His eyes flew open. His first view? Ceiling. A deep breath drawn in, as if it were his first, both hands lifted to pat himself, then the bed around him. Sitting up slowly, he scanned the room. Where in the hell was he? Oh, yes. Guest room, Geller's house, fight with evil spirit, passed out, carried home by..."Maya?" he said quickly, the events of last night coming back to him once he was past that initial sluggish phase upon waking.
He slid to the side of the bed, reaching down to retrieve his shirt, another quick scan of the room as he slipped it on, buttoning it up. No sign of her, aside from her scent which still lingered. That was pleasant to wake up to. Very. Electing to leave his feet bare, he stepped towards the door, pulling it open, just a crack. Possibly he would not have been surprised, to hear her tell it, to see no less than three people standing outside of the guest room door, waiting. They would have been rewarded with the sight of a single glacier blue eye, scanning left and right through the crack of the door. He could hear the sound of movement, the dull thrum of voices...somewhere. But the point was, the hallway seemed clear. What time was it anyway? He patted his shirt pocket, then his pants pocket for his phone. Slipping it out, he stepped quietly out into the hallway, a glance to the display screen. 9:45. What time had they gone to sleep? 5? His stomach gave a quick noisy reminder of what the first order of business should be. Right.
Second order of business. One of these rooms had to be a bathroom. He moved as quietly as he could down the hall, slow, deliberate steps taken. Not quite tip toe or anything like that. Just standard stealth walking, staying near the wall. A closed door, then another spotted, before his glacial gaze found the half open door, a sink and half a loo seen. Perfect. He assumed the other half was there, of course, and indeed he was right as he slipped in, the door closed behind him. As he relieved himself, a slow groan of 'oh GOD that feels good' given as he vacated himself of all the champagne he had had, he glanced to the shower. That seemed a perfect idea, but no, it would wait. A quick lift of his arm, then his other as he sniffed himself. His gaze slid to the other side, to the bathroom counter, and he silently praised whomever had a can of Axe body spray sitting there. Voodoo scented, according to the can. Here in New Orleans, that could mean a few things. Declan would assume it was nothing bad. Stepping over, the toilet flushed, he lifted the can, twisted the top, stuck it within his shirt and depressed the trigger, first one side, his arm lifted, then the other. One down the center of his chest for good measure, but not much. He wanted to smell pleasant, not like a douche bag. Oh, thank the maker! Toothpaste! Of course he didn't have a toothbrush, and he wasn't about to borrow one. Think, Declan. Think. A shrug of one shoulder, he squeezed some onto his finger, using it as a toothbrush as he thrust it within his mouth, scrubbing first one side, then the other. Maya, of course, leapt immediately to his mind, as did his favorite song by Warren Zevon. No, not that one, as obvious a choice as it might be.
"Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house....maybe you'll think of me and smile. You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse. Keep me in your heart for a while." Declan sang, as best and quietly as he could with a finger scrubbing his teeth clean. He also rolled his eyes. Singing love songs in the morning. Perfect. He was fifteen again, apparently. Spitting the toothpaste out, he leaned down to drink from the faucet, a quick swish, another spit, he nodded as he looked to himself in the mirror. "Right. We're going in."
He stepped out into the hallway, and towards the stairs, feeling slightly more confident. "Maya? Um...Mister Geller? Sir? Uh... good morning?" he called out, coming down the stairs into the main room, the sight of his original meeting place of Maya, his stomach grumbling growing louder as the scent of food greeted him. Bonus feature of waking up in a house of Lycanthropes? Better chance than not there would be meat involved. And that meant, bacon. Oh good call, Declan. Damned good call.
It was their night at Geller's. She and he found a semi functional routine and kept to it pretty particularly. This morning Jenna won the battle with Mister Coffee, but she could most certainly see why Dee fought with the damn thing. Obstinate and quirky Jenna had to talk to it to make it work. Finally, the brew was complete, her coffee mug full, she was heading from the kitchen toward the main room.
The smell of food filled the place from Geller's talented hand making her own stomach grumble and rumble in protest at its empty state. Blonde hair freshly washed and each one in place, the elegant tigress was dressed for success, but reluctant to leave for work today. The reason was no mystery to her, she knew it had everything to do with the man she adored above all. A simple ivory skirt wrapped at her hips, a shimmering blouse of russet, backless with tiny straps criss crossing the smooth skin encased her torso, her feet were adorned in brown leather gladiator sandals, the lady smelled of tigress but also of a powerful wolf to another lycan, but to a human she smelled of subtle expensive perfume.
She paused when she heard footsteps and smelled the scent of human. She listened as he descended the stairs, then stood there sipping her coffee casually when he appeared. Maya had told her all about the date. Valen had told her all possible dangers. Jenna had waved off Valen, knowing Maya could take care of herself, and focused on the bouncing, happy girl that was over the moon about her first date. Clear eyes landed directly on the man, giving a cursory sweep of him from head to toe.
