|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:16 pm
TRIGGER WARNINGS: suicide mention Alight the Year
WHO: Anita & Cruz (ex o ex Snoof) with Duncan, Mordekai, and some rowdy men (Rookeries).
WHEN: New Years Eve, 2013!
WHERE: The Clarke residence.
WEATHER: Chilly and breezy, from dusk to new year.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:16 pm
Mordekai did as Duncan said. He sent out invitations to the same people that were invited to Thanksgiving-- the ones that rejected before rejected again, and many more followed. Anne's friends were learning to move on, Jocelyn and Kashi had other friends to tend to. Rebecca chose similar friendly excursions and warily left her children with a babysitter instead of at Duncan's home-- she didn't seem too pleased when Mordekai had texted her.
The one person who hadn't responded back was Johan, but as New Years Eve rolled on, Mordekai realized there would be no answer. That was okay, though it caused Duncan and Mordekai both some worry; was he mad about something, or was he simply busy? Who knew.
It was lonely at the Clarke household until late evening, though preparations began in the afternoon. The only attendants to their New Years tirade that arrived early were Farrer, Skye, Twain, Garcia, and Lyons, who filed in with several packs' of beer and wide smiles. Mordekai received them with equal warmth, though Duncan was initially reticent-- why that much liquor? We already have champagne. They all laughed at him. That's cute.
After their guests settled in, Mordekai was able to start the grill and prepare the marinated ribs for sustenance that wasn't lager, as they'd already had their fair share of alcohol only an hour or so into their entrance. Farrer practically tackled the blonde away from the grill site to do it his own way, shirtless and cheeky with beer in hand; this left Mordekai in the hands of Duncan and the four other men, who lounged in the backyard, laughing like a pack of stray hyenas. Mordekai stared off into the garden ambivalently through the beginning of the excursion, laughing along occasionally.
Even while basking in the New Years warmth, Mordekai couldn't help but think about the texts he'd sent only two weeks ago: he didn't forget Anita, not this time, but he was doubtful that she would arrive. He invited her for Duncan's sake, to help understand if Anita hated him or not-- but he still couldn't tell if she was simply being courteous or not. A part of him hoped she wouldn't come today out of fear of confrontation-- even after all this time, he wasn't necessarily sure if he was ready to talk. Not about that. Not to a stranger.
Eventually, Mordekai resounded to putting on a show and hiding his worries: he pleased his friends by laughing along to their jokes, smiling back when he could. He asked Farrer if he could stop ******** his grill again. When Farrer told him to give him a moment, Mordekai sunk into his chair and soaked in the current mood of the crowd: there were his closest friends and Duncan. It was supposed to be pleasant-- he took another swig of his beer. This is pleasant.
He supposed, if Anita didn't come, she wouldn't be susceptible to a gaggle of shirtless, tizzy men, and an old man also on the verge of getting there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:19 pm
Their exchanges hadn't been forgotten by her, either. The frei had also been unnerved by one of them, if that one could be called an exchange, and he asked Anita for more information later in the week. She asked if he remembered the man in the gazebo among Duncan's garden, the man who was hurting and had to go to the hospital. Cruz recalled. Anita told him that man was Mordekai and Cruz seemed a bit frazzled. It didn't take long to calm him, considering the man appeared fine at Thanksgiving, and Anita neglected to elaborate on the initial phone call that sprang these events in motion. Cruz was merely brought up to date involving her erratic explosion of emotions over the phone and matters of New Years. Duncan and she misunderstood something, she explained, and were scared Mordekai was hurting again but everything turned out fine. In fact, they were invited to another get together.
Christmas had been surprisingly tiring for both of them. The previous two with Cruz had been small, just between Anita, Cruz, Tango, and Minerva, with the dinkiest store bought plastic tree. It was quiet, just a day spent at home with hot chocolate, opening gifts, playing around, and watching every on air Christmas special they could find. Comparatively, this past one had been about as eventful as Thanksgiving – for better or worse.
