33 Apocalypse Ave, Sunday Evening

[not_in_the_book]

Ronan was staring at his computer screen, trying to figure out how the hell to write, "People are disappearing in such a way that even the Manual doesn't have a record of them," into a precis. For the Manual. Because that was going to go over well, obviously.

Yeah, he was going to go and check his messages instead, smiling softly at Isabel's voice. That would be him hitting speed-dial, yes, and calling back.

[Expecting one, obvs, but otherwise open for calls/visitors/etc.]

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No I mean two casinos, three hotel towers and a huge ass shopping arcade. It's just gone, Ronan. I've never seen anything like it." And it was freaking her out as he could probably tell from her voice.

[not_in_the_book]

"... Shit."

Yes, Ronan, that about summed it up.

"I haven't heard about anything like that happening back home, but I'm not sure I would have. If no one else remembers things being there..." Shit, how would that affect wizardry back home? His own, anyway -- if he described something wrong because he remembered something being there that wasn't...

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Ignore the screech of brakes for a moment as Isabel slammed on hers to stop for the light in time. She'd been too distracted by another spot of blackness to notice the light changing.

"I have no idea. But it's not just my job. There's another black spot. But the building was just here a little while ago. I drove past it!"

[not_in_the_book]

"Shit." Shit. "If whatever this is is eating places... This is huge. Massively huge.

"Can you get back to Fandom? I haven't heard anything about anyone disappearing from here, and I haven't noticed any massive black spots or anything where buildings should be."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I can't. At least not yet. Wyatt's in San Francisco checking the Book of Shadows and there's no way I'm trusting Portalocity," she explained. "Plus I can't leave my family. I have to talk to them first."

[not_in_the_book]

"I'd offer to come get you myself," Ronan explained, "but with places disappearing... Wizardry relies too much on being able to accurately describe things, and I just. Don't trust that right now anywhere other than here."

Because whatever was happening? Seemed to be not affecting anything on-island. Yet.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I appreciate it. But stay on island for now. I'm glad to know at least one person is safe for the moment."

But as soon as she got home, she was calling Wyatt and they were going to make plans. Evacuating their families to Fandom was starting to sound like a good idea.

[not_in_the_book]

"I've got plenty of room," Ronan reminded her, "and I've still got my puptent somewhere... If we need extra space. I was using it when I was travelling."

It was like an oversized, walk-in claudication. What wasn't to like?

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I don't think we can put my parents in a puptent," she said. Although the image did earn a tiny smile.

[not_in_the_book]

"Oh, I mean -- it's a spell thing. Kinda like my claudicated bags, but on a larger scale." Ronan considered how to explain it. "Think of it as... a portable extra room?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I figured. But it's not that. It's the whole explaining magic and alien thing." Isabel sighed, realizing once more how much she'd liked her parents knowing the truth. "Right now, with all this weirdness, it's changed things enough that they've never been told the truth about us."

[not_in_the_book]

Oh. Oh, Isabel.

"... So I'll see about the good hot chocolate, then? As I recall, the good wine's not an option for you."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No, not good at all. Not unless you want me completely plastered on the first sip." Some other time it could be funny and possibly interesting - wink, wink, nudge, nudge. "Stock up on the hot chocolate. We're going to need it."

And she hadn't even gotten to hear Wyatt's news yet.

[not_in_the_book]

"Best kinds that money can buy and I can make, love."

Yeah, this was going to be an all the chocolate situation. Just wait until Ronan heard about his next few disappearances...

"And spicy chocolate ice cream, and several varieties of coconut curry."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I think I love you." Isabel was still panicked and upset, but the familiar banter was a comfort that gave her hope that maybe they could pull it together just like they had so many times before.

[not_in_the_book]

Please. Like this was Ronan's first "THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE IS AT STAKE" situation.

... Okay, so it was on a larger scale than one universe, but at least he had relevant experience? Before Fandom, even!

"The feeling's mutual," Ronan replied, his smile probably audible across the connection. "Always."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Good." She pulled into her parking spot, relieved to see that her apartment was still where it was supposed to be.

"I'm home now. It's still here at least. I'm going to go in and start getting my stuff together. So I'll let you go. But expect lots of texts till I actually see you in person."

[not_in_the_book]

"Keep 'em coming," Ronan said. "It'll let me know that you're still okay."

He was already trying to think what he could throw on in large batches and freeze -- he rather expected he'd be feeding larger groups for the next little while...

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Only if you promise to reply to every one." Because Isabel would flail if he stopped answering.

[not_in_the_book]

"Unless I'm actually with a patient," Ronan promised, "but it's usually pretty quiet, so..."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You get a five minute window. Then I start panicking," she warned.

"Take care of yourself and I'll see you soon."