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Alistaire? Sounded vaguely familiar; probably a friend of a friend's. A little hard to care over the beautiful sound of lettuce crunches going on in this mouth, and dear sweet God this dressing was good . . . "He made out, Pey, not defused a bomb," Jack said with a wry look, his expectations for a decent story quickly falling at "nothing really happened". Sigh. "But hey--'grats on the smooch and scamper, kid. Now you're a real boy."

Moving from the (still somehow perfectly spaced) slice of vegetables, he picked at the fish on his plate. "Here's a question, though: if she didn't look happy with her date, why not stick around?"

A level stare was aimed up at Jack. He had no idea how accurate a description 'bomb' was for Maebe. None at all. Another sigh, and small hands fell away from Otto so she could tuck curls behind her ear, arms folding right after.

"It's not that she's not happy with him," Peyton interjected quietly, voice not quite bitter, but close. "It's that she's never really happy with anyone or anything." And that was more revealing then she really should have been. The teen chanced a quick glance at her cousin before tipping her head back, gaze rolling across the ceiling.

This was not even close to the party that she'd been expecting. In what world did her cousin get more action then her?

<There's an imbalance in the force..> Song's laughter filled her head, and Peyton's lip twitched in a sudden sneer. There and gone before she was lowering her head again, a carefully small smile already in place.

Interesting. He filed that tidbit away, as one never knew when things of this nature could be useful, but kept up his air of nonchalance as he forked some gourmet sardines into his mouth. It was odd for Jack not to comment, but the statement made him vaguely uncomfortable to touch on--made the itch inside more noticeable.

A corner of his lips curled as Otto attempted to pipe up and then dwindled. Once the fork was cleaned and the fish swallowed, he pointed the utensil at him. "That right there is the attitude of a boy," Jack argued. "A boy gives into his fears and runs away. A man knows he has to act if he wants something, even if he's scared. Two questions: Did you like kissing her? And did she look happier when you did?"

Otto shrunk. He wasn't brave enough to be any more than wishy washy and a rule abider. Being bold and grabbing life by the horns was the work of deviants, right? He didn't want to make his family unhappy. Namely because Becca might yell, or Peyton would pick on him.

Wait.. why were these reasons again?

"I.. yes to both. She seemed happy. I think.." Otto held his arms, worriedly pondering what to do.

"But like if she isn't interested in the other dude why is she with him? I don't have any right to get between them, do I?"

Patience? He wanted her to be patient while he did all but shove her cousin back the way he'd come. The dirty looks intensified. This was so not what she wanted to be doing right now. Not even close. The dress, the hair, the shoes, all of it screamed for attention. She should have been in the other room dancing, or laughing, or even just talking to another person that was interested in her. Not standing here holding Otto's hand while he lamented having been chased away from Maebe and her soul sucking lips while Jack offered advice on how to get her back.

What is my life becoming?

<You're too nice, My sweet.>

Peyton. Nice? She snorted softly.

Loathed as she was to admit it, Jack's actual advice wasn't half bad. Ill guided, perhaps, but generally wise words to walk away with. And if they had been offered to anyone else on the island, Peyton wouldn't have given a s**t, but this was Otto, and Pey was content to keep him shy and quiet and obedient.

Excellent.

"If you have to ask me, you're already doing it wrong," Jack replied, still grinning away despite the dirty looks Peyton kept giving him. "Stick to your guns even if it looks hopeless, and remember: confidence. 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained', after all. That's the best I offer. It's a risk, but then again everything is. For example!"

Setting his plate down, he turned his head, swept his tongue over his teeth for foreign food particles, and then cleared his throat. "Would you care to let me have you as a date, at least for an hour or two?" he asked Peyton, offering his hand. "Your cousin has some business to attend to, and I'm loathe to leave a beautiful girl alone on New Years--especially one whose down on her luck so far."

"It's noisy in here," was Warden's good-natured reply, as he picked up a plastic plate, handing one to Billie first and then taking one for himself. "There's a lot of kids in here, though I suppose that's to be expected for a party."

He caught his wife's eye and smiled, reaching to loop an arm around her waist and press an affection kiss to the side of her head. "Have I mentioned how beautiful you look tonight?" he told her, and slanted his head against hers, feeling the warmth of her fingers against his arm.

"It'll be a good night," he reassured her.

Woah! He was so smooth! Peyton wasn't even punching him! While there was no way he could talk like a casanova, maybe if he was simply honest, he'd make it out okay?

"Thanks, Jack. I'll give it a shot!" Otto squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head and allowing his long blonde locks to ruffle about furiously. Afterward, he stopped and nodded his head. "Okay! I'm gunna do it! Wish me luck! Bye Pey!" Otto smiled, waving as he ran to go save Maebe from the dragon.

[[Exit]]