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xp_logsHaving delivered Amanda back to Homily's House after the weekend in Brighton, Shinobi has a short but intense talk with Romany and learns some things about Amanda he hadn't realised.
Again, thanks for Alasdaire for the character beta.
Shinobi's responsible streak had endured the club, sunrise on the beach, a train trip back from Brighton with half the group nursing hangovers or just plain sleep-deprived, and even London traffic. So it was promptly at the "about four-ish" time that Amanda had given him that he and the witch arrived on the doorstep of Homily's house.
"I'd ask if you'd had a good time, but I can see that for myself," Romany said dryly as she let them in. "You'd be Shinobi, right? I'm Romany - no doubt you've heard all the horror stories."
"That's me," Shinobi confirmed, smiling wryly and offering a hand to Romany once he'd gotten inside. "And they aren't exactly horror stories.. though I'll readily admit that my standards are a bit skewed."
Romany raised her eyebrow at that, and shook the proffered hand. Pete didn't trust this young man, but she preferred to make up her own mind, and whilst she couldn't read him very well, what she did get was that he cared about Amanda.
"Homily's in the kitchen - why don't you help her with the tea?" she suggested to Amanda. The girl rolled her eyes and grinned.
"Which is the usual code for 'piss off so I can grill yer teacher'," she said, humour rather than anything else lacing her words. Obviously the weekend had been a good one - she seemed much happier, more centred.
"Well, that too," Romany agreed. "Shoo." Amanda left them, slinging her duffle bag over the stair banister as she went. Watching her go, Romany turned back to Shinobi. "Well, 'grilling' is a bit exaggerated, but I would like a few words. Have you got time before you need to go catch your plane?"
"I'll live, I promise," Shinobi asided to Amanda, grinning cheerfully and waggling his fingers in a wave as she made her way off, leaving him to return his attention to Romany.
He nodded, smiling lopsidedly as he tucked his hands into his slacks' pockets. "I should have time, sure," he confirmed. "Besides, worst case scenario, I take a different plane back. Not quite the end of the world, really."
"Wonderful. I think no-one's using the parlour at the moment..." Romany led the way down the hall, turning into the same small, comfortable room she'd talked to Angelo in. "Have a seat," she said, sitting herself. She was a small woman, but she had no small amount of presence. "We should have a few minutes before Amanda's curiosity gets the better of her and she finds a reason to interrupt. Or eavesdrop." She chuckled. "I have to say, I haven't seen her quite so... young, before. She's acting like a teenaged girl, which is exactly as it should be. It seems her friends are good for her."
Shinobi took a seat with a quiet thanks, crossing his ankles and comfortably folding his hands in his lap. "We try to be good for her, at least," he smiled, looking just a bit sheepish. "She's always been good to me, so I'm happy to return the favour in kind." He pondered something for a moment, twisting in his seat enough to look back towards the door before he nodded to himself, making a decision. "If you notice her eavesdropping, we'll just discuss something suitably embarrassing loud enough for her to hear. Embarrassing photographs, or something. The shock'd serve her right."
Romany laughed out loud at that. "A devious sense of humour - no wonder you two get on."
Shinobi looked back with a cheerful smile, inclining his head. "It helps that I'm far more stubborn than she is sometimes, I think." His smile softened, but didn't lose any of its wideness. "She looks a lot better than she did the last time I saw her. It's a pretty big relief."
"She's not out of the woods yet," Romany replied, frowning a little. "But she has come a long way in a remarkably short time. Especially considering the mess she was. And most of that is due to her - she is, like you said, stubborn. And she seems set on going back to the school, despite my misgivings."
"The school is.. improving, I think," Shinobi replied after a moment's thought, one hand leaving his lap so that fingertips could scratch at the side of his neck. "If you did let her come back, it would be a much safer environment for her now.. and now that we've seen her slip once, we know what to look for to try and prevent it from happening again. She seems pretty intent on not slipping, on top of that, so.."
