Can you tell?

[bread_goes_bip]

[Action, 308 Miller]

[It's actually a bit hard to tell just how affected Death is by all of this. After all, baking cookies really fits either persona. Between the grandchildren and the foster children living in the house, there's always someone to eat them]

[Action, Around town]

[Didi generally looks very grandmotherly as she makes her way around town. Sometimes, when she focuses, something of her old self manages to get through. And that something has one goal: Check to make sure no one has done anything foolish.

When she isn't focused, well, she's lived here her whole life. Made friends, raised children, seen them get married, welcomed grandchildren. Always lots of people to go visit and lend a hand to.

Either way, she's at the door]

I thought you might like some jam. It came out really well this year.

Comments

[likescats]

[Death meanwhile is a little more...affected. Hence the skin. Well Bill is affected that is. He's finished for the day at work, walking into the kitchen where Didi is.]

"WOULD YOU LIKE SOME HELP WITH THAT MY DEAR?"

[bread_goes_bip]

Thank you, dear. Could you grab the cooling racks from the cupboards?

[Because you're tall.]

[likescats]

[For some reason.]

"OF COURSE. WHAT ARE YOU MAKING TODAY?"

[bread_goes_bip]

[There is a distinct chocolate smell to the kitchen]

Spider cookies for Halloween. I figured the boys would like them... assuming the other two don't eat them all first.

[likescats]

"HOW CHARMING. I'M SURE THEY'LL LOVE THEM.

I'M SURE THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GET TO THEM ALSO."

[No he's not but his knowledge of cookies is that they go to the people who get there first]

[bread_goes_bip]

They do seem to have a bit of an instinct for when cookies are ready.

[Because some things are universal contents. Like SLugger's Cookie Sense.]

[likescats]

"I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THEY DID. I BELIEVE IT COMES WITH BEING A CHILD. ALONG WITH SEEING THINGS BETTER THEN ADULTS. UNLESS THEY-"

[He was going to say use magic, he's not really sure why. Also his head suddenly hurts.]

[bread_goes_bip]

[Huh. THat was a bit strange.]

Unless what, dear?

[likescats]

"...I'M NOT QUITE SURE."

[bread_goes_bip]

[She laughs lightly]

I guess we're just getting older.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa answers the door, looking a little under the weather, but brightens as she sees Didi. ]

Oh, that's wonderful! Would you like to come in for tea, Maman Didi?" [ She twitches, as if hit with a sudden pain. ] Ah, Mrs Door?

[bread_goes_bip]

[The hair briefly flies out of the rather sedate bun at that. So it is happening to other people.]

Yes, that sounds lovely. School won't be out for a while yet.

[ooeeooahah]

I haven't seen you in a while, how are your charges?

[ Ilsa leads the way back to the kitchen. ]

The start of school go all right?

[bread_goes_bip]

Quite well, actually. I think the stability will be good for the poor dears.

[Now if only it would do the same for the grandkids]

[ooeeooahah]

[ It's a delicate dance they've done for the past year, with her sister becoming stepmother to Didi's grandchildren. Mostly by not mentioning it, but everyone has agreed to try to make things easier for the children. ]

Balancing order and chaos creates harmon-nng.

[ Ilsa Holds her head after setting the kettle on the stove. ]

Oh. Oh, dear.

[bread_goes_bip]

[She frowns. Definitely something going on here]

Here, let me help you with that.

[ooeeooahah]

Just that... I've been getting these headaches...

[ Her eyes glow blue for a second, ] Something's happening again... [ then it is evident she has another stab of pain as she staggers against the kitchen counter, with a nosebleed. ]

...ow...

[bread_goes_bip]

[She nods, and the hair starts flying loose]

Something is. We need to be cautious.

[Because who will keep everyone else out of trouble?]

[ooeeooahah]

O-oh, yes... careful-cautious.

[ Ilsa doesn't express surprise at the loose hair, but at the nosebleed. ]

Overdid it again.

[bread_goes_bip]

[The hair rearranges itself back]

Motherhood's busy work. You have to be careful to pace yourself.

[ooeeooahah]

We need to make sure the children are all right.

