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+--- Thread: Family Business (/thread-646.html)
- Calvin - 08-28-2014
Calvin swung at the man in front of him, connecting heavily on the jaw. He didn't remember how the fight started, but he did remember being the one that started the fight. For some reason he was angered at the man, but didn't remember why. He really didn't care. The fight made the emotions go away.
The man in front of him swung at him, and Calvin felt the pain as the fist hit his right cheek. Igor's was a nicer bar and they apparently didn't tolerate fights. Calvin had started it, so two men grabbed him, pulling him away from the other man who was receiving an icepack. The two men dragged Calvin to the door and through him out into the snow. He tumbled and lay on the ground as a man, the owner maybe, shouted something at him in Russian and then retreated back into the bar.
Calvin laid on the ground for a moment, dazed, before trying to get up. The pain and the drunkenness made it difficult and Calvin had to try a couple of times before finally making it to his feet. Standing, he hobbled over to another building to lean on a wall and collect himself. No longer doing anything, his depression returned, clawing constantly in the back of his mind.
- Lucas - 08-28-2014
Aria looked at him when he suggested taking her to her home. "I don't want to go home. Walk with me?"
He felt his heart beat faster. Here he was with a beautiful woman and she was looking at him while the snow lightly came down and she wanted to stay with him. He felt a pull to her. This night might be more if they weren't careful. No. Too fast. She needs a friend right now. He tamped his feelings down.
"Sure. I'd like that. Anywhere you want to go?"
- Aria - 08-28-2014
"Sure. I'd like that. Anywhere you want to go?"
Aria shook her head. "Just don't want to go home or do what I should be doing. Walking's just something I do. No rhyme, no reason."
Aria laughed, she did have reason, but nothing he'd understand really. "Kinda how I found your shop. Wandering the streets for no particular reason."
Aria started walking down the street. "Your customers drew me in. I'm glad they did."
Aria wasn't exactly sure he'd understand why, she'd verbalize it if necessary. The pain of their tattoos, any pain drew her in. Aria reigned in her senses. She didn't really want to be drawn anywhere else. It was safe, for once in her life she felt safe with someone else. It was fear that she spread her senses, more to the fact there there was always some kind of monster lurking in the depths of the shadows, they weren't all myths and legends. Girls were raped all the time. People kidnapped and later found dead. And there definitely was no shortage of that with the so called 'butcher' on the loose. Monsters were everywhere, and they could jump out at you with out a moments notice.
Aria didn't really know what else to say, walking she usually did in silence. Lucas was good company, she hoped it wasn't boring him. Having a friend was a new thing, a pretty big new thing. Victor and Marie made it feel more than what it was. Aria knew there was more to it than that though. Even Thalia had commented on it back in Lucas' shop.
As if the thought had made it happen, Aria saw the street sign that lead to the Army of Snowmen Thalia had mentioned. And it made Aria blush. She hadn't intended to walk here, not purposefully anyway. But it was here now and it she wanted to see them. Aria smiled. "Thalia's snowmen are up ahead. Should see them since we are here already."
Inside Aria's little bubble around her she knew a man was drunk against the wall of a nearby building. She paid little attention to him.
Lucas saw the man and frowned, shaking his head. He recognized the situation all too well. Drunk and thrown out of a bar. Probably started a fight. He looked at Aria. Wasn't really much he could do to help, not if the guy was drunk and in the mood to fight. Not that he'd shy away from it, really. But it wasn't worth it. He decided to keep going. He smiled at her and said, "Thal? Oh, the girl at the shop. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
Aria smiled and walked ahead a bit. It wasn't that she'd never seen a snow man before. She'd seen kids in Rome build them. But it wasn't something that she'd done as a kid. The idea of so many different ones all in one place intrigued her. Something about Lucas made her entire reality change. Things she'd not do, she did, and then when she was alone, it seemed darker by comparison. It was just a weird feeling for Aria.
Aria stopped across the street from the snowmen, it was too close to the drunk man, but it was a good spot to see them all. Aria knelt down and picked up a handful of snow. She never played in the snow. It was just another childhood memory she didn't have.
Aria grinned as she balled up the snow and stood up. Aria started to throw the newly formed ball at Lucas, but just as she released it his own had struck her in the chest. Aria hoped the leather of his coat would be fine, but her ball has left her hand and flew in the general direction of the drunk man they had been trying to avoid.
