Gynger Snap 7
Short and Sweet
(I am Functioning again)
Dark wood gleamed from the loving caress of lemon oil polish. With the heavy gold curtains pulled wide, sunlight danced around the airy kitchen serenaded by gentle humming along with the radio. Deeper whorls of darkest brown mingled with the high polish of the rich wooden floors. Brown and gold area rugs brought a warmth to the kitchen that had little to do with the heat coming from the stove. Ryo leaned against the counter in the kitchen. He was glad that there was something for him to cook in here. While staying in the palace and having their meals prepared for his family was nice. He did enjoy getting up in the morning and making breakfast. He hummed along with the radio accompanied by Misaki. In the morning Nestoir and Andromache made sure to eat with the dragon household so that Rain could join his family. Not to mention Andromache loved Ryo's cooking. "Here," Misaki handed over the large bowl of eggs that he had stirred for scrambling. With a dollop of milk added, Ryo took the colander and held it over the heated butter. Rain smiled watching him make the eggs with chop sticks. He finished setting the table then moved on to making sure that Nestoir's blades were sharpened and shined.
Dee saw Ryo in the kitchen. His heart melted over the sight of his love in bare feet and pajama pants. His white shirt highlighted the glow of his hair. Like warm honey in the sun. Hearing the sigh, Ryo turned his dazzling smile to Dee. The black apron on his waist accentuated the trimness of his form. Standing next to the dark wood and brushed steel appliances Dee thought he had never seen anything more beautiful. This Mountain air did wonders for Ryo's complexion. "What?" Ryo asked as Dee did nothing but stare at him. He felt his face heat as he looked away and saw Spike giving Misaki the same long, loving gaze. "Aishiteru Zutto." Misaki gasped hearing the phrase he grinned over at Ryo as the dragon prince went back to his task of breakfast.
"We are hitting the town again tomorrow night," Nestoir interrupted as he meandered into the kitchen to see what was keeping breakfast. "You guys focus on gathering information on the cops and find out which ones are in league with the demons. We are going to have a distraction again. Humans are so gullible. But this time Rain will not be on the stage. He will be out in the field doing reconnaissance. Misaki and Spike will be with Les Fleures Mortelles. They are going to be performing while the rest of us are out in the crowd. We need at least one cop to make him talk." Nestoir sipped from the coffee that Andromache handed him. "Spike, you buddy up to that chatty bouncer. Find out what he was hinting at with the 'out there' people."
"Yeah," Spike grinned. "Joe seemed more than ready to tell me everything he knew. Not sure how much he actually knew; however, it could be useful." Spike crunched up a handful of wheatie bits that he dropped into his mug of human temp breakfast. He sat at the table next to his spouse as they planned out the rest of their day.
Sir Marchand emptied his coffee cup with a smile. "The High King would like to address us all." With a shifting of his hand, the Salamander lord tossed a sparkling bubble into the air above the table. It cleared to reveal that it was one of Prince Angel's Orbs.
"Greetings of the Morn," Zarro's boisterous greeting escaped the orb with a cheerful air as he drank a full goblet of warmed honey. "I had thought of having one big meeting however I was reminded that we are on vacation." Zarro picked up his fork causing Nestoir to be glad the king had decided to appear in his human shape. "I am announcing that as of today, any Salamander Cull that would like to pursue a full life outside of the nursery of their family's forges can. Whether they pursue knighthood or marriage. Life is to be enjoyed. Not cosseted. I understand that now. The value of an individual is not dependent on their ability to bear children."
Misaki heard his brother gasp. He faced the dark-haired young man who, with his mother's coloring, looked almost exactly like his father. Sir Marchand slides a glance to his son smiling knowing that for many years now he had loved Naomi. One of Ryo's original dressers. The two met in secret and yet would never openly declare their love as he was a knight proper and she a cull. "Allez, mon garçon. Obtenez votre fille," Sir Marchand encouraged with a nod. Alain stood with a grin and bow to his father he dashed from the dining room.
