Reunion: Five Years Later - IC

Then

Juliet "Jules" Caters watched as Tiffany Angels flirted shamelessly with one of Aaron's friends from some team or another and rolled her eyes, smiling. "Hey, Tiff, get your cute little butt over here." She called, teasing her like she so often did. "I found you a guy you haven't flirted with." She turned to look at Jay and smiled at her. "I swear," she said, laughing "That girl has got a problem. She'd have go crazy if she'd gone to an all girls school."

It was the gang's last day of High school and they were enjoying it as much as they could. Kyra had managed to work up the courage to talk to a guy. Alan had managed to refrain from getting tossed in jail, yet. Tiffany was the same flirt as ever, but was steadily moving toward her dancing career. Jay could always be counted on for a feminist view point on any situation. Alex was working his was up the ladder, going to a great college, sure to go places in life. Aaron was undoubtedly going to, one day, be signed for a pro football team, but for now he was on a full ride scholarship to Duke. Arthur, too, had managed to stay out of too much trouble, despite his intense need for attention. As for Juliet, well, she had everything lined up for her future. She was going to college, to major in law, on an almost full ride scholarship. All those years on the debate team had finally gotten her noticed.

It killed her that she might never see her friends again though. She'd grown to love each of them, although she and Alan didn't get along particularly well, she knew she'd miss even him. She sighed and voiced her thoughts when Tiffany rejoined them. "I'm gonna miss you guys," she told them somberly.

--------------------------

Now

Jules Caters sat at the marina, waiting for her old friends to show up. She'd been so excited that they'd all been able to fly down for the reunion but at the moment she was nervous. What if they didn't like the woman she'd become? What if she didn't like the people they'd become? What if they were intimidated by her or something of that nature? She chewed on her bottom lip and stood up, smoothing out the bell-bottom jeans she was wearing. She loved coming back to the states wearing 70's clothing. Her look was completed with a Tie-Dye shirt, brown platform boots and a headband. Underneath was a bikini that showed off a fair amount of skin. It was classic; especially when she came off of her environmentally friendly yacht.

Her plans hadn't panned out the way she'd expected. She'd dropped out of law school after one year, realizing that there were better ways to help the world. She'd started her own environmentally friendly clothing line that she'd called "Tree Hugger" and it had been a huge success. She'd moved on to make-up, hair products, shoes and a few vehicle designs that she'd sold for a lot of money. She'd been on TV many times when she'd lived on the continent, in Florida, actually.

State, national and even international and each time she'd made sure to thank each member of the gang, always adding a special one for Alan. She'd realized that many of her views had, in an odd way, come from Alan and the way he lived. Well, not her views exactly, but the way she'd learned not to accept no for an answer and such. Things that had helped her succeed in the business world. Any fashion sense had come from each of the females, even Jay, and her clothing line, make-up line and shoe line incorporated each of her friends' looks. Alex had taught her a lot as well, and if it weren't for him, she'd have stuck it out through law school. His drive and need for perfection had made her realize that life as a lawyer wouldn't be what she wanted, and needed. Arthur had taught her to draw. Not well, mind you, but she'd learned how to draw enough to convey the ideas she had in her head. As for Aaron, well, he'd been her closet friend, and they'd gone through a lot together. Between the steroids scandal and the lack of communication, she’d always make sure to say how great a friend he’d always been to her, how much like a brother he'd been, and how suckish it was that things had turned out the way they had.

The gang was to stay in her large cottage on her private island. Less than an acre of the island had been disturbed, the rest there for the ecosystem and animals to live, breed and thrive. The 20 acre island was rarely on maps as it wasn't very significant in any way, other than it's unique protection from human contact and destruction.

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Check out the OOC for an in depth on each character.

