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 Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:51 pm
Who: Alex, Brad, Zeke & Zul...
...Louie, Zahara, Dust Bunny, Faust, Altair...
...and a gaggle of new pets from animated ice cream...
When: Christmas Morning!
Where: Alex's house
Weather: Beautifully chilled outside
Zul had been watching a few of the presents twitch all morning. It had started at 12:01AM and hadn't ceased since he'd been aware of it, and it was hard not to notice the rustling of paper and swishing of ribbon that was not there previously. In fact, the demon had been watching them with great interest, like some giant cat that just knew the prey would be revealed when the time was right. Even his games didn't hold his interest, not on his second Christmas.
"If you stare any harder, you're going to burn holes in the paper," Brad offered up from the kitchen. He wore his favorite faded green button up shirt - naturally unbuttoned almost to his chest - with the sleeves shoved up by his elbows, the tails unkempt around his blue jeans. He'd worry about changing into something more 'impressionable' later, when he wasn't cooking. Large hands jerked the skillet in his grasp, flipping crepes that were very nearly finished.
The Frei looked over his shoulder, his winter-blue eyes wide; the grin he wore beneath them made him look a bit on the wild side. "Good!" Bone wings rattled with anticipation, the few ornaments that he'd pilfered from the tree swinging in the loops of his piercings. With a childish type of glee, Zul continued to stare at the shifting presents, even going so far as to extend a tan digit and poke them. The one he was looking at - it had yellow and brown wrapping - shook rather indignantly at the motion, delighting the demon. "When can we open them without burning holes?" he inquired, fascinated.
With a curve of his lips that was very near devious, the older Italian gentleman replied rather calmly, "Whenever Zeke and Alex wake up. Might be a while, with my sister." His tone was entirely lazy, but he could see the words provoking the Raevan in the way that the horned head lifted abruptly, the way the blue eyes were suddenly lidded with mischief that he recognized all too well. "She didn't get to sleep un--"
He was off like a shot, the tree swaying a little in his wake. Gloved palms lightly beat on the door that he knew Zeke was behind, waiting until he could hear the young man moving before he spoke in a soft tone. "Waking up my woman!" It was all the warning any of them would get before the Frei turned across the hall and opened the door quietly, sneaking in.
Alex's yelp could be heard over the cliffs.
Brad simply smiled, adding a little more fruit to the breakfast sweets.
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Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:07 pm
While Brad and Zul chitchatted in the rooms outside, Zeke was still occupying the bed he and Brad had claimed and slept in the night prior. The young man was in a state between sleep and awake - vaguely aware of his surroundings but picking up rather well on the two voices that were only slightly muffled by the door - breathing in the smell of breakfast cooking just yards away. The smell of crepes began to work at his hunger senses, pulling him further from his dreaming world and into the waking one. That and feeling the presence of warm, furry bodies pressed against his back, legs and just under his chin tickled him greatly, furthering the process.
Since it wouldn't be Christmas without them, Zeke and his boyfriend had brought their animals over with them; the two dogs and tiny-in-comparison kitten kept in the bedroom with them so the three wouldn't enact Armageddon on the tree, presents and copious decorations overnight. While their masters slept each animal had stayed on the floor but since Brad had waken up and gone out to make breakfast all three had clambered onto the bed and surrounded the younger of the two. This one (in their minds) would be less likely to tell them to get off the sheets when he finally got up himself. Which - it was looking like - wouldn't be too long at all, especially after Zul's beats on the wooden door made younger of the two dogs lift her head off the quilted covers and bark as though a stranger were there; curled tail wagging in a mix of mild excitement and alarm.
"Mmm...'K!" Was the reply to Zul's warning, Zeke shifting some more out of his half-awake stupor and found his lower appendages weren't functioning like normal. "'Tair, get off m'legs." He didn't have to tell the Samoyed twice, as Alex's yelp made her bound off the bed, barking at the blocked off source. From behind him Faust shifted and Zeke's eyes opened as the larger dog's body flopped on his own, sending Dust Bunny running in order to avoid being squished as well. In her haste the Maine coon kitten's claws dug into her owner's skin, making Zeke automatically sit up from the shock and hurt, hands setting down in a firm pat on Faust's back as his eyes adjusted to the sudden burst of early morning light.
"I am now awake!" He declared, voice raised but not shouting. "Everybody off the bed. Off, off!" The Great Pyrenees' head swiveled to look at his tousle-haired companion, eyes giving Zeke a 'me too?' look and wanting very much to stay on the sleeping throne. "You too Faust. Especially you, since you're the only other one. Go on!"
Zeke waved his hand toward Altair and saw white for a few seconds as Faust got up, stretched, and finally plodded off; going to the still-barking dog and silencing her when she noticed him coming near. Zeke on the other hand tossed the blankets from his legs and gave himself a long stretch, enjoying the faint pops and pulls of the muscles in his back. He could feel the skin on his collar stinging but instead of immediately going to the source his hands rested on his head, ruffling his hair as he slid along the flannel sheets and heaved himself onto the floor too. A yawn that he didn't bother to muffle escaped him as he reached the door, turning the handle and opening it enough so the two could now leave.
"I release you upon the world!" It was another distance-carrying declaration from the human and the dogs didn't need another, immediately bounding out the door and going in opposite directions before toward the growing smell of breakfast to plague Brad with their puppy eyes, whines, and excited motions. The door was left ajar and Zeke went to the bureau, watching the reddened marks darken as he finally brushed a hand against them. The other nabbed a hairbrush off the wooden surface of the clothing chest and was raised, though for the moment it hung in the air, unused. "Ahh...Dusty." Zeke's voice was low, but held no trace of anger toward the cat. While watching his reflection as he started to comb out the tangled nest of his bedhead, movement to his right put a faint smile on his face.
