[RP] The Inn of Peace - IoP (Open to all)

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

"I bet it was. I wish I could have seen it. Did you use that move I taught you?"

"I know, and I know saying I'm sorry won't even begin to make up for it. The important thing, though, is that I'm back and I want us to still be...us. I know it might take a while to get back to that place, given all that has happened, but I'm willing to try."

Nate walked out of the kitchen, having just raided the pantry and making the mother of all sandwiches. He set his plate (platter would probably be more accurate) down on the nearest table and prepared to dig in.  

[Azana Brown]

"Uh-huh!" She nodded, holding out her hand. "An' I brought a buncha thugs to their knees with my uber-cool gravity powers! Remy was all impressed an' stuff, an' the best part is, we succeeded! We saved people and I wasn't scared at all!" She spun around, jingling as she struck a pose.

"So...um, is it true? That you're all retired an' stuff? I didn't wanna believe it..."

And there came the bullseye. Dammit, Stacy had her ways, didn't she? He suddenly felt very heavy, unsure of how to mention that he had been been leaning toward someone else for the past little while. He hadn't had to deal with something like this in a long time, and it was absolutely nothing like riding a bike.

"I'm...still working through that," he finally said, stupidly vague but what else could he do at the moment? He was given little to no preparation. "I don't know what to make of it yet.  

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

"I understand. If you need space, just say the word and I'll back off. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or put you in a corner. I know we've been...apart for a while and it'll take some time to get back to where we were. Let's start slow and be friends for now. Everything else will work itself out."

"It's true, at least for now. I don't intend to get out of the game completely, but things have been quiet lately and I do have a wedding to prepare for. Speaking of which," he said, glancing at his watch. He pulled out his cell and answered just as it rang.

"The caterer is complaining about the menu, the bakery lost our order, the hall was double booked and..." The last few words were drowned out by what sounded like a mix of sobbing and screaming.

"Sorry, Max. I have to take this. Give me say ten minutes?" Chris retreated to his usual table and began to whisper reassuring things to his bride-to-be.

Nate, meanwhile, had only just begun his sandwich. There was no telling how long it would take to finish it. Rico poked his head out from nate's feathers and chittered something to the bird. Nate agreed and Rico joined Nate in his munching.  

[Azana Brown]

Too late for that, Tyler thought with a slightly nervous grin. He had a lot to think through, but at least she was giving him the chance to do so. After threatening gunplay on his tech, he feared the worst. It was a relief, to say the least. Once in one's life was enough shooting for anyone.

"Thanks...I think, after this mission, when I have a chance to breathe without the world ending on me, we can talk seriously. Until then..." He leaned forward, pulling her into a hug. "Welcome back, Stacy. You've been missed." He let go, standing and heading for the stairs. He still had an errand to run, after all...and when he got back, he'd distract Chris from bride-zilla.

Max tilted her head, listening to the phone call and laughing to herself. Silly Crystal...why didn't she just ask? Pulling strings was totally her game...she would've loved to plan a wedding! Still, like a good girl she waited. She wanted to hear about Chris' life, and maybe put another hug on him. Ty was busy, and she knew it...she even knew why.

More of that stuff about Remy's art...wish I could help. Wait, I can...! I can keep 'em cheerful!  

[Gren_Eckener]

He clearly needed it, judging from his haggard gait down the stairs. He glanced at Chris, shook his head, and walked on for the kitchen.  

[Azana Brown]

Max blinked, jumping into action with a jingle of her outfit. She followed him in, wrapping her arms around his cool middle. "Remy..." She said softly, resting her head on his back. "I thought tellin' 'em would make ya lighter..."

Tyler was already in his room, music playing as he got back in the mindset and geared up one more time. He was going someplace far from pleasant...part of him wanted company, but he'd never ask for it. He didn't want anyone to return there, himself included. However, he had the burden of knowledge. Only he knew how to use the remote, or where to go. So, he had to do it.

Dunno how it'll all react to my being there instead of him, but I'll deal when I get to it. I have the remote, after all.  

[Gren_Eckener]

Remy glanced back, baffled. "Tellin' who?" he asked, rubbing a weary eye. "Did it work?"  

[Azana Brown]

Max giggled, standing on tiptoe to sneak a kiss. "Silly sleepyhead," she said. "Ya honestly think it'd do nothin'? Oh, oh! You oughta come by my room! I've been workin' on Christmas cards...I need a coupla pointers on the design!"

Tyler was finally geared up again, turning down the music to nearly inaudible as he once again grabbed the remote. Hopefully he wouldn't be dragged into anything this time...Chris and Stacy could wait a little. Closing and locking his door behind him, he meandered the halls again, heading for an exit.  

[Gren_Eckener]

"All right! That sounds nice!" he smiled, finally back on ground he could stand on, not sure what else she could have been talking about. "Lemme just grab a snack?"  

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

"Whew," he breathed as he got Crystal calmed down and hung up the phone. "I seriously do not understand women. She gets stressed out about the wedding, so I offer to help. Of course, she says no and that she can handle it herself. Then I tell her Stacy's back in town and..."

Stacy's phone rang and she answered it. "Crystal? Oh...OK, honey, calm down. I can...I can't understand what...OK, I'll be right there." She hung up the phone as she fixed a death glare on Chris as she grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the door. "We are going to have a long talk about this later, Mr. Roberts, and I can assure you it will not be pleasant."

"Yeah, I know, and I'm strangely okay with that." Having helped Crystal with her stress had left him with some of his own and he needed to vent. He had recalled Tyler was getting ready to go out on an errand. What harm could come from running a simple errand and Ty and I could use some catching up. "Tyler! Wait up! Let me get my sword."

Nate, meanwhile, was still working on his sandwich with Rico's assistance. Working together, they had made it halfway through.  

[Azana Brown]

"Okay!" Max smiled, raiding the pantry for herself. Making Christmas cards for days was hard work!

Tyler let out a mild sigh, hearing Chris' voice not far off. Of course...he really should have guessed. The moment he mentioned he was doing something, he'd want in on it.

The modus operandi of meddling genii, I suppose, he thought. He leaned against the wall, tempted to leave but sticking around anyway. He didn't want to go there alone, even if it was abandoned. Even if he knew exactly where to go. Besides, he could kill two birds with one stone and break the news to him while they were there.  

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

Chris ran to his room and grabbed his sword. He glanced over to where he kept TEKKER on the dresser and considered bringing it along with him. He grabbed it and placed it on his wrist, just in case. "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

He went to meet Tyler so his fellow genius could update him on the situation. It was probably nothing, just a routine errand. Still, it would be an opportunity to get out and get some exercise.  

[Azana Brown]

Tyler bobbed a little before he watched Chris come to meet him, sword and TEKKER in tow. He had to hand it to him; the two seemed to share that boy-scout mentality. Had Chris been a boy scout? He didn't know.

"Alright, then," he said quietly, walking out into the winter chill. "Keep up, and keep calm."

Kristen walked in shortly after the technicians left, a group of immaculately wrapped gifts in tow. She set them out, each labeled with a name and a simple directive: do not open until Yule.

"Hey there," Sosol greeted her, almost immediately sending her a glass of cider. Before his eyes, he watched it begin to steam, and he smiled. "You seem in a good mood."  

[Gren_Eckener]

Remy smiled, tottering to the kitchen and warming himself some blood. Soon, soon, soon.  

[Azana Brown]

"So Reeeeeemy," Max said slyly, slipping up next to him with a smile. "Wacha want for Chriiiiistmas?"