Ryder Daniels

“Well, I like to keep most of them close to vest,” she admitted knowing that she was all smoke and mirrors, never really divulging any of the thoughts of substance. “Oh I can assure you it’s never time wasted.  There’s something about you that causes me to break every professional rule I set,” she admitted, knowing full well that they hadn’t been truly professional since they met. Her fingers tangled into his hair as he guided her down on the table and her lips met his again. “Yes, yes you can.” She was also a little ashamed of how turned on she was already and just how her body would practically give away with ease how ready she was for him without any work up at all.

Her body shifted in the direction that the voice was coming from. She looked up at the guy that was taking and a took her a moment to place who the guy was. “Hi. You weren’t meant to know where I live. And I’m taking the day off.” 

“So I haven’t seen anything suspicious, but when I was in the crowd just making my way to my seat, I heard some chatter about some kind of attack happening on this side. I wish I could be more specific, but that’s just all I picked up. And I tried to follow the mind, but there are too many people in here. to just hone in on one person’s thoughts so clearly.”

“No. That’s more than enough. Thank you. You didn’t happen to catch what they looked like did you? Any discernible features? No worries if you hadn’t. But, every lead helps, you know?” Ryder told Keanu calmly as he pulled out a walkie talkie from his back pocket, alerting the other officers on duty to keep on the look out. They already had every possible exit strategy planned out and were more than prepared to handle a potential attack. But, it didn’t stop Ryder’s brow from furrowing ever so slightly as his eyes darted across the room.

“How prepared are you guys for things to get ugly here? Possibly? I heard something in the line as we were all trying to get to our seats. About the Revelationists being here. Like in the crowd. Here already. That’s…not good. That’s…I don’t know what that is.” 

“Overly prepared. Off the record? Given the Studios track record at these sort of events, we’re practically anticipating it. Why?” He asked, despite already knowing the answer from Alexa’s nervous expression. “Okay. I... I’ve got to call this in, but can you do me a huge favor? Can you stay by my side for the time being? If something is about to go down, I don’t want you getting mixed up in it. Even if you are an incredibly strong vampire who can without a doubt look after herself. Please?”

“I’ve always been very anti gun, but bein’ shot in the chest…yeah pretty much sealed the deal for me.” It was dark humor but he could appreciate it. “The plants…well most of ‘em talk to me. I don’t know what I’d do with ghosts I could see but not talk to. It’d probably be weird just to hear nothin’ just complete silence. I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I didn’t have that noise now.” He’d gotten too used to it. Deal. Though by that point I might have a few more Never Have I Evers under my belt. I don’t plan on it but my new best friend seems like the “let’s do excitin’ fun things’ type so I might still lose,” he joked. 

“Yeah... me too. And yeah... it sort of is. But, then again, it’s not complete silence. I mean they do on occasion mess with my phone, especially Sirir, or my TV or randomly turn on my car radio. That kind of thing. That and they like to mime. I’m starting to realize I am horrible at charades. But, I guess I’m fairly used to it? I used to be a medium in my human life, so seeing ghosts was fairly typical. Now they’re still there. Only quiet and more frustrated. And oh really?” He chuckled at the thought. “And hey! I’ll have you know, I’ve done plenty of fun and exciting things. They just weren’t orgy related or against the law which was what majority of the ‘Never Have I Evers’ were that night.”

“Please tell me you’re here to take me away to some blanket fort, because I don’t think I can take another second of paperwork if you’re not,” He told her with a pleading look, exhausted by how many late hours he had been pulling at the studio trying to narrow down which name on the list was the leader of these duel organizations and what they were planning next.

“Have you ever said anything without a filter before?” she wondered. “I didn’t intend to, but you got me singing in one of our very first interactions, so you got this version of me earlier than most if any ever get this version.” Jackie smiled, she honestly didn’t know what to say. “The more you say things like that the more I may actually start to believe it. That people who don’t appreciate how rare I am aren’t worth my time. I hang on to people even when they don’t hang on to me,” she admitted. She knew it was a flaw but it was one that came about because she didn’t see her own self-worth sometimes. “Honestly any kind of escape that becomes an obsession is very relatable. Fresh starts are good. The clarity mine gave me wasn’t so great because I realized the people I hung onto weren’t really as with me as I thought. But I like my fresh start. Sobriety is hard but I’m learning about my favorite version of me. Believe it or not, this is how I used to be. Before the anger and constantly wanting to fight.” 

