*~* SqUiRe kElAdRy; MoThEr? *~*
A/N: Here's the new chappie for real this time, i think, i don't know what the deal was there, and it took a lot of doing to get this up so i hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive, forget, and REVIEW! sorry to EVERYONE for the delay, if you're anything like me you hate waiting, and i don't really have an excuse for my tardieness, except i AM retarded, and lazy, i didn't feel like writing and... my families here! OooO i missed them ^-^ moving on, read, and hopefully enjoy... and even more hopefully REVIEW, that's what i live for...
P.S. Tomorrow is RaNdOm TuEsDaY! . yepyep
DEDICATION: This is for the bright partsof my life right now...
Derek, Sunshine, Makenna, Adam, Alek, Aaron, and my big baby Brenna
I just lurve them all... just ever so much ^-^ even in they drive me crazier than i already am that's all just part of the fun right?
AMUSEMENT: here's some amusement for your day... hehe I'll tell you the joke that i told Kevin... he didn't like it, but that's only because he has to suffer with only men for company...
Q: Why did Frosty the Snowman pull down his pants?
A: He heard the snowblower coming.
he told me some jokes too, but they were pretty bad... don't you love it?
You CAN'T Corrupt The Corrupted.... unless you're name is Kenny... don't ask...
*~* SqUiRe kElAdRy; MoThEr? *~*
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
?? *I'm ALL Over It!* ??
"Isn't that right, Nealan?" Questioned Alanna the Lioness's rigid, stern and commanding voice.
Instantly, and somewhat comically, Neal's head shot up. Wearily he opened his emerald eyes and blinked several times in an attempt to focus on his unknown surroundings. "Huh-?" Neal mumbled incoherently.
"Uh-huh..." Alanna sounded knowingly. Her tone, Neal noted, was slightly more annoyed than usual. This caused Neal's attention to be slightly more concentrated than it might have normally been as Alanna continued with her light scolding. "That's what I thought." She scowled at her squire and with a warning tone to her voice added, "If you going to insist on plaguing us with your presence, could you at least 'try' to remain conscious?" Neal's knight master demanded crossly.
Neal grinned in a half-hearted effort to look shameful of his actions. *It's not my fault this group of ancient bones are so boring that they can't even make arguing the least bit interesting.* He reasoned inside his head.
However the words that actually came out of Neal's usually smart mouth were somewhat more apologetic. "Yes Ma'am." Neal said with feeling.
His eyes left the peevish face of his knight master as he looked around the now dead, silent room. All eyes were on him. As Neal realized this, his face unexpectedly flooded with warmth. *I've never felt so betrayed.* Neal thought to himself in response to his bodies reaction. He couldn't remember the last time something happened that made him blush.
Neal decided the best thing he could do was to continue with her apology. "I promise I'll try harder Lady. I apologize to everyone." He concluded respectfully, as he met several of his elders eyes to show his honesty.
A brief silence ensued, but the solemn discussions soon resumed without further delay. The pause had done nothing to lighten any of their moods. More long, eyelid-drooping moments followed and despite his apology and promise, Neal found himself silently napping once again. However, it was decided among the awake part of the group that this time they would leave Neal as he was. As Alanna said with a smile, "He's a lot less of a bother this way." And Kel wordlessly agreed.
Time went by painfully slow, but finally the noon bell sounded through the halls. The younger members of the crowd breathed a sigh of relief as the room emptied. The discussions broke for lunch and the vast majority of the people departed as Neal slept peacefully on. Now there were only three people left in the large vacant room. "Are you coming?" Dom asked Kel without the slightest regard for his napping cousin.
Kel smiled. "We can't leave him like this." She reasoned.
Dom shook his head with a slight grin. He eyes sparkled as he took the time to study Kel's face intently. "I would." He shrugged. "I guess you're just a devoted friend." He stated simply.
Kel laughed softly, giving Dom chills at the sound since he knew it was something HE said that had caused Kel's brief amusement. What he was going through watching Kel was both enjoyable and painful, and most definitely frustrating. He hated being torn in so many directions at once.
"I guess I am devoted to Neal." Kel answered. "Although I'm not sure why exactly." She finished with a grin.
"Kel," Dom started reasonably. "Do you really want to disturb him?" He questioned
gesturing in Neal's direction. "He looks almost innocent with that drool falling off his chin and contaminating the table that way." Kel met Dom's eyes and shook her head in a friendly manner.
She then lowered her face and put her heart shaped lips near Neal's dreaming, and yes drooling, head where he was peacefully resting on the table top. She moved to his ear. "Nealan... Nealan..." Kel whispered softly. There was no reaction whatsoever. She raised her voice slightly. "Neal..." Kel sang musically. Still there was no response from her drowsy friend. From the doorway, Dom looked on in amusement, but said nothing. Dom simply chuckled softly at Kel's adorable but failed attempts. Kel turned her head and sent a playful glare in Dom's direction. She straightened from her bent position and roared in an annoyed tone. "Queenscove!"
