Shattered

“it’s my hope that i won’t ever have to use it, but you never know with these things.” and normally, he might have gone on for ages about how he hasn’t been able to sleep lately, how the nightmares have gotten worse and worse, but somehow this didn’t feel like the right time or place. it wasn’t that he didn’t trust kel, but he didn’t exactly want to burden the other, either.

blinking, he followed kel to the display, eyes glued on gentle hands and long fingers as they move across the surface, above the guns. “has anyone ever told you that it’s kind of hot when you talk guns?” he asked, letting out a dramatic sigh. “like, i have no idea what you’re saying but it’s kind of getting me going.” 

joking aside, however, he looked down at the piece when it was offered to him, stretching his hand out, palm up. “do you ever think people who buy big guns are trying to compensate for something else?” vincent grinned, taking the gun into his hand and letting his thumb glide over the grip, a tiny little thing that almost felt like a toy. 

“s’nice,” he adds a moment later, flipping the gun in his hand to examine it. “so - can we make it so that this doesn’t trace back to me? it means no paper trails, records, nothing. i’ll pay more for your trouble.” 

“Still, it’s important to have your wits about you if you’re carrying. Not great for people with a lot of anxiety if it results in an itchy trigger finger, yeah?” Now that he was taking in a bit more of the way Vin was walking and holding himself, something was definitely off. Maybe that was because he’d been a little drunk last time he saw the man but... Vin also had seen someone get shot and die since then.

“Haha, very funny,” Kel snarked back, trying to ignore how warm his ears got. “At least pretend to know something about guns before I hand you one. These are normal words!” His tone was too light to be scolding, following instead with Vin’s humor. He had to give it to the guy, for someone with no experience, he didn’t seem to uncomfortable with a gun in his hand. Of course, he thought with an unusual shot of pride, The right gun can do wonders to help with that. 

“The really big ones are,” a glint appeared in Kel’s eye. “Can’t be as flashy with it as a car though. When someone doesn’t have business connections and is too eager, you know, in a way that could be... Dangerous? I try to convince them to spend their money elsewhere. Don’t major news on my head.”

Marquis was unfazed. This was Asphodel, after all. This was like his home. So to see the other drawing wasn’t a problem to him. It helped that the other man was absolutely adorable too. “Kel? That’s a cute name. I’m Marquis,” he hummed, following the other’s gaze to the box on the table. The dancer didn’t pry in the moment though, humming softly at the other man’s response. “Ah, so the boss said so, hm? Well, I certainly can’t argue with that now,” he murmured lowly. “Certainly not when you seemed so in thought like that.”

The dancer chuckled lightly at the comment. “If the dancers were bothered by you drawing them, then they shouldn’t have become dancers. Don’t worry; I’m sure they’re flattered to be your muse,” he murmured lowly into Kel’s ear. Marquis snapped his fingers, waving for three of his dancers to come closer to the stage front before the two of them. The head escort gestured for them to continue as they were doing, rehearsing the routines and finishing stretching. “What would the boss want with your drawings, I wonder. Mind if you share?” he teased, not leaning away from the other man in the slightest. “What do your lips taste like?” Marquis followed up, with no warning or pre-tense. He loved teasing the other man; Kel looked like he was going to melt into the floor beneath him.

Any hope that the beautiful man would take that as enough of an answer and leave him to drown in embarrassment dried up and vanished when Marquis pretty name for a pretty person waved Kel’s former subjects over. A much better angle for the poses he was practicing but there was no way he was going to get back to work now. “They don’t, it’s not, uh. It’s more that Samael doesn’t much care whether I do the drawings or not. They’re just f-for practice anyway. While I wait.” He wished he was contributing art to the world rather than the means of various destructions. He could find out what Samael liked, do it as a gift....

