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 Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:27 am
Who: Cruz and Anita (Snoof) with Duncan, Mordekai, and the Petits (Roo)
Where: Duncan's house
When: Late July
Weather: Sunny, with very few clouds and a gentle breeze------ It hadn't been too long since their last visit to the Clarke household but both Cruz and his guardian had been eager to return. For Cruz's part, there was always an eagerness to visit and it seemed to be the case for Anita as well. She mentioned to him that Mordekai said they would get to collect some things from the garden before long, something he evidently shared during their ever growing amount of coffee excursions.
There was something more exciting about the prospect of this visit that Cruz could not quite put his finger on. Perhaps there was some lingering anxiousness about the Lyons kiss debacle, his own curiosity in having sensed it, or maybe it was more that Anita herself seemed even more primed to go than usual. She was dressed and showered fairly early for a Saturday, bright eyed and bushy haired. They set out around 9:30 that morning, enjoying a calm but energized and music filled ride. The thought to bring Tango was passed between them but, considering they were given the heads up that the Petits would be attending as well, Anita thought it best to let him stay at home with Minerva.
Greetings were pleasant when they pulled into the driveway, just before eleven o'clock. Though they had both eaten a little before departing, Anita especially was already hungry again. Cruz was awarded kisses from all sides and filled with contentment. Mordekai saw fit to take food requests and before long was cooking up good smelling things that reminded the croc of several Summers ago.
”These are so good, thank you,” Anita mumbled through a bite of chocolate chip pancakes, taking care to cover her mouth with the back of her hand.
Cruz grinned, floating low at the table with his fingers and chin on the edge. ”When are they coming?” he glanced at Duncan, eagerness apparent in the gleam of his eyes.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:46 am
Mordekai kept himself busy at the kitchen and took a few bites to eat between brunch preparation-- along with the pancakes were Duncan's usual toast and eggs and sausages, made more at Mordekai's behest than his. By the time things were slowing down in terms of cooking, and a hilltop of pancakes were at the ready on the dining table, Mordekai took a break to eat from his plate at he counter. He looked up from his cup of water at Anita's compliment and thanks with a glowing smile. "Oh-- 'course! Glad you like 'em."
The blond's smile continued to linger as he refocused on eating his food. Duncan looked between Anita and Mordekai both, then to Cruz, whose grin caused the older man to brighten up himself. He set his tea down to glance at the clock across the television; it was just past the afternoon, which meant Rebecca and the kids were slightly late. How unusual. With upturned brows, Duncan turned back to the Frei to respond with some uncertainty. "They should be here soon," he lifted the teapot to measure the water, then stood to walk to the counter, "I'll be sure to give them a call if they aren't here by one."
As if summoned, someone rang at the bell. Duncan and Mordekai both glanced up from what they were doing, one filling the teapot with water and the other eating. Duncan set his teapot down at the counter while Mordekai pulled out of his chair; "I'll get it," Duncan assured. Mordekai nodded while chewing on a bit of pancake and watched Duncan walk to the foyer nonetheless. He only turned back toward his food once Duncan opened the door.
"Hello!" Rebecca's voice could be heard clearly from the entrance. She was standing, primly dressed with both of her children at either side of her. "It's so good to see you," she managed; Duncan laughed warmly as Rebecca pulled him in for a hug.
"Oh, it's great seeing you, too!" Duncan stood back from the entrance to allow Rebecca and her children to walk inside. Jillette and Jerri both teetered toward the edge of the foyer to see if the rumors were correct-- that both Cruz and Anita were there. As soon as they both spotted a glimpse of green, they hurried forward.
"How have you been?" Rebecca continued, initially unaware-- as soon as caught the two starting their way into the kitchen without her, she called out, her tone impatient. "Kids, what do you say to Uncle Clarke?"
Jillette was the first to glance back. She smiled, cheeks red, and waved toward Duncan. "Hi, uncle. Thank you for inviting us over."
Jerri followed with much the same. "Hi, uncle."
