Open - different responses depending on the reply

[a_time_slip]

For the past half hour, Janie had been sitting on the beach, watching the waves.  Water both fascinated and scared her, which is why she was at a safe distance.

She wasn't unhappy, but she had doubts about nearly everything in her mind.  She wasn't sure if the yellow boat parked a few hundred yards away was a safe idea or not.

Comments

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"If you're looking at the water, then something's bothering you," Robert said, settling beside her.

[a_time_slip]

"Daddy!" she smiled "I didn't expect to see you! I- yes. I'll be okay."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"You sure? Because you don't look so sure," Robert said with a grin. "What's on your mind?"

[a_time_slip]

"Mistakes. I've- well, Forgetting about that, did you see my boat?"

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"The big yellow thing? Yes ... it's nice. Does it have some sort of guidance system for you?"

[a_time_slip]

"...I don't need it." she admitted. "It's just for show, something where I can have a bit of company."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

Robert nodded. "That can be a good thing."

[a_time_slip]

"Yeah. But not ex boyfriend company."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't know," Robert said, "but I'll take your word for that."

[a_time_slip]

"Because they're too confusing! Or they're evil, and I've had enough with evil people from my past popping up! Life needs to throw me a new plot."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"I've had enough of evil people from the past, as well," Robert agreed. "It's why retiring to an island seems like such a good idea ... "

[a_time_slip]

"I need people. I need to do something and not just sit around. It's not fair to Lynn, is it?" She grabbed a handful of sand and watched it drift through her fingers. "My life is too dangerous for her."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"Maybe. But she's a lot like you and she'd get bored just sitting around, the way that you do."

[a_time_slip]

"She needs to be a little girl... which is why I like it when she's with you. There's no pressure to save the world, or a need to run."

Janie stopped letting the sad drift, and listened carefully. She thought she'd heard something.

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"There should be less pressure on you, anyway."

[a_time_slip]

"On me? No... I feel like this is what I should be doing." She stood and looked around.

"Do you hear that, Daddy?"

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"Hear what?" He hadn't, but he also stood up and took a look around "What did it sound like?"

[a_time_slip]

"I'm not- DADDY, WATCH OUT!" Something seemed to come out of nowhere, headed directly for Robert.

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

Robert had just seen what was coming at him a split second before it hit him, and he was able to put his arms up, but ended up on his back in the sand just the same. He kicked at whatever-it-was frantically.

[a_time_slip]

Her laser blaster came out of her pocket, and was aimed at the creature. Three blasts and it left Robert alone only to turn to Janie.

She shot at it a few more times as it advanced, frustrated that it wasn't going down.


Several minutes later, it was down.

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

Robert had gotten off a shot or two, himself, but Janie had done the bulk of the attacking.

" ... thank you," he said, brushing sand from his hair. "What was that?"

[a_time_slip]

She walked to what remained of the creature, and paled at a piece of metal attached to an arm.

"It's a wolf. From Ganderlonga. They travel under cover of darkness until right before they attack."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"No reason for it to be here, unless someone set it on us. Or me. Or you."

[a_time_slip]

"It was sent for me. I'm sorry Daddy. I'm going to beat someone senseless for this."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"If you're sure about that ... You need any help with the beating?"