death and romance: riddles of our lifetimes...

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Jay: After a long and confusing evening marked by the absence of his roommate, Mike isn't any better pleased when in the morning, the students all gather in the lobby of the school to be separated into their groups, and he finds that not only is Tim still missing, but fucking Lovato has been moved to their group. It makes for a disgruntled bus ride, and he's too grumpy himself to notice that the anxiety Kellen displayed last night has disappeared. When they reach the lodge, everyone piles into the main building for lunch, which is at least an improvement over cafeteria food, then they all disperse to find their own cabins. Hiking through the snow, Michael makes a point to keep his back to Lovato, conferring with Kellen on the direction untill they spot the appropriate-numbered cabin through the snow, and Mike takes the lead to let the small crew into the tiny building.


Jackie: Tony took to sitting at the front of the bus on the trip, not having anyone sit next to him since most of his "friends" are the commuters that go home for the holidays. He follows after Mike and Kellen, probably a little oblivious (or choosing to ignore) Mike's distaste for him, and he shifts his bags on his shoulder before calling out obnoxiously. "Hey! Wait up! I'm with you guys, too." Still appropriately passed out inside of that cabin, Tim sighs quietly and shifts around on the futon, still in a deep slumber (due mostly because of his short and disrupted sleep the night before). Sometime in the night, he managed to change into more comfortable and warmer clothing-- a pair of lazy plaid pajama bottoms and an oversized sweatshirt-- and is blissfully unaware of who is approaching their makeshift sanctuary.


Jay: Mike just flatly ignores Lovato's plea, but Kellen - a little kinder, even if he doesn't have much use for Lovato, either - drops back to somewhere halfway between the two. When the door is opened, Leech snaps immediately awake and aware, eyes open but motionless otherwise until he identifies the source that woke him up, and its potential threat. But it's only Ness, so Leech takes his time in sitting up. Mike gives the pair slumbering on the futon a bizarre look, because not only was he not expecting them here, he wasn't expecting Tim to be enjoying Leech's company, of all people. "When'd you two get here?" Leech rolls off a shrug as he pushes himself to sit up, glancing at Tim, still passed out beside him. "I don' really remember. Was half-asleep on the drive."


Jackie: Tony is probably way too pleased with Kellen's kindness, and he scoots up a little more quickly to catch up with him. "He's such a dick." Referring to Mike, Tony nods his head forward at the Ness, then rolls his eyes. Upon getting to the cabin door, he immediately drops his bags obnoxiously and stands there to observe the place, looking pretty self important at the moment. Tim, without the instincts like Leech, remains asleep on the futon, only shifting more into the comfort of his pillow and blankets and burying his face in it all. Quite unusual for him, but clearly shows his exhaustion.


Jay: "Well, yeah." Kellen says, as if it's understood worldwide that Mike can be a dick at times, but it's also understood that he's good-looking enough to get away with it. On the small front porch of the cabin, Kellen overhears Mike's conversation, and even though he was reassured by the note Leech left in his quarters this morning, the sound of his brother's sleep-rough (and just rough in general) voice relaxes the remaining tension in his shoulders and maybe makes his heartbeat spike briefly. He certainly shows more energy, pushing past Lovato and dropping his own bag beside the couch in favor of launching himself onto it. "Leech!" He doesn't miss the brief widening of Leech's eyes, a warning, but he's already airborne and can't take back the relieved exclamation. Instead, he amends it as he lands: "And Tim! We thought you guys killed each other in some sexy murder-suicide pact."


Jay: Leech grunts as Kellen lands half on him, a bony knee in his stomach, and shoves at his shoulders to attempt to move him. It doesn't work to any marked degree. "Nah, yer not that lucky. Fuck, get off me, White. Yer hips are like razorblades." Kellen laughs, but rolls to the side, fitting himself between Leech and Tim and allowing Leech to sit up again. He noticed that someone else entered with them, but only now realizes who it is, and narrows his eyes into a mild glare in Tony's direction. "What're you doing here?"


Jackie: Tony rolls his eyes for that, and it all probably boils down to Mike being able to get fractions of Tim's attention, and himself getting none. Since he's terrified of Leech and doesn't see Tim hidden under those blankets, Tony doesn't really bother with entering the room any more than a few feet, watching.


Jackie: Tim was asleep up until Kellen launched himself onto the futon, but he doesn't react too surprised for the intrusion-- too tired for much of a reaction, really. Lifting his head only a little bit to squint out towards Kellen, he only makes a noise somewhere between a moan and a grunt, lowering his head back down in an attempt to go back to the unconscious state he was just in.


Jackie: Tony shifts a little bit under that glare, then reaches down for his bags while looking at Leech. He's not entirely sure why his teacher hates him so much, but isn't sure if he wants to find out why, either. "I...got switched into this group. Dr. Snyder told me he told you." And now he looks like he's about to piss his pants.


Jay: Because Leech hates everyone, naturally. With possible exception to the two boys he's currently sharing his couch with. Tony's explanation doesn't appease him, and he continues his malicious glowering. "He didn't tell me. No one told me." As usual for the Leech, displeasure sharpens his tone and causes him to enunciate more clearly. "What'd you do wrong, this time?" Because the kid certainly would not have been foisted on Leech unless he'd been misbehaving.


Jay: Ignoring Leech's interrogation, Kellen lights up some when Tim wakes, rolling toward him to wrap both lanky arms around him and squish. "Hey, Timmy! We wondered where you were last night. Good thing Jess already went home; he would've been worried, seein' your room trashed, with broken walls and lamps and blood on the ground. What the hell happened?" Mike, with a secretively smug smile hiding in the corners of his eyes and mouth, greets Tim more casually with a nod, and lifts the guitar case in his left hand - his own soft case being slung over a shoulder. "'ey, kitten. Brought somethin for you."


Jackie: Lifting his items, he enters the cabin a little more, vaguely noticing the doorway for another room and using deductive reasoning that his sleeping quarters are in that direction. He starts to step towards that door, but doesn't make it too far, since he's distracted by the Timothy that comes into his view and Leech's eyes freeze him in place some. Suddenly, everything feels like his fault. Which is probably true. He flares out an arm in expression, sounding like a whiny bitch. "I didn't do anything!" He pauses, thinks. "He said that...the other groups were full. Or something. I don't know, he just told me to find your group."


