infomodder | ic contact 2 mask or menace

[ And because she can teleport, as soon as Sasha is done eating and gathering the gifts she made and/or got for the Ludgate-Graham house she teleports over in her pajamas. While she hasn't tied her hair up yet, she has done the decent thing and brushed it so it looks neat and presentable.

She's very careful when she emerges on their porch, holding a dish with both hands before tucking it under her arm so she can use her free hand to knock. Slung along the arm is a bag which carries April and Grey's gifts, along with the gifts for the raccoons and dogs. ]

[And guess who is also in his pajamas? Whether he hadn't changed or simply changed so Sasha wouldn't feel out of place at all isn't something he intends to clarify. But it's all white undershirt, blue plaid cotton pants, and unruly hair that greets her. With a big smile, of course; he may have spent the last weekend reviving from the dead but it would take a lot more than that for him not to be pleased about Sasha coming over. Same with the dogs watching from their spots on the floor. They've been fed, let them lie a little bit, they can wag tails and show their enthusiasm without getting up (for now).]

Merry Christmas. [He steps back so she can come in.] You want me to take any of that off your hands, or you got it?

I'm okay, thank you.

[ Sasha does in fact have a good grip on the dish and bag, and honestly, this is nothing compared to crates and sacks she has had to carry back home. Not to mention the bags of dog food she has to move back and forth at work whenever necessary. She gets quite a workout.

She steps inside the house, grinning at the dogs and wondering how their eyes will light up when she reveals the bone-shaped treats she's got for them in the bag. ]

And Merry Christmas! [ She nods at the dish and bags, glancing back at Will with a bright smile. ] These are all for you and April! And there's also for Grey, then the dogs.

[They will leap to their paws and Sasha will become Their New Favorite for as long as she's here, naturally.

Will stops mid-step as he hears that, having intended to slowly meander them to the kitchen. Gifts for him, April, Grey, and the dogs? He hopes they weren't anything too expensive, is his first thought. April and he are both easily contented with simple things that can be gotten for little or nothing. Grey is the same. And dogs...tie a knot in a sock, sew a button on it, boom. Best toy they ever had. He doesn't ask, doesn't feel it's appropriate, and his obvious surprise mellows into something fond and appreciative.]

Really? You want to set them down in the kitchen? You can grab whatever you'd like to eat or drink, too, we've basically done a buffet set up. [Meaning a mix of take out and stuff that was homemade; it's an assortment instead of anything with a real consistent theme. Except for the theme of not wanting an ordinary meal and for people to help themselves.] Should I open them now or wait?

A buffet?!

[ Alright, in her own excitement the dish does sway in her hands, but she's quick to readjust her grip and ensure it doesn't tip over. Without wasting another second, she shuffles eagerly into the kitchen. Once she's placed the dish safely down onto a space on the counter and the bag joins it, she turns around to see what goodies Will has out and what to start with. ]

Oh, um! You can open them. You can open gifts when it's Christmas, can't you?

[It's all stuff like tacos, Chinese, pizza. The only telling sign for what was bought versus homemade is that it's still in the packaging, but they're all put out next to each like they're truly equal dishes. Paper plates sit at the head, plastic utensils in a red solo cup, more of those cups near gallons of sweet tea, apple cider, and eggnog, all she has to do is serve herself.]

Yes, yes, you can. But sometimes...people want to wait. For whatever reason. [Like if they're giving out soul-crushing presents and don't want people to feel bad about crying, or whatever. He's got the go ahead, so that's all that matters, and he looks for goodies specifically marked for him to gently tear into. April and Grey can open their own...okay, his stuff and the stuff for the dogs. Since dogs can't. Yeah. He assumes she'll understand.] What else'd you get? Besides the pajamas.

[ As tempting as the pizza is, Sasha goes for Chinese for now. Opening up a box, she digs two fingers in to scoop out some noodles and shovel them into her mouth. Forks? What forks? Oh, now she sees them; she grabs herself one and continues scooping up her food into her mouth. ]

Ummm... [ She chews loudly before swallowing, wiping the corner of her mouth with her knuckle. ] Quite a few things! It was a surprise, but I'm very grateful. I got things like a blender, bracelet, candy and popcorn... um, oh! One of those superheroes sent me gloves and a hat.

