Disclaimer: We own nothing.
Title: Metamorphosis 2: A Proposition
Authors: Red Light District and Ezra
Summary: The morning after, a meeting, and the seed is watered.
Notes are in The Prologue.
Ezra now has an account. Her pen name is Ezra Kinslayer.
---
The next morning Pippin woke up with a splitting headache. He attempted to sit up but dropped back onto the pillows at the rising nausea.
"Ooh..." he moaned pitifully. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"I'm not surprised," said Merry's amused voice.
He would have jumped but remembered the pain in time. He squinted as Merry opened the curtains and asked, "What are you doing here, why can you walk, and how did I get into bed?" I'm sure I passed out on the table...
Merry chuckled and said, "I wanted to check on you. I can hold my liquor better than you. I put you there."
Pippin blinked. When had Merry walked to the bed? It was probably when I had my eyes closed He was sitting right beside him now. Instead of asking that he said, "That's not true. I could drink you under the table any day."
"Hardly. But with the way you were drinking last night that doesn't matter. Is something wrong, Pip?"
Now he saw the concern behind Merry's amusement. How am I supposed to answer that? Oh nothing really... I'm just hopelessly in love with you and hated those girls because they got to touch you. So I decided that getting drunk enough to pass out would be better than hearing about your perfect girl. Right. That would go over well.
"Nothing's wrong," he sighed. "I just had a few too many."
"If you say so, Pippin. Do you need help getting up or dressed? Anything at all?"
Pippin thought of Merry's hands on his bare skin and his mouth went dry. "Ergh," he stopped and cleared his throat. "No, no I'm fine. I'm all grown up. I've even been dressing myself since last year." he said lightly.
"Fine!" Merry grinned. "I know when I'm not wanted," he said playfully. "It was just an offer." As he got up to leave Pippin felt a pang of regret.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." Then as suddenly as Merry had entered he was gone.
Pippin looked at the empty room and sighed. "Peregrin Took, you are without a doubt the biggest idiot on Middle-Earth."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After breakfast, Pippin left the house as quickly as he could. He walked without seeing his surroundings and was surprised to find himself in the marketplace. He wandered aimlessly, lost in thoughts, until a familiar voice interrupted his reverie.
"Pippin!"
Turning around, he cast his gaze about until he saw Pearl rushing to him vegetable basket in hand. She reached out and hugged him exuberantly.
"Why if it isn't my little brother!" she exclaimed. "How are you? It seems an age since I last saw you."
"Ahh... I can't complain."
"But nothing good to say either, right?" she asked shrewdly. "Why don't you join me for second breakfast and we can catch up."
"We just saw each other last week, Pearl." he reminded.
She waved her hand dismissively and said, "Completely irrelevant. Besides, I'm sure you have more to tell me about our dear cousin."
"It's just more of the same," he protested. "We don't need to talk about it again."
"I'll be the judge of that."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
There were definite disadvantages with having such a stubborn older sister. Although he loved her dearly, she was very nosy and very persuasive. So it was that he found himself in Pearl's home drinking tea as she put breakfast on the table.
"I somehow doubt that your tea holds the answer to life, Pippin." she said dryly.
He blushed but continued to stare at the dregs in the bottom of his cup. He sighed and put his cup down. As she sat down at the table he began, "We got drunk again last night."
"I see." Why is Merry so blind, and why won't Pippin leave? I could kill him for hurting Pippin so much... "Did he talk about his latest conquests?"
"You know our cousin well." I just need to keep reminding myself that he's my cousin...
"And... was that all?" she asked knowingly.
"No... we-I mean-he talked about his preferences." he replied and reached for the mushrooms.
Pearl smacked him hand, and moved the plate away from him. "No breakfast until you finish the story. I know you'll get out of it, if you eat now."
"Fine," he said huffily. Why do I love her? "He said that he likes slender, green eyed girls with large bosoms."
Hmm... slender, green eyes, large bosom-well, that can always be fixed... Sounds like somebody I know.
With a perfectly innocent face Pearl said, "That sounds a bit like you. If you were a girl." Ignoring the shock on his face she continued, "But you *would* make a lovely girl, Pippin. With all that hair... and your features are just delicate enough. I have friends that would kill for your complexion!" exclaimed Pearl. "I remember when you were little we'd dress you up. You always made such a pretty little lass. We should try it again."
"Are you insane!? I can't do that!" he cried.
"Why not? You want him don't you?
"It would never work, and he'd hate me when he found out!"
"Think it over, little brother. I'll always help you if you change your mind."
"No! I am not going along with another of your half-baked schemes!"
"Half-baked schemes," she said angrily. "As though you haven't had your share of them! I'd like to see you come up with a better idea!"
At her words Pippin was reminded of the hopelessness of his situation. She's right, I don't have a better idea. At least I can be with him everyday... "No, I'm sorry Pearl. I shouldn't have said that to you. You just startled me."