Kel had been so distracted by the concept that it took nearly a full second to understand what Marquis had said. All he could do was blink at the man, a stranger- he only knew his name and that he worked under Hades! Heat flooded his face and he was ever thankful that blushes weren’t entirely visible on his skin. “You- What?” he wished he could sink into the floor. Why was he so affected by the question? Sure he didn’t have much experience with people having that sort of interest and even less with people who were so forward about it, but still! He had to have some level of dignity and barely reigned himself in from just leaving- meeting with Samael be damned.

where: a little diner oscar really can’t remember the name of when: lunch for @bentbrokenbullets·

It was the leg that tipped Oscar off as to who walked into the diner. Perhaps that made him a horrible person. He was and he rejoiced in it, but it seemed likely recognizing someone from something like that did little to redeem him in the eyes of the powers that be, if such powers existed. 

“Kel! Over here!” The invitation hung in the air and he punctuated it with a smile that had conned old ladies out of their purses and children of their favorite Halloween candy, or so Oscar claimed. “I just ordered two cups of coffee and I’d love if you would join me for a drink and a bite!”

That was a lie, but he did want to talk to Kel. Given recent… circumstances in the city, Oscar needed to start taking precautions, especially when he slipped back into the skin of a little bird. And everyone knew that if you wanted weapons, you got them from Kel. Coffee seemed like a good place to start in that quest.

Sometimes a person needed a milkshake. The world was full of inconsiderate things. Inconsiderate machines that dumped your morning coffee on the floor. That one might have been partially Kel’s fault for meddling with screws and hinges. Inconsiderate escalators that ate your fucking shoes. Inconsiderate people who jeered and poked fun at the guy with a metal foot.

At least Kel couldn’t feel the cold from the loss. He’d be even more upset if it’d been the other shoe. Regardless the world was a cold and cruel place and he deserved a treat for putting up with it. Of course, he was easily distracted from his mission by a friendly face and invitation. Plus he didn’t have his coffee that morning and this place had a good brew. Damn machine. So he waved and started to make his way between tables- hyperaware of the click interrupting every other step.

“Well, well. Long time no see,” he smiled as he took a seat. Oscar was one of the more decent and on-the-level of Luli’s crowd in Kel’s experience. He wasn’t sure what the guy did, but he wasn’t fighting people or selling drugs, so he couldn’t be all bad, right? “What have you been up to? Lots of parties to go to, I’m sure a popular man like you has a lot on his plate.” It was one of the reasons Kel had been surprised to see Oscar here at all. The man seemed more accustomed to balls and galas than hole-in-the-wall joints like this.

“what was that? do my ears deceive me or are you giving away free stuff? it sounds good, but then i reckon that the shotgun obviously has some issues. people only give away the things that they don’t need, ” the thing hope knew best was how to tease and get under someone’s skin, be it with words or blades, she knew her tricks.  “or are you just a seller with a heart of gold? ” however, at the nice girl comment she only scoffed, rolling her eyes ever so subtly. at least around weapons she was always in a stellar mood. 

 “don’t you know anything about this nice girl? or does your memory betray you? but guess i won’t be so nice with a gun like that, right? ” with a raise eyebrow, she listened attentively, as if he was telling her the sweetest story the world had ever heard. only tales of metal and fire and death mattered in the end.  “ so does that mean that you don’t have the udav? all right, all right, the DAO isn’t that bad either. but it definitely doesn’t have a cooler name … and i know my russians well. there’s a reason why their things are in such high demand. they never disappoint.  so, what are you waiting for? take me to wonderland! ” 

He grinned down at her sharply, “Shotgun works just fine, I’m just trying to reward a valued customer for her loyalty. You’ve earned enough points or something.” A light drumming of fingertips on the glass and they were moving.

“C’mon Hope, you can be very nice when you try, I’m sure,” he chided as he held open the door for her. “Back corner, second shelf,” he smirked as she passed, closing the door behind and taking a moment to rest his weight on the heavy metal. He’d pulled the udav and a few other pieces from a recent shipment, knowing she’d be in sooner or later. It was satisfying to know someone’s preferences enough to be prepared for demands. The other guns could wait for other visits though, she’d only asked about one.

