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 Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:53 pm
“Ah! Sorry, you know me and fidgeting” He chuckled and brushed a knuckle over the end of his nose, it was an artifact of being -well- scolded out of chewing his thumb in thought. “Hey..before I forget, thanks for coming out here with me. I know I’m a pain in the patootie, but, I really do appreciate you for you.” He said and offered a small smile. Our next stop is to see if we can get it fixed. The problem if we get a new one here is region lock. *insert eye roll here for the state of the world* - ironically that might make it harder to fix too. We’ll make it work, promise. TY for the offer, you’re a good soul Jace. I’ll let you know if we need any help. I know what Xander can be like without his bromance. and then from Holden What would I do without you? I just don’t know.!! Going to suggest cooking!!! Pray it keeps me out of spangled green bootyshorts!!
Σ(°△°|||)︴(×﹏×) (╥﹏╥)
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:38 pm
Jace didn't answer for a moment, not quite sure how to respond. He wasn't good with 'thank you's, or emotional admissions, and he had to look away for few seconds to collect himself. "Whatever," he said. His ears were pink, the only indication that he had taken the words to heart. "You're talking kind of crazy. Why don't you eat a snack or something? We can get moving again in a minute. Is your ankle all right?" He didn't wait for an answer, not wanting to leave an awkward silence. He didn't like his brother's fidgeting, or his sentimentalities, if only because it meant that maybe there was something actually bothering him. Desperate to put Xander in a slightly better mood, he added quickly, "Q says their next stop is trying to get it fixed. If they can't fix it there, he's getting a new one," he said, because he wasn't going to take no for an answer if that's what it took to see his brother smile.
'Even if that's the case, I'll buy him one,' he simply affirmed to Q, ignoring her compliment, too. 'He can get another one when he's back home. Just make sure he doesn't leave the store without a working phone. Just tell me the damage and I'll transfer the money.'
Out of the danger zone with Holden too, he took only a few seconds to try and translate the faces; one of these days he'd have to sit down with Q and just ask for help, unless he could find some website to translate for him. His message was short, and to the point: 'I believe in you.'
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:48 pm
Xander huffed and laughed. “Yeah, I’m just feeling sentimental or something, maybe it’s the trees, maybe my parents were really into trees or something and it’s genetic.” He grinned. “My ankle is fine, if I bruised anything it’s my butt, but I don’t especially love sitting still anyhow, so it’s fine!” He offered. He did take out a small bag of trail mix and pinched some out to snack on. He enjoyed it… on a basic level, the peanuts were never quite what he wanted them to be but you didn’t mess too much with a classic. You are ridiculous, fine, I will let him know and I’ll tell my Mother as well.’ that in itself was a … round about sort of ‘threat’ since sometimes that earned you cooking (not always to a more American taste) or coupons to her store, hopefully for something other than acupuncture. Last time you’d both been lucky and she’d just loaded you with mochi. She did follow up with a picture of her, and her brother, and… the broken wreckage of his phone screen, she had it pinched carefully between her fingers while her brother looked, well…sheepish. Holden’s last message for now was simply a gif, a cat burying its face in its paws, also hard to translate, it could go either way when his family got involved. “Come on then, Let’s keep going, we can check on them again in a bit, and mayyyybe someone will have a functional phone.” teased Xander, sanding and dusting off again after tucking away about half the remaining trail mix.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:18 pm
Jace read both messages and managed another relaxed smile; he didn't reply to either of them, but held up the phone so he could see the picture of Q and Nelson. "He really did a number on it," he said, but made sure his brother could at least see his friend. He tucked the phone into his pocket, feeling less twitchy and dejected.
The water bottle and trash were safely tucked into the pack, and Jace stood holding the straps of the pack. He'd gotten a second wind and didn't look so much like the exhausted wraith he'd been an hour or two ago.
After standing up, he glanced to Xander, glanced back to the path, and took a few steps forward so he wouldn't have to see his brother's face.
"Thanks for dragging me out here. I guess. It was getting a little stuffy in my room, and. Well, whatever. You know what I'm saying."
