a good man is hard to find

[nextinline]

Jay: It's pretty late before Leech regains any measure of serenity; he had to talk to the headmaster about the entire fiasco with Ness and Lovato, and his case wasn't helped by Dr. Snider's input, accusing him of rank child abuse and sadism at every turn. Not that Leech isn't guilty of those things, but that's kind of part of his job. When he finally gets back to the cabin, the lights are all out except for the fireplace, and all the kids seem to be tucked in their beds. So Leech just builds the fire back up and arranges his blanket-nest on the futon, curling up there to stare at the flames until he can fall asleep, himself, which seems to be taking more time than usual.


Jackie: Tim attempted to fall asleep, but his body wasn't having it-- he's still mostly confused about the earlier fight and the things Tony planted in his mind. He doesn't last long in the separate bedroom, tossing and turning in his own bed, and eventually he squirms out to grab his own pack of cigarettes from his bag and swindle his way outside, figuring the fresh air would do him well. Taking a mini walk around the cabin, he misses out on Leech's return, and only reenters their abode once his cigarette is burned down to the filter. Opening the door quietly, he slips in without much notice, and turns around to shut the door in silence.


Jay: Were Leech a more responsible sadistic child abuser, he probably would have checked to see that everyone was in their beds, but he isn't. So he's duly surprised when that door opens, shooting up from his nest in a flurry of blankets and pillows and wide blue eyes. Seeing that the intruder is only Tim, he relaxes back against his blankets, vaguely irritated with the loss of his semi-sleepy state. "Oh. It's you." Rubbing at his head and putting the short mohawk there into even more disarray, Leech pokes around on the mattress until he can find his own cigarettes.


Jackie: Tim isn't entirely turned around by the time Leech's voice enters his ears, and he quickly spins around, eyes equally as wide. He's probably a little on edge after everything that's happened in the past two days, and those words do nothing than make him feel uncomfortable. "...sorry. Didn't know you were back." And then he starts to reluctantly make his way back to his temporary bed, hoping that this go around of attempted sleep will actually be successful.


Jay: Leaning back against the wall instead of lying down again, Leech sighs to himself as he lights that cigarette. If the fracas wasn't bad enough, now there's all the aftermath to deal with - and he's sure that Tim's increased discomfort is probably due to it, in part. "Barely. Think Snider woulda gladly me kept me there all night, trying to convince Gawd to start tossing lightning bolts at me. Y'know he actually threatened to call child protective services?" This is followed by a derisive snort. "Jefe told him, he does that, he might as well start lookin' fer a new job, cuz the whole school'd be shut down."


Jackie: When Leech engages in conversation, some part of Tim's shoulders relax a bit, and he stops his bee line to get to his bed. Pausing near the other armchair, he doesn't crawl in it-- instead, just stands directly behind it, fingers picking at the fabric. "Yeah?" He pauses, considers before continuing. "Not really surprised. He's such a freaking hippie. Last year, he told me I should "channel my emotions into words." And then he gives Leech a glance that says something like "what the fuck".


Jay: Leech returns that look with his own matching perplexed one. "'s strange; usually when I channel my emotions into words, he gets offended." But maybe Leech's emotions, when he has one, don't translate well. Jerking his head sideways as if to dismiss this whole topic, he looks Tim over carefully, analyzing. "How ya holding up?"


Jackie: Tim kind of laughs at that, but it's more like an amused snort, eyes downcast to his fingers picking at the stitching on the couch. He shrugs initially for that question, already not liking being asked because it reaffirms just how apparent it is that Tim's not all right. Glancing back up, he gives another, quicker shrug, trying his best to veil how he really feels. "All right. Can't sleep too well. Think I slept too much earlier."


Jay: Tilting his head sideways, Leech eyes the boy doubtfully. "Yeh, that four hours ya got this morning, definitely very restful." He hesitates a moment, then inches to the side on the couch, pointedly leaving enough space not only for Tim, but for four Tims, then reaches down to retrieve his bright pink graffiti'd backpack. "Think I still got some sleeping pills in here, 'less Kellen took off with all of em."


Jackie: Going back to focusing on his fingers, Tim can't really think of a response because he probably knows that Leech's sarcasm is spot on. But his eyes do lift when that space is silently offered, and Tim takes that invitation in slow stride-- first sitting on the edge of the futon to take his shoes off. "Nah...that's okay. I feel like shit in the morning when I take sleeping pills. And sometimes talk in my sleep." Which earns a miniscule grin on Tim's face, because he's been told of some stupid shit he's said while fogged with Ambien. Shoes off, he curls his legs up to his chest and leans against the arm rest of the once-couch-now-futon, watching Leech. "It's probably that room, anyways. Mattress is horrible." Yeah, right.


Jay: "Because yer gunna feel excellent when ya wake up otherwise, hey?" Giving Tim another sideways look while he sifts through his bag. A couple of prescription-colored bottles are found, but apparently neither is what he's looking for. Tim's excuse about the mattress earns another quick, searching look, but Leech doesn't comment on it, finally emerging with the right bottle of pills. In spite of the protest, Leech offers the bottle to Tim - after palming a couple of the small tablets for himself.


