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[Backyard. Jack turned where he was standing and could see the outline of Gabe's form in the snow, nodding his head. He returned to work, shoving off the last big patches of snow. It was better this way, aware another snow fall was likely to come and he wasn't about to risk the roof cracking under the weight. A safety precaution he had always done at home and for the barn.

Once done, he skidded and slid down to the edge of the roof and simply jumped off to land on the ground. The impact was nothing to him physically, but apparently his whole flu affliction took it to mean he needed to suddenly buckle over as he dropped the shovel and twisted himself up, retaking the form of a large grizzled old wolf who had once been gold but now was almost completely white.

He rose from the pile of snow that he had fallen into, shook himself off and sighed, trotting over to where Reyes was still waiting. At least he could still talk.]

I can't tell who gave whom this stupid hairball disease.

[Gabriel snorted a bit, and of course a hand moved and ruffled up fur between ears before going to rubbing and scritching at those almost affectionately. Like he couldn't resist and damn well wasn't about to. Why should he? Was just the two of them around and no one lived close enough, all of his neighbors were a few miles apart as was.

This was fine.]

Doesn't really matter since we've both got it, right? Hell, pretty mild considering what else there could be.

[Less sick and more... furry.]

[Jack was not living his best life. His changes were erratic, sometimes painful, and they weren't always leaving him in the same condition. Sometimes it was a partial change, sometimes mostly a change and other times a whole change. He missed functional thumbs whenever he was in this form, but he had figured out doors, some tools and didn't mind being able to run about as quickly as a wolf.

He grunted as Gabe decided to pet him, ramming his head against the older man's hip and then side, using that as a way to scratch his white muzzle. Gabe was pack, and thus, the older man was the most comfortable to be around.]

You call this mild? I can't use a can opener or a shovel. [Well, he could if he could grab it in his mouth, but that wasn't the same!]

Did you need help with something?

[Reyes himself was a little more 'fortunate' when it came to this Werewolf Flu, even if it left him stuck in what looked like a partial change- still more human than wolf, but enough to see that he was somewhere at a mid-way point. Point was he still very much had thumbs and with enough clothing layers on he mostly looked normal.

.. It was the partially digitagrade legs and large paws rather than normal feet that sort of ruined that illusion. Tail wagging all the while under his coat and causing the material to move about with it. Claws getting in to fur and giving those good scritches at the base of Jack's ears.]

Yeah, I call it mild. I've seen worse shit around here.

[Did he need help-] Not really? Wondered where you were. Finished up checking on Roxy and the stable; warm and dry for her still.

[Jack was still working through some of the events of October and the marks that had left on him through November. Now this. He wasn't certain if his being at the farm was cursed or if he was just unfortunate lately. He shook his body in a weirdly satisfying experience, still rubbing his head and muzzle against Gabe, leaving behind white hair as he went.

He still tipped his head into the scritches and then stepped away to stretch. There was one nice thing being a big wolf and that was full body stretches. It cracked his back and his joints with such ease these days. It was just... everything else.]

Keeping your roof from potentially collapsing under the weight of snow. Figure more is coming soon.

[He sniffed at Gabe's feet, noting the paws and the familiar scent that he had come to associate with pack.] She seems like she would weather to snow well. Same with your dragon chickens. They don't seem to mind much.

Likely a lot more to come before it's done.

[So best to get the snow off the roof, rather than chance any sort of collapse from the weight of the stuff. He wasn't used to such intense snowing outside of brief things such as missions that had him sent to areas where it nearly always snowed, and even then it wasn't just... living with it.

Hadn't had to live with it until he'd been here for...Right. Right.

Ears drooped a bit under his hood, pinning closer against his head, the movement unnoticed due to his hood, but it certainly got that tail of his to stop moving. Hands sinking into the pockets of his coat as well.]

So long as they're kept warm they won't care much.

I'll keep on top of it. I had to do this a lot when I was a teenager.

