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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 9, 2008 15:47:24 GMT -5
The prestige of the cake elicited a small smile from both Armand and Alexander. Like they wouldn't. Illie was like that sweet, buttery all-smiles-and-warm-coddling mom they never had. Not to say either would have their actual mother any other way, but it was impossible not to like Illie.
"Presents it is," Alexander said.
Armand smiled at Zizzy's comment, watching as Mary tossed the present into his brother's lap. He glanced back at her. "It's what I've always wanted," he said. In truth, he always asked for nothing, and always got ignored.
He turned back as Alexander ripped through the wrapping, digging around in a box that seemed to be filled with nothing but paper. And then Alexander stiffened, his fingers brushing across something jagged and metal. Slowly, he produced a set of keys, dangling from his fingers like the lost ark.
"It's out front," Vince said, still eluding to what "it" actually was. "Mary's idea."
Alexander flashed Mary a devilish grin. Without a word, he jumped from the couch and sped from the room, only to return about five seconds later to grab Nellie by the hand, and yank her along with him. "I'll be right back," he shot over his shoulder.
Once they left, Jack sighed, glaring at Mary. "What did you get him?"
"I hope they have helmets..." Danny muttered. Even if it was a car... with Alexander driving, you could never be too careful.
Vince handed Armand his own gift. Carefully, much more so than Alexander, Armand got rid of the wrapping paper as quickly and discreetly as possible. He hated having the spotlight focused on him. It was a book, in Latin, about the ancient forms of meditation and martial arts and the lost techniques used. "Wow," Armand said, and Vince smirked. Alexander wouldn't have been able to read it in the first place.
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Outside, Alexander had himself draped across the body of the bike. "It's beautiful," he murmured. Black, sleek, with flames painted on the sides. Cliche, a little, but perfect. "Look at her. I bet she rides like a dream.... no pun intended." After he was done with his tender greeting, he straightened and tossed the single helmet at Nellie. He straddled the seat, and kicked the engine to life with one jump, revving the handlebars a few times. He grinned at Nellie. "Hop on, babe."
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 9, 2008 16:36:50 GMT -5
Nellie yelped as she was suddenly yanked off of the couch, and was even more horrified when she actually caught sight of what “it” was. But when she was instructed to “Hop on”, the rosy pink faded from her cheeks.
“You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me, I ain’t getting’ on that fing.” Despite her protest, she knew he’d eventually persuade her anyway, so she gave up early. With a defeated sigh, she let down her hair so the helmet would fit properly, and attempted to straddle the bike in her dress. She managed to maintain some form of decency by balling up the majority of her skirts and sitting on them, before wrapping her arms so tightly around Alexander’s waist that it seemed like she was trying to phase into him.
“If you crash an’ kill us, I will not be very happy,” she warned.
--
Pia frowned as she peeked out the window, “Gee, thank you, Mary. Just so you know, you’ll be paying his funeral expenses.”
Finola perked up at this prospect, “Oh! Can I have his organs? For science? Please?”She clapped her hands together in a begging motion, and it sounded like someone was stacking dishes.
Genevieve stood, and handed her present to Armand. “It’s Giorgio Armani,” she hinted, with a little shrug. “I know it’s not something you’ve been dying for, but you need a good suit.”
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Post by Jules on Aug 9, 2008 20:38:01 GMT -5
"Not even a thank you." She muttered and watched Alexander tug Nellie out of the room, supposedly to go ride his present. Several people were busy giving her horrified looks and she just shrugged. "I have a feeling he's going to take better care of that bike then he would a newborn baby. Especially with Miss Peep riding along with him."
Sure, the moment she got off he'd probably try and take it across a canyon, but she wasn't responsible for that. Besides, she'd let it drop that if he crashed that his parents wouldn't let him own anything with motor power ever again.
Hugh had his face pressed to the window, watching Alex and Nellie take off. "No fair! I want a turn." He never got cool presents like that from any of his relatives. For a moment, there looked to be a tinge of green in his hair but it faded as he was distracted and turned.
"Hahaha, a suit? Niiiice." The boy's voice dripped with sarcasm and he snorted to underscore it at. "Alex gets bike and you get a book and a suit." He reclaimed his spot beside Armand and patted him on the shoulder. "Guess you're not the favorite like we thought."
