#amorroy

*It isn’t that Amor is afraid of finally meeting the mysterious Mr Jangles, but his brother Vice hadn’t exactly painted a pretty picture. And from what Cassius said about him… “Intimidating but not unreasonable… Seems to want to make this work but there’s… Something. Watch your mouth and keep your eyes peeled” well, it was hardly a shining endorsement.

*He’d dressed up in his best: leather trousers he’d made himself from scraps of hide of various beasts; a tattered, old, vintage leopard fur coat; thick, heavy gold chains around his neck and a pair of his father’s old army boots on his feet. Amor reckons he looks ready for business.

*Respectable, like.

*He ummm’s and ahhh’s for a few moments, dawdling around the tent and wondering exactly how he has to draw attention. Can’t really knock on the door ( “cloth don’t knock” he tells himself sagely) and just walking in seems like a death sentence waiting to happen. So he goes for what he thinks is the most polite option. Hollaring.

[Amor] Ey! Big J! You in there?

*…And heard he is. Behind the thin cloth something shifts but instead of more reasonable feet tapping on scraps of wood it's the ticking and clicking of nails scraping hard against the floor. Brute (recently redubbed 'Waffles') storms out, a huge, lumbering body moving almost too fast for lumpy legs to follow resulting in some split-second adjusting on the spot.

*As soon as small beady eyes catch sight of an approaching stranger, beneath folds of hooded skin, his maw opens to express his loyalty in short and booming barks.

[Roan] Waffles, it's fine!

*The dog silences save for a few disheartened semi-barks blubbering from curtainy lips.

*Another face appears, this time human. Almost hidden behind a layer of fabric covering her hair, ears and neck, beams a bright smile that continues in her eyes.

[Roan] I'm so sorry! I hope he didn't scare you! He's a fussy-pants but not particularly dangerous...

*She steps from beyond the curtain, silver-stained arms moving from behind her back to the front, visibly fidgeting with them if only to draw brief attention to them.

[Roan] I'm Roan, by the way! That's Waffles there! You were kind of screaming so... is something wrong? I'm here to help!

*The appearance of the lumbering beast has Amor stepping back a few paces. Swallowing hard and flapping one hand in front of him whilst the other grips his coat closed as if to protect his tattooed torso. It’s only hearing the woman’s voice that has him straightening up again, almost preening. Rolling his shoulders back and pulling himself up to his full (if not exactly impressive) height.

[Amor] Oh… Ohhhh… Yer not Jangles… But damn am I pleased to see you rather than ‘im. I mean… scrap an’ void, if I had to rate y’from one to ten, I’d ‘ave to give ya a nine…

*Amor grins wide and gestures to himself.

[Amor] Cause I’m the one yer missin’!

*There is a wary glance at the dog before he steps forward and offers his hand, still all grins and good humour despite the animal still being there.

[Amor] They call me Amor, but you can call me any time ya like!

*There is a sweet giggle coming from Roan as Amor speaks, small dimples appearing in her cheeks. Amor's words visibly get to her as she tries her best to hide an embarrassed smile by biting on her lips.

[Roan] That's fine, Love…

*She scratches her throat and moves her eyes over to the dog for a brief moment, trying to gather her thoughts again. The dog is sniffing at Amor from a distance, flabby neck stretched as far as possible without tipping over.

[Roan] Jangles is in the back, but I can call him for you if that's what you want?

*Roan briefly looks over the man, her kind smile still in place, she steps back into the tent for a few seconds, returning with something that crinkles and something that has immediately earned the full attention and respect of the dog. Long ribbons of drool already dangling. She throws it at Amor; an already opened pack of stale waffles. She looks at Amor and directs her attention to the dog again.

[Roan] Give him one and he'll think you're the world or leave you be. Either's fine.

*There is definitely a spark of interest and hope in Amor’s eyes from that one term of endearment. She didn’t say no… Hasn’t rebuffed him with a punch and a curse… “I’m fuckin’ in here!”.

*The bag is caught with a surprised little grunt and he looks between Roan and the dog and then peeks inside the bag. Thing about dogs and girls was that you had to befriend the dog if you wanted to get anywhere with the girl. Beasts were a loyal sort, and he wasn’t going to get his end away if there were teeth in his end.

[Amor] Yeah, if you could be a real sweet thing and let him know that Commander Roy’s son is here, that’d be great!

