(Untitled)

[fathers_cleric]

After This encounter with Satan, or at least one of his forms.

There's a John Preston curled up in a fetal position in one of the booths.
Or at least it would be John Preston if he hadn't decided to question a fundemental force in the universe

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[song_tra_bong]

[ooc: because the mun is up late and underthreaded, and this looks fun...]

Mary Anne's two days are up and she's thrown a bathrobe over that damn bikini. Still wearing the heels, though; they're more comfortable than they look.

She's headed back to her own booth when she spots the kid. She crouches next to him. "Hey, honey, you feeling alright?" She brushes his hair back from his forehead, checking for fever.

[fathers_cleric]

Preston may be a kid but he DOES know someone who he...well...knows.

"I know you! mary!"
He struggles to a near sitting position and looks ready to pop, swallowing bile.

"You're Mary Right? s'me! john Preston!"

fucking Milliways

[song_tra_bong]

And cue the inevitable Stare.

"I'll ask how you got like this in a minute. I need something from bar--hang on, I'll be right back."

She runs to the bar (in heels! she's talented) and grabs a big plasic bowl and a damp washcloth, hoping she makes it back in time.

[fathers_cleric]

The next few seconds do not need to be described.

Suffice to say that much of what was previously digested is exposed-across the floor and narrowly, narrowly missing her heels.

Snuffling miserably the eight-year old not!preston wipes at his nose with a sleeve.

"...'sorry..."
but then there's the CANDY. And all his forgotten as he grabs for the rest.

[song_tra_bong]

Well, as long as it didn't get on the shoes. She's hoping to wear them again at New Year's.

"Not your fault, sweetheart." Even if she does know it's John, her old babysitting voice kicks in like a reflex.

"Hold up!" Unlike normal!Preston, eight-year-old!Preston can be fairly well restrained with a palm to the forehead. "You want to be sick again? Stay away from that crap until you've had a chance to eat some real food."

A glance to the floor. "Did you even chew?"

[fathers_cleric]

Preston pushes at her hand furiously but-no good-it's not budging.

"Lemme go! the nice man said I could have it all and there's tons left!"
Whine, whine, whine.

He tries a kick and it fails.
"Don' be so mean! hoggin' stuffs not faiiir you gotta share things!"

[song_tra_bong]

She casts a long-suffering look to the rafters. This is almost as much fun as sitting for her cousins.

First things first. "This nice man have a name? Cht. Guess they never taught you 'don't take candy from strangers' in Libria."

Careful. This one kicks back, and her shoes totally pwn yours. "I'm not hogging it--you can have more later. If you behave, and if you can learn not to eat so much you make yourself sick."

Cue the Babysitter Glare.

...you know, this is gonna be one of those things that they'll remember, laugh nervously, then change the subject.

[fathers_cleric]

not!Preston eyes her suspiciously, "I don't haveta do what you say! you're not my teachers! You're not even a docent. choo jus' a girl."

And he attempts to get away again.

Someday, if John Preston's own son should ever make it to Milliways, be sure to inform him of what an incredible brat he was. Such things are always very amusing.

[song_tra_bong]

The girl in question has a gun strapped to her thigh and is trying to convince herself not to use it.

Well, when all else fails, combine babysitter training with military training. When he tries to slip free, it's not that hard to get one of not!Preston's arms behind his back. She twists up, not hard enough to hurt but more than enough to immobilise.

"Alright, smart ass. I know you're my friend in there somewhere, so I'm going to try and treat you like a smart person. But if you keep saying stupid shit like that, I'm just going to have to tie you to a chair and leave you until this...whatever wears off. So, think we can talk like human beings, or should I get the rope?"

Oh, she'll tell him. In nauseating detail. But first, of course, she'll tell Preston, because it's fun to make him blush.

[fathers_cleric]

Maybe she is a docent. but a girl!

"Oww!" not!Preston cries, "You're hurting meeeee..."
Looking longingly after the sweets he aquiesces, but only just. Waiting for his moment?

"Talk." He says bluntly, "We're supposed to be friends Mary, that means you're supposed to be nice to meeeeee..."

[song_tra_bong]

Sitting for her three cousins may have been hell, but it also taught her every trick in the book. She relaxes her hold, but doesn't let go.

"I'm your friend, so that means I look out for you, even when you're trying to do something stupid. For starters, tell me about this man you mentioned. The one who gave you the candy."

[fathers_cleric]

"He was an old guy then he turned into a young one." He twists around, or tries to, "Then he made things appear and disappear with his hands like POOF!"

Preston's on the verge of giggling at the thought but he didn't.

"He said his name was Mr. beli-Beli-Beliel. Or belial. i called him Mr. bell."

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne had a sadistic English teacher in high school; she's read a good portion of Paradise Lost. The name is thusly familiar. And the fact that he gave a demon her last name kind of gives her the creeps.

"I'll keep an eye out for him," she mutters. "He say anything when he gave you the candy?...And wait, you said he changed. Was he the one who changed you?"

[fathers_cleric]

Preston rubs his head, "I dunno..."

The child bites his lip.

"I think so. he said something about me learning more at this age again."
a sniffle, "I can' go home like this! I have kids!"

There's something every parent must inherently fear, their kids knowing them as children.

[song_tra_bong]

"Hey, now." Her voice softens and she wraps one arm around him in a loose hug. She still keeps hold of his arm, though.

"You can stay here until it's over. I doubt this is meant to last." She laughs gently. "And as for learning things, how about not eating until you're sick, hm?"

[fathers_cleric]

"couln' help it-"

Huggings probably not the best idea.
Preston looks as miserable as he can.