Shit, Halim flinched. I didn’t see the other guy. Of all the times to be unobservant, to not bother paying attention to his surroundings, and he managed to insinuate something horrible about one of the few decent folk left in this city to someone outside the churning mass of chaos that was the current situation with the mobs. 

The smile that fluttered across his face at the confidence in Kel’s voice as he loudly proclaimed innocence. It was a rare sight to see him comfortable with anything and even if this was an act, it was one that made Halim happy to see. Of course, the smile faded eventually, as all things do, and he did his best to keep a straight face until the door closed behind him and Kel.

“I’m sorry,” he began, “I didn’t see that you had a customer. I wouldn’t have asked so loudly if I knew you did and I certainly would have been more discrete.” The full-body flinch that went through him yet again at his massive social blunder was reintroduced to his mind. “Sorry Kel,” he finished with a shrug.

“No drink for me, thank you though,” he said, moving to sit in the plush chair that was indicated by Kel. He practically fell into it, moving with all the grace of a puppet with no strings holding it up any longer. “I asked you because I think we’re friends,” Halim stated with a characteristic plainness. “I like to think we are at least, and I trust you to give me a straight answer when the people I work with wouldn’t even think of such a thing. They’d probably be as honest to me as they were to you. I also didn’t want to go behind your back.”

“Was there anything you learned that could be helpful? Anything you’d feel comfortable sharing with me?”

“I know you would have, kid. It’s alright, I get the question from all kinds of people every time someone gets shot. Kinda surprised you’re the first this time.”  He limped to his own chair and settled with a sigh. Halim was smart, and straight-forward, though in the past the latter trait had been a bit overshadowed by the particularly bullheaded people he was around. 

“I think you’re right,” he said slowly with a nod. “And I appreciate it. Hate to hear that people don’t want to talk to me directly.” It was an unfortunately common occurrence, and with words alone Halim was quickly shooting up the ranks of people he had any sort of regard for.

Kel grimaced and shrugged at the question. “Honestly, I haven’t had a chance to ask the.. higher-ups directly. Samael gets a good amount of loyalty from their people. I’m sure it’s well deserved, but it makes my job difficult when I don’t have time to barge in and demand answers.” Not that he’d be doing such a thing even if he had all the time in the world, but the point remained. 

the place is unfamiliar to him, a soft thing next to the sharpness of what surrounds him. he’s hardly one for such things - ( all this blood, and for what? the sun rises and the bodies mean nothing. ) - but he won’t deny that he’s always been curious over the infatuation with the sales of the place. morbid, perhaps, but he’s no stranger to what lies on display before him. he’s certain he recognizes a few models from his clientele alone. 

“how the city chooses to - ‘grind its gears’ - matters little to me. it always will, and people will always waste their time trying to think it means anything other than time passing in what ways it chooses to.” he smiles at the man, cat’s grin. eyes drift towards the glass displays, already scanning. 

“mm. what can you do for me, sweetheart?” it is almost playful, sweet, if not for the setting. “i’m looking for a gift. something efficient. perhaps with a good spatter, but quiet. oh, and bright. do you have anything with diamonds encrusted, by any chance?”

The way that pretty face gave away words like “sweetheart” while scanning shelves of weapons wasn’t entirely unusual anymore. How young the kid seemed was, but Kel had learned not to ask questions from those with connections. To say Cleo was well-known in their circles was an understatement, one that did their work no credit. And so even though the two hadn’t interacted much- at all really, theirs was a familiar face. One he wasn’t sure he trusted, no matter how many raving reviews there were.

