Room 406, Later in the evening

[izzyalienqueen]

All in all, it had been a productive day. After karate there had been a quick trip to All & Sundries for a basket. Then lunch in the third floor common room. She still wasn't sure how much of what Dawn had told her was a joke, but she was still considering it, just in case. The conversation with Tyler had been good. She certainly knew what it felt like to have your deepest secrets broadcast over the radio.

There was a nudge against her leg and Isabel looked down, smiling at Greg. "Getting tired?" she asked. He nodded and she settled him on the pillow next to her. "Go to sleep, I need to finish working on this budget just in case I need to pay for a piccolo player." He curled up in a little ball and started to doze as she wondered exactly how long this was going to last. Hopefully not too long. But thanks to Seras's warning she'd made a quick stop at 313 to grab some of Greg's clothes. Hopefully that should keep any flailing to a minimum when the time came.

[ooc: locked to mparker17 because I do have some RL work to get done tonight. But if you really, really need to see Isabel ping me on AIM and I'll see if we can work something out.]

Comments

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker knocked on Isabel's door, bearing a six-pack of Diet Pepsi and a lollipop selection. "Is-a-bel, is a belle, is she there?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Door's open!" Isabel called out with a laugh.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker came in, then stopped, blinking at Greg. "Oh, don't tell me." She came in and ruffled the edges of his head as she handed over the six-pack. "Who do we have this time?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll give you three guesses," she said as she took the drinks and pulled a can from rings. "And the first two don't count."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Not Bridge, not Xander, not Jack, not John...." She ruffled the spines, then laughed. "Greggie! Oh my god, your boyfriend is a hedgehog!"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Yes," Isabel sighed. "My boyfriend is a hedgehog." Greg took that as a sign to crawl into her lap and curl up into a ball. "Hopefully not for long though."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Definitely not. Around here, he's only one croquet game away from serious jeopardy." Parker shook her head, and peeled the wrapper off one red lollipop. "So you're taking care of him until he's bipedal again?" She grinned. "Boy, he is so going to owe you."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I know," Isabel laughed. "It was easier with Jack, at least I knew he could defend himself. Poor Greg only has his spikes. And did you ever realize exactly how many cats are around this place?" She shook her head, "Having my boyfriend get eaten by a cat would definitely put a damper on my summer. So yes, I'll be taking care of him until he's back to himself."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yay for you, being the good girlfriend." Parker curled one leg under her and shook her head at Greg. "Did someone transform him, or did I hear it was the closet again? That thing ought to be taped off." She smiled. "And I don't know what this transformation says about Greg. Except he has unique hair."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"The closet. Molly was there when it happened," Isabel explained. "She brought him back to me. It's an oddly appropriate choice of animal. I'll just leave it at that." She tapped the notepad she'd been writing in. "He just better be changed back by the Fourth. I'm planning a party."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Ooo. What kind?" Parker took a look at the list, upside-down, and smiled. "Looks like you've already got it well in hand. Yay, organization skills."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Blame Jaye," Isabel snickered. "In the interest of encouraging shirtlessness, it's going to be a Fourth of July beach party."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Damn. Now I *really* wish I were going to be there." Parker sighed. "Ah, well. Maybe I can make the execs take off their shirts. Though it won't be even half as pretty, I'm guessing."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Damn, that's right. You're off to Blue Cove aren't you?" Isabel frowned. "No chance of changing his mind?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Not unless they have to re-negotiate something in Moscow. Which is vanishingly unlikely." Parker petted Greg, then sighed and opened a can of Pepsi. "Mr. Valentin is coming *here*. And my father asked me to act as translator for the non-business events."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That...sucks," Isabel pouted. "He can't hire someone?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"He could. This is his way of giving me a second chance, after that B." Parker stuck out her tongue, then licked the lollipop. "On the other hand? I have plans for his survival retreat. Heh."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

