A Pitiful Pair(Open)

[Levente Cohen]

Levente was spiraling downward, not that he really cared. Usually he would find ways to keep himself busy when he was feeling depressed. Over the years, he had found that by going for a run in the morning, throwing himself into his work at Hammel, and generally not giving himself much time to think he could avoid sinking too far down into the dumps.

But for once, Levente felt like just feeling sad for a while. He’d managed to not let Hammel become too much of a mess in the past few days, although he had a feeling Dylan was gripping behind his back about his laziness. But other than that, he hadn’t had much energy to do much of anything. His house was a mess. And he looked like one too. Although he usually kept his beard trimmed, it was growing a little crazy and sticking up at odd angles. The rest of his hair was tangled. Without the energy to cook, he hadn’t eaten much in the past few days, even though his stomach was growling to try to remind him.

He looked a bit like a crazed hobo. Or perhaps a serial killer. At least he’d managed to remember to throw on a clean t-shirt today.

When he arrived home that evening, he found that his mood was starting to rub off on Huck. Although the dog has started to become a lot more active since moving in with Levente, he was laying on the front porch with his head between his paws and a pitiful look on his face when Levnete pulled up in his truck.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been that great of a roommate lately,” he said, collapsing into a chair beside his friend. “ He ran a hair though his hair. Or at least tried to, it got stuck in a tangle half-way through. “How about we go for a ride?” When Huck’s ears perked up a little, Levente rose slowly to his feet and walked back to his truck, motioning for Huck to follow.

The pair ended up at the lake, where Levente plopped down on a bench. Huck romped around for a bit, excited to be in a fresh environment, before he reassumed his position on the ground at Levente’s feet. He whimpered once, but Levente was too busy staring at the lack and lost in his thoughts to notice.

[Mason McQueen]

Mason never liked detention. While he was never the frolicking, naughty and mischievous boy in his teens, his association with a certain Samuel Caraway meant that he had his fair share of the said punishment. Community service, forced study period or simple detainment – he’s experienced it all. His only consolation was that Sam was smart enough to cover their tracks with their big pranks – like for the one they pulled in their very own sex ed seminar for example – that he (and his school record) basically got off scot-free, something he couldn’t say exactly for the one assigned to him lately.

Oh yes, poor Mason was the teacher assigned to look after the punishment of one of the Talk fiasco’s perpetrators. And, as if things can’t get any worse, he got hoity-toity Mr. LaRousse. Whose punishment – an hour of dead silence and simply staring at the board – is quite an ordeal not only for the kid but also for his proctor as well.

Four weeks down, four more weeks to go.

With such stress, Mason decided he needed a break. The school certainly isn’t paying him enough to keep the egotistic lad in his place but he knows if this continues, he’d go insane. (The first week was quite the struggle, with the boy talking – mostly seemingly unusual topics, but then he’d make quite the segue and make it about himself – non-stop). Unfortunately for him, going on a vacation in the middle of the school year isn’t really advisable; not only will it be a bother looking for someone to teach his class in the mean time, they also have to find someone to fill his detention duties. Not really easy, if he can say so himself.

So, to the lake it was. He packed an assortment of snacks – fruit slices, a few sandwiches, and a few treats for his dog – loaded Chowder up his car and was off to Pilot Ridge’s little patch of heaven.

They’ve only been looking around the lake for a good spot to set ‘camp’ at when Chowder suddenly barked loudly, tugging at his collar that Mason had no choice but to let himself be dragged. He was initially wondering why Chowder seemed so excited for something when a familiar dog-man pair came into view.

Promptly letting Chowder off his collar (he seemed so excited to see the older dog), he then walked towards the man and placed his ‘basket’ on his stomach. “You seem so serious, it’s scary,” he teased, squinting in hopes to see what Levi’s looking at, “Jennifer dumped you?”

Maybe chuckling around Levi isn’t such a good idea right now.

[Levente Cohen]

Huck was the first to notice the arrival of friends. He jumped to his feet to sniff and romp around with Chowder, just glad to have someone to play with. Levente, however, didn’t noticed Mason until a collection of food plopped onto his stomach. He turned his head slowly to see Mason standing beside him. “Oh,” he said. “Hi Mason.” He attempted to smile at Mason’s comment, but the effort seemed to be too much and he gave up.

