Alex reaches over to ruffle Ava's hair again. "I think you'll do fine," he says. "I scooped up the first job I could that was close to home, close to the Brownstone, and I could get away with vanishing for hero working," he shrugs. "My job's not hard. Just go in, take orders, take cash, give change. Just tedious."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"I dunno.." says Avalon cautiously, "I mean.. these days it's not so bad, but I used to have a lot of issues with my translator. I know English well enough now that I don't have as many problems, but sometimes I can't help it. I say things funny, or take things wrong.." he then sighs, and gives a rather sad little smile, "Dance class is really stressful for me at times. There aren't any other guys who do pointe so I'm in a class with all girls.. and sometimes they can be mean."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Don't sweat it," Alex stretches out and lounges back. "Henry tells me you play French as your civilian ID. Being from another country lets ya get away with saying funny things and all that," he says. The weilder of the StarHeart ring then laughs a bit. "Dude, you are so right there. Part of why I'm into dude and not chicks," he jokes, trying to cheer Ava up as well. "Wanna set 'em straight? Have one of your boys come with ya to dance class once...probably best to bring Joshy boy. Have 'em dress to show off. Watch all those girls get all obsessed and infatuated...then just go plant a huge kiss on whoever ya bring. Make a big show of it. Those girls won't know what hit 'em."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

The suggestion Alex makes just causes Avalon to flush, and he ducks his head a bit as he glances to Alex shyly. "I don't know if Josh would do that.. He's really shy.. I mean.. really shy." he says softly.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex smirks. "Can't say I know him but if he's in love with ya...he'd do it after hearing those girls are mean to you. I'd say bring Henry but since he likes girls too..." Alex shrugs.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"I don't know.." says Avalon with a bit of uncertainty, not seeming to quite seem confident with Alex's suggestion. "I mean.. the guys said that they'd go to my recitals and stuff, but I'm still even shy about inviting them to that stuff. I know it's not their thing so I'm just.. weird about it I guess." he then confesses. "I think I missed a recital for not going to class over the summer, so the next one I have to worry about is Christmas."

There's about three beats, then he asks in all seriousness "Why is Christmas? My ring tells me that it's a religious celebration but.. It seems such a big deal."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex nods as he listens, just keeping that friendly arm around Ava and listening to his worries. He blinks when asked that question though.

"Uhh..." the Green Lantern trails off. "It's a complicated thing. That general season is a time for a lot of religious celebration but it's sorta evolved into more. It's a season of giving and general good feelings and cheer. Some people even say Santa Claus is real and shows up then for all those that're good."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Santa Claws?" replies Avalon, looking horrified. "What does he do? I hope it's not bad things.. His name sounds horrible." He sighs a bit, then says "I've been worried about Christmas, it just all seems confusing for me, and I'm still uncertain of what it will all bring."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex laughs. "Claus, Ava. C-L-A-U-S. Not claws like an animal," he points out. "Well...mostly, he's a fictional character that on Christmas, every year...flies around the whole world. He brings presents to all those that have been good and coal to the bad," he says. "He's for kids. But some people out there still think he's real...I dunno," he shrugs. "Well, Ava...it'll be a good holiday. Ask Henry and Josh about it, they'll tell you what plans are for it here."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Tilting his head to the side, Ava blinks at Alex owlishly and then tries to make himself settle down and stop freaking out a bit about some mythical man. This Santa Claus doesn't sound like a good person to him, this whole coal or presents thing is hard for Avalon to grasp. "I hope he doesn't invade our home.. he sounds like some sort of creepy person." he says with a shudder.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex pauses a moment, considering telling Ava the rest of the tale. Eventually he decides not to and leans back. "You should talk to Henry about him," he says with a small smirk. "See what he has to say."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Humans have disturbing myths." says Avalon with a rather disturbed expression as he looks at Alex. "I mean.. I had to read a lot of Greek mythos to be able to do some of my classes the past year, that's some really messed up stuff!"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Yes. Yes we do," Alex declares. He smirks a moment and gets a naughty little idea. He considers sending Ava to a few websites but he thinks about how Henry might kick his butt for it and decides against it...for now. "Hear about the Tooth Fairy?"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