“A gift?” Now that was a surprise. Cleo had been at the Ball, Kel knew that for a fact even if they’d barely managed keeping track of names and faces. Most people he’d seen in the shop since the even thad been more worried about their own protection. Perhaps there was a benefactor who had a thing for firearms. Perhaps they and- well that was none of his business. His mouth twitched into his own smile. “Quiet and sparkly, you sure you know what you’re asking for? If it’s a piece for show that’s one thing, but you can’t expect it to be sharpshooter worthy.”

time: September 29th place: Asphodel status: closed: @bentbrokenbullets·

There wasn’t anything going on yet. He was having his dancers practice, set up for the night. In the mean time, between handling some issue between his escorts and ensuring the place would be ready when it needed to be, Marquis strolled around the place carefully. He knew it like the back of his hand; every nook and cranny didn’t escape his gaze. He had to, after all. It was his place of work, and what sort of employee would he be if he wasn’t familiar with the space? Tugging lightly on his shirt as he adjusted some of the dancers’ positioning, his eyes fell upon a particularly engrossed man, the way his eyes flitted between the medium in his lap and the dancers onstage.

Strolling over calmly, Marquis slid into the chair next to him, his piercing eyes trailing down to peer at the other’s work. “And what are you doing here? I don’t remember agreeing to someone drawing my dancers, and I certainly don’t see any drawings of me on there. A shame, really.” He hummed idly, leaning in to let his finger gently run along the other’s jawline.

“Name, please. I won’t ask twice. What’s your business here anyways? I don’t think we’re quite open just yet for the public, if that’s what you were interested in. But I’m sure with that adorable face of yours, the bodyguards just couldn’t help but let you in.” Marquis sighed, moving from his chair onto the armrest of the other man’s. He leaned in carefully, his eyes holding an amused glint in them. “So, tell me, what’s your reason then? I’ll promise not to be hurt that you’ve overlooked me if you tell me the truth.”

These quiet hours were nice. He tried to avoid Asphodel during its active hours whenever possible, but business was business and sometimes it couldn’t be helped. He had a minor inkling that Samael knew he wasn’t comfortable with the crowds, or maybe they just preferred to get meetings out of the way early. But in the quiet times, Kel could hide in a corner and wait his turn and put pen to paper until his mind settled. 

Art was still the one thing that made him grounded. Motion captured and frozen on a page- and when the models were some of the best dancers in the city, there was plenty to draw. That didn’t mean he wanted anyone to see though, and the shock of someone breaking his concentration had him scrambling to cover the page. Not that he was doing anything wrong of course!

“I’m- You see, uh, I have a- Your?” Kel swallowed hard as he finally took in the man sitting beside him. Was that glitter? He leaned back as the other came closer, eyes wide, voice caught in his throat. “Um. Kel, I’m Kel. I’ve got uh,” his eyes darted to the bulky metal box on the other side of the table. A bundle of unmade sins tucked away in shiny chrome. “Business. With the boss, that is. I’m- If there’s a problem of me not asking to draw, I talked about it with Samael!” I think. I hope. “B-but if it’s bothering people I’ll stop, I didn’t mean-” God he hoped he’d stop babbling at some point, this was just embarrassing. 

he couldn’t lie - he got paid a decent amount working under tyler, certainly more than he’d ever imagined he’d make, but he never imagined that he would have to find himself down here, buying himself a gun. 

he’d held one before, of course, back when he was running deals for gabriel, but that was a last-minute safety measure, and the gun hadn’t been his own. this felt different. 

“no time to lose, kel,” he replied eventually, looking up with a small smile. he wondered how his friend felt about all this - was he already used to it, or was he as scared as he felt? 

“only one thing to look for in a weaponry, methinks,” he added, “something small. and easy to use. i don’t have much experience with guns, so.” 

Kel’s mouth quirked in response, he hadn’t expected such a casual response. “Well there’s certainly no time like the present to get something nice for yourself. Not doing a great job of convincing me to sell you a deadly weapon though.” Despite the words he tilted his chin to the far wall and beckoned the other to follow.

It was a good day, minimal pain, and getting to spend part of it with Vin was always helpful in making the world seem brighter. “These lovelies are all pretty standard first guns. Fire the standard 9mm rounds, all that good stuff.” He gave a long look at the other’s face and hands before moving down the line. “Sig’s not for you, too many fiddly bits even if it never jams. Might like a Glock, common and well-priced. If you like those, I’d take the 19 over the 17, it’s lighter and thinner.”

