Landscaping Mania

[Levente Cohen]

Levente literally could not stand still. Already he had fixed a broken lawn mower, unclogged three sinks and a toilet, mopped the floor in the gym, and replaced a cracked window in one of the classrooms. And it was still before noon. Currently, he was landscaping around the grounds. He’d just finished planting a few dozen flowers. Now he was running around with a wheelbarrow full of mulch.

He knew he should take a break to relax or at least get something to eat and drink, but he wanted to finish up one more task. He’d hardly slept the night before. Instead his mind listed and re-listed all the things he wanted to accomplish the next day. At around 2 am, he had given up trying to sleep and went out to his garage to work.

With his shirt half unbuttoned, various spots of grease and dirt all over his clothes, and his hair sticking up on end from built up static electricity, Levente looked a little like a crazed hobo. Although he would usually enjoy talking with the various students relaxing around the courtyard, he was too submerged in his work. But he was truly enjoying himself.

[Mason McQueen]

Mason just loved eating his lunch out of the buildings, at least once winter ended that is. While the staff lounge is a safe haven if one wants to get away from all the chaos putting a bunch of hormonal teens create, it can get rather stuffy at times. No matter how comfy it is, the room has four walls surrounding it still after all, and when too many people cram in the room, well, it gets mighty uncomfortable. And besides, Mason likes seeing his students frolic around. Claims it’s therapeutic, to an extent. Not to mention it also helps him remember their faces and names more.

So there he was, tuna sandwich clutched in one hand and his trusty black lunch bag in the other, idly walking along the grounds, nodding and smiling at the familiar faces he passed by as he tried to look for a decent spot to sit down on. He had just found the perfect spot, but then his eyes saw someone familiar across the said spot and decided to drop by and say hi before going to away.

“Hey Levee,” waved Mason as he approached what looks like a guy who hasn’t taken a decent bath in days (something he knows isn’t quite true anyway), “What are you working on anyway? Isn’t it lunch time already?” He’s always admired the older man’s work ethic. Rarely does he see him not busy with anything, and even if it’ll mean him staying far longer than required, it’s not a problem for Levente (fixing the pipes in Mason’s classroom, for example). Admirable really. “Want to join me for lunch? I have three extra sandwiches in here. And an apple. Because my brother took all the oranges from our house the other day and forgot to replace them.”

ooc:
Sorry for the wait Abi. .
- Jam[/justify][/font]

[Levente Cohen]

Levente was so immersed in his work, that he didn’t notice Mason until the man was right next to him. He jumped a little when Mason spoke and almost started laughing at the paradox the two created. Mason looked clean and proper, as a teacher should, while Levente was a complete mess. He started to try to brush the dirt and mulch from his pants, but gave up quickly.

“Hey man, the kids bust up something else in your classroom?” Levente said, smiling. “Just doin’ a little yard work. You know the drill. They like to keep this place lookin’ nice and neat.” And Levente knew it was always a good idea to take advantage of the times he felt full of energy to get things done. “I was gonna wait a bit before takin’ a lunch break. But since you have extra and all, I’d be glad to join you. Just give me a second to clean up.”

Without giving Mason much of a chance to reply, Levente ran across the grass to where a water hose was hooked up, cleaned his hands, and splashed some cold water on his face. Then he raced back to where Mason was standing. “Man, that felt good,” he said. ‘So whatcha got on those sandwiches?”

(OOC: No prob ;D ))

[Mason McQueen]

Amusing as the difference may be, Mason would like to point out that it is merely coincidental. He doesn’t look as pristine all the time, and he sure knows that Levi can turn the tide and look even more prim-and-proper than him if he wants to. It’s just that commanding the respect of hormonal teens is hard enough as is looking ‘clean’ like him, he could just imagine how hard it might be if he just went into his classroom in a simple jean-tee combo. Not that he’s saying that Levi isn’t respectable, no; just that he feels that if he doesn’t go the extra mile (what he’d give to be able to go to work in an open button-up shirt and flip flops), chaos would never be contained in the classroom. (His own experience during Hammel factoring in too, considering how rowdy his best friend back then was).

“Well, Miranda once again broke the pipes. I really need to talk to her trainer about her training.” Not that he’s blaming the girl, but he just has this urge to know how far she is on her power training already and why she’s still short-circuits whenever she’s stressed. Or at least that’s how he thinks she felt when she did the exam he made and accidentally pulled the bolts and twisted the pipes with her mind. “And I’m going to need help grabbing some reagents from the supply cabinet. Not to mention some equipment. But no rush. I didn’t really come out here for you anyway,” he said, smiling as he sat down on the patch of grass just a few paces from the man, “Don’t feel too special.” And yes, that is his lame attempt at teasing a friend. Forgive him.

