Topic: Deaw Misther Bwoddi...

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-20 00:01 EST

Phineas sat at the writing desk, one his size, holding a thick pencil in his little hand. His brow was furrowed in concentration, the tip of his pink tongue jut out of the corner of his mouth. "Peeeee," his hand moved slowly across the paper, guiding the pencil as carefully as he could through the crooked loop and jagged line. "Haaaatch Eeeeye Ennnn Eeee Ahhhh Ssss." Putting down the pencil, he picked up his paper and proudly showed it to Ro. "Like that, Mamma Wo?"

Ro looked up from where she was carefully correcting the mistakes in another piece of written work from one of her other students. The children had all gone home, those who had homes to go to, and the only other occupant of her little house, Penny, was sleeping peacefully in her bed upstairs. Ro smiled at Phineas, moving over to look at his writing. "That's right, Phinny, just like that," she praised him, gently rubbing her hand over his dark hair. The writing was jagged and all over the place, but he had spelt his name perfectly.

Phineas beamed under her praise and craned his neck to press the top of his head into her palm. The paper was placed back down and he sat back in his little seat. "Mamma Wo, why hasthn't Misther Bwoddi come to pway with me?" His almond shaped eyes looked up at her, questioningly. The pencil was held between his hands. "He sthaid he'd come. But he didn't."

She knelt down beside his little chair, laying her arm along the back of it as he spoke. "Well, it's probably because we haven't invited him properly," she told the little boy with a gentle smile. She'd already spoken to Aimee about their little excursion, and so was well aware of the reason Broddi hadn't come 'round. "It's just as the same as when one of the others wants to have a friend around to play. You have to write them a letter, inviting them to come at a specific time on a specific day."

"Oh." Phineas slowly nodded his head and his brow furrowed a bit as he thought about what she'd said. His eyes blinked slowly and several minutes passed before he spoke again. "I don't know how, Mamma Wo. I only know how to wite Phineas." He turned his dark, shining eyes to look up at her. "Wiw you hewp me wite to Misther Bwoddi, Mamma Wo?"

"Of course I will, Phinny," Ro nodded to him, smiling again. "If you help me." She hugged him with one arm, grinning, and hoisted him up, carrying him over to her desk, where she sat down with him on her lap. Her arm reached over to bring a sheet of fresh paper and a pen in front of them. "If you tell me what to write, Phinny, I'll put it all down and you can sign it."

"Hewp you?" He grunted when she hoisted him up, and clung to her like a spider monkey as they crossed the floor. When they were settled into the chair, Phinney turned his back to her and put his hands upon the desk. "Phinney can do that." He nodded emphatically. "How do we sthart?"

"Well ..." Ro opened the pen and set the nib to the paper. "Usually we would start by writing Mr Broddi's address on this side at the top -" her fingertip tapped the right hand top corner of the page - "but because we don't know it yet, we'll start by writing our names, and our address on the other side. Can you remember our address, Phinny?"

He watched her hands move, intently. Reaching up, he tapped the upper right hand corner of the paper. "Wite Misther Bwoddi's name. Wite thewe." His fist rested on the paper as he tapped the corner. "And we live at one five thwee Old Shamblesth Dwive in Whydin."

Ro tried not to laugh at the imperious tone as his little fingers tapped the paper, her pen rising to write "Mr Broddi Grimm' where Phineas directed her, then continue to write Phineas' name and address on the opposite corner. "Now I'll write today's date over here ... and we're ready to begin." She tilted her head to look at him with a smile. "Is my handwriting neat enough?"

"Misther Bwoddi Gwimm?" He twisted his head to look up at Ro, then back down at the paper. "He doesthn't look gwim to me, Mamma Wo." Phineas shook his head solemnly. This was important correspondence! At her question, he squinted his eyes, then gave a single nod of his head. "Youw handwiting is pewfect." Sitting back, he looked up at her. "What now?"

"His name is Grimm, Phinny, with two Ems," she told her little charge fondly. "Like I am Rowena Millard, and you are Phineas Millard, because you took my name." She kissed his temple gently, hoping he understood. Names and surnames were difficult to explain, simply because they were so basic. "Well ... now we start the letter with 'To Mr Broddi' or 'Dear Mr Broddi', because this is from you, not me," she explained carefully, "and you tell me what to write to invite him here to play at one o'clock, next Friday afternoon."

"Oooh." Phineas nodded, understanding only partially. But if Mamma Ro said it was that way, then that's how it was. He leaned his head towards the maternal nuzzling, forgetting that he was a big boy now. Instinctively, his hand rose and he caressed her cheek. "Deaw Misther Bwoddi..." He paused, trying to get his thoughts together. "Thank you fow fwying me. Can you pwease come to my housthe so you can fwy me again? I think Penny Top isth too wittwe to fwy, and Aimee isth too big. But Mamma Wo can make gwilled cheese and asthpergusth sthoup. Pweasthe, Misther Bwodd?" He looked up at Ro for approval.

Ro dutifully wrote down exactly what he said, smiling at the somewhat unorthodox style. "Very good, Phinny ... now I'm going to pur 'Yours faithfully' at the end here," she explained as she wrote that part, "because that's how you end a letter to an acquaintance or friend, and you're going to write your name underneath it, just like we've been practising." She took his hand and slipped the pen into it.

"Phinney did good." he smiled happily and canted his head to watch her put the salutation to it. When the pen was handed over, he held it a bit awkwardly. It was much smaller and finer than the crude pencil he was used to. Having seen it done before, he touched the end of the quill to his tongue. "Eww!" he grimaced, then dipped the quill into the ink pot. Ink dripped onto the letter in small spatters before he put quill to paper to carefully sign his name. "ess." he finished, then held the quill, which had been quivering dangerously in his hand, out to her.

