You're my only hope

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

To mum's, yeah, I'm sure you are. And actually that sounds bloody brilliant. We do have gardening classes for younger students, we could say you are in one of those.

But... do you actually know anything about plants? She can spot a lie in only a few words.

[darkforcerising]

You are drawing the wrong conclusions.

[chenqing_player]

You're failing at that already. [He's laughing but the image of him hugging the bear is adorable.]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony winced for the rabbit as if feeling his ear-less pain. ]

I could see you with a plush rabbit. Shame about the ear... We never had pets like dogs running around, only the neighbor's sheep.

Video

[scotch_egg]

Poor sweet baby.

[said with dry sarcasm as he lies on his own sofa while, behind the closed bedroom door there is the sound of a massive fight going on. The camera even captures a bit of his step father who looks wide eyed and uncomfortable at the raging storm.]

Remember to send you a sympathy card.

[and by the way]

They snagged me right out of hospital.

[serpentinthegarden]

Neither was I. Its a huge shock to discover all this past life nonsense.

Back home she was an overprotective mum but right now... she is breaking all her records. I think not having seen me in forever combined with the fact that I've clearly lost my mind has turned her into Super Mum. I'm only surprised she doesn't have a cape and cowl.

[serpentinthegarden]

Kidnapped right out of the hospital, that sucks.

[ And he might have made some quip about four letter covered sympathy cards if WWIII wasn't going on. ]

Wha... what's going on over there? What's the fighting about?

[serpentinthegarden]

Oh, am I? Then do tell me how I'm drawing the wrong conclusions.

[hardtoignore]

Tell me about it. Anxiety has never been so familiar.

Guess it's still possible she might pull one out. Could find out she's also one of the "different" too.

[scotch_egg]

[something crashes and he doesn't even flinch. He just hopes it wasn't breakable]

Mum and Dad. Have you met them?

[maybe not. They had always been on best behavior when baby cousin and Aunt Evie's perfect family were around]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Mr. Yellow Boots was still the softest and most cuddly bear, it was impossible not to hug him. ]

Call back in five minutes and claim there is an emergency at the NYBG that I need to see to? I just need to get out of here for a while.

[bearshermark]

Yeah! I take care of the couple of plants at me and my mom's, and I've been getting into nature conservation stuff for several months now.

[temptationaccomplished]

Oh, sheep! That must have been quite an adventure.
Very, uh.
Pastoral.
Sounds, ah...utterly charming.

[serpentinthegarden]

That sucks. You're a kid, you shouldn't have anxiety about anything but school and friends.

Being Different does seem to run in families. But no, I don't thin she is. I mean, I would know by now if she were wouldn't I?

[serpentinthegarden]

Ye--... yeah. A few times. I have vague memories of visiting you all at your place but I was like three at the time.

I can't seem to recall any flying vases.

[chenqing_player]

And she will believe that? I mean you could just run out of hiding right now and say it while I'm already on the phone.

[serpentinthegarden]

It might actually work then! I just need an excuse to get away for a few hours. Think you can do that?

[scotch_egg]

[a shrug]

This is nothing.


[his step-father mutters something about getting Chinese and beats a quick retreat from the flat. Alec wishes he could follow him]

Siblings there too? Ellie had to cancel last minute, thank God. [which was probably why they were fighting. They wouldn't if she were here]

[bearshermark]

I can handle talking about plants and making polite conversation for a few hours, yeah.

Any particular excuse you want to use to get out? Something work-related?

[serpentinthegarden]

If it came from me then she would know I was lying. She can tell! It's like one of her super powers, but if she heard it from some one else... on a call she picked up first, maybe she would actually buy it.

[chenqing_player]

I'll use my most authoritative and panicked voice. [Time to put his acting skills to the test.]

[serpentinthegarden]

Charming small town UK, that's me.

Aziraphale... right now mum doesn't know who the guy 'I've thrown my future away for' is but eventually she is going to get it out of me.

[darkforcerising]

Okay. Consider... A better perspective to have is- what does this person need to know about me for them to make the best inform decision in their life?

You don't have to tell anyone about your dreams or memories if you don't want to. Why? Because they don't directly affect them. No one in this world is going to be immediately and irreparably harmed because you didn't share with them you have these dreams and memories.

Which is different from wanting to confide in someone. But that's another topic.

All your ex? Are they your ex yet? needs to know to make an informed decision is that the relationship is over. Maybe add an apology to express compassion, 'cause the end of a relationship is hard. But there, you told the truth.

[hardtoignore]

Exactly what I've been saying this whole time! Thanks for the validation.

Unless she didn't want to tell you in order to not worry you?

[serpentinthegarden]

Oliver's plane was late but Lilith dropped mum off here before going to pick him up. It's only a matter of time before they are all here.

[ There was another crash that sent him wincing in a, 'hopefully that was nothing important' sort of way. ]

How much did you tell them?