Who's the Father? Well, Since You Asked... (Oriel)

[Takchawee Ominotago]

The past year had been a whirlwind of emotions, pain, tears, laughter, and joy in Tak's life. The stress of finding out who was the father of her child and dealing with the consequences that came with it had left her exhausted, mentally and physically, not to mention the actual pregnancy itself. However, all of that was forgotten as soon as the little Tacicala had been born in late July - it was love at first sight for Takchawee.

Unfortunately, even though Tak found out through testing that Cameron had been the one to get her pregnant, he was no longer around, which had been hard on Tak at first. She had, however, been able to find a good home for her little girl, and visited her as often as she could. It wasn't all smooth riding, though - between dealing with the insults, trying to get her body back after Tacicala had been born, and struggling to get by on her own without someone to really support her, she'd had to get even tougher than she was already.

She was doing alright now, though. After spending quite some time back with her family, she had returned to Hammel to finish her schooling, since she hadn't been able to graduate on time. She hadn't been around for too long, and was trying to keep a low profile. She's just started working at the House again; things were looking alright around the holiday season.

Right now, she was currently keeping herself busy in the common area, working on a henna design along her forearm. It was pretty quiet this time of the evening, and she was enjoying some time to herself. Her long, dark hair was tied back into a thick braid, and she was clad in a thick winter coat that hit just about mid-thigh, with apparently nothing underneath.

Some things never change. She still enjoyed showing some skin.

The sound of someone at the vending machines caught her attention, and she peeked up over the back of the couch, spying on whoever it was. Ohh.... She recognized that gorgeous mass of hair and those beautifully lashed eyes, even from a distance. "The lion's on the hunt, I see," she spoke quietly, lifting her arms up and placing them over the back of the couch. "Wow, it's... Been a while." She hadn't spoken to Oriel in a very long time. A soft smile touched her lips. "How are you, cutie?"

[Deleted]

Oriel had come down from the lion's den just to stock up on his food stocks. And by food stocks, he meant the cheap pastries from the vending machine that were probably going to be the death of him one day. Then again, considering the number of hours he put in per week into exercise in one for or another, it was hard to say whether he was healthy or unhealthy.

There was also Phoenix to consider. Were these treats going into Oriel's stomach or his?

He stomped down the stairs, his long brown locks falling in front of his face, and he brushed it back with a quick sweep of his hand. Oriel didn't notice anyone on the couch. At least not until he was stuffing his dollars into the vending machine and punching buttons. The familiar voice reached his ears and his head twisted to face it's source.

His lips crept into an uncertain smile.

"Tak?" He stepped closer, for a moment forgetting about his 'hunt'. Like his counterpart, he wasn't wearing much, his jeans and a thin undershirt that showed off the lines of lean muscle on his shoulders and collarbone. Because fuck winter, it was warm enough inside his room.

Oriel swept his hand through his hair again, looking away as if the explanation was over yonder, then catching those green eyes once again. "You're back." His brow furrowed in confusion. "When did this happen?" Oriel hadn't heard anything of his former hookup for nearly a year.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak kept her forearm tilted up to allow the still-drying henna to firm up, her smile widening at the sight of Oriel's. She's almost forgotten just how ridiculously attractive he was - she almost hoped what she'd heard of him having some sort of boyfriend now was false. Her head eased to the side as she glanced him up and down, taking in the sight of him dressed so generously bare around the shoulders.

"I am," she replied with a nod and a smirk. "Did you miss me?" Tak didn't expect him to answer, but she had to ask. She slowly stood, bare legs treading gracefully across the floor, until they were standing before each other. "Recently," she answered, studying his features more closely. "With all the shit that was going on... It was better for me to get away from everything." Her hand pressed unconsciously against her stomach; it was a habit she still had yet to break.

"You didn't answer when I asked how you're doing," Tak added, teeth peeking out as she grinned. "Still look the same. Maybe just a little older. And like a fine wine, only getting better with age." So what if he had a boyfriend? It wasn't going to stop her from acting like she would anyway.

