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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 10, 2008 2:15:33 GMT -5
Jack turned, raising a brow. It wasn't a sentence he expected to hear either, not that he didn't like it. It was kind of how he almost got turned on whenever her eyes got all fiery when she defended their children, or thought they might be hurt. Parenthood. Weird.
Armand relaxed at the touch of Zizzy's hand. Just having her beside him made everything easier. Not that this was hard, just... intense. He understood better how his father's infamous temper melted with one look from his mom, how Illie could calm any of Simon's moods with a single touch, how even Mary could keep Vince from unleashing himself at someone. "We'll talk," he assured her in a low murmur.
He smirked at Hugh, glancing down at the sheet of music. A random middle one taken from an opera piece. "Thanks," he said wryly. "I've been wanting that missing page."
Alexander took his lighter with somewhat less grace, a bit peeved as it was his favorite lighter. In that sense, however, it was a great gift.
Armand then unwrapped the real Vicerri present, gaping openly at the miniature recording studio sitting in the box, waiting to be set up. "Wow," he said. "Thanks."
Alexander frowned at the little robot dragon in his hands. Wasn't he a bit old for action figures? "What is it?" he asked speculatively. He passed it over to Finola, assuming (correctly) that it was a product of her talents.
Danny shyly slid his presents at the twins, hoping to get the ordeal over with. Armand received a leather whip--- one of few weapons he didn't own. He loved it. Alexander got some firecrackers (Jack was not pleased about that gift) and a book. He'd gazed at the obvious shape of the package with doubt, since he was not known for his reading capacities, until he read the title, "How To Stay Humble When You're Smarter Than Everyone Else."
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 10, 2008 2:45:01 GMT -5
Finola frowned at Alexander. “What is that tone?” She turned the dragon over, pulling one of its copper scales back on a hidden hinge. Underneath the scale was a tiny switch. She pushed it from the ‘off’ to the ‘on’ position with a click of her porcelain nail. As soon as she had done so, the mechanical dragon sprung to life. It moved like a living animal, flailing around until she set it down on the floor, where it paced back and forth, flapping its wings and growling. Finola, glowed with pride. Not that she actually looked proud, but her hair briefly flashed purple, before fading back to its normal state. “It will guard your things, if you tell it to. Unfortunately, it will guard it from you, too. It’s not intelligent, unfortunately.”
Illie nodded. “We had to glue Finnie’s whole hand back together. It was an ordeal.” She giggled, petting her daughter’s hair.
Genevieve smirked, “Well, Alexander, I guess my gift will be doubly useful,” She tossed him a first aid-kit, trying her hardest not to smile. “I heard that Mary and Vince got you a bike, and you can use it if you get mauled by a mechanical dragon.” She handed him another, wrapped present (another Giorgio Armani). He wouldn’t care, and she knew that already. She couldn’t help but try, though.
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Post by Jules on Aug 10, 2008 2:57:10 GMT -5
Zizzy nodded. She'd look forward to hearing about it. Following his gaze to the gift Finola had gotten him, she smiled. It was a lot more light-hearted but still thoughtful and lovely. "Did you make this?" She asked, visibly awed by the idea that the porcelain girl had crafted these gifts.
Hugh rolled his eyes. In his mind, his gifts were infinitely better then Finola's, but whatever. Not everyone could be a stupid scientist genius inventor person. Once again his features took on a momentarily green cast, but Mary distracted the boy once again by giving him a high five.
"Stolen goods as presents. Nice job." It had been solely to distract the boy from the difference between his own present's reception and Finn's. Eleven year old boys weren't exactly difficult to figure out.
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 10, 2008 3:03:27 GMT -5
The kitten, still in Nellie's lap, glared at the moving dragon, giving a soft hiss. Alexander patted her head. "I still love you more," he assured her and then turned with rapt fascination, bending down to study his new 'toy'. "That's pretty bad ass, Fin."
He caught the first aid kit and smirked. "Thanks, sis. Always thinking ahead." He patted his stomach in an exaggerated motion. "Can we eat yet?"
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 10, 2008 21:42:12 GMT -5
Finola smiled at Zizzy. It was always so satisfying to have someone appreciate your arts. “Of course,” she said, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, “It was nothing, though, really.” Of course, she couldn’t resist this moment to gloat, so she made sure that her exasperated brother bore full witness to the praise. She could be such an instigator.
