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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 5:21:33 GMT -5
Half a minute later, Alex came back with a plate half-full with some sort of chicken-and-vegetables and half-full with cream cheese wontons. He raised an eyebrow briefly at Hitoshi, then turned back to his plate and popped a wonton into his mouth.
Katie and her sister came back to the table, and after a little rummaging, Katie grabbed something out of her bag and tossed it to Alex. "Happy birthday, kid," she grinned.
They spent the next fifteen minutes chattering between bites about the book she'd gotten him- a very dense overview of 20th century philosophers that seemed to be nearly a quarter made up of a reference list.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 6:15:51 GMT -5
Hitoshi continued poking at his food, eating at least enough to justify the money spent on the meal and excusing himself by saying he'd filled up on snacks at the theater. He doubted anyone but possibly Alex had been paying enough attention to tell whether or not he had, anyway.
After not too long, Katie's sister dragged her off to get dessert and Caim took the opportunity to use the bathroom while he wasn't blocked in the booth, leaving Alex and Hitoshi mostly alone.
Hitoshi leaned back against the seat and turned toward Alex. "I have your present for you," he stated. "I can give it to you whenever you want, but I won't be able to explain what it's for until we're back at your house. I had to ask my uncle for help finding out how to do it. I got Carmen's help making it."
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 6:19:24 GMT -5
Alex swallowed.
"Whatever it is, sounds... impressive. We'll be leaving soon enough, so I can wait until you can explain it." He smiled a little. "And we can spend the night playing chess if you want. Or something else."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 6:35:51 GMT -5
Hitoshi gave Alex a little half-smile. "Alright."
Hitoshi would be just be thrilled to have Alex to himself again -- and Hitoshi didn't handle large-scale socializing well, especially not with people he didn't know.
After a bit more talking while Katie's sister finished her dessert, Katie's parents arrived for the two of them and ended up giving a ride to Caim as well. Alex's mother arrived shortly after.
When they returned, Hitoshi took the first opportunity to drag the other boy back to his room. Hitoshi sat on the edge of the bed, slipping his hands back into the pocket of his windbreaker and clutching the small box.
He smiled. "Sit down?"
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 6:43:37 GMT -5
Alex hopped onto the bed and sat on his knees, grinning.
"You're so eager to show me this mysterious thing. It's very flattering."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 7:14:06 GMT -5
Hitoshi turned toward Alex, crossing his legs beneath him. He smirked. "I wouldn't be so eager if I didn't know you'd like it," he replied. He slid the little box out of his pocket. "I also want to see if it works. I managed to get it to work with Carmen, but that might not necessarily mean it will work for you. Magic is finicky, sometimes."
Hitoshi slid the velveteen box to Alex. Within the box was an hand-fashioned copper bracelet. The style was vaguely Hellenic, and made with an open section on the back to slide over the wrist rather than clasp. The ornamentation was simple, mostly rectangular shapes.
Hitoshi gave Alex a moment to look it over before continuing. "It's a set--I have the matching one. They're made to help channel telepathy. It's normally really limited by distance, whether you can see the other person, how powerful each of them are...things like that. If we made them right, they should be able to bypass most of that. Carmen did most of the actual crafting, but I did pick the design, and it took both of us to do the enchantment."
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 7:19:02 GMT -5
Alex held the thing as he listened to Hitoshi, playing with it. It felt like it was buzzing slightly under his fingers, but when he put it on, it just felt warm.
It's wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. He grinned ear-to-ear, emotions welling up inside him. He leaned over and squeezed Hitoshi tightly.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 7:42:14 GMT -5
Hitoshi wrapped his arms around Alex, smiling.
"You shouldn't have to worry about me accidentally listening into your thoughts or vice versa, unless something very strange happens. It takes intent to broadcast, and though I haven't tried it, I'm fairly sure that it's also possible to block the other person."
Hitoshi shifted around and wrapped his arms around Alex's waist. "I got the idea from Halloween. I don't remember much of what happened, but I remember being separated and not being able to figure out where you were, and that sometime during the play my cellphone lost signal... I thought that it might be good to have some other way to contact you.
