Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[slippedhalo]

Jocelyn glared at Alec as Jason rode off. "What was all that? You two are family. I thought families try to get along."

 

[Othermoose]

"She's up?" Austin asked in shock before barreling up the stairs. He reached the door to his and April's room, but stopped himself from bursting in. He didn't want to scare April back into shock. He took a deep breath before gently knocking on the door. "Hey April? It's Austin. Can I come in?" He called through the door.

 

[slippedhalo]

"She's up?" Austin asked in shock before barreling up the stairs. He reached the door to his and April's room, but stopped himself from bursting in. He didn't want to scare April back into shock. He took a deep breath before gently knocking on the door. "Hey April? It's Austin. Can I come in?" He called through the door.

April was on skakibg legs, dressing carefully. Her body hurt but it worked. Her jaw was still broken and her face and...neither regions...were hellish but she was feeling stronger today. "Cmmmm nnn." She said through her wires, hoping he understood she meant, "Come in."

 

[Othermoose]

Austin slowly entered the room, keeping his movements carful and steady, like he was approaching a wounded animal. "Hey. It's good to see you up. How are you feeling?" Austin said quietly moving closer to April but keeping a safe distance. He wanted nothing more than to run forward and wrap his arms around her and cover her with kisses and show her how much he loved her, but instead he stood his ground and quietly asked, "Do you need help getting dressed? I can go get Kate if you want me to."

 

[slippedhalo]

April shook her head carefully, it hurt. She was almost finished. Once ready, she took Austin's hand for security and let him be her pillar of strength to hang on a bit on the slow descent down the stairs.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jocelyn glared at Alec as Jason rode off. "What was all that? You two are family. I thought families try to get along."

Alec looked at Jocelyn and smiled a little sadly. " Well between the two of us a distance has grown up and sadly I don't think it will be healing any time soon. I will admit that a lot of it was my fault. When I lost my wife and daughter I became angry and lost and withdrew into myself. My son stepped up and took over the family farm and kept it afloat. When I finally came out of my depression I began my run for a seat on the council to make sure nothing like this ever happened again. I was so busy that I rather neglected my son and he has never forgiven me for doing so even though I did it all for him."

He looked towards where his son had ridden off. "Oh we are a little closer than we were a few years ago, but he still doesn't trust me all that much. Especially around women he likes," he smiled at her.

 

[slippedhalo]

Alec looked at Jocelyn and smiled a little sadly. " Well between the two of us a distance has grown up and sadly I don't think it will be healing any time soon. I will admit that a lot of it was my fault. When I lost my wife and daughter I became angry and lost and withdrew into myself. My son stepped up and took over the family farm and kept it afloat. When I finally came out of my depression I began my run for a seat on the council to make sure nothing like this ever happened again. I was so busy that I rather neglected my son and he has never forgiven me for doing so even though I did it all for him."

He looked towards where his son had ridden off. "Oh we are a little closer than we were a few years ago, but he still doesn't trust me all that much. Especially around women he likes," he smiled at her.

Jocelyn blushed at the allusion. "Oh." She said, busying herself with putting a broom away. "...Everyone is on a lunch break right now. Have you eaten yet?" She asked to change the subject a bit.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Alec shook his head. "No I haven't eaten, but I don't think now is the time for me to join the rest of you. Maybe once everybody has gotten to know me not as the councilman who almost ruined their lives but as a person who is truly trying to help them. Perhaps then it will be okay for me to eat with you."

He then smiled at Jocelyn and moved a little closer to her. "Of course that doesn't mean that you can't come and visit me sometimes and have lunch in the city. I can show you around and we can eat in some very nice places. My son has even told me that you would like to start a business. I can help you out there and show you a few places to set up shop."

 

[slippedhalo]

Alec shook his head. "No I haven't eaten, but I don't think now is the time for me to join the rest of you. Maybe once everybody has gotten to know me not as the councilman who almost ruined their lives but as a person who is truly trying to help them. Perhaps then it will be okay for me to eat with you."

He then smiled at Jocelyn and moved a little closer to her. "Of course that doesn't mean that you can't come and visit me sometimes and have lunch in the city. I can show you around and we can eat in some very nice places. My son has even told me that you would like to start a business. I can help you out there and show you a few places to set up shop."

"You could show me now." Jocelyn suggested, brightening at the idea if her dream business. "We could have lunch in town. I bet I'll be back here before I'm even missed." She suggested while pulling her rainbow colored hair into a ponytail to get it off of her neck as the day grew warmer.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May ate, although she wasn't feeling hungry, although she probably should be. She ate up her food and drank some water. Feeling much stronger, although still feeling tired. She sat back down and drank coffee. She heard movement on the stairs and looked up. And saw April and Austin. She wanted to help, but she didn't know how that would go, since they had never been off to the right start. She patiently waited for them to get downstairs.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason made it down to his farm and started his chores. Today he had to make sure the irrigation system was working correctly. The hands had told him that the soil had been rather dry in a few pastures and he wanted to make sure they were getting watered properly. A mistake now could cost him a lot later on.

