Homes or Quarters

[G. Novella]

Amelia burst into laughter at Joshua's reply, and she began to double over, laughing extremely hard. She grabbed Joshua's hand to prevent herself from falling over, as she giggled at his expression. He was just so serious and trying so hard.

"Pity the woman who falls for you. You're so serious! But you're not all that bad, at least you managed to follow along," said Amelia finally, before giving Joshua an amused glance, only to realize they were quite close now since she'd grabbed on to him.

[eskimoRock]

"You were just trying to embarrass me, weren't you?" Joshua said indignantly. "You're terrible! I was really worried I may offend you!" He couldn't help but laugh along with Amelia as his blush finally receded.

[G. Novella]

"I can't help it if you took it so seriously!" Said Amelia, throwing her hands up into the air, as she giggled again, "I didn't realize you'd need so much help on the matter! How are you ever going to fall in love if you can't even talk to a woman seductively? How will you get married like this?!"

[eskimoRock]

"I told you I was terrible at it!" Joshua grinned. "You completely underestimated how much I meant that! Still, I suppose you'll see me in the market in 50 years, shouting at young people. You should ask how the whole romance thing went then."

[G. Novella]

"You're just a late bloomer," assured Amelia, "Johnny was. Don't worry, if you end up a lonely old man, I'll come find you as a spinster and we can yell at children together." Despite her smile, it was evident she wasn't happy as she said it.

[eskimoRock]

"Then it's a deal." Joshua sighed. "Although I can't see it happening! You'll probably be busy with your big family, and you can bring them to my stall and I'll sell them potatoes!"

[G. Novella]

Amelia laughed softly, trying but failing to see herself with a big family. Especially not if she would end up infecting her own children. Maybe if she met a wizard someday, that wasn't a creep. Were there non-creep y wizards out there?

"Potatoes?" asked Amelia with a smirk, "Where will you get these potatoes from?"

[eskimoRock]

"I'll probably grow them." Joshua laughed. "Not that I know how, but I could learn!"

[G. Novella]

"I see," said Amelia with a faux serious nod, before she stretched her neck and frowned. "We're getting no where! When do you leave for the Training Academy? We need to have a plan before then!"

[eskimoRock]

"I'm not actually sure!" Joshua frowned. "Tomorrow, maybe?"

[teehee100]

"I don't think I was harmed badly. However, I'll need to change my bandages sooner than planned." aura replies with a gentle smile. "Is Grace going to be alright?"

[Nahara46]

Biting his lip, Rylan carefully replied, "Well... That's good, but I hope you won't mind my mother checking you over. She worries over the smallest of things and will want to check you over. Honestly I think that it's for the best; that was a pretty nasty accident in there." The boy regretted that last bit instantly when Aura inquired about Grace,

"Well.. Grace should be alright. It'll hurt, but it'll also heal. Mother will make sure she turns out fine."

[teehee100]

"that is good." she replies. Aura sighs, "A lot of things seem to be going wrong today."

[G. Novella]

Amelia froze at Joshua's words, shocked at how soon his departure was. How soon she'd have to plan her escape for. A sudden sadness overcame her, and she lowered her eyes to the ground.

"That soon?" she asked softly.

[eskimoRock]

"Yeah, I think so." Joshua grimaced. "I was trying to work out a way to get out of it, but I can't see one."

[G. Novella]

"Well, that's awful," said Amelia, still frowning. Soon Joshua would be returning back with Robby and Rylan, a full-fledged witch-hunter. Ready to take the world on and kill her. She shuddered, and wondered if they would, once they had been poisoned against witches, once it became their job.

"Good luck," she added, smiling weakly at Joshua, sad to see her first friend go.

[eskimoRock]

"I'll try and come back on my days off!" Joshua smiled. "You won't be able to get rid of me, honest."

[Nahara46]

"At least we can't say today was boring." Rylan replied, offering a grin in an attempt to cheer the girl up. She'd been much too forlorn for the few hours he'd known her.

[G. Novella]

Amelia nodded, swallowing back any tears. Even if Joshua did come back, she wouldn't be here any longer. She'd overstayed anyways. Impulsively, she hugged Joshua suddenly, blinking back the tears as she did.

[eskimoRock]

Joshua blinked in surprise as Amelia hugged him, and patted her tentatively on the back. "What's wrong?"

[teehee100]

Aura laughs at this and says "that is a good way to look at things. Do you know when you are leaving for the training academy?" Aura looks at Rylan with concern.

[G. Novella]

"Nothing," she said softly, "Just going to miss you and everyone else. It's going to be lonely here."

[Nahara46]

Rylan shrugged, "No idea. I'm not really interested myself- though the adventure aspect sounds interesting enough and there is good pay... I'm mostly just following Robby to keep him from getting killed, so I'll go when he does." After a few moment he asked in an attempt to turn the conversation away from him, "So what do you plan to do now? Not... Not that I'm trying to rush you."

[eskimoRock]

"I know what you mean, I'm barely going to know anybody at the academy." Joshua sighed. "Well, apart from your brother and Rylan... what are the chances of Robby running me through with a sword?"

He smiled in a feeble attempt at cheering Amelia up.

[teehee100]

Aura shrugs, "I'm not entirely sure. This was so sudden and this kind of situation was never really discussed in my family. I suppose I might try and contact some old friends, but..." she pauses in sudden contemplation, "maybe this is a chance to change things for myself. What do you think I should do?"

[G. Novella]

"I'd assume the second he gets one," said Amelia, a smile returning to her face as she backed away slowly. "He's not exactly hidden his dislike, now has he?"

-----

Hearing the quieted down sounds from the house, Robby stood up and walked back to the house. He poked his head through the door to check that it was calmer. "Everyone okay now?" he asked Rylan and Aura, catching site of them.

[teehee100]

Seeing Robby come in she tells him, "I believe so, though I haven't been checked yet. (looks to rylan again) sorry for the trouble."

[eskimoRock]

"That's what I thought!" Joshua grinned. "But I agree, he wasn't very subtle about it. I could practically feel him glaring holes in my head."

[Nahara46]

"I think a second chance at life should never be turned down with a thought. You know that both my family and Amelia's would be happy to take you- especially as both are losing a child for a time and would appreciate the help. You could pick up some skills as a seamstress, maid or nurse and find work; or.... you could find someone nice to settle down with. Your possibilities are really endless." Rylan rambled as he considered ways he could help Aura along as she tried to take control of her life that went up in flames all too quickly; and all too literally.

When Robby entered, Rylan turned around and rolled his eyes at his friend, "We're all good... What did you do anyway? Take off the moment the tears came?" He teased lightly.

[teehee100]

Aura smiles at Rylan's suggestions 'He is so thoughtful' she says internally. "thank you for the suggestions, it certainly gives me plenty to think about. Robby if you cannot Handel crying children how can you face witches and wizards who are arguably scarier than crying children?"