Sitting on the bureau was a large circular bowl filled with water, inside of which was some sand, a few aquatic plants, and four brightly colored fish swimming in idle circles. Zeke had no trouble bringing them into the home last night without being seen but he did have trouble keeping his excitement under wraps around the demonic Frei Alex had in her care. While he had always had trouble picking out gifts for even the closest friends and family members, getting Zul some fish had almost come naturally to him after he had laid eyes on the largest fish in the bowl. Its white body and red fins had reminded him greatly of Zul's hair and Zeke couldn't resist. The other three - one blue/green fish and two small yellow ones - had come on his thought that the one would be lonely all by itself.
The sound of voices drew him from his remembrance of selecting the four and he looked from the mirror to the bowl. Zul's words from just before about wanting to know when he'd have his chance at opening the presents resounded in his head. It wouldn't hurt to let the Frei have this one gift before the entire grand reveal was done after breakfast, would it? Zeke didn't think so. Zul's anticipation was endearing and why not spoil him this one time? It was Christmas, plus he really wanted to see the Raevan's expression raw and new at the sight of the fish rather than after several presents were unwrapped. That was what was really special. So after tucking the container of food flakes close to the bowl and making sure there were no other signs of what the present was lying around, Zeke picked up a green-wrapped box with the bottom cut free from off the top of his cast off duffel bag and placed it over the bowl. Once it was neatly in place the pierced and tattooed man padded to the bedroom door with his brush still in hand, opened it wide enough that only his frame fit through, and looked across the way for the Frei.
"Hey, Zul? C'mere a minute."
His smile began its rapid growth across his features.
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 2:05 am
The Frei bolted out of his woman's room, all wide-eyed grins and a non-existent bushy tail. Winter was truly the season of his most active nature, and not a one was spared, not even Alex. The demon rubbed his bone wings together behind himself in a merry type of way, though he was distracted from his preparation to dash by Zeke's voice. Zul turned, tilting his tousled hair to the side with a tilt of his chin, dark brows lofting. He was certain the fun-loving human wasn't going to reprimand him, especially for getting Alex of all people to join the land of the living, and so, he floated towards the shirtless man, settling his wings against his back.
"Yes, Zeke? A Merry Christmas to you," he offered up to the youngest of the humans, a quick and easy grin forming to show his slightly sharpened teeth. He liked having company over, though he supposed he would be having it all the time once he and his woman moved. The demon didn't know much of what to think about the idea of permanent company or not seeing Brad and Zeke whenever he wanted to, but he was hellbent on enjoying the time now. Tis the season, or so his woman had said. He floated next to Zeke, and then perhaps wisely, behind him, just as Alex emerged from her room.
And what a scathing look he was spared! Any radioactive ire in her gaze was immediately diffused by the tattooed man in front of her charge. Alex gave a lop-sided grin that spoke volumes of how tired she was, extending her bandaged arms to Zeke to wrap him up in a hug. "Merry Christmas sunshine," she murmured in a voice still think with sleep, pressing a kiss to his cheek before releasing him and smoothing her old rock band shirt over her stomach. She wore black pajama bottoms with white tiger stripes and seemed entirely too comfortable with the male's presence to care. "And don't think you're spared, Zul, I know where you live."
She yawned and made her way down the hallway and towards her brother, eyes half lidded blearily as she approached the kitchen. Despite her tired voice just seconds ago, the tone she used was quite clear and dagger sharp as she said pleasantly, "Nor are you off the hook, instigator."
The older Italian man slid the last crepe onto a plate laden with an avocado omelet that had his sister's favorite breakfast bits in it, complete with crisp bacon on the side and a glass of chocolate milk. Faust and Altair had been given their Christmas bones - he'd been prepared for the onslaught of bouncy canines in his sister's kitchen, he didn't really have a death wish - which left him open to finish breakfast. "Merry Christmas to you too, Alessa. Now eat before your excitable friend back there tears the presents apart with his eyes." Brad smiled at Alex without pause. "And I don't mean Zeke."
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:31 am
"Merry Christmas kiddo!" Zeke said on the tail-end of a laugh at Zul's excited and ready to go behavior. The man with the two-colored hair was happy to see that Christmas was just as infectious to Raevans as it was to humans and the magic wasn't lost on them. The day had just begun and he was already expecting an excitement filled and pleasantly chaotic morning. As Zul floated over, Zeke let his hands off the door and the frame, instead resting one on the Frei's warm shoulder. "Listen, I-" He was cut off by Zul's quick move behind him and the appearance of his tired almost-sibling, dropping the brush into his pocket to reach out and return her embrace unhindered then press a kiss of his own to her cheek.
"Merry Christmas to you too Alex." Her morning appearance didn't faze him at all, his own clothing (or there lack of) slightly disheveled around his legs. Like her, he was entirely too comfortable around her to mind, and while he wasn't totally sure, he had a feeling she had seen him in less. They were family, it was cool. At her threat to Zul, his smile quirked to a grin and after giving her a pat on the back to send her on her way, Zeke was unable to resist teasing her, going so far as to toss a wink her way. "You look like hell sis, have an extra cup of coffee or whatever you prefer on me." After uttering the words he quickly backed up to retreat into the room, tattooed back pressing into Zul's chest to get him out of the line of fire too, should Alex choose to whip any one of the pictures on the hallway walls at him. When no assault came and after a quick look out the door to make sure she wasn't lurking in the hall, Zeke turned to Alex's charge, resting his hands on Zul's shoulders as though to steady him if the sudden push back had wobbled him off course.
