Save me a spark

"There's no such thing as a good person once you hit a certain age; I think we're all a bit gray," Julie shrugged at the compliment. Most people in the Cowboy Mafia would think she was referring to Caid, but Julie was referring to herself. Good people didn't see what she saw and barely bat an eye. Sometimes good people did bad things and sometimes bad people did good things. It was all relative. She was a salon owner and could cut hair well -- far from anyone's hero outside of maybe her sons.

"I suppose that's one way to look at it - well, your moral compass is better then most. Sure you would be the voice of reason should you be compared to some." Definitely wouldn't stand a chance if somebody was comparing her and his self. But perhaps it was a matter of perspective. Though Shaw himself was loyal, but if it didn't involve the people close to him - then everything was off of the table. "The world's not fair. We have to do what we can to survive." Shaw's own mindset regarding that topic. The man however almost recoiled at the word honor being mentioned. He could be trusted but in that moment, it was like a curse and he drew the last stick. "Keep that down will you, this might turn into a cycle. I am not old enough to be watching over some of these guys." Clearly adamant on not making this a common thing. Shaw's own chaotic personality was pushing to get through but couldn't. "Too bad you aren't in the mood to play hero, I think I might give you a few IOU's if you could bail me out." He chuckled though in the end. "There's something new every day- keep things interesting. Though you would be surprised at how damn dirty some people are. I swear some of us need to wear masks with the odor." Like come on, some people needed to be hosed down in some of those instances. "I won't say anything bad about who gives me a paycheck." Shaw remarked as he laughed.

Shaw Skinner may have been a bit of a menace, but he at least had a sense of humor. Gray could appreciate the latter. His grin mirrored Shaw's for a moment. Gray listened to the earrings tinkle as he spun the display. "I feel like you and a couple of nurses would get along well -- shared interests and all that," Gray said, happy to continue to joke for a moment.

"I don't know about that, all that clean up just seems like too much work. Had a guy pass out after just a basic ear piercing. That was not fun." He shook his head upon the memory coming back. There was definitely no "bedside" manner. The man nodded upon Gray's inquiry. "Least what you're looking for is cheaper then diamonds. That's a win at least." Shaw shrugged. "I get that - well, sure there's plenty of variety here. Black goes with everything." Including it being incorporated in piercings. "Sure if we don't have it here, there's more at the shop."

There were too many times in his day where Zayden looked for an outlet to the anger that simmered beneath his skin. A fist clenched at his side, the perfect opportunity having been laid out before him, but considering the waves Obsidian had already brought in, it was for the best that the floor had caught the man's fall. A low grumble of disapproval ghosted past his lips, his dark hues rolling. Maybe the drunken bastard would take another fall after all. "That happen a lot around here?" He knew every bar had their assholes, but this man seemed seasoned in his fuckery.

"Unfortunately every place has their idiots. Ones who can't hold their liquor. You mix that with some of them trying to become some make believe rodeo star but their muse is Woody from Toy Story." In those instances, Shaw already assumed they let some Halloween costume when they were a kid take charge into their adult life. "Think we are all lucky there isn't a mechanical bull nearby." Now, that would be a shit show and would be the best way for Shaw to avoid an establishment. "Depends on what you're in the mood for. I gravitate towards cheap beer, so guess you're in luck with offering the next round. You don't have to but thanks. Though I take it that's probably not mirrored. Bourbon's always a wise choice too."

"That's not typical for you though, is it?" Challenging was unavoidable, she could be hard headed and incredibly stubborn. Plus the way she'd been raised it was common to give the people you liked a difficult time. "Oh," Tanner rolled her eyes and practically groaned, "you're one of those lazy, princess fellas, aren't you?" Without waiting or giving Shaw room to reply, she continued, "god forbid you life a hand. The world should come to you, you're just so special that the ladies need to chase you down." What had happened to this generation and those following? In her parents day, and maybe even the generation before her, men actually made moves and courted women. The world really was going to shit wasn't it? She glanced back to the scene once more as she sipped on her beer. Amusement came to her lips and she shook her head at the display, finding agreement with Shaw. "It's looking like it. Doubt he meant to take it that far, though. Kind of pathetic she fell for it, don't you think?" Tanner was being awfully judgmental tonight, hopefully the beer would be kicking in soon. It'd been a day she'd had to deal with one too many customers at her shop that had soft, manicured hands. As Shaw started giving her shit back, which Tanner enjoyed, she felt some of the tension of the day begin to drain. "Me, call on you for a save, when you expect all the catering?" Brow raised, friendly smirk displayed, "do I have 'dumbass' written across my forehead?"