Then the aristocratic features broke into a warm smile changing the entire hauteur from distant to cordial extending a hand.
"Good morning, I'm Jenna. Geller's about the kitchen, everyone else should be turning up soon enough. I take it you are Maya's date of last night?"
Her voice was soft, but clear, her accent pure upper class Brits. She stepped aside, lifting a well manicured finger to point to the kitchen.
"It's right that way..." Jenna rarely turned a hand to cooking, it never turned out well, though she was trying Someday, someday.
She stole a glance at the staircase again, wondering where Maya was while her new interest trotted about the house alone.
"Make yourself at home, I think you'll find it quite easy to do that here.." The sound of those words lent one to understand they were most assuredly truth. This was....a home.
-Nyx was not technically exactly completely a room mate of Maya's. But she was a friend of Maya's which meant she knew allllll about the 'date' from the night before. It wasn't like the petite blonde was the quiet sort so Nyxy wouldn't be surprised if half the city knew by now. Also, she wasn't technically exactly completely someone who lived in the house, but she wanted to be. After the full moon she had thought more and more about it. Silent had offered her up like a give away bag for Ash and Alex to take home so why should she care if Nyx went to live at Geller's instead? Of course, she'd have to actually ask them first. One thing at a time.-
-That morning she had just stopped in early to deliver a message to the man of the house and see if she could sneak food AND try to find out about Maya's date. At that very moment she was sitting on a stool in the kitchen and spinning around furiously with her blonde dredlocks all awhirl (cause yeah, they were those spinny top stools). The tiny bells, beads, and shells threaded into those dreads made small noises as she spun. Geller was cooking breakfast with some help of others in the kitchen, but Nyx was being about as useful as a two year old.-
"She told me about the ghost......she didn't tell me he got punched by the ghost..."
-Laughing at something Trent said she used the toe of her bare foot to stop her spinning all of a sudden. Going still as a statue she tipped her head sideways and back and listened carefully. After several moments her lips spread in a grin that was purely devious. Where the hell was Maya? Shouldn't she be there for this part?-
"He's awake!"
-Nyx announced as she jumped down from the stool and moved to leave the kitchen. Hearing Geller warn her not to scare him she stuck her tongue out at him then smiled. She didn't want to scare Maya's new fella, maybe just freak him out a bit. Dressed in a bra and baggy jeans that fell amazingly low on her nada-hips, the rail thin woman ran like she was trying to beat the devil towards the back staircase. Sliding on the marble floor she grabbed the banister and took the back stairs up three at a time.-
-One thing about lycans Declan might not know, they could be very quiet when they wanted to be. Even running upstairs three at a time Nyx could do it on tippy toe and be quiet as a doe in the forest. She was going up the back stair to stalk him on the front stairs and give him a little morning shake up. Nyx had to pinch her lips tight together to keep from laughing as the beast inside stared out at the mans back ahead of her as she crossed the third floor landing.-
"BOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
-With a loud exclamation she leapt towards the stairs and this time when her feet hit down they did it hard and made a sound behind Declan like a bomb going off. Already she was laughing and clutching her side and her cheeks hurt a little. Well, if anyone in the house wasn't awake before they would be now.-
(*was writing this at the same time as Jennamun wrote hers so that's why the timeline is a bit sketchy sorry didn't find out till after I posted, so here is my edit lol*)
-Of course Nyx did all this before Jenna met Declan at the bottom of the stairs so whatever reaction Declan had he would have to recover from quickly to get to Jenna. Or maybe he just fell end over end down the stairs to get there faster. Who knows. Whatever happened Nyx would follow Declan down the stairs with laughter ringing from her lips and her thin hands pushed back at the heavy ropes of her dreadlocks. Seeing Jenna below she grinned at the woman.-
"I'll just *pause* go find Maya shall I?"
-Yup, see, she could be useful. Nostrils flaring she tried to catch Maya's scent among all the others and headed in the direction it was coming from. Through the kitchen she went and out through the courtyard towards the garage? Wierd. Nyx followed the smell up to the doorway of an apartment above that garage. Maya was sitting there with her hand pressed to the apartment door.-
"Hey! Wierdo. Your man meats awake. Come on!"
-- Edited by NYX on Thursday 28th of July 2011 03:10:45 PM
Maya had warned him not to freak out if there were a large group of people about. So, he was prepared for that eventuality. He was puzzled, though, that it seemed...well, quiet. Certainly, he could hear activity below, voices and such. Sounded like a normal household, really. So, what was Maya so worried about? He shrugged a shoulder as his bare feet moved down the stairs. That was roundabout when he heard, and felt, the small explosion behind him with the accompanying "BOOOOOOOO!"
