|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:24 am
So far it felt to Briar like he had spent most of his life, when not at school, practically living in the library these days, because whilst his class load had never been particularly easy, classes this year had felt particularly insane and there had been a lot to plan for what with him having to also think about starting college in the autumn.
The couple of days during the star festival had been a welcome respite, albeit (at least so far this year) out of the norm, as for the most part Briar hadn't had the time to do even a fraction of the things that he'd have managed to find time for a couple of years back. Although he'd just about managed to still go swimming on Sundays - well make that some Sundays–
And he definitely hadn't managed to get out as Oort that much - to the point where he could probably count the number of times out on one hand.
Today though, Briar was taking a rare break from studying and having to think about college things and was instead meeting Peter down at the ice cream parlour–
And okay there may have been a few reference books in his rucksack, from his last library session - but the plan was for the two of them to hang out and to catch up.Guine Hope this works as a start Guine, but let me know if not and I'll tweak it
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:46 pm
Although he would never say it out loud, Peter may have bitten off a bit more than he could chew when it came to his workload. After breezing through grade school and high school, he thought that college would be a cake walk, with even more time for naps throughout the day. And for the first couple years, it wasn’t too bad.
But as he was getting deeper into his majors, he was starting to think he was insane for attempting to do everything at once in the first place.
“Briar,” he called when he saw his friend heading over. Peter had already grabbed a table outside, although he’d only arrived about a minute before. “I feel like we haven’t seen each other in ages. How’s it going? How’s Kirra? I haven’t seen her recently either,” he asked, longing wistfully for the days when they only had to worry about youma trying to eat them.
As soon as Briar managed to sit down, Peter shoved the menu in front of him. "I'm getting a sundae. I don't care if it's going to ruin my dinner. I think they just pulled out some fresh chocolate chip cookies," he jabbed his thumb in the direction of the parlor counter, knowing very well that Briar had a sweet tooth, whether or not he would admit it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2020 4:29 pm
"Hey Peter" Briar called back in greeting as he spotted his friend sitting at one of the parlour's outdoor tables and raised his hand in a small wave as he walked over.
"We haven't" he admitted as he set his rucksack down before sitting down "But I haven't really seen much of anyone." Even tree-climbing with Kirra had taken a backseat, although it wasn't like Briar could climb quite so high up as he used to anymore.
He frowned thoughtfully for moment before "Well apart from the librarians down at the city library and my teachers because I think I pretty much live in the library at the moment." He even had his own corner of the library - well at least Briar had come to see the little tucked away corner of the reference section as his - even though it wan't something that he was going to admit to.
Nor was he going to admit to way that his reddish eyes lit up at the mention of chocolate chip cookies, as he caught the menu that Peter had shoved in his direction - although Peter most likely knew already because along with Kirra he was probably Briar's best friend.
"Kirra's ok, she said something about going to summer camp when we last spoke" he said, although Briar wasn't quite sure when that last was - it had most definitely been a while.
In fact come to think of it he had probably seen Tomlin more recently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 5:05 am
“Damn, they’ve got you too, huh? Stuck in the library forever because enough resources aren’t available online for some reason. At least not the ones we need,” Peter let out a sigh of defeat, lifting both hands to rub through his hair, already styled back as though he absently ran his hands through more often than not.
“What happened to the days of not needing to study? This is bullshit,” he huffed with significantly less passion than one may expect the statement to be said. But at this point, it was no longer a complaint. Just a fact.
“I would give anything to go to a summer camp again. Those were the good days. Getting old sucks,” he lamented, which was exactly why ice cream and sweets was the best way to brush off those adult blues.
He didn’t wait too long to flag down one of the servers, already having a feeling that Briar knew what he wanted with the knowledge given to him. Peter ordered his sundae, and a chocolate chip cookie for good measure, and milk because he couldn’t have a cookie without milk, obviously.
Peter waited until Briar had placed his order as well before jumping back into things.
“What are you studying, anyway? You're always carrying a mini library around with you, it seems.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:31 am
Summer camp had been something that Briar had never really had much choice in given that it was something that his parents had signed him up for and so for the most part he was on the fence about it–
But the free time had been nice and the swimming facilities had been pretty cool - not quite water park cool, but certainly a lot cooler than the swimming pool where he went for his Sunday swims - at least on the Sundays that he actually went swimming.
Reddish eyes skimmed the menu that he was handed, although it was more formality than anything else as Briar already knew what he wanted "Oh I haven't got that many books on me, maybe three" or was it four. Either way it was less than normal.
