Half Of A Whole Idiot

Location: Legacy Ink​

Rowan’s pencil danced across the surface as he sketched out some flash designs, hoping to showcase his talent and specialty: fine line work and illustrative styles. Although he could bend a little on the style, he preferred to not stray too far away, making sure the client was satisfied. A slow day meant time to practice his skill and art. His eyes went up as he saw the front door open, the chime reacting and he set his sketchbook down, “how can I help you, today?” He asked the stranger, walking up to the counter.

x.

Her arm was a patchwork of various tattoos, snaking their way around her arm. She had been building and adding to it with every hunt and test passed that her father threw at her. It was both a story of her journey and a celebration of all she’d achieved. But the gaps reflected her need to prove herself more than she would admit.

The chime of the bell above the door sounded as she let herself in, she’d popped in and out before to speak to Val about various assignments but she tried to keep contact to a minimum to protect his anonymity. “Here for a new tattoo, dealers choice.” She was craving that feeling of the needle running across her skin, it was addictive, that blend of destruction while creating something new.

location: saito memorial park

After a long night, the sun was barely coming up, and Jayce was tired. The sort that only comes after nights of not sleeping, planning, and/or stress that just beared down on you.  Getting back up to the hills was doable but not if he didn’t just want to collapse in his entryway, so instead he cut his losses and dropped down to sit on the park bench, not bothering a “Do you mind if I sit here?” to the person already occupying it until he was already seated.

x.

Lucky was enjoying a brief pause in time, where there were no repetitive training, no check ins with dad and no hunts to go on. Things had felt stagnant and she was growing restless, starting to see her behaviour mimicking her brothers more and more. Cracking an eyelid she peered over at the person that shook the bench as they collapsed into it. Raising a brow she stared at a familiar face before twisting in her seat and driving the flat base of boot into his thigh, trying to shove him off the end of the bench.

“This bench is taken, find somewhere else to sit!”

x.

This was a small town, and small towns often bred small minds. However, in Skull, everyone seemed to be up in each others business more so than normal suburban American towns. Her brother had been beyond reckless flirting with the Bishop boy as though they were both anyone other than who they were. Lucky hadn’t bothered bringing it up with Micah, her plan was simple, straightforward and she would be effective. This was going to end before it got any further, god if their father found out, not only would Micah be on the chopping block but she knew there would be enough blame for herself for not intervening.

Rolling in at a slow cruise, Lucky had, perhaps foolishly, decided to walk right into the lions den without a second thought as to her own safety. Kicking her heeled boot onto the ground, she remained astride her bike, surveying the interior of the bike shop as she cut the engine, somewhat thankful that it was empty besides the one she’d actually come to see. 

An amused laugh that was far too cruel to belong to her drifted out from under her helmet as she pulled it off, a cat standing over a mouse knowing that it has already won the fight. Her lips pulled down into a mockery of a pout, not even remotely feeling bad for him. “Do you often get left alone Bishop?”

⊹     ⊹     ⊹    

A boot dodged, a loud thud somewhere on the ground behind him. One he doesn’t care to look back to as he waltzes his way though the apartment, throwing his bag onto the couch before Lucky as if it was any other day. “We can already look after ourselves. He made sure of that.” He could have rolled his eyes at his twin’s words, but he understood exactly what she was saying. As hard as it was to listen to. He used to say the same things, used to find the same words leaving his lips. But those days were slowly falling behind him the longer he seemed to spend away from his father. Not that it was ever something his father acknowledged- even when Micah did everything right, there was always something wrong. 

“I’ll call him later then,” Another lie straight through his teeth, turning his back on Lucky and wandering to the kitchen. He didn’t understand why she was always defending him, always on his side despite everything. Not that he could blame her for being the favourite, but it really did get on his nerves sometimes. “What did he have to say to you anyway, anything worthwhile?”

x.

Rolling her eyes enough for the two of them as he brother approached, Lucky couldn’t help but fall prey to his charms, like everyone else. “He worries about us is all.” The longer they spent out here the more her family was falling through her fingers like the sand that covered everything out here. She was proud of Micah and always would be, but after playing middle man for so long she felt like being pulled in two different directions.

