§§♥§§ Envy §§♥§§

[La LeClamour]

“I know,” Cleo sighed, looking after his best friend as she stomped outside. “That must be where Monkey is getting her attitude from. Yesterday, when I told her she had to finish eating her carrots before she could watch America’s Next Top Model, she told me to ‘talk to the hand’ and made a face at me.” He rolled his eyes. “She ate those carrots though …” He sighed at Marina’s next words though, knowing just how true they were. He had never liked Rene. Neither had Rina, Rose or Jareth, all of whom were usually excellent judges of character. Of course, Rio had trusted him wholeheartedly, and Cleo hated to say ‘I told you so’, but he had told her so. And then again, she had ‘told him so’ with Mariah, but he hadn’t listened to her. He’d figured she was just being catty - but they all knew where that road had led. “She’ll get over him - he wasn’t that big of a loss. I don’t know what tied her to him for so long.” He shrugged before wrapping his arm around her shoulders and leading her out, then releasing her to hail the cab.

“Don’t call names!” Nelle called over her shoulder at Rina, who, much to her distaste, had just used her full name. But she shrugged it off, standing at the curb to grumble to herself about her accursed name and her darling and Andrea’s over creative mind. In her lapse into her own thoughts she almost launched her elbow back into the stomach of the person who’d wrapped their arms around her shoulders in a brief hug - but was thankful she didn’t because it was Marina, and she couldn’t help cracking a smile at the woman’s words. “Thanks, Rina.” She responded, a light laugh escaping her lips before she ducked into the car to be nearest the opposite sliding door.

A nice, quiet taxi ride home was what Leanelle was looking for - but unfortunately, they were fourteen blocks from home and she was stuck in an ugly yellow minivan with Cleo, Rina, and a driver (The first two companions weren’t bad at all, of course - it was the driver who was agitating her.) who apparently had the intense need to broadcast his morbid train of thought to his passengers, going on about the rickety balcony that had, in the midst of a fire, fallen off of the twentieth story of a rather large apartment building and demolished everything in its path, crushed two cars, injured forty people and killed seven. And with Nelle’s cranky mood and Cleo, purposefully nudging her in the ribs every few moments in an attempt to get her to take his existence into consideration, knowing he was only annoying the hell out of her, it was all she could do not to open the door at the intersection they were stopped at and walk right out of the vehicle.

She was almost relieved whenever her phone rang - until she had the bubble of irritated terror that it could possibly be Rene calling her at two in the morning to convince her to come to his condo. Against her own better judgment, she lifted the phone - immensely thankful that her better judgment had been so very wrong and the person on the other end of the line was not Rene, but rather another European man that she was fond of. “Jareth!” she greeted him, pressing the bright green ‘talk’ button and lifting the phone to her ear, just as his usual comforting drawl of “Evening, sweetheart,” reached her ears from the other end of the line. To be quite honest, she was just happy it wasn’t “Bonsoir, petit amour,” but the fact that it was Jareth just added to the pleasing address.

Of course, uttering his name in the presence of Cleo was a bad idea, as he immediately started spouting off his interrogation, “Where’s Monkey? Why isn’t he with her? Why Is Jeeves watching my baby?! Why isn’t she in bed?! She had better not be loaded with sugar! Or dressed up in those horrendous frilly outfits he likes to buy! Can he hear me?! Rio Mae! Answer me this instant!”

“Cleo, shut up, Jeeves made Jareth put her to bed.” This got him to quiet down - but he did continue to mutter to himself about “too much sugar” and “bedtime at a decent hour”. Actually, Nelle wasn’t really sure if that meant Mochelle was in bed or not, but if Jareth was muttering about his fun being ruined, she wouldn’t doubt it. Jareth was probably moping now - or had to take off to wear out the caffeine high he’d worked up from entertaining the four-year-old. Yes, yes, he was out, because he was calling her on his cell. If he were at home he would have phoned from the landline. “Where are you?” She asked, barely pausing to think as she plucked up her bag and grabbed the handle of the minivan’s side door and dragged it open, the metal sliders clicking loudly as she forced her way out, hopping out of the vehicle and into the street, slamming the door on Cleo’s call of “Rio, what the hell are you-” and quickly weaving her way between the cars that seemed to be frozen in place in the middle of the street.

Skirting around the front of an empty taxi with a very agitated looking driver, she scowled at the man as he smacked his hand against the horn. “Oh shut up, it isn’t like you could go anywhere anyway, jackass.” She snapped, though the only person who could hear her would be Jareth, she realized. “Sorry, not you - taxi driver. I hate the roads here. And the drivers. Obnoxious …” She shook her head at herself, shoving her unoccupied hand in the pocket of her light jacket, recalling that they had been talking about Jeeves a moment ago. “He ruined your fun? Well, isn’t that horrible? You know, there is this thing and we refer to it as “bedtime”. We like to uphold the act at home - and “bedtime” is usually around eight. At night. Not in the morning.” She couldn’t help grinning though. Their Monkey had undoubtedly had fun with Jareth while she was there. She would bet that he’d taken her shopping for frilly clothes and ridiculous looking hats, then brought her home and had an all-day tea party that, by the sounds of it, had lasted into the wee hours of the morning. “You know, if you made scones I’m going to be very unhappy if I don’t get one.” She mused, dashing across the street while the crosswalk sign was still blinking her safety. Rio had barely the slightest idea where she was headed, other than for a walk, but she was headed in the general direction of the British man’s house.

Cleo frowned after his friend as she left the vehicle, then shook his head. At least he could rest assured that she wasn’t running to Rene. Not as long as Jareth had her attention. He sighed, leaning back in the seat and running a hand over his hair, which he’d pulled back earlier into a loose ponytail at the base of his neck, his curls fighting to be free in spite of the thick hair tie. “Well … At any rate …” He turned his eyes to Rina, looking for a change of subject. “Are you going to help me get Monkey into her pajamas and put her to bed? I might need you to hold her still so I can get her nightgown over her head - I don’t know what that man is going to do when he has children. Force them to be nocturnal, I guess.” He rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “Or have a wife who can keep him in line.”

[Fantasmasque]

Teatime is the root of all evil. This was Jeeve’s logic of course, and, though Rhyan had been skeptical about such a notion, over the years his opinion on this matter had begun to waver. After all, statistics couldn’t lie, and statistically Jareth’s teatime was becoming more frequent a sign of impending doom. Firstly, caffeine is known to stimulate the nervous and cardiovascular systems, affect the brain and result in elevated mood, decreased fatigue, and increased attentiveness. It also increases the heart rate, blood flow, respiratory rate, and metabolic rate for several hours. At doeses of 600 milligrams or more daily, caffeine can cause nervousness, sweating, tenseness, upset stomach, anxiety, and insomnia. It also could prevent clear thinking and increase the side effects of certain medications, which, especially for someone like Jareth… the level of caffeine intake would represent a significant health risk. Rhyan frowned deeply as he thought on this. Cross already didn’t sleep near enough, he never ate, and with his medication… well, to be frank, it wasn’t just the fact that Cross was on a rush of energy that had the sandy-haired boy nervous. Cross was an unstoppable force when he was on such a high… and true, that was bad enough in itself. He was more likely to get into fights or jump off of a twelve story building for “thrills.” Rhyan grimaced and raked his fingers through his hair, looking down at the phone in his hand. He had been pondering calling his friend ever since he had left the room after the most ridiculous Apples to Apples game he had ever played in his life. That, and Cross had been dealing the little girl all of the good cards, that slick, sly-handed cheater… and he had been dealing Rhyan all the vague ones that no one understood. His cool blue eyes narrowed at the thought. Jareth didn’t deserve a call… the b*****d…

But, Rhyan relented just a second after this, sighing and dropping his phone in his lap, leaning forward to collapse on his steering wheel, weakly fumbling his hand around to turn up the radio. He couldn’t help but worry, though… that was the problem with Jareth; he always had his best friend worrying… because, unlike the other friends of the raven-haired British man, Rhyan knew things. He knew that Jareth was sick and unhappy and that if he didn’t do something idiotic while he was on his caffeine high, the moment the rush was gone he’d have headache, fatigue… would be irritable or depressed… and his concentration would be completely gone. And though Rhyan wanted to do something for his friend, he just couldn’t… he couldn’t see Jareth like that. The man would be more likely to do something dumb and rash and idiotically challenging if he had his friend by his side, and last time… last time had been bad.

At least Jareth was with a little girl. Rhyan sighed, looking up and pouting at a tree on the other side of the parking lot. That’s right; as long as he’s with Mochelle, Jareth won’t take any risks… he may act crazy and childish and make a fine mess in his house, which Jeeves won’t be too happy about, but at least he’ll be safe, so long as he doesn’t have a heart attack or his blackened lungs give out.

Suddenly, Rhyan’s pants started buzzing, and he leapt out of his seat, effectively hitting his head on the ceiling of his car before closing his eyes and putting a hand to his skull, only to crash down half-way on his stick shift, sending the thing into his hip. “God dammit,” he cursed, now grabbing his hip and fumbling around for his phone—where the hell had that thing gone…? A soft groan escaping his lips as he stretched to the car floor, his fingers finally felt the cool plastic, and Rhyan scooped his phone up from the floor, sitting up with a grimace, flicking it open to give the number a quick glance, then holding the cell to his ear. “Hey Cross, what’s up?” he knew his voice sounded a little strained and potentially nervous, but Rhyan didn’t bother trying to hide that fact—at least not much.

“I am in need of more tea and I was wondering if you were busy at the moment? I could use a partner in crime to join me on this tea-shopping venture.”

Oh no. Rhyan hesitated. He hesitated for a good long while. If Jareth was shopping for tea and had, as he had put it, no ‘partner in crime’ then… he was alone, out wandering the streets at two in the morning, while on a caffeine rush. Crap… The sandy-haired boy did the only thing he could think of; lie. Even though, Jareth, being Jareth, would know this. But what else could Rhyan do? He was starting to hyperventilate when he finally hung up the phone, his eyes darting around the car. Who could keep Jareth in check? Keep him mellowed out a little… who would Jareth not mind seeing right now?

The answer was all too obvious. Nelle. The blasted Brit had been in love with her since high school, though he never admitted to it, and never dared to bring it up. Maybe he didn’t realize it. Nelle certainly didn’t seem to either, but hell, everyone else could… especially when Nelle was last with Rene… Rene the French cheating b*****d who Jareth wanted to gut personally. He had loathed him at the beginning of their relationship… had loathed him even further when he found out he was French and when a while ago Cleodonis had confessed to Jareth that he suspected the b*****d was cheating on Rio… Cross had gone berserk and nearly had torn apart his library past repair in order to vent out some of his anger. And the curses… Rhyan shuddered at the thought. If there was one thing he was glad of, it was that Jareth was his friend and not his enemy. The man was sadistic and deadly enough without being furious at you… if he were angry… if he were angry and off of his medication and had anything within arms reach…

But enough of that. Rhyan had to give Leanelle a message. He’d make it up to her later, if she really minded babysitting Jareth. With his decision made, Light sent Rio a quick text.

--Cross is on a caffeine rampage. Watch him for me? He’ll pass out soon; I’ll make it up to you later.--

But, once that was done, Rhyan, leaning back in his seat with the intent of relaxing for a little, realized that in fact… he couldn’t. Crap, crap, crap… He was hyperventilating again, his pulse was rushing, he was panicking and he just wanted to hide. Hide at—where had he lied he was going again? Jessamine’s place; right, right. She wouldn’t mind if he invaded her apartment at this hour. That’s why he had said her name—because she was the only person available who wouldn’t punch him if he frantically tried to hide in their closet.

He just had to keep his mind occupied until he could get there. As he put his car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot, Rhyan started to count his heartbeats… one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty… it wasn’t working, his heart was beating too quickly for him to visualize the numbers, his pulse racing through his veins. I just want to curl up in a corner… he whimpered internally, going over the Pythagorean theorem in his head. A squared plus B squared equals C squared… The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse. He turned up the radio a bit higher, a Eurodance CD that Jareth had burned for him playing… The man had the oddest tastes of music, really. Classical, some of that alternative new-wave indie artistic whatever it was… and then European electronic. The music, at least, was distracting. And very well subdivided, Rhyan noticed, subconsciously counting both his heart beat and the beats in the music simultaneously while going over Cauchy’s integral formula and Ankeny-Artin-Chowla congruence.

