Mar 01 00:53:35 106 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Tue Mar 01 00:53:35 106 PA.
The late afternoon has arrived, and the tired working folk grind quietly away at their stair climbers, bikes, and ellipticals. The tangy, familiar scent of sweat mingled with the too-sweet undefinable scent of 'other' wafting off a silver-skinned woman in the corner mingle in the air, while the muted clatter of weights from the far room adds to the milieu. Clad in blue trunks that fall just above his knees and a white tee emblazoned with a logo'd bar code, Sebastien pants under a multi-function machine, currently folded on his back with legs high over his head, pushing an improbable amount of weights up and down at very slow speeds. Sweat runs down his scarred face, and his chest is dappled dark grey.
Aimee has been in the pool, and her hair is still damp, her jogging pants hanging low on her hips, leaving her stomach bare beneath a vest top. She strolls through the room slowly, the swim having relaxed her. Her steps pause at the sight of Sebastien and her mouth curves into a mischivious grin as she turns her path towards him. One eyebrow arches at the sight of the weights and she moves until she stands in his line of vision. "Well, well..."
The weights stop at the top, with Sebastien's eyes widening a touch. "Hi," he grunts, legs quivering at full extension. Unwilling, apparently, to lock his knees. The young man's eyes flick down Aimee, and back up, and the weights drop several inches before he 'catches' them to let them down just a little too quickly with a bang. Curled up in a ball under the weights, Sebastien pants several moments, ducking his chin to thrust a hand out and begin crawling from underneath.
Aimee rests her hands on a bar on the machine, lifting them over her head to do so, the movement baring her stomach. "So, I believe I owe you a kiss." The words are soft, the location chosen to draw attention from the people in the gym, the challenge in her eyes telling him she knows that and daring him not to duck out. "You know, mon hero, you are not meant to bang the weights but to lower them so gently...so they lie on top of each other without even a little noise." Her voice is a low purr, and she lifts one eyebrow slightly.
"Any other day, oui," Sebastien speaks, strong arms finding purchase above his head to grasp a steel pipe as he tugs himself from underneath. A small wince is made with the maneuver, and as his legs straighten Sebastien relaxes there, half-supported by pads and half poking over empty space. He looks exhausted. "But today has been, well. A rough day." He gives the dark proprietress a flicker of a smile, and lets out his breath in a huff. He stares up at her, an odd expression on his face. A little smile, a warmth in his eyes, and yet ... something less than lecherous. And more.
She moves then, deliberately swaying her hips as she moves. She leans into the machine, still holding a bar, her body stretching. "Today, now, or never." She almost whispers it, her eyes dancing with mischief. "What is it to be, monsieur? Now, all hot and sweaty, or perhaps, never. And people would know how you were afraid of one... little... kiss..."
"Right," Sebastien replies, and slips one leg free, bumping into Aimee standing there so close. He eyes her and slips his other leg free of the machine, letting it hit the smooth floor outside. His hands find that same rod Aimee holds, and his biceps drag him most of the way up on their own, folding neatly to either side of his head as he stands first at her height, then straightens to tower over her. He peers at the woman, quirking an eyebrow, and slides his hand, ever-so-slowly over hers on the bar. He's situating himself for something, and being rather indiscreet about it!
Aimee doesn't back down, lifting both eyebrows, her eyes laughing at him. "Right..." She returns, her voice laughing. She doesn't pull away from the touch but she does lean into him, tilting her head back as she moves, as her back arches slightly to press against him, letting his hands rest over hers on the bar over her head. "So..." She rises on her toes, moving her face closer to his, deliberately tempting him under the eyes of the other gym goers.
