Isaac opened the door.
"Natalie!" he greeted cheerfully. "I hope you're all prepared for cooking dinner tonight."
Natalie poked her tongue out at him.
"Well, that's a fine way to greet me."
"Oh, sorry. Hi Natalie."
"Much better."
"So, what are we having for dinner?"
"Nothing if you don't let me in the door."
"Oh, yeah," Isaac grinned and let her in.
"I hope you haven't run poor Taylor ragged."
"Eh, he had nothing else to do."
Taylor
"In his eyes anyway," Taylor's eyebrows rose as he leant against the doorway into the livingroom.
"Hey Nat."
Natalie and Isaac
"Hi Tay," Natalie replied.
"Well, enlighten me," Isaac said. "If I hadn't come up with some creative things for you to do, like polishing my shoes, what would you have done with all your time? Moped around about being trapped in the house?"
Taylor
"Partly," Taylor shrugged.
"Or I could have actually worked on something."
Natalie and Isaac
"Okay, well, I'm going to cut in right now," Natalie said. "And move into the living room with Taylor and get started on his treatment."
She gave Isaac a stern look.
"I sincerely hope that you haven't made Taylor so unhappy this part week that you've undone my good work. Too much tension is bad."
Isaac took Natalie bag from her.
"I'll put this in your room. And I hope I haven't done that."
"Good. Thank you."
Taylor
Taylor spared him a glance before indicating for Natalie to follow him into the livingroom.
He already had some snacks and drinks waiting, so he collapsed into the couch and waited for her.
Natalie
Natalie followed Taylor into the living room.
"So, how's the week been?" she asked, sitting down next to him. "Been surviving?"
Taylor
"Oh yeah, brlliant," Taylor rolled his eyes, holding his hand out.
"We got a visit from Leroy the day after you left to top it off. And the day after I sent Dorian to try and wipe the photos from Ike's camera which didn't go down so well."
Natalie
Natalie frowned.
"Leroy?" she inquired. "As in Leroy Brown? Or another one? And I take it that Ike caught Dorian?"
Taylor
"Yes and yes - Leroy Brown, the man himself," Taylor sighed, eyes to the ceiling.
"He wanted to know why I wouldn't turn Chris in. He's still in Tulsa too, he said he'd stay in case I changed my mind."
Natalie
"Hmm. He must really want to bring him in."
Natalie wasn't really sure what to make of that.
"Why'd you send Dorian in? I'm sure Ike plans on deleting the photos like he said he would. Why burden yourself with additional stress?"
Taylor
"He's always wanted to bring Chris in. Sometimes I just think it's some sort of revenge thing," Taylor shrugged.
"And I just... wanted those photos gone. I have better things to worry about, you know."
Natalie
"I'd prefer it if you tried not to worry about anything," Natalie replied. "But if you have to worry, the photos were not something to be concerned about. Isaac might be a rascal, but he's dependable, and trustworthy. I haven't even known him that long and I know that. But then I did fix him after that nervous breakdown, so..."
She shrugged.
"You want to get started?"
Taylor
"Ready and waiting," Taylor replied, wriggling his fingers.
"And it's not so much Ike I'm worried about, it's Zac."
Natalie
"Ahh," Natalie nodded, taking Taylor's hand. "But unless one of us three tell him, he's not going to find out. What? You think Zac would stoop so low as to go through Isaac's stuff when he comes over her for band practice or something?"
Taylor
"I wouldn't put it past him," Taylor pulled a face.
"But I'm more worried about Ike letting it slip."
Then he hesitated and cringed.
"Zac's coming over tomorrow."
Natalie
"Ahh," Natalie nodded. "I see. Well, all the more reason why you need to stop worrying - Zac might figure out from your own behaviour that you're hiding something, and that may trigger probing questions. Or snooping."
Taylor
Taylor hesitated at that, then nodded.
"Good point," he mumbled.
"At least I know I can hide it if need be."
Natalie
"Good," Natalie replied. "And I'm sure you'll be happy to know that this weeks anxiety only had such a minor impact on you it's not worth mentioning. Except that I did. Eh, oh well. You know what I mean."
She grinned at him.
Taylor
Taylor chuckled.
"Well at least that's one less thing to add to my problems," he shrugged.
Natalie
Natalie smiled.
