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 Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:36 pm
Social events were one of those things you couldn’t avoid, even if you wanted to, and Alexandre was not a fan of them most of the time. They got boring and dull rather quickly, his cousins and others being the only saving grace he had, but this was a family event. His family wasn’t religious, they avoided marrying people who were, but that didn’t mean they didn’t celebrate Easter. They just didn’t do the whole church thing.
Deciding it was time to introduce René to his entire family, after how the smaller introduction had gone and where they stood as a couple, he’d made the offer to the other. The event was at his grandmother's, as she was the only one with enough property to host such an event. It was an all day affair filled with the whole family including the branch families like the Cosgroves and others, it wasn’t just those with the last name of Evans.
The home was outside the city, a little over an hour outside the city. Past the wrought iron gates, which were left open to allow people to come and go, the driveway up the house was surrounded by plants overhead and on both sides. So plants, combined with the bushes at the front of the property, kept anyone from seeing the house from the road or the driveway. The driveway allowed for two lanes of traffic, one to come and one to go, as it needed to accommodate for the holidays when there was a large amount of vehicles coming and going from the estate.
When the plants gave way and the driveway opened to a large cobbled parking lot filled with cars to both sides. A couple was close to the house, and a heavily pregnant woman, being helped to the doors that were wide open. Two children were running ahead of their parents, one a girl in a soft pastel pink dress, and the other a boy in shorts and a polo shirt along with sneakers.
Finding a place to park he did so, making sure he provided enough space on both sides so doors could be opened and no car got banged. “Finally here, I hate the traffic getting out here.” Brushing his bangs back as he undid his belt he slipped out of his car and went round to let René out, staring at the other for a moment. “Come on, everyone is either inside or in the backyard.”
The home was not a home, as he’d told the other it wasn’t a simple home, the place was three floors and nearly seventy rooms done in an old European manor style. It was covered in stonework on the outside which seemed to explain his own love for rococo art though perhaps it was baroque as it wasn’t as overdone as rococo tended to be. The place was well hidden, with all the plant life blocking the view from the street and even from the driveway, even the mailbox was all the way down at the end of the driveway so people didn’t have to see the home unless they were invited and here for a reason.
They didn’t like for people to see what they had, to assume what power they did or did not have, they liked to keep people in the dark while also living the lives they wanted. They spent on their homes because they were places for family to gather and children to spend time and grow up. They were places to live and enjoy things and to be oneself. So they spent their money here and kept them protected and secure.
Holding a hand out to the other he tilted his head to the side, even as he heard a shriek of laughter from somewhere. “This home has been in the family since we came to this country. We planted our roots here and expanded into the city, and around here, from this home. It’s been built onto over time, it’s had to, it’s grown as the family has so we can all comfortably gather here.” If ever they needed a place to be safe, if ever they had to be together as a family, it would be here that they would gather. When his grandmother, the head of the family passed, they would be here to mourn the loss and make plans as a family. If she got sick one person would go to the hospital and everyone else would wait here…so they were all together to grieve or to cheer for a recovery. They would be together for such moments though, because together they were strong and they only had each other - as had been the case for a long time.
“Come on, they’ll have breakfast by now and maybe some lunch foods as well.” Not to mention games of various kinds.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:40 pm
Holidays were always rough, even if he hadn’t liked his family. It still felt lonely with them gone. So he’d snuck a few sips of wine before Alexandre had gotten back from their run and invited him to come to this event. There were still a lot of those small moments of them saying when things would fail, they’d been building up a bit just as he’d kept trying to make things work. There had been some progress though, especially after the youma attack this past week. Little signs that maybe things were going to last and that the other might feel the same way. It’s what he hoped for at least. At least by now, it seemed that Lorcan was warming up to him which was good considering how the younger cousin was about things.
He was a bit tense on the whole ride up, even if he’d had some wine. Wondering how this would all go considering he’d only met Lorcan and had only seen Fiona until today. As they pulled up, he looked around at all the cars and people. So many blondes, as far as the eye could see. The house was amazing if you could even call it something so simple. It looked like a well-built fortress almost but had hints of the style he had seen back home. It made him a bit more on edge with the familiarity of it, how he’d go exploring only to get lost until his governess found him because his parents rarely spent time outside of their shop. Clicking his piercing against the back of his teeth, he looked over at them. “Do any of them speak French besides you? In case I need to speak with you a bit privately without someone understanding.”