Jackie: Tim was totally set on falling back asleep, but then Kellen's wrapping around him like a snake and talking a mile a minute, so his attempt is futile. Shifting onto his back, he rubs at his face and then blinks open those blue eyes to Kellen. The younger boy's words hit him hard, like a ton of bricks that remind him of everything that's happened in the past day and a half, and he covers easily for now. "There was a bat in my room. Leech thought we were keeping it as a pet, and I accidentally smashed the wall with my bat when we tried to capture it." Because that's believable, right? Craning his neck back, he looks at Mike and his eyes immediately soften when he notices the guitar. He almost gives a smile, but it's more evident in his eyes than anywhere else.


Jay: Leech's eyes narrow still further, leaving him with a Wild West squint and a set jaw. He doubts Tony is telling the truth, at least not the whole truth; it's become ridiculously obvious over the course of their guitar classes that Lovato is enamored of Tim, and Leech imagines he wouldn't hesitate to stoop so low as to beg Snider to switch his group so he could be with Tim. And Snider, the fucking hippie, would probably be willing to do it. So Leech just snorts comprehensively and turns his gaze away from Lovato, digging his way out of his blankets to go over to the fireplace. Luckily, some of the logs are still smoldering, so when Leech starts stacking fresh logs in the grate, he has some hope that the remaining cinders might ignite them.


Jay: Kellen probably doesn't buy that immediately, but he allows it to stand for now, because even if he and Tim are friends, they're not so close that Kellen can demand full candor. Still, that hole in the wall definitely was not baseball-bat shaped. "Did you catch it? We should keep it as a pet." Leech rolls his eyes some for the enthusiasm in that statement. Now that he's off the couch, Mike ambles over to sit down on it, leaving his own and Tim's guitars propped against the wall with Leech's. "A bat, huh? Hope you don't get rabies." Because he's looking pointedly at the bandage wrapping Tim's hand and bruised knuckles.


Jackie: Shifting on the balls of his feet, Tony takes that silence as his escape, and before he can be questioned even more, he skitters off to the bedroom and takes count of the beds. Seeing Tim's items on the lower bunk, he tosses his things on the bed above it. All of his things except for his god awful guitar, which he places up against the wall for easy access later on. He probably even goes so far as to snag one of the items of Tim's clothing off his bed and hide it under his own pillow.


Jackie: Tim continues his shifting until his back is against one of arm rests of the couch, which he presses up against to pop his joints. He would smile for Kellen's enthusiasm, if only because it reminds him of Jesse, but that proves to be difficult, right now. Looking over at Michael, he knows his lie isn't being bought completely, but he doesn't give in to it-- instead, he just tugs the sleeve of his hoodie down to cover his hand. "Not foaming at the mouth, at least."


Jay: Mike gives a half-grin for Tim's response, but in instantly aware of the fact that Tim's demeanor is more subdued than usual. Perhaps he puts it down to Jesse being gone, or perhaps to just waking up, but he doesn't question it either way. "Well, you missed lunch. And the group prayer, but we skipped out on that, too." He nods towards Kellen when he says 'we'. "Unfortunately, Lovato saw us sneaking out and came with." Ness doesn't lower his voice when he says this. By now it's clear to everyone that he really hates Lovato, and that Lovato really hates him, but probably not for the same reasons.


Jay: Noticing that Leech is, in fact, having a little trouble with the fireplace, Kellen scoots to the edge of the futon and drops to the floor, crawling over to join the man. There's a small basket stocked with old newspapers, and he grabs a page to tear and crumple it, shoving it under the grate with the remaining embers. "Don' do that, kid, you'll burn yerself." Leech takes the newspaper from Kellen and takes over, since his own fingertips aren't in much danger, benumbed as they always are. Kellen catches Leech's eye during that exchange, and looks a question at him. Leech only responds by drawing his mouth into a flat line, then shaking his head tightly, presumably stating that he'll explain himself later.


Jackie: Using his non-bandaged hand, Tim wipes at his face a little more as he yawns, finally starting to wake up a little more. Which isn't all that surprising-- who could sleep with these two so near? "Can't say I missed it all that much." Oh, look, a little joke. He's not completely dead on the inside. Flicking his gaze back towards the rooms, he rolls his eyes for the mention of Lovato-- the kid is a fucking pest, and really at the bottom of his list of things he wants to deal with, right now.


Jackie: Tony, having settled his items, reenters the main part of the cabin, going for the Ness style of approach and smiling cockily, using one hand to yank at his stupid blonde hair and form it into the faux hawk he had earlier. "So...what're we supposed to do here? Sit around and look at each other?"


Jay: Keeping that half-grin in place, feeling the urge to encourage Tim although he's not sure why, Mike reaches up to grasp his leg, just above the knee, and squeeze it in a slightly-more-than-friendly way. "Yeah, well, I don't suppose a missed meal will hurt either of you fatasses. I mean, shit, you must've gained fifty pounds since the school year started." He sounds entirely serious, which just makes it funnier, since both Leech and Lint are fairly bony and light, even consider their respective complements of wiry muscle. Releasing Tim's leg, he shoves both hands into the mattress to scoot up towards the wall, stretching his legs out next to Tim and propping his left hand behind his head.


Jay: No one else seems inclined to answer Tony, so Kellen gives in to being the diplomatic one once again. "Nah, we're supposed to, y'know, relax, have fun. Go skiing, or build snowmen..." He trails off, waving a hand in a manner to suggest endless possibilities for fun. Leech coughs (or maybe that's a laugh, who can tell?) and turns to look away from the fire and look at Tony with those eyes, colder than their surroundings will be even in the dead of night. "Yeh, you can be the model fer the snowman. Jus' don't move too much, or we won't be able to get the snow packed in 'round you."


Jackie: "At the very least." It's said dryly, but Tim's face shows his amusement. Or at least his appreciation for the joke. He's become a little more used to Mike's flirtatious ways, so that hand on his leg doesn't make him flinch, but he does stretch his leg out to playfully kick at his room mate. "Should've prayed for my BMI at group prayer."


Jackie: Tony tries really hard to look comfortable, but he just can't-- he only shifts his weight to one hip and yanks at his hair again, rolling his eyes for Leech's words. "Yeah, right. Ness would be better suited for that." He shoots a look over at Michael, maybe pointedly the hand on Tim's leg, and then corrects himself. "Well...actually, probably not. Hard to stay still when you're always on the move."