"I think you might have already answered your own question." He rose a brow, not one to be outdone. But sitting on a barstool was mild for him. Usually, he was pushing his own limits. Maybe not with women but there was usually something chaotic he was getting himself into. Shaw would call it the calm before the storm perhaps. "Woah there now. You're awfully quick to jump the gun tonight. Bad day? I'm going to take the hint and say you had an shitty experience where you had to chase your version of a prince charming." If she could give it out, Shaw certainly could match the assumptions that were being handed out. He did somewhat smirk though. "You don't give me enough credit, shame on you. I was really just trying to say surely when most people come to a bar it's not to be heckled by someone trying to shoot their shot. I'm slightly more original then that even if you have your doubts. Anyone can say some cheesy pick up line that is just bound to fail." He shrugged. "Just means she has no backbone or is oblivious. Not something I personally could ever find attractive so ya it's a little pathetic." Saving a stranger wasn't at the top of his priorities. It just meant you could be easily manipulated and this world was way too cutthroat for that. "I'll cut you some slack, give your judgement a break." His smirk lingered. "But hey if you're asking my opinion on something, I think you should buy the next round. I mean, my feelings could be hurt by all the judgement you have passed."

"It absolutely would have traumatized the niece, and we just got her driving. Also, I don't handle rich assholes yelling at teenage girls real well, and that guy definitely feels like a yeller." Waylon judged everyone based on what they drove. It was one of the perks of being a professional hauler, he was going to judge. "She's gotta learn, and since I am the favorite uncle, I got the honors. Thought I think she left the transmission back on 12th Street... and maybe 1st gear somewhere at a stoplight." He laughed and moved to take a seat across from Shaw. "You really should be congratulating me on the first step to opening my driving school, if I survive this one..."

"Even more of a show then, at least for me." There was an indicated level of humor coming off Shaw. All in good fun. But least in that situation, the yeller would have gotten what was coming to them. "Yeah, seems like the type. Probably treats his car better then his wife or girlfriend." Shaw could go into grave detail about those rich asshole types. But he wouldn't. "You should give her like a report card for shits and giggles. Though that might be a little extra." Still, Shaw had to give the other some credit. Patience was slim for most nowadays. "Until one of them actually crashes then that will definitely have you rethinking all of it." He rose a brow with a small smirk. "So, other then being the newly appointed driver's ed instructor - anything else new?

The way to Faye's heart involved a hardwood dancefloor. The Silver Saddle was more of a tourist trap these days, but here she was, here to dance her way to a sure fire collapse on her bed later. "Oh, yeah. I saw him yanking and managed to avoid him. I like my arm in my socket." He was not an experienced dancer, clearly, and after that much alcohol she was surprised he was even mostly upright.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he just lays there for a while. Sure his ego is more then bruised. Too bad nobody laughed. Tough crowd I suppose." Shaw admitted while shaking his head at the drunk antics they both had been witnessed to. A brow rose at her reference, the name sounding familiar but he couldn't narrow it down to something specific.e "I take it he's someone famous?" Perhaps Shaw was wrong, but sure enough time would tell. "I dare him to screw something around here. Sure you know as well as I - some won't take that too kindly. And revenge is a dish best served cold." Local bars and spots definitely were well protected. Though, places were becoming more and more popular for the out of town folk, was like they were weaving their way into the scene without approval. "My guess is he wanted to get a tough enough aesthetic but couldn't fully commit to like a tattoo."

~~*~~

"Most definitely not." Locals always had a knack of figuring out who had been around for a long time and who was a newbie. It was just the way they carried themselves, perhaps putting on a facade like they owned the place. "My guess he wanted to play the part of a Cowboy but probably hasn't even involved himself in any sort of manual labor." It was just a game to get laid or so Shaw believed in the other's case. "Hopefully he doesn't push his luck and start thinking second time's a charm. Though perhaps that would serve us some entertainment. I would be willing to give his next potential victim some money if she turned him down coldly. The more cut throat the better."

