The night before (Marree)

[Jack Lexington]

Ever since I got the all clear, well half-clear that I needed from the doctors in order to enter the final round of the pregames I’ve had my mind set on winning.
The date of the fight has been selected and my dad gave me more free time from work to get back into shape. At first I only ran laps to get my endurance and stamina up again because I couldn’t swim. Then I resorted to weights, chin ups, pull ups, sit ups…all I could do with only one arm. I needed to get the other one as strong as possible to replace the other one that was barely functional due to the multiple injuries…yes, a knife, an arrow and some severed finger can really screw up a limb.
The jury has asked me to drop out and accept a second place but I’m not having any of that, not even if there’s a 90 percent chance that I will come in second any way.

Today I got the splint replaced by a hard cast to potect my still very fragile nerves in my fingers during the fight tomorrow.
When I step out of the all too familiar hospital in town my feet don’t carry me home but towards Kyanites place. I’ve never officially been there but I know where she lives. I simply can’t go home now because I’m too nervous.
I pick a straw from the side of the road and place it between my lips, then shove my hands in my pockets, that are just big enough, and walk down the sidewalk. By now I can almost walk normal again.

Almost ahlf an hour later I stand out front of her home and look at the comfortable looking lights inside while clouds of my breath travel through the cold evening air.
If I can fight Mark tomorrow I must be able to gather the gutts to knock on her family’s door.
Slowly I walk up to raise my hand and kock but I'm visibly uncomfortable.
When the door gets opened I politely ask. “Good evening. Is Kyanite home?”

OOC: Sorry for the old face

[*]

There's not much I can still do as of this moment. Healing is taking a bit too long for me to deal with so, right now, the night before the last fight, I just want to relax. Relax... how the hell can I relax when my boyfriend is about to be matched with the same guy that tore me apart? I take a breath as someone knocks on my door. I groan loud enough that the person on the other side of the door can hear.

"What?" I ask out, a bit too harshly considering my nerves are completely shot and I'm really about to scream. I fold up my arms the best I can with what I've got. Although I've ditched the sling, I find that I can't keep it hanging down for long before it starts to throbbing. My right arm though, I keep bandaged. It's not been long since I had the stitches removed the other day, but the ones on my stomach remain for a little while longer considering how deep the wound was. I sit up in my bed though as the door is cracked open and my brother's face appears, grinning sloppily. He gives me a crooked look with his eyebrows and he opens the door fully without waiting for my word to enter.

"Kyanite, I know that you want to be left alone, but I just wanted to see how you were doing?" His voice comes out with nothing but brotherly concern. I shake my head, and let my eyes fall to my feet that's extended along the length of the bed. He takes the chance to sit beside of me, and sighing. "You know... I'm not sure what's going on between you and that guy that I ran into that day after your first battle, but he's the one going up in a battle tomorrow, you know that right?"

"Yes. I know! How could I not?" My responce is immediate, triggering Jeran to give me that look like he's done something wrong. I feel guilty already and let my voice whisper out. "Sorry... I'm not really looking forward to seeing my... Matthew going up against the guy who hurt me in my last fight. I've seen what he can do and I know what kind of shape Matthew is in."

"You and him are together aren't you?" His accusing voice comes out and who am I to deny it in front of my own flesh and blood? He keeps his gaze on me for the longest while until I nodd my head and let this small grin appear on one side of my lips. He chuckles lightly. "I figured as much. I know we usually don't talk about that kind of stuff, but I'm telling you now.. as your brother. If he hurts you in any way, shape or form..."

He stands up from the bed, patting me on the head. "Hey!" I immediately come out with, and reach for my hair to pull down the strays that he pulled out of place. He walks to the door, letting his fingers touch the knob before turning back around to me, and this time I see the huge grin that is as plain as the nose on his face. "... I'll kill him. Good night, lil sis."

I shake my head and watch as the door begins to close again, only to have the door pressed open once again. I groan louder this time when my brother's face appears in the doorway not more than just a few seconds after he left.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" I beg him, but the smile on his face is gone.