Jay: It's obvious, to Mike if no one else (because maybe he spends too much time observing his roommate), that Tim isn't truly relaxed, but is having to make an effort to engage with everyone else. No, there's certainly something behind this mood more than Jesse's absence. It's not a good time to ask about it, with Tony over there, and Leech over there, so Ness just tilts his head like a lost puppy. "BMI? What, your Beautiful but Masculine Invitingness? No need to pray for that, sugar, it's well in tact."


Jay: Refusing to acknowledge Lovato's attempt to be funny, Leech just stares at him blank-eyed and harrowing, before standing up. He heads to the bathroom without a word, but lets his fingers brush through Kellen's fuzzy hair as he goes, a touch that Kellen leans into a little bit. The latter comment about Mike makes Kellen's gaze sharpen a little; sure, he's ready to be diplomatic, but if Tony starts trying to diss his friends, that won't last long. So he deigns to translate that in a harmless way. "Yeh, not everyone can be so stagnant as you, Tony." A classic Kellen grin takes most the sting out of the statement.


Jackie: Tim's eyes flick over to Kellen and (unfortnuately) Tony, but he doesn't catch too much of what they're saying. Fitting his focus back on Mike, he stretches his other leg out and hears his knee pop, unable to stop the absolute faintest blush to crawl up his jawline. "Body mass index. It...measures you body fat. In relation to your height and..." He stops himself, shakes his head. "It was a joke."


Jackie: Tony moves to sit on the futon, in the space vacated by Kellen, but he doesn't make a move to get close to Tim yet. He just flips that stupid wrist again, as if that fits as a description, eyes focusing back on Kellen. "I'm just saying." A quick glance to the the other two on the futon, he looks back at Kellen, choosing to ignore his sarcasm. "I'm close to the last one that should be a snowman model."


Jay: Mike tilts his head in the other direction, looking more genuinely confused for a moment, before he shakes his head and dismisses it. "You always were the smart one." Shifting, Mike slithers down on the bed some, taking over Leech's satiny pillow with no compunction and sighing in comfort. Maybe taking up more space on purpose, to keep Lovato from getting any closer. "You guys can go snowman building if you want, but I think I'm gonna stay here and defrost for a while."


Jay: Uncertain as how to even take that, figuring Tony wants to mean more than he's saying, but can't quite manage it, Kellen merely shrugs. He stands up from his spot in front of the fire, now crackling happily, and digs in a pocket of his tight black pants to find a cigarette pack there. He picks through it, bypassing a couple of pre-rolled joints in favor of nicotine for now, lighting up as Leech emerges from the bathroom and thereby earning a sharp glance of rebuke. So Kellen swiftly hides the cigarette behind one leg, his hand cupped around it, with a comically innocent expression. Leech rolls his eyes, then glances over at the rest of this motley crew he's in charge of. "Now ya mention it, I guess you would suit some other kind'a modeling better. Maybe a gargoyle. Would you all get the hell off my bed?" He reaches over, snatching the pillow from under Ness' head. "I don' need to be smellin' Aquanet and unbridled teenage hormones all night."


Jackie: Now that his legs are kicked out in front of himself, Tim reaches his arms out to stretch the muscles, waking up enough to feel the tension still in his body. He gives Mike an amused look for that, shaking his own head to dismiss it. He goes to add to the conversation, but nothing comes to mind-- nothing worth while, at least, and he shifts a little away from Tony's creeping presence.


Jackie: Tony, not even a casual smoker, perks up a little bit for the cigarettes-- probably figuring he'll earn bonus points for partaking. "Can I have one?" But before he even finishes that last word, Leech is back and intimidating, so Tony whips his head around look at Leech in a little bit of fear before popping off the bed immediately. "What the hell! What've I ever done to you?" Looking at Leech pointedly. "I'm am certainly not your worst student." And with that, he waves a hand over in Ness' direction.


Jackie: Tim, looking up at all of this, groans some in annoyance, shifting even more to crawl off of the futon's mattress and get to his feet. Passing by Leech, he mutters under his breath "How about instead of modeling, we use him as a human sacrifice to Sasquatch?" A pretty uncharacteristic comment from Tim, but he just hates the kid so badly, and then makes his way to the bathroom to splash some water on his face.


Jay: Staring at Tony with his usual depthless gaze of evil, Leech doesn't answer for a long moment - probably waiting to see the kid squirm. "There's always someone worse; that doesn' make you any more likeable." He almost adds, at least Mike is nice to look at, but decides not to take sides. Instead, he glances at Mike when Tony motions to him, jerking his head in a quick motion meant to get Ness moving. He probably didn't meant to imply that Tim had to move, but snorts quietly when the kid passes by him and makes that comment, remarking in a low murmur for Tim's ears alone. "Think the yetis would be offended with such a shit sacrifice."


Jay: Kellen's a little confused by Tony's eager request, and is glad when Leech prevents him from having to answer. "You know Unbridled Teenage Hormones is your favorite perfume, Leech; don't even lie." Turning aside, he takes a quick drag from his cigarette, as if it's not blatantly obvious, and Leech does that maybe-cough-maybe-laugh thing again. This time, instead of petting Kellen's head, he grabs a handful of hair and yanks, which merely earns an unrepentant grin from the boy.


Jay: Mike observes this byplay as he (slowly) pulls himself off the futon, wondering - not for the first time - if Kellen perhaps has something going with a staffmember, and if that's the explanation for his ready supply of smokes, drinks, and drugs. He doesn't join in the banter, but snags his own bags and guitar and swaggers into the ajoining room. It irks him a little that Tony has apparently claimed the same bed as Tim, but he puts his own things on the wider bottom bunk of the other bed, figuring Kellen's still small enough to fit up top without concern.


Jackie: Tim snorts in amusement for Leech's words, then makes it into the bathroom without any incident. Back in the main room, Tony flusters a little bit for Leech's glare and his words, voice whiny and obnoxious. "That still doesn't answer my question." Moving almost rat-like, Tony squirms into an arm chair located opposite of the futon, eyes attempting to create a glare that isn't intimidating in the least. "Whatever. It's obvious you have favorites." Eyebrows raise over at Kellen, and then he crooks his head towards the bathroom to implicate Tim, as well.


Jackie: Once finished in the bathroom, Tim peers into that main room quickly and notes the missing Mike, so he sneaks over to the doorway of the bedroom and leans against the frame. He watches Michael settling his things, stays silent for a moment to just observe and in doing so, Tony's voice echoes into the room. Tim's nose wrinkles and he voices up at Michael, arms crossing over his chest. "We really should lock him out."


