Post by Lerochelle De La Fae on Jun 8, 2010 19:04:26 GMT -5
Gail stepped out of the shadows easily enough, though her stomach immediately started to growl and grumble. She pulled the scarf further around her head, tucking a few strands here and there, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the shadows and started crossing the street, then jumped back when a motorcycle narrowly missed her. He took a few minutes to control her breathing, her hand on her distended belly, and thought about going back. Not possible right now anyway. Narrowing her gaze she looked both ways this time and crossed the street toward the cafe sign she had seen, making her way quickly and pushing open the door. Her nose wrinkled at the smell, her stomach doing flip flops but growling away noisily anyway.
Dodge was sitting at the counter joking with Flo while he drank his coffee when he heard the bells on the door ring from someone entering, Dodge turned to see it was a woman, someone he hadn't seen in town before.. " Evening miss.. Welcome to the nastiest greasiest slop serving joint in town." Dodge chuckled as the waitress threw her wash cloth at him. Oh how he loved to give her a hard time.
Gail was looking around before midnight eyes were drawn to the voice that greeted her. She wondered exactly how long, or rather, how much time had passed since she had been gone, to her time was... different. She let her hand fall from her stomach as she approached the counter, nodding to the fellow and waitress. "Not exactly a rousing endorsement of the food..." She glanced down at the counter and froze "Please tell me that is ketchup?"
Dodge chuckled.. " Oh I'm just kidding miss.. the food here is really pretty good.. Its not healthy, but it is pretty darn tasty." Dodge glanced to the dried red spot on the counter... " Yeah.. that's not blood.. don't worry.. "
Gail relaxed a bit and looked over the menu choosing a few slices of pizza. "I don't need to eat healthy right this moment, just have to shut the little booger up." She smiled faintly and paid for the pizza, glancing over to the guy. Then her eyes narrowed, an eyebrow quirking. "Is that your cycle out front?"
Dodge glanced outside at the bike there... " No mam.. that's not mine.. But I did have mine out a short bit ago cruising through town.. perhaps you saw me?"
Deoridhe strolls along the street, ducking into the diner for a snack when her stomach rumbles. She looks thoughtful - preoccupied - and is chewing on the edge of a nail as she walks.
Gail licked her lips then pressed them together fighting not to smile. "You should have seen me.. considering you almost ran me over." She glanced back toward the door when Flo cackled. She was keeping her eyes averted from meeting anyone's but the new one... interesting.
Dodge sipped at his coffee as the lady explained that it was her that he had almost hit earlier. Dodge winced as he sat his coffee down.. " Oh crap.. that was you.. I really must apologize for that,, seems someone thought it funny to spill oil in the intersection and I rode through.. damn near wiped out going round the corner there.. I knew I almost hit someone but didn't realize it was you." Dodge glanced at the other lady who had entered and her peculiar clothing.. " Well let me buy ya a cup of coffee or something Mam... least I can do."
Deoridhe smiles vaguely at the other two at the counter, leaning over and ordering a bagel with cream cheese, scrambled eggs with cheese, and fruit. Then she moves past them, chin perhaps a little higher than necessary, as she finds a seat.
Ayura crossed the streets without really looking at the traffic. The luridly red flashing cafe sign caught his eye and so there he headed. Maybe if he ate a bunch of crap he might feel heavier, more grounded. Yeah...right. Pushing the door open, he paused as the typical diner smell assaulted him. Eventually he made his way to a stool and sat down. Lips pursed as he watched the one waitress with somewhat ... strange eyes. When she made her way to him, he continued to just look at her, head tilting to the side slightly as if listening to something...then he spoke, "Uh...yeah...Coke...fries...," a hand rose to rub one finger at the side of his nose, "...that's it." Then he looked away, a dismissive sort of gesture whether he realized it or not, gaze settling on the dirty tiled floor.
Gail chuckles softly, watching the smaller woman with wings walk by. "Oh no.. Don't want to give this little guy caffeine..." She pats her belly and pauses when another walks in, keen eyes on him for a moment before sliding away to each in turn, then her food as it arrived, stepping past Dodge to lower herself to the stool. "Although... a strawberry shake could be safe enough."She glanced between the three of them again wondering what an odd group this was while she almost hurriedly scarfed down the first slice.
Deoridhe smooths her skirts, tucking them until they fall smoothly to the ground, then kicking at the lower hem and watching the ripple of fabric as it fell back into place. She doesn't look up until her food is placed in front of her, smiling at the woman then narrowing her eyes slightly. She blinks several times, reaches out a hand, then mumbles, "Um, sorry." Her hand drops to a fork and she begins to eat.
Dodge raised an eyebrow as the lady walked past with.. wings?? With a simple shrug it was dismissed.. he had seen stranger things around here, that was for sure.. " Well a shake it is then.. Flo... set the lady up, and throw me some fries in the cooker too please." Dodge turned back to the doors again as someone else now walked in.. Hmmm busy night at the slop house, he thought to himself.. He just gave the man a nod as he passed, trying not to stare.. he was horrible at that..
Ayura didn't tend to notice staring, he was somewhat used to it, just one of those things you ignored with time. However, the wings did catch his attention, again, his head tilted to the side as if listening. Thankfully, the arrival of food tore his gaze away from the pink fluffy female. Ayura stared at the fries for a long moment before reaching out to the ketchup. He squeezed the bottle slowly, watching the red paste create lines and swirls over the potato strings. He only stopped when he realized that there was now quite a lot of ketchup on his fries. Shaking his head, he set his cigarette in a nearby ashtray and let his fingers swim through the red to pick up some fries to eat.
Gail was already on her second slice and knew she needed to slow down a bit, but the shake and fries arrived and she started slurping on that, quietly though. She stopped and glanced between each of them again and sighed. "I know this is going to sound weird.. but.. what is today's date?"
Deoridhe peers left and right in covert, quiet glimpses. She doesn't seem to be looking at people so much as ...a few inches or feet away from them - either in front or to either side. She shakes her head, closing her eyes for a moment, then determinately begins to spread cream cheese on her bagel. She glances over at Gail, not sure who she's talking to, but answers promptly, "Monday, the seventh. Um, of June." She blinks a couple of times, as if there's smoke in her eyes, then looks back down at her plate.
Dodge sat sipping what was left of his coffee as he waited for his Fries. Just before Flo would serve them to him he would remind her to smother them in cheese, just the way he liked em.. Turning back to the ladys next to him... just observing them for a moment, then leaning out around them to the fella at the end of the counter.. Guess he likes a little bit of fries with his ketchup, Dodge snickers to himself. then dove into his own greasy plate of goodness.
Jehan Rakosi wandered down to the diner. not that he needed to but because there were usually interesting people there . Or at least people he could sketch and he needed new figures for his painting . So to the diner it was . laying sketchpad on the table he pushed himself back into a corner of that booth and pulled one knee up so he could prop the paper on it .
Ayura set one elbow on the counter and sifted fingers through hair that hadn't been cut for a while, holding it away from his face as he looked at the two women. His other hand steadily kept putting ketchup drenched fries into his mouth, occasionally picked up the glass of coke to sip at. Every time he did take a sip, his nose wrinkled at the sweet taste. It needed alcohol in it. Then he realized that he should have left a note for Joelle, letting her know that he was actually going to leave the house tonight, go out...do something else besides total smoke, drink or take something chemical. The conversation was a bit odd too, but then he realized that he wasn't exactly sure of the date either. Smirking to himself he just assumed that he wasn't the only one who played hermit.
Gail took another sip of the shake and lifted the last slice, pausing before taking a bite. "And the year?" She glanced back over her shoulder as yet another walked in and sat, her head tilting before taking a bite. The little booger was adamant tonight. She did keep glancing between everyone though, other than the guy in the booth.
Deoridhe frowns a little bit, tilting her head curiously, then says, "Twenty ten. Has been for a few months, now." She doesn't ask a question, just lets her tone do it for her. Jehan's entrance she almost misses entirely; only catching it out of the corner of an eye before she turns back to her plate.
Dodge stopped eating and quirked an eyebrow as he slowly turned his head towards the lady next to him.. Dodge wanted to ask her what the hell kind of drugs she was on, but decided against it.. He was getting better at ignoring things, at least verbally. He just shook his head and finished off his fries, then slid a 20$ across the counter to Flo.. " Here ya go Hun.. this should cover my tab and this here lady's milkshake.. Rest is your tip." Dodge spun round on his stool and hopped up and started for the door.." Y'all have a good night" was spoken to no one in particular, he just thought it rude to leave without saying anything at all. and with that He marched out the doors towards home.
Ayura lifted a brow at the question about the year. Now that...was a serious shut in. Then his cell vibrated in his pocket. He took a moment to lick the ketchup from his fingers, then fished it out. He didn't bother to look at the number on the screen, just flipped it open. He answered in his usual soft bored tone, only this time it was a bit sharper since he was still relatively sober. "Naire...how can I help you?"
Jehan plucked a pencil from where he had snagged it on the coils of the pad and shifted a bit leaning against the wall . A smile and shake of his head to the waitress that came to take his order though he passed her a 20 across the tabletop," I just want a new place to do some sketching but if someone needs help with a meal or whatnot use that . call it table rental for the hour?