*There is definite pride in his voice upon speaking his father’s name. Knowing that most would make the mistake of seeing Vice Roy waiting for them, but the brief moment in which Amor knows that they are thinking he is someone of worth… That is a lofty feeling indeed.

[Amor] C’mere, boy…. Got a tasty treat for you!

*One of the stale waffles is broken in half and offered to the dog who happily ambles on over. One half of the pastry goes into the dog, whilst the other half goes into Amor Roy. Food is food and he isn’t going to let it all go into a drooling mutt.

[Amor] So…. You an’ Jangles…. Yanno… Bumpin’ uglies? Or am I good to cut in?

*A quick dip of her head and Roan turns on her heel. A deep breath and she shouts:

[Roan] Visitors! Commander Roy's tadpole!

*She turns back once she hears the sound of Jangles moving and tilts her head sideways at the not-so-subtly chewing Dreglander.

[Roan] Are you hungry? You really shouldn't eat that! I can give you fresh ones if you’d like… We've got them just here! Those are from yesterday so they go to Waffles…

*Her voice hints at genuine concern as she’s already scrambling in the back to retrieve some better food for Amor. Yet as she returns she stops upon hearing the question. The beginning of a shudder settles in her back and evolves ultimately in a look of horror and a twitch of her head.

[Roan] Jangles and me… Chargehand no… Oh no. He's- He's looking out for me. That's all. There's nothing there… At all.

[Jangles] ‘Xcept f'some kindness an' a helpin' hand.

*The man appears from behind the thin cloth and stares down at Amor with a hardened gaze that only cracks to a smile upon seeing that familiar leopard-print (though in more quantity) and yappy confidence he once saw in the man's twin.

*He strides forwards, metal arm snaking around Roan to snatch the packet of waffles out of her hands. He looks at it briefly before throwing it back at her.

[Jangles] Don't, y'll feed 'im t'death.

*His eyes return to Amor and his hand waves in a half-hearted gesture.

[Jangles] The other other 'Mister Roy'…

*His voice is merciless yet holds a tinge of joy.

[Jangles] A pleasure t'finally meet the man behind the stories. The resemblance to yer brother is uncanny.

*Amor stops chewing on the stale waffle for a brief moment to consider her words. It tastes okay and the dog seems fine so… He’d eaten worse. But he swallows his mouthful and tosses the rest of the food to the dog. Who of course happily wolfs it down. Amor even goes as far to pet the animal’s head when it comes snuffling along at his hip with the hopes of more. It isn’t that he disliked dogs, but he’d all too often been at the wrong end of a guard dog while he’d been stealing their master’s jewels.

[Amor] So… Y’single?

*Brushing crumbs from his beard and unable to keep the hopeful lilt from his voice. However, he soon shuts up pretty quick when Jangles makes himself known. Eyes widening a little as he takes in the man and in that moment believes every single thing his brother had told him.

[Amor] Uh… Yeah. ‘part from the fact I’m the better lookin’ brother!

*He manages a wide grin as he approaches the man, wary of how he is looming over him and looks like he kills things with his bare hands, His own hand offered now and Amor is proud that it didn’t tremble.

[Amor] Heard you already met me… Uh… Man Servant. He’s a good lad, don’t say much, but don’t need t’speak to get the van set up.

*With Jangles' appearance Roan as good as removes herself from the conversation, standing to the side, returning to a tedious work of picking things out of boxes and distributing them amongst the row of smaller ones stashed on their display tables. Occasionally her eyes shoot up to both men, still listening. When Jangles is busy with the newcomer she puts the waffles on the edge of the table, indicating to Amor he's free to take them when he wants.

*Jangles, on the other hand, shows no change, closing the distance between himself and Amor as he takes a hold of the hand, his metal digits loosely closing around Amor's. No use in testing a home-grown Dreggie with metal arms. A lot of them are cradled by them as kids by family or close friends, after all.

*He scoffs briefly, an eyebrow raising.

[Jangles] If't makes y'happier… sure.

With the handshake concluded he distances himself, looking briefly at the work Roan's doing. The two catch each other's eye and Jangles only gives a lazy nod, turning back at Amor.

[Jangles] Yeah, Cas something-or-other. Seems an okay guy, don't seems like the dust-kickin' type so I ain't got any problems with him.  

