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((Backlogged - takes place in the final week of May.))

It wasn't until they were seated on the plane that Billy started to appear any bit nervous - even then it was more because of the plane rather than the fact that they were going to visit what was his grandmother's ranch. Now his aunt ran it. Regardless, they would be there for a whole week. He still wasn't quite sure what to make of that. The plane however.... It left Billy fidgety. Like a cat in a round room full of rocking chairs.

Billy reached over and grabbed Ladon's hand, kissing his knuckles as take-off was announced. The next four hours were going to be long.


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Getting off the plane it was just as crowded as when they'd boarded, though this time there was a sea of people holding up signs for their loved one's to find them, and happy reunions. Perhaps what gave away his aunt's presence more so than the sign, was the distinct, dusty, rancher look.

Her dark, poofy, curly hair was held back by a red bandanna, jeans worn and thinning at the knees, work boots, and a faded red plaid button-up shirt, sleeves rolled up at the elbows. And a cowboy hat. She has the same caramel skin as her nephew, but her eyes were dark chocolate like her hair.

Honestly it didn't seem the fashion apple fell too far from the tree, although Billy's own pants were clean and well kept jeans, and his shoes something of the plain sneaker variety. His shirt was a grayish blue with a small deep blue plaid rolled up at the elbows, and the cowboy hat he would have normally worn was somewhere in luggage....

When she saw Billy notice her she waved, "Hey!"

Billy nudged Ladon and he muttered, "Over there.."

Recognize? No, bot quite, but the sign helped. Greetings were shared, bags picked up, and soon they were stuffed in the front seat of an old pickup truck that looked like it had seen better days. Conversation, lead largely by Billy's aunt, continued for some time as they drove out of the city and in to the suburbs, and then out even further in to the rugged countryside and silence lingered, more comfortable now as time went on.

Billy felt a bit awkward, clearly guarded, not sure what to say or how to act, and struggling with his ego - knowing he needed to act with humility and humble, but more comfortable with his better-than-you persona.

Finally the truck turned on to a long dirt road, then on to another, this one with a sign arching over it, denoting the name of some ranch, and on each side as white fencing and large pasture, the grasses tall and yellowed from the dry season. The closer they got to the ranch house a large house, rustic with black shutters and white vinyl siding, a chimney, and a screened in porch with lots of wind chimes jingling in the slight breeze, soon came in to view. Not far from it was an even larger barnhouse. Set in the background was a forest, green and lush in contrast to the dry pasture. The yard was dusty, heavily trodden so grass had hardly a chance to grow.

The truck came to a stop between the house and the barn, "We're here boys. Let's get y'all set up inside so you can rest up 'till dinner. Then you can meet everyone."

With that, she exited the truck. Billy gave a bit of a sigh of relief - because omg, 3 wide in the front of a truck? Personal space say wut? - and looked over to Ladon, who had been afforded the passenger side, rather than the awkward middle.

"Well, here we are.."