xp_logs | Meggan, Amanda, Sunday Afternoon

Meggan and Amanda spend an afternoon together, and Meggan voices her opinion on Spot the Dog. Fluff, but cute.

Amanda finished reading and closed the book, looking down at the furry girl curled up against her side.
They'd decided Outside was a good place to be today, especially given the ups and downs in Amanda's mood lately, and so outside they were, far enough away from the mansion that they wouldn't be disturbed overmuch. The large oak tree made a good shady spot in the heat of the day, and there was a bag of snacks and drinks and other supplies required for a good afternoon's break - Manuel wasn't the only one who Amanda felt she'd been neglecting.

"So, monkey girl, what did you think? Good book?" she asked with a smile. She'd enjoyed it, and she was pretty sure Meggan had, even if there had been some squeaking during the Gollum parts.

"Liked it lots," Meggan said, snuggling happily. She had Manda all to herself! It didn't happen often, and she loved it when it did. "I like the hobbits. They're little and friendly and like to eat, like me. And they have furry feet." She held up one of her own very fuzzy feet, which currently had claws on the toes - she'd gone tree-climbing earlier.

"You are a bit like a hobbit-girl, aren't you?" Amanda said, chuckling and giving Meggan a squeeze and a tickle with the arm she had slung around her. "Maybe I should call you that instead of monkey-girl, hmm?" She set the book aside, and stretched a little, the tree's trunk smooth and cool against the parts of her back the tank top left bare. "An' Jubilee tells me there's another book by the same bloke, but that one's got some pretty big words in it. Might have to wait until we both read a bit better, yeah? We can always watch the movie first."

"I'm learning lots of words," Meggan said proudly. "And reading, too! Shan says I can read a new book next time." She made a face. "No more stupid Spot," she said, with relief. "Spot is the dumbest book ever in the whole world."

"Yeah, it really is," Amanda agreed, amused by Meggan' vehemance. She was so cute when she was stating her opinion. "Still, might have somethin' better for you next - you want t' reach over an' pass the bag? There's a surprise in it." The timing couldn't be more perfect, really - she'd gotten Nathan to give it one last look a few days ago, and she and Marie-Ange had finished the illustrations and gotten it bound only yesterday...

Meggan passed it over, bouncing a little. "What kind of surprise? Is it a food surprise? I like food surprises! Jake gave me a food surprise yesterday, it was a sandwich with lots of things in it! It was good."

"Well, there is food in here, but that's not the surprise." Amanda slid the slim book out, still rather proud of it - it had her name on the cover, with 'translated by' and everything. "'S yer new readin' book - I checked it with Shan. Only, it's a a special book, see? Marie-Ange did the pictures in it, an' I did the words. The stories are all Chinese ones, 'bout animals and dragons and princesses and the like." Okay, so her hands were shaking a little as she handed it over, and she covered by rummaging in the bag for the bag of dried apple rings she'd put in for snackage.

Meggan took the book, opening it eagerly. The pictures were *pretty*, and she recognized quite a lot of the words. And it was a book only for her, made for her by Manda and Marie-Ange! She hugged it, then hugged Manda too. "It's the best book ever!" she said happily, nosing Manda's cheek. "MY book! Thank you, it's a nextragood surprise!"

Now it was Amanda's turn to squeak as the breath was squeezed out of her, but she hugged back just as tightly. "I'm glad you like it, Meg," she said when she was able, a broad grin on her face. Once Meggan had let go enough to plop firmly in her lap, she opened the cover again and pointed at some words carefully hand-written on the blank page at the start. "Can you read that, luv? I put it there just for you."

Meggan snuggled up to her. "This... book... was... made... special?" She sounded it out. "Es-pecial-ly? for... Meggan Szardos." She bounced happily. "Which is my longer name!" She frowned at the last few words. "Much... love... Am-Manda." She hugged Amanda again. "I love you too. And I'll work really really hard on my reading so I can read it!"

"I know you will, Meg. You've already been doing really well - Shan's pleased as punch with you, and so are Kurt an' me. An' I wanted you t' have somethin' better than Spot t' read." She snickered a little. "Nate helped me with the idea, an' some of the words, since this was for me too - remember how different places have different languages? These stories were all in Chinese, an' I had t' translate them into English for you. Like those stories in Rom Kurt tells you, yeah?"

"I like Chinese. It has fun sounds." Meggan climbed off her lap and started investigating the food-bag. Ooh, apple! "When I'm all done learning English, can I learn Chinese too? And Spanish! Angelo can teach me."

Grinning, Amanda nodded. "Don't see why not. Lots of people study languages - Nate knows somethin' like fourteen different ones, from all over." She watched Meggan pounce on the apple bag, and mock-pouted at her. "Do I get any of those?" she asked teasingly. "Have I been a good enough Manda?"

"You're a VERY good Manda," Meggan said, tipping the dried apple out in a pile on Manda's lap. "We share the apple." She picked up a bit and gnawed on it with sharp teeth. "And we read my book? I read to you, and you can help with the hard words."

"If you want to, love. Still too hot for moving for a while yet." Amanda settled herself more comfortably against the tree, biting at an apple ring. Yes, this was the life, she reflected. No stress, no hassles, her little monkey girl happy and relaxed. And safe. Sunlight caught the silver bracelet around Meggan's wrist, as if answering that last thought. Definitely safe now. "Want t' try the one about the monkey an' the dragon? It's funny."

"Yeah!" Meggan beamed. "I like monkey stories! 'cause I'm a monkey-girl." She snuggled up to Manda. "Find it for me? Then I read to you."