Qui vivra verra

Location: Motel

With: @wickederis

Status: Closed

Theodore William had been a business man, or at least that’s what he liked to think. Due to the fact that from a young age he had to shuffle various things, certain aspects, like keeping a business running, no matter what it entailed, came easy to him. Even now, as he passed a woman who had definitely seen better days, he just offered her a half smile. It was quite obvious from her attire that she had worked the night, and did it well too. As long as it brought the money in, they weren’t beaten up in a way that would require him to intervene and the customer was satisfied, was all good for him. 

He took care of the workers, he made sure that the ones who worked for the Wolves never had the notion to go somewhere else, not unless they wanted something more for their lives. He had allowed a few people in his lifetime go, only after calculating that it was better for them and in no means would it cause the Wicked any harm. 

He strode into one of the better kept rooms, one that he had reserved for people like Edris, who he knew might have needed the space to sort things out or to tie some loose ends. He did not care much what happened there, as long as it was cleaned up after. Opening the door, he immediately offered the woman half a grin. “Edris,” he simply said walking in and shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. “You look like someone who had a rather successful day.” Theodore was only half smirking, which was more than other people got. 

It wasn’t often that she did business at the Highway Motel due to the fact that, more often than not, she was holed up at Rendezvous. Like the man who had just walked into the room she was currently occupying her time was extremely valuable and many chose to just come to her instead. Except on rare occasion that she was needed to meet someone like today. Information had been given to her that someone had been trying to steal business away from the Wolves by dealing on the side and that simply wouldn’t do. So checking into the matter meant meeting with people more discreetly than the cover the nightclub offered. Which is how she’s ended up in a hotel room looking pretty damn pleased with herself. 

Anyone else would have walked in and she would have wiped the victorious grin from her face immediately but she’d allow it in front of Theodore. “Successful would be correct.” Her head nodding up and down as she confirmed his observation. “Some lone wolf has been dealing out of Stockton.” Going into more detail frankly because she trusted him enough and deemed him worthy of having input. Eris would always look up to Theodore in a way because of his sheer knowledge of the game that she still completely inadequate for. It was a wonder why he didn’t have her current job now given his experience so time to time she’d to to run bigger moves by him getting a second opinion on things. “After some digging we’ve got someone he’s agreed to meet with. Meaning he’s in for a wakeup call because he’ll really be meeting with us. And you know how that will end.” A devious smile curling onto her lips because no one dealt drugs in California without the Wicked Wolves knowing about it. 

4: Are you insecure?

“Why would I be? I don’t have anything to be insecure about. I’m fine with the way I look. I like my job, and I’m good at it. I don’t mind not having many friends because people are annoying. What else would I be concerned about?”

14: Do you miss someone?

“No.” Lying straight through her teeth as if she hadn’t thought about the leather-clad man who smelled like amber and wood the last time she’d seen him. Knowing damn well, she misses running into him even more because she knows she shouldn’t. 

24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)?

“I dropped out of high school, so you could say I was bad at all of them. Math made the most sense, though and English was the most pointless part of the day.”

34: Who/what was your last dream about?

tw: mentions of death

68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

“What are the fucking odds that Charlie would be the person I last had a deep-ish conversation with? I mean really, that’s ironic no?” @charlieballards

69: Do you believe in soulmates?

“Absolutely not. It’s something hallmark and the holiday industry has sold the general public to sell shit. Romanticizing one person to be the only one who can truly get you is naive for anyone to believe. Plus if they were real, look at how many people are on this earth and tell me that we just magically happen to not only run into this person but also live close enough to find out they are our one true match? Bull.”

70: Is there anyone you would die for?

For someone who likes conversation, he was starting to get used to the silences he found when he was around Eris and actually being comfortable in them. Which, was a saving grace for all. He figured for her mostly because that was her normal, but also for him because he wasn’t trying to create drab small talk. Though usually he tended to speak about something that he thought interested her. Radio on he’s definitely joined in on a select number of songs that played– mostly because it was a more natural reaction for him, a song he knew? Or heard of? He’s humming along. It’s also a hinter that he was content. 