Jemiah "Jay" Blackthorne

One Month Ago:

Jemiah was sick to death of behaving rationally. People were beyond annoying and she was so sick of playing nice when what she really wanted to do was scream, holler and throw things like she used to do. Being the grown up really bit the big one. She sighed, a sad lost sound, as she propped her chin on her cupped hand and stared at the invite Jules had sent her. A reunion? It definitely would offer a bit of a break from this hell. Her job was starting to get to her and Goddess knew, ending things with her girl hadn’t helped the inner turmoil in the least. She shook her head and sighed. Well, she had a month. She could plan for it, take the time. She missed her friends. After all, five years without contacting anyone outside of e-mails? She felt like she had been in hiding. Maybe this would give her a chance to reconnect.

Senior Year: the last day

Jay smiled as Jules picked on Tiff and her flirty ways. The guys were all relaxed, calmly talking, planning their lives. Jay tried to keep her hand in, contributing to the conversation but honestly she just wasn’t feeling it. She felt cut off, adrift, lost. Spending the last four years, connecting with such different people, building bonds and relationships? That shit was hard work and she knew they were all going different directions. Hell, there were things she still hadn’t ever told the girls. How could you admit to a friend that you found them sexually attractive? She shook her head, and leaned back, facing the sun, her eyes closed.

At least, after this, she could begin exploring her sexuality, her ideals. No one would know her at the small college she had chosen out west and the things she wanted to learn, to explore? Well she needed a solid basis for her beliefs, she needed to grow up. She had to lose her friends to do so, she knew it. She just couldn’t deal with them seeing her differently. It was odd enough being the one with darker pigmentation. Her voice , a warm alto, rose into the air: “Hell, Jules you act like we ain’t ever gonna see each other again!”

Laughter, the kind that said everything was good, you were with your friends and life was just getting started. She was so going to miss that.

Now:

Jemiah stepped out into the sweltering of a Florida afternoon. Being in DC for over a week, well she hadn’t been prepared for the warmth, that was for damned sure. Picking up her carry-on, she strode toward the claim area, her ticket clutched in her right hand. She knew the rental car place was holding a small compact for her and after picking up her luggage, she headed for Avis to get it.

Fifteen minutes later she was driving toward the Marina, her hair flying as she sped along. She knew she looked just about the same as ever: golden skin, uptilted eyes, and black, ripped jeans, Doc Marten’s and a black tee bought from Jules’ clothing line. Only major change was the nose and lower lip piercing. She grinned at herself in the rearview. She looked just the way she always did. That ought to mean something. Her grin faded as she remembered the small tattoo located at the base of her neck, under her mass of coal black hair. Three stars: Pink, Purple, Blue: bi-pride colors. She hoped no one would take that amiss, if they noticed. She shrugged and pulled into a parking spot, her eyes automatically searching for, and finding, Jules; still dressed like the long lost flower child.

Jemiah got out of the car and threw her hand up in a wave. “Hey, Jules!!”

Aaron "Air" Caters

(Leo's post goes here.)

Arthur "Art" Norton

Then

"This is going to be awesome."

Arthur was currently too close to actually see the work of art that he was making for what it was going to actually be. That was the way when someone painted a water tower. You were always too close when you were making it to truly appreciate the scale of what you were doing, and truly understand how the viewer was going to interpret it. Honestly, Arthur really didn't care much what other people saw. That was also a fact about his art. He had always wanted to express himself in a way that would allow people to understand his inner feelings, but something about this grand project of painting the water tower had been very different. It had been less about people understanding what the expression was and more about the expression itself.

He had been looking at the graffiti that had been popping up in town and all of it had seemed to have it's own meaning to the people who had drawn it, but no meaning to anyone else. That was part of the reason he had started on this project. To make something that would mean something to him, and the people who were his friends, but not mean anything to anyone else. It was also a good way to avoid being caught.

The thing about the water tower was that it had always been a target for vandals who wanted to make some statement but weren't particularly clear on what the statement was. It had always ended up covered in random graffiti that meant nothing to anyone other than the people who had placed it there, and Arthur was pretty sure that some of these tags had been put up by 35 year old gas station attendants in town or something who snickered at their secret messages that were really only for them.

