Avalanche's Apartment

[Collin Russiani]

It wasn't a problem, and honestly it had worked out well. Collin would have been a little more reserved with the other man there, if only to hide what he now already knew, and it would have been a little difficult to show her that he really hadn't changed all that much. But he still had a long way to go, and he would talk the other's advice on that one just so he didn't mess it up somehow.

"I could have." He admitted, reaching out to pour himself a second glass and sip contentedly at it, a lot less worried now that they'd gotten past the rough bit. He was even relaxing again, a small smile on his face. "But she would have had me halfway though. She knows me too well, Av." And then he would have had hell to pay. Better to just do it the way he had, honorably, from the start. And it was true Avalanche was going to hear her mouth later, but honestly, it was hard for Prince to stay mad at the other man. It probably wouldn't be too bad.

He pondered the words as he rotated the glass, watching the light catch the alcohol within before he took another sip and set it down. "I suppose you're right." He was, and Red knew one way to do it. It might take a while, but he was pretty much sure the one thing that still smarted with Prince was his no longer being a newsie, no longer improving the truth to sell papes. Adults couldn't be newsies, at least not to any good progress, and Collin had been a damn good newsie for a few years there. It was forming something in his head, and he grinned wide as it took more and more shape. "I think I know how to start on that. Thanks." He grinned crookedly at him before relaxing back into the couch with an amused little look in his eyes. "I'm glad you approve, deartháir, it means a lot to me." It was rare when he called him brother, even though they both felt the same way on the subject. Even rarer than when he called him Alex.

[Avalanche]

"Ya right," he stood. "A bit annoying, her knowing things and people too well," he said as he laughed. Prince could see through Red's lies and Avalanche's in no time. Though, it took her years to develop that skill, she did do it eventually. And it was one she was quite proud of, Avalanche was sure. "So... I'll take that drink now," he added.

When the wheels in Reds head were turning Avalanche had different options. He could question it, he could roll with it... or he could duck and hope not to get hit by flying objects, depending on the situation. This time, he decided to just roll with it. "Lemme know if you... need anything for that master plan you're formulating," he said as he folded his arms and looked at the elder.

Avalanche sauntered into the kitchen to start on some coffee, he'd want it here sooner or later, so he might as well make it now. "You sure you don't want somethin' ta eat?" he called out to him as he was starting to make the coffee. Avalanche was aware that he knew approximately 2 words of Gaelic... which made listening to Prince and Red speak it, at times, infuriating. Avalanche was a one language man, and always had been. He liked his language, it was pretty enough for him. However, deartháir was one that he recognized on the spot. The other was a different kind of word all together, grá, and he'd only learned that one because Prince thought he should. She figured it might come in handy some day. Why Avalanche would need to know how to say love in Gaelic was beyond him. However, hearing brother from Red always made him smile, and was something that could calm him down if he ever got riled up. It was a compliment, and it meant something between them. "Yeah yeah," he said shrugging it off as though his approval was nothing, and something Red could have gotten without trying. He'd never been the best at "you're welcome's," or "thank yous." Though he always felt it, he just felt weird saying it. "Ya hungry or what?"

[Collin Russiani]

"Sometimes." He couldn't help but laugh with him, nose scrunched a bit in amusement. "Definitely sometimes. But it comes in handy every now and again." Having a Brooklyn-oriented mind, Collin was used to looking at things in light of adversity, and Prince knowing their tells was something they could use if they were ever in a really tight spot and needed the help. They could lie, could say something out of character, and she would pick up on it faster than anyone else ever would. It could be used as a code, and that was always useful. It used to bother him, this mind of his, but after a while he got used to it, and everyone else did too. It wasn't like he spoke his mind on these matters often.

"As opposed to the others you've already had?" Collin snorted, but poured him a drink without waiting for his reply, topping his own off as he went. They would finish the bottle, the two of them, but it wasn't anything new. And Collin could afford it now. Whereas before he tended to steal their drink of the night, usually on his way to Avalanche's apartment. "I think I have everything I need, but I'll let you know." He grinned at him, the plan forming bit by bit until he had it all almost worked out. He needed a new hat though. He loved his old one, and it was sort of his trademark as a newsie, but... It was showing the years, and he was afraid it was going to fall apart for good soon enough and he didn't want that. Best to put it away for real and find himself a new one. Something in-between that he could wear at work but also put Prince's mind at ease. He'd noticed how she'd mellowed out when he'd put it on, how easier she'd seemed in his presence.