And, thankfully, by the time he was done with this, he had pulled up to the apartments, parked in the lot, and was dashing upstairs towards Jessamine’s number. When he was at the door, he let out a long sigh and attempted to adjust his rumpled button-down shirt and his warm brown vest, though he knew, no matter what, the girl would see the bewildered look in his eyes. With a final ruffle of his fluffy streaked hair, he reached forward and tentatively knocked on the door.

[La LeClamour]

Kyrekk hadn’t been expecting Daniela to agree to his request, not at all - but screaming at him was also unexpected, and whenever she did it caused him to jump nearly a foot in the air - or it would have, had the roof not been in the way. Bumping his head, he swore again, softly, then flattened his back against the passenger’s door, attempting to shrink away from her voice. “I never said I wanted you to flash me,” he winced, smacking into the dash as she jerked the car into reverse. “I was just making an observation that I’d never seen you naked. You know, the human body is an art form and you exist in a very nice piece of art. From what I’ve seen, anyway.” He sighed, shrugging his shoulders. “But I wouldn’t know just how beautiful a certain piece of art can be since she doesn’t want to allow me to investigate.” He shrugged his shoulders sullenly before climbing out of the SUV.

He glared at her whenever she mentioned parading around her apartment in nothing but a towel. Why did she insist upon torturing him? Oh … probably because he spent his life making her do his bidding. Picking out his pajamas, running his bath water, getting the remote, brushing his hair, rubbing his back, calling her at four in the morning to confess to her that he had just slept with a woman that he would never want to see again and begging her come and have coffee with him only so he could sit there with the steaming cup and look at her across the table. He never really drank his coffee then - and she usually stopped drinking hers when she realized that he wasn’t drinking his and was, instead, gawking at her. He grunted in annoyance with her as they trudged up the stairs - the elevator was a very unsafe place, refusing to acknowledge her taunting with a worded response. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction - if there was one thing that they had established within their strange relationship, it was that Kyrekk always won.

And before he knew it, he was contemplating a new way to get into her apartment. Nothing drastic, of course … But … A smirk was slowly spreading over his lips as he thought, his eyes traveling to Daniela, who was just a step behind him. Now, what if she were to fall? Not get terribly hurt, of course, maybe a bruise. Or land on her hand - not to break it, but to add some pressure. He only wanted her sore, not broken. He chuckled softly, a deep sound that barely made it out of his chest. “Nessie,” he said softly as they advanced up the last curve of the stairs. They were just a few steps from the platform, and he stopped abruptly - causing her to ram into his back and stumble back, knocking her to the cement floor. “Daniela!” He cried, feigning (but convincingly so) surprise as he whirled around, hopping down the final couple of steps and plucking her up. Mission accomplished - though he’d done a little more damage than he’d intended. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to run into me like that. Let me see …” Without waiting for her permission, he picked up her arm where she’d scraped the bare upper part against the concrete of the stairs, and frowned slightly. “Ouch, do you - ooh.” He winced at the light abrasion on her cheek. He really hadn’t meant for that to happen. She had such a pretty face … “Come here, we need to get you back to your apartment to clean these. There’s … stuff in them.” Concrete dust or whatever it was called - he could see the little particles against the irritated flesh. “You didn’t fall on anything important, did you?” His concern now was genuine - and he felt more than a little guilty. He pulled her to her feet, all but carried her up the stairs and to her apartment - conveniently next door to his. He pulled her keys from her pocket, again, without permission, unlocked the door, and let himself in, escorting her to her bedroom to set her firmly on the bed - noting the red sheets she’d been flaunting earlier before he stepped into her bathroom to pull out a washcloth and wet it with cold water, returning to her to gently wipe at the angry looking red marks. He winced, noticing another on her other arm and that her hands were chafed. And her hands were usually so soft … “I’m sorry,” he frowned, truly meaning it this time, kissing her cheek just above the irritated bit that had come in contact with the concrete platform. It hadn’t worked out quite right, but it had gotten him into her room.

♣ ♠ ♣

“About three hours and don’t worry about them, you won’t ever see them again,” he assured her, nibbling on his doughnut. His mother knew him too well. She had everything down except for his taste in women - his real taste, anyhow. Her picks were good for about a week or so, but they were so boring. No good for conversation, totally illiterate … And their clothes looked like they had to be painted onto their bodies. It was almost sickening. He licked some of the cream filling from his thumb as his eyes strayed to his book shelf. He had one shelf dedicated to the ridiculous movies, books and workbooks that all of his previous exes had went through the labors of buying for him, intending that he complete them, only to have their poor little hearts broken. And those stupid books always stayed in their original packaging. He didn’t even know why he kept them. To remind him, perhaps, that he didn’t want to end up with a woman who thought he needed guidance and workbooks to work in a functional relationship?

He jerked his head up at Tanya’s loud response, wincing for her as he knew it would be hurting her head. It hurt his and he hadn’t even had anything to drink that night. “I saw them.” He shrugged, frowning. “You don’t have to scream at me. “ He glanced down at the doughnut box as she pulled it from his hand, setting it on the table. How could she not want one? “Are you sure - hey! Ow! Ow! Tanya!” He held an arm up to ward off the blows, but it was no use. She was, unfortunately, much stronger than she looked. “Agh!! I didn’t go looking for them! Tanya!” And before he could snatch the pillow from her, she’d tackled him back onto the sofa, straddling him as she threw the pillow down on the floor - narrowly missing the doughnut box, he noticed with relief. Speaking of doughnuts, where had his gone? In the flurry of motion, he seemed to have dropped it. No - there it was, under the coffee table … Well that was extremely uncalled for.

He turned his head to tell her so, but when he caught sight of her the words died on his lips. "You had no right to be taking peeks of my body underneath my undergarments, can't you act your age for one minute!" He blinked, dropping his hands on her thighs, attempting to regain control of his vocal cords. And his hormones. What had he been thinking? Doughnut! He wanted doughnut … Ugh, I feel like a caveman. Thorn want doughnut … He licked his lips, sliding his hands up her thighs to grasp her hips. “I wasn’t peeking, I was changing. Your bra is incredibly low cut and very lacy, and in case you’ve forgotten, your panties aren’t much different. They were both in broad sight.” He inclined his head, looking up at her and deciding he liked the position she’d put herself in. He reached up, brushing the backs of his fingers beneath the hem of her shirt. Or was it his shirt? His shirt that she was wearing. Yes, that was right. “I could remind you, I’m sure, just how low the dip in the cup really is, if you like.” His other hand ran up her arm - though he didn’t fiddle with her sleeve or tickle her neck or any of that silly mess. No, he wanted to get to her hair. He quickly tangled his finger in the mess of brown locks, tightening his grip as gently as possible, and yanked her back, moving his body as not to pull on her hair so much as throw her onto her back. As she’d been straddling him, she still had her legs wrapped around him as he leaned down over her on his knees, burying his face in her neck. “Mmm, you smell like Worcestershire sauce and tomato juice.” He chuckled, kissing her neck softly. “Do you want to stop screaming at me and go take a shower? I can have coffee ready when you get out, and breakfast if you want.” His cooking skills had, over the past few months and quite a bit of insistence by his mother, improved - though all he could make decently was breakfast.

[Exogent Remedy]

He answered. She had to bite back a sigh of relief. She didn’t want him to know how desperate she was for a little company right now. “Woke up awhile ago and couldn’t get back to sleep,” she said simply in way of explanation for her call. She would have gone on to ask where he was... but he asked her out to coffee before she had the chance. She really didn’t need caffeine... she was going to be awake long enough as it was. She was about to say such when she heard the apartment door unlock. Her attention was immediately on the door, and not a moment later Kryekk came through. He was holding Danieala... whom appeared to have blood on her cheek. She wasn’t sure if that was it though, as Kryekk soon disappeared with her into the other bedroom. Okay... she was definitely not staying here now. It was after Two in the morning. Kryekk was known for temper tantrums at such times.... and he was also very talented at driving Daniela up the wall. “Sounds good. Where are you now? she asked as she practically jumped to her feet. She paused, looking at her now empty plate and half full glass of orange juice. She snagged the glass up in one hand and downed the rest of its contents. Holding the phone between her shoulder and ear she retrieved the plate. Setting both dishes on the counter by the kitchen sink she then hurried to her bedroom.

“Hold on a sec,” she spoke into the phone, before she set it down and proceeded to pull out the first items of clothing she laid her hands on. Pulling off her shirt she quickly hooked a bra in place, before she pulled the baggy T on again. It was to early in the morning to really care about her appearance. Shimmying out of her shorts she grabbed a pair of sweats and pulled them on one handily as she grabbed her phone again. “I’ll meet you downstairs I guess. I don’t think you want to come up here,” she told Lorcan as she grabbed her wallet, a thin sweater, and her key. She stuffed both wallet and key into one of the sweater pockets, before she went about the needlessly complicated task of pulling it on. She had to stop when she reached the door so she could pull it open. Looking around the corner of the hall she grimaced. “Yeah, you really don’t want to come up here. It seems the idiots at the desk let it you and your Cousins apartment number get out.” She pulled back away from the corner. “I’m going out the back door,” she mumbled, already at the top of the steps. “I’ll wait for you down there... or you’ll wait for me... whoever’s first I guess.” she hung up, and stashed her phone in her other pocket as she started down the stairs.







Jess was beginning to wonder if she’d guessed wrong. She’d long since finished her water, and she was now fifteen minutes into an episode of CSI she had on DVD. Maybe he’d met up with someone else. She guessed it had been kind of conceited of her to think he’d come to her to be rescued. He’d done it before though, quite a few times actually. She sighed, pausing the episode and reaching for the portable phone. She was just about to call him to see what was up, when someone knocked at the door. Her fingers had just touched the phone, and she froze, looking towards the door. Then she slowly got to her feet, glancing over the clock before making her way over to the door. Unlocking it she opened it just a crack so she could try and figure out who it was. Brown. She opened the door fully, a small smile on her lips. “Your seven minutes late,” she said in way of greeting. Probably wasn’t what he was expecting. Stepping out of the door way she gestured for him to come in. “Come in Rhyan. Would you like something to drink... or eat?”She trailed after him when he passed through the door, heading towards the kitchen herself. “I was just watching CSI, actually... but if you want to have a look at the DVD’s and pick something else that’s fine.

Even though he hadn’t said if he wanted anything yet, she took the liberty of getting him a glass of water. He looked like he could really use it. Turning back towards the living area she found him still standing. Looking rather perplexed about something. As well has relieved, and worried at the same time. She could never quite understand him, really. “You don’t have to stand there you know. Take a seat.” she told him as she moved around the counter and held out the glass of water. “Here, you look like you could use it,” she said softly, taking one of his hands and placing it over the cup. She waited for him to take a firm hold on it, before she removed her own hands.

[Anime_Girl_4216]

Rina had to cover her mouth to stifle the laugh that wanted to come out, "Well that is what is bound to happen when you let a child be around certain people for so long... Just like how she loves to drink tea now.... Ugh, I think I might kill Jareth for that one." She mumbled as they got in, "Hey no worries... I want to pumble the a** just as much as you do...we could double team and use the mic as a boomerang of pain!" She said with a smile, "Besides, I can always play for the damages to the pieces, I've got enough stashed away from my performing days that are state of the art that Kyrekk would probably be happy that I trashed his." She chirped happily as she then settled in for the trip. If this was what one would want to call a 'nice trip home' than no one had ever met their cab driver... He was rude, obnoxious and was constantly looking in his back mirror at herself and Rio.... Ugh, the perv, and to top everything off he insisted on telling them everything that just happened to run through his mind as they passed certain buildings and over passes..... What did they look like tourists???

