Topic: Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Riley ORourke

Date: 2010-07-31 21:12 EST
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same.

?Changes? David Bowie



David was at the Red Dragon, which was more than he had wanted. There seemed to be a laundry list of reasons why he shouldn't be doing this anymore. Honestly, he wasn't sure why he'd taken the time to come down here tonight. He wasn't planning to go in, and he wasn't wearing his uniform, either. He walked up the stairs to the porch, glanced in the window, then just sat down on the swing, watching the street.

Riley soon made her way to the Inn and paused on the cobbles in front of the porch steps, looking up at Lo-Mein with a faint frown of confusion on her face. "Uh," she said slowly. "Aren't you a little under-dressed?" she asked. Not that she minded seeing him wearing a shirt that showed off those lovely, strong, toned arms, but it wasn't what she had expected to see him in at this hour, in this place.

He watched her walk towards the porch, and nodded when she spoke. "Yeah, guess I am," he replied. "Wanted to talk to you about that."

She sighed unhappily and trudged up the porch to sit down on the swing next to him. "You're quitting," she said. It wasn't a question.

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think so," he said very softly. "Been thinking a lot about it."

She angled to face him, her eyes narrowed a tiny bit. "Is it because I left?"

He glanced around. Even though the porch was empty aside from them, he wasn't sure he wanted to talk about it here. There always seemed to be ears around, no matter how private you thought you were. "In part," he said.

She cocked her head to the side, studying him quietly. "Tell me," she said and reached to take his hand, twining her fingers with his.

He squeezed her hand softly, glad for the contact. "You already know part of it. The attitudes."

She nodded. "Yeah. I kinda know how missionaries feel now." She gave him a little grin.

He snorted. "Good analogy."

"So...what will you do now?" If his sense of smell had been anything like hers, he would have gotten a big nose full of nervousness, fear, and trepidation.

He shrugged a bit. "You gave me one option, already...if you're planning to continue with it." He paused, looked around again. "If that doesn't happen, I could teach baguazhang."

"You're staying then. Here. In Rhy'Din." The look he was gave her was more than just a 'duh'. It was more on the order of 'Did you really just ask that ridiculous question?' She frowned at him. "What? It's a legitimate question." She slid a little distance away from him and let go of his hand to cross her arms defensively over her chest.

He shook his head. "You're stuck with me, woman."

She heaved a sigh of relief and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and hugging him tightly. "I'm glad," she said quietly and probably unnecessarily.

He slid his arms around her waist and hugged back fiercely. "Me too," he whispered.

She sat back with a sigh, taking his hand once more. "So...I've been thinking about my little business proposition."

He raised a brow fractionally, leaning back against the swing. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I'm gonna start it out small, I think. Protection, testing security set-ups, advising about the same. Only...I don't really know a lot of about that kind of thing. So...I'll need you. Full partnership sound nice?"

That quicksilver grin flashed across his lips. "You need me. I like the sound of that."

She arched a brow and slowly shook her head. "Yeah. I need you. Professionally." She turned her head a fraction to hide the smirk that bloomed.

He clutched his heart in mock agony. "I'm crushed."

She chuckled softly and turned back to face him. "Does that sound okay then?"

"Sounds good to me," he answered.

She smiled and shifted slightly on the swing, getting comfortable. ?Do you want to rent the studios? For your bah-whatever? I mean, to teach others."

"Don't know yet. Depends on how busy this other business gets. Might not have the time."

"You'll have time. At least at first. Who knows further down the road?"

"Well. Honestly, I haven't taught in a long time. I'd like to just focus on you for a while." That could be taken in more than one way, obviously, but he didn't bother elaborating.

She blinked and a ghost of panic slipped through her eyes. "Me?" she squeaked.

"You," he confirmed, raising a brow a bit. "What's that look for?"

She slid forward on the swing, gripping the edge of the seat, feet flat on the floor, in preparation for getting up. She glanced sidelong at David. "Thirsty?" she asked, as if she had no idea he was actually wanting an answer to what she had assumed was a rhetorical question.

He shook his head. "Come on. What was that look of panic for?"

Riley ORourke

Date: 2010-07-31 21:13 EST
"What look of panic?" she asked, feigning ignorance. He sat silently, waiting. Her lips compressed into a thin, straight line and she sighed heavily before sitting back and crossing her arms and legs. "It's just...uh...you know...me. And relationships. And..." she trailed off and waved her hand around in the air vaguely. "Danny's already tempting fate. You don't need to, too."