Deoridhe sighs a little as she eats, beginning to swing her legs below her bar stool, and swing the bar stool itself in semi-circles, as she eats. She tries to catch Flo's attention, asking for a chocolate shake once she manages it, one ear pricked curiously to the telephone conversation nearby. Nosy thing, isn't she?
Gail relaxed "Thank you." She wasn't too far off the mark then. She looked up as Dodge got up and left, calling out after him "Steer clear of the oil and pregnant women!" Narrowing her eyes playfully then shaking her head and turned her assault to the remainder of her shake and pizza. Everything about her started to still when she set her shake down and closed her eyes, turning around rather off balance and the stool and leaning back against the counter. She seemed to be waiting for something, the smallest smile curving her lips.
Jehan absently chewed on a pencil end a moment staring at the paper and then he lifted his head to look over those gathered . A small smile and tilt of head and that pencil moved over the paper with its faint scratching sound but otherwise he went completely still .
Ayura smiled slowly and idly swam a finger through a pool of ketchup on his plate, "Well...depends on what you need, Lady and how much time is on the table. I mean...Oral is cheap, but if you want the whole show, that'll cost you." Then he paused and took a sip of his Coke, "Actually...I'm at the cafe already. As for causing trouble? Not sure yet..might go play with the dead later, maybe not....or I might just go home and do the usual." He knew she didn't really approve, but she had never judged him. Joelle was his only friend. How sad was that?
Deoridhe swings from side to side and finally around in a full circle, giggling a little to herself. At this point, most of her food is a memory, but the shake is still an indication of a bright and happy future. She catches sight of a sketchbook and a profile, and spins around again to snoop. Ayura's words catch a sharp, curious look from her, though, before she looks away and stops herself from spinning with feet on the bottom of the bar.
Gail lifted her eyebrows, her eyes opening to glance the way of the joking remarks, or she hoped so at least before closing again. Then her hand shifted, a mere twitch in expectation and stilled again.
Jehan called out though not overly loudly , just enough to be heard across the room," Deo, spin back the other way . I didn't quite catch the way the movement ruffled your wings there " slight smile quirked at the corner of his lips. Though pencil kept moving . Glance did flick back and forth between those at the counter as pencil moved to different areas of the paper.
Deoridhe jumps when she's addressed. She swings 'back the other way' as requested, while peering at the figure in the booth. "Um.... huh...." she abandons the remains of her dinner but takes her shake with her to investigate. She almost walks into Joelle - stopping just in time and dangerously sloshing shake - and only recognizes Jehan once she's closer. He looks different in the weird light of the diner. "Jehan! Oh... you're an... artist? Bink didn't say, well he doesn't say much, but can I see, I mean I love art a lot though I'm not very good, and..." she's babbling. She shuts herself up with the straw in her shake.
Ayura wasn't given a chance to respond to her on the phone, so he snapped his own closed. Turning on the stool, he gave her a lazy smile, "Always, cheré. And as for Lady? You are indeed that....especially compared to some of the things I've had to sleep with." He gestured to the stool next to him, "Tell the waitress what you want, you know I'll buy it." He reached over and picked up his cigarette and took a drag, "You working tonight, Jo? The outfit looks good on you."
Joelle Rayna took a quick side step to avoid a crash and offered a quicker smile, then she was at Ayura's side, laughing softly at his comment as well as his compliment. Hell all girl's like a compliment! "I figure I better start earning my keep, I have been gone for a while" A slide of hip and half step found her perched on the stool offered, though a wrinkle of her nose was given him seeing the pool of ketchup with few swimming fries. "How can you eat that much ketchup, it's gross" Of course it would stop her from ordering a cheeseburger and her own plate of fries as she sat there with him. Emeralds would lift and force his gaze to hers, one brow arched in silent question of how he was really doing
Gail 's brows started a quiet bunching together, and she slowly shifted her position, then her hand jumped to the side of her stomach and she winced. The little tyke was starting to bounce and kick.
Jehan tilted paper down a bit so he could smile to Deo and nod," Yes. I know how he is. It takes me a while to get things out of him too and as for artist. I paint.. sometimes sculpt.. mostly paint though. Its a way to spend the time and lets me watch people and places and think." he chuckled softly" you better sit before you spill that shake on your dress. I do not think it would come clean easily .
Ayura looked down at his plate, one side of his mouth pinching, "I don't literally eat...this much ketchup...I just...got caught in watching it squeeze out." A slide of his gaze behind glasses to Jo and he caught the questioning look. Sighing quietly, he shook his head slowly, "The same...always the same...nothing ever changes Jo..not really. I abuse chemicals. I get called to do jobs. I read those damn dusty tomes and....dream." Another small wry smile, "Jonas is gone...that's over with...so I'm back to ...well..back to the samo samo." He snatched up his Coke and took a long swallow, long throat working. Then he set it down, "How about yourself? You know you don't need to earn you keep. As long as you're there to call the ambulance when I go too far...we're square."
Deoridhe says casually, "That's what housekeepers and bonuses are for." She does set down the shake, though, and sits next to Jehan to try to peer into his sketchbook. "Can I see some of them sometime? I've never met, you know, a real, live artist. Well, I met a few at a couple shows a few times, but never one that, like, drew stuff I also saw, you know? How did you decide to be an artist? Is it hard to pay for stuff?"
Jehan tilted the pages for her to see... rough sketches of people and places about town . half finished some with the starts of shading some more caught for movement and effect ," I've always drawn..its just easier to afford the paper and such nowadays. Way back when.. I would paint on anything I could. It wasn't called graffiti then but you could sure get beat if you were caught. Now strange enough there are a few people that have bought my things...some others let me paint direct on them.. " he gestured to his own tattoo .
Joelle Rayna frowned when the news about Jonas was delivered, knowing all too well that relationship had served a vital purpose. It also encouraged her shaped brow to arch further when his last statement was offered so casually. "I have to call the ambulance and there is a problem, you better hope I don't borrow some of your books upstairs and make you wish we weren't friends" And then she let her hand fall so that it rested on the edge of his thigh where it blended into bent knee, and nails pressed firmly, slowly, pressure building in that squeeze as she gaze at him. "I am sorry I have not been around too much, but you know, I can help"
Deoridhe oohs and aahhs over the pictures, interspersing it with careful sips from her shake, until he points out his tattoo. Her fingers play with the charms hanging from the corner of his sketchbook, flicking them and giggling. "These are cute. Did Bink give them to you?" She bats at something in the air, about two inches from Jehan's head.
Gail started squirming on the stool, her face bunching up with each kick. Standing and trying to relieve the pressure she starts grumbling, reaching back to take a final sip of the shake, then to her back pocket and pulling out a few bills and tossing them down. "Fine fine booger.. calm down will ya?"
Jehan laughed and nodded," yes.. he is the playful parts when I get too serious. He brightens to try to burn back the shadows I carry " smile slipped a little and he shook his head
Ayura looked down to where her hand rested on his leg, eyes narrowing ever so subtly at the dig of her nails. His hand lowered to lightly cover hers, "I would never wish we weren't friends Jo...never." His head bent forward as he spoke softly, "You always know just how to get at me, always. You're ever the only one." He rotated his head until one eye could look at her through the fall of hair that had not been cut in a while. "Do you ever wonder...if this is all there is?"
Deoridhe glances over at Gail, offering her a vaguely shy smile. Then he glances back at Jehan. "I don't think he likes me very much," she admits, reaching out to trace a line on the sketchbook. "You do seem a little shadowy... but not as bad as ...some other people."
Joelle Rayna murred at him when the warmth of his hand covered her own, but she then very slowly turned her wrist so that nails once pressed at material now found the bare flesh of wrist, sharp half moons decorating his skin with just the hint of pain to let that connection heighten. It took all her will power to not reach with her free hand and brush aside the dark silk falling over his face but she understood the need for shadows all to well. "I don't know Ayura.. maybe it's why I dance? to find something more? Maybe it's why you .. do what you need to do at times? We each escape in our way, yes?"
Jehan tilted his head and smiled at her," He speaks of you . So that tells me that he likes you . He is just.. afraid.. everyone around him has always hurt him ." there was a pause as he considered that " a lot" He went quiet for a long moment watching Gail.
Jehan tilted his head and smiled at her," He speaks of you . So that tells me that he likes you . He is just.. afraid.. everyone around him has always hurt him ." there was a pause as he considered that " a lot" He went quiet for a long moment watching Gail . Gaze traveled down and he slow blinked realizing she was pregnant . There was a softening of his look even when talking about the shadows," yes.. I have known some that were so filled with the shadows..I try to remember the fire instead...but anyway..yeah .. he likes you .. I appreciate that you seem almost a friend.." he finally looked back to her and nodded " perhaps you can be so to him. "
Deoridhe bites her lower lip. "Like that French," and she whispers the last word, "vampire?" like she's in some sort of super spy movie. She follows Jehan's gaze over her shoulder, smiling again at Gail, then says, "I'd like to be his friend but not, you know, against his will. He's kind of ...soothing to be around. Sparkly, like ...like spring waterfalls in the woods, when the flowers are starting to bloom. So many people have dark spots and jagged colors, and he's ...softer." she rubs her neck, starting to say something, then closes her mouth with a snap and offers a bright smile instead. "I like this one," she says, pointing to a sketch of the nearby park. "That's right nearby, right? I eat there, sometimes."
