The snow was lovely. Soft and silent just as snow ought to be. Navid inhaled deeply of the cold air. The car exhaust and the typical pollution of a city marred the experience some what but he still enjoyed the faintly damp burning bracing feel of the air. It was just the type of weather he liked to run in. In fact he probably would after the sun set.
"I had walked in and planned on walking home but maybe we should find a cab?"
Kiyoshi looked like he was trying to get all of himself in the coat. Navid had heard of people being eaten by their clothes but he had a feeling Kiyo wouldn't mind if he was swallowed by the puffy marshmallow coat. So he couldn't just assume Kiyoshi would walk back with him. He also knew his roommate well enough to know it was highly unlikely Kiyo would suggest assist cab himself.
As they walked he kept his eyes open for a cab, even raising his arm to hail one or two, but they were engaged. Apparently everyone had this idea.
Watching it continue to snow he even started to doubt his plan for a run and said as much to Kiyo.
"I was planning to run tonight, I thought you might want to come too, but this might be too much even for four feet."
Going Postal (attn: Guillaume)
Kiyo hated having to go out without Evan. He knew it was probably fairly codependent and clingy of him but he preferred to be out in the city with his boyfriend, in any form. He'd lived in Nachton for a while now and didn't get turned around easily but he was still small, submissive, and, he supposed, in the eyes of bigger men, somewhat effeminate. All angles and sharp planes, Kiyo didn't think he's was particularly girlish, but he knew his long hair, Asian-Indian features, and soft lips played him off that way.
Fortunately it was chilly outside and he could bundle up completely. His hair was hidden under his hood and he was definitely nice and cozy inside several layers of fleece and cotton. He walked, well okay, jogged, along the roads. He hated the Christmas crowds and just wanted to finish his errand quickly. He thought of Evan, snug and warm in their home above Terminus, and picked up the pace a bit. Yeah. He wanted to get back home fast.
His stop was at the post office. He had some gifts to mail to Brazil, to his surrogate family. He rarely sent anything to them, which he felt guilty about now that he was speaking to them more often. He was a terrible foster son. He was going to try to be better.
To that end, he had asked Gris to make some of his special fragrances, and Kiyo had put those into candles for his mother. For his father, he'd purchased a nice bottle of red wine from a local vintner, and for Luis there was a CD of a live concert from his favorite band, which had played in Nachton recently. It was probably the first thing he'd ever willingly given to Luis, and Kiyo was aware that as olive branches went it was a pretty weak one. But at least he'd made the gesture even if just the thought of Luis made him feel green.
The line at the post office was long. Kiyo stepped in and turned to look as the next people behind him turned out to be a couple of kids, high school or college freshman or something. When he turned they laughed at him.
"Mommy got you all bundled up, huh baby?"
Kiyo turned away, holding his box tightly against his chest. The kids didn't bother him really. They were just kids. They continued to heckle him softly, though, jostling him when they could in spite of stern looks from the few adults in line who noticed what was going on.
He mailed his package and headed out, trying to ignore the guys. They followed him quickly out, however, and Kiyo sighed at the irony of the Postal Service's one instance of alacrity.
Sadly the streets were far too crowded for him to really go fast so he was forced to put up with the kids as they continued on behind him. He did turn, however, when they shoved him into the path of a woman with a baby stroller. He whirled on them as he jumped back out of her way.
"Cut it out," he warned.
It didn't sound as convincing as he'd hoped, which bothered him. Kiyo was more than capable of handling two young adults, but he'd really like to not have to. Having his voice make him sound less than confident was like shooting himself in the foot.
Guillaume
10 years ago
Kiyoshi Salinas
10 years ago
Guillaume's attempts to hail a cab didn't seem to be going well. Kiyo didn't mind though.
"I don't know if I trust them to drive anyway," he said. "It's got to be getting slippery on the roads."
He picked up his pace a bit. "Besides, if we keep moving we'll stay warmer."
His voice was hopeful. Kiyo was pretty sure he was going to freeze his little tail off regardless of what pace they chose, but he could dream.
