[ota] you're gonna go far, kid

[bluntforces]

There are very few people, particularly in the Deck, who wouldn't describe Evan McCartney as 'an annoyingly happy camper.'

And he is happy. He's happy to be getting his degree sorted out. He's happy to be looking at jobs which will allow him to be productive--to actually use what bit of a brain he has properly, the way it's meant to be used. He's happy to be in love and waking up every morning next to the woman he's in love with. He's happy to run with the dogs and spend afternoons with his parents and run errands for his sister. He's even happy to get into fights with cousins who look down their noses and young idiots who need to get their heads out of a generation far too outdated to still be crafting culture.

He's happy. He's Evan McCartney.

But he's quiet these days. He's not entirely certain why. He's been singing less. Shouting less. Simply moderating his voice far better than he ever has, as if the concept of 'an indoor voice' has sunk in more than twenty years after being introduced. It sits funny in his shoulders.

So he does what he can. He gets up early to study; makes Riley breakfast and takes the dogs on a run. He goes to throw punches at bags until it's time to ice his shoulder and suck on his lip so the bleeding will stop. And he goes, ultimately, to lie on his back in the snowed-upon Green, because he's not entirely certain where to go when a body feels pensive.

Someone should teach him how to do 'pensive.'

Comments

[heartshy]

Her lips twist while she thinks about that, tries to put it into her sense world view.

A slow nod. Yeah, okay, she sees that. But out here? In the cold? With the snow? She casts a dubious glance at their surroundings and wrinkles her nose at him.

[bluntforces]

"...coulda picked a better spot, I guess."

It, like so many of Evan's ideas, had seemed like a good idea at the time. Less so now that she was making that face at him.

[heartshy]

Oh dear she made him feel bad, fix it quick Jinx!

A vehement shake of her head. No no no. This is a perfect spot, don't talk silly talk, here have some more hot chocolate.

[bluntforces]

That gets a bright, loud laugh, ringing all the more clearly for the dampening of other sounds in the snowy Green.

"You mean t' say this is better 'n sittin' in front of a fire'd be?"

[heartshy]

Uh... er... well...

Now you've got her all frazzled how is she supposed to handle this ugh.

She drops her head into her mittens and giggles a little helplessly.

[bluntforces]

And there's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with being silly, or with being frazzled, or with sitting in the snow and sipping cocoa and admitting that's still a very cold way to spend the day.

"Both are fun, mm?"

[heartshy]

She peeks at him over her fingers, then lets out a deeeeeeeep sigh of air.

Yes. Yes yes yes. Both are kind fun. In fact...

She drinks down the rest of her chocolate and sets it aside so she can flop down on the snow and stare up at the sky.

In fact, this is the perfect time for things like snow angels.

[bluntforces]

"There it is."

See? He's not the only one flopping around in the snow. Perfectly sensible people like Jinx are as well.

"Good day for it, right?"

[heartshy]

She laughs at him, the silent stutter bringing a series of cloudy puffs.

Perfect day for it, he's right. A little bit of wiggling imprints the angel shape she wanted.

[bluntforces]

And a brighter, louder laugh from him.

"Lookit, there y' go. Real perfect. Bet it'll stay nice and crisp, too."

[heartshy]

Popping back up, she views her work with a discerning eye. Yes, definitely her best work yet. Up she goes, though. Don't want to muss it now.

You too, my Lets-Stay-In-The-Cold. Up and at em, your fingers must be freezing.

She holds out an imperious mittened hand for him. Back to the kitchen for hot soup.

And then she realizes what she'd done. He she just... well, not ordered, there'd been no words, but still. What was she doing? Jinx, just cuz he's nice and laughs doesn't mean you get to be all... all... ordery on him!

[bluntforces]

He's been well-conditioned to be ordered by perfectly nice young ladies who wanted him to stop freezing and come inside. It's expected, almost.

Taking her hand, of course, is more for show than actual help up. He's fairly certain he'd tug her all the way back down into the snow if he actually pulled.

"There we go."

[heartshy]

She gives him a grin that's almost bigger than her face. Yes good.

Come on, now. Clicking her tongue in a sound she'd picked up from Cadogan, she shuffles them off in the proper direction.

[bluntforces]

"You gotta lot of orders in ya, don't ya, cupcake."

Not that he's objecting. Her plans seem to involve cocoa and the possibility of cookies and fires and inside-ness.

[heartshy]

Is it hot? Oh god, she feels hot.

A bright red blush spreads up to the roots of her hair, and Jinx ducks her head to avoid looking at him. But it doesn't stop her from a continued shuffle towards the Heart kitchens.

Deep breaths, Jinxy. It's for his own good! Keep it together, its cold out and you want cookies. Think of the cookies.

She essays a glance towards his face, really really hoping that was a joke.

[bluntforces]

...oh. Oh, little sweetheart.

He's not sure she'd be a fan of having her hair ruffled or an arm pulled around her shoulders. So he'll wait for her to glance up and go for words instead.

"Thanks, though. 'm pretty sure you're keepin' me from frostbite."

[heartshy]

Twisting her lips together, she took a deep breath. Then another.

Glancing away, she tries a quiet clearing of her throat, and then issues a squeak.

Okay, not words, one more time. "Cookies!" Cough cough. Ahem. "There are... cookies. Inside."

Because he had just been teasing, and it was nice in an embarrassing kind of way.

[bluntforces]

"Cookies?"

McCartneys are really good at lighting up. Even with all that's pensive in his soul today, cookies absolutely make Evan light right up.

"No way. 's awesome."

[heartshy]

Finally, someone else with right and sensible reaction to sweets.

She lights up because he lit up, grinning widely and nodding so fast she almost knocks her hat off.

Way, way. Super awesome, person who is not hew favorite person in the world.

[bluntforces]

Other people didn't get nearly excited enough about things. Cookies and brownies were a big thing that needed more general excitement in the population.

"You make 'em? Or you just know where t' find 'em?"

[heartshy]

A wrinkled nose, a head-bob of thought, and then she wiggles two fingers at him. Other people make them, Jinx is just the delivery system.

An excited delivery system that only wanted to spread delicious, delicious cheer.

[bluntforces]

The quiet is a little odd, now that he's heard her speak. It's still not something to comment on.

Definitely not when there are cookies.

"Still th' greatest."

[heartshy]

The very greatest. No on in their right mind would disagree.

Probably.

She giggles at him, and a near-whisper slips out with almost no work at all. "My favorite." Along with Pez. And marshmallows. And cake. And...

Oh, well. Everything, really.

[bluntforces]

Because everything is exciting and fabulous. Not enough people properly recognize that.

"What, cookies? 's a tough call, girly. Gotta consider that there's also cake in the world."

[heartshy]

Cake was a magical thing. But cookies were what they had right now which is what made them the best.

Having reached the door to the kitchen Jinx tugged open, she stood aside and gestured for him to go first.

Guests and all, you know.