Hijra [A few weeks later]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was catching up on emails from home--news about the Sith, the latest gossip from Jag and Jaina's corner of the galaxy and whatever Allana had gotten herself up to while being unsupervised (there was a lot of "it'd seemed like a good idea!!!" in her correspondence)--and then poking around scientific journals about advancements in reproductive technology.

You know. For no real reason. Cough.

He drank tea and really missed having those yummy red fruits around. He'd need to ask when they came back the next time he went to the market.

Comments

[endsthegame]

"Cade," Ender said, resisting the urge to poke Ben with his foot again. "Nat seemed happy to see us. Well, his younger self."

[momslilassassin]

"It was genuine," Ben said with another smile. "He likes us."

[endsthegame]

The waiter slipped in and put their dishes down on the table. He vanished back into the kitchen a moment later.

"God knows why," Ender said, "But let's hope that won't have soured in the decades since."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, biting his lower lip. "He sent Cade to Fandom. It could go either way."

[endsthegame]

"I think we're probably dead in his time," Ender added quietly. "That may help. Or hinder."

[momslilassassin]

"You're just full of happy thoughts," Ben muttered, digging into his food.

[endsthegame]

"It doesn't need to be such a terrible thing," Ender said, taking a bite of his own food. "How would you feel, meeting a younger version of your mom?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled. "It'd be weird," he said, "like seeing tiny, spastic Luke."

[endsthegame]

"True," Ender granted. "But I don't think you'd hate it."

[momslilassassin]

"I wouldn't hate it," Ben said. "Not now. A few years ago and it would have been really, really painful."

[endsthegame]

"So what do you think?" Ender asked. "Should we meet him?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "Yes."

[endsthegame]

"Okay," Ender said.

He concentrated on his food for a few minutes.

[momslilassassin]

"But only if you want to as well," Ben added after finishing a falafel.

[endsthegame]

"I do," Ender said. His mouth quirked a little. "I just wanted your assessment of the situation."

[momslilassassin]

"I want to see Cade graduate," Ben said. "I think it's a bigger deal than he will, but I want there to be faces out in the crowd who support him. He hasn't had a lot of that."

[endsthegame]

"I think there's very little as important as showing Cade that he has family," Ender noted, putting down his cutlery. "He'll never admit to needing it, and he'll push back hard if we try to make demands. But our presence in the background - it might help."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "He won't say thank you or anything...but he did hug us that time."

[endsthegame]

"It's the best we can do for him," Ender said. "We could offer to take him in, but he'd probably refuse."

[momslilassassin]

"He's all pride and bluster," Ben said, "but he really wants to stand on his own feet."

[endsthegame]

"So we support him," Ender said simply, "And leave a door open for him to step through if he needs it."

[momslilassassin]

"I think he needs it," Ben said, "but I don't think he'll take it."

[endsthegame]

"Which is why we open the door," Ender said, "Then wait and see if he hits rock bottom enough to admit he needs it."

[momslilassassin]

"Sounds kind of painful," Ben murmured. "For everyone."

[endsthegame]

"It's game he's picked," Ender said, shrugging. Someone swooped by to pick up their plates. "We can only play along until he's done."