Neal jumped considerably. He shot up instantly and fully awake. As he jumped to his feet, Neal also crashed into Kel. She stumbled to get out of Neal's way as me bumbled around and responded without thought. "I'm all over it!"
Both Kel and Dom dissolved in amused and hearty chuckles, which only added to Neal's displeasure. Once Kel got her laughter under control, she stammered, "Well get off it."
Dom laughed even harder at Kel's quick wit. Neal raised an eyebrow comically. He was obviously impressed by Kel's reply as well. *She's SO lucky.* Neal decided. *I think I'm finally rubbing off on her. It's about time.* Neal thought, but left it at that making a note to bring that fact up at a later point. Neal's humor and quick thinking prevailed once again was he responded. "I'm not ON it." Her reasoned, and with a sudden burst of energy, Neal jumped on top of the table to add height to his argument. "I'm not on it. I said I was OVER it." Neal grinned proudly.
Kel and Dom laughed again as Neal puffed out his chest and admired his short lived success. "I win." He told the pair simply. Neal then took the time to study his situation as Kel and Dom's laughed increased in strength. He looked down at his feet planted firmly on the large oak table. "Actually," he relented as he thought about the exact meaning of what he had spoken. "I guess I'm sorta on AND over it." He stated as he looked at the table.
"Yea, I guess so." Kel teased.
"So I guess you don't win Meathead." Dom supplied.
"Damn." Neal scuffed his foot against the wood. "That was a close on though wasn't it Meathead?" Neal returned to his cousin.
"Yes, I suppose it was." Dom relented.
Neal looked around the empty room and made an obvious observation. "Hey!" He called. "Where is everyone?"
"Lunch." Kel stated.
Dom shook his head at Neal's absurd remark. "I swear there must be some sort of mix-up." Dom decided. "There's no way I can be related to a dense jester such as yourself, Meathead."
"Watch who you call Meathead." Neal complained as he hopped down from the table top.
"I'm watching." Dom said as his eyes closely followed Neal's movements. "But you don't seem to be doing much."
"Funny." Neal stated in his classic sarcastic tone. "I agree though." Neal scowled at his cousin before he went on. "There must have been a mix-up because there's no way I can be related to a prude, stiff, proud, unhumorous, workaholic like you."
Dom stepped forward and before either Kel or Neal could say or do anything, Dom had Neal in a playful but stern headlock. "That's right, Queenscove, you couldn't be so lucky." He smiled and ruffled his cousin's hair to add point to his dominant position.
"This is quite rude and barbaric of you." Neal observed, looking up at Dom through his rumpled hair.
"Yea," Dom agreed. "But I learned such mannerisms from you..."
"I guess you're just one of the fortunate few." Said Neal with a grin as Dom released him.
"I don't know where I'd be without you." Dom said playfully.
"Lost and alone." Neal replied light heartedly. Kel knew she had witnessed a sweet
bonding moment between the cousins, no matter how lightly they pair tried to play it off. Neal was the first to move as he strode purposefully towards the door as Kel and Dom stood next to each other unmoving.
Neal turned from the door way. "What are you two waiting for? An engraved invitation?" Neal questioned impatiently. "It's food! Time's a'wastin'!" With pleasant smiles, Kel and Dom followed a few steps behind the nap rejuvenated Neal.
~*`^_^`*~
"Kel?" Dom looked at his travel worn friend; his expression was one of deep concern. The three had just entered, slightly late, and quickly sat down to eat. Kel sat down at a table immediately and did not go through the lunch line with Neal and Dom. The two men soon got their trays and joined Kel where she sat. "Why aren't you eating lunch?" Dom questioned in a fatherly manner as he sat on her right side.
"Hmm-?" Kel broke out of her sullen daze and answered Dom's question after a slight delay of senses. "Oh, I don't feel like it." She stated plainly. Truth be told, Kel's morning sickness still had not gone away. It didn't seem likely that it would soon either, and just the sight of her friends' lunches was making her ill.
"Kel, I worry about you." Dom stated with a slight, uncertain scowl.
"Why?" Kel asked as she paid special attention to focus on Dom's face and not his food when she spoke to him. Kel reached a shaking hand out and covered Dom's own large, calloused palm in what she hoped was a reassuring way. "I'm fine." She concluded.
The gesture touched Dom deeply, and he knew no proper way to express his gratitude to Kel for being so caring. "You look pale." He observed still not ready to let the matter drop.
"Well, I guess..." Kel trailed briefly. "I suppose I'm still not feeling real good." Kel noted Dom's eyes widen in distress so she quickly went on. "But I'm sure I'm fine." Kel smiled brightly to add to her argument.