*He remains silent, hooded eyes pointedly looking over the reject-leopard before returning to scanning the camp.

[Jangles] How're the Roys anyway? And what's a home-grown boy like y'self doin' out here in these wastes? Didn't expect t’see any new folk from back home, truthfully…

*It takes Amor a little while to come back to the conversation at hand. Allowing himself to glance over at Roan… And then letting that glance become a loving, verging on leering scope of the woman from the top of her head down to her feet and then back up again. Taking in all the little details and wondering what she’d look like beneath him swathed in faux silk sheets.

[Amor] State Bred but Dreggie raised, y’won’t ‘ave any problems from me boy.

He finally tears his gaze away from Roan and shoves his hands into his pockets with a slight shrug.

[Amor] Pa is still puttin’ the fear o’ the gods inta all the new recruits… An’ most’a the old ones. Ma is runnin’ th’roost. An’ Vice is absolutely fuckin’ killin’ it as General. Yanno, there’s rumour that he might actually make Commander before he’s forty. How fuckin’ awesome is that? As fer me… Makin’ my own way, y’know? Army wasn’t fer me. Good for many folks, but dint sit well w’ me.

*Unable to resist anymore, Amor saunters over to the table and picks up the bag of waffles that Roan has left out for him. Catching the woman’s eye and giving a slow wink and a nod as thanks. Languidly leaning back against the table and letting the coat fall open. Displaying bare torso decorated with gold chains and tattoos for her to peruse should she want to. And Amor really hopes she wanted to.

[Amor] Travellin’ man fer hire now. Y’need someone to get a good kickin’? I’ll give ‘em a good kickin’. Lot extra if ya don’ wan’ ‘em to get back up again, if y’know what I mean…?

*He waggles his eyebrows in Roan’s direction before finally turning his attention back to Jangles.

[Amor] Do me little magic shows too. Yanno like… Find the lady and what’s your card? Nice little money spinner on the side.

*The attention for Roan is well and truly noted, the girl often peeking up and smiling shyly at the boisterous man parading around like he owns the place. Still, she holds a tinge of fear in her eyes as they dart back to the true owner of this entire ramshackle community. When Jangles is otherwise occupied she dares to return the glances coyly.

[Jangles] State don't seem to raise loud-mouths. My mom used t'be State 's well, gotta drag the words from 'r mouth if y'want 'em. Though sure as fuck don't make ‘em innocent.

*He turns back from his little overwatch-position as Amor is moving, his eyes narrow at the display, at the attempt of peacocking the man is indulging himself in. He coughs, following the young man's every move.

[Jangles] Ah well, t'each their own. No sense in draggin' y'corpse out to practice each day if y're not into it. Won't do you nor yer buddy any good when y're out there and gettin' shot at. Ain't like y've got much space in y'brain t'allow f'minor things like watchin' someone's back f'more reasons than t'enjoy the view…

*Jangles' eyes veer from the girl to the man, the atmosphere at this point almost tangible but it is the man's challenging posture that puts a wicked thought into his mind. He saunters over to the leopard-print-human until their knees almost meet. His arms are crossed and his head tilted sideways. He makes a scene of turning his head to look at Roan, the girl shies away from it, eyes focussed at the torch in her hands, fingers wringing around the textured plastic.

[Jangles] Y'd a look at Roan yet? Ain't she a fine beastie? Listens real well, good-manners f'what she is, too. Look at 'r squirmin' like a worm onna hook. Y'see the twinklings in 'r eyes? Oh she is lovin' the attention right now. Might wanna lock yer door tonight. She might come beggin' t'be let in like a lost pup… and then she ain't leavin' neither. 'S like an animal… Does that 'imprintin'' thing on anything that looks at her all friendly-like.

*The girl reels back, eyes wide and stance panicked.

[Roan] Jangles! N-no, Jangles. No, I'm not.

[Jangles] Don't y'fuckin' lie to me, wretch!… Y'made 'r lie to me, Amor. She's gotten so hot 'n bothered that she don't think straight anymore.

[Roan] Am n-not a wretch!

[Jangles] Shut up! Now, Amor… My friend and good companion, Amor. I ain't lookin' t'make relationships strained, 'specially not wi' countrymen… So lemme make a thing clear. My Roan; my sweetest, darlingest idiot-kid of a Roan ain't gonna make a decent wife… She ain't even gonna give y'a decent fuck neither.