When he saw how Levi went on and washed his face, he couldn’t help but chuckle ever so slightly. With that half-unbuttoned shirt and him using the hose, it’s hard not to think like he’s making a commercial of sorts. “So are you a bottled water model now or something?” he asked playfully when Levente approached. He grabbed his bag and opened it just slightly when Levi asked about the sandwiches, handing it to him so he can choose. “I have one more tuna sandwich and two chicken ones. Hopefully you’re not allergic to mayo or something.”

[Levente Cohen]

Levente laughed as Mason explained about his student’s recent destruction. “Oh kids will be kids.” He remember when he was a student he was always getting into mishaps from killing computer equipment to accidentally shocking his teachers. Both of which he still did from time to time. Sometimes he kidded that he carried around a joke buzzer because he often gave people a little jolt when he shook their hands. Most of the time he couldn’t help it. Other time he just wanted to see people’s reactions. “If you want, I can help you out this afternoon. But I need to get home a little early. Got some things around the house I need to catch up on.”

Levente joined in with Mason as he started to chuckle. “You think I should quit my day job and see if they have an opening for me?” He shook his damp hair a little and gave a huge grin. “I’m sure it’d be better money and all, but you know I’d miss the activity.”

Reaching into Mason’s bag, Levente pulled out one of the chicken sandwiches and devoured it. It occurred to him that he probably hadn’t eaten much in the past day or so. He made a mental note to fix himself a decent dinner. “Thanks Man. That was tasty,” he said wiping the crumbs from his mouth. “I should finish up with this mulchin’ here. You’re welcome to stick around and chat though.”

[Mason McQueen]

“I know right. I’m really thankful they didn’t turn out to be as rowdy as me when I was in their place though. I would’ve just died.” At least when his students destroy school property, they do so accidentally. He couldn’t say the same for him during his tenure as a student though. In his defense, it wasn’t his idea to do all those things. He blames his best friend Sam, who dragged him into all sorts of mischief, leaving him breathless and extremely shaky after every prank. If it weren’t for their poor command of their powers back then (plus the fact that they only got caught in 1 out of every 20 pranks they do), he was fairly sure they would’ve been expelled by then. “Sadly you were in school before me. You didn’t get wind of the infamous duo. Or did you?” Not something he should be proud of, but it’s a thing of the past after all. Not like Hammel can still put him in detention or anything, right?

He politely waved off Levi’s offer to help. “Nope. It’s all good. I can find someone to help me do it in a bit.” For some reason, Ella came to his mind almost immediately. He hasn’t had the chance to rub it in her face that he succeeded in her dare. That would be a nice excuse.

“You’d be too old for that kind of thing dude,” he chuckled, playfully nudging the man with his elbow as he finished his sandwich off. “Just kidding.” Not that he holds Levi’s age against him or anything though. When he first saw Levi, he actually thought he was just his age. He was surprised, yes, but that doesn’t make Levi any less awesome. “Who says you can’t do both? Just don’t forget me when you’re a big star already, ok?”

Feeling a bit thirsty, he grabbed one of the bottles of water in his bag and drank a few sips before giving Levi waving off the man’s thanks. “Why are you thanking me already? You haven’t finished all of the remaining sandwiches. Don’t tell me you’re being shy again? I thought we’re past this already?” He could still remember the time when Levi took only one cookie when he presented him with twelve. It was so funny really. “Seriously, it’s no bother. Especially since I’ll probably stay here to chat and bug you for a while.”

Shifting slightly in his seat, he grabbed the other chicken sandwich and began talking once again. “Levi, have you tried yoga before?”

[Levente Cohen]

“I think I might have heard a few stories, but I’m not sure I can recall the details. This school’s had its fair share of trouble makers.” Levente grinned. “Myself included.” Sometimes he really wished he could go back to being a kid again. So carefree. Nothing to worry about but what sort of trouble to get into next. Oh, the good old days. Before…

Suddenly his expression changed. His eyes grew dark and seemed to be looking at something that Mason would never be able to see. He stood silent for a moment, staring over Mason’s shoulder.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and remembered Mason was standing there. He grinned at his friend, hoping Mason hadn’t noticed his expression. He didn’t want Mason to overreacted to simple reminiscing. Even if it sometimes hurt Levente to remember.

“Yoga?” Levente asked. “You know me. How could I sit still? Even in all those crazy positions?” As if to demonstrate his point, he picked up his shovel and dumped another load of mulch around the flowers and bushes.