Once she turned the dial down he turns his head to look at her, giving a little nod at being told to bring his firearm in. He assumed that was a given but it just solidified knowing how they as a group did things. “Alright so no touching until you give the go ahead?” she was his boss after all and going on a run with her was new. He was happy to stand back and observe— help if needed, do as she needed him to do, of course, but the part of him that was here taking notes? Was more than happy to watch. He’s already kept an eye on how long it was taking them to get there— and where it was going to be. It’s a location to be aware of. He nods again, clearly understanding, “So stay in the background and make you look pretty?” he was joking, it’s an attempt to ease the atmosphere. “Any signals I need to know or is it all straight forward?”

A relaxed smile eased onto her lips because she truly liked the easiness that Mickey brought to every situation. It was a calculated risk taking him on this run and exposing a new face to the people that he was about to meet. Sure they weren’t really anyone important and the amount of product was not significant compared to their usual haul, but change wasn’t always appreciated around those who lived off of paranoia. His questions proved that he wasn’t just merely along for the ride, making her detail out every single piece of the plan. That the wheels were turning and that this was just as important to him if she hadn’t been there to lead the way. That same potential that had her ready to throw him into the mix and why he was there now. 

“Oh you won’t be in the background. All eyes will be on you.” Scoffing because he had the right idea but everyone would be wary of the newcomer. “You have nothing to worry about though. Should be a fairly quick exchange. We’ll walk in, the boys love to have a bit of small talk but I’m guessing today it will be geared towards you so expect some hostility. It’s not you particularly, it’s that they don’t know you.” Paying attention again to the road as she navigated the intricate series of turns they were now making as they neared the warehouse. “Then we’ll get what we came for. Shouldn’t be too hard, just routine. It’s more to introduce you to the twins.” Pulling in now to the building she had been looking for and right up to the big loading dock. “You ready?”

Rendezvous wasn’t a very good place to be for any of the Devil’s but if anyone needed to drop off anything for the Wolves right now Kaia was the one to do it. It wasn’t that she was close with many of the Wolves but she knew Fran and right now that was who was important. She’d left the papers with Leo before she left the building. Standing against her bike outside she lit her cigarette and watched the people walk along the sidewalk. She got looks from the few Wolves who left or came into the building. “Want one?” She asked, a smirk decorating her face as she held out her pack of cigarettes to the person who looked at her for too long. “Or are you just a fan of staring?” @charmingstarter​

It was the bike out front that had garnered her attention the moment she parked her Jeep in the crowded parking lot of the night club. Bold of any of the Devils to be on this side of town and as she neared it wasn’t just any of the rivals either. Their little leather clad band of individuals were not known to have many females due to their rules and so the first one to have joined the MC was pretty known around Charming. It’s why Eris had recognized the blonde and was still keeping an eye on her as she neared, not breaking her contact as she wondered just what the hell she was doing here. It didn’t surprise her that she’d been caught staring as she wasn’t the only one giving the woman looks. Heads were turning but it was apparently her gaze that had warranted the comment.

“You coming or going?” Ignoring the question because she didn’t smoke and wasn’t about to apologize for her careful eye of the other. “That bike is bound to produce more stares than just mine, and a lot angrier people behind them.”

It had been a quiet couple of hours on the road, the only saving grace being the radio playing soft oldies because she didn’t have enough effort in her to actually find a playlist that would suit both of their tastes. They’d taken her Jeep because today wasn’t a huge hual and the windows were down, sunglasses on, and the wind in her hair was improving her mood but the closer they got the more tense she got. Bringing someone knew with her was not the plan but after Katrina being one of the people who’d go on these runs with her, she wasn’t about to do it alone. Mickey had been an obvious choice because of his eagerness to help out no questions asked. Not that she didn’t mind answering them but he was starting to grow on her and thus why she picked him. If he wanted to be more involved then what better than this, really getting involved.