And, with that, the two kids ran to the kitchen, with Rebecca and Duncan following slowly behind with their own conversation in tow. Mordekai laughed as Jerri and Jillette both launched themselves at the Frei, their arms extended to give Cruz a tight hug.
"Cruz!!"
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:50 am
The sudden doorball gave Anita a start in her seat; she covered her mouth and gave a hushed laugh at herself. Cruz pushed himself higher with the help of the table, looking eagerly down the hall toward the foyer. The frei glanced at his guardian, who seemed to have just returned her eyes to her plate after paying Mordekai a quick smile as she resumed poking at the pancakes.
As soon as he heard the children's voices, Cruz floated just a bit away from the table to try and peek. Their pattering feet were enough of a warning to brace himself against the table when they all but threw themselves into him.
”Hello!” he rumbled, pulling them both into a hug with each arm. ”How are you?”
”Heeey,” Anita cooed, ”Did you guys eat yet?” She held up her fork, the prongs of which were stuffed with three layers of syrup soaked chocolatey goodness.
”Hello, Ms. Rebecca!” Cruz called gently as he let the kids greet and move them however they wished. He smiled her and Duncan's way while they caught up, then grinned eagerly at Anita and Mordekai. He wanted to go to the garden with them soon but knew they needed to get their food finished first, especially if the kids hadn't eaten either.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:52 am
Jerri stayed quiet while hugging the Frei, but Jillette took the time to nuzzle into his chest and hug him more fully, her hands rested against Cruz's back. "Good! How are you?" her voice was muffled, but she spoke loudly enough to be clearly heard, "Uncle Clarke told us you would be here! We got you a present!"
Jerri pulled away from Cruz and stuffed his hands into his pants' pockets; since the last he'd seen Anita and Cruz he'd grown significantly, but he was hunched over and clumsily handling his height. He glanced over at Anita and shrugged, then shook his head as he eyed one of the empty seats. "We ate something for breakfast..."
"Feel free to eat more if you're hungry, sweetheart," Rebecca called out; once she as at the head of the kitchen, she grinned at Anita and Cruz and waved. She turned to the Frei then walked to one of the empty chairs next to Duncan's as he turned back to refill the pot with water. "Hi, Cruz! It's great seeing you two again-- oh," she rifled through her handbag, "If you haven't heard already, the kids insisted on getting you two a gift... where is it? God, it's been forever..."
Mordekai had offered Anita a quick smile in return once she looked over, but otherwise fell quiet as the Petits made their way into the dining room. He shifted his pancakes around in its plate with his fork and pressed one cheek against his palm while watching the others interact. As Duncan walked to the stove to heat the teapot, Mordekai glanced over toward Rebecca and piped up. "Hey, Becca."
"Oh, here it is." Rebecca pulled out two small boxes, wrapped in pink, and handed one to both Cruz and Anita with a smile. She straightened in her seat and looked tentatively back at the blond-- she offered a halfhearted smile and waved once at him, though her glance focused mostly toward Duncan's back near the stovetop. "Hi, Mordekai. Have you been doing better?"
"Ah-- yeah."
"Good." She smiled a bit wider then turned back to Cruz and Anita once the two were silent once again. After watching her mother and her cousin's brief exchange, Jill finally let Cruz go and walked toward Anita to extend a hug to her, as well, her expression brightly lit.
"Hi, Anita," she said; she was less excitable than when she met Cruz, but she seemed happy nonetheless.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:58 am
Cruz nuzzled his face against the top of Jill's head. ”Very good. Told us you were, too.” The frei's eyes and smile widened. He leaned back to get a better look at Jill's face as Jerri pulled away. ”Present?”
”There's plenty if you're still hungry,” Anita gestured to the empty seats and yet to be claimed pancakes after Rebecca's agreement on the possibility. She left it at that with a smile, more intent to pay attention to Cruz and the kids' interaction than pressure them into eating.