Considering several attendees to Thanksgiving had chosen (or been chosen, in Jerri and Jillette's cases) to dress nicely for the occasion, Anita decided to do the same this time. She felt comfortable at the time but, the more she thought about it, wearing such casual street clothes probably didn't help Johan's attitude with her even if it was a really minor detail in the grand scheme. All in all, she wanted to make a good impression and avoid any unnecessary tension. Mostly, she wanted to not step on egg shells. She and Cruz both decorated themselves: Anita wore a deep red top, form fitting and low necked, with a long bottom that draped around her hips. The waist was tightened with a thin cloth belt and, beneath that, were dark slacks and matching boots. Her braids were removed, just letting her mane of hair down; it curled and waved to just above her rear. Cruz tied his hair low, as was cold weather tradition, with a red ribbon. Over top his outfit he wore a moss green peacoat and bright red fingerless wool gloves, which kept him insulated but his fingers articulate. Once more, Tango was accented for the season, this time donning a sky blue bandanna with various snowflakes.
Peace offerings: a twelve pack of Heineken, a twelve pack of Blue Moon, and some pig snacks (chips, dip, and a small assortment of sweets).
For the most part, she felt prepared. There was a tenseness in her gut as they parked, finally arriving on the later end of nine o'clock, but she pushed it down. Cruz seemed perfectly content, no doubt having sorted out his feelings on the matter long before, and expressed his eagerness in seeing everyone again – particularly the kids. Neither of them knew who all would be there but Anita agreed with the sentiment. While she handled the beers, Cruz carried the paper bag full of snacks and lead Tango to the door behind her. Both of their arms were full, so Anita adjusted and knocked on the door with her boot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:21 pm
If the backyard door wasn't open and the area particularly adapted to picking up sounds, everyone there would have missed Anita's knocking. Everyone-- including Farrer, who was now sweaty from the barbeque smoke and heat-- stared up in near unison and stared toward where the house entrance was. Duncan and Mordekai stared between each other in shock, though it was obvious that Mordekai was the more magnificently astonished of the two. Before Duncan was even able to stand fully, Mordekai flung himself out of the seat, sloppily handed his beer to Lyons, and paced through the house.
While Lyons swore at the slosh of beer spilling onto his freckled chest, Mordekai swung the door open full-speed-- he didn't even care to look at the peephole; if some a*****e was standing there, he'd deal with it. What he was met with instead was what he'd been ruminating over all along-- Anita, Cruz, and Tango. They were dressed nice. He was in his crap work flannel and crap work jeans, while everyone in the back looked mildly shitfaced.
"Oh," Mordekai began; it slowly dawned on him that he was practically staring the three down. His hesitation immediately melted into warm greetings, though, and he offered Anita a (somewhat nervous) smile, then to Cruz, then to Tango, who actually helped alleviate some of his nerves.
He stepped to the side of the door, allowing the three's entry. "C'mon in, everyone's out back. Y'all are, uh," he chuckled, "Dressed... for the occasion."
Due to the narrow nature of the backyard door, it was still difficult to see the men and Duncan out in the back, though they could hear Mordekai clearly. Lyons looked the most hopeful of the remaining six, while Duncan looked the most shocked-- the redhead looked around the group and laughed.
"Think it's a gal?"
"What are you, 12?" Farrer shot a glance at Lyons, "Just wait, Jesus Christ."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:23 pm
”Oh.”
The smile Anita prepared faltered.
Cruz offered a calm smile and greeting to Mordekai while gently pulling Tango forward. The dog's ears tucked back and he gazed up with his tail swaying gently.
Once they were allowed in, Anita managed to respond, though it wasn't quite as proper as she was hoping. She gave a short, nervous laugh as their attire was pointed out. ”Err, yeah. Misunderstood.” Tucking one of the beer packs carefully under her arm, she offered the other to Mordekai to take directly. ”Brought more, since they were popular. Who all's here?”
