(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

[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?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ examines nathan's face a little at the demand & chuckles. ]

Yes.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ surprised, trying to brush off whatever it is that's supposedly on his face. ]

I do? Where!

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ helps to brush some of the cookie crumbs away from the corner of his mouth while slightly shaking with silent laughter. ]

Presentable again.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ is thankful for his help, up until he speaks. snorts, raising an eyebrow again. ]

Hah. "Presentable", he says. [ jabs his thumb in the direction of albert's hair. ] Get your hair cut first, then say that to me again.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ an eyebrow of his goes up as well before he simply brushes some of his own hair away from his eyes & tilts his head down a little to give nathan a look. ]

Presentable.