"Uh...," he said slowly, "I was talking about teaching you baguazhang. Of course, if you want to talk about us..."

Her eyes slowly narrowed, taking on a gimlet look. "You suck," she stated flatly, and then rose gracefully. "I'm going for beer."

He let out a laugh and watched her rise. "Get me one, too?"

"Mmm," she answered noncommittally and headed inside. He was talking more, and she less. Apparently they were rubbing off on each other. She headed towards the bar, slipping through the break and moving to the beer cooler behind the counter. She grabbed two bottles of Newcastle and then headed back outside. She sat down next to him and handed him a beer. Then she cracked hers open and sent the bottle cap flying into the darkness, listening as it hit the cobbles with a tinny sound. "I'm taking Danny to see the houses tomorrow."

He took the beer with a nod of thanks. "Good," he said. "Think he'll like the one we want?"

She nodded. "I think so. I promised him an outdoor kitchen," she added.

"Cool," he said. "I like those."

"I just want a place for a piano. And trees.? She took another sip of her beer and glanced sidelong at him again before looking quickly away. "Wanna know something silly?"

"What's that?" He realized he was sitting there holding an unopened beer and flicked the top off, taking a swallow.

"I wish we could have a dog," she said quietly.

"A dog? Wouldn't it, like, freak out around you and Dan?"

She nodded and took another sip of her beer. "Exactly."

"That sucks."

"Yep. Best I can hope for is like...a fish or something."

"Maybe training? Like war-training horses," he said thoughtfully.

She arched a brow. "You know how to train war horses?"

"Doesn't everyone?" he asked. If she was going to be deliberately obtuse, he was going to play along.

She rolled her eyes at him and then turned a bit in the swing, leaning her back against his side, her face towards the street. "Fine. Be that way. Deny me the wisdom of training war dogs."

"War dogs? Thought we were talking horses," he said with a chuckle.

"I think you were trying for an analogy? How training war horses somehow equates to my problem with a lack of canine company?"

"Too many big words," he said, affecting a doughnut look.

She elbowed him in the ribs, attempting to make him spill his beer. He grunted when her elbow dug into him, but the beer remained steady. He wasn't about to commit such a cardinal sin. "Okay, okay. Yes, I meant finding a trained dog."

She glanced over her shoulder at him. "But...couldn't we train one ourselves? Since you know how to train horses and all," she added with a smirk.

"Horses aren't dogs," he pointed out reasonably.

She slowly exhaled, seeking her happy place, and took a long draught of her beer. She turned back to face him after a prolonged silence and reached out to give him a gentle poke. "Pouting?"

"Wondering," he answered, his voice flat.

"About...?"

"Trained dogs and grumpy Lycans."

"I am not grumpy!"

"Clearly not," he snickered.

She stuck her tongue out at him and then finished off her beer. "Maybe if we get a puppy. Some breed that's brave and stuff?"

"Might work. Get it used to you early on."

She stood up and reached down for his hand. "C'mon then. Let's go find a puppy!"

"Now?" he asked, taking her hand automatically and standing.

"Why not? There's no time like the present, right? Plus, if we get a large breed puppy, it'll give us added impetus to move." She gently drug him off the porch and then stood at the bottom of the steps, looking right and then left. "Which way?"

"The hell do I know? Haven't seen any pet shops."

"You're a cop. You walk around a lot. You haven't seen any fliers on telephone poles..." She grinned for a moment. "Or telephone poles, for that matter?"

"Yeah, no." He snorted softly.

She turned to face the left. "Well, we can wander towards home at least. Maybe we'll see something on the way home."

"Sure. It's a nice night for a walk."

She slipped closer to him, tucking herself underneath his arm and wrapping her arm around his waist. "I want a Saint Bernard."

He let out a little 'heh' of a laugh and squeezed her close. "With a barrel on its neck?"

"Full of Glenmorangie, yep."

"Sweet," he said. She laughed and tugged him towards home.

((Taken from live play. Merci beau coup, David!))

Riley ORourke

Date: 2010-07-31 21:33 EST
It was clear that no one had lived in the house for quite some time.? The extensive front garden was weedy and overgrown. The trees and peony bushes were serious need of some pruning.? Many panes of glass in the windows that faced the street had been smashed, there was a hole in the roof, and the stacked river rock wall that surrounded the property was crumbling in many places.? Still, it was clear that it was a prime location, mere steps from the small, rocky beach that lined the river. It was a large lot, with plenty of room with the three of them...and others, too, if they decided to expand their little family to include a dog...or a war horse. Riley stood a short distance from Danny, her arms crossed loosely over her stomach, eyes hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses.? She was watching him intently though, nostrils twitching as she took in the scent of his reaction to the house.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/street-view-before.jpg

While the place had clearly seen better days, Daniel could tell that it had once been a lovely house and yard.? He knew that it could once again be lovely, too, with some work.? He stepped off of the street and onto the front path, looking between the trees at the house itself.? There was definitely a lot of potential here.? "A little work, and this will be quite nice," he said, looking over at her.

