traumweber (traumweber) wrote in thesanctuaryrpg, @ 2017-06-08 03:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | !narrative, !thread, elliot ryers, hannah ryers, isabella ryers, player: lexi, player: megan, player: nicole |
Who: Elliot & Izzy & Hannah
Where: The Daily Grind & Sanctuary
When: Afternoon
What: Surprise Visit
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
Getting a text from El was always a reason to get excited, but the invitation to join him for coffee was unexpected. It was easy enough to get into town and find the little shop connected to the bookstore. She was glad it wasn't too far, but at the same time, it was a little strange to have El so close to Sanctuary. What if someone was watching and then he led them to their parents? They'd been careful over the last six months, but someone might have still made a connection when they met for Christmas.
Shaking the thoughts from her head, Izzy reminded herself that Elliot was about as careful a person as she knew. He'd never do something reckless enough to put their family in danger. Taking a deep breath, she pushed through the door to the coffee shop and looked around. It had been months since she'd seen her brother, and then it had been such a brief visit. So much had happened since then.
Spotting him in line, a smile burst across her face and she literally ran over, throwing her arms around him with all the abandon of a little sister. "Oh my goodness, El, I can't believe you're here!" There was barely a space between her words, but she didn't care. She was just so happy to see him.
He laughed, embracing her as he gave an apologetic glance to the person behind the counter as they waited for him. “Hey Iz, what can I get you?” Elliot asked, removing himself from the hug but keeping an arm around her. He ordered himself a coffee, black and got her a chai tea.
Once they ordered and their drinks came up the two of them moved to a table sort of in the corner but with a view of the door. “It’s good to see you, you’re looking good.” He said with a smile. He, himself, was dressed in a blue polo shirt with black jeans and a pair of nice shoes. As always he looked sharp. “I’ve missed you, oh and mom and dad send their love.”
Glancing down at her outfit, Izzy ran a hand over her wild curls. “You cut your hair,” she said. “It looks good. Kinda miss the length, though,” she teased. Taking a moment to sip on her chai, she looked around at the other customers. There weren’t too many people, which was good, but it was crowded enough to keep an eye out. Even so, her main focus was on her brother, thrilled to have him sitting at the table with her. “Thanks, by the way, for running interference with them. Did they take the news okay? Or should I go into witness protection?” In part, it was a joke, but honestly, she wasn’t sure they’d forgive her any time soon for dropping out of college and running around alone to look for Hannah, and then not telling them any of it. Honestly, though, with El checking leads for her, she’d probably been about as safe as she could have been, given the circumstances.
Elliot brushed a hand through his hair, it was shorter than it had been, less shaggy and much more business ready. After leaving the game he’d kinda of let himself get lazy about some things but now that he was entering a new chapter of his life, he needed to look good. After all, Soleil was vouching for him and he couldn’t let her down. “They’re… going to get over it. I mean of course number one, they’re glad you’re safe but, yea a little upset about the lying. Hell, you got off easy. I was read the riot act for helping you.” He said with a smile to let her know he didn’t hold her responsible.
Laughing just a bit, she shook her head. “How did I get off easy? You should have been a lawyer, El. You missed your calling.” She really did feel badly for running off the way she had, but she knew they wouldn’t have let her go if she’d asked for permission or anything like that, and since she was the only one without a job, or financial obligations, it just made sense that she should be the one to go. At least, it had made sense to her at the time. She’d called El as soon as it was too late to turn back, though. That, at least, had been a wise move.
Elliot shook his head, similar to how she had- it was moments like that where you could tell they were related. “I’ve worked with lawyers. I studied business law. I’d rather live at home the rest of my life, working for dad.” Which is ironically what he had been doing the past five years. At least he’d made enough before it to throw Izzy money for her search. “What they really want, I’m sure, is to talk to Hannah. How is she? She won’t return my texts.” And the dreams he’d eavesdropped on had been nightmares.
With a little shrug, Izzy shook her head, her eyes trained on her chai. “She’s been through a lot,” she said honestly. “The little bit she told me was pretty bad, but she doesn’t really want to talk to me about it. Then she sees me acting normal, and feels bad about that, too. I think she blames herself for everything that’s happened, and nothing I can say seems to be helping.” She ran a hand over her hair and scratched at her head. “I just try to be around as much as possible, but not be in the way. She’s gotta process things in her own way, I know that, but it’s hard to watch her suffering through it.”
He reached out and placed a hand on her arm. “She’s safe, that’s what’s important now. She’ll open up when she’s ready.” At least he hoped. Perhaps he could get her to talk, they’d been close before, having spent so much more time together before Izzy showed up. “You know we all have a habit of protecting each other from things. It’s an annoying family trait.” Elliot said with a small smile as he took a sip of his coffee.
