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Elsie was busy in the kitchen, making sure that she had all the things that she wanted to prepare for dinner that night. It was a big night, Rafe's younger half brother was coming to live with them for awhile! He hadn't arrived yet, so she was still going around making sure everything was just right for his visit. The guest room had been set up, and she'd even made sure that he got a room that had a lot of natural light. She'd heard he was an artist and she thought that was important for them.

She's got on a purple tee-shirt and a pair of pants, and her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail. Her daughter Rosalie was in a high chair, munching away on a snack of cheerios. Steven was up in his room with two dogs and his own cat, watering his plants. Elsie's cat was busy sunning himself in the kitchen window. "Alright baby girl, looks like we've got everything!" She'd beam at her daughter, "Excited to meet your Uncle?" Now there was just the waiting part, Michael should be here any minute!

One case, two case, three case, four...
Suitcases are hefted from the taxi trunk, rolled across the sidewalk and dragged one-handedly toward the door. This was going to take two trips; Michael wasn't moving anywhere without everything, and he's got a lot to carry with him. There's a blue duffel bag full of clothes on top of a plaid suitcase full of more clothes, clothes on his body and clothes packed in with DVDS and CDs. T-shirts are padding fragile tubes of toothpaste and paint, rolled up into brush holders and pencil holders. A tall black portfolio is coming with him, with the promise that a smaller paper one would come in the mail later. It's tied to yet another suitcase, this one with polka dots, that he's leaving on the curb while he deals with the others. There's a very 'Goodwill' sweater in some indistinguishable red-purple-burgundy shade gracing his shoulders, and otherwise his attire is all legs and jeans and battered sneakers, the toes crusted with every shade of gouache available, and a few that aren't. A pair of black plastic frames are creeping towards the end of his nose as he looks down.
In a few moments, Elsie was bound to hear the knock on the door, and when she opened it, the whole mess would be standing right outside. Hopefully her guest room has plenty of room to work. And natural lighting is a bonus.

Elsie beamed when she heard knocking on the door, "There is he!" She'd scoop up her daughter when the baby stretched her arms up, and headed to the door. She's opening the door with a welcome smile and a baby on her hip. "Hey there!" She's moving out of the way, "Come on in." She's moving to put Rosie in a play pen, and then she's going to help him get all his belongings inside. "Steven!!" She'd call up the stairs, before going back to Michael, "Steven will help you get your things upstairs, and I'll get started in on dinner." Elsie still seemed cheery, "I spoke to your Mom and asked what your favorite was, so that's what we're having." Her face fell slightly, "Er...unless you made other plans?"

Steven came down the stairs with his two monster dogs trailing behind him. The bigger of the two moved and put herself between Michael and Elsie while she sniffed at him. The smaller stayed nearer to Steven, almost behind him. "That's BeeDee." He'd point at the dog by Elsie, "And this is Yodel." He'd pat the dog nearest him on the head, "And I'm Steven!" He's moving closer to help Michael with his bags, "Come on, I know which one is yours."

"Oh, awesome-" Mom thinks of everything, doesn't she? "Nah. No plans." Not on the first night here. He was actually fairly anxious to get settled in, since that would be the weird part, wouldn't it? "Thanks." A lot. Really. He hadn't ever really met Raphael's wife before, obviously, so he hadn't been quite sure what to expect. But so far she seems nice. Thoughtful, anyway, since she's going to all the trouble to make food and clear out a room for him. He doesn't have too much time to dwell on it, though, since there's a kid coming, along with a couple of big dogs. He'd free up a hand for one to sniff, offering it a couple of seconds later, provided that it wasn't covered with slobber, to Steven before he takes off with the bags. "I'm Michael." No need for 'uncle', because that makes him feel oolllddd.
Phew! At least everyone here is friendly. Somehow he'd been a bit worried.

Steven would gesture behind him to Rosie, who was happy in her playpen, "That's Rosie. It'll be her birthday soon." Got that memorized Michael? BeeDee would give his hand a sniff and she'd let him pet her, but she wasn't entirely sure about him yet. She stayed downstairs with Elsie, while Yodel followed the boys. Steven's already carefully taking what bags he can up the steps. "We'll have to share a bathroom." Once they made it upstairs, Steven would point out the bathroom as they passed, before heading into a clean room done up in shades of blue. It had a full sized bed, and plenty of room for his stuff. "This is your room." Steven would carefully put the things he'd carried up down. "Do you need any help with unpacking?" Yodel would sit just outside his door, just keeping an eye on things. "You're not allergic to pets are you? We have two cats too."

Elsie would smile faintly as the boys went upstairs, and then she's back to to the kitchen. She'd scoot Rosie's playpen along, and BeeDee would lay down beside it while Elsie got started on dinner.