Poking his side before he scurried off like the lying rat he was she thought back over the conversation. “Nothing important, just the usual, asking lots of questions about you.” Which often consisted of asking if they were keeping with training or had been given any further jobs. Only this time there were plenty of questions about Micah, no matter how hard she worked, how many times she proved herself to be just as good, if not better in some areas, Lucky never really compared to her twin in the eyes of their father.

location: the gas station status: open to all

The days had been slow recently, and the nights even slower. Moth beating against shop front windows, fluttering towards the glowing light. Coyotes cross the long stretch of road where no other life seems to stir. She watches them, eye lights catching off the reflection of the giant illuminating light that just says ‘GAS’.

Bored, resting chin against her hand on the counter just waiting, she’s thankful to see a customer pull into bays outside. Gum popped between her glossed lips, she makes her way outside, grabbing the pump to start filling the other’s vehicle. “Where are you off to this time of night?”

x.

The constant darkness her never ending companion, the flicker of her surroundings passing her like silent observers in the night, her only witnesses as she sped through the desert, desperate to get back home. The familiar sign popping up out of the darkness, a beacon to let her know that she had made it back to the one place she’d never thought she’d call home, Skull. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, hoping that a particular Bishop family member was working tonight, the promise of some entertainment causing her to push her bike just that little bit faster.

A single gold, four-leafed clover was the only thing on her or her bike that gave away who she was beneath the helmet and leathers. Pulling her helmet off she smirked at the youngest Bishop child, “I see they’re still content sticking you out here, out of the way Bishop.” Placing the helmet on her bike and then leaning on top of it, she watched Drew make her way over.

         lucky’s air conditioning isn’t the only job he has today, there’s not enough time for a shower to get the coolant out of his hair. it causes an internal sigh, but it could be worse, at least coolant doesn’t smell like anything other than watered down chemicals, he can handle that. though he catches the laughing, pulling the shirt away from his face to raise a brow but then catches where lucky’s gaze is going and feels his blood rush to his cheeks. the shirt is dropped in a heartbeat, beau turning his focus back to the ac and shoving that moment to the side. 

pushing damp hair from his forehead, he gives a small nod and sinks his teeth into his inner cheek. he had the forethought to pack things he’d need to patch up the ac if needed so he doesn’t have to head out for anything. at the soda offered, there’s the slightest uptick in the corners of his mouth but not quite enough to be a smile- a ghost of one maybe. ❝ thanks. ❞ the condensation from the bottle slips between the gaps between his fingers as he cracks the bottle open and takes a swig. ❝ i should have everything up and running by the afternoon, just try not to melt by then. ❞

x.

The blush of a man, who had never had someone stare at him just because they objectively thought he was fit, was something lucky hadn’t experienced before and it caused her to once again laugh, clutching at her side. Oh how different Skull was to the beaches of California where everyone was peacocking around. Even at home she couldn’t escape it with Micah’s personality. “Beau, relax hun. You’re not my type anyway.” Seeing his unease and eagerness to jump back into his work she shook her head, “Don’t tell me no one’s ever told you that you look good… obviously without the coolant shower?” Now she was curious to know more about the handyman she relied too heavily on, god her father would shoot her if he found out she wasn’t fixing things herself.

Taking a long drink from her soda she swung back and forth on her chair, staring up at the roof as she listened. “I make no promises. Turning into a puddle sounds like a nice way to go.” Lucky constantly thought about her mortality, and the fact that she’d likely go out to one of those creatures that plagued this town.

Lennon was putting the finishing touches on an arrangement of roses, pleased with the results and hoped that when the customer who ordered it came into pick it up that they’d feel the same. She moved to grab a drink from her water bottle, her head turning back to the counter at the sound of someone’s voice. The blonde offered them a smile, swallowing the water in her mouth before finally giving the individual her attention. “Hey, I know the full stock can feel like you’re walking into a forest.” The latest shipment was a large one, different delivery people coming in and out of the doorway as if on a queue. “The tulips can go on the right in the front, roses tend to be more in the center to draw everyone in— you know how that goes. Oh! The Peonies you’ll be able to spot as you keep walking down…Am I talking to fast?” She questioned, not realizing that she’d been handing off tasks to someone who didn’t work with her.

x.

Lucky wasn’t the type to normally wander into a floral shop, the only thing she ever had that was even remotely plant related was her little clover patch. A small pot that she carried all the way from California, safely tucked away in her room. it was her pride and joy, much like some people found a bonsai calming, Lucky looked after this pot of clovers as though it was the most priceless possession. Her puzzled expression and obvious confusion were growing more apparent as she looked around in the general directions as they were rattled off to her, “Oh uh, I just need a bunch of flowers that say sorry for your loss, tell me what happened.” 