That little touch was such a comfort. She was so glad to have him there in person for a while, even if it was only a quick visit. “That’s true,” she said. A small laugh escaped her. “Do you remember that time with the tree? When we kept daring each other to climb higher?” She couldn’t quite finish the story, laughing harder now, but somehow managing to keep the volume down for the other customers. “Your face! Elliot! Your face!” Sure, she wasn’t making all that much sense… but really? Who could forget a moment like that?
He rolled his eyes slightly, chuckling. “I almost broke a bone thanks to you.” Elliot teased. “Thankfully it was just a sprain. I was grounded for a month, then again I was old enough to know better.” God he’d missed his sisters so much. But that’s what happened with time, people drift apart and have to make it a point to keep in touch. It was good things were about to change. “Man, Lil Iz, I missed you so much.”
Sobering up just a bit, she nodded. The ending of that story never really stuck in her mind very well. It was always the moment when Izzy stuck out her tongue at El and climbed up past him, seeing his face go all competitive that stuck in her mind. The ending sucked. Scooting her chair a bit closer, she gave him a big hug again. “I really missed you too.” She dragged the hug out for a moment before finally sitting back up. “So, how long until you have to head back again?” She wanted him to stay, but she also knew he was busy with a lot of things back home, and she wasn’t about to guilt trip him into staying any longer than he could. Especially not when he’d been running interference for her this whole time, and chasing down leads for her to follow. It wouldn’t have sat right if she did.
“About that.” He said taking another sip of his coffee, looking at her over the lip of his cup.
Looking back at him, a smile slowly formed on Izzy’s face and she pushed his shoulder a bit. “Stop it! Are you playing with me right now?”
He coughed slightly as some coffee momentarily went down the wrong pipe. He smiled and laughed briefly, all his years of playing cool made it easy to keep his excitement in check, but it was a little more difficult with his sister. “I was thinking about it.” It was a half-truth considering he’d already committed to staying. “How would you feel about it if I did?”
Seeing how El was trying to play it chill, Izzy sat back in her chair a bit and sipped her chai, her expression going nearly blank if not for the faintest hint of a glow in her eyes. “Stay or don’t,” she shrugged. “We were never close anyway.” She managed to maintain her air of calm for another sip of chai before she broke out in a huge smile. “Do you need help moving your things in? I can help you unpack, put your socks in the freezer and popcorn in your pillowcase.”
“And you would too.” He said with a grin. “I’ve not got much, few suitcases in my car.” Elliot knew it was a big thing for him to be there, the three of them hadn’t been in the same place for any length of time in years. “So, yea. I’ll be staying a while. Figure I can do some good and get out of mom and dad’s hair for a while.” He’d made sure that their books were good and that they’d be secure while all their kids were away. He’d tried to talk them into retiring but they refused, too stubborn.
With a squeal of delight, Izzy jumped up and practically tackled him as she threw her arms around him. After a really good hug, and a moment to calm down, she sat back down, buzzing with excitement. “I can’t believe it, El. Mom and Dad don’t need you?” She knew he wouldn’t have left them without getting them set up first, but she still felt the need to ask. After all, they were officially empty nesters now. Not that his leaving changed that, but she did worry just a little bit.
Elliot hugged her back, his eyes closing a moment at how he’d missed it. “Oh, Iz, you know they did fine without me for years.” He chuckled. “They’re gonna be fine.” He finished his coffee and leaned on the table slightly, giving her a smile. “You wanna ride back?”
She only nodded an acknowledgement that their parents were fine. “Yes!” With a bright smile, Izzy nodded and pulled out her phone. “Should I call Hannah, or do you want to?” She pulled Hannah’s number and laid the phone squarely in the middle of the table, taking the few last sips of chai as she waited for him to decide.
“Don’t tell her I’m here... not yet.” He said, standing. “We have to have some fun with this right?” Elliot couldn’t pass up the chance to surprise both sister.
Back at Sanctuary, Hannah was holed up in her room, as usual, listening to music and trying not to think about things that were upsetting. She at least had Wubwub for some company, since Izzy had gone into town. Looking over to her phone as it vibrated, she read the text from her sister, asking her to meet her outside. For a moment, Hannah was tempted to ignore it, like she did to a lot of texts lately, but instead she just responded with an agreement. Shutting down her music and laptop, she headed outside, the pup tagging along at her side.
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The two siblings chatted about nothing in particular on the drive up to Crestwood, playing a little catch up since he’d seen her that Christmas. His car pulled up and he popped the hood, where the storage happened to be in his car. Hannah was waiting there outside and he flashed a grin to Izzy. “How much do you think she’s gonna freak?”
“Only completely,” Izzy said with a mischievous smile. She hopped out of the passenger side and waved at Hannah. “I found some creeper in town and decided to invite him over. I hope you don’t mind, but I promised him you’d hug him.” Sure, it was a stupid joke, but it was stupid enough that Hannah would probably know she was messing with her. Anyway, she knew Elliot was getting out of the car any second.