"JE-sus!" Declan called out in his tell-tale lilting Irish tone. "Tiarna agus naoimh chaomhnu dom!" He added, falling back to his Gaelic, which often happened when he was upset. He was trying to turn around to see what, or who, was behind him, though his feet were trying to further his descent. One hand clutched the rail, his left foot slid forward, losing traction, causing him to hit the stairs ass-first, thump-thump-thumping his way down. He landed on the floor at the base of the stairs, sprawled out like he was sliding into home, his head thumped up against a pair of shoes. Declan lay still for a moment, thinking that was best. His head lifted, his gaze crawled up the form of Jenna before him, then quickly looked back over his shoulder to Nyx, his gaze crawling over her in study. Perhaps his ears were turning a slight shade of red. Dazzling first impression? Check.
"Right." He said, pushing up to his feet, a moment taken to smooth a hand down his shirt, adjusting his collar, tugging the shirt tail back down as he cleared his throat, looking between the two females, which served to get his heart doing less of a thumpity thumpity thump thump. He looked to Jenna, his brows lifted slightly. English. Well. She sounded a bit like Posh, didn't she? Though he wouldn't ask where Becks was. Might not go over well, though he did grin slightly at his own thought. As Nyx announced her intention to find Maya, Declan could only smile, thinking that a rather fantastic idea. "Declan." He said to both, watching Nyx retreat, turning back to Jenna, her offered hand taken. He bent over her hand, a soft kiss brushed to the knuckles as he straightened, taking a deep breath, which not only helped him recover, but further inhale the scent of food, and coffee. Jenna's accent gave him hope that perhaps tea could be found within the kitchen as well, he would kill for a cuppa. Well, not literally. If he could help it.
"Pleasure. And yes, I am he. Maya's date, I mean. From last night, as you said. Um...ah. Thank you. It's a...well it's a lovely home, yeah?" He said to her with a smile, already amazed at the absolute cross section of humanity that was the house of Geller. Trucker mouthed cheerleader, mischief-laden half naked hippy chick, and Aristocrat. Oh, this should be good. "Don't mind if I do."
-What his Mistress Nike chose to do with herself was none of James's business until she chose to make it his business. At least that was how he looked at it. She had departed some time ago to tend to matters of grave importance he was quite sure and had told him to 'wait'. So wait he had. Because let's face it, James Doyle would wait until hell froze over and pigs flew before he would desert the presence of his great Mistress.-
-He had seen the many Post-Its left by the petite wolf Maya and had left them on the door as they were. When Nike returned he wanted her to see them so she would know she had been missed by those other than himself. In her absentia James had busied himself with mundane life which was difficult since he hadn't really lived a mundane life since meeting Nike back in his childhood. Very strange these 'normal' people. He couldn't figure out how they didn't get bored to tears.-
-That morning as he opened the door to their small apartment above the garage he very nearly fell over Maya who was sitting cross legged on the other side of the door. Had he fallen he would likely have slammed directly into Nyx who was standing on the landing talking to Maya. James was a modestly powerful witch but he was neither psychic nor in possession of ears good enough to have heard the two through the closed and soundproofed door. Human. Yes, even with being a witch the rest of him was quite human.-
"Bloody hell Maya what are you doing haunting our doorway?"
-Arms windmilled a bit to balance himself and he grabbed at the door frame to hold himself up. At just over fifty years of age James was no longer an impressive male specimen, or so he could guess based on local reaction. Yet he visited the gym enough to keep in shape and be able to hold himself up by a door frame when tripping over little blonde wolves happened. Once he was in one piece he heard what Nyx was saying and blinked and stuttered.-
"Man meat? What? You lot haven't started eating men now have you?"
-An innocent enough question. James had a special power, the power of believing bad things were always afoot. He also happened to doubt the good influence of this household on his Mistress, but prickly as he might be at times he never said that aloud. As Maya or Nyx explained the situation he pulled off his glasses and began surreptitiously rubbing smudges off with the fabric of his gray shirt.-
"A date? Do you think that's wise? I mean....she's so...so....so...young."
-Sure you pervy old goat. After he finished wiping his glasses clear he perched them back on his face. Clearing his throat a finger pushed at the bridge of the glasses to slide them up into place. Looking from one girl to the other he stepped over or perhaps around Maya and motioned for Nyx to move so he could head down the stairs.-
"Well let's meet this young man then shall we? No time like the present."
-If his brown eyes took on a sudden flicker of red flames behind the glasses no one would be the wiser. James led the troops from the garage and across the courtyard to the kitchen. A double knock was given fast at the door before he opened it, for politeness sake. Then he walked into the kitchen that smelled like breakfast had permanently set up residence. Right about then he had the occasion to wonder why Maya's date was still there the next morning and he made a low hub-ub-ub sound of disapproval as he looked at those gathered in the kitchen.-
"Shall I help?"
