5th Mantra | Action/Video;

[stagnantair]

A - Closed to Jamie

[ action; ]

[As promised, Gavin had told Octavia and Alan to behave and gone up to the mall a half hour after the middle school had let out and Jamie's mom took him there to "meet a friend" he was sleeping over at. He had to take him to the clinic for a secret refill on his inhaler, that was it, and he's glad to do it for his ...ahem, kouhei. So, he parks and walks into the mall, his hood pulled up over his blond hair as usual and looking through the crowds for the middle schooler... But he has a hunch about where he'd be. So, he heads upstairs and walks into the GameStop. If he's not there yet, he will be. Might as well pick something up all four of them can play on his PS3 while he's here anyway.]

B - Closed to Jamie, Octavia, and Alan

[ action; ]

[After Jamie's appointment, Gavin gets him in the car and straps in, driving home. It's nicer at night, less traffic, and they get back after a stop for some food and ice cream and other stuff he might need with three hungry teenagers and his own post-college appetite. He walks up to his third floor apartment and unlocks the door.]

Guys, I'm back. Jamie's here too.

C - Open

[ video; ]

[After all of the chaos dies down with the kids, Gavin logs onto the Network and while he looks tired from the events in the day, he's pleased. He waves at the screen;]

Hey. I hope everyone has been doing well, it's been a little crazy. From what I know, most of you have stayed safe and that's good. I'm already playing host to our fugitives here, but I hope everyone knows they can crash here too if they need it.

[Gavin is rather selfless, isn't he?]

I want to know, though, has anyone had... a memory of a big, three headed wolf... thing? Or a zebra thing too, I guess, but the second memory was a lot stronger. I got an item from it too.

[The Tag Ring Gavin's taken to wearing all the time seems to have multiplied, the other one he's wearing identical to the first. He's wearing the new one on his pointer finger, next to the original on his middle. He fiddles with both of them as he shows them off, and his eyes glint neon a moment before he sighs.]

Somehow, the new one seems even more important...

Comments

[stagnantair]

[He digs into the bag, looking at it. He just grabs what looks good to him at the time, typical man tactics, so he's forgotten already.]

Mudslide. Chocolate, chocolate syrup, marshmallows... I guess it's just Rocky Road without the nuts.

A got a bunch of frozen food too since all we've been eating is pizza. I can't cook though, so it's the best I can do.

[SORRY OCTAVIA'S DIET ALL HE DOES IT EAT JUNK ALL THE TIME]

[drama8om8]

I can cook, you goof! Kinda. Better than my mom could. But thanks for the ice cream! You're the best.

And I will pay you back for it soon! I have like eight different money-making plans on the go right now. So many irons in the fire, Gavin. Maybe all of them.

[stagnantair]

I don't even know how to buy ingredients for that kind of thing, though.

[He scratches the bridge of his nose, momentarily embarrassed.]

At least eight? [HE'S CAUGHT ON QUICK.]

You don't have to do anything for me, Octavia. I'm happy to help.

[drama8om8]

...Seriously? How are you not like. Dead from eating nothing but junk. How is that not a thing.

[ So much incredulous staring. ]

And I know you said we don't have to pay you, but you'll see! There will be more than enough cash to compensate you soon. With extra to spare. You are welcome in advance!

[stagnantair]

I was in college for eight years, 'Tavia.

[He rolls his eyes a little, handing over the small carton of ice cream.]

When I actually had time to eat it usually came microwaveable.

[He's not going to say anything else re: them paying him back. He can't stop her doing it...]

[drama8om8]

Eight years!

[ She makes a pleased little noise. Because of the eight or the ice cream? WHO KNOWS. Excuse her while she snags a spoon. ]

I guess microwave stuff has its place. If you are super desperate. Maybe.

[stagnantair]

Yeah. Four for undergrad and four for graduate school.

[He starts putting his groceries away. He's had way more food than usual in the house lately, so it takes a little time to get it all into the fridge and cupboards properly.]

It's cheaper than eating out every night.

[drama8om8]

Actually! If you order from the right pizza hut, we can probably get a discount. Family discount. My past-life-brother Karson works at one of them! I'll give you the number later. If you don't mind getting yelled at, anyway. He's kind of loud.

[ Sorry, Gavin, Tavia is too busy chomping ice cream and being wrapped up in talking to think of helping. OOPS ]

[stagnantair]

[He doesn't expect help. In face, with a few more Echoes he'll be too obsessed with perfectionism to even need want help. So it's good practice. He puts the Chinese in the oven and sets the timer.]

That's cool. I'd have to do pick up though, I don't want any random person seeing you guys here while the media is still sensationalizing your break in.