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8:29am May 11 2014
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Ivan listened to Alfred and nodded, helping with the bags. He was generally good with carrying things, as he was reasonably strong, but it seemed that Alfred had already come upon a solution for carrying things.
After purchasing his vodka, he paused to answer the question he'd been asked. "Hmm? Oh, it tends to be around forty percent alcohol." He responded lightly, "It can be pretty strong, so it's always a good idea to have a stomach that is not empty if drinking it. Does that answer your question?"
When they reached the car, Ivan grabbed some bags out of the car, intending to help load them in.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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8:50am May 11 2014
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"YEah," Alfred responded with a grin, heading out of the store and towards the car. He popped open the trunk to start putting stuff in. "Things to know for when I turn 21," he said with a soft laugh. "The first night's probably going to be pretty fun until I wake up the next morning." He shook his head a bit. "It may be inappropriate in Russia to get drunk off your ass in public but here in America that's practically the basis of every 21st birthday ever."
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9:03am May 11 2014
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Ivan took a moment to consider Alfred's words, before contributing his viewpoint. "Hmm, that is interesting. I would not be wallflower on such an event, but would it be public? It would be a little awkward to be trying to get to correct house if that was the case, and drink was involved. Besides, it would be embarrassing to be fishing someone out of a bin they'd gotten stuck in. When my neighbour Dmitri became old enough to drink, he was not wise or prepared, and he had to be rescued from bin. There was a cat in same bin, so he was pretty scratched up when he was pulled out." While it was true that such things were not exactly appropriate behaviour, that wasn't to say that it never happened.
"If you would like, I could make lots of food when it is time for your birthday, so that you will have plenty to soak up the alcohol." He offered, putting the last couple of bags into the trunk. "I am curious, what else is normal for such a birthday?"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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9:15am May 11 2014
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Alfred giggled, covering his mouth to try to muffle it. "I'm sorry, he got stuck with an angry cat?" he repeated, biting his lip a moment later and looking highly amused. "And as for traditional things I dunno. Maybe rumcake or something. From what I've heard it's basically been centered around getting as hammered as possible in one night." He leaned against his car, tilting his head a bit. "And by the time it rolls around we should be out of classes since July Fourth is a national holiday...I think." He blinked. "I'm pretty sure it is, considering it's the day we became independent from England."
Why did thinking about that make him so...sad most of the time? The American Revolution...he'd barely made it through learning about it and he'd ended up feeling like he was being told a terrible mistake over again, the fact that he'd messed up being shoved right back into his face. |
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9:25am May 11 2014
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"Da~" Ivan snickered, "It was a big old tomcat with one ear, belonging to lady living on the end of the road. It was often sneaking things from bins, and was not happy when Dmitri landed on him. Sprang out like oiled lightning when Dmitri was pulled out." He was glad that he'd managed to amuse Alfred, and it almost seemed to him as though making the American smile was a part of why he was there. It was only a fleeting notion, not fully acknowledged, but it was there.
"Really? Well, perhaps it would be best not to be going too far away from your place, then. Since it will be Independence Day, there will probably be more people with same idea roaming around, and having many intoxicated people in proximity and with fireworks happening does not sound wise to me. Then again, I might be wrong." Was Alfred distracted by something? His mood seemed to have altered, and become a little melancholy. "Is everything alright?"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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9:29am May 11 2014
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Alfred looked up when he heard Ivan voice his concerns regarding his mood, blinking once. "Hm? Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry man," he responded, smiling before he stepped away, shutting the trunk once everything was loaded in. "Oh yeah, fireworks are a thing. Oh god that's going to be fun. My first hangover with a bunch of idiots probably still setting things off the next morning." He shook his head with a smile, laughing softly. "Looks like I'm either stocking up on earplugs or painkillers for that impending headache."
