The Causeway, Saturday Morning

[endsthegame]

Ender had decidedly mixed feelings about coming back here - he'd been happy to leave Fandom, and his interest in looking back was... middling. Still, if nothing else, the sight of the school up ahead was a good reminder of how much he'd changed since he'd last stood here. More stable now, older (though wiser, he wouldn't be able to say) and finally settled at his old height.

It helped that he knew he could leave any time, he reflected. As did the sight of Earth's sky and the insects unique to this world. Part of him had been sure he'd never see or hear any of it again.

He glanced briefly towards Ben to gauge his state of mind (he had a feeling Ben's feelings would be rather less mixed), then took a deep breath.

[[ open! To the boy, to anyone who wants to bump into them both (separately will have to wait until tomorrow), or just wants to use the causeway in general. ]]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

Ben was much more excited to be back, and it showed on his face. "Think they put up a banner at the ice cream shop?" he teased.

[endsthegame]

"Not unless you called ahead without warning me," Ender replied.

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "Strangely enough, I didn't think of calling Chilly Boulder. Too many relatives to get in touch with instead."

[endsthegame]

"Think the number's increased since last we were here?" Ender asked.

[momslilassassin]

"I really hope not," Ben said. "If it has, I'm going to have some words with Jaina for not warning me."

[endsthegame]

"If someone comes charging at you yelling 'dad'," Ender said, "I reserve the right to get out of the way."

[momslilassassin]

"Oh, they might be running at you, too," Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

Ender snorted softly. "Not sure about that," he said. "But I'll steel myself."

[momslilassassin]

"Or it could be one of Val's kids," Ben offered helpfully. "Oooh! Or one of Bean's thousands."

Thank you, Ben.

[hoorayimrich.livejournal.com]

Tony was on his usual morning run when he stumbled on the duo at the causeway. And then there was no saving them from no.

No saving them.

"Guys!" was the only warning they got before Tony was hugging Ben. Ender... he was pretty certain wouldn't react as well to a hug.

[momslilassassin]

"Oof," Ben said intelligently before hugging Tony back hard. "Hi!"

[endsthegame]

"Hello, Tony," Ender said, giving a very understated little wave.

[hoorayimrich.livejournal.com]

"How the hell did you guys manage to get away for a visit?" he asked, grinning like a moron once he pulled away from the hug. He gave Ender a nod in greeting, but it was probably no less warm than the hug had been.

[momslilassassin]

"Got bored," Ben said with a laugh. "We were hoping it was everyone but us turns into ponies weekend."

[endsthegame]

"What Ben means is that he missed you and several other people on the island," Ender said, "Most importantly the staff of Chilly Boulder..."

[hoorayimrich.livejournal.com]

"Pretty sure they're verging on bankruptcy without him," Tony replied seriously. "It's sad when local institutions fail."

[momslilassassin]

"I'll do my best to boost the local economy while I'm here," Ben promised solemnly. "Like Caritas'!"

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

Cade was out for a run (shut up, he ran sometimes, it was better than getting caught, all right) when he approached the causeway and almost tripped when he got a clear look at who was there.

They looked like...well never you mind that.

"Kark me," he muttered, trying to turn around before they noticed him.

[endsthegame]

Oh, Cade-- that was a trick that might've worked on two less observant people. Ender noticed movement in the corner of his eyes and turned his head.

He considered the merits of saying something - the boy's rapid turn-around piqued his curiosity. "Hello?" he called.

[momslilassassin]

"Are you a relative?" Ben asked teasingly. "It's all right. I'm used to it by now."

[endsthegame]

Ender shot Ben a glance. "If that isn't blatantly invoking the Force, I don't know what is," he said lightly.

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

Cade's eyes widened. "Go away!" he demanded, backpedaling rapidly. "Both of you!"

[endsthegame]

Ender blinked.

"We're not going to hurt you," he called. "You don't have to run away!"

[momslilassassin]

"This is really weird," Ben murmured to Ender.

"Who do you think we are?" he called.

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

"I know exactly who you karking are," Cade said, not making any attempt to get closer. "You're Ben Skywalker and Andrew Wiggin and you're supposed to be dead."

Stupid karking island.

"I already had Dad back from the dead to judge me, I don't you two showing up too!"

And now he was definitely running away.