Guillaume sort of invited him to run tonight, in a doubtful tone, and Kiyo had to agree. "Eh. Yeah, it's way too cold."
He didn't often run with Guillaume but he understood the offer and appreciated it. Kiyo still wasn't very comfortable running with his Packmates, and thus far stuck mainly with Tavi and Gris (and, of course, Evan). Guillaume had seen him in his wolf shape as had Gris's partner, Josh, but other than those five people Kiyo wasn't ready to be any more social about it.
"I don't know if I trust them to drive anyway," he said. "It's got to be getting slippery on the roads."
He picked up his pace a bit. "Besides, if we keep moving we'll stay warmer."
His voice was hopeful. Kiyo was pretty sure he was going to freeze his little tail off regardless of what pace they chose, but he could dream.
Guillaume sort of invited him to run tonight, in a doubtful tone, and Kiyo had to agree. "Eh. Yeah, it's way too cold."
He didn't often run with Guillaume but he understood the offer and appreciated it. Kiyo still wasn't very comfortable running with his Packmates, and thus far stuck mainly with Tavi and Gris (and, of course, Evan). Guillaume had seen him in his wolf shape as had Gris's partner, Josh, but other than those five people Kiyo wasn't ready to be any more social about it.
Guillaume
10 years ago
"Truthfully, neither do I.â€
Guillaume hated cabs. They tended to drive to fast and push their luck a bit too much for his taste, he'd only offered to flag one down for Kiyoshi, to keep him from freezing to death. Navid would have spent the whole ride with white knuckles his hand wrapped around anything that felt even remotely secure. It was a side of himself he preferred not to share if he didn't have to. He would have trusted Kiyoshi with it, but was relived he didn't have to.
"If your sure, I don't mind. So long as neither one of us slips.â€
The sidewalks were getting icy as well. Navid was used to walking on ice and could manage with some certainty but no matter how much experience you had, it wasn't full proof. If Kiyoshi's teeth started chattering though he'd risk the cab, even if they were only a block from Terminus. Evan wouldn't appreciate Guillaume bribing his lover back on the brink of hypothermia.
It made Navid sad that anyone should be so uncomfortable with their wolf. In some ways it reminded him of his mother. If she'd been gifted to keep her quiet, to keep her with the pack, she would have hated it, hated herself. Maybe in time she would have gotten used to it in time, maybe even enjoyed it but he doubted it. He couldn't even imagine being in Kiyoshi's position. Guillaume wished he could help with that, but felt that Kiyo wouldn't accept whatever help he might be able to offer. Still, they lived long lives maybe Kiyo would reconcile with himself eventually.
"Well since we aren't running, if you two don't have plans maybe we should try that movie tonight? I doubt the club will be busy the way this weather is going. I know you aren't terribly fond of cooked food but what about a hot spiced wine or cider?â€
Kiyoshi didn't even like his mint tea. He tried to hide it, or at least not be obvious about it, but Navid had picked up on it. Maybe if he did the wine or cider with a slightly milder more traditional spice pallet it would work. Or maybe he should give up and let the bar tender put something together for all of them.
Guillaume hated cabs. They tended to drive to fast and push their luck a bit too much for his taste, he'd only offered to flag one down for Kiyoshi, to keep him from freezing to death. Navid would have spent the whole ride with white knuckles his hand wrapped around anything that felt even remotely secure. It was a side of himself he preferred not to share if he didn't have to. He would have trusted Kiyoshi with it, but was relived he didn't have to.
"If your sure, I don't mind. So long as neither one of us slips.â€
The sidewalks were getting icy as well. Navid was used to walking on ice and could manage with some certainty but no matter how much experience you had, it wasn't full proof. If Kiyoshi's teeth started chattering though he'd risk the cab, even if they were only a block from Terminus. Evan wouldn't appreciate Guillaume bribing his lover back on the brink of hypothermia.