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9:43am May 11 2014
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Seeing as the trunk was full, Ivan had opened the door on the passenger side, though he was still paying attention. "Ahh, that is good. It seemed as though you were a little down, and I wondered if you were okay. Still, better to worry about nothing than be surprised by a problem not seen." He was relieved that there was nothing to be concerned about, and he placed himself into his seat as the trunk was shut, taking Alfred's word that all was well.
"I have earmuffs, if that helps." He put in, considering Alfred's stated options. "Oh, and I've been told that it can help to have bacon, though I don't know if that is true or not. Still, it would be tasty, and that might make you feel better." Since Alfred seemed convinced that he would indeed have a hangover following his birthday, Ivan decided that he would make an effort to help him out on the morning in question. Knowing himself as he did, he realised that he might end up fussing like a mother hen, but he figured that someone hung over might not really protest too much over that.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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9:59am May 11 2014
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Alfred climbed into the car as well, and soon they were off and heading to what was now Ivan and Alfred's shared home...at least for the year. "Oh god, bacon is definitely a thing we have to have that night," he responded with a grin. "Oh man that sounds amazing. Now I really can't wait for dinner because I'm /starving/." He said with a quiet laugh, glad to be heading home where he and Ivan could relax again.
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10:10am May 11 2014
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"It would be no problem, bacon is quite easy." Ivan shrugged, finding Alfred's apparently-perpetual enthusiasm rather sweet. He didn't usually get this much positive feedback, and he was feeling a little self-conscious. It was fine, though, as long as he could make Alfred happy. "No worries, I can get started as soon as we've unloaded the food to where it should go." He added, also looking forward to being able to relax and fill his stomach.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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10:15am May 11 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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Alfred nodded, grinning rather wide. "Oh, I have a little rug just inside the door so you might nee dot watch out for that. I've seen several people trip over it," he said with a soft laugh. "Just a kind of thing to try to enforce not coming in with dirty shoes on because cleaning the floors takes a lot of time and an attention span I don't have." He blinked. "Oh! But, uh, the house isn't like, filthy or anything, I do clean up after myself. I just try to avoid the unneeded extra effort."
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10:21am May 11 2014
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Chuckling slightly, Ivan nodded. "Da, I will be careful. Do not worry, I know what you mean - I will take my shoes off when I come in." He was glad to be told this in advance, as he wouldn't have known to look out otherwise, and might have ended up on his face. "Where should I put my shoes?" He asked, wondering whether they went anywhere specific. He could understand Alfred not wishing to let things get too dirty, given the attention that thorough cleanings of things required, and he didn't comment on that. Somehow, he felt that Alfred would be more comfortable if he could leave that topic behind.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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10:38am May 11 2014
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"Uh, to the right of the door I guess? That's where I usually put mine," Alfred responded, tilting his head a little bit. "But hey as long as we don't have to worry about anything else to trip over anywhere should be fine." He grinned. "And once we get there and get things to where we can wander around I can show you where everything is in the house." That would probably be handy, especially if Ivan possibly woke up in the middle of the night having to go to the bathroom or something.
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10:49am May 11 2014
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"Okay, I will do that." Ivan nodded, watching the scenery go by as they drew nearer to Alfred's home. He was looking forward to seeing what it was like, and he was hoping that he would spot it soon. "Hmm? That would be helpful, yes. It would be embarrassing if I was to get lost in your house." He added, amused by the idea. Knowing that neither of them had anywhere to be tomorrow, Ivan wasn't concerned about timing anything to be just-so, seeing as it wouldn't matter how late they slept in come the morning. Therefore, it wouldn't matter if they had dinner late enough that the marathon continued late - there was plenty of time to have a look around.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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11:56pm May 11 2014
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Alfred took a turn after a little bit longer and began to slow down, grinning as they finally came to a halt in front of a decent-looking pale blue house. He gesture to it with a small smile. "Well, ah...here we are!" he announced, cutting off the car before he reached over to pop open the trunk and get out. He walked around to push the hatch of the trunk open wide and pulled out a few bags of their groceries, heading up to the door to unlock it, then push it open.
He was greeted by a loud, almost annoyed meow by a rather pretty, rather fluffy cat, waiting for him at the door.