His approval was everything, but Collin was used to his personality by now and he just smiled, relaxing into the couch before he got up and followed him into the kitchen. "Yeah, I am." He gave him a grin before getting the stuff together to make himself a sandwich, as comfortable in the other's apartment like it was his own. He'd spent enough time here anyway. "Haven't eaten all day actually. Too busy trying to get the Pub together the way I want it."

[Avalanche]

He was silent for a moment. "Nope, I can't never think of a time where Prince bein' able to see through one of my lies was a good thing," he said shaking his head. "Everythin' you'll need is... well you know where it is, why am I tellin' you?" he said with a chuckle as he finished coffee preparations and let things set as he walked back out into the living room.

"What other drinks?" he said with a shrug. "And thanks for bringin' this," he added with a smile as he picked up the glass that had been his. "What ever plan you've got cookin' up in my kitchen," he said meaning whatever he was going to do to Prince, "just let me know at some point what ends up happening," he said chuckling. Chances were he didn't want to know until the whole thing was either in progress, or over. Plus, then he wouldn't be tempted to shove Prince one direction or another, be it towards or away from Red's goal. Avalanche trusted the man, he just knew he made plans and sometimes those plans were less than desirable for all involved. The less he knew, the better.

"I owe you anything for this?" he asked meaning the alcohol which was some of the best he'd had in a while. He was used to low end stuff, and this was decent, at least. He figured since it was more expensive, maybe Red would appreciate some financial assistance, but then again, what did he know?

He had to admit, he wondered whatever got Red interested in Prince... but maybe that should wait for when he was a little more drunk, the thought of that made him smile as he started in to dinner. And then he made a mental note to throw out the burnt mess in the kitchen.

[Collin Russiani]

Collin couldn't help the grin on his face. "Of course not." He deliberately let his accent thicken, grin turning into a smirk. "Yer lies needed seein' through, Alex." Of course when you thought about, the two of them were quite notorious for their lying, as good as they were at it. Prince was one of the privileged few who could see through it so well. He couldn't speak for Avalanche, mind you, but he had a few others in his corner that could call bullshit on him real fast. "If you're telling me where things are I've been gone too long. I'll need to start crashing your place every other day or so." He eyed the burnt mess before sighing. "If only to make sure you don't kill yourself. Honestly."

"If I came without a drink you'd think something else was wrong." Collin laughed, shrugging his shoulder as he made his sandwich. "I'll send you a message, don't worry about that. You'll want to be there to see it." Oh he wasn't going to burn down the Lodging House or anything. In fact what he was thinking of doing was strangely profitable for their little Queens leader. After he drove her a little insane, of course. Because what was better than leading her through a chase in her own city? This wasn't one of those ideas that started a turf war or ruined something potentially expensive. This was just like old times. Then again, maybe that wasn't the best thing to compare it to.

"Not a cent." Collin called back, finishing up his sandwich and setting it aside as he took care of the mess for him, tossing it out and washing his hands before wandering back in the living room with his food. Avalanche could clean up the actual oven later. At least now it wouldn't just be sitting there. "Ah." He sighed, sitting back and munching into his food, watching the other man do the same. "This is familiar." And he couldn't help but smile as he picked up his drink and tilted it the other's way. "Sláinte."

[Avalanche]

He joined him in raising his glass. "To you," he said with a nod before kicking it back in a straight shot. Avalanche could drink slowly, but when it came to hard liquor there was no sipping it. He's already had a couple few, so he was in a good mood. He'd probably stop for a while to eat now, if just to keep his feet under him.

"And, for the record," he said as he picked up the food, "I am not gonna burn the place down, this is the first time I've done anything like that, an' ya wanna know why? I had the brilliant plan to fall asleep on the couch readin' some damn book," he said shaking his head. "finally woke up the smell of burning meat, and then you knocked on the door... timing," he added with a chuckle, "is everything."

"So, if I may ask," he said as he took a bite of his sandwich, "What did uh... you and misprint do all that time you had together? Just sit and talk about me?" he asked. He was typical guy. He was leaned forward elbows on his knees, legs spread apart, very comfortable position, just shooting the breeze with one of his favorite friends.