The frei was quick to make himself at home, so to speak, and floated casually toward the kitchen with Tango in tow. The bag was set upon the kitchen table and he hovered low to fiddle with Tango's leash. As soon as the clip was released, the dog was off. His claws clacked noisily as he propelled himself toward the back door and ran full tilt out into the yard, past all of the other present guests. He ignored all of them in favor of flopping and practically tumbling into the grass, only to leap back up after a single roll, and careened toward a large collection of bushes.
”Woah, woah, hey!” Anita chided, loud enough to carry to the back, but Tango was already gone. ”Give him a sec next time, okay? We just got in.”
Cruz frowned and turned back to both Anita and Mordekai, wringing the lead. ”Sorry. He likes it here.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:23 pm
Mordekai followed obediently behind Anita and offered a sympathetic laugh. "S'okay, you three look awful nice. Just apologizin' ahead of time 'cause the rest of us look like trash." Mordekai quietly wondered if his statement was too direct, but he quickly took one pack of beers and offered Anita a shy, anxious thanks. "Just Farrer an' the rest of the boys. And Duncan, but ain't that obvious."
As they neared the kitchen towards the back door, the loudness of their remaining company was evident: people were still giving Lyons crap about calling a woman a 'gal,' after all, while Duncan tried to dissuade them from ruining Lyons' mood. Mordekai's expression immediately brightened when Tango was released and rushed out to the backyard-- it took every fiber of his willpower to stay put. As the wolfhound made his crash entrance out back, the men-- Farrer especially so-- began hooting and shouting in celebration. They called out 'Tango' with howls-- of course they all remembered him. That canine stole Mordekai's heart, after all.
"Your boyfriend's here," Farrer shouted back to the kitchen-- Mordekai, however, immediately turned his attention back to Anita and Cruz. He laughed more genuinely this time and set the pack of beers on the kitchen counter, waving dismissively toward the backyard's direction.
"Don't worry 'bout it none, Tango's more than welcomed 'round here." He hesitated-- did he even greet Anita and Cruz properly, outside of his scant 'oh?' He held out one hand towards Anita, first, his face reading a mix of apologetic and confused.
"Sorry 'bout my initial greeting, you two," he chuckled sheepishly, "It's nice seein' you three today. I really mean it, thanks for comin' to." He gestured toward the yard, though, and inched awkwardly toward it.
"A-anyways, I'm sure Duncan an' the guys are hoppin' to see you two."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:25 pm
Just Farrer and them? No kids? No brother?
Initially Anita looked confused but, after Cruz's apology and Mordekai's assurance that it was fine, she calmed and shrugged. She wandered further into the kitchen with them, finding a spot in the fridge for the twelve pack she was still carrying then retrieved the pack she handed over to do the same. Farrer's announcement made her laugh and for a moment Anita stood there with her hands on her sides, just staring out towards the back.
”Hm?” she and Cruz turned back in time, the latter taking Mordekai's offered hand first with an enthusiastic but short lived grip.
”Thank you,” the croc rumbled before turning his attention out back, ”Are we staying out?” He needed to know whether or not he should keep his coat on, to make sure his temperature was mediated properly.
She shrugged and gave Mordekai a quiet laugh while taking his hand in greeting. It was obvious to her that's where everyone was hanging out, at least for now, so she nodded to Cruz who took that as a go ahead to enter the yard and give his greetings. ”Hello,” he grumbled pleasantly to them all, floating at about chest height.
In the grass and among the vegetation, Tango found a nice mound of dirt to roll around in for a minute. When he felt satisfied, the mutt got back on his feet and shook off, tags jiggling noisily beneath the bandanna. Feeling more content, the dog trotted over to the group and sniffed at all of them, wagging his tail harder if he received any touches or affection.