Grinning and nodding, she realised how psychotic that sounded and quickly babbled out, “I’m a reporter.” Cringing internally she hated how much she missed her old life, it was hard pretending to be a whole other person when you never wanted to be in the first place.

LOCATION: TBH, any sidewalk will do. STATUS: open to all 

Why, why did she decide to do this? Running was never strong suit of hers and somehow, this was pure torture in her mind and she wasn’t even sure why she was still doing it at this point. Each thud of her foot pounding the pavement sent waves of pain up her legs, her body burned and she felt her lungs restrict in her chest. “Oh, fuck this.” she came to a shuddering halt, leaning against a nearby streetlight. “Why do people do this, why do people enjoy this? It’s psychotic.” she gulped, eyes briefly flickering closed as she tried to gasp for air. 

x.

Like clockwork, Lucky was awake and running before her brother had even come back. Headphones loudly blasting Alpha by Little Destroyer she made rather quick work of her usual route, the cool morning air burning her lungs in a pleasant reminder of what she used to feel when she went out early in the morning in California. The air laced with salt and the quiet crashing of waves in the distance, god she missed the beach. But a run would have to suffice instead of her normal early morning surf.

Surpassing another runner she heard the curse as she passed, only stopping and turning around when she heard the rest. “You know it’s much better once you get out your own head.” Walking back towards the other, Lucky offered her the half empty water bottle she had clutched in her hand, popping one earphone out. “You ok?”

⊹     ⊹     ⊹    

Sunlight peering the horizon, blues washed away before him as he rides through the sleeping town. He should have been home earlier, when the sun was still hidden by the horizon and nothing more than the gentle gold begging for days warmth would stain the edges of the nights sky. But he couldn’t help but put off returning back to that apartment that didn’t quite feel like home. Especially when he knew there was a phone call awaiting when he returned. One he was certain Lucky would have been talking her way through takes as many detours as he can on his way home through the all too peaceful town.

“We had a call from him today?” He asked, tone all too high pitched for someone telling the truth. An obvious lie even he knew his sister wouldn’t buy for a second.  “Damn, god sorry I missed it. Would have killed to be there. I’m sure it was great- riveting stuff. Let me guess what I missed… Have you been keeping your skills sharp, and ah- how’s the crew doing? And oh I know, why aren’t you doing more?”

x.

Her eyes flared with the rage that she was barely keeping restrained. “Yes you coward! You know we did.” Despite the fact that she look as peaceful as the next person, she would beat the living snot out of him if pushed far enough, and she was certainly getting close. Picking up the shoes she very purposefully left next to the couch, she threw them with enough force to cause some damage if he didn’t move. Especially seeing as they were her steel capped boots she normally rode in, the ones with the chunky sole to make her just that little bit taller than him. 

For as long as she remembered she had been playing peacekeeper between them, but lying for him on the fly and facing all that scrutiny alone was an entirely different thing than mediating a conversation between the two of them. “Come on, you know full well he just wants the best for us. To be able to look out for ourselves. He’s just ... worried.” That tasted a little sour on her tongue, not even entirely sure of her own words, she sometimes thought that it was just that he didn’t trust them on their own. But that was why they had to work harder, to prove that they could, that they’d earned their spots.

After weeks of what felt like nonstop pulls and voices, it all finally just… Stopped. A cloak had been lifted and when she woke up that morning it was like she was seeing the sun for the first time in ages. Smile plastered on her face, red lipstick, and her favorite yellow fitted dress, Raegan belted out the words of Miss Me More by Kelsea Ballerini like it was her dying gospel. It was safe to say that the shots she drank went down like water and she was sufficiently tanked. Her karaoke turn ended and she stumbled off the stage, laughing with her friends as she went over to pick another song once her turn came back around. She danced a bit to the song that was now playing while singers changed out, eyes falling onto a keychain. A Four Leaf Clover.

“They don’t naturally produce four leaves.” She spoke with a giggle as she reached out and tapped the case for the delicate plant. 

x.

Lucky wasn’t normally very welcome at the Cactus, granted it was technically neutral territory so she never got kicked out unless she actually caused a problem. She’d been on her best behaviour so far, but seeing a rather tipsy Raegan approach the duke box, Lucky was more focused on the others around, making sure no one bothered her. It wasn’t that she was possessive, it was just that she was ready for a fight, it was bubbling away under her skin like an electric hum.

