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Thinking [30 Oct 2004|12:05am] Hannah entered the narrow mobile home and closed the door behind herself. Bracing her hand against the wall, she lifted first one leg and then the other, sliding the white tennis shoes from her tired feet. Never in her life had just standing seemed like such a daunting task. She walked wearily to the refrigerator and opened the door, pulling a container of leftovers from the top rack. They went with her to the couch as she plopped down, propping her feet on the opposite end and crossing her ankles. She pulled a piece of cold chicken from the box and took a bite. As she chewed, she let her head fall back against the arm of the couch. She couldn't remember the last time she was so tired. That's not completely true, she thought, shoving away a memory of sickness she longed to put behind her. But it was close. Her hours at the diner were the longest she'd ever spent. Customers complained about everything, it seemed, from the relative thickness of soup broth to the brand of napkins they kept in the dispensers. Rhonda was always filing her nails behind the counter, leaving Hannah to take the brunt of their annoyance for things she'd rarely done. At the end of her first month in town, her living expenses had just about equalled out with her pay. It was enough to make her wonder why she bothered. Whatever happened to seeing the country from the window of her rusted station wagon? Whatever happened to Crater Lake? The answers weren't far behind. Dominick happened. Dominick, who made her dinner and bought her favorite dessert, who threw food with her and kissed her like she was made of sugar. Who could make her laugh without trying, whenever his need to be proper collided with his seeming inability to control his basic motor functions. There had been other things, miraculous things, if you could look at them in a positive way. Andi, the slayer who took care of their last cook when he became homicidally possessed. A werewolf named Devon who liked Oreos, and another named Oz who saved her from becoming some bad-suit-wearing demon's afternoon snack. Speaking of which, she probably owed Oz a new outfit. And the magic-trick ninja who wanted to be a cook in the diner. She really should warn him away. Azure had been nice enough to walk her home after work, too. She hadn't needed him to-- her car had been parked right outside-- but if she was honest with herself, the more time she spent around people who weren't her friends, the more she wished she had a few. She'd thought about giving him a ride to his own house, but then she'd remembered that gun in her car. The one from the street. The one she kept hidden under her seat. There was no way she could let Azure in there with that gun. What if he saw it? What if he tried to take it? That image put a frown on Hannah's face. She didn't know why, but the thought of someone taking that gun filled her with anger. It was hers to keep. Sometimes she went outside at night just to make sure it was still there. She'd pull it from its hiding place, cradle it between her hands, and run her index finger over the trigger. Once, she'd pulled back the safety and aimed it right at her neighbor's window, closing one eye to line it up the way she'd seen on TV. But then someone had driven by and she'd stashed it once again and run into the house. As Hannah finished off her chicken and tossed it in the box, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander. She thought about the diner, and how much she hated Rhonda. She imagined hiding that gun in her apron and sneaking it inside. And she pictured holding it up behind her frizzy head and pulling the trigger. reply

The Book-Keeper [30 Oct 2004|02:14am] The time was near to collect a few debts. Darian stood outside the bookstore, watching a dark-haired employee as she moved about the room, a damp rag in her hand as she wiped down the shelves. Within Darian's pockets, his hands curled into themselves. He ran the pads of his thumbs across his fingertips in a gesture typically reserved for those who wanted money. But money wasn't what Darian had in mind for this one. He wanted much more. He'd watched as she'd forged friendships with the white hats in this town. Known when she was nearly killed, and felt her terror as she let herself think of what might wait on the other side. He'd waited as she built trust with a Watcher, and used that trust to get back to her feet. And he'd sensed when she lay wrapped within her lover's arms, running the backs of her fingers across his chest as he slept. There was a word for what Rhiannon felt. Peace. Darian hoped she was nearly quivering with the need to preserve that peace. And if she wasn't --if she was naive enough to want to go it alone-- he would make certain it hurt. His eyes traveled to the second story of the building, where Hayden spent most of his hours studying, toiling, restoring the memories that had been lost. Darian smiled, for every moment Hayden spent working only proved the value of what had been taken. It mattered not if it was regained-- the payoff was in the struggle. Another worked there, Lady Luck, and there also existed a debt to settle. In exchange for restoring her talents, she'd agreed to give him a percentage of the profit made when she turned her clients' luck from ill to good. Money was of no consequence, only the pride she'd lost in having to sell herself again, in bartering away part of her livelihood. As Darian lingered, a scent came to him on the night air. It was fading, having been left many days before, but it was unmistakable. Her. The vampire. She had been inside. The muscles in his jaw worked as he thought of her. Ever since he'd touched her, his time had been spent less on moments like this one (counting his profits) and more on ripping the limbs from those that unsettled him. The reasons for his violence were never the same, but the zeal with which he made them bleed never waned. His nostrils flared as he remembered the last. Hands covered in blood, he'd licked the red substance from his fingers like chocolate. Darian pulled his hands from his pockets and turned to walk away. Now was not the time for work. Somehow, his most recent indulgences held more interest. reply