"I was a little worried Carmen wouldn't be able to finish them in time for your birthday, since we didn't start until a few days after Thrall's funeral. Tristan suggested I buy them, or maybe try using something easier like leather, but the enchantments retain better if they're performed during the crafting, and I didn't want something that might wear out or break."
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 7:46:57 GMT -5
Alex leaned against Hitoshi and nuzzled his shoulder. "Thank you. It's... more than I could've thought of. I'll have to thank Carmen, too." He ran his thumb over the designs. There was something especially nice about this, more than just a neat trinket. Partly because it was magic- though that didn't make sense to him, that seemed definitely true- and partly for some other reason.
"How'd you think of this design? I've seen it before, but I don't recognize it."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 8:00:24 GMT -5
Hitoshi brushed his nose along Alex's temple, gently playing with his hair. He thought for a moment.
"I don't really remember," he murmured. "I'd seen it somewhere, and when I was reading about the spell--I'm not sure. I saw that it was usually used on rings and bracelets, and it just sort of came to me." He shrugged. "I wasn't sure at first, either. If it's familiar to you, though, it might be something from Halloween. I can't think of what else it might be."
Hitoshi felt ridiculously happy, and not just because Alex was so thrilled with the gift. He pressed his lips lightly to the corner of Alex's jawline. "Should I test it first, or you?" he asked.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 8:09:27 GMT -5
"No, I've seen it somewhere in a book or something, maybe some other jewelry, I just don't remember in what context." Alex slid down to rest his head in Hitoshi's lap and propped his feet up against the headboard. "I want you to; I... seem to be all right at that sort of thing, I don't know what you can do."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 8:34:55 GMT -5
Hitoshi felt his face heat up as Alex began making himself comfortable.
"I'm not sure. It might have been in a history book or something. I really can't think of anything, though."
Hitoshi ran his fingers through Alex's hair. He wasn't sure if it was the best idea to test them at the moment; his thoughts were quickly being dragged into corners of his mind he didn't want Alex exploring.
You're making it hard to concentrate on anything other than you.[/b] A warmth, pleasant but slightly uncomfortable, laced the thought. [/color]
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 8:39:33 GMT -5
Alex grinned up at Hitoshi, but blushed, and sat up quickly. "Sorry."
I should learn to stop myself from teasing you, but it's hard. Nervousness fluttered around a core of giddy feelings.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 8:49:39 GMT -5
"It's alright." Hitoshi smirked, pulling Alex close and giving him a peck on the lips.
I don't mind much. Though we should probably find something to do before I start kissing you again and we get stuck in a feedback loop.[/b] Contentment, then reluctance.[/color]
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 8:53:34 GMT -5
"That would be very awkward," Alex mumbled, not sure whether he meant that or not. He kissed Hitoshi softly, then smiled. "These things-"
There was a knock on the door. Alex flushed scarlet and hopped out of bed.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 9:02:37 GMT -5
Hitoshi blushed again, swiveling around so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed and doing his best to not look particularly suspicious.
All this time around Alex's parents was making him miss Tristan and the privacy of their dorm at school. Tristan could have walked in on them naked and he'd probably just turn around and leave. (Incidentally, that was probably a bad train of thought for him to be on at the moment.)
Hitoshi leaned to one side, trying to get a better view of who was at the door.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Jan 11, 2010 19:42:36 GMT -5
Alex's dad called from the other side of the door. "Hey kid, your mom wants to know if you've eaten yet. Y'wanna come out here and spend a night with us?"
Alex swallowed, took a breath to level his voice, and replied. "Yeah, Hitoshi was just giving me a birthday present. We'll be out in a second."
He turned to Hitoshi, still bright red, and spoke softly. "Or, I guess."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Jan 11, 2010 20:13:34 GMT -5
Hitoshi slid off the bed. This was their last full day here, and Alex's parents probably wanted to spend a bit more time with him. They would have plenty of time when they got back to school, anyway.
And, though he hadn't felt particularly hungry at the restaurant, Alex's mother's cooking sounded somewhat tempting.
"Yeah, that sounds fine."
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