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>>She laughed softly, shaking her head<< I suppose one could call it that. However only in my family. >>The female softly blushed at the light kiss before he bobbed out of her arms. She shifted to the side to look down at him right before her pelvic bone recieved the same attention. He rose up again, having one hand reach up to brush at a bit of flour<< Now what was I just saying about someone seeing? >>She lightly teased before stealing the potholders out of his hands and moving back to the oven<<

>>At last, Anon was the unobservant one by not noticing he others smile, her finger slowly tracing the rim once more before joining the other in holding the cup<< Friends? >>A light frown before she drowned the last of her beverage down<< Yeah...I guess so. >>The female actually sounded surprised! Sad thing was...she was<< Mia...lucifer...solstice...aki...princess maryline, and Zell. Though to be fair, the first two I haven't seen in months, Maryline's always with Zell and I can only hope Sol considers me a friend. >>A deep breath, and she at last looked at him again, beaming. She never allowed herself to be down for long<< What about you? You live with Zell right? So you must be surrounded by people. Now that...would drive me insane.

A briefest flicker within the depths of his hazel-blue eyes. Her family. Damn. That was pretty much just her... with a laugh Zell shrugged the thoughts off, pushing the further train of them away until later. He wasn't any closer to becoming a prince...

"Aw. They'll probably just figure I'm bein' funny or something. 'Sides... no one did." He teased back, lightly flicking her posterior with the bottom corner of his apron as he reached for the cookie cooling racks to place them in reach then readied the next batch on their trays. "Dang but those smell good. Not burnt either." More teasing.

He nodded, absorbing her words. Really, it was another case of 'what could he say to that?' So he gave her a smile -though it was a little weak- with the intention to be reassuring. He did hope that one way or another Solstice considered the sweet girl her friend, and he understood about not seeing people you cared about as much when they were paired off. Just the nature of being in love.

Percy took another drink before answering. "Yes... and yes but no. I mean.. if I saw everyone all the time I'm sure I would be insane by now. Just those times I see a vast majority of them it's quite overwhelming and a lot to take in. But I do have my own room which is quite spacious and for the most part sound proof. Privacy is respected in one's own room as well. It's clean and comfortable and the majority of the inhabitants are cheerful even if that can be an annoyance in itself. It's actually quite nice, for except when it's my turn to check the shields I have freedom to do as I please -which is usually reading in my room or the library." Normally holed up in a corner or one of the window seats, the kitsu Remus' family either did not notice him or were courteous enough not to bother him. Quite likely the later. What with kitsu sense of smell.

Oh Hyne. The thoughts that jumped in his head at her words. Bad! Bad Zell! He leaned the tiniest bit into her touch and grinned while pouting. "Aw man, 'Line. Ya almost took half the fun out of it." If she took down the barriers... that would just leave Zell at poking at the next ones. Not necessarily a smart move. "How'm I s'possed to know if a soul sees anyway? I'm not one of the psys. How 'bout people with bods and things that can see?" Otherwise totally unfair. Sticking his tongue out at Maryline, Zell put the new trays into the oven and set the timer. Leaning against it he reached out one hand on either side of Maryline's waist & gave a small tug to bring her close. "So... drizzling cookies with caramel... let them cool for a few minutes... or longer do'ya think?"

He was opting for 'cooling'... personally. "And what about tasting these? Dang 'Line... I don't think I could go 24 hours without touching ya." His eyes grew soft, then intently he found himself searching her eyes. "Could you?"

A laugh, sharp. "Not with those that can read thoughts without occlumency. But it's still possible."

Percy's chin dropped. Then he laughed. "Yeah it would. We didn't do that though. Mostly decorations and carols. Trel thinks presents should be given when you want to give someone a gift not just because it's socially acceptable. Says it gets away from the purpose too. So Christmas was about family pretty much this year. Even the Rasputins helped trim the tree -and they're atheists." Sip. "But yes... that would be terrible on someone's funds.... and there would be a lot of junk gifts at that price-range so I gotta agree with Ms. Trelweny & this 'only some presents' Christmas."

Hazel-blue eyes twinkled. Soooo... she liked testing his resoursefulness? That was fun for her? Hot damn, he loved this woman. He waggled his brows at her as if to say: 'what of for you? guess we'll have to see, huh?' He crinkled his nose playfully to indicate he didn't want to deal with it, then grinned and bent his head to each side and cracking his neck -ready for the challenge. But she'd have to wait for when he'd act on it. Oh yes. He had plans.

Trapped? Booya! Zell licked his lips and grinned.

From the soft look he'd had with his own question he couldn't seem to make up his mind -or emotions- whether to smile or pout. He pulled her gently but firmly even closer against him so that their bodies pressed together. So much for 'cooling'... "I s'pose I could go that long too... if I had to. Dun wanna though..." His voice was soft, almost like a child's with the air of forlorn upon it -except for the blend of tender, loving, & husky quality to it. Just before he captured her lips, to kiss her in a way that both showed how he couldn't bear to be without her as well as give reason why even for her ten should be far too long.

"Yes..." That would definitely be a problem among friends. However this was family for the most part that Percy was referring. He understood their sudo 'mother's' perspective on it. How could you possibly give gifts to everyone you cared about and still have those gifts mean something and be something they want or need? Then there were the return presents. This had not been much of an 'issue' at all growing up when it had been hard to get anything, but Percy found himself paling at even the thought of each of his housemates giving him a gift... O_O NO. Just... NO.

He was still trying to figure out how his room had a drawer full of sweaters his mom had knit him for Christmas year after year.