Jackie: Tim almost counters against that, but he can't think of anything to say by the time that pill bottle is offered out. Reaching out, he grabs the medicine and then peers at it carefully, eyes then shooting to watching Leech down the pills he snagged. "Don't say I didn't warn you, all right?" Pursing his lips in thought, Tim eventually relents and pops out one of the pills, tossing it into his mouth and swallowing it dry.


Jay: Leech only gives a dignified nod of condescension for the repeated warning, taking the pill bottle back and stuffing it into his backpack. Taking up his cigarette again, he places it in his mouth and just leaves it there, exhaling periodically through his nose. "Me, I don' know how ya sleep in the first place. The whole dorm set-up seems stupid to me. I can't stand sharing a room with someone, 'specially someone I don't trust."


Jackie: Tim makes an uncomfortable shrug for that, because he's certainly experienced that in the past-- and felt that way earlier this year, but Michael has worked his way under Tim's skin. "Yeh..." He almost goes on to defend Mike, or at least the entire living situation, but then he thinks back to Tony's words and the implication of Mike and Kellen, and it's enough for him to not want to defend it. "It's better, 'cause I've got Jesse next door and stuff." Another useless shrug, and then Tim cranes his neck to pop it in both directions. "Sometimes miss the solitude, though."


Jay: Pulling his legs up, still encased in their blanket burrito, Leech rests his chin on them to continue staring into the fireplace, giving a slight nod for Tim's words. "Yeh. I didn' have much solitude til I started working here, but now, I think I've grown used to it." There's a break, to ash his cigarette and replace it, and he goes on in the same casual tone. "Y'know he was lying. Lovato."


Jackie: "Not always a bad thing, ya know? Sometimes I need to just...not be around anyone." Glancing around the cabin, it'd probably be an ideal place for a weekend of solitude, but Tim knows he won't be getting that in the slightest. Kicking out one leg, he keeps the other bent up towards his chest, and loosely wraps one arm around it to help keep it there. The mention of Tony confuses him, because maybe he likes to think that he didn't come across as upset by his words, but he tilts his head in curiosity. "What makes ya say that?"


Jay: Maybe Tim didn't come across upset by most people's standard, but Leech is quite observant of people and their behavior - something that's served him well in more occupations than the one he has now. So he smirks a little, for Tim's attempt to sound confused and unconcerned, but only goes on to answer. "Kellen. And his spotless chastity." There's even a touch of amusement in his tone when he says that. "Not that I'm sayin' Ness isn't a wicked seducer, but I think Lovato painted it a lot worse than it is."


Jackie: "Oh." Tim makes a little face for that, probably momentarily creating a mental picture that he wants to quickly erase. Leaning his head forward, he rests his chin on top of that knee that is tucked up near his chest, trying his best to actually look like he means what he says. "I don't really...care. About that." And then he looks over at the fire, at the dancing flames that light up half of his face.


Jay: Turning his head to the side some to watch Tim, Leech narrows his eyes, but not meanly - more like he can't figure Tim out. "You don' care that yer such a hot piece of ass that you got people throwin' down and trying to stab each other fer the pleasure of even trying to get in your pants?" He snorts quietly, disbelieving, but staying away from the topic of Ness in specific. "La belle sieur sans merci, hey?"


Jackie: Keeping his eyes on that fire, Tim insides twist a little bit for Leech's words; he didn't necessarily think of things like that, and this is solely coming from Leech's perspective. Turning his head a bit so he can rest the side of his face on that knee, Tim blink blinks over at Leech, only really addressing the French part because it's safe (although it could be argued that his own words apply to both statements, the former one's meaning confusing him more than anything). "...I don't know what that means."


Jay: Leech blinks a couple of times, before admitting: "Yeh, me neither. I think it generally means yer a heartless bitch, though." Which Tim isn't, and Leech knows it, but the emphasis works. He nods towards the barely-open door to the bedroom. "Anyway, I wouldn't let Ness' extracurricular activities bother me too much, if I were you. I doubt any of it means shit to him; he isn' the first kid here to try to find escape in other people."


Jackie: Tim cracks a little for that, rolling his eyes for Leech because...he would be the type to speak in French and not know what it means. Or pretend not to know, at least. Lifting his head back up, he pushes up the sleeves of his hoodie-- exposing the bandaged hand and the tattoo, although he doesn't highlight either one. The part about Ness kind of surprises him, and he shakes his head, moving his gaze to where he's stretched leg is wiggling its toes under the blanket. "They don't bother me. What he does in his spare time isn't any of my business." And really, that just comes off as Tim trying to convince himself that what he said is true.


Jay: Riiiight, Tim. Leech eyes the boy again, quiet for a moment, before he gets a secretively amused glint in his eyes. "Well, 's good, cuz he's an asshole an' a sexual predator and a waste of time. Prolly not even a good lay." Finally removing the cigarette filter from his mouth, he flicks it towards the fire, adding thoughtfully: "The way he acts, too, must be tryin' to compensate fer something."


Jackie: Finally looking back at Leech, Tim grins the faintest amount, the medicine he took helping to relax his muscles as much as his mind. With that outstretched leg, he kicks at Leech's side gently, more so to just knock him a little off balance. "You're an ass." But it's said almost appreciatively, like he senses what Leech is doing in the first place. "At least he isn't as annoying as Tony


Jackie: ."