Under Moonshine [30 Oct 2004|05:55am] Ray the bartender. Once again, that's me. I haven't tended in a while, but much like bike riding, you don't forget. Or maybe I just don't forget much of anything. ( In the Beginning ) ( Hurry On Home ) (  Dear Diary ) reply

The Things I Thought I'd Never Say [30 Oct 2004|02:06pm] [ mood | relaxed ] Life's been busy. Between working in the bar, researching, patrolling, moving in and visiting people. I've had little to no time to actually sit down and write out my thoughts. My thoughts have been somewhat confusing as of late. I've been going over the past in my head and finding myself confused and a little disappointed by everything that happened. I've started wearing the chain my mother used to wear, I don't know why I stopped. Maybe it was because her death was too painful to take at the time and I didn't want a constant reminder that she wasn't around anymore. And now, I'm in Searchlight trying to make something of myself and of this place so I guess it makes sense to have something of her with me. I said the words the other night. The words I swore to myself I'd never say again but I did, I couldn't help myself. Jo's been wonderful and the night was incredible, completely unexpected but that's the best way. She didn't pull away when she saw the scars, in fact I can still feel her lips running over the scarring I've had since I was twenty two years of age. I can still remember the night, all the pain and all the blood. I still don't know how I survived it but I did and I've only gotten stronger with each day that past. That night made me realise that everyone has a moment, a moment when they think they're going to die and then they have a choice. A choice between giving in and dying or fighting it until they rip themselves from the grips of death, I fought and I don't know about anyone else but I'm still fighting. I refuse to go down without a fight and in this town, it seems to be the best way to go. I'm just waiting for the next thing to happen and when it does, I'll be ready and I'll do what I can. I'm going to head over to Rhiannon's at some point. I have some books that might interest her. I have a book on vampires, an indepth look into their culture and the demon inside. It has information on bloodlines, families, stories of other vampires across the world and it also has a lot of theories about what a vampire's demon is really like and how to deal with various forms of vampirism. I think this book will interest her immensely, I've noticed a few things about my Slayer but I haven't felt it's my place to bring them up. She'll talk when she's ready to talk. I also have a book on the various pressure points in the body and how to use them to your advantage and finally, a book on herbs and how they can be used to make things like medicines. I believe in physical, mental and emotional training. The physical is easy, the mental is a little harder and the emotional is the biggest obstacle out of the three and I have no idea how to approach that but I am sure it will come to me. As for right now, I have to finish unpacking my boxes. reply

Indulging [30 Oct 2004|02:17pm] [ mood | contemplative ] It's been a few interesting days that's for sure. Jason came on by and we signed a contract, a contract which seems to be pretty straightforward and beneficial but I guess, I'll have to wait and see. I never trust easily and Jason is very much like myself and I know better than to trust someone like that. I will have to wait and see how things work out. I took a night to indulge myself just yesterday and I'm rather glad I did. I met a man called Jon, very interesting character. Good at cards, unlike me but he had some interesting thoughts on this world as it is. From the look in his eyes and from the tone of his voice, he's lost something. Something that once gave his life meaning and just recently, his eyes have been opened up to the darker aspect of this world. I wonder what option he will pick? Alas, those are thoughts for another day and for the moment, I'm told I have a man other than Mr Tropiano watching my club and that simply won't do. It's time I sent a message back to whomever sent him. I always did love the beautiful art of communication. reply

