Day 328, Friday, November 28th

[papalobo]

[It's weird, to end up at a home that's not home. He's spent more time there than anywhere else this year, but that says more about his transience than anything. If told five years ago he would live such a lifestyle, he'd have believed that, but not the part about most of those multiple places being not just six but seven, eight figure abodes.

And yet it's Jessica's home (still probably the nicest one he'd lived in as an adult, before Ash swept in) they're doing Thanksgiving in. Maybe it's a fear of being upstaged on her part if it's in such a house; such a naive thought is, while unvoiced, just more proof of Ash's suspicions, that Max's mind is on something, something Ash had likely been trying to put his mind on for months. Because with even half of his braincells to put to it, he'd suspect the worst sooner.

It's not until they're pulling up to the house and there are two other cars there that he remembers the hell of Thanksgiving is not only family, but family you don't normally have to see. And thanks to Michael, Jessica's family is still his family.


And their ride is a taxi. It's not like they can turn around. Though Michael coming out to greet them right away in a hurried excitement would've made it impossible in anything.]

...Maybe she decided to start investing in cars. But not especially good ones. To be more undercover. As a journalist.

Day 375, Friday, December 14th

Comments

[jadedlynx]

[ It's not difficult to light a firepit. By the time Max returns, Ash is out back with the flames flickering toward the air. It's dark by now, just as Jessica had warned when pulling Michael inside. Being L.A. it's far from cold, but it's not as sweltering this late in the year as to make the heat from the firepit unbearable.

Ash doesn't get drunk often. And so, when Max returns, he continues the conversation as it he hadn't left. ]

Don't let me.

[papalobo]

Don't let you what? There's not a lotta things I can stop you from.

[He's going with the mid-tier bourbon. They're not doing anything high class, but it is enough of a holiday to avoid bottom shelf. Plus, Ash stocked his bar well last year for Christmas. There is no 'bottom' shelf quality.]

[jadedlynx]

Let me leave. I'm actually going to get drunk. Even then, I should know I can't, but if I try, stop me.

[papalobo]

You do want that fist fight.

[jadedlynx]

I don't want the fist fight! But if I get stupid enough to leave, I'll forgive you for it tomorrow.

[ If Ash is outside without all of his senses, it wouldn't end well for him. ]

[papalobo]

What else's forgivable?

[jadedlynx]

... What else are you planning?

[ That isn't the expected answer.]

[papalobo]

If we're getting Turkey pardons, I'm taking all I can get.

[jadedlynx]

You're not getting a turkey pardon. Why the hell do you have that many things you want to do?

[papalobo]

It's more like if it's allowed, well, since we're here allowing and all...

[jadedlynx]

You won't even name one thing. I'm asking you to watch over me when I get drunk, not make me regret drinking.

[papalobo]

Ask me when we get to the fighting part.

[jadedlynx]

I'm not asking at all because I'm not giving permission.

[ Deciding that can be the end of it, Ash reaches for a bottle. Forget glasses. ]

The only thing that'll be forgiven is what you'd have to do to stop me from leaving.

[ And Ash is fully confident that he won't even try. ]

[papalobo]

Then, I guess I'll be pretty good again tonight.

[jadedlynx]

[ The first drink is large. Ash doesn't normally avoid alcohol, but he doesn't often drink with the intent of getting drunk. Tonight, he will. ]

You're way older than me.

[ Exaggatering his age is rude but also not uncommon. ]

So why do I feel like the pedophile when you say that kind of stuff? It doesn't suit you.

[papalobo]

I am the good looking arm candy one. You're the sugar daddy.

[He says as if reminding him of something Ash already knew.]

[jadedlynx]

I boss people around for my 9-5. That's pretty boring now.

[ It's as close to a job as Ash will probably have.

He leans forward in the chair and tucks a single leg behind him. ]

What else can you do?

[papalobo]

[Finally, deciding Ash isn't going to send him for anything else, he sits down to get settled, himself, pulling closer to the fire.]

Drunk-sitting's about it, isn't it? I'll be drunk too, but I'm better at it than you, more years of experience.

[jadedlynx]

Better at drunk sitting?

[ As he takes the second 'sip', one thin, blonde brow raises. ]

Or just the drunk part?

[papalobo]

Drunk part. I'm not great at sober-sitting.

[jadedlynx]

Even after all of that practice?

[ Ash isn't planning to pick on Max too much tonight, but he really did give that one to him. ]

Do you think you're better because you can drink more than me?

[papalobo]

Be pretty sad if I couldn't, I've got at least fifty pounds on you. [Sip.]





But yes.

[jadedlynx]

[ Max isn't wrong and so, Ash doesn't argue, but tonight is about fun, not winning. ]

Then we'll make a bet on it. Keep drinking. In an hour, we'll do some tests. If you're less drunk, you can have a turkey pass.

[papalobo]

What kinda turkey pass?

[jadedlynx]

The kind you asked about earlier. You get a free pass tonight.

[ While Ash isn't entirely certain he'll win, he also knows Max won't do anything too bad to him if he can think of something to do at all. Will he be annoyed? Very likely, but will it be lively if there are no stakes? ]