Jay: Leech, folded up like an accordion, wobbles some for Tim's kick but doesn't fall over and retaliates by simply flopping to the other side and slamming his bony little shoulder into Tim's. That latter comment makes him move away again, though, giving exaggerated retching noises. "Fuck, kid, if I thought you were dumb enough to show any interest in Lovato, I would'a already voted you off the damn island. No one is annoying as him."


Jackie: That grin expands more for Leech's physical response, but he lets up on the kicking and settles back into the comfort of his makeshift caccoon. Thinking those words over, it's not hard to conclude that Leech knows, at least faintly, that Tim's got a thing for the Ness monster, but he'll still deny it for the time being. "Never took him as the stabbing kind. I mean, Mike's the one that sleeps with a switchblade." Another pause, then a casual shrug. "...never knew bones could make sounds like that."


Jay: There's a little snort as Leech resettles himself comfortably. "Oh, he's the stabbing kind; it's only I took away his knives, so now he's gotta improvise. He oughta give it up, though. Doesn't even know how to hold a blade right." This is said with the dismissive disgust of a connoisseur, which Leech undoubtedly is when it comes to knives, as well as breaking bones for that matter. "What kinda noises you think bones should make?"


Jackie: His smile comes a little easier, probably thanks to the drugs, and Tim looks over at Leech in mild interest, since he really wasn't expecting Tony to be at all the violent sort. Scratching at his forearm, right around the still fresh tattoo, he only shrugs a little exasperatedly, but still amused. "I don't know, man. It was just so..." He tries to find a word, but it doesn't work; instead, he just ruffles around a hand as if that explains everything.


Jay: Leech pauses, as if waiting for Tim to finish his statement, before supplying helpfully: "Necessary? Well-deserved? Satisfying?" He watches the boy with eyes wide and an expression so solicitous that it has to be faked, which it is. "At least he won't be able to play during guitar class for a while." Breaking that gaze, Leech looks around to reclaim his pack of cigarettes; the pills have made him comfortable enough that chainsmoking seems a good idea.


Jackie: Oh, that makes Tim actually laugh-- a full out, stemming-from-the-tummy kind of laugh. It's not loud and extensive, but it's there, and Tim's eyes crinkle in amusement. "That's true. I'd take that acoustic metal music over him." Another wrinkle of that nose, which is probably adorable, and then he uses that bandaged hand to reach out towards Leech. "Can I borrow one? Mine are..." And he motions towards the bedroom, clearly too comfortable to move.


Jay: The mention of Justin's Slayer rendition makes Leech sigh, the way of a mother who hopes her genius child will become a surgeon does when she realizes that he'll only ever use that genius to play Dungeons & Dragons or nitpick video games. "True enough. Everything's relative." He offers the pack of cigarettes over automatically. "Jus' don't tell anyone I'm contributing to yer delinquency; they'll think I'm gettin' soft."


Jackie: Reaching, he snags one out instead of grabbing the entire pack, then shifts his hips to retrieve the lighter he has stuffed in a pants pocket. After flicking the lighter a few times to ignite the cigarette, he talks with the filter still jumbled between his lips. Using his foot, he presses against Leech again-- but this time, it's more so testing that softness. "Hard exterior is still there. I think you're all good." Blowing the smoke back up towards the ceiling, he adds on. "Don't tell my coach, and you've got a deal."


Jay: Leech makes that weird coughing sound that, presumably, is a laugh from him, when Tim tests his exterior. "Nice of ya to humor me." Because breaking fingers aside, Leech doesn't look much like anyone's idea of a badass. Biting back a yawn, he burrows down into his blankets more, until nothing but his face is uncovered. "Seriously, though. Ya might wanna make it plain to Lovato and Ness and whoever else that yer not lookin' for a soulmate, before there's an epidemic of stab wounds and broken fingers. I'd be very surprised if there were only two boys willing to duel to the death to win yer favors."


Jackie: His own smile might expand the slightest bit for that laugh, but Tim hides it by taking another drag from his cigarette. The smile falls when Leech brings up Tony and Ness, but he doesn't look upset. More so just confused. "Well, I have a feeling Tony's not...going to want to bother. Mike..." He sighs, giving in to actually talking about him because he's certainly more relaxed and inclined to do so. "It's not...he's not..." Looking for words, he glances back towards that bedroom door, just in case Michael were to magically wake from his heavy sleep and eavesdrop. "I really don't think that's...at all what he wants. He seems to be doing just fine with everyone else."


Jay: No, Mike's certainly dead to the world and unlikely to wake for quite some time. Between the exhaustion of so much physical exertion and Kellen surely plying him with drugs, he's definitely down for the count. Leech tilts his head up to scratch at his chin, barely keeping himself from giving Tim another disbelieving look. "I wouldn' bet on Tony bein' uninterested all of a sudden. He seems like the type that holds on tighter the more you try to shake him off...like a rat." He hesitates a moment, seemingly just to enjoy the apt metaphor. "As fer Ness...ahhh. Mebbe he is doing fine with 'everyone else'. I dunno. I jus' hope that's not at all what you want."


