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[not_a_tosser]

Outspan's in the kitchen, making tea, mostly because it seems like the thing to do. It's strange - whenever he walks in, despite the fact that he's been on the Island for months now, he always expects to see Maureen making dinner, or Gráinne singing loudly along to the radio, or his Ma standing at the sink, up to her elbows in soapy water and

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[apinkrose]

One of Cecily's favorite places had to be the kitchen. She always seemed to find some sort of comfort there, whether it be a new friendly face, or a banana. She had hardly set foot in the kitchen at Woolton, her old home. But this time as Cecily wandered into the kitchen she was much surprised by what she saw, or who for that matter.

"I know you!" She exclaimed, although Cecily tended to be forgetful and couldn't recall his name. But he had saved her from the tree on the day she arrived. It seemed so long ago...

[not_a_tosser]

Outspan looks up in alarm, but then smiles when he sees that girl, the one who was in the tree. "Yeah! Cecily, righ'? Would y'like some tea?" He turns off the heat under the kettle so that the screeching quiets and dies.

[apinkrose]

Cecily nodded and thought on a moment for the man's name. Silly thing, memory was, for Cecily was sure she had a good one, and yet the name escaped her...

"Yes I would love some tea... and your name. I seem to have forgotten it!"

[not_a_tosser]

Outspan pours her a mug, and turns to hand it to her. "Outspan," he reminds Cecily, smiling to show he doesn't mind that she's forgotten. "So how're you likin' it 'round here?"

[apinkrose]

She took the cup from Outspans hands and takes a sip before responding. "Oh, I absolutely adore it!" She paused for a moment, "Is there any sugar?"

[not_a_tosser]

"Yeah, I t'ink it's in one o'them cabinets," he tells her, gesturing towards where he's under the impression the sugar is kept. "It's good tha' y'like it here. Some people really don't."

[apinkrose]

It was a funny thing to say at the moment, for she had just recently had a discussion on why so many people would want to stay on the island forever. She stood and began rummaging through the cabinets for some sugar. "How could one not enjoy this island?" She discovered the sugar and walked back to the table, putting a spoonful in her own cup. "Sugar?" She offered.

[not_a_tosser]

"I s'pose some people just like home better. Or they don't like islands, maybe?" He laughed. "I like it okay, meself."

He shook his head at her offer of sugar. "Nah, t'anks."

"So why d'you like it here so much?"

[apinkrose]

"Well, I have always thought of myself as someone who loves adventure." She took a sip of her tea and smiled a bit at his accent. She had heard many on the island since she arrived, but his would have to be her favorite of all. "The people, the places... everything about this place is just enchanting. The tea isn't like English tea, but of course, but still something about it makes it all the better to drink." She looked around the kitchen with her eyes, a small smile lingering on her face.

"I guess I have just found a way to call it home. Although I do miss my own, sometimes I think that perhaps... perhaps I like this new life better. Its a life I am actually living, and not making up!"

[not_a_tosser]

There's something about Cecily that Outspan likes, warms to instinctively. Her light attitude, her interest in anything new or dangerous or exciting. It's like she's a child, in a way - totally lacking in the jaded sensibility he knew so well.

"Sounds like y'really do love it. But, I mean t'say... don't y'ever miss your family?"

[apinkrose]

Cecily found this to be a very silly question. "Why of course. I am not heartless." She laughed, almost uncomfortably. Yet her tone softened as she went on speaking. "I do love them so dearly, but I suppose..." Thinking for a moment, Cecily took her pause, "Well, I dare to suppose I had not much family at all. No siblings, no parents...well not really. I do, or did rather, have my dear Uncle Jack. Or Earnest, or whatever his name is now." The confusion of the day she left home lingered fondly in Cecily's mind. Dear Gwen, Jack and Algernon.

"And a fiancee" The words were not cold, but for some reason Algy did not keep hold on her heart any longer. Was she ever to see him again, and if she did, would she still love him as she had? She shook the feeling, "Well, it is all quite gone, now." Her smile was weak and almost non-existant.