Unlike most, you don't miss a thing ~ Jack / Marr

[Jack Lexington]

My words get Ky's attention and make her take a few steps back, right into a deeper hole. I watch her fight for her balance and hear her shreek. My hands are already on the cold grass to push myself up and help her when she regains her balance and walks out of the water.
So I sit back down and relax while she's shivering her way over and apologizes to Tyren.

I'm not exactly warm at this stage but at least a little drier than she is. the last thing I fancy is getting cold and wet again but since it's her I accept the ivitation and nod.
"Sure."
I've come along way from when we firstmet. Back then I was known for my bad attitude towards girls, which I inherited from my father who got so dissapointed once that he never liked to have another woman around.
I even denied Ky the right to show her affection in public. That feels wrong to me now because I know I should be proud to have a girl friend like her. She's basically the ONLY girl I ever appreciated. I can't stand most of them. Maybe little Gala, my shrt time trainee, but other than that they still suck with their attitudes and prissiness.

Once Kyanite sits down next to me I move my arm around her and sit right beside her so at least that part gets warm. Her wet panst must feel aweful because they're stuck all over her legs. At least mine are just boxers but I doubt she'll stripdown in front of these guys.
"Nice to meet you finally, Kyanite." I watch Alex's polite but forward ways with a bit of concern. Will he be like Max and try to make a move on her?

Then I look over to Tren who's been asking for the time.
"Relax, it's the weekend or do you have a hot date today?"
As far as I know he's single and as far as I also can tell straight so my guess would be that he might have met a girl. Hopefully not one of those pool part chicks.

[Anatra]

	Tyren Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen
	{| Archer Boy |}

"Relax, it's the weekend or do you have a hot date today?" A hot date? Hardly. Nobody around my life seems to be that fantastic. In ways, I envy Matt who has Kyanite, one of the only decent girls I've seen in District Two. Not just visually but personality-wise. She seems nice enough, likes to have a laugh now and then. "Only with the doctor." I say, looking at the river but not at Kyanite. "Got an appointment later on, just a check up, nothing to worry about." It might be though. I've been told it could be anything from brain damage to lack of sleep. It could be anything so they need to run diagnostics to see what the problem really is. The symptoms are simply headaches and hypersomnia which aren't too great, especially in the Academy where perfection is required. I can't give perfection if I'm ill. I may have to drop out if it gets too bad.
Hopefully it doesn't come to that, though.

The fear of it being something major is in my head though. Lingering on the reality that it was my stupid mistake that landed me in this state. The Pregames, yet again on my mind. Why won't they just go away? Leave me alone and don't come back. But medically, they're still there. Almost taking up part of me which is irritating my head to no limit. All of this concealed from the others because why should I bother them with it? It shouldn't affect me. I won't let it.

"So, Alex," I begin, wondering for things to say and things to do. "What did you come here for?" I had to ask, since it was probably on the minds of the other two. Even if it wasn't, I still wanna know. "Well two reasons. One, I've been bored sitting up in my room. Two, you need to stop making friends without me." He looks pretty serious about that, though I'm not sure why. We're brother, sure, but we aren't each other's guardians anymore. We're not young anymore. "Was that your polite way of saying you're friendless?"
"Yep." He admits, and I start laughing at him mockingly. "Well, you've always got Adina." Ha, he won't like that. The constant teasing of this girl that is two years younger than him. It's so unlikely but funny to think that she is his only proper friend. "Shut up, Ty. It's not like you have a girlfriend either." He's smiling so I haven't offended him. "That's true."

"Matt, you'll have to hook him up with somebody." He tells him.

"Right." I say sarcastically.

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[Jack Lexington]

When asked what his plans are Tyren tells me he has a date with the doctor. Assuming it's not some hot lady he met but a real appointment I first tease..."Is she hot?" but then I can't think of any other reason or injury to have a check up for than the ones I inflicted.
I sigh. Sometimes it's hard that he became my friend out of all the people because his scars keep reminding me of what I've done to him. If we'd been friends back then I migth have fought differently, less fierce.
I avert my gaze, let it drop to my own hands for a moment where only two fine lines remind me where my fingers were chopped off by him. They're hardly functional now but I have three more on that hand.
I pains me to think that he still has to go for check ups. I don't anymore. Not even for the broken arm that Mark gave me. It's still buidling up strength but otherwise okay.
"For your neck?" I wonder in a low tone.

