Aerin Thomas: Okay. So, say, this last Wednesday. Aerin makes his way into the house, lighting a smoke as he does. The first thing noticable is his clothes...he's back to the old look, slightly modified. Crimson lace-up and black leather pants, with the trench coat over it all. Feather earrings in his right ear. Biker gloves. Second...his hair. It's black again. Facial hair is shaved off...making him look younger then he is. He looks around, sighing slightly, and goes looking for Ethan.

Ethan Anderson: Ethan's puttering about the kitchen, laughing at Tori's antics where she sits in her high chair, flinging food at him. He seems to take it in stride, swooping towards her with a wet nap. "You trying to get dada all dirty," he asks, making silly faces at the giggling child.

Aerin Thomas: He takes a lean against the corner where the foyer opens up into the kitchen, smiling faintly. Just watching quietly for now...taking this moment to enjoy the site of his mate with his daughter. His smile, though, seems a bit more distant...it has, really, ever since the Challenge.

Ethan Anderson: Deftly, he cleans her up, kissing her nose and yelping when she grabs his hair. "Hey, love," he says, trying to glance over his shoulder as he takes a moment to free his hair.

Aerin Thomas: "Hey," he says softly, arms crossed over his chest as he leans. "She's getting quite the arm on her. May have a career as a softball pitcher."

Ethan Anderson: "Mnn," he says, chuckling. He wipes up her fingers and the tray on the highchair then scoops Tori up and heads to Aerin, head tipped up. "How are you, baby?"

Aerin Thomas: "Ennh." He sighs, moving to snuff the cigarette out betrween wetted fingers before they get to him. He leans down and kisses Ethan softly, and then gives Tori's forehead a kiss. "Been better...been worse. You?"

Ethan Anderson: "Better now that you're home," he says. Granted, he is smirking just slightly as he's forced Aerin to put out the smoke. "Take your daughter out to the livingroom. I'll get you some scotch and we can talk while she plays."

Aerin Thomas: "All right." He takes Tori from Ethan, smiling to her and bouncing her a bit on his hip and speaking to her in Romani. When she giggles, he smiles and carries her into the Great Room.

Ethan Anderson: Ethan pours Aerin a drink and follows, dropping bonelessly onto the couch with a soft sigh, ice chiming as it hits the sides of the tumbler. "You going to be okay," he asks, head tilting to oneside. "Since the challenge you've been...elsewhere."

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah." He nods a little bit, setting Tori down so she can crawl around a bit. A sigh comes forth, and he runs his hand through newly-ebony hair, taking the glass from Ethan. "I wish...I wish I could tell you the specifics. All I can say, though, is that this isn't over. Not by a long shot...and it's not going to get any easier from here."

Ethan Anderson: "Why can't you tell me the specifics if you know them," he asks, sliding closer to Aerin.

Aerin Thomas: "Because I swore that I wouldn't." He shrugs. "I wish I could explain it more then that, but...I can't. What I can say, though, is that we're not diverting course from going after the Reapers. And part of that, and a couple other things, means I have to have a plan. Which I do."

Ethan Anderson: "Which I'm not going to like given the way you're...pussy footing around," he says softly, sighing.

Aerin Thomas: "Probably not." He slips an arm around Ethan's shoulders. "The way I see it, I've got several problems. I've got the Gavin investigation. I've got the Reapers. And, I've got the people who shot me."

Ethan Anderson: "Don't forget that you have a male lover...And I'm sure more then the Reapers disapprove."

Aerin Thomas: "Yes, which is part of the previously-mentioned Reapers problem."

Ethan Anderson: "Should I go to my brother's for...a while?"

Aerin Thomas: He frowns a little as he nuzzles Ethan's temple. "I don't know, to be honest. That may work into the plan...it may work against it. Maybe I should explain the plan."

Ethan Anderson: "Maybe you should," he says softly, laying his lips against Aerin's shoulder. "But before you do...In case I get mad and something stupid comes out of my mouth...I love you. More then life."

Aerin Thomas: "I know." He smiles a little bit, and nods. A deep breath is taken in, and let out. "Okay. So the plan is simply this. You know, of course, that I don't have the best reputation around the Green. I'm gonna work on that...and make it far, far worse."