“Sorry,” he said, turning back to face the lake. “Guess, I’m just tired.” That was always his excuse whenever he was feeling down. He rarely admitted that he was sad or depressed. Instead he would blame his appearance on too much work and too little coffee.

He watched as Huck started to roll around on the ground near Chowder. “Good to see him so happy,” he commented. He rubbed at his eyes and pushed Mason’s food to the side of the bench. Not that he minded Mason being there, he knew it would be good for him to spend some time with his friend, but his social skills were lacking at the moment. He racked his brain for something to say and remembered that Mason had been assigned detention duty.

“Havin’ fun with the delinquent?” he asked, returning his gaze to the water.

[Mason McQueen]

Mason chuckled quite a bit as he watched the two dogs run around and splash around the lake together. Chowder’s already quite a handful in his own right, but around other dogs, his energy levels go into overdrive. He doesn’t really know where his puppy hides all these energy in him – he’s already been up and about through their drive to the lake and yet he’s still jumping and running like crazy. Seems he knows he can let loose since his playmate has a whole lot more energy and can possibly keep up with him unlike Mason who has to take a breather every five minutes or so. “And here I was thinking Huck will calm Chowder down. I’m sorry he’s such a bad influence Levi,” he said, shaking his head.

The man isn’t really that keen when it comes to sensing people’s distress, but since he knew the older guy for quite a while, he somehow sensed it. The fact that he just let Mason’s pack on his stomach already spoke volumes. “Nope, apology not accepted,” teased Mason, opening his bag and grabbing what seems to be a burger, “Want one? Made it last night. Cheese already got moldy so I’m giving it to you.”

“Well, at least one of you is,” he muttered silently, taking a bite off another burger, hoping it’d be enough to tell Levi that he’ll be there to listen to whatever it was (hopefully it’s nothing that grave though, ‘cause he won’t know what to do much if it was. “Why’d you come to the lake anyway? Want to catch a last minute dip before winter begins?”

Mason almost choked when Levi asked him about his after-school duties. “Extremely,” he said with much sarcasm that’s not usually heard from him, “Did you know that his left ball supposedly hangs lower than his right? Now you wish you didn’t right?”

It’s been a week and he still can’t erase the mental image from his head. Disgusting.

[Levente Cohen]

Levente hardly noticed the two dogs playing, or his friend chuckling at them. Instead he was thinking of the times when he had brought his son to a lake much like this. They used to go fishing, play catch, or just splash around. Although Levente had never really enjoyed water, mostly because of his meta ability, he was willing to face his fear for his son’s enjoyment.

“Bad influence?” Levente asked, realizing Mason was attempting to talk to him. He was confused for a moment before it dawned on him that the man was referring to the dogs. “Oh. Don’t worry about it. He could use the exercise.”

Normally, Levente might have tried a little harder at perking up if someone came along to chat. But since he and Mason were getting pretty close, he didn’t feel the need to act. After all, if Mason was going to be his buddy then he would have to get used to seeing the janitor down in the dumps from time to time. “No thanks,” Levente said to the offer of a sandwich. “Not really hungry.”

“I like it here,” Levente said and then realized he wasn’t sure if that was true. He actually hated large bodies of water. And the place often sparked up memories in him that he wasn’t sure he wanted to think about. “Sorta. I guess. I dunno. Just went for a drive and ended up here.” Levente appreciated that the man was at least attempting to cheer him up. It felt nice. But he was also glad when the conversation turned back to how Mason’s life was going. “Sucks to be you,”

[Mason McQueen]

Now Mason’s worry’s beginning to escalate.

He knows that look. He himself has had it on him for quite some time a year and a half ago, when Angela’s death was still rather fresh in his mind. When he would come home and simply lie on their bed, staring at the ceiling for hours and hours on bed, denying the fact that no one will push him out of bed after his alarm goes off and he’d demand for more hugs. That no one will scold him for leaving his socks, pants and underwear all around the house for Chowder to gnaw on. That the scent of kare-kare (a Filipino dish he likes so much that he’s taught her how to make) won’t welcome him when he comes home since no one’s around to cook it for him.