“I suppose at some point in time? But, I can’t exactly recall a specific moment in which I have,” Ryder admitted. “It’s not like I try to filter myself. It’s just who I am I suppose. Someone who overthinks everything before letting a word out.” Between growing up surrounded by politicians and being silenced by his uncle at every turn, Ryder never had the luxury of speaking freely. And if he was being honest, he wasn’t even sure he knew how. “Well, I appreciate it more than you can know and good. You should, because it’s the truth. But, I also understand the need to hang onto people. I’ve always had trouble... letting go? It’s like my brain isn’t capable of saying good bye or at least meaning it if I do?” He knew he should have let go of the need to be reunited with his parents again, but even now, even after it had cost him so much, he still clung onto the naive possibility. “I like your fresh start too. And I believe it. I just hope one day I can find mine? I’m not exactly sure what my favorite version of me would be or how much of who I am is a facade and how much is real?” He had never admitted that out loud before. That sometimes he felt like the biggest fraud in the whole wide room.

“Okay, that’s it. We’re taking a break and ordering food,” Ryder groaned as he put the stack of papers in front of him down. They had already been at it for hours trying to narrow down the list of Alliance and Revelationists in front of them and at the looks of it, it was going to be a long night to come. “And talking about something completely un-work related, please? Like- tell me something you’ve never told anyone before? Maybe something dorky or cute? Or honestly anything to take my mind off of this right now?” He pleaded.

Well…I mean…you are a large man and cute. You just give off this adorable vibe but not in a way that it’s like friend zone adorable but in the he’s cute and large with a nice smile way. Oh man I haven’t rambled in a very long time. Wow okay I’m done describing you now can I take lots of pictures of you? In a non creepy way?”

“ ‘He’s cute and large’ and that’s supposed to be a compliment?” Ryder chuckled. “No worries. You rambling is cute too, you know? And okay, okay. I cave. But, on one condition- none of these photos get posted on the internet, deal?”

“I don’t believe people are just unlucky. I believe life gives them shitty hands, but everyone has their fair share of luck. Some it may happen to after it feels like the luck well ran dry though. I’m a natural born killer. I was brought up to lead a pack of wolves. To assert my power, to make tough calls and to eliminate anyone I see as a threat. And not feel a damn thing after I do those things. So learning to think with my heart and not with my head is a battle. They are few and far between. For me there have only been maybe two or three people in my life that actually accept me and know me for what and who I am. Fewer than that have loved me.” 

“Then what do you define as luck if not misfortunes brought on by chance or life dealing out unfortunate hands?” Ryder asked with a raised brow. “Ahh. Well, I might not be a natural born killer- more like the exact opposite if I’m being honest, but the few and far between feeling might be more universal than you think.”

Jackie smiled when he leaned in to press a kiss on her cheek. “Has anyone ever told you that you have this quiet charm about you? What you do in your actions say way more than a thousand pickup lines that most try on a regular basis. You’re a thoughtful person with no agenda or motive,” she assessed. That was rare to encounter. Most people they had agendas, motives. They were being charming to get something. But Ryder was just nice, sweet and thoughtful. “Wait…again? So there are people fighting over the last mimosa? I can’t say I’m surprised though. Had this been two years I might have been fighting. Not over the drink. Probably over every little thing and person that annoyed me.” 

“I mean I’ve been called charming before, but nothing quite to that extent,” He chuckled, smiling up at her as he did. “I don’t know if I’d say with no agenda, but thank you. That means a lot coming from you. And there have been.  Had it been the you from two years ago, I guess I’d just have to end up detaining you.”

