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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:23 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:32 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:36 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:43 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:51 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:56 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:37 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:51 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:59 pm
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"Don't say that," the Hatter said, feeling worse and worse with each passing second. "You don't really wish you were a robot again just because of a little embarrassment.... do you?" He frowned and bit his lip, a little cloud of doubt forming in the back of his head. ~~~ Nana cleared her throat and said, "Lord Kavarel?" even before they entered the room. "We're still here," Kavarel said coolly, as the four of them ducked inside. Hannah was sitting beside him, looking calm and casual, but Nana didn't miss her tousled hair and blushing cheeks. "Who are they?" Kavarel asked, sounding rather impatient. "If we interrupted something, I apologize profusely," Nana said with a curtsy. "Mother.... Lord Kavarel.... I'd like you to say hello to Gareth and Lenore, Jasper's parents." Kavarel eyed the pair warily, his gaze flicking to Jasper for a moment and back. "So there are more of you then?" Hannah slapped him upside the head and he cleared his throat, looking reproachfully over at her like a pouting child. Hannah stood up and took each of their hands in turn. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, smiling kindly. "Jasper is such a beautiful boy, and he and Nana make each other so happy. You've done very well as parents, and I admire you profoundly. I do think you'll love Nana as much as I love Jasper already."
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:07 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:10 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:36 pm
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"Likewise," the Hatter said. "I'm sorry. Oh-- your hands are freezing cold!" He pulled off his gloves and gave them to her. "Here, they haven't got full fingers but they should help some. I really don't want you getting sick, Tick-Tock. It's really dangerous for you." ~~~ Hannah laughed at Gareth's comment, basking under the first positive attention about her looks that she'd received in fifteen years. Jasper's little remark stopped her laughing and her blush deepened as she smoothed out her hair. Nana gave Jasper a little whack on the back of the head, but the question still remained: "Mother... you are coming with us, aren't you?" "Er... no, I'm afraid not. I'm going to stay here with Kavarel and the Guardians. Oh, I'm sorry, Lindey-- I mean Nana-- it's just that this is the only place that will ever really feel like home to me!" "It's quite all right," Nana said, although it was easy to tell by her face that it was not all right. "You should stay where you're happy." "You're so sweet, my dear," Hannah said, kissing her on the forehead. She chose not to go into detail with Lenore on why her suggestion of being a good mother was utterly incorrect. "I know you'll be happy wherever you go."
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:45 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:48 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:14 pm
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Hannah smiled, tears forming in her eyes, and nodded, wiping them away. "Thank you," she said. Everyone was shocked when Lenore bowed to Kavarel.... and even more shocked when Kavarel took Lenore's hands, looked her straight in the eyes, and said, "Neither you nor any of your family will ever bow to me or any Guardian again. Not after all you've been through. I realize now how much of a pompous, rude, wicked...." He struggled for the words-- "...tyrant I've been. I'm sorry." He bowed to her and stayed in his bow for a long time. Finally he came back up and said quietly, "Jasper and Nana, I think it's time for you to return to your friends. Nana.... good luck." ~~~ "What do you mean, thank you for caring?" the Hatter said with a smile. "I need no thanks. My thanks is the knowledge that you care about me just as much." He kissed her gently. "And that's quite a lot."
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