Pia nodded her head at Alexander, “Good idea. I’m sure everyone could do with a bite to eat.”
The table was laid out already, stocked with the widest assortment of foods imaginable. Of course, since it was their birthday, the twins’ favorites had all been provided, but there were several dishes that were presumably provided for a specific person, for example, a practically-raw steak that had Genevieve’s name all over it.
Since most of the group was so close to family, Pia had most of her ultra-catty-defense-systems down, one of which was her hostess mode. Even before everyone had made their way into the dining room, she had opened up a bottle of AB+ and a bottle of Sherry Fino (family functions always drove her to drink).
“Drinks, anyone?”
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Post by Jules on Aug 10, 2008 23:03:28 GMT -5
"That's really nifty." Was everyone in this family some kind of prodigy? At least there she didn't have to feel second best. If she did say so herself, her lightning was kind of wicked. Surprisingly, Zizzy was actually ravenous. It was like all the lack of eating was catching up to her. Besides, she needed to put back on the weight so her clothing would fit her again (she had strategically hidden safety pins to take the dress she was wearing in a size).
When Atropia offered drinks Zizzy wanted nothing more then to say "Yes please." But getting even a little bit drunk here seemed a very bad idea, so she kept her mouth shut.
Hugh glared at his sister and there was a dangerous amount of green overtaking his eyes (not yet affecting his hair) as he stalked to Pia and said, kind of rudely, "Dry Martini please."
Mary rolled her eyes, pitying Simon and Illie. She was glad she'd never had children and never planned on it. They were such little brats, no matter how old they got (case in point, Alexander).
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 10, 2008 23:11:50 GMT -5
Alexander and Jack dawned near identical expressions of distaste when Pia opened the bottle of blood.
"Yesss..." Alexander plopped into a chair, trying to decide what to eat first. He glanced at Nellie, a bit smugly. "This is real food." Not like jellybeans and cotton candy and lemon drops.
Armand sat on the other side of his brother, keeping Zizzy's hand in his own until grabbing silverware made it necessary to let go.
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 11, 2008 0:18:09 GMT -5
Pia couldn’t help but smile at Hugh. He reminded her of a certain someone. “Here, if you hold this,” she began, handing him the wineglass of blood, “I’ll make you one.” She turned her back on him and filled a martini glass with club soda. She handed it to him, and with a flourish, added in an olive. The kid didn’t need to know that vermouth wasn’t bubbly.
“Cheers,” she clinked her glass against his and sipped luxuriously on the blood, despite the ugly looks her husband and son were giving her.
Nellie frowned at Alexander, “Y’ know, we eats real food too. Loik… venison an’ bread an’ cheese an’ potatoes. We doesn’t live on only candy alone.” She shrugged, “Not that this don’t look delicious.”
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Post by Jules on Aug 11, 2008 0:41:10 GMT -5
Hugh didn't seem phased by the blood, even sniffing at it. They exchanged drinks and he grinned at her happily, green gone. Not too many kids got this kind of super-wicked family. Catching the nasty looks Jack and Alexander were giving her, he hugged her quickly (some times quite the suckup) and said "I think it's cool you're a vampire."
He hurried to his seat, unfortunately next to his sister and began serving himself without so much as a 'May I?'
Zizzy felt as though she could've eaten everything on the table, but she didn't want to look like too much of a pig in front of his family. Although it wasn't her fault her lack of an appetite the last few months was finally catching up with her. She waited until other people began filling their plates before she did.
Before she could say anything, however, the aunt with the vibrant red hair (Mary?) plopped in the chair on her other side and began filling her own plate.
Mary flashed Zizzy a grin "So, how'd you two meet?" And she looked over at Alexander and Nellie. "And what about you guys?"
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 11, 2008 0:48:42 GMT -5
Armand smirked, pausing in dressing his baked potatoe. He glanced once at Zizzy (one of those sappy, nostalgic kind of looks couples get) and turned back to Mary. "She tried to kill me in the lake via electrocution."
Alexander, for his part, had to literally stop and think. "Err...." More than a few eyes were on him, because seriously, how did they meet, but he was struggling to remember. All the things they did seemed to blur together. Probably because their first meeting wasn't really that significant. "Her sheep attacked me," he said with a shrug. "Number 17."
