Wise Men Say... ((Austin Hughes and Mirella - Open))

[Judah Marck]

Gave an excited little wiggle, grinning. "Oh, so you admit i'm faster? Wise choice, man, even with those long legs I can smoke you in a race." The name snuggle bunny made him wrinkle his nose, "Ok that one is definitely off the list, schnookums! Pub it is then."

He enjoyed listening to the man talk about his project, he liked to act begrudging but Jude knew he lived for it and was probably loving the excuse to go through his ludicrous amount of photos to pick the right ones. "Uh huh, what a CHORE, you poor sweet man! How dare they take advantage of you in such a way? MAKING you go through all those photos, geez." He snickered.

Of course he was given reason to sober when the discussion of roommates came up, the man's brows raising up in surprise, hesitating before speaking. "Oh... A roommate? Why? I mean, you go away a lot so I guess it might be nice having someone to look after Jedi in his own home..."

[Austin Hughes (DELETED 8178)]

Austin quickly picked up on Jude's change in mood."She's new in town and needs a place to stay to stay. She travels a lot as well so chances are we'd not see much of one an other anyway and it's only till she can get her own place." He was trying to understand the change in mood."Are You worried about something?" He had turned to the man, his forehead creased and as small frown was could almost be detected on his as he gazed him in confusion.

"It's nice to know the place will be looked after when I'm gone. Plus I take Jedi with me as much as I can. Yeah there are some places that I'm not allowed to but if I can, I do. So it's more about the place than him." Maybe he was worried about someone else coming into the little circle of people that Austin got close to? Was he jealous? Maybe it was the thought of on outsider finding out about them?

[Judah Marck]

"No, that's great, hopefully it works out. You're right, it would be good to have someone keeping an eye out for the place when you're not there. I was just surprised, I guess. Imagining you with a roommate..." One that isn't me, was what he didn't say. He didn't know why it had made him feel such a strange but of jealousy, there was no reason to be concerned. He tried to brush it off, reaching out to gently punch Austin's arm. "It's cool." His reaction had been stupid, he knew it and plastered a big goofy grin on his face, singing along to the radio for the last little bit of the ride.

It didn't take long to get to the pub, Judah park the car and jumping out so that he could rush around to the other side, opening it for the man. "My sugar pie, honey bunch..." He cooed in a sickeningly sweet tone, making a kissy face at the man.

[Austin Hughes (DELETED 8178)]

Austin watched the man as he sung with the radio. He, himself, joined in every once and awhile. Mostly when the feeling hit or the song called for two people. It was like normal for a little. Not that things weren't normal before hand but there had been a slight change in the mood between them.

He stepped out the car and grabbed the man by his sides, pulling him closer to him. He leaned in closer before whispering "Nothing can replace my cupcake." He grinned wide before placing a quick kiss on the man's lips. He moved to his side and wrapped an arm around his shoulder as he began to walk to the pub.

[Judah Marck]

He didn't struggle against the man's hold, letting him grip his sides and draw him close, Judah even leaning into the kiss he gave him on the darkened street. "Mmhmm, cuddlepot! You got it." Jude laughed, tucking a casual arm around the man's waist, a skip in his step as they headed towards the pub.

He didn't weasel out of the grip until they reached the door, Judah opening it and ushering Austin in out of the cool night. The place was alive with patrons, someone already up on stage singing along to an 80's ballad, belting it out a little off key but everyone was into it regardless. He found them a nice secluded booth, sliding in and grabbing up the table menu. "What do you feel like, handsome man? I'mma treat you."

[Mirella (DELETED 8125)]

Mirella usually didn't frequent places like this, but there's a first time for everything. In her deep blue dress, form-fitted to her curves, with one hand delicately holding a glass of wine and the other attached to her handbag, the fireeater was a sight to behold - yet she blended seamlessly with the crowd.

Almost.

She was a touch too classily dressed, and she knew it. It was her nicest dress, though, a garment she was holding onto for weddings for the year. Every year, she picked a new dress for such joyous occasions, wearing it a few times to church throughout the year as well. But this was the first time she wore such a dress to a place like this.

She'd been there for a few hours, chatting with one of the waitstaff off and on about the possibility of a once-per-week gig perhaps at the pub, when she saw a familiar face. Judah was here - and that must be Austin. Well, this could get interesting. The lithe brunette sauntered over to their booth, a sly grin on her face.

"Fancy running into you boys here," she said, taking a sip of the white zinfandel she held.

