The beach and other locations, very early Saturday morning

[vdistinctive]

Eliot was out for his morning run with Val, both of them enjoying the decided lack of blizzards and snow monsters as they went at an easy pace along the beach. This was Eliot's favorite time on the island, before just about anyone else was up. He liked company -- you didn't end up basically married to two other people if you didn't -- but there was always going to be a part of him that preferred to spend time alone.

Val skidded to a stop with a whine, her nose in the air, then pressed it into the sand. Eliot slowed beside her, frowning.

"Whatcha got, girl?" Val loved running. She wouldn't stop like that for just anything. "Show me."

Val started off again, nose pressed into the sand as she went, save for when she glanced back to make sure he was still behind her. The whole way, she kept up that low whine in the back of her throat.

So much for his nice, peaceful morning.

[ooc: for thems what know.]

Comments

[axe2grind]

Jack nodded, then swallowed again. To distract himself before the next bit, he said, "Tell me about this school. How would they even know I was here?"

[vdistinctive]

"Dunno," Eliot said. "But it happens pretty regularly. It might be the reason why you're here at all."

[imafuturist]

"You get used to that sort of thing," Tony said, offering over the pills and placed the water next to him. One arm and all. "It's not the worst thing."

[axe2grind]

Jack appreciated that no one was treating him like a baby, and trying to hold the water for him. Or putting the pills into his hand. He picked up the water and took a long drink, then took the first pill. "You get used to the school," he said slowly, "knowing things." Right. Of course. "Are they wizards, or witches?" He took the second pill, then asked, "What's the worst thing?" Just tell him and get it over with, so he could brace himself. Again. Like he was trying to brace himself for having his arm shoved back into its socket.

[vdistinctive]

"Goin' back to whatever did this to you," Eliot said. "Would be pretty bad." He shrugged. "There's all sorts up at the school. Magic users, techs like Tony here. Soldiers. Like you."

[imafuturist]

"Exactly that," Tony added. "You might have classes already assigned to you. Probably a roommate too."

[axe2grind]

Some of Jack's muscles had relaxed during their banter, and he took another sip of water before putting the glass down. "You're all mad," he said conversationally. "Well. At least you're a very kind type of mad." Rather like Jane, in fact, and she was one of his favorite people. You just had to brace yourself for something terrifying quite often. "I'll go there. After." He swallowed. "Ready when you are."

[imafuturist]

"Come back after you get settled in. I'll check on your limbs," Tony said, grabbing the arm and nodding at Eliot to help hold him in place. Because they had apparently adopted this sad, sad cyborg.

They were your dads now, Jack. They were your dads.