Up in the morning and out to school...

[a1enzo]

This is it.

They're at the docks. Enzo's carefully culled belongings are packed in the trunk of Bob's car. The ferry is scheduled to leave soon, but they're letting the other travelers board first.

Time to say goodbye.

Comments

[mend_and_defend]

Enzo's been registered, moved in to his room, and survived the initial meeting with his new roomies.

Now comes the difficult part.

"Well, I guess we'll be heading off..."

[a1enzo]

"Yeah."

This is it. His first time away from home, apart from Milliways. Although this is in the same universe, it still seems a lot farther away. Somehow, it didn't really feel like leaving until now.

[command_dot_com]

It's not the first time Dot's had to see her little brother go away.

But this is the first time she's going to get a chance to say goodbye. And it won't be permanent.

"Write back soon." Dot tries smiling, it comes out kind of halfway. "Going to miss hearing you terrorize the Office staff."

[a1enzo]

Never permanent. Never.

And, if all goes as hoped, considerably less so than it is for most cadets.

"I promise." He gives a weak grin. "I'll miss Specky freaking out."

[mend_and_defend]

"Now you get to terrorize the Academy faculty instead," says Bob, trying to lighten the mood.

[a1enzo]

"We'll help!" chirps Balun from his desk, where he's attempting to overclock a zipboard.

"Balun," Hugh's scolding voice calls from the bathroom. "You don't tell people you're eavesdropping. You save it for later blackmail."

"Then what're you doing?"

"Being a hypocrite."

Enzo giggles.

[command_dot_com]

"I'm sure Turbo will appreciate that." Dot likes their style, and will definitely appreciate them if they get the questions about Daemon to back off. "And if things result in me getting a call from your professors... I have three words for you. Captain Binome Underoos."

Dot bends down to give him a hug goodbye. "You remeber to be careful about disclosing information."

[mend_and_defend]

Bob gives Enzo a hug as well. "Just concentrate on having fun and making friends. Don't worry about your grades." A beat. "Well, don't worry about 'em too much."

[a1enzo]

Group hug!

"I can keep a secret," he informs Dot. And he is much more to be believed on that score than he would have been before Milliways.

To Bob: "Yeah, but if I don't then Dot'll delete me."

[command_dot_com]

"I know you can keep a secret," But sometimes things leak out without one realizing it. She gives Bob a look about the 'not worrying about grades' bit.

[mend_and_defend]

"What?" says Bob, in response to Dot's look. "If he spends all his time worrying about his grades, he'll be too stressed to do well! I almost flunked my third term here because of that!"

[command_dot_com]

"Somehow, I doubt his room mates will let it come to that, Bob."

[a1enzo]

Back in the room, Caret leans dangerously out the window to stick a finger into the cannon's barrel, removes it, straightens up, examines his finger, and thoughtfully licks the code slush off it. He nods, apparently satisfied with his findings.

In the doorway, Enzo tells the grown-ups, "I'll do my best and I'll have fun, okay?"

[mend_and_defend]

"I know you will."

[command_dot_com]

"I guess we'll be going now..." Dot says. "Take care, ok?"

[a1enzo]

"Okay-"

"HIT THE DECK!"

The sprites in the doorway are scattered aside as Balun, sitting on his experimental zipboard in chair configuration, blasts through at a totally inappropriate speed. There are shouts of panic from the hall, and cries of "Incoming!"