He walked into the house and made himself a couple of sandwiches and threw a couple of pieces of fruit as well as a water skin in his saddle bags and then headed out to the pastures in question. He would check the junction box first to make sure the water was getting through, and if that wasn't the problem he would have to snake out several miles of pipe until he found the clog. This could be a long hot day.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

"You could show me now." Jocelyn suggested, brightening at the idea if her dream business. "We could have lunch in town. I bet I'll be back here before I'm even missed." She suggested while pulling her rainbow colored hair into a ponytail to get it off of her neck as the day grew warmer.

"Well if you are ready to go then I am willing to take you", Alec said with a brilliant smile. "We can eat first before I show you around. Now all I need to know is what sort of food you like Jocelyn. We have a wide selection to choose from as we have many cultures here," he told her as he slipped an arm around her waist and led her towards his wagon.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Well if you are ready to go then I am willing to take you", Alec said with a brilliant smile. "We can eat first before I show you around. Now all I need to know is what sort of food you like Jocelyn. We have a wide selection to choose from as we have many cultures here," he told her as he slipped an arm around her waist and led her towards his wagon.

Jocelyn laughed, climbing into the passenger's seat, she shrugged, "I'm not fussy, honestly. I like seafood, steak, I've enjoyed vegan foods, ethnic cuisine...whatever. Let's find out your favorite place to eat." She suggested as he bade the horses to take off.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Alec laughed as well as they headed off. Her laughter was infectious and he found himself joking and talking easily with her as they traveled towards the city. He didn't really care what they were talking about as long as they were talking.

As they got closer he started to veer towards the northern end of the city. He thought he would take her to one of his favorite little places.It was not really fancy but it served some of the best food he had ever tasted.

As they got closer to the place he started to point out some of the sights of the city. "I know this doesn't really compare with the cities on Earth but compared to the villages it is rather large. Here is where all our Tech is on display and the only place we really build in anything besides wood." Pointing towards the tallest building at only five stories tall he smiled. "That is the council building. Most of the most important decisions for the human population are made in there. Over there," he said pointing to a large 3 story building that covered an entire block and had many open spaces as well, " Is our school building. All children are taught there from the age of six until thirteen when they are free to take up an apprenticeship or return to their parents farms."

They were almost at their destination when he pointed at another large 3 story building,"And that my dear is one of the most popular malls in the city and I happen to know that a store is going to be closing very shortly inside of it. Now if someone was to put in the necessary forms and lodge them quickly, they could get that spot and set up their own business," he hinted.

 

[Othermoose]

David and Aziz returned to the beach with the firewood. After about twenty minutes Erik was serving food he'd cooked, with surprising skill, on the blazing fire. Aziz grabbed several servings of the grilled fish and clams, along with the fire baked potoes Erik had made and rushed off to the house. David couldn't help but smile as he watched the man go, no doubt eager to see Yuet.

David dug into his fish and smiled. "Wow Erik! This is excellent! Where did you learn to cook like this?" Erik shrugged and gave David a half smile. "Cooking fish is in my blood." He said popping a clam into his mouth.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin supported April as they made their way down the stairs, and once they reached the kitchen he carfully helped her sit down. He grabbed two plates and put a small serving of Erik's food that Aziz had brought up on both before returning to April's side. He set her plate down infront of her before taking his seat beside her. "I'll get you more if you want more after this." Austin said. He grabbed the pitcher of water in the center of the table and poured himself and April a glass. After he was sure April was settled in he looked around the table, his gaze landing on May. "How's the machine coming?" He asked quietly.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin supported April as they made their way down the stairs, and once they reached the kitchen he carfully helped her sit down. He grabbed two plates and put a small serving of Erik's food that Aziz had brought up on both before returning to April's side. He set her plate down infront of her before taking his seat beside her. "I'll get you more if you want more after this." Austin said. He grabbed the pitcher of water in the center of the table and poured himself and April a glass. After he was sure April was settled in he looked around the table, his gaze landing on May. "How's the machine coming?" He asked quietly.

April tried and failed to fit the bite of fish on her fork in between the small opening her wired, healing jaw allowed. She sighed, her doubt having just been confirmed, and set to work mashing her food up to baby food consistency.

Kate and Hilde made their slow way to the kitchen to visit. Kate took the fork from April and did the rest of the mashing for her friend while April was pleasantly surprised at her visitor and at the fact that it had been Austin who'd brought her.

April took Austin's hand, beaming at him out of her unswelled eye. "Tank you." She managed softly through the wires, spooning fishy, potato mash carefully into her mouth as she listened to Austin being civil with Hilde, Kate, and May and it seemed May was working on a way to hasten her healing. Yuet and her had been working hard. April reached out and patted May's hand, "Tank you, May." She said.