”So no kids this time, huh?” Anita asked rhetorically while her back was toward him. She glanced down at her now over dressed self, which just made it look like she hung her head. A sharp scoff parted her lips and she held her arms out in an exaggerated shrug.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:25 pm
Everyone greeted Cruz with warm welcomes-- they all shouted his name much like they did with Tango, only this time they chose not to howl. Duncan, who remained the quietest and most amused in all this, stood and turned around to greet Cruz properly, extending one hand to Tango in greeting, as Mordekai did.
"Cruz, it's great to see you again," he smiled. While he wasn't shirtless and gradually getting more intoxicated as the men were, he wasn't necessarily too formal, either-- he wore his typical gardening jacket and slightly worn slacks. Due to the briskness outdoors, he wore a flatcap to keep his head warm, but his nose and cheeks were still amply red.
"No kids this time," Mordekai admitted, "'Less you count the ones out back." He followed Anita out back-- he decided to leave the packs where they were, for now, as the boxes of beer and champagne they had outside already were plenty much, a dozen cartridges present in and of itself. As Anita made her reveal, Duncan remained standing and Mordekai tapped Lyons to give him his beer-- when the redhead didn't notice, Mordekai simply pried it out of his hands.
And, of course, the ceremonial unisonal cry: "ANITAAAAAAAAAAA," until everyone settled back into their business. When Anita said her bit, everyone shared a good laugh, and Farrer shoved a 12-pack of Samuel Adams towards her with his foot. Duncan also joined in with his own share of laughter, though was able to calm and give Anita a proper salutation.
"Anita! It's nice seeing you here," Duncan offered the same handshake courtesy as he did to Cruz, "I hope you don't mind the cold-- I think the men here are pretty dead set on staying outside."
After Mordekai took the last few swings of his beer, he cut across the crowd to go near Farrer faster. The dark-haired man stared at the blonde with wild, daring eyes, and Mordekai innocently placed his arm around his shoulder.
"You should sit with the lady," Mordekai added, "An' stop holdin' onto my girl, you a*****e."
Farrer shrugged, then shook his head. "Nah." He flipped the giant hunks of aluminum foil-- which contained the ribs-- arbitrarily around, which caused Mordekai to make a face.
"I'm gonna pinch you by your icy nipples if you don't let off," Mordekai chided, playfully, "Now kindly ******** off, sir."
"Aaah," Farrer made a halfhearted try at making a scaredy girl noise. "Nice try. Don't you want to tell her something?"
Mordekai's face fell-- how would Farrer know? "...What?" he asked quietly, his eyes wide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:26 pm
The group greeting Cruz received caused a throaty laugh. He smiled wide to the boys, holding his arms up as if triumphant, then turned to Duncan as he was addressed. ”Yes,” the frei purred, taking Duncan's hand in both of his to shake, ”Thanks. You too.” It was nice to see all of them, and they were all so pleasantly excited to see everyone else as evidenced by not only their greeting of Tango but also Anita as she stepped out into the yard.
Anita put on a mock expression of smug pleasure, lifting her chin and squinting at them all while nodding and gesturing for their shouting to continue. When it tapered off she laughed and made her way to Cruz's side near Duncan. She noted the beers that were nudged toward her and gave Farrer a wry smirk for doing so but took none.
”How's it goin', man?” she took Duncan's hand far more casually, giving her wrist a slight flick as their palms met, but her shake was as pleasant and firm.
Tango could smell the ribs and he panted while circling around the grill area. From the look in his eyes he was liable to start drooling any minute.
”Nah, I should be fine. If it gets too chilly I've got a jacket in the car.” Her hair being down was actually a huge help in terms of insulation, keeping her back covered and warm. The fabric of her shirt looked thin but it was hardy and soft, intended to keep heat in. The slacks were another story, unfortunately. She could feel goosebumps on her legs already but did her best to pay them no mind.
Part of her wanted to ask Duncan flat out if everything was fine, had been alright following Mordekai being found on the floor, but now wasn't the time. Not in front of everyone, least of all Mordekai himself. Instead she offered him a smile, though the still somewhat unsteady feeling in her gut played with it a little – made it weaker.