- Lucas - 08-28-2014
The snow men were cool to see. It was like an army of them. He'd seen them before but that was ok. Aria was enjoying herself and that's what mattered. The snow on the ground was pretty fresh and packed on the bottom of his boots.
Aria stooped down and started playing with the snow. For some reason it made him happy, especially when she looked back at at him with a grin. She looked like a kid. He wondered if she'd every played in the snow. Or played before period. He hoped so. Probably she did. Even if it was at the same time that she'd visit Moscow and spend time with Victor's family.
Before he could think, he bent down and got a handful of snow and quickly formed it into a snowball- a small one, not tightly packed. He looked at her and realized she was doing something in the snow with her back to him. He playfully tossed the snow ball at her. Just as it left his hand she turned around with a wicked grin and her own snow ball launched at him. But it was too late, his hit her in the chest, splattering the jacket she wore. He laughed as hers flew wide- and then hissed through clenched teeth, willing it to miss the drunk guy.
It passed closely by him but thankfully didn't hit. He turned and saw her laughing and dusting snow from her front. He laughed too, glad that she had his jacket. Course her dress had that panel the buttoned at the shoulder, so at least she wouldn't have gotten any down the front of her dress. That probably would have been a cold experience.
He looked her grinning. It was nice to see her play. "Guess it's war then, huh? Bring it on."
Edited by Lucas, Aug 28 2014, 04:14 PM.
- Aria - 08-28-2014
Aria bent and picked up another handful of snow and packed it tight. She wished she had the foresight to bring her gloves but they sat in the pockets of her trench coat that hung in her apartment.
Lucas was dancing around, calling out to her. Aria threw another snowball at him with a bit too much effort behind it. It hit him right between the legs. Lucas hunched over with pain written all over his face. Aria grimaced, she could feel his slight pain. He was mainly amused, exaggerating his reaction. Then he started to move towards her.
Aria shook her head with a grin and quickly picked up another snowball, she purposefully threw it above his head. She smiled as it sailed over, it was meant to say she knew he was faking it. Aria frowned as she saw exactly where it was going to land. Her smile faded as the second snowball landed square in the chest of the drunkard behind him. Seriously?
- Lucas - 08-28-2014
Aria took his declaration of war seriously, it seemed. She scooped up some snow and packed it tightly. He stood there laughing at her. "Come on, try to hit me"
he teased her, dancing around. They were having fun. She threw the snowball hard just as he moved and it smacked him right in the balls. "Owww!"
he laughed and yelled at the same time. It kind of hurt but it was also funny. If he hadn't been acting like a moron, dancing around like that, she wouldn't have hot him there. He laughed at himself. "Ohhh, I'm going to get you now,"
he said with a smile as he started to move towards her.
She quickly picked up another snowball and threw it at him, though way over his head. The look on her face changed from laughter to shock. He turned around in time to see it hit the drunk guy in the chest. He looked back at her, shock on his face. "Uh oh,"
he said laughingly with a shocked smile and raised eyebrows. He turned to the guy and called out apologetically but laughingly "Sorry man. We were just playing around."
- Calvin - 08-29-2014
A snowball. It hit the wall next to Calvin, driving his thoughts away. He looked to see a couple engaged in a snowball fight. They were laughing and smiling. It brought memories back to Calvin of a time in Milwaukee when he and Mary were still dating. They would do things like that all the time.
The pain in his gut intensified as the depression spoke to him, calling him a bad father and husband and reminding him of all his failures. Calvin looked down at the ground, wishing he hadn't been thrown out of the bar. He could use another round right now.
He looked up again in time to see the woman throw a snowball high. Thinking slowly, the snowball hit him directly in the chest. He looked down at his chest and then back up at the couple. The man had said something to Calvin, but Calvin hadn't heard as he began to walk towards the couple.
A part of Calvin didn't like what he was about to do, but the drunk side of him wanted a fight. It didn't matter if he won or lost, it just made the pain go away. Unfortunately the drunk side won, and Calvin was looking for a reason to start one. A snowball apparently was reason enough.
He looked at the woman first. "Sweetie, you dropped a snowball over there."
His words were threatening, but not directed at her. The statement telling her to get out of the way.
