Antics

Reese finally finds a parking space outside the small cafe and makes quick work of exiting to head to the door. He was late. He hated being late for anything. But he'd gotten lost on the way over here, been turned completely around twice, and stopped for directions half an hour ago.

Getting inside, his gaze sweeps the tables, looking for the one face he knew. It wasn't hard. He spotted Angelica in the corner near the window, and immediately he knew who she'd brought with her. It would be nice to meet her mother and grandmother.

Approaching slowly, he feels just a tad bit awkward, but covers it up well. Today his dress was a contrast to the night before, simply a pair of jeans and a casual shirt untucked. Arriving at the table, he offers Angelica a smile. "Good morning, Angelica."

He looks between her mother and grandmother, a glint in his eye that hadn't been there for years... a charm that most of the world never saw. "And... these must be your sisters?"


Scott jumps a little as Misty enters the infirmary, having been in his own little world. At her question, he just shrugs. He didn't know how he was. He was tired and nauseas. It didn't bring much reason for enthusiasm.

Watching with a bit of confusion, he doesn't get what Misty is doing until she finally explains. And as she does, a faint smile quirks the corner of Scott's mouth.

"Thanks, Misty. That... that means a lot." He gives a little nod. Maybe he was miserable, but he recognized the efforts of those around him to make him feel better. It didn't necessarily help his spirits all that much, but it didn't matter... he still appreciated the thoughts.

Once Misty is back to work, Scott reaches over to the small table to grab the camera Katie had brought for him this morning. His hand also picks up the pair of glasses Rick had found. He hadn't known why one of his old pairs had been in the supply cabinet, but it wasn't worth questioning. At least now his good eye would be under less strain. Not to mention, he wanted to see what he was doing when fooling with the camera.


Jason gives a little grin as he picks up a stress ball to squeeze.

More than one reason to call in to work one day.

His emotions convey the teasing he felt.

Maybe I'll have to call in too. A ride to the lake sounds awfully good.

Tossing his ball aside, he sighs and swivels his chair back around to stare at his computer screen.

I'm looking forward to tonight too. Figure on getting out of here a bit early and heading to Mike's to pack up. You can be lucky and get a full day in here then meet us at the community building if you want.

Seeing an email that would put him to work a few hours, Jason decides it's best probably to quit talking, even if no one could hear it.

More later, Hero. The tyrant has me under his thumb.


The day moves on, following the pattern of the sun. Clouds passed by, keeping a shadow overlaying the ground, but high above, the sun revealed the passing of time.


"Mike, throw me that box."

"Jen, you got that tote?"

"Where's my extra picks?"

"Where is Kyle?!" Phil straightens from the enclosed bed of his pickup. "It's three o'clock and I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since early this morning!"

Jen looks up at her brother gently. "He'll be here. When was the last time he let us down, hmm?"

As if in answer, Phil's cell phone rings. "Yeah, hello? Rocky... yeah, okay... thanks." He flips his phone shut again. "Kyle just left Rocky's." He sighs. "He'll be here in a few minutes."

Jason leans against his own truck, waiting and watching.

Ready to meet us, Hero? It's a little tense over here. Probably best you're not here, unless you wanted to get in the middle of a squabble. Kyle's on his way though, so we'll be at the building on time.

"Jen, you got what you need?"

Jen looks back at Mike. "Yeah. I don't need much since we're sharing systems with Cryptic. Axel said he'd help me get everything set."

"Great."

Fifteen minutes later, Kyle's truck pulls into the driveway. He hops out, throwing his arms in the air. "Yo, wassup?! What's taking y'all so long??"

"Us?!" Jen smirks at him. "We were about ready to leave without you."

"Would have if we hadn't needed your truck," Phil complains.

Kyle throws him an enthusiastic thumbs up and sprints to the porch, spinning inside with a flourish.

Jen giggles and shakes her head. "Hurry up, Kyle!" she shouts. "I feel the love running out, out here."

Kyle reappears with a box of cords, throwing himself against the side of the house with a dramatic moan. "Oh, there is no love remaining for a wandering soul such as I."

Phil rolls his eyes. "Alright, Shakespeare. Come on."

Kyle grins and skips down the steps. "Forgiveness is sweet."

Jason shakes his head and laughs. "You dipped into the sugar barrel or what?"

"No!" Kyle gets into his truck and pulls out a bottle of Mountain Dew. "But it's my closest friend!"

"Uh-huh." Jen grins. "You're gonna be bouncing off the stage."

"Just keeping the crowd on their toes..."


"...Yeehaw!" Kyle's energy pulsates through the large room where the stage was.

"Kyle, my man!" Joel greets him with enthusiasm. A high-five swings them into setting up.

With everyone from JetStream and Cryptic, it made for a small crowd, but the atmosphere was light and fun. Behind the closed doors at one end of the room, the charity fair was taking place, with people who had already been there all day.