“But for you my friend,” he grinned as he pulled a piece from under the glass. “The XD Mod.2, I think. This is a smaller size than their standard, one of the thinnest in the industry, but doesn’t have the recoil issues that usually go with the light weight.” He flipped the gun to offer the grip. “Get a feel, it’s not loaded.

Time: After the Founder’s Ball Location: Hotel Olympus Status: Closed starter for @bentbrokenbullets·

The minute the commotion began at the ball, Jason hightailed it straight for the parking lot to get to his car before the rush would inevitably begin. The only benefit of being surrounded by hundreds of rich people was the fact that half of them expected the valets to pull their cars to the front and he almost left with relative ease. He could see people running in sheer panic as he inched his way into traffic, driving his shitty Honda past people who spent more on their outfits for the night than he did on his car. If it weren’t for the circumstances, he would almost openly laugh at the humor of the entire situation.

He nearly drove past Kel, wanting nothing more than to get home and pretend as though his own nerves weren’t completely fried. A part of him was reminded of the details of Rafael’s gory death in that one little gunshot that occurred, the other parts of him wanted a distraction or something to avoid even thinking about it. Still, Kel was a friend of a friend and seeing him stood there, waiting for a car was almost sad. Rolling down the window of his passenger side door, Jason waved the other man down before shouting above all the noise.

“Hey! Do you want a ride? It’s going to take ages for someone to get here with the cops and everyone trying to leave in their own cars.”

God this was really gonna suck. He’d only barely made it out of the near-interrogation by the police because of his condition. And now he was going to have to stand here with an already aching leg for the next who-knows-how-long. It would be fine if he could sit, but then none of the cabs would think he was a fare. For the millionth time in his life, Kel cursed the fact that the loss of his leg meant he couldn’t drive. Life seemed so much simpler for those who could.

So when a beat up car pulled along side him, Kel was already hoping it was an Uber or Lyft driver who could use some cash. Or a lot of it. When it was Jason in the driver seat, he couldn’t do more than blink for a few moments. Did they know each other outside of the basic networking of “you know someone I know”? He knew Jason had turned a few leaves, but this was still unexpected. And perfectly timed.

“Yeah, actually that would be great,” he grinned before limping over to the car. “I owe you one, seriously, you just saved me a week’s worth of pain.” If he twinged his hip again getting into the car, that was his own business. But also something he should tell his doctor- it would suck to have to go back for joint treatments. “You uh,” he peered at the other man in the darkness. “You good to drive?” He was pretty sure the guy was clean now- heard rumors just earlier that night. But someone had just been murdered, so he wouldn’t be surprised if Jason was a little shaken. Wasn’t going to turn down the ride either way. “Er, well, are you going somewhere? I don’t mind getting dropped off at a taxi queue or something.”

location: Etna Weaponry

time: normal operating hours

for @bentbrokenbullets·

This was so far out of Halim’s general job description that it was almost funny. He could count on one hand the number of times he had been to Etna. The fact that he was here now, not under orders but rather because of an all-consuming need to know, was telling. Weapons were among Halim’s least favorite things, but they had permeated the city. The one man who would be able to answer Halim’s question was behind the door of Etna, and so was with a sigh he pushed open the door and walked in.

“Hey, Kel,” he greeted quietly. “Look,” Halim continued, skipping over the pleasantries, “I don’t want to be a drag but the question has been eating me since the Ball. Was that gun one of yours?”

Halim never came to the Hephaestus headquarters if he could help it. Kel couldn't blame him- the man who owned the place would usually rather be anywhere else. Of course not everyone felt the same way, and now Kel wished the kid had stopped to take stock before talking. He smiled tightly at the man in front of him, "Excuse me for a minute. Feel free to call for Brontes if you need anything, he's in the other room."

He beckoned Halim to follow as he moved towards his office, speaking clearly so his paying customer would hear. "Of course not, my friend! I only sell to the most discerning of individuals, and the police receive ballistic reports of every firearm before I sell-" Click.

