Ender's Swingin' Bachelor Pad, Naboo [Wednesday, Fandom time]

[momslilassassin]

The nice thing about how time worked on Naboo was that even a few days away from Fandom meant that Ender and Ben had gotten almost a week to themselves to unwind.

Now the fridge was restocked, the rooms were prepared and the droid Ben had made was bustling industriously around getting rid of dust bunnies.

Ben and Ender were ready for their Fandom (and other universes!) invasion.

Comments

Re: Day One: Daytime [Lake Country]

[glacial_queen]

SACKCLOTH AND AAAAAASHES.

"The kind that require a lot of traveling and talking to people to answer?" Karla paused and then shrugged. She'd never backed down from telling Ender what she'd thought before. "I think you're frightened of putting down roots," she said bluntly. "It took you four years to accept Ben. And I know you look at your friendships from Fandom as kind of a...passing thing. Not something to cling to longer than necessary."

She said that matter-of-factly. She'd had time to think it over and deal with it.

"We could talk about all the whys and wherefores, but I'm betting you know them better than I do. I just think that, in the end, part of you is afraid to see people as more than the occasional surface companion. You feel distant and separate from them, and part of that is just who you are, but I think some of it is a defense mechanism, too. If they don't get close to you, they can't depend on you."

Re: Day One: Daytime [Lake Country]

[endsthegame]

Ender shook his head, and gave the water a good long look, and said, "When did you get so insightful?"

Though that wasn't all of it-- not nearly the whole thing. He had too many questions. There were too many answers to all of it - including this question - and none of them were complete.

But it was part of it, and he was happy to let her have that part.

Re: Day One: Daytime [Lake Country]

[glacial_queen]

It would take an entire coven of experienced Black Widows to unlock all of Ender Wiggin; Karla didn't suffer from the misapprehension that she'd been able to pin down everything that he felt. The fact that she'd gotten anything at all was a cause for celebration.

"Well, I've had a fair bit of time to think recently," she said. "Warren's been kept busy doing. I've been busy thinking."

In her own way, this conversation was her version of the goodbye Ender had had the summer before. She was proving to him that she had more than just the capacity to be insightful, that she could and did actually use it sometimes. Goodbye, Ender. You taught me so much and those lessons you've imparted have fallen on fertile ground. You don't have to worry about leaving me behind; I don't need you.

Words she'd probably never say. Words that almost sounded harsh to her own ears. But words she thought he'd understand--and appreciate.

Re: Day One: Daytime [Lake Country]

[endsthegame]

He would, because if she didn't need him, then he could leave with a clear heart free of guilt or responsibility. At this point in his life, that's all he honestly asked for - possibly the best gift he could get.

"That's good," Ender said, with a little smile. "I'm glad."

He could read between the lines, every now and again.