Taking a deep breath, he folded down the sun visor to use the mirror to make sure he had managed his wavy hair into a cleaner style. He had the clothes, the style, and many would say the looks of someone who had money. But things had shaken him up and this was something big for Alexandre, he’d accepted because he wanted to try but now that he was here it seemed monumental. If any of them were like Lorcan or Alexandre, he’d have to tone back his usually flirty way of socializing. He could do it, he knew how to act when appeasing his family at events with other members of high society. The stakes just felt higher here since he cared what they thought of him, that he had to make sure they liked him enough not to snip that string that tied him to Alexandre, as fragile as it felt sometimes.
Taking their hand, he got out of the car. Standing taller than the other, he snuck a quick and tight hug just in case that wouldn’t be allowed here. “It’s very nice, it has a history sort of feel to it and I am sure it has a long story you can tell me.” Teasing a bit because they knew how he liked stories. “I may need just a bit of wine with breakfast or later on, I won’t drink too much not like that night at your home.” It had been a one-off, because of all the pain and how everything else had gone. He never really got into it more than a sip or glass otherwise and had kept to that until the night of the youma attack. He’d had a few glasses after to try and not stress over things, they knew how to get through his easygoing armor straight to the things that twisted his guts.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:41 pm
“A few speak French but you needn’t worry, none will eavesdrop on anything, it would be rude, and we don’t do that with family…aside from children but I think all children spy on parents and their elders.” Rolling his eyes as they stepped into the main entrance of the house…and a small group of little ones ran on by. Each one either in a dress or shorts and laughing and smiling as they ran by, it was rather adorable, and he could remember once being like that himself.
“Some have married people from France who have, for some reason followed us here and settled down.” Trailing off as he smiled up at the other. “Somehow it seems when we go traveling we sometimes bring people home with us, who have fallen in love and decide to uproot themselves.” Shrugging a bit. The teasing smile said a lot though. It wasn’t anything bad, not at all, but they did bring home people from time to time and marry them and they remained here with their family. Those people did visit their home countries, and their families, but they remained here.
It also meant there would be food, at any event, from all over the place so those from elsewhere felt at home and in order to expand the pallets of those in the family who never would have been exposed otherwise. It was a gain for them, especially the children, they grew up with all manner of food.
Figuring the other was no doubt nervous, and tense, the blond turned towards him fully and pulled René round to face him. Pulling the other into his arms he kept his gaze up on the others face. “You needn’t worry about my family. This is a family event, as much for children as it is for adults, it isn’t something which will be too serious. And I will tell you the history of this home, because you are correct there is history here.” A lot of history but even more so there was a purpose to this place. He’d heard whispers, at a few conspiracies here and there, that there were plans to expand the house as it needed to be done. But finding someone to take on the task had been hard, hence not being done for so long.
“I didn’t bring my exes here, ever, one would not have fit in and another disliked the sort of life entirely even though they’d been born to money.” This was a lot of him as well, much as he didn’t say it, he was bringing someone he was dating to a family affair. He’d had family over from time to time, mostly his mother, so his exes had known a few people and seen his mother on occasion. This was an entirely different thing and he himself was hoping it would go well, he was certain it would though, because he needed to be sure of this. He needed to be sure of his family being ok with René and he needed René to see what came with him…to see if René was sure of them dating, he wasn’t going to cut ties from his family again.
“We can head out to the backyard, food and drink will be out there.” Since it was a nice day and that’s where the bulk of everyone would be. A deep breath, standing on tip toes to press a kiss to the others lips, and he was heading off for a way out to the back. His hand still holding René’s as he found one of the four exits which would bring them out to the backyard.