She stepped over to the table and plopped down in the nearest free seat with the gathering of men. ”What you bitches been up to?”
Cruz glossed over the cursing. He was used to it in various forms, casual swearing nothing new, but he neither balked nor found interest in the words. Still, Anita usually tried to watch her mouth around him but it happened a lot during Christmas too. He supposed that was just how humans were when they socialized and he didn't mind. For now he just floated near Duncan and watched Tango anxiously pace, silently begging for scraps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:27 pm
"Everything's been going great, Anita, how are you?" Duncan offered, before gesturing toward the vacant seats. Meanwhile, Mordekai and Farrer stared at each other with equal mixes of growing confusion.
"What do you mean," Mordekai enunciated, gravely.
"...That y'wanna ******** her dog?" Farrer joked. He clearly noted the pitfall silence that Mordekai transitioned into just before, though; immediately afterward, Mordekai's expression lightened into that of quaint anger.
"Sonnuva-- I hate you," he tightened his grip around Farrer and playfully-- but still forcefully-- pinched one of Farrer's nipples. Farrer let out a strong "s**t" before punching Mordekai in the gut and covering his bare chest. As Farrer shied away, Mordekai reclaimed his rightful place in front of the grill.
Farrer smoothly knelt down to grab a beer before sitting next to Anita. The only free seats available after Cruz took his were directly across the Frei; there were two between Garcia and Twain, the latter of whom looked humbly at her with a polite nod. Though all of the men were clearly shirtless, they all responded differently to Anita's response. The loudest, though, was Garcia, who began speaking over Lyons before the redhead had a chance to finish his sentence.
"Just shootin' the s**t, you know, enjoying the breeze." Garcia leaned back, obviously noting the bare nature of everyone involved; Twain squirmed slightly in his seat and took another swig of his beer.
"I'm just hungry," Twain remarked, voice frank, "I haven't eaten anything all day."
Mordekai overheard, and let out a loud sigh of defeat, which was mixed with yelling and laughing. He raised his arms up in the air, metal grip in one hand, "How many times did I tol' you guys that this s**t was staring at nine!" He slumped back and focused again on checking the meat-- he noticed Tango by the glimpse of his eye, though, and knelt down to pat his knee.
"Tango, hey, c'mere," he grinned, "You're the good one here."
Duncan faced Cruz, then, obviously uninterested in the boys' shenanigans, "How was your Christmas, Cruz? Did you do anything exciting?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:28 pm
”I'm pretty good! The drive over here was quick since everyone's holed up where they wanna be by now,” she shrugged lightly to Duncan with a soft smile.
Soon everything was taken over by laughter and shouting. Anita snerked at the scene behind her between Farrer and Mordekai while also taking note of how good the ribs smelled. As Lyons was interrupted, she gave him a quick hand wave of an apology and smiled at everyone who responded, chuckling here and there. She greeted Farrer's presence with a quick, wide grin, then promptly covered her face to laugh at Mordekai's playful exasperation.
”I ate but I'm still starving. What's the ETA on those suckers?”
Tango plodded up to Mordekai just from the pat to the knee. A short series of soft whines sounded from his throat as he gave the man a proper greeting, closing his mouth to sniff intently at his hands, shirt, neck, scruff. Particularly his scruff.
The croc's attention returned to Duncan after he laughed along with the shenanigans before him. ”It was different,” he noted, though was sure to smile, ”I met more of 'Nita's family.” For a second his smile wavered. Cruz was quick to pick it back up and offer a shrug, holding his arms out and then dropping them back against the long coat. ”Not sure they like me.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:28 pm
Mordekai gave Tango a few good scratches on his head, and allowed the boy to smell where he pleased. "Gimme a minute, alright?" he ushered quietly to Tango, "I'm gonna feed you in a sec. I know you're hungry."