Dom returned the caring gesture. Then he cast a wistful glance in Neal's direction. He was hoping to find some support in his crusade to get Kel to eat, but was met with decided nothingness and silence. Neal was intently focused on the meal before him, as if he hadn't eaten in over a month. Nothing was going to tear him away. Neal was completely oblivious to the occurrences surrounding him. Dom had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't blind luck that Neal found himself so occupied, but there wasn't much Dom could do about it.
Dom considered pressing the food issue with Kel further, but there didn't seem to be a point in taking such action. Finally Dom decided against saying anything more at this time. He didn't know where exactly his boundaries of 'concerned friend' lay, and he didn't want to over step his place. He was Kel's friend and the concern there only went so far until it made things look more than friendly. After all, Neal was Kel's best friend, he might be a meathead, but he was knowledgeable when it came to certain things. If Neal wasn't concerned by Kel's skipping one meal, Dom reasoned. What grounds did he himself have for worry? He firmly decided that his reasoning made perfect sense and left things where they were.
It wasn't until Kel skipped supper that evening and breakfast the following three mornings that Dom began to panic. When she did eat, Kel looked pained and appeared to force every swallow. She ate sparingly and only pushed herself to eat what little she did to please Dom. Kel ate to please Dom. That was the truth. He didn't know it, she wouldn't admit it, and Neal... well, Neal thinks he knows everything so there isn't much to say there.
However, Dom still avoided drama by not bringing his concerns to the surface and causing what he thought would be unnecessary confrontation. It took some time, but Dom managed to convince himself that Kel was suffering from homesickness and nothing more. Her moods were dreamy and somewhat longing at times, so Dom used this as evidence to create a case for Kel's nostalgia. The company had been in Scanra for a long and dragging five days, but it was fairly obvious to everyone in on the discussions that things were going nowhere, no progress was being made, and nothing was moving along as they had hoped.
Raoul had come to the decision a day ago that a group of this size was not needed to sit and accomplish nothing, so he was sending nearly half the crowd back to Corus to fulfill other duties. Dom had shared his observations on Kel's eating habits and his homesickness theory with Lord Raoul, and the choice was made that Dom, Neal, and Kel would be among those released from the seemingly pointless discussions. Dom wanted to go with Kel, as a friend. Alanna was happy to be briefly rid of Neal. Raoul gave Kel orders plain and simple: to relax and take things easy for awhile. It was common knowledge that Kel wasn't feeling her best and Raoul left the decision to her, she could go back to her quarters at the palace or she could spend some more time at her home in Mindelan. But he didn't want her on the road, traveling and overdoing things as she was likely to do. So the decision was made, the people were notified, and the smaller body of Tortallan servers started out on the road two days later.
A/N: Hmmm... and I want to thank you... for giving me the best day of my life...(whoops, i don't own that... props to Dido) Thank you very much... your reviews mean so much to me, i'm going to take the time to thank you all individually again... be patient ^-^
*AJ 4EVA: yea, well i DID write more fast, it just took me forever to type it... sorries .
*alanna: I'm just ever so glad you like it... and i'll try to keep going, i'm always looking for inspiration... got any? hehe
*Alcapacien: interesting is a good thing right? guess so if you can't wait for more :smiles:
*amethyst43: hey that's great, whatever gets you to review ::evil smile:: uh okay, i agree with you... i DO need to concentrate on those facts more, and trust me i'm getting there, i'm working on it...i have a plan... i think...
*Ana Morales: am i odd... or when you :jumps around on one foot: well that makes me think you have to go to the bathroom, that's the picture i get...okay i know i'm odd i deal with it but here's more... ::big cheesy grin:: sorry about the typo's "I'm NOT retarded, i swear it!" at least i don't think i am... OF COURSE Neal's spoken for... i spoke for him... he's ALL mine :smiles:
*Angel4eva3: Man! what're you thinking skiping the review for a chapter like that? LOL random e-mail sound okay, sometimes it's good to vent a little bit... so what's the deal with your boyfriend? or ex? it's sounds interesting... e-mail me if you wanna, i don't mind (chit_sk8er@yahoo.com)
*BEA2688: ::pretends to run in slow motion:: i'm going hehe oh, and here's more to read .
*Bella: Dude! i don't think so... oh okay, you talked me into it ^-^
* bubblegum*girl: hmm... more peopl slacking off on their reviews::galres:: ...jk, just don't let it happen again :) Neal's like me... he knows all... ::grins:: and the inn has thin walls... idk
*Call Me Nobody?!: whoa dude! this HAS taken a year... that blows my mind... hey, i got some of my best quotes from here too! lol too bad no one ever knows what i'm ranting about... hehe, do they ever? NO VIOLENCE! neal's mine, i have other plans for him, you shall see soon, or someday... hehe whoa that's one heck of a full name...
