an apocalypse of ice; chapter 10.1
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More Apocalypse challenge :)TRANSCRIPT
PreviouslyonAnApocalypseofIce:
Everybodycelebrated!TheStarkfamilycouldfinallyeatasmuchastheywanted,andJulianhadfinallyopeneduptheschoolsandcollegestoeveryone.Therewasmuchrejoicingandsmustlinginvolved.
Buttherewastroubleonthehorizon.Willwasn’tquiteashappyabouttheopportunitytogotocollegeashethoughtheshouldhavebeen.Hehadneverlikedschool,butnowhelikeditevenless,andhestartedfearinggoingtoclass.MalfoundoutthatJulian’sgirlfriend,JanTellerman,wasaTheoristandstartedthinkingaboutarrangingamarriagebetweenJanandWill.AndwannabeCaptainHeroAliMeranadecideditwouldbeagoodideatoresurrectSansaStark.Consideringthatshe’splanningtogetbacktoheroldfamilyandtakeoverbyanymeansnecessary,nomaLerhowextreme,Aliappearstohavebeenwrongaboutthis.SansaiscallingherselfAlayneStoneandisprobablygoingtocausealotoftrouble.
Willhadn’tknownwhattoexpectwhenhewenttocollege,butpassingoutinthesandwhileconsideringhimselfluckytohavearoofoverhisheadwasnotonthelist.Hehadn’tevenhadanyalcohol.
Hehadbroughtafewitemswithhim,butthemoneyhehadwasbarelyenoughforwallsaroundhim,aroof,andatoilet.OldtownUniversitymighthavebeensomethingspecialinSansa’sday,butrightnowtheadministratorscouldn’thandletherushofstudentswhohadcomenowthatitwasopenagain.UncleJulianwasprobablytryingtocorrespondwiththeprofessorsanddeanstohelpthemout,butWinterfellwasalongwayfromOldtown,anditwasdifficulttocommunicateinthebestofQmes.
Hedeclaredthemathmajor,becausemathhadbeenoneofthefewthingsthatWilllikedinhighschool.Mathproblemsusuallyhadanswers,eventhoughhedidn’talwaysknowhowtofindthem.Willpreferredthattotryingtoscouroldbooksforanswersthatdidn’tseemtoexistandthathewouldn’trecognizeeveniftheydidexist.
Butcollegewasharderthanhehadeverthoughtitwouldbe,especiallybecausehecouldaffordsoliLle.Will’slifehadnarroweddowntostudying,eaQng,andtryingtogetsomesleepinthereclinerhehadpurchased.HewonderedifithadbeenlikethisforhisancestorswhentheyhadfirstreturnedtoWinterfell.
Buttherewerestrangephonecallsthatliveneduphisday.
“Whoareyou?”
“AlienaMerana—”
“Who’sthat?Andhowdidyougetmynumber?”
“That’snotimportant.Youmightbeindanger.SansaStarkhascomeback—”
“Wait.Areyouforreal?”Willasked.
“Yes!Isawhercomebackfromthedead!”
“No,youdidn’t.Peopledon’tcomebackfromthedead.THAT’SWHYTHEY’REDEAD.”
HetalkedforaliLlewhilelonger,justbecauseitwasinteresQngtotalksomebody,nomaLerhowcrazy.ThenhedecideditwasQmeforanap.
“WhatamIsupposedtodotogethimtobelieveme?”Alienaaskedherselfwhilesi\ngatthechessboard.SheunderstoodWill’sinsistencethatdeadwasdead.ThatwaswhatshehadalwaysthoughtunQlshehadreceivedthetelephone.Butthatwasn’ttrueanymore,andifshewasgoingtobeaheroinsteadofthebadguy,thenshewouldhavetogettheStarkfamilytobelieveherbeforeanyofthemhadarun‐inwithAlayneStone.
ShetriedtowarnanyoneshesawcomebythehousewhenAlaynewasoutofearshot,butitlookedlikeherwarningsweregoingovereveryone’sheads.
“Iwishitwasn’ttrue,”AlitoldChrisStarkasshefinishedtellingthestory.“ButIknowitis.Isawhercomeback.Andshe’sobsessedwithyourfamily.IfIdon’tfindawaytostopher,thenIdon’tknowwhatshe’lldotoyouinordertotakecontrolofWinterfellforherself.”
UnlikeWill,ChrisgavethetalesomeconsideraQon.
I’veseenalmostalloftheotherghosts,shethought.Eowynsuredoesliketoscareme.ButneverSansa.Julian’stheonlyonewho’sseenherhaun?ng.Andiftheycancomebackfrombeyondthegravethisway…whynotanotherway?
