goestodreamland (goestodreamland) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2010-01-05 20:23:00 |
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Entry tags: | #group scene, 2009-06-28 |
Placeholder!
Who: Logan, Oscar, Annette, Jasmin, Fayina (NPC), Lothair (NPC)
When: Early morning
Where: At the duplex
Annette leaned out the window, backing the U-Haul rental van carefully into the drive by the directions of a very small man who was trying desperately not to trip over a very large raccoon twining about his ankles. It had not been a pleasant ride over from Maine, with the four of them crowded uncomfortably into two vehicles, along with all their worldly possessions. The day was just about as hot as summer ever did get, in her experience, and so she left the AC on full-blast, even though most of it was going straight out the open window. "Darn it, Lothair! Leave Jas alone, I'm trying not to hit his car!" It was a bit odd to think that all they owned could fit into one U-haul and a rather small station wagon, especially since they'd combined their apartments. But as it turned out - unsurprisingly - Fayina had more junk than either of them. That girl was spoiled rotten, but well-loved, and that was the important thing, wasn't it?
Finally she shifted the van into park and cut the engine. "Whatever, that's good enough! It's in the driveway, isn't it?" Annette hopped out and adjusted her jacket (that she wore despite the heat). The duplex looked downright friendly compared to the roadside pit-stops they'd visited on the trip, but it wouldn't be home until they got everything inside and unpacked. "Well, let's open up the truck and get things moving. Nothing's getting done while we all sit around like bums!" She slapped Jas on the back and squeezed Fay's shoulder, quite happily leading the unloading party. What could she say? It was exciting.
Jasmin was already pretty good at ignoring his familiar, about the same way he ignored Annette when she was blathering and he wasn't really up to answering. Lothair prattled on in French straight into his mind, which was awfully strange, but endurable. He grunted back as he tried to guide the van back. He understood why Annette was driving the big car. His vision was terrible and he had occasional trouble reaching the damn pedals in big vehicles. It still made him feel like the sidekick, a station he felt himself often relegated to. He grumbled to himself in French, too low for Fay to hear from her perch on the station wagon's fender. She could understand just about everything, and Annette wasn't completely in the dark, either. Loud, filthy cursing as he struggled to direct her in a way that made sense to them both was out. Damn.
"Yes, it is in the driveway." Mostly. Jasmin wiped at his forehead. He and the sun weren't going to get along today. The heat was bad enough, but the sun was going to burn his fragile complexion to the consistency of a fried egg. When Annette slapped him he considered feigning a fall forward, but she knew he wasn't that fragile. "And I am not feeling especially like a bum." Annette could be so damn chipper. She did it expressly to annoy him, and nothing would convince him otherwise. He absently petted Lothair.
Oscar peeked out the front window at the new neighbors. Things had always been calm with the old neighbor, but Oscar was glad to see that one of the neighbors was a witch. There couldn't be any other reason for having a raccoon around. But they could be a blood witch. Eeek. Probably not. Hopefully not. Okay, he was going to have to go out there and see for himself what they were like or he'd be terrified for the rest of the time he and Logan lived there that the blood witch next door was going to sacrifice him on the stump behind the house. Okay, breathe. He opened the front door and stepped outside lightly, hands shoved in his jean pockets, glancing at the new neighbors. "Hello," he said, a little louder than he meant to, and blushed. Now all Oscar wanted to do was get back inside before he embarrassed himself any further.
Logan had been dozing in the bedroom when he suddenly felt tremors of fear. He blinked, grunting as he woke up, tuning in the thoughts of his lover to figure out what he was so panicked about. He arched a brow at the thoughts of new neighbors and blood witches. Rolling off the bed and to his feet the telepath blinked groggily, checking himself in the mirror. Wiping off the mascara that had smeared and pulling on a death metal t-shirt he turned, sticking a cigarette in his mouth but not lighting it as he went to stand behind Oscar, sliding his arms around the younger man's waist and leaning his head on his shoulder. ~If they're blood witches we'll run them out,~ he assured his boyfriend mentally, though he didn't say anything aloud. What could he possibly add to "hello"?