Jay: And Leech reluctantly looks back to Lovato, hating having to do so. Whatever buoyancy seeing Kellen again lent to his mood is being squashed by this brat's sulking, and that pisses him off even more than having to deal with Lovato in the first place. "Yeh? I heard cryin' about it helps." He doesn't retract his hand from Kellen's head, and instead starts skritching at the boy's scalp lightly when Tony mentions 'favorites', making Kellen tilt his head towards the attention, his eyelids dropping half-closed like a contented cat, glad to ignore all of this drama. "If ya don' learn to keep yer mouth shut, I'll gladly teach ya a few of my favorite tricks. The first one includes a pair of pliers, a bag of marshmallows, a hive of bumblebees and a can of Sterno."


Jay: Michael glances over his shoulder when he hears Tim enter, relieved that it is Tim and not anyone else. He offers a little smile for Tim's suggestion, shoving his duffelbag out of the way to sit on the edge of his bed. "I don't think even bein' buried in a snowdrift would manage to cool his passion for you for very long, sadly." Reaching for his gig bag, Mike goes about the familiar action of unzipping it and pulling the instrument into his lap. A quick glance goes toward the main room before he continues, dropping his voice. "Where did you really disappear to, last night? Did something happen?"


Jackie: Tony rolls his eyes for that, crossing his arms over his chest as he sinks further into that chair. "I'm not crying about it. I'm just saying." Saying nothing, more like it. Sighing again, probably in exaggeration, he raises his eyes to the ceiling to avoid Leech's eyes, those words making him a little nervous.


Jackie: Staying put against that door frame, Tim can only give a brief look of disgust for that description, because he knows the truth behind it, and probably doesn't like to think about it too much. Pushing off of the frame, he walks towards his bed, bending over to take a seat on the mattress and watch Mike toy with his guitar. For that question, he flicks his eyes over to Mike's and it doesn't even feel like he's lying. More just like he's not accepting the truth, right now. He watches him silently and then looks down at his hand, shaking his head. "Nothin' happened. I was just with Leech, and it got late. Decided to head up here early, is all."


Jay: "Yeh, so I noticed. You need to stop saying, now." Uh-oh, he's even enunciating again. Knowing the danger signs when he hears them, Kellen eels away from Leech's grasp easily and heads for the door. Leech turns to look at him inquiringly. "Where ya going?" Kellen shrugs, not even bothering to pretend to hide his smoking, speaking around the filter. "Gunna see what Justin's up to. I didn't come all the way out here to get trapped in a cabin." Leech tilts his head, flicks his gaze briefly to Kellen's feet. "In Chucks? In the snow?" Kellen's only response is another shrug, and Leech gives an exasperated sigh, nodding to the end of the couch-bed. "Take my boots; I'm not going anywhere. And I'm sure as fuck not driving you to the hospital so they can amputate yer frozen toes." He falls short of sounding stern, so Kellen grins as he perches on the edge of the bed, switching his own high-top All Stars for Leech's knee high boots, though they barely fit beneath the legs of his pants. Once they're on, he heads back out the door, and Leech - left with the option of Lovato's company - starts digging through his backpack to find his headphones and book.


Jay: Watching Tim's face during that answer, Michael can't quite hide a flash of disappointment; he knows Tim isn't telling him everything, and that stings a little. He doesn't point out how the state of their room gives Tim the lie, but doesn't entirely drop the conversation; looking down at Tim's hand, wrapped in that bandage so that Ness doesn't know what type of wound he's got, he speaks with that same quietly secretive tone. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" Because over the months, Mike has surely been on the receiving end of more than a couple of Leech's punishments, which gave his imagination plenty of fodder to run wild last night.


Jackie: Getting more comfortable on the bed, Tim moves until he's horizontal, on his belly, and folds his arms to create a makeshift resting spot for his chin. He doesn't lift his head as he talks, so his words come out a little muttered. "What, Leech?" A quick shake of the head to dismiss that thought, Tim then continues. "No. C'mon, I don't do shit to get in trouble." He attempts a smile, maybe to toy with Mike since he tends to get in trouble frequently, and nearly pulls it off brilliantly.


Jay: "Yeah, Leech. Of course Leech." The teasing is somewhat reassuring, and Mike decides it's in his best interest just to leave it alone, for now; hopefully Tim will want to talk to him, when he feels he needs to talk. It's not nothing, Mike's sure of that. But he shrugs, grins a little for the comment. "Never know. He might've just taken exception without any evidence." Because that's definitely Leech's style. Mike plucks aimlessly at his guitar strings, not fully paying attention to them with so much on his mind. Hoping to get a better response from Tim, he changes subjects. "I got to talk to Dennis yesterday; he called after class. Jace was over there with the baby." His baby, he means.



Jackie: "He doesn't do that, and you know it. You just get caught too frequently." It's said with amusement, and Tim moves to lay his head down on his folded up arms, still facing to look at the boy across from him. His eyes fix on his fingers for a moment, watches as he plucks against those strings, and if Tony wasn't in the other room, he'd probably go and grab his own just for something to do. Thankful for the distraction, he engulfs into the conversation, sounding genuinely interested. "Oh, yeah? Things better between you and her?"


Jay: Michael might usually argue that, but for now it doesn't seem pertinent, so he merely snorts. Setting the guitar aside when he's satisfied that the cold and long drive didn't damage it in any way, he leans back on his palms and shrugs loosely. "About the same, really. She's incredible, she's glad I wanna be a part of Adrianna Michelle's life, but she doesn't personally want much to do with me." Mike doesn't sound too put-out about this; it's not like he was in love with the girl in the first place. "She'll be two in a couple months. Startin' to talk more. It sounds dumb, I know, but I never thought hearing someone say 'hi, Daddy' would make me wanna cry." He looks down some as he says that, self-conscious, but not too ashamed. Tim's the only one he usually shares these things with.


Jackie: Tim keeps quiet on his opinion about Mike's baby momma-- clearly, the woman must be nuts if she wants nothing to do with Michael, but it's not like Tim has the balls to say that. At least not sober. Smiling genuinely (although it may not be as big and as bright as prior smiles), Tim shifts a little at hearing that, because it's nice to see this side of Michael every once and a while. He also takes the opportunity of Mike looking down to really observe his face, sees the obvious joy in his face. "Why didn't ya go back to California for break? Could see her, maybe?"