Ro laughed at the look of utter disgust on his face. She'd tried to stop him licking the quill nib, but Phineas had a mind of his own sometimes. "Phinny done very good," she agreed with him, taking the quill and adding her own signature to the bottom of the sheet, speaking it aloud for his benefit. "And now I'll blot it, because we don't want to cover it with smudges, do we? And you'll go to the bathroom and clean your tongue." Laughing, she picked him up and held him in front of the mirror. "Look."

"What'sth bwot it mean?" Before he knew it, he was picked back up and held in front of a mirror. Sticking his tongue out, he giggled around it. "I wook wike Misther Potter'sth doggy!"

"Blotting is when I use the special paper in my desk to soak up all the extra ink," Ro explained, putting him down on the floor. "That way no one's hand get covered ink when they pick it up. Now shoo and wash your mouth out." She gave him a fond pat on the bottom.

"Okay, Mamma Wo!" he quickly dashed from the room, curiosity sated for the time being. Running to the bathroom, he passed the bedrooms along the way. "Misther Bwoddi's going to come and pway!"

Broddi Grimm · Date: 2010-02-22 18:49 EST

He opened the door letting in the bone chilling wind into his house. looking down at the young man shivering in the cold, "How may I help you" Broddi asked quickly. The young man removed the scarf from infront of his mouth "Are you a Mister Broddi Grimm" he asked curtly looking down at the envelope in his hands. Broddi looked at the envelope "Yes I am" he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins trading them for the letter. He closed the door as he turned heading back towards his desk.

He sat down looking at whom the letter was from a smile coming across his face. Opening the envelope putting it to the side he opened the letter reading over it chuckling to himself as he put the letter down. He took out a blank piece of paper and a pen along with an envelope, writing the appropriate addresses on the envelope and looked at the blank piece of paper, he read aloud to the empty house,

"Dear Phineas,

I would love to come to your house to play and have grilled cheese. This friday at one o'clock is alright for myself and I will be there to fly you around again.

From,

Broddi Grimm"

He looked the letter over again then quickly sealing the letter, I'll send this out this afternoon, he thought to himself as he moved into the library in search of a way to get to the moon in one afternoon.

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:33 EST

Adjusting his bag, Broddi Grimm moved the strap from one shoulder to the other as he glanced down at the envelope in his hand. He looked at the door, matching the address, and put the letter back into the bag. 153, Old Shambles Drive.

"Mamma Wo, when'sth he gonna get here?" Phineas was darting from room to room, picking up his toys and putting them away.

"It's almost one o'clock, Phinny, he'll be here soon." It was a by now familiar call from the kitchen. Penny had been put down for her nap, and hopefully would stay down until after Broddi left. Ro leaned around the door to Phineas' room, grinning. "Are you excited?"

Steping up to the door, Broddi knocked, then took a small step back to wait.

Just putting a giant stuffed dinosaur into his toybox, he jumped onto the lid to close the box. "No, Mamma Wo! I'sth too big to be exthite ... " The knock to the door had his eyes going wide. "He'sth hewe!" Jumping down, he zoomed past Ro and thundered down the hall. "Misther Bwoddi!" But he couldn't quite turn the handle on the door, so his voice was muffled on the outside.

"Yes, I know he's here ... calm down, Phinny!" Laughing, Ro followed at a slightly more sedate pace, gently pulling Phineas back from the door. She peered through the spyhole to be certain of who it was, before unlocking the door and opening it. "Good afternoon, Mr Grimm," she smiled to the man on the doorstep, carefully keeping Phineas behind her. "Won't you come in?" She stepped aside, gesturing to him to enter.

Broddi smiled happily, "Good Afternoon, Ms. Millard." He took a step forward, removing his scarf and shoving it into his bag. "How are you today?"

Phinny was bristling with excitement and couldn't contain his boyish giggle. Hands wringing together, he stepped out from behind Ro. "Misther Bwoddi, stho nicthe to sthee you!" He held out his hand to shake, as he was taught.

"I'm very well, thank you," Ro said laughingly, glancing down at Phineas with a fond roll of her eyes. "Please, just call me Ro. Everyone does." She looked back at Phineas with another smile. "Why don't you show our guest where he can put his things, Phinny?"

Broddi smiled down at Ro. "Alright," he shook Phineas's hand, "Nice to see you too, I think you've actually grown since the last time I saw you."

"Yesth, Mamma Wo." He kept his hand in Broddi's. "I did?" Phineas looked very pleased with himself at that compliment. "You can hang your sthuff up right hewe." He stopped at the little coat closet and opened the door.

Smiling still, Ro closed the door behind their guest, locking it securely once more, and followed them along the hallway. Waving behind Broddi, she endeavoured to catch Phineas' attention and mouthed, 'How are you, Mister Broddi?' encouragingly.

Broddi removed the bag from his shoulder, stepping towards the coat closet as he glanced around curiously. He placed the bag carefully into the closet, removed his suit jacket, and hung it up. "Yes, I do think you have grown quite a bit, Phinny."

As Broddi put away his things, Phinny caught the encouragement and nodded his head quickly. "How awe you today, Misther, Bwoddi?" He smiled then and shut the closet door. His little hand was still tightly clenching Broddi's. The hall was brightly lit with a shine to the hardwood floor. There were patchwork throw rugs here and there. "Sthoon I'll be big asth you!"

"Oh, I hope not too soon," Ro chuckled from behind Broddi. "Then you really will be too big for cuddles." She grinned down at the boy affectionately before looking to Broddi. "Would you like a drink of something before lift off?" she asked with a quiet laugh.

"I am doing great so far today," Broddi chuckled to Phinny. "Oh no, you're going to be bigger than me at this rate." He turned his attention towards Ro. "Oh yes, that would be great. A glass of water
would be fine."

She nodded and smiled, ruffling Phinny's hair on her way past to the living room, through which the kitchen could be reached. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable, Mr Grimm," she called back to him. "I can make you tea or coffee, as well as that glass of water, if you would like."

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:34 EST

Phinny tugged at Broddi's hand, wanting to lead him, but following behind Ro. "I isth too big fow cuddlesth." He shook his head and then looked up with huge, almond shaped eyes. "Weally? You think I will be biggew?"

