06 November 2040
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Vladimer McMurran John Crowley Elijah McMurran Noah Crowley Nicholas Romolo Joel Marsetti Jessica Crowley Adam Crowley Jericho Crowley Trajedie Crowley

Vladora: Hi Grampa.
John: Hello Vladora.
Vladora: What'cha doing?
John: Training. Did take a break from it when he saw Vladora. Wipes his brow.
Vladora: Not looking so good. Sighs. Sorry for interruptin' you.
John: It's no problem at all. Frowns a little when he notices that he's looking worse.
Vladora: Leans his head against John's leg. I dunno what to get Dad for his birthday.
John: Puts a hand lightly atop of his head. Not scruffing up his hair though. I can find out what he wants for you.
Vladora: …Really?
John: Really.
Vladora: Thanks. Sits down on the floor.
John: We should get you to bed, Vladora.
Vladora: Do I hafta? I wanna watch you train…
John: Yes, you have to. You can watch me when you're feeling better. Deal?
Vladora: …Mm-kay.
John: Offers a hand to help Vlad from his seat on the ground.
Vladora: Takes his hand.
John: Lightly pulls him to his feet.
Vladora: Leans against his legs again.
John: Bends down a little to check his forehead. …Are you feeling worse? Do you need help to your room?
Vladora: Feels a little warm. M'okay… My head hurts a lot…
John: Gently picks him up and holds him in his arms. Probably not the most pleasant thing for Vlad, considering he's all sweaty and begins to make his way to his room. Maybe I can get one of the nurses or doctors to take a look at you.
Vladora: Doesn't mind too much. Nooo…
John: …Are you sure? Pneumonia can be dangerous… Just want to make sure…
Vladora: …I dun want shooots…
John: I don't think they'll give you a shot… but even if they did, it's only to help you get better.
Vladora: I don't want shooots… Squirms and coughs. Doctors're evul.
John: You think so?
Vladora: Mm-hm.
John: It's only because of the medical staff at Atlantis that Adam is still alive, you know…?
Vladora: They say they want to make you feel better, then they poke youuu…. They're liaaars… Trembles.
John: …Lightly pats his back. Calm down, Vladora… No one is going to do that to you here…
Vladora: Snuggles into his grampa.
John: Poor Vladdycakes. Protective hugging until he gets to the door to his room and opens it.

Vladora: Clings to him.
John: Brings him to his bed.
Vladora: Clings more. Not letting go.
John: Sits on the bed and keeps hugging.
Vladora: Thankfully doesn't take him long to fall into a troubled sleep.
John: Very carefully sets him on the bed. Has had a lot of practice doing this with Adam and Danielle and Rosemary.
Vladora: Doesn't stir.
John: Covers him up carefully, tucking him in.
Vladora: Fretful.
John: My poor grandchild. Strokes his hair a little. Not much he can do though. Wait, I should give him his medicine. Goody. Lightly shakes him so he can.
Vladora: Doesn't take much for his eyes to open blearily. Mm…?
John: You need to take your medicine.
Vladora: Nooo.
John: I'm sorry, but you have to.
Vladora: Shakes his head and pulls the covers up over himself.
John: …Please, Vladora? You need to take it so you can get better.
Vladora: Nooo.
John: If you take it, you'll get better faster. Really.
Vladora: You take it.
John: I'll take some if you do.
Vladora: …Really?
John: Really.
Vladora: …Comes out from under the covers.
John: See? Takes some of the medicine. Doesn't make a face, but ugh.
Vladora: Holds out his hand for some. Determined to best Grandpa.
John: Gives him some.
Vladora: Swallows it all in one gulp… Quite an effort to keep his face straight, but manages. Trembles though, it tastes so bad.
John: Smiles. See? Not bad at all. Horrible stuff.
Vladora: …Nope. I could drink 15 gallons of it.
John: I think I could manage a little bit of it every night. I bet you can't.
Vladora: I could. I could drink 15 gallons of it… Coughs. …every night
John: We'll see about that. Leans in and kisses his forehead.
Vladora: Kisses Grampa's cheek, hugging him 'round the neck.
John: Now you get some rest, alright?
Vladora: 'Kay… Lays back down.
John: I'll be back in here later to check in on you.
Vladora: Mm-hm… Sleeps. Medicine did an even better job of knocking him out.
Elijah: Enters! …Whispers. Did you give him his medicine…?
John: Nods.
Elijah: Smiles, relieved, and exits the room.
John: Leaves as well.