Of course Annette was chipper today - she'd made an express effort to normalize her sleeping schedule (as much as it could be) just to make the drive out here. So for the moment she was well-rested and particularly alert. It was a nice feeling, even if it wouldn't last. She'd hoisted out the first box when she heard someone hollering from the other side of the duplex - a rather nervous-looking young man who seemed just about ready to bolt. "Hey!" She grinned and waved, nodding to the blond who stepped up behind him. "You're the new neighbors, I assume? Well, I suppose we're the new neighbors, but y'know." She walked over, box under one arm, and held out a hand. "I'm Annette. I know we look like a pretty odd crowd, but we're friendly, honest. So long as you don't take the midget too seriously." She did hope that the brunet would calm down, as nervous as he obviously was, and grinned to show she was joking.
Lothair noticed the newcomer before Jasmin did, as the witch was struggling to open the back of the station wagon without spilling everything out. There's a human who doesn't smell very much like a human and another guy he said helpfully, to both his master and the child, so he said it in English. Jasmin managed to get the door open and only drop one box of Fay's books, catching it with his knees with a grunt. "Thank you, furball." He turned as soon as he had a grip on the box, which felt far too heavy for its size. Fay purposefully bought the heaviest reading she could find, didn't she? He found himself looking up at his new neighbors. He looked up at everyone over the age of twelve, of course, but he resented it in a mild, familiar way every time. "It is not very difficult. I do not know a single soul who takes me seriously." His accent was rather heavy today, as he'd been helping Fay keep up her spoken French on the drive over.
"No, no, you don't look strange at all," Oscar said quickly, beaming at her. He looked down at her hand and then shook it firmly, still smiling brightly. "I'm Oscar, this is Logan. M-my boyfriend." Oscar hoped that Logan wouldn't mind the stutter there, he was still not used to introducing himself as gay. Or as having a boyfriend. "M-midget?" He asked, before turning his gaze to the shorter man. "OH! I'm so sorry, I didn't-didn't mean," he stammered, then tooka deep breath and sighed. The accent was something he didn't recognize, but he knew it was some kind of foreign accent. "It's nice to meet both of you," he finally said, and glanced back at Logan. At least Logan didn't think less of him for his nervousness and anxiety.
Logan closed his eyes and put his mouth against Oscar's shoulder to hide his laughter. He loved the weredeer, but he could be such a dope. Still, it was nice to be announced as somebody's boyfriend. Especially after so long in the shadows about the whole affair. He hugged Oscar but looked up, scowling a bit suspiciously. French. French and small. Well, at least if he was the witch Logan wouldn't have a problem slinging him across the state. He had to stop himself from laughing at that image, and making his face perfectly serious he righted himself. "You all a family, then?" he didn't sneer, but he wasn't going to be friendly either. He could feel the resentment from the little man and it put him on edge, as he always was when he was afraid of being prejudged. Still, despite his stern glance he bumped his groin up against Oscar's rear playfully, trying physically to get him to relax a bit.
The revelation that they were partners didn't even make Annette blink. She'd seen odder. "Pleasure to meet you, too, Oscar." She let his hand drop quickly to catch the box on her hip, shooting a sharp look at Logan. What was his problem? She really didn't care for the way he was looking at Jasmin, at all. "No, not exactly. They're all family over there, I'm just a bit of a hanger-on. Jas and I are pretty much siblings, though, so it works for us." It was a bit difficult to be polite when Jas and the blond - Logan - were being sour at each other and Oscar was still nervous, but she managed. It was clear that the two men cared for each other, at least, and neither seemed actually malicious, so she could let it slide. Jas rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, just usually not quite so quickly.