Zizzy looked over to see the book and sighed. "Not a pony." Nor anything she could understand, not being fluent in whatever language that was. But Armand seemed genuinely impressed so it had to be good. When Genn came over with her gift, she had to smile. "I don't think I've seen Armand in anything but these." She said, pulling lightly at the typical plain shirt that was probably the third or forth layer.
"Do you even know how to do a tie?"
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 9, 2008 21:40:17 GMT -5
Alexander touched Nellie's arms to be sure that she had a grip, as if his lack of air circulation wasn't proof enough, and gunned out of the palace boundary. It purred beneath his hands and he almost melted. Orgasmic, was what it was. They zipped through the streets with little to no regard for other patrons, but although their path was reckless, he didn't hit a single stray object, never tipped or faltered, the bike submitting effortlessly to his touch.
They raced around the block and pulled to a screeching halt back in front of the castle. Alexander's already unruly hair stuck nearly straight up from the windblown ride. He bent down and kissed the tank.
He twisted around and grinned at Nellie, his eyes gleaming. "So?" he asked, with no doubt whatsoever that she loved it just as much as he did. He felt exhilirated. If she had been any other girl, he probably would have kissed her.
--------------
Vince glanced at Mary. "I think the way he bolted from the room was thank you enough."
Armand chuckled at Hugh, tucking the suit away next to him. "Thank you," he told Genn sincerely.
"Oh no," Jack put in from across the room, only half-kidding. "He's still the favorite. By a landslide."
Johnny shook his head. "I agree with you, boy," he told Hugh. "Sink me. Sometimes I think Armand was born with the boring mental institution of forty-five year old."
"I don't," Armand admitted to Zizzy, a bit embarrassed. He lowered his voice pointedly. "I don't even know who Giorgio is." The rev of an engine outside alerted them to Nellie and Alexander's return. "Sounds like they didn't die."
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 9, 2008 22:08:43 GMT -5
Oh yeah. She loved it, all right.
Nellie looked like a newborn baby deer—wide-eyed and wobbly-legged—as she got off of the bike. Despite her shaking hands, she managed to pull off the helmet and shake out her hair. She handed the helmet to Alexander, trying to get some of the knots out of her pale hair with her fingers. Her normal flush was gone, replaced by a bit of a greenish tint. “I…don’t know if I feel so good.”
-- Genevieve sent Armand a ‘told you’ look at the ‘favorite’ comment, before sending a smile in Johnny’s direction, “That’s because if they both had the mentality of a 5 year old like Alexander, Mother would have gray hair. And then no one’s life would be peaceful.”
Pia nodded and grinned at Genevieve before remembering that she was mad at her daughter. Instead, she tugged on Jack’s arm with her cutest expression. “Babe, when Alex gets back in, why don’t you give them our gifts?”
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Post by Jules on Aug 9, 2008 22:28:32 GMT -5
Mary snorted, ever concerned with being lady-like. "Right, I guess for Alexander that's all we can really expect." It looked like she was going to be in more trouble about the bike then him anyways.
Hugh grinned and decided to stay put for the time being. The presents was the fun part and besides he could probably sneak away when everyone moved to dinner. He'd come back just in time for cake and no one, amongst all their boring adult conversation that he didn't really understand half the time to notice. Besides, he loved snooping around in Alexander's room. It was usually a goldmine.
Zizzy chuckled softly, "It's okay, I can teach you. Even I know Armani is a very stylish designer." And she knew how to do up a tie (only because she'd gone through a phase when she thought wearing ties was very neat). Her nerves had almost completely disappeared, which was a relief because she hadn't been sure she'd be able to eat anything with her stomach so wrought up.
She leaned in a little and whispered in his ear, lips curved, "By the way, I noticed you had something on your back the other day."
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 9, 2008 22:48:20 GMT -5
Alexander's eyes widened. "Oh no. Don't throw up by her!" He grabbed Nellie and practically threw her a good couple of feet away. He took her face in his hands, eyes narrowed in scrutiny. "You definitely don't look good. Here." He rubbed her cheeks with his warm hands, trying to restore a bit of color to her clammy cheeks.
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Jack grinned, a hint of laughter in his eyes as he kissed her cheek. "Right. Be right back."
Armand smiled, touching her hair. "You can practice putting them on after you...." He paused at the comment about his back, trying to remember. The only thing he recalled being on his back were her hands, but then, his brow raised and his eyes sharpened with enlightenment. "I don't recall," he murmured in her ear, his lips brushing over her skin, "What were we doing again?"