Hannah hadn’t even really realized what was going on at first. Pulling her earbuds out of her ears, she headed toward the car with an arched brow while the dog attacked Izzy with happiness as usual. When she saw her brother get out of the driver’s side, Hannah stopped short. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Despite her words, her tone was happily surprised, and she didn’t wait for a response before moving to give Elliot a hug. Even though she had mixed emotions about seeing him again, Hannah wasn’t sure she would ever see any of her family members again, so she’d work out the rest later.
He laughed, arms embracing her. “I’m happy to see you too Han.” Elliot kissed the top of her head and just held her a moment. “I missed you. You wanna help me with my bags?” Thankfully he’d gotten an email with his room information so he didn’t have to wait.
While her siblings were busy greeting one another, Izzy bent down and greeted Wubwub, keeping the pup busy so he didn’t try to interrupt the happy reunion. It still seemed almost unreal, having both of her siblings in one place. Walking around to the front of the car, she grabbed one of the bags and put it over her shoulder. She kept quiet for the moment, though, wanting Hannah and Elliot to have a chance to talk.
Hannah slipped out of the hug only a few seconds in, and then instantly felt guilty about it. Biting her lip, she looked up to Elliot but then just smirked and nodded, turning to grab one of his bags. “Missed you too. Nice car, can I drive it?”
“Maybe when you’re older.” He teased, it was the same thing he told her when he’d learned to drive a few years before her. He grabbed his last two bags and shut the hood. “We’ll see.” Elliot added, giving her an honest answer.
Elliot led them up the stairs, passing the two main housing floors and up to the fourth. “Let’s see it should be…” He set down his bags and pulled out his phone to double check the room number. “Ah, over here.”
Looking around in awe for a moment at how much bigger his room was, Izzy nodded. “Nice!” She started poking around, seeing what was already there. When Wubwub raced in past her and tried to sniff at the bed, she laughed and sent a clone to take him back downstairs. “I didn’t have time to play with him this morning,” she explained. “So, where do you want this stuff?” she asked, shifting the bag on her shoulder.
Following them up the stairs, Hannah looked around, also noticing the stark difference in the housing from the lower two floors. Whistling, she set down the bag near the bed. “Living in style up here, huh?” Hannah watched clone-Izzy take Wubwub away with a little frown, but said nothing. Turning back to Elliot, she plopped down on the edge of his bed. “So you’re like running the place here or something?”
“By the closet is great.” He said, setting down the two he carried. Elliot turned to look at his sisters. “No, not running. Wouldn’t dream.But I am helping to finance the Logistics and Medical departments.” He informed. When he got out of the game he never really told either of his sisters how much money he had or how he’d made it. He never lived that flashy lifestyle or spent cash without reason so they had no reason to question how much he’d actually made. They also didn’t know that while he’d started to work for his father once he’d come back, he never told them he wasn’t getting paid.
Oh, the clone wasn’t going to be gone long. Just long enough to help Wubwub get out some of his energy before bringing him back in. Izzy had already decided to broach the idea of Hannah taking him for a while, but with everything that was happening, the right time just never quite seemed to come. Maybe there was no such thing as the right time. Whatever the case, she’d probably ask Hannah later, if she seemed okay. She let out a whistle at the idea of her brother financing two departments on his own, but didn’t question it. As good as he was with their parents’ books, she was sure he’d figured out how to make his money work for him. She dropped the bag she was carrying by the closet and turned back to him. “So, does that mean you have to do anything with them? I mean besides writing checks.”
Elliot took as seat in the lone chair in the room. “I’ll have some say about things. I mean I’ll be kept apprised on how the money is being spent, and approve some of the larger expenditures. But I won’t be, like, ‘in the trenches’.” He replied.
Hannah just watched the two of them talking, still not sure how she felt about Elliot being here. But at least if he was one of the ones in charge, that seemed like a plus. “Why do you want to be here? I mean, I get it why Iz stays. She found me, and she’s got…” Hannah hesitated and glanced to her sister, unsure if she was bringing up something their brother didn’t know about. “She’s got friends here. Do you know people here too?”
“Besides the fact that I miss my sisters and worry about them?” He asked with an arched brow. “I do know one person in medical, she’s actually the one who gave me the lead.” Elliot replied. “Also, it’ll be nice to be able to help make a difference, better use of what I have then just sitting in a bank.” And cleaner conscious considering where the money came from. Not that he ever took from the ‘little guy’ but still.
