InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "But we had good times-"

Peter Torkarov (setecastronomy) wrote in chaos_theory_rp,
@ 2008-03-18 12:44:00

Entry tags:

david matheson, ongoing thread, peter torkarov, plot: star's disappearance, star

Who: Peter & Star & Danielle (and whoever else makes sense)
Where: Star's parents' house, out in the D.C. suburbs
When: shortly after Star's return

Peter was bad at waiting. On the plus side, he was good with Danielle, which amazed him. Kids were not normally his thing - of course, kids were not normally born to two reborn gods, and that probably had something to do with it.

It was finally a reasonably sunny day for early spring, so they were out in the yard playing something that had its roots in tag, catch, tickle fights, and made-up rules that came out of Danielle's head.

Except for not knowing where Star was, he was even reasonably happy.

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followmeboy
2008-03-19 02:35 am UTC (link)

Where Star was, in point of fact, was pulling up to the house. She had taken a couple of days to herself, and did feel a little guilty for that, but. After everything, she also hadn't felt up to putting on a brave face for her parents, had just wanted to curl up with David for a few days and have hysterics as needed.

But it was time to tell her parents that she was back, that she was safe. And it was time to see Danielle again, and try to keep her from worrying too much. It was probably time to tell other people again, slowly. Everyone would have seen the news; she didn't even want to go near her email.

David was with her. He hardly left her side, these days.

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setecastronomy
2008-03-19 01:20 pm UTC (link)

He'd been good and not flooded her phone lines or email with anything. Just the initial phone calls, and a short but heartfelt note that he had debated sending for a long time, but decided that hope was the better part of not giving up.

Danielle saw who it was first. "Mommy! You came back!" as she ran over to cling to Star's legs, beating Peter to swooping in for a hug by a split second.

"I was so worried," he said into her hair. And he did look thinner, more drawn and anxious than usual. "Just like I said she would," to Danielle, ruffling her hair.

Sorry, David. You weren't missing for two weeks.

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dark_charisma
2008-03-19 02:40 pm UTC (link)

David hung back, just a little. Adorable family reunions weren't really his forte. Or anywhere in his realm of experience, come to that. Not since he was about Danielle's age, anyhow. It was quite possible he was suddenly feeling just how much he didn't belong in a scene like that. And, naturally, there was the flare of jealousy at seeing Peter embrace Star.

But he was a guest in her parents' home so he was on good behavior. He only cleared his throat a little to remind everyone of his existence.

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followmeboy
2008-03-19 03:11 pm UTC (link)

As if she could forget. Nonetheless, she also made note of his restraint. Watching her with Peter and Danielle, knowing what that was, couldn't have been easy.

She sighed a little, hugging him tightly back. Hoping that Danielle hadn't heard that worried part. She had no idea what her daughter had been told, but hoped it wasn't anything too frightening. "Of course I came back," she said, just loud enough to be heard. "Silly gooses, the pair of you."

And then she did step back, and an extra special tight hug for Danielle.

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setecastronomy
2008-03-19 03:33 pm UTC (link)

He would be clinging so very much more if David weren't there. Even if he wasn't with Star, he still had more that he wanted to say and do than would be acceptable right now.

So he took a deep breath and slid just a bit of a mask on - bright and happy to see Star, happy with his daughter, but more formal and reserved than normal.

"You must be David," he held out a hand. "I'm Peter." The smile he gave said all kinds of things - thank you for taking care of her, you'd better not hurt her, why don't we put aside our differences to find the men who did hurt her.

"How much moral support do you want for your parents?" he gave Star a wry grin. Sweet and caring people, yes, but definitely overwhelming right now.

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dark_charisma
2008-03-19 03:37 pm UTC (link)

David took Peter's hand, his own face a mask of polite reserve, "yes, I'm David. It's nice to meet you." And there was definitely something that agreed with Peter flashing in David's eyes.

He wasn't actually ignoring Danielle, but he wasn't sure how to act with her so David was waiting for a cue from Star on that one. Besides, he was half expecting the little girl to be at least a little afraid of him, for some reason.

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followmeboy
2008-03-19 06:08 pm UTC (link)

Star relaxed a tiny bit, watching them shake hands, be polite. Make nice. Which hadn't been all she was worried about, by a long shot, but it was a start.

"Danielle, this is my friend David." Because she hadn't yet reached the age where Mommy had boyfriends, so every person was a friend. So was Peter, for now. They hadn't yet worked on how to explain that one before she'd "left."

Danielle, her mother's daughter, extended a hand to David to shake with the kind of grave solemnity a child who has grown up around very polite adults might have. "Hello," she told him.

For Peter's question: "Any help I can get would be appreciated," with a tired smile.

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	setecastronomy 2008-03-26 04:58 pm UTC (link)
	He groaned a little, mostly good-naturedly. Flashing a rueful little smile that said later, I guess at David, "Lay on, MacDuff." He almost picked Danielle up out of habit before realizing she would probably want Star instead. At least they all had that in common? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	followmeboy 2008-03-26 07:45 pm UTC (link)
	Peter got a crooked little smile for that, and mother and daughter preceeded the boys into the house. And Star did, indeed, scoop Danielle up and Danielle did, indeed, cling to her mother, as they shared grave conversation about all the things Danielle had been up to. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dark_charisma
2008-03-27 12:08 am UTC (link)

Peter received a slight nod of acknowlegement. There'd definitely be a later.