She squealed in glee and then hurried after him, leading him around the right-hand side of the building.? There was a deteriorated flagstone patio surrounded by raggedy rose bushes and overgrown box woods.? There was also a door hanging from its hinges, leading into the interior of the house.? "Wanna go in, or do you wanna look around back some more?" she asked.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/private-patio-before.jpg

"A patio," he said,? "Excellent."? He turned and looked in through the door and shook his head.? "Let me see the back first, then we can go in."? So saying, he headed towards the back of the house. She followed him, close at his heels.? There was a small pond, choked with reeds and bull rushes, and another, larger flagstone patio sat across from it.? There were more trees - smaller birches - their white bark shining in the summer afternoon sunshine.? The area underneath the birches held a row of white hydrangeas and against the house itself were some white rose bushes.? There was another door here, as well, hanging from its hinges like the others they'd seen. The mullioned glass panes of the windows had suffered the same abuse as the windows in the front.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/side-of-house-before.jpg

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/pond-before.jpg

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/back-patio-before.jpg

He looked around, and smiled.? "This is quite nice even with the obvious disrepair.? The patio looks like a perfect spot for my outdoor kitchen," he said, pointing.? "And a pond, we could put some fish in there and jump in."? He chuckled.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/back-garden-before.jpg

She grinned and moved towards the house, gingerly pulling the door and wincing at the loud shriek of nearly-frozen hinges.? She stepped inside and pushed her sunglasses atop her head.? She glanced over her shoulder at him and beckoned him forward inside. He followed readily, walking into the house.? It was semi-dark in there, since there was obviously no power, but even in human form, their eyes were more than up to the task of seeing clearly inside.

"I was thinking this could be the kitchen and dining room.? We could put a table over there," she pointed to the far wall, "and the stove and fridge there," she pivoted and pointed to the opposite wall.? "Maybe have a little island for food prep here," she waved a hand next to her at an area that jutted out from the wall next to the door.?

He nodded, looking around.? "Sure.? Looks like plenty of space for a person or two to be cooking."?

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/dining-room-before.jpg

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/kitchen-before.jpg

She smiled and then hooked her thumb over her shoulder.? "There's a nice little bathroom in there.? Well, space for a nice little bathroom, anyway.? Last time I was here, there was a raccoon family living in the tub."

He laughed.? "Raccoons, eh?"

"Mm-hm...? Mama yelled at me, too.? She's lucky she didn't startle me."? She headed through an archway that was opposite the door they'd just come through.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/living-room--before.jpg

"I'm fairly certain I've never eaten a raccoon," he said, walking through the arch behind her.? This was clearly meant to be the living room.

She chuckled.? "Me, either.? 'Specially not a mama with two incredibly cute little babies."? She pointed to a door that had somehow managed to survive whatever predations had stripped the rest of the doors.? "Our bedroom's in there."

"Oh?? Well, I must go look in there, then," he said, going to the indicated door and opening it carefully. "I see the door to the patio is in here.? We'll have our own private patio, eh?"

She peeked in over his shoulder.? "Yep.? And those roses smell like heaven, too."

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/riley-and-dannys-room-before.jpg

"They certainly do."

She moved to the foot of the staircase and looked up.? "I haven't gone up there yet.? I'm not sure about the structural integrity of the stairs or the flooring up there."

"Do you know what's up there?"

"I have no idea.? Probably at least two rooms, maybe more.? Wanna go up anyway?? It's not like we'll get hurt...too badly."

"We won't, but what about the poor house?"

She shrugged a little.? "It's gonna need a major remodeling anyway.? Might as well help it along, right?"