[It kept him out of trouble back then, and honestly, it was a great way to break an arm. He had once slid right off the roof on purpose into what he had thought was a big enough snow pile, but alas, that hadn't been his most shining moment. Winters were crisp and cold, and he enjoyed them. This was one of those seasons he didn't mind in the least, even if it made travel difficult.

He sniffed around a little on the snow and then suddenly sneezed hard. It should have been fine, but then the rock of it caused his body to shift him back to a more human form, only his white ears and tail and claws remaining. It was a sudden and violent transformation, and he sat there on the snow on his ass and looked up at Gabe.]

I hate this affliction so much. [It was hell on his clothing. He lifted a hand in hopes Gabe would help him up.] Green houses are okay? I only checked them briefly.

[There was less of a smile in his eyes, something more subdued to his body language even, but in his head the sudden shift in his mood was easy enough to hide. Had been hiding it for all of the previous month, no reason for it to start cracking now. Right? Right.]

Trust that you will, and you know you can ask me for a hand.

[Such as taking that held up hand to help Jack back up on to his feet, taking a couple steps back to just make it that much of an easier movement for them both.]

Need to check inside the largest one, just to make sure there's no cracks inside anywhere. Come with?

[Gabe had been more subdued over November, he had noted. He wasn't always in an emotional state to pursue it, dealing with his own things, but he had made note of it. For him, it was obvious when Gabe wasn't himself, but others would definitely find it difficult.

He took the hand up and allowed Gabe to get him back to his feet, dusting himself off and tail wagging a little. He was getting used to that. He nodded his head.]

I know. Your place is big enough that both of us need to work, and you're spending more time at that bakery again. Don't make me drag you back to your place again.

[He nudge the older man between the shoulders as a prompt to lead on to the green houses.]

Yeah, let's go. [A beat.] You don't like winter much?

Kid's made the place a shelter during this shit weather. [A safe and warm place for those going around singing to warm up, and to deposit those who had succumbed to the weather and fallen asleep out in the snow. Get them looked over to see if they just needed to warm up and rest, or get hauled to the hospital.

So of course he was pulling it all in to help provide food.] Part of my job to provide a menu to help those going around and those who need to warm up and recover. Means I gotta make sure there's plenty to go around.

[Jack would have to drag him back home multiple times, no doubt.

Did start walking, head tilted a bit to glance at Jack-]

Don't care for the cold. Fourth one I've had here, it's fine.

[Fourth...]

Yeah, it's lucky that you have that lantern to protect this place. Beyond the property, it can be nasty out there.

[He knew that this wasn't a normal or typical winter, which was par for the course at this rate. He had come to appreciate that everything had an element of danger to it, but there were sometimes ways to get around it.]

I know that's important, and I get it. You just put the letter on yourself, and I'm not digging you out of a snowbank when I have to go looking for you. [But it wasn't so bad. He knew when time was up, knew when the show up in the bakery, standing around until his presence was known and if Gabe refused to go, he'd take decisive action.

Until then, Gabe could spent the winter as he pleased.

He turned his head to look at the older man for a long moment as they walked.] Fourth? When did the year click over for you?

Gotta keep them filled up with hope, too. Reason you're seeing the butterflies all over the place here- those are created from mine.

[So... in a sense Gabriel was acting as a battery to keep the entire property safe, even if the lantern was what utilized that to keep the protection up. Shit was weird and it was just something he was used to. Didn't like it, but it was what it was.

Emotions were power, ridiculous and unstable as it was.]

At least you know I'll be in the bakery and not out in the snow? [At least he was given a break by Bulat taking over and cooking stew around evening every day so Gabriel was mostly just handling morning and afternoon- with Lady Shelly and Miss Elenor pitching in with things here and there.

Hand reached out, resting on the handle for the greenhouse door-] Fifth day of last month. Full four years.

How do you keep it kept up like that?