Arthur's message had been much larger and was something that he was pretty sure that everyone would enjoy, even if not everyone understood it.

To Arthur, the word "graffiti" had always reminded him of the word "giraffe". That was exactly what he had done. The long spindle legs of the tower had been painted yellow with large dark brown spots, and on the part that held all of the water (the usual target for the vandals, he had drawn a giraffe body, which of course had a much shorter neck than an actual giraffe because the space didn't allow for proper proportions. He was adding the final spots now and then he was going to have to get out of here before he got charged with mischief, even though he was doing something far more constructive with this water tower than any of the people before.


Now

Art smirked as he looked at the picture of the Giraffe water tower that was in his wallet. He wondered if it still looked like that. He really hadn't had a chance to go back to the old stomping grounds and check it out. He pulled the money for the taxi out of his wallet, handing it to the man and then hopping out of the yellow vehicle with the black checkered pattern. So cliche. He loved it. He brought his hand up and flicked at the side of his sunglasses, causing the dark tinted article of clothing made out of plastic and metal to slide down over his eyes to protect them from the sun. You needed to protect your eyes from the sun if you were going to be an artist after all...well, he supposed that since he mostly did big models and shit these days he didn't need his eyes so much.

He slipped his fingers into the pockets of his black jeans as he walked to the trunk of the cab, opening it and pulling out the big green duffel bag that had inside of it a few changes of clothes, a sketch book, a pencil, and a list of one hundred and one jokes that he could use about how big his dick was. He hadn't actually had an opportunity where he felt comfortable using them, because most of the people he hung around with where the type that would be 'oh yeah, show it to me', and it wasn't a good habit to get into...fucking the models and all that. He smirked softly at that, mostly because he was pretty sure he didn't stand a chance with any of them, but maybe he did.

The bag was slung over his shoulder, and once more his fingers had found their way into the denim pockets that waited for them at his sides. It seemed that he was not the first one to arrive. Not a surprise. He didn't bother waving. Everyone knew he was coming. One of his hands came out of the pocket to make sure that his blue shirt, with a silkscreen print of the giant squid was straight and then he was headed down as if nothing had happened. He wasn't sure that anyone was going to remember him. They probably wouldn't recognize him now that he was wearing normal clothing and had normal hair instead of trying to be some goth kid.

Tiffany

Then:

The last summer had been bitter sweet for Tiffany she was moving forwards towards her dream, but leaving behind her most precious memories; her friends their mismatched personalities fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle one which completed her. This made up greatly for her controlling parents whom she was very glad to be escaping even though it meant the last of her seemingly endless supply of money.

Tiffany had been amazed on how much she has accumulated and that has been stuffed in her small apartment. She’d had a 'garage sale' and poof suddenly it was gone, “one mans junk another mans treasure!”

She had sat on the bed deciding what to pack, in went clothes and all the normal items for a trip.

Lastly, her most prized possession; her huge scrap book filled with her friends, photos and mementos that had kept her sane especially during some of the more sleazy jobs she had taken while working her way through Performing Art School.

Flipping through the pages she smiled.....Jules, Jay, Kyra and herself at a sleepover, taken by her mom in a rare moment of comradeship; an I must get to know your er friends moment! They had all been playing dress up and her friends looked hilarious in their borrowed finery, especially Jay they had decorated her hair with ribbons and bows; she would have killed Tiffany if she known that she had kept the photo!

Sighing she continued to turned the pages taking her once again down memory lane, a ribbon from a first place cheer leading meet...a picture if her indecently draped around Aaron...a warn page from the back of her Math book; on it a small lurid hastily scribbled picture of herself, blushing she turned the page.

A small scrap of his shirt. now how had she gotten that? Giggling she remembered..... Alex always the a quiet one but sometimes.......

