Relatively Horrid by SpelCastrMax

Disclaimer: Not mine

Archieving is cool but please ask first. (MaxVaughn@juno.com) Thank you.


Chapter Two: Aunty Dearest

Bob tried to keep his cool as the woman approached them. "Aunt Trudy, what are you doing here?!"

"That's a fine hello for your Aunty, Bobby Boy," she scowled as she thrust her face at him expectantly.

With a loud sigh, Bob leaned down and kissed her cheek. Aunt Trudy then turned away in order to pick up the suitcase she had left by the door of his apartment building.

"Bobby Boy?" Dot whispered.

The Guardian glared a little as warning not to ask. He tried to lift the bags, but was pulled over from surprise at finding how heavy they were.

Aunt Trudy turned to the green woman who was trying not to laugh. "And you are?"

With her usual diplomatic composor and charm, she introduced her herself. "Dot Matrix. I'm pleased to meet you."

Trudy looked Dot up and down. "So, you're Dot. Bob used to write about you all the time...that is when he did write to us. You're that business sprite with the diner, right? Didn't you two have some huge fight...oh, but that was so long ago it's probably forgetten by now."

In order to change the subject, the Guardian pointed out, "A lot has changed since my last letter. Dot is the Command.com of Mainframe now."

"Hmm, really." Aunt Trudy glanced around her and added, "This really is a small system isn't it. I doubt you even have a decent hotel."

Dot's eyebrows narrowed, but curbed her temper. "Actually, it's one of the finest hotels in three systems and I'll gladly show you where it is."

"Hmm," Trudy said again, "My cab is waiting just around the corner."

As the biddy started on her way, Dot turned to Bob. "Which fight was she talking about?"

Bob struggled with the suitcases, piling them into his arms and praying to the User that his legs didn't give way. "It's hard to say. I complained a lot about you back then."

With an insulted "hmph" Dot followed his aunt to the awaiting taxi. "Hey!" Bob called out with a squeak in his voice, "Isn't anyone going to help me with these?!" The cab driver was the only one to come to his rescue.

They set up Aunt Trudy in one of the best rooms, hoping to avoid any more of her complaints. She checked everything for dust and even sat on the bed like she was testing it. "Sufficiant enough, thank you," she said (even though no one had asked for her opinion).

All the while, Bob and Dot sat patiantly, quietly discussing how agrivating this sprite was becoming.

"I told you she was bad," the Guardian hissed.

The Command.com turned to him with sympathy in her eyes. "At least she's not staying long. But next time I ask about your family, don't tell me anything."


Aunt Trudy clapped her hands for attention. "Were you two even listening to me? I swear, you always had your head in cyberspace, Bobby Boy. Will you stop starring at poor Ms. Matrix like that! People are going to think you're in love with her and we both know that's impossible."

Bob's face grew an expression that was a mixture between shock and anger. He looked like someone had just smacked him with a fresh fish.

Aunt Trudy was removing her fuzzy coat, oblivious to her nephew's new protective stance that seperated her from Dot. "Long distance relationships rarely turn out well," she pointed out."

"Long distance?" Bob repeated, now completely perplexed, "Aunt Trudy, I live here. I see Dot everyday. I practically live at her place. The longest distance there's been between us was when I was lost in the web."

Trudy laughed, "Bob, you are so absent minded. Did you forget that you're coming home with me?"

Dot had also risen from her seat at that point. Both sprites shouted out, "What?!"

The aunt made a "tsk" noise and in a tone one uses when scolding a child, she responded, "You did forget. Bob, you really are the most exsaperating young man. I really don't know what we're going to do with you."

"Wait, wait. Just hold on a nano!" Bob requested trying to remain calm, "Aunt Trudy, I don't know what's going through your head, but this is my home now. It has been for many cycles and I don't have any reason to come back. I'm happy here...well, most of the time and.."

"No reason! Well I like that. Doesn't even remember a promise he made to his own family. Well, I just happen to have it in writing." She began to rumage through her handbag, at last producing a folded, official looking document and handed it to her nephew.

Bob's eyes scanned the paper. His shade of blue seemed to pale as he turned to Dot and said, "This is bad. Very bad."
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Oooh, a cliff hanger. Can you stand the suspense! Well, you're going to have to because I'm going to Disneyland for the weeked and I'm not going to be riding teacups and posting fan fic (that's just silly). Thanks everyone for your reviews and I'll have the next chapter up within a week!!!!