When the Stars Fall
Not Being
Ardyce wished the look of guilt on Sam's face looked like pure justice after he'd teased Sebastian about crushing on her, yet there was no such feeling. Even she couldn't help but feel a little unsettled at the moment, yet she clearly remembered how Abigail confronted her the day before, claiming that Sebastian was hers. She'd at first thought Abigail was simply being overprotective of Maru's older brother, but now she didn't think that was entirely the case.
"What would Maru think of all this? She'd certainly blame herself like Sam is, for not having noticed something was wrong."
Of course, the police officer was showing up at just the wrong moment, nor was Sebastian was in a state he didn't want to come into questioning, let alone insist he wasn't in a state to answer questions. Sam argued as much. They still placed Sebastian in their car, just as Caroline and Pierre came to see what the communication was, but neither was happy regarding the situation and Caroline insisted they not take Sebastian in.
Nothing helped.
"Pierre, go get Demetrius and Robin. Tell them what just happened."
"Yeah. I'll go..."
"They're at the saloon, not home," Ardyce blurted out.
"It's not Friday," Pierre said, which Robin said earlier making her wonder what the importance of going to the saloon on Friday was. He shook his head, heading in the direction Ardyce remembered the saloon being, but she sucked in her breath, frustrated with the turn of events.
"What's going on?"
Caroline let out a sigh. "Abigail, I told you to go and wait in the kitchen."
"I wanted to see Seb," Abigail replied. "I've not seen him in some time. Robin won't let me."
"I don't blame her, given what you did."
Which of course made Sebastian's nothing a definite something, something which in turn made a guilty look appear on Sam's face for not suspecting something wasn't quite right in the very least. She watched Abigail's mouth form a pout. "I was just trying to console him after Maru disappeared. Offered to have sex with him."
"That's not the appropriate way to console someone young lady."
"You and dad are always lecturing me about being a proper young lady," Abigail rolled her eyes, but then looked right at Ardyce. "What is she doing here?"
"Sebastian was going to fix her internet. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, as he seemed quite inclined in going into your room..."
"Sebastian wanted to come into my room," Abigail stated, quite chipper.
"Abigail..." Sam took a deep breath. "The internet router is in your room. Did you do something?"
"Just changed the password so she can't get on the internet," Abigail muttered, glaring at Ardyce. In the back of her mind, Ardyce wondered if she would have done something to Maru, acting as jealous as she was of a mere stranger. She remembered how thrilled Sebastian seemed to be about actually getting along with his sister.
"Abigail!"
"Well, she's looking into Maru's disappearance and that's just going to upset Sebby, isn't it?"
"He contacted Ardyce," Sam stated. "He contacted her using his DrowningWizard account seeing if Maru had gone on a trip with her that they'd not told anybody about."
"Why would Mary do that?"
"Because we're friends from high school." Which of course earned her a glare from Abigail.
"He doesn't want answers."
"You don't know that," Ardyce narrowed her eyes, the answer Abigail gave making her suspect the girl even more.
"Yes, well, you will give Ardyce the new password, but also take the new password over to Harvey. I'm surprised he's not been over to complain about there being no internet at the clinic to do his work with."
"It's not as if anybody new has come to town other than that whore..."
"Excuse me?" Ardyce glared at her and Abigail glared back.
"... and nobody has ever seen a doctor other than him, so he's got all the records right here."
"Abigail, apologize to Ardyce this instant."
"Why? She's trying to sleep with my boyfriend."
"Sebastian is not your boyfriend!" Caroline snapped, making her daughter flinch. "More importantly, it is his choice who he dates and if he's told you no, he's told you no. Trying to take advantage of his sister's disappearance won't change the fact he's said no, but you shouldn't be taking advantage of him like that!"
"I..."
"Get the router from your room and put it in the General Store."
Everyone turned towards the voice, none of them had realized that Pierre had shown up. Robin stood next to them, her mouth creased in worry. Abigail opened her mouth to protest, but her father spoke up again.
"I don't want to hear no from you, but you owe not only Sebastian an apology but his parents as well. That's the only reason I want you approaching any of them for the time being."
"Demetrius isn't Sebastian's dad. He's..."
"Abigail. Please. The police just took Sebastian in for questioning. Thankfully the mayor is giving Demetrius a lift into town, but I've got far more important things to worry about other than the fact my son's chosen not to reciprocate your feelings for him."
"Sebby..."
"Abigail, go and get the router and hook it up in the General Store like your father said. Leave the password there for us, but I want you to stay in your room for the next couple of days thinking about what you've done. No more stalking Sebastian, alright."
"I'm not..."
"Abigail!" Abigail turned on he heals, hurrying away at the sound of her father yelling at her. Pierre turned towards Robin after she left. "I am so sorry. I'd thought Abigail changed because Sebastian was having a negative influence on her. I didn't realize this was going on. Actually, it's still sinking in a bit."
"It's..." Robin tried smiling. "You're not the one who should be apologizing. Well, maybe for assuming that to Sebby. But not for..."
"We raised her better," Pierre stated, turning on his heels, stopping when he saw Ardyce. "Actually, I should apologize for you seeing that, stranger as you are to Pelican Town." He then headed inside.
Caroline frowned, her arms crossed. She then turned to look at Ardyce. "So, I'll be by later to give you the password." She tilted her head towards Robin. "Please let me know how things turn out for Sebastian. I wish we could be of more help, but they didn't listen to anyone when they put him in the car."
"It's okay. I know you did what you could." Robin sighed, then looked at Ardyce. "I should get back to the house in case Demetrius calls. See you later."
Ardyce watched her leave, but it was just her and Sam. Letting out a sigh, "Well, I should get back to my apartment." It wasn't until she got up a couple of steps when she realized Sam was following her. She turned, looking at him. "What?"
"You won't hold all of that against Seb will you?"
"What are you..."
"I didn't know that was going on, but Seb's really a nice guy. He does like you, but if Abigail might ruin his chance..." Sam looked at the ground suddenly. "Look. How do you feel about Seb? Be honest with me, and if you're not interested I won't push."
Ardyce turned. "He's a nice guy."
Sam sighed. "I've heard that before the girl tells you that you're not their type."
"Except he is my type, to be honest. I think that was the biggest surprise in meeting him."
"Then..." Sam looked up, quite hopeful.
"I don't want to be another Abigail." To her, that meant she wouldn't push Sebastian into something he didn't want.
"Yeah. But once you find out what happened to Maru, you've not got any reason to stay here, let alone be in contact with Seb, right?" Sam shook his head, turning and leaving. Ardyce shook her head, realizing suddenly, quite possibly, why Sam was being so pushy about the matter.