Kid comes out of the lockers with a firm purpose in her stride and focus. In her casual gym gear, though with the addition of a pair of light sparring gloves. One is already on and secured by a strap, the other in the process of being carefully tightened, then retightened to make sure it feels secure and comfortable. For the moment she's on auto pilot as she does these last preparations. When she looks up, she noticed two familiar faces nearby. Her expression schools down to something ambiguous as she casually moves a little closer. Close enough to say in a conversational tone, "You know she's with someone, right?" Her voice given a firm bit of a snap, her eyes showing an obvious level of disdain for what she sees before her. She doesn't much feel the need to lower her voice, given the obvious publicity of it.
Aimee allows it, chuckling softly as he lowers his mouth to kiss her, before returning it, wholeheartedly enough to draw whistles from some of the men in the gym. She presses her body into him, her eyes closed, her head leant back to submit to the kiss. For as long as he kisses her, she returns it, nipping at his lip and teasing him lightly with tongue and lips. The arch of her back lends grace to the kiss, the curve of her body pressed into his almost submissive.
Sebastien doesn't stop as he first hears Kid. He's less graceful than Aimee, less playful, and comes back with a shuddering breath as he runs his bristled cheek along hers. Licking his lips. "She is a big girl, mademoiselle Kid," Sebastien speaks towards the exercise machine. "And so far as I know, you are not her mother. Nor mine." He releases Aimee's hand, quirking an eyebrow down at her with a smile only dimmed a few watts by the interloper before casting blue eyes up to glance around the room, at those still watching the goings-on. He flashes them a quick triumphant grin before turning, letting Aimee pass if she has a want.
Kid looks at Sebastien with scorn in her eyes. "Good thing too, cause I bet she'd hate to see the kind of prick you turned into." And Aimee is not spared some of Kid's obvious dislike of the situation. "I guess maybe I'm the only one here who thinks you don't mess around when you're actually with someone." The comment more general, her arms lifting to cross lightly over her chest as her eyes remain on Aimee.
Aimee, released, gives him a look that holds amusement mingled with a teasing hint of heat. "Non, Kid." She speaks quietly, her voice a little breathless, and she returns the look he gives her as he steps aside. She glances around, her awareness of the attention of the others undaunted, "Sometimes, Kid, you must do something in return for something you want. Non?" She moves past him, deliberately swaying her hips, resting her hands lightly on them to draw his eyes. "Kid." Her tone does make it clear, along with the flash of green eyes, that Kid is pushing her luck. "It was a kiss." She raises her voice, loud enough for the others to hear, as she tosses Sebastien a triumphant smile over her shoulder. "And this hunk of a man will be auctioned off for charity at The Alibi, later in the week! Bring your money, ladies, its all for the hospital."
Sebastien tilts his head, swallowing and glancing at the ground with a sheepish grin and a touch of heat at his cheeks. He gives Kid a flash of a smile and casually flexes, striking a couple of poses for the young woman to show off a body slightly less scarred than his face. "You will be bidding, I assume?" He asks her, a flash of humor in his eyes undaunted.
Kid doesn't seem much appeased by Aimee's display, but she decides to not continue on with it for now, it seems. Even if her eyes remain firm. Instead, she glances at Sebastien a moment before she moves closer to Aimee and murmurs, "Was wanting to talk to you." She then looks towards Sebastien and tells him flat out, "I wouldn't touch you if you paid me." There is a rather heavy level of dislike on her part and she does little to hide it. She then looks back to Aimee, her mood cooling a bit again. "Kinda.. important. Really." Her mask shifts a little, her expression becoming more uncertain.
Aimee's smile is pure feline as she turns away from the crowd and Sebastien, her work there complete, leaving in her wake the flushed man. "Problem with the club?" The woman is suddenly all business, green eyes narrowing in concern. "What do you need, honey?" The warmth in her face holds humour too, the quick command of a moment ago passed. "I think, perhaps, that might have raised a few more credits..."
Sebastien walks backwards two steps, bumping into an exercise bike that makes a loud thump as he watches the little woman go to work. With a laugh that ends in a bit of a grown, he turns to walk away back towards the showers with a faint limp. Presumably a cold shower!