*He leans in closer, close enough to make Roan gasp audibly.

[Jangles] Y'kno who ain't gonna get up 'anymore if y'stick yer dick in that? 'S gonna be you, buddy. Things happen when she gets all emotional and bullshit. Things y'don't wanna see and things I ain't gonna concern myself wi’anymore neither. Hope yer man-servant really enjoys scrubbing up blood 'cus that's what he's gonna hafta do when she's done.

*There is a slight pause before his face breaks open into that serpentine smirk, slightly too wide to be comfortable.

[Jangles] Should the ribbons of y'body still be attached 'nuff t’move, don't come crawlin' over t'me askin' for help. Just a word o'warnin', real friendly-like.

*He pulls back again, his feet still in the same place yet in one fluid motion his hand moves up towards Amor's face resulting in only a friendly pat on the man's cheek.

[Jangles] Let this one slide, trust me on that one.

*Amor has been so busy checking out every angle he could see on Roan that he didn’t notice Jangles getting closer. Too busy being utterly delighted every time she throws a glance his way that by the time he’s giving the other man the attention he is due, Jangles is far too close for his liking. There is nowhere to go as Jangles knees knock up against his, but despite this, Amor still tries to scurry back. But sadly for him, this only results in him hoisting himself up onto the table.

[Amor] Woah… Woah… Ok, Big J… I dint mean no harm or nuthin’. She’s a pretty girl, an’ I’ll be honest wi’ ya, been a long time on the road, yanno?

All the colour has drained from his face and to his shame, there is the slightest tremor in his voice and a tremble in his hands.

[Amor] Not gonna hurt her! Not that kinda guy! Y’know me family. Y’know me brother. Apple don’t fall to far from the tree, y’get me? My Ma find out I mistreated a lady? I’d be a dead man!

*But Jangles meaning slowly begins to sink in and Amor finds himself turning to stare wide-eyed at Roan. She is magic then? Like him? Not entirely like him… He is pretty sure of it. But… Roan and Jangles relationship is starting to make sense and Amor’s mouth became dry. His tongue swollen and laying, for the first time in forever, silent and still. The only sound is the hammering of his heart against his ribs. A sound that he is sure Jangles could hear.

[Amor] …..Lets…. Just… Take this down a notch, yeah?

*A deep breath and he was looking between the distressed girl and smirking man.

[Amor] First of all… Don’t call her a wretch… That’s not cool, man. She deserves as much respect as anyone. Would yer Mama let you say shit like that about ladies? Y’know she’d tan yer hide if she heard that. I know my Mama would.

*He licks his lips as he tries to keep his voice steady. Holding his hands up in surrender. Trying to look as innocent and harmless as he can; despite the power crawling underneath his skin. His emotions at a dangerously high level and his magic crawling towards it as a terrifying rate.

[Amor] Not thinkin’ about wives, not yet… Got a bit of the wild still in me, y’get me? An’ if she don’t wan’ me in her bed then, all she has to do is say. Not in the business of forcin’ meself on women. Don’t need to, yanno. Got ‘em linin’ up to see what I can offer. But… Y’tryin’ to tell me somethin’, an’ trust me on this, I hear ya. But… We don’t gotta get all messy like…

*The slice of space that Jangles has allowed is enough for Amor to get his breath back. And he swallows that new air greedily. Filling his lungs as he pushes that crackling power down down down.

[Amor] I got a coupla bottles of the good stuff from back home. Me Pa’s own brew, ya know the stuff. I say once everythin’s all set up an’ we have a spare hour or two, we try this again. Be all friendly-like.

*There it is… That feeling of cornering a person. Sensing someone's pounding heart as clear as his own. The tremble in their eyes, the sound of a tongue ripping from the dry flesh of their own mouth and the slightly acrid smell of fear emanating from them. Jangles only just suppresses a shudder of delight at this little display of power. This isn't hunting, this is business. He'd learnt not to enjoy business or at least not show it.

*Yet as the man before him slowly collects himself he finds himself only sighing in annoyance. The man clearly had too much brown, blonde and black dye on his head to make anything stick.

