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 Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:20 pm
Anita grinned, listening intently as Felicia explained. She couldn't help but laugh, covering her face with a hand at his admitted confusion. "My uncle's a mechanic so I just pick stuff up as I go..." Really, she didn't know the ins and outs but she picked up on jargon and, especially, sounds. She could tell what certain knocks meant, when valves and pipes were dirty or clogged just from listening, but when it came to the real nitty gritty she was about as lost as Mordekai.
At Dr. Mancinelli's approach, Anita offered a wave. It'd been so long since the hospital, Anita didn't recognize her at all. She'd gotten much more well acquainted with the floor of Mordekai's room than the doctor's face.
"Ahh, I'm drivin'. Thanks, though," she waved the offered stout off, though something about it was strangely tempting despite her generally having no interest. Maybe the setting. The people. "Can you guys save my seat? I got a food baby brewin'," Anita pushed up from her seat and took a quick glance to Tango who'd decided to lay down near a bush and sprawl out.
Cruz rumbled pleasantly at Jillette's confirmation. The frei smiled and took her small hand gently in both of his, leaning closer as she called his name. Yes, he hadn't gotten anything tasty. Anita offered him a peck but it was just the one and she kept it brief. It was more like a sample than a snack, even.
Emerald eyes fluttered at the girl's bashful kiss. In terms of nourishment it hadn't been much better than the one Anita gave him but it was a kind offer all the same and he soaked up the resulting warmth of her small lips upon his skin. "Thank you," he purred with some satisfaction, "Kisses are very sweet. I'll eat up any I get." Cruz's fins shuddered against the chilled air as he leaned over to return the peck to Jillette's brow while her hand was still lightly clasped between his.
Jerri was quiet, though, and the frei took notice. He glanced back to look for the dog and smiled at both children. "Want to pet Tango?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:40 pm
Dr. Mancinelli rejected the stout as well, though Felicia was eager to raise her hands up to Farreer and catch the two bottles anyways, for herself and Mordekai. Mordekai had already pried open his drink-- he'd finished his Heineken earlier-- and took a long, eager swig, stopping only when Anita addressed her leave. He nearly choked on his drink while Felicia laughed and waved Anita off.
"Best of luck in there, miss," Skye shouted: a few of the boys laughed, and Farrer also called out in tune. "It's gonna be a nursery here by the end of the night!"
"I'm gonna throw s**t at all of you if you make our bathroom biohazardous," Mordekai glared at the boys, "I just got the thing cleaned."
Dr. Mancinelli shrugged at Mordekai. "Defecating is a natural process." Coming from a doctor, it roused more laughter from the boys, who collectively still took great interest in shitty humor, more or less-- Mordekai responded with a fake sigh of exasperation.
Jerri was already staring spacily at Tango by the time Cruz had addressed him. He slowly turned his attention to the Frei, and nodded lethargically-- the boy was obviously tired, though his wide eyes made it obvious that he desired being awake. Jillette was still practically glowing from Cruz's kiss, her free hand pressed to her cheek as she blushed a flush pink. She giggled, slightly, and offered another playful kiss on the cheek to Cruz when he was facing Jerri. It caused the young boy to stare at his sister, and the boy ended up blushing as well. She kissed him! They had placed a bet in the car that Jillette wouldn't be able to-- now that she did, he had no choice but to maintain his promise and kiss the Frei as well. How did she muster up the courage?
"I want to pet Tango," Jerri affirmed, nodding his now pink face assertively. He walked over to Tango and stared at the hound, his small hand reaching to pet his back. Jillette was waiting, he knew this-- but he needed time!
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:01 pm
She caught his choke and Skye's call, giving an almost aggressive bought of laughter without looking back at them as she headed back into the house.
The second kiss surprised him as well, this time issuing a pleased mewl. Cheek kisses were closer to his mouth. That meant they were more flavorful, more nutritious. Even if someone couldn't, for one reason or another, offer kisses directly to his lips then anywhere on his skin would do but the closer to his mouth the better. "Thanks," he purred.