Johnny cleared his throat loudly, a broad, knowing grin stretched over his pointed teeth. Armand pulled back reluctantly, sending Zizzy an amused look while both Simon and Vince snickered.
Alexander burst back into the room, bringing his ever-present spotlight with him, and a haggard Nellie. His face was flushed with a warm glow and his eyes blazed like a campfire. His hair was on end, windblown and Nellie's curls were loose. He had a satisfied pleasure about his lips that, if it weren't for the faint green tint to Nellie's face, suggested they had done something else entirely while they were gone.
"Zounds, it appears my presents came just in time," Johnny announced, springing to his feet and handing both Armand and Alexander a bag.
Armand peered into his, saw the contents and blood rushed into his face. He shut it hastily, looking horrified, muttering something indiscernible under his breath and deliberately avoiding Zizzy's gaze.
Alexander checked his and choked a little. An amused smirk started to crawl over his face, but then he sent a quick glance back at Nellie and suddenly it wasn't funny anymore. He shot the werewolf a sarcastic thanks look. Johnny looked nothing if not pleased with himself.
Alexander led Nellie back to the couch they'd previous vacated. Before, he'd been ready to tell everyone how great it had been, but now the chance of it getting it taken as an innuendo kept him quiet.
Jack crept back into the room, nudging Pia to let her know he had the presents, whenever they wanted to be delivered.
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 9, 2008 23:29:52 GMT -5
Even if Nellie weren’t in a nausea-induced haze, she probably wouldn’t have understood what was going on anyway, but Finola, and especially, Illie had the decency to blush. Genevieve looked more upset at the obvious double standard that she and her brothers were subjected to.
Pia frowned at Johnny, “Are we finished with the not-suitable-for-all-ages gifts now?” She didn’t wait for an answer, but instead nodded to Jack, in a ‘let’s go’ sort of motion. She took Alex’s box, noticeably gingerly, and handed it to him.
“Do. Not. Shake. It. I’m serious.” She warned, gravely. Genevieve would have a cow if the contents of this box were damaged.
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Post by Jules on Aug 9, 2008 23:49:28 GMT -5
He made it so easy for her to forget they weren't the only people there. She shivered, grinning, but the cough of his uncle pulled her away and her cheeks blushed blue. Zizzy had a good idea about what was in the bag, but she didn't really want to know considering he was avoiding her eye right now and the only other time she'd seen him blush like that...
Hugh, on the other hand, had made a grab for the bag (he didn't understand why everyone was seemingly so embarassed by it) and shoved his hand in, pulling out a line of condoms. "What're these?" He asked, genuinely perplexed.
Mary laughed. Zizzy coughed and looked away, blush slightly more intense. Hugh looked towards the box, who also didn't understand about presents you couldn't shake (how else could you guess what was in them without opening the wrapping?) "Whassat?" He asked excitedly.
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 10, 2008 0:08:07 GMT -5
Jack laughed at the sight of the condoms, but quickly controlled himself because even he could catch on to the blatant difference in which he treated his children on the same subject. Armand snatched the "flavored" condoms back from Hugh with a pretty potent glare. "Candy," he lied, and Johnny snorted.
Alexander, meanwhile, was hoping Nellie would stay in her oblivious Candyland and not realize that there were obviously condoms in his bag too. He took the gift from his mother, genuinely curious. He held it up, peering at it from different angles, but not shaking it. He recognized his mom's "serious" face. He lifted the lid off and stared down at the contents. And stared.
Finally, he asked, "What is that?"
Jack trembled, biting his lip in an after not to laugh.
"Mow."
The present stuck it's tiny, white-furred head out and blinked dazzling gold eyes. It was an adorable fluffy white kitten, with a big blue bow tied around it's neck. Alexander continued to stare at it, dumbfounded, and Armand broke into laughter.
Alexander picked the kitten up by the bow, studying it like it carried a poisonous virus. The cat hissed and took a swipe at his fingers. Alexander yelped, more in surpise than pain, and dropped it. The kitten landed with perfect grace in his lap, and after kneading a spot on his knee, settled into a curled position, glaring out at everyone as if it were the Almighty examining slaves. Alexander's lips twitched involunarily. Pretty cute.