Gail rubbed at the growing sore spots on her belly softly cursing under her breath. She pressed the heel of her hand against one side of her stomach and leaned back, stretching her back, trying to get... the booger.. to.. move. A look of triumph covered her face for a moment when she succeeded and she chuckled, catching the lingering glance from the artist and shrugged, though not apologetically. A hand reached up and tugged back at the scarf, pulling it back onto the top of her head and turned for the door then stops, rubbing her stomach and listening about jagged colors and black spots, sparkles and softness.
Ayura lowered his head further as nails bit into his wrist. His other hand flattened on the counter beside his glass of nearly empty Coke. "But..when is it going to be too much, Jo? When will I go just that little bit too far?" Conversations like this made his brain spiral into dark places and that just wasn't happening tonight. He straightened with a slow deep breath and gently pulled his wrist free of her hand. The first cigarette was done and he left it in the ashtray. But another soon took it's place. As he blew the first inhale out, he spoke, "So..enough about my morose bullshit...what about you? How's come I don't hear some guy stomping around the house late at night or early in the morning? You're beautiful Jo...you shouldn't be alone. You definitely shouldn't be looking after an asshole like me."
Jehan had to smile crookedly over the small laugh that came from the lovely pregnant woman and then Deo was talking about a drawing and he turned back to her," yeah that fountain there .. I ..don't get along with water much so I try to draw it a lot.. you know.. covering a fear with facing it or something . but yeah its a nice park. feels good. can almost feel the warmth . I try to catch the colors .. they are different at night or under streetlights.." he blinked a bit then frowned at Deo curiously ," what do you mean jagged and soft?
Deoridhe laughs a little, the sound high pitched and nervous. "Oh, nothing, I just ramble. Everyone always says that - oh Zoe, you're rambling again!" She laughs again, adding cheerfully, "I love the water. I like to swim and stuff, and I'm saving up a bit to add a fountain to the house. Dad thinks I'm going to waste it on something, so he's making /me/ save it up." She has a grousing tone, now, neatly paving over the earlier nerves.
Joelle Rayna didn't stop Ayura from pulling his wrist from her touch, but at the same time it caused her a moment of silence. Her dances never even came close to the spirals of her friend, but it would seem he had executed an abrupt halt to one starting for either or both of them. For a moment she considered his question, and even took it further wondering what would happen if they both hit downward spirals at the same time. For as much as she was there for him, Ayura had her back. It was not just a room, but a "safe" for Jo'elle, A place away from a past, that lately had begun to haunt her. Crimson tresses whispered with a toss of head as if to clear her own thoughts before laughing at the latter question. "In this town, I am not the flavor of choice.. at all" She drew quiet, and then let Ayura see the brief flare of vulnerability that was normally perfectly masked. "I went and saw him, Damien.. that's where I was last week"
Gail shook her head and chuckled again, her head lowering to speak to her stomach. "All those colors... would have thought she was talking about auras or rainbows hmm?" With that she chuckled and patted her stomach, pushing the door open and glancing back to the pair in the booth, one eye closing quickly before the door closed behind her.
Ayura blinked slowly as she announced where she had been. "Wow Jo...really?" He watched her face very carefully, watching that vulnerability there, ready to shelter her in a moments notice. "Uhm...well...How is the old leech?" He thought it sucked major balls that Damien and Jo weren't together. Ayura still couldn't understand the whole ... God ... stuff. Vampires and God...yeah, don't generally mix well. He lifted a hand waved at the waitress Flo and indicated their near empty glasses. Then he looked at Jo again. "You gonna be okay? I mean..was it pleasant?" Then he looked down and muttered, "You're such a moron, Ayura."
Jehan frowned again and blinked at the nervous laughter. Bink he would know when to push when he made such a sound but this one.. she was still a stranger to him so he had to just slightly shake his head. " oookay...but um.. yeah.. dad's they can be a real pain.. ordering you around and all " he absently sketched out a little pattern that looked rather like leopard spots." Calling ..telling you what to do.. sometimes you can't even run very far from them ...it seems. "
Deoridhe wrinkles her nose, grateful for the distraction - especially after Gail's words on exit. "Yeah, yeah. I'm kind of on review until I'm thirty and, well stuff happens then. Good stuff, mostly. I mean, I love them and all, but geez, they get SO upset over just a little expulsion." She tucks hair behind her ear and silences herself with shake again.
**
Dodge had decided to go put in a few hours at the bar tonight since there wasn't much else to do. Dodge had slipped un-noticed in through the side entrance and made his way up to the new employee lounge and changed into his uniform then made his way back downstairs to see if Jeanette needed any help at the main bar.
Ayura swallowed and felt his throat click with dryness. It was time for a drink, time for something. Stopping the wild gyrations, he stepped off the floor and walked up to the bar. He paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes at the fellow, thinking that he'd seen the dude somewhere before. Then he shook his head, lit a cigarette and ordered, "Vodka...straight up, please."
Dodge put the washcloth down and slid an ashtray over for the man and nodded.." Vodka straight.. you got it man.." Dodge poured the drink out into one of the fancy new glasses and slid it cross the counter to the man.. " There ya go fella.. Say.. didn't I see you at the diner earlier today?"
Ayura ashed the cigarette and took up his glass, "Yeah...I thought I'd seen you before. Hell of an outfit they're making you wear." He dug a $10 out of his pocket and set it on the counter, "No change." Then he started digging around in his cigarette pack until he pulled out one of those travel case tubes that usually hold Tylenol and the like. Opening it, he gave consideration to the contents. Whether he was being watched or not, he didn't really care. Then he looked at the bartender, "What do you think? Upper, downer....hallucinogen? What do you think the night calls for?"
Gail rises, or rather rolls to one side and slides down to kneel, then stands, from the couch and makes her way over toward the bar, blinking her eyes and trying to rid the shine from staring at the flames too long and too hard. Her brows rose up a bit and lips pursed hearing talk of drugs. Sighing she waddled up to the bar and stretched her back. "Uhmm... upper. But if I have to revive you.. you you'll regret it"
Dodge put the money in the till and put the change into the tip jar next to the register.. "Thanks man.. Yeah.. Its a little wild.. But I like it.." Dodge leaned back against the coolers and watch as the man pulled out some sort of little bottle of some sort.. With a raised eyebrow Dodge stepped closer, glancing first towards the camera.. " Look man.. I really don't care what ya do, but as long as you aren't dealing in here, knock yourself out.. Personally I would have to agree with the lady there.. uppers all the way." Dodge was grinning as he stepped back again and turning to the lady.. " Ah.. and I see your still in town this evening.. what can I get for you?"
Ayura looked at the woman and shook his head. Seems that only so many folks were out and about tonight. He looked at her again, "Revive me? What are you.....a paramedic?" Then he looked down at his hands, shaking out the various pills and picking one, "Upper it is......" The pill went into his mouth and was chased by the vodka. "And no...I'm not dealing...currently." He smirked slightly and set his elbows on the bar.
Gail chuckled and held her hands out to her sides "And still not flattened either." She placed her hands on the bar and eyed the one to her side a moment "Uh.. Shirley Temple? And actually a Doctor with VERY high bills." She shook her head while he took the pill and started doing the math in her head, height, weight, vodka...
Dodge chuckled as the two exchanged banter then spoke back to the man once he downed his drink.. " Don't get me wrong man.. I don't judge, dealing or not, matters not to me.. I just cant allow it in here.. I'm sure you understand.." Dodge motioned with his head towards the security cameras.. then turned back to the lady. shaking his head.. Pregnant and wants a drink.. Ah well.. Im not her mother.. " You got it lady.. " Dodge mixed it out then poured it in the glass for her and carried her drink to her setting it on a little bar napkin. " Enjoy"
Ayura waved one hand dismissively, "Hey...bills aren't a problem. I make damn good money." He upended his glass, draining it and set it down, nodding to Dodge.....,"Another one." He took a long drag of the cigarette, "Well, at least I know there's medical staff on hand." Back to Dodge, "Don't worry...I'm a prick, but I know the rules. Won't do nothing that'll get me caught."
Gail took a sip of the drink "Thanks." She slid a ten across the bar and began redoing her math for the druggie. "Yeah well you drink any more of those and I'll be doubling the bills for adding to my own stressful condition." She was joking in part.
Dodge grinned at the man as he quickly poured him out another while listening to him mention the good money he takes in. " Oh I am sure your business is quite profitable.. I was buying *supplies* on the side myself not so long ago.. and it wasn't cheap.." Dodge winked at the guy and chuckled as he turned and headed back to the other end of the bar, " Welcome Mam..." taking the woman's money, then giving her back her change in a neat pile next to her glass. Dodge picked the damp cloth back up and slowly wiped at the counter making sure not to leave any signs of ash or spilled drink. as he listened to them converse.
Ayura laughs quietly, "Oh no..wait....I don't make my real cash dealing. I animate...you know? " Here he extended his hands and waggled his fingers, "raise the dead." Then he picked up the glass and took a swallow. His lips remained pleasantly arched as he felt the buzzing begin in his head and the fine tremor along his nerves.
Gail raised her brows. "I didn't think that brought in enough still... huh." She rested one hand on her belly and reached up tugging at the scarf on her head before taking another sip. "Then again I don't pay much attention to the news lately either."