Denying the fact that Angela’s long gone.

The whole recollection has made him just a tad bit depressed, and when he realized this, he forced himself to shiver, as if shaking his body wildly would get the sadness away. “I’d be hypocritical of me if I’d tell you to not to feel down about it,” the man shrugged, putting the bitten sandwich on his lap, “But you know, I found out that talking about it really works, if you want to anyway. It doesn’t solve the problem, but it makes you feel just a tad bit better. At least for me it does.” Or maybe Paul just has that effect around him that he just can’t stay down for too long around his little brother.

He was about to say more when Chowder suddenly ran towards him, shaking wildly to dry himself. Instinctively the man used his arms to cover himself, and in doing so didn’t see Huck follow after his dog and grab his sandwich. “Since when did Huck get so smart?” he laughed. No way will the whole thing be Chowder’s idea. His testosterone levels are far too high for him to think about something that complex.

Him being wet gave him an idea though. Sure he was wearing jeans and socks, but as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. “Know what, we’re going to chase after our dogs and punish them for stealing my food.” (Chowder grabbed a hotdog from the bag when Mason’s busy looking at Huck). “Come oooon,” he chuckled, standing up and pulling the older man up, not unlike a little kid telling his parents to get him something from the candy store.

Apologies for Mason forgetting that Levi doesn’t really do well with big clumps of water.

[Levente Cohen]

“Thanks for the offer,” Levente said, forcing himself to smile at his friend. He had to admit he was a tad surprised. He wasn’t sure Mason was capable of being serious. “But don’t worry, I’ll survive.” Even though he was getting pretty close to Mason, he still wasn’t sure he felt comfortable talking about feelings with the other man. He wasn’t much for talking about how he felt to anyone, in fact. Even though he knew it was good for him.

Normally Levente might have joked that it didn’t take too quick-witted of a dog to outsmart Mason, but today he just half-smiled. “No idea,” he said. “I’m still workin’ on figurin’ out all he knows.” Which was true. Levente had been sharing a place with Huck for a while now, but he was still surprised from time to time by the dog’s training.

“We’re gonna what?” Levente said, only catching half of what Mason had said before the man started dragging him towards the lake. He tried to pull back, but since he was fairly tired he wasn’t pulling as hard as usual. “Mason…wait…water?”

This was not looking good for the electricity manipulator.

[Mason McQueen]

As it was, Mason is indeed capable of being serious. He’s a quite the recluse kid after all, and part of it is because he’s almost always too serious for his own good. If it wasn’t for a certain Mr. Caraway, he’d still be as awkward as ever, still failing to get the grasp on how to react given a social situation.

Not that he isn’t really all that awkward now. But compared to, say, his fifteen year-old self, he’s improve. Lots. And it’s not just because he aged.

And Levi did have a part in making him all, well, giddy and playful. So he’s just trying his best to be a good friend and return the favor. “Well I won’t survive at this rate,” chuckled Mason as he continued to tug at the man, “I’m still hungry and if they keep on stealing my food, I’d wither and die. And then who’ll bug you to clean your garage and fix your rusty old car?”

It seems Chowder and Huck knew what they did, barking loudly as they ran around the lake, wagging their tails playfully as they watched the two grown men come near. Chowder even dashed forward for a few seconds splashing Mason and Levi then running back to Huck with what seems like a spring in his step.

“Who knew dogs had such impish personalities too?” asked Mason, shaking his head.

Stopping by the shore to take his shoes and socks off (thank goodness he remembered; it’d be extremely uncomfortable afterwards if he forgot) and throwing them to the side, Mason rushed towards the two dogs, not unlike a child, splashing water almost everywhere he went. The chase went on for at least a minute, but then Mason’s found no success and lazily flopped on the lake, water just below his chest, panting like crazy. “Hey you,” he pouted at Levi, splashing water at the man, “Why didn’t you help me chase them?”