-Power flickered at his fingertips with a subtle heat before he exhaled and let it go. Then he moved to help set the large table in the dining room since this lot obviously couldn't all break their fast at the smaller kitchen table. Carrying a stack of plates into the dining room he nodded to Jenna and 'the man meat'.-
"Good morning Jenna, looking lovely as ever."
-Which was said distantly and impossibly since he'd barely glanced at her. Cold impersonal, British. The plates were set down on the table and then he turned on his heel to look over the rim of his glasses at the man meat whose name he still did not know. Wiping hands on the front of his shirt as he moved closer he held out a hand towards the man (meat).-
"I'm James Doyle and you must be............" -letting Declan fill in the blank James nodded and shook the mans hand with a slight uplift of a smile at the feel of his power.- "Declan yes well you may as well help set the table. This lot gets hungry like the.....yes...well...you know."
-Why had that damnable song popped into his head. Hungry like the wolf indeed. Putting Declan to work came naturally. He was Irish after all. Though James was trepidatious about the man that feel of his power made the old witch curious. He'd felt a few like him before and had heard recent rumors that they'd had a ghost in residence. Curiouser and curiouser.-
+The plan for the day started with breakfast and then Geller had to get some work done with Steven and Adam. Then he was planning a special surprise with Jenna for later that night. So to cut corners a bit he invited Steven and Adam over for breakfast that morning. That saved time in several ways. Saved him from going to the restaurant and also gave him four skilled hands to help with breakfast prep for the family.+
+The three men moved through the kitchen like trained dancers, never missing a beat, never in each others way (though just barely on some occasions), and they knew how to anticipate one anothers needs. That came from years of working in the kitchens of Les Halles together. Geller gave instructions and Steven and Adam did what he said with lots of swearing and promises to fuck his mom for good measure. Just so no one's sense of manhood was impeded.+
"NYX! Don't scare him."
+Geller wasn't even looking at the half naked Russian wolf when she rose from her stool but he knew what she was probably thinking. Finally as he gave the copper pan of bernaise sauce a shake and took it off the stove to whisk he looked at Nyx with warning in those black and silver whorled eyes. Sure she promised not to but he knew better than to buy that.+
"Trent would you go check and see if Venus and Zoe feel well enough to come down to breakfast. If not tell them I can send trays up."
+It might seem odd to see this man so obviously rich in his status among the wolves cooking and cleaning with the two humans. But Geller's heart was in the kitchen. It was his souls calling, his life's work, and there was nothing he loved more than feeding his family. As Jenna entered the kitchen he glanced at her with a smile on his wide set mouth. Okay. Almost nothing.+
+The meal was coming together with plenty of options for everyone and he left Steven to man the last of the preperations like the trusted sous-chef he was so Geller could go sweep Jenna up in his arms. He kissed her in a chaste but enthralled way and then brushed the tip of his very Jewish nose against her tiny cute one in an eskimo kiss. Not letting her go he looped his arms around her lower back and mouthed the words 'Love you'. Then Jenna was off like the curious cat she was to go meet Declan.+
"How long till you lazy bastards finish up?"
+Which was cook talk for 'gentlemen when shall we eat?' The sounds of crashing on the stairway had the kitchen action quieting for a moment before Nyx ran through the kitchen. Geller rolled his eyes. Opening the fridge he pulled out a carton of Orange Juice, some milk, and a bottle of champagne for mimosa's. The industrial size fridge in the kitchen had a twin in the garage, but Geller was thinking they might need a third. They did go through a hell of a lot of food.+
"Sure James, stuffs out on the counter over there if you want to set the table."
+Geller was on the hunt for pitchers to pour drinks into and talked to Steven about restaurant business while he took care of that small task. Adam threw his two cents in from time to time, but that usually ran towards the insane or deranged so not much help there. Maya and Nyx had come in after James and Geller nodded at Maya.+
"You better get in there honey. James went to meet your boy and he had a strange look in his eye."
-Maya woke up before Declan, duh!, and left him sleeping to tiptoe to her room. She had slept in Zoe's dress and knew that she was gonna catch hell for that. Changing quickly and hanging the dress she put on little hot pink running shorts and one of her many black tank tops for something casual. Then she practically floated on a divine cloud over to her bed for a little conversation with her diary. Scribbling like mad when she finished the book was stuffed back under her mattress for protection.-
-The little blonde wolf went in search of Nike, or Nike's door at least. It was becoming a frequent spot of hers. Sitting indian style in front of the door she had a stack of hot pink Post-Its in one hand and a black Sharpie in the other. Several new Post-Its were written and then stuck to the door in front of her alone with all the others.-
"NIKE! We have a ghost! A real one!"