She traced the last photo and closed her eyes seeing clearly herself and her friends juggling and trying to squeeze them all into the photo on the last say of school “Say sex,” the unseen photographer had said and they should have been giggling; instead the photo had been intense, not one smiling face. It was as if in that last photo the friends had known that they might never see each other again………


That last day had remained etched clearly in her memory. "I'm gonna miss you guys” Jules had told them somberly.

Tiffany had missed them all more than they would ever know....


Now!

Tiffany: has taken a taxi to the Marina and was lugging 2 suitcases, a carry on, a camera/video bag, her laptop and a huge purse. Her i-touch was hanging out of one ear and her blond long hair was blowing every which way in the breeze coming from the ocean. She was wearing a white skimpy lace camisole over an equally skimpy, organza, multicolor skirt and seemed oblivious to the amount of skin she was showing as it continually swirled around her bare tanned legs even occasionally giving a glimpse of her light fuchsia panties!

Her mind was set upon one thing the sight of her friends gathered at the end of the marina walkway. She struggled onwards her smile growing bigger. The years melted away, time stood still, she dropped her baggage and ran towards them, tears streaming down her lovely face; she hugged and twirled and kissed them all!

“I am home,” she laughed touching their faces one by one as if she were reading Braille, memorizing once again their features... as if they would suddenly disappear again!

Then:

Alan took another sip of his drink, coke, school rules forbid anything stronger on the grounds, he had never been one for rules, to restricting, who gave the school the right to say what he could and couldn’t drink, he paid to be there, he should get to make his own decisions about things. He looked around at his friends, they understood, or at least tried to, he liked them for that, it was a shame that they all had to go off an do their own thing.

He almost laughed halfway through another sip as he heard the others bellyaching about how they’ll never see each other again “Oh lighten up” he said with a smirk as he wiped his mouth “If nothing else you’ll all see each other again at least once, it wont be too long before I need a character witness or two” He laughed, they laughed, just another joke, he had no idea how true that statement was at the time, but when he did need them, they weren’t there, and he just couldn’t bring himself to ask for their help.


Now:

The reunion scarred Alan, back then, they were all just kids messing about at school, all things were equal, but now? Who knew, Jules was successful, he knew that much, and he was willing to put money on the rest of them having made it big in the world in their own ways, but him… He was a broke, ex-con who drew lewd pictures for money “way to go, dumbass”

“What was that?” the Taxi driver asked, it took a moment for him to realise what was going on “nothing, just talking to myself, we almost there?” the driver turned back to the road, always a good thing “yeah, you can see the docks now” Alan tilted his head and had a look “great, just set me down there”

A minute and 12 bucks later, and Alan was at the marina with his suitcase in hand, slowly walking along the wooden floors and looking around for any familiar faces. He was still looking when something caught his eyes, a woman in a deliciously short skirt with two suitcases that just disappeared beyond a row of boats “Tiffany?” he muttered to himself, then quickened his pace to catch up. He turned to look down one pier and smiled, five very familiar faces were down at the other end, and in front of him was a pair of suitcases.

He picked them up and pressed on, all of them too distracted by each other to have noticed him “isn’t that always the way?” he asked when he got close “I always get there just after the hugs and kisses finish”.

Then

The final day was something that Alex always seemed to dread in a way. Considering...well, these were his best friends, he had a feeling he woudln't be getting anyone better than these people. But the final day was the final day, and not only would they have to go their seperate ways, especially since Alex was likely going to head off to Harvard or Yale or something of the like, far, far away from the rest of his friends.

He didn't say anything, he just stood there with a Dr. Pepper in his hand as he took another sip. This was it? Was this really it? Would he never see the little clique that he had become apart of anytime in the future? It broke his heart to think this would be the final time. He wasn't good with words, but before he could, Julie said exactly what was on his mind.

"I'm going to miss you guys..."

Thankful he wasn't the only one with such a worry, he would have spoken up again...had it not been for Aaron.

"Jay's right, we're going to see each other again!"