*Clare: hmm i have a lot of stress, i don't want to be the cause of stress for others, here's an update, sorry it wasn't sooner :) I'm glad someone appreciates my answering and it DOES take awhile, but i figure it's worth it... mosquitoes? that's odd...
*Danny: ::does happy dance:: oh yea, i got 20 points! go ME! i like points, i'm not sure why, i don't know what i can do with them, but it still makes me feel cool .
*dom lover: i agree... i do have an obligation and i'm working on it... but some things are beyond my control ::smiles:: you know?
* D.R.: is that the only reason for your review? oh well i suppose that's as good a reason as any...right? Right!
*dragon defender: yea... it could be confusing, i'm easily confused myself... what's confusing you and i'll try and clear it up.
*Fate of Destiny: ::head drops:: i'm sorry ::blushes:: my name is LDoQ and i have a probelm... i'm ADDICTED to reviews... i love 'em... can't get enough...*hint*hint* yes yes, i know... i know... no, no i don't know... i don't know much of anything...
*Fhire: man i hate it when my character get thwaped... oh well, they deserved it, and they've made up ::grins:: and wow... i get a box! go me!
*henna anton: hey, whatever works, you review, i write... it's all good .
*I'm not Weird, I'm Gifted: the BEST?? ::hopeful look:: out of a lot? yAy for me! and i'm updateing again... isn't that just great??
*Incensio Lady: HEY! that's a pretty good idea, i LIKE it! I should start a series of short stories... "The secret Fantasies/ Uknown lives of Nealan of Queenscove" good idea eh?
*jazy716: Kel telling Dom is in the plan... trust me, i'll get 'er done ::red neck smile::
*K.C.: Thankie, thankies... i'm gald you like and i hope to hear more from you :)
*MEEEEE: hmm... i wonder who this could be*cough*they killed kenny!*cough*... :p hehe it wouldn't be so confusing if you read more than one chapter, but whatever floats your boat... i'm sure I'll talk to you soon enough so...yea
*Lady Bee: yay! someone who understands my addiction, here's the next chappie :)
*lady tiger: you can only submit one per chapter (dang, dumb rule...:p) but many is good, keep it up, i like many ::big smile::
*Lara Roberts: hint hint? that's my line... like this... i updated, now you review *hint*hint* i'm good, i know...sorry for being so slow... can you find it in your heart to forgive me??
*lfk214: love is always good, especially when it causes you to review... i like that... no wait... i LOVE it and it COULD hurt for kel to tell dom, i could make it hurt ::hehe:: jk
*Magelet1: ::drops head and looks guilty:: yes... i noticed, shame on me....
*molly: i AM thankful for my reviews...VERY thankful indeed, but i am dedicated, probably not as much as i could be...but i am...
*Mythical Knight: YES! i know... i hate that, my favorite fic hasn't been touched in over a year as well...i'm slow... but not that slow... and I'll work on the fluff... i tired to put some, i just don't want to over do it, but a little fluff never hurt anyone :p right?
*Paparazzi: yAy! i'm just ever so glad my plot wasn't stupid.... here's a chapter, let it keep you busy and content for awhile... and review... and i'll atempt to get some writing done
*p-e-n-n-n-a-m-e: okay... here's more... sorry for the delay... just make me feel all guilty why don't you?
*PoisonMoon: if you think i have imagination now... you just wait till you see what i have planned and what's coming up... hehe thanks for the review...
*PrincessAlyssa16: TODAY! i'm going to update again today! aren't you glad? hey, if you're gonna read that much you should review more... hehe +hint+hint+ sorry i can't help it
*rockchikgc: -gasp- favorites list? oOoh i love that idea, that makes me happy thanks
*singer-of-all-songs: thanks... okay, okay, here's more story sheesh... lol
*!_SmAsH_!: sshhh....only YOU know about the dictates... gah! did you just call me a punta? what's up with that? huffy-my-puffy... oOo that's a good 'un... oh no, NO! not the bologna song AGAIN! gah!... you shall pay for this on Random Tuesday... not really... because they got high, because they got high... i got that song :) Dougie IS very fortunate isn't he? .
*spifferoonigirl: yepyep thanks, i found that story and realized i'd already read it :) here's something to add to your long list of other reading material
*Tibberon: thanks, i'm exstatic that you like it so much...read and review more k? ^-^
*TPfreak: i'm getting to hte cleon part, and i think you're gonna like it... it cracks me up anyway, and i haven't even WRITTEN it yet... hehe, you need to learn to like reviewing more, that's what keeps me going! (whoops, i hardly ever review myself... shhh don't tell).
