satellite heart

Head shook at her threat to leave, playing as though he wouldn't let it happen. "You already walked in the door, it's too late to retreat now." At least he figured it was, he'd always thrived too much in social situations to see them as daunting so struggled to image a time he'd be as reluctant as Eve clearly was. But all he ever wanted was for everyone to have a good time and he'd make sure it was the case for her, in his own way. "Most people come willingly, I'm known to have a winning personality." Grin was flashed her way as though that proved his point. Most would see vanity in his words but to him they were hollow, knowing that if others did like him it was simply the happy-go-lucky version of himself he'd created years ago. "Just the first unless it's a special occasion." Slow grin crept over his features as something occurred to him. "But I guess tonight could be, since you've decided to grace us with your presence."

"I beg to differ. It's never too late." She countered, simply being difficult to be difficult. Even after all these years, it was hard for her to reckon with the fact that someone like Sully could really want her around, having such a stark difference in their personalities -- and, not to mention vastly different social standings back in school together. He'd always been nice to her, sure, but it was hard for her not to feel so utterly small in his presence. Though, perhaps that was just the remnants of a longing that she'd let go of long ago, once she had become old enough to know better. "Winning personality or not, you do sign everyone's paychecks. That could have something to do with it." A roll of her eyes followed, and she placed her bag on the bar top. "Huh, a real Santa Claus you are. Fine, I guess if you're buyin'..." Because, really, that was a hard bargain to pass up.

Gone was any sense of decorum or care of what was socially acceptable. Before she even responded, Roman's heart had begun to beat wildly. He had years of false starts, failed fact finding missions, thinking he had found her only to be proven wrong. He didn't want to say he had given up, as he still would use his clearance at work to search through records, trying to turn up possibilities he had missed before...But it would be a lie to say he still went at it with the same vigor as he had when he first joined the FBI. Each woman he spoke to only to realize it wasn't his sister took a piece of what little was left of him. And soon enough, Roman was riddled with holes, all the compounded loss taking it's toll, and he slowly started to realize it was probably for the best if he never found her. He wouldn't be the brother she remembered, anyways.

She immediately froze the moment he said it; Evie. A name that had nestled in the very corners of her memory, suddenly roused after an almost thirty-year hibernation. There was little that Eve remembered from the time before, a lot of pain and trauma that had stayed in her body but that had been blocked out of her mind. The first time she saw the man before her, she'd thought little of his name, having reckoned long ago with the fact that the older brother that had once held her hand as they crossed the street or read her bedtime stories had to have perished -- and now?

“Okay so as much as I don’t want to be your reason for that, I’ll totally be your reason just this once.” Emiri laughed, knowing that any other time she’d probably be trying to gently push some form of productivity vibes onto her friend. “Oh so you’re practically a tool connoisseur?” It was a joke and yet her brows instantly came together as she heard herself back, wondering whether that even made sense out loud. “But please, is it embarrassing to say I didn’t realise screwdrivers were all different?” She admits as she covers her face briefly with her hands, laughing because it definitely was embarrassing. “Do you think? I don’t…” she titled her head in thought, “I don’t even know if I’m a dog person, you know.” Or a pet one, considering she had never owned one. “I mean they’re cute, but is it me?” She shrugged because in every sense she had no idea. “Also, I’d probably get a scary dog and it’d be as scared as me when something randomly goes bang.” Which was something she could one hundred percent see happening and to Emiri it was hilarious. “How’s work though, is it now that it starts to get quieter?”

