Tenth [Action]

[akapeanut]

[George hasn't woken up in her parents' house in two years. Even back home she never expected to again.

But here she is, waking up to her mom's nagging, her dad's apathy, and her sister's quiet devotion. She goes to work and Dolores hates her. After, she goes to the Wafflehaus and Rube doesn't know who she is.

It's not real. She knows it isn't. But there's no way she's getting killed by a toilet seat again. She's gonna stay here and have a family again. She's already died once, right? She has literally nothing to lose.]

Comments

[itsahotone]

[Tra la la, sooner or later Santana shows up at George's door. It may be deliberate, it may not.

It doesn't really matter, since now Santana is stuck who-knows-where, staring up at an all right looking house.]

[airshipswank]

[ And who would waltz into the Lass residence if not our dearest duke in all his splendour!

He probably sauntered right out of a closet. Or basement door. Or wherever that magical portal is located. Wherever he stands, wherever he looks around now, things... don't seem entirely to his satisfaction. ]

Oh dear, a modern one again...

[ And he decides to raise his voice. ]

Now then, whose is this?

[akapeanut]

[And George comes walking down the steps. Reggie trails behind her, clearly confused about this sudden attention from her older sister.]

Trust me. Frogs are reliable pets. They're, uh...

[Santana. Shit.]

...Fun.

[Reggie raises an eyebrow at the cheerleader, but more or less stays put as George advances on her.]

Why are you here?

[akapeanut]

[The portal is in the toilet seat, but the narration supposes there could be others, whatever.

George is at the table eating oatmeal with raisins. And now she's just kind of dropping her spoon.]

What the-- go back, oh my God. You do not fit in here!

[airshipswank]

[ Well, good. Because His Grace is offended enough as it is without being forced to crawl through a toilet seat. ]

Miss George, what have I done to offend that would earn me this welcome?

[ Really now. How could you? How could you? ]

[itsahotone]

Georgie!

[Cheery smile! And just for everyone's sake, let it be known that Santana is wearing a tight, short skirt and a much looser top, off one shoulder.]

Hoped I'd find you here.

[akapeanut]

[Reggie pretty distinctively and disdainfully mutters "Georgie?" from her place on the steps.]

Yeah, okay, now you can leave?

[George makes little flappy handed shooing gestures.]

[akapeanut]

[Yes, or be hit in the face with one. :|a]

This-- this isn't your time! You look like you're wearing a costume in my mom's kitchen!

[Aaaand speak of the devil, there's Joy. Standing in the doorway leading to the living room. Arms crossed.]

Well. Isn't this a pretty picture. George, should I be calling the cops or do you know this pirate?

[George doesn't even have the words to point out that he's probably not a pirate. She's just facepalming eternally.]

Alright, cops it is. You might want to leave, Fancypants. I don't think your type does well in prison.

[itsahotone]

[Santana will ignore the other tinier girl until that is impossible, and just give George a hurt look.]

You don't want to show me your house?

[akapeanut]

[George relaxes a little. Sure, this is probably a little fake, but. Well. She should maybe assume that Santana is capable of SOME feelings, right?]

Uh. Well, I guess. If you want. But then you should probably go.

[She glances around, vaguely nervous.]

I'm not sure how long you can stay.

[itsahotone]

Why?

[She puts her hands on her hips as she walks towards George. She leans close, which is very thoughtful in making sure George's sister doesn't hear, but it may look a little cozy to outsiders.]

Pretty sure you're not supposed to stay, either.

[airshipswank]

[ Oh please. Buckingham knows joy and this woman very evidently has nothing to do with it. Supposedly he could just shoot her since this is only a dream anyway, but that seems like a rather strong display of poor manners, so... a friendly smile? ]

Madam, you misunderstand. I'm neither marauder nor should young Miss George fail to recognise an acquaintance in me, although the fault is my own entirely for I failed to announce my visit in a timely manner and for that-

[ He bows deeply. ]

-I apologise sincerely.