"Socks?" Percy quirked his brow, the hint of a smile starting at the corners of his lips. At Anon's last words he actually laughed. Laughed. "Think she was trying to tell you something, miss popsicle feet?" A soft seriousness returned to his dark eyes, still warmed by his laughter. "I'd say she cares for you more than you think."

Well it certainly was incentive. Zell let out his breath with a happy sigh as the kiss ended, laughing silently as he slowly opened his eyes and seeing -and hearing- Maryline's reaction. "Fair? Who ever said anything about fair?"

Laughter rumbling with loving affection through his chest he put his right hand to the base of her head to tilt it back to bring her lips back to his, kissing her slowly & deeply -hinting at what his thoughts had been moments before... hinting at promises for later. Then there was the barest sound from outside the door. Half an instant and Zell was ending the kiss, lightly spinning Maryline from his arms to a 'respectable' distance while making sure he hadn't made her off balance before picking up the saucepan & spoon to start lightly drizzling caramel over the cooling cookies. As if nothing at all had been happening. The only thing that gave him away... perhaps an extra bounce in his already bouncy step & an extra twinkle in his smiling eyes. "So'm I putting enough on each? Never drizzled anything on somethin' before. Usually just dip."

... had he been taking acting lessons from Relm?

The kitchen door swung open to reveal the side of a very irrate Seifer, so angry he was almost more stiff than usual except for a constant shiver that lightly stirred his crisp trench coat -indicating that the majority of his rage was being just barely contained. One arm was holding open the door, the other had Hyperion leveled at someone beyond the door. His jaw was set, only his eyes moved -sharply snapping inside in a directive. Rune appeared in the doorway then, looking distraught over the scene but at the same time having an urgency which seemed to have to do with their obtrusive entrance. "I'm sorry..." Her soft clear voice had an odd tilt to it. "Rune." The gunblader's voice cut the air like his weapon & with a nod the White SeeD stepped inside the kitchen. Seifer a moment behind with a quick turn that snapped the tails of his coat, Hyperion lowered just before he slammed the door shut with finality.

The oddest thing was ... he was watching Rune extra carefully, as if despite being a SeeD Rune needed protecting. She did not seem to mind, not that she ever seemed to mind anything. "You okay?" A soft smile and a nod. "I'm fine, Seifer." An apologetic glance at the two blondes on whom they had interrupted. "I'm sorry..." "Quit appologizing. Or I'm gonna start." He looked serious about it. Zell almost dropped the spoon, eyes widening before he gave a grin as if to say it was nothing. "s'okay. Right, Maryline?" Wink.


"ah!" Percy threw up one arm to deflect the pillow, eyes behind his glasses shocked at the unexpected assult.

He blinked as the door was opened. Solstice and her little girl. It was his first time seeing a hybrid. But other than looking at them to show that he saw Percy did not stare. Dipping his head he stood. "Percy Weasley, ma'am. I should probably be getting home."

It was hard for Zell not to grin ear-to-ear at the way he'd unbalanced Maryline. Oh yea... he'd make sure no one saw them. She could count on that. Nodding at her comment he happily followed her directions.

Well until he almost dropped his spoon when Seifer threatened to apologize. WTH would he have to apologize for? Well to Rune any way. "Renascibilitas?" Rune repeated looking perplexed. Seifer huffed, squeezing Rune's hand before shouldering Hyperion and striding to the fridge. Grumbling, he started rooting through it.

Zell grinned at Rune. "It's like a carmal-ly goodness Valentine's in Maryline's family that's today!" Pale green eyes smiled warmly at the fistfighter's explanation before going back to the princess. "oh nothing ails me, Princess. I'm perfectly healthy. Only hungry... Yourself?"

"HA!" It was a sound of triumph not of disdain that came from Seifer as leaning Hyperion against the counter he pulled out some items from the fridge. "Meet pies, fig pudding." Getting out a plate he scooped servings out and put what needed heating in the microwave. "Anything else?" Rune was smiling, looking upon him with love, gratefulness, and still some apology. "Mango juice. And blueberry and chocolate sauces, please."

Nodding Seifer took the strange request in stride & moved to fill it. Zell however was crinkling his nose and gaping at Rune to where he had to set down the melted caramel. Then she turned to Zell and Maryline with a sweet smile. "That caramel smells wonderful too... if you could spare a drizzle?" She looked so hopeful. "Huh? Well yea. sure." Pause to register. "All together? Ya sure you're all right, Rune?"

More smile, a small nod & a blush. "Never better..." Zell cast his eyes to Maryline -'help?'


He felt naked, entirely exposed under the dragoness' stare. Wait... why should he know anything just because he was a wizard, much less know to what Solstice referred by her cryptic comment? He was a wizard, not a mind reader.Percy gulped and slowly sat back down. "I... guess I'm staying."

The red-head looked more than a trifle baffled, having to blink at Anon's question before it seemed to register. "It's rather like having a run in with Seifer, only more confusing. & beautiful."

Well, she had said something about 'only in her family' which Zell had taken to mean that the holiday was only in her family. "Day of Rebirth? You didn't tell me that part."

Seifer snorted and Rune ligtly waved hand, shaking her head. "It's quite all right. It's clear you've been lucky not to see Miaka in the kitchen." Seifer snorted & Zell snickered.

"Actually... I was thinking of putting the toppings over everything..." Rune was blushing faintly at the strange compliment while Zell nearly choked. Maryline did not truthfully want to eat that... did she?

"It just sounded good..." j

A nod with a weak grin. Yeah.. the thought crossed his mind. Blink. What was so funny about that?

He jumped, hands clutching the nearly empty mug at the unexpected sound of Solstice's voice. Percy settled himself and straightened his shoulders. "I was conducting the routine inspections of the shields. Anon offered me a mug of hot chocolate"

Short. Sweet. to the point.