Tango sat up as Cruz and the kids approached, leaning forward curiously to sniff at the air. They all still smelled like the food from earlier. He didn't flinch or shy away from Jerri's petting, accepting it immediately. His fur was thick but short, fluffy but a little coarse. He could probably do with a bath soon, a few small leaves and blades of grass clinging to him.
"He likes head scratchies," Cruz offered with a soft smile as he removed one hand from Jillette's and used just the tips of his nails to exemplify. Tango's mouth opened immediately and his eyes squinted, chin lifting. The dog looked like he was smiling as he panted gratefully.
Anita didn't take long in the john and she popped back through the kitchen on her way out after peeking into some of the other rooms to get a rough assessment of where everyone was. It was both to check on Duncan as well as make sure she was able to avoid Johan. As much as she wanted to engage the elder man, though, she was dying for some detox time and the folks out back seemed able to provide it at a faster rate.
Once back out, she flopped back in her seat and slouched low in it with an exaggerated huff of relief. "I think I dropped a weight class."
Adjusting after a second, Anita sat up and looked over towards Cruz, the kids, and Tango. Her flop caused one sleeve of her hoodie to drop and hang down to her elbow but she didn't bother fixing it yet.
"I'd say another five minutes and you can wrestle him, if you're still interested," she smirked to Mordekai, propping an elbow on the back of her chair.
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:29 pm
Duncan was still preparing and unloading things from the kitchen before announcing dessert time, which meant he was largely isolated from the company of others. He waved at Anita between moving platters to the kitchen island-- which was now significantly packed-- from the counter. The silver vat from the freezer and the ice cream inside was left with the pies to finish cooling.
Unfortunately, Johan caught sight of Anita as she was making her way to the backyard again. Unlike the time before dinner, where he was engaging in conversation between five people, he was now in a solitary spot of the couch talking to his girlfriend. Neither figures looked quite happy, but both of them were clutching one of Anita's Heinekens in their hands. Whether Anita noticed or not, when she finally stepped outside, Johan had excused himself from his girlfriend's presence to watch the crowd outdoors.
Everyone greeted Anita with a raise of their bottles-- even the doctor had one by the time Anita returned from the bathroom. Mordekai, with a straight face, asked solemnly: "Did it all fit in the toilet?"
A few of the boys exchanged bewilderered looks, but managed to laugh it off. Farrer dropped his bottle off with Lyons, who was already moving onto his second cigarette, and pat Mordekai and Anita's shoulders roughly before heading back into the house. "You inspired me," the man said, "Elysium is calling my name."
Jillette and Jerri managed to get ahold of petting Tango after a while, though they were initially hesitant in beginning. Jillette pined to hold Cruz's hands again, offering her own once or twice to see if he wanted to. When Anita mentioned Tango, Mordekai smiled a gaping smile-- he looked more enthusiastic than he had been the remainder of the day, to say the least, even despite his chills and empty stomach.
"I'm still more'n interested," he beamed. He took another whiff of Felicia's cigarette and took another swig of his bottle, which was by now surprisingly empty. Despite the relative lightness of the drink, it made him feel slightly on-edge and drowsy, which caused him to shake slightly, a tick that was noticeable only by the people that stood or sat near him. Felicia, whose hand was still around the chair Mordekai was sitting on, took notice-- she notioned toward the door.
"Let's head inside," the woman noted. "The night's only getting colder."
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:48 pm
Sputtering laughter sounded from Anita faster than she could prepare for it at Mordekai's comment. A hand clamped over her mouth and she let it taper off, smiling hard beneath her fingers. She nodded to Lyons, eyes crinkled with humor. "Unless there's radioactive waste under your house and we're just lying in wait for Turdzilla to come smashing through your plumbing, I think it's fine."
The frei was all too eager to take Jillette's hands and any physical contact offered. Hugs, kisses, getting his hair played with, just being touched, he soaked it all up like a sponge and was always eager for more.
Tango laid mostly still while the children amused themselves. Eventually, though, he'd taken to sniffing Jerri's arm and made it to his feet, giving quick rapid huffs from his nose as he investigated the young boy's clothes, fingers, face, and hair. Occasionally he'd offer kisses but not to the child's face, tail casually wagging all the while. When he grew bored, he started venturing away to pick up on other smells across the garden.