He smiled a little and leaned back a little. He decided to keep his mouth shut, elst repeating anything his friends would say. Heh, and he was supposed to be the smart one...He lifted up his bottle and said only, "To the group. Punch me later for being corny." he said in a toast before he took a sip.

Now/u]

"Good LORD it's hot out here..."

The Taxi driver turned and cocked an eyebrow at the man in the backseat. Chuckling a little, he turned his head back to the road ahead. "You're not from around here, are you city boy?"

"Not...exactly." He admited as he looked out the window of the taxi one more time. Thankful he hadn't worn his suit this time (no reason outside of showing off that he'd been sucessful, and even then that wouldn't work, he was modest as HELL) However, nervous tendencies ran in his genes even after his make over. Fishing into his pocket, he pulled out his inhaler and used it, panting a little.

NOW the Taxi driver was a little worried. "Whoa, you okay there buddy? Calm down, it's just the weather, nothing to freak out about."

"It's not that." He said, trying to start up a conversation. "I'm just meeting a bunch of old friends I haven't seen since HIgh School and...well, I'm nervous about how they're gonna see me, or if they even recognize me."

"Awww....well that ain't my problem pal, we're here. 22.50."

Grumbling a little and grabbing his wallet, he handed the man the money and grabbed his Suitcase, stepping out into the sweltering heat. As the taxi drove away, he held up his hand to block the suns rays, looking down the marina and his heart skipped. They were all there...

He smiled wide and grabbed his suit case, walking down th marina, and the first words he spoke to his friends in the past 10 odd years?

"Heh, good to see I'm still the fashionably late one of the group..."

Aaron "Air" Denton

Then

Aaron "Air" Denton watched shamelessly as a particularly attractive ass- er, woman- walked by, even considering caterwauling. He was, after all, Air Denton, the single most popular kid in the entire school, and he knew it. He knew he was sexy, he knew girls wanted him, and he knew how to get them. As he heard Jules call Tiffany over, he grinned and turned his attention to the girl that had been like a sister to him.

He'd been close to Jules for longer than anyone else, even though they were polar opposites, for all intents and purposes. He was fiercely protective of the girl, though she'd never been one of his high-school conquests. They both knew he was a womanizer, but she seemed to begrudgingly accept it.

He sighed, looking around the group of unlikely friends, scanning each face. He knew he was going to miss them and their kooky ways. Though he’d never admitted it to anyone ever, he had a thing for the loudmouthed girl of the gang. The one that’d be willing to take him on in a game of football any day. Now that... That was sexy. He knew he’d miss her the most, though no one else knew that.

But he was going to miss them all in some way or another. His life was coming together, he was going to Duke on a scholarship for football, he was going to be a star. He made a vow that he’d thank his friends one day, when he made it to the pros, because they’d have been his “guiding light” despite how corny that was.

“Jay’s right. We’re gonna see each other again!”

Now

Aaron had many mixed feelings about this reunion. When he was in school, he’d been headed somewhere. He’d been headed for the big leagues, the large wads of cash, the beautiful girls. And then some spiteful ex had told the press that he took steroids, and despite the falseness of the claim, it had ruined his chance at making it into the NFL. Sure, he’d made it into Arena Football, but that just wasn’t the same.

He wasn’t who everyone had expected him to become, and he wasn’t the same guy he used to be. He was chill, now. He’d even had a few meaningful and deep relationships. Even gone as far as to ask a woman to marry him, and though that hadn’t ended well, it was a sign to how far he’d come. No more commitment issues, no more chasing after every girl he could get his hands on.

Another issue was the fact that he hadn’t had any contact with Jules in years. Sure, he knew who she was, a big shot, a woman that some even considered to be worthy of the Nobel Prize. But to him, she was just an old friend, and they’d grown apart. He’d changed since high school, maybe she had too? He had no idea. It certainly didn’t look like it, when he pulled up to the marina in a yellow cab. She still looked the same as she had back then, dressed like a 70’s child.

