How Green Becomes Wood

"Like what?" Sally repeated, surprised by the question. "Well, things like, I won't stay five minutes past when I said I would. If I do X thing, then I shall reward myself. Sometimes I do the thing without the reward, or I give myself the reward without doing the thing. It is a terrible seesaw of have I or haven't I earned the thing. Or it will be, I will not allow myself to fall into my mother's desired conversation topic. That one is a constant."
 
"There is a lot that is important about politics, I do not wish to disregard that, but sometimes... Also, I would very much like to have a conversation with the person who is currently encouraging Facebook to show certain things to certain demographics," Sally said grimly. "If I have to hear one more time about how Aunt Truly read that this particular herbal supplement cures whatever ails you..." She took a deep breath. "Never mind."
 
"Indeed, he shall be so insufferably smug," Sally chuckled. "I am barely on it, as it is, so I do not think it will be too terrible to be forced off it. Unless I have lost my mind and insist on sending money to every Facebook 'charity' I see."
 
"Well, that's good news! Now, I heard of a couple of festivals coming up, and I was wondering if you would be going." Sally told her about the upcoming Arab-American festival as well as a couple of other smaller festivals. She fully expected Daizi to already know and be planning for the Arab-American one, but she wanted to hear about it from Daizi's perspective.
 
Daizi finished her tea as she talked about how generally excited she was for the festival, saying they used to host one every year, but then they had funding problems and this was the first time since 2026 they were hosting it. Naturally, they were going, and Daizi expressed hope they'd be able to go to some of the smaller ones, too.

Just before it was time for Sally to leave, Dark came back inside with Ivy, and again he stopped briefly to make polite conversation before bringing his toddler upstairs for a changing.

He made one last appearance to say goodbye as Daizi was walking with her to the front door.
 
Now that she was more prepared, Sally was able to steal herself and make proper, polite conversation with Dark without being weird about it. It was also lovely to see Ivy, and she said a few words to Ivy, pretending to have some idea of what the toddler was talking about.

Sally hugged Daizi before she left. "Thank you so much for inviting me over! This was amazing. I really should have you over to my place sometime for proper English tea. It would be fun! Ah, Dark, thank you for the treats. They were delicious!" She stepped out then, waving to Dark, and heading to her car.
 
"You're always welcome here," Daizi promised Sally, hugging her goodbye, "Thank you so much for coming. I'd love to come by for English Tea sometime!"

"Drive safely," Dark told Sally. After the front door was shut, he looked down at his wife and said, "I believe she was undressing me with her eyes earlier."

Snorting, Daizi replied, "You're a very attractive man, Goose. She was appreciating the view as respectfully as anyone can. We talked about it extensively."

"Is that so?" He asked, following after his wife as she set about cleaning up the living room.

"Mhm," Daizi hummed, "and I made sure to remind her that you are all mine, and I don't intend to share."
 
Not long after, Alec and Xander pulled up to the house. They did not get out immediately. Instead, Alec texted Dark, asking if he could get the front door for them. Then they walked up slowly and waited. One twin was holding the other piggyback style, which for them was not common, but not exactly unusual, either. What made it different this time was the fact that Alec was the one carrying Xander, and he had to wait for Dark to open the door because he didn't dare let go of Xander to get the door.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top