InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I. AM. CANADIAN. "

Antoni, First year TEACUP. (pobrebarco) wrote in steamengines,
@ 2009-12-27 22:47:00

Who: Antoni Ruiz and Lauri Konttila.
What: But sometimes you find just what you need.
Where: Starting at Antoni's dorm room, ending up outside on the lawn.
When: Backdated to 12/20, after this log.
Warnings: None.

LAURI: Christmas cheer was in the air! Snowflakes danced on the wind and kids ran around bundled up with bright pink cheeks peeking over scarves. For the little Finnish boy, this weather was his absolute favorite and he ran around without a scarf, feeling the crisp air bite at his cheeks and taste the snow on his tongue. It tasted different than northern snow, dirtier somehow, but he still ate it nonetheless.

What was missing from this perfect picture was his Spaniard friend, gone missing and returned but never emerged from his room. Yes, he kept tabs on the younger boy, and figured it was about time to venture in for a friendly hello---his own work was done for the time being and really the boy did need to come out to eat once in awhile---so Lauri stuffed his pockets with seasonal goodies.

Knocking just didn't exist in his world. Lauri went right for the handle and began to jiggle it impatiently, finding it locked. That just exasperated him. More jiggling and pounding was had.

ANTONI: After receiving his parents' letter, Antoni had spent the better part of his evening hiding from the rest of his students and any hint of merriment and cheer. He might have to follow their request, but that didn't mean he had to enjoy this holiday in any way shape or form. He did manage to drag himself to a bath and changed, but then he returned to his previous position on the bed, hoping almost everyone would go home and then he wouldn't have to see them. Or worse, see their pity.

Of course, if things were to always go his way, then no one would be making noises and knocking at his door right now. Antoni tried to ignore it best as he could. When his door was pounded on, he sighed, realizing whomever it was had no intention of leaving him alone. Rubbing his eyes, he opened the door. Blinking, he stared at Lauri before remembering his manners. "H-hello Lauri."

LAURI: "Hello!" Always full of cheer, he pushed and shoved his way into the dark room and made his way to the window to throw the curtains wide. Sunlight was much needed in here. Already he could sense the room's spirit was low and needed merriment. "I can't imagine what you've been up to in here, possibly something down and shy and dreadful, but it's time to perk up!"

There's no hiding from him. He's everywhere. Once he threw the curtains wide he moved to the bed and picked up the letter. Thankfully he can't read Spanish, but Lauri knew enough about languages to know that this may not be good---he doesn't even need to know the content. No one got a letter at Christmas time that was good.

ANTONI: He didn't say anything nor attempted to prevent him from entering, as he had learned by now that with Lauri, it was better to let him take lead and go along for the ride. Squinting, he barely suppressed a whine as his eyes were being flooded with stupid nasty bright sunlight. Shutting the door behind him, he followed and stood by his desk.

Swallowing hard, he tried to change the subject. The package was partially opened and he removed the tin of cookies, holding it out to Lauri. "M-my mother muh-made them," he tried, holding onto the thin veil of hope that his friend might just adhere to his wishes, take a cookie (orange marmalade sugar), and let him wallow alone in peace.

LAURI: "Ah," he said quietly, then helped himself to a cookie. Mother-baked cookies and letters were never a good combination! He chewed and turned away, staring at the snow streaked lawn outside, then perked back up. With half a cookie in his mouth, he bounced across the room to pick up Antoni's jacket and thrust it at him.

If need be, he would forcibly put the boy into his coat. Even though he was no doubt shorter and on the more spry side, Lauri could do it. "Here, get in this, we're going outside. I will not allow you to be a sour puss much longer. It is winter, and I have candy and oranges in my pockets that say otherwise about your sad little face right now. If you do not put your coat on you this instant, I will put it on for you, Antoni."

ANTONI: After Lauri took a cookie, he placed the tin back on his desk and returned to his bed to sit down. It wasn't that Antoni didn't enjoy company, on the contrary he loved having people who could speak for him, but right now wasn't one of those times. While his friend was staring out the window at who knows what, he took the time to stuff the letter under a pillow. He didn't need questions now.

Of course, didn't he tell himself he didn't want company either? Somehow, he found himself with a face full of outdoor coat that he barely caught in time, only marginally shocked at Lauri's demand. Opening his mouth to protest (feebly), Antoni shut it at his friend's threat. Lauri was one of those people he had no doubt could and would go through on any threat made. Barely suppressing a sigh, he shrugged the coat on and stood up, awaiting further instructions.