Elijah: Once the door is closed… Thank you. I went to get something in town and then I stopped to pick up some groceries and got held up by the lady in front of me who was complaining that they didn't have any skim milk.
John: Chuckles and shakes his head.
Elijah: Thanks for looking after Vlad.
John: It was no trouble at all. Noah's already fast asleep as it is…
Elijah: That's good… It is late for little kids. Here, this is for you. Hands him a small parcel wrapped in brown paper. Open it later.
John: When?
Elijah: When I'm not around. Grins.
John: If this is a bomb, I'll be terribly upset. Laughs.
Elijah: Laughs. I hope it's not a bomb.
John: Wonder what it is, though? Speaking of which…
Elijah: Hm?
John: You're too old for me to get you yet another interesting knife for your birthday, so do you have any suggestions?
Elijah: Grins. I would like that knife back, actually.
John: Hm? Which one?
Elijah: The one you gave me.
John: I thought it'd been retrieved for you already. You mean to say that you don't have it?
Elijah: Nope… Thought Katen took it and all my other knives after I tried to kill myself.
John: He did… Hm. I could look around for them… and if not, then maybe I could help you start your knife collection back up.
Elijah: Heh, you really don't have to get me anything at all.
John: I know. Going to anyway. You know that.
Elijah: Yeah, wild horses couldn't stop you.
John: You don't know the half of it. Wild horses tell those they love that wild Johns couldn't stop them in these cases, you know.
Elijah: Goodness we're getting a bit big-headed, huh? Grins.
John: Chuckles.
Elijah: Anyway, I'm sure you've got stuff to do
John: Was going to get back to practice… Check up on Vladimer and Noah..
Elijah: Nods. I'll leave you to it.
John: What are you up to, then?
Elijah: Oh, I dunno.
John: I can miss practice tonight if you'd like to have a sit down, perhaps?
Elijah: Hey, I'm good! But if you need a sit down… Grins.
John: Chuckles.
Elijah: Hm?
John: Oh, nothing.
Elijah: Heh… You're acting strange. I'm gonna take a walk. Nods to him.
John: Enjoy your walk, Elijah. Don't be a stranger.
Elijah: When've I ever been? Grins and walks away.
John: Grins, and watches him go… and when he's gone, opens the parcel.
Parcel: It's a book with a white cover and black text on it with 'Oppose' as the title and 'Elijah J. McMurran' at the bottom.
John: Intriguing. Opens it and reads on his way to the training hall.
Book: On the inside cover: "To Dad, from Elijah" and a heart. Apparently the novel he's been writing.
John: Aww. Just continues to read and walk.
Book: The protagonist is not a very nice person… or rather, quite evil and unlikable.
John: Interesting! It's relatable.
Book: Neither is his female associate.
John: This is gonna be great. Eventually bookmarks and checks on Vlad.

Vladora: His fever seem to have gone down and is sleeping more peacefully.
John: Good. Checkup on Noah time.

Noah: Been asleep since his bedtime. No fever, just normal.
John: Little early to hit the hay though.

Elijah: Came back in from his walk.
John: Goody, someone to bother.
Elijah: Looking at a magazine.
John: Eventually finds himself an Elijah and peeks at the cover of the magazine.
Elijah: It's a home buyer's guide.
John: He's moving it seems. Don't blame him.
Elijah: Looks up from the magazine and blushes. Hey Dad.
John: Hello, Elijah.
Elijah: Uh… Did you open that thing?
John: I did.
Elijah: …Buries his face in the magazine.
John: I like it. You did a good job writing it
Elijah: Blushes.
John: Didn't get any practice in because you. Chuckles.
Elijah: I'm sooorry.
John: Nothing to be sorry about, Elijah. I just got distracted reading it.
Elijah: …I-It's not very good. One of the few times he's actually nervous.
John: Sure it is.
Elijah: Nooo. Blushes.
John: It is.
Elijah: Blushes.
John: So, did you find a good place yet?
Elijah: Oh… No, not really.
John: Where are you thinking?
Elijah: I actually got offered a job at the Daland Academy sword training… Though when it comes down to actually leaving… I feel kinda reluctant. Weird, right?
John: I wouldn't say so. You've been here for so long.
Elijah: Yeah, but all my family and friends are here… and Vlad and Aidae's, too.
John: Nods. It can be hard to let go.
Elijah: Mm-hm.
John: Well, you have your chance to get out of here.
Elijah: I certainly do.
John: With a secure job.
Elijah: And hopefully the novel will bring in extra income.
John: I'm sure it will. You're well on your way.
Elijah: …Vlad's really attached to you.
John: He can make new friends in Daland. He's charming, like his father.
Elijah: Smiles. He can't make a new grandpa.
John: Well, Grandpa will be right here if you two want to visit.
Elijah: Yeah…
John: Poor Elijah. …If you went to Daland, you'd have family nearby.
Elijah: Yeah, I'll be near the girls… I know… See 'em at the Academy. Though I doubt they're taking sword classes.
John: I doubt that too.
Elijah: It's a shame, their dad's not half bad. Grins.
John: Heh.
Elijah: Not sure if you should go to bed or not?
John: Hm?
Elijah: …Mom's kinda pissed at you.
John: Then I should talk to her.
Elijah: Your funeral
John: I suppose so. Good night Elijah.
Elijah: 'Night Dad.
John: Hope you get a house with a good view. And to his room he goes.
Elijah: Back to flippin' through the magazine.

