Homes or Quarters

[G. Novella]

Amelia nodded, trying to make sense of this and not start hyperventilating. Maybe Vicky would help her out later, or her other brothers would disagree. She wanted to cry and scream and-and-and whatever else would explain her frustrations. Before she could relax, and try to counter Robby's plans, she heard Robby's voice outside the door, "Let's get inside before he gets here!"

Amelia panicked, and paled immediately. How could Robby just bring some stranger home to see her?! Worse, she was covered in flour! And had no idea what was going on! She wanted to run and hide inside her room, and pretend it wasn't real, but instead she stared at the door with large, shocked eyes. Before anything happened, however, the door flew open, and in walked two boys. Amelia's eyes slid past Robby to the second boy, as she stared at him, blushing from head to toe. It was fairly obvious she knew what was going on.

"Dammit! He got ahead of us!" Cried Robby angrily, glaring at Joshua and missing Amy's discomfort and shock.

[eskimoRock]

Joshua spun around as the door opened and Amelia's brother was silhouetted in the doorway.

"I wasn't aware that this was a competition." he said coolly. "I simply wished to visit my friend. Why, anything you don't want your sister to know?"

He knew he shouldn't be getting angry, but he couldn't help it. How could somebody do this to their little sister?

[G. Novella]

Robby glared at Joshua, as Amelia tried not to look at the other boy in the room and instead pretend nothing was happening. To her immense relief, Kenny came over and asked for more dough, and she rushed to lead the toddler away to play with dough. Meanwhile, Robby was watching Joshua with a glare, signifying he felt absolutely no guilt.

"Course not," said Robby coolly, "I tell me sister the truth, that's why we came. Course, I also respect my friend's family and their rights to make decisions for each other that benefit them." That was a lie, since Robby pretty much marched to his own beat, but Joshua didn't need to know that.

[eskimoRock]

Joshua watched Amelia walking away worriedly before turning back to Robby.

"Well, I certainly haven't told Amelia anything." Joshua lied. "She's right over there, if you want to speak to her."

[G. Novella]

"You haven't?" Asked Robby incredulously, certain that Amelia's reaction suggested she knew. She was certainly humiliated rather than indifferent. No, Amelia knew, and he was being lied to. Yet, at the same time, if he went along with it, then he'd have an excuse to tell at Joshua later, and maybe even kick him out!

"Haven't told me what?" Asked Amelia nervously as she returned, Kenny on her hip as he played with dough, and Benny strolling beside them, pretending to be a soldier.

[eskimoRock]

Joshua raised his eyebrows and then smiled at Amelia.

"Exactly. I think your brother wants to talk to you though."

[G. Novella]

"Robby?" Asked Amelia, trying and failing to keep her voice steady as she glanced at her older brother, who was glaring daggers at Joshua.

"I want you to meet someone! This is Rylan! He's a good friend of mine, sort of like Joshua is to you, but better," rambled Robby, as Amelia kept her gaze fixed on Robby, resolutely avoiding looking at Rylan, wondering how he was feeling about this. "Anyways, so I was thinking, we should all become friends! Yes, I'll get to know Joshua, and you can get to know Rylan!"

[eskimoRock]

Joshua frowned. Did he really think that his sister was that stupid? And he was sure that the "but better" dig was supposed to upset him, but it just made him want to laugh.

"Why would we all be friends?" he asked finally. "You don't like me, you made that clear."

[G. Novella]

"Well, let me fix that," said Robby with a tight smile, as Amelia stared at Robby with incredulity. Did he really think he was going to make everything okay by lying further to her?!

"Why does R-Ry-Rylan want to know me better?" Asked Amelia, stuttering over the other boy's name out of embarrassment, and then with a frown she added, "And what do you mean by get to know each other better?"

"Good questions," muttered Robby, trying to think of a suitable answer, "We'll, er, because you're my sister, and you brought him over yesterday, so why can't my friends get to know my family? And by know each other better, Er, well, ehm, why don't we go riding, or play some kind of game? I'm sure we'll figure it out!"

[eskimoRock]

Joshua could tell that Robby was making it up as he went along, and decided not to call his bluff. It was entertaining to watch him, anyway.

"What kind of game do you want to play?" He asked pleasantly.