LAURI: There was no room to argue his persistence, and Antoni's agreement---though obviously reluctant---pleased the little Finn greatly. He beamed and tugged on Antoni's sleeve. "Come, come, let's go outside and enjoy the snow. I can't imagine you are that scared of a little white powder, eh Antoni?"

Digging with a free hand in his pocket, he plucked out a candy snack and pulled it from the wax wrapper to shove it into Antoni's mouth. Or rather, against his lips and held it forcibly. No way was the Spaniard getting away with being down and out about this holiday season. Heck, Lauri will take him home with him if he had too---to a week in the ice cold, frozen northlands, and watch his friend's appendages fall off, sure, but it would be a trip to replace his sadness.

ANTONI: He shrugged at Lauri's response. Sure he encountered snow before, but it just reminded him of everything he wouldn't get to really see this season. However, he let himself get led, quickly throwing on gloves and a scarf and shoes before stepping out, locking the door behind him with a soft 'click.' They probably took two, three steps before he was stopped embarrassingly by candy. Eyes widening, he lifted a hand to take the intrusive piece. "Th-thank you," he murmured, his cheeks tinged pink before eating the candy. He was still following Lauri, though he stayed a few steps behind.

LAURI: "There's more where that came from," he grinned and kept on goin'. Outside was calling. This was not weather for someone of his type to be stuck indoors, moping around on. Lauri needed the snow like it needed him. They were wonderful friends. Antoni needed it too, and his friend the Snow could help him cheer up.

Outside, he ducked and swooped up a handful of the powder, forming it into a compact ball. Turning, he launched it lightly at Antoni's chest, running off before he could tell if it hit or not.

ANTONI: Still reddened at Lauri's boldness through this whole ordeal, he followed to the outside world, where the beautiful blanket of winter covered everywhere. His nose crinkled as his face stung with the sudden change in temperature from inside.

Barely taking a few steps, he felt a whump! against his chest and he looked down before eyeing Lauri who took off. Brushing off the flakes still clinging to his outer coat, he could feel the corners of his mouth curving up, betraying his earlier mood. Kneeling, he quickly packed a snowball of his own (just the way his papá taught him) and flung it at Lauri's retreating form.

LAURI: Aha, this was more like it! Lauri had turned tail and didn't expect Antoni to make a come back, but the telltale feel of packed ice hitting his shoulder shocked him and he fumbled in his step, nearly falling head first into a blanketed bush. That would have been mighty unfortunate.

Turning, he was open mouthed laughing, chest heaving with guffaws, as he gathered up enough snow to pack another small snow ball up and lobbed it towards Antoni with an errant swing. He's not so brilliant with this stuff when he's busy laughing hard.

ANTONI: Unlike Lauri's sneaky first throw, his second was easy to see and Antoni dodged it, moving forward and picking up snow in the process while packing it as quickly as possible. Satisfied, he tossed again at his Finnish friend who was cracking up. He couldn't conceal the grin on his face now. Even though a part of him still felt grumpy and sad, it was alleviated for a little while. Funny how a snowball can do that. Antoni ran behind a couple of bushes bunched together for a makeshift fort. Crouched, he began making more 'artillery.' Granted, he probably didn't play as much as Lauri did as kids, but he figured he could hold his own. Antoni tossed another one in his direction.

LAURI: With the speed of a wounded ocelot, Lauri darted around the yard dodging Antoni's balls. A couple clipped him and somehow got into his hair but otherwise he remained unscathed. Diving behind a bush for cover, the young'n packed some of his own artillery up and launched it over the top---ignoring that he may be throwing it haphazardly. The game wasn't designed for winning (not this time) but to make the Spaniard smile and forget about his family troubles for a moment, even if it meant his own pride was at stake.

ANTONI: He had to concede that while Lauri may be brash and stubborn in trying to be a good friend in cheering him up, it was working. Antoni wasn't thinking about everything back in his room, or how the end of the week was going to feel. All he was concerned about was pelting his friend until he looked exactly like a snowman. Trying to be swift, he shuffled back and forth, throwing a few more snowballs in his general direction while trying to gather more snowballs for his side. Getting up to toss another 'weapon,' he caught a face full of snow and he toppled backwards, plopping on the soft ground.

LAURI: As his target when down, the pesky Finn popped his perky head over the bush and grinned unto himself. With sugar-fueled speed he propelled himself up and over, a couple quick steps through the snow, until he landed next to Antoni. A leg on each side of the lad's torso, he dropped into a squat and held the Spaniard down with his body weight.