She shot glared back at both Cleo and Rio who she was squished between, though Cleo kept leaned over her to poke at Rio... who was blatantly ignoring him, "If you two don't stop I'm going to knock your heads together right here!" She hissed in a low tone... It was getting too annoying in this cab to even think straight, and now Cleo was back to acting like a two year old.... Wonderful. Her head turned as Rio's phone rang but she paid it no mind, though her brow did raise as she then said Jareth's name, 'Why doesn't that surprise me?' she thought to herself as Cleo then decided to run his mouth of demanding why he wasn't with Chelly, "I already told you!" She retorted just as Rio then spoke... Did he really forget that quickly? She chuckled as he then sat back and started to grumble softly to himself, "Hey... Just think though, since Jeeves is calming her down from her sugar rush now then she wouldn't be as rammy once we go and pick her up." She said with a smile, hoping it might break his fowl mood; she reached out to pry his arm from around his chest so she could lace her fingers into his. Ever since things had finally calmed down from when Chelly had first arrived in their lives she had actually been on better terms with Cleo, she wasn't as snappy with him as she normally was and oddly enough he hadn't been flouncing around with women as much either... But then having a child suddenly come into your life changes just about everything.

Her head turned at the sound of the door opened, "What. Rio wha-" Her eyes opened in shock as Rio exited the car and then started to make her way out and through traffic, "She's crazy!" She grumbled as she then pulled the door shut scooting over to give the two of them more room to stretch out, "You know if it had been anyone else beside Jareth she wouldn't have done that? God those two really need to get on the same page and quick, it's getting ridiculous just standing back and watching." Sighing as she ran her finger through her long hair then simply laughed, "Of course, I don't think that Rio is going to be home anytime soon and besides ,I barely saw her all day today and I got chewed out on the phone by a four-year-old....She really has been spending too much time with Rio." Sighing heavily as she then yawned again she stretched out and then lay her head on his leg, "Doesn't matter to me what I do, I can hold her if you want... Mmm... I think that he'll be married before he has any children." Closing her eyes as she then curled up at his side she smiled again "And I think that the children will look like him and Rio, and you can quote me on that if you'd like... Don’t let me sleep to long, but I got a horrible night sleep last night so I could use the few minutes till we get to Jareth's." She murmured as she rested her hand which still held his on his thigh, "Wake me up when we get there."

~~~~ ~~~~

She growled in his direction as they then started up the stairs, "Well go and search somewhere else because this body of 'art' was not made for you to be ogling at. GO call up one of your other lady friends... I'm just the one you call when you decide to bring home the idiots and the ugly ones." Why was he causing such a fuss tonight of all nights, they had been having a very agreeable evening and then he has to start on her body... Ugh that MAN! "Why is this such a big deal to you, it's not like I willingly looked at yours, you just have no sense of decency when I come over... Plus if you remember I would normally going diving into your couch when you would come out of the shower and then wait till you went into your room, I'm not the one who decided to waltz over the couch while I'm trying to not look and then stand there and talk to me till I looked up in your direction.... If you really want to look at it you FORCED me to look, I'm perfectly happy with not seeing anything!" she grumbled behind him as her eyes returned to the stairs making sure they hadn't been followed as they trudged up the four flights of stairs till they reached their floor.

She hadn't been paying him any attention when he suddenly called her name, "Oof." She grunted as she then slammed into him and started to fall backward, she let out a small cry as she then turned on her side not to land on her back, but she landed hard, her foot had caught the edge of the step and was now throbbing, her arm hurt, her leg hurt and her head was pounding in time with her heart beat, "If I didn't know better I'd say you did that on purpose." She muttered to Kyrekk as she started to sit up but then winced as pain started to shoot through her arm but she sat up, "Hey, don't touch!" She hissed as she then pulled her arm back from his grasp, her whole body hurt on account of him stopping in the middle of the steps, the least he could do was just let her lick her wounds in peace! She stared at him in surprise as he then said he was taking her to her apartment and then asked if she had fallen on anything "No I didn't fall on anything, I banged my ankle on the step and my head is killing me but other than that... " She blinked and then narrowed her eyes at him "There's nothing in them, I'll take you home and then I'll see to my own wounds, there's no need for you to..." She gasped in pain as he then pulled her to her feet, well foot, and then 'carried' her up the rest of the stairs and to her apartment.

She turned her head in the direction of Brook who was...somewhere, she wasn't really paying any attention but she had seen her face and had hoped she would come and save her but apparently the woman wasn't going to get her out of Kyrekk's clutches anytime soon. Looking up as he then placed her down on her bed she sighed softly, watching as he moved to her bathroom and then started the water, "So much for my 'relaxing time' at home." she mumbled as she then reached down to start taking her shoes off but then Kyrekk was back and wanted to attend to her wounds, "Just..." She started but then just stopped at the expression on his face... He was actually concerned for her! That was a surprise since he was normally the one who would just stare at her and then continue with his tirade; today he was caring for her wounds and....wait, did he just say he was sorry and kiss her cheek? "Unless you really think you have something to be sorry for I don't want to hear that word come out of your mouth again, I wasn't paying attention and I paid the price, no harm no foul." She sighed looking down at her red hands with an exasperated sigh, her head leaning forward till it was resting on his shoulder, "My ankle hurts." She mumbled quietly as she could feel her ankle start to swell, "If I can't walk in the morning you are in trouble."

~~~~ ~~~~

"That is the biggest load of bull of course you would go looking for them!" She growled at him, "You of all people would be the first if I was passed out to see just exactly I had hidden under my clothing. You're always staring at me like some wolf in heat." She hissed from her position over top of him, her eyes blinked as she felt his hands travel up her thighs and then grasp her bare hips, "Watch where..." She started but then trailed off as he started to speak her eyes widening in almost horror as she finally realized just where she was in correspondence to him, 'Holy s**t I'm straddling his frame.... Oh god..' she thought to herself as she just stared at his face trying to stifle the shivers that ran up her skin as his fingers brushed underneath her shirt, "D-don't." She whispered her eyes closing as he then spoke again... Uggh, only he would be able to turn the badass Tanya into a shivering woman just aching for him to touch her...Wait aching? Since when did she ever want him to touch her normally let alone like this? She shook her head as his hand grasped hers but then released it as his fingers hit her hair. She gasped as he then tugged at her hair... well her whole body and then sent her falling back against the couch the weight of his body pinning her deliciously to the couch.

She blinked up at him at the change in position... Well...this was a surprise to say the least, she hadn't figured on him pinning her to the....Wait, why was his head.... She let out a sharp breath as his lips brushed her neck, "Stop.." She murmured her hands tightening on his arms as she let her head fall back against the cushions. "Well it's kinda hard to continue yelling at you when you're doing that." She mumbled her hands running down his arms to then run up his chest, "Food sounds fine to me but I'm not really sure that I am really hungry for 'breakfast food' just yet... Didn’t have dinner last night." she muttered sheepishly as she then pushed at his chest to get him to sit up, "Just something small will be fine for me to eat, I'm sure you have leftovers from your latest culinary masterpiece that you created last yesterday for you and Dev." She chuckled her hands dropping from his chest to his thighs, "Let me up so I can go get my shower, you still have my stuff here that I left the last night right? Ugh...Remind me never to drink one of those... they really do smell rancid." She groaned looking up at his face as she then laughed apologetically, "Sorry for flying off the handle, I just don’t' like the fact that first off that I was knocked out for three hours and then also that you saw those tattoos. I only got them done about two weeks ago and I'm still getting used to the fact that I got them."

[La LeClamour]

Lorcan smiled slightly at the answering voice. He actually appreciated that she’d picked that moment to call. He hadn’t particularly been looking forward to going home and dealing with a cranky Kyrekk - but then again, Kyrekk may not be home. Perhaps he’d opted to go in with Daniela and put her and poor Brook into a state of irritation and misery. In that case, he didn’t want to go home to an empty apartment and he doubted Brook wanted to stay anywhere near Kyrekk at two in the morning. And the only thing worse than a cranky Kyrekk was a cranky Kyrekk near an exasperated Daniela.

“I just got done closing up the club,” he responded in respect to his current location. “I can be to your place in …” He trailed off, nodding in consideration of her words even though she wasn‘t there to see him. If he knew Brook, then she was multitasking, peeling her pajamas off and throwing on something to wear while she attempted to talk to him at the same time. He frowned though, at her next bit of news and let out an annoyed huff. “I wish they would replace that idiot. I’m going to get him fired … I can be at the back door in a couple of minutes.” He was nearly there, actually, thanks to Kyrekk and the strategic placement of his establishment being so near home. Or the strategic placement of their home near their establishment, since they opened the club before they moved into that apartment. “I won’t be long.” He added absently, mostly because he didn’t want her to hang up on him for lack of conversation - though it was futile, since she took that as a ‘goodbye’ anyhow. Oh well, he was almost there. He needn’t run - it took most people two or three steps to match just one of his or his cousin’s strides due to their height. Being nearly six and a half feet tall had its perks. He sighed, sweeping up to the back door just as Brook made her way out of it, a welcoming grin spreading over his lips. “Good morning, Miss Woodley.”

It occurred to him that they would be quite the pair walking around town like that - him in the clothes he’d been all night, white leather pants, boots that went up his knee and were mercifully low heeled and flat soled, a thin pale blue collared shirt and a long tailed white coat with the collar turned up while she was in sweatpants, a sweater and probably a loose tee on underneath it. “You look cute for someone who probably just crawled out of bed,” he chuckled, tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “Coffee … And bagels, maybe …” He could go for a bagel - but then again, he was like a bottomless pit. Just like Kyrekk and Arathorn, he too had a black hole swirling around in his stomach.

♣ ♠ ♣

Cleo sighed, leaning back in the seat - he was only slightly put out about being reprimanded for bothering Rio (he supposed he probably shouldn’t have been leaning over Rina to do so) but now that she was gone there was more room in the seat. His lips pulled into a slight smile, watching as Nelle wove her way through the cabs and personal cars, phone stuck to her ear - stopping to make a universally rude hand gesture at one cab, and then step up the curb to be on her happy-go-lucky way. She could be so weird - but one thing made him happy. And it was that she would have definitely never hopped through traffic to get to Rene. “Yeah, they do.” He agreed, shaking his head. “I don’t know if they’re both blind, Cross is afraid to say something, or Rio is just being stubborn.” He dropped his head against the back of the seat, resting his hand on Marina’s head as she laid it on his thigh, fingering her hair absentmindedly.

After a moment, listening to Rina’s response, he snickered softly. “Maybe that’s what she needs - kids. A bunch of brats to keep her occupied.” He sighed, closing his eyes. Of course, brats didn’t refer to all children - even if his Monkey was no angel. Not with an aunt like Rio. “Why don’t you just stay at our place?” He asked. “I can sleep on the couch tonight. No sense in you going home unless there’s something important you need to get done …” He lifted his head to glance down at her when she didn’t reply - then chuckled softly. She’d dozed off. Now she didn’t have a choice. She was just going to have to stay with him. The cab pulled over to the curb before Jareth’s townhouse and Cleo hopped out - leaving Rina with the obnoxious cab driver and an order that he not go anywhere while he ran inside. The moment he walked through the door he found Mochelle in his arms, smelling like bubble bath and in her pink pajamas with her hair combed and pulled into pigtails with matching pink ribbons. After thanking Jeeves - and rounding up Scruffles, her favorite hat, gloves and her coat, they were gone out the door and resituated in the cab, carefully adjusting Marina so the her head could rest in Cleo’s lap and Mochelle could sit on the outside of the seat and where a seatbelt.

“All right - come on, babe, we’re here.” Cleo shook Rina’s shoulder gently as Monkey took it upon herself to clamber out of the seat. When the woman didn’t comply - merely mumbled something incoherent about ‘no more bubbles’ - he sighed, maneuvering her carefully out of the vehicle and carried her into the apartment building to escort Monkey to the elevator and into their apartment. Rina would probably wake up at the most inconvenient time, he thought as he settled her in his bed, tugging off her shoes and pulling the comforter and sheets up over her body. “Monkey - bedtime, baby girl.”

“But … I don’t want to!” The four year old wrinkled her nose, glaring over at the area of the enormous living room that had been partitioned by two bookcases and a desk to create a place for her bed, dresser and vast collection of toys and stuffed animals. Cleo raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over her chest and Mochelle, recognizing that he wasn’t about to let her stay up any later, panicked. “Um - I have to go to the potty!” Cleo narrowed his eyes and Monkey tore off to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Cleo heard the lock click and rolled his eyes, trudging over to the couch and turning on the TV to something horrendously boring. The News. Mochelle wouldn’t want to stay up then.

