Tom Petty sang it best...

[sand-hawkins.livejournal.com]

...the waiting is the hardest part.

A million thoughts are going through Sand's mind.  Are they OK?  Is SHE OK?  Will they find her?

He checks his watch.  Yep, they've been gone 10 seconds.

"Anyone know any good parlor games?  I don't think everyone here's into Civ4."

Comments

[sand-hawkins.livejournal.com]

Sand arches an eyebrow. "Would that same dementia also potentially be fueling her hatred of Corrine, Mr. Head?"

[caleb-z.livejournal.com]

Caleb gives Ibn a skeptical look, but does his best to retain an open mind.

"Amelia's resentment predates her ilness," Caleb calmly interjects.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I'd imagine that to be the case. However, it is possible that the condition affected her impulse control.”

Ibn pauses a moment, as though wondering how much to say. “I'm not attempting to mitigate her actions or responsibility. I’m merely saying that her condition may have been a factor.”

[caleb-z.livejournal.com]

"As in it was merely a compounding factor?"

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"I believe that might be the case. I will know after the treatment..."

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

"I think an update on her condition might be in order after all this is -" She doesn't want to say "done," or "attempted." It would jinx it. Instead she just gestures around the room and at the "party favors," on display.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"That would have to be approved by the family."

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

She points to Caleb and shrugs.

"Meantime, coffee, milk, vodka?"

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"I'd very much love to. I haven't spoken to you in a few days. How are you doing." There's a brief pause. "By the way, I don't suppose to would like U2 tickets? I have extras..."

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

...

...

...

"I love U2. You going?"

No, not used to being asked about or offered concert tickets.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

“I wasn’t allowed the luxury of western music as a child, but I have developed a fondness for them. I thought that you might appreciate the concert as a way to cheer you up. I work with the singer in the Foundation and I have some contracts for him the sign...”

That’s not the complete story, but Ibn doesn’t want to get into parallel lives and coming from an alternative future. It is close enough to the truth.

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

She blows her bangs out of her face. "You know out of anyone beside you and Caleb, that sounds like boasting."

She's teasing.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

Ibn's cheeks turn just a bit red; he smiles uneasily. "I apologize. That was completely unintentional."

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry. I'm just messing with you." She shakes her head. "I'm having to remind myself being from Jersey is a bizarre background for this job."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Ah, I've been spending a lot of time alone of late..."

That and growing up as the Demon's Son doesn't allow for a lot of teasing. "If you have a friend or you that you wish to bring, I suspect that arrangements could be made."

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like I should find a blind date for you to bring instead." The comment comes with a chuckle and nudge.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

The idea of the invitation being perceived as a date hadn't occurred to him. Just a few days ago, Tara's boyfriend had cheated on her. "I...uh..just thought you might need a friend. You are the first friend I've made since I came back."

He scratches his head and grins just a bit. The redness has progressed from his forehead down to his neck now. “If it is inappropriate. . .”

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

That's met with a almost shy smile. "Chill. I meant a date for you. Sadly, I am just not feeling all that on the market. Least the guys I know recover a little faster then the girls do." Good question with the whole alien ex thing.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps some do."

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

She reads his face. "Well...shit. Blew that one. Here I was just trying to tell you you'll be a hot number if you keep to the smoldering looks and concert tickets." She sighs a little. "I have a little brother. No offense to you, but you remind me of him so my protective instinct kicks in."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"It has been longer than a year. There's no reason for you to think that it would be a. . .sensitive issue for me.”

He smiles just a bit. “I had a sister once. We used to listen to music and tell each other stories. Or at least I did in once of my lifes.”

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

She favors him with an odd look. "Gotta be one on every team, huh?"

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"One of what?"

[green-shield.livejournal.com]

"Some guy like Hawkman, Troia, or Doc Fate who's lived so many times they walk around like their senior citizens trapped in the bodies of younger people."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

That sort of puts it into perspective. "I've only had the two lives. And of course the few years in the Gateless Gate. I suppose that is why I can empathize with Amelia."