nexus_crossings | (no subject)

(no subject)

Enter one fed-up crazy woman.

"So. Single mum. Used to it. Raising two boys, all has been well for the last twelve years."

She pulls a pack of Rothmans out of the back pocket of her jeans and lights up, a true sign that she's at her wits' end. She never smokes in public. Like....less so than she drinks in public, which is saying a hell of a lot.

"Except now puberty is hitting. Suddenly I'm getting hormones along with the sass. Suddenly my sweet little boys are turning into aggressive little men. Should I douse myself in testosterone to establish dominance? Or should I find a better outlet for my little hellions?"

This marks the first real question Hippolyta Hollister has asked in many, many years. Pay heed.

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"Ah. The problem with that is....well, here."

She pulls out her phone, and pulls up a picture of her little hellions. Sammy is like a centaur, only instead of a horse's rear, he's built like a spider, with six crab-like legs. (He also looks exactly like his mother, nose and all, it's a little uncanny.) He's center of the frame, beaming like only a 12 year old boy up to mischief can, standing proudly in the center of his father's drawing room. Frankie is behind him, curled up on an ornate sofa. He's very green. And he's half hidden behind a book that's about double his size.

"They're not exactly...able to be out and about. At least not without drawing exactly the wrong sort of attention."

Edited 2018-02-04 02:35 (UTC)

That's right. They are Ramon Salazar's children after all. Katsuya's never met Hippolyta's children in person and now he's well aware why. He can only imagine the sort of reaction she might have gotten from her friends--himself included--before they were properly used to the Nexus and the wide variety of life that exists beyond one world's borders. He doesn't flinch away or make a face at her children, but he does raise his eyebrow at her when she pulls away from his side with her phone in hand.

"Perhaps not on your Earth. But here in the Nexus they would not turn heads. I'm sure there's some kind of class or club they could join here. Maybe even a sports club once the weather turns better. I know I've seen a shooting range and a gym in my walks around the Nexus."

Edited 2018-02-04 03:04 (UTC)

She frowns, and sighs quietly.

"....I'm still reluctant to let them wander about willy-nilly here," she confesses. "I wish I could find them a world to wander about on. What if they stumble into a LOL here? How could I help them? I don't..."

She trails off, and sighs.

"They're still kids, Katsuya."

"I don't know any world that's completely safe, but I see your point. And I would hardly want to suggest you supervising both twelve year olds at the same time in a place like this. It's just asking to lose one or both of them. This place can be chaotic at times."

He folds his arms thoughtfully.

"Are they home schooled then? Do they have any friends back home? It must be so lonely for them....I have seen other children about here. It might be good for them to make friends. Perhaps supervised? I wouldn't mind if they used the cafe to play board games or the like when we're closed. That would be safe."

"They are. The only friends they have are each other."

Another decision made years ago, and only now regretting the consequences.

"I...they're still so young. I'm worried about letting them come here. It's not safe. Hell, I was a thirty year old woman when I found the Nexus, and it broke my brain. Letting my children here....it's not right."

"But then when do you get a break? You can't be your childrens' teacher, mother, provider, and friend all the time. Doesn't it wear you down?"

This time it's his friend Katsuya is showing concern for, rather than her children. He has nothing but respect for Hippolyta raising the boys on her own but it sounds like a difficult road she's on.

"Hah."

The sound that leaves her is half despairing and half amused.

"It does. It really does. I mean, I have Kryten to help me, and Barong to guide me, but..."

She trails off, and then smiles hugely. It's the sort of smile that really has no place in this conversation, except it totally does and is totally right.

"But I could use more."

He sees that smile, Hippolyta. And realizes a second later what he's just walked right into. He raises both hands in defeat and gives a small shake of his head with a laugh.

"I wouldn't mind babysitting the boys if you needed a night off, if it wouldn't upset or frighten them to have a stranger over."

"Hah!"

That gets a barking laugh out of her, and she shakes her head.

"More like upsetting or frightening you, luv! My boys are enough to send angels treading safer grounds. You sure about this?"

It's taken a decade of practice but he can finally pronounce her name right.

"Hippolyta, I've fought hoards of demons, the undead, parastic hellions, and a literal god. I am not frightened of your children. Kids are kids regardless of appearance, right? What do they like? I'll have to think of something we can do that they'll enjoy. They'll hardly notice you're gone, I hope. Let you go enjoy yourself for an evening."

"They like food, mainly."

She's grinning at him now, a true and genuine grin. And she's wondering how she never noticed....never mind.

"Pizza, for the most part. That's the one thing they can agree on. And movies. Sammy loves cartoons. Frankie loves anime. If you put on a Miyazaki movie, they'll both be in ecstasies. Ponyo is an especial favorite."

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