“I don’t really filter myself to be honest. The thoughts in my head sort of go from my brain to my mouth in a matter of seconds so there’s nothing in between that’s like ‘warning keep that to yourself’. The Jackie I most enjoy? The one that likes musicals, that breaks out into song. That smiles more. That has fun without the need for drugs or alcohol. I enjoy the Jackie that feels like she’s worth something. You meet glimpses of her. Like when I randomly sang Grease songs with you. Or tell you about my life and my past. I just don’t show a lot of people that side of me because I spent so long only giving them my body or drunken antics and no one cared to want more than that or to know Jackie as more than the set drunk. So…most people get an exaggerated version of me at my lowest point. See I like those too. Beetlejuice though, I loved to watch as a kid in movie form.” Jackie nodded when he said it sounded like she was referring to herself. “Yeah…I mean that’s because I am. I’m an addict…alcohol was my great escape. At my lowest point days before my birthday a year and some change ago, I was going to find the bottom of many bottles. But I found some hope in a bar in a complete stranger that became my best friend. Now I’m trying to find more out of life. That the joy that alcohol gave me.” She looked down at her hands as she explained why it sounded like she was talking about herself. She chanced a glance back up at him at the mention of her taking a compliment. “I try. I try,” she said with a grin. 

“I’ve notice. But, as someone who constantly filters himself without even intending to, it can be fairly refreshing? And in that case... thank you? For letting me get to know your favorite version of you? And as for everyone else, well... screw them. Anyone who doesn’t appreciate how rare you are, isn’t worth your time,” Ryder promised her. Giving her a quiet nod as she talked about being an alcoholic. “I get it... Magic used to be my escape and I know it’s far different from actual substances, but I used to be... obsessed? Addicted? I spent thirty five years of my life clinging to the past and then I died. It was probably good timing to, because if I had kept going, the black magic would have probably swallowed me whole and spit me out as something entirely else... But, now? Now, I get a fresh start. Somewhat anyhow? And can attempt to figure out how to move forwards?”

“Thank you. I’ve already squeezed myself into it now getting it off would also prove to be difficult so I’d rather just stay in it. Did you enjoy those swanky galas and get togethers? I can say that the way you wear a suit it was almost like it was made for you. Quite distracting, you are, Officer Daniels.” 

“I dare say it wouldn’t be too difficult. That is if you had some help anyways,” Ryder told her with a playful wink before his gaze drifted back to scanning the crowd. “I’m afraid not. But, I’ll let my tailor you send your regards. And you’re one to talk, Miss Fletcher.”

“I could say more, but I try not to give away all my thoughts on you. I like to keep a few close to the vest.” She grinned. “So you too think it’s an incredible time? I like that Inquisitive and beautiful. That’s perfect.” When he leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose, she laughed. “Yes, practical too.” She leaned in swiping some icing and gliding it down his lips, before she leaned in her tongue gliding over his bottom lip before she pressed her lips to his. “We could get even more practical and instead of plates I could use you and your abs as a plate.” 

“Only a few?” He asked with a raised brow and a playful smirk as he tilted her chin up so that he could meet her gaze. “If you’re asking if I enjoyed it, I enjoy you, Isabeau and whatever amount of time you care to waste on a sap like me,” Ryder told her. His charming smile never fading as she leaned in to give him a kiss. “So much for keeping professional, then?” He chuckled, as he cleared off the desk beside them, scooping Beau up in his arms and guiding her back down onto the table. “And I could you use you and yours.”

“Yeah, a bullet got me too.” He pointed to his chest. “Dying or nearly dyin’ is definitely an interesting turn of events in life. When most of my problems were that I wasn’t able to play football anymore. Death and a new species where I can talk to plants was on the horizon.” Damien smiled. “Yeah last time something like that happened…I mean you were there Mr. Never Have I Ever champ. I would have given you a run for your money had Connor not been an ass. But I appreciate it.” 

“Did it now? Well, look at us. Two walking posters for anti-gun violence,” Ryder attempted to joke despite the circumstances. “And plants, huh? Want to trade? I’m constantly harassed by ghosts who I can see but can’t communicate with. It’s a fun time. And I was and I don’t know about that, but next time, you and I can go head to head and find out, alright buddy?”