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Post by Dina Doo on Mar 10, 2017 16:50:32 GMT -8
Elaine was about to comment on how it was nice to know no one had changed a bit since she had been gone, even had a small smile curl at the corners of her lips, until Hiro's last comment. Now that was surprising. Her smile fell. "A fight?" She echoed, her brows raising. "What did those two have a fight about?" And there was a part of her that wanted to ask why Seth was talking to himself in his room because that sounded like a subject that needed to be cleared up. "Have the two made up yet?" Because it would have been a truly heart wrenching world otherwise.
Anderson smiled again. "Charles, before I let you see August, do me a huge favor and take a deep breath. Hold it for a few seconds, then exhale. Everything's okay, August and I aren't going to hurt you." With a chuckle, Anderson stepped aside. "Come on in. I'm sure August will be pleased to see you again. Seeing any family member of his makes him happy. He's just a sentimental old man." If Charles did ever step into the room, the older ketsuki let go of the door before retreating back into the room, where he sat himself in a chair tucked away in the corner and grabbed his phone from the table beside it. As both beds were occupied, there was little place else for him to sit, especially since he wanted to give both his son and his brother their room to rest and heal. And for Charles' sake, Kenneth was indeed sound asleep in his bed, his head buried under one of the pillows.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Mar 10, 2017 18:20:42 GMT -8
Kazbir snorted. "Yeah. Someone else had to intervene, but it's all cleared up." His eyes flickered over to Rylan. "I'm not sure how much Sam and Scott want Elaine to know."
"Oh, the two aren't ever going to really interact with Elaine." Rylan wiped a hand through the air. "Essentially, they come from a really shitty household. I think I told you, dear. Scott absolutely hates Edmund, and Sam obviously does not. Edmund found..." Rylan watched Elaine carefully as he said, "He's the one who found Damien and Elijah. But even before that, Sam had been writing to his father, then calling him. Scott found out when Edmund found Elijah, and it blew up from there. Scott thinks Edmund doesn't deserve to be apart of their family. Sam obviously wants his dad back. But the two have figured it out. I think Scott is still touchy about Edmund, but I think he's accepted Sam's his own person and can do whatever the hell he wants." With a gentle smile, Rylan squeezed Elaine's hand. "There were a lot of tears involved. Scott even slept in my room a few nights(?), boycotting his brother. But it's all good now."
August snorted tiredly. His arms wrapped around the child, and his eyes were closed. "There's no shame in being sentimental. I like Charles. Charles, I hope you don't mind but I don't think I'm going to move. You can come closer."
Ignoring the warm beat in his chest, Charles did as Anderson asked him to. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He counted quickly to five and let it out. "Elaine is returning to your group. There's been... she..." Charles' face broke and he stared down at the ground. His voice dropped, filling with sorrow. "She lost her child, and her fiance." A whisper of humor tried to lift his face, but it fell away. "Losing a child is a terrible... terrible thing but I can't be there for her, because every time she sees her little sister it's just a reminder of what she's lost. I am... asking you to keep an eye on her. It's a lot to ask of you, I know. But I know you will take care of her, and I..." Charles swallowed. "I trust you. And Rylan. He loves my little Elaine, so I know he'll keep her safe, but I know you will help with... the loss." Charles bowed at the waist, closing his eyes. "Please."
Surprise flickered onto August's face. With a minor grunt, he extracted himself from Clyde and pushed himself up onto his seat. He gave Anderson a glance. What has your child done to this man? His expression might have said. It might have also said, Elaine's story is a familiar one. "Charles, it goes without saying I will keep an eye out for my family. But I promise you that Anderson, Clyde, and I will all be here for Elaine. There's also no need to be so formal."
A long breath left Charles and he straightened up, pressing his hands together. "Thank you, August. A-And you too, Anderson." Charles shot him a smile. "I wish I could help my baby more, but making her laugh every now and then only goes so far." He let out a water laugh.
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Post by Dina Doo on Mar 19, 2017 13:23:43 GMT -8
Elaine let out a soft laugh. "Well, I'm glad the two were able to resolve their issues. I have second hand experience with someone who has issues with her father. I'm sure she understands Scott's point of view, having issues with your parent while everyone else overlooks the bad in them." A small smile curled her lips when her mother glanced over her shoulder, her own lips curling with a smirk.
"To whom are you referring to, my dear?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, you know. Just an old friend."
