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

[papalobo]

[There's Max, in the nostalgic orange jumpsuit, the stubble he'd had when they first met, a little thicker for not having the dexterity to use a razor right some days, and looking to have lost some weight without unhealthy oral escapes to inhale to fill the void of Ashless days. A permanent scowl is etched on his face, sketchy and suspicious of every human sound. His situation likely doesn't match Ash's, but no human being interacting with him has been a good thing for him in the last two weeks. So even when he does see Ash, it takes a few seconds to pull a positive emotion out of the crusty, dusty, cobwebbed portion of his heart, and he rises with some strain, hurrying up to the bars.]

Ash! You look like shit!

[He greets, happily.]

[jadedlynx]

Then imagine how you look.

[ It's a sweet, kind, and heart-warming greeting but at least there's a real smile on his face. It's been a long time since he's seen Max and even longer since it's felt like he's seen him. It's probably good he'd had a day to pull himself together. Max isn't in a position to have another burden. ]

I offered an extra payment to have them make you look presentable, but they were all booked.

[ Max's face can hardly cure the ache that still throbs in Ash's chest at every hint of memory, but damn is it good to see him. ]

Hey.

[papalobo]

[Max has lost weight, but not enough to actually reach through the bars. He tries, but barely gets his wrist through. This holding cell isn't as roomy in the bars as Faulkner; he's considered a vey high flight risk and potentially violent.]

C'mere.

[It's time to both admire Ash and try to assess how he's being doing, if he's been eating, if he has any bruises, if he looks rested. Ash hides it all so damnably well, though.]

[jadedlynx]

[ If he's lost weight, it's not much but any weight less is telling since his caloric intake is already on the low side. The bruising is very light but thanks to a thin layer of makeup, they're invisible right now. Last night allowed him to rest well.

He's very good at now allowing his outside to betray his insides.

Ash lays his head on the bars. ]

Any closer, and I'll be considered arrested again.

[papalobo]

[He can at least reach out with his fingers to feel a few strands of his hair, as if confirming Ash is real.]

How the hell'd you get out before me, anyway? You're in the heat of all this. I'm just an accomplice.

[jadedlynx]

I looked really pretty and said please.

[ Max will hear about it, but it doesn't have to be when they're around law enforcement. ]

I only got out yesterday.

[papalobo]

I'll believe the first part, but not the second.

[Max's face leans against the bars too.

He does know Ash uses makeup. Now it's time to look for signs of it.]

[jadedlynx]

[ A hand pushes that face back toward the room. ]

You can't make out with me in front of an audience.

[papalobo]

Don't think my lips'd go that far, anyway.

[He gives an annoyed smack at Ash's hand, as Ash's hand and arm are thin enough to fit through the bars better.]

[jadedlynx]

I'm shy.

[ The makeup is too thin to be noticed anyway. The bruises were barley noticeable before, but 'barely' was too much. ]

[papalobo]

[And Max is tired, and just happy to see him. For the moment, in the less than ideal lighting, he can't immediately tell even when looking.]

Always had been. Miss me?

[jadedlynx]

Yeah. Asher picks on me when you're not around.

[papalobo]

[So he found them. He won't say anything of that nature while they're not in private, though.]

Least the other one likes you.

[jadedlynx]

[ They knew the two had cats and now, Max knows they're not going to starve ]

It's good we got two. Asher would put us in old folk homes if cats could sign papers.

How are you holding up?

[papalobo]

M'fine. Maybe even all better.

[jadedlynx]

If you tell me prison has cured you, I'll rescind the bail.

[papalobo]

Too late, they're already programming the ankle tracker.

[jadedlynx]

Next time, I'll ask for the chat before handing over the check. My fault for falling for a scam.

[papalobo]

Yup, now you gotta take me home.

[jadedlynx]

They didn't tell this was supposed to be an adoption.

I'm going to get some stuff ready.

[ It'll be more useful than just standing here. ]

Any requests?

[papalobo]

[The question seems to blindside him, as if in all this time he hadn't actually stopped to think about the reality of getting out, or what he might have missed or wanted.]

Ah... Uhhhh.....

[It's right out of the McDonalds "I'll have uhhhhhhh...." meme, really. Under prepared for what he should be ready for.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash raises a single brow. ]

Your stay must have been more accommodating that mine.

[papalobo]

I mean, probably, but it's more like getting to see you was the only thing on my mind for all this time, the parts past that just kinda...

[jadedlynx]

I'll already be there. You've probably had some pretty tasteless food. For a guy who likes to eat, you don't have a meal request?

[papalobo]

You just got out, too. M'not gonna make you cook... What was your first outtah prison meal?