Mordekai quickly stood back up, then turned back to Anita and company. "Give it 'nother hour or so," he called to Anita; he unwrapped the foil and checked the color and texture of the ribs. He carefully began unfolding the meat from the foil with his metal clips, then set both the mess of hot foil and clips to the side. The hunks of ribs quickly steamed with the direct contact of the iron grill, and Mordekai quickly turned the temperature knob. He looked below the metal clip and foil-- s**t.
"Someone run in an' get the sauce for me. Should be right near the sink," he glanced at Farrer expectantly, then added innocently, "...An' there should be a platter of hot dog for Tango, too. Right next to it."
"Bring more beers, too," Lyons noted, "And get my shirt and jacket, I need a smoke."
"I'll do it for the dog," Farrer snapped, then stood-- he turned to Anita, then gestured toward the kitchen. "Help me with the beers? I'm not helping the kid out with the rest." The clearly written annoyance in his expression wanted Anita not to help Lyons, either, but he seemed quietly expectant of her to follow along.
Duncan frowned. "Why wouldn't they like you, Cruz? You're one of the kindest Raevans I've met," he would venture to say he hadn't yet met many Raevans at all, but his point still stood. "I'm sure they liked you plenty."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:29 pm
Once Tango seemed satisfied with his sniffing and got a good dose of affection, he offered Mordekai a few sloppy licks to his chin. Anita gave a thumbs up to the rib announcement, but laughed hollowly. ”Don't let him fool you, he's eaten plenty today. He can have more but he's definitely not starved,” she playfully eyed the dog who, upon noticing, just resumed panting and wagging his tail.
Anita gave a quiet 'oop', standing at the same time as Farrer at the sauce request. She paused when he addressed her, then continued on as planned. ”Yep.” Though she caught Farrer's annoyance at Lyons' request, she hadn't noticed the look he gave her. The request would be a little difficult without knowing what Lyons was wearing but once she got inside she made her way over to the fridge and got the beers first.
”I dunno,” Cruz admitted with a sheepish smile, looking toward the grass rather than Duncan, ”They didn't talk to me much. Nita's aunt Jess was nice,” he recalled as he brought his hands up and tucked them into either side of the peacoat's collar for more warmth, ”Grandad was nice, uncle was nice.”
The frei pouted. Everyone was nice. Most of them just didn't pay him much mind or, if they did, their gazes carried scrutiny, confusion, or skepticism.
Against Farrer's silent direction, Anita tucked through some jackets and retrieved a pack of cigarettes and a lighter that she assumed was Lyons'. Both were carried out with a beer, though she left the articles of clothing inside. He didn't want to be cold, he could get them himself. The can was set in front of him with the pack and lighter neatly stacked beside it. Anita tucked herself back into her seat and crossed her legs, craning her neck to watch Tango as he scuttled to Farrer.
Now he was drooling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:29 pm
Duncan was able to tell that Cruz was uncomfortable by the conversation, but what was there to do? He found no reason why anyone would be discourteous to the Frei, though given Cruz's answers, it seemed that rudeness wasn't quite the case. Perhaps the nature of Raevans was a strange notion to others-- it certainly was to Duncan when he first saw Anastacia. He offered Cruz a friendly tap on the shoulder, "It's difficult for some to understand that others might be different. If this was the first time they saw a Raevan," he guessed as much; he didn't see any of the same surnames or heard mention of other family with Raevans, anyhow, "They may have just been surprised. Either way, I'm glad you got to meet Anita's family."
Duncan leaned back in his chair and sipped his champagne. "I suppose Christmas over here wasn't as crowded as yours. It was... a change." Was it a nice change? He wasn't too sure.
"I certainly wouldn't know what to do if I saw my cousin or whatever cart you in, Cruz," Twain piped up-- Mordekai swiftly walked a few paces over to kick the back of the younger man's chair. Skye, who was relatively calm this entire time-- and was successfully blending into the crowd-- cleared his breath, and took another drink of his beer.
