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

[banananpc]

[It's a good time to look for Michael, because in he comes, with both the silverware clumped together in one hand, and in the other, a blow torch he seemed to decide to sidetrack to get overhearing the conversation, thinking it might break up any fight.]

Huh? But Thanksgiving's not a 'present' holiday...

[jadedlynx]

[ Well, his little joke looks a little less jokey now. ]

We don't get to see you as often as most people get presents, and I'm good at spending money.

[ Reaching out, he'll try to take the blowtorch without comment. ]

They're nothing big.

[banananpc]

[Jessica quirks and brow at Ash as she sets the wine down; she knows Michael enough to know that, trying to be cool to Big Cousin Step Mommy Ash, it's in character for him to have run with some joke or other he heard from the kitchen.

Max shows no sign of noticing it, as if Ash were a stage magician, working so subtly with a prop.

Natalie keeps a strained smile and slightly tilts her head.]

Are there people who're bad at spending money?

[jadedlynx]

That depends on your definition.

[ Maybe it's not noticeable; maybe it seems like an act, but previously, Ash treated all adults with a somewhat distant and hostile attitude. Now, he's speaking to Natalie without any real kind of disdain. ]

Some people might say Max is better than me. He still likes to buy used and look for bargains.

[ Placing the blowtorch out of the way, Ash finds the bag with the remaining gifts. The first is a 3-D printing pen. The second is a ninja line kit that could be placed low enough for children his age to use. ]

I thought this would be more fun than just practicing pull-ups. If your mom and dad make it through dinner, she might let him help you set it up after.

[banananpc]

Does he? Jessica had mentioned that before. His love of "bargains"...

[Max's eyes go to Ash, daring him to resist the bait both girls are unaware of dripping in front of him. You wanna do an 'I told you so?' don't you.' But he was going to pre-empt it with a look that bet he wasn't going to let the balance shift so much to one side.

He was not actually that sure of Ash's loyalty.]

So he's still a complete cheapskate who doesn't know how to use money to save money.

I can be a ninja! And draw on air?!

[Whether Michael is offering a topical distraction or just sincerely more interested---adults fighting is pretty common and boring for him by now--is up for debate. Max decides to think he's trying to save Ash more than trying to save Max, but.]

[jadedlynx]

We'll time your first try through the course so we'll see how much faster you get.

[ His attention goes to Michael first. The kid deserves some attention.

But then, he answers. Even if it's true, it's not easy. Ash isn't someone who brags on most people very easily, but he is on his side. Even before the promise to make that more noticeable. ]

He might've been that way if he didn't have the skills to back it up. Even new cars can break down, and he's the guy who can fix it. He's going to get into restoring some older cars to sell for charity when everything is healed.

[ They'd talked about it once. Max agree. It counts. ]

He's good with construction, too. We have a house here in L.A., and he built me a big greenhouse out back.

He might still live like he's broke, but if he's going to be that handy, I'll take it. There's a reason blue collar workers are popular even if they're not as rich as white collar men.

[papalobo]

[And here was Max ready to be satisfied with some vague dismissal about how they make enough money to afford Max being cheap, maybe deflect to his own major award incomes. He is a millionaire on his own publications right now, after all. By the time Ash's finished, Max looks like he might just want to take Ash over the table, arm gripping around him gloatingly.

HA! He had the hot trophy husband, and he even liked his blue collar manliness.]

Well that's a big change! Last time we all had Thanksgiving together, I remember your old man complaining how much money you sank into beaters like repair attempts were lotto tickets!

[Max isn't paying attention, he's got an Ash to have an arm around. Some annoying buzzing guy is saying something, but he has an Ash.]

[jadedlynx]

[ His old man, huh? Was it friendly teasing or a sincere form of disappointment? ]

We don't have any old cars sitting around that he failed to fix. Guess he got good at the lotto.

[ If Ash wasn't so good at pushing through things, he'd find it almost too hard to compliment so openly. ]

And he taught a few classes to kids from the streets before he got too injured to keep teaching.

Maybe the next time they talk, they can talk about that instead. Or his literary prizes. That'd take up some time.

[papalobo]

Do you have any old cars around he's actually fixed?

[Jessica wonders more off-handedly than seriously. Everything is still a work in progress, a part of Max internally cringes, but Ash has already won this fight for him, so ha.]

You make it sound like they hadn't already talked about them. Oh my, are you that estranged?

Didn't you hear this kid go on about how busy I've been, in between winning prizes, getting injured, teaching kids, and having a real active love life?

[jadedlynx]

[ This is the most Max's father has been mentioned around him, but Ash wouldn't have introduced him to his old man if he'd had a choice, either. He also knows that such a fact could be used against him if someone wanted to flaunt Jessica as the real relationship. They had a kid. She knew his family. She was potentially more likely to be accepted by less family.

Ash isn't dating his family. ]

This sounds like the kind of conversation that can happen over dinner. Everything is set out.

[ It's a high class meal, with premium steak and sides, and Ash hopes that can offer a little distraction. ]

I know L.A. has a lot more vegetarians than New York, but there's enough sides and a salad if you don't like steak.