[Deleted]

"Of course I did," he said easily. There was no other way to put it. Tak was....she was a lot like his favorites back in NYC. Easygoing, no strings attached, yet not completely cold, willing to put up with his needy childish nature. He couldn't say he hadn't been attached to her, that was inevitable, but she wasn't one to be controlled like many of his partners. So naturally, their relationship was very much of being friends-with-benefits. He felt toward her very similar to how he felt towards Erik or Penelope. No expectations, but someone he could always talk to. A friend.

"Yeah," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, yeah. I get why you left." He could only imagine what it'd been like for her, having a kid at her age. Oriel had honestly been worried for her. And for the kid. Speaking of which... "So...what happened with the....I mean you're obviously not...anymore."

Fuck it didn't used to be this hard talking to Tak. He'd really changed a lot since they last met. Emotionally, mentally, physically. He nodded, resting his hands off his hips and looking to the floor. "I'm....I'm doing alright. Better," he admitted. "I think." At least he was getting better...probably. "Still a fucking asshole though." He broke into a half smile.

"Oh, I'm a fine wine, am I?" A crease formed between his brows as he looked the girl over. "As opposed to you? Did you, like, shrink or something once you popped that thing out of you?" he commented, raising his flattened hand over her head.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak's playful expression softened slightly at Oriel's reply, her lashes lowering over her eyes as she looked down and to the side. "I missed you too," she replied quietly. Like Oriel, she'd been more attached to him than she probably was with some of her other partners, excluding maybe Cameron. He was definitely needy, and childish, but he also had a certain snarky, affectionate side to him that had gotten to her over time. She wasn't sure if she could say she'd loved him or not, but coming back now, it wasn't completely impossible she wouldn't get there eventually.

She looked up again as Oriel spoke, crossing her hands together in front of her to keep herself from smothering him. It was hard. At the mention of Tacicala, she took a deep breath and mustered a smile. "Nope, she was born back in July," Tak explained. "Her name's Tacicala." She pronounced it like dah-chee-cha-lah; it meant "fawn" in her ancestral tongue, which seemed fitting, considering her own name. "She... She found a nice family to be with. Because I sure as hell wouldn't be able to take care of her. I can still see her, though." It was hard, but she knew it was for the best.

Tak studied him again as he spoke, stepping closer to catch his chin in her hand. He definitely seemed different. Older. Not immensely, but not a little, either. "I'm glad to hear that," she murmured. At the 'asshole' comment, she chuckled and shook her head. "You're not as bad as you think," she told him. "At least, I don't think so."

She laughed a little louder then, placing her free hand on her hip and raising a brow. "I'm definitely not any smaller, if that's what you're saying," she retorted. She'd lost a lot of weight since July, but she'd come to the realization she'd never get completely back to where she had been. But she enjoyed the curves, and she could still keep her job at the House, which was good enough. "I've heard you have a boyfriend now," she continued, giving a small pout. "Never saw that coming."

[Deleted]

Oriel had known that Tak was sleeping with some four other guys at the time. While it may have bothered him(definitely did!), she was also one of many as well. Perhaps a favorite of those many, but neither of them were the sort to remain exclusive at the time. Looking over her, she hadn't changed much, still an elegant curvy brunette, though he did wonder if that part had stayed the same as well, even after having a child?

"Taci-what-a?" Oriel wasn't sure he could wrap his tongue around that one. Takchawee Ominotago was hard enough for him as it was. As as expected, he knew nothing of the significance behind the name in relation to her own. "That's....pretty," he pretended to humor her with a sideways smile, his head tilting to allow his hair to brush over his bare shoulder. But it really was a pretty name, he thought. "Congratulations," he said finally. "I'm glad things worked out for you. And for her." Tak was still involved in her daughter's life, able to see how she would grow up and by whom she would be cared for, despite having given up her right to do so.