The older ketsuki ducked her head with a chuckle. "Of course. But I'm sure this friend of yours understands Scott's hesitation and I'm sure Scott knows that while the others think differenly of his father, he's under no obligation to think otherwise or apologize. The one who needs to apologize, especially to Scott, is his father." Perhaps, if beautiful gorgeous wants, perhaps the small group finally reached the cafe and Elizabeth stepped forward to hold the door open for them.
Anderson watched the poor man in silence for a moment before he stood, before he sat up and took a step towards Charles. "Charles," Anderson started, offering a sad smile. Perhaps Anderson rested a gentle and reassuring hand on Charles' shoulder. "Please, I want you to understand that your daughter's slow recovery is no fault of your own. There is only so much you can do for her." His gaze flickered over to his brother before it drifted back to Charles. "I'm sure you and your wife have been a huge help to your daughter but ultimately, it is something she will have to push through herself." His sad smile softened. "Don't worry, though. McCarthers are, if anything, stubborn and resilient. Elaine will pull through and now she's surrounded by people who will help her make that happen."
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Post by clouds just clouds on May 1, 2017 22:39:21 GMT -8
Rylan pulled Elaine with him inside and smiled at the little shop. It smelled fantastic. He gently swung their arms and peered curiously at the menu on the wall.
Hiro frowned thoughtfully. He waited for Noah to step through the doorway before he followed. "What if you're father's doing a piss job at making amends, and is mostly focusing on himself?" He crossed his arms and gave a half glance at the menu.
"Give Kasimir more credit!" Rylan called behind his shoulder.
"I've practically lived my entire life homeless. Am I supposed to thank him for suddenly dipping into my life?" Hiro shrugged, but his skin felt uncomfortably warm. "Right now he's too busy feeling sorry for himself anyhow."
Charles rested his hand over Anderson's and studied his face. He allowed his sorrow to fill his face for a few moments before a smile fluttered on his lips. "I suppose you know what it's like. If you could keep your children safe in little plastic bubbles, you would." Charles sighed and gently squeezed Anderson's hand. "Thank you," he said softly to the two of them. "I suppose I'm not used to an extended family, or one that's willing to…" Ah. That dipped a little too far into self-pity. Charles laughed, and shared a bright smile with Anderson. "I'm not used to a family that cares! My side of the family is quite lazy, I tell you, laying in their graves. The nerve!" Charles laughed again. It wasn't the whole truth, but an easy one. He sobered. "Thank you… again. I suppose I should allow you to all to rest." He dropped his hand and slid away from Anderson. "I'd gladly give you all hugs, but alas, I should go make sure my wife hasn't decided to kidnap the children."
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Post by Dina Doo on May 5, 2017 19:12:55 GMT -8
"Then it's still his responsibility to apologize to you," Elizabeth said as she stepped into the diner once everyone had shuffled in. "But Rylan's right, he has done more than most. I'm sure he'll eventually come around. Kasimir has infinitely more sense than Kenneth."
"Hello!" The hostess greeted the group with a warm smile. "How many of you will be dining with us this afternoon?"
"Five," Elaine chimed in in her place beside Rylan. She offered the hostess a small smile in return. It was something she was improving at.
The hostess glanced down at her chart before she grabbed the appropriate amount of menus. "Right this way, please," she said before turning away. Maybe the group followed after her, we'll never know for certain. But maybe they did and they were seated.
"How has Amara been?" Elaine finally asked, only when she had found the courage she needed to inquire. "And Sage? How is she doing?"
(I'm assuming that maybe the three had talked before? At least a few times even if we never rped it. I can imagine Amara visiting and playing with Ciara before she passed away.)
"Mm, I'm afraid she already has," Anderson mused. Since Charles had stepped away, the older ketsuki retreated back to his chair in the corner of his room. "It's certainly nice to have bats again. Your wife took them to a small diner down the road. If you hurry, I'm sure you'll be able to have lunch with them before you leave." Anderson laid back in the chair, a softer smile curling at his lips. "Now go enjoy yourself, Charles. I promise I'll keep in touch with how things are really going with your daughter. You know children, they like to hide things sometimes. Even things that could end up killing them. Anyway, before you go," his smile grew into a playful smirk. "Would you like me to wake up Kenneth so you can say goodbye? I think he'd like that~"
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Post by clouds just clouds on May 6, 2017 11:22:09 GMT -8
"Sage is a balloon," Rylan smirked lightly. "Poor thing. But Joze always dotes on her. The two of them are fearful..." He breathed out through his nose. "Amara's been trying to bridge her relationship with Chase. They've made headway, I think. Seth is a sourpuss, as usual." He paused and rested a hand on Elaine's, smiling gently at her. "I'm sure they will be happy to see you again. Sage and Amara have been hanging out a lot. You should join them."