Briar pushed the menu to the side and put in an order for the chocolate chip ice cream sundae and then asked the server for extra chocolate chip cookies and a glass of chocolate milk.
Was it a lot of chocolate? Maybe, but Briar didn't really care - because there was no way that he was turning down fresh chocolate chip cookies.
"And I'm doing robotics, design and computer science as well as the AP classes in calculus, physics and statistics."xxGuine I googled what classes Briar could reasonably be expected to do in order to do engineering in college so hope it's relatively realistic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:09 pm
“You sound like my brother, Michael,” Peter said with a small grimace, although it was mostly for show. “I bet you’ll get him as one of your teachers at Azure. He’s going to start teaching there again this Fall. Some engineering class.”
He didn’t think too much about it. Michael had gone back to school to study literature for the past three years, before deciding to go back to his teaching job after earning whatever degree he earned. It helped when you came from a family with money to spare for things like that.
“You’ve met him before. Kinda grumpy. It’s his house I’m staying at for now,” Peter rambled on a bit, thinking of how many things he wanted to bring up to Briar, but couldn’t with so many people around. Things like how his brother was also a Knight of Jupiter and had a huge wolf he could summon and how he wasn’t a total pushover like his other older brother, who was also a Knight of Jupiter. But Briar had been around long enough that he probably at least knew of them, if he didn’t know them personally.
“Just saying. He could probably tutor you with some things if you need the extra help. He’s not as bad as I complain about. And the kids in my classes seemed to like him as a teacher, back when I was at Azure.”
Okay, even though Peter was clearly the more mature of his brothers, he was still allowed some idol worship of his oldest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:46 am
The server picked that moment to come over with the chocolate milk and the chocolate chip cookies and so Briar had settled for a small shrug as he reached out to snag one of the cookies before biting into the warm and slightly gooey treat.
He thought he vaguely remembered Peter's oldest brother from back with the whole thing with the mirrors that he, Peter, Kirra and the others had somehow got caught up with.
"Lucky" Briar said at Peter's mention that he was staying at his brother's.
"I'm back with Mum and Dad currently" he admitted with a sigh after finishing the first cookie and reaching for another, pausing for a moment as the server came over with the sundae that he'd ordered before continuing "But I'm totally moving into college dorms when I go to college" he wrinkled his nose slightly as he added "Because Mum's still fussy."
It was almost as if she'd somehow missed the fact that he wasn't a kid anymore and was going to be 18 come the end of October–
But it was perhaps as well that he barely had the time to do any powered stuff at the moment since Briar had gotten used to not having to sneak out and had kind of fallen out of the habit.
Briar listened as Peter mentioned that his brother was going back to teaching and nodded after a moment "Maybe" he agreed, adding "I mean I'd ask if there's stuff I'm not getting."
And big brother idol worship wasn't something that he could exactly comment on, given that Peter had probably known him long enough to know that he adored his own big brother - even if 'adore' wasn't a word that Briar would ever admit to out loud.
"Talking about older brothers, did I ever mention that mine finally proposed to his girlfriend?" It wasn't that recent, had happened about a couple of months back "Mum's already talking about wedding stuff."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:38 pm
Peter was pleased to shove a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth as soon as the server turned their back on the boys, only regretting it a little as he covered his mouth with his hand, trying to get the ice cream to melt faster against his tongue.
"Dorms are great. I moved out of my parents' house as soon as I could convince them to let me," he said, but made a face as he remembered, "But then my dad turned my room into one for his bottle ship collection. Or whatever else he uses it for." That was certainly one way to make sure your kid didn't try to go back home.
In reality, he'd only moved into his brother's house to keep an eye on him. Michael made a good show of being perfectly fine, but Peter suspected there were deeper issues troubling his oldest brother.
"No s**t? He finally proposed! How long had they been going out? Years, right?" Peter didn't envy the wedding planning though.
"Yeah, that wedding stuff you should try to stay out of if you can. I've gone through two weddings," sort of, "and it's a pain in the a**. Just let them dress you up and show up when you're supposed to."
At least that was Peter's advice. Then again, he wasn't really one for big parties.
"So you never really told me, and I can't figure it out," Peter started, eyeing Briar suspiciously. "Are you and Kirra going out? Like, a couple?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:21 am
Briar nodded as he reached for his glass, a slight note of fond exasperation that he was absolutely not going to admit to out loud creeping into his voice because it had been pretty obvious to him that Scott was crazy about his girlfriend "Yes, finally."
