She smiled. "Maybe I'll definitely join, then."

Violet sighed.

"It's not like she avoids talking about him. She always tells him that he loves me, that he'd be here if he could, but when I ask if they were ever in love or what their relationship was like...nothing."

"So...Alternate-Dad wasn't all that bad?

I wish Actual Dad would stick around a little more, though."

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"No, he was awesome. And he didn't just read my mind because he could like Dad normally does. I know it feels like he doesn't care, Vi, but he does. He really does. He loves you tons.

But I think he's trying to keep us safe from whatever he's doing out there. He doesn't talk about that, either." Ronnie says, pausing to think a bit.

"Funny, when I ask Dad about my mom or Aunt Luna, he changes the subject, but he gets this funny gleam in his eye that he doesn't think I can see. He's also very careful not to let me touch his bare skin, because he knows I'll figure it out, too. Oh, wow." Ronnie says.

"I could find out what Aunt Luna won't tell you and then let you read my mind!" Ronnie says, hitting upon an idea.

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"I know he does," Violet said. "I might have read his mind, once or twice. Of course, I can never get very far, because he always figures it out."

Violet nodded. "You could do that...maybe Mom knows something about your mom, too.

Though getting stuff past Mom is really tricky." They both know this.

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"Yes, it is. Sometimes, I think she's a telepath the way she reads me so well." Ronnie smiles.

"But this could work, if you want to try it." she says.

"First, though, I need to go shower. I'll be back in ten minutes." Ronnie says, heading toward the stairs.

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"I think the whole 'aura vision' thing might have something to do with it, too," Violet said with a smile.

"We should try it. Maybe we'll find out something about your mom, too."

She nodded. "Okay. I'll wait for you here."

Violet pulled a book out of her purse and started to read while she waited for her sister.

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Ten minutes later, Ronnie returns wearing clean jeans and a purple cotton t-shirt, along with tennis shoes. She could hear Giuseppe, her 'handler' having a mild heart attack in her head at her look.

She smiles as she catches Violet reading a book. She was just like her mother and father. Veronica liked to read as well, but she rarely had the time.

"You sure you want to go out to lunch? We could stay in if you want to read your book." she smiles, walking over to see what she's reading.

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Violet could often be found with her nose in a book. When Veronica came back out, she marked her page, putting it back inside her purse.

"I'm sure," she said, smiling. "Big Nick's sound good?"

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"Big Nick's sounds /amazing/. I haven't had a cheeseburger in recent memory." Ronnie says.

"Come on, I'll drive." she grins.

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Violet gave her sister a small smirk. "I don't have a license, so you would probably end up driving, anyway."

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"I /said/ I'd teach you, Vi. You just have to let me know when you're free." she says.

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"I will. I checked out a book on driving from the library a couple of weeks back...so that should help, too."

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Ronnie has to work to keep from palming her face in consternation. Violet tends to rely on books rather than experience to solve issues.

"Vi, the book on driving isn't going to teach you to drive. Actually, it's probably going to make it harder for you to learn." she says.

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Violet blinked. "I didn't expect it to teach me...I just wanted a better understand of what you would be talking about."

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"Well, don't worry. We're going to start your lesson today after lunch." Ronnie says.

"So, Big Nick's right?" she asks.

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Violet smiled. "Yes. To the lesson and lunch."

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The girls arrive at Big Nick's and order their food, sitting down at the nearest table. The heads of some of the local high-school boys turn in their direction as they walk by.

"So, Violet...are you seeing anyone?" her sister asks.

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Violet shook her head. "No...no boyfriend. What about you? How's things with Bobby?"

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Ronnie gets this really big smile on her face when Violet asks about Bobby, her eyes lighting up.

"Things are great. I...I think I love him. Alter-Dad gave us his blessing, too, so I'm going to make sure Dad understands that when he comes home." Ronnie says.

"He's been really good to me, though, Violet. He listens to me, even when I'm being neurotic. He's just really awesome. And drop-dead gorgeous, too." she says.

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"I'm very glad to hear that," Violet said, smiling widely at her sister. "I'm happy for you."

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"I'm going to set you up with a boy." Ronnie says suddenly.

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Violet turned very red. "Wait...what?"

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"You heard me. I'm going to set you up on a date with a boy. Then you can go out and have some fun! Doesn't that sound great?" she asks.

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Violet remained a shade of red. "You...you don't have to do that," she said, becoming fascinated with the table.

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"Hey, it'll be fun. Unless you really don't want me to. I just...I want you to be happy, Violet. I know you love your books and stuff, but you don't have a lot of friends.

I know things with Dad are weird and confusing, but you can't let it stop you from living your life." she says.

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"I have friends," Violet said, continuing to stare at the table. "I'm just a little nervous about dating someone, I guess. I've never had a boyfriend, after all.

It's not really so much Dad as I'm just a little shy around guys in general."

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"Well, it won't get any easier if you don't try sometime. That's all I'm saying. I won't set you up with anyone.../yet/.

Just remember that you're pretty, you're smart and any guy worth his salt would be lucky to date you, Vi." Ronnie says.

"Meanwhile, those boy haven't stopped looking at you since we came in." she says.

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"Thanks, Veronica," Violet said.

Her face turned red. "Really? I...hadn't noticed."

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Ronnie grins. "I know. That's why I told you."

"So, how is school going?" she asks.

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"School is going pretty well," Violet said. "They say that sophomore year is the hardest, but I'm not finding it so difficult."

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"Well, that's because you're the family genius." Ronnie grins. She knows her sister is the brains of the family.

"So, I was thinking that if someone does well in school this year, she and I should go on a backpacking trip in Europe, like Aunt Luna did when she was young." Ronnie suggests.

"What do you think?"

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"I don't know if genius is the right word, but I am flattered." Violet said, grinning.

Violet's eyes grew wide.

"Seriously? Europe? I...I would love that!"

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"Seriously. I want to go backpacking through Europe with you. Maybe we can even invite Liz and Suzie...wait, scratch Suzie. She might /finally/ tell Solver she's into him by this summer.

Actually, we've got a better chance of another Skrull invasion or Grandpa Druig asking us to come visit Polaria for the winter." Ronnie laughs.

"But really, you, me and Europe." she says.

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"Wait...Suzie has a crush on Solver? I never knew that." Clearly, she needs to pay better attention.

"I can't wait," Violet said, "I'll have to ask Mom...and we'll probably have to talk to Dad, too, but it'll be so much fun!"

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"The only reason you don't know that is because you don't hang out at the mansion. If you join the team, it'll be as obvious as a Clue-by-Four." Ronnie chuckles.

"I'm sure Dad won't have an issue with us going, though he'll probably want to know all the wheres and whens of things. Maybe we should catch a concert while we're there. I hear U3 is playing." she says.

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"We should. And go to museums. And eat our way through Europe."

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"In case I haven't told you, Vi, you are the most awesome sister in history." Ronnie says, especially enjoying the idea of eating their way through Europe. There are so many foods she wants to try.

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"Thanks Ronnie," Violet smiled. "You aren't so bad yourself." She giggled.

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"Someone's got to take care of you, besides Mom." Ronnie smiles.

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