Eve let out a laugh. "Oh, yeah, definitely. I've been thinking about putting that on my Tinder biography as my actual job -- seems like it'd get me a lot more matches than 'horse girl'." She joked, nose scrunching momentarily as she considered how absolutely wrong that sounded. "Okay, actually in hindsight that might need to stay between us." The brunette brought her drink to her lips, taking a long sip before responding. "No, no, not embarrassing at all. Just as long as you're not using one as a hammer, I think you're in the clear." She smirked. "I could totally picture you with, like, a big ass bull terrier that's half your size." Considering Emiri's short stature, it'd definitely be a sight to see. "I think the bigger question is if you're willin' to pick up poop for the next ten to fifteen years, or deal with fur all over your apartment. Half the reason the only animal I have lives in a ranch down the road from me." Though, really, Eve would have much preferred to have a place with enough land to have Honey on the lot with her -- but that was a lot more expensive of an investment than she was willing or able to take on. At least by working at Decker Ranch she was able to house her horse there for free. "And if not a big scary dog, you could just get a gun -- if you don't already have one." Eve shrugged. Since she became involved -- tangentially --with the Hellraisers, she thought it important to learn how to defend herself, even if the chance of getting close to the action was slim. "Eh, you know. Slow, lots of busy work to do to prepare the lodgings for winter. Means I'm gonna be doin' a lot of reception work once the snow starts to fall." She shrugged. "How about you? I'd think business would start to pick up with the holidays and all. Nothing says 'I love you' like a gift card for a new tattoo."

“True, that’s true,” she returned with her own small laughter, “Okay I’ll definitely hit you up.” Doing so might even give her mom a break also, so the more she thought about it the more she didn’t mind taking Eve up on her offer. “Oh that’s…” she paused, “Not something I’ve thought about, but I don’t mind being hands on, I make a good pumpkin pie actually.” Even if she did say so herself. Desserts were more of a specialty for Freya, she shined in those areas in a way her mains were probably pitiful, yet she tried even the more. “Oh you do?” She wasn’t quite sure whether Eve playing it by ear meant she’d be alone - she hoped not. “Really?” She chuckled lightly as amusement filled her eyes momentarily, “Did you cry afterwards? I’d have cried. Have you tried doing it since or did that put you off for life?”

"Oh, I can totally see that. You always struck me as the baking type," she chuckled. "My mom used to make this, like, little pumpkin woopie pie things with cream in the middle. Literal heaven -- I wish I asked her for the recipe." Not that she'd be any good at making it. Eve's talents for baking extended solely to boxed cake or brownie batter and that was about it. Funny how much better she was with a drill and a hammer than she was with flour and a mixer. "Yeah, yeah. I usually figure it out the week of." She waved off, not wanting Freya to be concerned. After all she was used to it, took solace in the silence and independence she'd gained -- at least, that's what she told herself. "I think I cried from the moment I put that damn thing in a pan to when I took it out of the oven -- but, like, one of those cries where you're just so angry you can't help it, and you feel like a toddler." Eve laughed. "No, no, that was where my cooking journey ended. Figured I'd like the professionals handle it from there on out. Just like with my flower beds, y'know?"

"I mean there's gotta be some health benefits to only eating fish, right? And I mean what I said. It's not about your skills, it's about you and your skills out on the roads. It's gonna be quite a show." He could feel his cheeks flush as she reacted, especially when she touched his shoulder. He almost jumped at the contact, not used to her initiating contact like that. "Yeah and no or well, I actually don't know because I haven't talked to her but last I heard they were...very much together," he admitted, trying to look more ashamed than he actually felt. "We were at the festival, we were drinking and dancing and just having a really good time. We haven't hung out like that in forever. It just felt really nice there was...a vibe. I almost acted on it but didn't so..I guess she did instead," he admitted and puffed out his cheeks. "Kiss was nice too. Reallt nice. Just you know, for the record."

“I don’t think anyone’s ever had a heart attack from eating only fish -- probably the opposite, actually --so I’m sure there’s somethin’ to it. And screw you, if I can do it in a video game then I can definitely do it in real life. Transferable skills and all." Her hand remained in it's iron grip on Will's shoulder, completely and utterly agog at what she was hearing. For years she'd known of the feelings her former neighbor harbored for the blonde, and at a certain point even Eve had given up on encouraging him to tell her, and now hearing this? Well, it was definitely a surprise. "Okay, well, yeah. Of course it was really nice. You've only been dreaming about doing that forever." She rolled her eyes, though there was a light teasing to her tone. "The fact that she fully came onto you while having a boyfriend seems...notable. I mean -- in a perfect world, what would you want to happen next? She breaks up with him, gets with you...that would be the ideal scenario. Right?"

