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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:44 pm
The week had seemed to pass all too slowly for Serenity, who was looking forward to the next weekend more than anything else. She was still waiting on her computer, so her emails back and forth with Gaunt were few and far between, and she wished yet again that she had a cell phone so that she could talk to him more often.
Still, at long last, the day arrived. She spent the entire morning getting ready for it (though there wasn't much to prepare), and yet again she was at the park earlier than she needed to be. This time, however, rather than painting to pass the time, she and Ian played on the equipment, though they both kept an eye on the entrance to the park to see when Gaunt and Prince would be arriving.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:49 pm
There was a surprise Gaunt hinted at during the last section of the week. Prince had grown a couple days ago. It felt so sudden, really, because it seemed like it happened magically, practically overnight. He knew Ian had to be pretty sad about this when he found out, but at least now Gaunt didn't have to haul the vase around.
He packed a light lunch and a few this-and-thats into his backpack and walked with Prince to the park. Of course, still very much so of a childlike mentality, Prince started running when he spotted Ian and Serenity. "Iaaaaan!" Gaunt just chuckled and followed at a more casual pace, his eyes somehow not able to divert from Serenity. It had been a whole week.
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:54 pm
Ian heard his name being called and turned around, ready to run to his friend - but when he saw how big Prince had grown since the last time he had seen him, he stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with shock.
"P-Prince?" he stuttered in disbelief.
Serenity smiled when she saw how Prince had grown, but it didn't surprise her. Surprises grew quickly, after all. Not to mention, Gaunt had been hinting ... She was sad for Ian, but she was glad to see that Prince was healthy.
But no, her eyes were only for Gaunt, just as she could see that his eyes were only on her. Her smile grew wider, brighter, her eyes sparkled brightly, and she walked quickly to greet him with a warm hug and a welcoming, longing kiss.
"I'm glad you finally made it," she giggled, running her fingers through his hair. "Ian was getting a little impatient."
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:12 pm
Prince blinked when Ian no longer looked excited to be near him. He didn't really understand. Sure he was bigger, but he was still Prince. "I.. Ian.. It's me, Prince.." He held his arms out a little, as if he was asking for a hug. One of those big tackling hugs Ian gave him a few times already.
Gaunt smiles and he kisses her warmly and with his own longing as they finally met. "Mmmn. I've missed you so much, Serenity." He gives her a few more short but sweet kisses before he chuckles softly. "Mm. What do you mean, finally? I'm right on time." He chuckles lightly. "I told you I had to work."
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:18 pm
Ian was still gawking at Prince. "Y-yeah," he stuttered, "but - but you're so big! You're like - like - like four of me!"
But now that he was over his shock, at least, he ran forward and held his arms up to Prince. "I can't hug you way down here," he pouted.
Serenity giggled and hugged Gaunt tightly. "I know, but we were early again and Ian kept asking. Besides, wouldn't you be worried if I wasn't impatient to see you?" She winked teasingly, then gently pried herself from his arms and reached down into her bag. "And before we go anywhere," she smiled, "I wanted to show you the painting ..."
She hadn't touched it during the week, and as promised it was still in pristine condition. She held it up to show Gaunt. It showed him, lying on the grass as he had been the week before, with the sun shining down on him, but behind him was a barely visible, ghost-like Serenity, lying on her side and propped up on one elbow, leaning slightly over him as if about to steal a kiss.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:27 pm
Prince smiles and leans down to scoop Ian into his arms, giving him a big hug. "I've missed you, Ian! I wonder what fun we're going to have today?" He smiles and he shrugs. "I kinda didn't want to grow up, really. I wanted to stay the same size as you."
Gaunt blinks, then he blushes and a smile grew wide on his face. He shakes his head, appreciating her skills, as well as the scene that was running through her head at the time of the painting. "It's.. its.. beautiful.." He loved it. Absolutely, and thoroughly.
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:08 pm
Ian couldn't reach around Prince to give him a proper hug, so he pressed his face against Prince's shoulder instead.
