Wakey Wakey: Eggs and Bakey Who: Jake and Lei When: Mid-morning, Dec 30 Where: Their staterooms, then breakfast at Thalia's
Though the sun wasn't shining as brilliantly as it was yesterday, it was still a pretty nice day. All things considered: it was late December, and Lei was wiggling into a pair of distressed jean shorts and flip-flops. A vintage heather-gray t-shirt from her alma mater completed the ensemble: boy's size L...as she'd been wearing since she was seventeen. It fit her nicely, but it certainly wasn't a 'baby tee' like had been popular when she was in high school.
Slightly overcast skies flooded her room with a cool morning light, and the picked up breeze billowed gossamer curtains of deep royal blue in toward her bed. She sat in front of the vanity, running a comb through her hair. Tangle-free in no time (easily too, thanks to the awesome genes of STRAIGHT hair), Lei hooked a knuckles worth of thumb under the dainty silver chain around her neck. A short tug freed the locket from the confines of her shirt: it mingled with her hair as she stooped toward the floor, adjusting the worn leather of one sandal (it had twisted. It always twisted). One last bit of accessory was her cell phone: she held it up to check the time-- wearing a chipper morning-person expression of calm and mild excitement to start another day on a tropical cruise.
Yup. He'd slept in long enough. Lei pushed the device into her back pocket, nabbed her smallish messenger bag off the counter, and then pounded on her brother's door with a dismissive (and half-assed) warning before pushing the knob to let herself in.
Jake groaned at the sound, but the complaint was wasted, of course, on his sister; and he waited until she entered his cabin before he lifted a hand and flashed her the universal sign for 'fuck off'. "It's too damn early," he growled, half-sitting up, his eyes closed as he enunciated each word with exaggerated slowness before dropping back onto his pillows. Go away, he signed. Torture someone else.
Of course she saw that first attempt at communication--and of course she rolled her eyes at it. His expected grumpiness did not deter her mood, as seen by the always-there default smile that tipped a little toward Lei's right cheek---even as she crossed his stateroom and all out jumped on the bed... She landed in a helter-skelter Indian style posture, signing back at him with a casual laziness. You are too much fun to torture. And I'm hungry.
Jake had tensed himself in anticipation of Lei's inevitable attack, but she still knocked the air out of him despite her small size. "Christ," he growled, and in case Lei didn't catch that, he signed Lay off the donuts, lard ass. But he pushed himself up, leaning back on his elbows, rolling his eyes as she signed at him. But the mention of breakfast made him him grin and he nodded his head slowly.
I'm so hungover, he complained, and he sat fully upright, rubbing the palms of hands over his face as he groaned happily. How was the rest of your night?
The 'lard ass' comment resulted in a good thump from her fist onto the upper curve of his shoulder... Of course, not that it was designed to hurt--but it probably wouldn't have bruised even if she tried. Try -not- drinking just one night. The word not was definitely emphasized with a sharper gesture. However, despite the lecturing words, the look on her face was still light hearted and insistent. She was used to it, in other words--plus it gave her an excuse to get him back.
Boring. She signed, then scrambled, fighting with the bedsheets to get more leverage next to him, only to start shoving him sidelong toward the dresser. Three good pushes against his arm, then: Go. I'm starving.
Boring is good. I approve of boring. Then he winked at her before giving her one good shove, and then he dripped out of bed with another pathetic groan. He was still dressed from his adventures the night before, and he sniffed his armpits before giving Lei a thumbs-up. Let's go, sleepy. I'm starving. Now that he was officially awake and out of bed, he was impatient for food.
The bridge of Lei's nose wrinkled with that face, made when he smelled his pits. That oh-my-god-you're-disgusting face that once in a while emerged, even through his sister's latent tomboyish nature. It melted away quickly once he made it clear he was good to go: Lei dangled her legs over the edge of the bed and hopped up: bird-boned hands in controlled gestures at chest level as she did. Its about time, Loser. That 'said' of course, with all the love in her heart--as well as a somewhat closed off chortle: a sort of aborted laugh.
Thalia's wasn't very crowded, thank god. They were too late for the breakfast rush, and too early for the lunch crowd: perfect timing. After being seated in a small booth that lined one of the windowed walls overlooking the sea, Lei pulled her hair over one shoulder and quickly weaved it into a loose braid: secured with a small, invisi-band plucked from the key-pocket of her bag. A waitress sauntered up to the pair as she did, smiling to both before asking if they had decided on drinks. It was pretty evident that Lei hadn't seen her (and obviously, hadn't heard her request).
He cracked a smile at Lei's 'insult', cheerful despite the pounding headache. Once they reached Thalia's, he was relieved they were immediately seated, and while Lei fixed her hair, he scanned the restaurant, automatically checking out the other diners. He returned the waitress' smile with a slow one of his own. "Coffee. A lot of it." Then he looked to his sister, saw she hadn't noticed the woman, and he tapped his finger on the table in front of her before gesturing toward the waitress. Drink?
The vibrational ripple in her glass of water is what drew Lei's attention up: near black eyes locked on her brother, then the quick gesture toward the waitress combined with what she wanted. Her lips pressed and rolled, freshly coated with a thin layer of colorless, cherry chap stick (the sun was hard on her skin, but she was dealing). A momentary thought of deliberation before signing Ice tea across to Jake, then she looked up at the waitress with a usually friendly, but slightly shy (and apologetic) smile. She was always glad to have her brother around, but she knew the unrequested job of 'interpreter' could get little old.
