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You're my only hope

[ 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.

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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?

[ 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.

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.

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.

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

If this works I'll buy you the drinks next time!

It's a deal! Alright. I'll be back in five. Make sure she answers!

Will do. I've got a plan for that!

[ Once Wei hung up Anthony stood, stretched, and dropping his phone off on the kitchen counter on his way to the restroom. ]

[He writes out what he is going to say and practices a few times until the five minutes hits exactly. He clears his throat as he redials the number and waits for the mother to answer.]

[ The phone rang unanswered for four rings before the infamous Evelyn Crowley picked up. ]

Hello? I'm sorry, but if you are looking for Anthony he is currently indisposed. May I take a message?

[in the most adult voice he can possibly muster..]

Hello? Yes! Good evening, ma'am! I'm very sorry to disturb you but it is very important that you relay a message to Mr. Anthony if he is available. There is a great emergency at the Botanical Gardens and we are desperate for his assistance. Please tell me that you know where he is. It's very important.

Mr. Anthony?

[ Mamma Crowley's voice took on a hint of suspicion but the looming emergency sounded too dire to not ask after. ]

You all must be very casual at the Gardens. I do know where he is, of course, tell me what the emergency is and I will pass on the message as soon as he is free?

Edited 2020-05-20 15:56 (UTC)

[He flinches a little. It was hard enough to add the Mr to the name..mother's are sharp. But he needs to stay with his role.]

There was a small fire in one one of the exhibits and it has to be ready for opening tomorrow! He had such specific instructions for it that we are afraid there isn't a way to fix it the way he wanted it now. He really needs to see it for himself.

[Come on woman...can't you hear the panic in his voice?]

A fire! Oh good lord! Was anyone hurt? I'm sure Anthony will want to know.

[ She turned from the phone then, raising her tone in her best mom voice. ]

Anthony! You better hurry! There's been a fire! Sounds like the whole gardens might have gone up in smoke!!

[ The message might have been a touch muddled, but while she panicked Anthony rushed back out to collect the phone from her. His tone was much more calm but with an edge of, 'really?? Over selling it a bit aren't you?' ]

You said the whole garden was on fire?

I didn't!!! I said there was a little fire in an exhibit!! ONE EXHIBIT. Do mom's always stretch the truth??

[But it worked didn't it?? But now he found himself panicking over a fire that didn't even exist!]

Take a deep breath and call the fire department! I'll be there as soon as I can.

[ He moved away, seemingly to collect his wallet and keys but also so his voice could drop low enough to answer. ]

Nah, she just must have heard the worst. You might have noticed mum can be a little high strung. Don't worry about it... I'll just tell her you panicked and it wasn't really that bad after I get back.

[He lets out a sigh of relief. A breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding until just then. Moms are stressful.]

At least it worked, right? You're going to be able to escape for awhile?

[which means more free drinks in Wei wuxian's future!]

I gotta go mum, they need me. Take care... no don't worry. It'll be fine. The firemen will be there long before I am.

Yea, love you too. I'll be back soon.

[ Finally there was the reassuring sound of a door closing as Anthony had managed to squirm his way past his mom to make it to the hallway outside his flat. ]

Yeah, it worked. I'm out. Nice acting by the way! I thought we were sunk when you didn't use my last name.

Yeah..kind of missed on that one. But I figured maybe the ones you work with would be more casual. I thought Mr Anthony had a nice ring to it!! I didn't want to go all formal and damn was she quick on catching that. Phew..Moms are intense.

[But it's a victory overall so Wei Wuxian is giving himself a mental pat on the back for successfully completing his first mom deception gig.]

My friends use Anthony, for most everyone else it's Mr. Crowley.

[ The elevator could not come to his floor quickly enough! He barreled his way through the doors when they opened and hit the down button a dozen times before the doors actually closed and he was well and truly free. ]

And yea... not sure all mums are like that. Mine worries too much.

I'll know for next time I have to do some sort of mom intervention.

[files that away in the notes.]

Now that you are free, where are you escaping to?

I think I'll take a spin through the gardens. That way I can truthfully say I did drive down there. It's not a complete lie that way.

Smart move. If you need me for anything else you know where to find me. You've got my personal number too if you need to be off network.

In hindsight I really ought to have done this off-network...

I'll ring you if anything comes up. Also drinks, We'll have to do that again soon. Chow.

[He laughs]

Hindsight. Know for next time! And yeah, don't forget those drinks! I'll see ya!

[he ends the call with a bright smile.]

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You're my only hope

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