"Kyanite... you may want go see whose here talking to dad before he lays into him. Just saying." He tells me and I immediately find myself pushing myself off my bed, grimacing at using the weight against my arms and race down the hallway to see my father talking to Matthew.

"Dad.. it's alright, I got it." I stare directly at Matthew for a few moment, letting a smile escape my lips. While I wanted nothing to be alone from my brother's pestering, to have Matthew's company is most wanted. So, I match my fathers stance beside of him and give him a look. "Dad, this is Matthew. Matthew, Eirren, my dad. Everything alright, MAtthew? Come on in." I can already see the look on my dad's face, but I don't meet his gaze as I usher Matthew in and show him into the house. Only then do I realize that at this late of an hour, I'm just hanging out in my sleep pants and tank top. Oh well. Don't bother me. Though, I'm curious about what my dad thinks right now. I've never had a guy come to the house before. I guess, I'll be getting a lecture later. For now, I think I know what's going on.

"Dad, can you give us some time, please?" I ask him and as much as I see the curiosity in his eyes and the hatred of having him here, he slinks off down the hallway and shuts the door to his office. I place a hand to Matthew's arm and show him to the now empty living room. "What's up Matthew?" I ask, as I embrace him for a hug.

[Jack Lexington]

When the door opens I come face to face with an older man, who gives me an investigative look. "Yeah?" He asks and I try to get my wits together.
"Good evening, sir. Is Kyanite home?" I'm on my best behavior because I want him to let me in even though I have a pretty solid, not too great opinion about the man, who shoes out his daughter after a lost battle.
"She is. It's pretty late. Can you come back tomorrow?" He states plainly but I don't back off.
"No. I need to talk to her tonight. About training. I'm fighting tomorrow." He raises his brows and seems to have some understanding. "You made it to the final battle? What's your name."
"Matthew Dunham." I state a little too dry because I just want to see Ky and not be interrogated by her father.

That's when she comes to my rescue and takes me to the living room.
I step inside and unzip my warm jacket because there's a fire burning in the cozy place. I don't dare to sit down though but embrace her in a hug.
"What's up Matthew?" She asks while I let my eyes wander back to the closed door.
"I came to get a good luck kiss." I smirk at her and lean in for a brief kiss with my eyes closed before anybody can open that door.
Soon we part and I look at her fidgeting with my new, pretty confining cast under my jacket.
So I state what's really up because she probably knows anyway. "Nervous!" I'm not a guy of many words and usually don't share feelings but today with her I make an exception.
"Tomorrow's going to be huge..." That's only half the truth though.

[*]

I havn't a clue what my dad was saying to him before I came into the livingroom, only to see Matthew standing there. Something about the way my father was looking at me and then to Matthew, I can tell he didn't like that he was here, although, there was something that I'd never seen in his eyes. Was it interest? What were they talking about?

I can sense the urgency already in Matthew's entire stance as we go to the living room where I embrace him a hug and question his intent on being here. It actually bothers me slightly that of all the places and times, he comes to my place when I havn't formally introduced him to my family. Already, my brother seems generally okay with it considering only a few minutes ago, he peiced together my like for the guy standing in front of me. Another reason was his need to inform me to save him from my father before he went off on him. I give him a half grin when he gives me quick kiss. The feeling is so calming to me to have that kiss while I'm standing in my own house. It's also weird in it's own way. I look to the closed door before he suddenly just blurts out that he's nervous. For some reason, I can't help but surpress a chuckle by placing a hand up to my mouth and shaking my head.

"If you wasn't nervous, I'd be worried and I totally agree. Tomorrow will be massive. I'm nervous just for you but I know you got this in the bag. Come sit." I tell him and I pull on his newly casted arm and pull him to the couch. I sit really close to him, allowing one of my legs to be drawn up to my chest but the pull on my stomach makes me relax my leg and cross them over as I sit with my arm touching his.