"Oh, water is fine, Ro." As he was led down the hallway, that smile never left Broddi's lips. He answered Phinny as they entered the living room. "Oh, definitely, and probably stronger than me, too."

The sound of a running tap sounded from the kitchen, and Ro called out to them. "Phinny, would you like a drink as well?"

"Mamma Wo sthaysth that if I eat my veggiesth I will be big and sthtrong." He nodded as they entered the kitchen. "May I have appwe juicthe, Mamma Wo?" He let go of Broddi's hand to walk to the table. A chair was pulled out, at the head of the table. It was the chair of honor, in Phineas' eyes.

Broddi stepped into the kitchen, moving towards the table, "That chair for me?" he asked. Looking down at Phinny and reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a few small caramel candies and placed them onto the table. "What have you been up to since I last saw you, Phinny? Anything fun?"

"Of course you may, Phinny," Ro nodded to the small boy. "What a big grown up boy for asking so nicely." She smiled as Broddi sat down, pouring apple juice into a cup for Phineas and topping it up with water, before laying both drinks on the table. The ingredients for the promised meal were laid out on the counter behind her, ready to be cooked as and when hunger struck. She eyed the candies with a carefully suppressed grin, giving Broddi a teasingly censoring look. "You're going to spoil him."

"Yesth, it'sth fow you." Phinny giggled as he crawled into the chair near Broddi. "Thank you, Mamma Wo." He was beaming happily at the two adults, proud of himself. His tiny hand snatched up the candies before Ro could take them away. "Phinny'sth been pwaying with Penny-Top!" He nodded and then lifted his large, innocent eyes to Ro. "Sthpoiled food sthinksth. Phinny doeshtn't sthtink."

Broddi chuckled on hearing Ro. "They're sugar free," he assured her, sitting down at the table. "Thank you for the drink. He does have a point," he sniffed the air, "he doesn't stink." He took a sip of water.

"Spoiled children's manners stink!" Ro giggled back to them both, leaning down bump her nose to Phinny's before she took up a lean against the counter. "I should ask before I start cooking, Mr Grimm, is there anything you particularly don't like, or are allergic to?" Then she added, in a whisper calculated to be heard by everyone, "He shouldn't stink. He insisted on staying in the bath for an hour this morning, just so he was squeaky clean for you."

The boy eyed the candy warily and then placed it in his pocket. "Mamma Wo taught me mannersth, stho I'm not sthpoiled!" he giggled happily as their noses touched. Then he grabbed his glass of juice. "What isth allgeric?" He sipped and watched them curiously. Upon hearing Ro's whisper, he gasped and shook his head. "Uh uh! I wasth pwaying with my boat!"

"You can call me Broddi." He tapped his nose, thinking for a few seconds, "I don't think there is anythin' that I'm allergic to." Broddi looked at Phinny. "Allergic is when someone can't
eat something because it makes them very sick," he explained, laughing at the different versions of why Phinny was in the bath for so long.

"And then he spent another hour choosing his clothes," Ro added, teasing the little boy mercilessly as she nodded to Broddi, filing away the information as she grinned at Phinny. "I do believe he thinks the world of you, Mr ... Broddi," she corrected herself with a faint blush, turning away to put the kettle on.

Phinny groaned and put his hands over his darkening face. He shook his head and closed his eyes. "Youw embawassthing me, Mamma Wo!" He huffed and then grabbed his glass of apple juice.

"It's one of the many jobs mothers do best," Broddi chuckled, leaning forward to ruffle Phineas's hair. "He's a great kid, you should be very proud. So, Phineas, what do you want to do first?"

"You'll survive, little man," Ro laughed softly, watching as Broddi ruffled Phinny's hair. "Yes, he is a good kid. But whatever you're going to do, it's not going to be in here while I'm cooking ... so shoo!" She waved a hand, grinning at them. "Go and discover Mars in the living room."

Phinny looked up with a grin to Broddi. "Let'sth fwy!" He jumped from his chair, apple juice forgotten. Running to Ro, he hugged her legs tightly and then zoomed out of the kitchen and into the living room. "Come on Misther Bwoddi!"

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:35 EST

Laughing, Broddi stood up, pushing in the chairs. He downed his water quickly. "Alright, lets fly then" Flashing Ro a bright smile, he walked into the living room. "Where are we flying to?"

Laughing at the child's exuberance and the man's willingness to go along with it, Ro waved them away, shaking her head fondly. It wasn't often she felt comfortable enough to invite what amounted to a stranger into their home; with any luck, this playdate would not be something she would live to regret. She turned to the counter, humming to herself as she listened to their play, and began assembling their tea.

"The moon and the sthawsth!" Phinny raised his arms over his head and jumped up and down on the large oval rug that protected the polished hardwood floor of the living room. "The moon and the sthawsth, Misther Bwoddi!"

"Alright, that we can do. I just need to get me bag." Broddi quickly went to the closet, removed an orb from it and returned to the living
room."This is what will take us to the moon and the stars, Phinny." As he held the orb for the boy's inspection, inside it could be seen swirling black and gray smoke. Through the swirling smoke, Phinny could see what looked like a small moon. Around the circumference were golden symbols etched into the glass.

Phinny's arms went around Broddi's neck as he was held and that smile was bright as the sunshine on the California coastline. "Awight, Misther Bwoddi." His eyes widened and he reached out to touch the glass orb. "Misther Bwoddi.." he breathed out, in awe. "Wiw that take usth to the moon and sthawsth, weally?" He tentatively held a hand out, then snatched it away before it could touch the glass and looked up at his friend.

Broddi smiled. "Oh yes, it will," he looked at the orb, "but when we are flying, you have to stay close to me, okay?" His tone turned serious for only a moment.

Phineas nodded solemnly, with wide eyed innocence. "Yesth, Misther Bwoddi." Tiny hands clutched at Broddi's jacket and he eyed the orb suspiciously.