[ That is safe enough to say, right? ]

[bread_goes_bip]

They can be a bit impulsive. That's where we come in.

[It's always true, really.]

[ooeeooahah]

Hallowe'en is coming up. It can be a time of mischief.

[ Oops, that's a little too close, as Ilsa gets another twinge. ]

[bread_goes_bip]

[Okay, divert, divert.

She laughs]

Oh don't I know it with the boys.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Yes! Somewhat safer subject! ]

Yes, the boys have been awfully quiet. Other than the bath tissue rolls disappearing, I haven't any other ideas what John is up to. Any clue from your boys?

[bread_goes_bip]

Everything's just been so chaotic lately.

[No matter which version of reality you're looking at]

All we can do is keep an eye on them.

[ooeeooahah]

Watch and wait - that's what we do.

[ Ilsa's eyes glow blue for a fraction of a second, before she shakes her head. ]

Need to go to the eye doctor, soon.

[bread_goes_bip]

Someone has to.

[Save her from impulsive youngsters]

Age catches up to you, sooner or later.

[Great-grandmother, and all]

[ooeeooahah]

Mm, too young for bifocals, my arms haven't gotten that short, yet.

[ That's when you need them, when you can't hold the hymnal far enough away? ]

How many more deliveries do you need to make?

[bread_goes_bip]

A few. THat's one of those other things that comes with time, knowing so many people.

[ooeeooahah]

Not that you would need any, but call if you need help?

[bread_goes_bip]

Of course. THat's how we get by here.

[Action]

[inthebones]

Hello, Didi.

[Susan pauses for a moment. Interesting. She had always called her grandmother by her first name for some reason. Then again, she'd called her parents Mort and Ysabel as well.]

Come on in; you don't need to bring anything when you visit.

Re: [Action]

[bread_goes_bip]

[There was a time she tried for Grandma. She gave up roughly around age three.

Or something like that, anyway.]

It's good to see you, Susan. I like to bring things by for everyone.

[Also she is worried about you]

[inthebones]

You really don't need to, Didi.

[Susan speaks a bit stiffly, but when is she ever not keep people at arm's length? Still, she usually can manage some affection for her grandmother.

It seems Didi may have good reason to be concerned.]

The boys and I are getting along quite well.

[And that sentence probably tells Didi everything she needs to know.]

[bread_goes_bip]

[That it does. So much chaos lately.]

They're good kids.

[inthebones]

Of course. Neither of them take after their father.

[A vaguely horrific smile as she steps aside to allow her in.]

[bread_goes_bip]

[Yes. Edward. About him. She watches Susan carefully as she steps in]

What a mess that has been.

[inthebones]

Oh, I wouldn't say that. The break-off was as clean as could be expected. We certainly haven't had to speak civilly since he left.

[bread_goes_bip]

[And yet... the scandal of the month]

That's something at least.

Luke seems to be taking it badly.

[inthebones]

Luke thinks his father doesn't love him anymore and deserted him. Just like his first one.

[A longsuffering sigh as Susan shuts the door behind Didi.]

Not that we've given him much reason to doubt that. It isn't as if Edward has ever been very stellar at showing affection.

[bread_goes_bip]

[She shakes her head, thinking of more than just Mayfield]

No, I don't think he ever quite learned.

[inthebones]

I suppose I have no room to speak of, either.

[A brief pause.]

I can't imagine what possessed us to decide adoption was a good idea. I don't regret it at all, but we certainly weren't ideal for the position.

[bread_goes_bip]

He's better off with you than without. That's the important thing.

[She's quite firm on that. Never one to judge.]

[inthebones]

True enough. There's certainly no point in waiting for his Professor to come back around.

[A brief pause as Susan's eyes narrow.]

Anyway, you can set the cookies down on the counter. Thank you, Didi.

[bread_goes_bip]

[She sets the cookies down]

I'm half surprised they didn't mysteriously appear as soon as the cookies were out of the oven. I swear, some days it's like they can teleport.

[inthebones]

Who, the boys?

Luke is too busy sulking, I think. Perhaps it's affected his sense of smell.