Jay: Michael shakes his head, lips pursed. "Not allowed. It's in the terms of my parole: I have to stay locked up at the school, or at least in custody of the school's administrators, til I'm eighteen." He sighs some for that, because surely he'd like nothing better than to get the hell away for a while. Or, almost nothing. He looks up at Tim, head cocked to the side. "Dennis told me she's getting really good at walking. Probably be turning cartwheels before I see her again. At least he keeps me updated." The mother probably would be willing to do so, too, if Mike's pride allowed him to ask.


Jay: Back in the front room, Kellen returns from his foray into the frozen wasteland - where it's actually quite sunny, if not precisely warm - with Justin in tow, to inform Leech that they're all wanted back at the main lodge for a group meeting before dinner. Leech only groans, then scoots forward to put on the shoes he switched with Kellen and his leather jacket, nodding towards the other room. Kellen takes the unspoken direction and heads into the bedroom, looking from Mike to Tim. "Hey, we're supposed to go to the main lodge. There's, ahhh...some sort of meeting. I don't know. Then dinner."


Jackie: Tim wrinkles his nose for that, a little surprised that he didn't know that much about Mike's restrictions at the school. He understands a little more, why he's so resentful of his stay at St. U's-- or perhaps gets why he's always seeking even a momentary escape from it. He knows any sort of sympathy offered wouldn't be wanted, so he stays silent as Mike continues. But before he can respond to that, Kellen's in the room, and Tim lifts his head enough to look at his suitemate. Nodding for that, he shifts a little to get out of the bed and then to his feet, looking down at his attire and not even wanting to bother with changing. "Is it that cold out?" Directed at Kellen, of course.


Jay: Kellen jerks one shoulder in a shrug, while Justin hovers behind him, teasing Leech harmlessly about all his layers. Another favorite, apparently. "Not that bad, nah. You'd probably be fine in a hoodie." And then he withdraws, breaking into Leech and Justin's conversation before it devolves any further and leading the way out. Michael stands, stretching with a pleased groaning noise and then snatching up his own jacket, a thinly padded dark blue linen thing like a mechanic's shirt, predictably covered with band patches. Buttoning it up, he looks to Tim and crooks an elbow out in invitation, like he's some young gallant escorting a fine lady to dinner. "Shall we go, monsieur?"


Jackie: Deciding that he doesn't want to bother with changing, Tim instead goes to slip on his pair of beat up Converse. This alone is unlike Tim-- typically he makes some sort of effort, but he's comfy and achey and most everything is difficult to do, now. Shoes fitted to his feet, he glances up at Michael as he slips on that jacket, probably gets distracted with the motion, as well. Tim looks at Ness with a bit of a laugh apparent in his features, but before he can respond, Tony calls out from the other room. "He uses those pet names on everyone, Tim!" Which really just...ruins the moment, and Tim just kind of starts for the door on his own accord.


Jay: Fighting down his own annoyance with Tony, which is becoming harder to do, Mike lets his arm drop and follows after Tim. He gives the younger boy a look as they pass him by. "A term of respect can't really be called a pet name. That's like saying you're hitting on Todd everytime you call him 'Dr. Snider'. Monsieur is universal." Ignoring how he does use pet names for everyone, of course. The meeting and dinner don't improve Michael's disposition any, as Tony insists on sitting nearby and continuing to make scathing comments when he isn't fanboying at Tim or trying to scoot closer. All things considered, Mike's pretty glad to leave directly after dinner, though all the rest stay on in the lodge for a while - Jefe asked Leech to bring his guitar and play, and so of course Kellen stays with him.


Jackie: Tony only waves a hand dismissively for Mike, as if he's trying to wave him out of existence, but he eventually has to follow him to the main lodge with the group. As they all head out, Tim moves at a glacial pace-- one that attracts Tony to hover around annoyingly. Despite his attempts, he can't seem to shake the scrawny little blonde brat, and in doing so, remains pretty quiet (even for him) throughout dinner. He doesn't try to fight Mike to stay and keep him company, but he doesn't like the way Tony follows Mike to the cabin a few minutes later. Staying back in the main lodge, Tim only heads back when Leech and Kellen make their way, and by this time it's much colder; Tim huddles into himself, yanks the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and stuffs his hands in the front pocket.


Jay: Leech is glad he manages to elide Jefe's entreaties to play Kumbaya, and escapes as soon as he reasonably can, Kellen following like the lapdog he so resembles (maybe a Shih Tzu, or some other furry, energetic breed). Tim isn't the only one chilled, and Leech moves quickly to get back to the cabin. But when he opens the door, he freezes, seeing the scrabbling, cursing, bleeding, wrestling ball of humanity rolling around the main room. It isn't a surprise that Lovato and Ness are fighting; Leech expected it at some point, and at first he's not even sure if he wants to bother intervening. Maybe they'll each beat the other into a coma and he'll be free of them. But Kellen ruins it; he doesn't hesitate when he sees the ongoing fight, diving into the room, as fierce as he usually is exuberant. "Hey, fucker!" Young though he is, Kellen is plenty tall enough to keep hold of Tony once he's got him, locking his lanky arms around the other boy's chest and hauling him forcibly away from Michael. Mike, for his part, doesn't go after Tony when he's pulled away, but takes a couple of dizzy steps back towards a wall, head tilting back as he tries to catch his breath, keeping his vision averted from anyone else.


Jackie: Tim's interest in what's going on inside of the cabin only intensifies when Kellen lunges forward; Tim then quickens his own speed and squirms to get inside of that door and see the brawling mess of spiked hair. He doesn't throw himself into the mix, since Kellen's taken care of that, but the blood concerns him and he steps forward more to stand between Tony and Michael. "The fuck are you guys doing?" Tim's voice isn't raised, but it does come off as exasperated, and he turns his head to look over his shoulder at Mike, some sort of concern coming across his features. It's then that he recognizes the sinking feeling in his gut, and wonder just when, exactly, Mike's well being had any affect on his own feelings.


Jackie: Tony, restrained by Kellen, still squabbles a little bit to try to get at Mike, his own hair yanked in all different directions, some of Mike's blood dripped on his shirt. "You're such a fucking asshole!"