Broddi smiled, "Good." He placed his hands on the top and bottom areas of the orb matching the golden symbols together. "Hold on tight." They felt a pull as they vanished from
the room. drawn into the orb. The pair were flying through space the stars twinkled from all directions. Behind them was the planet RhyDin, in front of them was the approaching moon. "Look, Phinny, at all the stars."

In the kitchen, Ro suddenly became aware that there was no sound from the living room. Frowning in vague concern, she moved to the doorway. "Phinny?" The room was empty, and Ro felt the first flutterings of panic. She hurried across the room, and looked down the hall, unable to hear any sounds from Phinny's room, either. "Phinny?"

"Ooooooh!" Phineas' tiny voice rose in pitch and volume as they were sucked into the orb."Misther Bwoddi!" For a moment, he was like white on rice to Broddi's arms. It took Phinney all of two seconds to relax from that fear as he began to notice the stars all around. "Oh, Misther Bwoddi!"

In the living room the Orb was on the floor, the smoke was clearing, giving whoever viewed the orb a clear view of the surface of the moon. Meanwhile inside the orb, the moon grew larger and larger Broddi kept his arms around Phinny and his eyes on Phinny. They slowed as they closed in on the moon's surface.

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:36 EST

That rising panic increasing, Ro checked on Penny, relieved to find the tiny girl still asleep in her bed. She returned to the living room, moving to pull the silver sword from beneath the divan-couch. As she crouched there, she noticed the orb laying there, frowning as she picked it up.

"The moon!" Forgetting his manners, he pointed excitedly and wriggled in Broddi's arms. "It'sth the moon!" As it grew larger and closer, Phinny wriggled even more with excitement. His little feet kicked and he laughed joyously. "We're going to the moon!"

With Broddi laughing at Phinny's excitement, the surface grew closer. They slowed and landed on the ground. In the orb, Ro would see the two landing on the surface of the moon. "Alright, Phinny," Broddi said, lowering Phineas to the ground, "There we go, you're free to move about."

"What the hell ...?" Ro stared at the orb intently, peering to make out the two figures on the surface of what seemed to be the moon. Her panic abated only a little; even knowing where Phineas was, there was no way she could get him back.

As they lit on the surface, Phineas jumped from Broddi's arms and floated down to the surface. He reveled in the weightlessness. Bending his knees with an impish giggle, he jumped up. "I"m fwying on the moon!" Slowly he came back down. Turning, he made to run, his little legs flailing as he soared with the first step. "Catch me, Misther Bwoddi!"

He jumped towards Phineas, laughing, "I'm going to getcha!" He floated towards the boy, landing, then jumping a bit higher, his arms outstretched, trying to catch him.

Two more bounds and then he was captured by Broddi. "You got me, you got me!" He giggled impetuously and his hands playfully pat on Broddi's shoulders. "You took me to the moon and sthawsth, Misther Bwoddi!"

Broddi landed and jumped even higher up, holding Phinny close. "I promised you, didn't I? I never promise anything I can't do." Coming back down to the surface, Broddi leapt again, this time over the edge of a massive crater. They slowly floated down the large drop. "How do you like the moon?"

He clung tightly to his friend and shrieked with laughter every time they bounced. The long float to the bottom of the dark crater had him staring with wide eyes. "I wuv the moon!" He hugged Broddi's neck tightly. "I wuv you, Misther Bwoddi!"

Pausing at the bottom, he hugged Phineas back, biting his lip roughly to keep from choking up to much. He jumped up again, doing a flip, clutching Phineas tightly, as they floated back to the ground.

Phinny's giggle was loud, but the shriek of laughter was even more so as they did a slow, weightless flip. "Again! Again!" He laughed and patted Broddi's shoulders. "Again and again and again!"

Back in the living room, Ro was watching all this, white-faced. Shocked, frightened, worried ... she was all these and more. Anger was quickly taking root. How dare Broddi do this without even telling her first? She squeezed the orb in her hand inadvertantly, grinding her teeth in impotent fury.

Broddi did as he was told, flipping multiple times, spinning as well, before he jumped up out of the crater. "Alright, I think we should head back and see if your Mom is done cooking."

With each flip and twist, Phineas held on tightly, then cheered in victory. When they came to a stop, he clung, breathless and hoarse, to Broddi like a spider monkey. "Okay, Misther Bwoddi." He nodded and put his head onto Broddi's shoulder. "Okay."

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:37 EST

"Hang on tight." Broddi looked towards the giant marble that was RhyDin, muttering something under his breath. The two of them felt another quick pull as the stars, moon, and black space vanished quickly. The two of them reappeared in the living room in front of Ro. The moment Broddi set eyes on Ro, that smile vanished. He knew that furious look far too well.

Feeling the vacuum pull him towards and into the living room, Phinny let out a squeal. "Again!" He cried out before he saw Ro's face. Quickly, he stood in front of Broddi, chest puffed out. "No, Mamma Wo, no be mad at Misther Bwoddi!"

Ro looked between them, carefully drawing her temper under control. "Phinny, please go upstairs and wash your hands," she told the little boy, although her eyes did not leave the man who, for several moments, had all but kidnapped her precious little boy without a care in the world for the panic she would feel. "Mr Grimm can wash his hands in the kitchen." She turned on her heel and marched into the kitchen, the silver sword still held in her hand.

Swallowing hard, Broddi rubbed the back of his neck and walked into the kitchen. "Let me start with I am terribly sorry, I should have told you what was going on. I was stupid." He eyed the blade nervously.

Phineas watched Ro walk off and stood there, indecisively. But then Broddi followed her. He sighed, shoulders slumping, as he turned and dragged his feet down the hall to wash up for supper.

Ro shut the door behind Broddi, just to be certain Phinny did not try to overhear what was about to be said. "Mr Grimm," she began, setting the sword against the counter, "You should know right now that I don't care how sorry you are. This is a special house, and the children within it are very special children. And you stole Phineas from under my nose. You are very lucky not to be dead already, given the people who watch over us."