Dodge looked at him a minute as his brain took a moment to register.. "Oh.. OH!! your one of them zombie making folks.. Well I gotta say.. Your the most normal looking animator I have seen." Dodge eyed the man up and down again as he thought back to his time in New Orleans and how the animators down there really hammed it up.. making themselves look like witch doctors and stuff. Dodge glanced towards the lady and watched as she placed her hand on her stomach... " You need anything else Miss??"
Ayura was about to answer when a couple collided into him, spilling some of the vodka on his hand and wrist. "Son of a BITCH!" He turned toward them as they were laughing and saying they were sorry, "You can take your sorry's and shove them up your ass!" He turned back, flapping his hand to get the excess liquid off of it and muttering, "If you're going to drink....be able to hold it. Fuck..." Then he looked up at both Dodge and Gail, "I'm one of the better ones...I'm paid very well." He was resisting the urge to turn and go off on the couple again, even if it meant screaming across the room. Yeah..aggressive jitters....here we come.
Gail started when the guy began yelling and cursing at some people that had bumped into him then reached over and snagged a napkin holding it out for him and trying not to give him "the look" you know the one. Same one your mom gave you when she caught your hand in the cookie jar.
Dodge winced as the guy made an outburst and quickly tried to diffuse the situation.. grabbing a clean towel from under the bar and reaching out to help the man dry his now vodka soaked arm..as well as wipe the mess up.. " Terribly sorry about that sir.. Let me refill that for you.. Its on the house." Dodge motioned for Tao to come over and when the big man leaned down Dodge whispered something into his ear and pointed to the obviously drunk couple. Tao stood back up tall and proceeded to go have *a talk* with them. " Well I have no doubt you make good money at it.. but is there that much business?? .. I mean.. it doesn't seem like you would have much work in this area.."
Ayura looked at Dodge a moment as if the man had just spoke alienese. His head swiveled to the woman offering napkins. He look them, then set them down, his arm already dry from the towel. "Thanks....," then..."Oh..no..not here. I just live here. Most of my jobs are in New York. Though..I do travel. I don't mind the traveling though. I've stayed in some of the best hotels, LOVE partying in those. Plus I like to visit the slum areas, pick up the best Johns there...the real fun ones, ya know?" Anyone catch those speeding words? "So yeah..I can raise old dead. Don't get queasy on the sacrifice stuff....takes larger sacrifices for some of them and well....I have an advantage." He leaned forward between the two of them, eyes wide and pupils pin pricked, "I hear the dead."
Gail nodded slowly as Ayura started talking.. faster.. and faster, the words beginning to blend together. Then he imparted that last little bit of information and blinked. Finally she blinked and moved, a hand reaching up to place her wrist against his forehead though she was smiling, but it wasn't like she believed him. "Okay now.. time to cut ya off the liquor... and no more pills either kay?"
Dodge had a puzzled look as the guy started to explain more about what he does at what seemed a frantic speed, but Dodge caught the important parts... Parties... Fun... Johns... then wait... what?? " Did you say you umm.... talk to the dead?? " Well I guess that makes sense.. I mean there's tons of people who claim to be mediums and clairvoyant.. " Well.. I must say.. your quite the interesting individual.." Dodge heard the lady speak as she moved closer.. She seemed to notice his behavior as well and the idea of cutting off his drink sounded good.. but Hopefully the guy would listen to her and then Dodge wouldn't have to be the bad guy and cut him off himself.
Ayura swayed backward quickly when the woman touched him, "Whoa! No touchy feely okay? Not unless I say so or you're paying." Then he frowned and shook his head, "Wait..sorry...I don't do that anymore." Then he nodded, which only turned into another shake of his head, "Stop the liquor? But..it's early yet. AND...," he looked around, "don't have a John picked out for the night. Besides...I've been doing this for YEARS." His eyes widened as he said that. After a pause, again, he looked at Dodge and smiled slowly, "So..like...when do you get off work? Do you play rough?"
Gail dropped her hand and sighed shaking her head before going back to her drink. She gave Dodge an apologetic look but other than admit him for psychosis... she couldn't really do anything yet. I mean.. he just claimed to see and talk to ghosts. And on the hind end of that thought she was reminded of a cousin of a cousin of a cousin of hers that really did, which made her eye the guy even closer while sipping at the pink drink.
Dodge sighed as he heard the man start to object to no more drinks. Well shit.. so much for that...Dodge thought a moment then realized.. the man hadn't really done anything to be cut off yet, and if the guy wanted to pitch a bitch abut it.. He would be in the right... " Ok.. well I will make ya a deal there guy.. No more of them pills ya got with ya, and as long as you don't start weirding out on us.. I will serve ya a couple more.. but that's it." Dodge walked down towards the lady to mumble to her in a lower voice.." Don't worry miss, I will see to it a cab takes him home nice and safe." Dodge had no more then finished speaking when he found himself being hit on now.. Chuckling a bit.. Dodge tried to think of a polite way to not instigate things worse.. the man was cute after all.. but he was into some seriously heavy shit, and Dodge was just starting to get his life in order again.. " Well I'm flattered there fella, and Yes, I do play rough.. but I am afraid I am not on the market."
Ayura kept smiling at the bartender since he agreed to let him keep drinking after all. That smile didn't even fade one iota at what he was told. Leaning forward, almost laying on the bar counter, he looked at Dodge over the rim of his glasses. "Well....you can both have me...fuck me til you can't fuck me any more. Come on...I can take it." While he spoke, the fingers of one hand found their way to the odd bracelet around his other wrist. They rubbed the bone colored beads and twisted the leather loops. "I'm clean too...I'm religious about that sort of stuff."
Gail nodded to Dodge and took a sip from the straw, quickly having to remove it and swallow instead of spraying him with it with the next thing Ayura said. She tried not to laugh, she really did, but that was just so... priceless, and wrong at the same time. She was shaking her head fairly fast and started chuckling, the chuckling getting louder until she was all out laughing. "I'm sorry .. I'm sorry." She bot on her bottom lip to try to stop but it still bubbled out.
Dodge felt his cheeks start to tingle as he knew he was now obviously blushing. Dodge tried to keep a stone face as he folded his arms and leaned back away from the counter, just out of the mans reach. Then Dodge just about had to pick his own jaw up off the floor after the continued comments rolled from Ayura's mouth.. " Well.. um.. " Dodge was at a loss of words.. he Looked to Gail but her busting into laughter was certainly not going to offer any help whatsoever.. "Look fella.. That's...that's quite an offer.. But I don't think my lover would appreciate that.. He is sorta protective.. and he does NOT like to share..." Dodge figured it wouldn't help to mention that Dirk was a wolf, and he wasn't even in the country, that would certainly not get the man to back off..
Ayura looked over at the woman and frowned, "Hey...this isn't a laughing matter...seriously. I don't play around about this stuff." Then he looked at Dodge again, "What if...I blow you, yeah? Don't tell him...what he don't know won't hurt him, right?" The fidgeting fingers were really twisting at the bracelet now and Ayura almost looked.....hungry. Licking his lips, "I certainly won't say anything." There was a high whine in his head and he really wanted to sit down or something. "You need stools over here."
Gail 's face was scrunching up and she was almost vibrating with the need to keep laughing, the restraint she was holding. "Sorry.. " was all she managed to say while she dug in her pocket and fished out a twenty and slapped it down onto the bar, sliding it over in front of Dodge. "Tell ya what... I'm gonna go." She grabbed a pen from somewhere and jotted her name and number down. "Call me if he.. needs it." Still chuckling she made a push away gesture with her hands to the both of them, the napkin and twenty on the bar. "I... I'm yeah. I'm gone." Her words slurring into a fit of bubbling laughter again. "Nice me-me-meeting you two!" She wisely retreated.
Dodge sighed as his own mind began to betray him.. A nice blow job would be most excellent.. but what about.... " God Damn it!" Dodge cursed out as the only other distraction was making a hasty exit for the door.... " I just cant... He would know.. trust me.. I couldn't do that to him.." and Dodge was sure of the same for his lover.. though a month of no contact was starting to make him rethink there so called relationship... Dodge waved it off like he was swatting at a fly.. I apologize for no seating.. I have suggested it to management.. I think they felt that since this is the dancing side of the bar.. no one would need to sit. There are however couches to the side and stools and more couches in the Blue Room.." Dodge pointed out the areas of seating.. hoping maybe it would be a distraction enough for the guy to forget what he had even been talking about.
Ayura looked over to Gail as she set money and number on the counter. Damn woman was trying to horn in on his John. Then he was back to looking at Dodge. But..he knew he wasn't going to crack this one. Three strikes your out, right? He'd offered three times and there was no bite, game over. Straightening, his hands slid across the bar top. "Hey man..that's cool." He gave an all over body shudder, "Gotta respect the bonds, yeah?" He gave a half-smile because he really did understand relationship stuff. He'd had a couple of close brushes before. Ayura began to feel kind of heavy and the sounds of the bar were taking on that hammer on a metal tube sound. Without some sort of physical distraction, this little high was going to take a bad turn and he'd rather be at home when that happened. So he gave a wry little smirk of his lips and set another $10 on the bar though he wasn't entirely sure for which drink it was. "You have a good night, yeah?" He turned and paused, leaning back on the counter, getting his bearings.
