(no subject)

[themidnightson]

[Because the mun is cruel and cracktastic]

When the door opens this morning, it's on a pair of piercing emerald eyes and a mop of just-this-side-of-needing-a-trim copper hair, peering around what was supposed to be the kitchen door, at barely half the height of it. This did not look like the kitchen and those people were not the cook --


-- but it looked so interesting. Maybe Mother and Father had redecorated for another party. Maybe there would be sweets on one of the tables again. It couldn't hurt to check. Just in case.

He did have until the big hand was on the six before his piano lesson.

Comments

[ofthefamily]

It's always startling when Carlisle sees a young child in Milliways. Especially now with a murderer still on the loose, he tries to keep an eye on unattended children more often.

But he smells familiar, though the memory is hazier than he'd like.

"Hello, young man."

[themidnightson]

He's still looking around, green eyes wide with wonder.

How did they manage to redecorate it like this? And wasn't it so much bigger? Had the kitchen always been this much bigger and he hadn't noticed? And maybe no one would notice if he continue to creep toward tables, even in only surreptitious glances?

He blinked when someone addressed, "Hi."

Beat, before he straightens a tiny bit, with a glance wondering if his parents are watching, or if this person is their friend and would tell them.

"Umhm-" he grinned shyly, a tiny bit crooked, like it was mistake and joke for the first word, "Hello, sir."

[ofthefamily]

The corners of Carlisle's mouth turn upward in a shifting smile as he takes the sight of the boy in. In the diminished light of the bar his hair is more brown than anything else, but even at this distance he can see the green of the young boy's eyes taking everything in.

"Are you lost? What's your name, son?"

[themidnightson]

"No." His little head shook, smile turned brighter, slightly wider, with the easy confidence of a child in their own sureness. "I live here."

He took a few steps forward and held out his hand, the first few tiny digits wiggling. There is only laughter and pride and love, the same sureness in his face and voice. It's his house, how could anyone not know him?

"My name is Edward Masen."

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle forgets to breathe.

Edward Masen. Edward Masen. Not older than six and so familiar and he's here holding a tiny hand to him without a care about anything Oh my sweet Lord my Edward

Carlisle is staring. That's impolite.

Finally, his hand tremors as he shakes the hand of the little boy. "My name is Carlisle. It is...it's so wonderful to meet you, Edward."

[themidnightson]

"I am pleased to meet you, Mister Carlisle."

It's a very practiced line, the way he's certain of the sounds and his head bobs, and is looking up expectantly, quite proud of have managed it once again.

And then as quickly, his hand slips out of Carlisle's to wrap at the edge of the table and he is back to looking faintly impishly at the things on Carlisle's table once it's out of his mouth properly.

"Is there going to be a party?"

[ofthefamily]

He thinks they are both in the Masen house.

This can be a good thing. Go with it.

"Did your parents tell you there would be one?" Eyeing Edward's curiosity towards the table, "Were you looking for a snack?"

[themidnightson]

Edward doesn't exactly say no, simply stares at Carlisle maybe a little too long with those bright green eyes, with just enough of an unable to hide it tiny smile.

He really probably shouldn't have candy before his piano lesson. His mother has said so before. But she always had the nicest things at her parties.

[ofthefamily]

And the idea of Carlisle denying anything --

"What would you like?"

[themidnightson]

Edward looked uncertain, bottom half of his face scrunched up. Would Mister Carlisle tells his mother? And should he be taking things?

But he was in his house. He was safe. Wasn't he? Maybe he could...

"My mother's favorites are sweethearts." He nodded a little, fingers, toying with the top of the table. "She puts three of them on the littlest plates when she has her parties."

[ofthefamily]

Sweethearts. Obviously not those pressed-sugar concoctions sold by the ton in drugstores around Halloween --

Oh. Chocolates, of course.

"Stay here; I'll go find you some."

Carlisle makes sure Edward deposits himself in a seat before fleeing to the bar, returning with a handful of wrapped chocolates. Probably more than the young boy needs, but Carlisle isn't precisely paying attention to the professional side of his brain at the moment.

[themidnightson]

Edward meanwhile is looking at the bar, which seems awfully large for still being his kitchen. And it looks like it has doors and windows he can't remember ever seeing before.

At least until he's distracted by the book Carlisle left on the table -- so that by the time Carlisle returns half a minute later, Edward the Wee is sprawled half across the table, with his knees on the seat of his chair now, looking at the picture facing upward-upside down his head twisted as though it might help the angle.

[ofthefamily]

"Louis L'Amour," Carlisle explains. "Cowboys and westerns."

The chocolates are deposited in front of Edward.

"What were you doing before you walked in here, Edward?"

[betagainstme]

She knows him instantly. How can she not? He is her, a part of her, in her, with her always. Even like this. If her heart weren't already dead, it would stop. It feels like it's trying to climb out her throat as is.

Jasper as a human was just strange. He was drunk. He smelled like alcohol and war.

Edward was so small. A child. She couldn't ever remember being that small.

Alice forces a smile to her face and she steps towards the boy (her brother) and stoops down in front of him. "Why hello there."

[themidnightson]

Brilliant green eyes blink rapidly at the woman who came down. She didn't look like anyone he remembered, but his Mother's parties were ever so huge and there so many Ladies and she was--

"Pretty."

[betagainstme]

Alice's smile is helpless and she wants to cry. "Thank you. You're quite handsome yourself. I'm Alice."

[themidnightson]

"I'm Edward."

There was a little giggle in his name. How could anyone not know him in his home? There were no other little boys here.

He stuck his hand out, wiggling his fingers, but not too far, as she had crouched down and was very close to him. His face scrunched up with decided effort, as he said, "I am pleased to meet you, Miss Alice."

A canned line, but he was very proud of having managed it!

His Mother and Father would be so proud.

[betagainstme]

"Pleasure is all mine, Sir Edward." Alice takes his hand and shakes it delicately.

There's a faint whisper of a future for him. Just the immediate one for now, and she's not fond of the idea for searching for anything further. Not for him. Not now.

"Don't you have a piano lesson soon, young man?"

[themidnightson]

"Cold," he mumbled, before nodding very quickly. "I have until the six!"

[betagainstme]

Alice curls her fingers in after letting go of his hand and nodding. "So you do. You have time yet. Would you like to sit? There is a fireplace and some armchairs in the corner. You can tell me how your lessons are going."

[themidnightson]

"Okay." And Edward holds out his hand again.

Apparently cold isn't a bad thing?

[betagainstme]

She takes his hand immediately as she stands. Her fingers curl against his warm hand and her heart does that climbing into her throat thing again.

Alice leads him over to the armchairs and sits down in one before drawing him into her lap, settling him against her.

[themidnightson]

She's very pretty and she's graceful. Like his Mother. His mother is very very pretty, and soft, and she always smells nice, and has the nicest friends. Which Miss Alice must be.

He sits into her lap, with a grin, looking around, as though she has become his crows nest to explore the new area from. "Is there going to be a party tonight?"

[betagainstme]

"Quite possibly." Alice says, in a low whisper, as if sharing a secret. "And maybe not. Maybe it's a surprise."

[themidnightson]

Edward giggled and and ducked his head against her collarbone through her shirt[. "I like surprises."