Jackie: Well, Tim certainly hopes Leech isn't right, but the older boy is probably spot on; last year, even after absolutely ignoring the letters, serenades, and every other method Tony used to try to lure Tim, the kid is still trying. Which is just horrible. "A bleached rat, really. The stupid fucking faux hawk..." After one more hit from his cigarette, Tim reaches out to ash it into the fireplace before returning to his original relaxed position. Looking back at Leech, he watches his face and can only muster an arch of an eyebrow because he doesn't want to commit to admitting that he wants anything to do with Ness. Or Ness in general.


Jay: Leech just makes a lazy noise of agreement for the description of Tony, and turns his head to look at Tim in return, his face carefully expressionless as per usual until he squints one of his eyes, a mimicry of Tim's uncertain look. Only after another moment does he speak, reluctant as all hell about it. "I'm not playin match-maker, Timothy. I'm saying yer life would be a lot simpler if ya make it plain to everyone that yer not on the market. My life, too, prolly, since I'll have to deal with these two fucktards again when we get back to the school, over this shit."


Jackie: Tim could give a serious answer to all of that, but that's a little too revealing for him. At least for right now. Tossing his cigarette into the fire, he then scratches at his scalp lightly, fingers itching at his buzz cut hair. Going the more comical route, he stretches his other leg out to meet the first, knee popping for the action. "You mean to tell me you don't want them paying you nightly visits back at school?"


Jay: Leech just groans for that, drawn-out and exaggerated, ashing his cigarette and then rubbing at his eyes with the heels of his palms. "'s bad enough havin' to see Ness jack off every night doin' dorm checks; I don' need to hear it through the fuckin wall. And I never wanna see Lovato, period, ever." Another last drag from that smoke, and he throws it into the fire, then wriggles, squirming into a more horizontal position, though he's still curled up fetal-style.


Jackie: Tim would probably laugh about that, if it were about anyone else. But all he can really muster is a look directed at Leech that reads nothing more than "Really, man?" Perhaps he's a more sound sleeper than he orignally thought, because he certainly hasn't heard anything of the sort coming from Ness' side of the room. Selective hearing? But Tim eventually does crack, showing amusement in his face as he grabs more of his own blanket and tucks it in and around himself comfortably. Yawning quietly, he talks into his hand that he uses to politely shield his mouth. "Keep up that attitude, and Tony might start liking you instead."


Jay: Or Leech is just an exceptionally light sleeper, and prone to hyperbole. That, that gets a growl, one which sounds appropriately feral. "I'll break a lot more than his fuckin' fingers if he even thinks about it." He shudders some for the thought, then pushes it forcefully out of his head and takes to rearranging his pillow. Once that's settled, he squints at Tim. "...you stayin here?"


Jackie: Another genuine laugh, one that makes Tim shift around in amusement before settling back down more comfortable. "What, like his heart?" Watching Leech's face for a moment, he tries to read if he's annoyed with his own presence, or if he just wants some time alone, before glancing back to the room that is housing Kellen and Michael. Carefully looking back, he tilts his head curiously. "Do ya mind?"


Jay: "Nah, I think I'll leave that part to you." It's as blank as anything Leech usually says, but if one listens carefully, they might hear something like relief in Leech's tone. Although the brawl between Ness and Lovato wasn't fun to deal with, it has at least seemed to distract Tim from his other concerns. He shrugs a shoulder for that question, lazy and careless. "No. Jus' like to know where everyone's gonna be."


Jackie: Mildly glaring for that first remark, Tim once again kicks out a leg to nudge at Leech for that, but otherwise drops the subject. Apparently, Tim doesn't break Tony's heart-- just makes him a near-homicidal idiot. Leaning back a bit, Tim starts to slither down into a laying position, grabbing one pillow to tuck under his head comfortably. He's inexplicably grateful that Leech doesn't mind, because he knows no sleep will happen in that other bedroom, and this futon is proving to be the saving grace of Tim's holiday break. "Then, yeah. If you're sure ya don't mind. Plus, Tony's shit is still on the bunk above mine, and his sprays Axe body spray on everything."


Jay: Another sort of noncommittal groan from Leech, and he's burying his face in his pillow, looking way too cuddly in general to have been snapping bones just a few hours ago. "'s fine. Jus' long as ya don' mind being woken up when Kellen dive-bombs the bed, 'cause that will happen." But Leech doesn't really sound like he minds it happening; might even sound a little fond when he says it.


Jackie: Nuzzling into his own comfort of blankets and pillow, Tim almost parallels Leech's cuddly-ness, but not quite. Turning his face to avoid talking into the pillow, he situates himself to where he's clinging to that pillow like a make shift person. Having remembered how he woke up early, he grunts in return for that promise. "Could be worse ways to wake up, I guess."




Jay: And true to the warning, Leech only manages around five hours of sleep before he's being pounced on; he's entirely familiar with Kellen's body weight and shape, so he doesn't bother to do more than grunt. This doesn't seem to be the reaction Kellen wanted, and he shakes Leech by the shoulders, thereby shaking the entire flimsy bed. "Leech, Leech you gotta get up!" And there's a total lack of humor in Kellen's voice, a rare occurrence, so Leech deigns to burrow his way out of the blankets - really regretting it when there's nothing left between him and the outside world but the thin, oversized Star Wars t-shirt he's wearing. "Fucking fuck, it's cold! You coulda at least built up the fire 'fore you start molestin' me, Kellen." Wiggling out from under the boy, he starts methodically wrapping the fluffy blanket around himself, like a ludicrous sarong.