Fatherly Love [30 Oct 2004|02:48pm] [ mood | anxious ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ A repetitive ringing tone stirred Kris from her blissful sleep. She groaned gently as she rolled over and nuzzled further into Hayden's hold. Hoping against hope that if she ignored it, the ringing would stop and she'd be left to sleep but it wasn't meant to be. The ringing tone kept going and seemed to be getting louder if that was even possible. Kris opened her eyes and her world swam into focus. She briefly smiled as she saw Hayden's face relaxed into sleep and he looked totally at peace. She shifted and lifted herself up on her hands to place a kiss on his lips before she shifted out of his hold and slipped out of the bed. She shivered at the extreme difference between a warm bed and a cool apartment in the early hours of the morning. She ignored it and reached down to pick up her shirt, she slipped it back on and did up a few buttons. She then made her way to where her bag rested against the ground. She crouched down and rummaged through everything in her bag before she found the small black and blue phone which appeared to be vibrating against the bottom of her bag. She grabbed it and eyed the number. As she did, her stomach churned slightly, what did he want? She swallowed hard before she simply flipped her phone open and she placed it to her ear. " Yeah?" She said very simply, her hand was shaking slightly as she gripped the phone tightly. " Kris?" A familiar deep voice asked before that familiar laugh echoed down the line." It's good to hear your voice." Kris rolled her eyes." What do you want?" Her voice was cold and very distant. A drastic change from the usual warm and friendly tone her voice carried on any other day. There was a long pause on the other end of the line before he spoke." You need to talk to your mother for me." She heard him shuffling and then he spoke again." It's important you do this, Kris. For our family, for your papa, yeah?" Kris released a shaky breath." What happened this time?" " It's not as bad as you think it is." Her father argued before he paused, taking a slow breath in." Kristen started making trouble again and Ricky.." " Kristen?" Kris asked, her face draining of its colour." What is she doing in your life? What is she doing anywhere near my mother?" She hissed down the line at her father before she glanced to the bed as she saw Hayden stir. She took a breath in to calm her nerves and she turned her attention back to the line." You haven't, have you?" Her father went silent again before he answered." No, no, Kris. It's nothing like that. I owe Ricky money and he sent Kristen to try and get it from me. She works for him now and he thought I'd give the money to her." Kris snorted lightly and shook her head." I guess he was wrong, right dad?" She lifted herself to her feet and paced slowly across the floor. The palm of one hand came to rest against her forehead." Why do I need to talk to mum? What happened?" " Kristen made trouble, got your mother all upset." Her father answered. " How did she do that?" Kris demanded, why was it always up to her to clean up her father's messes? Why did the responsibility always fall on her shoulders? Her mind went to her mother and brother, trying to imagine what they could be thinking or feeling right now." You're not telling me everything and unless you do, I'm not doing anything for you." She was greeted by another long silence before her father mumbled." I gotta go Kris, you take care. I'll see you when I see you." Before she had the chance to argue, she was greeted by the dial tone. Kris' eyes blazed with anger and she let out a deep growl. Before she lifted and threw her phone at the nearest phone, she dropped it back into her bag and backed up a few paces. The feel of the bed against the back of her legs caused her to sit and her shoulders slumped. Her dark eyes flickered with the emotions she had going through her. Her hands went to her hair and she rested her hands on either side of her head before her eyes slid shut. A million thoughts were going through her mind; she didn't know what to face first and how she even began to clean this mess up. And then it started all over again, her phone started ringing and the sharp tone seemed to be burnt into the back of her mind. Only this time, Kris ignored it and clambered back into the bed. Her arm went back around Hayden's waist and her grip tightened as she clung to him like her lifeline. She forced her eyes shut and she ignored the ringing as it kept repeating over and over again. It didn't seem to stop and brief tears filled Kris' eyes, as the ringing seemed to bring back memories of other days, of days she had left far behind and she refused to ever live again. After a long while of clenching her jaw and burying her face against Hayden's chest, Kris slipped into an uneasy sleep. reply