*treanz-alyce: thank you much, i went on... aren't you proud? review and tell me how proud you are... that would be great ::big smile::
I'm done boring you for now... i'll try and get something accomplished and update soon, just cuz i love and cherish all my loyal and faithful reviewers .
until then... review to amuse yoursleves... hehe, like you didn't see that one coming
--LDoQ
A/N: Here's the new chappie for real this time, i think, i don't know what the deal was there, and it took a lot of doing to get this up so i hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive, forget, and REVIEW! sorry to EVERYONE for the delay, if you're anything like me you hate waiting, and i don't really have an excuse for my tardieness, except i AM retarded, and lazy, i didn't feel like writing and... my families here! OooO i missed them ^-^ moving on, read, and hopefully enjoy... and even more hopefully REVIEW, that's what i live for...
P.S. Tomorrow is RaNdOm TuEsDaY! . yepyep
DEDICATION: This is for the bright partsof my life right now...
Derek, Sunshine, Makenna, Adam, Alek, Aaron, and my big baby Brenna
I just lurve them all... just ever so much ^-^ even in they drive me crazier than i already am that's all just part of the fun right?
AMUSEMENT: here's some amusement for your day... hehe I'll tell you the joke that i told Kevin... he didn't like it, but that's only because he has to suffer with only men for company...
Q: Why did Frosty the Snowman pull down his pants?
A: He heard the snowblower coming.
he told me some jokes too, but they were pretty bad... don't you love it?
You CAN'T Corrupt The Corrupted.... unless you're name is Kenny... don't ask...
*~* SqUiRe kElAdRy; MoThEr? *~*
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
?? *I'm ALL Over It!* ??
"Isn't that right, Nealan?" Questioned Alanna the Lioness's rigid, stern and commanding voice.
Instantly, and somewhat comically, Neal's head shot up. Wearily he opened his emerald eyes and blinked several times in an attempt to focus on his unknown surroundings. "Huh-?" Neal mumbled incoherently.
"Uh-huh..." Alanna sounded knowingly. Her tone, Neal noted, was slightly more annoyed than usual. This caused Neal's attention to be slightly more concentrated than it might have normally been as Alanna continued with her light scolding. "That's what I thought." She scowled at her squire and with a warning tone to her voice added, "If you going to insist on plaguing us with your presence, could you at least 'try' to remain conscious?" Neal's knight master demanded crossly.
Neal grinned in a half-hearted effort to look shameful of his actions. *It's not my fault this group of ancient bones are so boring that they can't even make arguing the least bit interesting.* He reasoned inside his head.
However the words that actually came out of Neal's usually smart mouth were somewhat more apologetic. "Yes Ma'am." Neal said with feeling.
His eyes left the peevish face of his knight master as he looked around the now dead, silent room. All eyes were on him. As Neal realized this, his face unexpectedly flooded with warmth. *I've never felt so betrayed.* Neal thought to himself in response to his bodies reaction. He couldn't remember the last time something happened that made him blush.
Neal decided the best thing he could do was to continue with her apology. "I promise I'll try harder Lady. I apologize to everyone." He concluded respectfully, as he met several of his elders eyes to show his honesty.
A brief silence ensued, but the solemn discussions soon resumed without further delay. The pause had done nothing to lighten any of their moods. More long, eyelid-drooping moments followed and despite his apology and promise, Neal found himself silently napping once again. However, it was decided among the awake part of the group that this time they would leave Neal as he was. As Alanna said with a smile, "He's a lot less of a bother this way." And Kel wordlessly agreed.
Time went by painfully slow, but finally the noon bell sounded through the halls. The younger members of the crowd breathed a sigh of relief as the room emptied. The discussions broke for lunch and the vast majority of the people departed as Neal slept peacefully on. Now there were only three people left in the large vacant room. "Are you coming?" Dom asked Kel without the slightest regard for his napping cousin.
Kel smiled. "We can't leave him like this." She reasoned.
Dom shook his head with a slight grin. He eyes sparkled as he took the time to study Kel's face intently. "I would." He shrugged. "I guess you're just a devoted friend." He stated simply.
Kel laughed softly, giving Dom chills at the sound since he knew it was something HE said that had caused Kel's brief amusement. What he was going through watching Kel was both enjoyable and painful, and most definitely frustrating. He hated being torn in so many directions at once.
"I guess I am devoted to Neal." Kel answered. "Although I'm not sure why exactly." She finished with a grin.
"Kel," Dom started reasonably. "Do you really want to disturb him?" He questioned
gesturing in Neal's direction. "He looks almost innocent with that drool falling off his chin and contaminating the table that way." Kel met Dom's eyes and shook her head in a friendly manner.
She then lowered her face and put her heart shaped lips near Neal's dreaming, and yes drooling, head where he was peacefully resting on the table top. She moved to his ear. "Nealan... Nealan..." Kel whispered softly. There was no reaction whatsoever. She raised her voice slightly. "Neal..." Kel sang musically. Still there was no response from her drowsy friend. From the doorway, Dom looked on in amusement, but said nothing. Dom simply chuckled softly at Kel's adorable but failed attempts. Kel turned her head and sent a playful glare in Dom's direction. She straightened from her bent position and roared in an annoyed tone. "Queenscove!"