Nick: Comes into work. Hey Joel.
Joel: Hmm… Hey Nick. Yawns.
Nick: Didn't have a very good sleep under your desk, I see.
Joel: Guess so. Sips.
Nick: Why don't you go home?
Joel: I was home. That's where I sleep, you know?
Nick: You what?
Joel: Sleep. That's where I sleep.
Nick: Well, sleep some more.

Jessica: In bed, waiting up for John grumpily.
John: Into his room he steps.
Jessica: Turns the light on. Hm. Seems some strange man I don't know has walked into my room.
John: …I'm sorry that I've been a stranger, Honey.
Jessica: Hmph. I guess you've had better things to do than spend time with me.
John: That's not true.
Jessica: Oh, it's not, is it? Sniffs.
John: Takes a seat on the bed. It isn't.
Jessica: Hmph… Actually teary-eyed.
John: Reaches out to stroke her cheek. I never meant to make you think that, Dear… Feels horrible, awful, and terrible about this.
Jessica: I've been staying up for you all the past nights, but you won't even get here by the time… before I… go to bed!!! Sobs.
John: Jessica… I'm sorry… I promise I'll get to bed sooner.
Jessica: Sniffs. I just want some alone time with you… just a few minutes… that's all I ask… Maybe you're seeing someone else… Maybe you don't find me attractive anymore… Sobs.
John: Jessica… I would never, ever stray from you… and you only get more beautiful each time I see you. Pets her cheek, if she lets him. I'll make time for you. As much as you want.
Jessica: I don't know what I'm doing wrooong that you don't wanna spend tiiime with meee…
John: You're not doing anything wrong, Jessica… Things can just be so hectic… but I never meant to make you feel unwanted…
Jessica: I'm a terrible wife…
John: You are not…
Jessica: You're youuung… why would you want a 60-year-old hag like me?
John: You are no hag. You put the rest of the women in this castle to shame.
Jessica: That's not truuue… Look at Fay.
John: I've seen her and she doesn't compare.
Jessica: She's a tall, thin, beautiful Elf woman.
John: I only have eyes for you, Jessica.
Jessica: Holds her arms up to him…
John: Wraps his arms around her and holds her close.
Jessica: Oh, there's nothing she likes more than for John to hold her. Feels safe and protected and loved.
John: Feels it's his fault that she felt this way, so he's going to make sure it never happens again. Likes nothing more than to hold her. Makes him feel loved too.
Jessica: …I'm sorry for getting mad at you, John.
John: Hugs her a little closer. It was my fault, Jessica… and I'm going to make sure you never feel neglected again…
Jessica: …I should've made the effort to be with you instead…
John: Then let's both make the effort together.
Jessica: Okay…
John: I love you… and I'm sorry.
Jessica: I love you, too… and I'm sorry, too…
John: You don't have to apologize… Runs his fingers through her hair.
Jessica: I should've talked to you earlier instead of getting angry… Nuzzles into his shoulder a bit.
John: Smiles a little, still stroking her hair. It's alright, Jessica.
Jessica: Kisses under his chin a bit.
John: Kisses the top of her head in return.
Jessica: More kissing.
John: Snuggles and kisses more, too.
Jessica: Getting quite passionate.
John: Is as well. Holding her closer, though his hands are wandering.
Jessica: Kisses down to his collarbone.
John: Trails his hands slowly down her sides, though one deviates from that course and goes along her hip.