"Now as I was saying," He began; hands dropping off the Frei's shoulders and instead taking one of his gloved hands in his own and leading him more into the room. "I think I heard you asking Brad about when you'd get to open some of those presents." Zeke was feeling jittery now, unable to contain his good humored mirth around the Raevan. They paused at the bureau, Zeke now dropping Zul's hand from his own to turn and place the same one on the green-wrapped box. The package with its missing bottom slid just a little under that hand, though Zeke paid no mind. He was too giddy to. "How would you like to open this one now? It's my gift to you, Zul."
He moved away from the dresser and the box then, wanting ample space between to both give Zul room to open the gift and to be able to see all of the Frei's reactions for himself, though it seemed Zul wasn't the only one getting a gift at the moment. The Maine coon kitten who had flown off the bed prior to Zeke getting up had stuck herself under the same bureau and was watching Zul's dangling ribbon with wide-eyed wonder, shock, and awe. Her unease and downright fear at the car ride and being brought to a new and foreign place the night before meant she had stayed firmly planted under the guest room bed the entire past evening. Among other things, she hadn't seen Zul in entirety until now. But boy was she seeing! His half-torso was ignored, unable to look up thanks to the bottom of the bureau and because what interested her most was right before her eyes. The ribbon had to be...No...It was the largest cat toy she had ever seen! For Christmas Zeke had gotten her plenty of toys, a bed, and catnip for presents but this! This topped them all! As the Raevan's ribbon danced and shifted with his movements, Dust Bunny's little body coiled. She couldn't resist, she had to play with it. Her tail twitched from side to side as she watched her prey, and before Zul could get away from her hiding place, she sprung at the Frei and his enticing ribbon with a loud mewling sound.
"Oh so that's where you went!" An exclamation and laugh from her master greeted her arrival though the kitten paid no mind. She had to bat at the fluttering end then bite, claw, and roll it into submission. There would be no escape from her little hooked prickles! Zeke couldn't stop laughing as he watched his adopted pet start to entangle herself in the ribbon's end, though he made no motion to stop her. "I'm sorry Zul, I guess she thinks you're a kitty toy."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:46 am
Zul's long ears almost flattened against his head as Zeke teased his woman, even he having enough sense to start pushing himself backwards as the young man pressed against him to speed up the attempt. He let loose his laughter, though even wild and untamed it was as gentle as smoke and silk, only his grin able to express his amusement at the situation and potential beating the bi-colored haired man had barely missed.
He tilted his own two-tone head to the side as Zeke put his hands on his shoulders, his grin dimming to an intrigued smile, allowing the veterinarian to lead him into the guest room. "Yes," he replied plaintively, "or else I'd burn holes in them. Bear said so himself." Zul declined to mention that the Italian had stated about staring holes; the Frei had taken it to a new level, and if not for Zeke's intervention, it was entirely possible that the gifts outside would have been charred with his more literal translation.
Blue eyes opened a touched more widely as Zeke continued. A gift? For him? "Zeke!" he exclaimed, though there was a sort of surprised happiness in his voice. "I would like that," he admitted, not in the least bit abashed at his enthusiasm for the gift-giving (and receiving!) season. His attention flitted onto the box that Zeke was holding onto, and there it was glued, curiosity gnawing away. He didn't want to seem too eager, but what could have the fun-loving man found that he thought well enough of to purchase for him, he wondered? Glancing to the caramel-eyed man to make sure it was okay, he reached a hand forward, and immediately came to a stop.
The Frei looked down, eyes wide at the strange sensation of being stopped - no, tugged on! Zul stared unblinkingly at the cat that decided to roll in his ribbon, processing the situation for the first time; he could see the sharp claws piercing the cloth-like extension, but he couldn't feel it, and the pinholes were closing up just as quickly as they were being made. Deciding the cat was harmless - and even kind of cute - he bent over and plucked at his own ribbon, jerking it beneath the cat to really give her something to get excited about. "I'm not a toy," he told the excitable cat solemnly, "but you're cute and fluffy and I forgive you."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:32 pm
Chuckling bubbled in Zeke's throat as he plopped himself down on the end of the bed, eyes focused on his pet battling Zul's ribbon. And battle she did. When Zul yanked his ribbon away the kitten's pupils contracted into thin slits, glaring at him for yanking away her toy before hopping to her feet and pursing the dangling end. She wouldn't let him take it away for long, even if he did say she was cute and fluffy! And it wasn't, as the kitten leaped up and did her best to tug the ribbon back down, proceeding to curl it around herself like a fuzzy living balloon weight to make sure it stayed down this time.
"Goofy cat." The human said while shaking his head, still-loose and half-brushed hair waving about his pierced face. Zeke swept it back from his face before he began to speak again. "Don't mind her much Zul, I don't think she'll tear into your ribbon too badly. It's skin you gotta worry about with those claws, plus she'll get bored soon enough." He shifted and drew the hairbrush out of his pocket to finish where he left off, but gestured to the package with it first. He could practically feel the excitement radiating off the Frei once he had laid his eyes on the present and knew there had to be an eagerness that matched after Zul said he was close to burning holes in the ones in the living room.
"Go ahead and open it. Don't worry about being too eager either; it's Christmas after all!" He omitted the fact the wrapping papered box could just be pulled up and off. In his own experiences with present opening, getting past the layers of paper material just made the surprise hidden at the center just that much sweeter and more exciting. Part of him wished he had a camera on hand for now, but he had a feeling Zul would want to show his gift to Alex and her brother once he got the paper and cardboard off the fishbowl. One could be procured much easier out there in the kitchen than in here at any rate. "Just...Just be careful. It's kinda delicate in more than one way."