"His name's Jack. He likes telly."
"I had a date! His name's Declan."
"I don't know how much TV he watches yet."
"I miss you fang face!"
-It was hard to fit too much on a Post-It when you were writing with a Sharpie so she tried to put them in order so Nike wouldn't get confused. Sitting there she leaned her cheek to the door to listen inside. She heard some noises but it had to be James since Nike would be asleep what with the daylight and all. Behind her Nyx's suddenly booming voice made Maya jump a little, then the door was whooshed open, and she almost had James's crotch in her face. Holy shit!-
"Ew James groOoss!"
-Eating men. Really!? Wouldn't he ever fucking get used to them. Reaching out she flicked a finger at James's knee. Nyx was explaining and Maya just nodded and then looked suitably petulent at James's reaction.-
"I'm 20 Old Man River! Thank you very fucking much!"
-Hands were on her hips as she sat looking up at him and she couldn't help that she looked like an adorable angry bit of blonde sunshine. James maneuvered around her and she twisted and rose to her feet. Giggling she hopped on Nyx's back to be carried down the stairs and through the courtyard into the kitchen where a lot of commotion was going on. Hearing Geller's warning she rolled her cerulean blue eyes heavenward and yanked lightly at Nyx's dreadlocks so she would be let down.-
"Thanks for the warning!"
-She said it in a sing-song husky voice as she headed out of the kitchen and into the dining room where James, Jenna, and Declan were. When she saw Declan standing with the bespectacled manwitch setting the table she got the goofiest grin on her face which she flashed in Jenna's direction. Bubble gum pink lips mouthed "you, me, coffee, talk, later, fuck!" in Jenna's direction before heading over to Declan to wrap her arms around his waist and give him a squeeze.-
"Morning sunshine. Did you sleep like the dead or what? I thought you were never gonna fucking wake up."
-Rising on her tip toes she kissed the stubbled line of his jaw and got those tingles again. Hmmm that was nice. Then her eyes narrowed at James and she went to poke the man again, making his glasses slip down his nose a little. Yanking down on his t-shirt she whispered in his ear.-
"You be nice or I'll tell Nike on you."
-Then she kissed James's ear and went back to helping Declan with whatever the hell he was doing. As food began being brought in from the kitchen and people started coming to the table to eat Maya felt like all was right with the world. People, family, kisses, stubble, yup all good things. Plus she was hungry and Gellers food smelled great. It made her hop around Steven and Adam a little as they brought food in and ask what it was under those serving covers.-
-Some days Trent felt like he was in Alice in Wonderland. In a land where they had all gone mad. He tried to help Geller cook but between one of the chefs humping his leg and the other just being off Trent was at a loss for what to do. So he backed away very slowly and watched the crazy machine wind up and get set loose like a whirly gig. When Geller asked him to go check upstairs he nodded and beat feet out of the kitchen.-
"Whoa, hey! I'm Trent."
-He didn't get much of a chance to say anything else because of other people and things and stuff going on all around him too fast for his mun to keep up with. Trent was of small stature, compact in his Green Lantern boxer sleep pants and Pac-Man shirt. His hair was a bright red and spiked crazily in the morning. Around his eyes there were signs of some manliner left over from the night before but who knew what that meant. With a wave he headed upstairs to check on the sickies.-
-He knocked at Zoe's room first and talked to the sleepy druggie a bit. Taking the glass from her nightstand he filled it at the sink and left it for her in case she was getting cotton mouth. Then he promised to bring a tray up to her and went to Venus's room next. Knocking at the door he peeked his head inside. Now that Venus was alive and awake it didn't seem like a good idea just to walk on in.-
"Venus? Geller's making breakfast if you want to come down. Maya's date is here. I can sort of...carry you or something if you want."
-Standing in the doorway he shuffled from foot to foot a little and waited for her decision.-
-Cadence would wake up to the smell of food. But also the loud booming noise from out in the hall. Which made her sit straight up in her bed. Rubbing her eyes. Looking around then would climb out of the bed toward the door and out into the hall way she when.Her hair was a hot mess but did Cadence care ? Nope . So making her way down the stairs in a pair of loose fitting Hanes shorts, also a mans white muscle shirt . Then would slide her hand up to rub her eyes. A hand would give Trent a wave to him. -" Good morning Trent " - Then would make her way down to the foyer before turning to make her way into the kitchen.- " Morning..."
- Cadence would look at the crowd gather in the kitchen. Not fully awake just yet as she would wave to the people she knew. Then she look to Declan..with a raised brow . Then would look to Maya-. " Did he spent the night or something ? " - Slowly making her way over to pick a piece of bacon up to stuff into her mouth..- " Yummy .." - Then would slide over toward the table to help set it up ..-
"Jesus Henry Christ! What is all that fucking noise?! Can't a woman get some sleep in this house!"
