Maes Hughes

Anonymous commenting is on, but that doesn't prevent Maes from standing behind you, taking pictures. Yeah. Don't look now, but there's a crazy guy with a camera running around back there. If you do make eye contact, be prepared - he has fourty-three new albums, chock full of Elysia pictures.

Your fault for looking. I guess we'll see you in a week, or three...

Hee. Anyways. Comments and critiques for my playing of Maes go here. Anon on, Screen up, IP logger off.

Edit: Whoops. Did it right on Carmen and Kenpachi, but apparently botched it with Maes. Now things really are screened, my apologies.

Character Relations Post is here. Feel free to comment with your character and find out what Maes thinks about them!

( Permissions )

[Maes is seated on his couch behind a coffee table. The table is full of what can be taken as books at first, but are actually photo albums.]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I would like to tell you about someone who just turned five. It is your greatest honor to have a chance to get to know the wonderful and adorable and perfect Elysia!

But of course, I wouldn't make such a claim without proof! And I have proof! Lots of it!

[He grabs the first photo album and opens it up to pie making. As he turns pages of photos he tells the story shown in them.]

I'm sure many of you remember when the apples came into season! The best use for apples ever is pie, and Elysia is a wonderful cook! She licks all of the spoons just right, and knows how to use measuring cups! Baby is a genius! Though sometimes we got flour everywhere. That didn't matter. We still made lots of pies.

[That album done, he puts it down and picks up the next.]

And then we had the beach event! That was fun! Here is Baby with sandcastles, and then--

[The PCD times out, long before Maes is ready for it to. In fact, he has no idea it's turned off, still talking into it and showing off pictures.]

[There are two plates on the table, empty, holding apple pie crumbs. One chair is empty. The other holds Elysia for only a moment before she’s scooped up by Daddy and held as if he’ll never let her go.]

I love you, Elysia. Daddy loves Baby so much. And I know you’re going to be the perfect young woman, and Uncle Roy will have to come over and beat the boys away from you with sticks or fire or something, and Daddy will be proud. I will always be proud of you.

[He holds her tight, opening his eyes to look at the clock. Which ticks past midnight. Maes stares at it, looks down at Elysia, and looks back at the clock. It ticks into another minute while he keeps holding her, nothing new.]

…Again. Daddy gets his time with Baby made longer again. DADDY WINS!

[Maes spins around, holding Elysia, grinning from ear to ear.]

DADDY WINS AND SO DOES BABY!



[[ooc: This occurs, as in the post, at midnight. It's a little early in-game.]

[Maes seems distracted and very low on energy. The smile on his face is gentle, but definitely not at the normal Maes level of cheer.]

The food's been dangerous today. Is everyone all right and inside? Let me know if anyone needs rescue from the rolling food. I can help, I'm sure.

Baby, this is almost over, and then we'll take a walk and go play in the park, all right?

( Private//Unhackable to Roy, Kakashi )

Guess what's finally getting ripe? The apples! The orchard at [x,y] has plenty of apples
for the picking. I'm making cider and hoping that apple pies might somehow appear as well. And then there will be apple sauce, and jelly, and... I think I like being a farmer. It's almost as fun as being a Daddy.

Roy, have I told you how fantastic you are? Have I also mentioned my idea about fixing up the building behind the house so we have a few more rooms? We could probably use a hand.


[Private//Unhackable to the House of Love and Pictures]

Who wants to come with Daddy to the orchard to pick some of the best apples? Baby? Love?

[/End private]

[Private//Unhackable to Roy]

So Al said something about taking a look at your things that he was bringing over. May I?

[/End private]

[Private//Unhackable to Kakashi]

Roy's requested a glance at our dossier. Is that all right by you?

[/End private]

[The PCD is at a weird angle, jutting from a pocket, as the carrier approaches a door and knocks. Sasuke opens the door.]

Sasuke!

[It’s Maes’ voice, and thus Maes’ PCD.]

The Daddy Train is here!

[Sasuke looks surprised, or maybe just unimpressed, and then Maes is bending over, scooping Sasuke up and putting him over one shoulder. There’s a glimpse of white further in the house, and Maes steps in, ignoring cursing and flying feet.]