Their conversation changes to the subject of friend and girls. "Here I was thinking all you Orcas have millions of friends and girl friends." They seem the sociable type. Especially Max, who almost stole Ky from me.
When Alex tells me to hook up Tyren with a girl I can only laugh out loud. Does he not know my reputation? I'm the girl hater, the one who has no social skills.
"Right. I"m just the guy for that!"

[Anatra]

	Tyren Orca
	District 2
	Eighteen
	{| Archer Boy |}

"Is she hot?" He says with a humour-filled grin on his face. "No, he's not." I give him a look.
"For your neck?" He mentions in a lower tone, clearly caring it seems. "Maybe. We're not sure yet, that's what this is for. To see what the problem is. Keep getting headaches, it's nothing to worry about."

"Here I was thinking all you Orcas have millions of friends and girlfriends." Yeah, that'd be the day. We have some here and there but it is our parents who gets the friends and us who get paired up if we leave it long enough. Hence my rush. I don't want to bare another one of those forced meetings that make us sit and talk awkwardly over dinner. It's not exactly pleasant but that's what the necessity is, I guess. "Well, we're a bit reserved." I say, meaning that we don't like to throw ourselves out into the marketplace for people to peck at and take their bit. We have a care for whom we date, apparently.

"Right. I"m just the guy for that!" He tells Alex, and I can almost smell the sarcasm but Alex is oblivious, as usual. "Well, you can find us both a match then." He says innocently but I say nothing of it. Brains aren't his, clearly.

"I was wondering though," I break whatever silence Alex's comment could have made. "We could always go back to our place if our parents aren't in." I mention. But after, I lowly say to Matt, almost whispering. "Max won't be there."

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[Jack Lexington]

I'm getting more and more concerned when he tells me what his appointment is for because guilt is weighing me down.
"Let me know when you find out, please." I ask him as friendly as I can and I need to clerify this.
"Tyren, if I had known you back then like I know you now...I think things would have played out differently." Over and over I feel the need to apologize almost to a point where I don't want to see him anymore but that'd be a pity since he's a pretty good friend.

Alex, oblivious as he is tells me. "Well, you can find us both a match then."
I just shake my head and him and grab him by the back of his neck.
"Alex, listen closely! I don't know any girls but her." Well not well though.
"I know of a great place to pick them up though...Tyren does, too. Let him show you." I wink at Tyren because of our 'clubhouse' experience. That was something else.
"They'll eat you alive."

I shoot a glance at Ky wondering what she might think of such talk.

"I was wondering though. We could always go back to our place if our parents aren't in. Max won't be there." Again my eyes flicker over to her.
Did she just hear that?
"I don't know. I"ll let you decide." I motion for my girlfriend because clearly I had other plans with her.

With a weird smile I add in Tyrens direction. "I did have some plans for later but they didn't include two dudes...at least not so far!" I think by now he gets my humor.

[Anatra]

T Y R E N --- O R C A

I can see the guilt in his eyes, but I disregard it. I don't want the guilt of his hurt, and he doesn't need the guilt of mine. "Let me know when you find out, please." I nod my head casually at him. "Sure, I will." I tell him, just as naturally as always. "Tyren, if I had known you back then like I know you now...I think things would have played out differently." He opens out to me. I know how he knows me know, and it is pretty well. This kind of friendship only stems from the foundations of fire and the games, I think. Fuelled by a mutual understanding that neither of us were pleased with what had happened, who it happened to. "Well, you can find us both a match then." Alex says, and I roll my eyes mockingly. How could he not know we were joking? Dumb guy, seriously.