Jackie: Tim sleeps more soundly than he has in quite a while, but it probably wasn't solely the medicine's doing; being able to talk and be distracted without having the worry of blades certainly had an impact. When Kellen pounces, Tim does wake-- but it's a lazy waking, one where he just burrows more into his little nest. The younger boy's words don't concern him too much, since he's addressing Leech and not himself, but he does blink over at the two after a minute. "...too early. Go back to bed." And with that, he hides into his pillow.


Jay: "I know it's cold, that's why you gotta get up." Leech doesn't seem to put much stock in this line of logic; once he's wrapped fully again, he flops back over, burrowing against Tim's side - though not exactly against Tim's side, since there's quite a few blankets in between. It merely seems a good place to fit himself. Seeing Leech and Tim on the edge of passing out again, Kellen growls - much less impressively than Leech - and crawls back onto the bed, perching himself across Leech's folded legs to shake him with more vigor. "Leech, get up! Mike's maybe bleeding to death and I found a frozen kitten outside!"


Jackie: Tim's nearly back to his sleeping state in a matter of seconds, curling into his mess of blankets, pillows, and sweatshirt that take the place of an additional body. When Kellen keeps on insisting with that concerned voice, Tim does lift his head to maybe (kindly) tell the kid to just...gobacktobedplease, but he registers those words and stirs a little bit more into action. "Wait, what?"


Jay: Oh, well; if it's a matter of a kitten. Leech's disheveled pink-haired head pops back out of the blankets, bright blue eyes now wide with curiosity and something like concern, zeroing in on the bundled sweatshirt that Kellen's holding. "...kitty?" Kellen looks at Leech in a way that suggests he's more snuggle-worthy than any kitten ever, right now, but obligingly offers out the bundle. "I think it's alive, but I'm not sure. Won't wake up." Sitting up and now dismissing the cold, Leech takes the bundle of clothing into his lap and starts folding it back, searching for the bundle of fur hidden in it. He seems not at all concerned about Ness' bleeding.


Jackie: Tim isn't really at all surprised for that, but he does give Leech a little bit of an incredulous look-- sure, kittens are nice, but Mike could very well be dead in the next room. "Oh, come on." Immediately throwing the blankets off of himself (and in doing so, they land and cover over Leech and Kellen), Tim gets to his feet and swiftly moves to check up on Michael. The sinking feeling is back, but for the moment, he swallows it down.


Jay: Leech looks up, bewildered, for Tim's exasperated tone, just blankly watching him leave the bed. "Ahh, yeah, you better go check on that." Dismissing Tim and Ness both from his mind, Leech goes back to his bundle, finally unearthing a mass of tabby striped fur, while Kellen scrambles into an empty spot on the mattress where he can see over Leech's shoulder. And maybe he was overstating things, because before Tim can go into the second bedroom, Michael makes his way out, swagger unimpaired, though he's maybe looking a little pale - but that may be due to being shirtless in such cold weather - and the fresh bandage he's wrapping around his arm is already a little spotted with blood. He halts when he nearly runs into Tim, then gives him a little smile and nod of greeting. "Hey, Tim. What's going on? Thought I heard Kellen screaming about something."


Jackie: Movements quick, he rounds the armchair and then makes for the bedroom door, but...then there's Michael, all shirtless and alive and back to his usual confident self, and Tim stops in his tracks. Glancing at that bandaged arm, then at Michael's face, his eyes scan over his shirtless torso distractedly for just a moment too long before he whips his head back to Kellen, scoffing a little bit for being tricked. "Yeah, apparently, you're bleeding to death." Which he most certainly is not, and to avoid any more distraction, Tim turns around to maybe reclaim his spot on the futon. Or at the very least, snag one of those blankets.


Jay: "Yeah?" Ness glances down at himself, more or less free of blood at the moment, aside from that bandage. "Well, I thought so for a minute when I woke up. Might need to change those sheets before I sleep on them again." Ambling into the main room, he brushes past Tim and goes to crouch in front of the fireplace, feeding the glowing embers some small sticks and crumpled paper.


Jay: Kellen also looks up when Michael comes in, grinning at Tim without the slightest hint of shame. "It really did look bad, when I woke up. Anyway, I figured if I told you about the kitten, you would just go back to sleep, but that was bound to get you up." Leech is ignoring all of this conversation in that very practiced way of his, prodding at the furball in his lap. "Kellen, get me a towel, yeh? This thing's soaked."


Jackie: Tim doesn't bother with checking in on the room quite yet-- it's too early for blood and gore. So instead, he just scans over Michael once more as he tends to the fire. With those glaring eyes, he looks over at Kellen, but there's no much conviction in his words. "Not funny." Once he's back on the futon, Tim grabs one of the unused blankets and tosses it in Mike's general direction; the blanket catches his shoulder and drapes there uselessly. Snagging another blanket, he wraps it around himself and retreats back to his laying down position, facing the boys but curling his legs towards his stomach. "What time is it, anyways?"