Chrisatleastseemedtobethinkingaboutit.
“IwishIknewwhetherIcouldbelieveyouornot,”shesaid.“There’snowaytoknow.Sansa’sbeendeadforlongenoughthatmostpeoplewhoknewherareprobablygone,too.Butit’spossible.Andifanyonelikethatcomesnearourfamily…”Whatwouldtheydo?“We’llprotectourselves.”
ButthingsinAliena’shousewerealiLlebitnormal.Alaynehadtakenajobasatestsubject.EventhoughAliwaswaryofle\ngAlayneoutofthehouse,theyhadtoearnmoney,anditwasbeLerforAlaynetohaveajobthantoleaveheraloneatthehouse.Whoknewwhatpiesshemightgetherfingersinthere?Atleastifshehadajob,otherpeoplewouldsQllbekeepinganeyeonher.
Forherpart,Alayneroseinhercareerquickly.A`erall,shehadbeenarenownedecologicalgurubefore,andshesQllrememberedafewthings.Ifshekeptonge\ngpromoted,shereasoned,maybeshewouldcometoherfamily’snoQce,andtheywouldrealizewhatshecoulddoforthem.
AndAlienawasinlove.Shewasn’tsureexactlyhowshehadmetJocelynMorgan,butsheknewthattheyhadbeenluckytofindeachother.TherewasjustsomethingaboutJocelynthatcompletelyenchantedAli.HalftheQme,itlookedlikeshewasdreamingofaplacewherelifewastenQmesbeLerthanitwashere.TheotherhalfoftheQme,itlookedlikeshewastryingtofindawaytobringthatperfectworldinherheadtolife.
“Idon’tknowhowtodoit,”JocelyntoldAlioverchessa`erAliaskedherabouttheperfectworldinhermind.Itsoundedlikeshewastalkingtosomeonefaroffinthedistance,butJocelynsoundedlikethatwhenshespoketoeveryone.“There’ssomuchwrongwiththisplace.Peoplearesocruel,andwhenyoufindsomeoneyoulike,sheslipsawayfromyoualltooo`en.”
“Andtheconstantsnow.”
JocelynblinkedafewQmes.“No,”shesaid.“ThesnowisbeauQful.Idon’twanttoseeaworldwithoutit.”
ShehadeventoldJocelynaboutthedebaclewithSansaStark,andshejustthoughtitwassweetthatshewaswillingtogosofartomakeabeLerworld.HowcouldAlibeluckyenoughthatsomeonelikeJocelynwouldbeinterestedinhera`erallthemistakesshehadmade?
SoonceAlitoldJocelynthatshelovedher,theygotmarriedrightaway.IfAliletherslipaway,whoknewiftheywouldeverfindeachotheragain,whenitwassodifficulttostayincontactwithanyoneouthere?Shehadtotakethischancewhileshecould,beforeJocelyncametohersensesandfoundsomeoneelsewhowasactuallygoodenoughforher.
Ofcourse,thingsweren’tgoingtobenormalaroundhereaslongasAlienahadaformerlydeadpersoninthehousemakingextremeplans,butatleastitfeltlikenowshecouldstarttoliveherlifeagain.
“Thekidsaregrowingupsoquickly,”MalobservedasChrisbeathimatmahjong.“Will’sofftocollege,andnowSabriel’sabouttobecomeateenagerandchooseheraspiraQon.Wasn’titjustyesterdaywhentheyweresmallenoughtopickup?”
“Iknow.IwasjusthelpingSabrielwithaspeechshehastogiveforschooltoday,andIwasthinkingabouthowshe’snotgoingtobesoliFleanymore.”
“Theyhavetogivespeechesforschoolnow?Backinmyday,itwasjustreadingandmathproblems.”
“Julianthoughtitwasagoodideatohelpkidswiththeircharisma.”
“Itis.Ishouldtellhimthatsome?me,ifhe’lltalktome.”
“Whywouldn’thetalktoyou?”
“He—”Malstarted.“WeneedtohaveafamilymeeQng.Jan’satheorist,andshecouldreallyhelpthefamily.Buttodothat—”
“Isee,”Chrissaid.Shecouldn’thelpthinkthatthiscouldhavebeenavoidedifshehadachievedherlifeQmewant,andshedidn’twanttothinkaboutresolvingtheconflict,soshechangedthesubject.“WhataspiraQondoyouthinkSabrielwillchoose?”
“IwashopingoneofthekidswouldpickFortune,”Malsaid.“Iknowwedon’thavetoworkashardtogetbyasweusedto,butourfamilyhasalwaysvaluedhardwork.”
