II ✘ ＰＯＴＡＴＯ

[foodhoarder]

[Sasha was currently busy working on her homework in the Great Hall -- for once not actually eating (okay maybe nibbling on something but..) -- when she noticed a letter drop down on top of her homework. Looking up, she noticed as her owl was perched for a moment as if waiting for her to notice her before flying back towards the Owlery. Looking to the letter, she opened it up to read it, setting down her quill.

Dear Sasha,

How has school been for you so far? Anything exciting happen yet? Or did you makes some new friends?

I just wanted to check in on you and see how you were doing. I know it's been tough back home, but we're hanging in there. I can't wait to see you again, but that will just have to wait until your next break when you can come and visit.

As for me, I've been pretty busy, but that's pretty normal. I also have something I would like to tell you, but I don't want you to get mad or sad. I know it's been a few years, but I have decided to start dating again. I don't know how you'll take it. I know the prospect of a child's father or mother starting to date again can sometimes lead to.... complicated feelings. In fact, I'm dating someone right now. She's a very kind lady and I know for sure that you'll like her. I'm 100% positive of that. Just try to keep an open mind as time goes on and I'll keep you in the loop too.

This isn't a very long letter, but I am curious as to how everything is going for you. Let me know what's up. Study hard, Sash. I know you're a smart girl. Just don't let the food distract you too much, okay?

Love & miss you,
Dad

Reading the contents, she stared at the letter, not sure what to feel. Dad was dating someone else? Couldn't he have at least told her who? Maybe he wasn't telling her to keep her from freaking out too much, but right now it was sort of having the reverse affect. She let out a deep sigh as she folded the letter again.]

Geez.... Can you stop doing things behind my back without telling me?

Comments

[takethereigns]

[ It's not at all uncommon to see Sasha in the Great Hall. Jean's pretty sure that's her favorite room in the entire castle, but it's weird to see her only nibbling on stuff while she pours over books, instead of practically unhinging her jaw like a snake and shoveling food in. Or maybe that was just his imagination.

Whatever the case, he dumps his books onto the table and climbs over the bench to sit beside her. ]

What's your dad doing now that he's just now telling you something?

[foodhoarder]

[Looking to see who dumped their books, she quickly realized it was Jean.]

Well, read it for yourself.

[Handing the letter over to him.]

[takethereigns]

[ He doesn't really hesitate to take the letter and read. His expression turns a bit sour because this was really a crappy way to find out that their parent was dating. The only other thought was wondering what poor woman would date such an eccentric guy. ]

Damn. What a way to find out.

[foodhoarder]

[Not that it surprised her. Her dad had a bad habit of doing stuff like this... Maybe not dating someone and not telling his daughter about it, but close enough.]

I wish he'd at least have had given me a name as to who he's dating...

[takethereigns]

Would it have mattered? It could be someone you don't even know.

[ He hands the letter back and along the way snatches a chip from the bag she's munching from. A dangerous move, he knows, but at least something that might help distract her. He crunches into it with a grin. ]

[foodhoarder]

No... I guess not... But at least I could imagine a face to the name if I had to. Although, maybe that's even worse?

[Taking back the letter, she let out a small sigh. Normally she'd make a huffy face and say that there was plenty of other food around, but today? She didn't even bother. Not when her thoughts drifted to her deceased mother.]

[takethereigns]

[ Yeah. Now he knew things were serious, when she didn't make any attempt at even yelling at him for stealing a chip. He finished it off, brushing his hands together to get the crumbs off, and nudged her with his elbow. ]

As long as he hasn't brought home a dragon lady, she can't be that bad.

[foodhoarder]

[She let out another sigh to that, but she did appreciate him attempting to cheer her up in his own way at least.]

Maybe it's inconsiderate to say, but I don't want him to get serious with anyone else. No one can replace mom....

[takethereigns]

[ Dammit. Jean hadn't thought about that. He rested his hand in his chin, not really knowing what to say. Sasha had had two parents at one point, where it was always just Jean and his mom. He didn't know what it was like and couldn't really offer anything valuable on the point and it annoyed him. ]

I never thought you were this selfish, Sasha. I mean, your mom's gone and that's sad but what about your dad? The guy probably gets lonely without you being there.

[foodhoarder]

I'm not selfish! I just... [And then it tapers off because she knows he's right.] I'm just not sure how to feel about it....

I want to be happy for him.. I do I just... It's not that easy.

[takethereigns]

No one's gonna replace your mom-- [ He reaches a hand to rest on top of her head and instead of mussing her hair up, he pulls Sasha against his shoulder. ] stop being an idiot. You don't even know how serious they are. For all you know, he could just be boning her or taking her out and he just wants to tell you in case it does get serious so you're not freaked out by it.

[ How much better that was, he didn't know. Jean has no experience when it comes to dating parents. His mom's like, celibate or something. ]

[foodhoarder]

[She was about to say something, but then "boning her" didn't make her feel any better.]

I guess so...

[takethereigns]

[ Yep. Definitely not a wordsmith. Maybe she needed some girl friends to talk more gently to her? Jean certainly wasn't the gentle sort. Hard Reality 101 right here.

He pulls his hand from her head and instead rests it on her shoulder. ]

What's a good distraction for this?

[foodhoarder]

[Probably. She's just too used to your hard facts at this point.]

Besides food, which isn't much help now, I'm not sure...

[son_of_eve]

[Kotaro enjoyed his conversation with Sasha last time so seeing her in the great hall again peeks his curiosity. He walks over with a smile, first glancing at the food she is snacking on and then her face.]

What cha looking at?

[foodhoarder]

[Looking to see who was talking to her, she gave him a faint smile in return.]

Oh uhm... My dad sent me a letter.

[son_of_eve]

[Kotaro doesn't understand the roll that a father would have in someone's life or why her smile is so faint.]

Is it okay?

[foodhoarder]

Well uhm... My dad... told me that he started to date someone a while back. I'm just... not sure how to feel about it.

[son_of_eve]

Isn't it good if he's happy?

[The simple thoughts of a child, not that Kotaro has a mother or father in the traditional sense. He has his brother and that's enough for him.]

I know I'm sad when my brothers away because I'm lonely.

[foodhoarder]

I guess so. It's just hard to wrap my head around it. No one can replace my mother and I know I'm probably overreacting, but this isn't exactly the way that I'd want to find out about this.

[son_of_eve]

How would you have wanted to find out?

[He leans forward, placing his elbows on the table while looking up at the girl.]

[foodhoarder]

Well... My dad tends to... sort of drop atem bombs so to speak. I guess it's partially because of him that I'm not really a big fan of surprises.

[son_of_eve]

That's not very nice of him.

[He shouldn't be so mean... but he's family so...]

But he's your father so he must love you a lot.

[foodhoarder]

He does. He means the best, but I just wish he'd give me more of a heads up. That's just how he is, though.

[son_of_eve]

You're lucky to have him! It's just me and my brother and I think he's amazing!

The best brother ever!

[foodhoarder]

It's always just been the two of us, so I know how you feel. I guess.... after my mom died... My dad and I grew closer than ever. It's just weird to think that there might be someone else in his life to replace her.

[son_of_eve]

I don't think anyone can get replaced. It's just someone new!

[He smiles with an innocent outlook that only a child could have.]

[foodhoarder]

Yeah, you're right. Apparently it's someone that I'd like, so I'll just have to trust him on that.

[son_of_eve]

[Kotaro thinks about it.]

I like most people.