Dodge finally took deep breath and exhaled.. thank god the man had gotten the hint.. " I'm sorry man.. truly I am.. if I wasn't with some one, I would a been on my way out the door with ya the first offer. Thanks for being so understanding." Dodge noticed the man was a bit wobbly.. " Hey.. why don't ya let me call you a cab.. we have a deal with a local cab company.. our customers get priority."
Dodge was sitting at the counter joking with Flo while he drank his coffee when he heard the bells on the door ring from someone entering, Dodge turned to see it was a woman, someone he hadn't seen in town before.. " Evening miss.. Welcome to the nastiest greasiest slop serving joint in town." Dodge chuckled as the waitress threw her wash cloth at him. Oh how he loved to give her a hard time.
Gail was looking around before midnight eyes were drawn to the voice that greeted her. She wondered exactly how long, or rather, how much time had passed since she had been gone, to her time was... different. She let her hand fall from her stomach as she approached the counter, nodding to the fellow and waitress. "Not exactly a rousing endorsement of the food..." She glanced down at the counter and froze "Please tell me that is ketchup?"
Dodge chuckled.. " Oh I'm just kidding miss.. the food here is really pretty good.. Its not healthy, but it is pretty darn tasty." Dodge glanced to the dried red spot on the counter... " Yeah.. that's not blood.. don't worry.. "
Gail relaxed a bit and looked over the menu choosing a few slices of pizza. "I don't need to eat healthy right this moment, just have to shut the little booger up." She smiled faintly and paid for the pizza, glancing over to the guy. Then her eyes narrowed, an eyebrow quirking. "Is that your cycle out front?"
Dodge glanced outside at the bike there... " No mam.. that's not mine.. But I did have mine out a short bit ago cruising through town.. perhaps you saw me?"
Deoridhe strolls along the street, ducking into the diner for a snack when her stomach rumbles. She looks thoughtful - preoccupied - and is chewing on the edge of a nail as she walks.
Gail licked her lips then pressed them together fighting not to smile. "You should have seen me.. considering you almost ran me over." She glanced back toward the door when Flo cackled. She was keeping her eyes averted from meeting anyone's but the new one... interesting.
Dodge sipped at his coffee as the lady explained that it was her that he had almost hit earlier. Dodge winced as he sat his coffee down.. " Oh crap.. that was you.. I really must apologize for that,, seems someone thought it funny to spill oil in the intersection and I rode through.. damn near wiped out going round the corner there.. I knew I almost hit someone but didn't realize it was you." Dodge glanced at the other lady who had entered and her peculiar clothing.. " Well let me buy ya a cup of coffee or something Mam... least I can do."
Deoridhe smiles vaguely at the other two at the counter, leaning over and ordering a bagel with cream cheese, scrambled eggs with cheese, and fruit. Then she moves past them, chin perhaps a little higher than necessary, as she finds a seat.
Ayura crossed the streets without really looking at the traffic. The luridly red flashing cafe sign caught his eye and so there he headed. Maybe if he ate a bunch of crap he might feel heavier, more grounded. Yeah...right. Pushing the door open, he paused as the typical diner smell assaulted him. Eventually he made his way to a stool and sat down. Lips pursed as he watched the one waitress with somewhat ... strange eyes. When she made her way to him, he continued to just look at her, head tilting to the side slightly as if listening to something...then he spoke, "Uh...yeah...Coke...fries...," a hand rose to rub one finger at the side of his nose, "...that's it." Then he looked away, a dismissive sort of gesture whether he realized it or not, gaze settling on the dirty tiled floor.
Gail chuckles softly, watching the smaller woman with wings walk by. "Oh no.. Don't want to give this little guy caffeine..." She pats her belly and pauses when another walks in, keen eyes on him for a moment before sliding away to each in turn, then her food as it arrived, stepping past Dodge to lower herself to the stool. "Although... a strawberry shake could be safe enough."She glanced between the three of them again wondering what an odd group this was while she almost hurriedly scarfed down the first slice.
Deoridhe smooths her skirts, tucking them until they fall smoothly to the ground, then kicking at the lower hem and watching the ripple of fabric as it fell back into place. She doesn't look up until her food is placed in front of her, smiling at the woman then narrowing her eyes slightly. She blinks several times, reaches out a hand, then mumbles, "Um, sorry." Her hand drops to a fork and she begins to eat.
Dodge raised an eyebrow as the lady walked past with.. wings?? With a simple shrug it was dismissed.. he had seen stranger things around here, that was for sure.. " Well a shake it is then.. Flo... set the lady up, and throw me some fries in the cooker too please." Dodge turned back to the doors again as someone else now walked in.. Hmmm busy night at the slop house, he thought to himself.. He just gave the man a nod as he passed, trying not to stare.. he was horrible at that..
Ayura didn't tend to notice staring, he was somewhat used to it, just one of those things you ignored with time. However, the wings did catch his attention, again, his head tilted to the side as if listening. Thankfully, the arrival of food tore his gaze away from the pink fluffy female. Ayura stared at the fries for a long moment before reaching out to the ketchup. He squeezed the bottle slowly, watching the red paste create lines and swirls over the potato strings. He only stopped when he realized that there was now quite a lot of ketchup on his fries. Shaking his head, he set his cigarette in a nearby ashtray and let his fingers swim through the red to pick up some fries to eat.
Gail was already on her second slice and knew she needed to slow down a bit, but the shake and fries arrived and she started slurping on that, quietly though. She stopped and glanced between each of them again and sighed. "I know this is going to sound weird.. but.. what is today's date?"
Deoridhe peers left and right in covert, quiet glimpses. She doesn't seem to be looking at people so much as ...a few inches or feet away from them - either in front or to either side. She shakes her head, closing her eyes for a moment, then determinately begins to spread cream cheese on her bagel. She glances over at Gail, not sure who she's talking to, but answers promptly, "Monday, the seventh. Um, of June." She blinks a couple of times, as if there's smoke in her eyes, then looks back down at her plate.
Dodge sat sipping what was left of his coffee as he waited for his Fries. Just before Flo would serve them to him he would remind her to smother them in cheese, just the way he liked em.. Turning back to the ladys next to him... just observing them for a moment, then leaning out around them to the fella at the end of the counter.. Guess he likes a little bit of fries with his ketchup, Dodge snickers to himself. then dove into his own greasy plate of goodness.
Jehan Rakosi wandered down to the diner. not that he needed to but because there were usually interesting people there . Or at least people he could sketch and he needed new figures for his painting . So to the diner it was . laying sketchpad on the table he pushed himself back into a corner of that booth and pulled one knee up so he could prop the paper on it .
Ayura set one elbow on the counter and sifted fingers through hair that hadn't been cut for a while, holding it away from his face as he looked at the two women. His other hand steadily kept putting ketchup drenched fries into his mouth, occasionally picked up the glass of coke to sip at. Every time he did take a sip, his nose wrinkled at the sweet taste. It needed alcohol in it. Then he realized that he should have left a note for Joelle, letting her know that he was actually going to leave the house tonight, go out...do something else besides total smoke, drink or take something chemical. The conversation was a bit odd too, but then he realized that he wasn't exactly sure of the date either. Smirking to himself he just assumed that he wasn't the only one who played hermit.
Gail took another sip of the shake and lifted the last slice, pausing before taking a bite. "And the year?" She glanced back over her shoulder as yet another walked in and sat, her head tilting before taking a bite. The little booger was adamant tonight. She did keep glancing between everyone though, other than the guy in the booth.
Deoridhe frowns a little bit, tilting her head curiously, then says, "Twenty ten. Has been for a few months, now." She doesn't ask a question, just lets her tone do it for her. Jehan's entrance she almost misses entirely; only catching it out of the corner of an eye before she turns back to her plate.
Dodge stopped eating and quirked an eyebrow as he slowly turned his head towards the lady next to him.. Dodge wanted to ask her what the hell kind of drugs she was on, but decided against it.. He was getting better at ignoring things, at least verbally. He just shook his head and finished off his fries, then slid a 20$ across the counter to Flo.. " Here ya go Hun.. this should cover my tab and this here lady's milkshake.. Rest is your tip." Dodge spun round on his stool and hopped up and started for the door.." Y'all have a good night" was spoken to no one in particular, he just thought it rude to leave without saying anything at all. and with that He marched out the doors towards home.
Ayura lifted a brow at the question about the year. Now that...was a serious shut in. Then his cell vibrated in his pocket. He took a moment to lick the ketchup from his fingers, then fished it out. He didn't bother to look at the number on the screen, just flipped it open. He answered in his usual soft bored tone, only this time it was a bit sharper since he was still relatively sober. "Naire...how can I help you?"
Jehan plucked a pencil from where he had snagged it on the coils of the pad and shifted a bit leaning against the wall . A smile and shake of his head to the waitress that came to take his order though he passed her a 20 across the tabletop," I just want a new place to do some sketching but if someone needs help with a meal or whatnot use that . call it table rental for the hour?
Deoridhe sighs a little as she eats, beginning to swing her legs below her bar stool, and swing the bar stool itself in semi-circles, as she eats. She tries to catch Flo's attention, asking for a chocolate shake once she manages it, one ear pricked curiously to the telephone conversation nearby. Nosy thing, isn't she?