[Jangles] Call a pig a pig. Makes taggin' 'em that much easier. But here’s me feelin’ y'didn't quite get the memo…This-

*He feels the electricity surging to his fingers, clenching them as tight as he'd ever had, balling his fist, trying to make his point so that the youngest Roy would know. But to anyone's surprise, perhaps even Roan herself, she speaks up, she makes herself known and Jangles finds himself lowering his arm, looking at her. She's found what little courage she has left, feet planted firmly on the ground and shoulders stiffened, ready to catch any blow that might come her way.

[Roan] Jangles… This is a new start, for me… for you. You'd promised me. A new start means new scenarios… A lot of stuff I have to figure out… by myself. And a lot of stuff you've gotta figure out still… I won't-…

*She makes a motion with her head, clearly embarrassed or unfamiliar with the subject.

[Roan] Y'know… Get-into-bed-with-him… But there's no harm in being friends, right?

*She waits. The seconds feel like hours as she tries to gauge his reaction. How  will this pan out? She knows him well enough but he remains whimsical when angry. Jangles is scrutinizing her, his small eyes narrowing even further. His face expressionless before that sickle-like smirk appears again like a crack of thunder. Roan can feel her bursting lungs releasing all pent-up air in a second.

[Jangles] Sure, pup, sure. You do you. Y'know my stance on it. He's heard what he needs t'make the right choices 'n life. It'll all be in the hands of stupidity now…

*The tension remains in the air, all three - no four of them notice it, as even Waffles— standing off to the side— has the hairs on his back standing as straight as candles.

[Jangles] Y'go 'n make friends, Roan. Just make sure y'finish the packages first… An' tell me when y're off. Wouldn't want to leave the shop unattended, now would we? Would we?

*Roan merely shakes her head and Jangles takes it for as good an answer as he's gonna get. Amor gets a small nod and friendly tilt of his head before the man makes an exit, clearly at a loss of how to properly handle this.

*The girl stands to the side, holding her one hand still with the other as she is still trembling on her feet. A light, relief laugh comes from her lips before looking back at Amor.

[Roan] I-… I'm sorry, Amor. You get… used to him after a while… He can run a bit hot and needs to vent it all. I-I'd love to take you up on the bottles though! And a card-trick!

*The very air is crackling around them. His own power pulsing and fluttering and desperate to get out. Be free. To tear down the walls of the tent and drag furrows through the ground. It demands destruction in the only way Amor has taught it how. But not now. Not here. Not while they are in this place. He’d promised himself and he’d promised Cassius. No trouble. He is going to behave. No one can find out what he is. Not even Roan. There is a warmth in his belly though, that knowledge that he isn’t alone in this world. That even though he can never tell her, she exists. And for now, that is enough.

*His legs shake and even his hair tremors from roots to tips, Amor slides himself off the table and slinks around Jangles warily. The man’s moods seem to change like the tides and he can absolutely see why Vice said he’d kept him on his toes. A devil-may-care smile somehow finds its way onto his lips. Checking one last time to see where Jangles is going before sidling up to Roan. His hand going into his back pocket and bringing out a deck of cards.

[Amor] Got all sorts of tricks, sweetheart. Bet I could keep you entertained for a good, long time. I got a show that’s hard to beat. Wan’ me to show you a special somethin’ now?

*Seeing Amor jumping back up and actually smiling only encourages Roan to keep the conversation going instead of hastily ending it while hoping she wouldn't have to hide behind Jangles as he convinced them to leave her be, all while bearing that know-it-all gleam in his eyes… Making her bear the knowledge that she wasn't and never would be like the rest. Still the fact that Amor jumps up as he does and remains while being a Dreggie surprises her, in a pleasant way. Perhaps only Jangles’ little pool of friends have that look on their face like they are witnessing a bloody murder at the mere mention of her name.

[Roan] Oh, I'd love to!

*Her sweet smile in place and her own eyes gleaming with excitement and curiosity, she only has eyes for the deck of cards in Amor's hands.

Those hands are deft and nimble as he goes through a few fancy shuffling techniques. And some that are more than fancy. Some that are helped along by his own power, making it look like the cards flip and spin and turn around the deck. It looks impressive but could still be explained away if Amor needed to.

[Amor] Ok, hot stuff! Pick a card, any card! I will amaze and astound you!