Hiro sighed through his nose. "Last time they gossiped about Chase and Joze had to leave the room. I had to put in headphones. I learned more than I wanted to..."
Rylan threw back his head and laughed. "No way!"
Hiro let out a long sigh and head his face in his hand.
Charles paled. Sense told him that Anderson was only teasing him. But his mouth panicked and he let out a nervous laugh. "I-I-I think maybe-perhaps-" He started quickly towards the door and crashed into it. His skin swarmed with a blush. "Let him sleep! He certainly has reason for it. I think Kenneth would sooner like me to find a post to burn myself on. Ah! Look at the time," Charles grasped the knob. "I must go save the children." He slipped out and left rather quickly.
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Post by Dina Doo on May 21, 2017 14:39:18 GMT -8
"I guess that's the price you pay for being our secret keeper," Elaine mused playfully. "What would we do without you?" Her smile fell as her gaze flickered back over to Rylan. "I don't think I should," she said quietly. "I... really wasn't the greatest friend to either of them. They both went through a lot too, and I hid from them. And everyone else."
As soon as Charles had fled the room, he began to laugh gleefully. "That poor boy! I shouldn't laugh, but.." Anderson ducked his head and snorted. "It's still kind of funny." With a sigh, his laughter fell away and he leaned back into his chair. "One day, I'll help Charles get over his fear. Kenneth can be intimidating, but as long as you have a pocket full of fake spiders, you already have the upper hand."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Jun 10, 2017 12:50:44 GMT -8
"I hate to tell you, darling" Rylan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling widely. "But you don't build bridges by fearing the hammer and nail. Little steps at a time. Do what you're comfortable with. You don't have to push yourself." He sighed. "I think everyone really needs to find friends in this group."
"Like you?" Hiro raised a brow, eyes staring pointedly down at their table.
"Are you suggesting I'm not a good friend?" Rylan raised a brow. "How about you? Do you think you're fair to your boytoy?"
"I-" Hiro started, surprised. "Era. Elaine, stab him. Or Liz. Either one of you, quickly."
"Your father's not the only one who is spoiled," Rylan said with a shrug.
"I am." Hiro shrugged, eyes falling. His skin heated. "I'm spoiled and stuck-up, and picky. I know I'm really lucky Noah sticks around." He looked at Noah out of the corner of his eye. "I'm grateful he's here. I think... he knows that."
"You're terrible," August mused tired. "What are you doing over there? Come here, you brat. Cuddle with me." He made a show of pulling Clyde closer. "Us." He smiled widely.
A small giggle came from Kenneth's bed. A blue wing momentarily stretched out and grew, spreading across the room. It shrank again and tucked around Kenneth again. "You don't even need spiders," Alec said tiredly. "You just need to butter him up with compliments, or talk his ear off when you're a child, and then you have a way into his heart."
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Post by Dina Doo on Jun 11, 2017 14:59:13 GMT -8
A blush spread over Noah's cheeks, standing in stark contrast to the white spots that littered his cheeks. "I do know that," he said quietly, gaze lowered. Noah felt brave for a moment as he managed to look up at Hiro. "I don't think you're spoiled."
Elizabeth let out a laugh, leaning back in her chair. "Rylan, I'd absolutely consider paying you to tell Kasimir he's spoiled, just to see how he'd react.
"I think Rylan and Hiro are both good friends," Elaine quipped playfully. "Not to mention, if we're being honest, the award to the most spoiled member of this group goes to Alec. All the older people are just smitten with him."
"Alec, you're not allowed to say such things," Anderson mused as he pulled himself from his seat. "You've wiggled your way into everyone's hearts. But hush, go back to sleep. It's nap time." The older ketsuki made his way over to his brother's bedside and sat on the edge. Normally, the playful little brother would love to plop himself atop August and roll around. But he couldn't now. "Mm, are you sure, August? I sat over there because you're still recovering and Kenneth is still sick. Maybe I should go see if Kaleb has any available room."
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