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

[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?

[sentimentalstoic]

I'd planned to do a character performance at the prison tonight, so yes, different than I expected, but I've enjoyed your company just the same.

[jadedlynx]

I don't just mean tonight.

[sentimentalstoic]

Do you think I'm disappointed?

[jadedlynx]

We've had one date and a few phone conversations.

[ He's not sure, but Ash wouldn't blame him if he was. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

Are you disappointed with that?

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash isn't looking in his direction. ]

It feels pretty unfair to you.

[sentimentalstoic]

[He tries not to chuckle, and it doesn't leak into his voice, but Ash can sense the tremble of laughter from his body.]

Then I'll fight for you a little more.

[jadedlynx]

It is a question, not a call to action...

[sentimentalstoic]

Even if you've been busy, the fact that you worry about whether you're satisfying me means you need more assurance from my end. It seems I was a little too respectful of certain boundaries.