When Rebecca finally made her appearance, Anita and Cruz both greeted her with a smile. She chose to merely wave at first, as her mouth was full, but Cruz returned her greeting verbally. ”Hi, yes,” he kept attached to Jill for as long as she did, one arm loosely resting on her shoulder and his chin on the top of her head when they weren't looking at each other. Cruz took his small box with a curious eye and a slight dip of his head. He saw fit to examine the exterior thoroughly before even beginning to open it.
”Yeah, it has,” Anita chimed in finally. When Mordekai chimed in, she quieted with a straightened posture – even pausing in her eating. The interaction was a little clumsy but Mordekai saying he had been doing good was enough to perk her smile up. She glanced at him and set her fork down, leaning over to take her gift, ”Wow, thank you, guys.”
As Jill slipped away from Cruz as well, he began the unveiling process of this gift. It was a little delayed after his initial enthrallment, but he smiled at Rebecca and the kids individually as he opened the box with his nails, ”Thank you.”
Anita set her gift down on the table and scooted down to be more open for Jill's approach, arms open. ”Hey, sugar. How've you been?” she leaned back to look her over, then to Jerri, and let out a short whistle, ”Y'all are getting tall quick, no wonder you wanted a new bed.”
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:59 am
Jerri sat down near Anita and nodded as a wordless affirmation toward pancakes. He too a plate from a stack of empty ones next to the hill of pancakes, and forks and knives were conveniently placed at every seat. Rebecca looked curiously at the pancakes herself at Anita's behest, and as Jerri picked up a fork, she reached over with a knife to grab one for herself.
"Thank you," Rebecca smiled at Anita; Jerri took a few pancakes and placed it on his plate. As Cruz was examining the gift, Jerri smiled slightly over at him, and Rebecca turned toward Anita with her chin pressed to her knuckles. She laughed lightly and worked at dividing her pancakes, took a bite, then covered her mouth as she chewed. She nodded. "Mhm... the last time we saw each other was Thanksgiving, right? God. Has it already been that long?"
Mordekai perked up when Anita glanced toward him-- his slight frown faltered into a smile, and he braved speaking up again. "Whatchu get Anita an' Cruz, guys?"
"It's a secret," Jill glanced back at Mordekai briefly and stuck out her tongue playfully. Mordekai exchanged the courtesy with a small laugh, and Jill turned around to hug Anita. Jill squeezed Anita's back gently and pulled back to look over Anita, too; she giggled at the remark and brushed her bangs behind her ears. "I think Jerri's gonna get taller than our other cousin soon but he doesn't believe me. And yeah! Did you see the old bed? I like it a lot but I gotta bigger one, and now they have a new one for the Raevan."
Jerri watched as Cruz opened his present, grinning with his pancake half-chewed. He swallowed it down and interjected, his eyes wide. "Just so you know, Jill was the one who chose the presents and stuff." Inside Cruz's box was a three lace ribbons. There was a red, white, and gold one. Jill looked over at Cruz while still hugging Anita and wiggled happily in her place.
"They're ribbons for your hair!" Jill commented; she looked back at Anita, then toward her gift on the table, "You should open yours, too! Pleaaseee.."
Duncan took the teapot off of the stove the second it began whistling-- he turned back toward the group in the dining area with the pot. He placed it back on the tray but remained standing, then glanced toward everyone. "Would anyone like some tea?"
"Mm, yes please," Rebecca placed her fork down on her plate and glanced toward the teapot, "Is that just water?"
Duncan nodded and poured some water into his cup. A tea bag floated up from the cup and it began steeping immediately. "It is."
"Do you have any more earl gray?"
"I do. Right in this basket." He gestured toward a small basket of tea boxes on the tray, which Rebecca happily reached for.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:02 am
Jerri and Rebecca both taking a seat and partaking in the breakfast made things feel a little warmer. It seemed the excitement of seeing the two of them again, especially Cruz, overwhelmed the children out of paying Mordekai a proper greeting. The frei was too preoccupied with opening his gift to notice but Anita certainly had/
”It has, time's really been flying.” Anita lifted her brows and laughed Rebecca's way, still half bent to give Jill attention. ”Yeah, he's getting' up there, huh?” Anita peeked at Jerri. ”Cruz slept in it a few weeks ago. I'm sure it'll be a perfect fit.”