Sidewalk Talk [30 Oct 2004|03:51pm] Rhiannon stepped out the back door of the bookshop, pulling the door tight behind her. As she had done for weeks, she glanced towards the green dumpster with a wary look before sliding her sunglasses over her eyes. She'd walked in that morning, pulling the hood of her thin, black jacket over her hair to keep most of the sun off her face. And so now as the afternoon waned towards evening, she set off on foot for her apartment, settling the straps of her backpack over both shoulders. One hand found the pocket of the black cargo pants that hung loose over her boots, and the other held a lit cigarette. Matthew happened to be on his way to the bookstore, mostly because he knew Rhiannon worked there and got off work around this time. He had left the bike at home, preferring to walk for today. He adjusted his own backpack, the same backpack that carried the books for Rhiannon. His light blue eyes were cast down towards the ground as he walked but a strange colour just in his peripheral vision caught his attention which caused him to lift his eyes. They came to rest on Rhiannon who appeared to be on the opposite side of the road. He upped his pace to a jog and called. "Rhiannon." Rhiannon glanced over her shoulder, exhaling a mouthful of smoke as her brown eyes sought the source of her name from behind her sunglasses. They lit up a bit at the sight of her Watcher. She turned to fully face him, taking a few backward steps as she waited for him to catch up. "Matthew, hey." The hand in her pocket came up to fiddle with the strap of her bookbag. Matthew smiled as he finally caught up and he came to a stop. "Hey." He shifted the strap on his shoulder. "How's you?" He tipped his head to one side as he let his eyes look over her. He took in the colour around her before looking at the sunglasses that covered her eyes. Rhiannon smiled at Matthew, pulling her sunglasses up as they'd stopped within the shade of a building. "Pretty good. Getting back into my routine." Her eyes widened as a thought came to her. "Oh I meant to tell you! I used that move. You know, the one with the pressure points." Her hands went through a loose imitation of the move between them, and a clump of ashes fell to the ground. "It worked really well. I could've stopped for a cigarette break and he wouldn't have been able to get out of the lock." Matthew chuckled softly. "That's great to hear." He was pleased Rhiannon was using the things he had taught her to help her in day to day hunting. He smirked as he gestured towards his bag. "I have some books that may interest you. One of them is more on pressure points and how to use them. Figured you might enjoy that." "You got me books?" she asked, briefly lifting her eyebrows. It wasn't that she wouldn't want them. She'd simply found herself surprised he'd done that for her. She blinked and wiped the impressed look off her face, reminding herself that he was her Watcher and she should expect him to do those things. It wasn't as though it was a gift. Rhiannon nodded and dropped her cigarette, looking down as she covered it with her boot. "Yeah, I'll start reading that when I get back from patrol." She looked up and gave him a smile meant to mask her thoughts. "Been a while since I had homework." "Yeah, I got you books." Matthew said with a nod of his head. Briefly wondering if her surprise was anything to do with her previous Watcher. He slipped the straps off his shoulders and crouched down to open up his backpack. "Well, you'll probably be getting a lot more homework so maybe you should stock up on some coffee?" He suggested in an amused tone. "I have two others as well. One of them might really peak your interest." ( Oh Yeah? ) ( A Side of Bitter ) reply

[30 Oct 2004|11:31pm] Jason had spent the day in Searchlight again, getting the feel of the town, looking at people. It was a talent, part of what made him good at what he does: Looking at people and seeing how they interact from a brief moment. After the long day, he decided to get a drink at the bar. It was late afternoon when he walked into the shadowy room. Alexis walked into the bar, looking smug. As the door swung open, she took an appraising look around the bar, and brought out a cigarette and lighter, cupping her hand around the flame. She brought her hand down, taking the first drag as the cloud of smoke followed her to the bar. She hopped onto a stool, leaning on one elbow, waiting to get the bartender's attention. She was wearing black leather pants, a black tank top, and a jacket tied around her waist. Jason had been sitting in one of the booths, finishing his drink, when the young woman walked in. He had her file, and she struck him as someone who would be useful to his plot. He got up from his booth, and walked over behind her, and sat on the stool next to her. "Barkeep," he said, "two of your best scotches, please." He turned towards her. "I assume you'll partake?" ( a Lucrative Offer ) "And I don't end up dinner for any of the nasties around here, or anywhere else." It was a statement, not a question. "Of course," Jason lied quickly. There was no change in his face or voice, and not even in his heart rate. For all intenets and purposes, this was the truth. ( the Details ) Alexis pocketed the money quickly. "I meet all the right people, don't I?" She stood, pulling her jacket around her. "I'll hear from you then." She gave a departing nod and walked out of the bar, amused at the fact that none of the patrons were aware of the business deal that had just gone down under their noses. 'Better the devil you know,' she thought to herself. She didn't take any time to ask herself what she really knew, anymore. Jason watched her walk out, and smiled. He placed the contract into his pocket, and then relaized something and laughed. She had stolen his pen. reply

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