"You're going to do great tomorrow. No matter what happens, you have already won." I tell him and take a deep breath. He has no idea that I had went to see Mark the day after I told him I'd wait to see Mark. So, now is as good of a time as any to reveal it.

"I went to see Mark the next day after you were in the hospital." I let my voice come out in a whispered tone for a moment, worried about what he would say to that. I also know that he said to take someone with me when I went as well, so I decide to also include that in my conversation. "Gala went with me. The talk was... well." I turn to meet with his gaze cause I could already feel the stare burning into me with his need to know what was said. I just had no clue what I needed to say. "He got the message loud and clear, lets put it that way, that me and him are no longer friends, nor anything remotely close to that."

[Jack Lexington]

To be in her home is truly weird. I let my gaze roam around the bookshelf, pictures on the wall, the nice dark wooden furniture and the couch. It looks well taken care off, like somebody decorated it with care and love of detail. Maybe her mother a few years ago.
"I like your home." I let her know while shoving my hands deep into the pockets of my jacket.

Judging by the look on her face and the pyjamas she's wearing I can tells she didn't expect me even though it's the evening before the big fight.
"If you wasn't nervous, I'd be worried and I totally agree. Tomorrow will be massive. I'm nervous just for you but I know you got this in the bag. Come sit." I guess she's telling me that it's normal before she tugs on my arm.
"We could pass as tripplets now." Is my sorry attempt of a joke. "It's supposed to protect my fingers although I'm not sure what they're trying to protect." I truly doubt that the feeling and use will return.

I do as she said and sit down but only on the edge of the seat so I can get up and leave any time.
"Is your father okay with me being here?" I ask in a very low voice.

Her next statement leaves me wondering what she means. "You're going to do great tomorrow. No matter what happens, you have already won."
"What do you mean? I haven't won until he's down for the count and paid him back for what he did to you..."

"I went to see Mark the next day after you were in the hospital."
Suddenly I'm on edge. From one moment to the next my shoulders tense up while she adds that Gala came with her.
"You did what? Didn't you promise me you wouldn't go?"
Kyanite claims that she gave Mark a clear message. "And you think he's just going to accept it?" For a moment I wonder what exactly that might mean for the fight tomorrow. The fact that she went and told him no, wasn't a big deal but..."Did you mention 'us'?" Cause that would be bad.

[*]

I don't know what it is about having Matthew here, but it feels odd. It's totally different than just having my dad and brother living here, but to add another male to the mix, I'm even more outnumbered, but I couldn't care less right now. I watch as Matthew takes to looking around at everything, much like I did his room when I first seen it. It only occurs to me, that the way both of our fathers reacted, it's rare to have the opposite sex in the house, let alone someone that might care for each other. Looking to the door once again, it stays shut and I can't help but feel uncomfortable since I can't see if my dad or brother is lingering behind it, though I have nothing to hide really except for the fact that me and Matthew have something to discuss of importance right now. Things that my family don't need to know about.

I push him to sit beside of me on the couch, which he does, but he's so awkward about it when he sits on the ede of the chair instead. "Relax. My dad won't kill you. Not around me, at least. Besides, he usually don't take interest in my friends and ... you, so why should I care about what he's okay with? As long as I want you to be here, it's fine." I state with a bit of humor to get him to relax. He's so tense! That's actually kinda cute.

"Well, the way I see it.. any form of pain you give to him to make him hurt, is like winning to me. The marks I made on him, were barely anything. What he did to me... well, I guess he was right about using a long ranged weapon against his close range, but you know we didn't really get to see what weapon the other picked until it was too late." I turn my body just slightly toward him when I reveal the next part of the conversation I felt he needed to know and his reaction was mostly expected.

"I didn't really promise that I wouldn't go. I told you I would take someone with me. Gala went with me and stepped in when it was needed. Everything was fine, Matthew. He didn't touch us." I tell him but remember how I shoved him backward and the biting pain it did to me in order to do so with my healing wounds and broken arm. I leave that out cause I don't want him to know that it hurt me all night from doing that. However, Matthew's more concerned that he might not keep his word to keep the ties severed between us. I nod. I'm fairly certain.