“Sociopathic, not psychotic,” he confirmed, eyes roaming Ruthie to see if any other upkeep needed to be taken care of today.  “And Sawyer, well…She’s scary as fuck, don’t get me wrong, but she’s a good person.  She just likes to win.”  He wasn’t about to blow her cover and reveal that she was soft for those she cared for, but it was the truth.  She found a raggedy ass kid stealing sleeps in the hayloft of her family’s ranch and she got him a job rather than calling the cops.  And she looked out for him until she left for New York, which was a hell lot more than his own family had ever done for him.  

“Seems like those two go hand and hand, more often than not.” Being intimidating and successful, that was – an ambition that Eve simply just…didn’t have in her. For years she thought grinding her way to the top of her class, her field, would be exactly what she needed to finally feel like a winner. To feel like she wasn’t constantly treading the ever-rising tide on the verse of drowning completely. It took her parents finally passing for her to realize that a career wouldn’t make her happy, that she preferred a slower life where she wasn’t defined by her success or lack thereof – and honestly? It was freeing, yes, but the ‘happiness’ part of that equation was still fickle. 

The dramatics at which she said 'a child?' made Ros laugh, and she couldn't help the words that slipped out of her mouth next, a reference to vines of long past, "A child? --- No!". It had been happening more and more lately, making references that the younger teachers or student teachers didn't have any grasp on, and every day she was left wondering how she got to be 30-freaking-2. But in this moment, she knew in hear heart, that her reference would be received. If it wasn't, they may have a problem.

Eve nearly spat out the cabernet she’d begin to sip all over the bars of the enclosure, a hand moving to cover her red-stained lips. “Rude. You’re not allowed to quote old Vines while I have wine in my mouth – I’m wearing a white shirt, for christ’s sake,” she chastised playfully, wiping off any excess liquid dribbling from her lips like she was a toddler. Eve normally wasn’t a very giggly person, but with the combination of a wine and one of her best friends, how could she not be?

He couldn't listen to music at the gym, or...Almost anywhere that wasn't the car, to be honest. He had a compulsive need to be aware of his surroundings at all times, drilled into him during his time in the army. And he often forgot that he was the odd man out, without headphones popped into his ears, so much so that it took him until she pulled out her own to realize why the delay in her response. -- He couldn't help the small trace of a smile at the use of 'cop guy'. "I prefer agent, but cop guy works." he answered with a slight raise of his brow. Sometimes it felt more like he was playing the role of an FBI agent, as he didn't actually give a shit what he was called, but he knew it was what was expected of him, so he acted it out.

She couldn't help the way she flinched as Roman suddenly pointed out the scars on her collarbone, her hand instinctively flying up to cover the faded red marks. The only physical evidence of a past life she could barely recall, Eve had often flip-flopped between being embarrassed and being fascinated by her scars as a young girl, studying them in the mirror at home as if they'd help her recall those hazy memories yet covering them up in the presence of others. Over the years they'd faded but not completely disappeared, and Eve had made peace with the imperfection (even if she had a hard time making peace with all that came with it) -- but the absolute audacity this guy had.

“Character?” Tori scrunched up her face at Eve, then shot another glance at the photo of the guy in question. “Are you serious? Where, exactly, in this picture do you see character?” Without waiting for a response, she snatched her phone back from Eve’s hand and swiped left. “No, I never message them back." She had only downloaded the app out of boredom, and it hadn’t taken long for her to realize just how disinterested she was in almost every guy on there. “If they’re hot, they’ve got no brain. And if they’ve got a brain, they’re not hot. It’s never both,” she sighed, a hint of disappointment lingering in her voice.

Eve threw her hands in the air. "I don't know! I maybe see, like, cartoon character?" She tried then, a chuckle falling from her lips when her roommate snatched the phone away. "So, what's the point then? Just seeing what you're not missing?" Call Eve overly practical, but she didn't see the point in indulging a dating app if you weren't going to use it. Though, admittedly, she didn't see the point in a lot of thinks that Tori subjected herself to. "Fair. I've just gotten to the point where I've accepted my eventual fate as a lonely horse lady. Can't be disappointed if you've got no hope, right?" She remarked wryly. "At least you have a whole other continent with hot, semi-interesting guys you can go back to."