The yard was big, mostly grass with trees, bushes, and flowers, decorating the perimeter of the property. Tables had been set up, round ones, with chairs for people to sit at and talk and eat. A whole set of long tables with a selection of foods was set up. Large stands, several tiers high, for deserts and small mini sandwiches and other finger foods. Everything was self serve including the large offerings of various fish and chicken dishes. It was all foods which were light and best paired with the champagne and white wine selections which were chilling to the sides.
Children were grabbing desserts, much to their parents' displeasure in some cases, while others were going around grabbing food for their plates and chatting in groups while eating or drinking. It was semi casual for clothing and for atmosphere as well. There was laughter and children running about while some were playing with various things, including children attempting to be like the adults and play bocce.
“Let’s get some food, you can get a glass of wine to go with it, I’ll grab something to drink as well and you can relax. You can chat to whomever you want as you normally would. I can assure you we don’t bite, at least not family.”
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:42 pm
René dodged the children as they walked through, it was so lively here. Nodding and following along, he remembered that comment from before. “Going around the world luring people in with their angelic faces, just as you did with me?” Teasing back a bit before they pulled him in close, it felt nice and nobody seemed to be bothered or really notice. It helped him relax a bit more as he looked down at them with a smile.
“You can understand my worries after Lorcan. He’s too stiff, too cold. I would say there’s no love in what he calls his heart but you would know more than I do.” This was a test though, at least it seemed so. “I’m the first you’ve brought here?” He stammered a bit as it started to set in as he took a good look around at all the family members. By forcing Lorcan to be a bit more neutral so he could keep the peace, maybe he’d finally broken through some of those doubts that Alexandre had about the relationship being able to last.
Kissing back a bit slower, he followed them out. It was easier with all the life around here, the halls weren’t empty and as winding as his home had felt even if it was as large. The backyard was amazing though, it felt like something out of Alice in Wonderland. Food and people everywhere and wine, so much wine. Leaning in to whisper quickly. “So it’s just you that bites then?” Running a hand up their spine before he moved towards the food, he shot a teasing smile at them as he walked away.
Grabbing a few of the small sandwiches and a glass of wine, he wandered over to where the children were playing some sort of game. It wasn’t one he recognized but it looked fun either way. It looked like some of the children didn’t really know how it worked either so he felt a bit better about being confused. There were so many blondes and most of them also had blue eyes, it was obvious that they were all family even with the few that had darker hair or complexions. The spouses, he figured, as he sipped at his wine. It was good, not one he’d tried before, but still paired with what he was eating.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:47 pm
He could certainly understand the other's worries due to Lorcan, if the roles were reversed he’d be nervous as well, he knew how his cousin came off but he also knew the other cared for his family. He was just a very logical and right-to-the-point sort of person. It was, at times, a very good thing to have around you. He was actually relieved to have someone like Lorcan at his side when it came to Negaverse things, he should have thought of it all sooner.
Following at the other’s side he spoke softly. “I’m not about to go asking my family about their bedroom activities…so we can just say I’m the only one who bites.” Though considering how many children were in his family he was certain there was a lot going on behind closed doors in many homes, and he was certain they were not all so vanilla in those deeds.
Taking some food as well, a bit of salad, chicken, and a small sandwich he trailed along at the other’s side. He’d gone for ice water rather than wine since he really didn’t drink, and he could use the cool water right now anyway. “And to answer your question earlier, before you kissed me, yes you are the first person I’ve dated that I’ve brought to a family event. If you're serious and I’m going to do this relationship justice then I want you to see my family, to know what you are looking to enter into. I’m not leaving them again, I stopped spending time with my family for a while, and I’m not doing it again. I can’t even if I wanted to.” Lorcan would likely bang down his door, and Fiona might just help, he wasn’t looking to deal with that.
“You aren’t opposed to social events or the money we have…so I’m not going to keep you from these things.” Whereas he had wanted to bring others to these things but he knew these sorts of events wouldn’t sit well with them. Here he was hoping it would…and it did seem René was relaxing and even watching the children. “Bocce…that’s what they are trying to play. The white ball gets tossed out onto the field and then each side takes turns trying to get their balls as close to it as they can.” And he knew some of the older members would start a game at some point, they always did, it was a traditional game to see at a spring or summer time event.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:48 pm
“It’s nice, you know? That you have a big family to fill this large home.” Trailing off for a moment as he sipped a bit more wine. It was more than just a family too, so much life and laughter filled the air here. “I like it, a lot.” He wanted to sit down and paint the scene, a snapshot full of life and movement. Something to remember just like all the other little paintings he’d done.