Jay: Though sort of worn out, Mike's also a little high on adrenaline and exhilaration. It's been a while since he's been in a fight, and Lovato's a better brawler than he would have expected. Of course, the knife was just cheating, but it gave Mike an excuse to show no mercy, which explains the swelling along Lovato's jaw, his split lip, and the various other contusions the kid's got. He grins some for Tim's question, though not making eye contact, and executes a fluid, courtly bow. "Only defending your honor, Monsieur." He straightens up again as Leech approaches, narrow-eyed.


Jay: And Leech reaches out to snag the knife from Mike's loose grip, and Mike lets him, unconcerned. Leech looks at the blade - a simple kitchen knife like one might use for cutting open melons, not well-sharpened, but coated with blood anyway - and then looks at the gash running the length of Ness' arm. It's long, but not too deep, and though blood drips to the floor, it is merely dripping, rather than running free or spurting. Stepping fully between the two of them, Leech switches his narrow gaze between Ness and Lovato a couple of times before speaking up. "Yer not left-handed, are you, Ness?" Mike looks bewildered by the question, but answers automatically with a shake of the head, which seems to appease Leech. "An' you are, aren't you, Lovato?"


Jackie: Tim keeps his eyes on Michael, but doesn't notice the gash on his arm quite yet-- his gaze doesn't leave the other boy's face. Mike's response was probably supposed to be amusing, but Tim can't focus on that right now, only shakes his head and looks back over to Tony. Some of the kid's blonde hair has some tinges of blood in it and he looks pretty well busted in, but Tim doesn't get that same sinking feeling.


Jackie: Tony again yanks to get out of Kellen's grasp, maybe not with much force, and looks over at Leech with incredulous eyes. "He fucking started it!" As if that covers for him grabbing the knife-- something he vaguely knows Leech is getting at. Another squirm, and then another out burst, this time directed to Tim. "Why the fuck do you even bother with him? It's not like you're anything special to him!" Which only really earns Tony raised eyebrows from Tim.


Jay: Kellen jerks back against Tony's squirming, keeping the other boy's arms pinned to his side at the elbows, though that still leaves him free use of his forearms - it won't get him very far. Leech snaps his gaze back to the pair, since if Lovato tries to hurt Kellen, all bets are off. "You wanna be shutting up now, Lovato, before you get yourself in deeper shit." Lifting the bloody blade, he waves it to get the kid's attention. "Where'd you pick this up? Sneak into the kitchens after dinner tonight, maybe?"


Jay: For all of Tony's dramatics, Michael just rolls his eyes, and since it seems the fight is truly finished, he leans back into the wall and holds his right arm to his chest with the opposite hand, more aware of the pain now. "Dude, for the fuck of God, stop it. You got your ass kicked. Accept defeat with some sorta dignity and move on." Because, despite that oozing cut, Mike doesn't have a single other visible wound, except for perhaps some reddened knuckles.


Jackie: Tony, still looking at Tim and struggling against Kellen, ignores Mike's words. "You know I'm right, Tim." He laughs a bit, sarcastic like, and continues. "He's sleeping his way through St. Ulric's in record fucking speed. I saw him with Malachi in the courtyard by the chapel two days ago! And you best fucking believe he called him Monsieur, too."


Jackie: Still looking at Tony, Tim eventually diverts his gaze because he really doesn't feel all that comfortable looking at anyone. When Tony makes those accusations, though, they sting-- it's one thing to know in the back of his head that Mike is hooking up with others, but to hear it with some sort of validity still stings. Which is preposterous, he knows, since it's not like him and Mike are anything, really. Lifting his eyes to look at Michael briefly, he can only drop that look and act unaffected, although he's not that successful at it.


Jay: Mike gives a comprehensive snort for that, because he so is not. There are plenty of people at that school he wouldn't touch. But he doesn't contest Tony's words, which probably says enough about that specific accusation, only muttering under his breath. "Well, 'Marchand' is a French name..." He doesn't sound like he regrets whatever might have happened with Malachi, but is quite careful in keeping his gaze away from Tim's.


Jackie: With no real response from Tim, Tony keeps going. "And he's more than likely fucking Kellen. Your own fucking suitemate." And since he's clearly the most stupid person on the planet, and probably wishing a death sentence, he seethes at Leech and barks out through gritted teeth. "And fuck you!"


Jay: Kellen continues to keep a hold of Tony despite his squirming, though it's getting pretty tiring, and he looks to Leech for instruction. Leech shakes his head, passive, until Lovato continues his accusations and extends them to Kellen. As Kellen gives an indignant squawk, Leech steps abruptly closer to Lovato, eyes narrowed more and fingers curling tighter around the blade of that knife. "I said, you wanna be shutting up. Don't make me say it again, or I might have to uphold the ancient Spanish custom of ley fuga." Not that he'll explain what that is, just let Lovato wonder. Mike gives a little laugh for it, which earns him a quick glare from Leech to let him know he's not off the hook, either. And then Leech looks to Tim, as the only one uninvolved in this scuffle. "Armstrong, run back to the lodge an' send Scrap this way, if ya don't mind?" Scrap being a particularly large and strong, if ridiculously goofy, art teacher.


Jackie: Tony doesn't wilt down like he normally would in front of Leech, and doesn't seem to be too affected by his threats. "Should teach Michael to shut the fuck up. I'm the least of the problem." Yes, clearly-- knife boy is the innocent one, here. And when Leech steps in even closer, Tony musters up the energy to shove his own middle finger in his face, since he's just full of brilliant ideas tonight.


Jackie: Tim, returning his gaze to Michael, instead tries to see what he can of his injury, and begins to start mapping out what to do first: grab a towel, take Mike to the bathroom, something, since the size of that cut really shouldn't be taken lightly. But then Leech is requesting his assistance and all he can do is nod, heading out the door only to run into Mr. Snider, who is hurrying himself into the cabin with panted breath. "Is everything all right?!"


Jay: Leech would point out that Ness hasn't said much of anything since they arrived to break things up, nor is he still struggling to continue the fight, but logic probably won't work with Lovato, and the kid's moving along too quickly for the argument to be made. But Leech is fast, too. Before Kellen can jerk Lovato's arm back down or pull the kid away, Leech reaches out like a striking snake, quick as thought, and clamps that middle finger between a few of his own. With a slight twist of the wrist and a little pressure behind his thumb, there's a succession of three soft snapping noises, barely as loud and very similar to the flames popping in the fire place when they find a pocket of tree sap. They're bound to be pretty minor fractures (as Leech knows from experience), but the pain in such a sensitive place will probably be enough to shut Lovato up, and possibly send him to his knees.