Jay: Michael looks up, startled, when that blanket billows around him, glancing over the other three in the cabin in confusion before he unwinds it and lets it drop to the floor. He clearly has no concept of modesty. Continuing to poke at the fire until it starts to grow again, he then flops backwards on the floor, covering a massive yawn with his bandaged arm and rubbing at his eyes, smearing the residual liner there even more. "Too fuckin' early." He looks at Kellen, upside-down and harlequin-eyed, as the boy emerges from the bathroom. "What the hell were you chattering about, kid?"


Jay: Kellen, having retrieved the requested towel, tosses it at Leech and takes up a seat on the edge of the futon, closer to the fire. "There was a kitten outside; I can't believe you didn't hear it yowling, it was pretty loud at first. It shut up by the time I got dressed, though. I thought it was dead when I finally found it.


Jay: ...enterkey


Jay: He looks to Leech for assurance that it isn't dead, and Leech catches the look from the corner of his eye, shakes his head. "Nah, it's breathing, just soaked and really cold." Wrapping the nondescript parti-colored lump of fur in that towel, he starts to rub it briskly to create friction, finally looking away. "Where'd you find it? Prolly oughta check to make sure there aren't any more of 'em around. It's not big enough to be goin far on its own."


Jackie: Ignoring how that blanket was completely disregarded, Tim shuts his eyes and goes back to attempting to fall back asleep, or at bare minimum return to the comfort he was in before Kellen lunged onto the futon. When a shiver takes over his body, he blindly reaches for another blanket, since there's a mound of them between himself and Leech. Talking halfway into his pillow, he sounds like he's ready to go back to sleep for another three days. "Heavy sleeper, apparently." Another yawn, and then he adds on. "What's a cat doing out in the middle of the mountainside?"


Jay: At that suggestion, Kellen launches himself energetically off the bed and, only pausing to snag Leech's leather jacket (since his hoodie went for the kitten's nest), barrels out the door into the snow. Mike hunches his shoulders up at the blast of cold air that comes in before the door is closed. Turning, he pulls the blanket Tim tossed around his shoulders like a poncho, and then goes up on his knees to crawl over to the futon and look at the bundle Leech holds. It doesn't do him any good, he can't see anything, so he instead lifts himself to sit on the end of the bed. "Wouldn't have been so heavy if Kellen hadn't been feeding me pills. Vicodin always knocks me on my ass."


Jay: Leech gives a quick glare for that; he's perfectly aware of where Kellen acquired those pills, and doesn't approve. But he has more important things to worry about right now. He continues creating friction until he feels some weak movements from inside the towel, and then stops to uncover the kitten again. Its eyes aren't open, and it's only squirming weakly, but it doesn't look old enough to do much more than that, anyway. "Ahh...there are houses out here, tucked away in the woods. Rich people that come out for a couple weekends a month. An' I think some of the lodge staff lives here year-round." Cautiously, Leech gets his fingers under the kitten and lifts it, his eyes going suddenly wide again. "Fer fuck's sake, what happened to yer face?!' As if the squished-faced cat could answer him.


Jackie: Tim hums for that, since undoubtedly he slept so soundly because of the pills Leech had provided for him, and shifts a little bit to accommodate Mike joining them on the futon. Turning his head the other way, so as not to face the boys, he takes another deep sigh as if he's actually going back to bed. Listening to Leech, he register that information and would nod if his face wasn't smooshed into what might be the best pillow on earth. Eventually, curiosity gets the best of him, and he has to turn around and squirm a little closer, fully expecting the kitten's face to be horrendously malformed for the way Leech reacted to it. "What, does it have three eyes or something?"


Jay: If Tim's so fond of his pillows, maybe he should spend more time in his bed. Looking away from the kitten, which both he and Ness are inspecting, Leech shakes his head in a bemused way. "No, two eyes, but it looks like it ran face-first into a wall, and its ears don't stand up. Maybe its mom abandoned it because it's retarded or something, some sorta birth defect..." For that entirely serious suggestion, Mike gives a surprised laugh. "It's not retarded, Leech. Some cats just look like that. I'm sure there's nothin' wrong with this pretty little girl." Leech looks doubtful, but Michael smiles some at the kitten that Leech still holds up, reaching out to scratch between its folded ears.


Jackie: Is spending time in bed right now! A quick glance at Leech makes Tim form a lazy, sleepy half smile, if only because the older boy sounds at least a little amused for his words. Peering at the kitten, he sees the descriptions Leech lays out and that smile forms all across that mouth without Tim even having the reaction time to stop it. "I don't know, man. Leech may be right. She looks like she met the wall a couple times, already." The Michael next to him may be overboard for Tim, and he forces himself to look away and fall back into the blankets. "She's cute, though."


Jay: "Pretty?" Leech looks at Michael flatly, clearly not impressed with that descriptor, turning the kitten this way and that on his hand as if trying to get a better angle on it. The kitten, waking up more all the time, mewls for this treatment and finally blinks its eyes open - big round eyes, the exact same shade of blue as Timothy's, and Leech blinks back at it a couple of times, looking entirely dazed. "Oh...well, 'cute' maybe..." Shaking his head like a dog clearing water from its ears, Leech looks between the boys who've taken over his bed. "How come we decided it's a girl? Boys can't be pretty?" He sounds slightly offended, on the kitten's behalf of course. Mike knows better than to answer such a direct loaded question and just stifles his laughter.