Romany nodded. "Yes, I'm seeing how important her friends are to her. Even if she doesn't realise it herself." She allowed herself a small, secret smile, and then became serious again. "I think I've managed to find a tutor over there, but like I said, she's not out of the woods yet. Once she leaves here again, it won't be quite so easy as it's been. We can protect her here, and I don't just mean from Pete's former colleagues or demon dimensions."
It was Shinobi's turn to nod. "I'd be lying if I said it'd disappoint me if she couldn't come back.. but I know you'd be keeping her here to keep her safe. Those are intentions I can't really argue with."
"I'm glad you understand. I really don't want to see her in the state she was ever again. We came so close to losing her; if it hadn't been for Angelo..." Romany took a deep breath, regained her calm. "But I can't keep her if she won't be kept. That would be as damaging as anything the person who raised her did. So if that's what she wants..." A rueful expression crossed Romany's face. "I've never known her to make a choice of her own before, so the school has taught her that, at least."
"Really?" Shinobi blinked twice, quite obviously surprised by this observation. "She's always struck me as a rather independent sort... it's almost alien to think of her actually letting someone else make choices for her." He paused briefly. "Maybe 'letting' is too strong a word, for that matter, but you know what I mean, I think."
"She's good at covering, but she spent a large part of her life not being allowed to do anything without being told to. Once she was taken from that situation, she went the other way, never doing anything she was told, but she still managed to avoid making choices - she did what was expected of a rebel, nothing more. Even going to the school... that was my choice, not hers, and she was happy to go along with it. I think that's why she got into such a mess over there - suddenly she was expected to make choices for herself, and when the old tricks failed, she looked to others to make decisions for her. The link with the empathic boy, for instance." Romany looked troubled. "I've been told his powers are no longer functioning, but I'm concerned about what will happen when he gets them back. He's... not a good influence on her."
"He's in a somewhat similar boat," Shinobi nodded, lips twitching downwards into a frown as he shifted in his seat enough to prop his chin up in a hand. "He's always used his empathy as a crutch. I.. don't think he'll be getting access to his powers back 'til he's proven himself trustworthy, to the satisfaction of Professor Xavier and Doctor Samson at the very least. I could be wrong, but that's how I'd do it, anyway." He shrugged helplessly.
"I think that's the problem - the two of them are far too similar to do each other good. Still, Pete trusts this Professor of yours, and I've no doubt he'll be watching the two of them very closely, so I'll have to be satisfied with that." Romany cocked her ear towards the door. "And I think we've just about run out of time for talking - the tea's just about ready." She fixed Shinobi with that intense blue gaze of hers. "You'll remember what I said? About things not being over yet?"
If Shinobi found the rather intense gaze unnerving, he did a very good job of keeping his discomfort hidden, tilting his head slightly before he nodded once. "I'll remember," he promised, his voice serious. "I'll do my best to take care of her, if I get the chance."
"Then that decides things - she'll be back with you next week. Only, don't tell her, since I won't get a scrap of work out of her for the rest of the time she's here." With a smile, Romany leaned back in her chair as footsteps were heard coming down the hall.
Shinobi blinked slowly before allowing himself a downright beaming smile, nodding and offering up a mock salute. "My lips are sealed, I promise," he beamed, glancing off to the side as he heard the foot-steps. Ah-ha. "So, how about those embarrassing photographs, hey?"
Amanda poked her tongue out at him as she rounded the doorway, carefully carrying three mugs. "Ain't no such thing," she said. "'Cept whatever you lot managed t' get of Jono an' Ange holdin' hands." She set the mugs down carefully, and untucked the sugar bowl from under her arm.
"If I can take their picture without them realising it, I'm sure someone could do the same to you," Shinobi observed solemnly, giving Amanda an innocent look before looking hopefully to Romany. "There have to be *some*."
"No pictures, I'm afraid, but I do have some amusing stories…" Romany replied, smiling at Amanda's deathglare.