Adam: Finally that meeting is over. Sneaks quietly into Jericho's room.
Jericho: Sleeping.
Adam: Creeps as quietly as possible, looking down at his sleeping son.
Jericho: Strangely, sleeping with a hand under his pillow.
Adam: Curious… Peeks gently under his pillow.
Jericho: Holding a book with a finger wedged in it, to save his page presumably.
Adam: Gently takes the book from him, keeping the place.
Jericho: Stirs, but sleeps on.
Adam: Looks at the book.
Book: Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Adam: Aww… Gets a bookmark and places it in the spot, closing the book and setting it on the nightstand. Strokes Jericho's hair a bit and brushes his lips against his forehead.
Jericho: Stirs a little, but still yet remains slumbering.
Adam: Tucks him in and smiles at him fondly. Before leaving the room, whispers… Good night…. I love you. And closes the door behind him. Next door to his wife! Undresses and runs a bath. Dead tired.

Traj: Was asleep, but stirs when the door is open and wakes up when the water is running. Having a squalling child made her something of a lighter sleeper. Quietly gets out of bed and opens the door to the bathroom a sliver to peek in.
Adam: She gets a nice view of his naked backside.
Traj: Through being a little voyeur and steps into the bathroom.
Adam: Pouring in some bubble bath. Figures he can be a lil' extravagant.
Traj: Remains quiet, like the creepy girl she is.
Adam: Turns off the tap and slips into the tub, closing his eyes. …Mm.
Traj: You've had a long night. Now that you're all relaxed.
Adam: Eyes open! …Trajedie…
Traj: Smiles for her hubbyy. Hi, Hon.
Adam: I didn't mean to wake you…
Traj: In a nightie. It's alright… I dozed off waiting up for you. Being asleep on wife duty, hope it doesn't go on my permanent record.
Adam: Oh, Lovely… You don't need to wait up for me at all.
Traj: Is the last person you want to talk to before you sleep one of those men at the meeting? Kneels next to the tub, resting her arms on the rim of it.
Adam: Makes a face. …Not in particular.
Traj: Giggles and tilts her head to the side. Well, your dear wife, at your service then.
Adam: Oh, you should go to bed.
Traj: I promise I will. Right after you get out of your royal bubble bath.
Adam: Laughs. …I guess I'd better hurry up. Gets the soap.
Traj: Ooh… Don't hurry. You've had a long night. You should relax.
Adam: I'm sure your day has been comparable. I don't want to keep you up.
Traj: I don't think so. I at least got to walk around. You probably have to sit the entire time.
Adam: Mmm… What have you been up to today?
Traj: Just the usual… Work in the infirmary. Jerry stopped in to say, 'Hi'. Smiles.
Adam: Smiles. How has he been?
Traj: Just the sweetest child ever born. Like always. Giggles a bit. Been spending a lot of time with Mr. Crowley.
Adam: That's good… I haven't been able to much… Frowns.
Traj: It's alright, Adam. He knows his daddy's busy.
Adam: Continues to frown as he washes himself.
Traj: Sighs. It's not your fault, Adam…
Adam: I know… I just want to be a good father… Give him everything he deserves…
Traj: Oh, Adam… You're a great father… We understand that sometimes you can't always be around… That's just how your job is.
Adam: Just sighs as he continues bathing.
Traj: …Maybe someday you can spend more time with him.
Adam: Nods. Knows that would be easier if he felt better and wasn't tired all the time, but isn't going to mention that.
Traj: Things are already good now… but they'll get better, really.
Adam: I know… You and Jericho have made my life wonderful.
Traj: Smiles. You've made our lives wonderful, too.
Adam: Rinses himself off and stands. Dries himself off. …I like your nightie. Smiles.
Traj: Smiles. Thanks… I like your bubbles.
Adam: Hmm?
Traj: I mean, I like you in bubbles.
Adam: Chuckles, dropping the towel and going over to her, encircling her in his arms and planting a kiss with no warning on her collarbone.
Traj: Surprised by the sudden affection, but enjoys the spontaneity. Wraps her arms about him and presses close, closing her eyes.
Adam: Apparently wants to get intimate.
Traj: He's not alone. Pressing and snuggling to him quite affectionately. At least not being too subtle.