Matt grabs him by the neck teasingly and I furrow my brows. That's my brother, and anything remotely bad that happens to him makes my senses jolt. This is nothing. This is nothing, Tyren. Calm yourself down, buddy. I tell myself mentally, because otherwise I think when he raises his voice I'd have had to say it to him. "Alex, listen closely! I don't know any girls but her." He doesn't know how to react, I don't think. He doesn't like being touched, especially like that. He kind of just shrugs it off, though, clearly not wanting to start anything. "I know of a great place to pick them up though...Tyren does, too. Let him show you." Matthew speaks. "Damn it, I was trying to forget about that." Alex turns back at us with a raised brow. "You two go to these places together often?" He asks, and I can tell he's teasing at the fact we're mates and he's not part of it yet.

"I don't know. I"ll let you decide." He tells me. I'd like to go back, in honesty. I'm still a bit wet and I want to put on more summery clothes on. Shorts and something slim. It's so sunny out. "I did have some plans for later but they didn't include two dudes...at least not so far!" Alex looks back with that same glance, knowing what my response to that would be, I think. "Don't worry Matt, I know how much you want us involved." I glance at him and then away.

[Jack Lexington]

As I tackle his brother Tyren gives me a look that I can't interpret. So I don't. One day I might ask him what those little looks mean.

When I mention the chicks and the hot tub club house event he jokes that he was trying to forget about that. Strangely enough both of us got indecent offers and both of us turned them down. For me it was because of Kyanite. Even if we weren't together I didn't feel right about another woman grabbing my stuff. I just didn't feel her.
As for Tyrens reasons...I'm not so sure. Maybe he's just shy. Or ...Occassionally it does cross my mind that he actually might be gay and all the joking isn't really jokes.
That's another thing I will find out some day.

Alex tries to duck out of my grip so I let my hands slip from the back of his neck. I guess he feels a little submissing like this and doesn't like it. I know I wouldn't.
"You two go to these places together often?"
My eyes flicker over to Kyanite and instantly I deny it.
"Nope."
It's true, too. It was a one time thing and then our drinking nights but we don't go to pick up chicks.

When asked about our further plans I hope Kyanite will speak up and claim the night for herself. Then again I don't whether she wants some alone time with me or not.
Tyren has another one of his male-male jokes.
"Don't worry Matt, I know how much you want us involved."
I hope it is a joke...I'm not so sure any more. So I look at him for a moment but eventually wink at him because I like this game.
"There's nothing in the world I want more."
Maybe he's just as unsure about me as I am about him, which makes me want to screw with him even more. I like messing with his head.

Then I quickly look over to Alex, who seems a little less of a joker and nod at him.
"You got a girlfriend, Alex? The one at the academy?"

[Anatra]

A L E X --- O R C A

"Nope." Is the simplest answer I've got from Matthew. Hell, it's the simplest answer you can get from anybody. I'm not complaining. It's not at all a bother to me. "Don't worry Matt, I know how much you want us involved." Tyren jokes. It is a joke, I know that much myself. I look at him and scan for the nature of his glance at Tyren. It could be two things; he's wondering about whether Tyren is joking, or he's considering it. I can't tell which it is. It would be handy to know. "There's nothing in the world I want more." And just like that I'm giving Matthew a bit of a glare. I want to know, now. He has me more curious than anything. I can't express the fact I want to know, because that would be weird. Plus, he's got a girlfriend and she probably doesn't want to hear all that. I've seen the way he looks to her briefly before answering, as though he's fearful of what he might say.

He quickly looks at me, god knows why. I cancel my little glare but keep my eyes on him just in case he's judging me. That's the most important thing, I think. First impressions are one thing, but this guy could easily be checking for my weaknesses and I prefer people to know I have none. Nothing to hide, everything to fear. He nods at me. "You got a girlfriend, Alex? The one at the academy?" I almost laugh a little bit. Oh, if only he knew the truth. I give Tyren a glance which says 'you haven't told him' to him. "Nah..." I'm smiling. "Not exactly my cup of tea, pal." I say pal in a more hostile way than I wanted. I don't know why. It's strange how the natural flow of conversation can sometimes convey how you feel about someone. The truth is, I don't mind Matthew. He's not a problem anymore. He may have been, if he hadn't apologised to Tyren and visited him twice as much as I did, which was a lot.