"It's all proceeding quite nicely. Thought you might like to know."
Taylor
Taylor pursed his lips, considering.
"Do you know how long it's going to take then?" he asked hopefully.
Natalie
"Hmm... at least another month. Two, maybe. Three at the outset," Natalie replied. "Why, you want to get rid of me?"
She gave him a wink to show she was joking.
Taylor
"Two months? That's it?" Taylor's eyes lit up.
"Wow. Everyone thought it'd take a lot longer... though I guess Tanya's treatments will."
Natalie
Natalie grinned, delighted at seeing the happiness on Taylor's face.
"Well, like I said when we began, I had no idea how long it would take. I'm still not one hundred percent certain, but that would be a good guideline. The less damage there is, the more I can heal in a session. So every week there's less damage, so progress just gets faster and faster. Actually this has been a really good learning experience for me - I wasn't aware before that amount of damage effects how fast I heal. Which is a good thing, because it could have been much longer."
Taylor
"Amazing," Taylor said under his breath.
"Well at least you know if it ever comes up again."
Natalie
"True," Natalie replied. "But I hope it never does. I don't want to see anyone go through this much torment again."
She gave his hand a squeeze.
Taylor
"Well hopefully it won't," Taylor shrugged.
"But if it does, you know. There's always a chance, if only a remote one."
Natalie
"Yeah..." Natalie replied.
She was quiet then, not really sure what to say next.
Taylor
"So have you gone for that second interview yet?" Taylor asked.
Natalie
"Yep," Natalie replied. "I think I did okay. They're going to get back to me, again, so at the moment I have no idea what the result of it is."
Taylor
"Well... what were the vibes when you went in this time?" Taylor asked curiously.
"Did it feel positive? Were they summing you up too much? Were they laid back?"
Natalie
"Hmm..." Natalie considered. "I think it was definitely more positive this time. Last it was a bit more 'by route', like they were bored because they'd been doing it all day. This time was more relaxed."
Taylor
"Then I'd say the odds were in your favour this time," Taylor smiled encouragingly.
"How long do you have until you find out what's going on?"
Natalie
Natalie shrugged.
"Not sure. Depends on how many interviews they have to do, I suppose. A week, maybe two?"
Taylor
"I doubt they'd leave you hanging too long," Taylor insisted.
"I'd say a week at the most."
He squeezed her hand a little.
"You're not the only one who's going to be impatient by that stage."
Natalie
"Oh?" Natalie asked with a small smile on her face. "Who else is going to be impatient?"
She batted her eyelids at him.
Taylor
"Well everyone else going for jobs there for a start," Taylor chuckled.
"Not to mention their families or whoever else they've burdened with 'what if's."
Natalie
"Well, there is that," Natalie replied. "I guess some people are going to end up disapointed - especially if they ended up with a second interview, because getting called for a second is always encouraging."
Taylor
"Unfortunately," Taylor shrugged.
"Also, is this somthing you really want? Or was it something on the side?"
Natalie
Natalie looked at him in surprise.
"Well, umm... I do enjoy it. But as for what I really want? I have no idea," she admitted. "I'm still trying to figure that out."
Taylor
Taylor nodded to himself.
"If you haven't found some sort of passion in this yet, then it's probably not the course you're going to eventually take," he shrugged.
"But who am I to say... You might find what you really want through the experience somehow."
Natalie
"Well, sitting around on my butt all day accomplishes nothing, and I certainly have no chance of figuring out what I want that way," Natalie replied. "Although, having said that, I do do volunteer work occasionally. Unfortunately, that doesn't exactly pay the bills. Well, I don't have any bills at the moment, but I can't expect my parents to look after me forever."
Taylor
"Don't get me wrong, I understand," Taylor insisted.
"I'm just a little surprised that you're yet to find solace in something."
Natalie
Natalie smiled.
"Not all people are lucky enough to know where they want to go from childhood," she said mildly.
Taylor
"You know," Taylor's eyebrows rose, "I have a feeling we've already had this discussion."
He chuckled.
"Sorry."
Natalie
"It's okay," Natalie chuckled. "I appreciate that you're concerned about me doing something I'm passionate about. It's obvious that you want people to be doing things they enjoy."
Taylor
"I do," Taylor agreed, "I really do."
He scratched his head awkwardly, feeling very on-the-spot.
