Room 308. Tuesday Morning

[bitten_notshy]

Jack had every reason to be happy as he made it back to his room after a quick trip into town to buy coffee and pick up his mail. It was a lovely spring day, and there were no children -- his own, or shrunken versions of his classmates and teachers -- about. He was profoundly grateful for this; children were fine, but he'd gotten his fill of babysitting.

He was mildly curious as to why the change had passed him by, but mostly he was simply thankful for that. No one needed to see the silent, wounded boy he had been. Besides, he hadn't spoken English as a small child, and he doubted he would have been able to find anyone to explain things to him in Czech or Yiddish.

But that was not at the top of his head as he returned to his room, not when the mail had brought good news for him. Sebastien had already telegraphed that he'd be at graduation on Saturday; now he had a letter from Rivka as well, confirming she'd asked for and received the time off to visit him. (And, she wrote, no, Jan, don't send money for a coach.) He'd have to talk to both of them about his final plans to stay in this time -- he'd been dancing around the subject -- but he was optimistic enough to believe that wouldn't go too badly. (He'd badger Sebastien into coming with him. He had to.)

He was grinning as he flopped onto his bed with a novel, door open so he could watch the traffic in the hall.

[OOC: Open room post!]

Comments

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

"I'd like it," she admitted, but the subject change was a good idea before they got sappy. Rose made a little face at the question. "Training, being happy exams are done, looking forward to mocking everyone if they have crazy people come to graduation. You?"

[bitten_notshy]

"Figuring out which of my crazy people are coming to graduation," Jack said. "Sebastien and my sister both say they're coming. Mock Sebastien if you want, he'd probably like it."

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

Rose looked up curiously then asked lightly. "That a warning off mocking your sister, Jack?"

[bitten_notshy]

"No." Yes.

Jack rationalized: "She's going to feel out of place enough."

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

She reached over to nudge him lightly. "I know it's surprising, but I can totally be polite."

[bitten_notshy]

Jack nudged her back. "I didn't say you couldn't be."

It was just ... 1900 polite and Rose polite were different things, and he was still getting comfortable with Rivka, and and and ...

No worrying, Jack. "It'll be fine. You just always get nervous when you're bringing worlds together."

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

"I get it," she agreed. "And it'll totally be fine. If I got nervous," yes, she did "I'd be nervous too if anyone was coming."

[bitten_notshy]

A slight smile touched Jack's lips at her first "if." "Your mother isn't taking time off?" he asked, then considered. "... I'm not sure that's a bad thing."

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

"Pft, she's got more important things to do," Rose said, but it was with less bitterness than she'd used before February. "I'm not worried. I got you guys and Dimitri."

[bitten_notshy]

"We'll yell extra loud for you," Jack promised. "... this is a yelling thing, right? I've only seen them on television."

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

Rose considered. "I have no idea what it'd be like here. Fandom though. I bet yelling's good."

[bitten_notshy]

"And probably there's drinking afterward," Jack added. "The ceremony should be fun."

No, wait. Wrong word.

"Fandom," he reminded himself. "It'll be interesting."

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

She cracked up at the correction. "Unless people get hurt, it'll be awesome. I'm all for it."

[bitten_notshy]

Jack winced a little, though he was still laughing. "I'm going to decide on awesome," he said. "No one is getting hurt in front of a crowd."

And he was boss of the island now, yep.

[guardianborn.livejournal.com]

"We'll take care of it," Rose agreed, giving him a firm nod. "And then drinking. I love this idea."