[*]

I never realized how cold the water was until I had my untimely meeting with it. Even as I take to the shore, the air hits me putting chill bumps all up and down my body. When asked if Matthew could share the favor, he graciously accepts my needed request. It makes a smile creep on my face as I go to sit by him after greeting Alex with a shy nod. The moment I sit, I feel Matthew's arm drape over me, pulling me in closer to him. He's already so warm even though he's not much dryer than I am. I draw my knees upward and lean into him as Alex lets out a greeting to me.

"Nice to meet you finally, Kyanite." I realize that I've never gotten to really meet him much at the party. He was pretty busy, as was Tyren, but for some reason, I've gotten to know him more than Alex. Though, as of late, I've been meeting more and more of different types of guys. I can't keep them all straight. Nice. Mean. Bullies. Gentlemans. I keep meeting them all in different types of situations and scenarios. Maybe, with my luck, it will only keep getting better?

"Likewise, Alex." I give a subtle reply to him. Though, as I sit with Matthew, I end up letting my eyes draw to a close for a few moments. Tyren though, asks about the time, and for a quick moment, I flash my eyes to his wrist to see if the watch is on his arm, and for only a mere moment, I actually feel scared that because of me, the watch would be ruined by water for my coaxing of Matthew to tackle him into the water. When, I find no watch, I let my eyes wander over to Alex to see that the watch that I had given to Tyren is now on Alex's wrist. It makes me curious why they would switch, but it does'nt reallly matter in the end. What matters is that at least one of them is wearing it. Maybe Tyren don't like watches?

I stay silent as I keep listening to the conversation between the men. I'm trying more to just get warm again but sitting beside of Matthew, it isn't hard to do. He's warm.

Not long after that, Tyren mentions something about going over to his place if his parent's aren't in. Though, it's temping to hang out more with the guys, I want to have some personal time with Matthew. At least, that's what I was expecting when we both came out today for a walk. Come here to the lake to be alone. Then starts talk about some girls and it has me wondering why Matthew is suggesting such a thing to Alex. I only smile, curiosity filling me, but I dare not ask. Though the mentions of Alex's name, makes me go rigid. I've not talked to him since the party, but there was something there, right? Now? Me and Matthew are together again, so I'd rather not meet up with him until the right time.

"I did have some plans for later but they didn't include two dudes... at least not so far." What is with Matthew's sense of humor with Tyren? The thought of it makes me want to laugh as I feel as my pants are starting to dry as they get just a little bit tougher than before. I take Matthew's notion to heart. Alone time with him would be perfect and I couldn't agree more.

"Not ever, Matthew!" I tease him and bump him gently and a moment later, I respond to Tyren's suggestion to get themselves involved. ARe they just trying to tease me? "Tyren... just no!"

[Jack Lexington]

For a while a whole bunch of strange looks go back and forth between us guys and for a brief moment I'm not sure whether Alex might be disgusted or taken back by Tyrens and my jokes...cause that's what it is for me.

The glance I catch from my girl friend is easy to interpret. She doesn't get it and doesn't want any of it.

When I ask about Alex' girl friend he just give Tyren an nod as if he's give up some personal info but let's me know she's not his cup of tea.
"Oh, I thought you two have been spending some time." I try to justify because he sounds offended.
The woman at the academy is small but pretty cute so I don't understand why he'd give me the snappy 'pal'. Maybe he just doesn't like me. I wouldn't be surprised because his brother bares three huge scars because of me.

Kyanite chips in on the whole foursome conversation...thank goodness. I don't take Tyren as his brothers as 'group huggers' but who knows. I don't know them that well.
"Not ever, Matthew!" Her elbow connects with my side before she turns to Tyren.
"Tyren... just no!"
"Thank you." I wrap my arm around her and kiss her on the cheek.
Then I add to Tyren. "No sharing...not tonight." I give him a cheeky grin that he's probably seen a millions times over the past weeks when I tease him. I do like the guy, what can I say.
"Maybe another time if you two keep handing me your deserts in the academy."