Anita propped one of her feet up on the side of the grill, slouching back in her chair comfortably. Mordekai's enthusiasm was duly noted and it made her smile. She could tell he was shivering but she was starting to as well, goosebumps creeping onto her pale skin, and just as Felicia suggested they head back inside she'd started zipping up her jacket and pulling the hood up.
"Is it okay to wrestle the dog in the house, though?" Duncan probably wouldn't mind, though she'd still feel weird allowing it without asking, but there were so many people inside today that space was limited. All the same, she took it as a suggestion that they head back in and she stood, pushing her chair in.
Three rapid and loud snaps of her fingers called Tango bounding back to the group. "Crocodile-ding-dong, time to warm up!" she called to Cruz, catching his eye. The frei offered one of his hands to Jerri as well and started calmly back toward the house.
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:39 pm
Once Anita voiced her concern, Farrer returned to the backyard, and Felicia shrugged at Anita's inquiry before heading back to the house. Mordekai took off the leather jacket and back to her before standing up and returning indoors without question-- if it meant things would move along, it was fine by him. A few of the boys looked up and debated returning to the living area, and while most chose to, while Skye and Garcia remained to finish up the last of their cigarettes and drinks. Garcia looked pointedly at his watch and added, "Hey, we should leave soon," before Farrer waved in dismissal.
Johan was obstructing the entranceway, of course-- Felicia raised her hand toward the man and opened the backyard for everyone. At the sight of Anita, Cruz, Tango, and the children, Felicia smiled especially to them, her dim green eyes surveying over them in curiosity and respectful affection. As they spilled back into the living quarters, Duncan was finishing up the last of his cleaning and prep for the dessert. The sudden re-entrance came at quite an alarm to him, though he paid no specal mind.
"Should we get the tables back where they were?" Felicia noted the emptiness of the two tables in front and looked back at Mordekai, who was still trying to shake off the cold by rubbing his upper arms. The blonde nodded, and a few of the men picked up the tables immediately, which allwed Mordekai to hop back onto the couch, next to where Johan decided to place himself. Mordekai rubbed his temples and looked back at the kitchen-- Duncan hadn't touched his towering platter of food-- and frowned, though he managed to grimace upon trying to call Tango's attention.
"C'mere, boy," he tapped the space on the couch next to him wearily, while attempting to recover some energy, "We're gonna play."
As Mordekai beckoned to Tango, Duncan walked toward the food counter, a pumpkin pie and vat of ice cream in tow, and glanced at Anita, Cruz, and the children. He placed the treats on the table, then took notice to Anita's cookies and candy, and quickly walked over to the counter to place them on plates. "Pumpkin pie, vanilla ice cream, and cream, for whoever wants it! There's also coffee that I can brew, for the grown-ups."
Jillette gasped loudly at the announcement, and practically tripped to rush toward the kitchen. Jerri remained with Cruz, as he was still conflicted-- he did have to keep his part of the promise, after all...
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:19 pm
Anita directed Cruz and the kids back inside first, paying a few more moments and idle comments with the boys who lingered. By the time she and Tango were inside she hadn't noticed Johan's presence as he'd already headed back into the living room. Tango followed everyone else into the living room though he mostly ignored people as he took some time to explore the new location. He sniffed and examined, ducked or dodged around moving bodies. In that time, Anita decided to help with table movement as well.
At Mordekai's beckoning, Tango approached but didn't wholly make his way to Mordekai so much as the couch. He sniffed at it, scrutinized the man's patting of the cushion beside him, and then tentatively brought a paw up. Before long he pulled himself up all the way and unceremoniously plopped against the arm rest.
The frei stayed with the kids until Jillette rushed away, leaving he and Jerri alone. Cruz didn't mind, he chuckled and stayed floating low with the young boy. He was completely unaware of the child's inner turmoil, let alone the standing bet, but he felt a bit better after Jill's kisses and his rune was pleasantly glowing.
"This is awesome," Anita commented while she surveyed what Duncan brought out, completely ignoring the offer of coffee in favor for the sweet treats. Her appetite still wasn't back in full swing so pie and ice cream probably weren't in order but once the candy and cookies were presented she'd grab a few of them.