Turning to face them again he moved a bit closer so he wouldn’t have to speak up. “Does that mean we’ve made it past when and arrived at if this fails?” His voice was hopeful as he looked into their eyes. “I want you to be able to be around your family, I didn’t get along with mine but that doesn’t mean everyone’s family is s**t. Though the only downside is I might lose you in the crowd until I learn more of the names to match the faces.”
Finishing off the first bit of food and his win, he turned back to the game they were playing. “Oh! Like Pétanque? Well maybe not exactly but I think I’ve heard the name before. It’s Italian, right? Or something like that.” It looked fun either way.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:51 pm
“Yes, I’ll give you an if.” He said, rolling his eyes, as he ate slowly and watched the children toss the balls about the small pitch. It was rather cute to watch. They knew you needed to get the colored balls as close to the white one, they’d seen the adults play often enough at family events, but they had no idea how to score a game.
“No, not every family is the same. And if this doesn’t fail then this family in a sense can be yours as well.” Even more so as time went on, as the relationship developed, and if they did decide to take things to a level he had only considered once with someone else. The thought had fled him rather quickly though, perhaps a good thing anyway? It hadn’t worked out due to secret-keeping and that would have ended things then as well, just with a lot more mess.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t be offended if you lost me in the crowd.” Laughing softly before managing a sip of his water, without choking on it. “Yes, it’s Italian, something which came from our family roots in Italy as well as those who married in from there.” Shrugging a bit. One of his aunts had married an Italian man from Venice and he would be playing bocce later with the other older family members - he always did. “I’m going to assume, not knowing a thing about Petanque, that it’s similar. I wonder which game came first if they are so similar.” And which took from which. “The children just like to toss the balls about. One day they’ll actually play and score it.” Offering the other a bite of some sort of chicken dish which he’d picked up from a table.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:53 pm
“I’ll take that. It’s a step forward.” A step that made things feel a lot more secure, something that he was still getting used to liking. Everything else he still liked changing and going through new exciting things but he wanted this constant. It was nice and never boring either, both in the every day with them and with the Negaverse. The sound of a family that cared sounded nice too, some sort of safety net that he’d been used to not having. Money was one thing but he never had anyone to fall back on if something happened because of all the risks he took. Cutting ties as quickly as he had made them before, it was comfortable then but not now.
“I’d really like that, it feels a lot warmer here than back home.” Watching the children play Bocce for a bit longer, he wondered how hard it would be to play. Maybe later when the adults played he’d convince Alexandre to teach him how and play along.
“I still wouldn’t like to but with so many blondes here it might be easy. It really does run in your family, I remember seeing your cousin Fiona that day. Though I’m not sure if I could pick her out since I haven’t met her really.” Leaning down he took a bite of the food, it was really good. “What is that anyway? It tastes pretty good, might need to get something else to drink though. I won’t have too much more wine for now, maybe later on though you didn’t exactly say how long this would be. Not that I’m in any rush, just want to figure out a pace you know?” Just a little bit here and there of new things and sipping wine at a slow pace, just enough to keep up with his easygoing nature. At some point, he thought he might split off from Alexandre and start seeing who was who and what other immigrants uprooted themselves to follow these blonde angels.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:53 pm
“We’ll be here till after dinner, Easter starts in the morning with a late breakfast, which also serves as lunch, and it moves onto dinner time.” In between would be bocce, an easter egg hunt, and other games for everyone to join in on as well as talking and mingling and the sharing of light-hearted things. This was not a day for politics and business, not really, today was a day for family and the lighter things.
“Chicken chasseur, the little sign said.” Each dish had a small sign next to it, something fancy looking, every dish was marked so everyone knew what things were in case they either liked something in particular or needed to avoid certain foods. It was made nice and easy for everyone with things laid out nice and neat, attention to detail had been a thing. Offering another bite of the food from his plate. “Tonight I’d expect rabbit, beef, perhaps duck and heavier foods to be served.” This meant, from what René was teaching him, various red wines would be present rather than the whites this afternoon.