Michael's got that memorized! Sort of. Possibly. He might not remember the dogs' names right away. "Really? How old?" He's got to ask, because he's guessing one or two, but babies are strange and hard to put ages on. That, and he doesn't know if Elsie is the type to answer in months or years, though either would probably baffle him on some level. Regardless of that, Steven is carrying his lighter bags up the stairs, and Michael would follow shortly after, moving his things to the inside of the door. The room is bigger than he expected, which is a relief.
"Only if you feel like it. It's probably going to be a mess for a while," he admitted, but he wouldn't keep his nephew from helping if he wanted. And he'd shake his head for the allergies. "Nah. Pets are fine." As long as they don't chew on his work, or something.

Steven'd answer since he was the one that mentioned Rosie. "She'll be one. Mom wants to do a party but..." He was quiet for a minute, and then just didn't finish his sentence. "I can help...it'll go faster this way. You just gotta tell me what goes where." He'd look Michael over, "Should I call you...Uncle...?" Seemed a little weird to Steven!

Elsie's happily cooking away, and hoping that Michael likes what she's making. It wouldn't be the same as his Mom's, but she was trying to make him feel at home.

"You can just call me Michael, if you want." 'Uncle' would be weird for both of them, probably, especially since Michael wasn't that old. He'd gesture to one of the lighter bags Steven had carried up. "I think that one's mostly shirts and socks and stuff, so you can just dump it out into the dresser." Easy! No cancerous paint or anything that he'd have to worry about washing off or breathing in or blowing up. As he said it, he'd give him a bit of an awkward smile, hefting his portfolio up against whatever empty wall space he could. Then he'd pop open his suitcase and start making the place feel a little more like home. Sketchbooks and textbooks and books in general would stack up haphazardly by the bed. A few different pairs of boots and sneakers would stand in a short line, as would a few canisters of varying contents on whatever flat surface he saw first.

Steven would nod and he'd take the bag over to the dresser, sorting things out into the drawers instead of dumping them all into one. He's even folding things if they need to be folded. "Alright." He was fine with calling him Michael, calling him Uncle would be awkward because he didn't even call Rafe Dad. "Rafe's still at work." In case Michael was wondering where his brother was. "So...you're an artist?" He's just trying to make conversation, "You should look at the name painting on my door. It's pretty cool."

Elsie would be busy downstairs cooking up some dinner for the boys, and would probably keep herself busy between the food and Rosalie.

Michael lifted an eyebrow, maybe because he'd been expecting to hear 'Dad' and not 'Rafe'. He's not in a great place to question it, though, and it almost seems kind of mean to ask the kid about it. That might be a query better saved for Elsie, if he could think of a way to bring it up without it sounding awkward. Or hell, maybe Steven just called his dad by his first name for...some reason. Unless he was only Elsie's kid and not Rafe's, but he couldn't make a lot of sense of that. He didn't know the timeline of things. So, moving along with the conversation. "Yeah, I guess. I make stuff," he admitted. "You'll have to show me later." It's probably just a name painting, but maybe it's a really awesome name painting. You never know.

Draeval let a little pop of noise welcome him to the kitchen so he didn't completely scare the beejeebers out of Elsie, there was a faint orange light and then viola! A Draeval. Isn't that what you always wanted Els? Drae looked a lot like he usually did though now he was sporting unusually long hair. He was clean, but as always had that unkempt look. His eyes today were a lovely shade of orange butterscotch, and they shone against darkly tanned skin. Though he looked better since Egypt he still had that strong deep tan that didn't look like it came from the Nexxus.

He was wearing a pair of jeans and some cowboy boots, the top however was a button down that was open with a dark t-shirt underneath. An unusually casual look for Drae, which might remind Els of Alonzo if it wasn't for that distinctly "Drae" grin. ''ey dare, zmellz good.' Drae kept in touch with her about business of course, but he hadn't popped in in person in ages. But he was making rounds and since he no longer thought his brain would be splattered soon he found himself full of vigor again.

Steven would have no problem telling Michael why he called Rafe by his first name, but he wasn't asked. "Sure." Once he's done putting the clothes away, he'd stick the bag in the closet and then he'd wander to the door. "I've got to go finish watering my plants. If you need more help let me know. Later!" He'd give Michael a wave and unless he was stopped he's heading to his own room. He figured Michael would want some time to get settled anyway. He had when he first got here.

Elsie still gave a quiet shriek and BeeDee was up and between her and Draeval, her teeth showing before the light cleared and she saw it was Draeval. She'd wag her tail hard and she woofed before going to lean against him. Elsie was slowly relaxing, though she was still gripping a wooden spoon so hard that her knuckles were white. "I wasn't expecting you Draeval." She'd give him a little smile, "Is there a problem at work?" Why else would he be here?

Steven had heard her yell, and he was going down the stairs with Yodel at his heels, "Mom?! Are you okay?!" He'd skid into the kitchen with his dog behind him, only to spot Drae. Elsie would pipe in "Yeah sweetie, I'm fine." Rosalie was baby babbling and making grabby hands to be picked up, while Yodel had run smack into his Dad, while barking.

