2020-03-24 - Mami Issues

Dulces sueños, mami

It sounded sweet until that last word. Even without really knowing any Spanish it was clear what that word meant. Kip did pull out the Google Translate just to make sure and yep. Mom. WHY was Rekani calling her mom? Any amount of further research would have revealed to her that it was just a term of endearment but, for all Kip's researching skills, she neglected to do that. Maybe because it just caught her by surprise. Maybe because it was a bit perturbing. She wasn't that much older than him. Was she?

Kip stared in the rear view mirror of her car. How old was he anyway? Had they ever actually exchanged ages? Not that Kip could remember, because it didn't really matter right? Ariana would say she was overreacting and then tease her for being so concerned about a stupid word...but this was happening. A full almost 36 hours AFTER he had sent it.

And thus, Kip got out of that ancient car which would hopefully be history soon and headed into the Broadleaf Apartments. Mental note made to pick up a pamphlet before she left. A few short raps on the door of the Nazario's apartment. Oh yeah - she totally hadn't announced she was coming and was half expecting no one to be home anyway.

Also this was either going to end with him laughing and her feeling like an idiot or the other way. Which would surely be terribly awkward. Hooray for language barriers!

The Nazario's happen to be excellent at skating the rules of noise complaints. As Kip gets closer to the door it is almost vibrating with the sounds of a latin beat. If they did get a complaint it will have been twenty days past their last, plenty of time to have spaced them out reasonably. Nova's voice is muffled and not audible before it opens sixty seconds later. The dancer is dressed in a neon leopard print bra and a pair of shorts so small, they were arguably not shorts at all. This does not stop her from swinging the door wide open, one forearm raised to lean against the door, fingers loosely grasping the doors edge. Nova's hip is cocked outward dramatically, one leg behind the other as though this was a common pose.

Her face lights up in acknowledgement when she places Kip, which does take a moment for someone who may or may not be on something. A lazy grin spreads and her hazel eyes sparkle. "Hey Mami!" Nova greets with so much enthusiasm it could actually clothe her twice over what she did wear. "I can let Rek know he needs to shower more if pretty ladies are going to be coming by." The scarf in her hair holds back a mess of tight ringlet curls.

Turning her face toward the source of music she yells loudly. "Cabeza hueca! Your woman is en la puerta!" She looks back to Kip with a gaze that looks past her for two seconds and then refocused. "Oh you're pissed, what did he do?"

The music falls a few decibels from felony assault to misdemeanor harassment, the emanation point able to be discerned now that the door was open as being from down the hall that led to the bedrooms. The creak of that damn roller chair he abused so often can barely be made out as motion can be heard. Rekani sounded like he was probably taking a moment to rise from it. Or maybe he needed to put on pants. Can't answer the door without pants, like some people.

Look, it was midday, and they had night jobs. Pants were optional at this point.

"¡Yendo!" he can be heard shouting from his room, the slight pound of weight hitting the floor, maybe hopping on one foot?

He'd be a sec. Letting the awkward play out. No big.

Kip had been praciticing facial expressions, admittedly. Trying to prepare herself because she knew it was stupid to be agitated over a word. Not sure how to come across. And then Nova was the one answering the door! Catching her in a Maybe I should look angry expression. Which quickly falters to surprise...and then confusion when Nova uses that Mom word too.

You know that moment when you suddenly realize you've made a terribly awful mistake and you just kind of want to turn and flee but know you can't? That's exactly what is rolling through Kip's mind right now. Deer in the headlights and too late to leave. "Oh." She finally has a voice! Clearing her throat. "Hi Nova." A genuine smile given to the woman who still manages to stand just a few inches taller than her. "You're looking good." Trying to skate the subject of being upset.

Kip glances briefly past Nova as she calls out to Rekani and inwardly grimaces. Oh lord, how was she supposed to talk her way out of this one. Maybe at least she should clarify she wasn't exactly angry before Rekani got out here and Nova started telling him Kip was mad at him! Gaze snapping back up to Nova, "No no. I'm not mad. Really." She waves her hands in that same 'Nope' kind of gesture. Her face is burning. "I should have called ahead. It is rude of me to just show up. Maybe I should just go yes? Come back later."