“WillandArthurhadtochoosewhatwasrightforthem,though.Theywouldn’thavebeenhappyifthey’dpickedtheiraspiraQonstopleaseus.”
“Iknow.I’mjusthopingthekidsaregoingtobeasdedicatedtomakingthingsbeLeraroundhereaswewere.”
“Well,wehadalottodo,”Chrispointedout.“Laws,showers,food,andcollegewerenotsmallpotatoes.Theywon’thavetodoasmuchaswedid,butaslongastheystaycommiLedtothework,everythingshouldbefine.”
“Iknow.Ijusthope—youwonagain?”
“Yep.”Chrissmiled.
“HowdoyoukeepwinningthisgamewithoutcheaQng?”
Asusual,notenoughpeoplewerepayingaLenQontoSabrielasshegrewupafewhourslater.
But,unfortunately,shecouldn’tstopherselffromgrowingupunQlherdadandheruncletorethemselvesawayfromthemahjongtable,soshegrewupinthecorner.
AtleastIhavedecentclothes,Sabrielthought.ButwhatdoIwant?
Itdidn’ttakeverymuchthought.Sabrielwantedtobreakoutofthehouseandgoonadventures.ButheradventuresweregoingtobebeLerthaneverysingleoneherdadandgreat‐grandfatherhadeverbeenon.TherewassQllsomuchoftheworldyettodiscover,andshewasgoingtodoit.
Malhopedthateveryonewouldplayniceandcometotheconsensusthatwouldbebestforthefamily.ButashewaitedforJulianwithBrandonandChris,hehadafeelingthattheirdiscussionofmarryingJanintothefamilywouldbeanythingbutnice.JulianhadsaidthatheshouldhaveknownMalwasgoingtodothistohim.Itwasn’tasifMalwantedtohurtJulian,buthowcouldthefamilypassupthischance?
“AmIinsaneforeventhinkingthisisagoodidea?”heaskedChris.
“Notasinsaneasyoumightthink,”sheanswered.“It’sfarfromideal,butthere’ssomuchthatJancoulddowithourhelp.Notjustforus,butalsoforeveryoneinthecommunity.Thismarriageisatleastworthconsidering.”
“Considering?”Julianasked,takinghisseat.“You’vealreadydecidedtogoforwardwithit,haven’tyou?DoIevenhavetobehereforthis?”
“Yes,Julian,”Malsaid.“Wehaven’tmadeanydecisionsyet.Wejustthinkit’sworththinkingabout.”
“It’sdisgusQng,that’swhatitis.Thinkaboutit.You’retryingtosetWillupwithhisuncle’sgirlfriend.Isn’tthatincest?”
“No,”Brandonsaid.“WillandJanaren’trelatedbyblood.”
“Well,itshouldbe.”
Halfwaydownthestairstothesecondfloor,Sabrielheardherparentsandunclestalking.Shestoppedatthelandingtolisten.Wasittrue?Couldshebetheheir?Shehaddreamedthateveryonewouldrealizeshewasbestforthejob,butshehadneverthoughtitcouldbereal.
“Thiscouldbeoneofthebestthingsthateverhappenedtothefamily,though,”Malsuggested.
“TheonlywaythatthisisthebestthingforthefamilyisifI’mnotpartofthespecialliLle‘family’ofFortuneSimsthatyou’retalkingabout.OrifI’mnotsignificantenoughtobeinyourfamily—“
“Youareimportanttous,Julian.”
“You’resurenotacQnglikeit,Mal.AndwhataboutWill?I’mnotle\ngyoudothistohim,either.YoualwaystalkedaboutbeingabeLerparentthanMomandDad,andyouwalkedthewalkforawhile,butitlookslikeintheendyou’regoingtomakejustasbigofamistakeasthem,ifnotbigger.”
Malopenedandclosedhismouth,notknowinghowtorespondtothat.
“That’senough,Julian.”Chriscuthimoff.“Willcandecidewhathewantsforhimself.Ifhedecidesthatthisistooweirdforhim,that’shischoice.Butthismarriagehasadvantages.”
“Nameoneofthem.”
“Fine.She’salreadyalmostatthetopofhercareer,andshedoessomethingthatweweredesperatelyhopingtogetdoneduringourQmeleadingthefamily.RememberwhenBrandonandMaldecidedthatoneofthemwouldbeamadscienQstandtheotheronewouldbeacelebritychef?Well,noneofuseverbecamemadscienQsts,becausetherewereneveranywaystobreakintothefield.Janisinthefield,andshe’sgoodatwhatshedoes.”