He gave Halim a hard look before wiping a weary hand down his face. Gone was the facade of a confident businessman, and Kel sighed a short, "You don't ask the easy questions do you?" He walked stiffly to his liquor cabinet, waving towards a plush chair as he passed.

"Want a drink?" He poured and drank his own whisky while pulling his thoughts together and busied himself with the next as he started speaking slowly.

"I don't know. I'm not supposed to know what my pieces do once I sell them. I tried to find out after... But I doubt any of your people were honest in their answers. So why are you asking me and not them?"

hope had unintentionally slept most of the day away, but unlike many others she certainly wasn’t stuck in a pity of hysteria after the ball. in fact she had no problems with sleeping or resting like some lazy cat. people were always dying, sometimes thanks to her. so the despite the sudden tragedy, the feeling in the air wasn’t new to her. death had a way of bringing everyone closer and the weight of loss wasn’t always easy to carry, but hope was different. she felt nothing. well nothing that should’ve been felt. there were worse ways to die. the police commissioner certainly had it easy. at least he was wearing a suit when it happened. no need to change anything for the funeral, no? it seemed like a good way to save some money - at least to hope who was constantly cackling at the idea. 

when she finally woke up, she decided to drop by her favorite place. bars, shooting ranges and weapon shops, it wasn’t actually that easy to pick a favorite spot, but her mind was always changing. tomorrow, she would find a new favorite place. “there’s nothing more that i love in this world than the smell of new guns. so yeah, don’t mind me stopping by,” her usual cockiness wasn’t needed at this place so she spoke calmly as she slowly waltzed around, trying to let her eyes enjoy in the visual feast. “probably the usual. but also… got anything extra new? i’ve read online about this new russian gun called ‘udav’. have you heard of it? do you know what it means in russian? boa. like the snake. i don’t think it’s available in the states. at least not legally. but you know me, i’m always open to suggestions. ”

Kel liked customers that knew what he was talking about, and few people knew the inside of his guns as Hope did. She wasn't arrogant with it, just knew what she knew and carried herself with it. Of course, this usually meant that Kel had to be on his toes and ready to unlock the back room for a special showing.

"I'll throw in an extra mag of 7's if you spring for a new piece," was called out before she was even done talking. He narrowed his eyes at her slightly as he started stacking ammo in her usual calibers. He braced his hands on the counter and pitched his voice high, mocking someone Hope would never meet. "Now what's a nice girl like you doing, asking about a gun like that? DAO, with Gyurza rounds- hard to stock those but harder to get something to shoot them with." His face cracked in a smile as he added, "Of course, anything the Russians consider an improvement is highly desired by all sorts. Think I've got a few options you'll like, come on back." There was an artistry to weapons like this, to the way they worked, that he hadn't realized until he'd taken over this shop. Now he didn't know how to go back even if he had the chance. Might as well make something beautiful out of it.

It wasn’t his first thought when the gun rang out, but it had definitely hit him before he got home. Gonna be a busy week. These sorts of fluxes in demand for... product were normal, every one felt a bit more secure when they thought they’d be able to defend themself. Kel knew it didn’t work that way, but with a business founded on the sale of weapons he wasn’t about to tell them otherwise. Wasn't good to hear the guy selling you a gun saying that you wouldn't have a chance against an obviously professional hitman if the target happened to be on your back. Happy customers were the ones that came back- when they didn't get killed.

So when a familiar face was shown through the door, he waved Brontes away with a wan smile and propped his feet on his cabinet with a sigh. “I was wondering if you’d show up today. Not big on delays when the gears start grinding are you?” It was different doing business with friends- he wanted them to be right about what their purchase would do. "So what can I do for you?"

“nah, man. i’m as strong as a bull - there’s no burnout bad enough to be my match.” he said, perfectly aware of the fact that he wasn’t making much sense. 

he looked at his friend as his expression changed, and bit down on his lip. when he’d first started working under tyler was when he’d first heard of the great hephaestus, and the legacy that followed with the name - he’d always wondered if it was a burden to kel. “not taking you out, buddy,” he said, placing a hand on his friend’s arm. “asking you to come work for them. they all want you on their side.” 

he, of course, was no exception. but kel didn’t have to know that. after all, it wasn’t as though he didn’t enjoy the other man’s company - he was one of the few people he genuinely liked around here.