Rekani slow as ever gets a verbal spur, Nova Yelling backwards after putting up one finger in a wait motion to Kip, a single yellow acrylic. "She says she's going to leave!" This of course was not going to happen, Nova is now side stepping the opening to allow Kip to pass, head snapping back to their guest. "No! No! Never rude here, always drop by. If we don't have the ability to take visitors, we would be even more embarrassing to our Mamá." Nova is very close to Kip now in the little entryway, her hospitable energy almost pushing Kip inside past her.

"I made enchiladas plenty to share, glad you have come by he would eat them all." The lack of choice given is almost astounding from the Latina. "You look good too, but don't tell hermano I said that, he will swear I'm trying to pick you up." She gives an eye roll at this as though it were something completely ridiculous that had never happened. "You like sour cream?" The door is being edged toward shutting at this point.

Did Nova just talk Kip through the door by sheer force of personality when the Russian woman seemed so desperate to leave and escape embarrasment? That's certainly how it reads, and let's face it, who tells a Spanish woman like Nova 'no'? Credit card companies, but that's totally unrelated.

Rekani finally comes thudding out of the hallway entrance, his footfalls announcing him as clearly as his height and width. Yeah, they didn't get noise complainta for nothing. He was dressed in a grey ribbed A-shirt, and some hastily pulled on basketball shorts, the image of a basketball in the shape of a firebolt swishing through the net visible on most of one leg. His arms fly wide, his tradtional 'Ayyy!' of excited greeting filling the space between them as he approaches, "What's up, mamacita? Ah-..." He was making some sort of noise that may have led to a word, but the smell hits him as he crosses into the main room. He inhales through his nose, letting words out in the exhale, "Fuck, hermana, that shit smells good."

Kip still looked a little flushed as Nova was ushering her inside. Poor thing was not at all familiar with Latina culture and this strange mix of hospitality that you couldn't actually turn down. And instead of turning to run back down the hallway, she was now just inside the apartment. A breathy whisper of something in Russian escapes her as she tries to recompose herself. "Oh, uh, sure. Lunch is good. Thank you. Oh! Maybe if there is enough I will take one back home to my friend? Ariana. She just arrived from Russia the other day."

There's a beat of pause and Kip smirks ever so slightly. "She thinks you are cute." She pushes a hand through her hair and looks around a bit. Okay maybe she should just ask? That was the adult thing to do right. Still, Kip can't help but laugh at Nova's comment about picking her up. "Uh I guess I do? I haven't eaten it much. Maybe on potatoes." As far as this sour cream business goes.

And then there's Rekani! And more of that word. Or was it a different word that just sounded similar? Kip felt awkward again and there was a glance towards the door. But, nonetheless she did offer up a grin because ,let's be honest. The energy of the siblings was a little infectious. "Hey Rekani, it does smell very good! I was telling Nova maybe I will bring back some for Ariana if there is any."

Kip took a few steps closer towards the kitchen area and looked between the siblings. Okay, she just had to come out and say it. Or else this whole thing was going to be (one-sidedly) awkward. A glance between them both before, "Why are you two calling me mom?"

Nova had begun to slink back to the mirror image counters, having shut the door to their home. The oven timer starts to beep, rather than this creating urgency, she freezes for a beat, a confused look across her groomed brows. It looks as though she processes the question several times before another set of oven beeps jars her back to reality. Shuffling gracefully into the kitchen a worn oven mitt is taken from a drawer and a sizzling batch of chicken enchiladas is removed from within the oven, set on top to cool. She was not always the best at holding herself together so she asks her own question teasingly with her back turned, busying herself with turning off the beeping.

"You don't know many brown people do you?" There is no malice in Nova's words. It had taken her the length it had to process the question because to her it was just normal, like saying 'hey girl'. A plastic container is taken down and set on the counter as a warning to Rekani that Ariana would in fact be getting some of this food. By the time she looks back toward Kip she is flashing a winning smile. Her brother could explain from there, he had started it, and honestly she always thought it was hysterical watching him be flustered.