There wasn't a bar in Paxton that fit what he typically looked for, but it had a decent selection of whiskey and that was the bare minimum most days. The move, however inconvenient it seemed on paper, was working out in their favor. Slowly but surely, it was Obsidian Holdings weaving into the small town. Once they'd planted themselves firmly within it, it was theirs to shape. There were rules, of course, regulations to follow and guidelines to abide by, his area of speciality.

"You can say that again. Least the floor could catch his fall then have him land on someone else." Shaw didn't want to think of that possibility. A seemingly calm night for his own self- his lack of patience would never stand a chance for a situation like that, accident or not. He drank way too much just like most of the town folks on occasion, you didn't see him spilling their drink or bumping into some random individual. Though when Shaw was younger, he did however try to rope another drunk idiot who to him was acting more foolish and it was a means to make him exit the bar they were at then. That later led to a brawl but it was to be expected he guessed. At least his coordination was up to par that night. "But stupid is. Not sure if you heard him earlier, he definitely tried his luck with another chick before that one. Even used the CPR pick up line shit, you know the one where it's like do you know that because you take my breath away." He shook his head, almost cringing as the words he had heard played on a little reply. "Looks like karma did him a favor and he knocked himself out. Perhaps to knock some sense into him."

starter for @shawxskinner at shear beauty —

Currently, Shaw was trying to walk off from gorging himself with hot food from The Mesa. He may have went a little too far with the eating, but his excuse he had an IOU from one of the cooks there so he kept on ordering plate after plate. To say he probably wouldn't eat the rest of the day would be valid. From a Double Mac N Cheese Burger to a few slices of their Pecan Pie. Nonetheless, he found himself walking to pass the time as it was his off day from work. But curiosity took the best from him when he noticed Caid and seemingly enough, his new friend that happened to be a random cat or through his own eyes anyways. "Wouldn't have pegged you for a cat person, let me guess you're going to dress it up for Halloween and Christmas?" He egged on, a brow raising with an almost devilish like smirk. Was he serious in the question? Maybe not but with the familiarity, ragging on one came quite easily. "Just taking a walk. Guessing you're just waiting for Julie to be done?".

"Cheat," Mickey scoffed and wrinkled his nose, as another twenty of his own cash was swiped off the tabletop and smugly tucked away. "Wait 'til Friday," he warned, pointing with a glass in hand before he down the liquid within in one fluid go. It always stung, when the luck didn't trend in his favor -- this happened often. There wasn't a week where Mickey didn't lose a couple hundred because he simply didn't know when to quit. At least, not until he literally had no cash left to lay down.

"I wish listening to you talk to a machine that doesn't talk back is the weirdest thing I have seen tonight." He replied, hues watching the other lose money. Shaw gambled but not in quite some time, he would rather blow his money on vehicles that could probably rack up some bills depending on how bad the wreck was at a hospital. But that was half the fun, the thrill of living life on the edge. "I'm guessing luck isn't on your side again?" Shaw shook his head. "They're all kind of a scam if you ask me." Even though no such thing was said his way. "And ending up making him the laughing stock here. Maybe there is a nurse here and he could call it even, doesn't even have to be a real one -never know Halloween is coming up. People still dress up." Shaw noted but sighed, a clear indicator he was going to agree with another round on his dollar. "One round and you owe me. Don't be surprised if I add some interest in there either."

"Men are determined to learn the hard way," Tanner commented. "Don't act like you're any different." Eyes rolled, bottle of beer in hand, she was mostly giving him shit. It was what she did. To most everyone. When she finally looked over at the scene of the drunken fool face down on the stage a little snicker bubbled up. "Maybe he's doing something right." With a gesture toward the fallen Tanner pointed out that the pretty girl was tending to him. If it had been her then she would've walked away and left the fool there without a fleeting glance backward. No patience for idiots. "Goddamn, shit like this reminds me why I hate coming out." With her head shaking in disproval it was also why she came out. It was usually eventful and more often than not got to varying degrees of rowdy. Sometimes the quiet house at the end of the day was just a little too... that.

