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It was sometime between their arrival and when he'd caught his reflection in the water when Nancy disappeared and Aster couldn't care less. The place was disheveled and dilapidated, the lie chain holding the doors shut left to hang. It seemed Dobbs left it open for them and anything else interested in rustling around in it. Aster hoped fervently that no animals had gotten nosey enough because if an opossum made its way out and hissed at him, Aster would just ask Dobbs to take him to jail. He couldn't mentally handle a flea ridden, rabid animal taking a swipe at him. Thankfully, it seemed that wasn't what he was worried about. 

Everything else was the problem. 

Still, they'd dredged some of the stuff out onto the shore and started inspecting the gear they had to work with when Aster caught sight of himself in the water. They'd been hard at work for long enough (barely half an hour but what was time in hell?) and he deserved some time to unabashedly admire perfection. Even a little flushed from exertion and glistening with a sheen of sweat, Aster knew he looked [i]amazing[/i] and he sighed softly at himself in the lake.

After Zeke checked in with Nancy, he remained behind at the boat dock to help Aster clear out the shed full of gear for adventures on the water. Zeke was happy to see the place at least had lifejackets, although some of them had seen better days. Well, as long as none of the kids drowned. Zeke was laying out fishing gear when he looked over to see Aster admiring himself in the lake.

[color=#EEE8AA]”Hey, Narcissus. I think it’s a little too soon for break time.”[/color]

[color=00FCD8] “Hm?”[/color] Aster offered a noncommittal response, more interested in admiring himself than sullying his ears with whatever strange noises played out around him. It took a few moments for the words to register but eventually he blinked, turning to Zeke with a judgmental stare. [color=00FCD8]“If Narcissus met me, he'd be begging to stare at me all day.”[/color] Aster replied primly and marched back towards the boats he'd been inspecting. He was really just marking down what had holes and what didn't so he could tell Dobbs - he really had no way to tell anything beyond that. 

[color=00FCD8]“So, what heinous crime did you commit to be stuck out in this dead end dream killer? You don't strike me as  the criminal type.”[/color] 

Zeke continued to move things out of the shed and organize items based on their usefulness and type of water activity. [color=#EEE8AA]”Ya, not really. My mom would have killed me if I had gotten into anything serious. My sister and I were in this abandoned house, one of those old plantation type homes, and we were filming a music video. We got charged with trespassing and breaking and entering. Honestly, the whole thing was ridiculous.”[/color]

Not beating the dog allegations then. Just like a retriever, getting into all sorts of places he shouldn't be. Aster couldn't help the laughter that rolled out at the thought. [color=00FCD8]“That's hilarious! Was the video worth it at least, or did it get ruined when the police showed up?”[/color] 

Zeke frowned slightly at Aster. He supposed the whole thing was funny now but he didn't think it was that hilarious.

[color=#EEE8AA]”Well, Demi actually ruined it first. I guess it was a good place for skateboarding, which made sense. The building was full of graffiti, so we'd thought it would make a good backdrop but then he came riding through our set. Then the cops showed up. We're going to have to redo the whole thing.”[/color]

[color=00FCD8]“He ruined your video and got you caught by the cops and you still found it reasonable to pursue him? In-ter-est-ing.”[/color] Aster drawled out, gazing at Zeke judgementally. [color=00FCD8] “Or did you know him before all this?[/color] 

Zeke stopped working. He frowned at Aster and crossed his arms. [color=#EEE8AA]”I knew him before all this. Are you still going on about me not settling? You barely even know me. Besides, why are you so interested in my love life? What about yours, hmm?”[/color]

[color=00FCD8]“Its the only thing I know about you. And I have been informed that being friendly is encouraged and in Marco speak, that means mandatory or I'm going to be lectured.”[/color] Aster sighed and straightened, stretching with his arm up behind his head. [color=00FCD8] “Frankly, I only cared about your relationship as far as your waffling went. I'm allergic to indecisiveness, I'll have you know, but since you wish it, I'll be more than happy to talk about me.[/color] He swapped arms and shook himself out after a few moments. 

[color=00FCD8]“I've yet to find anyone worth my time. They've all been dull, flighty, or poor. I don't come cheap after all and I have no interest in settling just because. My first love will always be me; everyone else is a distant second and I've yet to find a man who can prove me wrong.”[/color] 

[color=#EEE8AA]”Or you need to find someone who's okay being second. Unless you're into that fighting for the top spot thing.”[/color]

[color=00FCD8]“Fighting? Ugh.”[/color] Aster waved the thought away. [color=00FCD8] “But yes, finding someone who will worship the ground I walk on like I deserve is exactly what I'm looking for. I can't accept anything less than that. After all, the perfect person should have the perfect worshipper, right?”[/color] 

Zeke smiled softly, shaking his head. [color=#EEE8AA]”Of course, Narcissus. As long as you recognize when someone is into you rather than getting lost in your reflection,”[/color] Zeke said, gesturing at the water.