Gail relaxed "Thank you." She wasn't too far off the mark then. She looked up as Dodge got up and left, calling out after him "Steer clear of the oil and pregnant women!" Narrowing her eyes playfully then shaking her head and turned her assault to the remainder of her shake and pizza. Everything about her started to still when she set her shake down and closed her eyes, turning around rather off balance and the stool and leaning back against the counter. She seemed to be waiting for something, the smallest smile curving her lips.
Jehan absently chewed on a pencil end a moment staring at the paper and then he lifted his head to look over those gathered . A small smile and tilt of head and that pencil moved over the paper with its faint scratching sound but otherwise he went completely still .
Ayura smiled slowly and idly swam a finger through a pool of ketchup on his plate, "Well...depends on what you need, Lady and how much time is on the table. I mean...Oral is cheap, but if you want the whole show, that'll cost you." Then he paused and took a sip of his Coke, "Actually...I'm at the cafe already. As for causing trouble? Not sure yet..might go play with the dead later, maybe not....or I might just go home and do the usual." He knew she didn't really approve, but she had never judged him. Joelle was his only friend. How sad was that?
Deoridhe swings from side to side and finally around in a full circle, giggling a little to herself. At this point, most of her food is a memory, but the shake is still an indication of a bright and happy future. She catches sight of a sketchbook and a profile, and spins around again to snoop. Ayura's words catch a sharp, curious look from her, though, before she looks away and stops herself from spinning with feet on the bottom of the bar.
Gail lifted her eyebrows, her eyes opening to glance the way of the joking remarks, or she hoped so at least before closing again. Then her hand shifted, a mere twitch in expectation and stilled again.
Jehan called out though not overly loudly , just enough to be heard across the room," Deo, spin back the other way . I didn't quite catch the way the movement ruffled your wings there " slight smile quirked at the corner of his lips. Though pencil kept moving . Glance did flick back and forth between those at the counter as pencil moved to different areas of the paper.
Deoridhe jumps when she's addressed. She swings 'back the other way' as requested, while peering at the figure in the booth. "Um.... huh...." she abandons the remains of her dinner but takes her shake with her to investigate. She almost walks into Joelle - stopping just in time and dangerously sloshing shake - and only recognizes Jehan once she's closer. He looks different in the weird light of the diner. "Jehan! Oh... you're an... artist? Bink didn't say, well he doesn't say much, but can I see, I mean I love art a lot though I'm not very good, and..." she's babbling. She shuts herself up with the straw in her shake.
Ayura wasn't given a chance to respond to her on the phone, so he snapped his own closed. Turning on the stool, he gave her a lazy smile, "Always, cheré. And as for Lady? You are indeed that....especially compared to some of the things I've had to sleep with." He gestured to the stool next to him, "Tell the waitress what you want, you know I'll buy it." He reached over and picked up his cigarette and took a drag, "You working tonight, Jo? The outfit looks good on you."
Joelle Rayna took a quick side step to avoid a crash and offered a quicker smile, then she was at Ayura's side, laughing softly at his comment as well as his compliment. Hell all girl's like a compliment! "I figure I better start earning my keep, I have been gone for a while" A slide of hip and half step found her perched on the stool offered, though a wrinkle of her nose was given him seeing the pool of ketchup with few swimming fries. "How can you eat that much ketchup, it's gross" Of course it would stop her from ordering a cheeseburger and her own plate of fries as she sat there with him. Emeralds would lift and force his gaze to hers, one brow arched in silent question of how he was really doing
Gail 's brows started a quiet bunching together, and she slowly shifted her position, then her hand jumped to the side of her stomach and she winced. The little tyke was starting to bounce and kick.
Jehan tilted paper down a bit so he could smile to Deo and nod," Yes. I know how he is. It takes me a while to get things out of him too and as for artist. I paint.. sometimes sculpt.. mostly paint though. Its a way to spend the time and lets me watch people and places and think." he chuckled softly" you better sit before you spill that shake on your dress. I do not think it would come clean easily .
Ayura looked down at his plate, one side of his mouth pinching, "I don't literally eat...this much ketchup...I just...got caught in watching it squeeze out." A slide of his gaze behind glasses to Jo and he caught the questioning look. Sighing quietly, he shook his head slowly, "The same...always the same...nothing ever changes Jo..not really. I abuse chemicals. I get called to do jobs. I read those damn dusty tomes and....dream." Another small wry smile, "Jonas is gone...that's over with...so I'm back to ...well..back to the samo samo." He snatched up his Coke and took a long swallow, long throat working. Then he set it down, "How about yourself? You know you don't need to earn you keep. As long as you're there to call the ambulance when I go too far...we're square."
Deoridhe says casually, "That's what housekeepers and bonuses are for." She does set down the shake, though, and sits next to Jehan to try to peer into his sketchbook. "Can I see some of them sometime? I've never met, you know, a real, live artist. Well, I met a few at a couple shows a few times, but never one that, like, drew stuff I also saw, you know? How did you decide to be an artist? Is it hard to pay for stuff?"
Jehan tilted the pages for her to see... rough sketches of people and places about town . half finished some with the starts of shading some more caught for movement and effect ," I've always drawn..its just easier to afford the paper and such nowadays. Way back when.. I would paint on anything I could. It wasn't called graffiti then but you could sure get beat if you were caught. Now strange enough there are a few people that have bought my things...some others let me paint direct on them.. " he gestured to his own tattoo .
Joelle Rayna frowned when the news about Jonas was delivered, knowing all too well that relationship had served a vital purpose. It also encouraged her shaped brow to arch further when his last statement was offered so casually. "I have to call the ambulance and there is a problem, you better hope I don't borrow some of your books upstairs and make you wish we weren't friends" And then she let her hand fall so that it rested on the edge of his thigh where it blended into bent knee, and nails pressed firmly, slowly, pressure building in that squeeze as she gaze at him. "I am sorry I have not been around too much, but you know, I can help"
Deoridhe oohs and aahhs over the pictures, interspersing it with careful sips from her shake, until he points out his tattoo. Her fingers play with the charms hanging from the corner of his sketchbook, flicking them and giggling. "These are cute. Did Bink give them to you?" She bats at something in the air, about two inches from Jehan's head.
Gail started squirming on the stool, her face bunching up with each kick. Standing and trying to relieve the pressure she starts grumbling, reaching back to take a final sip of the shake, then to her back pocket and pulling out a few bills and tossing them down. "Fine fine booger.. calm down will ya?"
Jehan laughed and nodded," yes.. he is the playful parts when I get too serious. He brightens to try to burn back the shadows I carry " smile slipped a little and he shook his head
Ayura looked down to where her hand rested on his leg, eyes narrowing ever so subtly at the dig of her nails. His hand lowered to lightly cover hers, "I would never wish we weren't friends Jo...never." His head bent forward as he spoke softly, "You always know just how to get at me, always. You're ever the only one." He rotated his head until one eye could look at her through the fall of hair that had not been cut in a while. "Do you ever wonder...if this is all there is?"
Deoridhe glances over at Gail, offering her a vaguely shy smile. Then he glances back at Jehan. "I don't think he likes me very much," she admits, reaching out to trace a line on the sketchbook. "You do seem a little shadowy... but not as bad as ...some other people."
Joelle Rayna murred at him when the warmth of his hand covered her own, but she then very slowly turned her wrist so that nails once pressed at material now found the bare flesh of wrist, sharp half moons decorating his skin with just the hint of pain to let that connection heighten. It took all her will power to not reach with her free hand and brush aside the dark silk falling over his face but she understood the need for shadows all to well. "I don't know Ayura.. maybe it's why I dance? to find something more? Maybe it's why you .. do what you need to do at times? We each escape in our way, yes?"
Jehan tilted his head and smiled at her," He speaks of you . So that tells me that he likes you . He is just.. afraid.. everyone around him has always hurt him ." there was a pause as he considered that " a lot" He went quiet for a long moment watching Gail.
Jehan tilted his head and smiled at her," He speaks of you . So that tells me that he likes you . He is just.. afraid.. everyone around him has always hurt him ." there was a pause as he considered that " a lot" He went quiet for a long moment watching Gail . Gaze traveled down and he slow blinked realizing she was pregnant . There was a softening of his look even when talking about the shadows," yes.. I have known some that were so filled with the shadows..I try to remember the fire instead...but anyway..yeah .. he likes you .. I appreciate that you seem almost a friend.." he finally looked back to her and nodded " perhaps you can be so to him. "
Deoridhe bites her lower lip. "Like that French," and she whispers the last word, "vampire?" like she's in some sort of super spy movie. She follows Jehan's gaze over her shoulder, smiling again at Gail, then says, "I'd like to be his friend but not, you know, against his will. He's kind of ...soothing to be around. Sparkly, like ...like spring waterfalls in the woods, when the flowers are starting to bloom. So many people have dark spots and jagged colors, and he's ...softer." she rubs her neck, starting to say something, then closes her mouth with a snap and offers a bright smile instead. "I like this one," she says, pointing to a sketch of the nearby park. "That's right nearby, right? I eat there, sometimes."
Gail rubbed at the growing sore spots on her belly softly cursing under her breath. She pressed the heel of her hand against one side of her stomach and leaned back, stretching her back, trying to get... the booger.. to.. move. A look of triumph covered her face for a moment when she succeeded and she chuckled, catching the lingering glance from the artist and shrugged, though not apologetically. A hand reached up and tugged back at the scarf, pulling it back onto the top of her head and turned for the door then stops, rubbing her stomach and listening about jagged colors and black spots, sparkles and softness.