"Yes. I'm sure he will accept it. He has too. I gave him no other option. He didn't seem to be bothered by it much. He even claimed that he had someone else already in mind. I really don't think we have to worry about him anymore." Mainly, to say that I won't have to worry about him still wanting me anymore. Still, something else seems to be on Matthew's expression telling me that this wasn't over with and he needed to know more. I make myself be blunt about what he just asked and I nod to what he wanted to know.

"I felt it was the only way to actually make him realize that it would never happen. I only said it to him so that he would know that it was really over with. That any attempts that he may try to take will be only hurting himself. Cause I gave him a very clear warning that he better make it a fair fight." The threats that he inclinded on both me and him has me worried just slightly. I know that I will never go near his family again but Matthew? What will he do to make sure to take him down? Will he go that far just to get revenge against him should the match not turn in his favor? I move my hand to reach for his plastered arm and move my fingers across the hard cast. "When I was in the hospital after the second round, both me and Gala signed each others cast. You should let me make my mark on yours. Then we will be triplets."

I bring my casted arm up to and turn it over to reveal Gala's huge signature and drawings. I smile at it once again thinking how childlike it was for the signature, but it was well needed. I also remember how I hurt him by shoving him away and how much I hurt that night when he didn't appear. Right now, it's almost as if it never happened. Forgive and forget... well, in my case forgiven. Things that I regret doing always seems to stick in my mind longer than needed. To hurt someone unintentionally is what makes me a human being and also my weakness as I am starting to find out. I give in to my emotions.

[Jack Lexington]

I'm less than happy about the fact that Kyanite went to see Mark. Not only because he could have hurt her but because I wanted to be there. At least she took Gala but against a guy like him both girls would be defenseless. I see Ky in front of me now and she seems fine, both emotionally as well as physically, so I relax at least a little until I get the answer that she actually did tell him about us. What that could potentially mean is that I will become the target of his anger now because he can't have her, which could get dangerous.
"Seriously?" I knit my brow and clearly show that I'm not impressed.
"Haven't you noticed that I don't want ANYBODY, especially not your wanna be boyfriend to know?" I'm run my hand over my face but keep looking at her. I'm not staring, nor am I raising my voice but this whole development puts me on edge and the only upside is that he might have found a different girl.
I nod at her. "You know you might have just unleashed one hell of a biest...rejection can be a bitch." I raise my brows in concern.

"When I was in the hospital after the second round, both me and Gala signed each others cast. You should let me make my mark on yours. Then we will be triplets." I barely hear her words because I'm starting to play possibilities about the fight out in my mind.
Finally I look over at the childish drawings in thick black marker and can't help but actually smirk. I do like Gala.
"Did Gala draw that...interesting..." For a long moment I simply look at her and then take her hand again, which I let go off.
"Draw an arrow...something that hurts." I briefly lean in for a kiss to let her know that we're good even though I'm not happy with what she's done. Hopefully she'll accept it. The last thing I need right now is a fight with her to make me more nervous.
"It'll all be good." 'I hope'.
My stomach starts growling giving away that dinner time has passed but I skipped it due to nerves.

[*]

Although he may not appriciate that I told Mark about we had, I know I did it for the right reason and that reason was for the simple fact that Mark would know he had no chance. My affection was for Matthew alone. Whatever had been going through Marks head from the beginning was just fabricated from one training session that I decided to use a luring method to make him vulnerable. That was it. The only thing was that I never expected for him to actually fall for me. That was my mistake. Even from the various other times that we had met up, it never happened again. Thus, now? It was over with and Matthew seemed to be blaming me for it. I can't help but drop my head just a little thinking I had done him wrong by doing him a favor to sever the ties only to get this kind of reaction?