Neal jumped considerably. He shot up instantly and fully awake. As he jumped to his feet, Neal also crashed into Kel. She stumbled to get out of Neal's way as me bumbled around and responded without thought. "I'm all over it!"
Both Kel and Dom dissolved in amused and hearty chuckles, which only added to Neal's displeasure. Once Kel got her laughter under control, she stammered, "Well get off it."
Dom laughed even harder at Kel's quick wit. Neal raised an eyebrow comically. He was obviously impressed by Kel's reply as well. *She's SO lucky.* Neal decided. *I think I'm finally rubbing off on her. It's about time.* Neal thought, but left it at that making a note to bring that fact up at a later point. Neal's humor and quick thinking prevailed once again was he responded. "I'm not ON it." Her reasoned, and with a sudden burst of energy, Neal jumped on top of the table to add height to his argument. "I'm not on it. I said I was OVER it." Neal grinned proudly.
Kel and Dom laughed again as Neal puffed out his chest and admired his short lived success. "I win." He told the pair simply. Neal then took the time to study his situation as Kel and Dom's laughed increased in strength. He looked down at his feet planted firmly on the large oak table. "Actually," he relented as he thought about the exact meaning of what he had spoken. "I guess I'm sorta on AND over it." He stated as he looked at the table.
"Yea, I guess so." Kel teased.
"So I guess you don't win Meathead." Dom supplied.
"Damn." Neal scuffed his foot against the wood. "That was a close on though wasn't it Meathead?" Neal returned to his cousin.
"Yes, I suppose it was." Dom relented.
Neal looked around the empty room and made an obvious observation. "Hey!" He called. "Where is everyone?"
"Lunch." Kel stated.
Dom shook his head at Neal's absurd remark. "I swear there must be some sort of mix-up." Dom decided. "There's no way I can be related to a dense jester such as yourself, Meathead."
"Watch who you call Meathead." Neal complained as he hopped down from the table top.
"I'm watching." Dom said as his eyes closely followed Neal's movements. "But you don't seem to be doing much."
"Funny." Neal stated in his classic sarcastic tone. "I agree though." Neal scowled at his cousin before he went on. "There must have been a mix-up because there's no way I can be related to a prude, stiff, proud, unhumorous, workaholic like you."
Dom stepped forward and before either Kel or Neal could say or do anything, Dom had Neal in a playful but stern headlock. "That's right, Queenscove, you couldn't be so lucky." He smiled and ruffled his cousin's hair to add point to his dominant position.
"This is quite rude and barbaric of you." Neal observed, looking up at Dom through his rumpled hair.
"Yea," Dom agreed. "But I learned such mannerisms from you..."
"I guess you're just one of the fortunate few." Said Neal with a grin as Dom released him.
"I don't know where I'd be without you." Dom said playfully.
"Lost and alone." Neal replied light heartedly. Kel knew she had witnessed a sweet
bonding moment between the cousins, no matter how lightly they pair tried to play it off. Neal was the first to move as he strode purposefully towards the door as Kel and Dom stood next to each other unmoving.
Neal turned from the door way. "What are you two waiting for? An engraved invitation?" Neal questioned impatiently. "It's food! Time's a'wastin'!" With pleasant smiles, Kel and Dom followed a few steps behind the nap rejuvenated Neal.
~*`^_^`*~
"Kel?" Dom looked at his travel worn friend; his expression was one of deep concern. The three had just entered, slightly late, and quickly sat down to eat. Kel sat down at a table immediately and did not go through the lunch line with Neal and Dom. The two men soon got their trays and joined Kel where she sat. "Why aren't you eating lunch?" Dom questioned in a fatherly manner as he sat on her right side.
"Hmm-?" Kel broke out of her sullen daze and answered Dom's question after a slight delay of senses. "Oh, I don't feel like it." She stated plainly. Truth be told, Kel's morning sickness still had not gone away. It didn't seem likely that it would soon either, and just the sight of her friends' lunches was making her ill.
"Kel, I worry about you." Dom stated with a slight, uncertain scowl.
"Why?" Kel asked as she paid special attention to focus on Dom's face and not his food when she spoke to him. Kel reached a shaking hand out and covered Dom's own large, calloused palm in what she hoped was a reassuring way. "I'm fine." She concluded.
The gesture touched Dom deeply, and he knew no proper way to express his gratitude to Kel for being so caring. "You look pale." He observed still not ready to let the matter drop.
"Well, I guess..." Kel trailed briefly. "I suppose I'm still not feeling real good." Kel noted Dom's eyes widen in distress so she quickly went on. "But I'm sure I'm fine." Kel smiled brightly to add to her argument.