Michael wasn't going to stop Steven if his plants needed water that urgently, so he'd give the kid a light wave and a 'Thanks!' as he left, which would leave Michael in...a weird room. At least it was now partially populated with his stuff. There'd be a bit more jostling around while he unpacked a few more things to shove in available drawers, stack on flat surfaces. But then he was done, and he'd drift to the bed, sitting down and looking around.
This was going to take some getting used to.
A few minutes later, there'd be a bit of noise outside, and he'd scuttle to the door to peer out. He's being kind of sneaky, though. Doesn't know what he should get involved in, yet.

Draeval blinked for a moment when he was being snarled at and he slowly raised his hands, 'Ya'be trained 'er well.' But then he's getting rubbed and he smiled reaching down to fluff up BeeDee's coat. 'Zorry, I didn't mean ta zcare ya. I guezz iz been a w'ile zince I'be juz popped in, I'll u'...try ta keep da t'eatricz down a notc'.' Drae noticed the white knuckles and frowned again, 'Ya alrite? An nu, nu problem at work. Juz realized I needed to drop bai an zee eberyone.'

He grinned at Steven, ''ey! 'ow are ya?' And then he's getting rubbed on by his son and he'll chuckle before rubbing his ears as well.

Elsie'd bite her lip, "Knocking on the door is always an option." She wasn't really comfortable with people just appearing in her house anymore. She'd move back to work on the food she was making, "Ah. Been awhile since anybody just stopped by." To be honest, it made her a little angry. She'll keep her mouth shut and stir though.

Steven seems to have a different reaction though and he's all smiles with Draeval, "Hi!" BeeDee would back off and go lay down by Elsie's feet, but Yodel was practically jumping on his Dad. He hadn't seen him since he was a puppy. "Rafe's brother just moved in. His name is Michael." He's moving over to Rosalie to scoop her up before she started fussing too hard. She hid her face against Steven and kept peeking at Draeval. She didn't really know him, so it was natural that she was shy.

Michael didn't know who was here, so he spent a few seconds hovering in his doorway at the top of the stairs before he retreated back into the room. He didn't bother to close the door, and he thought he might have heard his name, but he wasn't involved at the moment.

Draeval blinked, 'O...I guezz zo.' He looked down, 'I kinda forget bout doorz.' He stopped knocking on the door for people once they realized what he was. Doors just weren't cool, popping in was cool. He nodded though at her statement, 'I kno it 'az far me far zure. I dun tink zorry iz da bezt ting ta zay...moztly becauze I tink ya 'ear it fram me ta muc'.'

Steven gave him a smile and an excited Hi! And Drae lit up, ''ey dare Zteben!' Though Yodel was leaping on him he kept the conversation with Steven between scritches of course. 'O...iz dat w'o I zmell?' He looked up and sniffed then shrugged before getting down to start baby talking his son in wolf. Which sounds surprisingly like dog.

Elsie's still busy cooking away, "I don't hear much from anyone lately." She might have asked more, but Draeval was talking to the dog and she felt ignored. She'd just shrug and go back to cooking.

Steven would be giving Drae a weird look, but he'd finally pipe up, "It's Rosalie's birthday soon. You're going to come to her party right?" At least Steven had been trying to get people to come, he'd always thought birthdays were supposed to be special and Rosie was having her first one!

Elsie'd chime in then, "Don't pester him Steven...if Rosie is calmed down can you set the table for me please?"

Draeval frowned, 'I'm zorry bout dat, I kno I 'aben't really 'eard fram anyone but Gabe lately. Eberyone elze I dun really zee anymore.' He sighed he didn't really see anyone else, he was still petting his son but his attention had returned to Elsie. 'I kinda got ztuck far a few mont'z in Egypt. Ya ztill enjoyin work?'

He paused when Steven talked about Rosa and smiled, 'I can't promize I'll make it, but I can try.' He gave him a smile and then looked back at Elsie, ''ard ta beliebe z'e'z gunna be one already...time fliez.'

The familiar sound of a powerful cycle--sleek and fast, not the rumble of a harley--announced his arrival. The Hornet, colored appropriately for its name, was probably an odd thing to see a businessman dismount from. Well, Rafe was a pretty shoddy businessman--at least he cleaned up well. Still, a five oclock shadow grizzled his face a bit and the wind-torn hair had totally stripped it of the rare sense of style he'd tried to tame it with. White collar jobs weren't really his thing, but with an expanding business, it was wise to put on a good face.

He walked in, sighing and glancing about. Having just missed the commotion, he all too casually strolled in, looking for Elsie, and passing through the kitchen to find a mountain dew (his hidden boxers matched!)

"Hey, babe." He smiled, heading over and... almost belatedly spotting Draeval. He looked tired--ironic, really, since physically speaking the job was less taxing than the rest of his life. It was more mental strain and uneasiness. He would have lost it if he didn't have Stacey. "Mm. Hey. Michael here yet?"