♣ ♠ ♣

“You’re so quick to point out that you think I knocked you down on purpose, and then whenever I apologize you get annoyed.” He looked up at her, dabbing at the abrasion gently. “There is no pleasing you, woman.” Kyrekk shook his head, folding the wet rag again to touch it to her cheek. “And there is too stuff there. Look.” He scowled, pulling the cloth back to show her the little bit of damp red substance mixed in with the barely imperceptible dark flecks. He laid the washcloth aside on the bedside table, folding his arms around her as she leaned forward until she was resting her head on his shoulder, mumbling about how he would be in trouble if she couldn’t walk in the morning. “Yes, big trouble,” he agreed, nestling his cheek against her dark hair. And he knew it was the truth - he had no idea how he would survive without her to run circles around him, constantly keeping him in line.

It was comfortable to hold her - not that he was about to tell her that. Actually, what may be even more comfortable would be to lay his head in her lap and get her to pet his hair. That was always nice. She spoiled him, he knew - but what harm did that do? He had nothing to worry about unless she suddenly decided to up and quit. Or if she got a new boyfriend. He’d had to drive the last one away. The idiot thought he could take Daniela away from him? Kyrekk was not about to stand for that. Of course, Daniela had no idea that Kyrekk had scared the poor guy off with quite a few false claims and graphic descriptions of exactly what he was apt to do to him if he were to pursue her.

“Want me to run you a bath?” He asked, tilting his head so his lips brushed her ear. “I won’t even insist that you let me stay and watch - I’ll go in the living room and watch TV. I’m pretty sure Brook isn’t going to stick around.” He grinned exultantly. Now that he was here, they both knew good and well that she wasn’t going to be able to get rid of him. It was like his second home - his escape house. He had a month’s worth of clothes stashed away in her closet and the couch had been his designated bed for a while - though he usually ended up conning poor Dani into letting him curl up in her bed at the last moment. “I’ll have you all to myself tonight.” He added, as if he really needed to. Daniela was sure to know that.

♣ ♠ ♣

The triumphant smirk that had pulled the corners of Thorn’s mouth up couldn’t be stopped. “I would, my dear, you’re right, but I’d have to know they existed to possibly go looking for them. I am ashamed to admit that this time I stumbled across my discovery.” He sighed. “And with the way you’re responding, I don’t think I would have had to wait all that long to get my glimpse anyhow.” He kissed her neck softly, brushing his lips up her jaw and pressing a light kiss to her earlobe. “Mmm, maybe you don’t need a shower. You don’t smell all that bad …” He relented anyway though - there was only so far he could push her at two in the morning when she was prone to violence at any time of the day.

He sat up, sliding back to his end of the couch - though the self-assured smirk had never left his face. “Go on - I’ll find something to cook.” He was seriously contemplating French toast … “There’s leftover Chinese - Dev ordered for an army while Rose and Rio were here. Which isn’t surprising since both of them eat like they’re starving all the time …” Not that he had room to talk. Arathorn was always hungry - his mother had thought he would grow out of it, but he never had. He could still stomach a whole chocolate cake in one sitting and not gain an ounce. “Go - towels are all in the middle cabinet and soap and stuff is in the hanger thingy.” He waved her off, swinging his legs off the side of the couch and moving off to the kitchen.

[Anime_Girl_4216]

Rolling over in her sleep Rina dozed for about an hour in Cleo's bed. She had been slightly coherent to when they had first stopped at Jareth's placed but hadn't felt like really moving, she had been quite comfortable in his lap and when he had gotten out she had cracked her eyes opened to see where he had disappeared to but then just closed her eyes and fallen back to sleep. Groaning softly as she opened her eyes again she blinked twice as she then focused on the room around her... Wha? She wasn't in her room, just whose was she... OH... How the heck had she gotten in Cleo's bed and... Why was she still in her clothes? Last time she had fallen asleep here he had taken it upon himself to change her into one of his sets of clothing... But then he probably learned the last time that it wasn't very smart to do that since she had slapped him across the face, but compared to the kind of outbursts that Tanya had given Arathorn in her day, a slap on the face was nothing...Though there had been a park on his cheek for about two days.

Sitting up as she then got out of the bed she walked over toward his dresser smiling to herself as she then raided his drawers, grabbing a black tee-shirt and then a pair of his red flannel sleep pants. Shedding her own clothing for something more comfortable, and less restricting she folded her clothes and lay them on the edge of the bed as she then stretched her arms over her head and opened the bedroom door. She poked her head out to take a look around, she could hear the soft running of water coming from the bathroom and the quiet drone of the news coming from the living room. Cleo was actually voluntarily watching the news? Had hell frozen over while she had fallen asleep? No never mind, Chelly was still awake so he was trying to get her to go to sleep. Walking toward the bathroom door she knocked softly, "I'm busy!" came the small shout from inside.. The child was hiding in there until Cleo went to bed... How very Jareth-like... Oh dear this couldn't be a good sign. "Chelly? It's Rina honey, come on, it's going on three in the morning you have to get some sleep..You don't want to be all tired out for the party tomorrow night do you?"

If all else failed for the child the thought of not going to the party would get her out and in her bed, the door opened as the child then padded out of the bathroom and headed straight for the living room "G'night daddy." she said as she then jumped into his lap and then placed a wet kiss on his cheek her head nuzzling into his chest for a few minutes before then jumping back off his lap to return to Marina who waited by her bedroom door, "Head inside, I'll be there in a few minutes, say goodnight to your stuff animals and make sure they are all ready for bed, Daddy and I will be there by the time you are finished." She said softly as she flipped on the light and then closed the door. "You should have woken me up when we got back." she mused with a smile as she then walked over to the couch her hand touching his shoulder as she sat down on the arm of the couch.

"Anything of interest going on in the world other than everything is going down the tubes and everyone wants to pin the blame on everyone else?" she asked with a laugh, "I never thought that I would really see you watch the news... I thought you got all the outside 'boring' information from me whenever you quiz me on the daily goings on in the world outside of the club and your shop." she mused looking at his face for a moment before then turning back toward Chelly's room, "Come on, we had better put Monkey to bed before she comes back out and decides to stay up all night with the grown-ups." she chuckled walking till she was standing in front of him and then pulled him up into a standing position, "Sorry for stealing your clothes... Mine aren't exactly the most comfortable to sleep in and since it seems I'm staying here tonight I thought I could gab something from your room.. Oh that reminds me I have to return those clothes you let me use the last time Chelly wanted me to sleep over... I think that I have as many pieces of clothing floating around in here as you have in my apartment." she laughed as she kept her hand laced with his as they both padded to Chelly's room.

~~~~ ~~~~

"No not really....I m learned to be so picky from the master himself." she mused with smirk catching his eyes as he then pulled back to show her the cloth, "Well then I guess that I stand corrected... My mistake." she sighed softly as his arms then wrapped around frame, chuckling softly at his words, "Oh well.... If I am then you're my slave for the next few days no excuses." she murmured turning her body so she could breath and her body wouldn't be yelling at her since she was sitting in an awkward position. Her eyes closed as she let herself relax into his arms which was at the moment felt really comfortable... more so than she ever though they would. Blinking inwardly as she thought over just how many times she had actually been in his arms like this was a becoming more the norm for them than it ever had been in their...how long had they known each other??? Long enough..

When was the last time he had held her like this....maybe when her last boyfriend had dumped her, that had been a horrible experience that was for sure. Everything had seemed to be going fine, they had been getting closer and were about to reach their sixth month when he suddenly wanted to call it quits. No explanations, no I'm sorry it's my fault not yours, just I think that it would be better if we were to end it now. That had been a blow to the gut if there ever was one for a relationship that she had started to think would be a lasting one. Kyrekk had found her nursing her fifth drink at Envy and then taken her home only to then have her fall asleep in his bed with his arms wrapped around her all night long. Why had he done that, it wasn't like they were in any kind of strange relationship like Tanya and Thorn..... Rina and Cleo, now those two were just strange... he 'buys' her 'attention' for like a week just to keep his ex away and now it's like the two of them are married, though Rina would probably fall over if she were to hear Dani actually voice that thought.

She blinked as Kyrekk spoke, "Hmm?" she murmured lifting her head just as his lips brushed her ear, "Hey, you know that tickles." she whined as she then started to push herself back from his arms but then winced as she tried to straighten one of them... maybe she had landed harder on that arm than she originally thought she had, "Wha.... Kyrekk." she grumbled as she then swatted at his arm, "Kindly refrain from poking your nose in my bath, you AREN'T going to see me naked, I'll crawl to my room on my stomach before I let you see me. I'm not your girlfriend and you are most definately not my boyfriend." Looking toward the bedroom door she sighed softly, "She is probably out and about with your roommate so I wouldn't be surprised if you two were switching apartments for the evening, you are supposed to be in hiding anyway.... Stupid doormen giving out your number..." Finally pushing off his chest to get herself into a standing position, her weight resting on her left foot while she stood on the ball of the right, "Yes you will have me all to yourself... Now while you're waiting for me there are leftover Sushi rolls in the fridge if you want any..Oh there's also ice cream in the freezer, I bought fixings for sundaes the other day so go nuts, I won't be long." hobbling toward the bathroom as she then threw open the door she stepped inside and then closed the door behind her with a resounding click, though she didn't lock the door.

~~~~ ~~~~

"Ugh..only you Thorn would actually think of something that." She muttered narrowing her eyes at him as she then growled at him, "Watch it Wolf Boy." she muttered as she then picked up the pillow to swat at his shoulder, her hands dropping the pillow to the floor as she then sighed softly, "Please, I need a shower.... I really do stink and I'd rather not have the stench of a Bloody Mary be permeating from my skin anymore." she smirked right back at him as he then moved to the other side of the couch, "I'm going.... Chinese? Hmm... Not overly hungry for that...Maybe I will take you up on some breakfast food. You make breakfast and then I'll make lunch later today, I honestly don't know if I'll be getting back to sleep anytime soon, though I think that Kyrekk would kill me if I were to fall asleep at the party tonight, it's too big of a deal to just let him down."

Yawning as she then stood up from the couch her arms raising over her head as she stretched her body she sighed as she then started off toward the bathroom, "Got ya...Nothing's changed since last Saturday...if it had then I would have to be asking you a number of questions since it's never changed in the past few years you've been living here." she said with a laugh as she opened the bathroom door and then shut it behind her. Pulling out two towels as she then started up the shower she stepped out out his shirt and her undergarments, piling them up right behind the door as she then stepped inside. Chuckling at the nicely arranged hanging basket in the shower she pulled out the small container of her shampoo and then proceeded to wash her hair, the soft scent of roses filling the room as she then grabbed her body wash. Once she was certain that she didn't smell of that horrible drink anymore and her mind was finally clearing she turned off the water wringing out her hair as she then stepped out of the bath toweling off her hair before then throwing the towel around her body.

Popping open the bathroom door as a nice amount of the steam from the bath filtered out into the hall she whipped her feet on the bathroom carpet before padding down the hall, the smells from the kitchen catching her attention as she then headed in that direction, "Something smells good." she murmured rounding the corner to catch Arathorn hunkered over a sizzling frying pan, "So what is on the menu chef?" she asked leaning her shoulder on the wall as she smiled at him, her wet hair falling over her shoulder as she crossed her legs over each other. The towel covered all the essentials, coming to about the middle of her thigh leaving her completely covered, "Hey, I need something to chane into, I'm not walking back to my apartment in just my towel."

[Kiorae Mai]

Rosalie was dead asleep, her body positively tuckered from helping Devarion's mother unpack. Of course, she didn't get anything drastically heavy due to her 'inability' (according to some) when it came to heavy things. Okay, so she had to struggle with things normal-sized people wouldn't, but she couldn't just magically grow five or seven more inches, have her chest come out a bit more, and make her legs longer to appear more capable. One can wish, though. She was in the depths of suffocating in her Cloud Nine sleep state when Devarion had begun to pester her.

Leanelle was a testament to her amazing endurance when it came to trying to wake her up. Near impossible. The girl rolled over, acting out her dream--which was currently playing on a prim, vast, August-green lawn with a large golden retriever for a reason that was beyond her--unknowingly in time with Devarion slithering into her bed to share. Extra warmth noticed somewhere in her brain, her tiny body curled up to the source. One that despised thick or even the lightest graze of covers, her legs flailed briefly for release against the fabric.