The two dogs are just a few paces away, smugly wagging their tales, looking at their supposed masters.

ooc:
CRAPPY AND LATE. ZOMG. I'm soooooorry Abi. D;. I promise to do better next time.
- Jam

[Levente Cohen]

Levente stopped short at the shore of the lake, finally managing to get out of Mason’s grip when the other man took off his shoes and socks. Once his friend started splashing around, Levente started to slowly back away with a look of horror on his face. Although Mason had been successful at getting him to stop his mind from wading through depressing thoughts, they had been replaced by his fear that Mason was about to toss him into the lake.

His hands were sparking a little as his eyes watched Mason’s pitiful attempts to catch the picnic stealing culprits. Although it was amusing to see the dogs outsmart Mason, Levente couldn’t help but cringe every time one of them created a splash.

“Uh…”Levente said, slowly. “Water and I aren’t really the best of friends…” he grinned half-heartedly waiting for his friend to pick on him for being a wimp. As long as Mason didn’t drag him under, Levente didn’t care what names he might get called. “Besides…I’m on Huck’s side,” he said, hoping that didn’t sound like as lame of a cover up as it sounded in his head.

[Mason McQueen]

For someone as smart (supposedly) as Mason, he has yet to figure out the connection between Josef’s aversion to water and his powers. Then again, the man didn’t look at it as an aversion, but more of a reluctance due to whatever turmoil his friend’s feeling right now. The turmoil which he wishes to dampen and completely take away from by making the older man have fun. So really, all hopes of him stopping are immediately dashed.

And yes, he will resort to name calling.

“Is that why you stink so much lately?” he teased, laughing as he splashed Levi some more, “I knew I should’ve brought soap to the lake earlier.” Not that he ever thought of giving the man a bath. That is just plain weird. “Dude, it’s not even that deep.” It only went up his knees anyway. If it was up to him, Mason would’ve preferred dipping into deeper waters. “Come oooon. Grow some balls and stop sulking.”

He waded back when Levi told him he’s on Huck’s side, shaking his head as he put a hand on the man’s shoulders. “Seriously dude? Well then,” he said with a mischievous grin, “If you’re on Huck’s side, then that means one thing.”

Without even saying anything, the man summoned almost all his energy and promptly pushed the man towards the lake.

Something tells me this doesn’t look all that good.

[Levente Cohen]

“I shower,” Levente said, slowly his eyes on the edge of the lake. He tried thinking of an acceptable come-back but his brain was working to slow today. “It’s not the deepness that bothers me. It’s the wetness.”

He figured that Mason would be able to figure it out. After all, Mason was a science guy. He should know that electricity and water do not mix well. So while he was concerned about being this close to the water with two wet dogs and a playful friend, he didn’t think Mason would actually toss him in.

That was up until the moment Mason caught him off guard and shoved him towards the lake. Levente yelled as he tried, and failed, to steady himself. As he hit the water, his hands started to spark uncontrollably. Luckily, they weren’t sending out that much wattage. Still anyone touching the water, including the two dogs, was bound to feel a little jolt. The dogs yelled and ran for the shore.

As for Levente, he crawled out of the water, sputtering up muck and twitching slightly from his power short-circuiting. “Thanks,” he said collapsing on the shore. “That really helped.” He didn’t mean it to sound mean. He wasn’t really mad at Mason, but he wasn’t to happy with his current lot in life.

[Mason McQueen]

Like always, Mason realized his mistake a little too late.

As it was, the man’s brain currently wasn’t working properly at that time. All he had in mind was making Levi happy by having him blow off some steam in the water. It always worked for him after all. He wasn’t much of a swimmer, but whenever he had a chance to go and have a dip – may it be in a local pool or in a lake like this – he never says no. There was just that something that he finds very relaxing when one’s submerged in the water, idly rolling about. Something he hoped would help get his friend out of the rut, not get him angrier than he already was.

Mason had less than a split second from noticing the sparks to run back to the shore as fast as he can. A highly unsuccessful attempt at that. And while it wasn’t much of a jolt, it was enough to send his power into autodrive to try and protect him. His hair suddenly grew and wrapped around him, encasing him in what seems like a cocoon to keep any water (and electricity) out. (Hair’s a decent enough insulator on its own after all).