“Mmmm, the blond hair? Yeah, and the eyes but we aren’t aiming for it. We marry for love and it just happens that most of us find similar coloring to be attractive…or the people we fall for happen to have such looks. I don’t think anyone aims for it on purpose. I suppose, if you really want to think about it then it’s a case of how we grow up. We’re surrounded by similar people, in appearance anyway, and so it’s what we associate with love and such…so when we date we tend towards similar people as well.” And with their genetics being what they likely were, the odds were in the favor of blond hair and blue, or gray, eyes. Even green eyes weren't too uncommon. All of those things being recessive traits, genetically speaking, and yet they were common amongst their family. “Fiona you’ll see more often, I’m sure of it, she likes to spend time with me.” They were close, exceedingly so, as they were both artists who spent a lot of time discussing art or painting. He was hoping that by the night's end René would make a few friends in the family.
He knew of one or two from France, though from where he wasn’t sure, as well as a Brit and an Italian…there was also a Russian somewhere in the mix which he knew of. Their children, they all had a few of them, spoke the native languages as well as English and added to the mix here today as foods from those home countries were present on the table. Alexandre was also certain there were more, plenty more, that he just wasn’t remembering. René would likely find his fellow French citizens somewhere about the property, perhaps even gathered together talking, he would find them though…or they’d find him.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:54 pm
“So plenty of food and time to spread out my wine, I can handle that. If we can try Bocce out later that would be fun too. I’m up for seeing what kind of traditions your family has, it really feels different here.” There were a lot of people sure but it wasn’t cold, and there wasn’t that feeling of people looking for ways to get into things. He’d been used to being set up as a handsome piece of bait at things back home and the way people looked at each other was the farthest from warmth.
Looking over the sea of blondes as the other spoke, he nodded at the reasoning they offered. Marrying for love was something he could get behind. It wasn’t so much a chain that would drag him through an unhappy life as the type of marriage he’d weaseled out of. That cold woman who’d been just another piece in a game of chess though she didn’t seem to be as much of a pawn as he felt like he’d been. Leaning over, he snuck another hug. “Like moths to golden yellow flames.” And he’d been sucked in as well but he was happy with how things had been going and today especially seemed like a solid step forward too.
“It would be nice to meet her but if not I’m sure there are plenty other larger holiday gatherings right?” Wandering around, he made sure they were close by as he went. Losing them in the crowd would be so very easy and he didn’t want to cause any embarrassment trying to find them. They had been right though, he was able to pick out a few conversations happening in French as he walked sort of aimlessly around taking everything in.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:55 pm
“Yes, plenty of time to spread it all out and lots of food to absorb it all. This is a day for eating and socializing with family. It’s all about family and enjoying the first days of spring.” It was why it was such a carefree day for the family, and there was no political talk or anything to do with business. Neither thing had a place amongst them today, that would be every other day.
“Golden yellow flames.” Smiling and laughing softly he nodded his head. “Yes, I suppose so and the moths just keep coming and we don’t burn them. We don’t burn our own and the moths become the same as us - burning flames.” Looking over towards the bocce pitch Alexandre nodded his head slowly. “I think we can get in a game, we’ll need to grab a few more people but we can manage a small game. Perhaps I can find my mother, or my father, and grab one of them.” Since neither had met René yet and it was about time really.
“Well, yes…thanksgiving is big and all indoors as is Christmas but only in terms of decorations and gifts and such. It’s the same amount of people, give or take a baby or two…or tree.” Shrugging as he spoke, because the idea of more family members turning up between now and the fall and winter holidays was such an easy thing to assume. There was always a new family member it seemed, or a few, because with a family this large that was normal.
