Post by Alex Vipond on Feb 6, 2016 7:39:31 GMT -8
Wrinkled Black: Let's be honest, Adrienne wasn't going to go very far away from Grayson anytime soon unless the situation was dire. She was, however, starting to feel that cabin fever kick in. They'd spent the morning re-learning the workings of their stroller and by the time the weather was decent enough, felt confident enough to emerge into the fresh air. Grayson was bundled up nice and warm in one of those adorable bear sherpa buntings along with a few warm blankets, while Adrienne was still in yoga pants (her BFFs right now, don't judge) and a heavy fleece zip up. She was also snickering down at the sleeping baby as they walked in the direction of the park. "Watch he's going to sleep this whole time and miss all the fun."
Alex Vipond: "And then be up all night." Alex nodded, a chuckle given. "We'll have to come up with ways to tire him out so he'll konk when we want him to." Alex reached down and tucked the blanket in around him a little more securely, a fingertip caressing his cheek to check how he was handling the cold. "Should we get a heater or something, like a little battery operated blanket or something for his stroller? Do they even make those?"
Wrinkled Black: "Here's hoping that'd actually work. It's worse if we actually over-tire him, because then he'll just be miserable." She couldn't help a grin as she watched Alex, slowing down a little. "We've got the rain shield if it gets too windy, but otherwise he should be just fine in warm clothes and plenty of blankets. When the stroller's a seat, though, they make a kind of sleeping bag thing that attaches to keep him warm." Seriously, they think of everything.
Alex Vipond: "Back in the day, you never really saw babies. You knew they were there, but until they were walking, they were kept by wet nurses and nannies and the like. I have no idea what went on with them, really." Alex thought back on it, and then shook his head. "I really don't recall seeing Nicole after she was presented all that much. Not until she was deemed old enough to attend church and by then she was walking."
Wrinkled Black: "Yeah, I don't think wealthy families changed that much until the mid 1900's. They'd come out to join the family at tea time, then back to the nursery they'd go." She chuckled, leaning a little to really look at the stroller. "Back in my day, a big pram was all there was. In some areas, the pram was the nursery." Adrienne shook her head in disbelief. It would've been her luck that one of her kids would be kidnapped if she left them outside in the pram. "Lucky for you, Little Man, things have come a long way."
Alex Vipond: "It's definitely different. By the time I began my education, which was more than just reading and writing, but also fencing, and archery I was seven years old. Up until that point Nicole and I were free to do as we like, and we spent much of our time in the gardens, chasing frogs and fish..." he smiled; then shrugged. "And then my schooling began and our play time was cut short. No more traipsing into the house covered in mud... at least it wasn't as common as it had been, and Nicole's nanny's kept a much stricter eye on her as chasing frogs wasn't exactly seen as ladylike behavior..."
Wrinkled Black: "You hear that Grayson?" Probably not, the kid was out. "Your Daddy's gonna teach you how to be a battle badass." Lips were totally twitching, it couldn't be helped. At the mention of Nicole's nanny, she chuckled. "Oh, I can just imagine. And I bet she hated it and tried to get out from under that strict eye as often as she could."
Alex Vipond: "All the time. Invariably caught...." He chuckled. "But she did try." Alex smiled down at their son. "Things are so much better today than they were then and yet... in some ways, a lot more terrifying. I don't want to be one of those over protective asshole parents but at the same time... I'm afraid not to be."
Wrinkled Black: "Mm, I don't know. I kind of yearn for the days of kids only playing outdoors rather than glued to a screen of some kind." Smiling, she reached for his hand while she pushed the stroller with one. "But trust me, if it were socially acceptable to leave him wrapped up in bubble wrap until he's eighteen, I would."
Alex Vipond: "Oh, home boy here is definitely getting some outdoor socializing time even if we have to put the electronics under lock and key to see it done." He laced his fingers with Adrienne's and settled the other hand to the stroller handle as well. "I think bubble wrap will only make him resentful. Especially once he hits his teens and discovers girls."
Wrinkled Black: "Oh, God. I'm not ready for that yet." She shook her head, looking down at Grayson. "You think girls are gross and have cooties for as long as you want. Yes!" There was a quiet gasp before the yes! as the baby opened his eyes and was staring up and around. Not quite at them, but close enough she'll take it.
Alex Vipond: "Hey, there he is." Alex grinned down Grayson, and gave a slight wave. "You knew we were talking about you, didn't you?" Chuckling, he looked at Adrienne, even as he was pulling his phone from his pocket. "You realize he's doomed to have all these totally embarrassing photos of himself shown to all prospective dates." And then, yes, he was snapping a picture of Grayson in that I just woke up and don't know what to think about it mode.
Wrinkled Black: "We would be bad parents if we didn't." Adrienne slowed to a stop so Alex could take as many pictures as he wanted. All the while, the baby just waved one of his fists. It was more of a hey get my hand out of this weird bear suit than any kind of pose or greeting. "You can protest all you want, kiddo, it's gonna happen."