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:34 pm
"I don't mind," the Frei replied in earnest, smiling as he watched the cat toy with his ribbon. She was so soft, and so...so cute, Zul couldn't be mad at her if he wanted to. He lowered a hand not holding the ribbon to smooth over what fur he could before giving his ribbon a few more tugs. He wasn't trying to pull it out from her grasp, but play with her, since she seemed to like things that dangled and moved. "She's really cute. I wish we had one." Truthfully, the demon would likely have enough animals to put Zeke and his boyfriend to shame, were he allowed to have his own way...
But that package. It was calling to him. Zul righted himself, leaving Dust Bunny to her own devices for the moment, gloved hands leaning against the dresser so he wouldn't entangle them both and drop himself to the ground. Eager hands reached for the festive packaging, but hesitated; he didn't have to worry about being excited, but be careful since it was delicate? The demon bit his lip in consideration before settling on a more subdued joy; bare fingers deftly tugged the faux ribbon off (and promptly affixing it to his gorget), sliding mindfully beneath the paper with only minor tears to the tape. Apparently his body heat was enough to soften the adhesive. He was about to put the paper aside, but in a stroke of genius (or so he thought), he crumpled it up into a tight ball and dropped it by the cat...just in case she wanted something else to play with.
Blue eyes returned to the bared box, a childish hunger lighting his whole face. He let his hands rest upon the cardboard and smooth over it before his thumbs hooked around the edges, this time cutting through the tape with a sharp movement and peeling it off the center. He put that aside - pretty certain animals shouldn't play with that - and with a small bounce, he opened the box and peered inwards.
Zul moved the box off without realizing it - or realizing that he could have just lifted it all along - and putting it aside, his eyes about as large as the fish they settled on, his jaw agape in silent wonder. He completely stopped moving, freezing as if moving too quickly would agitate the colorful fish that turned and bobbed within the glass bowl. They were beautiful! He'd never seen such a bright iridescent color orange, the way it sparked like sun on the ocean horizon. The red flickered like his own magma, brilliantly flashing amongst the larger fish; the turquoise one was close to his own colors, and he saw the correlation there with awe. Stock still, he watched, before realizing they were his. Not like the fish in the aquarium to admire and leave - they were his. And they looked like him!
The demon uttered a delighted crow, mouth closing to instead form a wide grin, arms wrapping around the bowl and lifting it. Though his movements were fast, he was rather careful and the water didn't do so much as slosh. "Zeke!" he half gaped, half laughed. "Zeke, they're perfect, and look at those colors! You have to help me name them!" The words came out in an excited jumble, floating towards the man with enthusiasm on his features. If Dust Bunny was still wrapped up in his ribbon, she was about to get one hell of an adventure when he went out to show the other two.
"I have to show Alix and Bear," he barreled onwards in his verbal gratitude, his wide grin and equally wide eyes definitely showing his youth. "Thank you, Zeke! You're the best!"
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:29 pm
Zeke's smile softened as Zul expressed his want of a kitten like Dust Bunny. Even though he looked like a demonic bust of a teenager, Zul was still but a kid in some ways. Well, what was under the box wasn't exactly cuddly like the kitten still entangled in the ribbon - and she fought against those tugging sensations when they came - it was still a pet of the Frei's very own. Multiple ones actually. Zeke shifted, bringing his legs underneath his body in a cross-legged fashion, his caramel eyes flicking between the Raevan and the present in anticipation. He was failing to hide his eagerness, but he didn't mind and he was sure Zul didn't either. It was the day for it after all!
As Zeke began to bounce lightly on the bed as Zul went through his opening motions, Dust Bunny kept all her attention on the Frei's ribbon. The ball of crumpled paper startled her enough that she hopped to her feet, cautiously approaching the ball with the ribbon forgotten. The wrapping was crushed together strong enough that it wasn't even beginning to expand back out and the shiny paper caught the cat's interest. It was poked, rolled, and smacked at but it needed her to move it to do anything. The ribbon on the other paw...Now that was a toy that could keep her interest. Zul's crow of delight, however, nearly made her jump out of her skin and once again the kitten wedged herself immediately beneath the bureau.
While that sound scared the cat, Zul's reaction made Zeke beam with pride. Fish had been the perfect gift! The Frei's reaction made the young human laugh out loud; a happy sound that echoed throughout the room.
"If you want me to, then certainly!" As Zul approached Zeke put a hand on the Frei's crossed arms, just catching his pet crawling out from underneath the dresser and entangling herself up again. "Merry Christmas Zul, I'm glad you like the gift. And yes, go show them!" His hand moved off the Raevan's arm and gestured towards the door. "I'll follow momentarily! Go on!"
Zeke waited for the Frei to leave before clambering off the bed, listening to the distressed mewling Dust Bunny made as she was dragged down the wood floored hallway toward the kitchen. The veterinarian shook his head in amusement, clearing the wrapping from the floor before quickly tossing on a pale blue shirt, tying his hair back and walking out otherwise unstyled. The scent of breakfast made his stomach rumble and he badly wanted whatever Brad was cooking for them all. He could already hear excited voices before he crested the doorway into the kitchen, smile firmly on his face.
"Good morning and Merry Christmas!"
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:55 pm
The demon floated higher with his joy, giving Zeke a delighted smile before zipping out of the room, unfortunate tangled kitten in tow. "Alix! Bear! Look what Zeke gave to me!" he called in his smoke-filled voice, the sound still smooth despite his excitement.
"What the hell are you doing to that cat?" Alex asked, slightly alarmed at the sounds she could pick up before she saw her charge. The woman was seated on the couch side closest to the tree, her legs curled beneath herself. She put her half finished plate of food on the arm of the furniture, shifting her weight onto her knees and looking to Zul's arms. "What--oh!" she exclaimed, surprise on her face. Like her charge, the first thing she saw was the colors and how they looked like pieces of the demon himself. "How pretty! B, you see that? Your boyfriend has better taste than you."