[He had noticed the butterflies, and he had been suspicious of their source, but if he had known completely that Gabe was acting as a battery for the whole thing, he would have stepped in. After all, there went Gabriel doing it all alone again, and he couldn't have that while he was assisting on the property. No, while he was living on the property. It was his responsibility too.

He eyed Gabe for a moment.] That's because I show up to carry you out of that place. If I didn't, I'd be dragging you out of one. [He kept track of Gabriel, aware he had to or the guy would just go all the time.

He gave Gabe's shoulder a little shove.] You should have told me, you jerk. I could have... I don't know, made you celebratory flap jacks or grilled you the best steak of your life.

[Shoulders shrugged slightly.] Doesn't have to be a whole lot, the butterflies just stick around because the lantern is taking in and extending it. Top it off every now and then.

[And with them able to flutter around they were extending the radius of protection, so really with just enough from him it was enough to keep the property safe. Still snow covered, but not in any way dangerous other than maybe too much getting and staying on the roof.]

You know you can sit around in there for a little while, enjoy some of the food provided. [Wasn't wrong thought.

Caught Jack by the wrist, pulling him on in to the greenhouse so the door could close behind them both. Was warmer in there at least.] Didn't know what to do about it.

[At a loss because of being in this place for so long.]

You mean that you top it off with emotions, right? [That's what that usually meant, especially in this place. He had felt the warmth and the chase of the cold despair that might otherwise take over. He sighed and shook his head. He needed to contribute.] I'll top it up too. It shouldn't be on you. We're pack.

[That was the wolf flu talking, but he also had begun to experience it again. Like they were slowly coming around to where they had once been many years ago. He supposed it was natural given they had no mission to entirely direct upon.]

Or I can stand around lurking like an anti-social jerk until you realize I come at certain times and you let someone take over. [He ate the food that Gabe made at home, and thus, there was no reason to take from the citizens of this place who might need it more.

He allowed himself to be pulled in without complaint, but he gave Reyes another light shove on the shoulder for that reply.] Stubborn old goat. A meal to celebrate you failing to get a life is something even I can do.

[He was teasing. Gabe had done well for himself, even if it was a limbo state.]

With hope, yeah. Just feel a bit hopeful near it and that's all. [It was sort of funny, seeing the number of butterflies made of light fluttered at the edges of and around the property-] Doesn't take much, and it doesn't take it out of you at least.

[Was he reassuring Jack and encouraging it? Maybe. Bumped a shoulder against his a bit event.

Eyes did roll a little.] You could always have a bowl of stew before we head back here then- Bulat makes that, Kevin got himself a good husband out of that man. It's his plants that are insulting the outside of the bakery for extra protection.

[His tongue stuck out at Jack then before heading further in to the greenhouse, shedding the coat to hang by the door, ears perked up a bit as he looked around a little where he stood-] Not too late to do it if you think my being here four years warrants that.

Well, that's out then. When do I ever feel hopeful? [While it wasn't in him much anymore, he could do that. He actually enjoyed winter where others disliked it. Snow was fun, exciting and it was definitely a good place to throw Reyes who was from that nice warm South.

He shrugged his shoulders to the idea of eating while he was lurking there. He preferred to keep up the appearance of being aloof and grumpy. It seemed to keep Gabe's son from having another go at him, which was better for all of them. He only needed one nosy drama queen in his life and that slot was taken.]

Oh yeah, maybe you should get yourself a good husband too. Then they can cook you stew and drag you home. [Again, he was teasing. He appreciated Gabe's fierce independence and stubborn idiocy when it came to pushing the limits to everything. It shows how much the older man actually cared.

He slid out of his own jacket and left it by the door, giving his tail more room to move as he walked. He removed his gloves as well, stuffing them in those pockets before leaving them both. The green houses always smelled good. He followed as they made the rounds checking for damage to the place.] Apparently I'm a month late.

Job's all on me then. [Snow was fine, Gabriel just didn't like the cold terribly much, especially now. It stuck with him more than it ever had before, created some ache with it that was a little too much at times. Still, he did like the snow.