“So, there are a few things you need to know before we roll up.” Reaching to turn down the dial on the radio and glancing over at the man beside her. “You can bring you gun in because they’d be stupid to think we aren’t armed.” Knowing damn well there was about to be more firepower in the building than she preferred but people liked pretending they would be safe. “Just don’t touch it. The moment you reach for it so will they and for now we’ve got a pretty good relationship.” If you could call their exchange that. “Your job is to just load shit into the back and try not to draw attention to yourself. Any questions?”

marianne knew that she was going to have to used to quite a bit in charming. mostly dealing with members of the wolves and devils. both organizations seemed to believe that they could do whatever they wanted. even going so far as to question a detective about their case. she understood the reasoning behind it but people normally didn’t dare cross that line. it only confirmed what she already suspected in the fact that the department needed help. of course she was there because she had been asked to transfer and that was all that she had needed to know. 

she merely shrugged since she knew already that it was likely the wolves would want to take care of things their own way. it likely would lead to only more blood shed which wasn’t good for anyone. she was going to sit up a bit to rest her elbows against the table,” i came to charming because they put a request in for another detective,” she stated plainly,” i’m just here to do my job, that’s all.” 

It was no surprise that she wasn’t going to get much out of the blonde sitting in front of her. New officers to the force were harder to sway or bribe and she was not their to do either one. Merely to test the waters and show her general disdain for what was happening around them. This one seemed pretty convinced they were going to get to the bottom of it so who was she to disagree? It was pretty clear it was going to be left up to the wolves and devils to figure things out yet again so she’d play into the charade that the bad guy would eventually be caught. Not mentioning that there are plenty of bad guys in town already that they are all turning a blind eye to, herself included.

“And a small town in the middle of nowhere California seemed like a good idea? A hip new destination spot?” Eyeing the other because that couldn’t be the reason. The request was plausible but it had to be the promise of shutting one or both of the opposing forces in town down. Though many detectives before her had promised the same thing and yet the wolves were still standing. “Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you, seeing as everyone else on that force is just doing their job and yet no real results come from it. You’ve got big shoes to fill.” Rolling her eyes and leaning back into the seat.

Eris had been stalling around him for a few minutes. Every time he thought she was going to come and talk to him the woman changed her mind and went to do something else. Then she’d come back and act like she didn’t want to talk to him. If he hadn’t had the training he did in the military he might not have noticed it but it had been his job to watch before. Now here he was waiting to hear whatever she had to say. Eventually he laughed to himself and stood up, “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.” Charlie would make it easy for her. “You want to share?” @wickederis​

It was unlike her to ask for help which was why she had been debating spilling her guts to now the only adviser she trusted. Charlie was alright and while she hadn’t made a huge effort to get to know him more than a few nods of the head at meetings and the occasional chat, he was still one of them. HAd been longer than she and probably would actually know how to deal with the shit that had been keeping her up at night. Though pacing around near him had obviously not been as subtle as she’d intended and at his request she sighed and walked back over slightly embarrassed to have been caught. “Not really, but if I don’t then I’m gonna keep worrying and that ain’t gonna help anyone.” Looking over at the man not really sure as to where to start. 

“I don’t trust the MC as far as I can throw them, and I usually make it a point to make that fact known.” Starting off with something he could have already figured out because she didn’t have many friends let alone was she chummy with the other side. Now the red was starting to show in her cheeks as she started getting the real point. “I’ve made a mistake though and I have let one of those leather class idiots under my skin and I don’t know what to do.” It was a cop out because she knew exactly what she needed to do but maybe hearing it from Charlie would actually set her straight.

“Their oil wouldn’t be what I would be emptying.” His magazine might do, unfortunately it wasn’t his call for now. The fact that Katrina had shown up after Martin’s death, it made sense to point fingers at the Devil’s for what had happened. Of course he was keeping room for anything planning to come out of left field just as the whole ordeal did but it would have been easy for him to blindly lay blame in their direction and take it out on even those looking just as confused as everyone else seemed to be. That was his impulsivity wanting to get the better of him but in the end that had no place in his position. He had to be ten steps ahead and typically he was good at it but with this, he was at a loss.

His mind was constantly running and the more time passed the more irritated he was. He didn’t want to be around most people currently since his patience with others was non-existent at this point considering how low it was to begin with beforehand. Eris was one of the few he could stand to listen to. Finishing off the rest of his glass he set it down, looking over at her. “So you got no reason to believe none of them know anything?” Them, being those she was in charge of keeping in order. He was asking more about what she read off of each of them, words would hardly mean anything if they were worried of what might come their way if they knew anything or worse, had something to do with any of it.