"Yet here I am comfortably on my bar stool." Shaw replied, raising a brow and then gestured with his beer in hand over towards her. She was giving him a hard time. He had learned to accept that. "I can be stubborn at times but I sure as hell am not trying to impress some woman in hopes to get her number. Pretty sure if one is interested they will make the first move." Shaw added, shrugging. He was still young and dumb even at 30 but he never tried to put on some facade. He didn't need anyone's approval but his own. "You don't think that was all apart of his plan do you?" Though, to be honest that wouldn't be the craziest idea if one was into pity parties. It almost smelled like desperation however. As long as the idiot didn't end up falling into him, Shaw didn't care much."The night's just getting started. Soon enough you will have your own secret admirer probably trying to whisk you away to try and dance. Just don't ask me to save you from that attention." Shaw responded back, his own amusement lacing his words. It was his turn to give her shit.

Starter for @shawxskinner

Business was about to start bumping real quick. The things people did to save a few bucks. He understood the premise, nothing in life was ever free so if one could get some ink and not pay full prices - even if the designs were pre-drawn then it was a win in the customer's eyes. Obviously, there was a discount on piercings too. There was something for everyone basically. "Warm up huh? Are you trying to say under false pretenses that I'm a shitty piercer?" He cocked a brow, though with the grin he sported Shaw didn't actually believe what he was implying by the question towards the other. The thing with Shaw, he was reckless in his personal life but he actually took his job serious. "Maybe I am just trying to decide if I should charge you. I don't know - I suppose I could think of you as a charity case." He laughed. "We can flip a coin. Are you a betting man?" Another wide grin being displayed.

Starter for @shawxskinner

It was just another day and he was manning the booth that Outlaw Ink had set up. Least there was more open space and at least he didn't have to go too far to light up a cigarette. Surely, was way more convenient then sneaking out the back at the shop. Cause certainly he wasn't going to have the whole place stinking up from his Marlboro's. The traffic had been alright but at that time, there was no one to attend to until he heard a voice. Looking up, he caught sight of his old boss? Not sure Shaw would accurately describe Gray as such - considering it wasn't a permanent gig and he definitely wasn't in the long haul. The second day on the job and being fired was most likely one for the record books. At least Shaw wasn't shameful. It was more of a shock he didn't end up putting someone in the hospital with his antics with that nail gun which was soon brought up. He couldn't help the proud grin that appeared. Like a warm, distant memory. "Maybe it was, but I think I just liked shooting things." He shrugged. "But between you and me, pricking someone with a needle isn't a bad gig. Just don't ask about all the weird places people want a hole in." Shaw shook his head but he chuckled slightly. "You looking for anything in particular?"

"He might have a chance if he gets up after that fall," Julie mused. The twenty-year-old wannabe finger likely bruised their pride and their face. Julie shook her head. Too many people came out to the Saddle and couldn't dance these days. She tried not to judge. Instead, she turned away from whatever scene was unfolding over her shoulder and back to Shaw. In a way, he felt a bit like a younger cousin since Meema basically claimed him as a grandson. She hadn't seen him, she realized then, in over a month. Probably since Randall's death. Julie's used her glass to hide the frown on her face.

"I wouldn't be too sure, you must of have missed the way he was knocking back those shots of Tequila." Hues surveyed the scene again. Shaw half expected this is what it looked like at some college party. Just without the whole keg stand move. He could only imagine if this place had a keg with red solo cups. Surely, their insurance policy would double with all the foolishness. One might think it would be the pot calling the kettle black with some of Shaw's own antics but the only thing he ever did with a keg, well other then drinking from it - you know the normal way was using it somewhat violently in an almost WWE atmosphere - instead of a chair match it was a kicked keg one. You had to be there he guessed. Hues turned their attention to the older brother in question. "If he isn't aware of his surroundings then he isn't going to get far in life." Or further up the ranks. "You're a good person, I think you deserve to have that hero title." A small smirk began to linger from his lips. Then taking a few sips of his beer again. But shrugged at her question. "You can call me a baby sitter, I can take it. Hell if I know though. I must have pissed somebody off."