Dom returned the caring gesture. Then he cast a wistful glance in Neal's direction. He was hoping to find some support in his crusade to get Kel to eat, but was met with decided nothingness and silence. Neal was intently focused on the meal before him, as if he hadn't eaten in over a month. Nothing was going to tear him away. Neal was completely oblivious to the occurrences surrounding him. Dom had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't blind luck that Neal found himself so occupied, but there wasn't much Dom could do about it.
Dom considered pressing the food issue with Kel further, but there didn't seem to be a point in taking such action. Finally Dom decided against saying anything more at this time. He didn't know where exactly his boundaries of 'concerned friend' lay, and he didn't want to over step his place. He was Kel's friend and the concern there only went so far until it made things look more than friendly. After all, Neal was Kel's best friend, he might be a meathead, but he was knowledgeable when it came to certain things. If Neal wasn't concerned by Kel's skipping one meal, Dom reasoned. What grounds did he himself have for worry? He firmly decided that his reasoning made perfect sense and left things where they were.
It wasn't until Kel skipped supper that evening and breakfast the following three mornings that Dom began to panic. When she did eat, Kel looked pained and appeared to force every swallow. She ate sparingly and only pushed herself to eat what little she did to please Dom. Kel ate to please Dom. That was the truth. He didn't know it, she wouldn't admit it, and Neal... well, Neal thinks he knows everything so there isn't much to say there.
However, Dom still avoided drama by not bringing his concerns to the surface and causing what he thought would be unnecessary confrontation. It took some time, but Dom managed to convince himself that Kel was suffering from homesickness and nothing more. Her moods were dreamy and somewhat longing at times, so Dom used this as evidence to create a case for Kel's nostalgia. The company had been in Scanra for a long and dragging five days, but it was fairly obvious to everyone in on the discussions that things were going nowhere, no progress was being made, and nothing was moving along as they had hoped.
Raoul had come to the decision a day ago that a group of this size was not needed to sit and accomplish nothing, so he was sending nearly half the crowd back to Corus to fulfill other duties. Dom had shared his observations on Kel's eating habits and his homesickness theory with Lord Raoul, and the choice was made that Dom, Neal, and Kel would be among those released from the seemingly pointless discussions. Dom wanted to go with Kel, as a friend. Alanna was happy to be briefly rid of Neal. Raoul gave Kel orders plain and simple: to relax and take things easy for awhile. It was common knowledge that Kel wasn't feeling her best and Raoul left the decision to her, she could go back to her quarters at the palace or she could spend some more time at her home in Mindelan. But he didn't want her on the road, traveling and overdoing things as she was likely to do. So the decision was made, the people were notified, and the smaller body of Tortallan servers started out on the road two days later.
A/N: Hmmm... and I want to thank you... for giving me the best day of my life...(whoops, i don't own that... props to Dido) Thank you very much... your reviews mean so much to me, i'm going to take the time to thank you all individually again... be patient ^-^
*AJ 4EVA: yea, well i DID write more fast, it just took me forever to type it... sorries .
*alanna: I'm just ever so glad you like it... and i'll try to keep going, i'm always looking for inspiration... got any? hehe
*Alcapacien: interesting is a good thing right? guess so if you can't wait for more :smiles:
*amethyst43: hey that's great, whatever gets you to review ::evil smile:: uh okay, i agree with you... i DO need to concentrate on those facts more, and trust me i'm getting there, i'm working on it...i have a plan... i think...
*Ana Morales: am i odd... or when you :jumps around on one foot: well that makes me think you have to go to the bathroom, that's the picture i get...okay i know i'm odd i deal with it but here's more... ::big cheesy grin:: sorry about the typo's "I'm NOT retarded, i swear it!" at least i don't think i am... OF COURSE Neal's spoken for... i spoke for him... he's ALL mine :smiles:
*Angel4eva3: Man! what're you thinking skiping the review for a chapter like that? LOL random e-mail sound okay, sometimes it's good to vent a little bit... so what's the deal with your boyfriend? or ex? it's sounds interesting... e-mail me if you wanna, i don't mind (chit_sk8er@yahoo.com)
*BEA2688: ::pretends to run in slow motion:: i'm going hehe oh, and here's more to read .
*Bella: Dude! i don't think so... oh okay, you talked me into it ^-^
* bubblegum*girl: hmm... more peopl slacking off on their reviews::galres:: ...jk, just don't let it happen again :) Neal's like me... he knows all... ::grins:: and the inn has thin walls... idk
*Call Me Nobody?!: whoa dude! this HAS taken a year... that blows my mind... hey, i got some of my best quotes from here too! lol too bad no one ever knows what i'm ranting about... hehe, do they ever? NO VIOLENCE! neal's mine, i have other plans for him, you shall see soon, or someday... hehe whoa that's one heck of a full name...