A snort emitted from her mouth before she could stop it because she knew what Leo meant. Making the Devils pay sounded real nice and she didn’t just want to pull some stupid prank either. An eye for an eye sounded more like it since a life had already been taken. No matter that one of theirs had been found first, she still wasn’t convinced Katrina hadn’t been a retaliation because of it. Except they weren’t allowed to do anything unless Fran gave the say so and they both knew it. Which was why she was currently taking out that pent up anger on the darts she’d just pulled out of the board. 

“No one’s been forthright with information.” Lifting her shoulders into a shrug as she walked back towards the table to set down the dart and grab her own drink. Leo had a good point though because half of their dealers sold to the Devils. One of them had to know more than they thought. “Nellie’s around their kind on two fronts-” Meaning both dealing and using men’s need for a woman’s attention fake or not at mayhem maidens. “I’ll check with her again, maybe Riley has seen something too.” Not sure if she’d get much out of the two but knowing their clientele it was worth a try.

Where: Rendezvous

With: @wickederis​

The events at the Masquerade Ball left Stray feeling as if in a stalemate. There was the obvious tension between the MC and the Wolves - but more troubling was the tension he felt within the club itself. A hesitation, a standstill - collectively holding their breaths and waiting for the gun to fire, signaling them to… what, even? Retaliate against the wolves? Or perhaps to cut out a traitor from within their own ranks? Stray didn’t know what would shake out from Martin’s killing, but the way things were just lingering was driving him crazy. A beast in a cage too small, circling and circling, around and around again in dizzying repetition, until someone would wander by a unlatch the door.

That didn’t sit well with him. Waiting wasn’t their way. It wasn’t his way. Especially not with the responsibility he felt for what happened - the moment he stepped up to the ball with his face behind the mask, he felt sick with knowing. Knowing something bad was going to happen. He should have taken that more seriously. He should have patrolled instead of mingled. He should have kept his eyes on their people instead of.. well, having them tracing the motions of just one, in particular. 

..and that white dress of hers. 

It was the guilt that followed him from that evening that brought him to Rendezvous this night. He’d left his kutte at home, and dressed plainly, as any regular patron visting the club would - he wanted to avoid as much recognition and association tot he Devil’s as he could. 

Because tonight he was casing the joint. 

He moved through the crowed on the dance floor beneath the flashing lights and pounding bass blasting from the DJ’s booth, his eyes tracing the perimeter of the venue, mentally pinging doors and darkened hallways. He’d gotten a drink from the bartender - O'douls, some tasteless non-alcoholic swill to pass as a prop. As he acclimated to his surroundings, in the back of his head he wondered if he’d run into Eris again here… and the brief fluttering of hope was dulled with the dread of it. She was one of them, after all. As often as he woke up these days wondering if they’d cross each other’s paths, this was the first time he prayed that they wouldn’t.

Exiting the room in the VIP section she wasn’t surprised to see the nightclub as busy as it currently was. Despite the very public event that turned sour people still seemed to have no problem pooling together. Whether it was to get away for a few hours to get their minds off things or not the drinks were flowing pretty steadily. Business was to be as usual and it’s why she was there on her usual night off. Pouring all of her free time into work and the wolves to have to not think about a friend she’d never see tearing up the dance floor again. LIfe would go on but she didn’t have to be happy about it.

 The brunette scanned her dark orbs throughout the room to check on things before heading back towards her office and she almost missed him. Had to do a double take when looking through the crowd on the dance floor because of the lack of the tell tale MC garb. Her stomach twisted up in the way that she was excited to see him but also sad, because she knew it couldn’t be good. Too many questions were arising in her because wasn’t it a club law that you have to be branded in something stating your allegiance? She was no expert on their policies but seeing him in pedestrain clothes felt wrong. Feeling even more attracted to him than usual also felt wrong because of the circumstances at large. He was affiliated with the very people she was focusing her anger at. 

That didn’t stop her though, from leaving her perch and heading down into the crowd to find him. If anyone else saw him and recognized just who he was could be bad. Peacekeeping or not the night at the town hall had made things tense and if the wrong person noticed, it wouldn’t be good. The fact that she even cared about that made her sick to her stomach because she didn’t like people. That was her number one rule and had stuck to it for years. Yet she couldn’t deny that there was something there and despite her better judgement she followed, pushing past people till she arrived in his vicinity.

