Leah continues to make a show of struggling but, given her training, doesn't seem to be trying too hard to free herself. That is until Nathan finds a particularly ticklish spot when he prods her sides, causing another loud squeal to escape amidst her giggles as she twists and contorts her body in a fruitless attempt at escaping the pokes. At the very least she managed to get her tippy toes back on solid ground. "O-... okay!" she
#Leah'sHouse – January 24, 2021
shouts amidst her laughter, nose scrunching up as the fluffy pom of her hat bops her in it. "Truce! Truce!" she exclaims, her free hand reaching for the thumb of Nathan's hand that's wrapped around her in preparation of her counter attack, should it be needed. A little playful flirting is one thing, but once you target a person's ticklish spot? You're asking for war. "So help me you better accept this truce
or you're going to regret it, Nate!" she shouts, her threat perhaps undercut a bit by the jovial laughter pouring from her.
Mendez snorts loudly, looking from Frank to the pair of idiots before giving a shake of his head. Still, the small upturn at the corner of his mouth betrays his grumpy nature.
Francois is, ultimately, unable to resist the infectious laughter, shoulders bouncing as Leah gives Nathan an ultimatum.
Tara scrunches up her nose as she's struck by the wrapping paper projectile, gaze darting to Sofia as she speaks before being almost immediately being brought back to the ridiculous scene in front of her as Leah squeals and flails. Her eyebrows furrow, face in a puzzled half-grimace as she watches, clearly not sure how to react.
Nathan cackles evilly, his attack yielding the desired results to the point where he could come close to declaring victory in this battle. That is right up until, between her bouts of laughter, she grasps his thumb. He clenches his teeth, knowing enough from various self defence schools and vids to fear the thumb grasp. Perhaps this knowledge is the only thing stopping him from continuing this vicious attack. "Okay, a
temporary truce!" He laughs, giving her midriff a quick squeeze before he sets her down on the ground. "But only because you asked so nicely."
Sofia snickers, unable to help but enjoy the concern that Tara is showing towards the sickening display before them. Sofia can't help but wonder if the poor girl will ever get used to this kind of thing.
Leah is still all giggles by the time she's released and she quickly hops back a step out of his reach as if in preparation for any trickery, dimples prominently on display from the dumb grin on her face. "Temporary truce..." she agrees, narrowed eyes studying him with exaggerated scepticism. Even while just playing around, years of training bleed through. She's bouncing on the ball of her right foot which is set back behind
Nathan affords her a cheeky wink, but he holds his hands up, palms turned outward towards her in an indication of peace. He perks an eyebrow up as his eyes flick down to her somewhat combat ready stance. A low chuckle escapes him and, just for added safety, takes a single step back too. "You gonna give the actual recipient their gift or is this going to be the shortest truce in history?" He wiggles still raised fingers
Sofia takes back her position on the chair, sans one cushion now and smirks a little. "Sorry, Francois, should've asked before I threw that," she says to their host, an innocent smile on her face. "But I also want the dummkopf to actually open his present from me too."
Francois gives a small raise of his hand to Sofia to indicate that no apology is necessary, big smile on his face. "I'm only upset that you beat me to it." he jokes.
Mendez manages to catch sight of Tara's confusion, which is more than enough to draw the smirk out of him again.
Leah gives a little roll of her eyes, tilting her head to one side in an attempt at sending some attitude Nathan's way in response to his sarcasm. But, before she has a chance to respond, a rogue cushion pelts Nathan in the side of the head. Her green eyes turn the size of saucers and she quickly brings a hand up to her mouth to try and (unsuccessfully) hold back a rather unflattering snort. When it finally subsides a big, smug
grin remains in its wake. For a moment, she merely studies him, that fond look returning to her face. "You're lucky that I like you." she warns through an uncontrollable smile as she closes the gap between her and Nathan. She rises up on her tippy toes and, for a moment, it looks as if she's going to kiss him. But that illusion is quickly shattered as she brings her free hand up and flicks him right on the tip of the nose,
Tara blinks as Nathan takes a cushion to the face, tracing it to Sofia with the exchange that follows between her and Francois, a tiny, amused grin briefly flashing across her lips before she catches herself and pushes it down.