Mordekai's question caused her to puff her cheeks and lift her chin to inspect Cruz's gift. He glanced at Jerri and smiled wryly as he pulled the ribbons free. It made no nevermind to him who picked the gifts out when they were from all three Petits. ”One from each,” he decided, presenting the ribbons over his head like a lock of mistletoe.
”Aww, look--” Anita giggled and gestured to Cruz, ”Show Mordekai and Duncan. Those'll look really nice. Thank you, guys.”
Cruz wasted no time in thanking them again after Anita. His wings shivered as he floated around the table, closer to Mordekai and arranged the ribbons back in the box so he could see each of the colors separately. When Duncan came around with the teapot, he waited patiently for an opening before doing the same.
Jill's insistence only made Anita laugh more. ”Okay, okay.” She plucked the box off the table and leaned back, weighing it in her hands. With pursed lips and squinting eyes, Anita inspected the box with much scrutiny – she held it to her ear and glanced around the table, listening. Her eyes landed on Mordekai and she shook her head. ”Not a pony.” Deciding to stall no longer, Anita opened her gift with an eager smirk. ”Is iiittt.... a puppy?”
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:09 am
Once Rebecca managed to find a bag of earl gray, she took an empty teacup from the tray to fill with water and steep. She glanced at Anita and waved once at the thanks. "Oh, you're welcome. Jill just had to pick them up when we saw them, didn't you, dear?"
"Mhm!" Jillette leaned against Anita slightly and watched as the Frei floated to Mordekai; she was grinning and more than proud in their choice in present. Mordekai looked over at the group with raised brows, then toward Cruz, as he hadn't expected to be approached any time soon. He set his fork down and observed the box, smiling from ear to ear.
"Oh, 'ey, these're great! Y'can braid all three of 'em into your hair and everythin'." He leaned back once Cruz made his way to Duncan and exchanged glances with Jill, who seemed quietly astonished at the idea, her mouth gaped open.
"Really?"
"Really.”
Duncan smiled calmly at Cruz and glanced down at the box-- he gently stirred his teacup while doing so, then nodded in approval. "Those are very nice." He paused in making his tea as Jerri reached over to the tray to make his own cup, then refocused his attention on Anita as she reached for her gift.
As Anita did so, Jill also wiggled away from the hug to stand next to her, her arms crossed and rested on the table. She wiggled the more she anticipated the present's reveal, and when Anita decided to delay it, she hid half of her face against her arms and shook her head. "Anitaaa!"
Mordekai laughed between bites of pancake at Anita's reference-- he covered his mouth with his palm to chew, then spoke when he was finished eating. "'Ope it is!"
"It's not a puppy!" Jill called out-- she straightened from leaning against the table and presed her hands lightly against Anita's knees, "You should open it!"
"Aw, really?" Mordekai sighed and snapped his finger, "Dammit."
Rebecca looked back at Mordekai half-sternly, a cup of tea to her lips. "No swearing, please."
"Excusez-moi, madamoiselle," Mordekai called out, his accent drawn and slower than Rebecca's preferred Parisian. She turned away to focus on her tea, but the response was enough for Jerri to smirk.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:10 am
Mention of braiding brought Cruz's attention back from Duncan. He kept the box held out for the man's inspection, but his head turned as he zoned in on Mordekai with as much exuberance as Jill showed – only quieter. Cruz's eyes widened for the duration of the exchange, to which he glanced Jill's way as if to gain further confirmation. His smile could hardly be contained. Duncan's compliment to the ribbons was just icing on the cake.
”Yes,” he agreed with a pleasant hiss. Cruz cradled the small box to his chest with a look of fondness and gratitude, ”thank you.”
