Chocolate 7; Pistachio 22
Author: Marina
Story: Shifts universe (Tremors)
Challenge: Chocolate 7 (regret), Pistachio 22 (caught off guard)
Toppings: Rainbow Sprinkles (Earl)
Word Count: 241
Rating: PG
Summary: Earl ponders his divided loyalties.
Notes: Canon, but not actually in the narrative because Earl never gets a POV.
“To be honest, I think the Kopen women usually exist to be married off to other magic users, to keep the bloodline going. That’s what my uncle always thought, anyway. But I don’t want any part of it.”
“Why not?”
“Because that was what happened to my cousin, and nothing good came of it.”
Earl frowned at the ceiling as he once again contemplated the exchange. He had very nearly forgotten that the remaining members of the Kopen clan had no idea that Rupert Gardiner had lied to them about Joy, and Oriana’s frank statements at the party had caught him off guard. It had taken quick thinking to keep from letting an unfortunate reply slip out.
If he were a better man, a braver man, he would have taken her aside and told her everything, but as always, he let the opportunity pass.
Joy had told him not to risk his neck on her behalf, and that she refused to try to escape without her daughter in any case. Earl liked to think that if he knew which room Ellen’s was, he would have both of them out of there without any further delay. Talking with the older woman, even as rarely as he did, was one of the highlights of his job and always had been. She deserved better.
He turned off the light and tried not to think about it. Rupert wanted him back at the compound early.
Story: Shifts universe (Tremors)
Challenge: Chocolate 7 (regret), Pistachio 22 (caught off guard)
Toppings: Rainbow Sprinkles (Earl)
Word Count: 241
Rating: PG
Summary: Earl ponders his divided loyalties.
Notes: Canon, but not actually in the narrative because Earl never gets a POV.
“To be honest, I think the Kopen women usually exist to be married off to other magic users, to keep the bloodline going. That’s what my uncle always thought, anyway. But I don’t want any part of it.”
“Why not?”
“Because that was what happened to my cousin, and nothing good came of it.”
Earl frowned at the ceiling as he once again contemplated the exchange. He had very nearly forgotten that the remaining members of the Kopen clan had no idea that Rupert Gardiner had lied to them about Joy, and Oriana’s frank statements at the party had caught him off guard. It had taken quick thinking to keep from letting an unfortunate reply slip out.
If he were a better man, a braver man, he would have taken her aside and told her everything, but as always, he let the opportunity pass.
Joy had told him not to risk his neck on her behalf, and that she refused to try to escape without her daughter in any case. Earl liked to think that if he knew which room Ellen’s was, he would have both of them out of there without any further delay. Talking with the older woman, even as rarely as he did, was one of the highlights of his job and always had been. She deserved better.
He turned off the light and tried not to think about it. Rupert wanted him back at the compound early.