Chilly Boulder [Monday, lunchtime]

[momslilassassin]

Chilly Boulder was already spiking in sales with Ben back on the island. Today he was eating a banana split (bananas count as health food, right? Yes? Shush.) and waiting for Tahiri to join him, but he would be equally happy to see any other old friends or new students while he ate.

Mmmm, marshmallow topping and strawberry sauce. Ben had missed this.

Comments

[weetuskenraider]

"I'm surprised they didn't throw a parade in your honor," Tahiri said, laughing as she came in because of course he already had a banana split. "Or did they already do that, and I missed it?"

[momslilassassin]

"Maybe they're waiting until the first month of receipts come in," Ben said, standing up to give her a big hug. "Hi, you!"

[weetuskenraider]

"That's true. There'll be enough paper for the confetti then." Tahiri bounded over (but in a dignified, totally-mature-now-really way) to hug him hard. "So you're here all summer again, huh? That'll keep them afloat for a year at least. Oh, and it's really good to see you."

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah, coming back's becoming a bit of a habit," Ben agreed. "Maybe not next year because we won't have as much family here. Don't tell the Chilly Boulder guys."

[weetuskenraider]

"I don't think it would be completely uncalled for if they had some kind of melodramatic reaction that involved them having to pay your grandfather a whole lot of royalties, in that case," Tahiri said thoughtfully. "This makes how many summers for you teaching now? Better look out, they're going to start thinking of you as mature and responsible."

[momslilassassin]

"The second, but I stayed after graduation, too," Ben said. "And I'll never be that mature. I peaked at 14."

As the most serious 14 year old ever, aside from Ender.

[weetuskenraider]

"That's actually reassuring to hear," Tahiri decided. "Since I remember you at that age, and if you got much more mature it was going to be really, really weird."

She reached out to ruffle his hair and added, lightly but more genuinely, "It really is good to see you've stopped being quite that serious all the time."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled back at her. "It's been years since someone's shot at me," he agreed. "It's refreshing."

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri adopted a melodramatic tone. "A thing unheard of for a Skywalker." She switched back to her normal voice and went on, "Then again, completely shaking things up is a fine family tradition."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm thinking of becoming a professional balloon artist," Ben said, nodding, "just to be different."

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri feigned a wide-eyed, surprised expression. "I had no idea you were any good with balloons. Have you been holding out on me?"

[momslilassassin]

"Totally," Ben said, nodding again. "Would you like a snake? Or a sword? Or anything else that can be made with one balloon and no skill?"

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri snickered. "So much for my hopes of a balloon bantha. I still have the stuffed one you gave me, by the way."

[momslilassassin]

Ben looked touched. "You do?" he replied shyly.

[weetuskenraider]

"Of course I do, dummy," Tahiri said, aiming a light punch at his shoulder. "I know we're not supposed to get that attached to material things, but I don't just go around throwing away things from people who've been big, important parts of my life for a long time."

A beat.

"Besides, it's cute."

[momslilassassin]

"It is," Ben agreed, grinning as he blushed.

[weetuskenraider]

"Is it still that easy to get that reaction out of you?" Tahiri teased. "That's kind of a relief."

[momslilassassin]

"It is that easy," Ben said, laughing.

[weetuskenraider]

"When they say some things never change, this is one of the things that falls in the good category," Tahiri told him. "If it ever stops being that easy, I'm going to be concerned, you know that."

[momslilassassin]

"I do," Ben said, "and I expect you on the first portal to come smack some sense into me."

[weetuskenraider]

"And don't think I'm above casually mentioning Jaina while I'm making travel arrangements, just to get the express portal," Tahiri added, grinning.

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned back. "I have missed you."

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri laughed. "Right back at you, Skywalker, even if you're ancient now."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm 23 now," Ben said, nodding. "Practically Yoda-like."

[weetuskenraider]

"In that case I'd better get started now if I'm going to get you a really nice cane for your twenty-fourth birthday," Tahiri said seriously.

Sort of seriously.

[momslilassassin]

"Definitely," Ben agreed, laughing. "I'll use it to chase kids off my lawn."

[weetuskenraider]

"Is that a problem you have often?" Tahiri had to ask.

[momslilassassin]

"Not since we've moved into the hotel?" Ben offered. "Maybe I should complain. There's no lawn on my room, several stories in the air!"

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri shook her head, but laughed. "Say things like that in Fandom, you're only asking for what you end up getting, you know."

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "If I end up with a floating lawn, it'll be totally worth it,."

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri opened her mouth, shut it again, then burst out laughing as she shook her head. "Famous last words, Skywalker."

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned at her. "Are you getting a sundae?" he asked. "They're trying out new flavors today. The double chocolate is good. The corn is kind of skippable."

[weetuskenraider]

". . . corn," Tahiri said, after several seconds of blinking, then had to repeat it. "Corn? They've really lost their minds since they lost you as a daily customer."

[momslilassassin]

"I think they might be going alphabetically through a book of food," Ben admitted.

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri took a moment to process that, then visibly shuddered. "I worry about how comprehensive that book might be."

[momslilassassin]

"If they hit codfish or carp, I'll send a picture," Ben promised. "The bacon one was not as bad as you might think."