A while back Rek had regressed to be unable to communicate his thoughts to her, but she could still transmit her own rousing remarks. She had taken great pleasure in tormenting him with this on occasion. <<You call her that in bed? Something you are exploring?>> She bites the inside of her lip to keep from falling into a fit of giggles. Her bet was on Rekani turning as close to red as his complexion would allow.

Rekani was all smiles until he was asked that question. He pauses a moment, face going blank in confusion, staring at Kip. A quick sideways glance is made in Nova's direction before he figures it out. This was such an ingrained part of their language and culture, it was almost like asking, 'Why do you blink?' Finally, he throws his head back and laughs, that slightly high pitched laugh, infectious, jester-like. He raises his hands, palm out, waving away at any of her concerns.

"No, no, no..." He begins, his hands gesticulating as he tries to put things in order mentally, "It's ah... Slang? Like... People say 'baby', 'honey'... Mami, or papi, it's uh..." He's snapping his fingers, trying to find the term, looking to Nova briefly for help, then back to Kip a he tries to clarify, "Nickname? Pet name? There's a phrase in English..."

He was still trying to think and speak it out when Nova's transmission pushes through. Absolutely color rises to his cheeks, a glare sent Nova's direction, "Ay!" He barks at her, launching into a flurry of Spanish chatter at her, though one word remained English for not having a true translation, ((Yo, knock that shit off! And I don't make fun of your fuckboi toys.))

Which was absolutely not the entire truth, simply by statement.

Kip is red. 100% the shade of embarrassment and uncertainty and she may or may not tug at the sleeves of her long-sleeved shirt in some pitiful attempt to hide. The Russian was actually subconsciously takes a slight step back towards the direction of the door. Even though most assuredly if she fled now that it would makes so much worse. At least in her head. This is what you get when there's not something extra like a shot or a toke or something in a face to face situation like this standing between the situation and Kip. A painfully awkward (in her had at least?) mess. Why had she done this again?

Kip looks towards Nova again, sheepish and shook her head. "Not many, uhm, Latino people in Russia." At least not where she'd lived. She then quickly diverts her gaze again towards the speakers and television. Oh how fascinating. Her gaze drawn back though as Rekani starts laughing. And clarifying.

Oh.

Well now she really feels like an idiot. Kip buries her face in her hands, trying to recompose herself. The word 'fuckboi' has her looking up again, mildly confused when she hears Rekani going off on Nova - who looks like she's about to have the best kind of gigglefit. "...Are you two okay?" She asks first because yay she doesn't have to address her ridiculousness.

Then she will add, "I get it. I think. An affection term." Kip nods, drawing in a shallow breath and taking a couple steps forward again. It's still a weird word but at least they weren't actually calling her mom in that way...right? "It caught me off guard when you," Rekani, "Used it the other night in our texting...and even more so when you," Nova, "used it answering the door."

Having pulled sour cream and hot sauce out of the fridge, Nova does descend into a fit of giggles at this Rekani's reaction. <<That's not a no,>> she retorts mentally. Regaining the ability to speak, however out of breath: "It's like those southern white people saying uh...'hun?'" Seeing a look that is on the flustered side Nova reaches into the massive spice rack and removes the item that looks most out of place, a plastic bag of gummi bears. Opening it, she takes one for herself and reseals it, then tosses it to Kip. Through a mouthful of the fruity chew she speaks again, "What is it in Russian?"

Three matching plates are taken from a cupboard for service, a large wooden spoon from a receptacle on the counter aids. The cheese atop the enchiladas rips in spider web strings, fighting removal from their pan. Steam rises with each lifted tortilla. With her free hand Nova snaps at Rekani and gives a stern look of 'You helping serve these or what?' No verbal or mental communication required for that one.

Some of Kip's questions are selectively ignored. After all, Nova only wanted to embarrass her brother forward, not their guest. "If someone is actually calling you 'Mom' it's Mamá or Madre. That's how you know they are into that weird shit." A wink is thrown in the dark haired woman's direction, another dig at Rekani without explanation. What was in the multicolored bears was also not explained, but then again neither were the contents of test-tube shots they had all taken the other day so...