It was Anita's turn now and the frei wasn't about to miss it. He watched intently as she delayed, giggled softly at Jill's insistence. Cruz nearly opened his mouth to protest the puppy inside such a tiny box, as well, but Jill beat him to it. Instead, he gave a firm nod and leaned across the table beside Mordekai to observe more closely.
”I wiiill,” Anita assured Jill with a smile. She sat up straight, rested the box in her lap, stuck her tongue out for extra concentration, and was about to get it open when Mordekai was chided. Her tongue retracted immediately.
Cruz and Anita glanced his way at the same time – and both pulled a smirk alongside Jerri. Not wanting to delay any longer, for her own curiosity now, Anita quickly returned to the box. ”Oh--” there was a soft gasp. She bent over, the box hidden from everyone but herself and Jill thanks to the table. Anita pulled the gift out and turned it over in her fingers.
Across the table Cruz scrutinized her expression; her cheeks had become a little pink, eyes squeezed from the warmth of her smile. Between her fingers dangled a bracelet, red and teal strings woven around beads that spelled out ANITA. ”Thank you so much,” she laughed, brushing part of her bangs back only for them to fall further into her face. This time Anita didn't bother with them and chose to pull the bracelet on. It sat comfortably, a little loose around her thin wrist. She held her arm up to show everyone, leaning over toward Cruz in particular.
”You guys didn't have to do all this,” there was a chuckle to her voice that Cruz picked up as nervousness, ”I'm sorry we didn't have any cookies or anything this time...”
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:12 am
Jillete was practically hopping by the time Anita managed to open her present, her excitement unbent even when Anita delayed further by glancing at Anita and Cruz. "You're welcome! Happy birthday!" Jill giggled as Anita pulled the bracelet on, and as if finally given permission, sat at the nearest empty seat to grab a plate to fill with pancakes and rejoice.
"It's probably not even her birthday," Jerri responded, though most of his focus was on eating, even when Anita was opening her gift. Jillette shook her head while forking a hefty stack of pancakes and sloppily letting them fall onto her plate.
"I said happy unbirthday, dummy." She reached for the tray of whipped cream and dolloped an impressive spoonful onto her plate.
"...No you didn't?"
"Alice in Wonderland's been a house favorite recently," Rebecca commented to Duncan. Both Duncan and Mordekai were busy with inspecting the bracelet Anita held out, though; both of the men were clearly delighted at the presents.
Though a bit delayed, Duncan did look back at Rebecca. He nodded. "Still? That was on-screen the last time I visited as well."
"You know Jill with her fixations." Rebecca laughed, then waved one hand dismissively at Anita, her smile genuine. "Don't even worry about it, dear. I think the pancakes will be enough sugar for them today, and Jill gives everyone a friendship bracelet."
Jill perked up immediately at the comment, cheeks red-- she turned to Cruz and nodded while gulping down her pancakes, "It's true and I'm working on yours right now, I promise! It's in mom's bag and everything! I'm sorry!"
Mordekai, meanwhile, chuckled at Jill's sheepishness and stood to take his now-empty plate to the sink. He glanced once over his shoulder at Jillette, his brows raised, "S'been a while since I seen you make of 'em bracelets, mamzelle."
Jill stopped eating and sank in her chair-- she looked up at Mordekai, too, and slouched her shoulders forward. "I'm sorry I didn't make you one too..."
The blond laughed as he turned on the faucet. "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, girl? Still got the one from forever ago." Once his dishes were washed and in the sink, he glanced out the kitchen window through the backyard-- he caught glimpse of Anita then the rest of them, then gestured toward the garden. "I'm gonna finish trimmin' off that ivy while y'all are eatin', oke?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:20 am
Cruz ran a finger over the beads as Anita showed the bracelet off, grinning ear to ear. She retracted her hand and admired the gift for another moment before laughing at the kids, though she gave a chiding glance at Jill for calling her brother “dummy”. ”Well, I guess it's sort of my half birthday,” she shrugged and returned to her pancakes, ”Yeah, I guess so. These are pretty loaded.” Anita held a forkful of the pancakes up; even without the whipped cream there was plenty of sugar.