Ayura lowered his head further as nails bit into his wrist. His other hand flattened on the counter beside his glass of nearly empty Coke. "But..when is it going to be too much, Jo? When will I go just that little bit too far?" Conversations like this made his brain spiral into dark places and that just wasn't happening tonight. He straightened with a slow deep breath and gently pulled his wrist free of her hand. The first cigarette was done and he left it in the ashtray. But another soon took it's place. As he blew the first inhale out, he spoke, "So..enough about my morose bullshit...what about you? How's come I don't hear some guy stomping around the house late at night or early in the morning? You're beautiful Jo...you shouldn't be alone. You definitely shouldn't be looking after an asshole like me."
Jehan had to smile crookedly over the small laugh that came from the lovely pregnant woman and then Deo was talking about a drawing and he turned back to her," yeah that fountain there .. I ..don't get along with water much so I try to draw it a lot.. you know.. covering a fear with facing it or something . but yeah its a nice park. feels good. can almost feel the warmth . I try to catch the colors .. they are different at night or under streetlights.." he blinked a bit then frowned at Deo curiously ," what do you mean jagged and soft?
Deoridhe laughs a little, the sound high pitched and nervous. "Oh, nothing, I just ramble. Everyone always says that - oh Zoe, you're rambling again!" She laughs again, adding cheerfully, "I love the water. I like to swim and stuff, and I'm saving up a bit to add a fountain to the house. Dad thinks I'm going to waste it on something, so he's making /me/ save it up." She has a grousing tone, now, neatly paving over the earlier nerves.
Joelle Rayna didn't stop Ayura from pulling his wrist from her touch, but at the same time it caused her a moment of silence. Her dances never even came close to the spirals of her friend, but it would seem he had executed an abrupt halt to one starting for either or both of them. For a moment she considered his question, and even took it further wondering what would happen if they both hit downward spirals at the same time. For as much as she was there for him, Ayura had her back. It was not just a room, but a "safe" for Jo'elle, A place away from a past, that lately had begun to haunt her. Crimson tresses whispered with a toss of head as if to clear her own thoughts before laughing at the latter question. "In this town, I am not the flavor of choice.. at all" She drew quiet, and then let Ayura see the brief flare of vulnerability that was normally perfectly masked. "I went and saw him, Damien.. that's where I was last week"
Gail shook her head and chuckled again, her head lowering to speak to her stomach. "All those colors... would have thought she was talking about auras or rainbows hmm?" With that she chuckled and patted her stomach, pushing the door open and glancing back to the pair in the booth, one eye closing quickly before the door closed behind her.
Ayura blinked slowly as she announced where she had been. "Wow Jo...really?" He watched her face very carefully, watching that vulnerability there, ready to shelter her in a moments notice. "Uhm...well...How is the old leech?" He thought it sucked major balls that Damien and Jo weren't together. Ayura still couldn't understand the whole ... God ... stuff. Vampires and God...yeah, don't generally mix well. He lifted a hand waved at the waitress Flo and indicated their near empty glasses. Then he looked at Jo again. "You gonna be okay? I mean..was it pleasant?" Then he looked down and muttered, "You're such a moron, Ayura."
Jehan frowned again and blinked at the nervous laughter. Bink he would know when to push when he made such a sound but this one.. she was still a stranger to him so he had to just slightly shake his head. " oookay...but um.. yeah.. dad's they can be a real pain.. ordering you around and all " he absently sketched out a little pattern that looked rather like leopard spots." Calling ..telling you what to do.. sometimes you can't even run very far from them ...it seems. "
Deoridhe wrinkles her nose, grateful for the distraction - especially after Gail's words on exit. "Yeah, yeah. I'm kind of on review until I'm thirty and, well stuff happens then. Good stuff, mostly. I mean, I love them and all, but geez, they get SO upset over just a little expulsion." She tucks hair behind her ear and silences herself with shake again.
**
Dodge had decided to go put in a few hours at the bar tonight since there wasn't much else to do. Dodge had slipped un-noticed in through the side entrance and made his way up to the new employee lounge and changed into his uniform then made his way back downstairs to see if Jeanette needed any help at the main bar.
Ayura swallowed and felt his throat click with dryness. It was time for a drink, time for something. Stopping the wild gyrations, he stepped off the floor and walked up to the bar. He paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes at the fellow, thinking that he'd seen the dude somewhere before. Then he shook his head, lit a cigarette and ordered, "Vodka...straight up, please."
Dodge put the washcloth down and slid an ashtray over for the man and nodded.." Vodka straight.. you got it man.." Dodge poured the drink out into one of the fancy new glasses and slid it cross the counter to the man.. " There ya go fella.. Say.. didn't I see you at the diner earlier today?"
Ayura ashed the cigarette and took up his glass, "Yeah...I thought I'd seen you before. Hell of an outfit they're making you wear." He dug a $10 out of his pocket and set it on the counter, "No change." Then he started digging around in his cigarette pack until he pulled out one of those travel case tubes that usually hold Tylenol and the like. Opening it, he gave consideration to the contents. Whether he was being watched or not, he didn't really care. Then he looked at the bartender, "What do you think? Upper, downer....hallucinogen? What do you think the night calls for?"
Gail rises, or rather rolls to one side and slides down to kneel, then stands, from the couch and makes her way over toward the bar, blinking her eyes and trying to rid the shine from staring at the flames too long and too hard. Her brows rose up a bit and lips pursed hearing talk of drugs. Sighing she waddled up to the bar and stretched her back. "Uhmm... upper. But if I have to revive you.. you you'll regret it"
Dodge put the money in the till and put the change into the tip jar next to the register.. "Thanks man.. Yeah.. Its a little wild.. But I like it.." Dodge leaned back against the coolers and watch as the man pulled out some sort of little bottle of some sort.. With a raised eyebrow Dodge stepped closer, glancing first towards the camera.. " Look man.. I really don't care what ya do, but as long as you aren't dealing in here, knock yourself out.. Personally I would have to agree with the lady there.. uppers all the way." Dodge was grinning as he stepped back again and turning to the lady.. " Ah.. and I see your still in town this evening.. what can I get for you?"
Ayura looked at the woman and shook his head. Seems that only so many folks were out and about tonight. He looked at her again, "Revive me? What are you.....a paramedic?" Then he looked down at his hands, shaking out the various pills and picking one, "Upper it is......" The pill went into his mouth and was chased by the vodka. "And no...I'm not dealing...currently." He smirked slightly and set his elbows on the bar.
Gail chuckled and held her hands out to her sides "And still not flattened either." She placed her hands on the bar and eyed the one to her side a moment "Uh.. Shirley Temple? And actually a Doctor with VERY high bills." She shook her head while he took the pill and started doing the math in her head, height, weight, vodka...
Dodge chuckled as the two exchanged banter then spoke back to the man once he downed his drink.. " Don't get me wrong man.. I don't judge, dealing or not, matters not to me.. I just cant allow it in here.. I'm sure you understand.." Dodge motioned with his head towards the security cameras.. then turned back to the lady. shaking his head.. Pregnant and wants a drink.. Ah well.. Im not her mother.. " You got it lady.. " Dodge mixed it out then poured it in the glass for her and carried her drink to her setting it on a little bar napkin. " Enjoy"
Ayura waved one hand dismissively, "Hey...bills aren't a problem. I make damn good money." He upended his glass, draining it and set it down, nodding to Dodge.....,"Another one." He took a long drag of the cigarette, "Well, at least I know there's medical staff on hand." Back to Dodge, "Don't worry...I'm a prick, but I know the rules. Won't do nothing that'll get me caught."
Gail took a sip of the drink "Thanks." She slid a ten across the bar and began redoing her math for the druggie. "Yeah well you drink any more of those and I'll be doubling the bills for adding to my own stressful condition." She was joking in part.
Dodge grinned at the man as he quickly poured him out another while listening to him mention the good money he takes in. " Oh I am sure your business is quite profitable.. I was buying *supplies* on the side myself not so long ago.. and it wasn't cheap.." Dodge winked at the guy and chuckled as he turned and headed back to the other end of the bar, " Welcome Mam..." taking the woman's money, then giving her back her change in a neat pile next to her glass. Dodge picked the damp cloth back up and slowly wiped at the counter making sure not to leave any signs of ash or spilled drink. as he listened to them converse.
Ayura laughs quietly, "Oh no..wait....I don't make my real cash dealing. I animate...you know? " Here he extended his hands and waggled his fingers, "raise the dead." Then he picked up the glass and took a swallow. His lips remained pleasantly arched as he felt the buzzing begin in his head and the fine tremor along his nerves.
Gail raised her brows. "I didn't think that brought in enough still... huh." She rested one hand on her belly and reached up tugging at the scarf on her head before taking another sip. "Then again I don't pay much attention to the news lately either."
Dodge looked at him a minute as his brain took a moment to register.. "Oh.. OH!! your one of them zombie making folks.. Well I gotta say.. Your the most normal looking animator I have seen." Dodge eyed the man up and down again as he thought back to his time in New Orleans and how the animators down there really hammed it up.. making themselves look like witch doctors and stuff. Dodge glanced towards the lady and watched as she placed her hand on her stomach... " You need anything else Miss??"
