Alejandro Rose

It’s okay, Sir. You don’t need to dance around it. I’m a slave now. Is there anything I can do for you?

No, that’s okay. Unless you’d feel better if I asked for something?

Do you really think our children would loiter about with purely good intentions, mon amour?

Well hopefully that’s true. Oh yeah, I can imagine having to actively translate can get a bit tiring. Though three languages - that’s impressive. I’m not sure my brain could hold all that.

Reading French isn’t too bad, because it’s basically all Spanish with some extra vowels, but listening to it or speaking it? Those extra vowels all go away and so do half of the regular vowels, too! Spanish and English are just easy because I grew up with both, Sir. Not really all that impressive, but thank you.

Haha, yeah, probably pretty good advice. I can’t eait either, I think y’all will get along swimmingly. 

It really is. So…little Charlie doesn’t believe anyone would be silly enough to fill a pool with candy fish. Weird, huh?

“Swimmingly.” Hah! Gosh, I’ve missed your sense of humor!

[PM] So... we can’t exactly cause a wide anymore, can we?

Adopt older children, they said. They’ll be so much easier, they said.

Whoever ‘they’ are never traveled internationally with two 18-year-old terror twins, clearly. If anyone spots two teenagers yammering away in French and looking shady, please tell me. 

What if they’re just yammering away in French and being all friendly and kind and nice?

Oh, um, its been a long time since I went into town. I don’t really know. I stay on campus a lot, Sir.

Then, um... anything new at the school? 

Couldn’t agree more. Though, i’m biased because she has me wrapped around her finger. She can’t really do much wrong. Yeah? Well I’m not excited that it’s colder than it is back home, but I’ll adjust quickly. It’s nice to see everyone though.

Sounds like she lucked out having you as her dad, Sir. The weather’s not super different here for me, but honestly, it’s kind of really nice for my ears to not be so tired every time I go out in public. I’ve gotten used to French and I’m pretty good at it now, but it’s not the same as being able to just communicate in English or Spanish. It takes so much more effort! And it’s really good to see everyone, too.

They’re six now, which is crazy. I swear, Lucy was just pregnant with them five minutes ago. Well, Oscar is 10 now and fairly self sufficient. I mean, he’s not gonna drown in a bath or run into the street or anythin. The triplets are 8, then there’s a 4 and a 2 year old. Cos I think kids automatically count as at least five grown people. They have way more energy and it’s hard to keep up.

I missed ya, Aley. 

Take advantage of Oscar’s self-sufficiency before he turns into a teenager and doesn’t want to be responsible for anything! I can’t wait to meet them all, though.

I missed you, too. It’s... really good, seeing you again.

Hi, Sir. Oh, I’ve just been here. I bet you have way more interesting stories.

I don’t know about that. Is there anything... new around here, or anything?

You will seriously be her best friend if you keep that up. How you been, Alex?

If anyone tells her she’s not a dragon, then they’re totally missing out on, like... all the best parts of life! I’m really good, Sir. It’s nice to be back in Ohio for a bit. How about you?!

ALEX!!!!!

There’s so many kids and I swear to god, they multiply all the time. Hey, I’m sure two is still hard. When I’m just in charge of my two, it feels like i’m in charge of a whole damn army of tiny little terrorist who can stop time to deal with their shenanigans. I’m sure Sir won’t mind if ya come over and I can at least show ya my spot.

How old are your two now? Are any of them old enough to be responsible for themselves for any length of time? I don’t know what I’d do if ours turned into their own little army. I’m not sure the three of us would survive, and we outnumber them.

Welcome back to Stonewall, everybody who’s here for the reunion! I bet it’s very exciting. In case you don’t remember me, I’m Ryan and I’m a slave here at the institute. Please feel free to use me however you like while you’re visiting!

Hey Ryan. Anything new I should know about in the last decade?

Alright Lima! The Mantle/Beiste crew has arrived! I know, you’re all super stoked. Happy to see you all again and, oh, if you find a cute little redheaad running around telling you she’s a dragon…just go with it. 

Why wouldn’t I go with it, Sir? Of course she’s a dragon!

Ya know, I don’t even have to travel for this reunion and tryin’ to simmer down two 6 year olds, plus an additional six wonderful, highly energetic kids might make me a little crazy. How are y’all fairin’ tryin’ to get here? 

Okay, and here I was thinking it was ridiculous trying to get two adult teenagers to behave on the flight over here! I keep forgetting that you all have eight kids between you. I totally need to see your house!