[ Not that any gift is better than the other, but there's something incredibly exciting about receiving something from one of those capes. ]

[Ahaha such atrocious table manners, Will finds them delightful. April and he have definitely had similar "manners" before, and with the sorts of kids in this house coming from their own not-so-modern worlds...he doesn't blink or make a move to hand her a fork. Nothing about her approach bothers him. His reaction is to grab up the nearest pitcher of apple cider and pour her a cup, handing it over with a smile as he nods at her list.]

Sounds like you got a good, useful haul. [Blenders and clothes, it's never bad to get practical items. Like pajamas...] Which superhero, do you know?

[Or was it just a mystery, perhaps with the goal to see to it Sasha just loved all the superheroes at the price of gloves and a hat? Those damn insidious capes.]

[ She'll make sure not to eat like that in front of Chilton if he's ever over for dinner. ]

Ummmm... [ What did he call himself again? Some type of bird -- oh. ] Robin?

[ For a superhero he was certainly tiny, but he clearly knew his stuff during the simulation exercise. He had also been more than willing to talk about the things that had gone down and their feelings on the matter of killing, something that's never come up with other hero types before. It was't comfortable, but it wasn't uncomfortable either. ]

He joined us during the VR assignment.

[What if he's over as dinner?

Robin, ah. Will nods like Sasha's mentioned someone he's aware of, not someone he's got any real connection to. Robin hadn't said to keep things a secret, but Will found no reason to get into Robin's trip. Especially not with Sasha, the topic having been...no, best if he just nodded along and let them move on. Only he didn't seem to recognize that last bit, pulling a face. After a few seconds trying to puzzle it out...]

The what assignment now?

[...when faced with a blank, ask.]

[ She'll have him with a nice wine Raina serves her.

She paces herself with her food now, expression settling into a more neutral one after a moment. ]

The virtual reality assignment. Um, it was about survival in the wilderness and... what to do when if the Russians attacked us.

[ She lowers her fork for a moment. ]

It was the strangest exercise I'd ever done, but it felt so real.

[His eyebrows knit together as he tries to remember this whole set up. Was it like the paintball thing the year before? People had talked (whined) about that one long enough, but if they were similar and there was a survival mechanism to the ordeal...probably not the most pleasant.]

You learn anything from it?

[Strange isn't automatically a bad thing, after all. Will pours himself a cup of cider, too, and moves to slowly start tugging out/going over what she's gifted him.

Any signs of grumpiness or disdain vanish the moment he does so, of course.]

[ Perhaps if Sash had come from a world where twelve year olds didn't join the military and instead lived normal, relatively safe lives and didn't have to fight giant man-eating monsters, she would have complained about this assignment. The same goes for the other young adults and teenagers that had been with her.

It wasn't pleasant, but when was war or survival ever? Sasha complains every now and then about it, wishing things were so much different, though she knows whining about it does nothing in the end. ]

... nothing I did not already know.

[The doggie treats are quietly set on the counter; how long will it take keen noses to smell the new additions, or for a "helpful" raccoon to point them out? He glances at Sasha in between setting them out, hiding any too-long looks behind taking a sip of his drink. Only after he peels off the cover of the dish does he put his drink down, change the topic, and ask in a tone of voice that sounds like he's found a long lost love:]

Did you make me bouillabaisse for Christmas?

[200% touched without even a hug, go figure.]

[ Her mood instantly picks up when she notes he's going through the goodies she's brought. Gone is the pensive, even slightly somber expression and it's replaced by eager anticipation. ]

Uh huh! Um, so I had to cheat and ask April what I should get you for Christmas and she suggested cooking something.

[ So, in the end she didn't catch the shrimp, but she did carefully pick them out from a fisherman's market! And she asked for only the quality kind, which she's certain the vendor helped her pick. (If he did not, well, she has no way of knowing now.) ]

I hope that was okay. I really wanted to do something nice for you.

[Cheater cheater bouillabaisse eater, which means cheating is definitely okay. Her choice of words with that earns a near-laugh, smile absolutely splitting his face the longer she talks. It's like being given a piece of home from someone who has no way to even know what home is for Will. He keeps his eyes on the dish, looking over it just enough to take note of all the ingredients, and then immediately moves to grab a large bowl and spoon because yes. Yes, he is going to serve himself some right this moment and dig in. There is a wonderful sense of satisfaction, he knows, for the cook to watch someone not only consume but enjoy whatever it is they made. He's not about to deny that to Sasha.]