Noticing Tango's placement beside the two Kantor's, Anita meandered over and crouched in front of her dog. "Wanna see something?" she asked Mordekai without looking, staring Tango down with a lopsided grin.
The living room, for all its activity, was fairly quiet and it allowed Anita to feel comfortable enough to start a low sound from her pursed lips. It took a second to get in full swing and become obvious that it was a howl to others but Tango knew that sound well and his ears perked instantly. His head tilted a little, eyes transfixed on Anita. The only sound that came from him was a low groan. Not the result she expected, Anita continued the sound but glanced to Mordekai and gestured with a hand for him to join in too. Only when others accompanied did it fully click in the dog's mind and he closed his eyes, leaning his head back to give a continuous howl like a wolf.
Cruz giggled at the display, always finding it fun when Tango and Anita howled together. He'd joined in as well to give the dog some encouragement but fell quiet again once Tango got a jump start. "Do you want pie or ice cream?" he asked Jerri, since he didn't seem anywhere near as enthusiastic about the treats as his sister and overall he'd been quiet for most of the visit.
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 11:19 pm
"Put coffee on, Duncan, please and thanks," Mordekai sounded to the bathroom, before leaning against the chair and trying hard not to get too comfortable with the premise. Johan was eying Anita still, and the boys returned to where Mordekai and Anita were to revel in the now-spacious area. Many of the women, including Rebecca-- who by then had been adamantly gossiping with her girlfriends-- delegrated themselves to where the dining table was now moved, their chatter like white noise against the encompassing warmth of pre-dessert and relaxation.
Duncan strated the coffee maker, and the machine began whirring idly. The coffee beans in there were about a week old, now, but Mordekai and Dunan were scrounching on their coffee grounds. Jillette grabbed a cookie off of the plate and stared at a whole pumpkin pie with want, though when Anita came around the bend, Jillette beamed happily at her and hummed gently. As Anita walked away with her treats, Duncan managed to help Jillette with portioning her share of the pumpkin pie and ice cream, and a few other people flooded in by the counter to pick up some pie. The cookies were quickly disappearing, though the candy remained mostly untouched.
Mordekai blinked a few times when Anita bent over in front of Tango, though he raised his brows. "I do," he responded, a smile growing on his face as Anita did her work on Tango. He watched intently and managed a small chuckle, before humming with agreement and joining Ania in on her howling tirade. A few of the amused men nearby Mordekai and began to do the same; Farrer and Skye inched up behind Mordekai, leaned over, and howled, mentally cheering Tango on to do what they suspected.
Mordekai laughe delightfully when Tango finally howled, then continued a bit longer to howl on. Jerri watched next to Cruz, his hand gripping the Frei's firmer and firmer, his ears completely pink. He looked nervously at Cruz when the Raevan addressed the boy, and he blinked, unable to comprehend what the croc was asking him. He could recognize that it was a question, though, and nodded cautiously.
Jerri soon let go of the Frei's hand and walked clumsily in front of him, his eyes locked to the Frei's-- he looked as if he were on the verge of tears. He quickly leaned forward to offer Cruz a chaste, nervous kiss on the lips, with his eyes squeezed so shut that his cheeks turned a rosy red. He staggered backward before circling around the bend of the couch, though, to the solace between Farrer and Skye. He did it, but he was awfully embarrassed.
Mordekai, meanwhile, hadn't noticed Jerri's spiel: he instead moved off of the couch and knelt on the ground. He watched Tango intently, then tapped his knee again. "C'mon, tahyo," he got on both knees, then pat them with both hands eagerly. He leaned forward, "Wanna gimme Hell?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 11:37 pm
Once he got rolling, Tango was eager to howl with even a single person who decided to howl with him. Mordekai's continued sounds urged the pup on and even after the humans stopped it took him a moment to follow. Anita'd been giggling to herself the entire time, excited that more people chimed in. Tango's tail had been wagging, excited for the social event that was howling.
Cruz was about to start on his way with Jerri to the table so he could portion out some of the sweets for himself when the boy's hand slipped out of his. He paused, smile disappearing at the sight of him being tearful. The frei raised his hands worriedly, brows knit tight above his widened eyes, and before he knew what hit him a warm feeling spread out over his mouth and seeped into his flesh. He could taste the food Jerri ate earlier, finally able to put a flavor to all of those delicious and enticing smells, and as he ran off in embarrassment Cruz lowered himself onto the floor with a pleased growl.