The shaking of her hands was almost uncontrollable but Letty’s black painted nails had found their home embedded in the fleshy part of her palm. It was her tell of how angry she actually was. Angry enough that the rage she kept so well hidden was bubbling over. It wasn’t often that she lost control but right now— well right now she wanted her fist to collid with the persons face until they were almost unrecognizable.

Instead she exhaled a breath. The military had taught her how to control her emotions. How to use them to her advantage and for that she was thankful. Especially right now they couldn’t afford to lose another member. “You’re right,” she muttered before turning her attention to her friend. The soft touch had been welcoming. “How are you holding up?”

The question was asked in a soft tone so that others outside of ear shot wouldn’t over hear. It wasn’t their business how any of them were doing. Especially when the person who had caused the mess in the first place could still be standing among them.

It wasn’t right of her to ask Letty to not be mad because she was as well. It was only natural to be when one of your own is taken from you for no good reason. Sure they were all mixed up in enough things to warrant being retaliated against but a life taken always hurt and chipped away at your core each time. To have someone start pretending that it didn’t mean anything was straight disrespectful and she had half a mind to let the other cross that line and do something. It sure would be one hell a sight to see because the wolves’ enforcer was not one to cross. 

“Oh trust me, I’d like to watch you kick their ass more than anything.” Noticing how it was almost instantaneous the switch from upset to calm. At least to pretend to be calm for her sake. “Just not feeling like bailing you out of jail later.” Chuckling a little because they both knew that would be the outcome. “You know, I’m probably better than I should be.” Lifting her shoulders up into a shrug. It was a loaded question but right now she was about as numb to it as she could be. And no one with prying eyes needed to know differently.

“Angry, but if anyone isn’t at this point then they need to be looked at.” Talking a little louder than she should have but wanted to make a point. Taking a look back towards the bartender tonight she raised her hand up to grab their attention and ordered a whisky beforelooking over at the woman, “What are you having? My treat.”

Jasper bounced his shoulders up towards his ears in a wildly exaggerated shrug and dropped his jaw as though he didn’t have the slightest clue what the woman was talking about. But the reality couldn’t have been further from the truth; he knew that air of arrogance that seemed to surround most bikers and he knew it well. What wasn’t so easily explained, though, was the reason for it. Eyeing her curiously, Jasper barked out a sound that was a mix between a scoff and laugh– a dominance kink? Shaking his head, he lifted a brow at her, hardly fighting off the grin threatening at the corner of his mouth as she snatched the bottle away from him, “You mean the leather isn’t doing it for you?” He was too busy feeling relieved to be disappointed by that. 

In hindsight, he knew he should have just come later on that night, no matter how badly the thought of stepping foot in Rendezvous at any hour of the day made his skin crawl. But at least if he’d come later, he wouldn’t have had to waste time dealing with her sour attitude. Unleashing a strained sigh, Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose. This little chat wasn’t solely about him, though– it was about bringing more business to their doorstep, and he felt better handing the reins to her than one of her dealers. “Nothing crazy,” he answered, dropping his hand back to his lap. “My weed guy fucked me over on our deal, and I was about to start shopping around, but then I thought who better to fill that need than you guys?” Shrugging, Jasper lifted his drink to his lips, “And I’m not the only one– I could probably send some of his other buyers your way too, and they’ll be interested in the more expensive stuff.” Despite the way their meeting had started, he’d come there with peaceful, mutually beneficial intentions in mind. “All bullshit aside, I’m just trying to be a good neighbor.”