Jackie: Snider continues his momentum into the cabin, landing himself in the same spot Tim was previously standing, and by the time he's able to focus on anything, those popping noises are stemming from Tony's finger and the kid is crumpling to the ground in a noise he's pretty sure he's never heard before. Eyes wide and some ridiculous brimmed hat on his head, Todd looks at Leech in absolute horror. "Leech! What on earth are you doing?!"


Jackie: Tony, immediately straining for that pain and screeching out, falls to his knees as much as Kellen's grasp on him will allow, unable to even form words. That's when Tim makes it back into the cabin, looking on from behind Snider with eyes that are wide, but not all that surprised. Stepping back a bit, he wipes one hand over his scalp, then makes for the bathroom to at least get a towel for Mike to hault the bleeding.


Jay: Likewise, Kellen's eyes go wide as his captive suddenly slips bonelessly from his hands and to the floor. "Jesus Christ, Leech!" Leech, without the slightest change of expression, drops his gaze to Lovato on the floor and watches to make sure he stays down. "Don't blaspheme, Kellen, it's against the rules." Kellen just opens and closes his mouth a few times, releasing Lovato completely and stepping away from him. Ness doesn't seem the least bit surprised, and based on that Kellen thinks maybe he'll have to give more credence to the terrible rumors he's heard about Leech's punishments.


Jay: "Ahh, Todd." Leech looks over at his coworker mildly, like he's greeting him in a damn staff meeting. "I've got a problem; Ness and Lovato were fighting." He lifts the knife he still holds as evidence, and maybe to subtly point out that he didn't use that on the kid. "Of course they gotta be punished, but I don't have anywhere to isolate them, here. They at least needa be separated. Take Lovato with you." Because it's your fault he's here in the first place, Leech doesn't say, not even attempting to answer Snider's question.


Jackie: Still looking absolutely horrified, Todd's eyes jump from Leech, to Tony, and then that knife, mouth dropping open. "I...what...you broke his finger!" Clearly, he's still trying to process this all, his shock from the scene in front of him not allowing for complete thoughts to enter or exit his brain. However, Leech does that for him, and he kneels down to grab Tony, a helpless fragment of what he was earlier. "I'm taking him to the infirmary!" Because Tony obviously needs the treatment over Michael, and all. It's no wonder Todd doesn't typically come on these trips-- he has no idea how to handle stressful situations, and is currently panicked himself. Getting the young Lovato to his feet, Todd ushers him under an arm and starts to guide him out of the cabin, turning to talk back over his shoulder at Leech. "It's too late to drive either one back. We'll discuss this at breakfast."


Jackie: And, probably for good measure, Tony cranes his neck to look back at Michael (who is certainly to blame for all of this) and spits in his direction, in between groaning for the pain Leech instilled on him. Todd only hurries him out of the cabin, heading back towards the main lodge.


Jay: Leech waves one thin hand dismissively for all of Todd's interjections. "Take him where ya want, jus' make him gone before I gotta break anything else. He stays here and I won't answer for it." Probably, he won't answer for it either; even though Todd has been working here longer, Leech is pretty certain of Jefe's backing in any situation, since the headmaster understands that sometimes a little extra force is needed. So he doesn't respond to Snider's foreboding final comment, though Lovato's actions as he's dragged away make him scowl some. Kellen moves to close the door behind the retreating pair, still partially shocked and moving on automatic. Once Lovato's out of his sight, Leech shakes his head. "Some people never fuckin' learn -- like you." Said as he turns and narrows his eyes at Ness, instead.


Jay: Michael would be more pleased with this turn of events if he weren't starting to feel a little dizzy; probably a combination of fading adrenaline and slight blood loss. Still clasping his injured arm close, he nods faintly at Leech. "Yeah, I'm a scourge of humanity. You might wanna hold off on breaking any more bones, though. If you do it now, I'd probably pass out and ruin your fun." Taking a couple careful steps, Mike sinks down into one of the armchairs by the fire, curling forward to try to ease his shallower breathing.


Jackie: Back in the bathroom, Tim grabs one of the available hand towels and soaks it under the sink. Wringing out the excessive water, he glances up to the mirror briefly, contemplates what he'd have to do to be back on the beach with Jesse. He can hear Tony and Todd leaving the cabin and his shoulders loosen up the tiniest amount for it. Walking back into the main room, Tim surveys the scene once again before spotting Mike at the armchair. Approaching Ness, he squats down a little bit in front of him and reaches for his wrist, trying to lightly tug down his arm to get to that wound and apply pressure, purposely avoiding eye contact. Speaking up without specifically addressing Leech, Tim asks with a fairly calm voice, all things considered. "Does this need to be addressed by someone more...medically trained?"


Jay: Leech merely scoffs at Ness' words, heading into the bathroom when Tim emerges to wash the blood from the knife off his hands. He returns in time to catch that question from Tim, responding shortly. "How bad is it?" He doesn't sound like he cares much either way. And Kellen's over there looking uncomfortable, so Leech tilts his head at him in question until Kellen gives a slight nod, reassuring, and walks over to start pawing through one of the bags Leech brought, looking for the first-aid kit.


Jay: Opening his eyes and lifting his head a little when Tim approaches, Mike can't help feeling a little uncomfortable about it. He doesn't bother trying to catch Tim's eyes, but mutters a quiet 'thanks'. He's not sure what Tim might've made of Lovato's accusations, but knows enough to feel awkward, and not to use any petnames for a while. He does speak louder to address Leech's question, sounding vaguely giddy. "Oh...not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but it's enough."


Jackie: Using the knowledge he gained from watching Leech mend his own wounds, Tim starts dabbing at the area around the gash in an attempt to clear up the dripping blood. Now that the arm is completely lowered, Tim's fingers holding lightly onto Michael's wrist, he can take a better look at the gash and true to his words-- it's not needing additional treatment, but can't be left to air out. Instead of acknowledging that sign of gratitude from Michael, mostly because he doesn't know how to address him at all right now, Tim keeps himself busy by tending to his arm and then speaks up again. "Doesn't look too deep. But he needs something in his system. Orange juice or a granola bar. Something."


