Re: Edwards Manor, Hinsdale Illinois

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan: Oh?

[Jabberwocky]

Colin:"You got nothing he needs."

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan: We have your sister..... who could be used to manipulate you......

[Jabberwocky]

Colin:"Perhaps...But look, I know Lucian well enough to know that you guys trying to "do something" is just throwing gasoline on the fire. So please, just once, do me a favor and don't do anything unless me or Nana asks.
At the end of the day, Alexis isn't the one who would be in trouble. So don't concern yourself with that too much. Trust me."

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan: Don't worry Colin...... contrary to how it may sometimes appear..... we don't go looking for fights..... we're not making any sort of move..... I was simply asking Gabriel to be ready just in case the fight came looking for us.

I'd rather be overprepared for nothing than underprepared for something that could bring harm to my family..... that includes Alexis and Micah.

We do trust you Colin..... we've been keeping our eye on you long enough to know you're a good kid.

[Jabberwocky]

Colin cocks his head, feeling somewhat skeptical of Ewan's final statement

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan: Colin...... Sometimes Edwards' and O'Ryans get their wires crossed..... there have been times when I've tried to be nice to your dad.... but came across as an asshole..... and the same goes for him to me...... I guess you inherited that particular gene....... just because you may occasionally touch a raw nerve with us doesn't mean we hate you.

[Pockets]

Alexis leans her head forward until it touches Alex's chest.

[Jabberwocky]

Colin sighs

Colin:"Be that as it may, the reaction I tend to garner when I do...come across as an asshole, unintentionally...
I'm not asking that you all try to agree...but...I just wish that when something like that does happen the response isn't to rip into each other and hang up the phone or walk away. Not saying that cooling off isn't a good idea, because I'm sure it is. But...both sides are so opinionated and...well...stubborn...that any positive step can get undone faster then it happened. Just from a misunderstanding. From the wrong choice of words..."

he sighs again

"Like my discussion with your daughter...I could have chosen my words better...I know she sort of misinterpreted what I meant and that I did myself no favors...But...I wish I had been given the chance to slow that conversation down and explained what I really meant instead of...

...Look, I've never had the greatest confidence. So being called a spoiled child all the time doesn't exactly do me any good. I mean...please don't take this the wrong way but, in that aspect hearing you refer to me as a "good kid" sort of stung a bit. I'm sure you meant nothing bad by it its just...I hear it enough that it does get to me."

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan: Ah I see well no offense intended..... I apologise.

Alex cradle Alexis and kisses her head.

[Pockets]

Alex can feel Alexis' body relax, and the monitor shows her blood pressure slowly start to drop.

Alexis: I'm alright....

[Jabberwocky]

Colin looks Ewan in the eye for a brief moment, a faint smile on his lips

Colin:"Apology accepted."

he takes the pack of cigarettes from out of his pocket, tucks one under his ear, and puts the pack back

Colin:"You know...being the elder "Saint"...for what thats worth...I always hoped I would be able to set sort of an example of...how things could be...
I realize I haven't exactly helped that cause much but...maybe there is still time..."

he shakes his head

Colin:"The way things seem to go though..."

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan pulls a cigarette out of I pack of his own, puts it to his lips and begins to head to the smoking area.

Ewan:Well it's a noble cause...... but some people are too pig headed to look to anyone else for an example...... that goes double if you're an Edwards.....

I think you put far too much of a burden on yourself Colin.

Alex keeps cradling Lexi stroking her hair and kissing her head occasionally.

Alex: It's OK cutie..... let's just get this over with and I'll take you home.

[Pockets]

Alexis nuzzles into Alex.

Alexis: Just two more of those shots....

[Jabberwocky]

Colin walks with Ewan, pulling the zippo from his pocket

Colin:"At this point I would much rather have that burden and actually try to make a difference then sit back and lament over how nothing will ever change. Then, if it doesn't, I can't look in the mirror and say 'I didn't try'...I think the world needs more people like that. And when you think the world needs more people like that, its your job to be that. Otherwise, whats the damn point? If you want your world to change you can't sit there and say nothing. Even if nobody agrees with you."

he holds the door for Ewan

[Cruel Britannia]

Alex: You're doing so well sweetie..... nearly there now OK?

Ewan walks through the door.

Ewan: I see your point...... but it's a hard job...... you have to give yourself a break every one in a while..... or something's going to give...... like after your argument with Amanda.... Sometimes you have to fight less hard but be ready for the long haul.... am I making sense

[Jabberwocky]

Colin:"You are, yeah."

he follows, popping the smoke in this mouth and lighting it. He offers the still lit zippo to Ewan

Colin:"What happened at the sushi place though...all the things I said...thats on my plate and I can't let it sit. Time doesn't heal all wounds, you know?..."

he sighs

Colin:"I've wanted to make some sort of attempt to clear the air with Amanda, about that day and...everything. But...well for one thing theres that whole thing where I'm an "immature spoiled child"..."

he blows smoke out of the side of his mouth, in thought

Colin:"We used to get along just fine. But then recently...And I get it, I "defend him" to much, or whatever the thinking is..."

he takes a long drag

Colin:"I know we'll never see eye to eye on everything but I would like to think we can at least try to discuss the differences rather then fight about them."

[Pockets]

Alexis nods.

Alexis: Ok....

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan lights his cigarette on Colin's lighter.

Ewan: Thanks...... I can see where you're coming from...... but it isn't that simple.... at least not for us..... that event it plays on our minds very heavily to this day..... in part it's the reason we are so suspuscious of outsiders....

Not many people know this Colin.... but I still have nightmares about it...... in fact it's the only nightmare I ever have...... I know that the pain is a constant reminder for Alex..... we try to move on but those who were there or who were affected by it...... it's something they carry with them..... permanently..... and for the rest..... it's hard enough knowing how it makes their family feel.

Trust me.... the bickering.... we hate it even more than you do...... it's just..... the topic of conversation puts us on the defensive instantly.... that has nothing to do with you.... or your father...... it's something we try and deal with and more often than not fail.

He slumps down on a seat and rubs his neck.

Heh..... and now when we try and be nice your dad tells us to stop..... then when we stop he accuses us of being incapable of diplomacy...... so...... now I don't have the first idea how the hell I can minimise the fucking conflict for Lexi's sake......

Alex lifts Lexi's chin.

Alex: Just two more to go...... look at me sweetie.....OK? Just concentrate on me..... I love you.

[Pockets]

Alexis: I love you too. It's alright... I told you I'm alright. I am, really. I just can't wait to get out of here... for all of us to get out of here.

[Cruel Britannia]

Alex: I know sweetie..... can't blame a guy for worrying right?

[Pockets]

Alexis: I know. I just have to somehow stop worrying every time you do.

[Jabberwocky]

Colin:"Heh, one thing I could never say about my dad is that he isn't stubborn at times...Look can I be frank, Ewan? This isn't anything that you need to view as anything but my personal opinion."

He looks at Ewan, waiting for the yay or nay to continue speaking

[Cruel Britannia]

Ewan: Go ahead.

Alex chuckles lightly.

Alex: I'm sorry honey I'll try and be better at this whole keeping you calm thing.....

[Pockets]

Alexis smiles playfully.

Alexis: As long as you don't go pouting off in the corner, you'll do alright.

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