Jasmin wasn't being sour at Logan, particularly. He was just being sour. It was his natural state, and he'd known Annette long enough to know when he was going to get his toes stamped on for being uncivil. He wasn't really there yet. Happy couples annoyed him in the same general way that being short did, but then, he'd be living next door to these two for the foreseeable future. While he didn't expect to socialize a lot, there was always Fay to worry about, and considering how obvious his nature was with Lothair about, he shouldn't antagonize anyone. He'd learned already that people didn't find "it's okay, I'm just a gray witch" that reassuring. He tried to jam the box he was toting onto his hip so it wouldn't land on his foot. "I'm Jasmin. My daughter, Fayina, is over there being unhelpful, in the company of my familiar." Best to be upfront about Lothair. A massive raccoon waddling around during the day was likely to be shot for being rabid, a fear that had become ever present since it had occurred to him. And it was best to prepare people for a high-pitched little voice that might wind up speaking straight into their heads.
Oscar didn't notice Logan's supressed laughter, but he did notice Logan nudging him and he blushed, putting his hands over Logan's. He wanted to step forward and take the box from Jasmin, he did have a bit of muscle from working outside as city gardener, but he also didn't want to offend Jasmin. He also didn't want Logan to unintentionally offend their new neighbors. The weredeer was surprised to hear they weren't in a relationship, but he'd heard of stranger arrangements, and tried not to judge. Oscar was very curious about the familiar, he hadn't actually spoken to any so far, though he doubted it was all that different from Logan talking in his head. That was still a little weird, even after years of hearing his voice so close. "Very nice to meet you, Jasmin and Fayina. What is your--uh--familiar's name? Should I ask him?"
Logan closed his eyes, then let out an inaudible sigh. He didn't want to stressed out Oscar either, so he moved to stand next to him. His hand was still around Oscar's waist, but he stood on his own and relaxed his face, tilting his head and examining the Familiar and the other pair. "He is sentient, gorgeous," he pointed out, then turned his attention away from Oscar's conversation with the witch and his animal and looked over at the woman, nodding slightly to her. "He's a were, I'm a telepath. You need help moving your boxes and furniture in?"
"Really?" Annette's eyebrow shot up as she glanced between them. That was always good to know. She really was only mildly curious; she'd had enough contact with supernaturals before and after the Light that finding out her neighbors were ones didn't really phase her. "Guess I'm in the minority, then!" She left Lothair to tell his own name, or Jas, if the furball didn't want to talk. "Well, some help with the heavier stuff could be nice, but I wouldn't want to kidnap you for the whole deal. It's mostly boxes, anyhow, and I'm sure you boys have better things to do with your day." And it was a gorgeous day. She wished she could be doing something besides moving boxes.
Jasmin would have scowled if he'd known Annette considered this a beautiful day. He was furious at the sun already. "Oh, he'll be happy to introduce himself, I'm sure. Keeping him quiet is far more difficult." Noticing he was under discussion, Lothair hopped down from sitting half on Fay's lap and walked over. He was even less fond of the sun than his witch and scampered over quickly to stand in Jasmin's shadow, a rather amusing sight when a thirty-pound ball of muscle with short legs tried to "scamper." He moved onto his back legs once comfortably shaded, poking his nose into Jasmin's fingers in search of affection. I'm Lothair, I'm in charge here, and I'm slightly hungry, he informed the weredeer. His voice was growly and a little high-pitched. Jasmin almost smiled. He'd become quite attached to his other half. "Fay is right, little bandit. You speak like a cartoon character. And you may eat when everyone stops for lunch. There will be no wasting away on your part, I am sure."
Oscar wanted to flee back into the house at being outed as a were, but Logan had to know what he was doing. And maybe this was better than the neighbors finding a deer in the backyard. In the middle of the city. That wouldn't be a dead giveaway at all. "There's not much point in watering flowers right now, it's too sunny, so if you need help, I don't mind." He stepped forward and took a box from the back of the station wagon. He laughed at the raccoon's voice, there was no helping it. That kind of voice, with those sort of demands? "Very nice to meet you too, Lothair."