He grabbed his bags from the trunk and noticed that he wasn’t the first to arrive. Jay was there, and looking lovely as ever. Back in high school, the two had butted heads a bit, her being a raging feminist and him being an overactive lovers of females. But now he could show her he’d changed. “Hey Jay! Hey Jules!” he called to them as the taxi pulled away.

Vanessa "Nessie" Mason makes an appearance

Then:

Vanessa “Nessie” Mason listened to the group, a bright smile on her face as she toyed with the “pendant” on her necklace. Honestly, it wasn’t much of a necklace. It was a piece of yarn with a ring on it. She hadn’t taken off that necklace in a long time, though. It meant something to her, something she couldn’t figure out. Art had given it to her for her birthday a few years back, and it, in a way, had been what had brought her to the group. Sure, she’d been friends with each of them, but she had lots of friends. They weren’t anything special. But something about the ring… the fact that it’d probably only cost him a dollar or two, something about the fact that he gave it to her anyway, that’d somehow sealed the deal.

It was the first gift she’d ever gotten that didn’t seem to have much thought behind it, and that struck her. Like he was comfortable enough with her to not have to impress her with some expensive, beautiful ring. The fact that it was the ring from Lord of The Rings just made the ring all the cooler. She hadn’t taken it off since. And she didn’t plan to. It was part of her.

She nodded at the words her friends spoke. She had to believe they’d see each other again. They meant the world to her, in so many ways.

Now:

Nessie fidgeted with the old, worn ring. She kept it with her always, despite it’s poor shape and obvious lack of quality. She took a deep breath. She was an actress. She could play this cool. She’d been on Broadway, for god sakes. This was just a meeting with friends. She’d be fine. She had to be fine.

She paid the taxi driver as she got out of the car and grabbed her bags. Her loose white shirt clung to her body as the wind blew by and then hung limply. Her dark blue Capris hugged her legs, ending just bellow her knees. Like always, she was wearing flat shoes, flip-flops, in this case. Her blonde hair was in two braids, each dangling in front of her shoulders.

She took one last deep breath and turned, smiling widely, her eyes glowing. “Hey y’all!” she exclaimed happily. It really was great to see them. Even if she was worried about how they’d see her, she’d missed them. And this was a very needed vacation. Nothing bad would come of it, she assured herself. Nothing bad at all. She went over to each of them and gave them hugs, squeezing them tightly as she smiled like a maniac, so happy to see them again.

Juliet "Jules" Caters

Jay was first to arrive, followed by Air, Arthur, Tiffany, Alan, Alex, and finally, Nessie. God, Jules was happy to see them all. She waved to Jay, giving her a hug and smiling. She gave Air a big hug. She stepped back and gave Arthur a look of surprise, followed by a teasing laugh and then a hug. Tiffany too, got a wave and a hug. She'd faltered when Alan arrived.

He looked... sexy. Not that the others didn't look good. They all looked amazing. But Alan... something about him peaked her interest. But she got herself and jumped him, too, with a hug, just after he finished complaining about hugs and kisses being done. "Oh, you whiner," she said, adding a quick kiss on his cheek. Alex arrived too, looking better than ever. "Oh, wow," she said, throwing him a teasing wolf-whistle. "Someone grew up." She gave him a hug, laughing, and turned, expecting Nessie to arrive right then, as her timing had always been impeccable. And, indeed, she did. And before Jules could initiate a hug, she'd been pulled into a tight embrace.

"You all look amazing," she told them. She gestured at herself. "Too bad you have to be seen with this slob, huh?" She was teasing. She knew she wasn't ugly. She didn't think she looked as good as her friends did, but she didn't think she was a total embarrassment, other than her clothing, of course.

"Shall we get on the boat and get caught up?" She offered, her hands moving in the direction of the boarding... thing. She could never remember it was called, and frankly, didn't care. She led the way, clambering upwards, clumsy as ever. The plank leveled out and she arrived on the boat, moving directly to the large room to her left. She'd grabbed someone's bags, not having paid too much attention to whose, and now placed it in the corner, assuming the others would follow suit. She then gestured for them to sit on one of the numerous couches. She wasn't much of a decorator, but the seating was all pointed at one central location, around a large glass coffee table.

