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]

I have to tackle him in parts and figure out which parts apply.

[sentimentalstoic]

You do seem to enjoy pinning me down.

[jadedlynx]

That makes it easier not to be swept away. It's not about power.

[sentimentalstoic]

I know.

[The answer is unusually, openly smug.

Which is why he enjoys it. He doesn't especially enjoy being dominated, he submits enough in his daily life under the guise of professionalism and politics, but to have Ash flustered enough by how good he feels to need to resort to such measures, when force and helplessness had such a bedroom history with him... it's a surprising little treat, even if he'd not want it all the time.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Now seems like the perfect time to slide under water to wet his hair.

That's Blanca's reply. Neither of them think Ash is above embarrassment. If anything, when it's someone he does actually like, it's not too difficult if the topic is right. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[As for Blanca, he helpfully rises from the edge of the bath to fetch a few things from the medicine cabinet, namely a micellar water and a conditioner.

When cleaning and restocking the house, he also seemed to decide on some bathing products to pamper Ash with; he hadn't actually anticipated being able to be in the house with him, but it didn't look as if Max used this restroom, nor likely fussed with getting out anything not already lined up on the bath's edge. But getting to indulge Ash with it all himself is another unexpected pleasure..]

[jadedlynx]

[ When he emerges, blonde hair is slightly darker and now conforming to his face and neck. Ash rubs a hand over his face and through his hair to wipe away the worst of the droplets. ]

Have you been staying here?

[sentimentalstoic]

No.

[He answers matter of factly; Max would be furious about it if he had. One of his hands moves to run through silky blonde hair, pushing his bangs back, preparing to begin salon treatment.

None of this was bought for himself.]

[jadedlynx]

[ This seems to be another thing Ash will allow. He leans his head back slightly, jade eyes closing again. ]

So when did you restock?

[sentimentalstoic]

Starting three days ago.

[He starts with the likely overpriced conditioner, letting his hands move more smoothly through the softening strands. It wouldn't do to accidentally pull at his hair while working his scalp over, and Ash has thick, layered strands to tend to.]

[jadedlynx]

After I got put in the hospital? Did you hear about it?

[sentimentalstoic]

Mm.

[There's no reason to dwell on such details though, is there, really?]

[jadedlynx]

Did you visit?

[sentimentalstoic]

No.

[There's a meaningful pause, unsure if he should explain why, but a pause that indicates, if not for a 'why', he would have.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash hears the pause. In spite of having his hair pampered, his gaze opens, curious. He won't ask, asking why suggests expectation, but he won't fill in the pause himself. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[Then, there won't be an answer. Instead, his fingers gently scratch at his hair, making way for the squeeze bottle with the micellar water, soothingly cool, with a tip to help spread it directly at the base of his hair, right on the scalp.

It'd be alright to expect it. But maybe it wouldn't be for the best for Ash to know that.]

[jadedlynx]

Do you know if anybody else I wouldn't expect did?

[ His eyes close again. ]

Yut Lung knew I was in there, too.

[sentimentalstoic]

In his case, it came up likely while being questioned about your potential involvement in the 9/11 attack.

[jadedlynx]

Good to know they're leaking my information.

[ He doesn't actually sound bothered. Sing didn't seem to know why.Yut Lung shouldn't know either. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

You two have known tensions. It'd be difficult for them to discuss whether it was the two of you that lead to the incidents they were investigating without providing him some information.

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash's next thought isn't even directly related, but the idea of Blanca and Wu meeting adds some amusement to the moment. Blanca is more over the top, but he's also willing to defer to the moment so Wu would win the right to host. ]

Officially, I thanked him for the mercy he showed to Max and paid compensation. That's a pretty tame response for somebody who unofficially choked him with his own hair.

[sentimentalstoic]

It sounds as if he remained mild towards you rather than using the opportunity against you. But, I don't imagine his enemies will understand the implications of his uncharacteristic mercy. It should be fine.

[jadedlynx]

He's a pain to work with. His idea of partnership is management.

[ Which is more like leadership when Ash needed none. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

You may be unique among us in your capacity to really work with someone.

[jadedlynx]

If the Lings do get him, it won't be a quick death.