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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 4:23:38 GMT -5
This is a private RP between Alex and Hitoshi.
Hitoshi peered out the car window. Each house had some unique touch that spoke of an owner with either too much or too little time on their hands; most of the houses were elaborately decorated, from flowerbeds to lawn ornaments to early Christmas decorations. The ones that weren't were strewn with the sort of deliberate clutter that some people seemed to find interesting or artistic. It was rather pretentious, really -- probably ex-liberal arts students.
Not that he had much room to judge. They'd lived with his mother in a small apartment, and afterward, with his uncle in a trailer. Pretentiously arranged clutter was probably a step up.
In the front seat, his uncle sat silently, his thumbs drumming idly on the steering wheel. Under other circumstances, Tristan might have made awkward attempts at conversation through the entire car ride, but given the recent events... Well, Hitoshi was more than happy for a pleasant diversion. The family didn't have much left to be thankful for.
Hitoshi glanced back at Alex. Even with all that was happening, Hitoshi was determined to make sure that Alex had a good Thanksgiving. And birthday, he reminded himself. Alex's gift was tucked safely away in Hitoshi's luggage. Hitoshi just had to find the right moment to give it to him.
"Your parents are really okay with all this?" Hitoshi asked. He wasn't sure whether he was referring to the fact that he was tagging along at the last minute or the fact that Alex's boyfriend would be staying with them for a full three days...or any of the other strange recent events, for that matter. It was easy to forget that Alex's parents had no idea what was going on at Dunehelden. He was somewhat curious what, if anything, the headmistress was telling them.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 4:47:45 GMT -5
Alex shrugged. "They're used to me having friends over all the time, and I think they're really happy I'm making new friends at Dunehelden. Mom'll just probably try to send your uncle home with food."
Besides, you need attention and distraction, he thought, and so do I. He still had no idea what had happened over Hallowe'en, except that he'd woken up in the infirmary along with a lot of other people, and soon after Hitoshi's family in particular had started falling apart at the seams.
"I just hope you don't mind the, uh, tofurkey," he remarked, half-joking, half-embarrassed. "Most of the other stuff is normal, though. And they won't mind what you eat."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 5:19:30 GMT -5
Hitoshi smirked. "I'm sure I'll be fine," he replied. "I've had stranger things. My aunt decided once to make everyone bring their own dish for her Independence Day cookout. You can imagine how that went."
Hitoshi slipped his hand into Alex's, still mostly out of his uncle's view. "We're getting fairly close, aren't we?" he asked. "What did you say the house number was?"
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 5:26:03 GMT -5
Alex squeezed Hitoshi's hand and looked out the window, grinning. "Let me guess: at least two casseroles, something strange from your grandmother, something ridiculously overspiced..." he paused, licked his lips and went on, "and several red-white-and-blue Jello molds."
"It's 317. There's a garden out front with pumpkins in it and an old white sedan."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 5:50:06 GMT -5
"Wasabi gumbo, of all things." Hitoshi snorted. "Add in a bucket of fried chicken and a horribly scorched potato salad and you'll have it pegged."
He paused for a moment, tracing his thumb idly over the back of Alex's hand. "You know," he mused, "this will be the first Thanksgiving I can remember that I haven't been at my grandmother's."
This year would also be the first year since his mother died that there were people missing from the table. And this year, it wasn't going to be just one empty seat. He was thankful Alex would be joining him for Christmas. He was going to need something to focus on.
Hitoshi shifted in his seat, leaning forward to peer over the shoulder of the driver's seat. "Is that it?" he asked, squinting. "I can't see the number, but there are definitely pumpkins growing in the yard."
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 5:56:21 GMT -5
"Yes!" Alex said happily, and pointed. "That's it there, the driveway's the one on the other side."
He looked at Professor Gilespi, not sure he wanted to bother the man too much, but... "Thank you again for driving us."
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Post by Tristan Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 6:16:31 GMT -5
Tristan shot Alex a half-hearted smile as he pulled into the driveway. "Don't worry about it," he replied. "With everything that's happened in the last few months, the two of you should at least try to have a good holiday."
He shifted the car into part, glancing at Alex in the rear-view mirror. "Your parents are probably expecting to meet me, aren't they?" he asked, grimacing slightly. "Alright, you two, get your things out of the trunk so we can get this over with."
Tristan pulled on the lever to open the trunk, then pulled himself out of the car, leaning against the door. If he was lucky, they'd be content with a few words about keeping Hitoshi safe and other parental-sounding pleasantries before sending him on his way. He wouldn't be sure how to take being invited in for tea or whatever else they might do.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 6:31:46 GMT -5
A part of him was unusually eager to meet Alex's parents -- but another part of him was terrified of making a bad impression. A more selfish part of him hoped that Alex's parents would be content to let the two of them run off alone to get settled, or at least be so distracted with Tristan it would buy them some time. It seemed like forever since they actually had a moment alone.
