Morningstar Manor

She'd been seeing less of the Mocha recently, deciding it was better to spend time with Callan away from this place. He'd been doing good healing up and they'd been enjoying each others company frequently, but something about being able to curl up on the couch and read through her mail was comforting. She opened a letter from her brother and then one from her Gran. Neither of them had horrible news but there was the underlying poke on her Gran's that had been there for years. Reading little bits to herself she laughed and answered the questions, figuring nobody here would care enough to pay attention.

Max had gone down to see the doctor and get stitched up, probably a little later than he should've but they'd gotten a little carried a way...
But now she was alone, wet hair hanging about her shoulders and snuggled up comfortably in Max's bed wearing one of his shirts and feeling a little worried about Callan as she waited for Max to come back.
It was stupid to worry over Callan, he'd known going in what he was going to get, and he'd done it anyway.  Sighing, she picked up her phone and called Declan. The call went straight to voicemail as she figured it would, but she left a message for him to call her back and let her know how Callan was. Judging by the way he'd looked at her before she left, he wouldn't be

After fiddling for a few moments, she tapped out a text.

Callan got into a fight and is hurt pretty bad. I assume he's at the ER, but Dec isn't talking to me. Can you go check it out and let me know something? 

xxoo

It had been a rough day at work for her today, so she'd gone up to soak in the hot tub. Now that she was out and dried off, she stood in her bikini top and a pair of shorts looking through the windows at the city below. A lot had been on her mind over the weekend and she didn't know what to do about most of it, other than have fun while she was figuring things out. Maybe along the way she wouldn't get hurt again.

Callan and Declan sat in the lobby on a couch, waiting for the arrival of Erin. Declan had brought Callan in with him and was staying long enough for Erin to get there, just so security didn't get suspicious. Callan had dressed in a brown and white plaid shirt a pair of jeans and some boots, and was reclining on the couch as if he hadn't a care in the world and entirely cheerful.

Sterrin smirked at Erin over her shoulder as she moved onto the dance floor at Babylon. The party at the Flamingo had been fun. It had been nice to talk to different people and meet some new ones that could prove to be interesting, but in places like this was where she felt most comfortable.

Zack was beginning to feel a bit better. It had been very touch and go for a while and if Brendan hadn't been staying with him he might well have ended up in the hospital. But he'd gotten through what he hoped was the worst and now actually felt up to going down to the Mocha for a coffee and to nibble on a muffin.

He looked pale, small in his oversized hoodie and scarf. He'd lost weight and that didn't help matters and his eyes had dark shadows under them but they twinkled again now and his smile, though tired, was genuine.

He sat curled on one of the couches near the fireplace and answered an email from his iPhone while he waited for Brendan to come back with their coffee.

***

Gabe had had a grand time with the photoshoot but he was glad it was done. Lewis, bless him, was a dear and lord knew Gabe had had a fine time with a few of the models but he could only handle them all for so long was thankful he had his and Kris's apartment to themselves again.

Sitting at a table he chuckled as he replied to a text to one a friend. Oh the gossip that had come from that shoot!

***

Eris sat at a table, sipping a white chocolate mocha and looking through various brochures on various tropical places. Money wasn't a problem and she knew Daddy would keep her apartment open for her so how long to be gone wasn't an issue either.

The only question was where to go?

***

Loki was sprawled in one of the overstuffed arm chairs, legs dangling over one arm and head dangling over the other, bright red hair nearly touching the floor. His eyes were closed, headphones stuck in his ears and playing something with a low bass loud enough to be heard by passers by.

***

Max was headed to Sanctuary but he had a bit of time yet so stopped into the Mocha for a coffee and found himself an empty table to enjoy it at as he flipped through a newspaper someone else had left.

She hadn't seen him since last month. Not even at the ball or in passing through the halls. Which made her wonder if he was still around. A while ago he' said something about leaving places quite often so maybe he'd just left in the middle of the night? Figuring that the only way she'd know for sure was to go see him, she did just that.

Her finger slid over the peephole in his door after she knocked. She figured she probably looked like shit since she wasn't feeling right. It also reassured that if he was avoiding her, he'd have to open the door.

With minimal preparations needing to be done for tonight's ball, Tristan whistled contently as he dropped off presents at the front desk for both Anastasia Rhiannon and Harvey. His phone in hand he also arranged flower deliveries for Anastasia and apartment 117.

~*~
From were he sat, fully clad in uniform on the edge of his cot, Eli hoped his package was being delivered to Bea. Sure, they'd celebrated earlier, but Jerry had promised to deliver Bea's last Valentines present on time.

Not to override her brother, Liz had put in a call for flowers, two dozen of them since one dozen didn't seem like enough.

~*~
Erin, not entirely in the mood to celebrate but still going to get ready for the ball, stopped by Joe's apartment and hung a small gift bag on his door knob. Inside was a present and a note saying You should always have a little luck within reach.

As for the other men she'd thought about for this particular holiday, well, she'd see how tonight went.

Erin was in the Mocha, book closed on the table in front of her as she flipped through some images on her camera. There had been talk floating around about a Valentine's day ball, and she'd gone dress shopping, but nobody had asked for her company. She had debated on calling Niles but ultimately decided against it. He probably already had plans. Would it be appropriate for her to go alone? Shaking her head in frustration she tossed her camera down and looked around.

Drew was thankful for the power of his nice black Armani button down, Diesel jeans and black Prada loafers. He was also thankful for the short walk that it took to get from his apartment to Erin's.

Right on time, he knocked.

