(Untitled)

[jack_inthegreen]

In a back booth, the bassist and the tree god are having an intense conversation. The tree god is saying things like "committment" and "free will" and the bassist is saying things like "course-corrections" and "tangled timelines." It can't get too heated, though: that would upset the children, who are already watching the conversation like a tennis

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[gris_bug_man]

Jack gets a kiss to the top of his head.

[jack_inthegreen]

He looks up and smiles, and Georgia squeals, "Daddy!" and Keiran just squeals.

[gris_bug_man]

Gil swings Georgia up in his arms, kissing her cheek. "Charlie's left?"

[jack_inthegreen]

"Yes," Jack says and draws in a deep breath. "Just for a little while."

[gris_bug_man]

He nods, bouncing Georgia in his arms. "He does what he feels that he must. But he will return," he tells her, stroking her soft baby fine curls.

[jack_inthegreen]

"Cha'lie," she says with a frown, and pats Gil's beard.

Jack frowns himself. "I keep telling him there's no such thing as fate, but why should he believe me? I'm only a god."

[gris_bug_man]

"Since when are humans known for being sensible?" Gil asks dryly.

[jack_inthegreen]

That makes Jack laugh.

"And that, my dearest, is why I love you."

[gris_bug_man]

"I try," Gil says, still a bit dryly, though he's very glad to hear Jack laughing.

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack takes Gil's hand and gives it a little tug. "Come sit with me. Be my love," he adds with a twinkle in his eye.

[gris_bug_man]

"As if I would refuse," Gil replies, taking the offered seat and settling Georgia on his lap. He reaches over a hand and rubs Keiran's cheek. "If the Sheriff continues asking me to delay my retirement, is there a way in which you might smite him?" Why yes, there is something approaching a wicked twinkle in his eyes.

[jack_inthegreen]

"I could turn him into an acorn," he offers. "And we could plant him in the back yard."

Keiran grabs Gil's finger and tries to stuff it into his mouth.

[gris_bug_man]

"Knowing the Sheriff, he would then try to grow upside down."

Alas! Gil's finger is too swift for him!

[jack_inthegreen]

Keiran giggles and pursues. He wantses fingers!

"That would just be silly," Jack says. "He should know better.

"I could come have a stern word with him. I can be very stern."

[gris_bug_man]

"I may wind up asking you to." A finger lightly bops Keiran's nose. And now it is moving sloooooowly.

[jack_inthegreen]

Keiran concentrates . . . and seizes! Finger is his!

Jack chuckles. "Let's see . . . I could say, 'You shall not delay my husband from retiring or I shall turn you into an acorn.' Do you think he'd believe me?"