Cassidy*Johann

As late as it was, the Cafe was closed, but as a small silver truck pulled up into the lot and a beat up Bronco came in behind, no one would really take note of the occurrence. A family friendly sort of place, this was a common exchange point for divorced families trading off children. Two vehicles like that would go unnoticed as the gang members inside waited for James to arrive.

James, Lanny & Sheryl

Unable to drive with the casts he was forced to wear still, Sheryl had more or less become his source of transportation. The young couple soon pulled up in front of the silver truck and idled quietly before James stepped out, bracing himself on a pair of crutches as he hobbled towards the other vehicle. Even in his crippled state, the leader bore an ominous presence about him, like an aura of domineering strength and authority that out-shined the feeble looking walking aides and the casted-up leg.

With a glare that could kill, he made his way around to Cassidy's door and waited for the window to be rolled down. In the passenger's seat, Lanny had devolved back into a cruddy mood, which was telling in his brooding silence, and the way that he stared unseeingly out of the windows.

Cassidy*Johann

They did not have long to wait before the third vehicle pulled up, and knowing without being told what to do, Cassidy rolled down the window to give the gang leader free access to the truck, and to his brother, whom by his lethal look alone was in for a serious cussing. Johann had the sense not to interfere, though he'd watched James grow up and was not scared of the young pup. He'd been fighting and winning since before this kid was born, but so long as the older brother's plans did not harm Cassidy, Johann would not speak against him.

Cassidy had slowly watched the pouting look slowly regain its position on Lanny's face as they ate the miles steadily between the Downs and the Cafe, and now wa unsurprised that he had delved back into his foul silence. But she still had her alliance with the gang to protect, and so she said "James," and offered a nod in greeting.

James, Lanny & Sheryl

A single look was given to Cassidy in acknowledgement before it shot to his brother. Leaning forward with one hand braced one the door, he was leveling the younger Zelkovii an ugly glare that did little to help the heavy mood in the air, "Get out Lanny. We're going home."

Lanny reached for the door handle, but rather than pulled on it, his hand just rested there and he turned his glossy eyes to meet the deadly face staring him down, "You kno' this's bullshit, James. I c'n do wha' I want ta do, an' if I want'a drink and think abou' things, then I c'n damn well drink 'n think about things."

Refusal of orders from anyone else would have warranted punishment, but in credit to Jame's, he only sighed impatiently and growled, "You can 'drink soda and think about things' when we get back home, Lan. If you don't passout on the way back first. Now get out."

Cassidy*Johann

Cassidy was wordless as she let the two brothers have it out, seemingly not bothered by the fact that she was currently between them in the argument. Most people would have been distinctly uncomfortable, but Cassidy was used to it; it wasn't the first time she'd seemed to be in the middle of a Zelkovii argument, though she'd always remained neutral if it was a personal fight between them, as it was now.

So she remained wordless as she sat and listened to them debate it, feeling Johann's eyes on her from the Bronco and knowing that she'd have a helluva lot of explaining to do when the gang leaders left. Her emotions might have been under wraps to anybody else, but Johann had raised her from a child... she couldn't fool him.

James, Lanny & Sheryl

"Out. Now." Brotherly tolerance levels were wearing hair-thin, as made testament by the tenor of his harsh voice, that was usually so smooth and rich, "I swear, if I have to drag your drunk ass out, brother..." He let this open threat hang in the air, and it is what finally convinced the younger of the two to shove the door open and stagger out. He would have fallen over right there, if he hadn't made a lucky grab for the door again to brace himself. "Th'nks for th' ride, Cass." He said in his drunken slur, moving in a horribly unsteady gate and using the side of the truck as a balance as he ambled for the his brother's vehicle ahead, where Sheryl got out and helped him topple into the backseat.

James had no 'thanks' to offer Cassidy. His appreciation for rescuing his brother yet again was just a thing to be understood, without any verbal feedback. Gathering the crutches under his arms, he limped back to the vehicle as well, sliding into the passenger side.

Cassidy*Johann

Cassidy nodded evenly to Lanny's thanks and completely ignored the fact that James didn't thank her. She'd known them a long time, and knew all of his works... thanks just wasn't a word you used, among other gang members. It was always implied, but never spoken. So she didn't get her feelings hurt over it.

As they drove away, Johann got out of the Bronco, and though his face was as even as ever, the look in his eyes said he had a bone to pick with her. And that particular discussion was going to carry on far, far into the night.