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]

[ Several bottles rest inside of the bag waiting in the car. There's a pain medication along with two antibiotics; the guards only made the infection worse, and it's internal. There's also a sleeping aid. It seems like Ash doesn't need it tonight.

As for the spread... This is impressive, even for Blanca. ]

...

[ Ash means to say something. It should be annoying for how over the top it is, but damn it, it's just impressive. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[He sets don the spread as if bringing in a basic hospital tray, settling back down beside him and beginning to look over his medication bottles again, opening and setting out appropriate doses, setting aside those not meant to be taken together to be saved for later, preparing to set him on a schedule.

He assumes the silence is from Ash still being sleep hazy, which earns a private smile he might not be so annoyingly openly endeared with if he'd realized Ash was now wholly cognizant.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Sometimes, it's better to stay silent he decides for the first time. Blanca is waiting on him hand and foot, and in a way that's far beyond the minimum. The food looks so good that Ash finds himself a little hungry.

Max probably isn't eating well.

So much for being a little hungry. But he does need to eat. Reaching out, he pulls the tray closer. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[Knowing the appetite of an Ash is a delicate thing, the first thing to break down in his body when his heart's breaking alone is not sufficient destruction for the pain life puts him through, Blanca chooses not to force him into small talk, nor to peer at him like a scientist. Instead, he takes a ship of his brandy again and feigns attention to his book once more. Peripheral vision is enough to observe Ash through.

The meal was made anticipating a resistant appetite. Even if he isn't of a mind to avail himself to the sweeter dressing, the more earthy dressing, or the slightly spicy one, for a good variety, no two bites are exactly the same, and yet there is a coordinated, fresh, vegetal theme through it all. It's meant to make him take a third bite to determine what had been so different from the first and second, and to end up losing himself in the curiosity of texture and taste, before he can think of how much he's eating or why some part of him doesn't feel he should eat.]

[jadedlynx]

[ He's only two bites in when he holds the tray out for Blanca's portion assuming this is meant to be shared between them. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[It is. If his aggressive presence isn't a distraction, then he'll set down his book and his drink to take up a roll himself.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Sharing food comes naturally to him now. He places the plate between them; Blanca will eat faster so he'll need even more access to the food. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[He intends not to be such a gawker, but Ash really does think a lot of him in such casual, subconscious ways. It should be only natural, they are dating. But it's hard not to recall that when things were strictly business in California, Ash also just casually prepared him pizza as well. It's a decency only natural for a guest, but given Ash's previous thoughts on him, he wouldn't have been at all surprised if Ash treated him like a tool whose meal bills he was already paying.

Of course, Yut Lung also tended to him kindly, made active attempts to seduce him, which said quite a bit about the effort he would put forth when callous dismissal was his standard for most of the human race.

Maybe it's that he likes Ash too much and is too easily endeared is all.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Some may argue that Ash's actions are less romantic. Yut Lung actively pursues Blanca whereas Ash plans to gain nothing. The assassin isn't being chased or wooed; they're simply spending the evening with one another.

As usual, Blanca is skilled in all endeavors. Ash eats more of the food than he might have otherwise even while wishing Max was eating well. Tomorrow, he needs to apologize for making Michael endure the questioning. Tomorrow, there were things to do.

Tonight, he's safe with Blanca. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[Tonight, Blanca eats beside him, quiet, content, and leaving just little enough left past what Ash initially feels like eating that he thinks he might finish it off in order not to waste food. Ash hadn't come from such a spoiled background, after all. It's too little to save and wrap up, isn't it?]

[jadedlynx]

[ He's lived with Max for too long. Once he's full, Ash is sure that Blanca will finish it off. ]

So, you cleaned up?

[sentimentalstoic]

[Yet it sits there...]

Mm. Too presumptuous of me?

[jadedlynx]

Saves on a cleaning bill.

Did they wreck the painting room?

[sentimentalstoic]

Quite a bit. They were likely looking for anything hidden in your books or supplies.

[jadedlynx]

Next time I expect to be kidnapped or arrested, I'll burn them beforehand.

[sentimentalstoic]

That would be a waste.

[jadedlynx]

They're not for guys like that to see.

[ Or anybody, really. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

I'm particularly blessed with my phone's background, then.

[He did clean up. Nothing looked as personal as what he'd seen in the California home, this time.]

[jadedlynx]

I didn't know if I was going to show you or not, but I knew I might. Most of my paintings aren't meant to be seen. They're to get things out of my head.

[sentimentalstoic]

[Is he that much happier out here? Since being with him? Blanca lingers with the glass at his lips, prepared to be moved by that, when sadly the more logical conclusion is reached.]

Hm.

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash hasn't been ignoring the drink, either. ]

I didn't plan for it to become an international incident when I left.

[sentimentalstoic]

It seems it'll be a while longer still until things settle enough to have another date-incident with you.

[jadedlynx]

I'm still under investigation, Max is in prison, and I still have a Ling locked up. There are a few loose ends.

[ Unfortunately, Ash's life is a little busy. ]

But you can stay here tonight.

[sentimentalstoic]

Thank you for that.

[Ash is certainly not happier out here. Thus, the difference in paintings must mean either they were taken out first by Max who had escaped, or they were taken in as evidence of.... No, it'd have to be quite a stretch, but the police weren't known for being the most prudent sort.]

[jadedlynx]

Not what you thought you were signing up for, huh?