maskormenacelogs | It makes my heart smile

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It makes my heart smile

WHO: Maya, Agent Texas, and Kaneda
WHERE: Nonah 05
WHEN: Sometime pre-Pan plot
WHAT: Chillaxing and relaxing after a session at the gym.
WARNINGS: Cursing and rudeness, most likely.

This is becoming routine by now. Their training sessions have become more frequent since Maya's incident, even with the girl staying in Nonah, and this time Tex has taken a trip to the other city rather than them sticking to the Heropa gym. It's less convenient for her, but for some reason Maya has been worth the effort. The training isn't easy and Tex refuses to go easy on her yet Maya keeps going.

It's a large part of why Tex is willing to spend more time with her outside of their workouts. Even if it's in new territory. She's well-aware of who lives here or at least, of some of the residents. At least one of which dislikes her and is someone Maya considers a good friend. For some reason. One thing can be said, Maya makes friends fast and while that can be advantageous, the girl is going to give her trust to the wrong person one of these days. At least Kaneda isn't one of those. It's easy to tell even from her limited interactions with him. The only time she's seen the is in the picture Maya sent her of him sleeping and they've only talked through text. What are the chances he'll even be home?

Either way, his presence isn't a deterrent for her. She stands behind Maya, relaxed as she waits for the other woman to open the door for them.

"You have a key to their house?" So Maya was serious about staying over here more often.

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As soon as Tex asks, Maya tenses up. Standing straighter, her shoulders raise-- and she makes a face before marching forward.

"Yyyup, that's totally it," she answers, grabbing the door handle. And opening it. Without using a key.

She knows full well that Tex is going to catch on. Lately, she's been getting to know a lot more about how Tex works in general; she's observant, straightforward, assertive, and Maya knows by now that sometimes she just has to accept that Tex is going to voice her opinions whenever she has them. Maya doesn't mind, honestly-- after all, having Tex around is always enjoyable. She's got a great sense of humor and makes Maya feel safe, and when it comes down to it, Maya's sure that by the time Kaneda gets home, Tex'll wanna be back to Heropa, anyway.

If not? Well.

It'll workout.

"They don't really lock it."

Oh, she noticed instantly how quickly the door opened and the lack of sound that comes from fumbling with keys. Maya only affirms what Tex suspects and already the woman is sighing. Of course they don't. Why would this house make any damn sense.

There's a small sigh as she follows Maya into the house.

"Why the hell not?"

"Weeeell, that's a good question!" Maya replies, shrugging and letting Tex in.

"I don't know. But, honestly, I don't think anyone's gonna break in to these guys' place."

She's practically boring a hole in the back of Maya's head at that. Reputation only goes so far in keeping someone safe.

"And how public knowledge is it who lives here? Because all it takes is one idiot to come in and screw things over. And it can happen well before someone is able to stop them."

"I don't know that, either," she mumbles, looking back over her shoulder. "But usually most of them are here! This is like, the one time someone hasn't been in when I got here."

She can't feel anyone else's auras, not even faintly.

"Doesn't mean they should leave their damn door unlocked. Especially if they have guests staying over." Namely, Maya because otherwise she wouldn't give a crap what the people living here did.

"It takes two seconds to do."

"I know," Maya answers, dropping her stuff down on the floor in front of the couch and flopping onto it herself. She shrugs her shoulders.

"I don't think Bull's small enough to carry keys, anyway."

"I bet he could figure something out," she grumbles. "So all they have for security is that they happen to live here? And you're staying here?"

Staying there often at that. Her own bag is dumped next to Maya's and she leans her palms on the back of the couch as she scans the main room.

"I dunno, I didn't really ask! It's not like the security was tight back at home, y'know?"

Granted, Maya's sister was killed in her own law offices, so this probably isn't the best argument Maya's ever made.

"I'll ask when somebody gets home, promise."

"Good," she replies with a sigh. Not the best answer, but it'll have to do for now. "I haven't heard of any break-ins on import housing, but no reason to make it easy on them."

"Well, you wanna watch TV or something for now?" Maya asks, trying to change the subject. "They probably won't get back for a little bit."

And Tex probably isn't going to enjoy leaving her there alone knowing the door is unlocked.

"I'm sure they'll be happy to see me." The statement is dry. She has an odd feeling she'll need to leave before too long lest a minor war break out. Particularly if one occupant in particular gets home first.

But that doesn't deter her from joining Maya on the couch. Watching TV isn't an activity she does much unless Maya's around. "What's on?"

"I dunno. Boxing, hopefully," Maya answers, shifting to get more comfortable. She flips through the channels, shrugging.