Calvin turned towards the man and gazed at him before moving to grab and throw him.
- Lucas - 08-29-2014
The drunk guy got up- swaying a bit- and came over. Lucas' playful attitude dropped immediately as he watched the man. His whole body became still and he was aware of everything and thinking of nothing. He was alert.
The man made a sarcastic comment to Aria, voice clearly slurring, before turning to him. The bruises on his face were pretty fresh. The man was obviously itching to fight and this was not his first tonight. He was the same height as Lucas, though much thicker in the arms and chest. Not that it really mattered. Lucas was lean and tight from his training at Gracies's. Jeet Kune Do was one of the things he started a couple of years ago, part of his mental and physical discipline. He'd make sure things didn't get out of hand.
"Hey now buddy. It was just an accident."
Even as he spoke, the man tried to grab at him. No thought passed in Lucas' mind as his hands flew up and batted them away with sharp quick moves. He was ready.
The man batted his hands away, but Calvin wanted to fight. His thoughts were only on the fight and the pain in his chest that was diminishing as he fought. He swung at the man's face, aiming for the jaw.
The man didn't get the hint. Lucas didn't really want to hurt him but it looked like he might have to before the guy got the point. He swung at him and Lucas easily blocked it before delivering three swift jabs to the man's face, stunning him.
The man was fast...or Calvin was slow...or both. Barely had Calvin had made the attack before the man had blocked and made three attacks to his face. Calvin stepped back, barely keeping his balance as he was stunned. He shook his head and moved forward again readying a punch towards the man's stomach.
Yep, this guy just didn't get it. He came again and tried to punch him in the stomach. Lucas' left hand block quickly while his right connected with his nose. He heard the crack. Left hand again flew to deliver a sharp jab to the kidneys, followed by the right, then repeated. There was no thought. It was all instinct.
Calvin fell back on the ground as the man connected with his nose and his kidney. His nose was bleeding and pain was there. He didn't stand back up.
Finally the man went down and stayed there. Lucas stepped back and watched him. He didn't think the guy would get up but he was careful. Then he looked over at Aria. "Well....ok then. Didn't expect that to happen."
He walked to stand next to her. "We can get out of here if you want."
He looked down at the guy. For a moment he felt pity for him. He'd had his own share of booze fueled fights. Or maybe not. The guy could just be a mean drunk. Plenty of those around. Assholes who felt that drink made them invincible, brought their aggression to the surface. Either way, though, he was done.
<small>[[with calvin]]</small>
- Aria - 08-29-2014
The man approached and Aria did not like the way he felt. He wanted to fight. Aria swallowed, she wished for her sword or her gun. The pointy sticks that held her hair in the bun would do in a pinch, but she didn't really want to, didn't want to show Lucas that side of her, not in the least. It was bad enough he knew she had a dark side. It was their sole purpose of meeting, but it didn't mean Aria wanted him to see it.
But the drunk didn't go for her, he was warning her to get out of the way. That wasn't going to happen. Lucas held his own. He did more than that. Aria watched in awe. Not that she hadn't expected him to lose or anything, but the way he moved, it wasn't the way someone fought when they were just defending themselves. It was training and instinct. Aria bit her lip as she watched. The drunk was too drunk to be much of a match for Lucas, but it gave Aria a better understanding.
It was over before Aria really reacted, she was too fascinated by the new perception of Lucas. She smiled at him when he turned towards her. "Well....ok then. Didn't expect that to happen. We can get out of here if you want."
Aria nodded. "We want to call someone to help him? It's kinda cold out."
She looked up at him and wrapped her left arm around Lucas' waist and cringed at the pain from her shoulder - stupid move. Too much violence and pain for the day. The drunkard had not really felt much, he was too drunk everything was just a hazy mess. Aria didn't like feeling that way. Aria took Lucas' hand and lifted it so see in the dim light. She doubted he got hurt, but there was still blood, probably not his own. "Should probably get you cleaned up too."
Aria wasn't exactly sure who's place was closer. Aria didn't actually know where Lucas' lived anyway. His shop wasn't far from her apartment, but that meant little really, in a city so big.
- Aria - 08-29-2014
Aria suggested they call someone. Lucas blood was still going, but she was right. He called the police and reported the man. After that they started walking. "My place is kind of far. You're closer."