*As soon as Roan chooses her card, Amor scribbles something down on it with a chewed up pencil, explaining that is to further prove it is her card and not just an extra he happens to have. Making sure to concentrate on it and wraps a tendril of his magic around it as it’s slid back into the deck.

[Amor] And now we just give it a lil’ shuffle, get it all nice an’ cosy in there.

*He takes a step closer, speaking low and soft as if they are sharing a secret. Something intimate and just for them. Amor’s control over his telekinetic power has the card slipping and dancing up to the top of the deck no matter how much he shuffles and splits and fans the cards. He bites down on his lower lip to stop the grin from spreading as he brings out the card with a flourish.

[Amor] Is this your card?

*He holds up the card in question, hoping that only she can see the crude map he’d drawn on its face. A circle around a square with an arrow pointing to it saying ‘my place. 10pm.’

*Four of hearts, what a card to pick out of the numerous others she could've picked, well the ace of it's family might've been a bit more alarming. With interest and anticipations she watches the man at work, writing down something before slipping it into the stack, seemingly lost forever. The speed and fervour behind his twirling shuffling indeed amazes and astounds her. She can hardly focus on the bits of cardboard flying about.

*It's with some sense of skepticism that she looks at him grabbing one of the cards yet as it turns to her there it is, four of hearts. She nearly hops up in excitement, clapping her hands before something catches her eye. A red blush of shame reaches her cheeks when his fingers point beneath — what she assumes is— a sentence or bunch of letters behind each other. She sees the 10 but beyond that is pretty much lost.

[Roan] That was amazing! But -eh… Well… My parents were just factory workers. I didn't get the whole 'school'-thing growing up. Y'mind readin' that aloud to me?

*Amor’s shoulders sag a little as he is sure this little romantic gesture would have worked a charm. A glance to find Jangles, before he decides ‘fuck it’. He leans in, one hand pressing to the small of Roan’s back as he pulls her in closer. A quirk of a smile on his lips as he lowers his head to her ear. Lips brushing the sensitive shell as he murmurs low.

[Amor] That there is a little route to my passion wagon. Come and see me tonight, ten o’clock. And I’ll show you a whole load of magic. Got some fun tricks I’d like to show you. Really make the night go off with a bang!

*She’d told Jangles that she won’t be getting into bed with him, but Amor didn’t take that as an actual no to him. Unless she shut down his advances to his face? Still open season as far as Amor is concerned. For all he knows, Roan could have said that to Jangles just to get the guy off her back.

[Amor] Y’said ya had stuff to figure out… Nothin’ like a few new experiences to really get things goin’.

*Amor stays close for a few more moments before he finally takes a step back. Carefully reaching out to take Roan’s hand and presses the card into her palm, curling her fingers around it. A wink and a grin before raising her hand to his lips and kissing the knuckles.

[Amor]“I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ ya, sweetheart.

*The sudden closeness of Amor startles Roan for a brief moment, the feel of fingers at her lower back even making her jump, yet as she feels his broader body against hers it has that bit of familiarity she knows from Jangles — well when he wasn't an aggressive dick. When he is friendly and when those hugs are comforting.

*She scratches her throat at the less than subtly-worded entendre. While she is naive there has yet to be born a person to be so naive as not to catch the intentions behind those words. A disappointed sigh rolls from her mouth. The delicate kiss on her knuckles only further beating the message home.

[Roan] Amor… I think I know what you're trying and… I don't think I can. It's a bunch of reasons and-… I do think Jangles has a point. B-but we can be friends and kind of see what happens? Getting drunk with Jangles is fun so I reckon getting drunk with you'd be even more fun! Y'know… Just… Let me find my feet before sweeping me off of them?

*A toothy smile and delicate innocence brightly on display within her big eyes.

*It still wasn’t a no… Perhaps a not right now. A maybe. A later on. But he was great company and he had great booze, really it would be a great oddity if she continued to be able to resist his charms. And all she was presenting to him right now was a challenge. Something that he was ready to meet head on. Ready and willing and there was excitement dancing in his eyes.

[Amor] Far be it from me to try and force a lady, sweet darling. I’m well into you, that can’t be denied. Prettiest little thing I’ve seen for miles and miles. An’ I like a girl who speaks her mind, y’gotta lot o’pluck. Me an’ you, we’re gonna have a good time. An’ it don’t have t’be between the sheets, baby.