Did his own abandonment by his mother, whom he'd heard not even a whisper about, to be left in the care of person after person who saw him only as a problem, have anything to do with his opinion? Damn straight it did.

Oriel stared down at the shorter girl...no she was a woman now, with eyes that had long since lost that dead stare they always wore, that fiery rage that they'd once reflected. There was still a glimmer of sadness though, of self-torment. It was doubtful those would ever fade. Nor was there a guarantee that the hateful child he'd always been, that he still was to a point, wouldn't rear up again. But... "Yeah, well. My record ain't looking too hot, but I'm hoping to make parole come New Years." He excitedly shot her two cheesy thumbs up to colorize his point.

Her laugh hadn't changed either, still like sweet honey that urged his healthy appetite. Oriel joined her with a smile. Phoenix had mentioned before to him that giant child was getting taller. Even he himself was noticing that he was having to look down to look his boyfriend in the eye. "I...I didn't either, really. Right up to the very last moment, I didn't." He sheepishly scratched the back of his head then hung his hand from his neck. "Fuck my life, people're going to starting thinking I've gone soft or something." Some already did. "Like maybe I actually got a conscience."

"You...you haven't found anyone special though, right?" Oriel had to ask.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

"Tacicala," Tak repeated more slowly, with a laugh. It definitely could slip people up if they weren't used to the language. "Thank you," she added, smiling in return. She had spent a while trying to think of the perfect name; and she was happy with what she had decided on. She hoped her little girl would like it when she was older, too. "I am too," she breathed quietly, wrapping her arms around herself and looking down. "I... I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, you know?" She'd been terrified for more than one reason. She was just happy to be able to be in her daughter's life.

She didn't know the details of Oriel's past, but she was glad he didn't seem to look down on her for giving her child over for someone else to care for. She knew it was for the best; there was no way she could take care of a kid. She was still barely an adult herself.

Tak also hadn't been around to hear about the various fights Oriel had been getting himself into, and paid no heed to any rumors that surrounded him; she ignored her own, and did her best to ignore them about anyone else. She much preferred to go to the source and find out herself. So the mention of Oriel's 'record' made her frown worriedly. "Is everything alright?" she asked. Tak couldn't help it - she still cared about him, after all this time. The thumbs up did little to alleviate her worries. "Do I need to start getting after you?" she added, a small hint of a smile appearing despite herself. She had a ton of maternal instincts running through her now - she'd have to find someone to take it out on.

She softened once again as he spoke, her smile turning more amused at his admission. "Must be someone special, huh?" she asked. Tak had no idea what kind of person would be able to tame and trap the angry lion. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing," she replied quietly, reaching up to take his cheek in her hand. "I much prefer you happy and content over angry." And if having someone special in his life was what he needed to make that happen, well, she was happy for him. At the question of her own relationships, her eyes saddened, and she looked away, shaking her head. Cam and Kouji were gone - there had been no one else close. "Nope, no one," she replied, trying to keep the sadness out of her voice. "My own fault, really; never was good at settling for one person." Something they both had in common, which was why she'd been surprised to hear that Oriel had a boyfriend.

[Deleted]

"Taaacicala," Oriel echoed, paying more attention to how she pronounced it. He probably still wasn't going to get it when asked again.

His look softened as she shifted into herself. Clearly the whole ordeal had been trying for her. Oriel wished he'd been paying more attention back then, that he wasn't so lost in himself, to be able to help his friend through such hard times. He would have…Oriel didn't know what he would have done, but something was better than nothing….maybe….

Oriel wondered what he would have done in Tak's position. Obviously he couldn't have a child, but if he'd found himself with a pregnant lover. He imagined, he hoped that he would be strong enough to get his shit together quickly(after the initial freakout) and take care of them. Abandoning the child, to him, was not an option.

"I…I got into a few scuffles over the past year, not too much to worry 'bout." Which was putting it mildly. Oriel really didn't want to worry Tak with the details. "It really wasn't all that pretty, but…well, I'm working on it." He really was. His recent visit to the school shrink spoke volumes to how much he was working on it. Of course, that was information he wasn't about to advertise. Oriel still had a reputation to uphold, after all.