Broddi nodded. "I fully understand, nothing like this will ever happen again. I swear it." He crossed his heart. "He was safe with me, I wouldn't let anything happen to him."

RRo sighed, her initial panic and fear subsiding, and with it, her anger. She leaned her hip against the counter. "Broddi, you're the first stranger I have let into the house for years," she told him quietly. "I trusted you, not only with Phineas, but with our location, our home. If it weren't for the fact that I know Phineas would follow you out the door, I would have asked you to leave ... not for my sake, or even his, but for the sake of every other child who has ever called this house home." She sighed, looking away for a moment. "As it is, I don't know what to do."

Phineas had washed his hands and slunk back down the hall. Crouched, he put his ear to the door. And when Ro finished speaking, he burst through that door. "He can live hewe, with usth!" he nodded rapidly, hair flying about and in his eyes. "Misther Bwoddi can live with usth!"

Broddi sighed deeply, looking down as he rubbed the back of his neck still. "I can only say sorry, and ask you to forgive me. I'm not a bad guy, I screwed up..." he jumped as Phinny burst through the door. "But I do not want to impose myself, or go against what you want for the children."

As Phinny burst in, Ro moved quickly to pick up the sword, holding it behind her back. "Phineas, I've told you before about listening at doors," she scolded him quietly, before looking up at Broddi. "I want to trust you," she admitted softly. "I want to be able to leave Phinny with you, he gets so much enjoyment from time spent with you." She glanced down at Phinny, ignoring the boy's suggestion. "Provided you never take him anywhere without telling me ... we'll see. Wash your hands." She nodded toward the sink for Broddi, and the table for Phinny, slipping out into the living room to hide the sword once again.

Phinny's mouth moved in protest, his brows pressed together and raised over his dark, almond shaped eyes. Then he bit his lip and lowered his head. "Yesth, Mamma Wo." He walked dejectedly to the table and took his seat. "Pweasthe don't make Misther Bwoddi go away, Mamma Wo. Pweasthe."

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:37 EST

"I swear." Broddi moved to the sink, flipping the tap on to wash his hands with soap and water. He dried them off quickly, folding the towel, and took his seat at the table.

Relaxing a little, Ro quite suddenly switched from serious parent to silly one, glancing between the two dejected faces at the table with a soft snort of laughter. "Oh, for goodness' sake, anyone would think I'd killed your pet monkey," she rolled her eyes, collecting plates, cutlery, and napkins from the side. "First troll," she said to Phinny, tucking the napkin into his collar. "Second troll," this to Broddi, to whom she did exactly the same thing.

Phinny looked up, his face quickly changing from hang dog to a shy, small smile at Ro's bit of laughter. He sat up as she put the napkin in his collar. "Misther Bwoddi's not a twoll, Mamma Wo. He keepsth pwomisthesth." He nodded with a broadening smile. "He fwied me to the
moon and the stharsth."

Smiling,Broddi commented, "Wish I had meself a pet monkey, I would teach it to dance." His smile grew as Ro tucked the napkin in his collar, "I resemble that remark,"

"I'm sure you do," she replied, though which of them she was answering was debatable. She returned to the counter, and brought over a large plate of grilled cheese and bacon, laying it between them. "Do not make yourself sick, young man," she tapped Phineas' nose warningly. "Same goes for you, too," she added to Broddi laughingly, and turned back to collect the bowls of promised asparagus soup, before she, too, sat down.

"I could be youw pet monkey!" Phineas laughed, lifting one arm over his head and scratching his arm pit with his other hand. "Ooo oo ooo!" He bounced up and down, then dissolved into giggles. The food was placed before him and his eyes went wide as saucers. Always hungry, he reached for the sandwiches and deposited one on both Ro's and Broddi's plate, before taking a sandwich of his own. "Mmm, I wuv grilled cheese!" He smiled and took a big, crunchy bite.

"Thank you for the meal" Broddi took a large bite and, just realizing how hungry he was, he took another. "Very good!"

After handing out the bowls of soup, and the spoons, Ro finally settled to eat, laying her own napkin on her lap as she smiled at the pair. It was testament to how rarely she lost her temper that she could push the event away so quickly, settling to eat readily. "So did you two have fun flying all over Christendom?" she asked, biting into her own sandwich.

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:38 EST

"Not Chwisthtendom! The moon, Mamma Wo!" He put down his sandwich, mindful not to talk with a full mouth. "And we jumped stho high we almostht touched the sthtawsth! High and high!" His hands reached up over his head.

Broddi chuckled, watching the enthusiastic Phineas, "I know I had fun going to the moon." He put his sandwich down. "I'm glad you had fun today," he added, smiling at Phinny. "Maybe next time Ro can come with."

Looking over at Phineas, Ro raised her eyebrows in silent warning against demonstrations at the table, but the expression quickly relaxed into a smile as she listened to them both. "Maybe," she conceded, glancing up at Phineas to see his reaction to this suggestion. Drawing her bowl closer, she dipped her sandwich into it. "So how, exactly, does that ball thing work, Broddi?"

Phineas' arms dropped and he continued to eat his sandwich in tiny nibbles. "Pweasthe, Mamma Wo, fwy with usth next time?" He looked up at her with those large, innocent eyes. Barely turning his head, he looked over at Broddi, distracted quickly by the question posed.

"Well, it transports you into the orb which holds the small moon and the surrounding area," Broddi explained. "You can move and bounce around on the moon with its gravity. So it is technically not in actual space, but it is the closest thing you can come to it." He smiled, taking a bit of his sandwich.

She nodded slowly, taking in that explanation. "Magic?" she asked curiously as she ate, her attention seemingly entirely on Broddi but for the smiling glance sent Phinny's way. Unlike the small boy, thankfully, she was not wearing her supper all over her face.

