(no subject)

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ the door slides open quietly under his push, greeting him with the sight of the mansion interior bathed in a golden yellow light -- a welcoming atmosphere. smiles, allowing himself to feel mildly impressed that the decorations were not as atrocious or in excess as the (semi-)disastrous party-meeting in their shared past. the first goal of his evening long-since decided, he gives alyssa a kiss to the forehead, brianna a silent look to communicate his intention & a final murmur of departure to his little brothers before he gently detaches himself from them -- but not for long, he hopes, for they are who he wishes to be around the most tonight -- in search of a certain boy-turned-man (mentally, at least).

is rather glad that there seems to be a distinct lack of them running around, making his search very short & effortless. gives anna a small bow & a polite (but well-meant) smile. ]

Good evening.

Comments

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ leans back a little & then nods his agreement, his smile fond. ]

Mm. As you say.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ noms on one of his last cookies, mirroring albert's leaning to rest a bit as well. the slight amusement is apparent in his voice with his next words: ]

What about you? Picked any fights yet?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ chuckles at the teasing, not at all willing to hide his own amusement that lights his expression in response. ]

My apologies. I'm afraid I've been rather lax in that area.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ twists open the bottle of water, speaking before taking a sip. ]

Yeah, god forbid you actually play nice.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ tilts his head in mock thought. ]

Ah? My manners are up to standard, are they not?

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah, you're doin' good. [ lifts a hand to pat his head, a sort of combined amused/smug look on his face. ] I knew you had it in you!

1/2

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

. . .

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ grows quiet, startled by the sudden contact -- in such a fashion, no less. catches himself out of the stupor after a while, however, offering another one of his smiles even as something uncertain flickers quickly across his face. his voice is kept purposefully light, even when he is aware the undertone is not. ]

Hm. You're proud of me.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ blinks up at him, almost seeming confused, yet there's more reassurance in his words than anything else. ]

Sure. Why wouldn't I be?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ an answer comes to him immediately, but he does not voice it, simply watching nathan from the corner of his eye as he speaks another, smile still in place. ]

Our values do not always coincide.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ pops the last cookie in his mouth, giving him a shrug. ]

Eh, can't agree on everything.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ nods, but raises an eyebrow on another pressing concern of his. ]

Fill yourself with the main course, little brother, not the refreshments.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

Huh? You say that like I can't eat both the cookies and the dinner. This is a party!

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

Mm. However, with your stomach's limited capacity for food, I may as well.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

Psh, don't you lecture me. I'll be watching you to make sure you eat.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

That particular strategy is rather counterproductive.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ looks proud of himself as he speaks, as if it's a great feat that only he could accomplish. ]

I can watch and eat at the same time!

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ blinks once & then turns his face toward the ceiling as he muses aloud. ]

Ah, I believe my point was missed.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ gives him a confused look, borderline annoyed, but only to cover up the knowledge of making some kind of mistake. ]

W-what d'you mean?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

Just as it sounds, baby brother.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

...

[ just takes another sip of his water, pretending that he didn't just have this conversation. ]

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ chuckles, a hand lifting itself from his side without thought to hover over nathan's head. it pauses when he realizes what he's doing, making it land rather awkwardly on a shoulder instead. ]

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ was too busy dazing for a second there (those cookies were really good), thus he can't help himself from blinking in surprise at the seemingly random form of contact. looks up at albert. ]

What?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ gives him a small pat & lifts his hand away. ]

Hm.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ raises an eyebrow and looks at himself, then back up at albert. ]

Stop being so ambiguous! What is it? Do I have something on my face?