“I think you’ll enjoy both holidays more than you will Fourth of July or my great-grandmother's birthday. But what I think…” Trailing off as he turned to face René fully, smiling brightly, he finished his sentence. “Is that if today goes well I’ll be able to bring you to high tea from now on. If you want to go you can. That is what keeps our family as strong as it is…and where tradition really shows - what kept us alive in the past.” And it was what would interest René the most. “It’s where and how information spreads in the family…how we keep informed about everything going on socially and in business. An information network of sorts.” And by inviting René here he was letting his family know where René stood with him, how close they were, and they would notice it and he would be allowed to high tea without much questioning. Lorcan might question it, might make his usual comments, but he hoped his cousin would understand and accept it.
“Now, anything catch your interest?” From the children running around to the groups talking, lying, and enjoying themselves. The place was a mass of family members, spread out amongst the family tree, brought together and connecting. Passing by a group of older members he smiled and pointed. “Those two there…married sixty years this year…she moved here from Florence to live with the man she couldn’t live without - or so she told her parents. They’ve been together since. He worked in stocks and she kept house and raised their children.” Which had been normal in those days. “The other couple there.” Pointing to the other two. “They’ve been together nearly as long, but they are also a bit younger, he came from Switzerland as they two met on the slopes apparently. His family back home owns a chocolate factory and has for a long time.” Not what you’d expect but it had made that family money back in the old country, enough that his family hadn’t an issue with him marrying in.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:22 pm
A whole day of this seemed nice, at least with how things have gone so far. The family members he'd bumped into all seemed pretty nice as well. It sounded a lot nicer than what he was used to, the way people were brought in and cared for instead of just for whatever they could offer. It seemed like there was some sort of figuring out by the other's grandmother.
"Oh, I can meet your parents today too? Exciting, I wonder which one you took after more." It might be easier meeting them with a game going on, something to do while chatting. The worry wasn't there as much though after the other mentioned more holidays and then something else entirely. It sounded like something the old ladies would do back home, sitting around gossiping over tea. That smile they had was just too much, it was so full of life and he wanted to see that more. Again words wanted to bubble up as they smiled and explained more about that tradition of their family but he couldn't say them still. Even if things had moved forward he didn't want to risk messing things up.
"If we're being honest, you always catch my interest." Leaning in he spoke softly before leaning back out and smiling back. Each group Alexandre explained helped fill his mind with story after story of meeting and falling in love. There were so many of them here and he was certain they could talk to him for days about it all, and he would listen to every minute of it. Part of him was a bit jealous about it all, about how things were so different from what he'd known. He wanted this, wanted to be around all this more often with Alexandre. It was only for a moment but it hurt as a thought that things still may not work out in the long run passed through his mind.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:44 pm
"I'd say my mother more than my father, but I'll let you decide on that." Since the whole Negaverse tghing had corrupted him in ways he wouldn't have been had he grown up normal. There was no telling which parent he'd be more like, and which way he swung now was likely dictated heavily by the Negaverse and it's influence on him. He was certain Rene knew this, or would figure it out, so he avoided saying it. This was not a day to talk about war and it's effects on a growing person.
"My parents are both here, everyone is here unless they are too ill to be here." Which meant nearly everyone was here, the exceptions being able to be counted on a single hand in all likelihood. "My mother will likel you, I don't doubt that, my father is....harder to predict. My father is a shrink so he likes to talk and get to know people." He'd been the person Alexandre had feared finding out about his big secret the most, he was certain the man would have noticed the changes in him. It was another reason he avoided his family when he could and had moved out of his parents home at such a young age. He did not need the risks.
Pointing to another couple, with two children hanging about their legs, he smiled. "Remember my aunt and uncle who we visited, for the fresh produce, that's their youngest daughter and her husband." Because he'd taken Rene only a few days back to get fresh produce and get him around a few of his family members, it was easier to do a few family members first before dropping someone into this gathering. "Those two little ones are their youngest. The husband doesn't soeak Italian but she does and the children do. I'm not sure if he's working on learning it but he does stocks and she is an obgyn so she handles a lot of the pregnancies in the family." She really handled them all, because why go to someone else when you had such a doctor in your own family?
"They go to Italy every year and bring gifts back for people. I think this year they are going at the start of carnival so I was considering asking for a mask or two - to decorate with." Looking at Rene as he trailed off, silently asking the others opinion on it.
