The Bearer of Bad News

Aislin blinked at him admiringly. "You did!"

"Yup."


Door took a bite, and chewed in silence. "Can he still function his jaw?"

Thatch nodded. "Yeah, but he'll be sore for a while."

"...Good."

Aislin nodded. "Thatch, you're such a man." she teased. "Except for your, y'know...weakness."

"I have no weakness," Thatch replied, scooting away from Aislin even as he said this. "I'm a rock."

"A rock...Mmhmm..."

Aislin smirked to herself, scooting closer to him, and linking one arm around his. "Every rock has its weakpoint."

Thatch watched her warily. "Yeah, but if you throw me in a lake, I won't sink."

"If she could throw you in in the first place," laughed Door.

Aislin made a face. "Yes, yes. We're all amused at how "petite" I am."

"Of course we are," Thatch grinned. "If we can't tease you about that, what can we give you a hard time about?"

Aislin laughed. "Nothing. I'm near-perfect." she teased.

"Key word: near." Thatch walked his fingers up her arm and wrinkled his nose. "Want a bite?" he asked, holding ot his plate. "It's still warm."

Door feigned gagging.

Aislin made a face. "As sweet as sharing is...I'll have to pass. I appreciate the offer, though."

"Atta girl," cheered Door under her breath, dodging an elbow from her brother.

"Shush, you. You can't team up. It's against the rules."

"But we're women. We change the rules." she winked.

"That's right," Door agreed. "So as far as you're concerned, you have no say. In anything."

Thatch opened his mouth, but Door cut him off.

"No, no! You have no say!"

Aislin grinned, glad to see Door in good spirits. She nudged Thatch in the ribs. "Ah, but I like to hear what you have to say."

Thatch made a face, folding his arms. "Nope. I don't have a say, apparently."

Door just grinned.

Aislin went back to eating her stew. "You do, in my book."

It was Thatch's turn to grin. "I was going to say that you'd beat me down even if you weren't completely dominating me in nearly every aspect."

Aislin feigned hurt. "I'm not completely dominating! Far from it. I am a gentle little soul."

"Little, yes," Thatch agreed. "Gentle... kinda."

She elbowed him "gently", fighting back her grin. "Yeah, well..."

"Ow," moaned Thatch, clutching his side. "My spleen..."

Door bit back a laugh, but couldn't hide the smile.

She ate her stew, ignoring Thatch's pain. 'Serves you right', her playful expression seemed to say.

"Heartless," he continued. "That's all there is to it."

---------------

Turns out, there were a bunch of pigeons around the Vanderpuye Estate.
And they were all talking at once.

"Oh, great," Tremor murmured under his breath. "This should be fun..."

Ariel listened to their low coos, curious. "...Good luck." she said whole-heartedly. "I'd hate to be in your shoes."

-----

Aislin shook her head 'no', and continued to eat. When she swallowed, she grinned. "I have a heart. I just don't have it with me right now."