I turn my eyes on Ky and look in her eyes, then check her expression. I think she knows me well enough by know. Then I give her a peck on the lips.
It feels good to do this publicly now. I don't even know why I wanted to keep our relationship secret at first. I'm still not great among people I don't know but this is okay.

[Anatra]

T Y R E N --- O R C A

"Likewise, Alex." She tells Alex, and I can see a half-smile on his face that tells me he's got things on his mind, too. I hope he sees sense as to not stir the pot, because I feel that is the last thing Kyanite will want, especially being this close to Matthew. "Not ever, Matthew!" She reacts, nudging him playfully, but then she turns to me with quite a stern response that I'm not sure whether to take seriously or not, so I do the latter. "Tyren... just no!" I raise a playful brow at her. "Why not? Matthew says I'm the perfect catch!" I hold my arms out like a big shot, sitting on the grass, taking in the sun as much as possible.

Alex must be roasting in this weather. He's got a jacket on, come on man that's got to be way too warm. "Alex, loosen up, will you?" I tease him. He nods at me, seeing my point, and takes off his jacket and proceeds to take off his shirt as well, which has a tank top underneath. How on earth does he live with all those layers?. I can't help but notice how similar our body types are. We both have more chest, arms and shoulder muscles than anything else. He, on the other hand, clearly works at his craft a lot more. I think he even rivals Matthew. His tank top shows at least some of that, I presume. Not that I care. "Oh, I thought you two have been spending some time." Matthew speaks with Alex. I think Alex recognises how he spoke with pal to Matthew, and he nods politely at him. "Nah, she's not like that I don't think." He shrugs at Matthew. "Not my type anyway."

Matthew thanks Kyanite for staying loyal, despite how obvious the joking theme was. "No sharing...not tonight." I shrug at him. "Fair enough. I've got my hand." I wave it at him, the biggest grin alive on my face. "Maybe another time if you two keep handing me your deserts in the academy." I give Alex the nod. "Dunham, we both know who the top dog is..." Alex says, which isn't what I nodded for him to say at all. I was hoping he'd say something about how we keep stealing his deserts. But he didn't. Why is he being such a prick? Ah-well, nothing Matthew can't handle. Alex will get what comes to him, I guess. Unless of course, he is top dog.

[*]

As much as I try to give my input about their joke session, I actually like what comes from Matthew when I try to stick up for us in this situation. He wrapps his other arm around me and kisses me on the cheek. The feeling warms me from the inside out and still, the thought that tonight, me and him might get close, has me getting antsy as I sit here. I love the way he thanks me for finally bringing in my own voice, and especially when I go against Tyren's suggestion.

"Because... that's just not right. Trying to steal him away from me? Don't want you to be a man-whore. I'm just trying to protect you." I tease him back and chuckle slightly, drawing my face into Matthew's arm to hide the redness on my cheeks. Matthew, though, decides to also add in that there's no sharing tonight. That right there sends chills up and down my spin because now I'm not only looking forward to it, but this is the first time since we got back together that we might get close again. I look forward to it with everything going on in my mind.

Tyren just keeps the jokes coming, claiming that he has his hand. At that comment, I turn my gaze away from the pair of brothers and just let the thoughts run through my mind of what they are saying.

"Maybe another time if you two keep handing me your deserts in the academy." Is he serious? Will he do that with them without me? Does he go for them in that kind of way? Hopefully not, because he's suppose to have just one and I've gotten that spot. Maybe he's just teasing around. Whatever happens, I trust Matthew with my life, so this all has to be some kind of guy jest. I dont understand most of what their saying cause it has got to be just guy things. I give subtle shrug with my shoulders.

"Think we should all start heading back, or are we going for another swim, now that alex has decided to show off what he's got. You three can have a swim race. I'll be the judge." I offer up to Matthew with nothing but good humor, and a subtle wink, though my voice does hold a kind of seriousness in it about the race.

