Colin's posts

Jaden sighed quietly and looked at Desiree.

"I think I almost did." he admitted.

"But I'm fine." he told her. "Seriously." he said.

"I'm a lot calmer now, and I think I will be, going forward." he continued.

Darryl raised an eyebrow when he heard that.

"Well, good." he said. "...you've been needing to do that for a long while now."

"Eh-heh, sorry." Bast apologised.

"And what can I say? The mind is fascinating." he told them.

"Why a brain works the way it does, why it's different than another brain, even though they're physically the same..." he went on.

"I want to be able to delve into the mind, and see how different people are." he continued.

"And I want to take that to a therapist's job, because I think I may be able to offer some unique insights and solutions, given my... heritage." he added.

"It's cool." Bast told her.

"It's nice to have someone interested in my schoolwork." he said further.

"Your parents aren't?" Jaden asked.

"Mom really couldn't care less." Bast sighed. "Well... all right, that's a lie, she could. All she cares about is if I'm acing it." he told them. "It's her way of saying she wants me to succeed and be the best I can be." he went on.

"Dad asks from time to time, but I know he has his own life and such, and sometimes what I say goes over his head." he then admitted.

"So Mrs Sherwood showing interest in what I'm studying is a refreshing break."

"I'll try." he told her.

"That's all I can promise." he said.

"Just... I'll try." he mumbled.

He then shook his head once more, and sighed again.

"Try and tell me when I'm crossing the line." he then said.

"Or have your mother drill it into me or something." he went on.

"Because I know I'll slip up in the future."

Jaden took her hand and rose to his feet.

"So this is a surprise to him as well, is it?" he asked.

"I admit, he has a good poker face." he said.

"Seemed like you all were in on that little stunt. Save for Darryl." he commented. "Then again, he has a bad poker face." he admitted further.

"But hey, what happens with you and Sebastien right now, is your business." he continued.

"Here's hoping you know what you're doing."

Jaden sighed in relief again.

"Thank you." he said.

"That's all I needed to hear." he told her.

And she could hear the relief and serenity in his tone. Just hearing that was enough to put his mind at ease.

"Anyway." he said further.

"Shall we head back in?" he asked.

Jaden just sighed heavily again.

"Do me a favour." he said.

"Tell me you're not going to be doing anything with him in your room." he told her.

"I don't even care if it's a lie." he then admitted.

"I just need to hear the words come from your mouth. That's all." he said.

"My daughter can be doing things with boys, sure, but at least let me have the peace of mind to think that it won't be in her room, while we're still home." he continued, shaking his head.

"Again, even if it's a lie, just... just say it, okay?"

Jaden just sighed, and she could hear the massive relief in it.

"Good." he said.

"Your mother's a good judge of character. And Lex and Llilm are trustworthy." he reasoned.

"And if you like Sebastien, and he likes you back, then go for it." he told her.

"But please... don't let me know about your private dealings." he then said.

"I'm sure nobody in the house wants to hear about it." he reasoned further, before pausing.

"...unless your mother and you have some sort of 'girl-talk' about it, I don't know that sort of dynamic." he admitted.

Jaden shook his head some.

"I know." he said.

"Again, like your grandmother." he told her.

"...and am I okay with the future?" he then asked in response.

"Maybe." he said.

"Is your mother okay with you pursuing a future with Sebastien?" he asked her.

"If she is... then I am, too." he told her.

"I just want you to be happy, sweetie..." he then said with a small smile.

"..." Jaden was silent for a moment.

"...I know." he then said.

"I... I know." he repeated. "You're a lot like your grandmother that way." he said with a light laugh. "Guess her sense of humour rubbed off on you." he reasoned.

"Makes sense, you spent so much time with her." he went on.

"...regardless, I had a feeling you were doing that on purpose." he continued.

"Hence why I left so abruptly, and came out here. I didn't want to say anything I didn't mean, and I would regret later."

They watched her go, an Bast shook his head slightly.

"Even -I- have to admit, that was cruel." he said.

"Mr. Sherwood's restraint WAS impressive, though." he then admitted further.

Jordan found her father outside, sitting in one of the lawn chairs, clutching at his hair and hat, head down near his knees.

It was clear he was struggling right now, and she could almost FEEL how he wanted to scream out.

Jaden almost had no voice now.

He was trying very hard not to explode right now, and it showed.

Instead, he merely shoved himself away from the table, quickly got to his feet, and left the room.

Darryl was silent for another moment, and then sighed heavily.

"...it is." he told her.

"It was never undone. To answer your question."

Bast just leaned back in his chair.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Mighty short notice." he commented.

"Buuuut I think that's doable." he told her.

Jaden, meanwhile, was practically beside himself with fury and disbelief, as he sputtered incoherently, and tried his best not to lash out with the knee-jerk reaction that was threatening to emerge.

And Darryl had just leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.

The reactions were... mixed, amongst those that were there.

Desiree had a knowing look, hidden behind a small smirk.

Darryl's eyes had widened a little, and he looked over towards Jaden to see what would happen.

Bast looked completely surprised by the sudden question, but shrugged.

"I wouldn't have any objections to that." he said.

Jaden had been taking a bit of dessert when that all transpired, and he'd almost choked on it, nearly spitting it back up before forcibly swallowing.

"ExCUSE me!?" he exclaimed.