And then David just as gravely -- though with a hint of a smile curling his lips -- took Danielle's hand and proclaimed, "it's very nice to finally meet you, Danielle."

Once daughter was in her mother's arms and headed toward the house, he fell into step beside Peter as they followed the girls in.

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	setecastronomy 2008-03-27 03:55 pm UTC (link)
	He smiled a little, pleased with his daughter and her manners, though still half-wishing he could gather both females up and protect them. They might have looked a bit like bodyguards, behind and sort of flanking Star and Danielle. They might even be feeling like that, too, all things considered. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

followmeboy
2008-03-27 04:47 pm UTC (link)

The whole thing was just a recipe for awkward. Her lovers, past and present, neither of whom she had married although at least her parents could hope for something with David. Her daughter by one lover in the same room as said lover and her current lover. It was bad enough without adding the 'kidnapped for two weeks' thing into the mix.

Her mother looked as though she might cry. Her father didn't seem to know what to say.

There were hugs, and Danielle was duly squished between embracing parents and daughter. Her mother did cry, after a moment. They asked where she had been, what had happened. Were the police investigating, was the first question, when they found out what had happened.

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	dark_charisma 2008-03-27 09:09 pm UTC (link)
	Talk about awkward. David just stood aside and watched, shifting his weight from foot to foot a little. Families didn't actually do these sorts of things in his experience except...here they were. At least no one was squishing him. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

setecastronomy
2008-03-28 12:19 am UTC (link)

Peter was a little better at faking it, but in his experience the only reason families did this was to guilt you into doing what they wanted.

Also, none of them were inclined to kill each other. At least at the moment. So he was, actually, amused in a very distant, objective sort of way by the whole thing.

Plus it was a good chance for awkward male-bonding with David, of the sort normally only found when two men were stuck with their SOs in Victoria's Secret, holding purses.

ooc: I have a couple male friends who have agreed that the above situation is a perfect example of male bonding between strangers. Also, I keep forgetting: Jag, do you want to somehow finish that scene between Peter and Paul from back on GJ?

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followmeboy
2008-03-30 01:04 am UTC (link)

There was another round of 'are you sure you're all right' and then some awkward dithering by both parents until her father finally came out and offered to pay for any 'medical expenses' (read: counseling) she might need.

"I'm fine..." Star smiled, tired, trying to reassure them. "I'm all right for money, I don't help with medical expenses. Thank you for taking care of Danielle..."

"Darling, you know we don't mean to .. to interfere..." Her mother started.

"Margaret, are you sure..." from her father.

Star winced and closed her eyes. Oh god, there they went.

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dark_charisma
2008-03-30 01:16 am UTC (link)

David blinked. Margaret? He never would've pegged her for that sort of name. Maybe a smirk is threatening to tug the corners of his lips up. But he tries to hide his amusement. If only because she'll make him pay for it later.

Of course, technically it was Peter who signed up for the moral support here. Plus David wasn't sure he really wanted to draw her parent's attention to him.

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	setecastronomy 2008-03-31 02:45 am UTC (link)
	It'd be easier for David to hide his smirk if Peter also weren't struggling not to smile. Margaret, huh. He'd bear that in mind. But he was also protective of her, and so he was prepared to step in whenever she seemed to need it with a smooth "you look tired, why don't you go get some sleep." Which would probably be soon. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	followmeboy 2008-04-02 02:25 am UTC (link)
	"Mom," she said, firmly and calmly and trying not to blush. She had not wanted anyone to know her real name. Ever. "Dad. I'm fine. I'm all right for medical expenses. I'll be all right. I have friends who can keep an eye on me, I'll be fine." Please don't say my birth name where my friends can hear it. Ever. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dark_charisma 2008-04-02 02:37 am UTC (link)
	Not only friends who could but ones who most certainly would. Like the two men flanking her right now. "Make sure she eats her veggies, even," David offered with a grin. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	setecastronomy 2008-04-04 12:23 am UTC (link)
	"Even the brussels sprouts," Peter nodded. Oh, she was never going to let them hear the end of this. But it was such fun to have someone to tease Star - Margaret - with! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

followmeboy
2008-04-04 12:40 am UTC (link)

Star rubbed her temples with her fingertips. She was going to murder them both. Or at least lecture them when they got out to the car.

"See?"

Although the accompanying gesture was more like a "see what I have to put up with?"

Her mother was trying not to smile. Too much. "Well, if you're sure."

Her father looked between David and Peter, and if they were a state or two south he would probably have been contemplating where the shotgun was.

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dark_charisma
2008-04-12 11:28 pm UTC (link)

David had seen the look her father was giving him before. Except..from other fathers. It amused him. Star, at least, was obviously a grown woman who didn't need her daddy to be threatening with the shotgun.

It didn't really occur to him that there was a difference between "need to" and "this is what daddies do."

So he just smiled winningly at both Star and her mother, "she'll be in good hands."

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setecastronomy
2008-04-14 11:32 pm UTC (link)

It wouldn't have occurred to Peter, either, except he was abruptly looking at Danielle and realizing he would be doing the same thing in ten years. Maybe less. So he gave her father a rueful sort of grin.

"We might even behave ourselves to the point where she doesn't kick everyone out to get some peace and quiet," he nodded. With a slight undertone that suggested he expected to be kicked out once his need to pet and fuss and make sure she really was here and safe was fulfilled. Which didn't exactly make him happy, but at the same time... well, he could always go play with Danielle. Her grandparents seemed pleased that he was taking an active role in her life, if a little wary.

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