[Jack Lexington]

Kyanite is showing me a new side of her when it comes to all this sexual trash talk by adding. "Because... that's just not right. Trying to steal him away from me? Don't want you to be a man-whore. I'm just trying to protect you."
Then she burries her face in my chest, which makes me think she's gotten a little ahead of herself with words. How cute.
I hope she knows it's just talk. Maybe I have to tell her later.

I watch Alex take his shirt and jacket off until he's in nothing but a wife beater. Looks like he's been working out because he sports some impressive muscles, which makes me think we should spar to find out whether he can put them to use as well.
His brother is more wiry but sure enough knows how to shoot some arrows. I wonder what Alex' talent is.
Once more he claims that the woman at the center is not his type so I let it go and focus on something else instead.

"Are you an archer as well...or what's your speciality?" I ask him casually with a bit more edge than necessary since his 'pal' didn't sound so friendly either.

After I refuse to share Kyanite with the two brother Alex gives me this strange look and, after exhanging one of those non verbal glances with his brother, declares.
"Dunham, we both know who the top dog is..."
This makes me wonder...what is he trying to say? That he is top dog? Interesting! I don't think I like his attitude.
So I straighten my back and raise my chin nodding at him.
"And who would that be? You?" I give him a sheepish grin letting him know that I'm not about to let him push me off my throne.
"Cause I think you should try and prove that if you're so sure about it."
I'm not even sure that's what he means but I won't let him talk trash in this respect either.
The only person who could possibly claim this would be Mark.

"Think we should all start heading back, or are we going for another swim, now that alex has decided to show off what he's got. You three can have a swim race. I'll be the judge." Ky chips in.
I wrap my arm around her but keep my eyes on Alex wondering what his reaction will be.

[Anatra]

"Are you an archer as well...or what's your speciality?" I see Alex look at him as though he thought Matt was stupid. "We both shoot, but I him more than him. I wouldn't get too close." He shakes his head jokingly. But as usual, there is a rasp behind his little joke, which makes me know which side he'll get from Matthew. Bad, not good. Unless Matthew somehow values his forwardness and arrogance. "Dunham, we both know who the top dog is..." Alex speaks as well. I roll my eyes briefly to myself, but remain concentrated on what happens next. I'm not going to intervene. If these two don't get along, they don't get along. I can't help any of that.

"And who would that be? You?" Alex nods slowly. No words escape him, because he seems to have them all in control. His nod ends as he narrows his eyes on Matthew, who I can see is wondering what the hell to do with Alex.

"Think we should all start heading back, or are we going for another swim, now that alex has decided to show off what he's got. You three can have a swim race. I'll be the judge." I nod at Kyanite in order to divert any kind of attention from the tension that Alex seems to have created. "That sounds good. Hey, you could find out who is the best?" I speak, simply because I don't want them fighting. Alex is that kind of person, and I know Matthew can be too.

[*]

KYANITE R U Z E D I S T R I C T T W O

◼ Ⅱ ▸ Somehow, the tention between the guys gets a little too much with the talk about being top dog, so with my question of starting a swimming race between the three is pitched, I get an automatic responce from Tyren. It's nice to have his backing on this and then Matthew wraps his arms around my shoulder. I glance up at him, flashing him a smile before turning my head toward Alex to see if he'd be up for it as well. I've gotten a bit more warmer being near to Matthew in the last few minutes. The sand beneath me and the grass has also aided in taking away the heaviness that the water created when it attatched to my pants. So, in order to get the ball going, I move out of Matthew's grip and stand using my one arm for support. With the other, I reach down and put my hand out for Matthew to take and sure enough, his hand finds mine and I pull upward. "You guys... Ummm." I start. I start looking around the area. There's nothing I see right off the back that I can use to mark where to go or how to judge the race. Right now, I'm hardly giving Matthew or Alex a change in opposing the race, so I grab a thick stick and look to the guys. "The first one to reach the stick and back... wins." I turn to Matthew, and give him the thick peice of wood. "Throw it as far as you can, please?" I tell him, and wait for him to do just that. Hopefully, Alex and Matthew will get along with this little 'race' enough so that Tyren or myself don't have to figure out who to rescue first from the water. Maybe, they have good sportmanship? template by chelsey