Phineas simply listened to the adults talk as he ate his lunch. The napkin was used sparingly as he wiped his face with his hands and even his shirt front. The soup was slurped off of the spoon and the crust of the bread was used to clean the bowl.

"Yes, magic. That's a much better way to explain it." He finished his sandwich and moved onto the soup, finishing it quickly. Broddi sat back in his chair, "That was delicious, thank you."

Once they completed lunch, Phineas used his napkin properly. Getting up, he picked up his own used cutlery and crockery, before going to gather Broddi's and then Ro's. "Sthee, I'm big now. I hewp with the dishthesth." He smiled and then turned to take his armful of soiled plates and bowls into the kitchen.

Her own meal finished, Ro rose quickly to prevent Phineas trying to take too much on himself. "Yes, you're a big help to me, Phinny," she reassured him, removing the cutlery and bowls from his arms. "Both hands, though, please." She offered a smile to Broddi as she collected the other plate as well. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Would you like anything else?"

"I could help with the dishes, if you need it," Broddi offered as he stood, forgetting about the napkin in his collar.

Carefully, Phineas maneuvered the plates onto the kitchen counter, then went to find the step stool that he needed to reach the sink. With the offer to help with the dishes, he looked at Ro, then back to Broddi, waiting to see if he were to be needed.

Ro laughed softly as they moved into the kitchen, placing the dishes into the sink along with Phineas' armful, and turning on the water. Turning back, she pulled the napkin from Broddi's collar, using it to wipe his mouth as she grinned. "Mucky pup, you're almost as bad as this one," she teased, leaning down to wipe Phineas' face clean thoroughly. "And thank you, you can dry." She looked down at the little boy. "Would you check on Penny for me, Phinny? Don't wake her
if she's still asleep."

Phinny scrunched his face up as it was being scrubbed, but he didn't complain. This was commonplace and he'd grown accustomed to it. Stepping off of his ladder, he folded it and stuck it under his arm. "Okay, Mamma Wo. I'll go check on Penny-Top." He smiled at Broddi
getting the same treatment as himself, then put the ladder away on his way out of the kitchen.

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:39 EST

Broddi's cheeks turned bright red as she wiped his mouth, "Uhhh...oh yeah, thank you." He smiled, reaching for the towel to toss it over his shoulder.

She laughed again at Broddi's blush, turning to immerse her arms to the elbow in the soapy water as she began to wash up, handing each clean utensil to him as it was done. "I'm sorry if I ... over-reacted ... earlier," she apologised, with Phineas out of the room. "I'm very protective of Phinny."

Broddi grabbed each utensil as it was passed to him, drying it off. "I understand, it was my fault for not telling you what was going on. I actually thought you were going to kick me out right then and there."

She shrugged, smiling. "I might have done, if I didn't know you're a good man," she admitted, scrubbing the cheese off the plates. "One mishap would normally be enough to throw you out, but, uh, I have a feeling it was a genuine oversight. May I ask you something?"

He smiled, listening to her as he placed each dried utensil or plate on the counter. "T-thank you ... and sure, ask me anything."

Ro had been a citizen of RhyDin long enough to know this was an important question. "Was it the sword, or the silver, that had you worried?"

Broddi stopped drying, staring at the bowl in his hand. He closed his eyes. "Silver."

She nodded slowly, pulling the plug free of the drain, and turned to him, drying her hands on a spare towel. Her eyes watched him thoughtfully for a moment. Then she stepped forward, taking the dish and towel out of his hands, and squezing his fingers. "It doesn't change the fact that you're a good man, Broddi," she told him quietly.

Swallowing hard, Broddi opened his eyes to look at her. "Thank you..." He gently squeezed her hands. "I try to be ...I...thank you." He was at a loss for words.

"Penny-Top isth sweeping, Mamma Wo." Phineas reported as he stepped back into the kitchen. Seeing Ro's hands in Broddi's, a slow smile crept on his face. He covered his eyes and giggled. "Ooooo Misther Bwoddi isth gonna give Mamma Wo sthugar."

She smiled back at Broddi, not taking her hands from his as she looked up at him. Then Phineas' voice intruded, making her laugh as she looked at the little boy. "I beg your pardon, Phinny?" she giggled, squeezing Broddi's fingers once more before releasing his hands.

Broddi smiled at that squeeze, his gaze staying on Ro for a few seconds before he turned to Phineas, chuckling. "I was a-tryin','" he said jokingly.

"I go back out." He grinned conspiratorily to Broddi then turned and marched out of the kitchen. A giggle could be heard echoing through the hall as he ran to his room.

Ro blinked, blushing as she chuckled softly, and put one hand to her forehead. "Oh dear gods, he's trying to marry me off already," she laughed, glancing almost shyly at Broddi.

Broddi chuckled, giving a wink to Ro, "He is just lookin' out for you."

Rolling her eyes, she slapped Broddi with the towel, laughing. "I could do worse than a six-year-old picking out a lover for me, I suppose," she shrugged, regaining her teasing grin despite the blush.

He laughed as he was slapped with the towel, "Well, would you want some sugar?" Broddi smiled, his cheeks turning red.

"Well, that all depends on how sweet your sugar is, doesn't it?" Ro laughed back, dropping the towel and moving to slip past, towards the door. "Not knowing, can't say, of course." She winked back at him, and raised her voice. "Phineas Maximillian, you get back here and
entertain your guest right now, mister!"

Uh oh, full name. Phineas dropped his toy soldiers and came running back into the kitchen. the door swung wide and he came skidding to a halt. "Yesth, Mamma Wo?"

Broddi smiled, chuckling as he followed Ro. He stopped next to her, looking down at Phineas. "Ah, there you are."

She wasn't mad at the little boy, although she'd be having a talk with him later about not setting her up with the friend he'd invited over to play with him. No, Ro was going to have a little revenge on the embarrassing child. She bent down to him, a very serious look on her face. "Gimme some sugar." Before he could escape, her arms snapped out and lifted Phinny off his feet, lifting him up as she smushed her lips against his cheek.