[Mason McQueen]

“Yeah. They never seem to run out, apparently.” Vincent Verax. Samuel Rixon. Dannica Waylan. And on occasion, even that smart JD Paerson and whatever his sidekick’s name is. And that’s just those he can name on top of his head. “You? A troublemaker? Really?” Well that was something new. Definitely not something he would’ve guessed. The man does have his playful moments, but being a troublemaker was so not him. “Don’t kid with me Mr. Cohen,” said the man, trying to sound stern but chuckling just slightly near the end, “I may be dense at times, but I’m not too dense to fall for that joke.”

He only caught a glimpse of Levi’s stare (he was busy devouring his chicken sandwich, that’s why) but that brief moment was enough to tell Mason that something’s up. He knew of that gaze well, possibly because a year or so ago, he could see the same stare looking back at him every time he sees a mirror. It was a very dark phase of his life, something he wishes to bury down to the very depths of the earth.

He would ask about it, but he reminded himself that it’s quite the sensitive topic; he himself wouldn’t discuss it so freely. Maybe when they’re a lot more comfortable with each other, or at least in a different setting. Hopefully he’d remember.

“Well, you don’t have to be a master you know,” laughed Mason, remembering his own mishaps at the yoga center, “I mean, I’m just wondering if you’d like to try. I’m the only adult guy in there and since Sam’s busy helping his younger sister with her restaurant, I thought I’d invite you. I kind of feel out of place at times” He flashed Levi a wide grin, acting very embarrassed about the request. “That, and it might help deflect some of Flo’s teasing from me.” No, he’s totally not using Levi as a scapegoat. Not at all.

ooc:
Sorry it took so long. Damn exams bogged me down. D;
- Jam

[Levente Cohen]

Levente smiled as he picked up a hoe to spread out the mulch, “Don’t think you know everything about me Mason,” he said. “Just because I’m mellowing out in my old age, doesn’t mean I wasn’t a little hooligan back in the day.” He laughed. Truth was he’d gotten into a bit of trouble when he was a kid, but he’d never done anything too bad. Or at least never got caught doing it. It was actually once he’d gotten out of school that he started getting caught. There were times when his head and his big ideas just got away from him. More than once he’d had to call up one of his siblings to bail him out of jail. He tried to avoid that theses days though, so he wasn’t surprised that Mason couldn’t picture him like that.

“Oh yeah,” Levente said, leaning back on his shovel a little. He was smart enough to understand when he was being used. But he liked Mason, so he didn’t mind. “So not only are you trying to talk me into doing yoga with you, but you want me to attempt it in front of a bunch of women.” He smiled to show that he was joking and already agreeing to the idea. “Well, I’d suppose you’d better let me know when I should be showing up for this.” He threw his shovel back into the wheelbarrow, ready to move onto his next task. He started laughing again. The things I get myself into.

(OOC: No problem.)

[Mason McQueen]

Mason couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement. “Damn it Mr. Levente,” he grinned, wiping the mayo off his lips with a napkin, “Stop making me so curious.” He would’ve dismissed the man as simply toying with him, but the way he seemed so sure of himself has totally got Mason interested. “Prove it then. Give me something I don’t know,” he teased, standing up to stretch before walking over to playfully nudge the man with his elbow. He would’ve said something along the lines of not expecting someone who looks like such a goody-two-shoes be involved in such hooligan-ish behavior, but he doesn’t want to sound hypocritical. He himself was quite the hooligan in high school after all. (Though he must say that looking rather innocent did help him get away without much trouble when he was young).

“Sorta?” chuckled the man nervously, getting the feeling that he was caught already. Damn the man was sharp. “Hey, I’m not exactly shaming you, you know. I figured they might be impressed with your skills or something. Some of them are single still after all.” Or at least that’s what Flo told him a few days ago. He jumped for joy and almost hugged the man in glee. “You’re an angel Levi, you know that,” said Mason, his smile wide from ear to ear, “I usually go there every Tuesday since Ella challenged me to lose some weight in just six weeks.” Combined with an almost daily trip to the gym, he lost quite a lot, not to mention gained a few more muscle mass in the process. “If you don’t have anything to wear, I have tons back home. We’re roughly the same size, aren’t we?”

No, Mason is not excited about this. Not at all.

[Levente Cohen]

Levente was enjoying Mason’s amusement. He smiled, wondering how he could tease him further. “Well,” he said, scratching his chin a little. “If you really wanna know, I was actually more of a troublemaker a few years after I left Hammel. But don’t you fret, I try to avoid calling my co-workers when I need someone to bail me out of prison.” He laughed, enjoying himself and the looks his friend was getting on his face.

“Well, I have to admit, my skills are pretty impressive,” he said, admiring his work around the grounds. “But I think calling me an angel might be pushing it a little.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about Mason’s comments about the singles. Even though it had been a while since his wife’s death, he still didn’t feel he was ready for any sort of real relationship. He had a hard enough time handling himself most days.