"I don't really see a point to a life without passion," he admitted.
Natalie
Natalie nodded.
"That's because you're very passionate," she said. "Probably you always have been, it's an essential part of being a good musician, I think."
Taylor
"Maybe."
He hesitated, mulling that over.
"Thanks," he said finally, before preparng to change the subject.
"Spoken to Kate recently?"
Natalie
"Yeah, she's good," Natalie replied. "She's been hanging around with Frankie and Rachel lately, working on that mutant movie of his."
Taylor
Taylor nodded.
"I haven't spoken to Frankie in ages. I think Zac still keeps in constant touch with him though."
Natalie
Natalie nodded.
"Cool," she said. "Actually what I find amusing is that I've never actually met him myself, but I know all these people who do. I figure sooner or later I am actually going to meet the guy."
Taylor
"I think he was at the new years party when I met you," Taylor frowned for a moment.
"Maybe. I didn't really talk to anyone."
Natalie
"Really? Maybe I missed him," Natalie replied.
She grinned at Taylor.
"You spoke to me," she said jubilantly.
Taylor
His eyebrows rose.
"That I did," he smiled.
"I think you and Kate were the only ones I spoke to that night. Apart from Tad and Zac obviously."
He couldn't help but scowl at the mention of Tad.
Natalie
"Oooh, so I was one of the privalged few," Natalie said.
She rubbed her thumb over Taylor's hand.
"Forget about Tad. He has no part in your life any more."
Taylor
"Gladly," Taylor mumbled.
"But if I ever saw him on the street I don't know if I'd be able to resist the urge to punch him in the mouth."
Natalie
Natalie chuckled.
"I think it would be funny if it turned out he had a teenage daughter who was a fan. Imagine that - coming home and seeing Hanson posters all over his daughters room."
Taylor
Taylor couldn't help but chuckle.
"He does have kids," he shrugged, "but I don't know anything about them. For all we know he could."
He hesitated, then smiled.
"Revenge without even trying. I like it."
Natalie
Natalie grinned back.
"Yeah. Of course, the sad part is that you may never know if it's actually the case or not. But you can still pretend."
Taylor
"I'm sure if it is we'll be some of the first to find out," Taylor smirked.
"I don't think he'd be able to help himself."
Then he frowned.
"Of course then he could just make it worse for us by giving her a phone number or address or something."
Natalie
"Well," said Natalie, "I suppose he could. But were I in his shoes, I think I'd be more interested in disuading my daughter from being a fan. Of course, we all know how well that works with teenagers."
She giggled evilly.
Taylor
Taylor couldn't help but look at her.
"Did your parents try to dissuade you?" he asked curiously.
Natalie
"Not from you guys," Natalie admitted. "A couple of other bands though, that I've grown out of on my own. I went through this heavy metal stage for a couple of years. Can't stand the stuff now."
Taylor
"There's nothing wrong with heavy metal," Taylor insisted, slightly teasing.
"Maybe you're just looking in the wrong place or for the wrong kind of stuff."
Natalie
"I never said there was anything wrong with it," Natalie replied. "I said I grew out of it. There's a differnce."
Natalie nodded.
Taylor
"Well then that would mean you're implying that I haven't," Taylor resisted poking her.
"And I have alot of friends into it as well. Into making it, actually."
Natalie
"Well, that's cool," Natalie said. "If you enjoy heavy metal, by all means enjoy it. I wouldn't stop, nor belittle your enjoyment of it. Okay, it's like a nice pair of jeans - just because you might grow out of 'em doesn't mean they won't fit someone else."
Taylor
Taylor smirked.
"Fair enough. And far be it for me to question your taste in music."
Natalie
"Yeah," Natalie agreed. "Given that Hanson is on my list of favourite bands."
She grinned at him.
Taylor
"I didn't particularly mean that," Taylor shifted uneasily.
"I mean anyone's taste, really. Everyone has personal preference."
Natalie
"Well, there's that too," Natalie nodded. "So, what's your deep dark, musical taste secret? You like Veggie Tales? Which, by the way, is nothing to be ashamed of because the Veggie Tales rock."
Taylor
Taylor raised an eyebrow.
"Well at first I would question whether they actually counted a band and therefore, as music," he considered, "but I don't think I have anything to be embarrassed about."