“easy there tiger,” he laughed, “m’trying to stay sober for the night just in case someone calls but let’s get you another drink there, hm?” 

“I see what you did there, no flaming,” Kel grinned. The smile slipped away quickly though. He supposed Vin wanted to be comforting when he said it, but the weight of everyone’s expectations made him feel like Atlas more than Hephaestus. This entire web was full of watching eyes waiting for a misstep or a weakness. If he was lucky, he’d be able to dodge the crossfire without burning bridges. It was nice to have someone on his side, even if Vin had other, higher loyalties.

“Oh, c’mon, who’s gonna call that you actually would need to be sober for? Your boss is here. You keeping tabs out for other people? If you’re coming to the bar, get yourself something nice.” Vincent might have prompted this trip to the bar, but Kel was definitely taking the initiative of dragging him along. 

Date: September 22nd Location: Mount Olympus - Upper Landing Status: Open to All

Hidden on the upper landing of the lobby—just behind one ofthe larger pillars that made up the balustrade of the grand staircase—was perhapsthe greatest vantage point in the entire hotel. From up here Anya could see theentire foyer without interruption. She watched as finely dressed guests dancedaround one another like the colorful bits of a kaleidoscope—always beautiful, but devoid of any value.

She had no interest in New York’s elite— she had alwaysfound the ‘fabulously wealthy’ to be rather boring and Harvey had forced herto rub elbows with all of them enough in her youth. If she squinted hard enough sheswore she could still see the ghost of a 20 year old Anya moving among them,dressed in a gown for the first time in her life and just as drunk on the ideaof having friends as she was the free champagne. That wasn’t her life any more,though. In fact half the people she had been so excited to call “friend” atthe time were the very people she was surveying the crowd for.

Concentrating so intently on the scene below, Anya wascaught off guard when she heard the sound of someone coming up behind her.Instinctively her hand flew to her purse, ready to grab for a weapon as adrenalineand fear pumped through her system, but she pulled her hand back at the last second—rememberingthat this was not the time or place. Instead she ran her fingers shakily through her hair. “Jesus! You gave me a heart attack.”

Kel was hesitant to approach Athe-Anya. They’d never interacted much other than when he and Luli had a transaction. Every good interrogator needs a good toolkit. When she jumped, he flinched back, eyes darting as fast as her hand moved to- the purse was too small for a gun. Or at least any of the ones he’d given her. “Sorry about that, I was hoping to get a better look around.”

He leaned on the railing, facing forward rather than towards her. “All those colors...” I wish I could paint with them. “It looks like someone shot a confetti cannon into a fan. All the paper’s still swirling around- these people never stop moving, do they?” He tapped the toe of his right shoe into the stone in front of him, vibrations racing through plastic and metal until he could actually feel it. “You, uh. You doing okay?” He chanced a glance at her. “I know we’re not close, but this event isn’t easy for any of you who knew him, I’m sure.”

Location: Founder’s Ball

Status: Closed for @bentbrokenbullets

He had excused himself from the festivities, escaping into the cool night air to shed the heat of disapproving stares that weighed heavily on his back. He fished a cigarette out of his back pocket and lit it with a nimble flick, the comforting taste of nicotine rolling off his tongue as he breathed out a heavy sigh. He sat on an ordainment stone bench engraved with the names of donators, and for a brief second, he wondered if his Pa’s name was among them but a deep chill ran through his body jolting his attention away. He faced away from the ball, his gaze drawn to the delicately placed flowers that hid the rough exterior of the city, yet, he could still feel the heavy hands of past friends who tugged and pulled at his insecurities. He rubbed desperately at his face as if the friction could wash away years of built trauma and ran his hand through strands of hairsprayed hair. The sound of soft footsteps had him turning his head in anticipation of a barrage of unfamiliar faces asking for things he couldn’t give, but instead, he was met with a beautiful sight, one that slowly released the pressure on his chest.