A small grin slowly rose on Freya's features, of course she knew exactly how it sounded whenever she mentioned hot chocolate and summer, so it was always amusing to hear the reactions she got. "A little, but you know.. all fine now so only looking forward." There was no point being stuck in the past, so she felt it was better to keep her attention - when it came to her business - in front of her. "Yeah well I make everything and I hate that crazy rush come December, so it's nice to be organised." she thought so at least, especially when she physically couldn't not stick to some form of organisation routine. She smiled, however, at Eve's offer, "I'll let you know? Usually mom helps with the shop you know, so if you can stick overpowering fragrances then you'll have that going for you." the wax melts, bath bombs, an array of cosmetics all came with vast overpowering smells sometimes, though Freya would be bias and say it was nice. "Yeah we're good, basketball seasons back again so he's busier than ever - but yeah, might even be at the community centre, be nice for everyone to have a Thanksgiving meal. What about you, know where you're having yours yet?

"Oh, don't worry. Powerful smells don't bother me -- I work around horse poo all day, remember? If there's going to be a suffocating smell, I'd rather it be flowers." She pointed out with a laugh. "But seriously, I'll have a lot of free time on my hands." Eve always found it difficult to keep herself busy come winter, with work slowing down and many home improvement projects put on hold due to the weather -- and yet, it was often the time of year when Eve most needed her mind occupied. "Yeah? That's good. Does that mean you guys still have to cook, or do you get a free pass and have it catered?" She asked, a shrug coming to her shoulders only moments later. "Um -- I don't know. I usually play it by ear." Meaning she typically ordered in, watched movies until she passed out from a food (or weed) induced coma. "I tried cooking a turkey one year using my mom's old recipe and --let me tell you, I ain't ever seen a more burnt bird in my damn life."

Her smile widened as she chuckled, "True." Emiri and DIY never really went well together, yet since she didn't have her dad to ask for help anymore she had been pushing herself to actually be more independent in that area. Not that it was going that well. "Are you sure?" she asked before, "Because I'm not going to say no, I have all my dad's stuff anyway I just, don't actually know what's what - or how to use anything." she laughed, perhaps at the age of thirty-two embarrassed to admit that she was clueless. "Hm.. smooth as in is the house still upright?" she joked lightly, a grin lifting momentarily. "I think it's a mental thing, like if I know it's there then I'd feel a bit safer, you know?" she wasn't sure if that would make sense to anyone else, but it did to her. "Might be easier for parcels when I'm out too, so just one of those things."

"Yeah, of course. It's a great way for me to procrastinate taking care of the million and one things in my own house I've been neglecting." Like the unfinished countertops, the half-painted wall, the leaky sink that needed to be tightened...god, she didn't know how the hell Tori put up with living with her sometimes. "I could always teach you, if you wanted. Honestly, half the reason I learned how to use so many tools was because my dad had really bad arthritis and could barely press the trigger on a damn drill." As a teenager she'd often get frustrated by her adoptive father's age-related limitation, but looking bad she was happy that it allowed them to spend as much quality time together as they did. Plus, she learned a lot of useful skills because of it. "For now. Until I decide to get bold and hack away at the siding." Eve chuckled, raising her shoulders in a shrug. "Totally. And, not for nothing, with everything that's happened with this damn down over the last two years, it's probably necessary. Though, I hear scary dog privilege is a real thing -- could always go that route."

The Outpost with Eve Young @evesyoung

Large gatherings weren't really Eve's scene. She much preferred meeting people one on one (if at all), typically avoiding setting where she'd be at risk of having to socialize -- hence why she didn't usually attend the weekly outings to the Outpost that Sully put together for the ranch employees, figuring she had enough conversations over the course of the week at work to last her until the following Monday. Alas, that evening she'd gotten off late and knew that if she wanted to have a drink at home, she'd need to make about three stops first for ingredients -- and, admittedly, a cocktail made by someone who actually knew what they were doing was a far more desirable option. What the hell, she thought. How bad could it be?