Ayura was about to answer when a couple collided into him, spilling some of the vodka on his hand and wrist. "Son of a BITCH!" He turned toward them as they were laughing and saying they were sorry, "You can take your sorry's and shove them up your ass!" He turned back, flapping his hand to get the excess liquid off of it and muttering, "If you're going to drink....be able to hold it. Fuck..." Then he looked up at both Dodge and Gail, "I'm one of the better ones...I'm paid very well." He was resisting the urge to turn and go off on the couple again, even if it meant screaming across the room. Yeah..aggressive jitters....here we come.
Gail started when the guy began yelling and cursing at some people that had bumped into him then reached over and snagged a napkin holding it out for him and trying not to give him "the look" you know the one. Same one your mom gave you when she caught your hand in the cookie jar.
Dodge winced as the guy made an outburst and quickly tried to diffuse the situation.. grabbing a clean towel from under the bar and reaching out to help the man dry his now vodka soaked arm..as well as wipe the mess up.. " Terribly sorry about that sir.. Let me refill that for you.. Its on the house." Dodge motioned for Tao to come over and when the big man leaned down Dodge whispered something into his ear and pointed to the obviously drunk couple. Tao stood back up tall and proceeded to go have *a talk* with them. " Well I have no doubt you make good money at it.. but is there that much business?? .. I mean.. it doesn't seem like you would have much work in this area.."
Ayura looked at Dodge a moment as if the man had just spoke alienese. His head swiveled to the woman offering napkins. He look them, then set them down, his arm already dry from the towel. "Thanks....," then..."Oh..no..not here. I just live here. Most of my jobs are in New York. Though..I do travel. I don't mind the traveling though. I've stayed in some of the best hotels, LOVE partying in those. Plus I like to visit the slum areas, pick up the best Johns there...the real fun ones, ya know?" Anyone catch those speeding words? "So yeah..I can raise old dead. Don't get queasy on the sacrifice stuff....takes larger sacrifices for some of them and well....I have an advantage." He leaned forward between the two of them, eyes wide and pupils pin pricked, "I hear the dead."
Gail nodded slowly as Ayura started talking.. faster.. and faster, the words beginning to blend together. Then he imparted that last little bit of information and blinked. Finally she blinked and moved, a hand reaching up to place her wrist against his forehead though she was smiling, but it wasn't like she believed him. "Okay now.. time to cut ya off the liquor... and no more pills either kay?"
Dodge had a puzzled look as the guy started to explain more about what he does at what seemed a frantic speed, but Dodge caught the important parts... Parties... Fun... Johns... then wait... what?? " Did you say you umm.... talk to the dead?? " Well I guess that makes sense.. I mean there's tons of people who claim to be mediums and clairvoyant.. " Well.. I must say.. your quite the interesting individual.." Dodge heard the lady speak as she moved closer.. She seemed to notice his behavior as well and the idea of cutting off his drink sounded good.. but Hopefully the guy would listen to her and then Dodge wouldn't have to be the bad guy and cut him off himself.
Ayura swayed backward quickly when the woman touched him, "Whoa! No touchy feely okay? Not unless I say so or you're paying." Then he frowned and shook his head, "Wait..sorry...I don't do that anymore." Then he nodded, which only turned into another shake of his head, "Stop the liquor? But..it's early yet. AND...," he looked around, "don't have a John picked out for the night. Besides...I've been doing this for YEARS." His eyes widened as he said that. After a pause, again, he looked at Dodge and smiled slowly, "So..like...when do you get off work? Do you play rough?"
Gail dropped her hand and sighed shaking her head before going back to her drink. She gave Dodge an apologetic look but other than admit him for psychosis... she couldn't really do anything yet. I mean.. he just claimed to see and talk to ghosts. And on the hind end of that thought she was reminded of a cousin of a cousin of a cousin of hers that really did, which made her eye the guy even closer while sipping at the pink drink.
Dodge sighed as he heard the man start to object to no more drinks. Well shit.. so much for that...Dodge thought a moment then realized.. the man hadn't really done anything to be cut off yet, and if the guy wanted to pitch a bitch abut it.. He would be in the right... " Ok.. well I will make ya a deal there guy.. No more of them pills ya got with ya, and as long as you don't start weirding out on us.. I will serve ya a couple more.. but that's it." Dodge walked down towards the lady to mumble to her in a lower voice.." Don't worry miss, I will see to it a cab takes him home nice and safe." Dodge had no more then finished speaking when he found himself being hit on now.. Chuckling a bit.. Dodge tried to think of a polite way to not instigate things worse.. the man was cute after all.. but he was into some seriously heavy shit, and Dodge was just starting to get his life in order again.. " Well I'm flattered there fella, and Yes, I do play rough.. but I am afraid I am not on the market."
Ayura kept smiling at the bartender since he agreed to let him keep drinking after all. That smile didn't even fade one iota at what he was told. Leaning forward, almost laying on the bar counter, he looked at Dodge over the rim of his glasses. "Well....you can both have me...fuck me til you can't fuck me any more. Come on...I can take it." While he spoke, the fingers of one hand found their way to the odd bracelet around his other wrist. They rubbed the bone colored beads and twisted the leather loops. "I'm clean too...I'm religious about that sort of stuff."
Gail nodded to Dodge and took a sip from the straw, quickly having to remove it and swallow instead of spraying him with it with the next thing Ayura said. She tried not to laugh, she really did, but that was just so... priceless, and wrong at the same time. She was shaking her head fairly fast and started chuckling, the chuckling getting louder until she was all out laughing. "I'm sorry .. I'm sorry." She bot on her bottom lip to try to stop but it still bubbled out.
Dodge felt his cheeks start to tingle as he knew he was now obviously blushing. Dodge tried to keep a stone face as he folded his arms and leaned back away from the counter, just out of the mans reach. Then Dodge just about had to pick his own jaw up off the floor after the continued comments rolled from Ayura's mouth.. " Well.. um.. " Dodge was at a loss of words.. he Looked to Gail but her busting into laughter was certainly not going to offer any help whatsoever.. "Look fella.. That's...that's quite an offer.. But I don't think my lover would appreciate that.. He is sorta protective.. and he does NOT like to share..." Dodge figured it wouldn't help to mention that Dirk was a wolf, and he wasn't even in the country, that would certainly not get the man to back off..
Ayura looked over at the woman and frowned, "Hey...this isn't a laughing matter...seriously. I don't play around about this stuff." Then he looked at Dodge again, "What if...I blow you, yeah? Don't tell him...what he don't know won't hurt him, right?" The fidgeting fingers were really twisting at the bracelet now and Ayura almost looked.....hungry. Licking his lips, "I certainly won't say anything." There was a high whine in his head and he really wanted to sit down or something. "You need stools over here."
Gail 's face was scrunching up and she was almost vibrating with the need to keep laughing, the restraint she was holding. "Sorry.. " was all she managed to say while she dug in her pocket and fished out a twenty and slapped it down onto the bar, sliding it over in front of Dodge. "Tell ya what... I'm gonna go." She grabbed a pen from somewhere and jotted her name and number down. "Call me if he.. needs it." Still chuckling she made a push away gesture with her hands to the both of them, the napkin and twenty on the bar. "I... I'm yeah. I'm gone." Her words slurring into a fit of bubbling laughter again. "Nice me-me-meeting you two!" She wisely retreated.
Dodge sighed as his own mind began to betray him.. A nice blow job would be most excellent.. but what about.... " God Damn it!" Dodge cursed out as the only other distraction was making a hasty exit for the door.... " I just cant... He would know.. trust me.. I couldn't do that to him.." and Dodge was sure of the same for his lover.. though a month of no contact was starting to make him rethink there so called relationship... Dodge waved it off like he was swatting at a fly.. I apologize for no seating.. I have suggested it to management.. I think they felt that since this is the dancing side of the bar.. no one would need to sit. There are however couches to the side and stools and more couches in the Blue Room.." Dodge pointed out the areas of seating.. hoping maybe it would be a distraction enough for the guy to forget what he had even been talking about.
Ayura looked over to Gail as she set money and number on the counter. Damn woman was trying to horn in on his John. Then he was back to looking at Dodge. But..he knew he wasn't going to crack this one. Three strikes your out, right? He'd offered three times and there was no bite, game over. Straightening, his hands slid across the bar top. "Hey man..that's cool." He gave an all over body shudder, "Gotta respect the bonds, yeah?" He gave a half-smile because he really did understand relationship stuff. He'd had a couple of close brushes before. Ayura began to feel kind of heavy and the sounds of the bar were taking on that hammer on a metal tube sound. Without some sort of physical distraction, this little high was going to take a bad turn and he'd rather be at home when that happened. So he gave a wry little smirk of his lips and set another $10 on the bar though he wasn't entirely sure for which drink it was. "You have a good night, yeah?" He turned and paused, leaning back on the counter, getting his bearings.
Dodge finally took deep breath and exhaled.. thank god the man had gotten the hint.. " I'm sorry man.. truly I am.. if I wasn't with some one, I would a been on my way out the door with ya the first offer. Thanks for being so understanding." Dodge noticed the man was a bit wobbly.. " Hey.. why don't ya let me call you a cab.. we have a deal with a local cab company.. our customers get priority."