New bonds

'So yeah, I'm sorry I didn't achieve anything by talking to Brianne.'

'It's okay. Thanks for trying, anyway. I'd give it a go myself but I really can't stand to talk to her right now.'

'No wonder. If I were you, I wouldn't be so keen on the idea either.'

'She wouldn't believe me even if I did try. She, along with my parents, completely bought all of Tate's bullshit. They think I'm exaggerating and being dramatic.'

'Ugh... actually, Brianne's attitude kinda disturbed me. She kept defending Tate by saying all men are like that. I found it quite worrying, to be honest.'

'...Well, I'm particularly jaded because of everything that's happened, but sometimes I find it hard not to believe the same thing. I know it's wrong to think like that, and I know good men exist. Edward's an example. Your Logan is an example. I'm happy my boys are turning out to be wonderful young men. But there aren't that many others I know of...'

'If I don't sound too rude, is there a reason why you both think like that?'

'I guess... We didn't grow up in a particularly healthy home environment. Our parents' marriage isn't a great model. Dad's a bit like Tate, in some ways... very traditional. He has affairs too, and Mum just turns a blind eye... she thinks it's normal. Let him fulfil his needs, as long as he's busy providing for the family. Pretty sad, huh?'

'Jesus. That's so horrible.'

'Mm... I always knew it was awful, and I didn't want my own marriage to turn out the same way, but... it did. I failed miserably.'

'You were only nineteen when you married him. That's just a kid. He's managed to play and manipulate people a lot older than that. I can't blame you for falling victim to it. The only thing you did wrong was trust him.'

'I should've left sooner, though. I could've avoided a lot of hurt for the kids...'

'But he trapped you by grooming Tristan the way he did. Look, he's a master at it. A professional sociopath. People like him just tend to steamroller over everyone and always manage to get their own way. It's why he's in office. Politics seems to favour the evil. Not just in our country, either.'

'You're right... let's forget him, anyway. This is a topic to bring up in therapy, once we reach the end of the waiting list. Hey, do you think you'll be able to manage flying with Mattie?'

'Never tried it before, and people sure love babies on planes, but it's not out of the question. Why?'

'Well, now that we're better settled in, we'd love it if you and all the others came to visit. We could put you up in a hotel. The weather's heating up already, and we're all missing you.'

'Oh, that'd be lovely! I'll pass it on to the others. It'd be great if we could arrange something.'

'Great! There's loads to do over here. Places to go shopping, nice restaurants, the ocean is absolutely gorgeous...'

'I wish I was there now! Sounds perfect.'

'It really is- '

*bang*

'Hey! Jinx!'

'What's up?'

'Just the cat... he knocked the phone off the bedside table, the little bugger.'

'Aww. How is he?'

'A fluffy little nightmare, sometimes. Hard to resist such a cute face, though.'

'I bet! I'll let you go deal with that, anyway. I'd better get ready for work.'

'Alright. Take care of yourself!'

'This place is incredible... I've always wanted to live somewhere with stunning nature. Don't get me wrong, Sunset Valley is a nice enough place, but it's nothing like this.'

'Yeah. Even with it becoming more touristy, the islands themselves are still gorgeous. And we need to keep them that way.'

'Couldn't agree more. I've always been interested in environmentalism.'

'Wow. You become more and more appealing by the day.'

'Heh... it's true, though. I used to run an anti-Tiberium protest group, back home.'

'Oof. That's one thing I'm glad it hasn't made its way to Isla Paradiso.'

'No kidding. I don't care how efficient it is, it's not worth those kinds of risks.'

'Humans can be spectacularly stupid sometimes. Uh, no offence.'

'None taken. I often think the same thing. The way people are fucking over the planet really gets me down sometimes.'

'Yeah. But hey, we can still try to stay positive about it. With people like us fighting the good fight, maybe there's still hope for the future yet.'

'You're right. I'm not going to give up on it, that's for certain. Even though it does make people roll their eyes. I've managed to convince Tristan to implement more eco-friendly policies in his business, so that's a good start.'

'Oh, definitely! Getting big corporations on board is a good thing. Oh yeah, speaking of Tristan, I just remembered: my mum treated him at the eye clinic!'

'Did she?'

'Yeah, she told me about it the other day. I was talking to her about you and your family.'

'That's nice... he's happy with the job she did. He's recovering really well.'

'I'm glad to hear it. Seems like the three of you are really close.'

'We are. Though we do bicker a lot. Always have done. Tristan and I are very different people so much as I love him, arguments do happen.'

'Ah, that's normal for siblings, no? I'm the same with my sister. I should know better, really. She's younger than me.'

'Well, Julius is younger than me, but I'm still going to take issue with it when he does things like cutting off part of my beard, or colouring in the genitals on my anatomy reference books.'

'Oh dear.'

'Yeah. Those were library books too.'

'Lucky you! So, you were doing figure painting?'

'I was giving it a go, yeah. I usually do landscapes, especially since I moved here, but there's nothing wrong with branching out a bit.'

'I'd love to see your art sometime.'

'Sure, I'll show you.'

'And if you ever need a model for your paintings, I'm perfectly willing.'

'Sounds good... I've never painted a mermaid before. I hope I can do you justice.'

'I'm sure you will.'