It's more than okay, really, it's...perfect. [Will looks like he could eat straight out of the dish Sasha brought as he ladles the bouillabaisse into the bowl; he could. He totally could. But April might like some and then there's the rest of the house to consider, and part of the joy of presents is getting to share them with those he loves. It's not a burden or an obligation.] Did you make some for yourself first? Try it til you got it right?

[Because if she didn't, if she hasn't experienced bouillabaisse for herself...he's more than ready to share with her, too. She isn't a part of this house, which is fine. That is not a prerequisite for Will to love anyone.]

Really?

[ Her chest swells with pride; it was important to her that Will liked his gift and she had fretted a little that it wouldn't be enough or simply not right. She wanted to do something to pay him back for everything he's done for her since her arrival. Not just for the watermelon incident back when they first met and the sort-of-but-not-entirely intentional stealing she had been committing, but for every question he had ever answered, every time he gave her assurance about something she felt conflicted on... really, even this dish of bouillabaisse is starting to feel like it wasn't enough for the pillar of support Will has been for her.

Sasha slides off her chair, putting down her fork for the time being so she can join Will at his side. ]

I'm glad for it. Oh... I tried some, but then I wasn't too sure how it was supposed to taste exactly...

[ She didn't feel sick afterwards, which is a good sign, right? ]

[He yoinks one of those forks from the cup at her question. Really really, he's about to dive in and ain't nothing in any world gonna stop him. He doesn't fill the bowl entirely, but still enough for a meal. Like he has no doubts Sasha created something wonderful, something he'll want to savor, something he'll want to eat more than just a bite or two of because it's just that good. Her proximity only amps that desire up, she deserves a close and personal look at what good cooking does to people worthy of it. And he's glad to be worthy.

He leans over, skewers a few key pieces of seafood, twirls it to wrap a sliver of onion around, lets it sit in its stew for a moment, and then leans over further so he can put it all directly in his mouth. No letting it drip dry of necessary juices, nope, just shoving it in there as fast as he can like any other method of eating this is plain wrong.

He chews, brow furrowed, face unreadable past "a man eating something." There's no telling signs of "a man eating something FANTASTIC" or "a man eating something AWFUL" none of that. Not until he points to the dish with his fork, swallows, licks the edge of his lips, and says:]

That is exactly what bouillabaisse is supposed to taste like. [Levels of spice weren't the added kicker in any given dish. No, that fell on the levels of homemade TLC.] You have to send me the recipe later, Sasha, this is delicious.

[ She bounces on her heels like an excited pup at his compliment, knowing that her effort has paid off. There's nothing more satisfying than hearing the food you've spent time preparing is not only edible, but delicious. (Well, eating it is probably more satisfying than that.) ]

Um, thank you! That makes me very happy.

[ She stills for a moment, pondering something in the seconds of silence that befall them before she leans forward to wrap her arms around Will. ]

Uhh... Merry Christmas, Will.

[Oh God. Is this part two of the gift, or did she somehow find out today is also Will's birthday?

There's a moment of pause because he has stuff (and things) in his hands; the animals of this house will get a comical view of Will with bowl and fork held aloft, staring down at the top of Sasha's head in confusion first, then shock, all washed away to be replaced with absolute fondness. Love in its truest form, the smile on his face bringing all those aged crinkles to light around his eyes as he quickly puts fork in bowl and sets that on the counter. From there, nowhere else to go but around Sasha, getting rid of any odd distance, of anything that could give off the vibe he thinks this isn't as delicious as her cooking. Not today, Satan, this is a very happy, warm family Christmas.]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Sasha. [He mumbles, chin currently perched atop her head, aware of the wobbly sensation that comes from his jaw, his throat.] And you're welcome. I'm glad to hear it makes you happy...since you make me happy.

[Feelings.]