Usually Rose would wake up in a twister of thick covers and thin sheets twined all about her legs. It was a pain to undoe in the morning when time was scarce, or when she woke up scared shitless for an unknown reason save for it being something to do with a dream. She'd finally given up to sleep three hours ago, worrying about her costume. Should she be a flamingo? Rose wanted to be something adorable, and for a good thirty minutes she really considered going as a rose but then dismissed the costume as too troublesome in enclosed spaces.

Frankly, she didn't really see how something wouldn't be bad for the tight space between bodies. Even though the party was a select-invite deal, image was everything and people were to consider. Her flamingo costume idea was one of the few to survive. A list was tucked away in the nightstand of the guestroom, bold etch lines through some of the more inciting (French maid, sexy police girl), as she threw those to the invited women who could actually fill them out. An hour later, when her 'tossing and turning' cycle in the bed had caused her hand to come from beneath the cool pillow and catch Devarion's ear, and her leg kick her portion of the covers halfway down the mattress, her eyes fluttered.

Mosaic of her surroundings fading Rose felt her heart lurch forward in the inverse motion to her feet. Almost instantly, despite the snare and deterrance of the tangled bedsheets, she hit the floor with a solid thump and scuttled to spin her body in the right direction, flinging her hands towards the nightstand for an anchor. Jesus Christ what was that?!? Her faces inches from Devarion on account of her bad sight, she felt her heart sink back placidly into place...just Devarion. That sweet idiot, he just about gave her a heart attack, and here he was, still sleeping!

Rose exhaled, running her fingers through her hair and pushing it away from her forehead as she quietly clambered back in to bed, stuffing the troublesome covers closer to Devarion as she shook one of his pale arms. "Hey, hey you!" tempted to beat him with a pillow (since he was already stirring and moaning a complaint, she didn't) "wake up!" her dark green eyes watched him crack an eye open and shift lightly to accomodate her annoying three A.M waking. Since she didn't get his input on her costume list before falling asleep, she figured (in her bizarre mind) now would be a good time. It would get him off the hook for giving her a heart attack, the handsome sneak, sharing her bed! "Have you thought of your costume yet? Are you going to try and match me? I'm going to be a flamingo, I think. A cute flamingo!" She could've sworn Devarion looked at her with a cross between 'are you ******** serious' and 'oh my god I've been woken up at three in the morning'!

Placing the list on the desk she said nothing after that look and quietly snuggled down for sleep. Rose had no idea what possessed her to ask him about his costume but it was just...it was a Rose moment. "Nevermind, we can talk about it later." patting the hand she'd placed around her waist she burrowed back into her impression and closed her eyes. "Night Dev...er, morning Dev. Anyways let's go back to sleep..." kissing his fingers and lacing them with hers she found her hyper-fright energy spent. With him by her side, she'd definitely sleep good.

[La LeClamour]

Cleo froze when he heard a knock on the door - why would Monkey be knocking on the door when she was on the inside of it? A moment later he head the tiny cry of “I’m busy!” and rolled his eyes. It was Rina knocking on the door - and Chelly was inside pretending she had a reason to be in there. He knew her adorably half baked schemes so well - she thought she could stay in the bathroom until he fell asleep, but it wasn’t happening. Her sugar rush was going to run out and she was going to pass out and he had planned to end up going inside to retrieve her. Of course, Marina had deemed this unnecessary by waking up and expertly coaxing the little girl out with a comment on how she wouldn’t want to be too tired to go to the party. Cleo couldn’t help grinning - but quickly wiped the look from his face when he heard the door creak open, knowing that Mochelle was going to want to tell him good night. The grin reappeared though, whenever she crawled up into his lap, pressing a sloppy wet kiss to his cheek. “Good night, baby.” He crooned back, tugging on a curl as she hopped back down, hurrying over to where Marina stood by her little cave in the back corner of the vast living area, blocked off by bookshelves and makeshift walls. It had been a quick work and would be easy to tear down once they got ready to sell the apartment, but it works as a four year old’s bedroom. He turned on the couch, watching as Rina flipped the light and pulled the door closed.

“I should have,” he agreed, sitting back down properly as Rina perched herself next to him on the arm of the couch, laying a hand on his shoulder. “But I didn’t want to - you’d have insisted on going home. I like having you here.” He lifted an arm, curling it around her waist to drag her into his lap. He dropped his head to her shoulder, snuggling his face into her thick hair and tightened his grip in the case that she tried to escape his hold. He was being honest - he did like having her there. Their relationship was tentative and he wasn’t quite sure what they were to each other any more … But it was workable. “Mmm, I watch the news.” He grumbled. “Sometimes - for the weather.” He watched it in the morning when Rio had it on - she was the only person in the house who bothered with it. She made sure they didn’t send Monkey to pre-school wearing frills and bows when the sky was overcast and she’d come home with her formerly cute outfit looking like a wilted flower. She was mommy number one, Rina was mommy number two and Rose was slowly turning into mommy number three.

He unwrapped his arms from around her waist, sighing as she suggested that they go tuck Mochelle in before she got the idea that she, in fact, didn’t want to go to bed anymore. “Don’t worry, I don’t mind sharing.” He replied, allowing her to pull him up by his hands - a wide yawn escaping his lips the moment he was on his feet. He grunted, ruffling his fingers through his curls. “I don’t know why we don’t just keep half of your wardrobe here. It might even be better if you were to move in, you live here half of the time anyway.” He shook his head, turning to Mochelle’s room, still hand in hand with Rina, and pushing the door open for them both. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed - to find her already asleep, mouth open, one arm wrapped around her stuffed kitty, Scruffles, and the real kitty, an overweight calico named Sir Moofins McDoogle (Rio named the poor thing) curled up on her belly. He chuckled softly, leaning forward to kiss her forehead, and stood up again, waiting for Marina to kiss her good night before curling an arm around her waist and leading her out of the room. He didn’t pull the door shut all the way, but left it cracked an inch or so, taking Marina back to the couch to flop down on his back, dragging her with him. They were joined a moment later by Rolex, who felt it necessary to bound across the kitchen and living room and throw himself onto their legs, let out a happy bark, and bury his head in the cushions. Cleo rolled his eyes, lifting his head to make sure the Retriever was going to stay good and quiet, then dropped it back against a throw pillow, looking up at Rina an batting his blonde eyelashes. “Now, what were we doing?”

♣ ♠ ♣

“I know it does,” he chuckled when she whined that his lips brushing her ear tickled. But he allowed her to push away, then swat his arm and chastise him. He doubted he would like her so much if she weren’t mean to him every now and then. She knew exactly how to put him in his place - even if he didn’t always take everything she said seriously. He leaned back on one palm watching as she stood. He was perfectly happy with being alone with her for the night. Actually, he preferred it. He almost always slept better with Daniela in the room - and it wasn’t just him being difficult. And the whole few months she’d been dating the last idiot he’d had nightmares. Every night. He’d actually been afraid to go to sleep and constantly called Daniela at three in the morning, requesting something completely insane just because he knew she was in bed with that other … Guy. And he couldn’t have that.

Lorcan had said he was jealous. Perhaps he was right - but he knew he didn’t want Daniela in the clutches of some other man. It would endanger his hold on her! And was there something so wrong with wanting to keep her close? He watched after her as she hobbled toward the bathroom, frowning slightly. He did feel guilty - he’d have to keep her off of her feet for a while … But that wouldn’t be so hard. She wouldn’t be doing any running for the party so she could relax.

Kyrekk stood, listening as the water turned on. He hadn’t heard the door click … But now he was virtually alone, since he knew Brook wasn’t going to stick around to see if he was cranky or not. He stood up, pulling off his shoes to tuck them away at the foot of Daniela’s bed, then padded out in his socks, planning to head for the kitchen when it suddenly sank in. His mind ran over exactly what Daniela had said and he furroed his brows, poking his lower lip out in displeasure. "Kindly refrain from poking your nose in my bath, you AREN'T going to see me naked, I'll crawl to my room on my stomach before I let you see me. I'm not your girlfriend and you are most definately not my boyfriend."

He turned, his feet falling a little bit more heavily than he had thought they would, but he didn’t care. He pushed the door open roughly, stepping inside the bathroom and kicking it shut, arms crossed over his chest, glaring at Daniela where she rested in the tub. Thankfully for her he supposed, she was completely submerged in the hot bubbly water and he could see nothing below her shoulders - but he hadn’t come in for that. “That was uncalled for.” He snapped, surprising himself with the tone of his voice. “I know I’m not your boyfriend and I never asked to be - you knew I was teasing about your bath.” He scowled, digging his finely trimmed nails into the long sleeve of his dark green silk shirt. He had no idea why it took so long for what she’d said to register - and even longer for him to realize that it offended him. But it did. “Is there a reason you brought it up? You don’t think I’m good enough to date? You wouldn’t date me because we’re business friends? Because you work for me and I’m just your obnoxious boss?” That almost hurt more than simply being un-datable. “What if I wanted to ask you out? What if I wanted to be your boyfriend?”

♣ ♠ ♣

Thorn chuckled to himself as Tanya left him to retreat to the bathroom. Might has well take care of a couple of things while she was in there - she was probably planning on enjoying her shower to wash off the disgusting mix of Worcestershire sauce and tomato juice. He stood, immediately moving to his phone - where he pressed a button on the answering machine to hear what the fifteen messages were for. The first was, predictably, from his mother. Then a girl he was trying to get rid of called Emily. The next couple were from business partners, one from Devarion saying that his mother wanted him over for dinner on Monday night, another from Emily, one from his secretary asking him to verify a breakfast date with the CEO of a small corporation, five more from his mother, yet another from Emily, another from his secretary, and the final one, again, from his mom.

He sighed, picking up the phone. He felt a little guilty for ignoring her calls, but he really couldn’t answer her when she called almost hourly. He had things to do and other people to talk to. He shook his head, dialing her number as he went off to the refrigerator and set himself to pulling out various ingredients. Milk, eggs, bacon - “Hey, mom,” he sighed as the answering machine picked up. He hadn’t expected her to be awake. “I’m sorry I haven’t been home all day, but I’m calling you back now - I‘ll make reservations in the morning and we can go have lunch around noon at Lilly‘s Appeal.” He pulled out a skillet, setting it on the stove, and retrieved a tall jar of Devarion’s own mom’s sliced peach preserves, dragging out a pot to pour a quarter of the peaches into and set it on to warm. “I’ve got a surprise for you, anyway, so don’t cancel because you’re mad at me for not talking to you all day. And please tell Emily to stop calling me - she left me three messages since the last time I checked the machine. And she sent me this weird relationship workbook. It’s really got to stop.” He rolled his eyes, knowing that this news would probably make his mother ecstatic, but praying that knowing that her only son was miserable would cause her to have mercy. “Anyway, I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow at noon. Bye.” He hung up, shaking his head as he laid the phone aside. And just in time, because a few moments later when he’d dropped the fourth and fifth pieces of egg, milk and cinnamon soaked bread into the buttered frying pan he caught Tanya’s voice, "So what is on the menu chef?”

He looked over his shoulder, blowing a stray piece of hair away from his lips. “Cinnamon French toast and peach sauce. And bacon.” He flashed her a grin, grabbing the spatula to flip the bread slices and then a fork to toss the bacon around so it would cook on the other side as well. “I can heat some syrup if you want me to …” He trailed off, letting his gaze roam freely over her carefully covered curves. As much fun as it would be to make her run around in a towel, he’d probably get pummeled for it. “There are tee shirts in my top drawer and sweatpants in the second - if you want some socks, those are in my nightstand.” He reached over, turning the heat down on the toast as he pulled the slices out and replaced them with another couple. “There’s a brush in the drawer with my socks.”

[Exogent Remedy]

“Hey Lorcan,” she greeted him simply, though she glared at him for a moment when he called her Miss Woodley. She hated being called that, and only put up with it when she was at work. She let it go with a small sigh though, not really being in the mood to correct him. She took in his clothes briefly, almost laughing aloud. They would certainly stand out, even so early in the morning. Oh well, there was no helping it now. She rolled her eyes when he made the comment that she looked ‘cute’ for someone who had probably just gotten up. She smacked his hand lightly when he tucked some of her hair behind her ear. She didn’t like damp hair behind her ears. So she pulled the damp, lightly curled lock of hair out from behind her ear, even though it was annoying that it hung just within her peripheral vision. “I didn’t just get out of bed. I had time for a cold shower, and even had myself some cracker sandwiches,” she told him with a small smile. “And I certainly don’t want a bagel. You can have one though. I know your always hungry,” She pocked his arm playfully, before turning to head away from the apartment.