Thanks for looking after me.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:28 pm
“Geeeeze.” Xander winced at the sight of it. “I.. man, it looks like someone stepped on it. Dang.” He shook his head. “Hey, no problem, you’re always the perfect person to do this kinda thing with.” He held up his hand for a high five. “You look like you got your feet under you, thanks for helping me get mine too, annnnd thank you for letting me know Nelson isn’t like, roadkill.” He shuddered, a flicker of something darker vanishing in a heartbeat behind a smile as he pointed up the trail. “Whatcha think… think we can hit that pond I flagged before we head back? I’ll do my best to keep up with you and your fleet feet.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:41 pm
Jace glanced back, eyed the hand, and when he realized he couldn't resist the urge to smack his brother in any way, shape, or form, hit the palm of his hand with his own as hard as he could. His own hand immediately stung, but he didn't let the blossoming pain, fleeting as it was, register on his face.
"I think we can hit it, yeah. I'd race you, but I think you used up all of your luck for today. We made it this far without anyone needing to be carried. I'm not going to jinx it." He wiped his hand off on the side of his shirt.
"Go on, lead the way. I want to see this pond. Maybe--maybe--if I do well enough on this exam and pass whatever test Mom has planned for me, we can go camping soon. Before the water gets too cold, or else there's no point in camping near it."
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:53 pm
“Fair, I will even watch where I’m walking just to make sure we don’t ruin your reputation as the best trail partner.” He grinned, shaking out his palm a little because gosh dang it stung. He set off with a fist pump, heading up the trail and adjusting his pack as he walked to settle better between his shoulders, whistling a tune that he sometimes did. He found the trail flag that pointed to a smaller trail, a thinner winding path but still well enough marked. It went down hill again which meant it would be a tiring walk back to where you started, but the path was beautiful, and the pond, surprisingly clear when it broke into view, an old weeping willow leaning over the water, dipping her toes and making a beautiful sweep of shade interspersed with cat tails and a few waterlilies. There was a spot on the far bank that looked like it had been used for camping in the past, but was also scattered with a thick bed of pine needles which would bake it quite comfortable and quiet. "Whatcha think? I know you'll pass the tests, but is it good enough to be a treat at the end of it?" Xander tipped his head.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 9:34 pm
As soon as Jace saw his brother shake out his hand, he seemed smug. The whistling was peaceful; he wouldn't admit that his brother had any musical talent, especially after all those years of screaming at how awful he sounded. He was good with a flute now, he supposed, and it was something he'd never felt like he'd had to compete with him on.
He didn't play any musical instrument--and his mother had never pressed for him to pick one up--which allowed him to actually appreciate the hobby.
At least, now that he didn't have to cover his ears any time Xander was practicing.
He'd seen plenty of tree so far, but there was something almost magical about a great weeping willow by such clear water. He wanted to go sit under it and read--and, even the thought of some horrible text book suddenly sounded a little less unpleasant when he thought about how nice it might be to read outside, in the shade of the tree.
He grumbled at his brother's words as he assessed the area, both pleased with the confidence and briefly imagining the shame of failure. He wouldn't let that come to pass, though.
He wouldn't be a failure.
"Yeah." He glanced back at the tree. "...Yeah, this place is nice. Even if we're not camping, I want to come back some time. Maybe for a picnic or something. You, and me, at least. If we can pry our little sister out here, her too."
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 9:39 pm
“I think she’d probably like it.” Xander nodded. “Even Mom might, if we pitched it as a quiet place to do homework.” He laughed at the thought bit not uproariously, he knew sometimes there were things that they had to do. “Couple tents, some marshmallows and gram crackers. We could make a good night out here.” He nodded satisfied. “Even if its too cool to swim I bet its a perfect spot for watching fireflies. Imagine them over the water? It’d look like the world was just made of little lights in the dark.” he sighed wistful for the thought. “Goals then, one way or another, we get back here and camp.” He nodded He hesitated, then pulled out his phone and took a picture, a moment later after some typing, your own phone alerted you to a message. "There, a reminder to the both of us to come back." He grinned.
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 12:37 am
Xander was such a dreamer, it wasn't fair. Jace looked across the water and couldn't imagine the fireflies until after his brother spoke of them, and then it was like the image lit up in his mind and he wanted it.
He didn't think he'd need a reminder to come back here, but he nodded anyway.
"Mom keeps talking about this big trip she might be going out of town for, some case she's been asked to consult on. I heard dad mentioning heading out too." He and Xander were adults, but sometimes they weren't exactly treated as such in their own household. "Might be nice to slip out when we don't have to go through twenty questions. But."
Jace did his best. He really did. His mother always seemed to be able to see right through him--and she didn't trust Xander with anything, so it's not like they had a good chance to plan an evening and not get caught, even with their parents out of town. "We'll see. Maybe if I get a perfect score, she'll cut us some slack," he suggested, and it was almost optimistic except for the part where it was also painfully out of reach.