"I did it you, you know. I know you didn't want anyone to know, heck I didn't want him to know either, but I felt it had to be that way. Mark isn't the type to take hints, I did that already." I tell him and watch him run his hand over his face. Watch the aggrivation in his actions. I pull up my arms close to my body, and just sit there for a moment before showing him the cast which he seems to take a very small amount of interest in saying something about drawing an arrow through one of the drawings. However, his words are laced with some sort of resentment for what's going on right now. Then he leans in for a kiss. Who am I to deny his this small token? Tomorrow is the biggest day of his life? Tomorrow is going to the soul deciding factor of whether mine and Mark's meeting will take effect in a positive or negative way. Now, I will not get sleep tonight. Not with what MAtthew has said about it unleashing a beast. I let my fingers grace the side of his face as his lips meet mine and I give him a meaningful kiss back.

"It'll all be good."

I nod to him without hesitation. "It will be. I have nothing to fear that you will give him something to remember you by." I give him a grin, and lean into him, letting my eyes run over my cast and his. As if I couldn't notice, I hear Matthew's stomach making noise and that in turn elicites a small chuckle from me.

"Hungry, much?" I tease him and it makes me curious. "Have you not eaten yet? If you want, I could see about getting you something to eat?" I get up from the chair and hold my hand out for him to take. "Come on. Lets go to the kitchen? We've got a small island in there. We can still talk and stuff, though don't expect anything huge. I live with two men that know nothing about the kitchen, so it's rather small."

[Jack Lexington]

"I did it you, you know. I know you didn't want anyone to know, heck I didn't want him to know either, but I felt it had to be that way. Mark isn't the type to take hints, I did that already." I hear her say and have a hard time to staz calm while sheäs talking about Mark not taking hints.
"I'm not happy." I let her know but immediately add. "I'll save it for the fight though. He's got a good beating coming, I promise you that." My anger can only make me better in a fight like that. It's usually great fuel.

She kisses me back a little longer than I let my lips linger on hers due to the fact that her father might open the door any second.
"It will be. I have nothing to fear that you will give him something to remember you by."
"Yup." I look over at her with a slight smile but when my eyes fall on the patched up wound on her face I have a hard time to keep it there. I will hurt Mark and I'll make sure he'll keep a scar.
"I will." I reassure her once more hoping she knows what I mean.
I think I stand a better chance against him than Kyanite since we're about the same height and similar build. Chances are that I'll be able to leave an impression.

My growling stomach is hard to overhear and today is not the right day to play shy.
"I could use some food." A nod confirms that I'm very hungry so I follow her to the kitchen but not without looking down the hallway and to the stairs to see whether her brother or father are watching what we're doing. I can hear them talk somewhere.

The kitchen is fairly large with an island, much bigger than that dingy thing we call our own.
"It's huge." There's a basket with some fruit sitting on it. Instinctively I reach for a shiny green apple and take a bite. "May I?" I ask whilst already chewing and leaning my back against the counter.
"So do you usually cook?" I'm simply assuming she must if she complains about the men in the house.
"What do you have here?" Without asking permission I open their fridge and look inside. In the bottom drawer there are some vegetables, eggs and even some ground meat.
"Did you already eat? I make pretty good omlettes." Oh, now the secret's out. The oh-so-tough career can cook.
With one arm still against the open fridge I look back at her. "Is this okay with your father?....Is this okay with you? Me being here I mean."

[*]

Living in a household with only two men, I've learned that food is certainly one way to get on their good sides and that they are always hungry. At least, in my brother's case. While, I'm usually the one that cooks, my dad will sometimes takes over the meals especially as of late with what's been going on with the pregames and until two days ago, I wasn't able to mess around much. Still, with a cast on my arm, i've learned to adjust and now, I have no problem with it. I'm actually rather glad since my dad's cooking isn't really the best, even though all he made was simple meals. I offer up the kitchen to Matthew and lead him to it, but his reaction wasn't what I was expecting. He calls it huge? I didn't get to see his kitchen that one time, but I imagine that his might be smaller than mine, and I already think its small. Matthew takes an apple and bites down into before he asks. I let a grin play on my lips and nod to him as I bring out a pan and place it on the cook stove.