Hitoshi hopped out of the car and slipped around to the trunk, hoisting his bag onto his shoulders. He hadn't brought much more than clothing and other necessities, since it was only for a few days.
"Do you need any help with your things?" he asked, glancing at Alex.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 6:48:00 GMT -5
"I don't think so." Alex dragged his suitcase out of the trunk, popped out the little handle, and then pulled out and put on his backpack. He had brought quite a bit more clothing, mostly to switch out for colder weather, as well as a number of books and his laptop.
He walked up to the door, suitcase rattling along behind, and began to ring the bell just as it opened. An older man with graying brown hair and a sweatervest stood in the doorway, smiling broadly, and immediately reached out to ruffle Alex's curls, to some consternation.
"Alex! Welcome back, come in, don't drop your stuff in the floor, your mom's moving the furniture." He stepped back, waving Alex to pass, then looking to Hitoshi and Tristan. "Come on inside if you like, it's blasted cold out here."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 6:58:18 GMT -5
Hitoshi raised an eyebrow at Alex at the "moving the furniture" bit, trying to determined whether this was a strange coincidence or commonplace for his mother. He took a step back, letting Alex enter first and following him. Alex's father seemed pleasant enough, though he hadn't really expected anything less. Alex had to get his personality from somewhere.
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Post by Tristan Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 7:11:39 GMT -5
Tristan hesitantly ducked inside the house behind his nephew, hovering just inside the door. He glanced around uncertainly. If this man was any indication, Alex's parents were the sort of unbearably nice people who would probably insist on giving him hot cider and hearing every one of Hitoshi's baby stories they could pry out of him.
He cleared his throat a bit, extending a hand to the other man. "I suppose your Alex's father?" he asked. "I...uh, I'm Tristan Gilespi. Hitoshi's uncle."
If he was lucky, he'd be able to escape them before Thanksgiving. He had every intention of spending the holiday sulking in the corner at his mother's house.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 7:30:28 GMT -5
Alex grinned and shrugged at Hitoshi. Could be holiday cleaning, could be stranger things.
The house opened up into a good-sized living room, a wide fireplace taking up most of the right wall, couches and chairs and tables and a TV slung around the others. The place was mostly bare of non-furniture; there was a doorway on the left leading to a short hallway with a bathroom, that leading into a kitchen, and that spreading out into laundry room, hallway, and a number of other rooms. Alex dashed quickly through the halls, tossed his things in his own room, and back.
Meanwhile, Alex's father shook Tristan's hand firmly. "I am. Good to meet you, Charles Meriweather. He's mentioned you all, rather warmly in fact. I don't suppose you'd like to stay for dinner? It's a long drive back to Sacramento, and we've got more than enough enchiladas. Rebecca's been cooking and cleaning all day."
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Post by Tristan Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 22:11:02 GMT -5
Tristan shifted uncomfortably, thinking of the best way to politely duck out of any unnecessary human interaction. "I was honestly planning on grabbing something from a drive-through or something," he replied. "I should probably get moving quickly. I gotta return the car to the airport and all, and I wanna make sure I don't miss the flight."
...The food did smell tasty, though. Not tasty enough to risk civilized company, granted, but still tasty.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 22:28:22 GMT -5
"Oh well, wouldn't want to keep you- it's nice meeting you, though. Would you like us to wrap you up something for the drive?"
A woman with long, straight brown hair and a handmade-looking dress came into the room. "Oh, my. Now I've nearly missed the party, you two are early." She walked over to Alex and hugged him. "This must be... Hitoshi, yes? And... one of his uncles? Hello. I've got dinner on, and there's apple cider. Will you be staying?"
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Post by Tristan Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 22:44:00 GMT -5
Tristan coughed slightly. "I, uh, um. I had better not." He smiled apologetically at Alex's mother. "It's Tristan, by the way. I wouldn't want to inconvenience your or anything."
Eager to change the subject, he continued, "Hitoshi has my cellphone number, as well as his aunt's and his grandmother's, just in case you need to contact us."
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 22:47:51 GMT -5
"Oh, you wouldn't, but if you insist, we won't keep you here." She smiled at him. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Gilespi, and have a safe trip."
Alex's father nodded. "We'll make sure they don't get into trouble."