Logan didn't like to out himself either, but that was why he'd kept the descriptions vague. Still, he didn't want anything happening to them because of a misunderstanding, and it helped him to gage the two newcomers. ~It's ok, gorgeous. I won't let anything happen to you,~ he whispered to Oscar, before he arched a brow at the furry ball of fur. "You are, huh? Well I'm Logan, and I'm in charge of the fridge that's stocked," he replied before he smirked, shaking his head in amusement and wandering over, glancing at the other people. "We're not doing anything," he shrugged and waited to have a box or piece of furniture pointed out for him to take.
So the were was a gardener? Annette smiled a little - the work suited him, she could tell. "Well, if you insist. I was thinking we could start with the boxes in the car." That was where they'd put most of the stuff they'd need right away; clothing, toiletries, bedding and whatnot. "And do watch Lothair. He has a nasty habit of trying to catch rides, and he adds at least twenty pounds onto the load." She gave the little 'coon a good-natured evil eye before heading towards the door herself. "I'll put these down where and figure out where the others should go." She trusted Jas to behave himself, cranky or no. She knew he didn't want to do all the heavy lifting, so it was in his best interests to play nice. Win-win, as far as she was concerned.
"Twenty pounds? He's thirty if he's an ounce." Jasmin could barely lift his familiar. Lothair swung back on his hind legs and stuck his tongue out at her, a response he'd learned from Fay. "Give each box a good heft before you lift it, I think. Fay was not entirely clear on the practice of packing carefully. Some of them weigh about what I do, I believe." He wasn't exaggerating nearly as much as he'd have liked to. Jasmin might have enjoyed a world where he could do heavy lifting, but at his tiny size, it just wasn't plausible. And that fit rather well with his native laziness. He was glad for the help, and he was too practical to antagonize the neighbors despite his cranky mood.
Fay stood up with a slight scowl to take one of the boxes. She had the same coloring as her dad, pale and dark haired with hazel eyes, but she was barely an inch shorter than he was at the age of ten and built on a larger scale overall. Just to prove her boxes weren't offensive, she lifted a big one full of books, straining a bit but refusing to back down.
Oscar smiled at his lover, a smile full of affection and love, then turned back quickly to Annette and Jasmin. He laughed to himself at Lothair and hefted the box in his arms, glancing to the door on the other side of the duplex. The were had never actually been on the other side of the house, but he was a little curious. It might be a mirror image of their rooms, he wasn't sure. Oscar walked to the door after Annette, peeking inside nervously and following her to where she sat down her box at. He was glad to have Logan around, it made him slightly less nervous to be around new people. They seemed nice, at least.
Logan smirked. "Don't worry about us, we can handle a few boxes of bricks," he responded, stopping and looking down at the little girl, arching a brow as he let her go ahead of him. When he saw her strain he very carefully reached out with his powers to share some of the weight. After all, nothing ruined the day like a screaming child who'd let a box fall on her. He winked back at Oscar, wondered a bit why the majority of this family was in a really bad mood, and then decided he didn't care as long as his beloved boyfriend wasn't yelled or snapped at, or made to feel bad in any other way.
Annette set her box down in the rather barren-looking living room. "Just pile it all here, I guess. Try to keep it separated by peoples' names so we can find our clothes and sh- uh, stuff later." Sometimes she was better than others at toning down the swears around the ten-year-old. When she caught the look Oscar giving his boyfriend, she let herself smile a little. Now that was terribly adorable. She had a good feeling about these two, and it was always nice to be on good terms with one's neighbors. "Thank you." She slipped back out to grab another box from the car.
"Or, to be realistic, try and put it where it will not be immediately tripped over." Jasmin deposited his box heavily. The boxes would be pretty easy compared to furniture. He didn't expect their neighbors to hang about being useful to the point of hauling tables for them. His mood had lifted a little, though. Things hadn't gone particularly poorly, and a bit of relief hauling everyone's possessions about was welcome. He opened the corner of the box he'd just carried in. It was store stuff, and he just needed to be sure it hadn't had any disasters en route. The crystals and candles and bits of herb seemed as intact as ever, though. He left it on a small shelf built into the wall so no boxes of books would be put on top. "And yes, thank you." He didn't come across as exactly pleasant, but certainly not distressed.