Rocky is just bent over opening a box, and when he straightens, Axel is next to him. Jumping, Rocky almost smacks him. "Axel! How many times have I told you not to do that to me! Where did you come from?!"

Axel gives him a wry grin. "A deaf man coulda heard me coming. What's your problem?"

Rocky's eyes narrow and he hands Axel an armful of equipment. "Here. Make yourself useful."

Within ten minutes, the two bands are working together to set things up so it would be an easy switch later on. With all the instruments and Cryptic's larger sound system, it would look to some like it was going to be a huge show. Rocky and Kyle work out the positioning of their keyboards, Phil and Taylor's bass guitars wind up in completely different spots, and Mike and Joel end up agreeing that it would be better to just share a set of drums, while Jason and Max try out each other's guitars for the fun of it. Axel works quietly at the sound table, showing Jen how things were set up, but because of the technical differences, Jen doesn't mind agreeing to simply sit on the side, letting Axel run most of the sound for the evening. He didn't mind, and would simply take direction from Jen on some of JetStream's songs, then perform the routine for Cryptic. It was agreed that in between shows, JetStream would simply take their own instruments or other equipment off the stage, leaving Cryptic already set to go for the rest of the evening.

It was going to be an odd night, but a fun one. Everyone getting along and being friends helped immensely, creating a crazy but often funny atmosphere.

"Help me, help me!" Kyle's shrieks got the desired attention as he is being 'choked' by an extension cord.

"The wires have taken over again!" Max shouts. "Quick! Somebody get the duct tape!" Getting beaned in the head with a roll, he whirls around to smirk at Taylor, who was standing near the sound table. "A better aim would be nice." The laughter continues amongst the group.

"Phil, is that what you're wearing?" Jen hollers.

"Yep."

"Kyle?"

Kyle stops his antics for a moment. "I got my green tee in the truck."

"Good. Jase?" Jen looks to Jason up on stage.

Jason turns from just setting his acoustic guitar on its stand. "Yeah?"

"You bring a pair of fitted jeans?"

Jason looks down at his comfy carpenter jeans. "No baggy allowed tonight, huh?"

Jen gives him a knowing look. "You know what I like to see you in."

"Yeah, yeah... tight denim. What is it with you women?"

Jen giggles. "Hey, if I'm gonna be the mother of you guys, I'm at least allowed to tell you what looks best on stage."

"You saying I don't know how to dress myself?"

"Well..."

Jason laughs. "Don't worry. I got a change of clothes out in the truck."

"Good. And while I'm being your mother, have you had anything to eat today?"

Jason thinks for a moment. "Um..."

"If you have to think about it, the answer is no." Jen leans down to a small cooler.

Jason has to move fast to catch both the wrapped turkey sandwich and the juice box.

Jen turns her attention to Katie. "Make sure that guy of yours eats, will you? We don't need him collapsing on stage."

Jason flops into a folding chair, reaching out to grab Katie around the waist and pull her down onto his knee as he unwrapps his sandwich with the other hand. "I'm just making sure that you make sure I eat," he explains, giving her a teasing bounce.

Axel works quietly by himself, plugging in cords and testing the equipment at the sound table. Though staying in his own little world most of the time, every once in a while, he'd throw in his own remarks or teases to the others, usually when no one thought he was listening.

"Everything set?" Taylor leans over the chair beside him, her face getting close to him as she takes a peek at the sound board.

Axel gives her a sidelong glance that serves as a warning.

"Sorry, sorry!" She straightens up and moves around the table. "Your zone, I know. Anything I can do?"

"Nope. I think we're good." Axel's gaze roams once again to the doors in the back. He didn't know when Jess was planning on showing up, but he wanted to be sure that she didn't have to pay to get in. Hopefully she'd enter from the back where everyone's trucks were parked.


Scott leans back against the outside of the building, a chilly wind brushing over his bare arms. He didn't care though. It was a feeling he'd gone too long without. The wind held a bitterness. But it was as bitterness that that fed freedom. His camera clicks.

TJY had been quiet today, and late afternoon, Scott had finally gotten up enough nerve and enough energy to venture outside. He didn't like being alone, and wished Domino were here at least, but... as long as he stuck close, it wasn't as bad as he'd thought it would be. Every little sound made him jump and want to run back inside, but he tried to stay distracted with his intent instead.

He looks up, and his camera clicks again. It had been nice to see Angel today. Though not particularly liking it that she had to see him like this, seeing a familiar face from Texas had been a nice surprise. Rick had brought her into the infirmary, and all that Scott could gather was that she was here to see Misty, though he wasn't sure exactly for what. Now that the concert would be soon, Misty would probably be leaving. Scott did want to listen to the concert at least, so he knew he would be going back inside in just a couple minutes. He'd been tempted to stop in and see of Dalton needed any help today, but hadn't felt quite up to it. No... taking a few pictures was all he'd to today.