"True.? Let me go first, then.? I'm considerably heavier than you, so if it holds me, it'll likely hold you." She nodded and stepped back, looking up as he climbed the stairs. He carefully tested the first step, listening for tell-tale cracks and groans.? The wood creaked a bit alarmingly, but seemed solid enough.? He slowly went up a few more steps, pausing to listen, then continued.? "It appears to be relatively solid."? He made it to the top of the steps and looked around. She followed him up the stairs, hugging the wall on the principle that it was safer and the steps were stronger there.? There was a small hallway with three doors leading off it.? "Pick one," she said.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/stairs-before.jpg

Riley ORourke

Date: 2010-07-31 21:33 EST
"Let's see what's behind door number one," he said in a game-show announcer voice, and pulled open the door on the left. It was a small, square room with a beautiful view of the river and the back garden, and another door that could either have been a closet or another bathroom. He crossed the room and opened the door, revealing that it was, in fact, another bathroom.? "Two bathrooms, then.? Very good."

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/davids-room-before.jpg

"Yes.? You and David can share this one," she said with a smirk and moved down the hall to the middle door.? It, too, was a small square room facing the front of the house.? "Ooh.? I claim this room in the name of piano."

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/office-before.jpg

"And leave you all alone and cold in the night?" he asked, chuckling as he peeked in behind her.?

"I meant the bathroom, silly.? What's in there?" she said and nodded towards the final unopened door.

He shrugged.? "Only one way to find out."? He went over to the last door and pulled it open.? "It's a tiny little room with an alcove."

"Huh.? Storage?"

"Could be.? Maybe the laundry."

"Ooh.? A laundry room in my own house, rather than a communal one.? I think I might wet myself."

"Do it in the bathroom, then" he replied, grinning.

She laughed and gently chucked him on the shoulder.? "So...?" she said, breath held as she tried to keep the excitement from her face.

"It's perfect," he said, smiling at her poorly-hidden excitement.? "I think we could make this into a truly lovely home."

"Really?"? She was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Yes, really."? He moved in close to her and slid his arm around her waist.? "I don't have to ask what you think of it."

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and covering his face with kisses.? "Thank you thank you thank you!" He purred happily at the deluge of kisses, putting his other arm around her, too. "Can we go home and tell David the good news?? And then get started on the purchase and the remodel?"

"I don't see why not," he replied.

She jumped up and down, clapping her hands together in excitement and glee.? The floor made alarming noises and she froze, eyes flying open wide, one hand reaching out the grab the wall.

"Careful, sundari," he said quickly, reaching for her.? "Perhaps we should go back downstairs before you jump around anymore."

"Yeah, good plan."? She headed gingerly down the stairs and then back outside, into the front garden. He decided to forgo the stairs and just hopped down from the second to the first floor, then went outside with her.? She gave him a soft smile.? "So...this is it, right?? All three of us like it and once we fix it up, it'll be nice?" she said hopefully.

"Honestly," he said,? "I would be happy moving anywhere as long as you were with me.? That being said, I really do like it, and think we could make it very nice."

She grinned and hugged him tightly again, a happy purr rumbling through her chest like a freight train. He purred right back at her, holding her body close against his.? "Are you happy?" he whispered in her ear.? He knew she was, but he wanted to hear her say it.

"Incredibly," she whispered softly and kissed him thoroughly.

He made a little sound of pleasure against her lips, eventually breaking the kiss reluctantly.? "Good," he said softly.

She hugged him once more, fiercely, and then let him go, stepping back and taking his hand.? "C'mon.? Let's go find David and tell him the good news.? And then y'all can help me start the remodel."

"Don't we need to buy it first?"

She stared at him for a moment and then gave him a slightly sheepish smile. ?Yeah, I guess we do.? He laughed and they set off for the Gardens, to tell David that they'd soon be moving house.

Riley ORourke

Date: 2010-09-21 13:17 EST
It was done at last. A solid 6 weeks of hard, labour-intensive work had finally rendered the house finished. A further three days of packing up boxes and borrowing Reynaldo's cart to haul everything from Zen to the new house and two days of unpacking and the newly-dubbed Twin Oaks was livable.

The first night, David and Riley had...christened every room in the house, plus the private patio off the master suite and the back patio. They took a long, leisurely bath in their new bathroom, hung mirrors in Riley's music room, made tea and toast in the new kitchen, and slept in their brand new master bedroom. It was official - David and Riley were now home owners.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/street-view.jpg

View of the front of the house from the street.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/back-garden.jpg

Back garden view, from the pond.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/private-patio.jpg

Private patio off master suite.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/Screenshot.jpg

Outdoor kitchen and rear patio.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/danny--rileys-room.jpg

Master bedroom.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/davids-room.jpg

Guest bedroom.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/kitchen.jpg

Kitchen.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/living-room.jpg

Living room.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/first-floor-overview.jpg

Ground floor lay-out.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Twin%20Oaks/second-floor-overview.jpg

First floor lay-out.