(no subject)

[a1enzo]

Enzo leads the way in through the closet.

He is not looking forward to this. At all.

What's the worst they could react?

That might be a more comforting thought if he didn't immediately start imagining the answer.

Comments

[isaysimplewords]

. . . Cal is already thinking that a dry run in this digitized form would have been a really, really good idea.

However, there are other priorities at the moment. And, luckily enough, it is almost disturbingly easy to redirect his thoughts and keep them where they're supposed to be. That, at least, he could get used to.

"It's gonna be okay, Enzo," he says.

[ami_imperfect]

Dani doesn't really blame him.

"If worse comes to worse, you can always stay at my house until things cool off."

The offer is made mainly as an attempt to ease some of the tension, but she wouldn't mind if Enzo came and stayed over at the Fentons for a couple of nights...

[a1enzo]

Enzo smiles weakly at her. "Maybe I'll do that anyway. Dot said I could."

[ami_imperfect]

"Great!" Now all she has to do is find a way to get rid of Danny for the night.

And possibly Jack.

[a1enzo]

Enzo smiles at her again, more sincerely this time.

Can't avoid the business at hand, though. "Wait here a nano," he tells them, and goes into his bedroom and shuts the door. There's the sound of brief, muffled conversation, and then of movement around the room. Then he comes back out, looking solemn.

"I vidwindowed Dad. He's on his way over."

[isaysimplewords]

Cal reaches over and touches his arm.

"It's all gonna be fine in the end, Enzo. And we're right here." He glances over at Dani.

[ami_imperfect]

She nods, and reaches out and gives Enzo's hand a squeeze.

[a1enzo]

Enzo squeezes back, and reaches up his other hand to squeeze Cal's as well. (Yes, even though it's a metal flipper.)

Then he leads the way downstairs. "Dot?" he calls softly, not quite wanting to be heard. "Bob?"

[command_dot_com]

"What is it Enzo?" Dot's sitting on the couch, reading from her PDA. "Everything alright?"

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob looks up from Mairi, to whom he's feeding a bottle of formula. "Hey, Enzo. Brought a visitor?"

[a1enzo]

"Yeah. This is Cal Chandler, from Milliways. Dot knows him already."

[isaysimplewords]

"Hi," Cal says. "Nice to finally meet you."

He's usually less - square. And metal.

Seriously, next time he's involved in something important on a world that requires him to completely change forms? Dry run first.

[ami_imperfect]

"I hope you guys haven't forgotten me," Dani jokes with a small grin.

It should be noted that she's barely resisting the urge to go and coo over her "niece".

[command_dot_com]

"..." You know, Dot really assumed that all the humans in Milliways would get scanned in as Data Sprites. "Well...to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Translation: Explain why you're here with no prior notice.

"We've still got everything from the guest room...even if it is being converted into a nursery right now."

[a1enzo]

"I've... kind of got something I need to talk to you guys about. He's here to help. They both are."

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob's eyebrows go up, but he says nothing.

[command_dot_com]

Dot just sets down and shuts off the PDA for a moment, waiting.

[a1enzo]

"Not yet. Dad's coming over, too."

Which guarantees TOTAL AWKWARDNESS until he arrives. Yay!

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob quirks an eyebrow. "Why didn't you tell us you were going to do this, Enzo?"

[a1enzo]

Enzo's silent for a moment, then: "Too nervous."

Yeah, see? What'd we tell you? Awkward.

[command_dot_com]

"Well, it's going to be a bit before Dad gets here...I'll make some Cocoa." Dot says after a moment getting up from the couch and heading for the kitchen.

It's part to ensure some ease in the tension and part giving Enzo the space to get ready to talk.

[a1enzo]

"Thanks, Sis."

He appreciates the thought. And the Cocoa.

[nullofscience]

*******************

In from the PO, 'tis our man null, Welman! He steps in, saying...

"Okay, son. What did you wish to...talk to me about?"

Awkward feelings are contagious, so naturally when he walks into a room full of it with a gathering he didn't expect, it's rather easy for a sentence to be derailed for a bit. The null looks from one (Cal) to the next sprite and so on, then...

"Umm...what's going on?"

[a1enzo]

Enzo lowers his mug. "Hi, Dad. I... kind of have something I need to tell you. And Dot, and Bob."

[command_dot_com]

"We're listening."

Really...if Enzo has gotten himself into trouble, it's best to let him talk it all out.

Though it's somewhat worrying that he isn't spilling it all at once like he used to.