Kid makes a face, not too enamored with considering the events of the past few moments. But again, she refrains from being sidetracked as she might normally be when it comes to a potential argument. "No, it's personal.." She pauses, glancing back towards Seb, a scowl sent after him, though she seems pleased he's decided to take his leave. "Can we go over there?" She points towards a less populated corner of the area, away from prying ears.
Aimee chuckles as Sebastien bumps into a bike, biting her lower lip, before commenting softly to Kid, "I think perhaps I broke him. But I wanted him to be in the auction, and he said non, not without a kiss so..." She shrugs, moving towards the corner Kid indicated, her face serious, "Personal? Is it the fop, mon ami?" She settles herself in a seat, taking a bottle from her bag to sip from.
"Yeah, I know all about him and his stupidity," Kid comments on the subject of Sebastien. "But I can tell you all that shit later." She goes to the corner with Aimee, leaning against a wall when Aimee choses her place to settle. The question gets a snort out of the girl and a shake of her head. "No." A flat denial, though she does move past it without much of a pause. "I got.. someone showed up a week ago." Her expression shifts, the wall dipping as she glances down, letting more of her uncertainty show though. "And.. I ain't really sure what to do about it." I just know.. I gotta do something. Something more."
Aimee's curiousity shows in her face, mingling with the flush from the kiss and the amusement in her eyes. "An old boyfriend perhaps, mon ami? No problem too big for us to handle..." She grins widely then, her eyes dancing. "Perhaps you want me to arrange mon chat to remove him for you? I think, perhaps, he would enjoy that..." She murmurs the offer, lifting one eyebrow. "Do something more? Than what, mon ami?"
"No, I know what to do if any of those fuckers show up." Kid's cold shift a chilling thing. There is little doubt any such people would be greeted kindly. "They don't show no more.. not for a long time." She frowns faintly then and shakes her head, as if to shake away the distractions. "No no.. its.. my half sister," she murmurs lowly. Her eyes darting upward, as if this were some manner of discreet, secret information. "Ain't too sure how she got all the way down here.. she's younger than me, but she did. She's at my place and.. I mean, I ain't gunna kick her out or nothing. That ain't it. I just.. Don't feel right staying where I am.. and ain't sure what else to do with her. I mean, you know, feed her and make sure she's got stuff.. clothes and a coat and.. food for that damn cat, but.. I mean, past that."
Aimee's face goes from amused, teasing to startled, her eyebrows leaping upwards as she sits up abruptly. "Your WHAT?" Her voice raises too, drawing glances and she instantly controls it, shaking her head. "You are a dark horse, honey. A half sister...You have a kid staying at your place?" The amusement simmers again, rising to the surface. "Oh honey. That is too too good." She does laugh then, the amusement ringing out in her voice and her face. "So time to move house, oui? How old? Perhaps school? Or a job?"
Kid frowns when Aimee seems to find her predicament amusing. She seems truly concerned with this.. in a way she rarely is with anything else. "S'not funny," she hisses lowly, giving Aimee a dirty look. "She's a few years younger than me.." Kid pauses, frowning a little. "LIke.. fifteen.. fourteen.. I ain't sure. She and.." Kid pauses, her expression suddenly shifting to the reserved. "She left a few years back.. I haven't thought much about it.. I don't tend to think about people that abandon me. But.. wasn't her fault." INdeed, there is no grudge or ire in her tone. "Dunno about school.. she ain't dumb. She knows the streets.. I taught her some things before. I was thinking about.. maybe moving." Not that such a subject seems to excite her. Indeed, the thought of moving seems to bother her. "But I dunno.. not sure how much you'll be paying me.. if I can even afford another place." While normally Kid might lean on such a statement meaningfully, she seems entirely unaware of how it could be taken this time, stated as a simple matter of fact.