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Post by Princess Katie on Aug 11, 2008 1:44:06 GMT -5
Pia looked like she was just about ready to die (in the good sort of way). That was just too precious. She leaned over and kissed Hugh on the cheek before he could run off to his seat. “Thanks, dear, I’m glad someone thinks it’s cool.” She sat down next to Jack, looking quite smug. “Oh, honey, it’s okay that you’re not cool. Don’t look so glum.”
“Uh-uh, noooo!” Nellie looked offended, “Excuse me, ‘e did not attack you. Wee li’le sheepie wouldn’t do nothin’ of th’ sort.” She sighed. Those sheep were so misunderstood. “Now, wot really ‘appened,” she corrected, glancing at Mary, “I was lookin’ for me sheep-- ‘e was lost, y’ see—‘n’ Alexander is creepin’ around in the woods behind me farm, an’ I backed into ‘im, I was scared ‘e wos a wolf, so I walloped ‘im a good ‘un wiff me crook.”
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Post by Jules on Aug 11, 2008 1:58:40 GMT -5
"That is not true." She protested good naturedly. "You were the one deep sea diving without a marker." And the image of Alexander getting a 'good 'un' from the dream-girl was amazing. "That's very manly, Alex. Getting beat up by Nellie here."
The memory of how her and Armand had met brought up good feelings, and she couldn't help the glow. But at least in the well light dining room it was hardly noticeable.
Hugh, who was already half-way done his first serving took a long enough break from chewing long enough to chuckle at both the twin's expense. "Why do you guys date girls who tried to beat you up?" Forgetting that technically, Nellie was a friend.
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 11, 2008 21:58:56 GMT -5
Jack rolled his eyes. "I'm here to make you look good," he said dryly.
"Hey," Alexander interrupted. "Hey. Numero uno." He shot a glare at Hugh. "We're not dating." He continued, ignoring Johnny's half-muttered "Not just a river in Egypt..." "Second, that crook is deadly, okay--- you haven't seen it in action. Thirdly," he glanced sideways at Nellie, his lips twitching once, "she's not as flimsy as she looks."
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Post by Jules on Aug 12, 2008 0:56:31 GMT -5
Zizzy grinned and turned to Armand. "Do you think he and Nellie are actually?" Because although it was hard to imagine, the way Alexander was acting was almost screaming "I like this girl." But maybe they were just friends (Zizzy was truly bad at reading most people).
Hugh grinned and shrugged. "Sure looks like you're dating her." He shoved another mouthful of pork into his already full mouth. If people wanted to keep their appetites, it was often best they didn't watch him eat. He knew perfectly well how to do it properly, but he was goading his family because he was tired of how much better everyone liked Fin.
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Post by Miss Jack on Aug 12, 2008 1:23:11 GMT -5
Alexander rolled his eyes and Armand smirked, leaning toward Zizzy. "Look at their wrists," he murmured softly, for both had matching, and quite well-worn bracelets on their left wrist.
Conversation pulled to a halt as something cold entered the room. Armand shivered instinctively, and then confused, glanced up. He went so still, so hard, he could have been a statue except for the arm that moved up, shielding Zizzy.
"Sorry I'm late," a voice like bitter winter morning traveled over the table as lightly as a snowflake, but as penetrating as an icicle shoved through the heart.
Alexander jerked at the familiar sound, his eyes flashing as he caught sight of Iker.
"Then again," Iker continued, barely above a whisper, "I'm not sure I was invited."
A growl of warning rumbled through Armand's throat. A white shirt wrapped snugly over Iker's chest and down his arms, a mere shade darker than his ivory skin. Thin lips curved into eery imitation of a smile, his eyes as black and soulless as a pit.
He bowed low. "Fondest wishes on your birthdays, Your grace, Your majesty."
Jack tensed, eyes flicking between the creepy newcomer and his sons. He'd never seen Armand look at anyone with such hatred. He seemed ready to stick his dinner knife through the newcomer's throat. And Alexander--- if the shimmer of heat in the air wasn't indication enough, his eyes were lit with a cold suspicion. Not to mention how both had automatically shifted in their seats, assuming a more protective position between Nellie and Zizzy, and whoever he was.
Who the hell is that? Vince.
I don't know.
Armand looks ready to castrate someone.
Wait. We'll see what he does. I don't want anyone getting hurt."
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