"What the fuck was that?" Drew hissed into his phone as he walked towards the Manor. "You were supposed to ruin it,not scuff up the paint! Paint thinner?" He looked dumbfounded. "It does what?" He listened for another long moment as it was described to him what was done to the car. "Well I understand you couldn't make much noise, but..." Another long pause. "I understand.Yes, that makes sense. Okay. Bye."

Whatever it might look like, his brother had quite a mess to clean up. And apparently he'd been at a notorious drug house when they'd caught up with him. So very, very interesting. Whistling, he walked into the Mocha and treated Joy to a smile that made her eyelashes flutter.

"Hello, my darling. Please, see if you could possibly make me a cup of coffee that tastes as good as you look." Or about a million times better, he added silently, smile still in place.

Erin had put together fliers, as asked by Niles. She'd also gone ahead and made some for the breakfast at the fire hall. No time like the present to get the word out, so after work she'd gone to Vine Square. Talking to the shop owners, she learned that many of them were agreeable, and she hung fliers in nearly every shop window. Erin just hoped that the events went well so there could be a substantial contribution.

She had today off and instead of spending it in her apartment, where she was all alone, Erin chose to pick up her book and read in the lobby. Currently though, her attention had been shifted and she watched as people came and went, the way a few couples she'd seen walked hand in hand, and even spotted one of her old neighbors and her new husband. Everybody looked happy around her and she just felt... Not.

Sighing she shifted in her seat and contemplated getting a cat.

Sterrin's scheduled date had cancelled for the evening due to some medical issues with his wife, and Sterrin wasn't really complaining. Not having any immediate plans and already dressed for her date in a leopard print dress and a pair of strappy black heels , Sterrin went down to the Mocha to get a cup of coffee and maybe some more gossip as to how her brother had behaved and figure out something to do with her evening.
She was more than a little pissed that she'd missed him scoop up Joy like she was Lois Lane, but his pending embarassment would be more than enough to keep her amused for a little while.
She stepped in line and caught Joy's glare, laughing to herself as she blew a kiss back at the other woman.

Erin had packed away all her decorations today. It had seemed silly for her to decorate anyway, since it was just her here on her own. She'd dressed today for comfort and fun in a bit of leather, denim and gauze. Her boots came up over her knee and her shorts were short enough to show off a lot of her thigh. Her vest matched her boots and made her tank top look less see through than it was, but it was only a ruse after all.

Once everything had been put away, she opened up a book and lounged on the couch. It wasn't until she heard a knock that she started to get anxious.

Niles had woken up this morning to the sounds of his cat joyfully batting bulbs around his Christmas tree. Being of the mindset that it was the documentarian's job to simply observe, he grabbed his point and shoot camera and started snapping pictures as Lola darted in and out of the tree. After he got one that he felt was particularly awesome, he put it onto his computer and made a personalized card for each of his friends that he was delivering gifts to today, and the ones that he'd gifted already. After sticking the coordinating card with each gift, he happily carried them down to be delivered. Had he gone overboard? Yes. Were his gifts bordering on extravagent? Some were. But it wasn't like he didn't have the money and he adored having people to actually buy for. Whistling, he headed back up to his apartment.

Erin had to work today, but she left a package for Loki in addition to her drop off for the secret Santa thing. The card was almost the same size as the box, but she hoped he'd read it first. Inside it said: Loki, Have a happy solstice. I've got to work but should be home later if you want to stop by. ~ Erin
P.S. The symbol means "The Wild Child"


OOC: slowtime understood, just wanted to get this up on the right day...

She couldn't sleep yet again. Figuring it was just a psychological problem with location, she had written a small note for him, kissed him goodbye and tiptoed out to avoid waking a sleeping fluff ball. She'd come back later and make up for it, she told herself as the door closed with a soft click and she pulled her unbuttoned shirt around her again. It was late, early, and nobody else was up, so she hadn't bothered to get fully dressed. Her apartment was just down the hall anyway...

The Manor was filled with a festive spirit. Nick had fixed the lights on the massive tree in the lobby so it was twinkling brightly. More decorations had been strung through the lobby and Mocha and gave the Manor a warm glow. A wide variety of Holiday music played on the intercom system, softly enough not to be over bearing.

Jason sat at the desk and even he had a bit of a smile on his face. He liked Christmas music. Especially when he caught a bit of what was being played down in the ballroom.

Jack and Zack were having a spur of the moment jam session, Jack on the old baby grand piano and Zack with both his acoustic guitar and his bass, switching between the two depending on the song. And if some of their songs were a bit heavier than the traditional holiday music - oh well.

Eris was decorating her apartment. Hey even she could get into the spirit from time to time.

Kara was in a pair of comfy pjs and sitting in a pile of presents and wrapping paper on her living room floor. She had her own Christmas music playing on her stereo - lots of good ole Irish tunes in there of course - and was happily wrapping away.

Hugh was wandering the Manor - humming along to the music playing over the speakers and searching for something he had seen in a dream the night before. But he just knew it was really here.

Erik, bundled up in coat and scarf was in the garden enjoying the freshly fallen snow.

Loki sat in the Mocha, sipping coffee and wondering how much trouble he'd get into if he made the tree in the lobby vanish.


[ooc: Even those not mentioned here are available if you want them, just say. Only pups not here for play are Deacon and Demitri as they are out of town.]

Erin hadn't slept last night. She'd stayed with Niles, but laid in his bed awake the majority of the night. Maybe she'd gotten an hour, if that, worth of sleep. Not enough to put up a pretty front for Joy this morning, so she got her coffee to go and as she turned with it nearly spilled it on the person behind her.

"Shit, sorry." She said, probably looking like shit herself since her face felt puffy.