When Mordekai moved onto the floor, Anita took a seat there as well, closer to the couch. Tango watched him, his beckoning pats ushering the dog to his feet. Once both cushions were free, Anita pulled herself onto the couch with Johan though she kept the cushion in the center where Mordekai had been sat earlier completely free. It wasn't obvious but she scooched as close to the arm of the couch as she could manage to put as much distance between them as possible.
"Beat him," Anita quipped while fighting to keep a straight face, "Cut him down." Tango wagged at her encouragement.
After a few seconds to enjoy the feeling of a full, real kiss, Cruz picked himself back up. As much as he'd enjoyed that, Jerri certainly seemed bothered and now he'd run off. His eyes scanned warily until he spotted the boy's head near his hiding place with two men.
"Thank you," he spoke softly, giving a slow approach so as not to spookthe child. Cruz held one hand out idly toward him, offering only if he wanted. That certainly wasn't something he'd anticipated and he wasn't sure why it happened, or whether or not that was even the reason for Jerri's distress. If there was a problem, though, he would guide him to his mother. "Are you okay?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:38 am
Mordekai's knee patting only became more rigorous when Tango turned his attention to him. He crawled over and bowed lower in anticipation, while Skye and Farrer watched the ensuing interaction with vague amusement. "Till my skin like soil an' bury innit the seeds of war," he began, "Make me work, tahyo."
Farrer smirked loudly. Johan was still glancing occasionally at Anita-- it was obvious that he had no interest in Mordekai, or Tango, or the wrestling match, for that matter. He was fully aware of the empty space that existed between them, but he extended his arm over the cushioned void to give her a nudge on the shoulders. It was better to do this when Mordekai was distracted, he felt, which he clearly was now.
"Hey," Johan muttered, "Anita. You and I need to talk out back. I need to tell you some things."
Farrer and Skye moved over upon seeing the Frei float on over-- Skye looked down at the middle schooler clinging to his legs with a tentative frown. Jerri stared at Cruz, teary-eyed, before nodding his head as best he could for assurance. "M'okay," he whimpered weakly-- his spirits were a little less dampened when Cruz said his thanks, and he braved a step toward him. "I just want ice cream..."
Jillette skipped confidently over to where Jerri and Cruz was, a thin slice of pumpkin pie and vanilla ice cream displayed on her plate. She bit into it and looked curiously between Cruz and Jerri, her fork between her mouth. A sudden realization came to her: had he actually kissed Cruz? She attempted to suppress a laugh with marginal success, while Jerri welled with a confused mix of anguish and grief.
"Cruz said thank you," Jerri retorted, "He liked my kiss better than yours!"
"Nuh-uh," Jillette cooed, "Because I gave him two kisses! You probably only gave him one."
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:06 am
The bowing was what set him off. At first Tango just watched Mordekai's movements while his tail wagged with increasing vigor. As soon as he bowed low, the wolfhound shuddered and he stood at full attention. An excited rumble left the beast as he dropped on his front legs with his rear held in the air. It was on. Any movements from there were accompanied by light growling. Tango's play was rough and he didn't know how to keep his paws to himself once he started but he kept his teeth at bay. Even if excitement got the better of him, as soon as he felt distinct flesh between his jaws he stopped before any skin was broken.
Anita grinned while watching the two play, deflating casually against the couch as she relaxed and any lingering discomfort seeped away. Of course, they came right back when Johan nudged her. The action gave her a start and she flinched, one braid whipping over her shoulder as she turned to look at him. She blinked dumbly, glanced to Tango and Mordekai, to Cruz and the kids, and then quickly tried to scan for Duncan but looked back to Johan before she managed to spot him.
"Sure," her response was quiet, timid, and she pulled herself slowly from the couch. Before making her way to the kitchen and out the door, though, she gave another cheer for Tango. "Wear his blood like war paint."
Relief washed over the frei at Jerri's assurance. He dropped his arm back and nodded, "Let's get ice cream."