[akapeanut]

[George doesn't meet Santana's eyes.]

What's gonna happen? I'll die? Whoop-dee-friggin'-doo.

[akapeanut]

[Joy stares. She's usually pretty decisive, but it's almost as if the dream doesn't quite know what to do about Buckingham. Maybe it's because George has literally no idea how her real mom would react to this guy.]

You...

[The dream world seems to sense George's discomfort with this change in her mother and suddenly everything snaps into motion.]

I don't think my daughter knows you or wants anything to do with you. So either leave now, or I'm calling the fucking cops.

[George winces again. She's only heard her mother swear once and that was after she died. This isn't quite right, and that hurts more than the thought of leaving.

Unfortunately, she is incredibly stubborn.]

Mom, I know him. Don't call the cops. I'll get him out.

[She stands, grabbing harshly at Buckingham's arm and dragging him into the living room.]

This isn't really the time, okay? Just...

[Let me have this.]

Go.

[airshipswank]

[ Mansion translation still in place Buckingham knows the implications of "cops" and, despite being fairly indifferent towards the threat, decides to let himself be dragged along although a glance should be more than enough to tell that he does not at all appreciate the reception. ]

Not the time? Pray tell, what was I interrupting?

[itsahotone]

[Stare stare stare.]

Show me your house.

[She'll think of something.]

[akapeanut]

[Sigh.]

C'mon Reg. Santana wants to see the house.

[Reggie doesn't seem to trust Santana, but she doesn't say anything. She opens the door and George leads them inside. Joy sits in the living room, reading. She looks up when they enter.]

Oh. Who's this? Selling steaks?

She's just a friend mom. I'm-- we're gonna go up to my room.

Uh...huh.

[Joy doesn't seem convinced.]

[akapeanut]

Oh, I don't know. My life?

[Teenager huff.]

[itsahotone]

[Santana, clearly the best guest ever, gives George's mother a wonderful WTF look.]

Selling steaks?

[Now she has turned that look on George. Nothing in the trampy way she is dressed screams meat-seller.]

[airshipswank]

Mhh, but your life will still be here tomorrow, won't it?

[ Oh. OH, BUT SPEAKING OF WHICH. ]

Ah, though I suppose you never quite know, even... during the most harmless events that are no cause for concern whatsoever, wouldn't you say?

[ That's right, somebody remembers George telling him to be relieved about not receiving a post-it note... and then dying a gruesome total of five times. ]

[akapeanut]

What? It's a thing people do.

[Sigh. Again.]

Come on. Upstairs. Now.

[George moves to the stairs. Reggie follows. And if Santana cares to look, Joy is preparing to supervise their meeting as well.

George doesn't notice, though, and leads the way right up to her room.]

[akapeanut]

[George scowls.]

This one seems fine.

[itsahotone]

Forceful.

[That was said with the perfect amount of suggestiveness to be mostly innocent in the eyes of siblings and parents, but probably not for George herself.

Tra la la, taking in the sights as they go. Including...]

What's with the ducklings?

[airshipswank]

So you said last time.

[ A deep sigh. A deep, deep and disappointed sigh. ]

Very well, I can see when I'm not wanted.

[ Although he usually doesn't care. ]

Miss George, I apologise for the intrusion. I will see myself out.

[ A curt bow. ]

Enjoy your... life.

[akapeanut]

[dlakjs Santana, shut up, her mom is here.

She's less upset and more confused about the second thing, though. George turns, eyebrows raised.]

Uh, guys? A little privacy?

I just...don't know about her, Georgia.

Mom. Seriously. I'm ni-- eighteen. I can handle it.

"I'm eighteen, I can handle it". Yeah, sure. Next thing I know one of you drops a cigarette and burns the house down. Nope, not a chance. I'm staying right here.

[Joy crosses her arms and leans in the doorway. Reggie stands behind her, sending half-curious and half-jealous gazes Santana's way.]