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 10, 2008 0:35:10 GMT -5
Illie, blushing even worse now, glanced at Simon. She really hoped they weren’t going to have to have the talk with him already. It was so embarrassing. But she, and Nellie, and even the sulking Genevieve were quickly distracted by the mewling ball of cuteness that was sitting on Alexander’s knee. Nellie reached over and scratched behind the kitten’s ears.
“Ohhh my gosh! She’s precious!” Nellie cooed. Apparently, the adorableness of the kitten had cured her of her motion sickness.
Pia smirked, “We thought so, too. And, it’s a great coincidence, since you seem to be interested in rather cute and cuddly things lately.” Pia added a conspicuous glance at Nellie, but it went right over young Eleanor’s head. Pia rolled her eyes. Dull little thing. “Jack, how about you give Armand his gift now?”
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Post by Jules on Aug 10, 2008 0:56:03 GMT -5
Mary laughed--Alex with a kitten was just too precious a sight (it would be dead within the month). Even Hugh joined the gaggle of women surrounding him to pet it. It was cute and soft and purring like a little rocket (not that rockets purred).
Once again Zizzy leaned in and whispered to Armand, but this time it was a specific attempt to get him to blush. "Don't get any ideas."
If Alex had gotten a kitten, she was curious to see what Armand was getting and just hoped they hadn't decided to go for a furry spider or something because she might not ever be able to come over if he had a tarantula in his room. Any other kind of animal she would be fine with. Hopefully.
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 10, 2008 1:11:58 GMT -5
"She?" Alexander asked. "How can you tell?" As far as he knew, any evidence directing gender was hidden beneath all that fur. Tenatively, he stroked the kittens back and lit up like a kid at Christmas when she purred happily in response. He ignored the comment about his new fondness for the cute and cuddly. If they really knew Nellie, they'd know how misleading her fluffy exterior was.
Jack nodded and left just long enough to grab Armand's unwrapped present. He approached his eldest son, a long, gleaming black bow in his hands. It was thick, obviously powerful. Used, but almost shining in it's aged beauty. Jack took a breath and looked up to meet Armand's eyes. Armand stiffened at the penetrating depth of emotion in his father's, waiting.
"This was my father's," Jack began softly. When he spoke again, his voice was barely a whisper, "It killed my mother, and it saved my life." He cleared his throat. "I want you to have it. I.... heh, never really got the hang of it." He gave Armand a tired half-smile, slightly embarrassed for dropping the ball of seriousness on everyone.
Armand wordlessly reached up and let the weight of the bow sink into his hands. He held it, fingering the intricate carvings, the taut string he already knew would take incredible strength to draw back. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. They stared at each other, the new generation of father and son, neither saying anything, and yet a conversation seemed to take place.
"Thank you," Armand said eventually.
Jack smirked, ruffling his hair like he was five again. "Yeah, yeah. Like you need another reason to brood." He returned to his wife's side, gripping her hand like a lifeline, keeping his expression smooth.
"Great," Danny sighed. "Now my presents are going to look like crap."
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 10, 2008 1:57:01 GMT -5
Finola patted Danny’s hand, “It’s okay. Ours look pretty shallow now, too.” She, very boredly, handed each twin their respective package, and flopping back down, cross-legged. “It’s from me, Mom, Dad, and Hugh.” Nellie took the kitten off of Alex’s lap so he could have space for the present. Not that she wanted to cuddle the kitten or anything, it was a complete favor.
Pia squeezed Jack’s hand, and draped herself over him. She brought her lips close to his ear, “You’re so cute when you act like a dad,” she said in a hushed whisper, when she was fairly sure no one was looking, “I love it.” That was a sentence she never expected to say. When had parenthood become sexy in her eyes?
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Post by Jules on Aug 10, 2008 2:04:19 GMT -5
That present had really put all the others to shame, and Zizzy, who was not so good at reading people (though she was getting better with the familiar contours of Armand's expressions (or lack there of)) could tell that both Ira men were holding back a well of something. Discreetly, she stroked the back of his neck with her thumb for a moment and watched as he looked over the weapon reverently.
That was some major family history in the shape of a bow.
Hugh nodded eagerly and said "I got you guys something extra." He held out a lighter he'd swiped from Alexander and a sheet of music he couldn't read from Armand. "Happy Birthday!" He declared triumphantly.
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