Snippet #2268036

Fletcher? The face of Blixie's reluctant bartender swam into familiar memory. Jade exhaled slowly. The more that everyone talked about the Crossworld, the more likely it was that her cover was going to get blown .. again. She had to find a way to derail the conversation, and fast.

Across the table, Jasen set the pale yellow water pitcher down with a dull thud. His uncle's water glass was still totally full. Jase's expression was cautious as he beheld Michele's uncharacteristically animated reaction. Never seen him get so --

OW.

Jasen hissed. Someone had kicked him under the table. He looked up to see a fierce expression on his Jade's face. Thermometer perked up from his sister's lap, bracing paper paws on the table and added his two cents worth to the staredown.

"Actually," the Tano heir clenched her fork, "I'd like the water, please."

"All yours," Jase gestured in front of him.

"Gonna pass it, then?"

"If your foot can reach over here, I think your arm can, too."

"I'm not reaching. I don't want to catch whatever it is you've got."

Their tones were terse. Eyes peeled off of Cloasse and Ethan.

"Jadeling," Marceline whispered.

"Son, pass your sister the water," Ethan reiterated.

Jasen remained stony, immobile, until he received the barest of nods from Michele. Then and only then did he heft the pitcher and deliver it to her side of the table. He took care to slosh onto the tablecloth.

"Thank you," Jadeling's tone turned sweet in an instant. She refilled her glass. "Great meal so far, mom."