("It does, doesn't it. You spent a few years down there in New Orleans, didn't you," Rhett says, following his nose, but sniffing out Mickey, or Jay Michael, now, less literally, offering his hand.
"Jay Michael," Rhett says. )
Rhett?
("Butler, yes," he says. "But, I assume you've reconciled that.")
I made the connection.
( "There's no need to be intimidated," he continues. )
I never said I was.
("No, that's right. You didn't." But he knows. He turns back, toward his beloved and the scent that has captured her. "What is that wonderful smell?")
[Wes smiles as the four of them begin to settle, and then moves into the kitchen so he can start pouring wine.]
I figured since you guys didn't get the chance to move on with the rest to New Orleans, I could try my hand at the jambalaya. Think I've finally balanced out the spice combo.
["Delicious," Melanie smiles as she takes the glass of wine. "I'm looking forward to it."
"Indeed," Scarlett nods. "So, Jay Michael. Tell us about yourself."]
( He doesn't need to praise his boyfriend's cooking skills. This is his family. He assumes they're well aware of how gifted he is in the kitchen. He suspects in a past life he was a cook. Or, maybe this is just a hobby.
Jay Michael waits for the last glass, making sure every guest has one - and doesn't get a sip of wine before the interrogation starts.
That's not fair. It's only natural they're curious. )
I'm from Texas, originally, but we met here in Star City. I was recruited right out of high school to the military. ( Left his stifling, yet quaint, small town and certain truths he's since embraced. ) I guess I was susceptible because I ended up on Tamara Monroe's radar and made a whole host of new friends. I thought I was hunting - but, we all know what that ended up being. Anyway, long story short, I thought I'd cut my teeth on a big get and that got me kidnapped - and turned. Haven't been back since. But, I am learning the difference between what I'm told and what is. Forming my own opinions, of this one right here. Happy to be included today.
( That's about everything. He wonders just how much Wes tells his family about his life, about Jay Michael - but, he knows straight shooters when he sees them.
He doesn't know how far their knowledge of Monroe, the captured hunter and everything else goes. So, he just spills it all. )
We did hear about that Monroe nonsense after it was finished. And good riddance to that whole affair.
[Wes moves around them after everyone has wine, dishing out some of the meal and Scarlett muses over whether she should say what she's about to, but she doesn't think Wes has lied about their side of things either.]
You know, we actually share something rather interesting in common.
["Scarlett." The name is a warning from Wes's end, more than anything else, but she doesn't relent, placing down her wine glass and looking at Jay Michael head on.]
We have the same sire. Different circumstances, obviously, but ... small world.
( He's momentarily interested - something in common with the inimitable Scarlett O'Hara, whom he didn't even know was a real person up until now. That lands like a lead balloon, two of Jay Michael's fingers resting around the step, tapping the base. His hand moves up to curl around the glass, to want to have any alcohol in his system. )
I gather Damon asked to sire you. Offered. Passed you a note in class. Do you want me to sire you, circle YES or NO?
Asked, not in so many words, no. I was dying. He intervened. But I do not disagree that it was much more gallant than your situation.
[Scarlett doesn't relent, but she's not dense. Damon is beloved to her, for the opportunity he gave her, but she is not blind to who he is to the young man in front of her.]
I'm not going to argue the fact that Damon Salvatore is a paragon of good. But he is dear to me. And while I'm sure Wes will strive to keep you apart if that is what you wish, I simply want to be sure that you are prepared for what that means if you are intending to stay around for the long term.
I'm not looking to settle a score. I attacked his brother in a moment of hubris. I sealed my fate. And, if you ask me, it ain't a bad fate. I have no illusions about how I was born. Either time. ( He was definitely the first oops of his family, before they came to like parenting and loved his younger siblings more. ) And I would never let my personal feelings get in the way of what me and Wes have. Or, him and his family. Or, you and yours. People are more than one thing. I'm a rough-around-the-edges bull in a chinashop. I'm also a gay man. I'm also an estranged brother. A Texan. And a lapsed Christian. That last part will probably never change. I never was for organized religion. But, I am for keeping real family together, not getting in the way of that. I wouldn't. And if I was, I'd let myself out.
[And now that that's been cleared up, they can talk about some more trivial things. She smiles, and leans in to take a spoonful of the meal in front of her, before leaning back with a please sound.]
Wesley, I do think you have outdone yourself this time. This is delicious.
["Thank you, Scarlett," Wes sighs as he sits down next to Jay Michael, reaching for his hand under the table and giving it a small squeeze of apology.]