"Most of the time I do the cooking. If I didn't, we'd starve, though my dad has taken over for the past few week since the pregames have started. You know, to give me a break. My brother can't cook to save his life. So, I've taken over the last couple of years, and its best he leaves it to me, too." I tell him as he starts rumaging through the drawers of the fridge and mentioning that he can cook. By this time, after all the surprises, I'm not that shocked. Playing the piano and other things, right now, I couldn't imagine that somehow I figured Matthew would be worth it in the end. Each and every day, there's something new I learn about him.

"I ate something small earlier and my dad and brother ate not long ago. I'm totally up for a Matthew special though." I wink at him, and with a question directed back at me, I have to take a second to to let it settle within my thoughts before I realize what he means.

"It's perfectly alright with me, however, I'm not really sure if it is or not with my father. He's not in the loop. He's never met you before but I'm guessing he's really curious who you are now because a guy suddenly shows up at his doorstep, late at night, asking to meet with his daughter." I playfully tease him and stand next to him at the fridge, taking out the eggs and placing them on the counter. Looking back at him, I give him a questionable grin. "I'm going to have a hard time explaining to him who you are though. I imagine already he's prepping his weapons and ready to charge."

OH, that's right, Kyanite. Just scare him away while you got the chance... it's all in teasing and fun, but hopefully he'll get the jokes. I begin to crack a few of the eggs, placing them in a bowl and look over to MAtthew. "I'll let you take over from here. Just let me know what you want me to do?"

[Jack Lexington]

Like I presumed Kyanite usually cooks. "I guess if there was a female left in my household she'd cook." I state my very old fashioned point of view. "But since my sister left we can either eat raw carrots every day or cook for ourselves." I smirk at her.
"So sit down."

My question about her father is answered a little differently than expected. I figured she'd have guys over every now and then and he'd be used to it. For some reason the picture of her never having any 'guy friends' is strange. But then again I know about Jins. So I should really take her word for it.
"It's perfectly alright with me, however, I'm not really sure if it is or not with my father. He's not in the loop. He's never met you before but I'm guessing he's really curious who you are now because a guy suddenly shows up at his doorstep, late at night, asking to meet with his daughter."
"It's not that late." I smile a little uneasy with a gaze at the open door to the hallway.
I really don't want her to get in trouble nor do I want to get a beating with a frying pan tonight.
"I'm going to have a hard time explaining to him who you are though. I imagine already he's prepping his weapons and ready to charge." She must be joking ...
"What sort of weapons?" I'm actually getting nervous now because I am unarmed and the last time we 'broke into' somebody place aka the cabin, the guy had a cross bow. (Rifle??)

She acts as if nothing happened and hands me to bowl with the eggs but I place it on the counter.
"How about I'll slap together a sandwhich and get out of here....don't want you to get in trouble." I seal my deal with a kiss on her lips and turn to the fridge again because I'm starving.
"Better not give your dad any stupid ideas about who I might be. I told him I'm your training partner and have a big fight tomorrow. He seems content with that explanation. Your father would be the last person I'd want to tell that we're together. I like my head the way it is, you know..."
I smirk and kiss her again, just a quick peck on the lips while nobody's watching.

[*]

"Not that late? Hmm. If you say so." I playfully tease him again, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm really starting to worry him or not because he asks me what kind of weapons my father is harbouring. That's when I actually move my hand up to cover my mouth to hide the grin wanting to display on my face. After a second, I play off the smile and keep the facade going for as long as I can.

"What kind do you think? He's trained me since I was ten and little more before that. Knives, swords. The bow and arrow as well, don't forget that. Though, that's for long range. He prefers close ranged weapons." I tell him. Is he sweating it now? Have I gotten him scared or nervous? I have to look at him now because I'm not sure whether he is taking me serious or not. To seal the deal, I have to add one more small bit of information. "Besides, where do you think I learned how to throw like that? I didn't just have a talent for it." I bite the inside of my cheek for telling him this stuff and making it exaggerated as it was. In truth, I'm not sure what my father thinks or how he has reacted to having Matthew here. Right now, it's just fun messing with his head. My overly exaggerated scenarios works quite well against Matthew to the point that when I hand him the bowl of eggs, he simply lays them on the counter and confesses he'd rather make a sandwich to go.

