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]

[ He seems in a deep sleep despite being outdoors, but Ash has always been a good actor.

The third bottle is only 25% empty. He'd been interrupted. ]

[papalobo]

[Time to pull up that laptop and see how far he gets, then.]

[jadedlynx]

[ It's not even locked. Now, Max has access to a laptop that holds many of Ash's deepest thoughts and darkest secrets...

Or, a few web pages comparing some of the bigger named colleges, including Yale, Brown, and Harvard.

One tab was a search for the closest Chinese restaurant. ]

[papalobo]

[And closed again. Ash wouldn't bother with local colleges. Who knew what he was bothering with now. Maybe his research stuff.

It had nothing to go with him. Ash would tell him if it did. As it was he only told him things like the details of the guard's game when he felt bad about Max being a sub-par Eiji instead of himself anymore.

It was actually a little nice not being "Max", he thought, going back to his tasks. Ash had been happy about the greenhouse, so he'd do things "like that." Maybe make Chinese for him. Eiji made him Japanese. Eiji was Japanese, which helped. Ash hated Shorter's Chinese food. Max didn't have a problem with his cooking, but Max was a living garbage disposal.

He'd probably make shitty Chinese food, then.

Oh, and it might raise suspicions. That too.

It was decided, Chinese was off.]

[jadedlynx]

[ When Max comes out with the umbrella, the alcohol is wearing off enough that his eyes flutter open though not far. ]

...ax?

[ And immediately, he groans. Damn it, but he isn't used to hangovers. ]

[papalobo]

Umbrella. I don't need the axe today.

[jadedlynx]

Did it come with water?

[ Ash's voice has a little husk, and he immediately has to close his eyes again.

At least his thoughts are still far enough away that only the physical pain is noticed. ]

[papalobo]

It could.

[jadedlynx]

It could if... ?

[ A slither of green peaks out from beneath long lashes. ]

[papalobo]

[His hand pushes down on his face, telling him to close his eyes as he goes to fetch him a water and an aspirin.]

[jadedlynx]

[ They don't open a second time until he hears Max return and, just as quickly, close again but with a hand extended to receive the gifts. ]

[papalobo]

[The offerings are placed on the altar of his palm for him to graciously uptake.

Without waiting for a response, it's back inside.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash finally makes an appearance around two. Aside from strands of hair that look horribly in disarray, somehow, he doesn't look worse for the wear despite the night.

The laptop is under his arm. ]

Max?

[papalobo]

[There's enough dusting to be done, it's been a few months, enough of the house to clean. He's in the upstairs at that point, but he'll come out when called.]

Morning. Need something?

[jadedlynx]

A little late for 'morning'.

[ But Ash is used to the nightlife so he isn't too ruffled by sleeping late. ]

Did you have lunch?

[ Is there lunch? ]

[papalobo]

Had a sandwich. You want one?

[jadedlynx]

[ It wasn't enough. Ash woke up unusually hungry. ]

We could order some delivery instead.

[papalobo]

Sure. What do you want?

[jadedlynx]

Chinese wouldn't be bad.

[ He had a craving for it the night before, but there was never a chance to grab it. ]

[papalobo]

Got the number?

[Look at him, not revealing his spying.]

[jadedlynx]

Yeah, there's one not far from the neighborhood gate.

[ But, as he tries to recall it, the memory is too fuzzy. Ash opens the laptop, now behind a lock screen, and makes quick work of calling it off. ]

Get a variety. I want to sample some stuff, too.

[papalobo]

What all is on a PuPu Platter, anyway? Is it PuPu or is it like a platter of stuff?

[Max has a phone, but instead he tries to 'casually' go look over Ash's shoulder at the number. And the tabs.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Most of the other tabs were closed by. Ash makes no move to hide the screen and instead, moves to the side a little to allow Max a better view. ]

Egg rolls, fried wontons, fried shrimp, chicken wings, and spare ribs. It's meant to be an appetizer platter.

[papalobo]

Guess we're doing PuPu for lunch. [He starts to dial.]

Are spare ribs a Chinese thing?

[jadedlynx]

At least in Americanized Chinese food.

[ Ash looks over his shoulder; there's a definite 'thereness' that didn't exist early this morning. ]

Get something with broth, too.