Alex Vipond: "He's already planning his revenge." Alex chuckled as he finally put the phone away. "And it will come in the form of a nasty diaper when you're least able to handle it." Fortunately they weren't atrocious yet. Yet.
Wrinkled Black: "Yup, total blow out. Up the back and everything." Grinning, she touched her finger to the tip of her nose. "Not it." She then chuckled and leaned to give Alex a kiss. "I'm very impressed with your diapering skills, I must say. That doll really paid off."
Alex Vipond: The kiss was returned and he smiled. "As long as I'm not like that dad on Facebook that was puking while diapering, it's all good." He nodded, then contemplated that a moment. "Remind me to buy a gas mask and chemical protection gear so I can suit up beforehand."
Wrinkled Black: That had her laughing. "Naah, maybe just some medical grade latex gloves." As they arrived at the park, Adrienne took a deep breath and grinned. "Man, I can't wait to come out here for a run." He should know well enough what she meant; though she hits up the gym downstairs from time to time, she's not a two-legged runner.
Alex Vipond: Alex nodded as he looked around. "I love this park. Always have...." He continued in silence for a moment before adding, "It's going to be kind of weird. There weren't many changes before the bun was in the oven."
Wrinkled Black: "You're right..." Adrienne nodded in agreement, gnawing on her bottom lip. "I can try to make it as less weird as possible if you'd rather. Do it outside or something.."
Alex Vipond: "I just need to learn to count cats." Alex chuckled and then leaned over and kissed her. "If I end up with two Batman's, I know one of these things is not like the others...."
Wrinkled Black: The kiss returned, she grinned against his lips. "There you go. But still, I've lived my whole life without going overboard. You just let me know if it gets too weird."
Alex Vipond: "Just, promise me you'll be careful." He smiled at her, his hand giving hers a gentle squeeze. "If you come here to run, change once you're here, rather than change and then come here, you know?"
Wrinkled Black: "I will, I promise." She returned the squeeze to his hand, smiling. "And I'd wait until dark, just in case." Night always made the best cover. Looking down at Grayson, she bit her bottom lip once more as she thought quietly for a moment. "When it's his turn, it'll definitely be a learning curve for the both of us."
Alex Vipond: "And hopefully he won't have any hard to explain incidents in public," because that would have them all on the run, or at the very least in their own private compound in an out of the way, non-extradition country.
Wrinkled Black: "We were in Virginia when it happened to me the first time. But I think my parents had a hunch it would happen soon, and that's why we weren't in the city." She snickered, shaking her head. "My brothers taunted me into it."
Alex Vipond: "Oh, yeah? What'd they do to get your... goat," he smirked at that, and braced himself the deserved slug as he looked down at Grayson. "One day, you too can be this punny."
Wrinkled Black: Not quite a slug, but definitely a nudge to the arm with her own elbow. "Har, har. I was on the front porch, reading Mother's copy of Little Women and Joe snatched it out of my hands. He said that since the main character's name was Jo, the book ought to have belonged to him." She rolled her eyes at that, then lowered her voice. "I didn't start really chasing him until he'd changed and he had it in his mouth. I didn't want him drooling all over it." Chuckling, she shrugged. "And my two legs couldn't catch up with him, but I was determined."
Alex Vipond: Alex smiled at that, his own voice kept low as he spoke. "Did you decide what to change into, or is it predetermined?" A shifter was a good deal different from a lycan, that much he knew, but there was a lot he still had to learn.
Wrinkled Black: Shaking her head, Adrienne grinned. "It just...happened. The panther. It was the same for all of us, that's why my dad thought our ancestors were South American. But with practice, we could really do just about anything. After a while, we all sort of had our 'go to' animal."
Alex Vipond: "Does the location dictate the animal? And is it the same for all that you've met or just your family?" There was a lot to wrap one's head around, especially given the events of Sao Paulo, back in '08. "Adrienne, how long ago did your brother go missing?"
Wrinkled Black: She tilted her head slightly as she thought about it. "The only other I've met was Tom, and he usually kept to the canine variety. I don't remember if he ever told me what his first was, he was considerably older than me." Alex's question had her slowing in her pace for a moment, but she moved the stroller back and forth gently to keep Grayson from fussing. "Well, both he and Frank were supposedly killed in action in the Western Front in '44. But it wasn't Joe's body that got shipped back to us. Then he showed up randomly last year in Virginia but we haven't seen or heard from him since. But then my dad left before the war and we stopped hearing from him in the late 40's."
Alex Vipond: "Were any of your family members prone to jaguars?" Alex had slipped his hands into his pockets and hunched his shoulders by this time, as that finger of dread slipped along his spine.
Wrinkled Black: "Well, yeah, panther's a pretty generic term for black jaguars or leopards..." She was chuckling, but when she noticed his posture, she frowned. "Alex, what's wrong?"