The man was seated on one of the bar stools at the kitchen island, watching the dogs while he finished a fruit smoothie for his boyfriend. "That was never up for debate," he agreed without missing a beat, pouring the drink and putting it with the plate he'd prepared, also looking towards the Raevan. Of course, Brad already knew of the fish since they'd shared a room and all, but it still made him smile a bit to see the demon holding onto the bowl like a trophy. "Now you take care of those kiddo, they're delicate and need your care." The large man nodded as Zul came to show him, motioning for him to show them to his sister.
She crawled across the couch, leaning over the arm of it to reach down to the hapless cat, disentangling the poor animal and drawing her up and into her arms. Alex sat back on her haunches, tugging a piece of her hair over her shoulder and dangling that in front of Dust Bunny instead. "Let me take a looksie," she agreed, looking through the side of the bowl as Zul came near. "Wow, those are really pretty Zul! That was very sweet of him!" The Italian beamed at the Frei, patting his arm before resuming toying with her hair over the kitten. "Like B said, you'll have to take good care of them."
The Raevan looked into the bowl, his face aglow with wonder. "Can we get them a bigger bowl?" he asked, eyes turning to his woman. "Maybe some of those decorations for the bottom?" Zul looked around the house for a moment before floating towards the kitchen, carefully putting the bowl on the counter where he felt it would be safest.
Alex was, quite frankly, impressed with her charge's sense of responsibility. It wasn't something she'd seen in him so readily before, making her heart swell with pride. "Yes, we'll look into getting them a nice, big tank," she agreed, again dropping her hair to grab a pillow. Without batting an eyelash, it was heaved a Zeke, and just as smoothly, she returned to playing with the kitten.
"Merry Christmas Zeke," the older Italian rumbled with an amused smile at the pillow that was chucked at his boyfriend. "Come get your breakfast before the kids decide they want some." He picked up the plate and drink, nodding to the dogs that were still chewing their Christmas bones in the kitchen. Brad maneuvered around the counter where Zul was, approaching Zeke with an increasingly warm smile, lowering his head to press a kiss to that irresistible smile. "Happy anniversary babe," he murmured softly, indigo eyes warm with affection.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:38 pm
Not even a minute after he added his presence to the fray, Zeke's smile was wiped off his face as the pillow Alex threw hit its mark. Zeke stumbled back a couple steps in surprise, a sound that was likely an 'oomph!' quickly muffled as well. The cushion fell from his pierced face not too long after and the youngest human caught it, tossing it underhand at the Italian woman who was likely playing innocent.
"Love ya too sis." He said as the pillow flew over the unoccupied arm of the couch towards the aggressor, the cat, and the former's plate of food. Zeke's eyes didn't linger to see if the pillow hit home, the deep voice and steady movements of his boyfriend drawing his attention towards the older man. The smile was back on his face as though the throw pillow hadn't wiped it off, and Zeke padded his way along the floor toward the older Italian. Brad was a wonderful sight anytime, but Brad with food was doubly so when one had an empty stomach and hunger pangs. Despite those though, Zeke made sure to lean up and return the affection, eyes brighter once they parted. "Happy anniversary sweetheart." His tone took on an awed twinge, cheeks turning a light red as the words came out and he fully grasped that the day was what it was. "Wow...One whole year already. Where'd the time go?"
The last remark was a light tease on his part, almost dazed as he quickly reflected back on their time together this past year, ending back on Christmas Day 2008. Brad had come over to his apartment to take him to Alex's house to celebrate the holiday, but unfortunately Zeke had gotten the chills, a high fever, and a bout of lethargy the likes of which he had never experienced. Not to mention that prominent capital-U shaped bruise on his shin. He had been apologetic, Brad understanding, and the older man stayed with him instead of going back home to spend the holiday with his family. After a day mostly spent in a half-dreaming, half-awake state, a hot bath in the evening had changed everything from then on out. And already it had been one whole year to the very day; how things changed over so seemingly short a time. Zeke leaned up and kissed his boyfriend again.
"Happy first anniversary Brad." He repeated, a notion of pride in his voice as he spoke 'first'. His tone was also louder; a regular inside voice rather than low and murmured, drawing away only to take the plate and glass from the Italian man. Already it was a good day and he just caught Zul placing the bowl of fish on the counter top which made him feel even better. Excellent. Zeke flashed a smile at his boyfriend - this one special, meant for the older man more than anyone else in the home - before listening to the repetitive rumble in his stomach and carrying his breakfast into the living room. Once there he eyeballed and jutted his chin at the now discarded pillow, looking pointedly at Alex before slowly sitting down at the other arm. "Temporary truce?" There would be plenty of time for pillow tossing after this plate was cleared and this cup was drained. Zeke situated himself nicely, folding the napkin that had been tucked under the plate in half and setting the cup atop that on the coffee table while the plate and utensils were kept on his lap. While his eyes were still on his almost-sibling, movement from a couple of the packages under the tree made him nod in their direction.
"That one's moving," He said of a bright yellow box wrapped neatly with a green ribbon. While the movements were slight, they were still greater than they had been when Zul first noticed them at 12:01 this morning. Had she not been preoccupied with that lock of Alex's hair, Dust Bunny would've been right over there inspecting them as she tried to find her way into the boughs of the glowing evergreen tree. As his fork cut into the omelet Brad had prepared, the box quivered again and there were two more in the load of presents that were making roughly the same amount of action, but all the boxes appeared too narrow for an animal like a kitten, puppy or even a decent sized bird like a parakeet. Plus with no air holes...? "And so are those." Zeke pointed out the other two with his fork as he chewed, a brown box with a yellow ribbon closest to Alex's seat and on the outer edge of the pile. "I vote they get torn open first."