"You kidding? Cruz, my relatives would have thought you were the coolest s**t," Skye smiled brightly, "And my sister's impressionable. Heard about your food source from Mordekai-- my sister would've eagerly made out with you."
Garcia and Lyons looked between each other in vague realization-- they'd forgotten about the Frei's odd food source, of course, since it wasn't so much their concern. Twain glanced back at Mordekai and the grill-- he was still content with checking the meat once in a while and closing the compartment to give Tango his attention.
When Farrer and Anita rolled back around, and Tango turned his attention back to them, Mordekai glanced up and stood. Farrer nudged his shoulders to emphasize his cargo-- the hot dog plate and sauce, respectively, to hand them over to Mordekai. Just as Mordekai reached over to take the two items away from him, though, he tugged it back and leaned forward to whisper into the blonde's ear.
"What was that look you gave me earlier, Kantor?"
As Mordekai quietly glanced over at Anita, and carefully began wrangling the bowl and plate from Farrer. "Didn't get where your shitty joke was getting at, is all."
Farrer let off with a scoff and sat back down, though the man was clearly unsettled when he noticed Anita hand the cigarettes, lighter, and beer to Lyons. Lyons looked up at her with all the pleasure and quaintness in the world, and bowed his head slightly in thanks.
"Thanks, Anita." As Anita returned to her seat, Lyons quickly lit a cigarette and took a good, long suck, puffing it out into the air along with the quickly fading grill smoke. The grill was briefly reopened while Mordekai brushed the sauce onto the ribs.
"I told you not to pamper him, Anita," Farrer whined, though he was obviously more playful towards her than the other men. "He'll start calling you princess, and an assortment of other shitty names."
"Like gal," Garcia noted, which caused Lyons to choke on his smoke.
After the first layer of sauce was smattered on, Mordekai closed the grill again and returned his attention to Tango. He split up the hot dogs with his fingers-- it was actually his dinner from earlier-- and knelt back down. He held one piece of meat high up in the air, his blue eyes wide.
"C'mere, Tango," Mordekai set the plate down onto the grill's side table and pat his knee again, "Got some wieners for you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:31 pm
Duncan's perspective on the matter matched along with Anita's own and, knowing they'd had no time to discuss it so the older man's opinion was unbiased, Cruz was able to smile more genuinely. ”Guess so,” he shrugged gently, then looked at Twain with a curious eye. Mordekai's intervention garnered a reptilian hiss from the frei accompanied by a grin.
Skye's comment, on the other hand, piqued his interest. Green eyes widened and his mouth dipped open . ”Make out?” He'd heard the term before and knew it was in relation to kissing but he wasn't sure he'd ever made out with someone before. ”Is that tongue kissing?” Lips were where he needed his food. The concept of two people's tongues touching, writhing, seemed sloppy and kind of strange. What was the point? It definitely couldn't compare to the feeling of soft, warm lips against his own, as far as he was concerned.
For all of Anita's movement, she kept her gaze away from Mordekai. It wasn't intentional, though she did want to give him some space.
”S'all good,” Anita shrugged to Lyons, smiling but also not paying him any further mind. She lifted her chin to Farrer whined and she scoffed, ”You can't tell me what to do~”
Garcia's addition and Lyons' reaction went over her head but she laughed anyway, since 'gal' was a suitably dull nickname for the point Farrer was trying to get across.
The dog circled and stammered, eager for whatever was on that plate. He could smell it through the haze of ribs and grill grates. As Mordekai held it up high, Tango's followed it. It only took a second before he delicately sat down as politely as he could and stared at the small slab of meat in his hands with a burning need.
”Mordekai really likes Tango,” Cruz observed, watching the blond hold up the treat. It wasn't surprising Tango obeyed, he was a good boy – especially if there was food – but he wondered if there was anything special about Tango to Mordekai that would have them both taken so quickly with one another.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
