[Phone Call to Bes]

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Um... Cal? I don't mean to bother you on a school night, but... I'm coming to New York next week along with my sister Mel and Apollo and their twins... And, well... I was wondering...

Do you have any Valentine's plans?

Comments

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Uh, Amanda? Um... No. *She can hear a little swallow as he takes a moment. The call was a surprise... but a really pleasant one.*

No plans at all. I mean, the Club said something about making me chaperone the dance if I didn't have plans but, well, um, if you're in town... Well, then, no. I won't have plans at all. I'll be here if you want me.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Oh, there's going to be a dance? My last dance was senior prom. Are chaperones allowed to bring dates?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

... I guess so? It's pretty laid-back. You might end up with some pretty, uh, suave ten year olds hitting on you, though. We'd have to come up with a signal if you need rescuing.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Does that mean I shouldn't be all dressed up for the occasion? [She's totally teasing.]

Ten year olds, hmm? The horror, the horror! How lucky for me to have a brave knight to ride in on his white stallion to defend my virtue.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Heh, I'll do what I can. If you're going to give up a nice night out with someone else to spend with the kids and me, I'll do my best to make sure you have fun.

And... Uh, you can wear whatever you want. I'm sure you'll look great no matter what.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm sure we'll have a delightful time. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing you. ♥

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to seeing you, too. Maybe, uh, we can grab something to eat after the dance. My treat.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

That sounds lovely. When does the dance run? Until... 8? 9? Shouldn't be any problem, though I might need a 15-minute break between the two. I'm still nursing Alex on a regular schedule, so I'll probably need to express around the usual feeding times.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Oh, right. Gotcha. It goes until about 7:30 and then with clean up and all... Well, we'd be done by 8 at the latest. I, uh, can take you back to where you're staying first and then we can go get something to eat if you want. Or there's rooms at the Club... Or, I guess, my place isn't far.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

You lovely, sweet, adorable man...
I"m sure your place will be just fine.

What time do things begin? And, where shall we meet?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

The dance begins at 5 but they like the chaperones to get there early. You don't have to go when I go. I can head there early, help set up, and then come and get you wherever you're staying. If you don't mind me picking you up, that is. It's hard getting a cab sometimes in this town.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

I'll bet. But... actually... We're not staying anywhere specific. We were planning to spend the nights with friends. Some newer than others. Yes, that's a hint. Take it. Please.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Oh. [Long pause as he processes this, hesitates, hopes... Well, damn.] If it gets too late to get you back to the others, you can always crash at my place. Simba will probably love you.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

[She notes that pause. No need to hope. You can bet your buttons on that one.]
Thank you. I appreciate that. I can't wait to meet him.

We'll be stopping by Aphrodite's first to drop off the twins. Laurel's sweet on Anthony, and they wanted to come too, so they'll be staying with her. If Dite doesn't mind... Maybe you could pick me up from there?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

That sounds great. I know the way there. Me and Ivy and Anthony are buddies. [He gives a shy little laugh.] I'll just make sure to bring enough valentines for two more munchkins.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Laurel and Julian are good kids. A little rambunctious, but cute. They all get along pretty well.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

That's good. Do you know if they have a favorite candy or something? What's your favorite candy? [Really smooth, Cal, really smooth.]

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

[She chuckles a little]
Laurel loves gummy bears. Julian likes anything that has a filled center of some kind, but, failing that, he also likes peppermint. Bonus points for both. As for me... Well, I've yet to meet a chocolate I didn't like, but I have a real weakness for chocolate-covered fruit. You know, like Queen Anne's cherries or dipped strawberries or things like that.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Hm. Looks like it's gonna be an interesting trip to the candy store. Heh, I've made the mistake of getting Ivy into the Terry's Chocolate Oranges. I think I'm her, um, supplier now.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

I'm sure there are worse things she could be addicted to.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I hear from the kids at the Club that My Little Pony addiction is pretty intense.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. The wars over which one is best can be brutal.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Yep. When everyone knows Fluttershy is the best... *He trails off with a faint, self-deprecating laugh.*

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

There's no shame in being a brony. And she is very sweet.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I assure you I'm just taking the word of some 8 year old girls on this one.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

All right then. I know I played with them too when I was little.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I think my sisters still have theirs, actually. Leah used to claim all of the unicorns. Ingrid claimed the pegasi... Which pretty much left Anna to go crying to Mom because she didn't want to be stuck with the so-called Earth ponies.

... Huh, it kinda makes you feel bad for those ponies.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Every pony has something special.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Exactly. Way I understand it, that's the whole point of the marks on their butts.

*pauses* Wish more people would get that.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

You mean the cutie mark?

And hey. That's the great thing about teaching, isn't it? To guide young people to see it?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Yep, you're right. The kids are worth anything. Work, time, whatever...

And thanks for the proper terminology. Heh, I'll be impressing the 7 year old girls in no time now.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

As if they didn't already have kid-crushes on Mr. H?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

*faint laugh* If they do, it's only because I seem mature when compared to a 7 year old boy.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Nonsense! What isn't to like?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

About 7 year old boys? Well, they tend to do things like pull hair and shout a lot.

... Thanks... I, y'know... I'm really looking forward to meeting you face to face.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

So am I. I can't wait. I'm sure we're going to have an amazing time together.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I'll do my best to make sure you have fun. I'll, um, see you really soon, Amanda. Erato.

I better get some sleep before the kids do me in tomorrow. Have sweet dreams, huh?

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Yeah, sorry. Wouldn't want to keep you up too late. Good night! Sweet dreams!