Dee rolled from one side of the bed to the other near her nightstand, glancing at the clock with gooey, blurred eyes. 10:00 AM. Okay, so maybe it wasn't THAT early, but still it was early. Dee was used to sleeping until noon most of the time, and used to waking up in a quiet house. This very morning, however, sounded like there was some sort of convention going on. Or a raid.
She flew the covers over her bare legs, and slammed her feet into the hardwood floors, pushing herself off the bed. Her room, how conveniently close it was located to the living room and kitchen, was now unconveniently located next to the rambunctious noise level. Her long, nude stems carried her zombie-like body from her room, out into the hallway, and into the kitchen. Geller, Jenna, and two other men she didn't recognize were cooking breakfast, and Trent picked up a food tray, carrying it upstairs to drugged up Zoe and now awakened Venus. The delicious entwining scents of breakfast food stung her nostrils and made her stomach growl in delight.
Next, she stepped into the dining room where most of the noise was coming from. She stopped right in the entrance, gawking at the people gathered, and then herself. She wore a pair of black, lace cheeky panties, a black, tight cami, and nothing else. And her nipples peeked through the thin material, hard enough to cut glass with or poke someone's eye out. Those long, black licorice locks were down and frizzy, falling to the middle of her back. Perhaps she should put on pants at least, and maybe brush her teeth. Morning breath was worse than a serial killer sometimes.
Before anyone noticed, though she's pretty sure they all did, she ran back into her room, and slipped on a pair of black cotton yoga pants. At this moment, having her own bathroom in her room was great because that meant she didn't have to run down the hallway and bump into someone, greeting them with swamp-ass breath. After those pearly, white canines were brushed and cleaned, she made her way back to the dining room and slid into a vacant chair.
Those glistening, emerald jewels first landed on Maya and some guy next to her. Overhearing the conversation, apparently his name was Declan, Maya's date, who was the man she met when he came over to talk to their ghost. Eyes narrowed in his direction; she wasn't mad, but she was checking him out to make sure there weren't any hidden weapons or false pretenses. Hey, he could have been a rapist for all she knew. And Maya was quite young. Next, she looked over at James while he was setting the table for everyone, and gave him a small wave. James was always scarce in the house, but he was present in Nike's apartment at all times. Her personal servant/guardian/fuck buddy, whatever he was to her.
The person Dee was most surprised to see was Nyx. She only seen the woman a few times, mostly at the Hookah and at the lupunar, and wondered why she was here. Perhaps business with Geller? Or maybe a new room mate? Or maybe she was tired of seeing everyone at Silent's pack house and wanted a change of scenery around more friendly and more welcoming wolves. Dee smiled and waved at the half-naked, dreadlock woman.
"Good morning everyone! HEY HAIR GEL! Can I get some coffee please?!"
She shouted over everyone's conversations, hoping that Hair Gel could hear her over the entwining noises of talking and miscellaneous banging cookware. What the hell were those two men doing in the kitchen? Trying to destroy it?!
His head canted to the side as more and more people kept coming out. So, this was what Maya possibly meant. How many rooms did this house have, anyway? He watched the well oiled machine that was the kitchen for a moment. Did they have their own personal cooking staff? Might be a good idea, with so many mouths to feed. As James emerged, Declan noted his bearing, and general form of dress. This must be Geller. Or...not. James Doyle, was it? He fought the urge to give him a cheerio pip pip harumph harumph, guv'nah! Bloody English with their lookin down their wee upturned noses at the world. Still. There was something about this one. He radiated something or other that Declan was entirely unfamiliar with, and seemed nice enough, though a bit snobby. "Pleasure." Declan said as he joined James in helping to set the table. "I...oh, hullo." He called to the zipping form of Trent, watching him run upstairs. "So..." he began, looking back to James. "Do you..." but then he paused as Maya entered the room. Whatever he had been going to say was completely forgotten. He offered her a very polite and gracious nod in greeting, though the grin that threatened to split his face in two could barely contain itself, much less the twinkle in his glacial gaze. Family and all. Didn't want to make a bad impression by....oh, well then. Her arms around him had a shiver racing up his spine, and he could still feel her lips upon his jaw long after she had kissed him. "Good morning." He said with a quiet smile, his ears possibly turning a shade of red.