It made Navid sad that anyone should be so uncomfortable with their wolf. In some ways it reminded him of his mother. If she'd been gifted to keep her quiet, to keep her with the pack, she would have hated it, hated herself. Maybe in time she would have gotten used to it in time, maybe even enjoyed it but he doubted it. He couldn't even imagine being in Kiyoshi's position. Guillaume wished he could help with that, but felt that Kiyo wouldn't accept whatever help he might be able to offer. Still, they lived long lives maybe Kiyo would reconcile with himself eventually.
"Well since we aren't running, if you two don't have plans maybe we should try that movie tonight? I doubt the club will be busy the way this weather is going. I know you aren't terribly fond of cooked food but what about a hot spiced wine or cider?â€
Kiyoshi didn't even like his mint tea. He tried to hide it, or at least not be obvious about it, but Navid had picked up on it. Maybe if he did the wine or cider with a slightly milder more traditional spice pallet it would work. Or maybe he should give up and let the bar tender put something together for all of them.
Kiyoshi Salinas
10 years ago
"Mmm-hmm. I'm sure," Kiyo said. He wasn't a big fan of cabs. He walked almost everywhere, didn't even have a license himself. He was thinking about getting one just to have it for ID, though.
It really wasn't terribly far to Terminus, and they continued to chat as they walked. Guillaume proposed a movie that night, and Kiyo smiled.
"That sounds like fun."
He wasn't sure about wine and cider, and wasn't sure why it had to be hot and spiced, but Guillaume had been so nice to him and he was clearly trying to offer something in friendship. It would be rude of Kiyo to say no before even trying it.
"Okay. I'll give it a shot," he said. "I can't make any promises though."
He offered Guillaume a little smile of apology; Kiyo's palate had changed drastically when he'd been changed. He didn't even remember what a lot of foods tasted like, so he couldn't mourn the loss of variety. He was very happy with his raw diet. Sometimes other things were all right. Like the ice cream cake his co-workers and friends had gotten him for his birthday last year. He'd only had a little, but it hadn't been bad.
"What movie do you want to watch?"
Kiyo wasn't feeling particular, himself. He just wanted to snuggle up with Evan. His small feet picked up their pace; the sun was starting to think about going down. Evan was probably awake already. Kiyo wanted to be home.
It really wasn't terribly far to Terminus, and they continued to chat as they walked. Guillaume proposed a movie that night, and Kiyo smiled.
"That sounds like fun."
He wasn't sure about wine and cider, and wasn't sure why it had to be hot and spiced, but Guillaume had been so nice to him and he was clearly trying to offer something in friendship. It would be rude of Kiyo to say no before even trying it.
"Okay. I'll give it a shot," he said. "I can't make any promises though."
He offered Guillaume a little smile of apology; Kiyo's palate had changed drastically when he'd been changed. He didn't even remember what a lot of foods tasted like, so he couldn't mourn the loss of variety. He was very happy with his raw diet. Sometimes other things were all right. Like the ice cream cake his co-workers and friends had gotten him for his birthday last year. He'd only had a little, but it hadn't been bad.
"What movie do you want to watch?"
Kiyo wasn't feeling particular, himself. He just wanted to snuggle up with Evan. His small feet picked up their pace; the sun was starting to think about going down. Evan was probably awake already. Kiyo wanted to be home.
Guillaume
10 years ago
"Good!"
Navid exclaimed genuinely pleased Kiyoshi was willing to go along with both the movie and the wine. Although he no longer tip toed around Kiyo it was still sometimes hard to find common ground. He continued to make overtures though. It was possible that Kiyo was simply too submissive to reject such offers but Guillaume felt confident that if Kiyo had really wanted to avoid him, he'd find a way. So he was quite pleased to have this one accepted.
The temperature continued to drop and he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, the bag with the mobile hanging from his wrist.
"Of all the days to forget gloves."
He muttered mostly to himself. Gloves and a hat. He mentally shook his head at such a mistake. The idea of hot mulled wine kept him motivated at least.
"What movie? Perhaps some incarnation of A Christmas Carol? I'm not too choosey. I would only ask to avoid movie with the leg lamp. I have never understood why it was funny."