“That’strue,”Malsaid,gladthatsomebodywassupporQnghimnow.“Andthentherearethethingswe’dbeabletodo.Notjustelse,buteveryoneelsewholivesinthiscommunity.Lights.Electronics.Andwe’dbeabletomoveout.”
“Good.SoIcoulddiealoneinsomehousesomewhereandnothavetowatchthetwoofthempawingateachother,”Juliansaid.
“DoyouhaveanythingproducQvetosay?”Brandonsnappedfromtheotherendofthetable.
“Ofcourseit’shardtofindajobandgetpromoted.Iknowthat,maybebeLerthananyofyou,”Juliansaid.“Butit’swhatwe’vealwaysdone.There’snoreasonwhyyoucan’tletWillmarrysomeonehelovesandletthatpersontopthecareer.”
“Hey,I’vegotabrilliantidea,”Brandonsaid.“IsthereanybodyelsewhocouldinventalltheseamazingcontrapQonswe’rethinkingabout?ThenwecanarrangeamarriagebetweenWillandthatpersonandavoidallofthis.”
“Well,myfriendBenjaminLongisamadscienQst,”Chrissaid.“IfSabrielwastheheir,shecouldmarryhim,andwecouldavoidallthisweirdness.”
“Butthat’snothowitworks,”Brandonsaid.“Thefirstbornsoninherits.IknowthatIdidn’twanttobetheheir,butIhadtheopQontodecidewhetherIwanteditornot.Wecan’tjustdisinheritWillwhilewe’resi\ngaroundthistable.”
SabrielheadedforthechessboardtopracQce.Shehadheardenough.
“Soyou’resayingweshouldjustgotoWillandaskhimifthisiswhathewants?”Malasked.
“Yes,”Brandonsaid.“He’salmostgrownup,andhecanmakethedecisionifhereallywantstobeheirorstepasideinSabriel’sfavor.It’snotideal,butitwillhelpus.”
“Fine,”Juliansaid.Itdidn’tlooklikeanyonewasgoingtobudge,andhewasasQredofsi\ngaroundthetableastherestofthem.Besides,Willwouldneveragreetothis.
“Inevermeantittogothisway,”MalsaidtoJulian.“I’msorry.”
“Ofcourseyoudidn’twantthis.”Juliandidn’tthinkthatMalwasouttogethim,buta`erlisteningtotheotherpeoplearoundthetabletalkabouthisrelaQonshipasifitmeantnothing,itdefinitelydidn’tfeellikehewaspartofthisfamily.
ThisQme,Sabrielwasn’tscowlingattheboardjustbecauseshehatedchess.Shehurt,andshedidn'twanttoshowit,eventhoughnobodywasaround."Itdoesn’tmaLer,"shetoldthewhiteknightacrosstheboardasshemoveditforwardtwospacesandonespacetotheright.StarQngbyadvancingtheking'spawnforwardtwospaceswasge\ngboring.
"Hey,Sable!"Arthursaid,si\ngdownattheboardacrossfromher."What'sup?”
"Nothing."Sheadvancedherqueen'spawn.
“Butyousaid‘Itdoesn’tmaLer.’”
“Nothingyou’dunderstand.”SabrielstressedthelastwordsothatArthurwouldbackoff.
“Okay.Whatever.”
OfcourseArthurhadbackedoff.HealwaysdideveryQmeshechallengedhim.ThatjustmadethiswholesituaQontenQmesworse.Hewouldjustwanttoplayapeacefulgameofchess,eventhoughhehatedchessalmostasmuchasher,andthatwasthelastthingshewantedtodo.Sabrielwantedafight.
“Whycan’tgirlsinheritWinterfell?”sheasked.
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Ofcoursetheycan.”
“Onlywhentherearen’tanyboysaround.Grandmawasanonlychild,andourgreat‐grandmawouldhavebeensomepowerlessqueensomewhereifherbrothershadn’tbeenmurdered.Butyou’dneverthinkofthat,wouldyou?”
Arthurmovedapiece.“Doyouwanttobetheheir?IbetifyoutoldDad,he’dletyou.”
“That’snotthepoint.”
“Whatis?”
