22

[takethat]

[Thanks to Larry not knowing how to operate a stepladder correctly, Phoenix is currently laid up in bed, blue cast on his right leg, and an endless stream of whining ever at the ready.

He's also incredibly bored. Painting and drawing got old long ago, and he can't seem to stay focused on anything he tries to read. Never mind that he could probably pretty easily get out of bed and actually do something despite his (not very severely) broken leg...

He whines, over-dramatic, into the journal.]

Don't trust Larry Butz, everybody... he'll just break your bones and make you miserable...

...on a related note, come and sign my cast.

[With a bit of apprehension, he adds a filter.]



Um... Trucy? ...mind keeping your uh... old man... company for a little while?

[Good lord but he feels ridiculous even asking this of a teenager he's only just recently met.]

Comments

[takethat]

Ema's gotten violent in her old age, huh?

[magicalwright]

Violent probably isn't the word. I'd say grouchy!

[takethat]

Huh... I wonder what happened to her to make her like that?

[magicalwright]

She didn't get the job she wanted, I guess! Things were different when she came back too.

[takethat]

Different? In what way?

[magicalwright]

Oh, nothing major! Just different! I think she was gone for a while. [ It takes effort, but she manages to stifle most of the nervous laugh. ]

It doesn't matter though, she's a good detective for Mr. Gavin and she could always do her exam again! ... Plus, she carries out all the forensic stuff herself anyway, we're just not allowed to tell the forensic team.

[takethat]

What do you mean by "do her exam again"?

[Because the idea of Ema doing forensics under the table doesn't really surprise him.]

[magicalwright]

Well, she failed to qualify the first time...

[takethat]

Ah... poor Ema. Sounds like the future's a little bit rocky for her.

[magicalwright]

She'll be fine, she has me and Polly now!

[takethat]

[He smiles.]

I may not know "Polly," but I get the feeling you can brighten anybody's day.

[magicalwright]

[ Giggles! ]

It's a Wright thing! [ She swings her legs slightly off the edge of the bed. ] Are you sure you don't need, or want, anything?

[takethat]

I just wanted some company, and you've provided that. [He gives her a nudge with his cast-covered leg.] And another signature for this, too.

[magicalwright]

Hey! Be careful with that!! You'll break it more if you're not careful![ Her hands fly out to still his leg and here have a very genuine look of concern! :( ]

[takethat]

Don't worry so much! I'll be fine. [Though he really does appreciate the concern.]

[magicalwright]

You make it easy to worry about you. Besides, it's a daughters job to worry about her old man.

[takethat]

I guess I can't argue with that... ...hey! I'm still not old!

[magicalwright]

Always old to your daughter, Daddy, that's the rule!

[takethat]

Is there any point in trying to prove to you otherwise, or should I just accept my fate?

[magicalwright]

Accept it. It's the only way.

[takethat]

So if I got a rainbow mohawk, you wouldn't believe I'm young? How about zip-lining? What if I did that?

1/2

[magicalwright]

[ CONSIDERATION. ]

[magicalwright]

[ FOLLOWED BY bed shaking laughter. ]

[takethat]

[He can't help but join her--that laughter is infectious.]

It was just a thought...!

[magicalwright]

Really? Who would take you seriously then??