Natalie
"Okay, so maybe they're not techincally a band, but you can't deny that they're musical," Natalie replied. "And they's so funny. And cute. Maybe one day I'll bring over my copy of the 'Ultimate Silly Song Countdown' and make you watch it with me."
She nodded enthusiastically with a big silly grin on her face.
Taylor
"Maybe," Taylor yawned, quickly covering his mouth.
He looked up at the clock.
"Almost done," he noticed, "do know what you're going to do tonight?"
Natalie
"Yep, I'm going to expose you both to the wonders of two minute noodles," Natalie joked. "No only kidding, although I was seriously considering it. I'm going to make ravioli."
Taylor
"Nice," Taylor nodded.
"I haven't made that in ages."
Then he remembered something.
"I should have brought the fuzzles out," he realised.
Natalie
"Aww, that's okay," Natalie replied.
She checked the clock and started slowing down the healing process.
"We can hang out with them later."
Taylor
"Sure," Taylor agreed.
"After lunch even. Which I had better get to making soon..."
Natalie
"Yay," Natalie grinned. "Been making lunch all week, huh? Or is that nothing new?"
She looked at him inquiringly.
Taylor
"Both actually," Taylor sighed.
"I'll be glad tomorrow when it's over."
Natalie
Natalie, the shut down porcess now over, moved her hand away.
"Aww, well, feel free to order him around a bit afterwards. It'll do him good."
Taylor
"Oh don't think I won't," Taylor chuckled.
"He won't be on his high horse for long, I can tell you that."
Natalie
"Hmph, high horse has nothing to do with it," Natalie replied. "It keeps him sane. Obviously, Ike's been used to being the dependable one that everyone goes to for help, something that results in him making some tough decisions. If you start ordering him around a bit - not enough to cause trouble, mind you, you're giving him the illusion that the decision making belongs to someone else, and he needs that to keep him sane when the problems come that you really need him for. It's a whole subconcious thing going that I only pick up on because of my power."
Taylor
Taylor gave her a weird look.
"You really are not able to pin point the line between truth and a joke with me yet, are you?" he asked almost sadly, shaking his head.
"I wouldn't put him down on that scale. It was half my fault he had the mental breakdown in the first place."
Then, realising what he'd admitted to, he stood from the couch and silently made his way into the kitchen to start working on the lunch.
Natalie
Natalie pulled a face. Oops. Sometimes it too her awhile to move from the serious track to the silly one.
She stood and followed Taylor into the kitchen, and leant on the bench out of Taylor's way.
"I'm sure that Ike doesn't blame you one smidge," she said.
Taylor
"Well he doesn't exactly have anyone else to blame," Taylor pointed out, almost sarcastically as he began clanging some pots around.
"And as much as I'd like to elaborate, we don't need him eavesdropping."
Natalie
Natalie chewed her lip and decided a change of subject was in order. Obviously it was a sensitive subject.
"So, umm," she said. "What do you think of, ahh... stuff. I think stuff is good."
Taylor
Taylor hesitated, before looking up at her and chuckling.
"Nice try," his eyebrows rose.
"But that doesn't happen easily in this household. Or family for that matter. The change of subject, that is. I'm going to be sore for a while so just ignore me."
Natalie
"I'm sorry," Natalie said meekly. "I didn't mean to make you upset."
She looked down at the bench, as if inspecting the texture of the surface.
Taylor
"I know you didn't," Taylor assured.
"We all make mistakes. Some much greater than others."
He lost himself in a staring spell at the oven for a moment, before snapping back to reality in time to stir the food.
Natalie and Isaac
Natalie chewed her lip again, and went about tracing patterns on the bench. All so fascinating. Right, yeah, sure.
It was about then that Isaac walked in. He took note of what they were doing, and raised his eyebrows.
"Right... did I just walk in on a lovers quarrel or something?" he inquired, half teasing, "because I can leave and come back later..."
Taylor
"We're just bored," Taylor covered for them.
"I'm surprised you came out. Book not working for you?"
Natalie and Isaac
"Actually I was doing some research," Isaac replied.
"On what?" Natalie asked.
"Powers. It's been rather interesting. I'm getting all sorts of ideas for stories, it's that interesting."
"Really? Like what?"