The frei almost didn't catch where the conversation had gone, his attentions returned to the admiration of his own gift. Jill's obvious embarrassment caused the croc's smile to soften; he moved from his spot beside Duncan and floated closer to her. ”Excited to see it,” he nodded gently, bringing the small box of ribbons to his lips for a short peck, ”and these are good. Don't have to be sorry.”
With some hesitation, Cruz waited for Jill and Mordekai's exchange to quiet. He inclined his head and gently touched her shoulder as if imparting a secret. ”...What's an unbirthday?”
Anita lifted her head, covering her mouth mid-chew, ”Do you want any help? I'm-- almost done,” she glanced down at her plate that was still a quarter covered in syrup and pancake remnants.
Her offer drew Cruz's attention; he watched Anita attempt to fit as many pieces of pancake onto her fork as possible while sopping up more syrup. Her glass of milk was half gone and, after such a full bite, she practically chugged the rest down. Cruz's brows furrowed curiously, but he was quick to return his attention to Jill.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:24 am
Jill watched Cruz shyly; after he kissed his ribbon box, she hopped off her seat to hop up and give Cruz a kiss of her own, right on the Frei's cheek. "I'll finish it today!" she affirmed, even given his assurances. She played along with the Frei's shoulder tap, going so far as it whisper the answer into his ear: "It's everyday that isn't your birthday! You haven't seen Alice in Wonderland?" The girl turned toward Rebecca, eyes wide.
Rebecca returned the stare then shook her head. "Oh, no, sweetheart, we aren't watching Alice today."
"We have it if y'wanna watch it," Mordekai commented almost immediately, which caused Rebecca to glower and for Duncan to laugh. Without much reaction to their change in expression, Mordekai dried off his hands, then looked up again when Anita piped up.
"Ah-- if you wanna!" His cheeks lit red even more, and he couldn't help but grin widely as she scarfed down the rest of her pancakes. He quickened his pace out of the kitchen and walked over to the backyard door. He slid it open and waved toward Anita, "You ever seen Duncan's hat castle?"
"The clippers are in the back of the shed, thank you two. Be sure to put some gloves on before handling them." Duncan glanced over to the side as Jill tugged at his sleeve-- he smiled, curious. "Yes, Jill?"
"Where's Alice?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"It's probably in the bedroom upstairs, where your old bed is. Would you like me to find--"
"No, I'll get it! Cruz!" she turned back to the Frei and hugged his arm, "Let's go!"
Rebecca sighed quietly, while Duncan was resigned to it and pat her on the shoulder. She knew there was nothing she could do.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:27 am
”Thank you,” Cruz all but purred at Jill's assurance. It lingered as the warmth of her kiss spread across his cheek, eyes closed and rune aglow.
He was quick to shake his head. There were a lot of things he hadn't seen, Cruz knew, but there were a lot of things he had seen too. Unfortunately most of those things were limited to what Anita and Minerva had on tap and a good portion of the movies they owned were decided to be currently unfit – things he should view later. The frei turned to Rebecca was well when Jill did; not quite a pleading glance but a genuine curiosity.
His expression softened until Mordekai encouraged otherwise. Anita chuckled with Duncan even as she continued to try powering through the remainder of her lunch. ”Mm-mm,” she scooted from her seat with plate in hand, finishing off the last bites as she moved to the sink, ”Dunno how he managed to hide an entire castle of hats all this time.”
Anita rinsed her plate off once it was empty and returned to fetch her empty glass and wash it out as well. She nodded and smiled at Duncan's directions before following Mordekai toward the backyard. Cruz's eyes followed them both as he set his box of ribbons on the table beside Anita's empty one.
”Mm?” Cruz turned to Jill as she wrapped herself around his arm, ”Getting Alice?” The frei followed after Jill, tugged along gently with her quick feet toward the stairs. It was almost like she were holding a large green balloon, though Cruz did lower his height to be closer to her eye level once they were at the top of the stairs. ”The bed was yours. Comfy. You didn't want it anymore?”
