A Latte Good on a Sunday [open]

[David B.]

David let her take him by the hand as August, he suspected, plowed clean through the wall on his way down to the kitchen. He was almost right. August swerved, rushed around the corner and was at the food, shoving it- wait, why was there a hand in his face? It smelled like.....youichi. He turned a little white. She'd stopped him at the bottom of the stairs. Her eyes were aflame, and her fist was balled. He didn't dare budge. She leaned in and whispered in sweet promise-

"I swear on every unholy machination that exists in every universe in which matter can be found, if you try to eat here like you do at home and do not act as the utmost gentlemen, I will cut them off."

She turned around, anger gone from her face as she moved into the kitchen. What could only be called an "audible gulp" was heard from him as he straightened, David blinking as he passed him by confused. He sat at the table next to Kiyr's daughter, Youichi across from him as August sat next to her very, very calmly. She was completely avoiding eye contact as though nothing had happened.

"Right. this look delicious!"

He'd happily accept the wine glass and whatever wine came with it.

[Kyrie Blaze]

David would find a semi-dry-with-hints-of-lemon Pinot Grigio—the same as what she'd used with cooking the fish. The blonde thought August's suddenly subdued nature odd. Then again, maybe it was because her daughter was with them. And his wife.

Said daughter wriggled in her booster seat - normally she sat where Kyrie was, in one of the two higher chairs - but she made no complaint of either chair or food; she just started to eat. Mmmm, sweet potato fries!

Kyrie nibbled at her portion, perhaps a bit slow, but, methodical. She had two 'kids' to make sure they are everything, after all.

"I am glad you think so."

[David B.]

August picked up his fork, glancing at Youichi periodically as he proceeded to take measured bites of his food. Youichi was eating calmly as well, still not paying him any mind. August assumed, since she hadn't killed him yet, that he had done a good job and therefore would continue to eat in that manner quietly.

David cocked an eyebrow at the fact that he was watching August eat- usually the guy opened his mouth and inhaled everything at the table, then stood to scour a kitchen for further goods. David wouldn't mention it though, instead turning to Kyrie.

"So...you're moving away from houses. Were you wanting like a condo or something?"

He was a little confused as to why she would, but at least he'd have the opportunity to fill Youichi in on what she needed to contribute the most effort toward.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie blinked a few times at the question, finishing her mouthful of fish and vegetables before lightly stabbing a slender fry with her fork.

"A house is simply more upkeep than I can manage, right now." And this house was fairly large, for two. "I would like to stick to an apartment, for the moment. I would lose the yard, either way, but there are certain security advantages that an apartment complex would afford me."

She tipped her head a little. There would have to be a park or something, nearby, that she could take her daughter to, that went without saying.

"As much as I like the houses I have been in over the past few years, I believe this will be a good move."

[David B.]

He nodded thoughtfully, taking a bite and swallowing before continuing.

"I see. If you decided you liked one of these homes I'd be able to provide your security. I know...it may not seem secure with our last event, But I've fired the firm I used. We now only have men I've personally approved of, along with August and Youichi of whom both would be on your personal security team."

He took a drink of wine.

"I suspect that..."

He trailed off, glancing down at the child. Clearing his throat and taking another bite of food. He thought better of what he planned to say, and would instead replace his words with food.

Yes. Yes that was best.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie frowned a little at David's words. Security wasn't the only thing on her mind - though admittedly it was the highest priority as it would ensure Aurelia was safe—as well as herself - but maintenance of the house and yard itself. Her expression cleared somewhat until David spoke again.

And she gave him a warning look, though he seemed smart enough to stop, as her daughter was present. Most people talked as though their kids couldn't understand, even so young. But Kyrie knew that even if Aurelia didn't understand the whole thing, she would understand enough.

She hummed a little.

Aurelia, though, didn't seem to be paying them much mind. Until she looked up, her fries done. "Mama, more fries please!"

"After you finish your fish and veggies, Lia."

The girl pouted a moment and opened her mouth - either to complain or say she was full - but thought better of it as Kyrie gave a slight "Nuh uh," and the girl turned to eat the rest of her food.

[David B.]

    David, in full view of Lia, took a big spoonful of veggies and shoveled it into his mouth. He let out a purposeful "Mmm...." as he did so but didn't look at the child. He was demonstrating the deliciousness of vegetables despite most peoples aversion to it. He's look at Youichi who shook her head, then August who did the same- indicating that there was no further signs of problems around the house.

    "I must say, you cook like a goddess. No wonder Damien always ate dinner here."

    Not to say David was a bad cook- just that Damien was. David scraped his plate clean....BEFORE AUGUST WTF.....then would sit back and sip on a little wine, trying to watch and search Kyrie's mannerisms to understand her more. He'd already noticed her eyes were always on her child...protective. But he wanted to notice what she was like outside the girl.

    "Hm. Perhaps we should head to the school together sometime. I can give you a tour."

[Kyrie Blaze]

Lia sputtered a little at David's antics—little bits of the fish that were in her mouth flipping out onto her plate and the table.

She managed to chew and swallow what she had in her mouth before proclaiming: "That was a biiiig mouthful! ...don't choke!"

Kyrie nodded a little at her daughter's words, sipping her half-glass of wine—David's glass held about the same. She hummed a little, obviously pleased at the compliment. He would note that despite her relaxed albeit watchful air she seemed to perch on the high chair, even though one leg was casually flipped over the other. Over a few more minutes, even that would be hard to see as she seemed to relax by degrees.