Nathan picks up the pillow and is preparing himself to sling it straight back at his traitor of a sister before he is interrupted by Leah tip toeing towards him. He smiles down to her, leaning a little closer to her. Then he is struck again. "Bah! Hnng... I'm really feeling the love from you all tonight," he says dryly, but the smile is there on his face. He goes to take his place back on the floor, waggling the cushion
Sofia giggles at Francois' response, rewarding him with an approving thumbs up. Ganging up on her brother always wins brownie points with her. She manages to catch Tara's grin from the corner of her eye and meets it with one of her own. Eventually, she returns her focus back to her brother and merely points at the still wrapped gift besides him and presents him with a flick of her middle finger.
Nathan tuts and takes up the gift in his hands. The extra bows prove to be a challenge, especially given how tightly they were tied. After some grumbling and a few moments of yanking, he manages to remove the bows and unwrap the paper. The small, carboard box is simplistic, nothing special. But when he opens it and looks inside, his expression softens and his eyes crease up with his smile. He lifts the silvered picture
frame from the box and looks at the incredibly old photo nestled inside. A family photo from many years ago. His mother and father, his two older sisters stood in their dress blues after graduation, Sophia at the front with a sparkling smile and finally Nathan himself, nestled amongst them all with a dopey grin on his face. It's an old photo. But a treasured one. He looks to his sister with a grateful smile, no
Francois snickers as he gains Sofia's approval. As Leah and Nathan return to the group, he shoots the former a brief look, unable to contain the small, gentle smile.
Leah meets her father's eyes for only a moment before dipping her head low and busying herself by adjusting the brim of her Christmas hat that was disrupted during her battle with Nathan. She knows that look. It's a look that may not be intended to inspire embarrassment, but it does all the same. That knowing, fatherly look. The one that tries to say 'I'm happy to see you happy' but inadvertantly reveals that he knows just how
much all of this means to her. She doesn't rejoin Nathan. Instead, she takes a seat in front of Tara, the small box resting in her lap for now as Nathan opens his gift. When she catches the look on his face, she furrows her brow, gaze turning to the item in his hand. Craning her neck, she attempts to catch a glimpse of the photo.
Mendez continues to nurse his beer in silence, one hand planted against the floor to keep himself propped up.
Tara looks a little surprised when Leah sits down in front of her, gaze inevitably darting to the box in her lap for a brief moment, a hint of curiosity on her face. Is it for her?
Nathan looks towards Leah and smiles. He settles the picture back into its box and mouths to her, "Later." He nods towards Tara instead and simply watches as the last gift is due to be given.
Leah gains a sheepish look as she's caught trying to catch a glimpse at the picture, but she offers Nathan a small smile. Her gaze shifts back to Tara, smile growing a bit brighter. "I guess that means there's only one present left, huh?" she asks, eyes turning from Tara to the box in her lap. She studies the box in silence for a moment before lifting it up and extending it towards Tara. As with the other gifts, it is immaculately
wrapped. Not a flap of paper out of place. The snowman that decorates the paper- with his tophat and corncob pipe- is significantly more fancy than the ones they built outside. A small card on the wrapping paper contains Leah's crisp handwriting. From: Leah Mercier - To: Tara Mercier. It's simple, but it's a deliberate message, even if Tara may not realize it. Leah draws in a breath as she watches Tara in silence, waiting for
Francois sits forward in his seat a bit, perhaps giving away that he had something to do with the planning of this one.
Tara hesitates a little before accepting the box, eyebrows furrowing as she carefully looks at the card. Her fingertips brush along the words, and she recognizes Leah's name, and her own, but what follows it makes her pause, unsure what to make of it. Her gaze darts up to Leah's face briefly before she starts to open the gift, just as carefully as the rest.