"I hope it'll be on, at least. That's what I wanna watch."

And as if on cue, the sound of footsteps outside can be heard. From somewhere in the house, Capsule seems to spring to life, lying from his spot in the kitchen and making a DASH for the door, tail wagging and butt wiggling back and forth. It's as if he knew that his master was home, soft whines escaping as he jumps around, his adolescent body unable to keep all that energy contained.

The door opens, and the dog's instantly rubbing his back against the legs of his owner.

"Hey, boy...you miss me? I wasn't even out that long this time. Thought you didn't need me anymore with Maya to sleep with, huh?" It's soft, and uncharacteristically gentle as he scritches behind the dog's ears, giving him a moment of attention before standing up and walking around the stairs.

...

As he looks at the scene in front of him.

...

A look to the door.

...

And then a look back to them.

"How'd you get past security?"

Why isn't Tex pinned under a couch and why isn't Maya inside the washing machine? The world may never know.

The dog had almost escaped her notice, but as soon as Capsule began moving her gaze followed the animal's steps. Looks like she wasn't going to be lucky enough to miss one of the real residents showing up here. She manages to stifle a sigh and watches the reunion of boy and dog. The least she can do is let him have a moment of peace before the eruption hits. She recognizes the kid from Maya's picture and none of their conversations have been pleasant to date.

"You mean how did we get passed the completely unlocked front door?" she asks flatly. "It wasn't exactly a challenge."

Maya, to her credit, is just as surprised by the question as Tex is. Though she lets Tex answer first, Maya piggybacks on it, eyes wide and brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah," she begins, "Nothing was locked. It's like. Never locked."

"Bull doesn't keep keys on him. Too small for his fingers." And he's lifting up the coffee table, shaking it a few times. Is it broken? Did Charlie's spells wear off?

"Seriously, nothing came and attacked you?"

Moving, on, he checks the kitchen cabinets to make sure all the plates are there. And then the picture frames.

What the hell is Kaneda going on about? And why is he inspecting crap? She doesn't make a move to get up and simply lets her gaze track his movements.

"Why the hell would something attack us? Unless you mean your dog," she says, motioning to the animal with a wave of her hand.

"How did you think I was gonna go to work and the gym if stuff was gonna attack us when we got here?" Maya asks lowly, obviously a little bemused. Is Kaneda really that surprised...?

"Usually one of us is here to invite you in." He's still kind of...inspecting the place. Nothing moved at all. It really did kind of let Maya in all by herself, without an official member of Nonah 05 being there to give the go-ahead.

But Tex's confusion gets an answer, his hand placing itself on the wall--one where he knows Charlie had put up one of those wards when he'd been here. "This house is magically guarded. No magic can hurt it, it's sealed off from any kind of attack--things just fly back at the person casting it--and if strangers walk in without one of us giving the green light...

The furniture tries to kill you."

No big deal.

She stares at Kaneda. It's a good, long stare that implies she doesn't believe a goddamn word that just came out of his mouth. Does he really expect her to believe that crap? She's been willing to expand a lot of her beliefs since arriving here, but she's not ready to include killer furniture on that list.

"Yeah, no. Everything's stayed right where it is. If you start seeing chairs scooting across the floor to get at you, you should get yourself checked out."

"I mean, it's probably magic, Tex," Maya insists, because clearly now that's the logic to follow. When your best friend is a talking skeleton, you get over things pretty quick.

"But whatever it is, it definitely didn't attack us."

"Yeah, magic." Kaneda confirms, finally accepting that the furniture just...didn't see them as a threat. Maya he knew was safe--they'd invited her in countless times, and he even announced that she was staying with them to the entire house.

Magic has ears, I guess.

Tex was the outlier, but...he can't really comp--

Wait a fuck.

"You're Tex??"

Magic. Of course. She rolls her eyes, showing just what she thinks of this 'magic,' but she's not going to argue. People here have stranger abilities.

At Kaneda's turn she raises a brow and stares the boy down. "Yeah, why?"

Ah, yes. This. This is the moment. This is the moment Maya's been waiting for.

"Tex, thiiiis is Kaneda," Maya offers, hurrying between them and gesturing toward Kaneda. And then, she gestures back to Tex. "And this is Tex. Tex just brought me home from training!"

Ancestors please do not let this become a clusterfuck.

Maya what the hell did you think was going to happen, Kaneda and Tex slapping each other on the back and grabbing a beer to celebrate?

Kaneda's shoulders hunch, immediately going on the defensive as Tex's eyes bore into him. If this is...getting along, then things are going great! At least he hasn't started yelling.