"Papa," Misaki leaned over Spike to offer a nose nuzzle to his sire. Spike leaned back in the chair as the two met brief in their affection. Misaki, his eyes shining and his dimples flashing, sat back in his chair. He took his chop sticks marveling that Spike had learned to use them after only a few instructions. Bikky raised his brows as Andy used a fork instead. It was rare that Ryo made a full-on traditional breakfast, yet he and his family knew how to use the sticks. He grinned at the large bowl of rice in front of Rain. "That cements our plans for tomorrow evening, what are we doing today?" Misaki grinned as the sun's light flashed from his ring causing the rubies and diamonds to sparkle down the table.
"Well," Nestoir said sipping from his crystal chalice of cranberry juice. "We are on vacation. Today we are hitting Olde Towne and sight-seeing." Spike noted that, although the rest of the table drank orange juice, he had his usual morning fare of A negative. Was the high prince drinking such a dark juice to make him less alone? Nestoir raised his glass to Spike in a salute before he stole bacon from his wife's plate. -" I know how it can be, to be around humanity when so woefully outside of it. In a room full of life to be so utterly alone."- Spike gasped at the kind words that entered his head despite Nestoir nibbling his wife's ear. Spike smiled then reaching to caress Misaki's hand. Keeping their fingers linked under the dazzling white tablecloth. Spike continued to enjoy his breakfast.
Break
Leon leaned back against the headboard of their bed watching Count D. Though they were far from the shop, far from LA, Leon always felt at home wherever his dear love resided. Plush carpet in deepest green covered the polished wooden floor. Heavy oak furniture with brushed golden knobs sat in angles in each corner leaving the center of the room full of potted plants and flowering trees. Among the foliage several plump chairs and low tables resided ready to provide a fragrant oasis. The extreme canopy over the bed draped down soft blue and white satin seeming almost as if they slept among clouds.
Yards of yellow silk rustled as the brush was applied to freshly washed hair as thick and fine as ever. The glossy length remained a bit longer as Leon had confessed to liking the style more than the shorter bob. In a fair exchange Leon had begun to wear his hair longer. Lately he had needed to braid the locks while out working. D kept him conditioned and brushed so it was no real hassle to maintain. "We will have a full contingent of knights in the city today. They are already dressed as civilians and tourists, intermingling so that we will seemingly show up alone. However," D paused sitting his brush down he picked up his diamond and topaz earrings that matched his shining nails to attach them to his ears. "I will be happiest leaving the youngest children here in the care of the Honlon."
"Of course," Leon and D both looked up as Sofu entered the room. Count D gasped still having a difficult time assimilating his grandfather being six months into his pregnancy. "Auri and I will remain behind as well. Go and enjoy yourselves." Sofu smiled watching as his grandson left with his detective. Sofu took his time going to the garden. Next to the lake under the canopy of dense leaves, Lady Aurora sat on a blanket with a diverse spread of fruits, vegetables and pastries. The Honlon stood, her massive paws spread while each head looked in all directions of the garden. In safety and contentment, Sofu D lay with his head in his wife's lap dreaming away the morning.
Break
Spike stood beside Misaki staring in awe. When he had not been allowed in the luxury SUV with the rest of the group he had wondered. It was the grin that Lady Marchand bore that set his mind at ease. "My husband wanted to give you a gift. So, we and our sons conjured this up... or whether purchased it. Be careful and drive safe."
"You bought me a car?!" Spike stared at the pitch-black machine gleaming with chrome details. Red leather seats smelled as fresh as the day they were made.
"Papa," Misaki watched as Spike laid a ginger hand upon the hood of the Mustang.
"I take it you can drive a standard six speed?" Sir Marchand tossed the keys over his shoulders as he took his wife's hand. "I heard there is an ice cream parlor we simply must try."
"Thank you," Spike forced the words from his now tight throat. "Thank you so much." Sir Marchand nodded as the chauffer opened the door. "Well, Kittens," Spike opened the car for Misaki. "Let's ride."
