milliways_bar | (no subject)

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bonnie murdock

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Bonnie hasn't heard the term asshole parent, but if she had, what she's doing now would probably qualify.

See, as far as she's concerned, the best way to deal with rule-breaking is to serve a consequence directly related to the broken rule. So when her older foster-boy, Ted, decided to blast music at top volume the third time she had asked him not to, she took the opportunity to borrow the radio and turntable and his room.

She is currently making some very minor adjustments to both devices, which ought to dampen down the dulcet tones of Mr Presley for the foreseeable future.

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"Hello, Bonnie", Athelstan says, quiet and somewhat subdued. "What are you working on?"

"Hey Athelstan." Bonnie looks up and gives him a smile. "One of my foster boys keeps playing Elvis at top volume, and it's freakin' out the neighbours and givin' my sister-in-law who lives with us a headache. So I'm rewirin' it while he's out."

"Rewiring it to do what?" He sets his hands on the back of the chair, looking to her for permission to sit.

"Not go any louder." Bonnie says, nodding her consent.

"How you doin'? New beard?"

He sits.

"...probably, yes. I've been wanting to talk to you about the Scouts."

"Sure, go ahead." Bonnie calls a rat over to get them both a drink.

He hesitates, then lays his hands palms up on the table.

"You see... since we last talked, many things have happened."

Bonnie glances at the scars, then looks at him in concern.

"I had heard you'd been very sick." she says. "Are you feelin' any better?"

"In body, yes. Almost all the way. But my hands don't have the dexterity they did, and I can't run."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Bonnie says. "Is there anythin' I can do to help?"

"I wanted to talk to you about that... is it still fitting for me to work with the Scouts?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Bonnie asks.

"Because I - may be unable to do some activities."

"Athelstan, don't take this as a challenge; but if you were blind, with one leg, one arm and a tendency to wheeze on movement, I'd still write badges fer you to do." Bonnie says. "You are welcome fer as long as you want to stay, and we will adapt activities for you if we need just as we would any other Scout."

The first part actually gets a small smile.

"That would be the only help I ask, then."

His confidence has taken a heavy hit, and he likes children.

"Autor's makin' pizza tomorrow, if you want to help eat that or watch the kids not burn themselves. And I'm takin' you all out in canoes in a few weeks." Bonnie says. "If you cain't paddle, yer welcome to come along fer the ride and watch out fer the little ones not fallin' in."

"I can do that", he says with a nod. "And if the worst happens, I can swim."

"Awesome. You'll get a buoyancy aid, same as everyone else." Bonnie adds.

"You really think I was gonna kick you out?"

Athelstan shrugs.

"Others said not, but i wanted to be sure."

"We all got our problems, Athelstan." Bonnie says softly. "Part what I made the Scouts for, really."

"It will help me pass the time, then, while I'm here. And I think I need to spend time here."

"It sounds like it. You want a drink?"

"I won't say no, and let me buy you one?"

"What you having?" Bonnie asks, asking the waitrat for her 'usual', their new understanding for the bringing of a non-alcoholic beer.

"Mead?" he asks the rat. "Thank you."