"Hewe I aaaAAAAM!" Picked up, Phineas wriggled in Ro's arms before finally just hanging limply and resigning himself to being kissed and loved on in front of a friend. "Mamma Wo!"

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:40 EST

Broddi laughed, watching Ro give Phineas a big ol' smooch. He leaned against the door frame. "Ooooh, she gotcha, Phinny."

Laughing, Ro settled Phineas onto her hip, blowing a loud raspberry against the little boy's neck. "Yes, Phinny?" she smiled innocently, looking over at Broddi. "D'you think Broddi would like to give you some sugar, too?" She winked at the man, her eyes twinkling impishly.

Phinny was busy wiping off the kisses and leaning away from the raspberry. "Oh no, no no no!" He shook his head vehemently. "Only bad boysth give other boysth sthugar."

Broddi chuckled. "I don't know, do raspberries count as sugar?" He tapped his nose thoughtfully.

"Mmm, I don't know." Ro eyed Phineas speculatively, trying hard not to laugh at the look of disgust on his face. "You have raspberries with sugar, so maybe they're not?" And grinning, she turned, offering Phinny's unprotected cheek and neck to Broddi.

Phinny covered his face with both hands. "No!" he went rigid in Ro's arms. "Not funny! Not not not funny!"

Broddi swooped in, blowing raspberries on Phinny's neck before he could cover it.

Laughing, Ro held the little boy there as he was slurbied into submission. "Aw, c'mon, Phinny," she giggled. "It is a little bit funny."

"Aaah!" Phineas twisted, trying to get away. "Not funny!" But he did giggle, it tickled! "Phinny has to potty now!"

Relenting, knowing all too well the volatile nature of Phineas' bladder, Ro set the boy down, still laughing a little as she patted his backside. "Go on, then," she told him. "Do you want someone to come with you?"

Broddi pulled away, laughing. He took his lean against the doorframe, watching Phineas, once again biting his lip as he tried not to get choked up again.

Getting put down, Phinny straightened his clothes and puffed out his chest as he straightened his arms with a pop. He saw the look on Broddi's face and frowned, ruining his baleful glare. "I'm big now. I can do it." Then he turned and marched out of the kitchen, back ram rod straight, shoulders squared.

Ro smiled, watching Phinny march out, and turned to Broddi. Her smile faded in concern at the look on his face, and she unconsciously reached out, laying a hand on his arm. "Is something wrong?" she asked softly.

He shook his head. "Everythin' is fine," Broddi offered her a weak smile "Don't worry 'bout me." All the same, he avoided her gaze.

She held his gaze for a long moment, one brow raised. "Well, if it's all the same, I will worry," she told him, her hand tightening on his arm to draw him into the living room. "Come and sit down ... if you're staying a little longer, that is. I don't want you to feel you have to."

Broddi followed her, "I don't want to impose or anything." He sat down. Letting out a breath, he gave Ro another warm smile and patted the spot next to him, "Wanna sit? I promise I won't bite," he chuckled.

"Not even if I ask you to?" It was out before she could stop it, a resurfacing of the flirtatious side she'd been suppressing for several years now. Cheeks crimson with mortification, Ro dropped onto the seat beside Broddi, staring at her knees. "I am so sorry, I didn't ... I shouldn't have ..."

He smiled, reaching forward to raise her chin so she was looking up. "Don't worry 'bout it, I don't mind." He gave her a wink, then patted her knee gently, that smile still plastered across his face.

Phineas · Date: 2010-02-27 23:41 EST

As his fingers lifted her chin, her eyes rose to meet his, an awkward smile on her lips. "Well, I've embarrassed myself now, it's your turn," she nodded firmly, ruthlessly ignoring the burning in her cheeks. "Then we'll all be even, and I can go and rescue Phinny from his own widdle."

"Hmmm ... Well, how about I just give you a sample of some sugar?" His cheeks turned bright, bright red as he leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Her head turned towards his, her lips about to open to question his suggestion, meaning a kiss intended for her cheek touched her mouth instead.

Broddi's cheeks, if it were even possible, burned an even brighter red. He smiled, then leaned forward to kiss her on the lips, this time properly.

Ro actually squeaked. It had been years since anyone kissed her, and the sudden rush of sensation was quite shocking in its way. But she didn't pull away, her eyes closing as she made the most of this unexpected sampling of the sugar on offer.

Phineas appeared in the doorway, his eyes growing wide as saucers. "Ooooo!" Then he turned quickly to run into his room.

Broddi pulled away, his face now completely red. "I think we were spotted."

She drew back also, biting her lip with a shy smile. Then she glanced toward the door. "He'll be back," she told Broddi confidently. "If only to question you about your intentions." Eyes sparkling impishly once more as a knock sounded on the door, she moved to rise, her hand
pressing on his knee to push herself upright. "Phinny, come and talk to Broddi while I check who's at the door." She flashed Broddi a smile as she slipped from the room.

Phinney came skipping back into the room, and flopped onto the warm spot that Ro had left behind. Sitting with his hands on his knees, he simply grinned up at Broddi.

Broddi watched her go, smiling brightly, then turned that smile onto Phineas. "Well, how was your day so far?"

"Good." The boy continued grinning, rocking a bit.

Broddi chuckled on seeing that grin. "That's good to hear, I'm glad you had fun. I had a blast today."

"Are you going to be my daddy now?" Phineas cocked his head, pointed chin just a bit more pointy in the curiosity.

"I don't know Phinny, I don't know." He ruffled Phineas' hair, still smiling.

"Wandy sthaysth that if a boy givesth a girl sthugar shthe hasth a baby." Phineas nodded solemnly.

Broddi's eyebrows shot upward. "Really? Um ... it usually means that the boy likes the girl."

"Oh." Phineas clasped his hands in his lap and his brow furrowed in concentration. He thought long and hard, silent for several long minutes before looking back up. "Don't huwt Mamma Wo, Misther Bwoddi."