"I think Papa likes you." Misaki grinned clicking his seatbelt into place. "William..." Misaki paused as Spike lunged across the seat. Misaki sighed into the kiss melting against the soft leather seats. "Let's take the scenic route." Spike grinned putting the Mustang in gear.
Break
Julie held on to Rain's hand as the strolled down the street. Several times there were brief flashes of cameras and phones pointing their way. She did her best to ignore them. Quaint shops were waiting for discovery. "Rain, look," Julie pointed to a shop that had a carved dragon sitting upon a geode. "Look how pretty that is," Rain walked over to the window. After perusing the vibrant colors, he inclined his head to Bikky. Carol was giggling as Bikky took her hand to lead her over.
"Some of the streets are cobbled," Carol observed walking into the shop.
"Well, it is called Olde Towne." Bikky chuckled. He saw a glimmering set of rainbows and meandered over to a display of crystal jewelry while Rain and Julie went over to the carved figures.
Just as Julie was remarking on how much the green figure could be likened to Queen Torcha. The dragon draped around a castle fashioned out of the geode blending into the crystal in various shades of green. "Do you want it?" Rain summoned the clerk to unlock the case. Julie saw that the price was seventy-four dollars. Before she could negate his purchase, Rain was already searching out a matching one in red. "The old ones will be flattered for sure." Rain chuckled moving on to the display where Carol was trying on a set of jewelry. "I thought Spike and Misaki were supposed to join us on this outing," Rain recalled that the two had not arrived in the large SUV's with the rest of them.
"I highly doubt that Spike can control himself long enough to drive here." Bikky winked at Carol as he paid for the trinkets. He held the door open for her. "My best guess is that shiny new toy of his is pulled over somewhere and Misaki is without pants... Newlywed style."
"I'll bet Dee wishes he had driven as well," Carol quipped watching as Dee followed Ryo into a vintage toy shop.
"No," Bikky headed to another shop. This one selling used books and post cards. "Dee has matured beyond Ryo naked and panting phase. Not to say he does partake often just that now he is more along the lines of I love you and must touch you as opposed to I am determined to prove to myself that you love me. It's been remarkable to watch." Bikky sauntered to the counter. "We should get some souvenirs for the guys back home." Rain nodded his agreement.
"Rain, look," Julie tugged his hand over to a display of dream catchers. "These are almost like the one you made for me." Rain nodded reading the card explaining that they were hand made. "Oh... Rain..." Julie dashed to a nearby bookshelf. "Look, it is the latest release from Tiffany Passmore. I read some of her other stuff." Rain grinned scooping up a basket as they continued to peruse the shop.
Break
Oxygen. Misaki tried to pull enough into his lungs to form a coherent thought. "I am so glad you are so short." Spike grinned as he gobbled the leavings of his Spouse's pleasure.
"I'm not that short," Misaki purred melting into Spike.
"Of course not Squeaks," Spike chuckled licking the spicy sweet offering from the trembling belly before him. Misaki moved his legs down from where they were over the top of the driver's seat. "Just as there is now the mustang symbol imprinted on that great arse of yours." Spike grinned thinking of how he had pulled to a secluded overpass allowing the car to stall itself out as opposed to parking while he hauled Misaki into his lap. "Put your pants back on love, we should arrive just in time for lunch."
Misaki wriggled into his leggings and boots while Spike restarted the car. "You're still hungry?"
"You on the menu then?" Spike winked at Misaki. "I'll always be starving." Misaki watched the passing scenery of periwinkle colored mountains in the distance as his heart swelled exponentially inside of his chest.
To Be Continued
Hi all, I have a workable situation with a computer and such and time. I have officially relocated and moved into an apartment. I and the cats are fine. Going to have more updates to this series. Told you I would be back. Oh, and yes, I did Name Drop. (Insert cheeky grin).
Ja Ne, Chi