[Austin Hughes (DELETED 8178)]

Austin slid into the booth and began to look at the menu. "Probably something horrible for me with a side of deep fried death." He joked as he spotted the usual pub foods that were the two of them had eaten so often, both drunk and sober and anywhere in between. Thank God he worked out though otherwise he'd weight way more than he did now. "Are we drinking or are we being somewhat good this evening?" He hoped drinks were happening but he could never be sure.

He turned towards the woman that had appeared at the table. She was dressed nicely, far nicer than he was for sure. He was only in jeans and a band t-shirt. It wasclear she didn't work here by the way she addressed them. That or Judah came here often. He propped his arm up on the table and laid his head in his hands."What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" He said with a playful smirk.

[Judah Marck]

Judah laughed cheerily at Austin's assessment of the menu, he too would probably cave and get something beyond naughty. "I'm thinking the biggest burger ever might just satisfy me, and a pile of fries on the side of course. Must have pickles." He was always the guy to happily take others pickles when they turned their noses up at them. The question of drinks earned a devious little grin, "We can always take a taxi home, or stumble. My place is closer to here than yours, too." He looked genuinely surprised at himself, becoming briefly bashful until a familiar voice, a familiar presence caught his attention.

His cousin Mirella sashayed onto the scene, wearing something gorgeous and holding a drink, looking every bit the woman she'd grown into over the years. He recovered from his surprise quickly, glancing quickly between her and Austin as the man made his adorable remark, leaning his tall frame towards the table head in hands making Jude want to kick him or kiss him. Jude gave a low whistle, moving quickly to his feet. "Sweet Ella, you look a vision." His arm came around her waist, drawing her close to him as she the other cupped her cheek, lips finding the corner of hers in a greeting kiss. "Oh, you might remember Austin... You would have met him briefly at the wedding, best man and all, my graduation, at the funeral..." He shrugged, turning to Austin, "Mirella, she's grown quite a bit since then. Would you like to join us for a drink? We were going to order some food and get a bit stupid." He admitted with his normal, infectious laugh, kissing her again before taking a seat this time beside Austin and peering at his menu once more.

[Mirella (DELETED 8125)]

"This girl's trying to suss out a job," she replied to Austin, before taking a sip of that zinfandel and breathing a sigh, as she listened to Judah. Oh, Jude, he was always so exuberant, something Mirella often envied. She typically was too focused, too absorbed in her flames or the thoughts of her son to be so enthusiastic about life. But she could be enthusiastic about wine. Wine was her cardinal escape from the way her life had tumbled so easily from nigh on perfect to the mess it was.

Not that she planned to bring that up, like she usually did. She had problems, sure, but they were dealt with in their own time. Right now wasn't the time for that. Right now was the time for revelry, for finding a job, for enjoying herself with her cousin and his - best friend? Boyfriend? Mirella would find out later. Right now, she just flat didn't care. Judah looked genuinely happy.

"Do you really want me to join you? This almost looks like...dare I say it?" she smirked, eyebrows raising as she looked from Jude to Austin and back again, gauging the reaction to her words. Gauging whether or not she should and could actually say what she thought it looked like. "You look well, Austin," she added as a footnote.

[Judah Marck]

"A job? Here? You?" He looked her up and down, then looked around him. Eventually he conceded, giving a little nod , a slow cheeky grin dimpling his cheeks. "Ok yeah, you'd fit right in Firebug." He was pleased to see her out and about, she'd had a troubling with few weeks with the father of her child returning, the man requesting to be a part of the boy's life leading to the difficult decision of whether Mirella was ready to parent Adam full time or not. He wanted to believe she was, and yet there was still so much about her that was young, that should be carefree. How long could it be delayed? Adam deserved stability, safety but he also ought to know the truth. It was cruel to put it off, to risk uprooting the child at an important age.

He wished it wasn't this way.

Right now there wasn't time to think on it, because Mirella was echoing his naughty little expression, eyebrows raising as she looked between the two men and made her assessment. "Uh, NO. You dare not say it, just... Sit, woman, before I am forced to swat that adorable little backside of yours." He picked up a menu, waggling it threateningly before dropping into the booth beside Austin again.

Under the table his fingers found his companions knee, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "He always looks good, he's stupid tall and wicked cute. I pick the best kinds of best friends and..." And what? Lovers? Boyfri-... Oh, no, he couldn't even think that word. It was too strange, too unreal. "Dinner companions. Speaking of, i'm starving, the burger is whispering to me, it says "eat me, Jude-Judey, eat me" so tell me what you two want and i'll go order! Hm?" His face was burning, he knew it, so he hid it deep deep in the large menu.