The sound of Ro's voice in the passageway quieted, and they distinctly heard the front door click shut, the locks being returned to their rightful positions.

Broddi nodded, "I will try my hardest not to hurt her." He smiled warmly, giving Phineas a hug.

He returned the hug, as warmly as he could. "I wuv you, Misther Bwoddi."

"Who's hurt?" Ro walked back in, her face softening into a gentle smile as she saw the hugging pair on the couch. "Ah, I see I'm not needed to kiss any scrapes better then," she laughed, approaching the couch.

Broddi smiled, taking a deep breath, "Love you too, Phinny," was said with some effort. But with it said, he looked up at Ro, smiling. "Nope, no scrapes. We are all fine."

The hug lasted a few moments longer after Broddi spoke, then Phineas broke away and smiled up at Ro. "We'sth all good, Mamma Wo."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it." Grinning, Ro slid down on the other side of Phineas, wrapping her arm around him to draw him close and kiss his hair affectionately. "Are you getting tired, baby boy?" she murmured to him curiously, glancing up to let her lips quirk into a faint smile for Broddi.

Phineas settled into Ro's side, his arms around her waist. "Yesth, Mamma Wo." He nodded and sighed softly, contently. No matter how big he got, when he was sleepy, he was never more content than to be safely in his mother's arms.

Broddi smiled at Ro, looking at the pair of them, "You did have a big day today." He reached up, trying to force his hair down and make it look neat and nice.

"Mmm, yes, you did," Ro agreed, gathering Phineas up onto her lap as she hugged him. And strangely, somehow ending up closer to Broddi at the same time. "Are you going to thank Broddi for coming over?"

"Thank you fow coming and fwying me, Misther Bwoddi." The little boy smiled then and turned his sleepy eyes onto his friend. "And thank you fow giving Mamma Wo sthome sthugar."

Ro blushed at that, hiding her face against the little boy's hair for a moment, but resurfaced to offer Broddi a twinkling smile. "Yes, thank you for giving me some sugar," she nodded impishly. "I might ask for more at some point."

Broddi chuckled, blushing as well. "Anytime, anytime on flying and giving sugar," he winked, smiling. "Thank you for inviting me and having me."

Phineas wriggled out of his mother's arms and stood, stretching his arms over his head. "Phinny go to bed now." He leaned to kiss each on the cheek, then padded his way out of the room and down the hall.

"Have good dreams," Broddi told him. "Don't let the bed bugs bite; if they do, hit 'em with a shoe."

"Okay, sweetie." Ro released Phineas, kissing him fondly. "I'll come up and check on you in a little bit, all right?" She watched him toddle out, very proud of him in that moment. "He's been so good today." Alone again, she looked back at Broddi, her smile warm. "Thank you for coming over. You made his day."

"He has always been good, everytime that I have seen him," Broddi said, smiling happily. "Like I said before, anytime."

"Well, if coming over here becomes a regular occurrence, you won't be able to say that for long," she laughed softly, shaking her head. "Like all six-year-olds, he can be a right little terror when he wants to be."

He put his arm on the back of the couch behind her, "I know what you mean, every kid has two sides to themselves." He grinned. "One side where they are the best kids in the world, and the scary side."

She leaned back, chuckling with him. "I thought the scary side was the sweet one," she snorted, resting her head back against his arm as she looked at him. "You're sure I can't get you anything?"

Broddi smiled. "A bit of sugar." He gave her a wink. "But right now I am comfortable just sitting next to you."

Her smile widened to a grin, and she laughed, groaning a little. "That one's going to haunt me forever, I can tell," she giggled, shifting until she was fully leaning against his side. Her hand lifted to touch his cheek, turning his face to hers. "Are you dangerous, Broddi?"

"Only during a full moon, other than that I am tame, or I guess, domesticated, you could say," he grinned.

Ro laughed softly again, glancing away as her hand fell back to her lap. "Domesticated conjures up images of you sleeping in a kennel and wearing a diamante collar," she teased, tweaking at the collar of his shirt as if to check.

Broddi laughed at the teasing, "I couldn't see myself in a collar. maybe at the foot of a bed." He tapped his nose, deep in thought. "But yes, I am safe every day but a full moon, and I lock myself away during that night." He patted her knee gently.

"Full moon tomorrow night," she murmured thoughtfully, capturing his hand between hers and studying it, as though she might be able to see the signs of a were in his skin. Her eyes flicked to the clock, and she sighed reluctantly. "You should probably go," she told him regretfully, brushing a soft kiss to his cheek.

"I know, I have prepared..." Nodding, he sighed, returning her kiss with a kiss to the lips. "I should go..."

Knowing, this time, that there was no chance of being caught by little eyes, Ro curled her hand to Broddi's cheek and kissed him back rather more thoroughly than that first time.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her a bit closer, kissing her with the same thoroughness.

Ro drew back gently, stroking her fingers against his cheek with a soft smile. "Oh, I don't want to regret you," she murmured unhappily. "You should go before I do something I will regret."

"I wouldn't want you to regret me -"

"Mamma Wo! Come check on Phinny stho I can sthweep!" a small voice yelled from upstairs, tired of waiting for his kiss goodnight.

Broddi looked upwards, smiling. "You should go check on him." He
stood up, holding a hand out to help her up off the couch.

Ro smiled, laughing a little at the impatient yell from upstairs. Taking Broddi's hand, she rose from the couch with a soft sigh. "Yes, I should," she smiled, leading him into the passage where she unlocked the door and opened it. Leaning against the panel, she tilted her head, biting her smiling lip at him. "Come back soon?"

"Of course I will, have a good night," Broddi smiled, kissing her cheek as he took a step outside.

"And you, Broddi," Ro nodded, smiling warmly. "Be safe tomorrow night." Slow to close the door, but eventually she did, setting the locks into place once more as she turned to make her way up the stairs. "All right, Phinny, I'm coming!"

"I will." He gave a wave and headed out into the night, that smile never leaving his face.