"Would you want them to bring you anything back? I know you don't think highly of Italian wine...but perhaps something else?" Walking and eating as he pointed out people to the other, as he kept at Rene's side, he kicked at a blade of grass with the tip of his shoe. He was not expecting to hear a scolding voice call his name, or rather to call him Tink. Looking up, from where he'd been eyeing his shoe, he stared at the woman not all that far away. She was taller than he was, at around five foot six inches in height, with ashen blond hair streaked with gray that boardered on being considered silvery. Her eyes weren't the ssame blue as his but leaned more into the blue range than his did. Where as his had more hints of gray her's were a clearer blue color. With laugh lines pronounced the woman was petite and well dressed in slacks of a light sand color and a spring green shirt made of silk. She wore little in decoration aside from a simple set of gold studs in her ears. The hair was kepy in a loose bun, nothing too sever and tight as she had a rather sensitive scalp, but she was headed his way while questioning him.
Asking why he hadn't told her that he was dating someone, she'd had to find out in last month at a conspiracy from a cousin who had found out from their son. It had, of course, spread and several people before she even knew that her own son was seeing someone .Then to find out hse was bringing this person here. She looked rather put out by her own son keeping her out of the loop.
"Mom." Holding up a hand, to quite her, he shook his head slowly. "I didn't tell you as things are new and are being worked on. I promise I was going to tell you." To be honest he was surprised his mother, knowing about Rene for a month or longer, hadn't just had someone find out when Rene was over and invite her self over for tea and to introduce herself to her only childs partner. It was something he could see his mother doing.
Finally he turned to Rene. "This is my mother, Colette Evans. Mother, this would be Rene, my partner." Deciding to get introductions out of the way.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 9:27 pm
"Makes sense, if you're more like her and you like me then she'll like me." He teased a bit more as they walked. "Ah so I should maybe behave a bit better if I meet him, I'm not the best with stiff and serious people if it wasn't obvious." It always felt too constricted when things got too serious and he was sure they'd noticed it with how he'd been handling things with the Negaverse.
More family, more interesting jobs, and more stories. It seemed that Lorcan wasn't the only medical professional but so far he seemed to be the only one that was so stiff. "Maybe some books, folklore, and fairy tales? Things that are local and can't be purchased elsewhere" Looking up, he wasn't quite sure what that other name they called meant. "Tink?" But he didn't really get time to get an answer as the woman came over.
It was interesting seeing Alexandre being scolded and he tried not to laugh at how much it reminded him of when they got into a hissy over people messing up in shops. However, the mention of finding out through a cousin made him wonder if Lorcan had been the leak. Nothing that came out seemed too bad so at least they'd kept most of their opinion of him out of it. Inclining his head slightly he offered a smile and a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 9:56 pm
Was it too much to hope that Rene would over look that nickname of his? That the other wouldn't ask about it and might not have even given it a thought? It seemed like it as his mother shook Rene's hand while explaining that it was short for Tinkerbell, because that sounded far too feminine, so the family had gone with Tink for a nickname since he didn't like his name being shortened to Alex. Tink because of how small he was, and always had been, amongst all his cousins he was the smallest male and still was.
As his mother explained all this, with the sweetest smile on her lips, Alexandre was looking like he might just hide somewhere. It was only family who called him Tink and he allowed it, even if he wasn't the biggest fan of the nickname, because he'd had it since he was a toddler. It was an endearing name that he got called by Hudson and others, his mother used it every time he was sick and not feeling well as a comforting thing, it was never used in a scolding manner. There was never anything malicous attatched to it. Alex was just a butchering of his name because people were too lazy to properly pronounce his name and he didn't accept that, why should he? Alex was not his name.
Tink though....maybe there was a fondness there really. Just not something he'd ever give voice to. "My mother is a lawyer." He whispered as he stood at her side, shorter than her, he had her slight build though and the softer features from her. The hair color was also from his mother, his father had dirty blond hair, there was little he'd gained from his father actually. It was easier to see his relation to his mother, that was for certain. Something Rene would find out once his father turned up at some point in the day.
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