Oriel would have blushed at Tak's observation but…no, he did blush and he turned his head down and to the side, hoping his hair might act as a screen to any color that flushed in his neck or cheeks. "I guess….I don't think it's bad…" Who was this person and why was he acting so fucking meek? Not like Oriel at all. He turned back to the girl with the umber tresses. "Yeah, I get that, I ain't either." Which was why he and Phoenix still had their 'open door' policy. Oriel didn't think he could be exclusive, but at least these 'group events' allowed then to explore that sexual world together.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Honestly... Oriel had been one of the potential fathers in the situation, but he had been... Not quite stable enough for Tak to feel comfortable confronting about the issue. She wasn't sure what she would have done if all the other tests came out negative; fortunately, Cam had been very helpful and had done all he needed to in order to make things as easy as possible for Tak. She'd been happy to find out he was the one that had gotten her pregnant, much happier than she would have been if it'd been one of the twins. God knows the shit she would have gotten into for that.

Even now, she wasn't sure if Oriel knew, or if he really cared. And that was fine. She didn't expect him to.

Tak nodded slowly as Oriel explained, though she sensed there was more behind it than he was saying; maybe it was her ability, maybe just natural instinct, but he was definitely keeping things from her that she wouldn't push for. "Well, I'm glad you're working on it," she said softly. Her cheeks perked up in a small smile. "And now I'm back, so I can make sure you don't get into too much trouble," she teased, reaching up and ruffling his hair.

She chuckled at his reaction, tilting her head to try to keep his eyes. "You're so adorable," Tak breathed. "Of course it's not bad. Everyone deserves to be happy." She'd struggled with that a lot over the last year; eventually, she'd just learned to accept things as they came and move on. Otherwise she would have been miserable nearly all the time, especially after Cam and Kouji... Nope. "How's it going for you two, then?" she asked, her voice just a tad bit hopeful. A small trickle of something a little lustful crept into her features. "I'd... Be lying if I said I wasn't interested in doing... Something... With you... Again sometime." She wasn't going to push it, of course - he had a partner, after all - but knowing Oriel, she hoped there might be some sort of catch. And if not, well... She'd deal.

[Deleted]

If Tak had told Oriel today what she was thinking, why she hadn't approached him as one of the potential fathers of her child, Oriel would have laughed. Because Oriel knew very well how he was a year ago. Childish, angry, quick to snap; he would not have taken the news well.

Now, who knows? Oriel felt like his head was on straight for the first time in….years. Maybe ever? But back then or now, regardless of how he took the news or how resentful he'd be if the kid turned out to be his, if it had been, he wouldn't have abandoned them.

Even if he was horrible at the job, he still would've done it.

Though given his track record, Oriel would definitely have been unfit for fatherhood. "Thanks," he said, pleased with her concern. "They're going to have to collar me up pretty soon. Put me on a leash, keep me in line."

Of course Tak would laugh at him, how often did anybody get to see the Great Evil Overlord blush over a simple thing like love. "Yeah yeah," Oriel said with a playful glare. He stuck out his tongue, catching it in his teeth as he smiled.

Oriel shrugged. "Going through some rough patches but, we're hanging in." Which was a bit of an understatement. Sure they were still 'hanging in' but those rough patches were more like patches of molten lava, just one thing after another. His smile quirked at Tak's not-so-subtle offer. Old habits die hard and his first instinct was to gently pull her in closer and plant a light kiss on the top of her head. Oriel loved Phoenix. Oriel enjoyed the romps he had with the skinny asian boy. He enjoyed the times he had with Erik as a fellow playmate. But god he missed boobs. It'd been ages it felt like since he held a woman with intent.

