#earthrunes

"Oh, Uncle D is pretty casual but I'm learning good stuff. There's all kinds of info online, you know?"

"I hear you, honestly homeschooling sounds okay but I think my mom might go insane... and I'd miss my friends." A sigh "I already miss my friends"

"Yeah. That -is- something I miss. And parties."

"I was never that big into parties before, but after this? I think I'm going to show up for at least a half hour to each one i get invited to. Sorry you're cut off from your friends," She says sympathetically, "Do they try to stay in touch or is it one of those slow fade things?" Spoken as one who knows about the latter

In the kitchen, Lesley, the mom, laughs at something Bachdion said

"I guess the ones who stay in touch are the ones that are really friends?"

"Yeah I suppose but, doesn't that mean if WE'RE really friends we need to try extra hard to stay in touch?"

"I mean .. not 'we're' like you and me beign friends.. we barely know each other. I mean.. each of us with our individual friends need to try too.. not just hope they try for our sake? Does.. that make sense?"

"Yep, that's exactly what I mean. It's on both sides."

"Clever" she says, then says "look, I'm going to ask you something that seems..personal.. because he's your uncle, but .. your Uncle's being so damn nice to me and my mom. Is. .there some ulterior motive?"

(( long lag coming up))

"Uhh.... I can't speak for him, you know? But for me.... it just hurt to watch, and that Graves is an asshole. It made me mad, and I'd like to help because it's the right th8ng to do."

A dubious brow, then she says "So... I'm kind of your damsel in distress?"

"Do you want to be?"

"Ooh mom would kill me if I admited i like the idea of being spoiled. I think the guy should pay for the meal on a date, mom not so much, for example"

He grins as he says it, a bit of a flirt.

"I think a guy should pay, if he asks." Adam agrees.

"I also think it's ok for a girl to ask a guy, come to that."

"He should..." Minerva laughs "I mean, he's trying to impress her right?" THen at the reversal "Oh I suppose that's fair, but I'd never have the guts."

"No?"

"No. " She brushes her hair with a hand "Wimpy of me? Probably. "

(Afk)

"Not wimpy. It takes a lot to ask someone out. You just need practice."

"Yeah?" She laughs "So... you're hoping I Practice on you? "She blushes

"Only if you want to."

"I... don't know you that well" Another blush "And I really am old fashioned... especially when old fashioned means the guy buys." humor sparkles

"Nothing wrong with old fashioned." Adam smiles. "Do you want me to ask you out? For coffee. A get to know you?"

"Okay, see, now I feel like either you had this planned from the start, or somehow I've been playing you to get a free coffee" She says "You know what? Sure."

Adam smiles. "You want to get coffee sometime?" He makes it seem easy to ask.

"Sure" She smiles "I'd like that. "

"Great." his smile grows "Can I call you?"

"Sure"

He takes out his phone and captures her digits.

She looks a bit sheepish "Sorry, my phone is kind of crap"

"I'm not judging." Casually "Phones aren't everything. So what do you like to do?"

"I like romantic comedies, basketball games and writing author avatar fan fiction about characters who 'aren't like other girls'"

"You like basketball?" this seems to delight him. "I play. Well. Played."

"Well yeah, my grandpa loved basketball.. we used to watch together. Got me hooked"

"Cool. And the fan fic?"

"Should not have mentioned that" She says with a flush "It's just wish fufillment. And truth I haven't ...well, I haven't written in it in over a month"

"Well, with teh stress you've been under, it's no wonder."understandingly.

"Look, you've got a place for now, and a friend. If writing brings you pleasure, you shouldn't drop it."

"Even if I'm terrible at it?" A hint of a smile though

"Hey, don't worry about if it's good or not. As long as you have fun doing it." Firmly.

The girl lights up, Minerva's grayness fades even more and color comes into her cheeks even to his kenning. His stomach makes a happy bubble at this

"Kind of bossy, but.. thanks" A smile, a real charming one

"Just my opinion." Adam amends, his eyes alight.

"it's good to hear." Yup, there's almost a glow and Adam feels charged

A deep breath, he enjoys the feeling a lot. "Maybe after dinner we could take a walk?"

"Or, I'd like to read your stuff sometime. If you want to share.I'd understand if you don't."