"I will let my mother know that it is two for two, then, as I learned from her. And, thank you."

There was an audible "ahhh~!" after Aurelia finished slurping the veggies from her plate—earning her a look of disapproval to which she sheepishly grinned.

"Still want more fries, Lia?"

Her answer was a set of enthusiastic nods! So, she slipped from her chair and scooped up the tongs to deposit a small batch of fries down on her plate. She'd had a muffin at the coffee shop, but, little kids could really eat. She resettled herself after, and then looked at the others. "Help yourself to more fries, if you would like."

The fish and the veggies were gone with the first round.

She glanced over to David and tilted her head. "Perhaps."

There was a slight shadow of a dubious tone in her voice. Obviously, it wasn't something she was overly enthusiastic about. She had yet to say yes, as well, though she knew there were some merits to checking the place out.

[David B.]

David brought up a hand, waving it lightly in front of him as though to ward away more food.

"I am fine, thank you."

He had too much on his mind. As it sat, his stomach was churning from eating so much in one sitting after having not ate for so long. That's setting aside his constant state of stress and anxiety. The wine was helping, for sure. He took another drink, August having finally finished before slowly reaching out to spoon more fries onto his plate. Youichi reached over and took another spoon of veggies and stuck that on his plate, glancing up at him. Despite her harsh demeanor, she seemed to be saying "thank you" with her eyes. Youichi was always so easily embarrassed. August grinned.

He had something green stuck in his teeth.

Youichi giggled- DAVIDS EYES BULGED WTF WAS HAPPENING- before facing forward. August grabbed some fries and continued to eat with respect to the small woman's attitude.

David, meanwhile, said nothing. He was watching Kiyr.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie nodded at David's refusal. He'd eaten everything, and though the fare had been on the lighter side, she figured his stomach was doing just what it was doing. Once it settled, though, that food would do him a world of good. At least she could say she helped a small amount, she mused as she took another sip of her wine, even though it was up to him to continue to feed himself outside of here and now.

She didn't think it likely, but that was outside of her control.

Aurelia burst into giggles as she saw August with spinach stuck in his teeth. "August has veggie teeth!"

And David..? David would find the blonde just watching it all, her expression soft and amused, though it was clear she was watching them, too.

[David B.]

    David slowed his roll.

    Looking around the table, he felt a pristine mixture of bubbling happiness and suffocating sadness. Rather than show either on his face, he kept his blank. He'd never really thought about his family over the years- he was so enthralled in his position, his drive, his works. He'd kept tabs on them but...they didn't get together for holidays. They never really spent intense time together since the war, he and his brothers. He chewed his bottom lip. What....what had he been missing? Now he sat in his brothers place, at a table with what he wanted to be his brothers family....watching and eating and making merry.

    He took a deep breath and let it out slow. It was best not to let the pain get to him. He'd reach forward and take his wine glass, his nerves calming behind the cool wall he threw up between his mind and his heart.

    "I'd like to make a little toast."

    He looked around at them all, a small smile fighting it's way to his lips.

    "To family and laughter. And to Kyrie for the fine dinner. My hope is to have my brothers seated with us next time."

    He'd lift it a little more before taking a long drink and setting it back down.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Lia streeeetched to snag her cup as David proposed a toast. They were good things, the things he said, and happily stretched her plastic cup to 'clink' it against the adults' cups, and then downed the water with some soft slurping noises near the end and a huuuuuuge sigh after.

Kyrie, meanwhile, calmly lifted her own wine glass and responded in kind with an echoing: "To family and laughter."

She set her empty glass down after and smiled at her daughter, beginning clean-up with a: "Go brush your teeth, Lia."

And she did, despite a small protest!



Later saw them back in the car! In so far as Kyrie was aware, they were going to go check out this one house in particular. She did say she would go see it, after all. Her daughter was happily chirping three-year-old imaginative nonsense to David and August and the blonde was quietly contemplating what she'd seen and heard over lunch.

[David B.]

David was more brooding than usual, eyes out the window and on the city as he passed them by. They arrived at the home in short order- one he'd always felt a familiar sort of connection to. He wanted her to see that one first but if she didn't like it, no harm done. There were a dozen others in the area. He turned back, paying Lia some attention as she spoke and garbled. After they pulled up, David got out and walked around to open the door for Kiyr, letting her out. He'd speak down to Lia.

"Actually, Lia...August was thinking of taking you for an ice cream cone. Then you'll come right back here to meet us....if that's okay with mommy, of course."

He stood, looking over at Kiyr. He wanted some time alone.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie peered out at the house. It was pretty. Two stories. A front porch that was large...and a front porch swing. She blinked as the door was opened for her, and she slowly disembarked, Lia practically bouncing after—and almost bonking her noggin against David's.

She stared up with her big blue eyes and then looked to Kyrie, who nodded reassuringly. The thing that saved them from protest, though, was the lure of ice cream.

"...okies!"

And that was that, after a quick hug and kiss from her mom! Kyrie stepped back and watched the car drive off...and then glanced at David. It didn't take a genius to know he wanted one on one time. And it was likely that he wanted to discuss something with her.

[David B.]

David sighed as Kyrie gave in. He turned back to the house and gave a small smile. Looking the house over he would start inside, not saying anything as he walked inside. He would step in the door and take in a deep breath.

"Feel free to take a look around. I've got to grab the rest room real quick."

Wine and all.

The home was large, fully furnished in exactly the same way she had left it/he remembered and clean as a whistle. She'd have full reign to move through the house and sort out what she felt about it.