"Does that mean you'll try it?"
"No, it just means that I shouldn't have yelled at you."
She glared at him a moment before smiling. "Well, let's just have breakfast in peace. We wouldn't want all of this to go to waste." Mark my words, Pippin. You'll be back.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Thank you for second breakfast Pearl. It was good to visit with you."
"Don't forget what I said."
"I won't," he said placatingly and walked down the lane.
Pearl walked back inside her now quiet home. It would have been so much easier if you'd been a girl. You should have been... I'm still not sure if it was a good or bad thing that the Banks side didn't come out again.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paladin came out of his and Eglantine's bedroom beaming. "Girls! Come and meet your new little brother, Peregrin!"
Pearl and Pimpernel exchanged looks. Brother?
"Come along 'Vinca." said Pearl, taking her by the hand. "Let's meet Peregrin."
I can't believe all that sewing gone to waste! Mum never thought that it would be a boy... Da's bursting with pride though. You'd think that he'd given birth himself!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Oh girls! Come in," called Eglantine weakly. "Look at my little Pippin. He's beautiful." She returned to cooing over the infant, but Pippin looked about the room with wide, unfocused green eyes. They focused on Pearl and she could have sworn he smiled at her.
Don't be ridiculous! Everybody knows that newborns can't smile or focus on things. But still...
"He's so pretty, Mum." squealed Pervinca. "Just like one of my dolls!"
The proud parents exchanged smiles over her head. "Not exactly, 'Vinca. You can't play with him yet."
"I thought we were going to have a new sister," said Pimpernel confusedly.
"We did too sweetling, but we were blessed with a boy instead."
"Yes, and that means that the Tooks will keep the Thainship!" their father added jubilantly.
"Really Paladin!" scolded Eglantine.
Pearl rolled her eyes while Pimpernel and 'Vinca looked at her for an explanation. Of course, that's all Da cares about. He was happy enough when he thought it was girl, but he'll be unbearable now. You'd think they'd never seen a baby. After all, it only matters for the Thainship and all that cursed sewing...
---
TBC in Chapter Three: Decisions
Ezra: The flashback seems a bit off to me. Red Light District thinks that Pearl might sound a little too old for only being 15. But I told her that the oldest child always grows up faster.
Red Light District: Were the mental and verbal conversations confusing? If they are, then please suggest a different way to write them.
Title: Metamorphosis 2: A Proposition
Authors: Red Light District and Ezra
Summary: The morning after, a meeting, and the seed is watered.
Notes are in The Prologue.
Ezra now has an account. Her pen name is Ezra Kinslayer.
---
The next morning Pippin woke up with a splitting headache. He attempted to sit up but dropped back onto the pillows at the rising nausea.
"Ooh..." he moaned pitifully. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"I'm not surprised," said Merry's amused voice.
He would have jumped but remembered the pain in time. He squinted as Merry opened the curtains and asked, "What are you doing here, why can you walk, and how did I get into bed?" I'm sure I passed out on the table...
Merry chuckled and said, "I wanted to check on you. I can hold my liquor better than you. I put you there."
Pippin blinked. When had Merry walked to the bed? It was probably when I had my eyes closed He was sitting right beside him now. Instead of asking that he said, "That's not true. I could drink you under the table any day."
"Hardly. But with the way you were drinking last night that doesn't matter. Is something wrong, Pip?"
Now he saw the concern behind Merry's amusement. How am I supposed to answer that? Oh nothing really... I'm just hopelessly in love with you and hated those girls because they got to touch you. So I decided that getting drunk enough to pass out would be better than hearing about your perfect girl. Right. That would go over well.
"Nothing's wrong," he sighed. "I just had a few too many."
"If you say so, Pippin. Do you need help getting up or dressed? Anything at all?"
Pippin thought of Merry's hands on his bare skin and his mouth went dry. "Ergh," he stopped and cleared his throat. "No, no I'm fine. I'm all grown up. I've even been dressing myself since last year." he said lightly.
"Fine!" Merry grinned. "I know when I'm not wanted," he said playfully. "It was just an offer." As he got up to leave Pippin felt a pang of regret.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." Then as suddenly as Merry had entered he was gone.
Pippin looked at the empty room and sighed. "Peregrin Took, you are without a doubt the biggest idiot on Middle-Earth."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After breakfast, Pippin left the house as quickly as he could. He walked without seeing his surroundings and was surprised to find himself in the marketplace. He wandered aimlessly, lost in thoughts, until a familiar voice interrupted his reverie.
"Pippin!"
Turning around, he cast his gaze about until he saw Pearl rushing to him vegetable basket in hand. She reached out and hugged him exuberantly.
"Why if it isn't my little brother!" she exclaimed. "How are you? It seems an age since I last saw you."