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:33 am
Mordekai leaned against the threshold as Anita finished off her plate and moved her used utensils to the sink. He laughed and shrugged, "Y'can prolly hide an elephant back there, garden's so giant, ye'know?"
Duncan managed a light chuckle at the notion-- he poured himself another cup of tea and shook his head, more in bemusement than disapproval. "There aren't so many hats. A few of them aren't even wearable anymore, son."
"I'll wear 'em yet!" Mordekai grinned at Duncan. He made sure Anita was heading his way before proceeding outside.
The sunlight from outside seemed jarringly bright in comparison to the gentle streams that flooded Duncan's house. It was even enough to get the farmhand to quicken his pace toward the shed, which was a cream white infrastructure that stood out against the surroundings of verdant flora. It only took a gentle push for the shed door to creak open, and inside was an army of gardening tools. Along one wall were hooks, all occupied with hats, including the ones Cruz and Anita had worn so long ago. There were well over three dozens of hats.
Mordekai held the door open for Anita to see, his brows raised; he was prouder of this collection than Duncan seemed to be, by far, though (as Duncan warned) a few of them were tattered to the point of uselessness. "Here it is! Pick any one y'want."
...
Jillette, meanwhile, was sure in her steps while heading upstairs, her arms clung to one of Cruz's the whole way. She nodded and gave a loud 'mhm!' at his question. Even with her certainty, by the time they reached upstairs, Jill paused to stare between all of the doors available. She was less confused than she was contemplative.
"Nuh-uh! I wanted a new bed. That one was actually my mom's a long time ago so I wanted a new one. Hmmm..." she pouted, then let go for the Frei to place her hands on her hips.
She went in the direction of Mordekai's room rather than the vacant master's bedroom. Though the door was closed, she twisted the doorknob and pulled it open-- it was a mess, to say the least, but she stepped inside without question. "Let's find the bracelet first!"
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:36 am
Anita chose to dry her hands off on the bottom hem of her shirt than waste time looking for a cloth – luckily they'd barely gotten spritzed in the rinsing. ”Guess so,” she smiled, peeking past Mordekai into the open garden. His and Duncan's exchange made her chuckle and she offered he, Rebecca, and Jerri a parting wave before exiting out as well.
With one hand held as a visor over her eyes, Anita followed after the older Kantor at a light jog. His long legs carried him to the shed much quicker but she wasn't far behind by the time he opened the door. ”Oh, wow. You weren't kidding.”
It took only a brief scan for her to spot the hat she was given last time; she let out a small sound of confirmation and stepped over to it, a wide brimmed sunhat with a light blue ribbon. Neither hers nor Cruz's looked like they had been worn since last time. For a moment, Anita turned the hat around in her fingers by its rim, smile a little uncertain, but she didn't linger long and pulled it on her head-- even tipping the front down to completely cover her eyes. ”Blind trimming challenge, go.” Both hands were held out like pistols, her index and middle fingers clapping together quickly like a pair of scissors.
...
”Ohh,” Cruz nodded, though he supposed he didn't quite understand. That bed was obviously still good. All the same, it was nice of her to offer it to the raevan in waiting; sharing was very important, after all. ”They'll like it,” he assured with a smile that quickly faded as he was guided in a completely different direction.
The floor had laundry scattered across it, small empty orange containers with white caps and labels, and a few empty class bottles. Cruz tried his best to help Jill navigate through the clearer spots on the floor until they were near the center. ”You don't know where it is?”
Mordekai's bed was unmade, a sight he was used to seeing. Only Minerva regularly made beds in their household. There was a closet, a dresser, and a desk, as well as a few boxes sitting around. ”Look here,” Cruz requested gently, giving Jill's hand a squeeze before detaching once she was in front of the desk. The frei turned and floated toward the dresser to speed up the process. He wanted to watch the movie with her, as well as return to the garden during daylight hours for the first time in a while, as quickly as possible.
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