At her nod they walked the remainder, talking about little things. It was a nice night.
When they got to her place they walked up the stairs to her door. It had changed since he was here last. There was a boot print on the door and splintering around the jamb. "Hold on. I think someone broke in."
Aria wasn't exactly happy they were going to her place. She hadn't cleaned anything up. The door was still busted, she didn't remember where the man's gun had fallen, much less the bag he'd left. But it was closest and she didn't want to leave Lucas' company either, so to her apartment they went.
Aria caught Conleley leaving the bottom landing as they went up stairs. She was surprised to find that the door was mildly fixed. It still had the tell-tell signs of being busted though, but it was at least closing.
Lucas comment didn't surprise her, she smiled at his protectiveness. Aria shook her head. "Nah, that happened earlier. Conleley must have fixed it since I left."
Aria could only hope that everything else was picked up too. She carefully unlocked her door and let Lucas go first, to prove it was safe. It was rather nice having him around. She had a new found appreciation for him. She smiled as he walked in front of her. "See, no bad men anymore."
Aria went into the bathroom and grabbed a clean wash clothe and ran it under the water before returning to Lucas. She handed him the cloth. Aria didn't want to talk off his jacket. She enjoyed the warmth but she wasn't exactly sure the state of the dress beneath. Her shoulder hurt like crazy and she was afraid to see if it was soaked in her own blood. "I need out of these uncomfortable clothes."
Aria grabbed some clean clothes and went into the bathroom to check it off, Lucas needed his jacket back after all.
He smiled at here comment about the bad men but still, he didn't like it. It wasn't good that someone had broken in and she acted like it was nothing. He remembered her weapons and saw them hanging by the door, a sword, a dagger, and a gun. Aria got some clothes and went into the bathroom to change. She was still in his jacket and probably wanted to give it back to him.
While she was in there, he picked up the dagger and slid it out of its sheath. It looked pretty cool. The design etched on the blade was cool looking. He brought it closer to examine it. When he heard the door up he looked up and saw her and jerked. The blade twisted in his hand and he cut himself. He hissed.
Aria checked the wound and the bandage. Thankfully no blood had gotten on the dress she wouldn't even know how to get blood out of it. Stupid fancy dresses and their annoying care directions. Aria popped the last pill Conleley had given her. It would take the edge off for now. She really wasn't looking forward to explaining it to anyone.
Aria came out with a long t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Seemed to be her typical outfit when he was over. Aria didn't have long to muse over her attire Lucas hissed and she turned to see he'd cut himself. She shook her head with a grin. "Well now some of the blood is definitely your's. The first aid kits in the night stand by my bed. I'll get something to clean it with."
He felt like an idiot, of course. Then again, she was a beautiful woman and those shorts showed off very nice legs while the t-shirt was tighter than he expected. He shook his head to dispel the fog. "Heh...I guess I'm clumsy today."
Blood was welling along the slice in his palm. She disappeared back into the bathroom- a very nice view popping into his head- and he went over to her nightstand. The bottom drawer was bigger so he figured that's where the kit would be.
When he opened the drawer, however, Lucas' eyebrows raised and he grinned wickedly. Well, well, well. He looked at her as she came over to him, reappraising her. And trying very hard to suppress the images that suddenly would not stop coming to his mind.Guess that was the wrong drawer.
Aria walked out of the bathroom with a dark bottle of peroxide. She laughed to herself as she saw which drawer he'd opened. She walked up behind him and reached around closing the bottom drawer. "Not that one."
She opened the top one, softly laughing to herself. Aria was well aware of his emotions, her own weren't far off, she blushed at her own feelings, not out of embarrassment, it is what it is.
Aria quickly pulled the plastic box with the red cross on the top out of the drawer. It was difficult being that close to him and feeling what she felt, but that too was what it was. She sat it on the bed and then sat down beside it, taking Lucas' now cut hand in hers and shook her head. She looked up at him with a grin. "You should be more careful Mr. Gym man"
She grinned before she started cleaning the cut. Thankfully he didn't require stitches, just a good cleaning and a band-aid. Aria wished for one of those kid band-aids, but she didn't have any.