There's always that.

"Yeah."

She might not be the kid's biggest fan, but after another moment of staring she offers her hand for him to shake. Tex isn't completely without manners and he's only what, seventeen? She knows damn well how foolhardy teenagers can be from experience. It's not a deal breaker even if it makes her look at the boy harder.

"Figured a ride was better than making her walk."

Look, all Maya's expecting is things.... not to go horribly. Things going well? That's just, you know, if she gets lucky.

When Tex leans to offer her handshake, Maya steps back toward Kaneda's side and out of Tex's way. She's got a better chance holding back Kaneda, she figures, if things go wrong, considering their height. And who knows-- maybe her presence will have him less on edge for this.... fortunately timed meeting.

"Yeah-- did you know you both drive motorcycles?" See you have a thing in common.

Please be chill. Please.

Kaneda looks at that hand for a good few seconds as gears turn in his head. While he wasn't exactly Tex's biggest fan, either, this was important to Maya, and his pride--as big of a part of him as it was--took second place to disappointing her.

That hand gingerly inches out, slow at first but firmly gripping once it's extended, giving Tex's hand a good shake.

It's killing him on the inside, but he's doing this for you, Maya.

"That so..."

Edited 2016-02-08 07:15 (UTC)

Her own hold is firm and she keeps the shake brief, doubting that Kaneda wants to touch her hand any longer than necessary. There's a slight glance at Maya as she totes out motorcycles as a potential bonding point and manages to keep herself from rolling her eyes.

"Yeah. We do." It's hard not to notice Kaneda's caution around her and Tex moves to stand. "You want me to go?"

It's his house. If he really wants her gone, she'll give him one chance to just say it.

Maya waits, staring between them both.

Tex is actually being more chill than she's expected. She's guarded as well, but there's something about it that looks like she's being careful. Maybe... Maybe things will be okay.

She looks at Kaneda, waiting for his answer, keeping her face stoic and trying not to influence either of them one way or the other.

It's a long pause. One where Kaneda seems to be debating. The obvious answer is 'yes'. With all Tex has said about him, he'd have every right to just toss her out. But obvious wasn't always correct.

His gaze turns to Capsule, the adolescent golden retriever now trotting towards Tex with tail wagging and eyes as dark and sparkly as Kaneda's own. To say Kaneda based his judgement of people off the dog was a bit of a stretch, but...

"Nah. He likes you." His head nods towards the dog before he finally makes a move to sit on the couch. And...maybe that was the hint of a smile.

She had been prepared to stand and walk right out. There are other times she'd see Maya, she and the other woman have a regular training schedule. When Kaneda answers 'no,' she can't help but stare for a moment. A long moment. Either he's fucking around with her or...

Well. If she's not being kicked out, she'll stay comfortable on the couch. Her gaze shifts from Kaneda to the dog and she's already reaching to offer the creature her hand to sniff before she attempts any ear scratches.

"That makes at least two in the house then," she jokes dryly.

Honestly, Maya can't really believe that played out the way it did. That's why she stays where she is, staring at both of them, looking between them. Waiting. Just in case.

When nothing explodes, she hesitates just a moment longer before--

"You know what? I should go make tea. Who wants tea?"

It's a miracle, honestly. Because Kaneda would not have hesitated were it anyone other than Maya. Sure, Capsule was what he said was the reason, but...Capsule could love a cactus. The air's still tense as he moves to sit down, opposite of Tex. It's like a damn homing beacon to the dog, though, quickly finishing up investigating their new visitor and hurrying back to his master with a bouncing stride and wagging tail.

It's hard to keep his salty demeanor at that, though, so his hand brushes against that head, right behind his floppy ears.

...That is. Until Maya says she's going to the kitchen.

Wait. What.

Maya that wasn't part of the deal you can't LEAVE HIM ALONE WITH HER.

Edited 2016-02-17 08:32 (UTC)

"Make that a coffee," she calls to Maya. Tea's fine, but she has her preference. Even if it means she's going to be stuck in this room with the asshole kid for a while.

The asshole kid she's staring at as she settles back down in her seat properly instead of watching them from over the back of the couch. She watches the dog move away from her with reluctance - the damn thing was cute - but she doesn't stop Capsule. Eventually her gaze moves from the dog back to his owner.

Well. She might as well try to make conversation.

"So, what job did they saddle you with? Or did you quit it and find a different one?" That's a neutral topic to start with, right?

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It makes my heart smile

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1/3 sitcom hooting and whistles as he walks through the door

2/3

3/3 laugh track

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