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:24 pm
Luckily, Alex was anticipating such a move from her darling little brother, deflecting the pillow with a quick motion from her forearm and resuming to stroke the kitten's soft fur as if nothing had happened though her eyes lingered on the younger man. As her elder brother approached Zeke, however, she averted her gaze to her food, picking up a piece of crepe with her forefinger and thumb, pressing it between her lips and licking her fingertips, the pastry held against her cheek like a chipmunk. She managed to chew and swallow down the bite by the time Zeke sat opposite of her. Giving the man a charming smile, she replied, "We're even now, for your oh so warm greeting this morning." Ever the mature lady, the Italian stuck her tongue out at the pierced man in good humor before resuming to eat.
The oldest of the three simply watched with an open sort of fondness that didn't frequently cross his features. Brad allowed a soft smile to light upon his face before he shook his head to himself in wonder, returning to the kitchen to pick up his own plate of breakfast with his mug of butterscotch cocoa. Not dense enough to get between a sibling squabble, no matter how much they may have insisted a truce or an end, he carefully took his seat on the floor, resting his back against the couch with his plate in his lap, resting one arm back and over Zeke's legs. It also put him in the perfect position to hand out gifts at a leisurely pace.
Putting the mug on the coffee table, he turned his indigo eyes towards where his boyfriend was indicating, shifting his position a bit so he was resting his back more against Zeke's legs than the couch. "Something tells me that's not an unusual occurrence with Alessa," he rumbled in unspoken amusement, his gaze flicking to his sister in question.
"They've been moving for a while," the demon agreed, floating into the living room now that his fish had been put securely out of harm's way. He'd get on Zeke to help him name them afterwards; for now, Zul was interested once more in those trembling packages, the rustling rather acute in his long ears. "Can I burn holes in them now?" he inquired, looking between the three humans with a look of perfect sincerity on his otherwise eager features.
The woman crinkled her nose at the innocently posed question. "How about you just unwrap them like normal?" she asked in a tone that was less of a suggestion and more of a 'no room for argument' insistence. "Go ahead and open those three then, that Zeke pointed out." Alex lifted the hand not bouncing the hair in front of the cat to point, though they were rather obvious amongst the sea of unmoving wrapping paper and ribbons. They were becoming so loud and insistent that it would have been possible to find by noise alone.
Zul nodded and moved towards the tree and the presents scattered beneath and beyond it, fingers extending to gather all three of the tall packages. They were all smartly wrapped in a crisp manner, and they smelled divine. "They smell good," the demon uttered his thoughts out loud, looking between the shaking tops with mildly hungry eyes. He'd never hungered for food before, but these were making him reconsider.
Something crossed Alex's face, only able to utter a, "Crap," before the boxes all but blew open to unwrap themselves. The Frei floated back a ways, startled as the wrapping tore and the ribbons frayed, releasing their contents - three feminine flying things that immediately circled the surprised looking Raevan before zipping off towards the kitchen in three streaks of color and a lingering scent of chocolate coffee beans...or maybe it was lemon cream? It was hard to tell, the three flying together as they were.
"Ah...?" Zul uttered intelligently, blinking a few times before looking down to the boxes. The tops were ruined to the point it was impossible to see who had sent them, though the scents lingered heavily near his ribbon. Floating down, he picked up a brown box and breathed deeply of the empty contents, eyelids fluttering a little beneath the bitter but aromatic scent of coffee. "What--?" Zul paused as something caught his eye, turning to stare at the patio. "Zara?"
The wild female Gwee who generally had little interest in the humans had seen the faeries fly by from her perch on the dead tree outside. Curious by nature, the small, hearty femme flew just beyond the glass door, wings beating to keep herself aloft and look inside towards where the three had disappeared to. Unlike Lorenzo, Zahara was an oceanic specimen of Gwee and thus had some blue coloring, a teal opalescent color with silverly claws and horns. She looked like some water spirit hovering where she was, darting a bit this way and that to try and see what had gone on.
Alex was also aware of the Gwee's movement, and after watching her in minute joy and fascination, she flicked her green eyes towards her charge. "Open the patio a crack," she instructed him lightly.
The Raevan was all to pleased too comply, floating slowly through the living room and behind the couch where the two humans were seated. He paused when the Gwee looked at him, but she didn't move away or seem to hesitate maintaining her position, which he took as an invitation to proceed. Zul and Zara had a bit of a stare down as his fingers reached for the black handle of the glass door; with painstaking slowness, he flipped the lever to unlock the sliding glass window and pulled, opening a small gap.
This time, there was hesitation, but when the yellow faerie zipped close to Zul and saw the Gwee, the Gwee saw her. The wild dragonette was fascinated as the sour girl gave a small shriek and flew back into the kitchen - this time, Zahara was on her tail, entering the human's house for the first time and thinking nothing of it except for the thrill of chase. She'd worry about the odd, over powering smells and the other animals of the abode when it was necessary.
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Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:04 pm
"You love my warm greetings, don't deny." Was all he said before he continued to tuck into his breakfast, stomach already being appeased by the mere taste of Brad's home cooking. When the older man joined them, Zeke placed his fork down to ruffle the Italian's hair, mussing it up in a playful manner before picking up his utensil and acting as though he hadn't done the deed. Zul's innocent question about burning holes in the moving package made the younger man chuckle, his cheek tucked with food as he chewed preventing a full laugh. He nodded in time with Alex's statement, though it was clear Zul only needed his guardian's word to do such a thing.