"She'll have an iced tea," he reported to the waitress, who nodded and handed them menus, and then she sauntered away. Jake flicked it open, paging lazily, then he glanced over at his sister. What's calling to you? He considered his options and sighed, as if troubled, then pointed. Do I want unhealthy or double unhealthy?, he teased, and he made a pathetic noise before leaning his head against the wall. Got aspirin?
Lei could feel her stomach snarling with impatience as she eyed the menu, catching sight of Jake's attempt to grab her attention in the top of her vision. An honest shrug (not to mention one corner of her lips pulled into the dimple that ended them) was the first answer, but the second came after a bit of pause. Menu laid flat so she had the use of her hands, she was still glancing down at it while signing. Belgian Waffle. With apples. And whipped cream. Her eyes went back to him: her smirk only deepened with his pathetic look of pain. Your own fault. But she handed him her bag anyway, after ducking under the strap that had been around her shoulders. That was answer enough: she seemed to be prepared for this hangover Cruise.
Yup... Waffles sounded awesome... however, there had to be some additives. She nudged his knee with the bottom of her foot under the table to get his attention. Don't forget bacon and toast. Both thin brows shot up to emphasize her point, settling only as she took a drink of water. It clicked back on the table: Lei flicked the cold condensation from her fingertips at her brother with a lopsided grin. Where were you last night?
Yeah, yeah, bossy, he signed, then he winked at her. Tossing back four aspirin with his water, he passed her bag back to her, grinning in return. I was around, he said vaguely, and he squinted an eye closed as he tried to remember the night before. There was a blonde... He had done his usual circuit -- the clubs and bars that didn't have a dress code -- but he didn't bring anyone home. I might have gone to her cabin. His grin brightened and he lifted an eyebrow rakishly. I'm pretty sure I did.
Lei actually snorted. You're such a slut. She sometimes allowed herself to feel a little preturbed at her brother when he laid down those blatantly obvious double standards... but now wasn't the time. She was content to tease him with that eye-rolling grin, and occasionally pull up 'horror' stories back from Brown. She had an arsenal: it may be small... but it was potent. Especially for unadmittedly sensitive brother-ears. Or eyes, as is the case with them.
I can't wait for the costume party. She signed, then glanced up at the Waitress with a smile of thanks: immediately, the Splenda packets were grabbed for when her ice tea was placed before her. She shook the contents down, then stuck the corner of the yellow packet in her teeth and tore. Lei could not enjoy ice tea without sweetner. No way in Hell.
The Waitress smiled back at the willowy Asian woman, poured Jake's coffee and leaned back a bit on her hip. "Did you guys need some more time?"
"Nah, we're ready." Jake grinned at the waitress, his smile coming easily and practiced. "I'll have the sausage scramble with cheddar, side of hash browns, white toast -- actually, I'll take a bagel -- onion, if you have it and. . ." He plucked at his lower lip with his forefinger and thumb, examining the menu before shrugging. "Aw, hell, why not. A cinnamon roll." He stopped and looked satisfied, then remembered Lei. "Oh, and she'll have the waffles with apples and whipped cream--" He rolled his eyes for show. "Such a kid. And she wants bacon and white toast." Giving Lei a look, he lifted a single eyebrow. Did I forget anything, captain?
And Lei promptly kicked him under the table. That was for calling her a kid (yes, she looked 16, but dammit she wasn't). The superficial scathing look sent across the table was short lived, of course.. she looked up at the waitress herself, and spoke.. as well as signed. She couldn't use her voice without the added actions of her hands anymore--they actually helped her remember how to push the air through her larynx just right for the words--though her voice was, obviously, a little off. "He's paying."
He groaned theatrically and threw his hands up in the air, making the waitress laugh as she walked away. So, have you decided what you're going as to the costume ball? Finished signing, he poured sugar -- the real stuff, not the nasty stuff Lei insisted on drinking -- into his mug and stirred. You'll never guess what I picked. He grinned at Lei, his hands plunked expectantly on the surface of the table.
Lei angled her head to compliment the curious brow arch displayed. The smile was impish, but a little cautious at the same time: costume possibilities for Jacob ranged everywhere from the truly hilarious to the no-I-am-not-related-to-him genre. There was a healthy pause before she just shook her head, chuckling down at her silverware, then looked back up at him, signing. I have my costume already. Ninja Lei! Silent and swift. Steals drinks and bits of food while you're not looking.
Her grin spread a little bit, hinting at teeth and both seriously dented dimples. She also bounced her brows.
He roared with laughter then, prompting the diners around them to stare, but Jake didn't care. Well, I'm going to have to take you down, he signed, and then he he made mock muscles, flexing his arms dramatically. Because I'm going as the ultimate hero: Duffman.
Lei's eyes followed his gestures as second nature, until he spelled out D-U-F-F-M-A-N.... after which an inevitable snort caught in the back of her throat. She covered her lips quickly: China-doll eyes squinted and gleaming with the moisture brought to them by the small shot of ice tea up her nose. Also, the indomitable grin. The back of her hand rubbed at her nose a bit to get the tickle away before she continued, still laughing behind her 'words'. Mike put you up to that, didn't he.