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Family Ties [bit, NightStalker73au]

She grabbed her bowl and followed him. "A movie critic, eh?" asked Sophie, trying to inconspicuously prod at his profession. "Must've been a good one," stating, trying to evoke an elaboration as they walked. The girl took a bite of the ice-cream and melted. She only ate it on very special occasions, and even then in small doses, not wanting to make herself sick. But, oh, how she loved it.
 
Charlie heard her questioning words, letting them linger for awhile as he sat down and took a few bites out of his ice cream. His eyes moving towards her as he spoke. "I should and would like to tell you more. Will make a deal with you that if you pass first entrance exam you will know what kind of films I make."
 
"Oh goodness," she said, another small bite, "I can agree to that. They must be some films, yeah? Something special?" Sophie took the seat she'd settled herself in earlier as she ate her ice cream. This time though, so tired of being constantly rigid, she didn't think her uncle would mind if she looked less than perfectly prim and allowed herself to lean back.
 
Charlie grinned and watched her relax in the chair this time, his hand moving to the side of his chair turning the button. The speakers providing a nice ambiance to the room as he ate the ice cream. He was glad that she was starting to relax even more. Her questions on his work worried him a little as he had kept it secret for so long, her parents would be horrified and he knew it if they found out.
 
"Huh," she said through small bites, "Nice!" Such a pleasant tone, it eased her as she fell back more into that chair. Sophie pulled her feet up and under her, sitting the bowl in her lap as the ice-cream started to melt - she really did need to learn to eat faster. Still, any more and she feared that she'd have an upset stomach over-night and throughout the next day.

"To be honest, I didn't explore much of the schedule," stirring at the liquid, "I took - oh, yeah, well, you saw me, obviously, taking a nap. When are the first exams?"
 
Charlie watched her move on the chair, his own body relaxing more as he finished the ice cream, his eyes watching her for several minutes before speaking. "I do believe you will have one next week."
 
The girl groaned, "A whole week?" She sounded disappointed and, at the same time, like she was trying to play around - not sincerely in pain that there would be such a wait. "Well, your films had better be something special, then." Sophie was done with her ice cream, now that is was complete soup, and heaved another contented sigh and stood to leave.

Holding onto that bowl, she built up a sweet amount of nerve, and brushed a kiss across her uncle's cheek, trying to practice a ritual (she assumed was normal for him) she'd seen exhibited earlier that day. "I suppose I had better go study, then," she wrinkled her nose, not really wanting to. "Thanks again," Sophie felt she couldn't express just how grateful he was for everything he'd done and provided. Then she turned on her heels, leaving the room. Before making her way to that grand bedroom of hers, she washed her dish in the kitchen, so neat and tidy.
 
Charlie felt the kiss across his forehead, watching her leave and head up stairs he took his own bowl to the kitchen and placed both inside the large dishwasher. Setting it to go along with the plates from earlier he glanced around in the lounge before heading up stairs to his own room. Entering he walked across to the large window looking out it before sitting down at the oak desk towards one corner.
 
Sophie pulled the laptop out of the drawer and began hit the 'on' button, yawning as she waited for everything to load. She pulled up a list of the materials they would be tested over - large, general areas like math and reading. The girl sighed, not wanting to take on such a vast task. There was a list of the recommended texts to study, which she already bought and skimmed through.

So she shut the computer down, it having nothing new to say, and hit the books. She reviewed notes that had been taken throughout her high-school career, and the teachers were kind enough to highlight which parts they figured would be on the test, paying closer attention to those parts.

She did everything that was required and more, still having a sense of dread about the upcoming exams.
 
Charlie spent the next two hours checking and re-checking the various manuscripts for the next few films he hoped to produce. Mundane work but it needed to be done, tiredly sighing he closed up the book and stood up. Stretching his arms he felt his parched throat, walking casually across to the small drinks cabinet in his room and pouring a small scotch. It would work for him and help him sleep better later.
 
After a few long, tedious hours of non-stop studying she had to shut the books, head dipping sleepily. It was getting to the point where she was reading, but couldn't, for the life of her, recall what it was that she had just read. Sophie packed everything up and prepared for bed (washed her face, changed into sleeping clothes, etc.). She wasn't sure if she should inform her uncle whether or not she was going to bed (so used to the huge ordeal at her own home) so she poked her head out of that room and called to wherever he might be, "Good night!" and shut the door. Sophie made a note to reminder herself to ask about those practice tests in the morning before crawling under the covers and falling asleep.

She slept wonderfully and woke up feeling fully rested. Again, it took her half a minute to remember that she wasn't where she usually was. Sophie got up and tied her hair into a messy pony-tail, slipping out of her room quietly (not wanting to wake Charlie if he still happened to be asleep) and making her way to the kitchen where she planned on pilfering a piece of toast.
 
Charlie tossed and turned most of the night, nothing at all settling for some strange reason. Waking early he was in his study when he heard some noises in the kitchen. Smiling he knew she was awake now as he took a break from the manuscripts and screen watching, the last scene paused as he called out to her. "Sophie can you put the kettle on please."
 