"Don't want anything more catching on fire after all!" He tossed in helpfully despite that, watching Zul gather all the packages together. Watching them shake as they were, something was ready to come out and as they exploded out without fire those somethings did. Zeke nearly choked on his own crepe as three sprightly looking beings took off towards the kitchen. He lifted his plate as he turned around to see over the back of the couch, but the three little whatever-they-are's were darting about too fast for him to see.
While the humans and Raevan were turning and glancing, Dust Bunny was recovering from the shock of three boxes blowing up before her eyes. Alex's tress of hair was forgotten, the kitten had launched herself from her warm perch as bits of wrapping, cardboard, and ribbon flew out. She lodged herself under the coffee table with the hair on her back spiked up and her tail looking like a stiff boa of fur. Even though there were dangly play things just beyond the wooden sanctuary, she would not be coaxed out until whatever those are were rounded up for her to examine. In the kitchen, however, Altair and Faust were contentedly gnawing on their bones. The great Pyrenees was seemingly unphased by the arrival, but Altair looked up as soon as one of the three darted low enough to attract her eye. She remained on the floor with her bone between her paws, but her head moved much like a cobra to the snake charmer's flute as the faeries dipped and spun around confusedly overhead.
Back in the living room, as Zul brought the Gwee's presence to light, Zeke's attention drew from the dizzy sprites to the patio door. He had seen common Gwee in the clinic from time to time since there were a few out there who did own the specimens, but he had never seen one like this. As he watched his movements became noticeably slower like Zul's had, the fork laiden with food rising to his lips. With two large dogs, three faerie things, and now a teal Gwee, this holiday was about to get very interesting very fast. And it did. As the yellow sprite flew around Zul and it saw the dragonette and vice-versa, the entire kitchen went into an uproar. Zahara's presence was the one to get Altair up. The Gwee smelled like outside, and things from outside had to be smelled and inspected as much as outside itself. The Samoyed got up suddenly and with loud, echoing barks that her 'brother' had to see the commotion. Like the female dog, Zahara's arrival - as well as his first true look at the faeries - stirred in him a need to catch and inspect.
From that moment came movement, the two dogs abandoning their bones and taking off after the new creatures and filling the entire house with their noise. From the living room Zeke shouted a loud "Oh god!" and started to squirm his way off the couch to catch at least one of them, but also not trying to spill his breakfast in the process. His legs got twisted together but he finally made it off, calling the mutts' names though it seemed both were now temporarily deaf.
"Altair! Faust!" Breakfast was left on the coffee table - slash - Dust Bunny's sanctuary as Zeke began to make his way to the kitchen, mind set on wrangling the dogs and hopefully not being hit in the head by squealing faerie-things. Back under the table, the barking and noises had the kitten pressed to the floor in shock and fear, her ears pinned back so far against her head they blended in and she appeared ear-less. This place was a mad house! She hadn't wanted to leave her comfy little flat and come here! But Zeke made her! Oh...He'd never get a chin rubbing again for this!
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:35 am
Just as all hell broke loose, Alex burst into laughter.
"You are truly insane, little sister," the older Italian commented. Glancing down to the shivering ball of fear under the table, he sighed, "Dusty, you just stay there Princess. Daddy'll get the bad things." Of course, he meant Zeke, but all the cat would likely hear is 'blah blah blah' anyway, right? He stood with less urgency than his boyfriend, putting his food next to the plate on the coffee table and grabbing a quilt off the back of the couch, draping it over one side of the table to lend to the sense of security for the shivering Maine Coon before ambling out of the living room towards the kitchen. The giant white dogs were more his concern, as those thick rope-like tails were as much a weapon as the meat-hook-esque paws, especially from his Great Pyrenees.
The man took in a deep breath to speak in The Voice That Must Be Obeyed, and immediately inhaled an unhealthy amount of what smelled like something tart and tasted like sour lemon dust on the back of his throat. Brad paused by the bar, promptly starting to cough to clear the intrusive stuff that was definitely leaving the after-taste of potent lemon on his tongue. "What--?"
But that fairy that had lingered over his black hair was already off again, the luminescent blue of an outdoor Gwee hot on her tail. Zahara uttered sweet, high trills that sounded like musical notes as she chased what she labeled as Prey, promising a swift end if the nasty little bugger would just stop for a heartbeat. The two Strange Males did little to alert her to danger, the chaos affording her a delightful cover and just enough distraction from her target that she was certain she'd be able to catch her if she cut a corner here and skimmed a surface there...!
Ever the stalwart holder of doors, Zul simply blinked and watch the scuffle unfold with bemused blue eyes. "What's so funny?" he asked his woman, but all he was rewarded with was more laughter, watching as the Italian fell over onto the couch, clutching her sides and peeling her laughter into the cushions. The demon shook his head, writing her off as mad and floating towards the two men that were at least trying to do something, though it seemed Zeke was in danger of his hair becoming a target for the color-challenged Gwee and fairies while Bear tried to cough out a lung. Floating up behind the larger man, he clapped him hard on the back as he'd seen others do before, trying to help. "Breathe?" he offered up helpfully.
Though Brad wasn't choking on anything but dust, the smack seemed to help, making him right himself - just in time to be hit in the chest in a flurry of sour sprinkles and a strong essence of lemon. Indigo eyes turned upwards in shock to find that the wild dragonette was still hot on her heels, slamming just as hard into his collar bone before sliding down and bumping against his arm that he'd reflexively lifted to keep her from falling. There was one perfect moment of complete surprise by all three lifeforms: the human, utterly bewildered at the creatures in his arms; the fairy, her wide eyes tearful from fear and her own sourness; the dragon, befuddled at having hit something so solid and knowing it wasn't her prey.