The fog that he had tried to dispel earlier was harder to get rid of this time. But she sat on the bed, seeming not to worry about his discovery. He was surprised but at the same time, it told him more about her. She took his hand and teased him as she cleaned the wound.
"Yeah, I guess I should."
As he felt her cool and gentle touch he felt a stirring. His heart was beating faster and he knew that if he wasn't careful, things could heat up quickly. That they had already done so, in fact.
Part of him wanted to take it to that next level. But he also knew that he didn't know her all that well. And this whole thing had started with her calling him for help. He recalled her voice on the phone and the need and desperation it held. He was her friend. He said he would be there for her. They'd even gone to Mass together. And she had shared a special place with him. She needed him to be her friend still, not complicate things.
The fire in his chest still burned, of course. He was gonna be blue tonight, he knew that. But it was the right thing to do. He wouldn't confuse the issue for her.
When she finished, he told her, "Thank you. You'd think that a guy who holds needles carefully all day would be able to not cut himself on a knife."
He smiled, aware of the silence.
Aria couldn't help but feel what he was feeling. It wasn't like she wanted to pry. They both wanted it to go someplace more, but they both held back, she didn't know his reasons, but hers were clear to her every time she thought about Lucas. Though the draw to his demons and his pain grew less each time. She didn't want to hurt him, she didn't want to be completely enamored with him that he drove everything that she did.
She laughed when he broke the silence. "You'd think huh?"
Aria got up from the bed to clean things up. When her back was turned to Lucas she closed her eyes. Today was even more a burden to know what he felt and not be able to make anything happen. Fear kept her away. Good reasons, but still it hurt knowing...
The silence lingered for a moment before she answered. This was getting dangerous. She looked at him and he felt a spark. This could happen. She wanted it too, he thought. He breathed heavily. But....but she was so lonely. He wanted her badly, but there was more to her than this. Much more. Her abilities and the loneliness she lived with everyday and left a gaping hole. She ached for someone, anyone. He knew the desperation, the desire that had let him do the same thing. And the feeling of emptiness the next day. He didn't want that for her.
He wanted to sleep with her. But not now. He couldn't do it now. He just couldn't be that guy. He felt like he was taking advantage of her, to do something like that. Maybe she knew. Maybe she understood. Or maybe not. But he needed to leave before he didn't have the strength to do so. Down the road, after she learned she could really trust him, that this wasn't just a desperate attempt to satisfy a need, then maybe it could happen.
Each thought strengthened his resolve. He laughed at himself though. He was going to pay for this tonight though. He'd be kicking himself, he was sure. Yep, definitely blue.
"Well, it's getting late. I should go. I'm sure you need to be up early tomorrow. And I have classes at 7:30."
Thankfully, he could stand without giving too much away. "Thank you for spending the evening with me. And for taking me to Victor's. It means a lot."
It really had. He walked with her to the door. "You're doing good Aria. You are doing really good. You made this a good day, despite whatever you were feeling earlier."
He smiled at her, looked into her eyes. "You're gonna beat this Aria."
Aria was sad and glad that Lucas was leaving. She didn't want him to go, but the longer he stayed the more the desire would grow. It wasn't the first time they'd left everything hanging in the air. The chemistry kept coming back no matter how hard they tried to avoid it.
Aria tried not to laugh at her getting up early. She'd be going to bed closer to the time he got up. She was tired, but she had to reset. Living during the day was growing weary. She had things to do tonight, she'd have time to sleep when people were active, and the apartment was quiet. She nodded. She'd have joked but it wasn't there.
He got up and Aria walked with him to the door. He encouraged her, but it felt more like excuses at the moment. Her life was huge mess, that she knew. And it wasn't likely to straighten out anytime soon. But Lucas was helping, he'd gotten her to do something she'd not done in months. Things were looking brighter. She smiled up at him "Thanks."
He turned and left, it felt so empty with out him but Aria shut the door despite the burning desire to watch him walk away. She leaned against the closed door and smiled, sadness, happiness, everything all positive nothing bad about the day remained, that was what Lucas did for her life. She'd appreciate it, appreciate him. But he wasn't the only reason why life was getting better. She wanted it too despite the call of her demons. She didn't want to hurt people.
Aria didn't think the Regus was going to like the new her anymore than he liked the old one.
[[with Lucas]]
Edited by Aria, Aug 29 2014, 02:20 PM.