[papalobo]

[That gets everyone settling in; Michael is sure to get a spot next to Ash. Ash is his favorite. Max would normally consider it a given, Ash 'with' him, but he's pretty eager to pat Ash on the back and be a little more nudgy-army-touchy-feely than he'd normally be.

You liiiiiiiiiiike me. You braaaaaag about me. You're prouuuuuuud of me.

Natalie claps her hands twice, then clasps them.]

Now it's time to be thankful to Max and Ash, and then to give our thanks to God!

[jadedlynx]

[ It's not like Ash hasn't prayed in his most desperate times, but that wasn't something he expected here. At least two of them had been involved with porn - - three if you counted it despite willingness.

Ah. Either way.

Unless... ]

Do they say grace?

[ It was a whisper to Max. ]

[papalobo]

Looks like it.

[He whispers back, awkwardly folding his hands to at least ape the motions to get through with the least drama. Michael is looking to Ash for guidance. Jessica makes no move to fold her hands, however.]

[jadedlynx]

[ It would be fake. Ash waits and gives them the time by not eating, but he doesn't bow his head. He offers respect, which is the next best thing.

Especially from him. ]

[papalobo]

[Then Michael doesn't either. Natalie pauses, a brief flashing frown, and then a tight smile. One of Tyler's closed eyes opens, before cracking a smirk and grinning, ready to watch a scene unfold.

Natalie's eyes first go to Michael, as if to pressure him. To Max. Look. Your Father is doing the right thing. But Michael only looks down and stiffens his shoulders. Once he realizes he's being used as a weapon, Max's hands lower, letting out a soundless sigh; he's willing to go along, but if he's going to be used against Michael, he'll stop and be the bad guy. But he's given in once, and Michael is at least a little cowed. So she'll look to Ash next.

Jessica on the other hand looks ready to spoil for a fight. Only the interest in how pressuring Ash is going to go keeps her from jumping in first. Let her sister bring the fight to them. Jessica can play the patience game well too. No matter how hungry for blood she is.]

[jadedlynx]

[ While he's less practiced in these situations, Ash still maintains that nothing here can be as scary as what he's faced. He's both patient and unfazed. ]

Go ahead. We'll wait for you to finish.

[ But he also doesn't want more fighting in front of Michael so he chooses the less rude reply. ]

[papalobo]

Could you show a little more respect?

[Max looks down at the plate. Maybe he should just be the really bad guy here and start eating, get them really mad at him. Ash doesn't need this.]

[jadedlynx]

[ But Ash doesn't look fazed in the least. This is hardly the worst he's heard. He's not even being nasty yet; that's still for Michael. ]

Quietly waiting for you is the respectful reply. Lying about it would be a lot more disrespectful.

[papalobo]

You won't regret showing a little reverence now when you do come around to being a believer.

[jadedlynx]

If I did, I'd feel pretty wrong for lying.

[ Ash isn't even mocking the idea of grace. He'd prayed recently. Eiji survived. He'll leave that much there and try to keep the peace as long as Michael was present. ]

If you see me do it, you'll know I mean it.

[papalobo]

That's an awful lot of respect for someone you won't give a little thanks to. And you're influencing the children more than his own parents.

No? [She can be protective of Ash, but he's also a little shit. But Michael's not about to be drug into this, so Jessica enters the fray.] This's the one place where I won't say Max's an especially bad influence.

Don't think she means the part where he started to go with it, then backed out when he was looking like a punk next to his new boyfriend.

[He all but gleefully tries to throw an oil can into the fire.]

A guy tries to be nice...

[jadedlynx]

I'll support him if he joins you, too, but don't try to bully him into it.

[ He'd support Michael in most things, and he can't mock someone he called out to in his darkest time. Especially as Eiji lives and breathes. ]

It's probably saying more about what you think if you consider Max's gesture to be something a punk would do.

I'm willing to wait until grace is finished. If you keep going, I'll assume it is.

[papalobo]

It's the backing out part as soon as he sees it's more popular not to./font>

This is all just so disrespectful! To God! Quiet down, we'll argue after we've at least said our gratitude!

[jadedlynx]

So what are you waiting for?

[ She'd be easy enough to drown out while he ate. Most people are. ]

[papalobo]

[And so it begins.]

Dear Lord,

We gather here today, despite the many trials and tribulations of bringing everyone together. We are so grateful for the opportunity to unite with family, even when some of us may not fully appreciate the sanctity of this moment.

We thank You for the bountiful feast before us, a feast that reminds us of Your everlasting generosity--a generosity many think of in shallow terms of earthly values and riches. Yet, we know You love all Your children, even the wayward, calling them ever back to Your grace.

Lord, we ask for patience and understanding, especially for those who find it challenging to sit quietly and reflect on Your blessings, and for those for whom it had never been convenient to parttake of this blessing until now, ever so busy with their earthy distractions. We pray for peace and calm in this home. Guide us to be more tolerant and accepting, as You are, and help us to remember that the true spirit of Thanksgiving is about gratitude, not just for the food, but for the opportunity to share it with all, the gracious and the entitled heathens alike.

May this meal nourish our bodies as Your wisdom nourishes our souls, and may we all find common ground in the joy of being together, even if we do not all share the same faith.

In Your name, we pray, Amen.