Sand and Snow

"Michael has to name everybody," Angus said. "Its a reference to my hair, I do believe. I think it is an occupational hazard with him." He looked over to Dakota who was following Max behind the sofa again, and Abbey was following her. "Oh here we go. A parade," he sighed. "Don't let 'em get stuck back there, Max," Angus said.

He sat down on the sofa and opened the deck of cards and shuffled. "You in, Steven? Matchstick poker. " He dealt the cards quickly and handed them a few matchsticks to use as "money" for the game. Snidely picked up his cards and arranged them quickly and turned two back in to Angus.

"Hat rack's in for two," Angus said, exchanging the two unwanted cards to the hatrack. Snidely arranged the two new cards in his hand. "You two okay with your cards or do you want to exchange any?" he asked.

"Not a problem," Angus said. "Dealer takes three." He exchanged three of his cards for fresh ones and reorganized his hand. He picked up a matchstick and tossed it into the center. "Ante in, everyone."

Snidely tossed in a matchstick.

"Michael," Angus called. "Can I come and get us a couple of beers, Mate?"

"Come in and get out," MIchael replied. Angus laughed.

"Beer or soda?" he asked them. Snidely nodded at the mention of beer. "You don't drink beer. You're at hat rack." Snidely somehow seemed immensely disappointed that he did not drink beer.

"Does your hatrack drink beer?" Angus called back.

"Don't give him any," Michael said. "He's a miserable drunkard when he does drink it." Angus looked at the hatrack who somehow appeared to be scowling in Michael's direction.

"Alright," Angus went into the kitchen and got out two sodas and two beers. He gave Steven one of the beers, kept one for himself, and gave Snidely and Cassidy the sodas. He returned to the game. As the game progressed, Angus thought that Cassidy was learning quickly. The matches seemed to be fairly evenly split. He was pleased.

Around noon, Michael served some excellent looking paninis. He'd made them with smoked turkey and gouda cheese, sweet onion, roasted red bell pepper and some sort of wonderful tangy viniagrett dressing, all heated in a panini press until they were melted and toasty. He had put some simple fresh fruit alongside. He simply delivered them by sending them out, floating two upstairs for Brian and Khaat and floating the rest into the living room to the others. Including a smaller one for Snidely, which Michael questioned whether the hall tree would eat. It was merely a treat for him. Nothing more.

He tossed out a couple of socks for Otto and Felice.

Brian woke Khaat when lunch arrived. She felt better when she woke, and she was able to eat. Brian was glad to see her eat, and he knew how much she loved Michael's cooking. Once Khaat had eaten, she got up. Her chill was gone. She felt like she was going to fight a cold, but that was minor. And if it were caught early enough, she might avoid it. She figured she'd ask her father when he got there tonight. She went into the bathroom washed up and refreshed herself. Then she dressed. She simply picked jeans and a simple pink hoodie and a pair of socks. She wasn't planning on going outside.

By the time she was dressed, Brian had refreshed himself too. He sent the dishes back downstairs. "Shall we go downstairs?" he asked.

"Please?" she asked quietly.

"Khaat, just one thing. Stop running. It was only a misunderstanding. Come to me before you run. You're not alone anymore. You have me. Just come ask."

"I will try," she agreed.

"That's all I ask. Come on. Let's go downstairs." They went downstairs together, finding a poker game in process. Otto and Snidely scampered over to see Khaat excitedly.

"It's good to see you too," she said, petting Otto and hugging Snidely.

"Don't break up the game just because I'm here," Khaat said.

"We were just keeping the furniture out of trouble," Angus laughed.

"Where are the girls?" she asked.

"Behind the couch with the cats," Angus laughed. He got up to go check on them. Both girls were playing with a couple of catnip mice. "Hey," he called. "You two really do have toys. Max, stop teaching them to be cats. They're not cats. Come here and see Mama, you two." He accio'd the girls from behind the sofa. They were delighted to be floating through the air, and Angus caught them easily. Khaat sat down on the sofa and Angus delivered them to her. They began excitedly babbling and trying to talk to her.

"I'll get them some juice. It is time for that anyway," Angus said. "If Michael lets me."

"He will," Khaat laughed.