23 years, 100 hospital vists and counting

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Thorn didn't know whether to laugh or feel bad for his elder brother when he spotted him. Thorn kept his composer though has he came over, unfortunately that did not last long as he tripped on the carpet laid on the floor, sustaining a nice area of rug burn on his nose. "I'm okay." he automatically responded as he got up quickly and got to the table, trying to play it off.

"Yes, we did." he simply replied to his brother before spotting Juniper's mother. Good lord what was this women going to do? He found him self wishing Crash was here to crash the party.

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Saul was clearly aching for rescue when Thorn arrive, and immediately tried to turn the attention onto the young couple.

At least, he would have if Thorn didn't do it for him, watching his younger sibling trip and spill right onto the floor in a spectacular manner. Saul facepalmed, and Juniper's mother only had one thing to say.

"I see why you picked my daughter. They're two of a kind." AT LAST. SHE SPEAKS She commented dryly, making Juniper try to hide inside the collar of her dress. Saul tried to smile like nothing happened and continue the conversation. "I'm glad you two are getting along." He said, scooting away from the older woman subtly.

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Thorn just made a face of displeasure, wait picked? This was Saul's idea? That's it! Pink underwear and dress shirts for you! Saul has no idea about the wrath of Thorn he's just allowed him self too. Thorn just weakly an nervously chuckled as he sat beside his brother. "Yes, as am I, you know I'm not one to be unpleasant for no reason." Thorn smiled.

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It took you this long to realize that Saul at set this meeting up on purpose? Thorn, seriously, get with the times. And anyway, Saul picked Juniper because he figured you and her would get along.

Juniper sat nervously at the table beside Thorn, shifting as her mother glanced to her occasionally with a steely gaze. Come on lady, cool off and give your daughter a break.

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Thorn has his slow moments, he just sat there awkwardly giving a cough in the silence. He glanced to Juniper's mother, to Juniper then to Saul wondering what to do or even speak about, this had to be the most uncomfortable moment in his life for him at this time. "Um...So..." he squeaked trying to break the silence.

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Juniper sat beside Thorn and shifted nervously, looking like she was ready to sink into the floor and vanish.

She looked up at Thorn as he seemed to start conversation and waited for him to continue, her mother raising an eyebrow in a 'Well? Get on with it.' manner. Saul looked like he was about ready to beat himself in the head with a book. This wasn't going in any way like he had planned. He made a mental note to make this debacle up to Thorn later that night. Have the cook make up something he wanted, look into getting a decent gift that he would actually want.

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"I like..trains er..Take interest in aviary. " Thorn absent mindedly spoke, mentally face palming has hard as his imagination nation could go once he heard the stupid came from his mouth, suddenly he wished he had tripped and knocked a waiter over instead. He glanced over to Saul slightly looking for help on how to break this awkward atmosphere.

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Juniper's nervousness was won out by her sudden interest in what Thorn was saying. "Have you considered going to Seria then?" She asked, causing her mother to lift her eyebrows at her daughter. "They're the aviation capital of the world, after all. The royal airfleet is impressive, I'd bet there's so much to learn there!"

Saul was listening quietly, though decided to speak up. "And the local Truesdale geniuses always have a place waiting for them in the shipyards, I'm sure."

Yes, Saul just paid you a compliment boy, though Juniper's mother was watching in silence, a hard to read expression on her normally sour face,

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Of all conversations to have THAT come up again, he tried to retain his annoyance for that suggestion again and kept his calm, one panic attack was enough for one year. "I have thought about it from time to time but I always find my self happy with where I am right for now." he spoke with a smile, yes he was happy here, he had his friends here and he wasn't in a strange place by him self and despite his love of flying he was scared of encountering pirates out in the air, He'd be damned if he said that aloud.

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Guh, Saul was really trying to help here, he didn't mean to hint at anything, he was honestly trying to get Thorn to open up and talk some. He resisted the urge to smack his face on the table, but he did rub the side of his head slightly.