Until Mason mentioned letting him borrow something to wear, Levente hadn’t considered that yoga might require special kind of clothing. “I don’t have to wear purple tights or anything, do I?” he asked. “They aren’t really my style.” Although Levente wasn’t sure exactly how he felt about picking up this new hobby, he had to admit that he was looking forward to the idea of spending some time hanging out with Mason. If nothing else it would give them more time to joke around, something he needed more in his life.

[Mason McQueen]

At least Levente was enjoying is as much as he is. While it was pretty evident in the man’s face, Mason is actually afraid that all this prodding he’s been doing might’ve been offending Levi. (Ever since he saw Levi seemingly space out, or at least in rather deep thought, he went a bit too paranoid for his own good). “Whoever said I was going to bail you out of prison if you called me anyway?” teased Mason, shaking his head in sheer delight, “I’m going to let you rot in there you know. Rot ‘till you’re old and creepy, oh yes I will.” Not that he’s serious of course; Levente’s been quite a friend that he won’t just stand there and do nothing, but he figures it’s pretty much a given at this time already.

“Pfft. You set yourself too low. I’d call you a god, but my conscience isn’t letting me. That, and I am fairly certain my dad would sense it and give me a thwack when we meet again for using His name in vain,” chuckled Mason. Inwardly though, Mason felt just a tiny bit guilty about bringing up the whole ‘single’ card. He of all people should know how hard it is to lose someone close, especially since he lost his wife just a few months ago too. (Which is why he feels extremely uncomfortable whenever Flo or Sam or his brother sets him up with someone). “Hammel’s lucky enough to have you.”

Mason wasn’t really thinking about anything off the wall until Levente mentioned it. Then the mental image started forming in his head and he literally fell on the floor laughing. “Oh yes Levi, tights are compulsory. It’s actually a plus if it’s in animal prints and comes with a tutu.” And yes, Mason would testify that yoga, while rather cumbersome at first, proved to be quite the distraction. Working out in the gym was fun, yes, but yoga had that relaxing factor Mason has learned to appreciate (taking out Flo’s incessant teasing, of course).

[Levente Cohen]

Levente was in too high of a mood to be bothered at all by Mason’s jests. In fact, he was quite enjoying it. Although on a different day, he may be less inclined to join in. “What?!?” Levente asked, in mocked amazement. “Let me rot? Well then whose gonna fix up everything in your classroom when some kid blows it apart?” He laughed, wondering to himself if perhaps Mason wouldn’t be in the cell next to him.

“I’m lucky to have Hammel.” Levente said, trying his best not to slip into another deep thought moment. Instead he ran through the mental list of things he needed to get accomplish. He actual had some things he needed to do back at his place.

For a split second, Levente was seriously worried that Mason wasn’t joking. Then suddenly, the man fell over laughing. “Don’t scare me like that,” he said when he finally caught his breath after laughing along with Mason. Levente was feeling a little proud of himself. It had been a while since he had really laughed that had. At least in the company of another person who was joining into his fun.

[Mason McQueen]

When Mason first met Levente, he could never have imagined he’d be someone he can chat up, bother randomly and just share a laugh with whenever he feels like it. He can’t quite place it in words, but the man has that odd aura of coldness and intimidation when he first met him (to Mason, at least). As weird as it may seem, he was rather thankful that all those mishaps happened; how else would his first impression be proven wrong if those didn’t occur anyway? “Well,” said the man, trying to look pensive and incredibly serious, “I could try fixing them myself.” But then the façade broke soon after, Mason erupting in a series of chuckles and laughs. While he isn’t much of a ditz when it comes to tools and repairs, he does admit that his work is mighty mediocre compared to Levente. That man is just immaculate with his work.

“Hammel and you are lucky to have one another. Happy?” Mason will not let the whole self-pity run over Levente (or at least that’s what he’s getting). The man’s a great guy and he’s lucky to be around him. End of story. He does feel bad that he could sense something inside the man, something familiar he thinks, but couldn’t bring himself to ask him about it. Maybe next time.

“Who’s scaring who? I’m serious!” But no matter how hard he tries to keep his face straight, his grin just keeps on appearing and appearing.

He was about to say something more, but then he caught a glimpse of his watch. “Goodness, lunch is almost over,” said the man, grabbing his stuff and standing up, dusting his pants slightly to remove the loose blades of grass that came with. “I have to run to my room now. Have to prepare for an experiment and all. But hey, yoga ok? Tuesday night. I’ll kill you if you decide to ditch me.” With one last playful punch on the man’s arm, he sprinted halfway across the courtyard, grinning as he waved back to the man.

ooc:
Hopefully the end wasn't too abrupt. -nodnod- Thanks a whole lot Abiiii~ Hope we can do more in teh future. Haha. XD
- Jam