"...Oh, uh, Ivan, I forgot to mention I have a cat," he said, looking back at his friend. |
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1:02am May 12 2014
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"Your house is a nice colour." Ivan commented, seeing the dwelling that they'd stopped in front of and giving Alfred a little hint of a smile. He clambered out, making his way to the trunk, and began to unload some bags himself. For ease of carrying, he fastened some of them to his wheeled suitcase, and he put on his backpack. Everything seemed to be going just as he expected it to, right up until Alfred opened the door.
There, looking distinctly irritated - but undeniably adorable - was a large and fluffy cat. The feline in question had a lot of white-to-creamy fur, but was streaked with tabby browns and caramels, and had a very fuzzy plume of a tail. Ivan stopped and stared for a moment, blinking. He was somewhat surprised to find that they were being greeted by an unmentioned cat, but his ex
pression soon lit up."Ahh, you have a pretty kitty~" He crooned, leaning down a little in order to get a better look. "So fluffy~"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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1:08am May 12 2014
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The cat stared up at Ivan, blinking at him for a moment before simply looking up at Alfred and repeating the same meow she'd let out when he opened the door, tail flicking in irritation.
Alfred grinned sheepishly, setting down the bags so he could scoop up his large, fluffy cat and head tot he kitchen. "Sorry I forgot to mention her, man. Uh, her name's Penny. Well, her nickname's Penny. Her full name is Independence," he said with a quiet laugh. "Which is basically her entire personality. But, uh, I'm pretty sure she's annoyed at me because I was gone all day, so I'll go feed her and be right back," he said, going to do just that as the cat in his arms let out a soft huff. |
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1:27am May 12 2014
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"Ahh, is no problem - I like kitties~" Ivan responded pleasantly, straightening up and following Alfred inside and putting his bags down. After checking that they hadn't left anything outside, and that Alfred had indeed closed and locked the car, he returned and closed the door behind him, retrieving the bags that were meant for the kitchen and carrying them towards the sound of Alfred. Seeing as the American had mentioned feeding, he assumed that the kitchen would be involved.
"Your cat has a nice name - it is pretty and unique at the same time." He commented, as soon as he caught sight of Alfred again. "I brought the stuff for the kitchen - I followed the sounds here. Was that okay?" He asked, before another thought presented itself. "Do you think that Penny will like me?"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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1:46am May 12 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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Alfred looked up when Ivan entered, scooting the bag of cat food to the side before he smiled softly. "Vanya, you live here too now. You can do what you want here, man." He stroked a hand along Penny's back as she ate before he stood back up. "And once she's used to having you around I'm sure she'll like you fine. She's just grumpy because I was late getting home to feed her today," he said with a soft chuckle, getting started putting things away.
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2:29am May 12 2014
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Ivan's ex
pression melted into a smile at Alfred's words, and - for some reason - he already felt at home in his new location. He nodded, grateful to have become friends with someone so hospitable, and began to help Alfred put things away. "Is that so? I have heard that pets like to have a routine, so that would make sense." Taking another look at the cat, Ivan was once again struck by how very fluffy she was - the sheer furriness of Penny rivalling any feather duster. "I do not think I have seen a cat so fluffy before. She looks very soft~" He fairly crooned, having a soft spot for cuddly critters. "Ahh, where do you keep the things like condensed milk?"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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1:21am May 13 2014
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"I'm pretty sure she's a Maine Coon," Alfred responded, glancing down at his cat. "She's a pretty big cat and she's super fluffy, like you said," he murmured before he tilted his head a bit. "Um, the cabinets above the oven," he answered, regarding the condensed milk. "And yeah, when she's not annoyed at me she's a really good cat. Friendly and all that." He chuckled softly. "And believe it or not Penny is usually like, my polar opposite...until it's playtime. Then she can go from calm and collected to shooting around the house at basically mach speed. It's pretty great to watch," he said with a soft laugh, leaning against the counter.
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