More snapped fingers and a finger gun made at Kip. "That's it, term of endearment." Rekani answers more of Nova's Mental grandstanding with a raspy and exhasperated sounding, "Ah!" making an overhanded wave motion, like smacking a basketball downward or something. Regardless, though, he was coming to help serve, pulling a drawer out and grabbing some forks, hip-checking it closed after. He'd grab those and a plate for Kip and bring them back to the dining-room table, then return for his own.

"Yeah, 'course we're fine. Yaknow, other than having to share space with a súcubo." Nova would get a hip check next from thd large Latino, though not hard, a joking manner, like this was a common thing to toss back and forth between them. He reaches for his plate, though he looked like he was also going to be reaching to take a little extra from the pan with his fork...

Kip catches the baggie, examining the gummies inside for a moment before Iextracting one. They looked mostly normal and Nova ate one so they were safe right? She pops it in to her mouth and then closes up the bag. Which, of course is then offered to Rekani as Nova elaborates on the differences in verbage. She relaxes some at the reassurances. "I will remember that. I'm sorry." She watches the food being plated and her stomach rumbled a bit.

"That looks amazing Nova." Kip smiled again as she swallowed the gummy. Yep there was that vaguely THCish aftertaste. Not unpleasant but you definitely knew what was up . "Oh. There are lots. The more common ones are things like kotik, kiska ... zachik." She explained. "What did you say this was called again?" Indicating the food. She’s at least no longer red like a tomato anymore. She takes a seat at the table, smiling a bit more as she watches the siblings interract.

“Yes, I get that. I have a younger brother and we often would get into little tiffs. Nothing serious. I think if I had to share a roof with him now still it might drive me crazy.” Kip laughs some. “Do you two know when you are working at the Cabaret next? I know Ari would love to.meet you and it would be fun to take her there. I've been wanting to see it myself. "

Rekani was not the most stealthy individual in the world, and Nova had practice with keeping him from touching things he shouldn't be. She had seen her mother do it several times over. As he goes for Ariana's portion, there is a twack that hits the back of his hand. Too slow Rekani. "No!" She says looking stern, steaming sauce splattered onto his arm. "Not for you!"

Nova decides to fill the container pointedly and closes the lid with a glare in his direction, then hands him a paper towel and grabs her own plate, looking pleasant once more. Tanned legs prance to the sofa with her own portion. Nova takes her spot in the corner of the worn sectional, leaving plenty of room for the other two, "I can give you a show for free chica!" Nova says with another wink of her dark lashes. She waves a hand in a dismissive gesture, taking a bite of food with the other. Having her mouth full did not seem to bother her, speaking through it.

"Es Enchiladas Pollo, and we work the weekend." This is even less serious even if it is a direct answer, half garbled by cheese and meat. She swallows and looks on with a bit more substance. "Slower here, probably in Gray Harbor longer than we thought. Maybe spring will make the town hornier." The last word is bitter. Nova was entirely co-dependent, and had found herself in short supply of attention recently. Not that it was a reasonable state, more a major character flaw.

"Aya!" Rekani hisses in pain as Nova makes it very clear he was not to touch. He snatches his hand back, shaking it slightly. Its a good thing she hands him a paper towel because he was already raisung his hand to lick the sauce off the back of it like some sort of super-size feline. He makes a noise, accepts the napkin and cleans his hand and arm. "Stingy."

"What are you apologizing for?" Rekani asks genuinely, though grinning at Kip. He pulls a chair out and takes a seat next to her at the table. Like a civilized adult. He starts to tuck into the food quickly, also the same about eating and talking, though usually good about keeping a fist in front of his mouth.

"Yeah. She ain't wrong. Rosencranz texted me back, tho. Maybe I can do some shop work on the side or somethin, if Firefly doesn't call me back. I ain't sure I wanna risk more gigs like that birthday party." He wiggles his fingers jokingly, "I need these things."

Yes, that could absolutely be taken a bunch of ways.

"You show him Nova." Kip grinned as Rekani was whacked. And then another chuckle, gaze following Nova until she sat down on the couch. She wondered if maybe she should join but then rekani sat next to her so she decided to stay put for the moment.