Jay: Leech rolls his eyes broadly when Mike responds with that quote, pacing over to take a look himself. "'twill serve' huh? I always knew you were a melodramatic fucker, Ness." No explanations as to how he recognizes Shakespeare, himself. Leaning down, Leech prods at the skin around the wound, not all that gently, then nods at the towel in Tim's hands. "Wrap it with that, fer now, and I'll find some snacks. Once the bleeding slows, we'll bandage it with gauze fer tonight, see if it looks any better tomorrow. Ness, keep it elevated. Maybe some sorta tourniquet..." He wanders away to confer with Kellen on available medical supplies, a conversation Kellen takes refuge in, because it's less confusing.


Jay: Certainly sharp enough to notice Tim's own discomfort, in spite of the dizziness, Michael just lets everyone discuss him like he's not there, only cringing when Leech pokes at him. When the sadistic creep walks away, Michael curls over again, resting his head on his knees, and reaching around to rest the sliced forearm atop his bowed head - that's about the best he can do for elevation, at the moment.


Jackie: Thankful for Leech's direction, since he clearly has very little knowledge of what to do for this type of injury, Tim continues to clean up that wound, eventually wrapping Michael's forearm with the towel to help stop the additional bleeding. Standing back up, Tim once more wipes a hand over his scalp, probably getting a little blood on his forehead in the process, and then goes back to the bathroom to retrieve another dampened towel. This one he designates for Mike's face, hoping it'll at least help wake him up some, and Tim settles onto the ground to try to get to that face that is buried in those knees. Tim's asks in a muted voice, words that only Michael can hear. "You all right?"


Jay: While they rifle through the supplies, Kellen and Leech seem to be holding their own low-voiced, somewhat stilted conversation, paying no attention to Tim or Mike except when Kellen approaches to offer their findings so far: a thick roll of gauze, and another of medical tape, along with a couple of Nutri-grain bars and a soda. Mike doesn't seem to notice these offerings, but he does turn his head sideways against his knees instead, when Tim tries to get at him with that towel. The giddiness seems to have passed; now he looks mostly sleepy, blinking his eyes with an effort. He hums for Tim's query, indecisive, then mutters totally irrelevantly. "When'd you get a tattoo? It's nice..."


Jackie: Giving Kellen a look of apprecation, he takes those items with one hand and sets them down beside himself, that other hand still working to push some of Mike's mussed hair off of his forehead. Once that's done, he brings the now lightly stained towel down to the floor and works on unwrapping the gauze. Tim reclaims Michael's wrist, gently tugging it toward himself so he can start unwrapping the other towel and apply the gauze to his wound. Flicking his eyes down to his own tattoo, he replies a little distractedly. "Last night." He pauses, then adds on immediately afterwards, to try to hault that conversation from continuing. "Can ya slowly pick your head up?"


Jay: "Mmm. Thought nothin happened last night?" He doesn't sound too suspicious, doesn't sound much of anything but tired, but he does lift his head agreeably when Tim suggests it. Leech, after a few more moments of digging in the packs and handing stuff off to Kellen, stands up. "I'm gonna go see Jefe; try not to injure each other further while I'm gone." Kellen gives him a wide smile, obviously over his own qualms about Leech's understated violence. As he pulls his coat back on, Leech adds in Tim's particular direction. "Y'might wanna get him laying down, too." And then he's off, into the snow.


Jackie: "Nothing did happen last night." Tim probably sounds tired too, but not in the same sense as Michael-- his is more of an exhaustion that can't be mended with sleep. Happy that Mike lifts up his head, Tim unwraps a granola bar and hands it to him, waiting for it to be taken from his grasp before he goes about lining up that gauze. When Tim is satisfied with its placement, he reaches for the tape, using his mouth the rip the pieces that he secures in place. Before Leech departs entirely, Tim cranes his neck to look at him, nodding for his words silently. Then he goes and reaches for the can of soda, popping the top and then gesturing it towards Mike.


Jay: Mike takes the granola bar with his left hand, a little awkwardly. He knows this is probably a way to keep him from asking questions, but doesn't defy it, feeling like questioning Tim wouldn't be a good move right now. So he munches on the snack, keeping his eyes averted while Tim tapes him up, and obscurely is comforted when Kellen arrives as a distraction. Kellen looks at the bandaged arm and sighs a little. "You jus' can't go a week without getting in trouble, can you?" Mike smiles quickly, briefly, like a reflex. "That'd be boring." Setting the granola bar down so he can take the soda instead, he sips at it, peering at Tim's job of bandaging with interest. "Thanks, Tim. It's a good job." And with Leech's parting words in mind, he forces himself to stand, only a little wobbly as he heads for the separate bedroom. Kellen follows, close enough to catch him if he starts to fall.


Jackie: Tim knows, somewhere in the back of his head, that he should be taking to this situation the way Kellen is-- and should most definitely take Tony's words with a grain of salt. But he can't right now, doesn't have it in him, and he doesn't respond much to Mike's gratitude, or Kellen's reappearance. Once that bandage is secured in place, Tim scoots back a little, starts straightening out the items he didn't use and stacking them on the nearby coffee table for (undoubted) later use. He watches Michael head towards the bedroom, nearly follows him but stays put-- Kellen is doing that for him, and watching the two even near each other makes that sinking feeling in his gut return.


Jay: Kellen does follow, and makes sure that Mike gets horizontal without any more injuries, but he's by no means hovering over Mike as would a concerned lover. He mostly seems amused and exasperated by Mike's behavior. Once Mike is down, he hands him the opened soda, along with a couple of painkillers he found in Leech's bags. Then he leaves him to his recuperation, Mike being too fuzzy to do more than take what's offered and rearrange his pillow. Returning to the main room, Kellen notices Tim's abstracted look, but probably takes it the wrong way. "Don't worry, he'll be okay. At least until we get back to the school and Leech can make good on his punishment." Noticing that the fire is dying down some, Kellen goes to kneel in front of it and add some more tinder and logs, enough to keep it alive through the night.


Jackie: Tim nearly negates Kellen's words, wants to defend himself against whatever it is that may be hidden beneath that observation, but it's not worth it. Instead, he just shakes his head and closes his mouth, grabbing the dampened and bloodied towels so he can soak them in soapy water in the sink. Upon his return to the main room, Tim rolls his shoulders and finally lets out a quiet sigh, reclaiming his original post on the futon and stuffing his face into the pillow-- this wasn't the type of distraction he was hoping for.