“If you want one though, we should probably be on our way.” She almost stuck her tongue out at him, for some reason, but caught herself before committing the childish act. She glanced up at the bulding, before her multi-toned eyes returned to Lorcan’s large frame. “Your cousin is in Daniela’s room by the way,” she informed him. Though... Lorcan might not have wanted to know that. Oh well. Now he did. He’d have to deal with it.

[Anime_Girl_4216]

“You'll actually share?? Who are you and what have you done with Cleodonis?” she asked with a laugh. Blinking at his next statement she shook her head with a wry smile, “That wouldn't be a bad idea, last time I tried to go home early I thought Chelly was going to have a panic attack.” she chuckled as they walked hand in hand to Chelly's room, her mind screaming at the cuteness that welcomed them into the room. Watching as Cleo moved forward to press a kiss to the child's head her thoughts turned back to his last statement. What if she were to move in here, would it be such a bad thing? She was on better terms with Cleo than she ever had been before, but then the whole debacle with Mariah had cleared A LOT of the air, oddly she did have to thank the crazy woman for that, she was not close with Cleo but they were more than simply friends, that much was plain to see. Stepping forward to gently brush Chelly's hair back as she then placed a kiss on the girl's brow she smiled, “Sleep well, Chelly.” she whispered as she then looked toward Cleo with a smile her hand covering his as he pulled her back to his side.

Stepping out of the room as they headed back toward the couch she smiled, “Living here wouldn’t be a bad thing, though I don't know if there really is enough room for me to even move here, it's a squeeze with the four of you here already, I think if I were to move in the place would probably burst.” laughing as he then pulled her to his side, situating herself between his legs as she curled against his chest. Her head lifted up as Rolex settled at her feet, chuckling at he looked up toward her, “Such the cute pooch.” she mused as she then reached down to rub his head. “Hmm?” she murmured turning her head to look at Cleo's face with a curious expression, “I think we were talking about how you actually watch the news, how you probably should have woken me up earlier though honestly hanging here is better than being home alone.” curling in closer to his frame with a satisfied sigh.

“I think you were also mentioning something about me possibly moving in here for like half time....Wow, since when did this become a divorced situation?” she laughed as she closed her eyes letting her head fall back against his chest, “We can work out details later on.... No rush.” she mumbled as she reached up to the back of the couch to grab the throw blanket and threw it over their frames, “I think that we might be falling asleep here if we stay here too long.” she murmured sleepily as her eyes flickered to the TV which had changed from the news to a late night talk show, “I'm thinking that we will both be more comfortable if we were to curl up in your bed, you'll wake up with knots and we'll have to call Daniela to work on them.... You know she's working to get her credentials to be a full fledged masseuse? Kyrekk will be her main client since he rarely lets anyone use her talents except for him?” Picking her head up to look at his face to see if he had fallen asleep yet she smiled turning over as she picked her hand up to brush his hair away from his face, “Mmm... I like it when you let your hair down, it looks nicer this way than either straightened or pulled back.” running her fingers through his locks she let her hands drop to his shoulder as her head then dropped to his chest again, “Mmm....Sleepy.”

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

Shedding her clothing was a bit more complicated than she first though it was going to be; grumbling softly as her ankle started to throb even harder as she peeled her black jeans off of her legs she tossed them roughly across the room, “Being crippled sucks” she sighed as she reached up to grab her bottle of bubble bath solution and then turning on the water she started to pour the liquid into the small amount of water that filled the rub.... Love Spell was what she thought it was, some odd bath product that she had gotten from Cleo during one of his random buying sprees. She loved the scent and should probably go with the man the next time he went to the store, lord knows she hadn't really ever stepped foot in the store but she had bought enough from them online to keep a small army afloat. Taking in a deep breath of the lovely smell of the bathwater she carefully picked her legs and then slid into the water, her eyes closing as she let the warm water flow over her tired and sore body. Picking her hand up to turn the water off she rested her back against the tub and just let herself start to slowly drift off to get some of the rest and relaxation that she had been craving the past few days but running around like a slave the Kyrekk she hadn't been able to actually get any time alone.

Her eyes remain closed as she heard the door open and Kyrekk's loud slam of the door made her eyes roll behind her closed lids. As he spoke her eyes snapped open to look at his face; he rarely sounded this 'perturbed' but he sounded very angry with her...What had she said? Letting her head turn back toward the side of the wall as she tried to calm her nerves since she was completely covered by the suds of the soap, and also the pink colored loufa sponge that was now floating around her body. Taking in a deep breath as he then asked her about why she had spoken about him not being her boyfriend she let the breath out in a very 'calm and controlled' manner, meaning between pressed lips, though not a sound issued from them. What had she brought it up? It wasn't like she hadn't ever thought about dating the man, so why was she throwing up the large defenses and also 'wounding' his male pride at the same time? Sighing again as her eyes closed and her head tilted up toward the ceiling at the end if his 'tirade' she turned her head back in his direction as she then opened her eyes to look at his face.

“If you really want to look at it in a different light I'm not really allowed to date anyone! Everything I find some sort of a significant other they always seem to disappear. If I could be asking of you something it would be why in the world does it always seem to be 'mere coincidence' that once I find a boyfriend you always are calling me in the middle of the night for no apparent reason other than to make sure that you are still my top priority?” narrowing her eyes at his face she frowned, “Don't you go start talking to me about this whole boyfriend s**t. I can't ever have a some what normal relationship with any males except for you, and then the rest of our friends because I was friends with them at the same time you were.” Turning her head away again se huffed quietly, “I have to put up with listening to you b***h about your latest one night stand and I can't even have one decent date let alone get to the point that he's even spending the night”" she mumbled under her breath.... He was turning her into a hermit and she knew he was doing it on purpose!

“If you want to be official and ask me out than this really is a piss poor way of doing it. Now if you would please leave the bathroom so I can have some peace and quiet I would appreciate it, I'll be out soon enough so I can dote on you hand a foot even though I am the one that's injured.... and yes sometime tonight I'll pet your head like I always do before you go to sleep.... Now... GET OUT!” Tossing her loufa sponge at his head as she sat up in the bathtub she pointed to the door and then narrowed her eyes at him hoping he would get the message before she started tossing the glass bottles of perfumed bath soap she had at her disposal.

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

“Mmm sounds like you went all out... I'm starving!” Chuckling at his expression as he turned to face her she smiled, “If you stare for much longer the food is going to burn.” she stated as she looked over toward the frying pan as he then turned back to it. Laughing softly as she then turned her head in the direction of his room she nodded, “Kay, I'll go grab some clothing and then I'll be back in a flash.” traipsing back to his room as she then pushed open his door she chuckled at the picture of the two of them that was plastered on the wall... That seemed to have been taken so long ago, back when things were so hectic and also confusing. Pulling open his drawers as she then grabbed a blue tee-shirt she looked around his room till her eyes fell on his closet. Chuckling as she threw open the door and then extracted a small bag which she had placed there the last time she had been there she grab a matching set of grey boy shorts and sport bra. She had stowed this away knowing that she always found herself over here and with out any extra pieces of clothing... She had used up a number of the pieces of clothing from the bag and would probably have to refill the thing sooner rather than later, but thankfully she still had a decent amount of undergarments left inside.

Once she had then grab a pair of Thorn's grey silk boxers she tied the tee-shirt off in the back and stuck the remaining portion of her back, leaving a section of her midriff exposed.... her tattoos peaking out at her hips. Grabbing the brush from his sock drawer and running it through her now damp hair she dropped the brush back into the drawer and then headed back out into the living area, “Did you happen to grab my purse...” she trailed off as she heard the faint beeping of her phone from across the room. Padding into the living room to find her purse stashed away in a corner she pulled out the phone to see that she had received a text message from Marina about two hours ago. Looking at the time on her phone she sighed, she could probably text her and she would be up but she might as well just wait until later on tomorrow to get into contact with Rina.. She didn't think she had the brain power to actually try and type out a coherent text message. Turning back around to then rest her arms on the island between the living room and the kitchen she took in another deep breath and chuckled, “You are right...your cooking skills have improved...last time I was here you could barely boil water.”

[La LeClamour]

“Oh, I stand corrected then,” he rolled his eyes, unable to reform the grin that had fixed itself on his lips into something a little less ridiculous looking. He was in a rather good mood this early in the morning. Unlike his cousin who became even more cranky and ill-mannered than usual whenever he was stuck staying up, Lorcan tended rise into a state of heightened good humor - even more so than normal. The two of them, it was commonly known, were practically polar opposites. But also nearly inseparable. He raised one pale eyebrow, looping his arm with hers - the position was only a little awkward. He was much taller than she was and it would have been easier to wrap his arm around her shoulders, but he didn’t want to give her the chance to duck away from him. “What can I say? I’m a bottomless pit - and unfortunately I no longer live with my mother and sisters, so I eat at all hours of the day and night.” He sighed wistfully, touching a hand to his heart as he led her away from the back of the building and out onto the sidewalk. “Maybe no bagel … I want a muffin. Or a Danish … A cheese Danish sounds delicious right now … Or a big brownie. Or both … Oh! Pumpkin bread …” He licked his lips at the thought. Of course, he could go home and eat - he and Kyrekk always kept the fridge fully stocked. Or rather, Kyrekk made sure Daniela kept their fridge fully stocks. Poor girl.

As if she’d known he was thinking of the two, Brooklyn took that exact moment to pipe up again, dutifully informing him that his cousin was in Daniela’s room. He pursed his lips, cutting his pale grey eyes at her in a manner that may have been annoyed had it not been a known fact that it was nearly impossible to wear on Lorcan’s nerves. “I did not need to know that. Lord only knows what they’re up to.” He shook his head. “I think you should thank me for picking up my phone and getting you to come out for a cup of coffee with me. Else you might be stuck in there with them - you know Kyrekk has a tendency to run around naked after his baths? I’m sure Daniela would be able to ignore him, but you might find it a bit more difficult. When a hulking man of his size decides to play two-year-old and run around in his birthday suit, it’s not all that easy to avert your eyes.” Of course, he had no difficulty - he’d been seeing Kyrekk naked since they were in diapers and his cousin’s shameless nudity had ceased to bother him when he’d turned two. “Oooh, here we are.” He added, dragging her off to the side and pulling the door open, the bell on the inside of the shop tinkling with annoying cheerfulness as he shut the door behind himself. “Hmm, what do you want?” He raised his head to the menu - out of sheer habit, of course. He almost always opted for the same thing. A dark hot chocolate with a thick slice of pumpkin bread - pumpkin bread since Caffe Ine only baked it in the fall and winter months and it was almost the best he’d ever had. (Save, of course, for his older sister’s.) “Hot chocolate? Espresso? It’s a little too cold for an iced latte - a hot latte? Tea? Danish? Giant cookie? They have good giant cookies.” He turned his head to the heated rack behind the glass pane and grinned - they were just setting out new loaves of pumpkin bread. Maybe he’d buy a couple - but they weren‘t supposed to sell the bread in loaves ... He was happy to see he knew the girl behind the counter - and she’d taken a liking to him. Maybe if he batted his eyelashes she’d let him buy one .. Or three. They’d never know the difference - he’d pay per slice if he had to. He pulled his arm from Brook’s, wrapping it around her shoulder’s instead. “I want a tall hot chocolate - no, I lied. The really big cup, yeah I forget what it’s called in Italian.” He frowned slightly, looking over at the cup as the girl, Lila, he remembered her name was, held it up, nodding his assent. “And you know - since there’s no one else working, it’d be okay to let me buy those three loaves of pumpkin bread."

Lila frowned, glancing over at the bread rack, and then back to Lorcan - and then Brook. Lorcan, tilting his head, laid his hand on the counter, attempting to draw her attention back to him. “Please?” Lila continued to frown, parting her lips to say something, but he sighed, reaching into the pocket of his coat for his wallet, and drew out a fifty dollar bill. =#14a0bdHe repeated, sliding it across the counter to tuck it under her hand.

