If I can't read the books, then this will do.

[For now anyway. Lucy gave a 'thank you' for the napkins, quickly wiping down her hands and pausing when the scent of melted cheese and pizza filled her nose. Oh yes, that smelled delicious and looking at the pie, it was going to be a glorious pizza. She picked a medium slice, making sure the slice, the cheese and fallen toppings made it to her plate.]

It's in their nature to question things, it's why they got into science to begin with. Science or math, or other things. [Because being a scientist could mean they covered a wide variety of things and not just...science.

The movie starts to play and within half an hour of it Lucy already is getting teary eyed over the author's dad. She misses her own, but she has her Papa...that's more than what a lot of kids have.]

...I get the feeling something bad will happen to him. [The dad that is.]

Or any good pasta. Italian goes great with garlic bread.

[ To be fair, Jim was a bit biased. Garlic bread was delicious. Add cheese to it... he honestly wouldn't mind eating just that for a meal. A rather poor meal, granted, but anyway. He liked indulging sometimes, no harm done to anyone. ]

I'll try to find the books for you, anyway.

[ She liked books, and frankly so did Jim. A lot, actually. There was a magic and charm to them that often couldn't be translated into film. ]

I'm not going to spoil you.

[ But he wouldn't lie either, because her feeling was right. Nothing good was going to happen involving the man, so he fell quiet instead, reaching for another slice himself, sprinkling it with parmesan rather than pepper. ]

That is true, and sometimes you just wanna have garlic bread on its own. Especially when it's all warm and toasty.

[Because then, it's heaven. The bread and butter melt in your mouth, and the garlic tastes so good.]

We could try to find them in the library. I wouldn't mind.

[Something else for them to do together, another activity for them to do and spend more time together. It was happening organically. Nothing felt forced, and Lucy wanted to find those books to read more about Mary Poppins.]

Mmm...[Lucy fell quiet, no longer into her pizza, more captured by the film. Watching how Mrs. Travers grew up, how her childhood influenced her stories. When the scenes shifted to the father figure, Lucy found herself missing her dad more and when the father actually passed, she grabbed a napkin to dry her eyes a little. She wished she had Victor with him, missing him a lot too.

Abruptly, she got up from her seat.]

Don't pause it!

[She called out over her shoulder as she ran to her room to grab her stuffed toy, a dog that's a doctor and named Dr. Whale. A present that Victor got her, one she hugs and falls asleep to when she misses him. She came back into the living room with him and sat down next to Jim to keep watching.]

Yeah, let's look for them together sometime.

[ Actually he would much rather actually buy them and gift them to her, so he'd try a few bookstores first and see if he got lucky. He definitely wouldn't mind making a day out of it, maybe go out for cake somewhere, and then surprise her by actually buying her the books if and when they found them at a shop.

He glanced a little at her out of the corner of his eye but said nothing to her reaching for the napkin. Before he could think about offering some comfort, though, she got up out of the blue and sprinted towards her room, coming back a moment later hugging her plush toy. Finishing his slice, he tipped his head curiously at her. ]

Who's that you got there?

Yeah, we can.

[Something for both of them to do, and if Jim ever gave her books as a present, she would cherish them. If she had her father's book, she would hold it close to her, go to bed with it and dream of the family she missed so much. But, she was just as happy to go looking for the books in the library. There wasn't much she needed to be happy.

As for her friend...]

Dr. Whale. Papa gave it to me to hug whenever I miss him... [There was a slight pause.]..It's childish but...it helps.

[Yes, an 8 year old recognizing when she was being childish, but she was mature for her age. She went through a lot that most kids didn't. Watching the scenes of Traver's father dying, it made her miss her fathers--Henry and Victor. Death wasn't something a child should think about, but it was an inevitability. It would happen one day, even if she didn't want it to. So she hugged her stuffed toy through the rest of the movie.

She snuck in another slice of pizza, but by the time the movie was over it was time for bed and a story. In her arms was her dog stuffed toy, climbing into Jim's lap as he read her the story on the couch. Eventually, Lucy fell asleep, holding onto her stuffed toy and to Jim as well. If he moved, or tried to pull her away, she would only hold onto him tighter, afraid of letting him go.]

Well, you're a kid. I think you're allowed to be childish.

[ Even adults should be, sometimes. Jim doesn't really have a toy plush, but in all honesty, if Victor got him one... yeah, he'd definitely keep it forever. Childish or not. ]

Alright, you finish your pizza, [ He tipped his head as he wiped his mouth, then got to his feet. ] And I'll go grab us that pie for dessert. Be right back.

[ With that he wanders off towards the kitchen so he can get the pie. Yummy, and the perfect way to wrap up their dinner. ]

( closed ) I'm painting my room in the colourful way

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