[center][h3][color=honeydew]RIVER DITTMAR[/color][/h3] [img]http://i.imgur.com/TgOLDqA.gif[/img][/center] [hr] For once, River was on time. It came as a surprise even to him - really, you don't expect the guy always asking for loans (and never paying them off), a place to stay (and never cleaning up after himself), or even a meal (which he barely ever finishes) to get to the airport first, but maybe it was the state of his grandparents' home that made him speed out the door. He'd tried to wait for his sisters, he really did, but they were slow as hell in getting up for classes, so he just ran out the door before they'd awoken for breakfast. The only person he managed to get a farewell in for was his father, who seemed pretty out of it this early in the morning (or, for him, late in the night), so River wasn't even entirely sure Dittmar Sr. knew where his son would be. Hopefully his grandmothers would be so generous as to inform the old drunk - those two were the only ones he was really comfortable with bragging about his friends to. [color=honeydew][i]"Lena, Beth, my friends are getting married, y'know, they're like my[/i] best [i]friends, y'know,"[/i][/color] Oh, sure, that's great, dear. [color=honeydew][i]"Been dating since, like, high school, y'know."[/i][/color] Very romantic, honey. [color=honeydew][i]"The wedding's in Vegas, I'll be gone for a week!"[/i][/color] Cue the freak out. They didn't like the idea of the only active source of income leaving home. In any case, he did, at around eight in the morning. He knew the others would give him hell for riding to the airport on his dumb old bike, but he didn't have a lot of options, so instead River called the taxi company to come for him. He chatted up the driver for a while, some mid-thirties man who looked pretty annoyed with all the talking. [color=honeydew][b]"Hey, y'know, I'm headed to Vegas."[/b][/color] [b]"Saw the luggage."[/b] [color=honeydew][b]"Oh, yeah, for a week. Friends are getting married."[/b][/color] When he earned a response of nothing more than a low grunt, River screwed up his face, scrutinizing the driver. [color=honeydew][b]"Are you like an Uber? Do you have coffee in here?"[/b][/color] The entire ride to the airport was basically like that, and River seemed to grow progressively more obnoxious. By the end of it, his dismal chauffeur was begging him to get his things and go, and River still hadn't gotten his damn coffee. As hyperactive as he could be, even Riv wasn't able to keep his eyes open at this time - not so early for most, but he usually woke up around noon, so this was wildly out of character. He almost resented [i]Dominoe[/i] for their flight time decision. In spite of that, he was in the building by half past nine. Navigating through piles of confused tourists and irritated security wasn't very difficult. River was sort of a beanpole, taller than 98% of those he passed, and they moved easily out of the way for his massive silhouette; by the time he was nearing the glass that encased the waiting room, he'd left an empty trail behind him, marking the path he'd taken there. All of the belongings he'd chosen to take along were in a backpack strung over his shoulders, and he self-consciously tugged the straps so that the bag was pressed against him - he was only just now realising this would be his first time away from home, or at least this far. He'd gone to a friend's house across the city once when he was younger, maybe, but even then River grew a little antsy. Agitated already, he wisped through the door, scanning the faces for anyone familiar: aha! There's the happy couple. He really was on time, then. The first one here, in fact, apart from Miss Perfectionist and Mister Profound. River was just raising his head to nod and call out to them when the silhouette of a certain little pixie came into view. Downtown, traffic, blah-blah-blah, River could barely focus on Tish. He just wanted to see the in-flight services. Ever the childish spirit, he was praying for one of those little televisions attached to the seats and maybe an offer of coffee or tea - not like he could bring one beyond this secure point. He was, however, suspicious of the sensation of eyes on him, and turned around to find a source, only to discover that it was just Tish everyone was paying attention to. She certainly was an interesting contrast to the rest of the room. While others were in their most comfortable attire (which, for the most part, consisted of plain pyjamas), Tish was over here with her punk rocker-chic style and flawless makeup - that included the shitton of tattoos. River was just a little more lowkey, especially today when he was trying his hardest not to embarrass poor Chloe. That girl, bless her soul, was like a mother to him. Riv wondered if that made Dominic his [i]dad[/i], and then realised he could work in a pun about Dom being Dad-minic (as lame as it was), and then was grossed out by the thought of ol' stoic nerd Dominic playing such a role. He wrote it off quickly. Next was the bouncing and flouncing hair of Paige, which got a special mention because as she arrived River really couldn't catch a glance of her actual face (seriously, did she have some extra-strength conditioner?), but the very loud announcement was enough to clue him in on her entrance. He smiled to himself, watching the sisterly display, and wondered exactly how they might've grown so close. His own relationship with his sisters was a little rocky. He cared, sure, but couldn't recall a time where he was as excited to see them as Paige was now for Chloe. River's gentle half-smile grew to a full, teeth-and-all grin as Paige addressed the rest of them, and he laughed enthusiastically in response. [color=honeydew][b]"Is it sad that I've never been this excited before?"[/b][/color] Rhetorical, of course, but it was a little bittersweet. Mocking his own inquiry, River tilted his head to the side like he was weighing his memories, before turning to watch the show that was Jean. Shirtless. Of course. River crossed his arms over his own chest, tucking his hands beneath his armpits, like he was trying to hide the fact that he wasn't nearly as well-built. [color=honeydew][b]"[i]Salut,[/i]"[/b][/color] he muttered indignantly in response, his rather Americanized pronunciation of the greeting a good enough sign that he didn't know a lick of French. It occurred to him that something in Jean's demeanour and how absolutely clueless the guy seemed for now might mean he wasn't aware of his... informal dress. River shot a look around the group, as if to say, [i]should we tell him?[/i] and then at the security that appeared to be eyeing Jean suspiciously. Definitely not good. He looked dubiously down at his coat, knowing he was likely the best bet for a similar size to Jean - Dominic was way too thin, too, but River was at least slightly taller. If Oberon was here, they might have better chances, but... Since his coat was already too big, anyway, River removed his backpack and then the coat, moving forward to wrap it around Jean. [color=honeydew][b]"In case ya didn't know, pal, you can't come in half-nude to the airport. Not polite, or something. But look, your good ol' buddyroo River brought you a coat."[/b][/color] He was adjusting the fabric, smiling sheepishly at security, as he spoke, like he was trying to fend off confrontation. Truth be told, he kind of was. Not to linger on the subject, he turned to the rest of the group, clapping his hands together resolutely. His gaze landed directly on the nearly-newlyweds and stayed there for a moment, like he couldn't articulate any congratulations. [color=honeydew][b]"Look at them. Look. So sweet. Feels like I'm sending my husband off to war."[/b][/color] A piss-poor analogy if there ever was one. He ghosted forward, dangerously close to them, placing a hand on either of the couple's shoulders. [color=honeydew][b]"Dom, if you hurt her, I'll kill you,"[/b][/color] he mocked all overprotective fathers ever, and then decided to take a more unexpected route. [color=honeydew][b]"Chloe, if you hurt him, I'll kill Paige."[/b][/color] He shot Paige a threatening glance, but couldn't quite keep the amusement out of his expression.