( He says it affectionately, because there is something about Wes that sparkles, that he was drawn to. Lit nightclub. Loud music. And he found Wes. And a life. )
Oh, I did once, after the war. I found it very tedious, and a waste of my time, given that I was also trying to get my second husband's business going at the same time. Poor Frank didn't really have a good head for business, and trying to do so in the aftermath of such destruction is even more of a challenge.
[She tends to like them bloody, but no one is surprised there.]
I will admit that becoming a vampire did atrophy my need to learn the craft. If I do not need to do it for sustenance, it becomes an even bigger waste of time.
Oh, well. There's a period where you try and stay as close to humanity as possible. Where you still have living relatives or friends you like to talk to. You get a job, move through life as normally as possible, socialize, et cetera.
[She waves a hand.]
But once you realize you don't need as much of that or you have to move on because people realize you're not aging, you could do all kinds of things. Travel, experience art and theater. Make connections. Never discount your vampiric connections. They're the ones that are going to be around a hundred years from now. They can give you touchpoints when you need them.
( He tests the thought out in his mind, what that might look like. Who that might be. He's forever connected to Damon Salvatore. Is that a touchpoint?
As for his family, they aren't in touch. He disappointed them greatly, and then escaped. From golden boy to gas station attendant to army to -- vampire. )
[Pieces of your human life keep you grounded, for better or worse.]
Our type of vampire is very in-tune with our human emotions. We feel them so much more strongly. Losing the things that ground us in that humanity can ... make things very messy.
["I will take some more wine, thank you." Scarlett nods with a smile.
Wes gets up next to him, and gives his arm a gentle squeeze.]
Let me give you a hand.
[As they head back into the kitchen for the wine, taking some of the leftovers back with them, Jay Michael's phone buzzes in his pocket with a text from Mia:
Mind if a friend crashes on our couch for a bit until I get him set up somewhere else?
( He takes Scarlett's glass with one hand and pulls his phone out with his other as they return to the kitchen. He sets her glass down, squinting. Huh. No other information, huh? Okay.
She's not big on words. Or, descriptions. Took my to a "friend's," once, and it was the fanciest place I'd ever been.
( Real par for the course. Better to another point, not that sound doesn't travel in a room with vampires.
He moves to the sink, turning it on to wash the glass. An excuse of sorts. ) I like your family. ( He gives him a look, the look he's probably expecting the "Scarlett O'Hara" look. )
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everyonelives2025-07-26 07:05 pm
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"Jay Michael," Rhett says. )
Rhett?
( "Butler, yes," he says. "But, I assume you've reconciled that." )
I made the connection.
( "There's no need to be intimidated," he continues. )
I never said I was.
( "No, that's right. You didn't." But he knows. He turns back, toward his beloved and the scent that has captured her. "What is that wonderful smell?" )
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I figured since you guys didn't get the chance to move on with the rest to New Orleans, I could try my hand at the jambalaya. Think I've finally balanced out the spice combo.
["Delicious," Melanie smiles as she takes the glass of wine. "I'm looking forward to it."
"Indeed," Scarlett nods. "So, Jay Michael. Tell us about yourself."]
no subject
Jay Michael waits for the last glass, making sure every guest has one - and doesn't get a sip of wine before the interrogation starts.
That's not fair. It's only natural they're curious. )
I'm from Texas, originally, but we met here in Star City. I was recruited right out of high school to the military. ( Left his stifling, yet quaint, small town and certain truths he's since embraced. ) I guess I was susceptible because I ended up on Tamara Monroe's radar and made a whole host of new friends. I thought I was hunting - but, we all know what that ended up being. Anyway, long story short, I thought I'd cut my teeth on a big get and that got me kidnapped - and turned. Haven't been back since. But, I am learning the difference between what I'm told and what is. Forming my own opinions, of this one right here. Happy to be included today.
( That's about everything. He wonders just how much Wes tells his family about his life, about Jay Michael - but, he knows straight shooters when he sees them.
He doesn't know how far their knowledge of Monroe, the captured hunter and everything else goes. So, he just spills it all. )
no subject
[Wes moves around them after everyone has wine, dishing out some of the meal and Scarlett muses over whether she should say what she's about to, but she doesn't think Wes has lied about their side of things either.]
You know, we actually share something rather interesting in common.
["Scarlett." The name is a warning from Wes's end, more than anything else, but she doesn't relent, placing down her wine glass and looking at Jay Michael head on.]
We have the same sire. Different circumstances, obviously, but ... small world.
no subject
I gather Damon asked to sire you. Offered. Passed you a note in class. Do you want me to sire you, circle YES or NO?