Adam: To their bed they go! And break out the protection.
Traj: Tries to pounce on him before he can get that situated. Thinks maybe she can distract him from that.
Adam: Tickles her. Loooveeely, have some patience.
Traj: Squirms a bit, but seems insistent. Nooo… I want you now. Makes her voice a kind of silky purr, something she's at least practiced for him, so it doesn't sound awkward.
Adam: Laughs. Traaaj…
Traj: Brings a hand to him down there. Many ways to distract an Adam, just has to find the right one.
Adam: Mm-m-m… T-Traj….
Traj: Seems like it might be working. Doesn't let up, instead presses to him and nibbles at his neck.
Adam: Traj… stooop…
Traj: Oh, burned. Does stop. …Adam?
Adam: Frowns. I don't wanna get you pregnant. Strokes her hair.
Traj: Not sure what to say. A little surprised, since it seems like her little plot was foiled and uncovered all at once. At least the hair stroking is nice.
Adam: So could you be patient a bit, Lovely? Kisses her cheek, though that probably killed the mood.
Traj: Oh, right you are… Settles down under her covers and closes her eyes. …You had a long night. You should get some sleep.
Adam: …Sighs. Guess I deserved that…
Traj: Can be a shrew at times. Curls up a little under the blankets. Good night, Adam.
Adam: …Good night my stunning, dazzling, spectacular, incredible, astounding, alluring, amazing, remarkable, wonderful, miraculous, extraordinary, outstanding, astonishing… Yawns. Wife.
Traj: Nice try.
Adam: I ran out of synonyms. Stares up at the ceiling 'cause he has trouble sleeping with an angry wife. Agonizes.
Traj: Sleeps.
Adam: Agonizes.
Traj: At least she doesn't snore. Not even snuggled up to Adam like she normally would be at night.
Adam: Augh… Sits up, brushes his lips against Traj's cheek much like he did to Jericho and gets dressed.
Traj: Much like Jericho, doesn't wake up.

Adam: To his office. Might as well get work done and take his mind of agonizing. Gets some coffee and agonizes. Can't concentrate on work. Back to his bedroom.

Traj: She doesn't wake up when he enters this time.
Adam: Sits down on the bed. …All I have to do is wait until she wakes up… and apologize to her… Then maybe I'll get an hour of sleep… and go to work.
Traj: Stirs.
Adam: Head droops, but pulls it back up.
Traj: Shifts to her normal spot on the bed, where she'd normally cuddle up to Adam. Mrmh…
Adam: Watches her… and smiles a little. Even if she's angry with him… She looks very pretty in the moonlight coming in from the window.
Traj: Mhhm… mrnn…tupid name. Mumbling in her sleep.
Adam: Sighs and listens to her mumbling.
Traj: Raises her head a little and looks right at Adam. Eyes are kind of open, but they're not 'awake' eyes. Unfocused and everything. …N'…take off the'tupid hat… Rests her head back down, eyes closing fully.
Adam: …Sighs. Continues to watch her sleep.
Traj: Has stopped mumbling and just looks peaceful.
Adam: After some time… Oh, I'm still watching her sleep… Did I fall asleep? Hm… Mm. Gets up and paces about the room. Alphabetizes his books by author. Sits on the floor by the window and looks at an old photo album. Hee, Dad's old hairstyle. Reads some poetry. Then one of Traj's playbooks. Watches her sleep some more.
Traj: Stirs, brows furrowed.
Adam: I hope she's not having nightmares.
Traj: Not quite a nightmare yet, but a creepy dream. Everyone is acting like I don't exist. They talk through me, don't make eye contact, and generally ignore me.
Adam: Kisses her forehead very softly, as though that will help alleviate the bad dream.
Traj: It's getting worse, since now whoever I touch just freezes.
Adam: Frowns down at her.
Traj: Mm…'dem.
Adam: …Kisses her very softly on the lips to see if that alleviates her bad dreams.
Traj: Surprisingly enough, her brows stop furrowing. He has excellent timing, as usual.
Adam: Smiles, pleased!
Traj: Found him in the dream and instead of being ignored, got a smooch.
Adam: Does his tried and true favorite, staring at a wall… and… does indeed jerk a few moments later… Had one of those falling dreams. Continues his dozing and awakening. Burning… I'm burning up. So hot… Smoke is clogging my throat.
Traj: Just laying where she'd normally be if they were snuggling.
Adam: Ah… Wakes up with a start from his nightmare…
Traj: Turns a bit in her sleep. Not as comfortable sleeping without being in Adam's arms.