He snorted a bit then, and maybe played up the dramatics just a bit when he spoke-]

No one would have me.

[The fact it was still warm was a good sign at least, sticking close to Jack's side enough that shoulders brushed a bit, tail even knocking against him as it moved.]

Better late than never?

Isn't it always these days? I'm more trouble than help. [Not true, and he was nudging lightly at Gabe's side. Of course, his version of light nudging was still designed to see if he could off set Gabe's balance as they walked.

Well, he only had himself to blame for the dramatics. Gabe was known for them after all.]

Too much of fine wine for most, I imagine. He who cannot be tamed.

[It was companionable, wolves as they were, and he sniffed the air and turned his head to look around. It felt... a little colder to their left than to the right, as if there was a little draft in the place.]

Fine, what protein do you want me to make you? I'll keep it cajun style... think there also may be a hole in the wall somewhere. Feel that small draft?

Who knows why I keep you around. [Nudging right back with the same amount of force in turn, corner of his mouth twitching a bit. Clear it was playing around in a tease, far from true at all.

Jack was encouraging, all his fault clearly.]

None able to handle me. Forever alone and unloved.

[His nose did twitch, straying a little from Jack's side and more towards the scent of cold air, felt it a bit as well-]

Beef? Still have cuts to choose from. I feel it yeah, give me a second here.

[Had something broken? How? Also just what amount of work would be needed to repair some damage...]

It has to be my shining personality. [Now they were nudging at each other, the hidden warmth of the greenhouse allowing them those moments of being young men at each other. Just brief, then they would be back to their usual serious selves. These moments tided them over as far as he was concerned, since things were not always happiness and roses.

He rolled his eyes dramatically and gave Gabe's tail and playful pull.]

Too hot to handle. Maybe you should turn down the heat a little, Reyes.

[There was no particular sound coming from that area, and he knew with the snow and such that things would break down. Sometimes little wild animals broke in for warmth and to snack on the plants growing safely here.]

I checked the place for vermin a few days ago.

[A ruffle at Jack's hair and a tug at one of his ears-] My grumpy old fart.

[Sickly sweet and teasing all the way, some noise at his tail being pulled and swatting at Jack for it before just bumping a hip against his.]

Not a chance, Morrison.

[Then he was out of reach, could feel the colder breeze and reached out to move a hanging plant- yeah, there was a break there. Ears pricked forward and brow drawn a bit as he huffed-]

Got a hole here we're going to need to block up. What do you recommend?

[Of course he wouldn't notice something creeping near his paws in the shadows there, blending in with the rest of the plant-life too well.]

Takes an old fart to be an old fart, and you've got a few years on me.

[He smirked at the swat, following in Gabe's wake but not crowding the older man either. He was looking for a possible source for the break in, something like mouse scat or wood shavings or out of place dirt. Their little invader may have come and gone, and the plants all seemed intact.

His ears were swiveling in search of sound, but nothing jumped out at him.]

We should block it up with a brick or a piece of wood temporarily, and I can go to the shed and repair it completely tomorrow. We should do a full walk through to check for other holes. [He didn't want any of the plants to freeze.]

You see any sign of our little critter?

You're still an old fart, not any fresher.

[Gabriel was checking for any other breaks, but for the moment there only seemed to be one in the place. Could have been worse-]

Go grab one, should be something like that near the door to the place. I'll stay here and check to make sure it's just this one here. Okay?

[Sitting on his paws then, more eye level with the break, nose wrinkled a bit. Was definitely colder there, shifting some of the plants away to clear the space.]

I don't.

At least I don't smell as bad, old goat.

[He was also looking around for more breaks, but it seemed like everything on this part of the wall was intact. He was moving around the plants to be certain until Gabe mentioned grabbing a brick.]

I'll grab two just in case.

[He headed back to the door of the greenhouse, but he took the long way, circling the outside of the greenhouse to check the other walls. So it took him extra time to grab the bricks in question and head back to where Gabe was probably looking for their lost little critter.]

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