As Cadence stepped in, he offered her a warm and genuine smile. "Cadence." He said, glad to see someone he had already met. "Yes, actually. Bit of a rough night, quite the adventure. Maya was kind enough to bring me here." His gaze turned to whom he assumed must be Geller. The way he looked at everyone, the way he remained quietly calm, well. Declan did not have to be a pack member to recognize the head of household when he saw him. A solemn nod was given towards the man. "And thank you, as well, for allowing me into your home, and offering such splendid...hospi...." Jesus fucking Mary and Joseph in a teacup, was that a mostly naked girl walking in? And he thought Nyx had been barely dressed. CHRIST don't look at her legs! With a sharp clearing of his throat, Declan turned his focus towards the table as he stood beside it, and edged closer to Maya, his hand slid to her side. The woman was gone, and soon returned with pants on at least. Phew. He was about to introduce himself to she of the legs when she hollered for coffee, causing Declan to jerk straight in startlement, his hand placed to the table to brace himself, his other clutched into Maya's side in a bit of a death grip. That was loud. His head was still a wee bit throbby, though nothing a bit of food would not fix. His gaze traveled to each of them in turn, trying his best to put names to faces, commiting them to memory, though his eyes were soon captured by the food laid out before him. His quest for tea would wait. He leaned over to speak quietly to Maya. "You were right. Not a one of them have pissed on me shoes just yet." He said with a grin, his gaze lifted once more to the gathered as they spoke amongst themselves, going through what seemed to be a well rehearsed routine, which could only be born of familiarity and comraderie. So much of it came together then. So much of what Maya had said, regarding the fact that these people were more of a family to her than her actual family. He did not have to be an empath, which he was, to feel the...plain fondness wash through the room. "Thank you, all." Declan said again, waiting to sit. His gaze shifted once more towards the kitchen as the food was prepared and brought out. 'GAGGLYRAMBLEOOGLYOOPARAPH!' said his stomach just then. Oh, Christ. Declan placed his hand upon it, clearing his throat quietly. "I, uh, yeah. Good morning."
Jack was seated up on the kitchen counter, watching everybody run around the house like a bunch of rats. It was quite crazy, even though he didn't spend his dead guy days and hours watching people. That was beyond not normal; He completely vanished after the other night after punching Declan right smack dab in the nose which Jack hoped he broke it and it would scar his pretty little nose for life which would never fucking happen in a life time.
He was in one place and in another, quite shocked to see so many damn people in one big house. Their aura's rubbed off on him in the wrong way, they were all fimilar to Maya's but all different. Once he caught a glance of who came down the stairs first it was that medium guy Declan, if looks could kill he was sure Declan could feel Jack's daggers for a stare down.
"You again"
He snorted, but only to ignore the guy if he pissed him off he would indeed punch him and make an eye match but he promised Maya he would be good if he wanted to stick around and come and go as he pleases. After all he was not going to harm anybody, the people living here wouldn't even know the ideas of having a ghost around, in the house just fucking sucked because no one could hear him so he didn't even bother to talk.
He noticed some fimilar faces, the chick named Dee from the other night, and Candence. Yeap he remembered her but none of the other people. If he was ignored by most of them, he was quite sure they all knew Jack was here, because who couldn't miss Maya's excitement from yelling it out to everybody they have a spirit hanging around. Although he tried to stay out of everybodys way, he couldn't help if it someone ran smack into him they would just feel really cold and get the chills or something, he tilted his head at the man who was in the kitchen cooking, everyone was calling him Geller must be the big G who ran things. They all seemed really nice, even though he was getting a kick out of things, he liked it here, Jack was not going anywhere if he could help it.
"Do people here, sit at the table and read newspapers anymore" It fucking sucked, he loved to peer over shoulders and read what was going on. But sometimes he got bored with television, it was old sometimes all he did was walk around, and he couldn't mess with people because he promised to behave. God damn it.
"If SOMEONE didn't stop to make out like a teenager we'd already be done." Steven had a long-suffering look on his face, as if he were the only sane one in this operation. Far from it - probably among the worst offenders, though he didn't get caught half as often as Adam, and when he did he could at least charm his way out of it. The psychotic baker just didn't know how to talk to people.
"Holy fucking shit. How many people live here?"
That came from Frank, who had somehow been wrangled into his affair. More like kidnapping, really. He'd been at B&B and had almost literally been picked up and carried to a car when Adam and Steven announced they were cooking breakfast at Geller's. Don't ask what the three of them had been doing there so fucking early.
Now, Frank was from a fairly large family but this was kind of insane. And there was some part of him that felt just a little weird being around Jenna - he didn't know her except for a few meetings at the Black brothers' house but like... Well Alex was kind of fucking bummed about her blowing him off or something. Whatever, he wasn't even thinking about that because Adam was gesturing with a fucking knife between slicing up fruit or something and Frank had to pay attention to make sure he had all his goddamn fingers left.
Anyway, Steven had thought it'd be a GREAT idea to use this as a kind of test run or whatever. Maybe it helped that Frank was kind of a small guy - he could dart between the three more experienced cooks without bumping, shoving, or destroying anything or anyone. Okay, he may or may not have punched Adam in the arm at one point but the dude was totally asking for it. Kitchen-speak and all other insults aside: No one talked about Frank's mom without getting a bruise.