The two began meandering back toward the dessert table when Jillette reappeared. He smiled to her, though his brows were still upturned with sympathy at Jerri's discomfort. It confused him but if he said he was okay then he would trust that and not pry. Surely the ice cream would make him feel better anyway, since he requested it. Jerri's sudden and seemingly unprovoked announcement to his sister made Cruz double take.
A hand lifted to his lips, fingertips resting gently. "I liked both of your kisses," he mumbled in confusion, staring between them, "He gave me a lip kiss." It still wasn't enough to get full. In the chastest terms, he never felt full unless he was able to make out with someone but that was exceedingly rare. It was rare for anyone to offer him more than a second long peck, the projected intimacy involved in the act being too much for most people it seemed, and it was quite frustrating for the frei who only saw these acts of affection as a source of nourishment and comfort.
The walk to the backyard caused Anita's heart to hammer. She kept her gait steady but once it was just down to her and Johan her posture slacked, making her look smaller. Once they were outside, she rubbed one of her arms. The baggy sleeves of her hoody nearly covered her fingers entirely. "What's up?" despite feeling intimidated and indescribably apprehensive, she managed to look him in the eye.
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:44 am
A few of the guests were already making plans to leave after they had finished their pumpkin pie. When Johan addressed Anita, Duncan was not in the kitchen, but at the front doors, ushering in farewells to Jocelyn and Kashi before they left. It was evident that many others had gone by then as well, including Rebecca's friends as well as Anne's, with both parties ending the night with a slew of stories and anecdotes. Even Johan's girlfriend and her family were evidently gone-- this ultimately left only Mordekai's friends and Dr. Mancinelli, all of whom continued to lounge around at random parts of the house while drinking what they could.
Mordekai was playful and equally as rough, though he made sure not to aggravate or irritate the pup too much-- as Skye and Farrer cheered the two on, Mordekai just barely noticed that Johan and Anita had left, though his curiosity wasn't enough to make him completely halt his wrestle with Tango. Johan led Anita out to the backyard, where Garcia and Lyons were still. He beamed at the woman and trailed off to the side of the garden, nearer to the back door that led to the front porch.
"About my behavior during dinner," Johan glanced toward the house, then to Anita, "I'm sorry if what I said upset you. I didn't expect a topic so innocent as that to devolve into such a touchy matter. If you have anything you'd like to say about it, I would speak now."
Fortunately for Jerri, bundles of already-prepared platters of pie, ice cream, and cookies were on the counter. He wiggled up to one of the kitchen stools and picked up a plate, while Jillette remained eating where she was next to Cruz. She tilted her head; she was less upset at Cruz's response than she was curious, and it showed on her face. "That's okay," Jillette chimed calmly, "I didn't know Jerri gave you a lip-kiss! Isn't that not-allowed?"
"Is too," Jerri muttered, before quietly digging into his dessert. By now, Duncan was fully relieved of Joce and Kashi's company, and he made his way back towards the kitchen-- he paid mind to avoid getting in Mordekai and Tango's way, of course.
He noted the distinct lack of neither Johan nor Anita in the area-- when he glanced back at the garden, it was difficult for him to see anything from his perspective. He frowned.
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:02 am
The Petit children's gentle bickering confused but oddly amused the croc. Jillette's confusion over mouth kisses not being allowed made sense after Anita'd drilled it into his head what the societal standard for kissing was and he shrugged a little before Jerri responded. "Lip kisses are very nice," Cruz tapped his lower lip gently while he thought about wording. He wanted to say lip kisses were the best but he didn't want to display obvious favoritism that might be misinterpreted as a preference for Jerri.
"They make me more full," he eventually settled with something that sounded more noncommittal, hoping that would be good enough for Jillette.
Cruz had taken notice of Anita's departure from the room as well but hadn't thought anything of it, least of all that someone had left with her. When he wasn't speaking to Jerri and Jillette his gaze was on Tango and Mordekai, smiling at their shenanigans. Tango's eagerness was apparent; the more they rough housed, the more excited the dog began. He had a lot of pent up energy that wasn't easily distributed due to lacking dog friends and living in an apartment made this type of horse play difficult.