"Oh I don't know." What she was apologizing for. "Nothing i guess. Randomly showing up unannounced?" But she digs in to the food and makes a happy noise. "This is vkusnyye. Delicious!" She grinned again. "You could, Nova." Give a free show, "but then this one might get jealous." She tilts her head towards Rekani and laughed.

"I am glad I dropped in though. I have excellent timing." And she was much more relaxed at least. "Oh really?" She asked Rekani about talking to the mechanic. "That sounds like good news then! Firefly's loss if they do not get back with you." A few more bites of food. "Next time you may actually lose fingers, which would be very bad." A wry grin on her lips.

Shrugging innocently, Nova stretches her legs out on the otherwise unoccupied sofa. Paying rent meant you didn't have to be a civilized adult if you didn't one to. She was fine stalking their little date scene from her comfortable vantage.

Nova waggles her brows at Kip suggestively, another fork full going to her mouth. "Always come by unannounced. I seriously think it will make him shower of clean more. I would look for another job, but I already have one...maid" She sticks her tongue out at Rekani. Truth be told, she didn't have a lot of patience, and was unlikely to pass a drug test.

Pondering the subject further she cocks her head at him. "Maybe stop pissing every woman you know off eh?" Eyes roll dramatically. "Gracias!" She says to Kip with a flipped mood.

"Who's side are you on?" Rekani complains theatrically to Kip as she cheers on fraternal abuse, pointing across at her, "You likin' it a little too much seeing me get whacked, eh?" He rolls his eyes and throwing up his hands, "Nah, that's fine, you wanna give up..." he uses his fork as a pointer, swirling the tines toward his body in a circular, all-encompassing motion, "All this... For that?" He stabs the air in the direction if his sister, then sits back, feigning stoic, yet hurt feelings dramaticaly, as if fighting to keep a quiver out of his voice, "That's fine..." He makes a motion to wave it off, really selling this joking emotional pain, his voice tiny and choked up. "I'll be fine." He turns his head away from the both of them, hiding his face behind a raised hand, sucking in a noisy sniffle.

Then he laughs, and resumes his posture over his food, taking a bite and grinning, though Nova is given the briefest glare after the pissing women off comment, followed by another immediate grin. "She's right though, you're always welcome to stop by if you need, bonita. And yeah, we'll see. Having a space to hoist cars would be nice, but people might actually listen to my tracks at Firefly, not just stare at tits while nodding along to the background."

Kip almost felt bad with that act Rekani was putting on! Her eyes widened a little bit. Then she promptly gave him a light elbowing once he was done with the theatrics. "*Durnya." She laughed before taking another bite of food and leaning against the table. If asked about what she'd just call him the closest equivalent in English would be a goofball. "Do not worry. I promise you will know if I am ever really pissed off."

Kip grinned again. "Maybe I will." Drop by unannounced more often. "Next time I will come with food of my own! More pirozhiki and maybe some other things." She nodded. "I know I would like to hear more of your mixing. It is better dance musics then what they play usually." A couple more bites of food. For being such a small thing, she was packing it away pretty easily. It may lead one to wonder where exactly it all went to. "Next time we all go dancing hopefully there will not be deranged robots. Though," A fork pointed towards Nova. "I need to learn some moves from you with the dancing. You're amazing."

This gets another food garbled laugh from Nova. "I saw you holding your own pretty well." She gives Kip a half smile chewing. "Besides if you start dancing like me it may scar the poor boy." Scarf tied curls tip toward Rekani's wounded puppy act. Nova's portion had been smaller than what had been doled out for the other two and she sets her plate on the dinged coffee table before licking sauce of her finger.

She glares toward Rekani like her pleasantness had been spent. "Dancing is an art too hermano, without rhythm your tracks are just noise. They need each other." Her tone is on the wounded side. Nova understood his frustrations, but it didn't mean he had to insult her or her tits. With a haughty air to her, she decides to stand and take her plate into the kitchen, setting the enchilada pan to soak.