[Collin Russiani]

Collin just laughed softly before tossing his back a moment later. They had too many years of drinking together under their belts, and it was long ago established that they could keep up with each other fairly well, but he wasn't out to get drunk tonight. It would probably end that way anyway, but for the moment he was content to let Avalanche take the lead. He was just happy to still be sitting here with a head on his shoulders and the other's approval still weighing heavily on his mind. Whether he believed it or not, Collin valued his assent very highly.

"Just for the record," he grinned back at him, munching happily on a bite of sandwich, "it's not entirely your hand at cooking that I'm questioning but your attention span. In which case you've proved me entirely right. Good man." The teasing was as easy as breathing now, and the grin widened as he leaned back and got comfortable himself, plate balanced on one knee. "What else could we possible have to do with our time? Of course." He smirked, but didn't elaborate, just took another bite and chewed it without ever taking his glittering green eyes from the other's face. Avalanche was truly his brother, in about everything but blood, and it showed when they were alone like this. Collin had never had a sibling, didn't know how they were supposed to act, but he figured it was something like this. In the end.

[Avalanche]

"Please," he said rolling his eyes. "You flatter me, but no really," he said. "I wanna know what you two were up to," almost assumed the worst, but knew Red wouldn't... and knew Prince wouldn't, so there was no way, so he didn't. But he wouldn't have put it past him to kiss her, if he thought it was safe, though the way he'd come in here tonight he probably didn't... so what the heck did they do for the time they spent together? He was just curious.

"You know, I like winter... but sometimes I get tired of the cold," he sometimes wished he lived in a place where winter was a shorter season. He got up from his chair, and sat the food down. He walked over to the fire place to get the apartment warmed up. After all, it had been plenty hot before with burning things on fire, but now that the fire was out and the oven wasn't on, it was getting colder again, so he needed a more consistent way to heat his little corner of the building.

As he built the fire his mind did tend to drift to Red and Prince actually being together as more than just friends. He started to wonder how Prince would handle that right off the bat, if it all worked out that is. He hadn't ever really seen her in a relationship. she usually kept her private matters out of Avalanche's way. Probably on purpose because he would give any guy the third degree if he was spending so much time with Prince. But due to this he didn't really know what to expect from the young female leader, he didn't know how she would act... this might be interesting to watch," he contemplated. And if anyone was going to be careful and take care of Prince, it was Collin to be sure. It was just a weird feeling to him. It still seemed in his mind that Prince should just be 13 and a little girl forever. But she wasn't. It was odd to think that he'd gotten older. How and when did that happen?

[Collin Russiani]

Collin hadn't kissed her. Might have wanted to, a few times, but he'd kept it to himself. Not until he'd told Avalanche, because it would get back to that man no matter what, and then Collin would be in trouble, and also because he didn't like the slightly aloof way she was acting with him. Not all the time, not when she caught bits and pieces of the child in him, but he would much rather she see him as she always had before he even thought of kissing her.

He snorted quietly, watching him with the fire, watching the flames catch on the wood and flicker over Avalanche's face. His brother. He'd never had one before, and this man was the closest he'd ever come. He had a lot of siblings, if you wanted to call them that, spread through New York, newsies he considered part of his personal family, but there weren't really any guys in it, and none he called brother. Not like Alex. "We danced." He smiled a bit, kicking at the floor. "We talked and we danced. All around my office. The window open to catch the music from next door."

She was certainly no longer thirteen, and they weren't as young as they used to be either. Neither of them showed it, of course, they were still young outside of newsie's standards, but they weren't teenagers anymore, and even though they were used to treating her like a child on some things, she wasn't a kid anymore, and was probably smarter than both of them combined. Collin wasn't kidding himself here. He had street smarts, and he could lead a band of soldiers in the army if he had to, after years in Brooklyn and countless fights, but if there was anyone around him that could be a great scholar or, he didn't know, cure world hunger, it was Prince.

[Avalanche]

"One fire," he said with a nod. "Should heat up the room in no time," he said as he headed back to his chair. "Water," he said suddenly and then headed to the kitchen, meaning he was getting a glass of water. Though to talk about fire and water in the same sentence... could be considered confusing. It was hard to tell if he had done that on purpose, or if his brain had really skipped a beat like it sometimes did and went from fire to water without stopping.