He sipped at some of the creamy and chocolatey treat as he mentally back-counted as he continued "And it's been about 5 years." Well make that 5 years give or take since Briar thought it might be slightly over.
He nodded again at Peter's mention that he should try to stay out of the wedding stuff as he'd already planned to stay clear from as much of the stuff as possible. Floral arrangements and colour schemes were so not his thing - and it was bad enough that his Mum seemed to think that he was going to need a new suit for the event since Briar hated wearing formal stuff.
It was perhaps unfortunate that he'd still been sipping at the chocolate milk when Peter's next question finally sunk in, as it accidentally went down the wrong way and he started coughing.
"It's not like that" Briar said at last once his coughing had finally subsided, "We're tree-climbing buddies." Well at least they technically were since it had been a while since he'd done any actual tree-climbing.
He tried to remember if he'd ever mentioned to Peter how he and Kirra had first met and drew a blank.Guine apologies that this took me so long Guine, work is pretty crazy at the moment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2020 5:59 am
Peter leaned heavily on one elbow, giving Briar a pointed, unbelieving look.
“Uh huh,” he said, the tone indicating that he believed him, but his expression clearly saying otherwise. “Is that because you’re not interested in her, or is she not interested in you? I mean, come on, Briar. You’d bend over backwards and do a flip for her.”
Not that Peter was going to push the topic if Briar was truly uncomfortable, but they should at least be able to talk about this stuff, right? For science, at the very least?
Straightening back up, Peter picked up his spoon to poke at the melting ice cream.
“You know, with all this wedding stuff going on, I bet all your relatives will want to know if you’re dating anyone. Pain in the a**, if you ask me. It’s really no one’s business. But if you need help with ideas to ask her out, I’m offering my assistance as your friend. Everyone needs a wingman,” he said with a nonchalant shrug. litian Sorry Briar. Peter just wants what's best for you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:06 pm
"Would not" Briar mumbled as he reached for his spoon so that he could eat some more of his, by now, somewhat melting sundae - and it was also true enough, at least to a point, but only down to the fact that acrobatics wasn't exactly his thing–
And Peter had known him long enough to potentially know it or if not then to potentially guess at it.
It seemed that Peter also knew him well enough to know that there was a lot that he'd do for Kirra, even if it wasn't something that Briar would generally admit to - at least not out loud.
He busied himself with eating some more of his sundae for a few moments which was still good despite being melty before adding quietly "Sides I'd do a lot for you too and I don't want to date you."
Some of his relatives could be pretty nosy - and the idea of them taking an interest in his love live or (more accurately) his lack of one was kind of scary actually–
Particularly the aunt on his Mum's side who was almost as fussy as his Mum was.
"They haven't been interested before" he muttered, although that may have been due to the fact that they usually tended to bug Scott - one of the few benefits of him being the younger one.
And if his voice sounded like he was trying to convince himself - well Briar wasn't about to admit to it.Guine Apologies again for being so slow Guine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:10 pm
“That hurts, Briar. I thought we had something special,” Peter deadpanned, although there was nothing about Peter’s attitude and their history that would suggest that he was actually serious. He was just giving his friend a hard time.
“Admit it. You like her. There’s nothing wrong with that, you know,” he needled as he dug out another bite of melting ice cream to stick in his mouth. Of course, if Briar seemed as though he was legitimately getting upset, he would stop. For now he was just amused by the stubborn denial.
“But really. Good for your brother. It’s important to be happy,” Peter said, seeming to at least temporarily move away from the topic of Kirra.
“We’ve been lucky you know. I tend to forget how lucky we are sometimes, what with everything we’ve lived through,” he said, but made sure to keep his voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear him. They’d survived some pretty brutal fights, and at such young ages.
“I’ve got a new sister. I can’t remember if I told you. Mom insisted on adopting her after, uh…” Peter paused to make sure no one was close enough, but still scooted his chair around the table to get closer to his friend. Which, the sound of metal scraping against cement was enough to draw anyone’s attention. No one seemed to care.
“She’d been on our side, and then was on the other side, and then was brought back to our side again,” he tried to explain without going into too much detail about his new purified family member. “And yeah, mom and dad have known about all this for a while. My jerk brother and sister-in-law outed me to them years ago.” litian No problem! Sorry about the wait too! Still balancing things around the new baby!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
