[attr="class","caden"] yeah, it definitely was caden.

[break][break] after all, caden was unmistakable. his presence was unlike anyone else boruta maher could have known — or at least, that's the way he preferred to see himself most of the time.

[break][break] when the screen door latches and his brother invites him in, bo reaches forward and opens the door. it's only then that he belatedly hears his brother's warning — aw shit.

[break][break] he watches as the kabuto scurries past him — or at least attempts to. his hypno who is always out with him catches him in it's hypnosis, and caden finds himself walking over to it and gingerly picking up the TWENTY-FIVE LB POKEMON?! with two hands, grimacing.

[break][break] he walks into the house, setting the pokemon on the dinner table along with the plastic bag that he'd brought over.

[break][break] "brought you some leftovers." he thought about the date that he'd had with Antoinette Spina last night, which had been fun as hell. even more fun was the delicious steak they'd eaten at the michelin star restaurant she'd somehow managed to get them into. "you eat yet?"

[break][break] his hypno stands behind him, looking ominous as ever.

[attr="class","noodles"] boruta maher

[attr="class","rules"]+ idle chitchatter

[attr="class","caden"] no.

[break][break] a word that caden hates hearing, no matter how many times it's said. it's bo, though, so he allows it to pass, watching as his brother takes the kabuto and lays it down on the floor.

[break][break] a stickler for things proper, isn't he?

[break][break] "anytime, big bro." the term of endearment rolls of his tongue easily, probably just as the one that rolled off bo's. his brother had always had a penchant for nicknames, one that he fortunately shares. as his brother goes to retrieve a fork, he begins to take out the various takeout containers: some leftover steak, sweet potato fries, sautéed mushrooms, and mac n' cheese. in a different - newer - container are some canolis.

[break][break] "i brought utensils too," he says. "unless you mind plastic."

[break][break]

[attr="class","noodles"] boruta maher

[attr="class","rules"]+ idle chitchatter

[attr="class","caden"] caden had never been under any illusion that their family was perfect. no, after ma died, things had kind of fell apart.

[break][break] still — it was moments like this that made it worth it.

[break][break] "damn." he whistled. "thought my schedule was rough — they don't let you eat on the other side?" a smirk played at his lips as he pulled down a chair to sit and watch his brother eat. he could feel similarly - it wasn't like caden ate steak often, but outings with Antoinette Spina were always special.

[break][break] 'how've you been?'

[break][break] his gaze flickers with something for moment. a flash of a memory, a thought, maybe something even bitter. it vanishes in an instant.

[break][break] "fine. tired, overworked, livin' the dream. you know, the usual." he waves a hand off, then leans forward into his palm. "you?"

[attr="class","noodles"] boruta maher

[attr="class","rules"]+ idle chitchatter