Apparently neither of them was overly picky about their seasonal cinema. Which made him smile. He would have laughed but thought it would be misunderstood.
"I think we should ask Evan if he has a favorite. Who knows he might have Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman on BluRay and just be dying for a chance to queue them up."
Navid exclaimed genuinely pleased Kiyoshi was willing to go along with both the movie and the wine. Although he no longer tip toed around Kiyo it was still sometimes hard to find common ground. He continued to make overtures though. It was possible that Kiyo was simply too submissive to reject such offers but Guillaume felt confident that if Kiyo had really wanted to avoid him, he'd find a way. So he was quite pleased to have this one accepted.
The temperature continued to drop and he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, the bag with the mobile hanging from his wrist.
"Of all the days to forget gloves."
He muttered mostly to himself. Gloves and a hat. He mentally shook his head at such a mistake. The idea of hot mulled wine kept him motivated at least.
"What movie? Perhaps some incarnation of A Christmas Carol? I'm not too choosey. I would only ask to avoid movie with the leg lamp. I have never understood why it was funny."
Apparently neither of them was overly picky about their seasonal cinema. Which made him smile. He would have laughed but thought it would be misunderstood.
"I think we should ask Evan if he has a favorite. Who knows he might have Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman on BluRay and just be dying for a chance to queue them up."
Kiyoshi Salinas
10 years ago
Kiyo still had his doubts about the whole spiced beverage thing, but he drank plenty of cocktails and mixed drinks so why not? If the spice wasn't too heavy he'd be just fine.
Guillaume groused about having no gloves and Kiyo began to trot. "Well, we'd best get home faster then. It'll keep you warm, anyhow."
He was pretty quick for all that he was small, although he was sure his slow jog was about as fast as Guillaume's fast walk. Either way they could definitely pick up the pace. Better to get home that way.
Letting Evan have the final say in their Christmas film of choice made him smile and he picked his feet up even faster. Home, Terminus, was only a few minutes away and Kiyo would soon be back in the warmth of it, with Evan's arms around him, draped in that silky, soft black hair.
"We'll see pretty soon," Kiyo said. "Come on. Race you."
It was a race he wouldn't win, but he was pretty sure he'd be getting the prize anyway.
((ooc: Kiyo out))
Guillaume groused about having no gloves and Kiyo began to trot. "Well, we'd best get home faster then. It'll keep you warm, anyhow."
He was pretty quick for all that he was small, although he was sure his slow jog was about as fast as Guillaume's fast walk. Either way they could definitely pick up the pace. Better to get home that way.
Letting Evan have the final say in their Christmas film of choice made him smile and he picked his feet up even faster. Home, Terminus, was only a few minutes away and Kiyo would soon be back in the warmth of it, with Evan's arms around him, draped in that silky, soft black hair.
"We'll see pretty soon," Kiyo said. "Come on. Race you."
It was a race he wouldn't win, but he was pretty sure he'd be getting the prize anyway.
((ooc: Kiyo out))
Guillaume
10 years ago
"I doubt going faster will keep my hands any warmer. "
Navid said with a relaxed grin and no real animosity. It was a decent idea to get home faster regardless of the reasons.
Apparently Kiyo thought so too as he picked up the pace a bit more. Guillaume kept up fairly easily until Kiyoshi made it a race. It seemed letting Evan have a vote regarding the movie had been inspiring and the right thing to do.
"You're on."
He answered and picked up his own pace eager to get back to Terminus himself. Perhaps not as anxious as Kiyoshi, but then he had no one waiting form him.
((OOC.. out as well))
Navid said with a relaxed grin and no real animosity. It was a decent idea to get home faster regardless of the reasons.
Apparently Kiyo thought so too as he picked up the pace a bit more. Guillaume kept up fairly easily until Kiyoshi made it a race. It seemed letting Evan have a vote regarding the movie had been inspiring and the right thing to do.
"You're on."
He answered and picked up his own pace eager to get back to Terminus himself. Perhaps not as anxious as Kiyoshi, but then he had no one waiting form him.
((OOC.. out as well))