"Alaska," he said with a soft smile. "Apparently that's where my ancestors are from. My parents were born there. My mom told me about it when I visited so yeah, I pick Alaska. I feel like Simon and Percy might feel some kind of way about the cold and snow but I think they'll love a puffy jacket. I could get used to eating more fish," he told her, the smile on his face growing the more he thought about it. It sounded peaceful to him. He laughed at her question, especially the end as he visualized it. "I kind of want you to hitch a cart to a horse just so we can see what happens. Real red dead redemption style. I'm alright. Restless as fuck and kind of feel like I've never done this much thinking in my entire life." He paused for a second, not sure if he wanted to share but he hadn't talked to anyone about it yet. "Lydia kissed me. At the festival. Before the sandstorm started. I mean I kissed her back, obviously but yeah, it happened and...it was great," he admitted with a bit of embarrassment. "But I think it's gonna maybe make shit awkward. We haven't talked yet."

Eve offered a soft smile as her friend regaled her about all that he'd learned about his past, about his family and his ancestors, and though she was happy for him -- thrilled, honestly -- she couldn't help the slight twinge of jealousy that prickled at her skin, knowing she'd never get that same closure. But this wasn't about her, nor would she make it about her. "Just as long as the puffy jacket is as stylish as it is warm. Did you know that there are over three million lakes in Alaska? You wouldn't be eating more fish, you'd be eating only fish." She pointed out wryly, bringing her beer bottle to her lips with a chuckle. "What do you mean 'so we can see what happens'? I'd pull it off, obviously, and without any issues or people shooting at me. Thinking? Why the hell are you doing that? Don't you know that's a recipe for disaster." His next words had Eve practically spitting out her beer, and she shot up from her relaxed position on the couch. "She what?" Mouth agape, a hand moved to grasp at Will's shoulder. She wasn't the type that typically initiated physical contact, with friends or strangers alike, but by god this was news and she had to hold onto something. "She kissed you? Wait -- and you...wait. You need to walk me through this step by step." A pause. "Doesn't she -- isn't she back with her ex? Did they break up?"

"Yeah well I'd rather not fuck someone who's openly an asshole to me. I did that all through my twenties. I'm a grown woman now," she joked. laughing at her own words. She definitely made some bad picks still, but she had also gotten better. "Both. Not as good as me and terrible at his job. Most of his clients get shitty plea deals and still serve time. He sucks." Lupe noticed the way she reached for the handled and slowed down a bit, more mindful as she made her turns towards the restaurant. She tried to avoid making Eve go into a car when she could but coming out here to the ranch to get her required a car in Lupe's opinion. "Wait, didn't they like just start? Jesus, are you hazing these people? I mean maybe, yeah or maybe people just suck. Does that mean more work for you? I have a former client who's looking for work. Unless the Deckers have something against hiring people with criminal records," she added, "but he's a great guy. Hard worker. Definitely won't mind shuffling shit and will show up on time. Just think about it." She was always trying to get her guys work if she could, especially the ones she had represented for a long time. She finally pulled into a parking spot at license to grill and once she parked she grabbed her things and scurried over to Eve's door to open it for her. "Let's go stuff our faces, mi amor."

"Understandable. But, like, to be fair, hate sex is really fun." She joked, laughing along with her friend. Eve was definitely the type that preferred to end the night with people she had no intention of becoming close to, but sleeping with someone she hated was even a little far for her -- mostly because she was relatively antisocial to begin with. "How much longer will you have to put up with him, you think?" Between Lupe and Sawyer, she couldn't imagine they'd stand for anything less than the best for any longer than necessary. With a roll of her eyes, she looked over at Lupe as she responded, finding that keeping her eyes averted from the road helped with the nerves. "Yep. Barely two weeks in and they told Mo that the position 'wasn't what they thought it'd be'. Which, I'm like...what exactly did you think it would be? I just think we need to push the whole 'picking up shit' in the interview so we can weed them out early. Um -- nah, I don't think they're against it. If you have 'em send me their resume, I can put in a good word." Considering how deep the Deckers were in with the Hellraisers, Eve couldn't imagine that they'd care much about a criminal record. A sigh of relief escaped her with they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, stepping out once Lupe opened her car door for her. "Why, thank you." She grinned, throwing her bag over her shoulder and heading towards the restaurant from the parking lot. "Do you know what you're getting? I skipped lunch, so I'm thinkin' I'm just gonna find the biggest burger on the menu and order two of 'em."