“Heshouldn’thavetoletme,”Sabrielsnappedback.“UncleBrandonsaidwhenhegaveittoDadthatitshouldgotothepersonwho’dbethebestatit,butapparentlyhedidn’treallymeanit,hewasonlysayingitbecauseheonlyhadbrothers—“
“Wait.Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“IoverheardourparentsandunclestalkingaboutwhotheyweregoingtomarryWillto.It’sreallysickandtwisted—youdon’twanttoknow.AndMomsaidthatoneofherfriendswasaMadScienQst,andthatIcouldmarryhimanditwouldn’tbesosickandtwisted.ButUncleBrandonsaidsomethingabouthowitshouldgotoWillfirst,becausehewasthefirstbornsonandWinterfellwashistoacceptorturndown—“
“Well,thatdoesn’tmean—“
“WouldyoustopinterrupQngme?”Arthurlookedawayfromher.Good.“God,someQmesIwishI’dhadafewmoresistersandauntsandafewlessbrothersanduncles.They’dunderstand.”
“I’mtryingtounderstand,Sabriel.”
“Youdon’tevenwanttobetheheir,”Okay,maybethatwasn’ttrue,butthatwasn’tthepoint.“You’dratherjustsitaroundinyourpajamas,gotoparQes,andplaymahjongallthelivelongdaya`eryoudowhatyouhavetodoforthefamily.”
“I’veneverthoughtaboutwhetherIwanttobeheir.”
“Becauseyoucan’tbetheheir.”Andthey’ds?llconsideryouoverme,eventhoughit’dbejustassickandtwistedifyoumarriedJan,andyou’dlikeitevenlessthanWillwould.Eventhoughyoushouldn’tbetheheirifyouwon’tjustfightback.
“Well,I’llaskyouagain—doyouwantto?”
ThisconversaQonwasstarQngalloveragain,butwithoneimportantdifference:SabrielhadpouredherheartouttoArthur,andhesQlldidn’tgetit.“I’lltellyouagain.”Shegotupfromthechair.“That’snotthepoint.”
Willhadabedandasink.Thiswasanimprovement.ButhavingacouplemorebasicameniQeswhileWillstudiedunQlhedroppeddidn’thurt.
Sure,theassignmentssQllfeltlikethey’dneverend.Apparently,Willwassupposedtohavelearnedsomethingcalledcalculusinschool.Hewasn’tsurehowhewassupposedtodothat,seeingastherehadn’tbeenanyschoolsunQlacoupleofdaysbeforehewasduetobecomeanadult,butallhisprofessorsassumedthatheknewhowtocalculatesomethingcalledaderivaQve.Hedidn’t.
ItalsowouldhavehelpedifhecouldreadthewordsandnumberswriLenonthepagesthatweresupposedtoexplaintheproblemstohim.Willhadtroublefocusing,andwhenheputhisassignmentbookawaytotakealookatitlater,henoQcedthathiseyeshurt.Whywasthathappeningtohimwhenheneededtofocusasmuchaspossible?
Alienahadn’tstoppedcallingtodangleherconspiracytheoriesinfrontofhim,andWillhadstartedtogettoknowherbeLer.Shedidn’treallyactlikeheexpectedacrazypersontoact.AlienajustseemedlikeanormalpersonwhowantedabeLerlifeforherself.Shedidn’trantorraveaboutanythingbutthesupposedreturnofSansaStark,goingbyAlayneStone.Couldsheberight?
“Nah.Can’tbe.”
WilldecidedtofreestyleforQpswhenhegotbackfromclassandcouldn’teventhinkaboutderivaQvesforanotherminute:
Theygotthesitua?on,theygotmefacingIcan’tliveanormallife,IwasraisedbythestripesSoIgoFabedownwiththehoodteamToomuchtelevisionwatchinggotmechasingdreams…TellmewhyarewesoblindtoseeThattheoneswehurtareyouandme
Hedidn’tgetanyQps,buthedidgettomeetagirlnamedCeleste.Willwouldhavelikedtomeetmoregirls,butbeingstuckinhisdormunabletocallanyoneandhavingtoteachhimselfcalculusreallydidanumberonone’sabilitytomeetpeople.
“Itissocoldouthere,”Willcomplained.“IknowI’msupposedtobeusedtoit,butIdon’tthinkIeverwillbe.”
“Idon’tthinkIwillbe,either,”Celestesaid.“Andthat’sgood.It’llkillyouifyouletit.”
TheytalkedforaliLlewhilelongerbeforeCelestehadtogotoclassandWillwentinsideforaninstantdrink.
Somewherealongtheline,whatWillwantedoutoflifehadchanged.Thethoughtofbeingacelebritycheflikehismomdidn’tseemasappealinganymore.Thatwouldjustmeanmorestudyinga`erhehaddonesomethingimportantforthefamily.Willwantedsomethingthatdidn’tmeanasmuchwork,andhewantedtohavealiLlefunandcompanionshipinsteadofconstantlygoingfrombedtorefrigeratortothepatchoffloorwithhisassignments.Thatwaswhyhewantedtomeetgirlsatcollege.Butwiththephonelinesdownsoo`en,itwasnexttoimpossibletostayincontactwithanyone.