Somehow he not only heard but processed some woman's voice yelling for coffee and before too long he delivered a mug to Euradicee. If she wanted cream and sugar and stuff she was on her own.
Steven chattered away with Geller without really skipping a beat, starting to clean up while the head chef poured drinks into pitchers. Adam was taking some insanely delicious looking cinnamon rolls out of the oven and adding finishing touches of frosting that started melting sinfully as soon as it touched the hot pastries. Really, the man's talent with dough was unprecedented. Criminal record or not, Adam was an asset to any kitchen that tolerated him long enough to let him shine.
"The kitchen staff is all accounted for; I think we're finished with front of house too. Everything should be good to go for opening--"
"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I look like the Pillsbury Doughboy just fucking jizzed all over me UGH! This is so fucking unsanitary..." Frank grabbed a towel and hit Adam with it before attempting to clean off. Sticky. "You better start licking this off, motherfucker. And suck my dick while you're at it."
Steven stared somewhat blankly while the pint-sized Italian started going off on Adam while the cook in question cackled like a madman. Indeed, at some point apparently Adam had managed to explode the last of the icing onto Frank's face and it looked... exactly as Frank called it. Doughboy jizz.
Venus stared out the window from the bed. She hadn’t moved much since reawakening. The clouds brought tranquility to the helpless figure that was slowly gaining strength. Being in bed for over a month you loose that capability to depend on your own strengths. Her head adjusted on the pillow so that her cheek could rub against the pillow case. A deep breath was drawn in as she contemplated what this day would bring her. Sounds coming from downstairs could not be avoided as it seeped up through the air vents. There was no way to know what was being said, or whose voice belonged to who? Venus was rather envious to hear everyone downstairs and she longed for strength to come soon. So, that she could once again be free to participate with others and not burden them to take care of her weak self.
Knock on the door rapidly darted Venus sea-green eyes towards the door. Maybe this morning she wouldn’t be lonely? Clearing her dry throat that normal radio star voice was subdued by slight grogginess. “Come on in…”
Trent’s push against the door caused it to be ajar enough for him to enter, and peer in at her. He stated why he’d come to visit. Elbows were co-depended upon as she ushered that upper torso off the pillow, and mattress to get show eagerness to want to participate. Thankfully she was not wearing her normal lingerie attire that would send the man blushing when her comforter slide down that voluptuous figure. What she was wearing was a white wife beater shirt that barely contained those large breasts she was blessed to have and gray shorts. As she arose to a sitting up position she reached for her night stand and lassoed that blonde hair backwards into a pony tail. She smiled appreciating Trent’s patients as he stood there awaiting her decision.
“Do you mind carrying me Trent? I don’t trust my legs down the stairs?” Venus gave her request to him and hopefully he truly didn’t mind holding onto her in a helpful manner? After getting her hair to look semi-presentable she leaned side ways to reach for a small hand mirror. Then opened up the night stand to pull out scented cherry lip gloss, in order to aid those dry lips? When she was all confident that she wasn’t going to embarrass herself and others by morning appearances, she immediately put things back in their rightful spots and waited for him to grab her.
The were sometimes being the only human in the house had its perks, but breakfast time was never one of them. When the morning broke, the drugged french girl was actually awake for once, though still very groggy. One thing she'd always loved about her body was its ability to get the positive effects of just about any drug taken to the max. Most would have expected her to have gotten used to them by now, but then again, most people didn't take what she was on. Praise for the doctor!
Zoe heard someone creep into her bedroom, and stayed still, viewing Trent under her lashes as he came in speaking softly and refilled her glass of water for her. She had to turn her head, feigning a sleepy sigh to hide the smile that graced her lips. Of course, once he was gone with promises of food, for the first time since Geller had brought her food in the hospital, her stomach rumbled with an ache that let her know just how hungry she was.
Opening her eyes, she got out of bed, looking down at herself and wondering who the hell had put her in... what the hell was it anyway? It looked like some kind of cottony moo-moo. Her motions were jerky, and she stumbled more than once as she fought her way free of the god-awful material and changed into a tank top and pair of sleep shorts that barely covered her derriere.
Getting down to the kitchen was another feat altogether, and she'd had to grab the banister more than once or else someone might have found a broken mess at the bottom of the stairs after breakfast, but somehow she managed to traverse the distance from her room to the kitchen even in her stupor. She was slightly out of breath when she walked into the kitchen, her usually perfect hair a wild mess of tangles, and her legs visibly shaking from the effort and energy her body was expending just to get food.
"I hope there is some left for me," she rasped out, taking two steps into the kitchen. It was only two steps, because after those tiny steps, her body finally screamed that she'd expended her allotted energy for now and she ended up hitting the floor in a heap, cursing in wild, rapid french while laughing at herself.