“Making them rare, and very Lucky no?” Very clearly letting her eyes drop all the way down to the ground and back up as she threw her keys back into the pocket of her jeans, Lucky didn’t even try to hide the fact that she was staring. “Looking good today Raegan.”

         beau has survived humid as fuck summers in baton rouge so the heat of the office doesn’t phase him. there’s still a darkening of sweat to his grey t-shirt and dampness across the forehead, but he’s not struggling to work in it. air conditioning units seem to clock out far too often in this town and beau has fixed at least two dozen since moving here. finally getting it open, seven years having sealed the damn thing tight from temperature changes messing with the metal, liquid floods out and hits beau in the face. a cough or two is given, lifting the base of his shirt to wipe it away and stepping down for a moment.

   ❝ anything’s fixable. ❞ just not people. he squints at lucky, questioning if this is all worth it for a damn crossword but as always- his grandma’s needs come first. even if that means he’s drenched in old cooling agent. ❝ y’got a leak. ❞ he steps into view, gesturing at his now soaked shirt and scratches the back of his head. ❝ got two options- i can work on patching whatever hole that pipe has- or replace the pipe. i’d suggest the former, getting parts shipped here is a pain in the ass. ❞

x.

When they first moved to Skull, Lucky had been apprehensive about forming attachments and connections to people, because she had hoped, god how she had hoped, that it was a short term, temporary stay. But as the years dragged on, Skull was looking more and more like home. The only problem was it was so far from what she had previously called home, she missed the beach, her friends and just the general life she had in California. Hearing something give in the machine Beau was working on, Lucky looked over just in time to see him get a face full of coolant, stifling a laugh she stared, unashamedly, as he lifted his shirt to use as a makeshift towel.

At his comment of a leak she gestured to his generally soaked appearance, “I can see that.” Pouting at the thought of waiting for parts she nodded, “I trust you, do what you think is best.” Lucky didn’t trust people, but she trusted Beau to in his job. Spinning around on her very unstable desk chair she practically ripped the door off the mini fridge and pulled out two bottles of chilled soda. “You deserve one of these!”

Where: Midtown Apartments Who: @preyfm​​

Golden hues breaking through the silent blue of the night, bidding farewell to the monsters in her nightmares, replaced by the very real monsters that lurk in the shadows. Looking around the apartment a small hint of a smile graced her lips as she saw the last message she’d left Micah on the fridge, ASSHOLE! It was only when she heard keys being lazily jangled into the lock that her interest was piqued. It was the early hours of the morning and while she doubted anyone would be dumb enough to try and break into this particular apartment, Lucky found herself desperately wanting someone to try. Things had been quiet around Skull, like the static clinging to you before a storm, it made her excitedly eager.

“You’re late.” Normally she wouldn’t give a damn what time her brother came home, but seeing as they got a phone call from their father, one which she had to endure alone, she was quietly simmering. She’d never truly done anything alone, that was the benefit of having a twin, but there was an odd feeling that the phone call stirred in her, one she couldn’t quite put a name to. “You should call him back.”

location: eve’s place

for: ~ anyone ~

It was for upkeep, having a job at the bar. After a while, Jayce supposed he’d end up somewhere else in town with a different job, but the easiest place to start was always with the Reapers and it was enough for now. He was good at making drinks and the low light atmosphere was nice even if the music felt too loud. It was easier to work as a guy he was certain so Jayce was happy for that.

Even then, there were some things that weren’t exactly in his wheel house and that he didn’t enjoy. Namely the social aspect. “Can I get you something or are you just going to sit there and stare?” he said, looking to get the attention of the person nearby. No drink in front of them but their attention seemed locked.

x.

There weren’t many people she could say that she was glad to see come to Skull, but when Jayce Myer blew into town she was truly glad to see him again. Even if there was a linger bitterness at not hearing from him for the last few years.

Her eyes had been fixed on the stages or more specifically those lingering around the stages. Lucky had sought out some of the reapers earlier in the day to train and spar against. As much as she liked sparring with brother and beating him senseless, it was refreshing every now and again to go up against someone with a different skill set, kept her on her toes. But afterwards she had decided to hang around. “Come now, is that how you talk to a paying customer.” She flashed a challenging grin, daring him to push back before reaching over the bar and grabbing a bottle of whatever was in reach.