Willwasn’tsleepingaswellasheusedto.Hehadnightmareswhereheneversawhisfamilyagainandwastrappedinthissmallhousewithoutwallpaperorfloorsfortherestofhislife.
Ishouldworkonmyassignment,hethought.Butfinishingthoselasttwentymathproblemsdidn’tappealtoWillatall.
Fivemoreminutes,hetoldhimself.FivemoreminutesandthenI’llgettowork.
“Well,snowman?”heasked.“It’sgottogetbeLer,right?”
“Hey,Sabriel,aboutearliertoday—”
“Justasecond.I’mlookingforajob.”
“Howharddoyouhavetolook?”Arthurasked.“There’snothinginthepaper.Andwhydoyouwantajob?Isn’tschoolandskillingenough?”
“Hmmm.VolunteeringinapoliQcalcampaign,”Sabrieltoldthepaper.“Soundslikethat’srightupmyalley.Andit’snotenoughforme,”shesaid,loweringthepapertolookatArthurandtryingnottosoundangry.“Iwanttogetoutofthehouse.Dadworkedatanembassybeforehestartedge\ngseriousaboutadventuring,andIwanttotrythat.Plus,it’snottooearlyformetostartonmyresume.”
“What’saresume?”
“Areyouserious?”
“Yes,Sabriel.Ireallyamaskingyouwhataresumeis.”
“AmIwrong,orareyoumorefocusedonRickyCormierthanyourprepara?onsforgoingtoOldtown?”
“…”
“IguessI’mnotwrong,then.”
“Sabriel,it’s…”Arthurtookabiteofhisgrilledcheesesandwichandwatchedhissisterfocusonthepaper.“Howdidyouknow?”
“HowdidIknow?YouspendmoreQmestaringathiminhistoryclassthanyoudotakingnotes.”
“Yeah,but…I’mnotsupposedtothinkaboutguysthatway,amI?”
“Whosays?”Sabrielshrugged.“Idon’tthinkaboutanybodythatway.”
“Comeon.Let’sworkonourbodypointstogethersothatDadwillactuallyletmegotothisjob.Idon’treallythinkI’dbeaFacked,buthe’sweirdaboutstufflikethat.”
Asexpected,Sabrielgainedherbodypoints.“See,Dad?”shemuLeredasshewalkeddownthesteps.“I’llshowyou.I’llshowallofyou.”
“Howdoesshedoit?I’malreadyboredoutofmymind,”Arthurcomplaineda`eranotherlongdayatschool.Hehadagazillionassignmentsforhiscollegeprepclasses,andhealsohadtokeepbuildinguphisskills.HavingagoodQmedidn’tseemtobeonanyone’sagendabuthisown.
Sabrieldidn’tknowtheanswertothatquesQon,either.ShehadspentthreehoursshufflingpaperaroundandtryingtogetphonelinesouttotalktoprospecQvedonors,anditwasevenmoreboringthanchess.Butshehadtodoit.Shehadtodosomethingifshewasgoingtostaysane.
“Nothingtodo,peoplewhodon’tbelievemewhenIsaythephonelinesaredown,andI’mworkingforacrook,”sheranted.“AndI’mcomingbackheretopeoplewhodon’trespectmeanddon’tthinkIhaveanythingtocontributetothefamily?Idon’tthinkso!”Sabrielclenchedherfists.Shedidn’tcareifanyoneheardher.Infact,partofherwantedthemtohearsothey’drethinkmakingWilltheheir.
Shehadthoughtge\ngajobandge\ngoutofthehousewouldmakethingsbeLer.Itwasn’t.
MalhadconsiderablymorejobsaQsfacQon,havingjustreceivedhisfinalpromoQon.Hereturnedfromhislatestmissionfeelinglikehewasontopoftheworld.
WhenWillreceivedaphonecallfromSpencerattheendofhissecondyearofcollegeaskingifhe’dliketocomevisit,WillgratefullyacceptedassoonasthesemesterendedandhecouldgettransportaQonfromOldtown.Therewereafewweeksbeforeclassesbegan,andhewasnotgoingtospendthoseweeksinhisfour‐wallshackifhecouldhelpit.Unfortunately,hewashavingtheusualtroublewiththephones,sohehadn’tbeenabletogeteverythinginordertoarrangeavisittohisfamily.
“Hey,Will!”Spencergreetedhim.HischeerfulnesswasaliLledisorienQng.“How’scollegetreaQngyou?”