[G. Novella]

"Ah, good question, what kind of game do people play in these kinds of situations?" asked Robby, fishing for some help. Amelia seemed to be determinedly avoiding Rylan, and he needed to force them together somehow. "I know! We can saddle the horses and go for a ride. Rylan's good at kitchen work and kids. He can help Amy prepare lunch while you and I grab the horses! Let's go! We can even take the twins!"

Amelia's eyes widened and her cheeks flamed at Robby's suggestion. She didn't even know what to say, as the twins, who had perked up at the words game, began to cheer at the idea of going on a picnic. Amelia didn't mind, what she did mind, was being alone with Rylan. The idea made her extremely uncomfortable, knowing what Robby intended.

[eskimoRock]

Joshua loathed the idea of being alone, but he didnt know how to get out of this situation.

"Are you okay with that?" he asked Amelia quietly. She looked hugely embarrassed, and he wasn't sure about leaving her alone in that situation. "We'll meet you afterwards for the picnic."

[G. Novella]

Amelia gaped at Joshua, and whispered, "No! What am I supposed to say?! Please don't go!"

But before Joshua could help her, Robby moved, and with a strong arm, he grabbed Joshua around the shoulders, determined to keep the noble away from his little sister. He grinned, pleased with his plan.

"Time's a-wastin!" he called out jovially, "Don't worry Amy, Rylan's got a gajillion sisters, he's used to kitchen work! Let's get going!"

[eskimoRock]

"Make the food as quickly as you can and meet us out there." Joshua whispered to Amelia before being dragged away by her brother.

Once they got outdoors, complete silence fell and Joshua sighed, feeling uncomfortable. He had not planned this at all.

[G. Novella]

Robby found himself upset at the fact that he'd had to leave, and awkwardly glanced at Joshua. They hardly had anything in common to discuss, and he doubted they'd get along. No. Robby didn't want to get along with him. He wanted Joshua as far away from Amelia as possible. However, currently he was battling the curious part of him, determined to spy on Amelia and Rylan, and the brother side of him, telling him to keep Joshua away from Amy.

"Let's go then," he said, turning to move to the side window of the house, curiosity winning, "You go saddle the horses, I'll be on my way."

[eskimoRock]

"I don't know where it is, you're going to have to show me." Joshua said slyly. "besides, Amelia would notice if you started peeking through the window."

[G. Novella]

"Yeah right," snorted Robby, forgetting himself for a moment, "If Amelia notices anything while she's stammering, I'm a rich man. And I wasn"5 going to peak anyways! Now, er, just, play with a branch or something until I get back, alright? I have to, er, find a-a bucket or something."

[eskimoRock]

"I know you think I am, but I'm not stupid, you know." Joshua said, raising his eyebrows. "and it's highly unchivalrous to spy on ones own sister, you know."

[G. Novella]

"Except I'm spying on my best mate, so either we argue about this here, on the doorstep where they can hear us, or you let me go spy on them. If you want, tag along, but keep quiet! And besides, it's not like we'll be seeing more than Amy and Rylan stammering anyways, so it's not a big deal," said Robby with a glare.

[eskimoRock]

Joshua rolled his eyes. This guy really was an idiot. He followed, remembering that he could just talk to Amelia about it later, and sat down on the grass when they reached the window, leaning up against the house as Robby strained to listen.

"This is ridiculous." he muttered.

[Nahara46]

Rylan watched in silence, unsure of how to add anything in. Then, just like that, Robby and Joshua were gone. He was silent for a moment, trying not to stare at the clearly embarrassed Amelia. Sighing, Rylan figured it would be best to let her in on what was going on.

"I'm rather sure that Joshua already told you what was going on, but just in case I'd like to let you know. Your brother got the idea that I'd be a fine lad to court you," He gave her the same comforting smile that he gave his sisters whenever they were upset, "You certainly appear and seem like a nice girl, so, if you don't mind, I would genuinely like to have a chance to get to know you.... Don't worry though, I don't plan to force you into anything, and I won't let Robby pressure you."

[G. Novella]

"What was the point of me being stealthy if he was just going to say it?!" muttered Robby with incredulity, but straining to hear Amelia's reply.