The beginnings of a plan were starting to formulate in Isabel's mind. If Parker couldn't be here for the Fourth, maybe she could arrange for a little of Fandom to visit Blue Cove. Isabel said nothing about her Parker's father, focusing instead on the survival retreat. "Oh? Going to pass on some of Cal's lessons?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yes. And some of Jarod's. And some of Miho's. And if they can't learn from those? Those First Aid drills are going to come in awful handy." She chuckled evilly. "None of them are going to doubt who's going to be a Chairman of that company. And who will never rise above middle-management."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Go Parker," Isabel cheered. "I have every bit of faith you can do it. Leadership by body count. Given what you've told me about that place, I think it's the only thing they might understand."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yup. So, I'll text you after I win, and let you know if I can get out early-- but I kind of doubt it." She sighed. "I'll be gone from next Friday through the 4th. But what have you got planned for the party? Aside from shirtlessness."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll be waiting for it," Isabel said. "And I'll drink a non-alcoholic toast in your honor. Let's see, at the moment plans include a catered barbaque, a volleyball tournament, I want to talk to Jarod and see if we can have access to the beach stuff from the workshop, and I'm trying desperately to work the budget so so we have enough money for a fireworks display." Isabel scrunched up her nose, "Hawkeye suggested talking to the businesses in town and seeing if they'd sponser stuff. But that means actually talking to Creepy Guy or Crazy Hooker. I'm trying to work up my courage."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Talk to Mr. Blackadder at All & Sundries. And remind him that I have a platinum card that's been very nice to his shop." Parker grinned. "Maybe the Cafe would like to donate food, too? It's got to be good advertising." She grimaced. "Just keep reminding me: one 4th of July is better than the entire summer in Rio, if I can't take you guys with me."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Oh good point. Just as long as I can avoid the smelly guy. Ick!" Isabel shuddered remembering her visit there today. "I was thinking of seeing if Luke's could cater it. But you're right, I should hit up Cafe Fina as well." She reached out and patted Parker's arm sympatheticly. "Yes, one weekend is much better then the entire summer. Think about it, you'd have missed Jack coming back, Shirtless Friday, and cute spiky haired guys getting turned into cute spiky haired critters."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker snickered. "Too true." She patted Greg again. "Not to mention the Stickbug/Meerkat vendetta, Beach class... yes. I just have to prove that everything I've learned is useful." She shrugged. "He'll relax if I can do that." She looked up. "Are you going back to Roswell for any time this summer?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"If the body count, walking wounded toll is high enough? I'm sure you will." She looked down, smiling grimly. "Probably for a week or so. My mom's been making noises about missing me the last few times I've called. So I'm going to have to go back and just deal with everything. Do you think I'm wrong for not wanting ot go?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"No. Unless I'm even more wrong for passing up Rio." Parker shrugged, then sighed. "Angelo and Sydney are the only people actually *at* Blue Cove I want to see. I know you want to see Max, and Michael, and your other friends. But the rest of it...."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Exactly. I was talking to Tyler today, about secrets coming out and how it makes you feel. I realized that going back to Roswell is sort of like going back to prison." Frustrated, she sighed, staring at nothing across the room. "I like being here and not needing to keep things secret. It's the stupid stuff, like when I was cooking dinner in the common room the other night, I had a CD playing using my powers. Or I waved my hand and grabbed a spatula from across the room. No one cared."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker nodded. "And there are other aliens here to talk to, and even if it's not exactly the same-- yes. I get that. I just feel like it's harder to deal with Blue Cove, when everyone here... well, I can't say they all accept me. But they don't expect me to be the boss's daughter, all the time, no matter what." She unwrapped another lollipop. "Three hundred days until graduation. After that, well. You've got another year to enjoy this place."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"They might not accept you, but at the same time, they don't expect you to meet their demands constantly," she said nodding her head. There was a small noise coming from her lap. Isabel looked down, amused to find that hedgehogs could snore. She carefully lifted Greg up and settled him on his pillow. "Speaking of not accepting you, how are things with Rory? Still calm?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Calmer. We had a normal conversation at her mom's baby shower today. She's gone next weekend to her grandparents. I'm gone the weekend after that. We don't have any classes together." Parker was quiet a moment. "It's not that hard to get along, when we're both being so very careful. And Anakin and I continue to avoid each other. Thanks for asking, though."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That's good. Baby steps, at a baby shower," Isabel chuckled softly. "I'm sure it's going to take time. But at least it's a start." She shook her head and smiled ruefully, "I've got find Anakin and thwap him at some point. He was there when Greg opened the door to that closet. He should have stopped him. He knows bad things happen there."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker rolled her eyes. "Which is not one of the reasons we don't get along any more, but is the kind of thing I used to whap him for. Put some umph into it, and think of me." She shook her head. "That reminds me that I have to call Angel. Big dork isn't answering his e-mail. You haven't talked to him recently, have you?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I will. Although I'll be putting plenty of umph into it already. My boyfriend is a hedgehog!" Isabel whined. "I'm without hugs and kisses for the forseeable future. He's lucky I don't thwap him into unconsciouness and then turn his hair and every stitch of clothing he's wearing a vile shade of lime green."

"And no I'm ashamed to admit that other then the few emails he's sent, I haven't heard from the big lug at all. I really do need to call him."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker choked on her drink. "Hang on. Must savor image." She paused, grinning, then said, "Right, then. Get pix if you go through with it."

"Tell him to call me, if you talk to him first." Parker finished her drink, and stood up, after ruffling the sleeping Greg's spikes once again. "And yell if you need help with Greggie here. At least he won't try to consume Esme for protein, like Jack would have."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep my camera handy," Isabel promised. "And I will. Both with Angel and with Spike there. But honestly, he's much easier then Jack. Much more low key. Plus, smaller and less bouncy. So we're doing good. I'll see you at beach class," she called after Parker as she left.