A`erhoursoftransportaQon,Willwasinnomoodtomincewords.“Badly,”hesaid.“Idon’tknowwhyeveryoneelseinthefamilywantedtogosomuch.Iftheywerethere,theywouldhavehatedit,too.”
“I’msorrytohearthat,”Spencersaid.“Isitanythingthatbeingbackherecanhelp?”
“Notreally,”Willsighed.“Classsucks.Maybeitwouldn’tsucksomuchifitdidn’tconsumemyenQrelife.Thatandtryingtohaveagoodnight’ssleepandmakemyeyesstophurQng.Andit’snicethatyou’veinvitedmeoverandthatyou’rewillingtolistentomecomplain,butthingsaregoingtobejustasbadwhenclassesstartagain.”
“Well,Iknowthatifyoudon’ttalktosomeone,it’llonlygetworse,anditdoesn’tsoundlikeyouhaveverymanypeopletotalktooutthere,”SpencertoldWill.“MaybeyoureyeshurQngissomethingtotellyourdadabout,though.”
“Yeah.”Willdoubtedwhetherhisdadwouldbeabletohelp,famousdoctorornot.
“Well…whydon’tyoucomeinandrelaxforawhilebeforeyouhavetogobacktoOldtown?”Spencersuggested.“Standingouthereinthecoldisn’tgoingtodoyouanygood.Playsomedarts.Havesomethingtoeat.Dosomethingthatisn’taboutschoolforaliLlewhile.”
“Soundsgoodtome,”Willsaid.
Hestaredatthebulls‐eyeandgraspedthedart.Notroubleseeingthis.
Whilewalkingaroundtheneighborhood,SabrielthoughtshesawWillthroughoneofthewindowsofthehouse.Coulditreallybehim?Withouteventhinkingaboutwhattheconsequencesmightbe(thiswasanadventure,a`erall),Sabrielknockedonthedoor,whereshepromptlymetSpencerFitzhughanddiscoveredthatWillwasactuallythere.
“Sabriel!It’sgreattoseeyou!Yougottall!”Willsaidashissisterjoinedhimatthedartsgame.
“Idid!It’sagoodthing.Peopledon’ttrytopatmeontheheadanymore,”Sabrielsaid.“It’sgreattoseeyou,too.Wherehaveyoubeen?”
“Atcollege.”
“No,Imean,whyhaven’tyoucalled?”
“Samereasonwhynobodycalls.Ican’t,”Willexplained.“AllIgetwhenIpickupthephoneis‘ThisnumbercannotbereachedatthisQme.Pleasetryagainlater.’”
“Well,that’sdumb.”
Willdidn’tknowwhythisirritatedhimsomuch.Ofcourseitwasdumb.Butitwasjustthewaythingswere,andhecouldn’tdoanythingaboutitnow.
“Weren’tyougoingtocomehomeifyouwerehere?”Sabrielasked.
“Sable,I’vegottoheadbacktoOldtown,”Willexplained.“I’mstudyingalltheQme.Literally.AlltheQme.”
“That’sstupid.”Somehow,WillbeinginthishousemadeSabrieltooangrytothink.“YouthinkSpencerisimportantenoughtovisit,butnotyourownfamily?”
“Hecalledmeandaskedmetocomeover,”Willsaid.“Youhaven’t.WhatwasIsupposedtodo?”
“You’resupposedtocare,”Sabrielsaid,holdingthedartsinherhandandfocusingontheboard.Shedidn’twanttolookatWill.“You’resupposedtoatleasttry.”
“Iamtrying.I’mtryingharderthanI’veevertriedinmylife,justtogetby.Collegeishard,Sabriel.It’snotsomemagickingdomintheskylikeDadsays.”
“Huh.”SabrielwenttoretrieveherdartsandpointedatWill.“Youknow…”
WhenhadhisliLlesisterstartedbeingsuchacontrolfreak?Whathadhedonetooffendher,otherthannotcalling,whichwasn’tanopQon?Heshouldhaverealizedtherewassomethingwrongwithherwhenshewasatoddlerandshegotweirdaboutlearningtotalk.Whyhadhehelpedherdothat?Shewouldn’tshutupnow.
“Uh,hello?Areyouevenlisteningtome?”Sabrielwavedherle`handaroundintheair.
“Uh,yeah.”Willpaused.“Whatwereyousaying?”
“Youshoulddosomethingaboutthephones.You’vegottodosomethingforthefamily,right?Anditcan’tbefood,becauseMomdidthat.Somaybeitcanbephones.”
