Take Me Out To the Ball Game Again!
Aishe happily kicked back her feet, resting them up on her little folding chaise lounge chair. Sas delighted to see that the summer series of minor league games included several night games, specifically because of Nachton's reputation for wild nightlife. It hadn't taken much to persuade Kem to go in with her for season tickets. She wasn't much for sports but she enjoyed baseball when she was actually in the stadium watching it, and Nachton's stadium, like many, had a lovely hillside area without bleachers where you could bring your own chairs and picnics and such. Kem, harboring a natural dislike of contact sports, was all for baseball.
This was the second game they'd come to in as many weeks, so she already considered their season passes to be money well-spent. The game hadn't started yet, and Aishe was busy unpacking their small cooler of treats while Kem had gone in search of refreshing frosty beverages. It was clear and warm out, and in all a wonderful night for baseball.
Pak was supposed to meet them, or so she'd said, and Aishe was looking forward to it. She hadn't seen the witty little Thai in a while now, and she knew Kem hadn't either, in spite of the constant stream of emails the two exchanged during the work day... work night.
More people were streaming in, setting up chairs, tables in some cases or merely blankets; some with picnic baskets or coolers, some without. Aishe smiled. It was the perfect night for relaxing at a game.
((ooc: Please feel free to crash, we guarantee absolutely no plot-furthering, no significant philosophizing, and most likely a great deal of sarcasm, acerbic wit, and possibly some food-throwing. Bring your own damn chair!!))
"Come one I'll go with you. There must be something interesting around her."Â?
Not that she would ever use large crowds and random movement to cover up her play time, nope not Pak. At the very least she could stand to stretch her legs and she did owe Kem a beer...
[Lesser of all evils for you or is one enough for you these days you party animal you?]
"Come last call or I'm brining you all sauerkraut and no hot dogs."Â?
When Aishe offered to make a food run, Kem instinctively opened his mouth to offer to go along, but Pak beat him to the punch. Instead he resigned himself to being waited upon, and did his best to refrain from making any serving wench comments to the pair.
"I always wanted a serving wench or two."
It was really a mutter... mostly. And he was going to do his best, not actually succeed. He couldn't help it!
[Lesser of all evils works for me... though it's not much better than water. And... not on my head please.] Although he probably deserved a watered-down beer-dunking after that.
"Sorry'at people suck, man. Anyting I cn do t'elp put th'urt on, lemme know. I hate that shit. I know'm green'n all, but y'need company y'know where'm at."
Knowing that he'd never take her up on the offer didn't matter. Just showing the support could still mean something to the quiet hunter. She'd probably be a hinderance to someone so skilled in wilderness hunting - her terrain of choice was certainly the cityscape. Still got to back your cousin's hand, though.
"If you would be inclined the box for us is number 4 on the second level beside us. They have a full bar and supposedly good menu. I was told they will be happy to bring out anything requested."
He found that there was no reason to be limited to the mediocre offerings the public were given here. Especially when the cost for the box was not as much as he expected it to be. Taking this number out to a nice restaurant would certainly cost more. Cyrus figured that would also be a bit more comfortable for everyone but apparently this sport attracted their attention enough to mask that. Personally he found the game slightly boring.
Dawn's support and offer touched him. A rare smile of gratitude crossed his face as he bowed his head deeply to her in thanks.
"Many thanks Dawn. I do appreciate the offer. This journey I must make alone for speed and effectiveness. Legends must be reinforced and superstition encouraged. At the very least I will get my people to post 'No Hunting' signs."
Whenever the crowd roared in excitement, she assumed someone on the home team must have either made it to base, or run home, and she cheered too, but no matter what she did her thoughts kept returning to Cyrus, and his impending trip.
Reaching behind her, Fallon took hold of Cyrus' hands, and pulled them to drape over her shoulders, and around her neck. As always, just the touch of his skin next to hers calmed her, and brought her immense relief. It was good he was patient, and didn't mind her 'neediness' during times like this, since she would undoubtedly remain at his side for as long as possible.
Turning her head she kissed his arm, then faced the game again, and rubbed her cheek along the spot. She would do nothing to ruin the evening for any of her friends, and being able to just sit, quietly, and appear interested in the plays and players allowed her to accomplish this.
She smiled and thanked him, turning her head to glance up at the boxes above, and figuring the closest way up. There was plenty of snack-food to be had at their chairs, but for real entree-type stuff... not much.
"Well shall we?" Aishe looked at Pak and indicated the nearest set of stairs with her chin. Of all the people to wander around large crowds with, Kem was of course her first preference but Pak was a close second. She found, even with her odd empathy, the Thai was impossible to read most of the time. With her growing unease of crowds she was getting very choosy about who she bumped elbows with.