“Hellllooooo, gorgeous.”

The first time he had met Kel was during the transferring of names, he disapproved of the fast pace movement brought on by his Pa. For god’s sake, there were more appropriate times to commence initiation than at his father’s funeral. Tyler could clearly remember placing a gentle hand on the man’s back trying to offer the condolences his family failed to give, though he wasn’t sure if Kel remembered it the same way. Their number of meetings increased over the years as Tyler desperately tried to become a bridge between Kel and the confusing life of the mafia though they had fallen out of touch after Raf’s death, it was only recently that he had shown up at Kel’s shop offering a basket of baked goods as an apology gift. Despite their separation, Tyler still took comfort in the man’s presence. “Don’t you look just ravishing- Trying to escape the madness?” He nodded towards the crowded building with an uneasy smile.

The voice that echoed out of the night was one tied with comfort, with peace. Kel didn’t need to be on edge around Tyler, didn’t need to hold up so much of the “godly” facade. He could be and feel human, a respite from something he never expected to be a burden. He’d been glad the last few weeks that the other had taken the step to reconnect- he’d missed having a friend, but been too worried about imposing while Tyler’s faimly fell apart. 

“Oh here you are,” Kel called with a smile as he slowly made his way to sit next to Tyler. He’d had too many conversation arguing over whether or not he was good-looking to call out the flattery- Tyler never gave up. “Can’t remember the last time I saw you all cleaned up, it’s a good look.” He followed the gesture and grimaced at the light and noise. “Something like that.” Not that anyone could escape these people. Tyler had come the closest, but he was still Poseidon, still involved. Maybe Jason...

Kel shook his head and bounced his shoulders. “What are you doing out here, too much family time? You can’t duck out early, you know what kind of shitshow that would cause.”

“Would you rather walk around or would you like to sit down,” Halim asked, choosing to address the most immediate problem first. “Because I’d love to chat with you, but unless you’d prefer for me to act as a blockade between you and the floor, I’d like to return your autonomy to you.” Halim’s smile attempted to soften the slight bite to his words. “It’s your body and you know it far better than I do.”

Halim scoffed. “You’re not fragile; you’ve got a core made of metal and the occasional bruises really aren’t your fault, as I am sure you know.” Fixing Kel with a firm look, he continued. “Putting yourself down just makes it easier for others to do the same. Don’t give them an inch.” The words had the weight of having been said many times before, both to Halim himself and to people not in the room. “If you don’t believe in your strength, who will?”

Laughing, Halim informed Kel that if he didn’t end up working tonight, that meant people had learned to control their tempers far better than they had the last time he saw all of them. “Besides, who doesn’t end up needed a Band-Aid every once and a while?”

"Yeah, yeah you're right," he grumbled. With Halim it didnt feel like when other doctors tried to boss him around and tell him what was best for his condition. It was probably because he was so open about what and why he wanted Kel to do things- that he even used the word autonomy, let alone in that context. So he hobbled over to a table and plopped into a chair with a huff of air.

A wan smile spread on his face as he tried to rub sensation back into the joint. "You ever think about going into politics? Think you'd do some real good, put people's heads back on straight." He snorted, concious of just how many people were in the room. How many could set another off and turn everything upside down. "Here's to hoping a Band-Aid's all you'll need, doc." The pins and needles were starting to fade, tension easing in his jaw as he looked at the other man. "Or that this whole thing wraps up soon so we can go home without disrespecting our lovely hosts."

He tested the other joints in his leg- when one went out the others were quick to follow. Sitting probably was the best thing for him right now, even if he hated to give in. He cleared his throat softly and glanced at Halim. "You, uh. Did you get to see everyone you wanted tonight? It's nice to have everyone together even if they're not talking." A few key people hadn't crossed his path, but that didn't mean they weren't in the building.