Even if he aced all of his classes, the personal tests his mother handed out weren't designed to be passed. They were beyond hard--design to trick you, designed to humble you. Even when Jace thought he was doing well, somehow she could turn it into a complete failure. He didn't remember the last time she'd given positive feedback.
But then, she didn't really see the point of wasting time on that when there was so much that needed to be fixed. But Jace, in his heart, seemed to think he even stood a chance this time. Maybe it was the fresh air. Maybe he really thought he could study harder and get everything right. Maybe he just didn't know how to give up.
He looked to Xander as if for confirmation that it was at least a possibility.
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:47 am
The spark of delight and hope that flared up, not unlike a firefly in Xander’s eyes at the idea that they might, might have a chance to pull this off danced there for a moment as he nodded thoughtful. “I’ll help you however I can, flash cards, drills, something. I’ll make it fun somehow. You’ll see!” He nodded. “You’re already brilliant, and I know I’m no good at talking around her, she’s too good at what she does, but you -are, there are times when she’s quizzing you I -swear- you’d have won in a jury.” He gave a soft laugh but he was serious enough. “If you want it you can do it, it’s not a compliment, it’s a fact. So We’ll be here… we WILL. Just like one day we WILL get to go with our friends to -something, something fun like a faire or a trip. We will, just a moment to -live- before we’re all fighting for vacation time.
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:18 am
Jace nearly squirmed at his brother calling him brilliant, like despite how desperate he was to hear such things, he didn't know how to accept them from his brother--not when he had a front row seat to the criticisms at home. He wanted to believe it, wanted to think it was more than just pity validation.
...But he trusted Xander, and while he might expect pranking or fooling around or teasing, there were some topics that were absolutely taboo. Xander knew how he thought, how he operated, and how hard he worked for all of this. "All right, all right," he managed, and sucked in a breath. "You're right," he conceded.
"I got a little distracted with this essay, but I've got it now." The confidence was back; he didn't seem so rattled and overwhelmed. "I'm going to take a shower when I go home and finish it. I'll have it done before dinner--but read over for me."
He looked at the pond for a bit, at the tree, and he wanted this. He would work to earn this.
But, hit with an afterthought, he glanced back at Xander. "...You really think I could go toe to toe with her one day?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:51 am
“I will absolutely do that, I figure if I can’t find a way to be annoying with it, she’ll have a harder time too eh?” He grinned. “Not that her arguments won’t be better but, you know being irritating is like, my super power.” He chuckled. “But… yeah, Yeah I think you can. I think one day she’ll be doing the most…sour pickle sort of face and she’ll have to admit it or storm off to try and think of what she missed, but she won’t be able to because you’ll have absolutely whipped her. You got this.” He nodded.
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:27 pm
If Jace hadn't looked like he'd come back to life before, he did now.
"I'd like that," he said, because he loved his mother, for all her sourness and spikes. "I wonder if she'd be proud of me." The hope he tried to hide clung to each word. "But she hates to lose. The last time she lost, do you remember all the slamming, how many things she broke?"
He wasn't really one to talk about a bad temper, but even he could tell that she had lost it. When she wasn't slamming doors or dishes, she was yelling--lashing out at every single mistake or issue, like they needed to be punished for what she missed. She was needlessly cruel. Her husband spent the night at a hotel for nearly half the week. The three remaining in the house with her were left to fend for themselves. A younger sister sneaking into your room wasn't such a horrible thing, but even Jace found himself wanting the company of both siblings. The three of them had camped out together and watched stupid movies in near silence until the house calmed down.
"I bet she'd kick me out," he said after a few seconds, trying to imagine how she'd handle a loss in her own home. Maybe, he thought it was a real possibility. Maybe, he was just teasing; he looked away and brushed it off with a shrug. "...Then we'll both have to go live under a bridge."
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:45 pm
“I… think she’d be both, that’s why I figure you’d see her storm off first, She’d… loose first, and be proud when it caught up with her.” He admitted after a long chase after the thought of the whole situation. “Hey… HEY… if she kicks you out, I’m STILL trying to figure out the mini house situation, we could each have our own tiny place and it’s at least marginally better than under a bridge?” He offered. “See? I do have plans for the future, it’s just a future where a lot of things get broken and we live under a bridge, also at that point I think they are honor bound to dedicate the bridge to you.”
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