Hitsugaya! You’re here too! Perfect!

[Without hesitation Maes scoops up Hitsugaya as well, over the other shoulder, and heads out the door, closing it with his foot. Hitsugaya demands to be put down and Sasuke is still cursing. They’re both beating on him, but Maes is humming happily as he heads for the picnic. The PCD times out after he gives a merry “Choo choo!”]


[[ooc: And the log is up, here!]]

[Maes is beaming, like usual. He's in his greenhouse, carefully picking tomatoes.]

If the calendar lines up right, summer's over. Fall's here, and that should mean picnics! So! I suggest a picnic! There are a lot of us here, and I'm sure if everyone brought something, we'd have quite the feast indeed!

We'll host it, my wife and I, and Miss Trisha if she would care to help as well! Um, Gracia, love, we're hosting a picnic. By the way.

I'm betting we'll need one, too. We had an extra week break from events, so we might want to be prepared for something a little more hard-hitting.

A week from Tuesday, let's picnic! And in the nice orchard at [x,y].

I ask that people who want to cause trouble please not come.

Oh, and Roy? I wanted to talk to you about something, when you've got a moment!

[He turns his attention to a ladybug on one of the plants, gently nudging it off the tomato before he picks it. Then he blinks, reaches back, and turns off the PCD.]

[Maes beams into the camera.]

Some of you are having a hard time in the heat. That's because you have nothing to distract you from how hot it is. But I have JUST THE THING!

[He holds up a giant photo album. The joy in his face should be warning enough for people to run away.]

Now, these are older, but I figure they can help out.

[Opening it, up, Maes starts with pictures of newborn Elysia. These are the pictures he'd gotten for Christmas, the ones there's no risk to show.]

This is my little bundle of perfection at just one week old! Look at her little scrunched-up nose! And those tiny fingers! And here's one five minutes later with her peeking through her eyelashes! And here's one a few seconds later with her eyes closed again! And--

[The PCD times out, much sooner than Maes wanted it to.]

[Maes is humming happily as he digs through drawers, pulling a few things out and setting them in a box. He's got weird bruises, as if a whole cabinet of plastic cups decided to jump up and down on him, but he's in a very good mood anyways. He stands up, kisses the picture of his family that's sitting on the dresser, and half skips as he grabs the PCD and brings it out to the living room with him.

He hasn't noticed that it's on.

After poking around in the box a little more, he nods.]

Gracia! Daddy's going to do his little project now! He'll be back for dinner with Mommy and Baby!

[Maes reaches for the PCD, this time noticing it's on. He beams into it.]

Well, this works! Miss Elric, Juke, shall we?

[He fiddles with the PCD for a moment. It appears to turn off.]
[Private to Dr. Horrible//Unhackable]

Billy, I would like to speak to you, when you have a chance.

[End Private to Billy]
[Private to Alphonse//Unhackable]

Al, I need to know more about Envy, please.

[End Private to Alphonse]

Don't know, know... Glass. Roy, why are there more glasses? How much did you have? How much... Were supposed to help me, not, not make room spin.

Water. I've got water somewhere. Da--rn it. At least I tucked baby in. Might get her out of, out of the house. But I have her back. I'll keep, keep her safe. I can. I will.

Gnh. Where's Alex? Oh. Right. Gone. All gone, all go...

We're here. We don't have a choice about being here. But! We still have choices! We can make what we want out of this world, be ourselves, let our lives develop in a different direction! It's not all gloom and doom! Especially when it's so sunshiney out!

So I was wondering - what do you all want to make of this place? You can do anything. You can grow and sell cabbages, you can try to take over the world, you could even spend your days doing the hokeypokey!

We all have something we want. I want more film. I thought I had some more rolls left. I might have to search Roy's room. But more than that, I want my daughter to be safe and happy! What about everyone else?

Oh, and Roy? There's a part of the greenhouse I can't fix. If you wanted to give me a hand, I'd appreciate it! Or Al or Ed... either of you boys could help! And if Fuhrer King Bradley the Kitten could stop hiding things in my shoes, life would be perfect!

Does Maes want to adopt your character? Is he suspicious? Comment here to find out and jump into the bandwagon with me!