Always the drama queen, Rekani scrunches over with an 'Oof!' and rubs his side when Kip elbows him, but grins regardless. "Guess I gotta look out for that tiny anger, you start throwing sharp little elbows, eh?" He does point at Kip while looking to Nova, excitement on his face, "Yo, her food is dope, hermana. I couldn't even save you some it was so good." It wasnt a total lie.

Again, Nova's words get that raspy, 'Ahhh,' with accompanying overhanded swatting motion, a playfully annoyed dismissal of her words. He finishes his plate soon after, regardless if Nova had a smaller portion. He had a bigger mouth. He'd pat his tummy happily and rise from his seat, offering to take Kip's plate if she was done and taking dishes into the kitchen to rinse and slip in the dishwasher.

"So I saved some ads I saw, someone over in Olympia has what looks like a garaged '97 BMW they're getting rid of. Just needs a clutch." Thenthought would occur to him, and he'd crane his neck, asking in Kip's direction, "Wait, can you drive stick?"

"Thanks." Kip chuckled when Nova said she'd held her own well. "Always fun to learn a new thing or two though, no?" Grinning with a faint tinge of pink. "I don't think I am so brave." To do Nova's kind of dancing. She studied the pair briefly when Nova's attitude changed some with Rekani's comment but she decides to not comment directly on it or the subject. Mainly because it's impossible for her to tell still whether or not the mood changes are serious and lingering and she's already embarressed herself enough for the whole week.

Grinning to Rekani, "Yes. Beware. I am like a...chihuahua. All bark AND bite." Kip nodded matter of factly. "I will make more next time." She was also super guilty, having totally planned enough to save some for Nova but that hadn't happened. They were gone before they knew it! She hands her plate to Rekani and leans on the table again.

"Oh? It sounds like a good possibility. We can go see it maybe soon? I did find a place that would take the car for just a bit less than what I paid for it." Kip nodded and then chuckled. "Oh yes. Manual transmissions are still very common in Russia. Is what I learned to drive with."

Nova returns from the kitchen with the tupperware container, now labeled 'Ariana' with a heart over the 'i'. It is placed gently in front of Kip with a grin. ((You just have to smack him a little if you want leftovers,)) She offers in slightly less than perfect Russian. Towards the kitchen from which Rekani was likely to be emerging soon she says in English. "You trying to get her a drift car?" She seemed a little surprised, though she did not inquire into why the last one needed to be replaced.

Stretching up on her tip toes she yawns dramatically, arching. "I'm going to try to find something to do tonight so catching sleep now sounds like my plan, try not to break furniture." The bad mood was short lasting, Nova was just a heart on her sleeve, not very composed kind of girl. The kind who keyed cars and apologized five minutes later. She liked teasing the two of them.

"Don't threaten me with a good time, mamacita." is all Kip's bite threats get.

Exiting the kitchen after the dishes were done, using a towel to dry his hands, Rekani answers Nova with an innocent shrug, "I mean, im not trying to get her a drift car, but it ain't like we ain't seen it done to one o' those." The shrug and the look were as innocent as he can manage. He nods to her goodbye, then, shaking hisbhead toward the taunt with a clicking sound of distaste. He lifts his chin toward the hallway, where the music from his room still emanated.

"Just kill my set, then, we'll keep it down." He looks to Kip and cocks his head toward the couch, moving to sit down and pick up the laptop, booting it up so he can show her some more listings. "We don't work til the weekend, so yeah, I got time if you do."

Kip grinned again when Nova set the leftovers down. "I will remember that." She murmured back with a giggle. "Ariana will love these." Back to English as well! "It was delicious. Thank you for sharing." She tilted her head a bit. "Oh no...I mean...I don't think so?" She looks to Rekani with a raised brow. As fun as being in a speeding drift car was, Kip wasn't sure she wanted or could handle that on her own. Smirking a bit at his explaination. "We will see then."

She stands up and moves to give Nova a quick hug before the woman retreats. "Rest well! I will see you soon. And we will try not to disturb you." Kip never makes promises on noise levels for anything.

Kip follows Rekani over to the couch, curling up beside him as the laptop booted up. "I honestly think anything will be better than what I have now." She chuckles. "Yes I should have free time. I am working a few days at the theater but it is primarily night times. So I'm sure we can work in car shopping."