JP - Supposed to Talk Today

Tzeitel fidgeted with the rock. She had told Cody she’d try to talk today.

Joel smiled as he watched everyone, it reminded him of breakfast with his parents.

Lyle yawned as he entered the kitchen, a tired but happy look on his face.

Annie looked at Lyle. “What’s with the look, Lyle?” She inquired, holding up a spatula like a weapon.

Klaire sat at the table and sighed. “We’re all stressed, honestly. Being on the run and trying to keep the kids safe is…yeah.” She murmured, ears falling back as she looked at James and the children clinging to him. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to them…I know James will take care of them if something happens to me, but…”

“If anyone has to choose, save the kids before me.” Tzeitel said, watching Ami at the counter helping prepare some food. “I’ll protect Ami and my godkids with my life.”

Piritta burst in with Amber fresh from the sauna and the little girl’s pockets stuffed with candy. “Is breakfast ready yet?”

Lyle looked over to Annie "been a long time since I've had anything to smile for and seeing everyone like this is nostalgic."

Everyone looked at Piritta and blinked as Amber ran over to sit at the table. She obviously felt a lot better now.

“It’s cause of Anna, isn’t it?” Annie asked and tilted her head at how full the kitchen was getting. “Are River, Riley, and Loreen joining us?”

Lyle blushed but nodded at Annie "it felt weird at first like I was cheating on Juliet but I know how she would want me to move on and be happy."

Tzeitel fidgeted with her bottle of pollen. She had put a double dose in her coffee but it was having very little effect. She tugged on her T-shirt sleeve to make sure her brand was covered.

Klaire raised an eyebrow. “You sure you don’t want that girl to give you a tattoo? Hide that thing?” She asked.

Annie nodded at Lyle. “It’s what she would have wanted. Juliet was a very kind person and would not want you to dwell on things.”

“I’ve been thinking about it.” Tzeitel admitted with a shrug, then tugged the sleeve down again. Her hesitation was letting the tattooist see the brand. “Maybe… We’re going to the Underground anyway.”

Klaire nodded, ear twitching. “I highly doubt she’ll judge you for the scars, Tzeitel. She’s been with the Underground for a long time as far as I’m aware.”

Lyle nodded and turned to Tzeitel. "Lots of people I knew in the military got tattoos to cover scars from combat to help with PTSD. It helped them feel like they were taking back control."

“I’m not worried about her judging.” Tzeitel said uncomfortably, tugging the sleeve down again. She just hated the marks seeing the light of day, especially that damned brand. She wondered if she could get hammered before getting the tattoo without getting yelled at.

Ami finished cooking breakfast and started putting food on plates.

Riley appeared and wrapped a jacket around her "here it has built in gloves so the sleeves won't ride up" he said with a smile.

Tzeitel blinked. “How many jackets have you given me, Riley?” Tzeitel asked.

"Don't worry about it" Riley chuckled taking a seat at the table. He would buy anything if he thought it would help her even if it was only by a little amount.

River walked over to Annie and Ami. “Mind if I make a plate for Loreen to eat in her room?” She asked.

James went very stiff at the name and had to remind himself that this wasn’t the Loreen he knew. Though, his appetite, for once, was already gone…

“Keep that bitcher away from Ami.” Tzeitel told River, stiffening at the reminder of Loreen’s presence in the cabin.

Ami glanced at the swear jar, but Tzeitel was too stiff and angry looking for her to want to say ‘Swear jar’.

River stopped in her tracks and glared at Tzeitel. “I understand your apprehension toward Loreen, but please refrain from using that language around the children!” She snapped, picking up Amber and leaving the room.

Klaire kept silent, refusing to get in the middle of this as she grabbed food for herself, the twins, and James. They all walked out to sit in the living room.

Annie looked at Ami. “So…this is awkward.”

Ami nodded, looking upset. She did not like it when Tzeitel was upset. Seeing her driving her friends away made Ami even more worried about her. She wished Frisk and Leimomi were here. She looked to Cody for help.

Tzeitel sighed and stared at her plate without appetite.

Cody looked back at Ami - for once, he didn’t have an answer. Instead, he forced his food down and looked through the notes he’d taken so far.

Lyle leaned over to Cody and whispered to him before sliding $200 to him. Looking over to Tzeitel he slid her a sheathed combat knife "Little gift from the prison armory supposedly the blade is sharp enough to cut through tough skinned plus supposedly it never dulls."

Tzeitel unsheathed the knife and looked at it. It looked sharp and strong. She hoped it worked if she ever wound up close enough to Canestone to stab him. “Thanks… How did that breakout go anyways? I was asleep when people got back last night.”