A phone call

[water_wizard]

Alec’s closing up the shop when the phone in his pocket rings. When he sees who’s calling, he answers immediately.

“Hey, sis, what’s up? You okay?”

Alyce hardly ever calls for no reason.

Comments

[whenthewindblows]

“Hi, Alec. Yeah, I’m fine. Um, I’m great actually. Are you busy?”

[water_wizard]

She sounds happy. Alec approves.

“Not anymore. So how’s Boston? Are you frozen yet?”

Brrr. San Diego is just right for Alec.

[whenthewindblows]

Alyce laughs. “It’s Massachusetts, not the North Pole.”

[water_wizard]

“Same diff, sis, same diff. Did you get your coat?”

[whenthewindblows]

“I did. I got

two

. One for the rain and one for the cold. And yeah, it’s been chilly, but I’ve been a-okay.”

[water_wizard]

Good. He worries about her.

“You work with hot chocolate. That is my consolation.”

[whenthewindblows]

“You're such a dork. Hey, um, I met someone. That's why I wanted to call.”

[water_wizard]

“Oh, really?”

She’s never mentioned dating. She’s so shy, he’s surprised she’s even talking to guys. But then again, Alyce will always, in some ways, be his six-year-old little sister.

“Do I need to come loom? Demand to know his intentions? Or hers,” he adds quickly, because he’s never been absolutely positive and he’s not close-minded at all.

[whenthewindblows]

“No, silly.” Alyce likes talking to Alec. He’s always so funny, and it’s easy to talk to him. He’s a great big brother.

“His name is Neville, and he’s... God, he’s the best. I really like him. We've been, um, sort of seeing each other a while, but we just started dating a couple weeks ago. He asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes.”

[water_wizard]

While Alec is thrilled to hear Alyce sound so happy, he’s also concerned. She’s been sheltered, and Alec knows about how some guys can be.

“Neville, huh? Tell me more. I want to know all about him.”

[whenthewindblows]

Alyce launches into a thorough description, leaving out the graphic details about their private time together while still conveying the level of respect Neville has for her.

“He’s taking me to the Renaissance Faire with his little sisters and brother this weekend. And, OH, I can beat his suitemates and his guy friends in Call of Duty now. That’s a FUN game.”

[water_wizard]

Alec nods as he listens. Okay. This guy sounds all right. He’s going to demand pretty constant updates from now on, but Alyce is getting out of her room and making friends. He’s wanted that for her for a long time.

“Cool, sis. I bet you mop the floor with them.”

[whenthewindblows]

“I kinda do. I’m a badass.”

[water_wizard]

Alec laughs. “Yeah, you really are.”

[whenthewindblows]

“Oh, and hey, Neville’s family uses. They’re very powerful, but they’re good people. I'm glad to be with someone I can just, you know, not lie to all the time.”

Alyce told Alec everything when she first came home. How could she not? She had to tell someone, and he already had guessed a lot. He uses magic himself.

[water_wizard]

Alec bites back the immediate "be careful" that springs to his mind. He knows she’s more than able to take care of herself physically, but powerful witches and warlocks sometimes bypass the whole physical aspect of things.

"I know how important that is. Being yourself, I mean."

[whenthewindblows]

"I'm happier than I've ever been. Oh, and I’ve been casting more lately myself. I’m getting the hang of drying spells.”

[water_wizard]

“I miss calling up storms with you.”

They only did it as kids, before she was taken away, and they never knew they were using magic for real.

[whenthewindblows]

“Alec, I want you to come visit, like you said. Do you think you can? I miss you. And I want you to meet Neville.”

[water_wizard]

“Aw, sis, I miss you, too. I probably can’t make it for the holidays, but I think I may be able to come, like, around the new year? Retail job. You know how that goes.”

[whenthewindblows]

“God, yes, I was just telling Neville I needed a job with the weekends off.”

[water_wizard]

“I hear that. Although for me, surfing’s better on the weekdays when the gremmies aren’t around.”

[whenthewindblows]

"You are so weird."

[water_wizard]

“This observation has been made before.”

[whenthewindblows]

Alyce giggles and decides that if she uses up all her minutes tonight, that’ll be okay. She’ll buy a new phone card tomorrow. The expense is worth it to talk to Alec for a while.