Pic-a-nic Basket (closed)

[Matthew Moreau]

Matthew couldn't believe he had been talked into a picnic. But Rhys was excited for the change of pace and he grudgingly admitted that they should probably take advantage of the good weather while it was here.

"So are you sure they'll be able to find us?" he asked, looking around uncertainly at the area. One tree looked just like the next, and there were people everywhere.

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys thought they were lucky the park was so empty. A few other groups were scattered around and there were runners every so often along the trails, but they had managed to get a rather large spot to themselves. "Yes, I told Dare the general area we'll be, and I'm sure they'll notice the giant blue blanket spread out on the grass," he said. He sat down the large basket and unfolded the blanket that had been attached to the top.

He was incredibly curious to interact with Michael in a more casual situation and couldn't help but wonder if the man would be more easy going out in the open with the twins around. He was also very interested in meeting Dare's dog, who he had heard about but hadn't had the opportunity to meet.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Elouai was leading the way, tongue lolling as she trotted as far ahead as Dare would let her. He had the leash wrapped around his wrist, though the black leather was lost against his arm warmers. He glanced aside at Michael and the twins, then looked ahead again, scanning the grass off the path they'd taken.

"You're not the spare broom, Keith," he said, fully aware that the man had dropped back yet again, as though he refused to have any fun. "Look, they're already here." He lifted a hand in greeting and picked up the pace.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael hadn't expected to go out with the group like this. He had never seen Matthew and Rhys in anything that could be considered a normal situation, though he realized he had only met Rhys once. It was good to get out with the twins and Elouai, it was something they hadn't done yet and he thought that it was probably a good thing to start doing.

[Keith Evans]

"Yeah, yeah, I know, you guys just look like the happy family and all that," Keith teased. He quickened his steps and made his way past Dare and Michael toward Matthew and Rhys. "Thanks Rhys. I wouldn't have been able to set something like this up." It really wasn't a complicated thing, it was just a picnic outing, but it was beyond Keith's expertise.

[Matthew Moreau]

If Matthew had anything to say to Rhys or Keith, it was overshadowed by the dog. "Rhys, we're getting a dog," he declared before walking up to Dare. Maybe this whole settling down thing was getting to him more than he had anticipated.

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No problem, Keith, it's good to get everyone together," he said, ignoring Matthew's excitement over the dog. He glanced over at Michael, since he had the twins this time. "Michael, this blanket's huge, the twins should be fine on it."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare shot a grin at Keith, then told Elouai to sit. She was overexcited and her tail moved hard enough that her butt was just skimming the grass, but it was a real attempt. He caught at the back of her collar to keep her steady. "There aren't many like her," he told Matthew.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael glanced over at Dare and Matthew before moving over to the blanket with Rhys and Keith. "Thank you, Dare said you actually like kids," he said. His eyes flickered over to Keith, amusement flitting through them as he remembered the empty threat of bringing the twins on New Years.

[Keith Evans]

"You two can enjoy the kids, no offense, Michael," Keith said, smiling, though he skirted the stroller. He didn't want to do anything wrong when it came to the babies, and he was so uncomfortable around kids that he just knew that if he spent more than a few minutes near them he would manage to send them crying or something.

[Matthew Moreau]

"Yeah? We had a dog when I was little, was an Irish Setter," Matthew said. He reached down to pet the dog, grinning at the dog's excitement. "I'll keep her occupied if you need me to," he offered. "Promise I won't steal her or anything."

[Rhys Moreau]

"Yeah, I do," Rhys said to Michael, then started helping the man with the twins, getting a section of the large blanket set up for them. He wanted the two to be safe, and though Matthew and Keith weren't comfortable with kids, Rhys had no doubt that the two would do just fine around the twins.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Just trying to get her calm before I let her loose," Dare told Matthew. "Only pet I've ever had, but she's awesome. Great with the twins and everything." Her ears perked at the word twins, and for a moment she looked past Matthew to the smallest members of her pack. Then her tail resumed thumping and Dare knelt with a chuckle. "All right, hold on," he told her, and reached for the clasp.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael was a little anxious when it came to letting Rhys help. No one had helped with the twins other than Gilda and family. It was strange seeing someone so eager to help and so seemingly happy with the prospect of helping. "It's nice to see someone that's interested in them," he said.

[Matthew Moreau]

"She's beautiful," Matthew said. He stepped to the side, unwilling to get between the dog and the twins if that was where she intended to go. "Where'd you get her at?" It was likely too soon to start looking for a dog when Rhys hadn't even decided to move in yet, but Matthew couldn't help thinking about it.