"Well, there are some Ultra Rare powers that we only know about because they appear in our records from before the crash," Isaac replied. "If it weren't for those records, we wouldn't even know they existed."
Taylor
"Like Guffery's?" Taylor suggested as he went about his work with his back to them.
"Have you looked up much on genetics yet?"
Natalie and Isaac
"It's come up in conjunction with a couple of powers, like mircokinesis, but other than that, no. I've been focusing my studies on the powers themselves," Isaac replied.
"Microkinesis?" Natalie asked. "Never heard of it."
"Well, it's an uncommon one, but I only know one guy who has it," Isaac replied. "His name's Mitchel. He's the brother of a friend of mine. There's a list of them on the YIRAAS website though. They don't really participate in the Kinetic Shooting Galeries, because their power works on the celular level, so yeah..."
"Hence microkinesis, I suppose."
"Yeah."
Taylor
"Have you heard from him lately?" Taylor looked up suddenly.
"I don't think I've spoken to him since... Lord, the tournament two years ago or something."
Natalie and Isaac
"My goodness," Isaac exclaimed. "I had totally forgotten about that..."
Natalie giggled.
"We totally met before I met Yvette last year. He runs a pet shop and has been doing the tournament routes for years. Until he moved to the station anyway. I'm such an idiot."
"Well, I'm sure he doesn't remember you all that well either," she said.
"Yes, because I'm not the slightest bit memorable."
"Nope, you're easily forgotton."
"Thanks a lot."
Natalie giggled.
Taylor
Taylor chuckled.
"Half the people that go through the doors in those places barely remember me anyway," he shrugged, "but it doesn't mean I don't remember them."
Natalie and Isaac
"Ooh, you used to do meet and greeting at the tournament entrances, huh?" Natalie said. "I remember the first time I saw you there after you guys went big... I freaked out and made Mum take me in through another entrance."
Isaac laughed.
"Umm, did I just admit too much?"
Taylor
Taylor was laughing as well.
"Well you wouldn't have been the only one," he pointed out.
"Though I'd much rather that than some of what I had to put up with. I think Sheldon used to hate me for it. Either because I was getting all the attention, or because he had to take care of the more... enthusiastic ones."
Natalie and Isaac
"Well, there was something a little nerve wracking about seeing a member of your favourite band doing a mundane task as greeting at the door. It's like, if I weren't a member of YIRAAS, there's no way I'd ever be so close to a Hanson," Natalie said.
"And to think," Isaac mused. "If you had stopped to chat, we may not have had to wait until Zac's New Year's Party to meet you."
"Well, I did go through Taylor's entrance a couple of times over the years," Natalie replied. "But it was mostly, y'know, hello, good bye, y'know?"
Taylor
"If that," Taylor shrugged.
"When it gets to rush hour I generally can only focus on those that don't speak English."
Natalie and Isaac
"There you see," Natalie grinned at Isaac. "Becoming friends with you guys is not as easy as you make out."
"No, becoming friends is easy. Catching us at a good time to have a decent conversation is hard," Isaac replied.
Natalie laughed.
Taylor
"That's ture," Taylor pointed out.
"Generally we just are too busy to give anyone the time of day. Kind of sad, but what can you do."
Natalie and Isaac
"Check your watch more often," Isaac joked.
"Silly," Natalie grinned.
"By the way, how's lunch coming, oh brother mine?"
Taylor
"Almost done," Taylor replied, "a few more minutes maybe. I should have been timing it."
Natalie and Isaac
"Marvellous," Isaac nodded.
"Smells great, Tay," Natalie added. "Would you like me to get out plates or something for you?"
Taylor
"That'd be helpful, thanks," he said pointedly.
"Maybe sort out the drinks?"
Natalie and Isaac
"Okay," Natalie replied.
She zipped over to the fridge.
"Okay what would everyone like? Oh wait... let me guess. Dr Pepper."
Isaac chuckled.
Taylor
"Good for me," Taylor shrugged.
He turned the stove off, getting some bowls out himself before beginning to dish up the chicken mornay.
Natalie and Isaac
"Okay, two Dr Peppers, and something that actually tastes good for me," Natalie replied, pulling out the orange juice as well.
"Hey, Dr Pepper tastes good too," Isaac objected.
"Oh course it does, if you like cough medicine."
"You've said that before."
"It bares repeating."