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Post by Tristan Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 23:03:07 GMT -5
Tristan nodded. "It was nice meeting both of you," he replied. He turned back to Hitoshi and Alex. "Alex, make sure not to let him do anything like study over the holiday. If he brought textbooks with him, hide them or something." He reached over and squeezed Hitoshi's shoulder. "I'll give you a call tomorrow night and let you know how your Grandma's taking everything, Toshi."
He sighed, turning back to Alex's parents. "Well, I guess I should get moving. Happy Thanksgiving, both of you."
Tristan gave a quick wave and slipped out the front door and across the lawn, sliding back into the car.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 23:11:42 GMT -5
Alex tried not to grin sheepishly, and only half-succeeded. He had actually been planning to do a bit of studying himself, but... that was a very good point.
"I won't. Uhm. Happy Thanksgiving." It was very difficult to stay happy when he was reminded all that had happened recently, but it was also very hard to stay sad when he was home with Hitoshi there with them. He turned to his mother. "Is dinner ready now, or do we have time to unpack?"
"It's up to you two; I've turned Aaron's old room into a guest room for the time being, since I still haven't heard if any of them are coming down, so Hitoshi can have that. You can take ten or come along to the table."
Alex smiled at Hitoshi. "What do you want to do?"
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 23:17:57 GMT -5
Hitoshi shifted the weight of his back to the other shoulder. "I'd like to take a few minutes to get settled in, if it's all the same," he replied. "Where is the room?"
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 20, 2009 23:38:20 GMT -5
"C'mon, I'll show you," Alex said, beckoning to him. "It's the one on the end."
The room was small and clean, with one bed, one bedside table, a lamp, and an empty closet. The setting sun gleamed in through the window.
"So what do you think?" Alex asked with a slight smile. "I mean, if anything yet."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 20, 2009 23:55:26 GMT -5
Hitoshi tossed his bag onto the bed, peering out the window at the garden. It was certainly nothing like his grandmother's house. No magically created blankets of snow, no untamed Kentucky wilderness, no cousin's trying to kill each other...
He supposed it would be unusually solemn this year, though. Probably no snow... Carmen was having Thanksgiving with his family this year, and after the incidents of Halloween Yuuki's father had pulled her from the academy. And Thrall... And Yaodensi... Grandma already heard about Thrall, of course, but as far as Hitoshi knew, no one had mentioned the impending divorce yet. He didn't imagine it was going to go over well.
"It's..." Hitoshi searched for the right words. "It's nice. It just feels incredibly surreal after everything that's happened. A month ago we were trapped in a dream as strange magical creatures attempted to take over the school, and Dunehelden is still struggling to recover."
Not to mention, Alex's family seemed nothing like his. They seemed incredibly... normal? Maybe normal wasn't the right word, but they were something.
"Where was your room again?" he asked, looking back up at Alex.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 21, 2009 0:09:09 GMT -5
Alex brushed Hitoshi's hair back. "It's a couple rooms down. I..." He shook his head. "I just feel like I want to say something, but I don't know what. Do you know what I mean?"
"I mean, I don't know if this is the time or... Well. I- care about you, and- you should know that." He folded his arms. "You want to see my room? There's not much in it, especially now, but you can if you want."
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 21, 2009 0:43:57 GMT -5
For a moment all he could do was stare at Alex quietly, trying to put together what Alex actually meant, between what he said and what Hitoshi had a feeling he wanted to say.
"Thanks," he murmured. "I care about you too." Hitoshi stood up, glancing away. He seemed to have run into another one of those awkward moments where he wasn't sure if Alex was expecting him to kiss him or not. He had been stumbling into a lot of those the past month.
"I'm sure there's more in it than this one," he replied. "I'd like to see which one is yours, at least."
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Dec 21, 2009 1:14:00 GMT -5
Alex sighed. "All right." He felt like he should apologize, but didn't know why or for what.
On the other end of the hall, next to the master bedroom, was Alex's room. It had dark green walls with dark wooden furniture, including a cleaned-off desk, a half-filled bookshelf, and a huge fluffy chocolate-colored comforter on a small fluffy chocolate-colored bed. Posters of far-off places adorned the walls- Greece, China, Spain- beside a humorous one about famous philosophers. The dresser had a small TV on top of it, and an award for second place in a school debate competition was pinned above the headboard of the bed.
Alex shrugged to Hitoshi.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Dec 21, 2009 1:27:28 GMT -5
Hitoshi examined everything, slowly taking in each detail of the room. If he had hoped to discover anything about Alex that he didn't already know, he was sorely disappointed. Still, it was quite interesting to him.
He looked idly through Alex's bookshelf. "I suppose we should go back and eat soon before it gets cold," he murmured.
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