Oriel lowered his hand to wrap around her shoulder. "You know, I ain't completely off the market." He glanced down at Tak with sinful eyes. "You should meet him. I'm sure Phoenix would love you." He kissed her again, this time on the forehead.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak's eyes narrowed into something fierce, like a mother protecting her child. "Collar you up? That's not gonna happen." She stood as tall as her barely five-foot-three figure would allow. "I won't let it." Takchawee was very much a supporter of free will; any talk of containment would be met with hostility from her, especially over someone she used to (and still) cared a lot about.

As for the show of his tongue, Tak just stuck hers right back at him, her features going playful again. It really was adorable to see him so bashful over something so.... Pure. It made Tak happy.

She listened curiously as Oriel spoke of his relationship, trying not to appear too eager; it was hard not to. Seeing him now after having not for so long made her aching to go back to the way they used to be. "I'm sure you guys will get through it," she encouraged. "Love does great things." Her smile was a little sad, but supportive nonetheless. Though, as Oriel pulled her in and kissed the top of her head, Tak blinked, lips parted in surprise. Instinctually, she wrapped her arms around him, thinking his waist seemed a little thicker, a little more muscular than she remembered. And that did nothing to get rid of her desire.

Her head tilted and her long-lashed eyelids dropped slightly as she listened to his explanation. So it was that kind of relationship, then? Tak smiled broadly. "Sounds like my kind of party," she said quietly, her voice low and sultry. "Though... I don't want to mess up anything between you guys." Therefore, the offer to meet him made Tak nod. "Phoenix?" she questioned, thinking back to students she'd known before her hiatus. ".... The druggie?" That was the one that always seemed to be walking around half-dead, right? Tak rose a curious brow. "I don't mean that as an insult or anything, just... He always seemed so sick, from what I remember." At the second kiss, she giggled and pushed at Oriel's chest, finally breaking away. "You keep doing that, I won't be able to keep my hands off of you," she complained.

[Deleted]

While Oriel appreciated Tak's concern and support, Oriel knew better. He only had so many lifelines before they finally decided he was too fucked up to let roam around without a security escort. At least he didn't have power suppressors on him like Erik. Oriel had little idea of how he would even use his power in a fight. But he was too much of a brawler if not just a runner anyway, so it was unlikely that he'd even be able to think that far ahead. In any case, if Oriel was as much of a psycho many people seemed to think he was, or as much as he joked about, then he'd be glad to be leashed up.

But he didn't need to tell Tak any of that. Things weren't that bad yet. Right?

"Thanks, I'll be fine though." She didn't need to get involved in all that drama.

Oriel winced slightly at the mention of 'love'. He'd been saying it all this time and yet he still wasn't sure he understood it completely. Still sounded weird on his tongue, but...it made Phoenix so happy. And he wanted Phoenix to be happy. He wanted the boy to smile. "Yeah, still sounds fucking weird." His face dropped a bit. "Honestly, I'm still figuring things out. I ain't good at this whole relationship shit. But...I don't know, I just don't want to screw it up."

Oriel smirked, rubbing her shoulder affectionately. "Trust me, you ain't going to be the one who screws it all up." Unlike Oriel, Phoenix had done the whole exclusive thing before. Oriel wasn't sure he could do it, though. He'll, he was still working on the whole 'one special person' bit. Of having a relationship at all. Maybe someday, but it wasn't going to happen overnight. Phoenix seemed to understand that. At least, Oriel hoped he did....

"Yeah," he said with a roll of his eyes, "the 'druggie'." Oriel didn't advertise it, not now not back then so he didn't know how much Tak was aware of it, but Oriel had never been a fan of drugs. At least not the hardcore stuff. Meaning the most he himself was ok with was a cigarette on occasion. He had his own troubles with alcohol prior to Hammel, but he pretty much stopped cold turkey when he came to the school and now he had no intention of going back. So it was a surprise to himself too that he gotten himself involved with someone like Phoenix in the first place. "He ain't like that no more. Got himself cleaned up." He grinned. "I'm proud of him. That shit ain't easy."

Oriel laughed when Tak pushed herself away from his embrace. "Who says I want you to?" he playfully quipped, his arms spread open expecting her to come back. "C'mon, it's been fucking forever since fucked a woman. Give me a break here!"

