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]

The lead up to that wasn't torture too? How much leeway d'you give the guy? Is that why you got none left for yourself?

[jadedlynx]

Lead up? What lead up? I met with them in some abandoned factory, and they gave me the conditions.

[papalobo]

You went there after he hunted you down 'n made you sweat out not having any other options. He had hostages. You'd be happier if he just tried cutting your dick off.

[jadedlynx]

I haven't forgotten any of that. He shot Eiji. I told you it's not love. There are reasons.

[papalobo]

I'll be back.

[He slams the truck door, off to fetch three hot dogs.

Something happened to Ash. Is that something he's sensing, or something he's spent too long worried about that he can't let it go? Pinching the bridge of his nose, he tries to gather his thoughts, mind not really in that same old argument they keep having, so much as it is in the sick feeling that, while wrong on this, Ash may be right on something else: Max may have ceased to believe in the possibility of a normal life for him that's anything more than play acting, if he can't let go of this feeling now, that Ash is holding out, suffering under something alone.

Is it umbrage that someone dared hurt him? Sympathy for a victim? Is it his own inability to handle something maturely? Is it his own inability to save him? He's out of prison now. He shouldn't feel so restless.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash doesn't plan to keep it a secret forever; Max can figure out the specifics even if his name is kept out of the press. But is it wrong to want him to enjoy a meal and some rest? Knowledge won't make him stronger, it'll be another burden.

And, selfishly, Ash wants this with him. ]

[papalobo]

[Max returns with four hot dogs, and a bag of plain chips. Two of the hotdogs are as Ash orders them. The others include one with double chili, extra cheese, and then one with everything.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Assuming they're going to eat in the truck, he's already turning so he can use the seat as a table. ]

No matter what, it's going to beat prison food.

[papalobo]

What, they didn't bring out the caviar and escargot for you?

[jadedlynx]

They said they only did that for the nice prisoners. Guess I didn't qualify.

[papalobo]

Maybe it's 'cause I'm the cute one. Between us, you're the brains, I'm the hot arm candy.

[jadedlynx]

[ He reaches for the hot dog. It couldn't be more different from Blanca's meals. ]

Should've used that brain to get better food.

[papalobo]

I did. I avoided the escargot and caviar. You ever eaten slugs?

[jadedlynx]

Yeah.

[ And now he's eating hot dogs. ]

Pretty often.

[papalobo]

The hell do rich people pretend that stuff tastes good?

[jadedlynx]

It does, but it's not something you can go into thinking it's gross, or it will be. There's also a lot better dishes out there, too, for a lot cheaper.

[papalobo]

Like this.

[Another bite of his double chili dog.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash debates the question. He actually really likes hot dogs so. ]

Maybe the really good ones. Better than the average hot dog.

[papalobo]

So, not this?

[jadedlynx]

This is close to being as good as, but it's going to skewer based on what you're used to. Not many people are eating both. That stuff has a complex flavor, but it's a lot more muted. A lot of French foods do. This is stronger, but they'd find it too strong.

[papalobo]

[Max eats, staring.

Kid could probably make more as a food writer than Max does as a journalist. Could go to culinary school. Or those cooking shows.

Maybe he's wrong. Maybe nothing happened to him. This is all normal.]

[jadedlynx]

[ If somebody offered to pay him money to review hot dogs, he might not say no.

For now, he enjoys the food put out in front of him, both hot dog and chips.

He's been able to avoid the question because Max he hasn't asked directly. Ash has no issue lying, at all, but he's not going to lie about certain things. If he does, Max will always have doubt about those issues in the future. He'll only withhold the information until Max has some time to enjoy freedom. ]

[papalobo]

So. What is school about for you if it's not the social thing?

[Everything is fine. He's just on edge because this is Ash's life. It's fine. He's in his own head.

Jessica, on the other hand, knows it's not fine. Jessica herself has almost been arrested for her outburst at HLS when she went to interview about the situation. It's enough that now even Michael does know the topic of Mom's new, hot topic that has her beefing up the scurity around the family.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Momentarily blissfully unaware of the latter, Ash can sit in the truck with Max and enjoy his lunch. ]

It's not important.

[ With mumbled words and a downward cast of his eyes under the pretense of looking at the food, Max might recognize the signs of embarrassment. ]

[papalobo]

Hnn.. Behind bars it's "private," in private it's "not important," huh?