Ethan Anderson: "Worse?"

Aerin Thomas: "Much worse." He nods. "Bitter. Not caring. A screw it all, party the world out attitude. Based off what happened at the Challenge and how I left, it wouldn't be much of a stretch for people...if I can do it right. It'll possibly put me in contact with the party-girl Silver Fangs, it'll let the Reapers start to underestimate me, and the people who shot me...well." He sighs. "I should tell you what I know about that, at least."

Ethan Anderson: "So...Basically, you wanna be a wyld child. Fuck around...fuck off...?"

Aerin Thomas: "And piss as many people off around the Sept as possible, more then likely." He smiles faintly. "Though that would be more a by-product."

Ethan Anderson: "Just don't get yourself killed."

Aerin Thomas: "Not in the plans." He shakes his head. "Now...the people who had me shot. Found out a little bit about them." He pauses for a long moment, his smile slipping away. Eyes take on a more serious tone. "They're kinfolk, Ethan."

Ethan Anderson: "What?" His eyes widen. "Why?"

Aerin Thomas: "Kinfolk who are disgusted with Garou." He sighs, "They...think that we're a danger to the world. More then likely, they were alienated from the Nation. They used the Reapers as a cover to try and snipe me, because of the confrontation Hauser and I had that night."

Ethan Anderson: "Jesus," he whispers, licking his lips slowly. "I could...We could...fight. Spectacularly...I..."

Aerin Thomas: He nods a little bit, a touch of worry hitting his expression at that. "Maybe. I think...Jez is thinking about gettin in on it, too."

Ethan Anderson: "I..." He sighs softly and chews the inside of his cheek. "Maybe it would be best if I just leave for a while...I think...Maybe...It'll hurt less if I don't know."

Aerin Thomas: "That's up to you, love." He leans in and runs his cheek over Ethan's. "I don't want to hurt you...you know that, right?"

Ethan Anderson: "But you are," he says softly, stroking Aerin's hair.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah, I know I am." He sighs. "I can't...not be who I am, Ethan. You knew who I was before any of this happened. If I can help people...I have to battle the Wyrm in my own way. I'm not an Ahroun...I don't fight the Wyrm up front. I help people...I defend those who need it. And I have to do that." He smiles sadly. "I know that Ita couldn't understand that in the end...and I think that's what killed us more then anything. And another part of that is...I love unconditionally. I don't do halfway. And I know that this gets me in trouble...and I'm sorry for the fact that it hurts people. I'm not sorry for the fact that I do it...because I don't know how to be any different, especially with Rose in me."

Ethan Anderson: "I've come to terms with that. I'm your Mate," he says, laying his hand over the rose. "i'm the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. I know that. What hurts me is not knowing where you are or if you're hurt. What hurts is...Is me...Its not being able to be like you..."

Aerin Thomas: "I know." His hand comes up to rest over Ethan's, fingers curling over it. He looks down at the two hands and smiles a bit. "I'm built different, and I know that a lot of people aren't like me. It's something I've got to come to terms with."

Ethan Anderson: He swallows softly and leans up to kiss Aerin softly but with deep passion and heart-felt longing. "I'll stay by you. No matter what."

Aerin Thomas: "Thank you." He murmurs it against Ethan's lips, pouring himself into the kiss of course. When it breaks, he leans back, looking over to Tori. "So. On that subject...Jesse and I...I think, are getting close."

Ethan Anderson: "No shit," he mutters darkly. Blue eyes roll and he glances up at Aerin. "Didn't I tell you she wanted in your pants?"

Aerin Thomas: He sighs and gives Ethan a look. It's not angry or sullen...just a bit sad. "Ethan...don't take this out on her, please."

Ethan Anderson: "Why shouldn't I, Aerin? She's been hanging around you. Cozying up. And she knew about me. Did she ever once try and talk to me about it?"

Ethan Anderson: "THAT'S what's pissing me off about her."

Aerin Thomas: He arches a brow. "Maybe she hasn't because you scare the shit out of her, Ethan. For the record...she's been keeping her distance because she doesn't want to hurt you. I asked her to come stay here, not the other way around. And she sleeps outside, because she doesn't want to get too close and make you uncomfortable."