 

[slippedhalo]

David and Aziz returned to the beach with the firewood. After about twenty minutes Erik was serving food he'd cooked, with surprising skill, on the blazing fire. Aziz grabbed several servings of the grilled fish and clams, along with the fire baked potoes Erik had made and rushed off to the house. David couldn't help but smile as he watched the man go, no doubt eager to see Yuet.

David dug into his fish and smiled. "Wow Erik! This is excellent! Where did you learn to cook like this?" Erik shrugged and gave David a half smile. "Cooking fish is in my blood." He said popping a clam into his mouth.

The break was good but Nat and the boys agreed getting back to the house was important. "Let's give Aziz, Jocelyn and Caleb (and boyfriend) an hour but we should start without them if they don't get back by then." She said, sitting flirtatiously in Erik's lap as they finished their lunch.

 

[slippedhalo]

Alec laughed as well as they headed off. Her laughter was infectious and he found himself joking and talking easily with her as they traveled towards the city. He didn't really care what they were talking about as long as they were talking.

As they got closer he started to veer towards the northern end of the city. He thought he would take her to one of his favorite little places.It was not really fancy but it served some of the best food he had ever tasted.

As they got closer to the place he started to point out some of the sights of the city. "I know this doesn't really compare with the cities on Earth but compared to the villages it is rather large. Here is where all our Tech is on display and the only place we really build in anything besides wood." Pointing towards the tallest building at only five stories tall he smiled. "That is the council building. Most of the most important decisions for the human population are made in there. Over there," he said pointing to a large 3 story building that covered an entire block and had many open spaces as well, " Is our school building. All children are taught there from the age of six until thirteen when they are free to take up an apprenticeship or return to their parents farms."

They were almost at their destination when he pointed at another large 3 story building,"And that my dear is one of the most popular malls in the city and I happen to know that a store is going to be closing very shortly inside of it. Now if someone was to put in the necessary forms and lodge them quickly, they could get that spot and set up their own business," he hinted.

Jocelyn's eyes shone with excitement. "Alec, you like body art? I don't see any tats or anything on you. If you want, I'll give you a tattoo free of charge once I've got a good set of equipment." She offered.

They made their way to an eatery which reminded her a little of a wild west saloon without the prostitutes or gambling. "Interesting. This whole place is such a weird combination of old and new. Kind of cool!"

 

[Othermoose]

The break was good but Nat and the boys agreed getting back to the house was important. "Let's give Aziz, Jocelyn and Caleb (and boyfriend) an hour but we should start without them if they don't get back by then." She said, sitting flirtatiously in Erik's lap as they finished their lunch.

Erik wrapped his arms around Natalia and kissed her neck. "A saw a nice spot down the beach. Want to go check it out? We've got and hour." He said kissing her neck again.

 

[slippedhalo]

Erik wrapped his arms around Natalia and kissed her neck. "A saw a nice spot down the beach. Want to go check it out? We've got and hour." He said kissing her neck again.

Natalia giggled, "Mmm, ok..." she agreed, letting him lead her away.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May beamed as April tried to a "Thank you" May smiled warmly and nodded kindly at April. Just then a wave of tiredness washed over her. Finally catching up with her past few days of not sleeping. Falling asleep right then and there, Mays head banged down on the table. Face planting into the table, even breathing can be heard.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate bit her lip to keep from chuckling at May's exhausted reaction to finally relaxing. "Austin, a hand, please...let's move her to the couch where she can nap." She said, taking the small woman's arm around her neck and lifting May's unconscious body up from the table carefully. Austin hastened to help Kate so she wouldn't hurt hurself or accidentally drop May, and together they moved th sleeping techie to the couch where Kate covered her with a blanket before returning to her lunch guests.

"I'm so pleased with today's developments. The house is coming along across the road, April is starting to feel more herself, May finished the ager, and we have Hilde here, hopefully something to become a regular occurrence, you two trying to work together. This is definitely a fortunate day." said Kate with a bright smile.

 

[Othermoose]

"Once May wakes up I want to test the ager. I don't want April to go first, just in case something fucks up." Austin said reaching for April's hand under the table. "If everything turns out right you'll be fixed up in a few days." Austin said gently squeezing April's hand. Austin turned to Hilde, still holding April's hand under the table. "I guess we should start now. Is it cool if April joins in? If she feels like it." Austin asked.

 

[Othermoose]

Natalia giggled, "Mmm, ok..." she agreed, letting him lead her away.

Erik and Natalia quickly got up and made their way down the beach to a shady secluded spot that Erik had been talking about. Erik hungrily kissed Natalia, probing her mouth with his tongue. He pulled away just long enough to pull her shirt and bra off before he was kissing her passionately again. "It's been too long." Erik whispered as he kissed the nape of Natalia's neck and began to massage her breasts.