The chaos erupted anew. Zahara shrieked in a high-pitched sound that cut through Alex's laughter, zooming out of Brad's arms and narrowly missing Zeke's head. Like a frightened bird, she flew upwards, finding ceiling and unforgiving wall, wings beating uselessly against the hanging pots and pans and adding a new clatter to the cacophony of sound. She began to hiss, small but sharp claws scrambling for purchase against the cabinets, now aware of the dogs, now aware of the men and now aware she was not outside.
Apparently, a wild animal in distress was more cause for the zoologist to gain some semblance of control over herself, shakily getting off of the couch as the last of her giggle-fit died off. Alex jogged towards the kitchen, but the males were blocking off her entry, and even if she could get through, the dogs would undoubtedly be a hurdle she could not jump, especially since Faust came to her navel. "Gah--one of you, open the fridge and get out the fish!" she cried out, leaning over the bar and pointed towards the fridge. "Give it here, before the dogs learn to climb!"
"What am I supposed to do with this?" Brad croaked, his voice hoarse from the powder that had coated his throat, coughing still but not as badly. The lemon fairy remained clinging to him with wide eyes, the other two buzzing in maddening circles just out of reach of the dogs. The coffee sprite tried to go near the ceiling, but the hissing and lashing reptile kept her from succeeding. The two had nowhere to go with the humans in the way and the Gwee blocking the only other sanctuary, making them panic and shed their essences more freely; the room suddenly smelled like a chocolate espresso with a sprig of lemon.
Alex swatted at Brad's shoulder. "Get your dogs and move out or just move, hero!" she cried out in both amusement and exasperation. Christmas at her house was truly an event!
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:56 pm
Zeke wasn't aware his beloved had joined him until the Italian started coughing, but even then he could only afford a quick look over his shoulder with an alarmed expression as he wrapped himself up in the chaos that was happening in the kitchen. Altair and Faust were practically leaping over each other to get at the fairies and wayward Gwee and though the kitchen was comfortably large when empty, the mass frenzy made it feel all too small.
Despite that claustrophobia, manic situation, coughing boyfriend, and pelts by fleeing food sprites, Zeke was laughing just as hard and loud as Alex was. His face, neck, and ears were by now a bright but splotchy red and his eyes stung with both tears and essence de fairies. His own fit of coughing joined the fray as a coffee sprite spun a spiral around his body before taking off toward the fridge, but he couldn't stop laughing! This...this was one of the best damned Christmases ever! Zeke ducked as the strange Gwee came around again, hot on the heels of that sour sprite and flying right at his boyfriend. Altair was right on her tail and the vet braced himself for both impact and making a fast grab.
"Altair come here right now!" The dog was still deaf to his words and her eyes were only for the strange outside-smelling critter, but in that moment two arms had her 'round the middle and the pup found herself lifted off the floor. She gave several loud barks at the situation she was in and squirmed like hell to free herself, especially as Faust took over her place in the lead, but Zeke held on fast. "Altair, no!" His arms tightened, it was all he could do when he was laughing, coughing on coffee, and now choking on thick, fluffy white fur. But even that wouldn't last, especially when Zahara finally realized what sort of predicament she had inadvertently landed herself into.
The shriek the little dragon made was enough to make Zeke's laughter come to a stop as he both took in a mouthful of fur on a gasp - making him choke more - and drop Altair in an attempt to cover his ears from the splitting noise. The pup got her opening and took it, taking off after her brother and the teal, flying creature. This was bad for Zeke as Zahara came right for him, which in turn sent the dogs in his direction as well. He was immediately bowled over as he tried to duck out of the Gwee's flight path, landing hard on his a** with a cry that was more out of being startled than hurt. Faust trampled over his hand, but that was nothing compared to the sudden shock that was going up his spine at landing like that. His eyes had been watering before, but now tears were crawling down his cheeks thanks to that added dose of pain.
"I-I-I'm on it!" He managed to stutter out his ability to do things as Alex gave her orders, but his actions were less than quick. It hurt to put his weight on his hand in an attempt to get up, so Zeke floundered about on the floor for a moment's notice until his brain made the connection that he should use his other hand to get himself up off his a** and out of any immediate danger. It worked, naturally and even though the pain was roosting in both his rear and his lower back he managed to make it to the fridge with only two trips over his own feet.
"Fish..." He trailed off with his tone leaking urgency through his still-choking laughter. His eyes darted about the interior of the ice box and missed the plate of shrink wrapped fish twice before a pixie to the head made them land right on it. It was immediately nabbed and with no grace or charm Zeke dug his short nails into the otherwise tricky covering and ripped a sizable hole into the plastic wrap. "Here!" He cried and practically tossed the plate at his sibling when he was close enough. The plate wobbled against his fingertips but managed to fly right - or what Zeke hoped would be right. Add a fish spill to this situation and God knows what could happen! His thoughts were aligned perfectly with Alex's even as he darted through the lemon-coffee haze toward his shell shocked and stupefied beloved. Christmas at Alex's was an event unto itself!
"I'll take this," he sputtered, grin stretching a mile wide and then some as he plucked the sprite off his boyfriend tenderly with shaking hands, "you get the dorks!" He knew of the Voice That Must Be Obeyed and was definitely not a pro at it himself. Brad would be the most effective at getting the two presently wild dogs to back off the frightened dragon. "Get them and corral them toward the guest room, I'll open the door and we'll keep them in there until things maybe calm down!"
Maybe. With this starting off the morning, Zeke couldn't imagine anything calming down at all and, in fact, he looked forward to that prospect!
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