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak continued to stare at Oriel as he gave his thanks, but she sensed he wanted the subject dropped, so she didn't say anything more. Still, she was planning on at least keeping somewhat of an eye on him, just to see if there was anything she could do to help. Now that she didn't have a load of drama herself, she was willing to get involved if it meant helping a friend.

She did chuckle as he spoke about the weirdness, though. "Yeah... I get that," she said softly. "Being your first relationship and all, it's bound to be hard and you'll definitely learn a lot." Tak gave a small smile. "But the fact that you care enough about someone to want to settle with them at all speaks volumes for how much you've grown." That definitely wasn't the Oriel she knew, and she thought it was probably for the better. Not that she disliked him back then, but it was good to see that he wasn't so... Well, the way he used to be.

At the confirmation that her memory was correct, Tak's expression grew even more surprised, until he explained that Phoenix had changed. "That's good," she smiled. "I didn't know him all that well or anything, but I always felt kind of bad for him." It seemed like the two boys were helping each other out maybe more than either of them knew. Tak was really interested to see where this relationship went.

She laughed as he did, crossing her arms in front of herself and giving him and flirtatious look. "Oh, so that's all you want, huh?" she taunted. "To fuck me?" she feigned hurt. "And here I thought you were just happy that I was back!" Tak gave a small humph, ignoring his open arms, and turned away with her nose pointed up disdainfully. After a few moments, though, she broke into a laugh and bounced back into his embrace. "If Phoenix is alright with it, then sign me up. It's be ages since I've fucked at all." And she was always very careful about it now. She had to be.

[Deleted]

No. Oriel definitely wasn't going to tell Tak what was going on. He just wanted to put those things behind him. Move forward now. It didn't matter anymore anyway, he wasn't going to do that kind of thing again.

Hearing her praise him, complimenting his growth over the past year, really made him smile. It was so rare that he got such honest and sincere praise, especially for his own personal struggles. "Thanks…I'm just moving a little bit at a time." After all, progress was progress, no matter how small. It was amazing how many people missed that, and chastised him for not making it overnight.

Oriel was aware of Phoenix's previous reputation around campus as a druggie. They'd never met before that day at the pond, but after watching him, it was clear what the student body's opinion was of him. "Yeah. I don't know, I don't think I even knew he existed last year. Just another face I wasn't paying attention to." He smiled tenderly. "I'm glad I found him when I did though." He was going through such a bad time then, so much worse he thought than when he was fooling around with Tak.

Oriel laughed loudly as she called him out on his desires. "I am happy! Can't you tell?" He pointed his outstretched hands downwards towards his 'happiness', flashing her that boyish smile that everyone knew and loved. Oriel wrapped his arms around Tak again when she threw herself at him. "I'm sure he'll be fine. And if not, we'll beg."

[Takchawee Ominotago]

"A little bit at a time is better than nothing," Tak chuckled. "And much better than stepping backwards." She was slowly getting better herself, after taking such a huge leap back with her education and friends and life in general. She'd dealt with people telling her she'd ruined her life; she was determined to prove them wrong.

She just smiled and listened as he spoke about Phoenix; his affection was clear in his voice. Tak tried not to be jealous, but it was hard, especially since the two of them had a sort of history themselves. Nevertheless, she was happy for him. "I'm glad you did too," she nodded. "Seems like you're both helping each other." Phen was obviously helping in ways that Tak couldn't; she was glad someone could.

"Yes, yes, I can tell," she laughed along with him, looking down at where he was pointing and shaking her head. "Looks like some things never change." While she was glad he was doing better, she decided she still liked this boyish, ridiculous side a hell of a lot, too. Especially if it meant fooling around. "You can beg," she teased, prodding a finger against his chest. "I'll just stand there and look pretty." She tilted her head, eyeing the stairway that led up to the rooms. "Where is he now? No reason to wait, right?" she smirked.