"Yes, well, Robby's an idiot that should mind his own business," muttered Amelia, letting Kenny down at his insistence, despite wanting to bury her head into his hair and hide her flaming red cheeks and ears. "I-I don't-I mean, yeah, let's get to know each other." She was relieved, realizing Rylan was far calmer than her brother. From the little bit she'd heard of the boy, she'd always assumed he was much like Robby's boisterous and loud personality, always getting into trouble with Robby. At least he wasn't like that, she thought to herself. "Umm, I'm Amelia, then," she continued, not looking Rylan in the eye but rather focusing on his shoes, "You-You're Rylan, right? That was stupid, I mean, you and Robby-you're the Rylan who Robby gets into trouble with, right?"

[eskimoRock]

Joshua grinned. Amelia sounded about as awkward as she had after she had found out about his parentage. At least this Rylan boy was being honest about the whole scenario, unlike Amelia's fool of a brother...

[Nahara46]

Rylan snorted, "More like I'm the Rylan that Robby get's into trouble. That boy drags me into more trouble then I ever could!" He shook his head in exasperation, his tone amused. He could easily see how uncomfortable Amelia was, so he figured it was best to just act friendly and good-natured until she loosened up. Turning her asked, "So, what shall we be making for lunch?"

[G. Novella]

Amelia smiled weakly at Rylan's comment. Then remembering the lunch, she nodded, and smoothed her skirt, getting flour on it. "I-I'm making some bread, and their's some venison and potato broth boiling on the fire. We can make buns and soup, if-if you want to."

Robby was meanwhile muttering about Rylan's lies and how he wasn't that bad.

[Nahara46]

"Of course I would like to," He grinned as he thought back to home, "I cook all the time at home... Nice to do it with someone other then my sisters, as lovely as they may be, it's good to have a break." Rylan moved to help in whatever way he could.

[G. Novella]

"I've al-always wanted a sister," said Amelia, then frowning in the direction of the door, "One that's not as crazy as Vicky. Robby says you have fifty or so, I assume he means five, how many is it?" Amelia nervously moved back to where the dough was, and began to roll it out and knead it. Then realizing she needed to give Rylan something to do, broke it in half, and gently rolled the large ball of dough to Rylan, dropping her own in the bargain. Blushing a bright red, she scrambled and lifted it up, before turning to rinse it.

Outside, Robby was snickering behind his hand at how predictable Amelia was.

[Nahara46]

"Thanks," Rylan said as he took the dough she offered. When she dropped her own, he merely gave a friendly smile and acted as if nothing had happened. As he began kneeding his dough, he spoke. "Well, I have four sisters- Mary who is 23, we haven't seen her in awhile as she married a traveling merchant. Then there's Giselle who is 22, you might know her- she's a blacksmiths wife and has a little boy. Victoria and Kaitlin are the twins, both rather adventurous 15 year olds. My mother died when they were born, so my Dad remarried my step-mum, Felicia. Mum brought along Heather, Patricia and Grace, who are 6, 5 and 2. So, I have four sisters and three step-sisters... Close enough to fifty, right?"

He realized he was rambling, but Rylan figured that filling the awkward silence would help- Plus, she would get to know him better.

[G. Novella]

"Y-Yeah. I-I think I saw Giselle once or twice, with Vicky, she-she's pretty. Vicky takes the twins down time to time," said Amelia, amazed at the sisters, her eyes widening as she began rekneading the dough. "I-I've only had brothers my entire life. I-I can't even imagine that many sisters. And even when Vicky married Kent, she had two boys before getting pregnant again. Mu-mum says it's a boy, but I think she want's a girl. Johnny's marrying Evelyn, the baker's daughter, but they're staying at the bakery, cause Johnny's taking over, and Evelyn says she wants boys, to take the bakery over. And Robby- Well, he's not much of a marrying type, or good with girls, you know? What's it like being the only boy?"

[Nahara46]

Rylan quietly listened to Amelia, nodding his head every so often to show he was listening. When Amelia mentioned Robby not being the marrying time, Rylan grinned and rolled his eyes. As she asked him a questioned, he paused for a moment to consider her answer. "I guess a bit rough, being the only boy able to work on the farm other then my father, but for the most part it's alright... Of course, I have to chase off the boys from Victoria and Kaitlin, which is enough work as it is!" Which was true, Victoria and Kaitlin were both well known in the village, and enjoyed flirting with boys.