"You won't get me into trouble?" I state, putting an emphasis on the word 'me', but it seems to make the situation a bit more hectic when he kisses me. I take that kiss with so much eagerness and kiss him back quickly. I let my arms wrap around his neck when he decided to head for the fridge. I let my body mold to his for a moment when tries to keep explaining more that he told my father that he was my training partner. I nodd my head to him.

"You are my training partner." I give him a low voice. A double meaning. We are both full of them. "And I must say that I also have to agree with you on what you just said, too. My father wouldn't know what to do if he knew I was with someone like you. Strong. Determinded. Sexy." The peck on the lips doesn't seem to do for me, though I'd rather not get caught kissing him. I give him a subtle wink. "Maybe some other time when I don't feel like someone's watching." I tell him and move to grab the eggs and grab a fork to start mixing up the contents.

"I was just teasing you, Matthew. I'm sure it's fine with you being here. Also, I'm pretty sure my father isn't getting out his weapons. He's probably just dumbfounded why your here since I've never introduced you, though, I think now would be a good a time as any. If he asks why your staying, I'm making you a good luck meal for tomorrow so you're all prepped and ready to fight. You need stength. Energy. And lots... of sleep." I do a quick once over on him, letting my eyes linger on him before turning back to the eggs to season them with salt and pepper.

"You go ahead and start on the eggs. I'll go ask him if he wants to give you any good advice for the fight tomorrow just to make your story plausible about the fight tomorrow. Be right back." I push the bowl once more to him and raise my eyebrows just slightly in a curious state, and walk out of the kitchen.

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

Wrong hair, I know....

The whole time she's telling me a story about all her fathers weapons and the training I'm torn between believing her and searching her face for signs that give away she's just teasing me. I do see a hint of redness in her cheeks and a slight smile.
"I'm not afraid of your dad. He's ...60 years old." I guess her fathers age. "I'll be fighting Mark tomorrow. He makes your dad look like ...well a sixty year old man, no offense."
I was going to say 'dwarf' but held back because I don't want to insult the man.

Kyanite finally shares with me that she's been kidding and heads out to grab her father but I'm not so sure that I want to stay to have that conversation.
Uneasily I pour the eggs into a pan and listen to the sizzling sound. I have to remind myself of the playful looks and winks that she was giving me. Maybe she'll follow them up with some action.

I wait for the omlettes to become solid and brown. Meanwhile I'm listening to her muffled
conversation with her father outside before they enter the kitchen together.
Instantly I drop the kitchen utensils and clear my throat.
"Kyanite offered me some food. I haven't eaten yet."
My voice sounds more nervous than it usually would when I talk to a grown man. These are different circumstances. I look over at Kyanite raising a brow to let her know that this was a bad idea.

OOC: I'll leave the dad up to you.

[*]

My mouth drops at the mention of the age that he gives my dad. Of all the ages he could come up with, he thinks my dad is some old man! How could he? I shake my head, and drop my arms to that comment, letting my mouth gape open at his accusation. There's not much more I can do at this moment then just wanting to scold him for what he's saying about my father. Sure, he's got some age on him, but all father's do. Though, Matthew seems to think of him as a joke.

"I can't believe you just called my dad an old man?" I'm not about to tell Matthew his age cause that is just unheard of for me to do, but I can surely assure him that he is no 'old man', as he states. I mutter out. "Old man that can take you down in the blink of an eye. Keep your eye out behind you while your in his territory. He knows all. Sees all."