Jackie: Now on his back, Tim watches the other two examine the kitten, reaching one arm behind himself to use to prop his head up the slightest amount. He's clearly much more relaxed than the day prior, even without the drugs, and his spare arm goes to scratch at his tummy lightly. "No. It's impossible." Keeping a straight face, he nudges at Leech's side with his knee lightly. "What're you going to do with...her? Can't put her back out in the cold."


Jay: Were Leech paying any attention to anything besides the cat, he might notice and be a little grateful for Tim's relaxed state. Michael does notice, and probably wants to sprawl out with Tim to be relaxed, but he's not a complete idiot and knows that after last night's chaos it probably wouldn't be welcome. Leech breaks off his kitten-staring to snort at Tim and sock him in the tummy, though it's open-fisted and not forceful at all, a lot more playful than Leech is known to be. And that might make Michael feel a little less grateful, might make him question the source of that relaxation. "No; calico cats are always girls. One of my aunts bred cats, and she said if she ever got a male calico it'd be worth a fortune 'cuz they're so rare."


Jay: "Oh..." Leech looks at the cat thoughtfully, then, apparently deciding not to hold its gender against it, shrugs. "Nah, I imagine I'll take her back and keep her in the basement. Plenty of mice down there for her." He sets the kitten back on the towel in his lap, where it yawns widely and rolls onto its back, stretching tiny paws into the air and utterly stealing Leech's heart. Kellen re-enters on another blast of cold air, leather wrapped tight around him and pink-faced from the chill. "No other cats, but I found a dude shoveling snow off the walkway by the main lodge, and he said there's a lot of feral cats in the forest. Prolly came from there." Casting the leather jacket over a chairback, Kellen instead launches himself at the bed and burrows under Leech's blankets, pressing his cold nose into the man's tummy.


Jackie: For that sock to the tummy, Tim groans and curls onto his side, both arms going to shield over his torso. Once he feels secured, he reaches out and shoves at Leech's shoulder, hard enough to knock him off balance, but not totally over. "Ass." Of course, Mike knows these cat things, which that alone makes Tim smile, even if the emotion is showed mostly in his eyes. Slithering more until he's resting on his tummy, pillow now regrouped under his head. He hums appreciatively after hearing that the can't won't be abandoned for a second time, and even goes so far as to reach up and scritch at her head softly. "She's probably hungry, no? What do kittens eat at that age-- milk?" Because clearly he has no idea.


Jay: Leech snorts in surprise when he's shoved, clasping the kitten in its towel to his chest for protection. And then there's Kellen, slithering all close and pinning him from the hip down, and Leech is suddenly feeling pinned in on every side. But he's too tired to fight it, so he flumps back into his own pillows, just resting a hand on Kellen's fuzzier-even-than-normal head. "I have no idea. Never owned a pet in my life." Kellen coughs meaningfully, but Leech ignores it. "Ya got any ideas, Cat Whisperer?" He directs this to Ness, who arches an eyebrow for the name, then holds his hands out in request. Only hesitating a moment, Leech hands the kitten off, and Mike looks her over thoughtfully. "She ain't that young...could probably eat something solid, anyway. Unless anyone packed kitten formula?"


Jackie: Satisfied with how that turned out, Tim curls into himself to help protect his body from any other attacks. It feels good to be lazy, or at least not have much care for the time being, but Jesse's absence is apparent more than ever, and something behind Tim's sternum cracks for it. When the kitten gets into Ness' grasp, Tim watches carefully and then reaches up to the hand holding the kitten. Pulling on it some, he encourages Mike to lower the kitten (and at that angle, probably his body) so that he can watch her from up close. "We have granola still left over. Or we could grab something from the main lodge, probably." Which requires too much effort, right now.


Jay: Michael looks over at Tim when his hand is tugged at, and obligingly leans toward him, an elbow pressing into the mattress near Tim's side as he lowers his cupped hands so Tim can see the kitten. "Granola might be all right, actually; I think they make that weird kitten cereal shit out of oats, or something. Maybe pick out the other stuff, mix it with some water..." Not that he makes a move to do so, and really, the kitten seems quite content in her current perch, just yawning directly in Tim's face before settling down into Mike's palms and curling up.


Jay: Kellen's nose is warmed up enough now that he can pop his head out of the blankets, although he doesn't go very far, resting his chin on Leech's stomach and looking entirely too at home in that position. "Are we keeping it?" Leech makes a noise of assent, his eyes closed again to bask in the opportunity for laziness. And it's so much more comfortable without Lovato here, even if there are kids all over his bed again. Kellen brightens (even more, that is) for the affirmative answer. "What should we call it? ...I wish Jess was here, I'm sure he'd come up with something great." So apparently Tim isn't the only one feeling the lack.


Jackie: Tim seems pleased when that kitten is lowered to eye level, and he keeps tugging until he's able to rest his head on the pillow and still see the kitten perfectly. Obviously agreeing with Michael's words (and his lack of movement), Tim adds. "...we'll take care of that later." With a puff of kitten breath in his face, Tim doesn't even seem to mind-- the only thing that seems to drop his spirit is the actual mention of Jesse. For that, he glances over at Kellen and nods, tugging the blanket tighter around himself. "Me, too." Focusing in on the cat, he uses the hand closest to it to bop its nose softly. "You'd probably love him, yeah?"