Taylor
"I don't see why everyone hates it," Taylor shook his head, fetching cutlery before putting the dirty dishes in the sink.
"Taste's fine to me."
He put a bowl in front of Isaac, before pushing Natalie's across the bench and settling down with his beside it.
Natalie and Isaac
Natalie opened her mouth, and Isaac held up his hand.
"If you say it tastes like cough medicine one more time..."
"Truth hurts, huh?"
"There are words for people like you."
"Such as?"
"Umm, woman?"
Natalie snorted and started eating. Isaac chuckled.
Taylor
"No comeback for that one, we might have to use it more often," Taylor chuckled.
"Kidding. I promise. Maybe."
Natalie and Isaac
Isaac chuckled.
"I like it."
Natalie went to poke out her tongue at them, but ended up showing some of her chewed up food as well.
"Aww, Nat, that's gross," Isaac said. "We've taught you well."
Taylor
Taylor chuckled, playing with his food.
"And yet we still have all night to go," he pointed out.
Natalie and Isaac
Natalie swallowed.
"I can see I'm not going to get out of being friends with you guys unscathed."
"You'd want to stop being friends with us?" Isaac inquired between mouthfuls. "I feel hurt."
"I couldn't think of another way of phrasing how you guys can change anyone's lives."
Taylor
"Gee, thanks," Taylor laughed.
"You realise it was only Ike that said that, right?"
Natalie and Isaac
"Oh, I'll sure you'll teach me some bad habits too," Natalie joked.
"You'll probably get the worst of them from Zac," Isaac nodded sagely.
"Heaven forbid."
Taylor
"At least she doesn't have to spend much time with him then," Taylor pointed out.
"Only on the odd occasion he comes over on a Tuesday, which practically never happens."
Natalie and Isaac
"True. Except for the odd band practice. Actually that's the main reason Zac comes over," Isaac said.
"Speaking of which, how's the new album recording going?" Natalie asked.
"Well, we got the new equipment yesterday. We just need to get everything set up and then we can start recording some good stuff."
"Cool."
Taylor
"Finally," Taylor rolled his eyes.
"It's about time we actually had something to give out. Even if we are forced to do it all online or something and I can't have anything to do with it. Prerecording a song and then sending it out isn't exactly contact with the media."
Natalie and Isaac
"This is true," Natalie nodded. "Plus, there's nothing stopping Ike or Zac from talking."
"Yeah," Isaac grinned. "Zac and I have it all figured out. If anyone asks why Taylor isn't talking to the media, or whatever, we're going to say that he's in the bathroom."
"What? Every time?"
"Yep."
Natalie gave Isaac a weird look.
"Umm, right..."
"Yeah... it'll become our ongoing joke," Isaac nodded. "It'll be funny."
Taylor
"Imagine the rumours that are going to start," Taylor chuckled.
"They'll probably think you guys have thrown me out of the band and just not admitted it."
Natalie and Isaac
"Except that we'll be able to hear your voice on the record," Natalie pointed out.
"I kinda like the idea of all the conspiracy theories starting," Isaac nodded. "It'll be fun. Plus when Taylor's house arrest is lifted we can just tell everyone it was a marketting ploy."
Natalie laughed.
Taylor
"I bet there'll be a few interesting ways for me to have died," Taylor began thoughtfully.
"Then people will have 'sightings'. Some might think I've eloped or something. The Dath and Sem fans might think I've gone to live on the station, though I suppose people are going to see me up there anyway once a month..."
Natalie and Isaac
"This is gonna be fun," Isaac nodded.
Natalie grinned.
"Well, at least you guys are planning on having fun with this," she said. "Otherwise you could ende up rather down in the dumps about it."
"Yeah, been there, done that. Not much fun. This is much more entertaining."
Taylor
"It is," Taylor agreed.
"And heck, we need the entertainment. What else do you think? Some might say I eloped. Stole some money and ran away with it. Or maybe I never really existed in the first place and was just some robot or something that malfunctioned."
He chuckled.
Natalie and Isaac
"I think Taylor's going to get more enjoyment out of this than Zac and I will," Isaac mused. "And Zac came up with the idea."
Natalie chuckled.
"Well, better enjoyment than embarrassment at you two telling everyone that he's in the bathroom all them time."