Jay

Jay gave a low whistle as she bustled up onto the boat, following the rest of the group. Jules was definitely moving up in the world if she could afford such a sweet little boat, that was for sure. The state room where the group ended up was beautifully appointed, all lush and soft, the couches and chairs positioned for maximum benefit around a gorgeous glass table.

"Whoa, Jules, this is beautiful...." Jay's voice trailed off as she allowed her eyes to travel from face to face. The group of friends she hadn't seen in forever, the people she had most wanted to impress now that she had moved into her own. Her eyes stopped just once...a momentary focus problem as she noted Aaron. Damn, he looked good. Giving a slight shake of her head, she continued to look around.

Every one else had seemed to be settling down and the silence was awkward, a little odd, a little scary. Her voice, still a husky alto, though not nearly as loud as it was long ago, broke the impasse; "So, how the hell is everyone?" Jay gave a slight laugh and continued speaking, "And what the heck do you have on board to drink, Jules?"

Aaron waited as the whole gang slowly arrived. He offered handshakes and bro-hugs to the guys, and real hugs to the girls, each in turn. They hung out for a while until Nessie showed up, then it was apparently up to the yacht for the lot of them. Aaron was trying his best to pretend to be in good spirits, but his failures still haunted him, especially around his old friends. He was sure they knew, it was all over the news...

He tried to brush aside the thoughts as they walked up the ramp on to the boat. He watched everyone mingle and thought about the changes they'd all been through. It didn't seem like it had been five years already, yet here they were, all with separate life paths. So much had changed, yet so much remained the same. He kept silent, for now, as he regarded each of them.

Hold up... He paused as his eyes hit Jay. Had she just been checking him out? He knew that look, but had never seen it on her before. It kinda threw him for a loop. Jay had always been attractive, but Aaron's old womanizing ways had kinda set her as someone who merely tolerated him (at least in his own perception). He was having difficulties believing there could be anything more.

He shook his head and cleared his mind yet again. So distracted today, what the hell? He blew off the look from her as his imagination, and turned to Jules for the response to the drink question.

"Yeah, drinks sound great..."

Art Norton!!!

The hugs and kisses had been nice. It had been nice to get that kind of attention from people. It was nice to be around normal people and get normal attention for once. It was fun to not be the crazy artist who could make all kinds of pretty pictures and all that sort of thing. He chuckled softly. None of these people were going to look at him as the crazy artist that he was most of the time and that was good. He was excited for the time off from being who he was.

Arthur had moved onto the boat and had moved into the room with his bag over his shoulder. Light travel was easier than carrying around heavy bags and struggling with all of that sort of thing. He didn't travel much when he could help it, but there wasn't a lot that he could help about it these days. People wanted him to go places and do art things, and so he did. He smiled softly as he rubbed at his forehead for a moment slipping into one of the couches and leaning back to get nice and comfortable. Oh was this ever nice.

He dropped his bag at his feet and looked over the group, "Everyone looks so nice." He chuckled, knowing that he was just repeating what had already been said. That was okay though.

Alan grinned and hugged Jules back, he missed having female friends, the constant hugging was so nice, and that kiss on the cheek wasn’t half bad either. “Hey, it worked didn’t it?” he quipped back at her as she bounded off to great the rest of the guests, eventually leading them all on to the boat… He still had a hard time imagining her with a boat like this.

Alan, being Alan, made a quick line for where he guessed the little kitchenette would be, and he assumed, the bar fridge that contained the delicious celebratory alcohol that the situation so clearly called for, as some of his old friends agreed judging by what he could overhear of the conversations.

“Way ahead of you guys” he called out from the fridge as he opened it, practically salivating at the sight of how well stocked it was, he was going to have to hug Jules to death or something for this “what’s everyone want?”