She jumped when he heard his voice, thinking the rest of the house was asleep. "Oh! Yeah, sure." It took her a minute as she thoroughly looked through all of the different cabinets for the kettle. When it was found she filled it up with water and set it on the stove. "It's on," she called when she twisted the knob, leaning against the counter as she ate her toast.
 
Charlie stood and casually walked down the hallway, stretching and yawning before entering the kitchen, smiling he took his cup down and opened the fridge. Taking out the juice he poured her glass and premade his coffee. When the water boiled he turned off the stove and poured it into his cup. "How did the studies go last night?"
 
"Booo-ring," she said, sipping at the apple juice, "It's just... hard, you know? I know a lot of the stuff already, so reading it over makes fall asleep." Sophie nodded her head, reenacting the scene. "But I know there's stuff I need to brush up on. I'm just not sure what, and it's so tedious trying to sift through it all." That glass of juice was gone quickly, the toast having parched her, and she didn't set it down until it was completely empty.

"I was thinking I might run over some of your practice tests today." Even though she was out of that crisp outfit from yesterday and into comfortable looking sleep wear (consisting of a petal pink tank top and pajama bottoms with random pictures all over the legs) Sophie still manage to look more wound than a majority of the other girls her age.
 
Charlie listened to all of her words as he took a few sips of his coffee, stretching some more and yawning softly. His eyes meeting hers and holding them for several minutes as he spoke. "Sophie taking those tests sounds good."
 
Sophie was always put off (even if only for a split second, darting or lowering) whenever their eyes would lock. She was used to avoiding eye contact, and he seemed all for it. Just another thing she'd have to get used to.

"Well..." and her gaze was thrown to the side, pretending to be preoccupied with something on the wall before she returned, "Great! That sounds great. I can gauge more accurately how well prepared I am." A lopsided smile was given.
 
Charlie listened to her words and smiled slightly, taking a few more sips of his coffee he yawned again and spoke before moving off up the corridor towards his study. " Sophie if you need some help later, come and give me a holler."
 
"Alright," she hummed, trying to suppress a yawn of her own (as they are, indeed, contagious), "I'll probably come to get them a little after noon, if that works good for you." She clicked her nails on the counter top, still somewhat dreamy, "If you don't mind my asking, are there any solid plans for the day?"
 
Charlie listened to her words and nodded his head first off then shook his head before glancing at his watch. His eyes moved back across to meet hers briefly. "No set plans but I do have some movie work to take care of this morning, please try to stay upstairs."
 
"Oh! Alright, then." Sophie gave an awkward wave as she walked away, "I'll keep upstairs. I've got plenty of things to keep me occupied with while you do your work this morning." How strange. Sophie thought it would have been quite exciting to watch a movie being filmed, but she was sure he had his reasons that prohibited her from meddling downstairs - they might even be the same reasons she wasn't allowed in the locked rooms. Still, she thought about it, and figured it was probably because she'd be in the way, no matter how she promised to stay out of it. "Just let me know when it's okay to come down."

And with that she turned around, soft feet padding as she ascended to her room. It would be so easy, she was sure, to slip out while he was filming and sneak a peak - but she was determined to be a good guest that did as was told with the least amount of hassle. Besides, if she would pass those tests, the the girl would be able to find out.
 
Charlie listened to her words and watched her leave, finishing his coffee he made another and soon heard the small ring from the door. Opening it he let his actors in along with the sound artist. Moving down to their work areas he sighed and kept an eye moving back to hope she would indeed stay upstairs. As the actors took up their positions he moved to the camera stand, recording it all and making sure it all went smoothly.
 
The girl was certainly a curious thing, aching to know things that were kept secret, but also a coward. It wasn't respect or the natural tendency to be good that kept her confined to her room. Oh no, it was fear that kept Sophie in line, defining her as the darling that she was. She tried to study up there by herself, her mind straying or her body wiggling whenever she could catch the faint commotion from downstairs. Nothing of it was any clear audible sounds - just noise that piqued that curiosity.

So she played some music, trying to drown out all distraction, knowing it wouldn't be enough to satiate - only intensify.
 
Charlie kept glancing around occasionally and looking down the long hallway, even up towards the stairs to make sure she had not tried to sneak a peek. As the scene changed so did the music, that was what he had feared at first. The young lady in front of him was soon tied and whipped, scene progressing quite vividly.
 
The scene shifted downstairs, feeling more than hearing - as she couldn't discern any individual sounds. There was a lot of commotion, she was sure - perhaps he was into those fast paced action films? Maybe some thrilling science fiction? Perhaps something horrific? It really wasn't fair. This was the most exciting job anyone in her family had (even extending beyond the family and seeping into the small town she came from) and she wasn't allowed to know what it was - not yet. If anyone had been around, they surely would have thought they were watching a child three or four days before Christmas, so close, yet contemplating ways to sneak a peak at the gifts before the allotted time.

She bit her lip and reread the same paragraph for the fourth time, completely unable to concentrate. She placed a finger on the sentence, a futile attempt at osmosis, and traced the line she was reading.

|| I can't tell - would you prefer she tried to steal a look at what is going on or wait? ||
 
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