“Yeah.”Howwouldbegoaboutdoingthat,exactly?Willtookthedartsandstaredattheboardagain,feelingjustaboutasupsetashehadwhenheturnedupatthehouse.HenevershouldhavecomeanywherenearWinterfell.
A`erhefinishedmakingthesandwiches,Spencerle`themtothemselvesandheadedoutsidetomeetthebruneLewhohadwalkedby.
“Ihaven’tdecidedwhatIwanttodoyet,”Sabrielsaidastheysatdowntoeat.“I’mworkingonapoliQcalcampaignnow,butIdon’tlikeitthatmuch.”
“Well,what’syourlifeQmewant?”Willasked,hopingtosteertheconversaQontomorefriendlyground.HefeltlikehebarelyknewanythingaboutSabrielnowthatshewasateenager,andhewantedtofixthat.
“Adventure,ofcourse.Lotsofit.IamaStark,a`erall.But,likeyou,Ican’tdowhatIwant.”
WhatwouldyousayifItoldyouIwantedtowoohootwentywomen?Willthought.ThatI’mnotaStark?
“No.Iguessnot.Ihaven’tbeenabletodowhatIwantedeversinceIle`forcollege.”
Sabrielcouldn’ttakelisteningtohimanymore.“Oh,boohoo,”shesaid.
“What?”
“Everyone’sbeenwaiQngfortheopportunitytogotocollege.Dad,UncleBrandon,andGrandmawanteditsobadlythattheyhadmentalbreakdownswhentheycouldn’tgo.Everyone’sworkedashardastheycouldtomakethosedreamsintoarealityforyou.Whatareyoudoing?You’rethrowingthosedreamsaway!Andyou’retheheir!Whatkindofheirareyougoingtobe,ifyoudon’tvaluewhatyourancestorshavedoneforyou?”
“Onewhodoesn’tthinkthatlifeshouldbeallaboutwork!”Willstampedhisfootononeofthetablelegs.“SoIthinkthatweshouldn’thavetospendeverywakingminuteatwork,skilling,ortryingtomeetourmostbasicneeds.Ididn’tthinkthatwasacrime.”
“It’snotlikethingsaremagicallyperfectnowthatwehaveshowersandfoodagain.There’ssQllalottofix—”
“Iknow!IknowbeLerthanyoudo!I’malwayscold.I’vebeenpayingoffthemobfortwoyears,whichisalotharderwhenyou’renotsi\ngongeneraQonsofmoney.Ican’tcallout,eventhoughyoudon’tseemtobelieveme.Andmyonlyhopeofbeingabletokeepge\ngbyistoworkeveryminuteofeveryday.Don’ttellmethingsaremagicallyperfect.”
WilllookedoffinthedirecQonofOldtownasthelightstartedtofade.
ThewomanwhohadwalkedbythehouseintroducedherselfasAlayneStoneasSabrielwentbackhome,probablytodosomemoreofthatpreciousworkofhers.Willthought“totallyhotbruneLe.”
“Whatbroughtyouhere?”WillaskedAlayne.
“Astrokeofgoodluck,”shesaid.
“Goodluck?Beingaroundhere?I’mnotsureifI’ddescribeitthatway.”
“BeLerthanthealternaQve,”shesaid,headingovertothrowadart.“Winterfell’shardlytheworstplaceintheworld.”
“Iguess.”Willshrugged.A`erall,hecouldthinkofsomewherethatwasworse.
Theysatdownatthetablea`ertheirgame,andWillstartedexplainingthewayhisa`ernoonhadgone:escapingfromcollege,tryingtocooloff,andeventuallylosinghistemperwithSabriel.Hetalkedaboutbeingtheheirandaboutallthepressurehewasunder.Hetalkedabouthisstudiesandabouthowhecouldn’tseethewordsinfrontofhimsomeQmes.
Shejustlistenedwiththesamehalf‐smileonherface.
Specialgueststar:SpencerFitzhugh,TheFitzhughLegacy,bysmoothiequeen87
Musiccredit:“Gangsta’sParadise”‐Coolio
NextQmeonAnApocalypseofIce:
+Morecollegeshenanigans,orlackthereof.+Love+ThemaineventwillbetheresoluQonofthegeneraQon4heirship.Arthurdoesn’tseemtocareaboutit,butWillandSabrieldefinitelydo.HowwilleveryoneworkthingsoutwhenWillcomeshomeonTuesdaytovisit?WillIbeabletogetallthephotosthatIneed?:P
“LILY.WHYISTHISPICTURESTILLONYOURHARDDRIVE?DELETEITNOW!”
Hahahaha,never.:PHappySimming!