behave

[mrmage]

There's a total lunar eclipse two weeks later, the first one since January 2001. That semiquarter and most of the next pass without much more noise. Jackson is occasionally sad because of his dom's electric toy, and he's occasionally more stripey than he wishes to be, but there's not a whole lot Sadde can do about that. Against his hopes, Mason doesn't dump Jackson, and nothing gives.

Sadde continues socializing with people, but no one new. And as the semiquarter approaches its end and summer break gets closer, Sadde receives an email from Tobias, saying that he fully expects his daughter to come home and tell everyone all about her first half year at magic school.

The email tells Sadde to behave.

Sadde is not in a good place.

Comments

[msmage]

-nods. She will change on the train, to more appropriate clothing according to Tobias, but now she's- she's this. It's not so hard to be this right now, with Isabella. "Yes, ma'am," she says softly. "I love you."

[eclipsi]

"I love you too, lovely, so much. Be safe."

Another kiss.

"Now get on the train before one of us starts crying."

[msmage]

So Sadde boards, and her seat is not next to any windows that might let her see Isabella while departing, which is just as well.

[eclipsi]

Isabella sits and waits for the train to pull out anyway.

And then she gets on her own train.

[peterxy]

Sadde does not contact Isabella during the two weeks of summer break.

[eclipsi]

(Just in case Sadde's going to get internet privileges there are little, sappy notes in his inbox, nothing incriminating, just a line or two - "thinking of you", "love you".

She doesn't expect replies.)

She's at the train station when Sadde's due back.

[msmage]

Sadde leaves the train, and doesn't quite look up to look for anyone. She looks quite- used to it. Not looking up.

[eclipsi]

"Sadde!"

[msmage]

She looks up, startled, and sees Isabella and she-

-doesn't run. She walks towards her dom at a sedate pace, trying not to draw any attention.

[eclipsi]

Pet, I can't exactly run to you, don't keep me waiting -

- no, Isabella's going to be gentle on the orders until Sadde's had some chance to process things. She waits.

[msmage]

Sadde reaches her finally, and still doesn't look up. She doesn't address her, either.

[eclipsi]

"C'mere, pet," murmurs Isabella, holding out her arms.

[msmage]

She obeys, of course.

[eclipsi]

Isabella holds her.

"My lovely. You came back just like I said, good girl. I love you."

[msmage]

"I love you too," she replies automatically.

[eclipsi]

"Let's go catch the bus."

Isabella is slowed down a little by holding hands while they walk.

[msmage]

Sadde tries to keep up with her as best she can.

[eclipsi]

And then they are sitting at the bus stop.

Isabella runs her hands through Sadde's hair, wondering what to do.

[msmage]

Sadde will just - be there. Being exactly what she's been for the past two weeks.

[eclipsi]

"Do you want to go out for dinner or back to campus?"

[msmage]

"Whatever you like."

[eclipsi]

"How long until I have the rest of you back, pet?"

[msmage]

"I- until you tell me to."

[eclipsi]

"What do you need me to tell you to do?" blinks Isabella.

[msmage]

"You told me. I'm- doing what you told me. I won't stop doing what you told me until you tell me to."