With the distant company of Garcia and Lyons, Anita felt a little better. She offered them both a surprisingly bright smile for how her nerves were acting up. Johan apologizing was the last thing she expected and it made her arm go limp. His follow up allowed her to gain control back, however, and she tucked her hands into her jacket pockets as she adjusted to a more casual stance. She didn't see how the topic had been innocent at all.
"Um... okay," she clicked her tongue and shrugged, "I mean it's not really any of my business, I just thought that was kind of a ridiculous expectation." Anita refrained from reestablishing that she had absolutely no idea what the situation was, Mordekai's emotional or mental state, as that would be too much like throwing him ammunition, but it was true and she knew that. It was also true she probably shouldn't have said anything because of that but if he wanted her to lay it on the table now then she would. "I don't know how serious you were being but that whole thing was the opposite of what I meant. I said that because not forming any attachments to avoid getting hurt's asinine."
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:38 am
Johan shook his head, immediately dismissive of what Anita had to say. "Yeah, you don't have to think I didn't get what you originally meant. I guess I shouldn't have expected you to understand, but what I said was used to imply an exception. We're dealing with a delicate matter in the family right now, and there's a lot of unnecessary grief because my brother is failing to understand that his lack of control is stressing everyone out, and he's not good at reigning in his emotions by cutting his losses."
The brunette narrowed his brows, "Even in terms of the topic we had before this-- the dog. It's unsafe for him to take care of something that's already dying because, again, he won't be able to manage the loss. He knows the family doesn't need that kind of stress right now. It's not like if you or I were in the situation-- we could deal with the situation just fine."
Mordekai had grown fully drowsy as everything kicked into his system, but he fought a good fight with Tango without relenting. While his initial movements were quick and precise, Mordekai was now growning lumbering and easily amused, laughing moreso than he was without the drowsiness and sudden kick of sleepiness involved. He managed to tower over Tango and rest his weight against him, though, his knees tucked in underneath Tango's torso so he could effectively sandwich him with affection-- he ruffled the pup's fur avidly and began singing, quietly, while attempting to lie down, canine towering above him.
"He's so f-iine," he murmured; he closed his blue eyes, "He's so very very fine--"
Jillette managed to finish her platter of dessert-- that was, she finished half and decided she was done with it-- and settled it on the stool. She placed her hands behind her back, ruminating over whether kissing was Not-Allowed or Very-Nice. She trusted Cruz's judgment, though, and nodded knowingly. "If I could, I would shower you in a thousand lip kisses, Cruz! Mom just says it's not allowed."
Coincidentally, Rebecca was now lonely enough to retreat into the kitchen, where she heard the signature voices of her children. She noticed that Cruz was preoccupying them, and offered him a warm smile in return-- she seemed surprisingly relaxed. "Hello, Cruz," she chuckled, "The kids wearing you out yet?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:53 am
Again she shrugged. Her eyes were attentive, though, and she didn't give any outward signs of being dismissive. When put forth a scathing emphasis, Anita's expression shifted and her brows matched his. She kept her lips in a tight line while she listened, fingers anxiously digging around at the stray threads in her pockets until he was finished.
"I guess," she stated flatly.
"Duncan thinks it's good for him in the mean time, though, and, honestly, I'm inclined to agree." Bringing up the notion of therapy dogs, considering his negative reaction in the hospital, struck a sour note with her but it was one of the things that popped into her mind all the same. "I'm sure he doesn't mean any stress. Cutting himself off and becoming an island's probably a bad direction to go in, too, though."
Tango was also getting tired. He kept up the play but took Mordekai's slowing down as a cue. Subsequent cuddles were not turned down and he allowed the larger man some leeway in handling him until they were laying down together and practically spooning.
All Cruz could do was smile at the notion. He nodded, lowering the hand from his mouth to rest lightly on his neck. "It's okay. Mouth kisses aren't allowed for Anita, either."
Rebecca's sudden presence brought the frei to hover a little higher off the ground. Cruz smiled at her, too, when he took note of her relaxed demeanor. "Hello," he returned pleasantly, then gave a low laugh, "No way. They're great." Cruz made sure to give a reassuring look to Jerri when he said it, then smiled to Jillette after.
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