"I have you now, aha! I didn't know Spaniards were such easy losers. I'm sure if history knew this you lot wouldn't have gotten away with the Inquisition. What say you now, sir, that a heathen has you crushed to the snow?" and as an added bonus, Lauri scooped up a handful of snow and lightly tossed it at Antoni's face, all the while rolling with laughter.

ANTONI: Even though he was smacked and flat on his back, Antoni was laughing because, quite frankly, it was hilarious. It only continued as he found Lauri much closer and announcing his triumph, pinning him down and grinning. A manly undignified squeak could be heard as Antoni tried to get up and push him off, but for that, he received more snow at his face. "Ackpth!" was his only response to Lauri's question. With his right hand, he scooped a handful of snow and retaliated, aiming for the now very close target. "Pthbbt," he said, trying to spit out the rest of the snow on his mouth.

LAURI: Snorting, he threw himself forward and heaved loudly when he heard the squeak. How silly sounding! What noise this little boy made. Oh heavens. "What was that, eh---oof!" as the snow clobbered him he rolled back and fell off the other, landing on his side and finding snow piling into his ear canal. Oh the feeling of winter, it was slowly creeping it's way into his bones. Kicking out, he thunked Antoni in the knee and laughed loudly when he felt his cold little toes hurt in response. "You're lucky I find you a good friend or I would have found a stream to dunk you instead."

ANTONI: Yay he won this round! Sort of. Turning on his side, his eyes widened at Lauri's cheeky threat. "Y-you wou-wouldn't," he stuttered, the cold beginning to make his teeth chatter. Scootching on his bum and arms a little bit, he returned to a sitting position, finding it strangely comfortable to be sprawled out on the lawn with his friend. "Th-thank you," he murmured quietly, almost as if even Lauri wasn't meant to hear the confession.

LAURI: Sitting up himself, he grabbed his knees and held on in a rocking position, hair plastered to his head with snow flakes, bum getting wet. Eventually, he'll need to go sit by a fire. "I would, but you're lucky I'm not going to Oulu this winter and am staying here. Or I would have, along with my cousins and uncles, thrown you into the river when we take our morning swim to bring in the New Year." Lauri chatted on and grinned from fond memories. Ah, childhood. "And you are mighty welcome," yes, he heard you, "and I suspect you should possibly pack your bag soon, Antoni, we're going to my father's estate for the holiday. Then London for some New Year festivities."

ANTONI: And there went 'WHOOSH' as the smile left Antoni's face. Lauri knew about his family situation in general, but not regarding the holiday plans. His cheeks burning a little, he did his best to plaster on a fake smile and politely decline, but he knew his heart wasn't in lying. Antoni simply shook his head instead. "I-it is g-generous bu-but I c-cannot go." It was too generous, too nice of Lauri to extend that offer to him. It was something he didn't deserve. He would have no way to pay Lauri back for all the lodging, not to mention the food. Antoni had a feeling his friend wouldn't ask him to pay, but the idea of offers not being obligations was an entirely foreign concept to him. Ergo, in his 'logic,' he couldn't go.

LAURI: A sharp clucking of his tongue and he reached over to gently slap Antoni across the face. "I'm not giving you a choice. You will go." So maybe he could read some Latin and the Spanish in the letter had some similar words. Just maybe. There's no knowing what Lauri knew or didn't know sometimes. Climbing to his feet, the boy dusted the snow off his clothing and made a grimace as he felt how wet his trousers were. A change of clothing was in order. "It is at my father's request and I doubt you have the ability to decline that. Besides, going there is better than here." There's more trouble to get into, more fun to be had, more freedom in general. Grinning wide, he offered his hand down to Antoni to help lift him up. "Come on, then, you need to pack."

ANTONI: "Ay!" he frowned as Lauri bopped him a little bit. He didn't like the fact the final decision was clearly out of his hands and that there was no way he'd ever refuse an invite from Lauri's father of all people. He certainly had no intention of asking how his friend knew there was nowhere he was going for the holidays. That thought wouldn't leave his brain anytime soon though. He couldn't think of how he was going to begin to repay him for this. "O-okay," Antoni replied, still not smiling as he was helped up, shaking snow out of his hair. As the two of them began walking back to the dorms, a new worry entered the back of his mind: What am I going to get Lauri for Christmas?