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]

[ Ash's own products were as good as one could get without worrying about imports, and he'd lived with a rich man who was very invested in his looks. He's no stranger to quality. He's not even a stranger to washing hair. He'd had to pamper men in a lot of ways. For every 10 that took him quickly in a hotel room, there were the weekend trips.

But more recently, there was Griff, and it's his care that Ash now mimics. Fingers comb through Blanca's hair to get the strands back into a manageable position. With conditioner in hand, Ash starts somewhat off the scalp and brings the product down, coating the bits. His touch is more gentle than one might expect.]

[sentimentalstoic]

[But presently, Ash had just gotten out of a month long stint of captivity, with decidedly not the finest shampoo known to man on stock. Not that Ash's looks really suffered for it. At all. But he does wonder if any of this helps him return to form, or if Ash won't really quite settle until Max is home... No, Max is no longer the man Ash thought he fell for, either. Maybe all of this will leave him perpetually off kilter.

Whatever the case, he doesn't focus much on Ash's tenderness, so much as wondering if he's enough of a distraction for Ash to escape into, for now.

Blanca knows he's an escape, not salvation.]

[jadedlynx]

[ It's the latter; Ash needs Max. Even if his feelings for Blanca have grown, Ash needs Max. ]

It needs a few minutes to absorb.

[ Once he's satisfied with the coverage, Ash finally breaks the silence. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

Mmh... I can rinse it out in a few minutes if you're bored already.

[jadedlynx]

I'm going to bed after this. I'm not in a hurry.

How long are you staying?

[sentimentalstoic]

Do you need me gone before morning?

[jadedlynx]

No, but there might not be much for you tomorrow. I rest tonight, but I have to get back into action tomorrow.

[sentimentalstoic]

That isn't something to worry about. I didn't stop in to be a burden on you.

[jadedlynx]

[ The water splashes on his back. ]

Who said you did?

[sentimentalstoic]

I'm saying it doesn't matter what is or isn't for me. Any trace of me will be gone by the time he returns.

[jadedlynx]

I know what you're saying, and it's still stupid. I know you're not going to sabotage something.

[ And from Blanca, it would have to be sabotage. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

Then I'm not sure what you're asking. If you'd like me gone sooner, by all means. But if I'm not an undue burden, I'd rather be about than leave you to latibulate until the man you need to comfort you is free.

[jadedlynx]

I asked when you were leaving. If I wanted you gone, I'd say that. Don't suddenly confuse me for somebody shy.

[sentimentalstoic]

I haven't planned it out. You act like I'm trying to be evasive every time I can't answer a question...

[jadedlynx]

I'm saying you're reading too much into the question. I'd asked when you were leaving, but that doesn't mean I was pushing for a time.

[sentimentalstoic]

Then shall I prepare you breakfast tomorrow?

[jadedlynx]

Something light.

[ A big breakfast would be wasted.

Finally reaching down for more water, Ash starts the rinsing process. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

Would you perhaps prefer to go out?

[jadedlynx]

No. It'll be a quick breakfast. I want to get as much finished tomorrow as I can.

[ So he can be annoying to see Max, and so he can rest after. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

I'll see to it it's a mobile one.

[jadedlynx]

[ Fingers comb through the hair just as thoroughly to remove the conditioner. ]

What do you do when you're stuck in one place?

[sentimentalstoic]

I tend to know before hand, enough to prepare.

[jadedlynx]

What did you prepare this time?

[sentimentalstoic]

You think this qualifies as "stuck in one place"? I did restock your kitchen, but that was really more about your household affairs than my own preparations.

[jadedlynx]

I didn't mean a stake out, but you're staying in New York. You've seen everything to see here.