Too many strangers; too many people shouting and yelling and bumping and jostling, flashes of color bursting into her vision out of nowhere... no, Aishe was definitely beginning to appreciate smaller venues.
((ooc: Aishe temporarily out on the search for the mustard-less hotdog!))
Brilliant. That sounded quite hopeful. She also decided that it would interesting to get to know Cyrus a bit better, although just where that thought came from she wasn't sure.
Pak was hopeful about the beer, most of the time if you paid premium for tickets the concessions were better too. Mind you the upgrade would probably be Heineken but then beggars couldn't be choosers. It would be nice to have a classy beer to spill in Kem's lap.
[You know there are better ways to get her into a tight corset. Just a thought.]
It was impossible to let the serving wench comment go with out some comment.
"Alright lets. We'll find your snack first and then try a beer hunt."Â?
And if the opportunity for another hunt came up she was sure her friend wouldn't begrudge her.
((OOC... with Aishe))
The thought of bringing her along flitted through his mind. Unfortunately the obstacles were many down that path. Plus he was not even sure if his mate had a passport. Bribes were easy enough, as was the sponsorship but the visa process did not always go smoothly. A brief and quiet sigh escaped him as he deemed the idea unsuitable. Not only would she abhor the killing he must do she might even come to hate him for it.
At that thought he dropped a kiss on Fallon's head as he stared at the game in front of them unseeing.
Instead Fallon's mind was fixated on Cyrus, and what he was going away to. That she hadn't been invited to go along, told her volumes. Whatever it was, it was very dangerous. That was the only reason she could see for him not asking her to accompany him. It wasn't like she had a job to be concerned with, and the kittens...well they were growing rapidly, and could almost take care of themselves now. She knew six would be a bit much to take on a trip, though it could be managed, but she could take a couple this time, and staff would see to the comforts of the others left behind.
Fortunately, as he had proven time and time again, Cyrus was very adept in taking care of himself. That was the sole reason she wasn't in worse straights than she was, and why she knew she had to put on a stoic front, and make the best of things for as long as she had to.
Noises behind her, turned her head, just in time to see Aishe and Pakpao get up and wander off. She was sure they would be back shortly, having left Kem behind. She wondered, briefly, how her sister was doing with all the changes in her life, and was going to call Aishe soon, to get together again, when there weren't so many distractions. Fallon had little doubt Aishe was fairing better than could probably be expected, knowing how strong and resilient she was, yet to some extent it seemed one of Fallon's lots in life was to worry about those she loved.
Feeling Cyrus kiss her hair, Fallon leaned her head back as far as she could in his lap, and smiled up at him. He looked like she felt...staring at what was in front of him, but with his mind actually miles away.
"Cyrus? Shall we make it an early evening...go home...spend some time together...and with the babies...before you need to leave?"
As much as she loved her friends, and getting together like they were, Cyrus was her life. Everyone else would be in Nachton tomorrow, while Cyrus wouldn't.
"I'm ready, whenever you are."
"My apologies love. I have put a damper on the entire evening, haven't I?"
His whispered comments were spoken into his Kitten's hair as he leaned down to wrap his arms around her. Leaving would be painful but his mind was already swimming in pained loss and cruel revenge, so it fit right in. The poachers would pay dearly for separating him from his mate.
"If you wish we can go."
The Box Attendant had ventured towards their area, making up Cyrus' mind for him. Gently extricating himself from Fallon, he stood and eyed the man shrewdly. While he appeared frightened the man was still doing his job well. Passing him a tip he made sure that anyone in their party would have full access to the box for the duration. He then conscripted the man to carry all of the paraphernalia his wife had managed to bring into the park.
"My regrets all, that we are leaving early. I hope you all have an enjoyable evening."
Fallon would NOT let him feel bad about ending their evening, if she could do anything to prevent it.
"I wish."
Smiling she stood, and looked around to see if Aishe and Pakpao were anywhere near. That she couldn't see them made little difference since Fallon would be calling Aishe tomorrow, or the next day to let her know what had happened.
Saying good bye to Alec, Dawn, and Kem, Fallon approached Ana last and leaned down to hug her around her neck.
"I'll call you later, okay?"
Fallon was serious about not wanting to be alone once Cyrus left. She knew she could take care of herself if she had to go solo, but she also knew it wouldn't be as pleasant. And, until Cyrus reached his home, and called to let Fallon know things had been taken care of, she also knew she would worry. Without the common sense of someone with a level head, Fallon's worries were liable to fly completely out of control. At least she recognized her failings, and tried to do something to prevent their escalations. Ana would be a good anchor for her.
Moving back to Cyrus' side, Fallon wrapped her arms about his, and rested her head against his shoulder. She nodded in agreement as he made their excuses, and departed the grassy knoll.
(Fallon and Cyrus out)