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[indent] Arabelle was still looking at the skull with disdain as Justin made his way over to touch the skull. Her hand held tightly to its base in the fear that he’d snatch it away and her eyebrows furrowed as he continued to touch it, pull away, and touch it again. A random skull? It hadn’t even occurred to her that the healer might have thrown her the wrong sealed apparition. At least this was confirmation, in Justin’s own odd way.

Ezra’s words made her turn her head in his direction. She was glad to hear him support her idea. He was a grown man by the time she was old enough to have a personality; he’d moved out of the house before she was able to know him. Yet he’d picked her up from the hospital, and was now defending her.  It was comforting to know she had made one connection with the family today. He held his hand out to her and offered to take the skull but Arabelle didn’t hand it over. He was trustworthy, yes, but something told her not to give the skull away so easily. She was its protector now, until they could find a better place for it.

[b] “Do you have her number?”[/b]

Arabelle stiffened and looked at the skull as she realized her answer would be “no.” Her cheeks were just starting to burn with the frustration of it before she was saved by another Vanburen. While she was trying to figure out what her “Garden” was, Arabelle watched Georgie as she offered two plans. Attempt to contact the healer and gain more of her trust, or wait for another ambush with added protection. Justin countered and Arabelle had to agree with him. She had a life outside of the Vanburen home. She couldn’t just abandon it because of this cult. 

[b] “Have we thought about just [i]giving them[/i] the skull?”[/b]

Arabelle’s jaw dropped. Thankfully Shane stepped in to explain why that would be a [i]horrible[/i] idea so she wouldn’t have to. Then relief passed through her when he turned to her and agreed to find the healer first, and then Oscar as well. [b] “They were all sealed by dad for a reason and we shouldn’t let them out.”[/b] Arabelle felt a pang within her at the mention of James. If he’d been here, he could have settled this easily.

Oscar made a move to touch the skull. Arabelle watched him closely, still reluctant to hand it over to anyone at all. She was still wondering if Georgie could take it when Oscar asked the Vanburen woman about James’s notes. Arabelle didn’t remember seeing anything about this Triple Goddess when she went through them, but there were plenty of apparitions mentioned. She could have overlooked it.

The others continued to talk, either grumbling about the current situation or offering better advice than the last. Georgie revealed that James had in fact mentioned the Triple Goddess and Horned God multiple times. Then she continued to explain the power that the two apparitions would have if together. It was unsettling to think of. She looked back at Ezra, just in case she could see what he was thinking on his face, and he motioned towards Georgie with the hand he’d offered her. Arabelle glanced Georgie’s way only to find Tansy standing before her. The embarrassment that she didn’t have a way to contact the healer returned. This time she didn’t flush- no, instead she eyed Tansy with a look of steel. The girl was spouting subtle accusations at her with a voice that made her feel like she was drowning in corn syrup. Arabelle’s lips parted as if she was going to retaliate, but the [i]little bitch[/i] continued. [b] “You must be relieved and there’s nothing wrong with that! You’ve already done so much for this family. If you need help with anything while you’re out of commission, let me know.” [/b]

Arabelle’s expression had turned from steel to utterly vexed. She began to bare her teeth as if she had a few [i]indecent[/i] words to say and the adopted Vanburen was lucky that she turned away before Arabelle could begin. She shut her mouth, quietly fuming to herself until Georgie got in a few good jabs at Tansy for her. Ezra’s apologetic frown wasn’t enough to settle the simmering feeling within her, but hearing those words from George did the trick.

Arabelle felt her mind settle, but she sent a small huff in Tansy’s direction as she handed the skull over to Georgie. That gesture alone was enough to explain how she stood with Georgie now. She still didn’t know what the “Garden” was, but she felt enough respect towards the younger Vanburen now that she assumed the skull would be safe with her. [color=804061] “What is this Garden, anyways?”[/color] She asked quietly so that the others wouldn’t be interrupted. [color=804061] “Is it what you call your abstraction?”[/color]


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