Once again, I'm back to teasing him heartily and this time, I actually chuckle slightly then leave the room to go get my father. There's a few words that we discuss together. Some of the normal like about his name and age. Then he gets into how long I'd been training with him. I have to think back to the first time we had met and begin to wonder that we've kinda been seeing each other about the same time. A weird coincidence I'd rather not say. So, I tell him a little over a month and a half at this point. Reluctantly, he agrees to come with me to talk to Matthew and give him some advice on the fight. What advice he'll give, I'm not sure. So, the moment we start walking down the hallway, I glance upstairs to the landing and see my brother leaning on the railing and grinning at me. I give him a harsh stare and turn my attention back to the kitchen to see Matthew drop the untensil and offer up an excuse to be cooking.

"He's not eaten all day. The fights been preoccupying his mind. So, I'm making sure he's ready for tomorrow, so I let him cook something." I tell my dad. "Matthew, this is my dad, Eirren." I give the solemn introduction and watch my fathers face. His hard dark brown eyes study Matthew for a minute. The wrinkles on his forehead is creased just enough to give off the impression that he's really staring him down. His lips are pursed before he lets them raise with a small amount of amusement.

"Made it to the last round, eh? And you're training with my daughter?" He states as a matter of factly and crosses his arms across his body. He is sturdy, barely even faultering or moving from the way he stands. "She needs more training, you know that right?" He starts off easy, already mentioning my faults but I roll my eyes.

"The advice is suppose to be helping him, not me." I huff and push pass the two and go to the fridge while I keep an eye on the two of them. My eyes linger on him though, never leaving Matthew once my father keeps talking.

"I was impressed with your last battle. Happened to catch it on the recap the other night. You've got the stuff to make a decent career. Are you planning on volunteering this year?" The question strikes me down thinking that my father had expected me to volunteer this year until I joined the pregames. What would he do if by chance, both Matthew and myself are reaped? Or what if we both happen to volunteer through the pressures of our parents?

[Jack Lexington]

For a moment I stand there fidgeting with the spoon on the counter while I'm wondering whether he father brought some sort of weapon hidden behind his back. "A spoon's not going to help me much." I think to myself and hear Ky tell her dad
"He's not eaten all day. The fights been preoccupying his mind. So, I'm making sure he's ready for tomorrow, so I let him cook something. Matthew, this is my dad, Eirren."
I give the man a nod and step towards him offering him my good hand...without the spoon.
"Pleased to meet you, sir." My dad told me to hold back my opinion when it came to adults and be polite. Deep down I feel the need to tell him that he's treating Kyanite too hard by not letting her come home after a loss.
But here I am feeling the need to impress him because I get the feeling he's really taking a very hard, long look at me. Does he know we're together? Does he sense it? Probably. He's her father after all.

"Made it to the last round, eh? And you're training with my daughter?" It sounds like he's interested but also like he's trying to stress that Ky didn't make it to the last round.
"Yeah, sometimes." I tell him the truth.
"She needs more training, you know that right?" Her fathers face is stern but I give Kyanite a quick look wondering whether I should tell him what I really think. "Maybe after she heals up." I offer him a faint smile. "She trains a lot."
"The advice is suppose to be helping him, not me." His daughter doesn't seem very impressed with him. At least it looks like he's not going to come at me with a weapon.
Still I feel the need to stand up for her.

"I was impressed with your last battle. Happened to catch it on the recap the other night. You've got the stuff to make a decent career. Are you planning on volunteering this year?"
With the current pregames I haven't thought much about the actual games. So I can only tell him what I would ever year. "I do. It all comes down to how tomorrow will play out though."
I cast another glance over at Ky, who's burrying her head in the fridge but I'm sure she's listening.
I doubt she'll be volunteering with a broken arm but who knows.
"Kyanite has fought really well. Her opponent wasn't fair at all. I am aware that the games aren't about fairness but the pregames have rules. Mark shouldn't have won. I plan to pay him back tomorrow."
Am I really trying to impress her father? Or maybe her?
"Ky would be outstanding in the arena, if she's healthy. Maybe next year."
I search his face wondering what his reaction will be because I know how badly he reacted to her loss.