"Well, maybe I'll grow someday," he grinned, trying to sound cheerful. "Mama says probably not, 'cos of how starved I was and how I was all by myself for such a long time ... but maybe if I try real hard to get strong, I can grow too, and then we can both be big!"
As for what fun they would be having, he wasn't quite sure - he had never been to the Borderlands before, so he had no idea what to expect.
Serenity smiled brightly, pleased that Gaunt liked the picture, and she moved to put it back into her bag.
"I thought maybe you would like to keep it," she suggested, placing one hand lightly on his arm. "If you do, I'll just keep it in my bag until we get back later so that you don't have to carry it around ..."
She slid her hand down his arm and laced her fingers with his. "But we should get going before the day is gone again," she murmured.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:11 pm
Prince smiles and he nods, wrapping his arms around the boy and he nods. "I will be cheering for you, Ian. I want you to be big and strong, so we can all be big and strong." And so they can protect the ones they love. He knew Ian already felt that, because he felt bad about not being able to do much. So there was really no need to repeat it.
Gaunt nods and he smiles softly, gently squeezing her hand. "I would love to have it. I have to figure out how I'm going to hang it since I can't put nails or anything into the dorm wall, but I'll figure something out." He looks over his shoulder toward Prince and Ian and he smiles. "Come on, boys, lets get going."
Prince nods, keeping Ian in his arms for now as he heads over. "Alright, coming!"
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:18 pm
Ian cheered up at that. If Prince was helping him out, he was sure that he could grow, just like him! That would be the greatest thing ever!
Serenity looked to make sure the boys were following them, then turned her attention back to Gaunt. "Well, it's pretty thick," she commented, "why not set it on top of a dresser or bookcase or something? It won't take up much space, but it won't fall behind either ..."
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:19 pm
He nods and he walks with Serenity with the boys behind, still holding her hand with their fingers interlaced. He pursed his lips and his head tilts slightly as he thinks, and he nods. "Yeah. I can turn one of the small bookcases from against the window to against the wall. And I can prop it there."
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:23 pm
Serenity's smile widened. "See? Problems aren't as hard as they seem, sometimes."
She paused and glanced at Prince again. "What about the food problem?" she asked softly. "Are you able to bring him more food now? Or do you take him to the cafeteria? ..."
She was still worried about the boy. He needed proper nourishment, and a few scraps snuck away at mealtimes wouldn't be enough ... and it wasn't that she doubted Gaunt's abilities, she was just worried.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:29 pm
He smiles, though it soon disappeared and he shakes his head. "The rules haven't changed. I still don't have the bag I need to sneak away more. So he's still having to make due with whatever I have to sneak out." He sounded sad and disappointed. There really wasn't anything he could do. And with a growing boy, was a growing appetite. He didn't know what he was going to do.
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:34 pm
Serenity squeezed his hand tightly. "At least for today, he'll eat like a king," she promised him. "And I do have some food in containers in my bag, you can take them with you as well. As for after that's gone ..."
Well, she would try to think of something. She just wished she could help them both. She had thought of suggesting she take care of him during the week, but she wasn't sure how that would go over. After all, it would be like an implication that Gaunt couldn't take proper care of him - something she never wanted him to feel.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:55 pm
He shrugs and he smiles some. "And if we meet your aunt who does your runebag, I would like to talk to her about getting one as well. I really.. want Prince to eat better, and not just live off fruit and bagels and sandwiches all week." He sighs softly and he shrugs his shoulders the best he could while still keeping a firm hold of Serenity's hand. "Yeah, tonight he can eat as much as he wants. I just hope he doesn't start whining that I don't like him because I don't feed him like you do."
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Elnara Aldrich Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:59 pm
Serenity's brow furrowed worriedly. "I hope he doesn't think that," she murmured. "I know you love him, and that you want to do everything you can for him ... and I know it's hard ..."
She hesitated, then shook her head. "Well ... I suppose we'll see what happens," she murmured. "Still, today is a day we can look forward to."
She squeezed his hand again. "Let's just enjoy ourselves, shall we?"
They very quickly reached the portal, and Serenity turned around to make sure that the boys were still with them. "Ready?" she asked with a smile.
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