That just sounds horrifying. The look Avalon gives Alex is priceless, looking quite shocked. "Oh god, does it pull your teeth out and feed you to wolves?" he asks in a hushed whisper.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex can't help but laugh. He ends up tumbling off the couch, holding his sides. "Oh man...oh man..." he laughs, trying to catch his breath. "No...no..." he starts calming down, rolling over onto his back on the floor. "Naw...Ava...man, you're fun," he remarks.

"Okay...see, when a kid looses a tooth, they put it under their pillow," he explains, making constructs to tell the story...using a chibi-Henry as the kid. "Then while they're asleep, the tooth fairy comes in," he makes chibi-Ava the tooth fairy. "and takes the tooth. Then the Tooth Fairy leaves some money in its place."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Blinking at Alex still rather in disbelief, the chibis really do help Ava understand what is going on (and are cute too.) He sags in relief against the cushions, looks quite pink and relieved.

"That doesn't seem so bad." he admits, "Though I was expecting the worst. I take it then that you lost all of your baby teeth the way that I did when you were a child?" He then crinkles his nose, his expression disturbed again as he says "Naltorians don't do that. Apparently that's a human thing." He flushes again, then admits, "I'm not human but the people of my father's planet are from Earth originally, though they've changed in the time that they were on Starhaven. Which explains why so much about parts of me are so much like.. well.. you guys." there is a beat, and then he adds, "Except for some reason my blood is purple. Mother's is blue and Father's is red. It's just odd."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex nods, climbing back onto the couch. He's rather amused by this. "Naltorians don't lose their teeth?" he asks, blinking. "Huh.The blood thing isn't weird though. When you mix blue and red you get purple," he points out. "I'm weird. I bleed...but I also let out like...Starheart energy when I get cut," he shrugs. "Grandpa says it's just a side effect of the ring," Alex tilts his head and looks to Ava. "Huh. Does that mean you blush purple too?"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"N-no!" replies Ava, rather predictable turning pink under Alex's scrutiny. He curls his legs up under himself and grabs his can of root beer, holding it like a shield in his lap as he eyes Alex with a bit of playful suspicion. "You are bad. Now i know how Josh feels when we tease him so much." he then says before he grinsa bit and starts to laugh.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex grins and offers a mock bow. "I may be bad but I'm oh so good at it."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"I'm starting to think that all you Green Lanterns are the same." Avalon teases, his lips curling into a smile as he looks at Alex. "I mean.. all of the Greens that I have met are insatiable flirty beasts. If that is how the whole group is, then I can see why they are so feared among the cosmos."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex laughs, shaking his head. "All about the willpower, baby. We want a lot and we're too stubborn not to get it!"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Maybe so." replies Ava with a soft little sigh. "That or it just takes a particular personality type.. I'm surprised that you don't hang out with us more often, really."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex shrugs. "I've been busy lately," he remarks. "Ya know...moving across the country. And then there was the thing with the guy..." he sighs. "And I think Henry may be a little mad I didn't tell him about my ring..."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"He's not mentioned it, but if you go and talk to him personally, I'm sure he'll forgive you." replies Avalon with a gentle smile to Alex. "Henry is very forgiving and a lot more easy going than many of us give him credit. He understands, you must simply give him a chance."

He then cocks his head to the side, his eyes on Alex's face as he says "But you're settled in California now? Or still moving?"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex nods. "I know, I know..." he trails off. "Just...me and him had a lot in common growing up. Only kids without powers growing up around so many people with them...both ring-slingers," he shrugs. "I just hope I didn't hurt him too bad," he says.

"I'm living in New York City now, actually," he chimes.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)