unlimited

meet VIKTOR KONG, a twenty-nine year old HOCKEY PLAYER/CENTER for the vancouver canucks and a ten-year resident in the beautiful KITSILANO neighborhood of vancouver. he is known for being steadfast and tender-hearted at the best of times, but has been called surly and intense  at the worst.

For a long time, Sabeen Khuram hasn’t been someone who was entirely comfortable in her skin. In fact, she is still figuring out the style she best likes for wearing it. But this, connecting with people and moulding herself to the situation? She likes to think that it’s one of the more positive symptoms of Eldest Brown Daughter Disease. Case in point? Her companion’s theatrical career reveal makes her crack a smile and dramatically, gallantly, offer up a hand. “Well, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” she announces grandly, offering up a hand. “I’m Sabeen. Although, to be quite honest, I don’t quite get the hockey thing. Or any sport thing, really. It’s cricket where I come from, and I don’t get that either. But, like you said, I too have a grave sickness. Very lethal. The symptoms are eternal servitude, endless effort and a solid addiction to butter and flour. AKA I just sold my soul to baking and it’s going pretty a-okay for now. See, now that is how you introduce yourself. Who cares how I would describe you — how would you describe you?” She thinks about it a little more while she orders a Coke, then adds as an afterthought: “They should pay me though, you’re right. The bouncer doesn’t look cute in skinny pants either.”

Conversations are so slippery for Viktor, hard to wrap his hands around and even more difficult to hold onto. Surviving small talk is an upward climb that for all his athleticism he struggles to meet the summit. He could hold his own easily when it comes to sports, and he made for a mighty fine listener, but branching out beyond that is something that has plagued him since early childhood. That doesn’t mean that he completely lacks decorum, however, grasping the hand that is offered and giving it a firm shake. His hand slides out as she is describing her own ‘disease,’ what she is spelling out not clicking until she literally specifies. “That’s...a colorful way to describe yourself and what you do. I doubt however I could introduce myself would pale in comparison. I have also sold my soul, in a way, though the price included depriving myself of butter and flour for the most part.” Though his strict diet is mostly self-enforced, and he does indulge in the occasional sweet. He fidgets with his hands, unsure of what else to say that isn’t all about his career as a hockey player. “I live and breathe ice. Even during the off-season, I like to go to the mountains and enjoy the higher altitudes.” There’s a coldness that runs through Viktor’s veins, and perhaps that’s why he much prefers silence and solitude. 

“i  know  exactly  what  you  mean.  kind  of  like  when  people  in  the  stands  like  to  yell  what  you  should  do,  but  they’re  not  the  ones  in  the  game,  you  know?”    they  could  relate  to  each  other  in  that  way,  as  athletes.  of  course,  her  neighbor  was  on  a  completely  different  level,  centering  for  the  canucks  while  she’d  only  played  volleyball  through  college  to  now  be  a  coach.    “they  always  think  they  know  better  than  you  do.  but  to  be  honest..  i  think  that  guy,”    georgie  motioned  to  the  one  wearing  the  jersey  viktor  repped  professionally,    “might  know  your  stats  better  than  you  do.  you  might  wanna  brush  up  on  your  knowledge  of  yourself,”    she  teased.

It was early enough in the night that the landscape of the clubstill held onto its appeal. It wouldn’t soon enough, by the time it was lateenough for everyone to be tired and cranky about being drunk and socialising,but for now, it was hopping. Still,not everybody was that comfortable in the midst of the mayhem, she knew that.She was nothing if not determined to change that though. Spinning a little onthe stool, she waved her glass to signal the bartender for a refresh and gaveher newest companion a sunny smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve successfully preservedyour honour. Not sure why you’re social pariah, though? I mean, do you have theplague? I mean, the actual plague, not the recent one. Although any kind ofplague is bad. Actually, you know what, I’ll just shut up if you don’t mind anddon’t actually have the plague.”

Being an outcast would be easier for him to handle than the fame that has come with his chosen profession. “I do have a sickness,” he professes with a faux gravity. “And it’s one that has poisoned my blood and defined my existence.” With a swig of his seltzer, Viktor confesses, “I’m a hockey player, and with that comes a certain level of scrutiny. So I suppose I am less of a pariah and more...” A search of his vocabulary comes up blank, ending in a shrug. “Well, I don’t know how you would describe me.” Unattainable isn’t quite right, but he prefers to keep most people at an arm’s length. Fans especially. They are not entitled to his personal time. “And what do you do for a living, then? I am imagine that you are not professionally paid by this club to keep your eyes out for creeps. I’ve been here before, and their bouncer isn’t nearly that impressive.” One more swig and his can is emptied, crushing it in his hands. 

location: affinity nightclub

open closed starter @vancitystarters​

Sabeen adored the rush of light, smells and sounds wrapped around her at the club on the wrong side of midnight. It was the one place where it was socially acceptable to completely let loose — drunk or not. That didn’t mean it was socially acceptable to be creepy, though. She sidled up to her target right before the person staring at them could make a move. “Hey, did you know a total fuckin’ weirdo is making eyes at you? Not to presume anything, but you might want to watch your drink and your ass. Looks less friendly stranger and more Hannibal Lector, see?”

The waft of a toxic cocktail of perfumes mixed in with vape clouds left Viktor a bit disoriented, the smells more overwhelming than the noise. Shoulders still tense when someone took residence up beside him, fingers tightening around the seltzer can in his hand. “Hm?” He didn’t dare look to validate what Sabeen was claiming, believing her and not wanting to give whatever crazed fan was ogling him more ammunition by acknowledging their existence with a catch of their eyes. “Oh. Thank you for the headsup.” Readjusting in the stool, he recognized that he should be paying more attention to his surroundings. “I’m not looking to be swallowed whole tonight.” Maybe they just want an autograph. He’s not going to chance it. “You might not want to be seen talking to me, though, lest you become collateral damage by association.” 

open   ╱   closed    @vancitystarters​

location:   city  brew  pub

there  were  two  men  with  rival  jerseys  on  seated  at  the  bar  near  her,  and  she  was  positive  that  anyone  within  the  establishment  could  overhear  their  tired  debate  over  which  hockey  team  was  better.    “boys  and  their  pissing  contests,”    georgie  couldn’t  help  but  comment  with  an  unamused  huff  of  laughter.    “if  only  they  would  learn  to  play  nice,  maybe  then  they’d  get  a  little  treat  and  a  pat  on  the  belly.  but  no,  they  just  can’t  help  themselves,  can  they?”    she  sighed,    “poor  little  pups.”