*Clare: hmm i have a lot of stress, i don't want to be the cause of stress for others, here's an update, sorry it wasn't sooner :) I'm glad someone appreciates my answering and it DOES take awhile, but i figure it's worth it... mosquitoes? that's odd...
*Danny: ::does happy dance:: oh yea, i got 20 points! go ME! i like points, i'm not sure why, i don't know what i can do with them, but it still makes me feel cool .
*dom lover: i agree... i do have an obligation and i'm working on it... but some things are beyond my control ::smiles:: you know?
* D.R.: is that the only reason for your review? oh well i suppose that's as good a reason as any...right? Right!
*dragon defender: yea... it could be confusing, i'm easily confused myself... what's confusing you and i'll try and clear it up.
*Fate of Destiny: ::head drops:: i'm sorry ::blushes:: my name is LDoQ and i have a probelm... i'm ADDICTED to reviews... i love 'em... can't get enough...*hint*hint* yes yes, i know... i know... no, no i don't know... i don't know much of anything...
*Fhire: man i hate it when my character get thwaped... oh well, they deserved it, and they've made up ::grins:: and wow... i get a box! go me!
*henna anton: hey, whatever works, you review, i write... it's all good .
*I'm not Weird, I'm Gifted: the BEST?? ::hopeful look:: out of a lot? yAy for me! and i'm updateing again... isn't that just great??
*Incensio Lady: HEY! that's a pretty good idea, i LIKE it! I should start a series of short stories... "The secret Fantasies/ Uknown lives of Nealan of Queenscove" good idea eh?
*jazy716: Kel telling Dom is in the plan... trust me, i'll get 'er done ::red neck smile::
*K.C.: Thankie, thankies... i'm gald you like and i hope to hear more from you :)
*MEEEEE: hmm... i wonder who this could be*cough*they killed kenny!*cough*... :p hehe it wouldn't be so confusing if you read more than one chapter, but whatever floats your boat... i'm sure I'll talk to you soon enough so...yea
*Lady Bee: yay! someone who understands my addiction, here's the next chappie :)
*lady tiger: you can only submit one per chapter (dang, dumb rule...:p) but many is good, keep it up, i like many ::big smile::
*Lara Roberts: hint hint? that's my line... like this... i updated, now you review *hint*hint* i'm good, i know...sorry for being so slow... can you find it in your heart to forgive me??
*lfk214: love is always good, especially when it causes you to review... i like that... no wait... i LOVE it and it COULD hurt for kel to tell dom, i could make it hurt ::hehe:: jk
*Magelet1: ::drops head and looks guilty:: yes... i noticed, shame on me....
*molly: i AM thankful for my reviews...VERY thankful indeed, but i am dedicated, probably not as much as i could be...but i am...
*Mythical Knight: YES! i know... i hate that, my favorite fic hasn't been touched in over a year as well...i'm slow... but not that slow... and I'll work on the fluff... i tired to put some, i just don't want to over do it, but a little fluff never hurt anyone :p right?
*Paparazzi: yAy! i'm just ever so glad my plot wasn't stupid.... here's a chapter, let it keep you busy and content for awhile... and review... and i'll atempt to get some writing done
*p-e-n-n-n-a-m-e: okay... here's more... sorry for the delay... just make me feel all guilty why don't you?
*PoisonMoon: if you think i have imagination now... you just wait till you see what i have planned and what's coming up... hehe thanks for the review...
*PrincessAlyssa16: TODAY! i'm going to update again today! aren't you glad? hey, if you're gonna read that much you should review more... hehe +hint+hint+ sorry i can't help it
*rockchikgc: -gasp- favorites list? oOoh i love that idea, that makes me happy thanks
*singer-of-all-songs: thanks... okay, okay, here's more story sheesh... lol
*!_SmAsH_!: sshhh....only YOU know about the dictates... gah! did you just call me a punta? what's up with that? huffy-my-puffy... oOo that's a good 'un... oh no, NO! not the bologna song AGAIN! gah!... you shall pay for this on Random Tuesday... not really... because they got high, because they got high... i got that song :) Dougie IS very fortunate isn't he? .
*spifferoonigirl: yepyep thanks, i found that story and realized i'd already read it :) here's something to add to your long list of other reading material
*Tibberon: thanks, i'm exstatic that you like it so much...read and review more k? ^-^
*TPfreak: i'm getting to hte cleon part, and i think you're gonna like it... it cracks me up anyway, and i haven't even WRITTEN it yet... hehe, you need to learn to like reviewing more, that's what keeps me going! (whoops, i hardly ever review myself... shhh don't tell).
*treanz-alyce: thank you much, i went on... aren't you proud? review and tell me how proud you are... that would be great ::big smile::
I'm done boring you for now... i'll try and get something accomplished and update soon, just cuz i love and cherish all my loyal and faithful reviewers .
until then... review to amuse yoursleves... hehe, like you didn't see that one coming
--LDoQ