"Ahh... I can't complain."
"But nothing good to say either, right?" she asked shrewdly. "Why don't you join me for second breakfast and we can catch up."
"We just saw each other last week, Pearl." he reminded.
She waved her hand dismissively and said, "Completely irrelevant. Besides, I'm sure you have more to tell me about our dear cousin."
"It's just more of the same," he protested. "We don't need to talk about it again."
"I'll be the judge of that."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
There were definite disadvantages with having such a stubborn older sister. Although he loved her dearly, she was very nosy and very persuasive. So it was that he found himself in Pearl's home drinking tea as she put breakfast on the table.
"I somehow doubt that your tea holds the answer to life, Pippin." she said dryly.
He blushed but continued to stare at the dregs in the bottom of his cup. He sighed and put his cup down. As she sat down at the table he began, "We got drunk again last night."
"I see." Why is Merry so blind, and why won't Pippin leave? I could kill him for hurting Pippin so much... "Did he talk about his latest conquests?"
"You know our cousin well." I just need to keep reminding myself that he's my cousin...
"And... was that all?" she asked knowingly.
"No... we-I mean-he talked about his preferences." he replied and reached for the mushrooms.
Pearl smacked him hand, and moved the plate away from him. "No breakfast until you finish the story. I know you'll get out of it, if you eat now."
"Fine," he said huffily. Why do I love her? "He said that he likes slender, green eyed girls with large bosoms."
Hmm... slender, green eyes, large bosom-well, that can always be fixed... Sounds like somebody I know.
With a perfectly innocent face Pearl said, "That sounds a bit like you. If you were a girl." Ignoring the shock on his face she continued, "But you *would* make a lovely girl, Pippin. With all that hair... and your features are just delicate enough. I have friends that would kill for your complexion!" exclaimed Pearl. "I remember when you were little we'd dress you up. You always made such a pretty little lass. We should try it again."
"Are you insane!? I can't do that!" he cried.
"Why not? You want him don't you?
"It would never work, and he'd hate me when he found out!"
"Think it over, little brother. I'll always help you if you change your mind."
"No! I am not going along with another of your half-baked schemes!"
"Half-baked schemes," she said angrily. "As though you haven't had your share of them! I'd like to see you come up with a better idea!"
At her words Pippin was reminded of the hopelessness of his situation. She's right, I don't have a better idea. At least I can be with him everyday... "No, I'm sorry Pearl. I shouldn't have said that to you. You just startled me."
"Does that mean you'll try it?"
"No, it just means that I shouldn't have yelled at you."
She glared at him a moment before smiling. "Well, let's just have breakfast in peace. We wouldn't want all of this to go to waste." Mark my words, Pippin. You'll be back.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Thank you for second breakfast Pearl. It was good to visit with you."
"Don't forget what I said."
"I won't," he said placatingly and walked down the lane.
Pearl walked back inside her now quiet home. It would have been so much easier if you'd been a girl. You should have been... I'm still not sure if it was a good or bad thing that the Banks side didn't come out again.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paladin came out of his and Eglantine's bedroom beaming. "Girls! Come and meet your new little brother, Peregrin!"
Pearl and Pimpernel exchanged looks. Brother?
"Come along 'Vinca." said Pearl, taking her by the hand. "Let's meet Peregrin."
I can't believe all that sewing gone to waste! Mum never thought that it would be a boy... Da's bursting with pride though. You'd think that he'd given birth himself!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Oh girls! Come in," called Eglantine weakly. "Look at my little Pippin. He's beautiful." She returned to cooing over the infant, but Pippin looked about the room with wide, unfocused green eyes. They focused on Pearl and she could have sworn he smiled at her.
Don't be ridiculous! Everybody knows that newborns can't smile or focus on things. But still...
"He's so pretty, Mum." squealed Pervinca. "Just like one of my dolls!"
The proud parents exchanged smiles over her head. "Not exactly, 'Vinca. You can't play with him yet."
"I thought we were going to have a new sister," said Pimpernel confusedly.
"We did too sweetling, but we were blessed with a boy instead."
"Yes, and that means that the Tooks will keep the Thainship!" their father added jubilantly.
"Really Paladin!" scolded Eglantine.
Pearl rolled her eyes while Pimpernel and 'Vinca looked at her for an explanation. Of course, that's all Da cares about. He was happy enough when he thought it was girl, but he'll be unbearable now. You'd think they'd never seen a baby. After all, it only matters for the Thainship and all that cursed sewing...
---
TBC in Chapter Three: Decisions
Ezra: The flashback seems a bit off to me. Red Light District thinks that Pearl might sound a little too old for only being 15. But I told her that the oldest child always grows up faster.
Red Light District: Were the mental and verbal conversations confusing? If they are, then please suggest a different way to write them.