Juniper seemed to pick up on something, and spoke up. "Well, Truesdale could always use a good engineer too. I mean, being able to build our own fleets will reduce our dependance on our sister kingdom's supplies in case we're ever cut off." She suggested. "I mean, Dula's naval fleet has been fitted with anti-aircraft weapons, from what I've heard."

Their drinks arrived, Saul had some foresight and had ordered Thorn's preferred drink for him in his absence. Saul looked at Juniper with an expression of surprise. Obviously, he wasn't expecting that. Her mother looked a little displeased.

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Thorn nodded, He actually stopped to think about that for a moment, it was an something he could do. Wait, Dula? His friends had said something about that place, things that did not rub him the right way and by the sounds he might find out more then he wanted later. "Dula? Do you know anymore about it? A couple of my friends have mentioned that that place isn't friendly in anyway shape or form and that I shouldn't go there" he asked, keeping his voice low, seeming a bit nervous.

Thorn perked up at the drink being sat down, bowing his head and giving a thank you.

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Saul watched in silence as Juniper and Thorn talked, glancing to the older woman beside his and hiding his smirk behind his cup.

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Juniper was going, and she kept going despite her mother's expression. "Dula is dangerous because of it's Navy and anti-aircraft weaponry. They have a cutthroat attitude and have little care for collateral damage as long as they get what they want. The people there believe that they're some kind of superior race that should be the ruling class, all others reduced to laborers or servants." She explained. "There's also rumors that they've been kidnapping Serian and Truesdale children to work as slave labor, and that they even kidnap children in their own backyard to be part of some kind of military program."

Juniper wasn't allowed to continue as her mother had lost her temper, slamming her fist on the table and making even Saul give a start. "Juniper! That is enough! What have I told you of speaking of such things. They are not topics suited for a woman and you would do well to forget about them!" She snapped, causing Juniper to shrink back.

Saul looked like he wanted to say something, but maintained his silence, though he glanced to Thorn, having a feeling that he might not be so restrained.

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"Rude." Thorn passively stated at her mother after he had recovered from the startle. Yeah, someone was going to have to save him again. "I thought it was improper for a lady to hell, not speaking of imposing trouble. Just because you wish not to speak of a uncomfortable topic does not mean others shouldn't." Thorn absent mindedly spoke. "Now, calm down I was the one that asked." he finished taking a sip of his drink, totally forgetting that women was more then likely psycho.

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Leaning back, Saul just watched the display before him, Juniper looking horrified.

Juniper's mother, however, was less passive, and once Thorn was done talking, she was sputtering in fury. "Y-You hooligan! Ruffian! You're a disgrace to the Darcy name! How DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!" She snapped. "Your parents should be ashamed of you from the other side!"

Saul flinched, and stood, meeting the woman's gaze with a glare.

"No. I believe our parents would be quite amused with all of this, now never speak of them again. This meeting is over."

"I do believe it is. Come, Juniper!" With that, the woman stood and stormed out, Juniper hanging back, looking close to tears, before glancing to Thorn. "...I'm sorry..." She'd stand and run after her mother, fighting back tears.


Saul stood at the table, watching them go. "Damn..." He'd look to Thorn. "I'm sorry, Thorn. I didn't think things would go so....sour. You did good, though." He'd smirk.

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A hard glare also came from Thorn, one of those brief moments of anger Thorn rarely showed, he remained quiet until she left, but gave a smile as a way to tell her he wasn't angry with her. When his brother spoke up he looked over. "Damn indeed." he simply replied.

A slight smile came to his face listening to his brother. "If thou is going to be a jerk, thou shall be treated as a jerk..It's Alright Saul." He's return to his drink and glance up with a smile. "Just don't go trying to find me suitors again please." the anger from before had drained, he had already forgave and forgotten what his mind had made him think of his brother.