Day 265 - Friday, September 12th

[papalobo]

[A Chinese man who is definitely a mature adult and not a teenager checks in to the Hyatt, one of their more exclusive rooms, along with his half-white half brother who is also certainly not a teenager and most definitely not the notorious gang leader wanted on suspicion of a September 11th New York City bombing in retaliation for an angry rogue sect of anti-American zealots.

The entire suite floor has been rented out, and it requires a special key card in the elevator and on the stairs to enter that floor. But they can rent one of the still very luxe rooms directly beneath.

A familiar white limo is in the car garage, though the opportunity to gawk or investigate is slim, between the security cameras and live guards.

There's still no contact from Max, but the Department of Homeland Security has become involved, and has begun to enter Ash's territory with intent to arrest any known figures within his gang to bring in for questioning.]

Day 284, Wednesday, Oct 1st

Comments

[jadedlynx]

Mine usually die or get away. There's not been a lot in between.

[sentimentalstoic]

You have a little more say now.

[jadedlynx]

I say that I want those assholes to pay. I've always wanted them all to pay.

[sentimentalstoic]

You have a say in whether you'll be there when it happens. But, likely, you have the money for your lawyers to pursue it to the end.

[jadedlynx]

[ He can't say he wants to be there. He can't say he has an easy time admitting what was done to him. ]

I don't have to do it now.

[ He's just back home. The stitches are still in. Ash is tired. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

Mm. You don't have to decide anything now.

[His hand doesn't stop.]

We can meet him tomorrow.

[jadedlynx]

He'll ask how I got in. Max already has a complex about you. I don't want him thinking I'm using his lockup as a chance to get a week of sex in.

[sentimentalstoic]

[There's no pause in his stroking, and Ash can't see his expression.

So, Mr. Glenreed will think that of Ash? It's one thing to think it of himself, but the man should know Ash and his sexuality better than that.

He would never suggest lying, but... No, he would definitely suggest lying, Ash really should just lie about getting in on his own merits, on maybe paying off someone to play the older law partner, and the man never needs to know that a guard or two was going to be put to sleep for a while.

But Ash knows if he wants to lie, it will be easy. So Ash does not want to lie.

The visit was for Ash's sake, so if he prefers not to, that's that. But really, it's quite selfish of Ash's boyfriend to cling to such delusions at a time like this; Blanca would like to argue that right now, Max would not be so selfish, would not make it about his inferiority complex, but that's not a lie he suspects he could get away with long.]

[jadedlynx]

They'll tell him I'm out. When he knows I'm safe, it'll keep him a little more calm as long as he doesn't know the reason.

[ Ash smirks, but it's tired. ]

You got a skin condition for me.

[sentimentalstoic]

One rarely tries to look more attractive with a disguise.

[His normal voice seems still incredibly off with his constructed face, as if even the way his words form in his mouth are ill suited to this new face.]

It'll clear up by the time I shower.

[jadedlynx]

You could've tried an old woman look. That was their nickname for you in the texts. I was just a lynx. That wasn't very creative.

[sentimentalstoic]

An old woman?

[jadedlynx]

[ Untangling himself, Ash tries for composure. He isn't proud of the tears, but he isn't so ashamed that he can't look at Blanca. ]

It seemed like some Chinese folk story or something. Mentioned Baba. I had more important details to follow. I don't get why they didn't just call you the big guy like everybody else who mentions you.

You're getting less secret.

[sentimentalstoic]

[Casually, he keeps a hand on top of his head to urge him to keep his face down, if it makes him more comfortable. Blanca needs no niceties. Ash can let his pride go as much as he likes.]

It isn't for you to worry about right now.

[jadedlynx]

I'm pissed about the sex tape, but I'm not worried.

Why did you let him record it? Was that part of his price?

[ Blanca had to know. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[He shouldn't be happy that Ash is angry, the boy has enough troubles and turmoil and things to be emotional about. The hand on the top of his head smooths through his hair again.]

Despite my mention in a few texts, I'd imagine if anything my mythological existence stalled them rather than it causing a problem.

[So, don't worry about it.]

[jadedlynx]

It stalled them.

[ That much is sure. ]

The only reason the Lees haven't moved in is because of that sex tape. Is that why you did it?

[sentimentalstoic]

I'm just shameless like that, I guess.

[jadedlynx]

Couldn't you have sent him a recording pledging alligeince?

[sentimentalstoic]

But that would be a lie.

[jadedlynx]

You're not really a cop with bad skin, either.

[sentimentalstoic]

You've got me there.

[jadedlynx]

[ He's ready to stand and collect himself now. ]

He's like a fusion between Godfather and a high school mean girl. It's hard to have a conversation with him that doesn't include how trained you are for him. I hate the guy, but even I get some secondhand embarrassment.

[ Embarrassment; not sympathy. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[A hand sliding from his head down his back tries to tempt him to stay down longer, not to hurry to pull himself together just yet. If they aren't visiting Max, they have all the time in the world. He'd hurried to get ready to make it in time to visit the jail, but now, they needn't settle for the lunch he'd made to be edible in the car.]

I apologize for making you uncomfortable.

[jadedlynx]

I didn't say I was uncomfortable, and I don't buy your apology.

It's just a weird shift. 6 months ago, the question was if I knew about Banana Fish. Now, people are making bets on who's the better lay in case I decided to sway you to my side.