Dancing? "Prince knows how to dance?" he said poking his head out of the kitchen and looking at red. He looked over at the wall trying to picture her dancing correctly with a guy... nope, couldn't picture it. "Okay," and he went back into the kitchen. Weird concept... Prince didn't do girly stuff. Avalanche had never done those things with her, and he kinda figured if she didn't know how, she wouldn't, and if she didn't find another way to learn. Still... weird for him to think about her being a real girl and... wearing make up and dresses and such.

Avalanche wasn't 22... he was older than the average newsie, but he wasn't 22. Correction, he was born 22 years ago, but he didn't act or feel like he was 22. It didn't feel like 22 years had gone by, he'd still swear that he's 18... he kinda wished he was some days. As far as Avalanche was concerned, everyone shorter than him was younger than him, unless he knew them to be or act older, so all of his close friends were called 'kid' at one time or another, Red not excluded from this. Prince had picked up the trait too. Anyone acting like a child was to be called a child in her mind. Though she didn't do it as often as Avalanche, all the same she'd do it on occasion. "It just seems weird..." he called after a little thinking. "How old are we again?" he said as he came out with 2 glasses of water, one for him, one for Red. He wasn't sure if Red had said he wanted one or not... so he got him one.

[Collin Russiani]

It wasn't confusing, not to Collin anyway. He was far too used to the other's abrupt and sometimes contradictory thought patterns and he didn't move except to crack a smile when he went from the fire to the kitchen in a blink of an eye. He'd never really thought about it, but if he had to venture a guess he'd have to say he would have put his money down on the other's brain skipping a beat between subjects because it really did seem like it sometimes. And that was fine, he could understand why it might do it. Fire and water weren't so very far apart, though there were times when even Collin couldn't find the correlation between two of the other's thoughts.

"Oh yes." He couldn't help but laugh at the question, at Avalanche's face as he tried to picture it in his mind. "Grant you I think a lot of it was her training but she loosened up more as time went on. She's quite good." Her training. He had to wonder when they'd started to call it that. It was a true term, Prince had been in training before she'd found her way to them, but it bothered Collin to think about it. He didn't approve of training children, cultivating them for things they shouldn't have to bother with until they were much older. It took away their childhood. Oh, the makeup part maybe, but Collin could see her in a dress no problem. And the thing that perhaps amused him the most... he was pretty sure Prince wanted to be in one. Not all the time, but every once and a while.

"Not too old, my friend." He took the water with a smile and sipped at it, finishing off his sandwich in thought. "You're, what, twenty two? I'm twenty-three." He grinned, a quick flash of white teeth. "And I don't feel a day over nineteen." He acted closer to seventeen on occasion, but having the Pub was good for him. It gave him something to do. He'd been a dock worker, once, but that was too close to home for him. He preferred the Pub over anything, if he had to choose. And it gave the newsies another safe, friendly place. That was always a good thing.

[Avalanche]

What was too old? Too old to be a newsie? Too old to have fun? Too old to be a kid? Or maybe it was just all of those things. So if they weren't too old, then... he guessed, for the most part, they were doin' it right. "Yeah but still," he said as he sat down. "Years shouldn't go by this fast, right?" he said kind of shaking his head. "Where does the time go when you blink?" he said that as more of a thought and less of a true question. He took a drink of his water and replaced it on the table.

He felt as though they needed to... do something. But he wasn't sure what. They hadn't really celebrated Red's return to town yet. "So," he said, "since you are back... what'd you miss most? And I don't mean who," god that conversation could go on for days, "what? Where? Or... what did ya miss doin'?" he asked. He was trying to get ideas for ways that they could maybe have a little fun, even if all they did was break out a deck of cards and throw them into a hat. If Red wanted to do it, Avalanche had the intention of making it happen. Maybe not tonight... but sometime soon.

He couldn't help but love the Red-head. They'd practically grown up together, and ever since they were kids gotten along... fairly decently. If nothing else they could trust each other, and they both knew it, and were both quite glad about it. Even if their boroughs weren't the best of friends, they could still be, or at least something close to that.