The grin that had now replaced his earlier demeanor had put a bad taste in her mouth so it was easy for her to sneer at the question. “Not at all, motorcycles and leather isn’t my thing.” The MC had ruined that for her and honestly it had never been enticing before. Looking badass and being it were two different things and the peacocking with the jackets and loud bikes had never been what she was into. Then again she’d have to bite her words soon enough but this particular member was not one that needed to know that or had her looking twice. Which seemed mutual and a common reguard she brought up in others. It was also why she wasn’t working for Mayhem Maidens and she was just going to blame the scowl that resided permanently on her features for that one.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” After all the trouble the man had put up he just wanted some piddly weed? A plant that shouldn’t even be illegal anymore and not even the main reason people come to the Wolves. Sure it was popular but their area of expertise was harder in substance so the show he’d pulled was now far less impressive. The thought of sending more people her way wasn’t enticing either but she couldn’t turn it down and he knew it. That pissed her off again. “Don’t act like you’re doing us any favors here.” Rolling her eyes at the thought of taking charity work from the Devils. It was disgusting to even think about because there was no peace that didn’t come with a price. Not these days anyways. 

Leaning back aginst the bar that separated the two she twisted her mouth as she thought about what to do. Denying business was not in her reputation or build as a member but boy did she want to say no in the moment. “I’ll agree but I’ll need the name of that guy who fucked you over. The seller.” The weed was the easy part but someone else selling around Charming that she didn’t know about? Not okay. 

Location: Mayhem Maidens (7am) Open to: Everyone / @charmingstarter​

Mornings at Mayhem Maidens were… bleak, to put it softly. Too quiet, too cold, too depressing with it’s spills of liquor on the floor by the bar, and panties and purses laying haphazardly like artifacts telling the story of the night before. It wasn’t uncommon for people to wake up there, but the deaths of Katrina and Martin had dawned a new day, and with it, new safety measures. 

“Alright, kids,” Cash addressed to the handful of men and women either waking up in the booths or looking around for their wallets. “Unless you’ve got tits and they work here, I need everybody out. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here. And so on, and so forth,” she continued, speaking firmly but trying not to split anyone’s head open as she unlocked the front door from the inside and held it open, letting early morning sunlight flood into the club. 

It was honestly very rare for the brunette to even stop by the Maidens let alone this early in the morning. Half naked women strutting around for the amusement of men was not her idea of a good time. Except she was on her way back into town and had seen cars still in the parking lot and had turned in. It was worth a chance stopping by because one of her dealers that night hadn’t shown up to turn in his payment and it was a little known secret he enjoyed the strip club as much as any other in town. Though she didn’t see his usual mode of transportation upon arrival she was already there and bet anything if he had come in then Cash would have seen him. 

Walking up to the front doors she was greeted with none other than the woman herself kicking the stragglers to the curb. Letting the few stumble past she smirked a little at the look on the other’s face which almost mirrored her own look of exhaustion. “Long night?” Asking the question but assuming the answer before continuing. “I’m sure you want to start getting ready to leave but you haven’t seen Barron around tonight, have you?” Mentioning the dealer she was looking for. 

there were losses for both sides. marianne knew that it would be tensions would be high. at least till however had done the deed was found. there wasn’t exactly a ton to go on. yet that wasn’t going to stop her from trying to figure it out. if there was one thing about her it was that she was determined. even if that meant taking her work home with her or rather to dinner. she had not taken into consideration that the diner would be packed. it was one of the better places to eat in charming from what she had gathered. she had never lived in a such a small town before and she wasn’t sure she was suited for it. 

she had made sure to close the files the second that she realized that her invite was being taken. her eye brows arched up as she slid them into the bag beside her. already she knew that it was eris who had made herself comfortable. she was tilting her head to the side and giving her a rather pointed look,” among other things.” she wasn’t going to be blabbing about her work to anyone, let alone a member of the wolves. she had reached to pull her plate closer and went to pop a fry into her mouth,” we are going to make sure that this gets taken care of .” there was no way that she was going to let it the case go. 

It was maybe a stupid idea to sit down and actually pester Marianne with questions but she was the newest member of the force and therefore the weakest link in her eyes. At least when it came to trying to get information out of as she already knew the other officers and how they reacted under these circumstances. She noted a file being closed and honestly that made her smile just a little. The information in those words couldn’t be enough to warrant closing because as far as she knew the police were in the same boat. Clueless which about summed up the ability of the precinct in her mind.

“I’m sure you are detective.” Nodding her head to appear as she agreed even though she didn’t. Which meant that the gang would have to fix their problems like usual. “Is that why you came to Charming? To take care of things?” Placing her forearms onto the table and leaning in as she focused on the blond.