Max snorts powdered sugar all over his front at that last remark. Lick the windows. A wolf would, wouldn't they?
Even Josiah gives a light chuckle. "Funny you should call it that. Because I was just coming to give you a few reminders. Remember what I've taught you so far, keep your ears and eyes open. Stay aware of your surroundings. I've got no reason to think this outing won't go smoothly, but you learn to expect to be surprised. So, just keep that guard up."
"Josiah," Max whines, "It's a shopping mall, not the front lines."
The vampire's gaze doesn't leave Matthew. The two have been training for some time now. Josiah has a lot of respect for the werewolf's diligence, and the focus he's put on those lessons. This is his first test in the real world. Josiah is expecting good things from his best student.
Matthew meets Josiah's gaze quietly, nodding slowly, taking the reminder for what it is. He's here to protect Max, as he's been trained to do.
"Eyes, ears and nose open. Good watch pattern, check glass and mirrors for what's going on behind. I remember, and I won't let you down, no matter what."
Even as he speaks, he's grabbing a paper towel for Max to dust the powdered sugar off with.
"That's right." Josiah's usually stern expression lifts into a look of pride. "I know you won't."
As Max is reaching to gratefully receive the offered napkin, Erik makes his entrance. Now the gang is all here.
"Are we nearly ready?" he asks, amber eyes scanning the donut-making operation. "You can take those to go can't you?"
"Yeah," Max answers. He shuts off the fryer and begins cleaning up some of the mess. "We can do that. I'm excited to head out anyway."
"Okay. Just make sure to stay in sight at all times, Max," chides Josiah, "No getting distracted and wandering away or it'll be you who ends up on the leash."
"Yeah, yeah," Max sticks his tongue out.
Josiah snorts and plucks up one more of the raspberry pastries before he turns and saunters back out of the kitchen. Erik takes up a position leaning against the doorway now as if to replace him.
"I think our friend Josiah may be a little anxious over the fact that I told him I'd be driving today," Erik comments. "I told him if he doesn't let me do it every now and then I'm going to forget how." He winks at Matthew.
"You mean like me?" Max said, not looking up from his work putting away the fryer.
Matthew grins at Erik. "I have absolute faith in your ability to drive, Master. Even if it's been a bit since you've had the opportunity."
It does mean, though, that Josiah will have more attention to notice the antics in the back seat. Because occasionally, Max and Matthew are just goofy together while Josiah's driving. So today, they'll need to actually sort of kind of pretend to be on their good behavior.
Matthew walks over toward Erik, like the good dog looking for petting. "Though if you're coming with, we'll have to work doubly hard to keep presents a surprise."
"Good answer Matthew," says Erik. Look out Max, he's gunning for your spot as favorite Pet.
The vampire master reaches out and strokes his hand over Matthew's head, nails digging into his scalp softly. It's a gesture that's become so natural, he barely needs to think about.
He chuckles to himself. "As if you or Max could keep anything secret from me in my own house? But do not worry, it is the gesture I appreciate just as much. And I will try not to snoop."
Max comes up next to Matthew, to-go sack in hand, and stares longingly at Erik's other hand like a jealous puppy. So the vampire starts petting him too.
Look at them, thinks Erik fondly, his beautiful (mostly well-behaved) pets. They are his pride. And he is pleased to see them both looking so happy today.
"All right," he tells them with a playful pat to the backs of their heads, "To the car. Go."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-12 06:00 am (UTC)Even Josiah gives a light chuckle. "Funny you should call it that. Because I was just coming to give you a few reminders. Remember what I've taught you so far, keep your ears and eyes open. Stay aware of your surroundings. I've got no reason to think this outing won't go smoothly, but you learn to expect to be surprised. So, just keep that guard up."
"Josiah," Max whines, "It's a shopping mall, not the front lines."
The vampire's gaze doesn't leave Matthew. The two have been training for some time now. Josiah has a lot of respect for the werewolf's diligence, and the focus he's put on those lessons. This is his first test in the real world. Josiah is expecting good things from his best student.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-27 04:10 pm (UTC)"Eyes, ears and nose open. Good watch pattern, check glass and mirrors for what's going on behind. I remember, and I won't let you down, no matter what."
Even as he speaks, he's grabbing a paper towel for Max to dust the powdered sugar off with.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-01 02:56 am (UTC)As Max is reaching to gratefully receive the offered napkin, Erik makes his entrance. Now the gang is all here.
"Are we nearly ready?" he asks, amber eyes scanning the donut-making operation. "You can take those to go can't you?"
"Yeah," Max answers. He shuts off the fryer and begins cleaning up some of the mess. "We can do that. I'm excited to head out anyway."
"Okay. Just make sure to stay in sight at all times, Max," chides Josiah, "No getting distracted and wandering away or it'll be you who ends up on the leash."
"Yeah, yeah," Max sticks his tongue out.
Josiah snorts and plucks up one more of the raspberry pastries before he turns and saunters back out of the kitchen. Erik takes up a position leaning against the doorway now as if to replace him.
"I think our friend Josiah may be a little anxious over the fact that I told him I'd be driving today," Erik comments. "I told him if he doesn't let me do it every now and then I'm going to forget how." He winks at Matthew.
"You mean like me?" Max said, not looking up from his work putting away the fryer.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-09 04:12 pm (UTC)It does mean, though, that Josiah will have more attention to notice the antics in the back seat. Because occasionally, Max and Matthew are just goofy together while Josiah's driving. So today, they'll need to actually sort of kind of pretend to be on their good behavior.
Matthew walks over toward Erik, like the good dog looking for petting. "Though if you're coming with, we'll have to work doubly hard to keep presents a surprise."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-12 02:54 pm (UTC)The vampire master reaches out and strokes his hand over Matthew's head, nails digging into his scalp softly. It's a gesture that's become so natural, he barely needs to think about.
He chuckles to himself. "As if you or Max could keep anything secret from me in my own house? But do not worry, it is the gesture I appreciate just as much. And I will try not to snoop."
Max comes up next to Matthew, to-go sack in hand, and stares longingly at Erik's other hand like a jealous puppy. So the vampire starts petting him too.
Look at them, thinks Erik fondly, his beautiful (mostly well-behaved) pets. They are his pride. And he is pleased to see them both looking so happy today.
"All right," he tells them with a playful pat to the backs of their heads, "To the car. Go."