plots with faith

He didn’t see her? The comment alone told her that this wasn’t an accidental run-in. Fine, if he wanted to bother her, she’d take it in stride. “Of course you didn’t.” she shot back, rolling her eyes in annoyance. “Don’t tell me that you’re so bad at holding your alcohol that you’re already a bit drunk and unsure of where you’re going? If you’re that unsure of your surroundings after just a few drinks, maybe you don’t have what it takes to lead that little…bicycle gang of yours.” Ayla brought her drink to her lips for a quick sip before studying him for a moment. Something about him was unbelievably frustrating and it went beyond her dislike for the BoneDiggers. It was just something about him.

The woman shrugged her shoulders. “Well, you know know, your lot is far from being good enough to hang around but my guys are pretty good company. A shame that I need to put up with BoneDiggers like you just to get a drink at this bar.” Still, the faintest smile spread on her lips as she pushed away her annoyance. He hadn’t said much to her, she couldn’t let him get to her so quickly. “You planning on sticking around this party for awhile?” she asked.

Ayla had a quick mind and a mouth that wasn’t scared to say what she wanted. He had to admit it was a good comeback, such a shame that she was in the rival gang, so much talent wasted. “You know that I could drink you all under the table, get on the road, get pulled over, passed the alcohol test and make it home just in time to watch some late-night cartoons”, he grinned at her, the famous signature grin that he always reserved for her, the one she knew got under her skin. He wasn’t sure what was the one thing that made his eyes roll every time her name was mentioned, it was more than just rival gangs fighting, it was personal. Their fight had started so many years ago that there was no way a white flag was going to wave soon, or ever. 

“There are other bars where you and your guys could hang around at, leave this one for us“, he shrugged, he wasn’t going to block the door if she wanted to leave, His brows rose up and he took a swig of his beer, “maybe, are you going to miss me a lot when I leave? I might stay longer so you remember my pretty face and think of it before you go to sleep tonight”, he winked at her, making sure that nobody from their gangs noticed. 

The sun had long since set when Ayla made her way into the bar. Her intention was to avoid the party as she knew members of the BoneDiggers would be there. O’Connells may have served as neutral territory between the BoneDiggers and the Jackals but that didn’t mean that she wanted to deal with any of them. Their comments were always monitored in such a neutral space, the peace ever fragile, but one or two always found a way to hit on her. Expected but annoying. She let it go, it wasn’t really different from any other bar, her annoyance was just heightened because she disliked those men on principle. The reason she did eventually make an appearance at the party hours after others had begun arriving, was simply because she needed to be seen. Her goal was to take over for her father one day, a goal many members of her own gang resented, so she needed them to see her play an active role in their…festivities.

The bar was already loud as she made her way to the counter, drunk men and women milling around, chattering louder than she wished. With a smile, she leaned on the counter and ordered a beer. She’d drink, she’d mingle, she’d beat some BoneDiggers at pool, and then she’d get the hell out of there. Drink in hand, she was turning around when her eyes fell on a familiar figure, far too close for her liking. Likely a mistake but she wasn’t going to keep her mouth shut. “Personal space isn’t really your think, is it Xander?”

It was cute how the city kept making these parties, they knew about the animosity between the gangs and they thought that bringing them together would make everything better. The rivalry had started ages ago, it was one of Xander’s favorite bedtime stories growing up. He knew his life lead to being in the BoneDiggers and that he was supposed to assume the leader role someday, it was a tradition he wasn’t going to break. He entered the semi packed bar and, what seemed magic, a pint of beer appeared in front of him, “thanks, Isaac”, he smiled at his childhood friend, “what’s the status?”.

His eyes fell on a small frame, one he knew too well, Ayla. She was next in line for the Jackals, the world deserved more female leaders, it was going to be a hard feat but he knew she didn’t back down from a fight. A wide smile appeared on his lips, he couldn’t pass an opportunity to annoy her. He gulped down his drink and made his way to the bar for a refill, when he casually bumped her. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Didn’t see you there, Jackal,” he kept his voice low, trying not to burst out laughing, “nice to see you mingling with us, commoners”.

Robin knew she had to go to bed early, she had been tasked with covering an important event: Prince Gabriel’s visit to Rome. She had quite the work to do, even though she knew the basics of the English prince, she would have to look for information about the reason of his visit, which was still a secret and why Rome and not his country. But tonight, she had decided to partake in some late night activities, there was a poker game at her friend’s house and she just couldn’t refuse. “Gael, you really have to stop giving me such good hands, I’ll leave you penniless”, she laughed as she grabbed a chip from the table and ate it, “Robin, you’re not supposed to eat the money!”, the ten year old boy yelled. 

“Gael, it’s past eight. Shouldn’t you be in bed“, his mother, Bianca yelled out, turning on the TV and shooing the boy away. “I promise we’ll finish this later”, Robin winked before kissing Gael on the forehead. The sound of the TV drowned out the noise from outside, no matter the hour, Rome was alive. “Oh look, a live coverage from outside the palace, they aren’t like this with the Pope”. Robin rolled her eyes and sighed, “why are people camping outside? The prince is probably sleeping at this hour, there’s no way someone’s going to catch a glimpse of the man, they should let him rest”, she commented as she munched on another chip.