Home, Then Elsewhere - Early Friday Morning
Portalocity helped ship their belongings home, leaving Thursday and Friday in Friday's empty room. They'd said their goodbyes and it was time to go. Time seemed to slow down around them as Colonel Next made his presence known. Unlike previous encounters, Thursday wasn't the only one aware of time freezing. Friday looked up at his grandfather and said, very eloquently, "Buh."
"That's my grandson," Thursday's father said with a smile. "Hello, Sweetpea. Everything ready?"
Thursday nodded. "Let's go home."
"Do you mind if we make a detour?" he asked, picking Friday up after silently asking the boy's permission. "Won't take long."
"You're the driver," Thursday replied, moving closer. "As long as you get us to where we need to be, we're in your hands."
A few moments later they were exactly where they needed to be. Fandom was no longer in sight. Friday looked at his grandfather, inquiring with a look where they were, but Colonel Next was too busy watching Thursday.
Thursday eyed her father warily and turned around. This place was familiar. She knew this street, but it wasn't quite home. Then she saw the little book shop on the corner and knew where they were. Turning her head quickly, she risked a glance at her father, who nodded and confirmed her suspicions. He set Friday down on the pavement. "I'll be along shortly." Friday took a few steps towards Thursday and slipped his hand into hers. It took her a moment to register, but then she squeezed it tightly and they waited to cross the road.
A bell jingled as Thursday held the door open for Friday to step inside the book shop, the strong smell of coffee hitting them as they moved out of the cold. The shop was more organised than when she'd first seen it, nothing more than pile after dishevelled pile of unsorted books. Everything had its proper place and shelves had been installed. They walked to the end of one of the shelves and into an open area with a table, some chairs and the owner of the shop.
He looked up over his glasses and slowly rose from his chair with a smile. "Sorry," he said, bookmarking his place and waving the copy of Jane Eyre at them. "I got carried away. Can I help you?" Thursday held Friday's hand tightly as she looked Landen in the eye. He didn't know them. That was the effect of being side-slipped into a different timestream. That was why he'd been safest here, hiding out where he wasn't himself, where he didn't even know he had a son and wife and a life somewhere else. But as Thursday's silence turned into an uncomfortable one, the concern on Landen's face turned to a hint of recognition. "Jane Eyre." He looked at the book, then set it down. "Not that Jane Eyre. You came in about a year ago looking for Jane Eyre."
"You remember?" Thursday asked after a moment of stunned silence.
"You were my first customer," Landen grinned. "Well, almost customer. If I recall, you left before buying anything, but you wanted Jane Eyre. Strange name."
"Jane?"
"No, yours. I'm sorry, what was it?"
"Thursday."
"Right. Day of the week. Who's this?"
"Friday," Friday answered for himself, causing Thursday to blink and look down at him. Of all the times to start speaking English. She moved to put her hands on his shoulders, holding him against her legs.
"My son," Thursday explained.
Landen crouched down and offered a hand, which Friday cautiously shook. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Friday." He looked up at Thursday. "Have we met before? Not here, I mean. It sounds silly, stupid really, but I get the feeling I know you from somewhere."
"Yes," Thursday said as the bell on the door rang behind her, signalling her father's presence, "I'd imagine you would."
"Time to go," Colonel Next announced.
"Oh," Landen said hurriedly, standing up. "I don't suppose I can convince you to buy a book this time? Jane Eyre, right here."
"I have a copy, but thanks."
"Right," he replied awkwardly. "Where are you headed?"
Thursday glanced at her father as he came up beside her, then looked back at the oblivious Landen. He wouldn't be oblivious for long.
"We're going home."
[OOC: And that's it from Thursday Next and the boy Friday! Thanks to everyone who played with her throughout her time in Fandom. It's been a blast.]