She bit her lip, tucking a black curl behind her ear, but closed her fingers around the money. “Fine. What does your friend want?” She nodded to Brook, punching something into the register and scribbling something on Lorcan’s cup. “Whipped cream on top, right?” He grinned, nodding - and looking a little like an ecstatic child who’d just gotten a toy he’d been coveting for quite a while. Lila rolled her eyes, turning her head to Brook.

♣ ♠ ♣

“Actually,” Cleo licked his lips, resting one hand atop her head, “I was thinking about moving out.” He blinked his eyes, staring up at the blank white ceiling with it’s recess lighting and a slight frown on his lips. How long had he been living there? Almost five years … He let out a long sigh, and he’d never really been alone without Rio - not that he was all that worried for himself. Worried about her, really - Rio wasn’t the kind of person that like to be alone. At least not when it came down to it - even when she had been away on trips she always made sure to go with Olive and called him constantly when she was by herself. And Rose wasn’t going to be there much longer, since she and Devarion were talking about getting a place of their own. And Rio would never move out with him and Monkey - it would be a direct blow to her pride. And he didn’t want her going back to Rene. At the rate they were going, their relationship would be good and over soon, and he wanted to keep her on the right track and, therefore, had not mentioned his thoughts of leaving to her. “If - well, when we do, I want you to seriously think about coming with us. I’ve been looking at a few places. I think we could be out of here by Valentine’s Day.” He raised his head, looking down at Rolex, who was attempting to devour his socks.

He reached around her, tightening the blanket around them both, and rolled onto his side, tucking her to his chest, then buried his face against her neck. “I’ll live - and you know, it’s much nicer to have you work the kinks out of my neck. Kyrekk can keep Daniela. She’s fantastic, but she’s a little rough.” He nuzzled her shoulder, pressing his warm lips against her soft skin, nudging the fabric of her (his, technically) shirt to the side. He tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her, if possible, even closer. “God, this is comfortable.” He sighed, letting his eyes fall closed. She was right though - they should sleep in a bed. He was liable to roll off the couch and drag her with him, and that would have them both hurting. “All right, we’re going to bed.” He sighed, pushing himself off the couch and scooping her up to carry to his room. He needed to change clothes anyhow - it was bad to sleep in tailored pants and sequined shirts. He deposited her on the bed, crossed to his dresser and pulled out a pair of boxers and some flannel pajama bottoms, then walked off to the bathroom for a quick shower, in and out in less than ten minutes, dressed and still damp. He noticed that Rolex was conspicuously absent from the couch and realized why on his way back into his room. The mutt was on his side of the bed! In the place that Mochelle usually inhabited around four in the morning because of “nightmares” and “the Boogie in the closet”. He sighed, turning off the lamp and dropping onto the mattress, pulling the sheets and thick blanket up for the second time. He would have pulled Rina to him - but she was on the other side of Rolex, who had just thrown his massive golden body over Cleo’s chest and was breathing heavily in his ear. He groaned, but closed his eyes anyhow, reaching one hand up to ruffle the dog’s ears, his other hand reaching out to brush his fingertips beneath the back of Rina’s shirt.

♣ ♠ ♣

There were a few things about Daniela that could infuriate Kyrekk like nothing else on planet Earth. One of them was the way she could handle him calmly and more often than not, treated him like a naughty toddler. “Are you suggesting that I run all of your boyfriends off?” He asked incredulously - though, really, she was right. He took great pains to make sure she could never fall into a serious relationship. It was sad, really, the lengths he went to just to make sure he was the only man in her priorities, and he didn’t even have the nerve to ask her out. But it was for her own good! “None of them are good enough for you!” Yes, he may has well have just confessed that he made great efforts to ruin her love life, but it wasn’t as if she wasn’t smart enough to know that herself. “They’re all stupid - and if I can scare them away, then they apparently aren’t very loyal, are they?” He scowled, refraining from stamping his foot on the floor because he highly doubted it would help his end of the situation.

“And you know what? That’s all my relationships are - one night stands! Why are you so bent on having a boyfriend?” He pursed his lips, annoyed with his own question. “I wasn’t asking you out,” he added quickly in defense. Because she was right - if he was going to make the effort of finally asking her on a date, it was most certainly not going to be in the middle of one of his tantrums. “And I - hey, don’t throw things at me!” He bent down, plucking the loufa up off the floor. “And don’t patronize me! I wasn’t even thinking about that!” Though having his head petted did sound nice … Damn her! He turned his eyes to the various plastic and glass bottles that littered the edges of the tub, knowing exactly what she was planning if he refused to leave. “Don’t you dare throw anything else at me, Daniela Adanessa. You do not want me to come over there.” He narrowed his pale grey eyes, chucking the loufa back at her.

He clenched his jaw, glaring at her, and dropped back against the door. “You are so infuriating!” And she knew it. He knew every moment he stayed was a step closer to having a glass perfume bottle tossed at his head, but he didn’t want to leave. He wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of knowing she’d successfully kicked him out because he was not about to lose this argument. Even though he could barely recall what either of them were yelling for, other than the sake to simply be yelling because that was how they interacted best. Oh yes - he didn’t want her to have a boyfriend.

No, no, that wasn’t it. She didn’t want him to be her boyfriend? He grunted in annoyance. “You never answered my question. Damn evasive maneuvers - what if I wanted to be your boyfriend?” He pressed his lips into a thin line, straightening up again to glare at her some more, as if it would force an answer out. He doubted he was going to get one though - she’d probably just chuck some more stuff at his head and scream at him to get out, which he wasn’t looking forward to. “You know what? Nevermind. Forget it.” He huffed, turning around and opening the door, pulling it closed behind him again and stomping over to her bedroom door. He wasn’t hungry anymore though - and he wasn’t in the mood to watch TV, he’d probably get mad at Eric on That 70’s Show and end up smashing the TV or something. He growled, turning and walking quietly back to her bed, laying down on the silky red sheets and snuggling his face into her pillow, his back to the bathroom door.

♣ ♠ ♣

“I know, I’m turning into a successful multitalented man. What are you going to do with me?” He sighed, setting down the plate piled high with French toast, then dropping two more empty plates on the island, followed by the pot of warmed peach preserves with a ladle. He wasn’t about to bother with serving dishes. He turned away again, plucking two forks and knives from a drawer, laid them down, then grabbed the milk carton and sat it down with a couple of glasses. “Sit down and eat.” He commanded, pushing a plate toward her as he hopped up into one of the four stools that were lined up along the island. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in ages,” he muttered - and really, it could have been ages. He hadn’t consumed anything since noon the previous day. He may has well be starving. But he’d been so ridiculously busy - four meetings - one being an emergency - an import crisis, a lunch where he’d been too nauseous to put anything in his mouth except for lemon water, various phone calls from both his mother and Emily - both of whom he’d been taking extensive measures to ignore.

He stabbed three slices of toast and dropped them on his plate, drowning them in peachy sauce. He’d have gotten up to grab the whipped cream, but after the first bite, he figured it wasn’t worth it to tear himself away from his food. “So,” he turned his head back to Tatanya once he’d made sure to swallow everything in his mouth. In spite of his somewhat crude nature, table manners were, in fact, something Arathorn possessed. “I haven’t seen your costume for Kyrekk’s party yet - actually, I don’t even know if you ever told me what you were going to be.” He raised a curious eyebrow, stuffing another bite of French toast into his mouth, pouring milk in both of their glasses, and drowning the mouthful down his throat. He knew that Cleo was going to be the White Rabbit, Mochelle was going to be Alice, Rosalie a flamingo, Leanelle was to be the Queen of Hearts (a fine match, he thought, since she’d been acting like even bitchier than usual lately), Kyrekk and Lorcan had settled on Tweedledee and Tweedledum - also a good match - and he thought he heard Daniela mention something about the Cheshire Cat. Rhyan was going to be a card soldier, as were himself and Devarion, and Jareth was, of course, going to be the Mad Hatter. “Ah - a flower? Are you going to be a flower? Who’s going to be the Caterpillar …. I bet they’ll make Jeeves do it …”

[Anime_Girl_4216]

She blinked at him in surprise... She thought he loved the apartment he was living in, the trio of him, Rio, and Rose had been living together for as long as she could remember... To want to move out on his own was... a big step for him, though Mochelle was getting bigger and her room was starting to look really small in comparison with all the things she owned and her large collection of stuffed animals. Looking up at him again as he then mentioned for about the second or was it third time that he wanted her to come with him. Nodded her head silently she smiled, “That sounds like a good plan to me.” she murmured softly. She had been living with Jess and Tanya for the better part of four years; maybe it was time that she would 'strike out' on her own. The apartment was getting cramped and besides..... Most of them were in a relationship of some kind and it was hard everything Chelly would want to come over and want to poke her head into every crevice of their lives.... Her roommates loved the little girl so much, but she knew that on occasion Chelly would start to ride on Tanya's nerves... Not because she was a great annoyance or anything like that but Tanya preferred to have the child at their place in small doses.... So for the sanity to Tanya and everyone else, it might do them all well if she was to move in with Cleo.... It might be fun to be living with him and also Chelly... the little girl would be tickled pink at that notion since she would always throw a tantrum whenever Rina would want to leave for the night.

“Next time you go looking at places give me a call and I'll come along. I'd like to see where you have been looking at moving to. Valentine's Day? That would be the perfect amount of time to get everything together and tie up all the loose ends... Rolex!” she said in a cross tone looking down at the dog who had started to disrupt their quiet moment. Chuckling softly as Cleo turned on his side she resituated herself so her head was resting in the nook between his shoulder and his chest, her arm draped comfortably over his side as she then sighed contentedly, “Mmm, I can do that... Daniela rough? Where in the world did you ever get that notion?” She asked with a giggle. Dani was famous for her massages but she had to agree with Cleo... She had been working on the likes of Kyrekk and Lorcan to long; she needed refine her touch again. Squeaking as he pulled her closer to him she wrapped her legs around his as he let out a sigh, “MmmHmm.... I couldn't have said it any better.” she sighed softly, the couch was actually rather big maybe they would both be alright if they were to stay there for the night.... No, knowing them Rolex would start moving around at the bottom of the couch and then it would roll the two of them to the floor... That had already happened before and she really had no desire to...

She groaned in protest as Cleo then sat up but then just laughed as he picked her up, her arms wrapping around his neck as she dropped her head to his shoulder, “Good thing... Your shirt was starting to leave imprints on my face.” she murmured sleepily as he dropped her to the bed. She curled into the bed as she pulled the blankets up and snuggled into the bed. She faintly heard the door opened as paws padded against the floor and then the large form of Rolex flopped down beside her, “Get down Rolex.” She mumbled to the dog but he didn't move. Rolling her eyes as she fell into the almost asleep stage but was waiting for Cleo to come back she sighed.... But then only a few moments later he appeared and she felt the bed dip as he got in. Opening her eye as she felt his hand brush her skin she sat up to look at the dog that was now almost covering his master's frame, “Rolex move.” She murmured but the dog didn't move until she raised her hand and then snapped her fingers. The dog groaned a low protest but then slowly got up off of Cleo's chest and sauntered to the bottom of the bed, lying down on their feet with a soft thud. She chuckled as she moved closer to Cleo's frame and then placed her head on his chest as she curled to his frame... Much more comfortable, “G'night Cleo.”

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~



“Are you going to deny it?” She rumbled back at him matching his tone to the tee. Blinking as he then all but confessed to it her eyes narrowed as her lips pulled downward into a frown, “And who exactly are they being compared to? You?” She retorted with a huff her upper body rising out of the bath as she reached out to grab another bottle tot then potentially throw at his head, “Well of course they would be scared away by you, you're a six foot five man who probably threatened bodily harm to them if they weren't to turn on their tails and drop me like a hot potato...Who wouldn't comply with you except for me!” She snarled loudly as her eyesight started to haze over red, “So sue me for wanting some kind of a stable relationship in my life other than with my brother. Is it so difficult for you to believe that since you are my client I'll still have your best interests at heart? I might have a significant other but then that doesn't change our core relationship! Why do you have to be such a baby all the time?!”