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[Scarlett doesn't relent, but she's not dense. Damon is beloved to her, for the opportunity he gave her, but she is not blind to who he is to the young man in front of her.]
I'm not going to argue the fact that Damon Salvatore is a paragon of good. But he is dear to me. And while I'm sure Wes will strive to keep you apart if that is what you wish, I simply want to be sure that you are prepared for what that means if you are intending to stay around for the long term.
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I'm not looking to settle a score. I attacked his brother in a moment of hubris. I sealed my fate. And, if you ask me, it ain't a bad fate. I have no illusions about how I was born. Either time. ( He was definitely the first oops of his family, before they came to like parenting and loved his younger siblings more. ) And I would never let my personal feelings get in the way of what me and Wes have. Or, him and his family. Or, you and yours. People are more than one thing. I'm a rough-around-the-edges bull in a chinashop. I'm also a gay man. I'm also an estranged brother. A Texan. And a lapsed Christian. That last part will probably never change. I never was for organized religion. But, I am for keeping real family together, not getting in the way of that. I wouldn't. And if I was, I'd let myself out.
no subject
[And now that that's been cleared up, they can talk about some more trivial things. She smiles, and leans in to take a spoonful of the meal in front of her, before leaning back with a please sound.]
Wesley, I do think you have outdone yourself this time. This is delicious.
["Thank you, Scarlett," Wes sighs as he sits down next to Jay Michael, reaching for his hand under the table and giving it a small squeeze of apology.]
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You really have, babe.
( "I echo their sentiments," Rhett says, lifting his fork, chewing. "I've always said he should get himself a restaurant of his own." )
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[Too much pressure, to have an entire business and people's jobs relying on his skill and ability to deliver.]
Besides, I like being a mixologist. It has flair.
["Maybe if we give him another decade or two," Melanie says with a wink. "Give him a chance to be ready for a new challenge."]
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( He says it affectionately, because there is something about Wes that sparkles, that he was drawn to. Lit nightclub. Loud music. And he found Wes. And a life. )
Scarlet, do you or Rhett cook?
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[She glances up at her son with a smile.]
I much prefer dining to preparing.
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( he can man a grill. that's useful. right? )
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[She tends to like them bloody, but no one is surprised there.]
I will admit that becoming a vampire did atrophy my need to learn the craft. If I do not need to do it for sustenance, it becomes an even bigger waste of time.
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( He's only in his first year of forever, he can't even think about what time looks like, or how it might feel wasting it. )
Got any advice for a guy looking to not waste his own time?
( Or your son's, he doesn't say. )
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[She waves a hand.]
But once you realize you don't need as much of that or you have to move on because people realize you're not aging, you could do all kinds of things. Travel, experience art and theater. Make connections. Never discount your vampiric connections. They're the ones that are going to be around a hundred years from now. They can give you touchpoints when you need them.
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( He tests the thought out in his mind, what that might look like. Who that might be. He's forever connected to Damon Salvatore. Is that a touchpoint?
As for his family, they aren't in touch. He disappointed them greatly, and then escaped. From golden boy to gas station attendant to army to -- vampire. )
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[Pieces of your human life keep you grounded, for better or worse.]
Our type of vampire is very in-tune with our human emotions. We feel them so much more strongly. Losing the things that ground us in that humanity can ... make things very messy.
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( You just - go along with it. )
No longer an issue, for the record, but, not looking forward to Klaus Mikaelson being one of my touchstones a hundred years from now.
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[For better or worse, till death do they part.
That being said, for an example on Jay Michael's behalf.]
In your case, in the event that you and Wesley do not continue for the long term, you still may find a friendship from it, for both of you over time.
[Wes glances up at her, teasing. "Don't jinx us already."
She rolls her eyes.]
Simply offering an example.
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( He laughs. )
Maybe I'm the one jinxing us now. Anybody need another round of drinks. I think I should leave the table, come back with different juju.
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Wes gets up next to him, and gives his arm a gentle squeeze.]
Let me give you a hand.
[As they head back into the kitchen for the wine, taking some of the leftovers back with them, Jay Michael's phone buzzes in his pocket with a text from Mia:
Mind if a friend crashes on our couch for a bit until I get him set up somewhere else?
Mia, that is rather vague of you.]
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Nope.
She has interesting friends. )
I think Mia's bringing someone back with her.
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A good someone or a bad someone?
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( Real par for the course. Better to another point, not that sound doesn't travel in a room with vampires.
He moves to the sink, turning it on to wash the glass. An excuse of sorts. ) I like your family. ( He gives him a look, the look he's probably expecting the "Scarlett O'Hara" look. )
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