Again, thanks for Alasdaire for the character beta.
Shinobi's responsible streak had endured the club, sunrise on the beach, a train trip back from Brighton with half the group nursing hangovers or just plain sleep-deprived, and even London traffic. So it was promptly at the "about four-ish" time that Amanda had given him that he and the witch arrived on the doorstep of Homily's house.
"I'd ask if you'd had a good time, but I can see that for myself," Romany said dryly as she let them in. "You'd be Shinobi, right? I'm Romany - no doubt you've heard all the horror stories."
"That's me," Shinobi confirmed, smiling wryly and offering a hand to Romany once he'd gotten inside. "And they aren't exactly horror stories.. though I'll readily admit that my standards are a bit skewed."
Romany raised her eyebrow at that, and shook the proffered hand. Pete didn't trust this young man, but she preferred to make up her own mind, and whilst she couldn't read him very well, what she did get was that he cared about Amanda.
"Homily's in the kitchen - why don't you help her with the tea?" she suggested to Amanda. The girl rolled her eyes and grinned.
"Which is the usual code for 'piss off so I can grill yer teacher'," she said, humour rather than anything else lacing her words. Obviously the weekend had been a good one - she seemed much happier, more centred.
"Well, that too," Romany agreed. "Shoo." Amanda left them, slinging her duffle bag over the stair banister as she went. Watching her go, Romany turned back to Shinobi. "Well, 'grilling' is a bit exaggerated, but I would like a few words. Have you got time before you need to go catch your plane?"
"I'll live, I promise," Shinobi asided to Amanda, grinning cheerfully and waggling his fingers in a wave as she made her way off, leaving him to return his attention to Romany.
He nodded, smiling lopsidedly as he tucked his hands into his slacks' pockets. "I should have time, sure," he confirmed. "Besides, worst case scenario, I take a different plane back. Not quite the end of the world, really."
"Wonderful. I think no-one's using the parlour at the moment..." Romany led the way down the hall, turning into the same small, comfortable room she'd talked to Angelo in. "Have a seat," she said, sitting herself. She was a small woman, but she had no small amount of presence. "We should have a few minutes before Amanda's curiosity gets the better of her and she finds a reason to interrupt. Or eavesdrop." She chuckled. "I have to say, I haven't seen her quite so... young, before. She's acting like a teenaged girl, which is exactly as it should be. It seems her friends are good for her."
Shinobi took a seat with a quiet thanks, crossing his ankles and comfortably folding his hands in his lap. "We try to be good for her, at least," he smiled, looking just a bit sheepish. "She's always been good to me, so I'm happy to return the favour in kind." He pondered something for a moment, twisting in his seat enough to look back towards the door before he nodded to himself, making a decision. "If you notice her eavesdropping, we'll just discuss something suitably embarrassing loud enough for her to hear. Embarrassing photographs, or something. The shock'd serve her right."
Romany laughed out loud at that. "A devious sense of humour - no wonder you two get on."
Shinobi looked back with a cheerful smile, inclining his head. "It helps that I'm far more stubborn than she is sometimes, I think." His smile softened, but didn't lose any of its wideness. "She looks a lot better than she did the last time I saw her. It's a pretty big relief."
"She's not out of the woods yet," Romany replied, frowning a little. "But she has come a long way in a remarkably short time. Especially considering the mess she was. And most of that is due to her - she is, like you said, stubborn. And she seems set on going back to the school, despite my misgivings."
"The school is.. improving, I think," Shinobi replied after a moment's thought, one hand leaving his lap so that fingertips could scratch at the side of his neck. "If you did let her come back, it would be a much safer environment for her now.. and now that we've seen her slip once, we know what to look for to try and prevent it from happening again. She seems pretty intent on not slipping, on top of that, so.."