Jay: Well, since he's apparently going to be stuck here for a while, Michael shifts around, dropping onto one hip and stretching his legs out, bringing his head up to rest near his hands - about the level of Tim's chest. "Later is a good time." At the closer sound of his voice, the kitten's eyes pop open again momentarily, and Mike mimics it, opening his own eyes wide when the cat turns its squished face to him. The kitten stares, and Mike stares, and then the kitten slits its eyes down and starts to purr, a surprisingly loud noise to come from such a small frame.


Jay: "'course it will. Everyone loves Jesse." Kellen states this like it's irrefutable fact, and indeed, even Leech doesn't try to refute it. If he doesn't precisely love Jesse, he at least appreciates that Kellen's closest friend here isn't someone like Ness, or like Jimmy back in Jersey. Squirming around like a snake, Kellen slips over Leech's narrow frame to get closer to the other boys and the kitten, eying it curiously. "Kinda rumpled looking, isn't it?" Because he wasn't around for the flat-faced conversation.


Jackie: Nodding for that, Tim retracts his hand in favor of tucking it towards his chest, now fully on his side and facing Michael. He watches that exchange and warms up a little, giving a look very similar to the way he looked at Mike and noticed the other boy brought him his guitar on this trip. It's almost too much to where he has to look away, but Tim outlasts it-- instead reaching that same hand up to push gently at Mike's nose in the same fashion as he did to the kitten. Looking back to the kitten, to analyze it one more time after Kellen's words, Tim adds in lazily. "Bet she snores."


Jay: For that attack on his nose, Mike laughs, pulling his head away - but returning it right back to its previous place afterwards. "What, like I do, you mean?" He doesn't sound offended, mostly playful, probably glad that Tim isn't being so awkward as he was last night. Leech, though he's now hidden from view behind Kellen, coughs a laugh. "Fuck, if only yer night noises were as innocent as snoring, Ness. I might like you ten percent better if I didn't always find you half-asleep with your hand down yer pants when I did dorm checks." And Michael cocks an eyebrow in surprise, looking somewhat stunned. "Leech. I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Are you implying you'd prefer my hand down your pants?" He actually looks over his shoulder in curiosity, though it does him no good, and Leech is saved by having to answer by his cell phone-alarm clock going off. The man rolls out of bed, snatching up his backpack on the way to the bathroom to change, and Kellen shakes his head in Mike's direction.


Jackie: Tim nearly gathers the balls to yank Michael closer, or even just to a laying down position, but he refrains when Leech starts speaking. And of course it ruins it, makes Tim doubt whatever delicate tension he thought there was, and he rolls over once again to rest on his back. Choosing not to engage in that conversation, he blinks up at the ceiling for a few moments before also getting to his feet-- only he merely goes to grab his smokes. Upon his return, there's a lit cigarette between his lips, and it could be noted that he's certainly smoked more in the past few days than he has in two weeks. "Looks like we don't have any group activities until the afternoon, yeah?"


Jay: Leech lives to ruin things, yes. It's his prime motivation in life. Kellen watches Tim wander off, then shakes his head again at Michael, who has rolled over to give him a wide-eyed sort of pleading look. He takes the kitten from Mike, speaking with his usual playful, careless tone, though maybe it's forced this time. "Don't even bother, Mikey. He'd chew you up and spit you right out." Mike grins, glad of Kellen's ability to distract and lighten any mood, and shoves himself back towards the pillows now that his hands are free. "You'd know, I guess." And then, to Tim: "Yeah, I think there's a scavenger hunt after lunch, or something. But until then, nothing. There's a schedule somewhere around here, we got it when we arrived..." He cranes his head on that very eye-drawing neck, looking around without making much effort, then settles his gaze back on Tim with a shrug.


Jackie: "...what if that cat was one of the pieces of the scavenger hunt?" It's an honest question, although a little playful, and he takes a quick drag from his cigarette after it. Instead of crawling back onto that futon, or curling up nearby on the armchair, Tim paces over to where there's a small table near the front door, littered with papers. Riffling through them, he finds that schedule, raises it to eye level and scanning over it quickly. "Yeah...scavenger hunt is after lunch. Coordinated snowman making after that?" He actually sounds disgusted by it, and shakes his head. "Group prayer, then dinner."


Jay: Michael is at least careful enough to keep a good bit of space between himself and Kellen, and Kellen's helpful enough to roll onto his back and increase that space. Petting the kitten where it's resting on his chest, the younger boy grins. "If the cat's part of the scavenger hunt, then we're already winning." Michael, meanwhile, looks confused by the notion of coordinated snowman making. "Is that something like synchronized swimming? It sounds sketchy." Leech emerges from the bathroom, now fully dressed, and reaches around Tim to retrieve his leather jacket where Kellen tossed it away. Then he snags his hoodie from atop his guitar case, and looks to Kellen, giving him the jerky head motion that's universal for 'come on' and Kellen, ever obedient puppy that he is, rolls the kitten onto the bed and hops up to claim the hoodie, then follow Leech out, wordlessly. Michael watches them go, an eyebrow raised, and once the door is shut instead turns the look to Tim.