(Untitled)

[neptune_sleuth]

Whatever Veronica Mars has been expecting when she'd charged head first into the jungle with Neil, she hadn't exactly gotten it. Somewhere on the surface had been the desire to save George, whatever that meant, and make sure her friend was okay, sure. But if she had hoped to soothe her restlessness or find she'd fallen back into whoever she'd once

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[heartintrust]

"Veronica?" Padme's voice was quiet, careful not to wake or interrupt if her friend was already asleep. She figured that it could be worse even if she did wake her, since she'd talk to her about finding a bed - or if it was all that too far to walk, she was sure that she could use Padme and Jay's bed.

She'd come to the kitchen to grab something to eat, her hair pulled back into a low ponytail, and almost contemporary in a long shirt and capri pants. Now that Sola was even slightly mobile, this made it... easier.

[neptune_sleuth]

Blinking quickly at the sound of her name, Veronica shook off the half-sleep. She turned her head a little to see who had spoken and smiled. "Padme, hey," she said, too much at ease with her to force herself to be more alert. She slumped lazily forward, leaning against the table. "And what brings you to our lovely kitchen?"

[heartintrust]

"Food, really. What brings you? Besides sleeping on tables." She smiled, and her head tilted. "You really should try and get some sleep," she said gently. "Are you hungry?"

There was an odd sort of mothering when it came to Veronica; not like a daughter, but the kind of friend that you want to desperately take care of.

[neptune_sleuth]

"I slept all day," Veronica assured her, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm good." She wasn't about to tell Padme where she'd been if she didn't already know, not wanting to make her worry even after the fact. "Is there anything good? I could maybe use a little something."

[heartintrust]

Padme tugged meat from the refridgerator. "How does a sandwich sound? No mangoes, I promise." Her mouth quirked into a smile, even though her eyes were dark with worry.

[neptune_sleuth]

"And here I was just thinking some mango between a couple slices of bread would be so tasty," Veronica teased. She smiled and gave a small nod. "A sandwich sounds great, Padme, thank you."

[heartintrust]

Padme made a face at that. "Whomever invented the thought of mango sandwiches- which, by the way, I fully think is you- should be punished." She tugged out some meat and bread. "The mere thought is a travesty, as I'm sure you know." She was clearly teasing, and smiled at Veronica over her shoulder before going to cut the bread.

[neptune_sleuth]

"You know, I really wouldn't be all that surprised if someone else thought of it first," Veronica pointed out, eyebrows raising, a small smirk on her lips. "I mean, seriously, we're trapped her with endless amounts of the stuff. Someone's probably tried it."

[heartintrust]

"I don't think anyone else is quite as twisted as you." It was clear that Padme was teasing, even as she assembled the sandwich. "By the way, Sola's been asking after you, if I understand her babbling right." She looked at Veronica over her shoulder.

It wasn't true, obviously, but more of an invitation. "Just.. if you ever need time to just relax?" Especially with the way Veronica was looking at the moment.

[neptune_sleuth]

"She managed to fit my name in between the plans for island domination?" Veronica asked, brow knitting, and she pressed a hand to her heart, mock-touched. "That's so sweet. I really will drop in and see her sometime, I swear. I was just..." She shrugged, sighing a little. "Out in the jungle this weekend, y'know? George disappeared and..." Another shrug.

[heartintrust]

"Oh, Veronica." Padme sighed, and turned, passing her the plate. "I didn't mean now, just.. so long as you know there's always a place for you. Always."

She bustled about making a cup of tea, turning to look over her shoulder. "Would you like one?"

[neptune_sleuth]

"I know, I... still mean to come by." Thing was, Veronica knew that now. After years of being almost entirely on her own, she was suddenly surrounded by people who were always willing to make room for her, who cared about her, who worried. And still it felt strange to think of, even difficult to believe. Mostly she was waiting without realizing it for the other shoe to drop. "Tea'd be great."

[heartintrust]

Padme hummed to herself as she put the kettle on the teabags in the two mugs. "So, besides the whole... dinosaurs in the jungle thing-" She turned back, and paused, her voice quieter. "Is George alright?"

[neptune_sleuth]

"All in one piece," Veronica said, grinning a little. "She pretty much dropkicked a dinosaur, though, so that was... I found out after, not during. Right in the face, actually. She's what you might call a little crazy."

[heartintrust]

Padme's eyes widened. "She's lucky." She wrinkled her nose, then. "When did I become my mother? Sorry, Veronica." She rescued the whistling teapot, and poured the hot water before carefully settling Veronica's in front of her and sitting with her own.

[neptune_sleuth]

"The fate we all dread," Veronica deadpanned, then grinned. It was the truth, at least for her, but it was hard to tell that from her face. "As long as being your mom means I get pampered, I'm so okay with this."