[ Her face grows warm and practically glows following his comment, the warmth spreading down to her neck and settling in her chest. She's slightly stunned when he returns the hug, though she winds up leaning into him a bit more as a result. The feeling is almost indescribable; she feels safe in Will's arms, in his and April's cozy home and that she has a place here. There's always been a sense of being misplaced since she first arrived in this world, but that feeling has only grown ever since Armin's departure. It frightens her more than she will admit to be the only one from her world, but when she's in this house or with some of her other close friends, she doesn't feel so alone or small. ]

... thank you. You... um, you also make me happy. And April, Laurie... everyone here I have met.

[He has to swallow a laugh. Perhaps not the best compliment, on the surface, that Will makes her happy but so do these other people. Perhaps it could be seen as putting down how happy he truly makes her, to share it with others. Except Will loves April with every fiber of his being and knows Sasha and Laurie have a strong relationship, so rather than find this common ground somewhat rude, he finds it the opposite. Being on a panel with beloved, respected people is what he hears in her words, however faltering they might be. He gives her a squeeze, holds her tightly for a few seconds, then slowly pulls back, resting his hands on her shoulders.]

That's also good. If anybody here gives you problems, you feel free to let me know, okay? If it's something you don't want to deal with on your own, April and I will be more than happy to lend a hand. I'm sure Laurie would, too, but I don't know her well enough to speak for her.

[April will have reasonable advice. Will might just get all grumpy dad on whoever it is, situation depending. Either way, Sasha's problems are family problems and although decency has declined in the past few centuries, family is still meant to look out for each other. It's why he felt the cold last breath of murder recently and why he'd go through that again in a heartbeat if such was necessary.

April knew what mess she married when they said their vows, they'll be fine.]

[ For a second, she wonders what he could be referring to before it dawns on her he's speaking generally; the last time they had spoken she was getting into a tiff with Reggie on the network. Which reminds her, maybe she should spare the awkwardness and tell Will what's going on there, but...

... how does one even bring that up on a love Christmas morning?

Clearly, the answer right now is to not. At least not ruin this special moment. ]

Um, yes, of course. Really Will, I am glad we got to meet and that you've always been there to help. [ She bites down on her lower lip. ] And that it wasn't a lie... like how Dr. Crane pretended to be someone I could trust.

[ Will hasn't shattered her faith in people. Of all the thing she has seen and experienced in this world, Will's extended kindness is a reminder that she doesn't need to carry her burdens alone. ]

[There is no pang of guilt, no dull ache at her words. While he hasn't lied, while he has committed sins of omission, he's done nothing and is nothing like Crane. Such a comparison, or whatever it may be called, brings him no upset. He sighs not out of some existential angst, but out of the sheer frustration the not-so-good doctor brings them all. A walking headache, that man. Will would have to go above and beyond to change this view of Sasha's, and he has no desire to, so he feels, yes, safe.]

Unfortunately, you'll find people like Doctor Crane wherever you go. [A gentle pat to her shoulder, a fond smile, and Will turns back to the counter. Sasha hasn't shown any interest in her own dish, so he feels comfortable covering it back up and carefully sliding it into the fridge for later.] He might not want you to believe it, and I don't say that to be bleak or depressing... [He's currently moving aside a container of pizza to make room, nothing here is depressing.] ...just how it goes. There's good people. Great people. And then there's nasty, crazy sons of bitches keeping things balanced.

[Or whatever horseshit they tell themselves. Keeping things balanced, becoming a great red dragon. Fucking nutsos.]

[ Apparently so, especially when she has to consider the fact Crane tried to compare what he had done with what Sasha had had to do back home. They weren't comparable, and honestly, if Will hadn't ever helped placate some of her feelings on the matter she might have believed Crane.

She watches Will, looking back at her food on the table. She winds up drifting back to it when her stomach growls (quite loudly, too) and twirls her fork until she's scooped up a good amount of noodles to shove into her mouth. ]

As long as there are people like you, too, it will be fine.

[ Sasha smiles at him, a noodle hanging out of the corner of her mouth before she slurps it up. Table manners? Who needs them? ]

Did April get you anything for Christmas? What about Grey and the others?

[ And why not a subject change while she's at it. It's Christmas; it should be smiles and good feelings! ]

Edited 2016-01-02 00:32 (UTC)

ACTION?

AS IF I'D EVER SAY NO TO YOU

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