Romany nodded. "Yes, I'm seeing how important her friends are to her. Even if she doesn't realise it herself." She allowed herself a small, secret smile, and then became serious again. "I think I've managed to find a tutor over there, but like I said, she's not out of the woods yet. Once she leaves here again, it won't be quite so easy as it's been. We can protect her here, and I don't just mean from Pete's former colleagues or demon dimensions."
It was Shinobi's turn to nod. "I'd be lying if I said it'd disappoint me if she couldn't come back.. but I know you'd be keeping her here to keep her safe. Those are intentions I can't really argue with."
"I'm glad you understand. I really don't want to see her in the state she was ever again. We came so close to losing her; if it hadn't been for Angelo..." Romany took a deep breath, regained her calm. "But I can't keep her if she won't be kept. That would be as damaging as anything the person who raised her did. So if that's what she wants..." A rueful expression crossed Romany's face. "I've never known her to make a choice of her own before, so the school has taught her that, at least."
"Really?" Shinobi blinked twice, quite obviously surprised by this observation. "She's always struck me as a rather independent sort... it's almost alien to think of her actually letting someone else make choices for her." He paused briefly. "Maybe 'letting' is too strong a word, for that matter, but you know what I mean, I think."
"She's good at covering, but she spent a large part of her life not being allowed to do anything without being told to. Once she was taken from that situation, she went the other way, never doing anything she was told, but she still managed to avoid making choices - she did what was expected of a rebel, nothing more. Even going to the school... that was my choice, not hers, and she was happy to go along with it. I think that's why she got into such a mess over there - suddenly she was expected to make choices for herself, and when the old tricks failed, she looked to others to make decisions for her. The link with the empathic boy, for instance." Romany looked troubled. "I've been told his powers are no longer functioning, but I'm concerned about what will happen when he gets them back. He's... not a good influence on her."
"He's in a somewhat similar boat," Shinobi nodded, lips twitching downwards into a frown as he shifted in his seat enough to prop his chin up in a hand. "He's always used his empathy as a crutch. I.. don't think he'll be getting access to his powers back 'til he's proven himself trustworthy, to the satisfaction of Professor Xavier and Doctor Samson at the very least. I could be wrong, but that's how I'd do it, anyway." He shrugged helplessly.
"I think that's the problem - the two of them are far too similar to do each other good. Still, Pete trusts this Professor of yours, and I've no doubt he'll be watching the two of them very closely, so I'll have to be satisfied with that." Romany cocked her ear towards the door. "And I think we've just about run out of time for talking - the tea's just about ready." She fixed Shinobi with that intense blue gaze of hers. "You'll remember what I said? About things not being over yet?"
If Shinobi found the rather intense gaze unnerving, he did a very good job of keeping his discomfort hidden, tilting his head slightly before he nodded once. "I'll remember," he promised, his voice serious. "I'll do my best to take care of her, if I get the chance."
"Then that decides things - she'll be back with you next week. Only, don't tell her, since I won't get a scrap of work out of her for the rest of the time she's here." With a smile, Romany leaned back in her chair as footsteps were heard coming down the hall.
Shinobi blinked slowly before allowing himself a downright beaming smile, nodding and offering up a mock salute. "My lips are sealed, I promise," he beamed, glancing off to the side as he heard the foot-steps. Ah-ha. "So, how about those embarrassing photographs, hey?"
Amanda poked her tongue out at him as she rounded the doorway, carefully carrying three mugs. "Ain't no such thing," she said. "'Cept whatever you lot managed t' get of Jono an' Ange holdin' hands." She set the mugs down carefully, and untucked the sugar bowl from under her arm.
"If I can take their picture without them realising it, I'm sure someone could do the same to you," Shinobi observed solemnly, giving Amanda an innocent look before looking hopefully to Romany. "There have to be *some*."
"No pictures, I'm afraid, but I do have some amusing stories…" Romany replied, smiling at Amanda's deathglare.
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Date: 2004-03-23 03:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-23 03:25 am (UTC)