“I…I…” he said tentatively as he walked towards Levi, his six-foot long hair dangling from behind him. (He had to keep it moving to get Huck and Chowder to leave it alone). “…Sorry dude.” He knows that simply won’t cut it, but he could at least try right?

“If it makes you feel any better, my powers went bonkers by that jolt of yours and I don’t have any scissors with me to cut it off.”

ooc:
-insertawkwardapologyhere-
- Jam

[Levente Cohen]

Even in his depressed state, Levente felt a little bad for snapping at his friend. After all, it was a nice gesture to throw him in the lake. At least it would be normal for their friendship. Which really only made him feel worse all together.

Still seeing Mason with his prehensile hair, and the dogs chasing it back and forth, helped. Levente actually cracked a smile as Mason started to apologize. "Don't worry about it," he said, pulling himself off of the ground. "But you do it again, and I'll make you're hair stand out." Which was what Levente's hair was doing currently.

As Huck made another lunge for Mason's hair, Levente actually laughed. "Don't worry, I'm sure the girls all swoon over your golden locks, Rapunzel."

Catching the reflection of himself and Mason in the lake, Levente couldn't help but laugh louder. With his hair stuck straight out and Mason's trailing toward the ground, the looked like run-aways from a freakshow. He face hurt from not smiling recently and doing so much of it and the past few minutes.


((insert-slap-in-the-face-for-unneeded-awkward-apology-here ;D))

[Mason McQueen]

Mason’s chest became a wee bit lighter when he saw his friend crack a smile. Don’t get him wrong, he still feel very guilty about what he did – guilt is apparently one of the few things Sam has yet to successfully brainwash Mason out of. (Maybe Levi can help?). But, seeing that he achieved his primary goal anyway (and that his friend’s all but willing to let him slide this one time), he can let his joy overtake that nagging conscience of him for a bit.

“What do you mean, like this?” answered Mason, forcing the excitement out of his voice. And without much warning, his hair came to life once more, slithering out of the two dogs’ reach and mimicking how Levi’s hair looked like. Only since his was around six feet and Levi’s were only a few inches long, well, Mason says he’s officially trumped the man. “Sorry dude, but my hair’s awesome enough without your jolts,” laughed the man as he flashed a smug grin towards Levi, “Guess I win the whole ‘mine’s bigger’ contest this time eh?”

Keeping that much hair aloft takes a whole lot out of a guy though, so after a minute or so of showing off, Mason slumped back down to the ground, his hair trailing down and effectively covering him. Upon which Huck and Chowder happily pounced on him and played with his hair again.

“Well excuse me,” chuckled Mason as he tried to pushed Chowder’s snout away from his hair-covered face, “If you should know, I’m currently seeing someone lately. Summer Accurso, new bio teacher.”

Mason isn’t one to brag, but hey, being back in the game this fast is something he hadn’t expected after that miraculously harmless incident with Flo.

ooc:
LAAATE. I totes deserve the slap this time. >.>
- Jam

[Levente Cohen]

Levente was also feeling a little bit lighter after spending time with Mason. He still didn't feel like cracking many jokes or running around the park with Huck. But at least he could manage to smile. That was an improvement.

He smiled as Mason's hair mimicked his own hair at the moment. "Now that's an improvement," he said taking a stab at joking around. It felt foreign someone, even with Mason. He started to think of a comeback for Mason's comments, but it took to much energy. So instead he shook his head and smiled.

"Thanks," he said to Mason, hoping that the other man would understand what he meant without Levente having to result to talking about his feelings.

"Summer Accurso?" Levente asked with one eyebrow raised. He felt a little guilty actually. First off, he had no idea that Mason was seeing anyone. Although he didn't want Mason to think he was a stalker, he also felt that as the man's friend he should know something like that. Secondly, as the Hammel janitor, he felt a little bad that he hadn't even met this person. "Is she blind?" Levente asked.

Huck, giving up chasing Mason's hair around and turn to jump up at Levente, who patted his head. Even Huck seemed to notices that Levente's mood was slowly improving.