"Oh, yeah. Zac plans on making comments about having a bad case on constipation. Or dihorrea. Whichever tickles his fancy at the time."
Taylor
Taylor grinned.
"Of course he'll only do it because he knows I can't retaliate," he said.
"Yet."
Natalie and Isaac
"I sense interesting times ahead," Natalie nodded, amused.
Isaac grinned.
"Oh, yes," he agreed. "Very interesting times. In fact, I'm itching to get started. We need to get Zac over here soon so we can start recording."
Taylor
"I am too," Taylor agreed.
"It has been way too long. Way too long."
Natalie and Isaac
"On behalf of Hanson fans everywhere, I agree," Natalie said.
Isaac chuckled.
"Well," he said. "If that was lunch, I've had it. Now, if you'll both excuse me, I have a study on the wonders of the power Stealth to study. I think I'll send the results to Julie when I'm done."
He stood and noticed the blank expression on Natalie's face.
"Julie is one of Zac's, ahem, former partners - she had twins to him."
"Oh!"
"And the twins both have Steath. Which is a fun little rare power to have."
"I see."
Taylor
"It was interesting when their powers were merging," Taylor nodded, mainly to himself.
"But I for one haven't really seen them since then."
He stood from the table and took his and Isaac's bowls.
"Are you done?" he asked Natalie.
Natalie and Isaac
Isaac departed as Natalie nodded.
"I'm good thanks. Lunch was yummy," she said, appreciatively.
Taylor
Taylor took her bowl as well and headed for the kitchen with a smile.
"Thanks," he said.
"Though it'll be your turn to take over the kitchen soon. Want me to show you around now?"
Natalie
"Sure," Natalie replied. "I haven't gotten the grand tour yet."
She got out of her seat and headed over to Taylor.
Taylor
"Ok, well..." Taylor paused as he put the dishes on the sink.
"As you can see, microwave, stove, dishwasher, sink, yada yada. Food cupboard here," he opened it, "cutlery in this draw, there's a bin in here somewhere... ah ha! There it is. Under the sink is just all cleaning stuff. Bowls and plates are up here. Glasses too if you want a drink, you're welcome to whatever's in the fridge unless it's the last of its kind. Umm... towels... spices and stuff... and that's about it I think."
Natalie
Natalie grinned.
"It's a very nice kitchen," she said. "Surprisingly clean, given that two bachelors live here."
She winked at him so he'd know she was teasing.
Taylor
"Well, umm..." Taylor was lost for words for a moment.
"I'd like to say it's always like this of course, but Ike did have me cleaning up the house. I do generally like to keep it tidy though."
Natalie
Natalie chuckled.
"So not surprised," she said. "Okay, so what room next?"
She gotten this sudden urge to link arms with Taylor, and did so.
Taylor
Taylor chuckled incredulously.
"I just meant the kitchen, but ok..."
He led her from the room.
"Well you know the living room, and through that way, the music room..." he pointed out.
"You've seen basically everything else. Down the hall there's the four bedrooms, bathroom, laundry..."
Natalie
She nodded.
"Nifty," Natalie said. "Hey, can we go play with the fuzzles? If that's okay..."
Taylor
"Sure," Taylor's face brightened at the idea.
He led her to his room and opened the door for her.
"They should be up and about by now."
Natalie
"Oh goody," Natalie replied.
She stepped inside the room, looking out eagerly for the fuzzles, partly so she could play, and partly so she didn't accidently tread on them.
Taylor
Taylor close dthe door behind them, and made his way over to the little family. Flavian was in the drawer, whereas Meena was out keeping an eye on the cubs.
"The cubs are almost full grown now," Taylor realised, "it seems like just yesterday they were an inch tall."
Natalie
"Cool," Natalie sat down on the floor. "Aww, they're so cute. Okay I know I say that every time, but they are."
She admired the pretty balls of fur and tentatively reached a hand towards them.
Taylor
Taylor watched her carefully, noting she was being cautious."
"There's nothing to worry about," he insisted, reaching down to pick up Mya.
He set her on his shoulder, but she started trying to get into his hair like she used to when she was smaller.
"If you don't tire them out they'll certainly tire you," he chuckled, indicating what she was doing.
Natalie
Natalie chuckled.
"Hi," she said, reaching out to pat Dorian. "How are you?"