Feel free to add your character in, even if this looks complete. I would like to keep it up to date.

( DADDY LOVES THE CITY. Well, most of it. )

We all seem to be in good shape, so guess what? It's gardening time! I have seeds, the greenhouse is prepared, and I have cookies and punch, too! No one is ever too old for cookies and punch!

I think this could be a good reason for us to pull together a bit more, too. Everyone needs food. The greenhouse can help all of us! The coordinates are [x,y] and I hope to see you there!


[[ooc: The log is here!]]

I was wondering if people would be interested in a planting with me? This would be, of course, after the partiers are recovered from Kevin's event. But it's a good time to get things into the ground, and my greenhouse is prepared.

I found turnip seeds! As well as carrot seed, and a few other things.

And the best part will be when the tomato plants go into the ground in the shape of perfection, my daughter's face! Daddy will have the best greenhouse ever!


( [Private to Kakashi//Unhackable] )
( [Private to Al//Unhackable] )

If any of the healers are available before the next event hits, I was wondering if they would mind taking the time to neuter Fuhrer King Brad-- I mean... my cat. Hey, Roy? I think I need new name ideas for my cat...

[Private to Kakashi//Unhackable]

I believe I've figured out Dr. Horrible's motives, the reason he does what he does. But I don't see him as an active threat. I don't think at this time he would kill anyone; the triggers just aren't present. At the same time, though, he's not all friendly and nice.

Other suspects deserve closer observation, but we can't overlook Billy.

You know, I might not be the one to talk, since I'm not affected by this, but I think some of the reactions I've been seeing are a bit extreme.

Those are other peoples' bodies you're in. You would want yours treated with respect and care, so why wouldn't you do the same with theirs? And I don't think anyone would appreciate their body being insulted.

We're each of us unique. That's not a bad thing! Now, none of you could ever be as perfect as my adorable daughter, but that doesn't mean you can't strive and try anyways! We could use this to draw together more instead of pulling farther apart. And then more people could meet my precious bundle of joy!

[It's picture-spam, Maes-style. If you access the post, you will be flooded by Elysia and Gracia pictures until you manage to close the post.]

It's real. Roy is gone. The house isn't empty, though, I've got my precious daughter here too! But...

It was nice to see him once more. And now he can get on with becoming Fuhrer King. Just like the my kitten. Without being cute and fluffy.

The boy is gone too, isn't he. The little one who never had a chance for a childhood. I wonder sometimes at whom the Animus choose to bring and who they send back.

At least the event is over and everyone appears to be home again, and uninjured. Home is a relative term, of course. We should have a week or so of peace, I hope. Have people found cherry trees yet? The blossoms are lovely, but they make wonderful fruit for wonderful pies, too!

Ahem. Now for some important business: TOMORROW IS THE BIRTHDAY OF A VERY SPECIAL YOUNG MAN - AL! EVERYONE WISH HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I wish I had pictures of him as a little boy.

My daughter is BACK! ELYSIA IS HERE. The house feels so happy again. I have the most precious daughter, here in my house, back with me! I get more hugs!

Ahem.

It seems people are missing, though. I can't be certain, but the network seems more quiet and people are missing others. We didn't get an announcement about this. Have they gone home? Is it just a natural disappearance? I don't follow why so many would disappear at once. Looking around reveals nothing out of the ordinary.

If anyone has any information on the disappearances, please let me know. That includes names. I'd like to see if there's some sort of pattern to it.

AND! If anyone wants to be visited by the best little bundle of joy in all of the universes, they can let me know too! We make house calls!

[Maes slips a knife up his sleeve and follows it with another.]

Roy? Roy, if you're here, I'm heading out. I'm giving Al a hand. I'll be back later! And there are lasagna leftovers in the fridge!

[He glances at the PCD.]

On again? Maybe I should leave you that way. Maybe a recording can show me more of what's going on.

[Maes scoops up his PCD and heads out the door at a jog. He runs into a pretty major storm that bends his umbrella backwards. With a sigh, he flips it back and keeps moving, looking around the city. Seeing a large creature down one street, he switches directions and heads down another road. He stops, looking around.]

What was --

[A blue light surrounds him, and he freezes, not moving.]