Ethan Anderson: "I scare the shit out of her," he asks, standing up and holding out his arms. "Me?" He blinks. "She could down me with one solid punch."

Aerin Thomas: "Okay, this is the part of the program where we make the realization that we're not talking about being scared of you hurting her. She's scared of hurting you."

Ethan Anderson: He shakes his head slowly and sighs. "She's been glued to your side for over a month. she hurt me a good while ago, only I didn't know it."

Aerin Thomas: "That's not what it was at first, Ethan." He sighs and shakes his head. "She was trying to help me, nothing more. And attracted or not, she didn't push the issue. And she hasn't. It doesn't mean I haven't noticed that we're getting close. I'm not blind to it."

Ethan Anderson: He nods. "I dont' understand the attraction. Beyond the womb. I really don't. BUt you know that. Women scare me."

Aerin Thomas: "I know." He nods. "And I imagine that's part of the problem. I doubt that it would bother as much if it were, for example, Jez."

Ethan Anderson: "And why are you bringing him into this," he asks, with a sigh.

Aerin Thomas: "As an example!" He gives an exasperated sigh. "Jesus, Ethan. Because I had just mentioned him earlier, so he was a male fresh in my mind, and I wouldn't bring Bliss up even as a hypothetical because just, NO?"

Ethan Anderson: "Aerin, I'm sorry baby but...Things have happened that I'm still working through, you know? Trust wise? I'm trying but...Jez...He would bother me. Because he's my friend."

Aerin Thomas: "Okay, then, Liam! Or Nathaniel, or Alexi...Rei. Whoever. We're getting off-track here. My point is that I imagine that the fact that Jesse's a woman makes it bother you more."

Ethan Anderson: "Yes. It does." He nods slowly, tears rising. "Because she can give you something I can't. Something I know you want very badly no matter how much you love our munchkin."

Aerin Thomas: He nods a little bit and rises, reacing out to draw him into a hug. "I know why. And like I said, love...I'm sorry it hurts you. I'm not sorry for how I feel, though. I can't be."

Ethan Anderson: "I know. I'm sorry I"m such a little bitch," he murmurs, pressing his cheek to Aerin's chest, his arms wrapping tightly about his hips.

Aerin Thomas: He presses his lips against Ethan's forehead in a loving kiss. "I just...all I want is try not to hate her because of this, okay? She's a good person."

Ethan Anderson: "Then she needs to grow some balls and come talk to me."

Aerin Thomas: He nods. "I know. And will you not make her hurt over it if she does?"

Ethan Anderson: "She needs to understand how much I love you," he says softly. "She needs to understand that if she hurts you I will hurt her. And I deserve to know that she respects my place in your life. In her own words."

Aerin Thomas: "That's fair." He nods. "Just don't guilt her and don't make her feel like shit. That's all I ask."

Ethan Anderson: "Don't make her feel like I do," he asks softly.

Aerin Thomas: He frowns at that. "Why do you feel guilty and like shit?"

Ethan Anderson: "Because I"m standing in your way."

Aerin Thomas: A little sigh. "Well...like you, I'm sure she already feels like it plenty enough on her own."

Ethan Anderson: He licks his lips slowly and stares up at Aerin, weighing things in his mind.

Aerin Thomas: He looks back, watching the kin silently for a moment. And gets absolutely nothing. (( Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: d10: Per+Emp: 4,9,5,1,1,1,1, All praise the single succ making just a failure!))

Ethan Anderson: "What do you want? What do you really, trully want?"

Aerin Thomas: He furrows his brow at that, leaning slightly back. "What do you mean?"

Ethan Anderson: "I want you to tell me what you, in your heart of hearts, want out of this," he says softly.

Aerin Thomas: "Out of what? Me and you? Me and Jesse? Me and my reputation-destruction plan? Me and life?"

Ethan Anderson: "Me and you. Me, you and Jesse...All of it. WHat is your ideal outcome?"