Sprawling across the bed, Izzy settled onto her stomach where she could see both of them, leaving enough room for Hannah, if she wanted to make use of the bed, too. “She’s not the lead from six or seven weeks ago, is she?” After a bit of a rough interaction with one of the people she’s met at one of the clubs when she was off on her own, Izzy had needed a bit of help getting herself cleaned up. Calling El had been her first move, and he’d sent her to a place one of his leads recommended. They hadn’t asked any questions, which Izzy was grateful for. Neither had El. It hadn’t really been that bad, anyway, but sometimes it was just better to get a cut looked at.
“She?” Hannah was curious if this woman that Elliot talked about was a romantic interest, but she left it at that for now. Glancing to Izzy with confusion, she looked between her siblings trying to figure out what they were talking about. “A lead? I think I missed something here.”
“You mean the one that came up blank? Yea. That’s her. She used to run a practice down in Florida that sort of catered to mutants. Now she’s here leading the medical team.” Elliot explained, then turned to Hannah. “When you were taken, I tried to help Izzy with leads on where you might be. She went all over trying to find you.” He wasn’t sure how much Izzy had told Hannah about her search, only taking time off when the leads dried up. But he didn’t care, if it wasn’t something Hannah knew she should know.
Izzy shook her head. “Different lead, then, maybe. I meant the one that pointed me to the clinic. Unless it was her both times.” She just gave Hannah a smile, trying to remember exactly how much she’d shared. She’d definitely told her she was searching, and that El would be happy to see her, but she couldn’t remember if she’d mentioned El had helped her search. Of course, she’d tried to be as truthful as possible and had even been honest about taking time off from college, but sometimes things slipped her mind.
Looking between the two of them again, Hannah just nodded and leaned back on her hands with a little sigh. She still felt like she was missing something, such as why Izzy needed to go to a clinic, but she tried not to focus on it too much. “So, where do Mom and Dad think I was? Where do they think you guys are now?”
Elliot leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. “We didn’t want to worry them so we told them you were working a lot. It got thin sometimes- especially around the holidays, and I know they didn’t completely buy it but they at least went along with it. I helped cover for Izzy when she started the search- once she told me,” He cast her an older brother scolding glance. “Right now they know we’re safe and all together. I promised updates and phone calls. I sort of avoided details, but you know that won’t last long.”
Izzy could read the worry in Hannah’s expression and reached out to put a hand on her arm. “It wasn’t a big deal, just a little cut,” she said quietly. Shrinking back a bit at his look, Izzy put on a really fake smile, hoping to be able to squeak by again. “I didn’t want you to stop me,” she explained with a shrug.
Hannah looked to Izzy, trying to read her expression to see if she was really telling the truth. She gave up after a moment and tried to just focus on the present. “Okay.” She tried to think of something else to say, or to ask, but there was a lot going on in her head at the moment. Returning her attention to El, she arched a brow. “So, what do you think of the place so far?”
“Well, so far I’ve see the outside, the stairwell and my room. So far so good.” He answered with a teasing smile. “But with you to here, I’m sure it’ll be great. And hey, no longer 30 and still living at home.” Elliot added with a small victory fist raise.
In all honesty? Sure, Izzy hadn’t told Hannah everything that had happened. After all, Hannah had her own baggage to sort through. And it wasn’t like her knowing about it now would change what had already happened. For the moment, she just kept her hand on Hannah’s arm and listened to their conversation. Her clone finally returned with Wubwub, and came over to be reabsorbed. Wubwub sniffed around a bit, clearly better off for the short time he spent outside.
When the clone and the dog returned, Hannah slid off the bed to sit on the floor and pet the big puppy. She looked up to El, while trying to keep Wubwub occupied. “Do you want us to get out so you can settle in?”
Elliot smiled softly as Hannah played with the puppy. “While I don’t want to kick you out, I’m sure me unpacking my clothes will get very boring. How about we meet for dinner?” He offered, standing from his seat.
Crawling off the bed, Izzy hugged her brother tight, then touched Hannah’s shoulder on her way out. “I’ll wait in the hall, okay?” She didn’t wait for an answer, but went out to the hall to give them a little privacy in case they had a few other things to say.
When Izzy left, Wubwub followed her out with a wag of his tail. Hannah watched them go and then stood up with a little sigh. Turning to face her brother, she struggled to make eye contact before just giving up and looking at the floor. “I’m glad you’re here. You’re better with her than I am.”
Elliot took a step toward his sister and pulled her into a hug. He didn’t say anything, just held her for a long moment. “I love you Han.” He finally said, releasing her from the embrace.
Hannah returned the hug tightly and then took a step back when he released her. “Love you too, El. I’m sorry I didn’t answer your texts and shit. I just… didn’t know what to say.”
He shook his head. “Don’t worry. We’ll talk later.” He gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and let her join Izzy so he could start unpacking. “Love you guys.” He waved as they walked off. He couldn’t help but feel some real joy and nostalgia at being back with his sisters.