Hannibal's house (in which Jono is probably still on Cloud 9), Sunday evening

[sharp_as_knives]

It really had been a lovely trip, but it had brought up a few questions. Now that they were back home, Hannibal had some phone calls to make. (Jono did, too, but he was still what passed for "giddy" for him, so Hannibal had a feeling his calls would be waiting till later.)

So, he retired to the study with the list of off-island people they'd sent announcements to, prepared to call as many as he could to verify they'd actually gotten them.



[OOC: Open post! If you want Hannibal to have called you, he will!]

Comments

[glacial_queen]

"That's what that was," Karla said, snapping her fingers. "I just assumed Kayla had found a new, higher-pitch to annoy the Scelties with. Should have known better."

She shifted in the rocking chair, trying to find a new, more comfortable position. It was a fruitless endeavor, but she couldn't help it.

"And you know exactly how to sweet talk me. I don't suppose you know any recipes off-hand that one can eat in the sauna without melting while engaging in terribly salacious gossip?"

[sharp_as_knives]

"Meat pastries and fruits with chocolate dip," Hannibal suggested immediately.

"You're getting to the stage where it's all uncomfortable?" he asked, hearing something of it in her voice.



[Bedtime for me! SP okay?]

[glacial_queen]

"And then some," she admitted. "We're in the final month and I'm not that big of a frame to be resting all this extra weight on."

"Mama fat!"

"Thank you, darling, that was a very helpful comment."

"Welcome!"

"How old are children when they start understanding sarcasm?" Karla asked.

[Niiiiiiight]

[sharp_as_knives]

"Anywhere from five to twelve," Hannibal said. "Given that she's your child, I would expect the lower end of that, if only as a survival mechanism."

[glacial_queen]

"Your fiance--" and yes she added extra-emphasis to that, absolutely "--started talking to her in the womb. I'm a little concerned she doesn't understand it already!"

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal chuckled. "I doubt Jono was sarcastic to her then. I wouldn't worry."

[glacial_queen]

"Whereas I'm certain Jono was sarcastic simply by existing and Kayla was probably able to pluck the concept right from his brain," Karla said with a laugh. "Maybe he just couched it in so much Cockney, she's still translating it or something."

[sharp_as_knives]

"He'll probably play more bells for her while she's here," Hannibal said. "Feed her greasy fish and chips and mushy peas."

It was a dire proposition, Karla!

[glacial_queen]

"So long as I get my steak and fried potatoes, he can feed her what he wants," Karla declared. "Dress her up in a tiny Union Jack if he'd like. It'll drive Warren crazy. Besides, are you really going to allow him to use your kitchen to make greasy fish?"

[sharp_as_knives]

"Just so long as he cleans up after himself," Hannibal confirmed.

That was how you knew it was love, Karla.

"And so long as he doesn't expect me to eat it."

[glacial_queen]

"He can link with Kayla," Karla said firmly. "At least until she horrifies him by demanding to add her sprinkles all over everything. That's her new favorite food. Sprinkles."

Which was actually wheatgerm dyed multiple colors with various fruits and vegetables, but that would remain sprinkles for as long as they could collectively continue to trick a toddler.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Sprinkles?" Hannibal asked. He could think of a number of things that might refer to, but none that would horrify Jono. Well, few that would, anyway.

[glacial_queen]

"She carries a big plastic shaker of what she considers sprinkles and insists on adding it to everything," Karla explained. "Ice cream, porridge, eggs, roast beef, a ham sandwich...it doesn't matter whether it's supposed to be there or not, if she's going to eat it, it will have sprinkles on it. Now picture Jono's reaction, having him sitting down to a big platter of greasy fish and mushy peas and having Kayla come through and dump a bloody handful of sprinkles directly over the top."

She paused then added, "It's actually W-H-E-A-T-G-E-R-M, not S-U-G-A-R, though. Healthy and we don't have to argue."

Spelling was for the pair of little ears in the room.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal grinned. "Very well done. But perhaps we'll convince her to use them sparingly if he's to link with her. Or I suppose we could not warn him."

Don't worry; Hannibal would take pictures of his face.

[glacial_queen]

Karla laughed. "And this is why you have my blessing," she crowed. "Because you're just as delightfully sneaky as I am."

[sharp_as_knives]

"High praise," Hannibal said, overly serious. Then he chuckled. "I'll see what I can do."

[glacial_queen]

"Thanks for giving me a call, Hannibal. I'm glad to have been properly informed," Karla said warmly. "Oh and one more time? Congratulations, darling."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Thank you," Hannibal said, equal warmth in his voice. "And I am glad to know you've been properly informed, although I may need to have words with the post office. I'll call sooner after the invitations go out, if we don't hear back."

[glacial_queen]

"Word to the wise, darling," Karla said with a laugh. "Never, ever leave these things to Jono."

And with a cheerful goodbye, Karla hung up.