Looking at him as he then admitted that he wasn't asking her out somewhere in the back of her mind she sighed softly...The smallest desire to be asked out by him had just been crushed, though she had probably been asking for his response... She hadn't really left him much else room than that, “I'll do as I damn well please, this is my apartment, and I don't have to take orders from you since I am off the clock.” she huffed, “Don't you even lie... I know you better than that." Raising an eyebrow in defiance as she then raising the bottle over her head she sneered at his threat, "Please, I'd have you knocked out before you could even count to three.” She hissed batting the incoming loufa into the water beside her as she stared him down, their eyes never wavering from each other as he then sunk down against the back of the door. “I do try my best; you of all people should know that since we are together almost every hour of everyday..... Besides, Infuriating is my middle name and you can even double check that with Tristan if you want to.” She retorted with a wicked smile, sarcasm dripping from every syllable that came from her lips.

She was going to get him out of this room if it was the last thing that she did. But then as he then opened his mouth to rehash the original question she huffed silently, “I doubt that you would want to be my boyfriend. You'd rather have me as your slave since that is what my title should be instead of your manager. I cater to all of your needs better than any girlfriend you have ever had so you could really say.....” She trailed off as he then huffed and turned to walk out of the room, “I was giving you an explanation before you just decided to WALK OUT OF THE ROOM!!” she roared to the shut door and then retreating stomping falls of feet. Throwing her hands up over her head as she let out an infuriated groan she dropped her head against the rim of the tub which sounded a dull THUD and then a loud curse from Daniela's lips. That man was going to kill her one of these days and then she would be able to come back and haunt him for the rest of her days.

Opening her eyes as she then started at the disappearing bubble she growled as she then attacked her hair with the shampoo. There was no way she was going to relax in the bathtub now, Kyrekk had effectively thrown that vibe out the door, what she needed now was to get changed grab a drink and then curl up in bed.... No, she couldn't even do that since Kyrekk had probably taken over her entire bed like he normally did. Rinsing her hair and then starting on her body she muttered to herself how she would be killing him tomorrow and leaving no trace of evidence in her wake. Quickly rinsing the soap from her body she pulled her legs out of the bath and then stood up. Her ankle wasn't hurting as much anymore so that meant she hadn't sprained it so Kyrekk was in the clear for that one. Toweling off her body and her hair she threw the large towel around her frame and then stalked into her room ignoring the lump on her bed to grab her night clothes and her undergarments before returning to the bathroom to slip into them. Reemerging from the bathroom she was clad in a set of dark red silk pajamas which were the perfect offset to her sheets. Staring at the lump for a second she rolled her eyes as she bypassed the bed and then headed back toward the living room and kitchen where she pulled the bottle of Coconut Rum and her bottle of Coke from the fridge and fixed herself a stiff drink before then pulling the bed frame out of the seat of the couch and then threw herself down and flipped on her stereo which had in the ‘Across the Universe’ Soundtrack and settled in for the night. There was no way she was sleeping in her room...She would fall over dead before she would sleep in the same room as Kyrekk Lyrical Van Iccillai.

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

“I don't know... I'll have to think about it and get back to you.” Looking at him as she laughed softly she rolled her eyes as she then followed his orders to sit down, “You don't have to tell me twice to eat.” she murmured with a chuckle reaching for a fork as she then waiting for him to dish out the food, “Mmm.... Good idea with the milk, though I think I might want some Orange Juice if you have any.” Stepping back down from her seat as she walked over to the fridge and then staring at what he had inside she smiled as her fingers wrapped around the OJ carton and then carried it back to the counter just in time for him to start dishing up the food and shoveling it into his mouth, “Such manners, I don't think I will ever be able to compare to your skilled talents.” she murmured with a smile as she pierced two of the pieces of the toast and then covered them with the syrup and dug in, “Mmm....It's delicious.” She murmured after she had taken a few bites and washed it down with some of the milk which she finished and then walked back over to the sink to rinse out her glass before pouring herself some Orange Juice.

“Umm... I thought I did tell you... Honestly I'm not really sure what my costume is yet... Cleo hasn't let me see anything, though he kept me like two hours last week to make sure that I hadn't gained any weight so I would still be able to fit into the costume... Though to my surprise I had actually lost a half an inch all around.... Cleo didn’t seem overly pleased about that but I’m as happy as a gal could be... Besides, it’s better to be taking things in than letting things out.” She said with a smile smoothing her hands over her torso. The past few months of going to the gym faithfully had been doing wonders for her body and for her state of mind. She was more focused and had more energy than she'd had in the past few years of living in the city. She picked her head up from her food as he then started to guess what her costume was going to be. Nodding her head as he then mentioned about being a flower. Taking a sip of her OJ before opening her mouth she smiled, “Yea Cleo decided that Jess, Brook, and I are going to be flowers.... But since he had no desire to do those cheesy flower costumes he's put a spin on the costumes and will be having us be flower pixies....what those costumes are going to look like I have no clue. We will see when we get to the party tonight.”

[Exogent Remedy]

Brooklyn wanted to roll her eyes when he linked arms with her. Really, was he afraid she was going to run off on him or something? Spending time with him was better than sitting around alone like a bump on a log... and much better than sitting in the apartment with Kryekk and Deniela in the latter’s room. Or about the apartment. If he was going to link arms with her, he could have at least told her that before she left the apartment. Then she could have worn heels. It wouldn’t have been so awkward then. She didn’t try to pull her arm away though. It wasn’t that awkward, she supposed. Though she currently felt like a badly dressed midget standing next to him. She should have at least grabbed her hat. Then she wouldn’t feel as short... but she would have looked even more ridiculous. So maybe it wouldn’t have made that much of a difference. In fact, it probably wouldn’t have, and she wasn’t going to go back to get it... or heels. He hated wearing heels. She wouldn’t wear them unless she absolutely had to. Which happened more often then she would have liked when she was hanging around with Lorcan. She dealt with it though, just as she was going to have to deal with the fact that he was currently towering over her, and yet practically insisting he had his arm linked with hers. Not that he had said that in any way.... his actions were pretty clear to her, that was all.

She laughed at the expression Lorcan turned on her when she informed him of what was going on in her apartment. “Well, that’s what you think. Since I had no choice but to have such knowledge, I simply had to pass it on to you. And, I’ll have you know, that ridiculously tall men such as yourself and your cousin, running around naked like a two year old, is really not something that would bug me whatsoever. In fact, any man running around naked wouldn’t bother me. I wouldn’t spare most even a first glance.” She nodded her head emphatically, one eye closed as she looked up at him with the other. “I lived in a house of nudists three different times over the course of my life, all for at least a year. And there were a lot of men running around the house naked for whatever reason.” she looked away from him to see that they were indeed there. She didn’t even spare the menu a glance when she went in, just listening to what Lorcan was saying. She frowned, thinking about her options, before shrugging. “You know what... pick something for me. I really don’t care at the moment.... Just no Expresso. I can’t stand it,” she was sure he wouldn’t pick anything horrible... the only problem was he might choose too much... in which case she’d just give whatever was left to him. She was sure he’d eat... or drink it, no matter what it was.

[La LeClamour]

Laying on Dani’s bed, he, of course, heard her as soon as she exited the bathroom, walked over to the bed, plucked up her clothes, and then retreated back to the bath. She was ignoring him or thought he was asleep, because she hadn’t even bothered to smack his leg or mutter an obscenity in his general direction. He preferred to think she thought he was asleep because he hated when she ignored him.

He heard her reenter the room from the bath for a second time, and frowned into the silk pillowcase when she departed the room - not even stopping to pick something up and throw it at him. He groaned to himself. Yes, he was very aware that he was an idiot. Yes, he did indeed want her to stop being mad at him so she could come back and pet his head. He rarely managed to piss Daniela off so much that she refused to sleep in the same room as him - and apparently, he figured as he heard her turn the stereo on, this was one of those nights. He sighed, pulling himself off of the bed and making the quick decision that he would ask her out the next day. Today would be too eventful - she wouldn’t have time to think and would probably push the thought away and outright refuse, especially after this little spat. No, he would send for flowers later, make a few phone calls, and ask her to come out with him the way he would any other girl he was interested in.

He ran his fingers through his hair, walking out into the living room, frowning when he saw that Daniela had pulled out the couch bed and seemed to have settled in for the night, listening to the music, one hand holding a glass of what looked like Coke, more than likely laced with Coconut Rum if he knew her as well as he thought he did. He walked over - knowing that he was probably begging for a beating - and sat down on the edge of the bed. He knew he should apologize, but it wasn’t something that he typically did. At least not verbally. His apologies consisted of flowers and expensive trinkets and snuggling his head into Daniela’s lap so she could scratch it - the well known signal that she was finished being mad at him. And he wanted that. A lot.

“If you’re going to bed, go to your room.” He sighed, frowning at the glass in her hand. He was about to say ‘You’re being ridiculous’, but thought better of it. Even if she was being ridiculous, so was he, and they both knew it. “How do we manage to find the stupidest things to fight about?” He wondered aloud, falling back so his head was at her feet, glaring up at the ceiling. The only thing that could begin to mend this argument, like any other, he knew, was to apologize. “I’m sorry,” He grunted, “that I act like a temperamental two-year-old.” He tilted his head, looking up at her, very aware that she was probably contemplating kicking him in the head. “But I am not sorry that I intentionally scare away all of your boyfriends by threatening to drag them up to the fortieth story of this building and toss them into traffic.”

♣ ♠ ♣

“I swear there has to be something wrong with him,” Thorn shook his head, rolling his eyes at the thought of Cleo. “We’re surrounded by crazy people. Jareth has split personalities or something, Kyrekk and Lorcan are …. Well, there has to be something wrong with them. And Cleo is a cross dresser and must have been a woman in a past life.” He took another bite of French toast, chewing thoughtfully. “I’m just spoiled - so I don’t qualify as insane. Oh, Rhyan, too. Something very wrong with him and all those numbers … And Jeeves, for putting up with any of it.” He shrugged, shaking his head, grabbing his fifth piece of toast to smear around in the leftover peach sauce on his plate.

“I called my mom back while you were getting dressed - she left me about ten messages.” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I told her I’d go to lunch with her this afternoon - which means you have to go away.” He grinned. “Or come with me.” Tanya hated his mother - and as far as he could see, his mother certainly didn’t like Tanya. Of course, his mother had started it and she was usually on her best behavior with Tanya whenever Thorn was around, but he could tell. And then, of course, there was Tatanya’s testimony, which he believed wholeheartedly. His mother could be a terrible witch. “I want the two of you to get along.” He added, looking at her carefully. “Or at least learn to be civil to one another. I know my mother can drive anyone up the wall, but she’s … Still my mom.” He finished the last bite of his breakfast and stood up, carrying his plate to the sink to rinse it and load it into the dishwasher.

He turned, picking up the frying pan and the bowls and utensils he’d managed to soak in egg or milk or something or other and rinsed them as well, stowing them away in the beautiful piece of modern technology that kept him from having to do any real work. “Actually, she’s having a dinner party at Thanksgiving and you’re coming with me.” True, the dinner party was nearly a month away, but the sooner he warned her, the better. Because he wasn’t about to let her wiggle out of the occasion. “And you’re going to pretend to enjoy yourself and that you love the house and the decorations and the tiny elf food on the cute gourmet plates and that you wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.” He looked over his shoulder as he washed his hands, grinning at her.

♣ ♠ ♣

Lorcan poked his lower lip out as Brook requested that he order for her, then shrugged. “She wants the same thing I’m getting - and can you cut two slices off of one of those pumpkin breads?” Lila rolled her eyes, but waved him off with an assent. He complied, tugging Brooklyn along to a small table. There were a few people in the shop, but the corner he picked out - right next to the book case and a giant potted palm - was deserted.

“So,” he raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair once they were both seated. “About these nudists? Running around the house naked? I’m sure you’d get used to it, but I highly doubt you’ve seen a man who could be compared proportionally to Kyrekk or myself.” He grinned, glancing up as their coffee - and his giant bag of pumpkin bread - was brought over. He lifted the disposable cup to his lips, taking a sip of the mixed chocolate and frowned, lowering the cup to the table again. Apparently there was a reason why there was a printed label at the bottom that read ‘CAUTION: THIS BEVERAGE IS VERY HOT’. Oh well.

He rested his elbow on the table, dropping his chin to his palm. “You are going to my cousin’s party tomorrow aren’t you? If you don’t I won’t have anyone to protect me from the uninvited fan club.” He’d heard Brook talking to Daniela the other night about something or other that was interfering with her schedule - which Cleo caught wind of and absolutely wouldn’t have because then he would be down one flower fairy and heaven forbid that.