Taylor
Taylor hesitated, before reaching out to pick him up.
"Catch," he instructed, before jolting Dorian a little into the air with a grin.
The fuzzle squealed.
Natalie
Natalie gasped an exclaimation, but managed to catch Dorian in her hands. She paused a moment, then smiled at the fuzzle.
"Was that fun? Do you like flying through the air, huh?"
Taylor
"Not quite as much as his brother, but hey. Boys will be boys," Taylor shrugged, picking up Xanthe.
He began rolling her around in his hand after checking to make sure she hadn't just eaten.
Natalie
"Okay," Natalie chuckled.
She scratched Dorian's head, and then giggled as he started racing up her arm.
Taylor
"Tickles, doesn't it?" Taylor smiled.
He scratched Xanthe a little as she recovered from being dizzy.
Natalie
"Yes," Natalie replied, still giggling.
Dorian found his way onto Natalie's shoulder, and from there discovered her hair-covered back of neck.
Taylor
"Careful, or you might never get him out," Taylor warned, at the same time wondering how he was going to get Mya out of his hair.
He began to feel kind of glad they'd grown bigger, and thus couldn't get tangled as easy.
Natalie
Natalie reached around and tried to get a hold of Dorian, who seemed to perceive this as another game.
"I think he's playing hide and seek with my hand," she giggled, wriggling around a little as Dorian moved around.
Taylor
Taylor chuckled, when he saw and heard what Dorian was doing.
"Yes, he is," he agreed.
"And he's enjoying it too."
Natalie
"Hmm, so not surprised," Natalie replied, but she was smiling.
Her hand and fingers worked away trying to catch Dorian as he worked his way through her hair. It wouldn't have been so bad if she didn't have so much of it.
Taylor
"Here," Taylor offered, reaching over to her before progressing in fuzzle.
"Dorian?" he got the fuzzle's attention, "if you get too far in you'll get stuck. And then... you won't be out in time for dinner. Do you want dinner tonight?"
He heard the fuzzle sulk a little, before attempting to back out.
"You're not in trouble, just come out," Taylor insisted.
Natalie
"Ah ha!" Natalie said, her fingers curling gently around him, "got you."
She moved her hand around so she could see Dorian.
"Is there another game you want to play that doesn't involve getting tangled in my hair?"
Taylor
Taylor translated for her, and Dorian started swaying as he tried to think of something.
Eventually, he toddled over to the nest of toys they had in a corner, and began pushing out a small ball with a bell in it. Taylor chuckled, before reaching over to help him push it over to Natalie.
"He likes to play fetch with it," he explained, "just don't send him too far, he can't push it for long."
Natalie
Natalie smiled.
"Thank you Tay," she said.
She picked up the ball and tossed it a short distance away for Dorian to chase after it.
Taylor
Taylor smiled again, before Xanthe began taking an interest in what Dorian was doing.
She waddled over and attempted to help him with the ball, but he insisted he didn't need her.
Taylor leant over to the toy pile, and pulled out something on a string.
"Xanthe?" he got her attention, before letting her jump to try and catch the bauble he held above her head.
Natalie
Soon Dorian pushed the ball back. Natalie lifted it again.
"Very good," she said. "Ready?"
Dorian bounced a little in acknowledgement, and Natalie tossed the ball again.
Taylor
"That should wear him out," Taylor chuckled, his eye on Flavian and Meena for a moment.
Flavian had barely moved.
"But they should be having naps soon anyway."
Natalie
Natalie grinned.
"Okay, cool," she said.
Dorian pushed the ball back and Natalie scratched his head.
Taylor
Taylor leant over to pet Flavian a little before he saw Xanthe yawn.
"Oh yeah, definitely time for naps," he decided, picking her up and putting her in the drawer with her parents.
Then he began attempting to get Mya out of his hair, who'd fallen asleep against the warm of his neck already.
Natalie
Natalie reached over and picked up Dorian. She slipped him carefully into the drawer as well.
"Nighty-night," she said. "Thank you for playing with me."
Taylor
When Taylor finaly managed to untangle Mya, he placed her in the draw with the rest of them and stood up.
"So... let's go see what Ike's doing," Taylor offered.
"Or we could watch a movie or something?"
Natalie
"Okay," Natalie said. "Sounds good to me."
She stood and followed Taylor out of the room.