Aerin Thomas: His face darkens a little, and he looks away, to Tori. "I don't...think of ideal outcomes, Ethan. Or hope for them, or want them. They don't happen. Never have, never will."

Ethan Anderson: "Ideal outcomes would have put you with her mother, wouldn't they?"

Aerin Thomas: He shrugs a little bit and pulls away, moving to the nearest window. He opens it up and lights up a cigarette. "I don't know."

Ethan Anderson: "Bull shit," he says softly, voice laden with love.

Aerin Thomas: "I ~don't!~" He looks back at Ethan, eyes flashing. "And it's pointless to even ask hypotheticals, all right?" He looks away from Ethan, out the window, and takes a drag off the cigarette. The smoke is blown out of the portal, into the night air. "There is no such thing as ideal. It doesn't mean that I don't cherish what I have. Life just doesn't work out that way."

Ethan Anderson: "You've become fatalistic," he murmurs, picking up TorI and curling up on the couch with her.

Aerin Thomas: "Oh, love." He chuckles. "I became a realist a while ago. Which isn't to say that there's not a good for people. That's what I'm trying to help people find, is the good."

Ethan Anderson: "THen come help your family find the good," he murmurs softly.

Aerin Thomas: He flicks some ash out the window and looks back at Ethan, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry."

Ethan Anderson: "For what," he asks.

Aerin Thomas: "Causing you pain."

Ethan Anderson: "I blame Gaia," he says softly. "For making me for you and then making you for everyone."

Aerin Thomas: A little sigh, and he nods, exhaling a drag of smoke. "So. That's, uh...the plan. And...Jesse. I just..." He shrugs. "I needed to tell you. I promised I would...and even without the promise, I would have."

Ethan Anderson: "Have you yet," he asks.

Aerin Thomas: "Slept with her?"

Ethan Anderson: "Yeah."

Aerin Thomas: He shakes his head. "No. Not yet."

Ethan Anderson: He nods slowly. "Just not in our bed, okay?"

Aerin Thomas: A slight nod. "Okay."

Ethan Anderson: "Does that bother you? That I'm...Limiting it?"

Aerin Thomas: "No." He shakes his head, looking back to Ethan. "It doesn't bother me, honest."

Ethan Anderson: "Thank you," he says softly, nodding.

Aerin Thomas: "You're welcome." He looks back to Ethan, smiling weakly. "So...are you going to stay around? Maybe play disgruntled kinfolk with Jez? Or...do you think it would be easier if you went to stay with your brother?"

Ethan Anderson: "I don't want to leave. And I don't want to pretend to turn against you," he says shakily, kissing Tori's head.

Aerin Thomas: "All right." He nods a bit, relaxing a touch, and finishes up the cigarette. The but is snuffed out and pocketed, window closed before he makes his way back over to them.

Ethan Anderson: "Besides, what would you say to her," he asks, stroking Tori's head. "When she can barely understand that you don't pull on Bliss's ears?"

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah..." He smiles just a bit, and leans down to kiss Tori on the top of the head. His lips next find Ethan's. "I love you."

Ethan Anderson: "I love you too," he whispers, returning the kiss adoringly.

Aerin Thomas: He lingers the kiss for a long moment, only the presence of Tori keeping it from becoming something more then a kiss. He finally breaks the kiss, and smiles. "How about we curl up and watch a movie or something? Just the three of us."

Ethan Anderson: "I'd love that," Ethan says softly, offering Aerin a heartfelt, adoring smile.

Aerin Thomas: "Cool." He grins a bit and nods. "Pick something out...I'll get changed into something more comfortable."

Ethan Anderson: "Are you sure you want us to pick something out," he asks, laughing softly. "Your daughter has this thing Disney musicals..."

Aerin Thomas: "Hmmm...I think I can tolerate it." He grins. "Long as after we put her to bed and do something ourselves that's far less G-rated."

Ethan Anderson: "Oooh. I think that can be arranged, Mate," he says, blushing.

Aerin Thomas: "You still blush." The grin widens. "That's cute."

Ethan Anderson: "I'll blush when we're both in our fifties. Get over it," he says, hiding his face against Tori's head.

Aerin Thomas: He chuckles and nods, heading upstairs to get changed.