It's Not What it Looks Like

[Macbeth]

"I didn't yell. I was positively mellow. And sober. At the same time. Should've made the bloody headlines." She smirked. "'Course, Ershey here was the saint of the lodging house. Got along with everyone." Even me. She actually bothered to reach out to me, so don't you wonder why I stick up for her.

[Ershey]

"Macbeth!" muttered Ershey under her breath, a bit embarrassed.

"Of course," said Risk sincerely. "I'm not surprised, you always had a way of makin' everyone smile. You were always the favorite out of the two of us, anyway."

"No, I wasn't!" replied Ershey, finally looking at Risk. "You were!"

"You just thought that 'cause I always got in trouble!"

[Macbeth]

Macbeth smirked to herself. Now they sounded like siblings. "Two bits says I gotta listen to this all afternoon," she said to Jo, who grabbed her nose in response. Beth gave her an indignant look. "What? Bum odds?"

[Ershey]

"Yeah, 'cause they paid more attention to you!" continued Ershey.

"That's 'cause I was horrible, Adri," said Risk, his tone now gentler. "I started stealing, gambling, drinking... I thought it was just fun but I didn't think I was going to hurt anyone."

"Well, you did."

((Off to sleep!! <3!))

[Macbeth]

(('Night, love! And in that case, me too. ^_^))

Beth knew she shouldn't interfere in this, she really did. But the proud tradition that defined her entire life was idiotically speaking her mind on every possible occasion.

"Ersh, I know he's your brother and that makes it count more, and there's no excuse, but...you've given second chances for worse than that."

Because she was starting to believe that he really did want to make amends. He'd been horrible to everyone in his life, and he wanted to show he could be better, and she couldn't damn well help but sympathize with that.

[Ershey]

Ershey bit her lip, letting out a small sigh. Macbeth was right. She'd met worse people than Alec and here she was, giving him the hardest time. She remembered Michael ((Skitts? Haha! I forgot the name we used for him at MLH)) and how she was there for every step of his depression and recovery. There was also Dusk, Relic and the other newsies she knew...

"Fine," muttered Ershey softly. She looked over at Risk. "Maybe I'm bein' a bit too hard on you."

Risk eyes widened as he looked back and forth at the two girls. What just happened? "R-really? You'll let me make it up to you?"

"It doesn't mean it's goin' to happen overnight, alright?" said Ershey, shooting him a look.

Risk grinned, almost tempted to give Macbeth a hug for her help.

[Macbeth]

"Don't even think about it," Macbeth growled. She didn't get it very often, but she could still recognize that I-kind-of-want-to-hug-you look a mile away. To her relief, they were just coming up on Tibby's. Jo waved her arms excitedly.

[Ershey]

Risk playfully winked at Macbeth, figuring he'd thank her in some way later. He was glad to have someone like her on his side. Once they were seated, Risk couldn't help but grin at the two girls. "Lunch is on me!"

((I'm hereeeeee!))

[Macbeth]

((I'm glad you're here!! *tackles*))

Macbeth smirked and turned to Ershey. "Can I just follow you two around and try and benefit from all the ways he's gonna make things up to you?"

Jo started fussing a little, and Beth bounced her on her knee. "Shh. Whaddaya wanna eat, huh, kid? No peanut butter this time. Never again." She scanned the menu for something relatively safe, though her niece would doubtless find some way to make a mess of it.

[Ershey]

"Alec, you don't have to," said Ershey gently, finally warming up a bit.

"No, no, I can. I have the money for it." Risk grinned.

"That's three people... and Jo, if you count her."

((Wheeee!))

[Macbeth]

Beth snorted. "Oh, if it's food, you better count her. She eats more'n I do. And you ain't got anything to make up to me 'cept making me dance, so I'll just have a Coke."

[Ershey]

"Got it!" said Risk, nodding. Ershey, however, simply rolled her eyes at Risk and thought he was trying too hard. A meal wasn't going to make up for everything.

"Can we get three Cokes, two hotdogs," he said to the waiter that suddenly appeared at their table. "...And what'll Jo have?"

[Macbeth]

"Beth!" Jo yelled.

"Not generally considered edible," Beth muttered. "Hmm...better go with the peas, and one'a those fruit cups. I can mash it all up for her."

[Ershey]

The waiter quickly scribbled down their orders, nodded and made his way to the kitchen. Once he was gone, Risk grinned at the them.

"What're you so happy about?" asked Ershey, raising her eyebrow at him.

"'Cause you're talking to me! And Mush doesn't think I'm trying to steal you away from him now!" He beamed. It was turning out to be a good day.

[Macbeth]

"Don't worry, it won't last. Something terrible will happen soon," Macbeth said darkly.

((Oh, how I love her.))