Alex Vipond: He pulled one hand free and dragged it through his hair as he drew in a slow breath and let it out just as slowly. His eyes met hers and the words spilled out. "In 2008 I was in Sao Paulo, for a show. I was wandering around before the gig, taking in the sights and... this was before my kidnapping so I didn't have any body guards with me, but I noticed I was being followed. I made some turns, all at random, and ended up in a blind alley. Dude followed me, and I backed off, until he made his move and then...." Alex shook his head. "I took him to the coast, afterward and stole a boat, rigged it to burn to dispose of the body...."
Wrinkled Black: It took a moment for Adrienne to realize what he was getting at, for the possibility to sink in. When it did, her knuckles turned white on the stroller handle. "Wait..." She shook her head as though trying to shake out the dread. "Did he actually attack you?"
Alex Vipond: "He did, he came at me, started to change mid leap..." Alex shook his head. "I don't know who he was. He didn't have a wallet on him."
Wrinkled Black: She let out a breath and took his hand in hers. "Alex, my own godfather, his cousin, is...one of you." Even though they kept their voices low, they weren't alone in the park. "I can't possibly imagine his going after you without a very valid reason."
Alex Vipond: Alex wrapped his arms around her, and held her tight. "I hadn't thought of that night in a long time. Not until now. And what if he had a reason? I've done some fucked up shit in my lifetime. Maybe I hurt someone he knew sometime in the past?"
Wrinkled Black: Her arms curled around his waist and she squeezed him tightly, but as he continued she backed up just enough so she could cup his cheek, looking up into his eyes. "Were you ever in the Baltimore region before you moved on to San Francisco?"
Alex Vipond: Alex leaned back as well to look at her, though he didn't let her go. "No, I was in New York. Was there something there..." and he dropped his voice again as he continued, "vampire related?"
Wrinkled Black: Chuckling, she shook her head. "No, that's where he grew up, and that's where he and my mother lived before moving to the farm in Virginia. And I know we didn't cross paths in New York, so I don't think that scenario's very likely. Do you think you'd know his face?"
Alex Vipond: "Oh, yeah. I would know his face." Alex had the faces of everyone he'd ever killed, indelibly burned into his retinas. He couldn't escape them if he tried.
Wrinkled Black: Taking Alex's hand in hers, Adrienne steered the stroller to the side of the path so she could sit down on the bench there and rummage through the diaper bag for her phone. "I know I've got one in here somewhere..."
Alex Vipond: Alex moved to sit next to her, one hand slipping into the bassinet as he checked on Grayson before he looked back at Adrienne as she searched her phone.
Wrinkled Black: Finally she found it and she turned her phone around so Alex could see it. It was a portrait of both her parents, circa 1890s judging by the clothing. But her father's face was clearly visible, despite the slim mustache he wore.
Alex Vipond: Taking the phone, Alex stared at the face of her father for a long moment, before his shoulders finally sagged in relief. Leaning back against the back of the bench, he looked at Adrienne and smiled. "Other than in photos at the farm, I haven't seen him...." Turning toward her, he pulled her into his arms again, and wrapped her up. "OH, God, I was so scared..."
Wrinkled Black: Adrienne let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and when he pulled her into his arms she hugged him tight, burying her face in the side of his neck. "This probably makes me a horrible daughter, but it wouldn't have changed anything if it was him."
Alex Vipond: "This probably makes me more than a little bit of a dick, but it makes me glad to hear you say that." Alex leaned back and cupped her face in his hands. "I can't lose you." He shook his head and then let out a shaky breath. "I can't."
Wrinkled Black: Smiling, she tipped her head, pressing her cheek into his hand. "You won't, I promise you that." Holding his hand to her cheek, she leaned in a pressed a kiss to his lips. It may have had more steam to it than was appropriate for such a public setting, but she didn't give a shit.
Alex Vipond: Alex hand slipped around to cup the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair as they kissed. When he finally lifted his head, he smiled. "I love you. And I think we should get the little man home." He paused, and then grinned, voice low as he leaned in and spoke near her ear. "If you want, you can ride in the stroller with him..."
Wrinkled Black: Adrienne was a little breathless when he pulled back, her smile somewhat sheepish. "I love you, too. And yes, we should." His suggestion had her chuckling and she shook her head, taking a deep breath as she stood. "Nah, it's still too soon." Her body was still healing, after all. Which was, unfortunately, the reason she couldn't jump his ass the minute they get home. Snickering at the thought, she leaned over the handle of the stroller to whisper to Grayson. "You're adorable but come at a heavy price."
Alex Vipond: Alex was really kind of clueless on the whole physiology part of this. Wolves were a good deal different from shifters. Rising, he dropped another kiss to her lips and then made sure their little man was tucked in. "Okay, here we go..." If they had any other friends, close by, with infants, Alex would be tempted to have stroller races. Nothing crazy, mind you, but he was sure they'd made the best decision when it came to equipment.
Wrinkled Black: She would still be able to shift if she needed to, it would just take a hell of a lot more energy than she really had just now. "Snug as a bug in a rug." And she probably shouldn't mention that with the right accessories, their stroller could be converted into a runner...
Alex Vipond: Oh hell to the yeah! Alex would be all over that, if he was aware of that. He'd totally be challenging other dads at the park.