Aimee tries to control the giggles. She truly does, but its hard. Finally she controls them, her eyes watering. "So you got landed with the kid." She speaks bluntly, leaning forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Honey, I'm paying you enough to live in any place you like in this damn town, so sort out another place to live. It is about time you got moving on up." She tilts her head slightly, thoughtfully. "Get it sorted before opening night, girl. I don't want my best girl distracted by family shit. You need anything, you tell me." She hesitates, frowning slightly, "Do you need an advance on your wages?" Blunt for this woman.
Kid seems a bit skeptical about being able to live anywhere she wants in the city. Maybe if she spent all of it on rent.. Still, she at least seems to take some solace in that she has options. "Nah.. nah, I got credits saved up. 'A lot' I guess.. like, thirty thousand.. but that's my emergency money. Don't usually spend it unless it's something important. But I guess this is.. kinda important." She pauses, thoughtful on that last bit. Suddenly, she tells Aimee, "I don't want her to be like me, girl. I don't." Looking at Aimee with a firm determination in her eyes. "I'm really.. just.. I dunno.. bad inside. You know.. I don't want her to be that way too."
Aimee nods thoughtfully at the credit part of the conversation, the other topic something outside her area of expertise. "Honey, you need to find someone softer, nice than me to help you out there. I'm not precisely a role model for a teenager who you want to grow up nice..." The corner of her mouth quirks as she glances the way Sebastien fled, lifting one eyebrow. "What do you want for the kid?"
Kid shakes her head a little. "I dunno.. that's kinda why I'm.. lost, I guess. Ain't like she's even mine.. she's just my sister.. Maybe I shouldn't even.. you know, try and make her nothing.. but I dunno how to do that either." She breathes out a low sigh and shakes her head. "Hell.. I can barely talk to her.. I just.. don't know how.. don't know what's right. I mean, I can talk to you about things easy.. but it don't seem right to talk to her like I talk to you."
Aimee rests her chin in her hands, giving Kid a thoughtful look. "Honey. I'm so not the person to talk to. I'm not fan of kids, got no plans to ever have any. You need someone more.. parent like. Know anyone with kids?" She shakes her head, shrugging lightly, "I can help you pay the rent, and perhaps keep an eye out for the kid but, mon ami, ..." She shrugs lightly, shaking her head.
Kid shakes her head slightly and snorts at that. "Don't know no one with kids," she mutters lowly. "I'm like you girl.. I don't want none.." But she does not once, "Her name's Riley.. if you see her, keep an eye on her. Always has this cat with her. Calls it.. Cantilope." It's obvious from her tone she's not much of an animal person either, the topic of the cat prompting some uncertainty of its own, though much lighter. She adds, with a slight frown. "Especially if that idiot is around her." A thumb jerked over her shoulder towards the men's lockers.
Aimee glances after the man, lifting an eyebrow. "I doubt he'll have the breath to bother anyone until the auction and then perhaps some old rich woman will buy him, keep him busy." She lifts an eyebrow, rising from the seat. "Honey, I'll keep an eye but don't bring her down the club. I don't think it is, perhaps, the right place for a kid." She shrugs lightly, throwing her gym bag over her shoulder. "I don't know, Kid..."
Kid shakes her head slightly. "I dunno.. I really don't," she murmurs, honestly and for once openly flummoxed by the situation. "I suppose I was hoping you'd have some ideas.. maybe about how to talk to her.. did you have sisters?" A casual question, not precisely focused on knowing more about Aimee, but about her level of knowledge on such a subject.
Aimee gives Kid a speaking look, lifting both eyebrows. "Honey, I ran away from home to get away from the kids. I never got the hang of talking to them, and hell, I was a hooker at her age." A little piece of hardness shows in Aimee's face before she shakes her head, giving Kid a smile. "Ask one of the bleeding hearts at the school or the hospital, honey."
Kid breathes out a low sigh. "I don't trust many people, Aimee.." Kid scowls faintly. "Guess maybe Cali could help.. she might know something, but.. I dunno.. don't know if she needs more of my problems all over her." She gives her shoulders a casual roll. "I try being.. nicer to people.. but I guess I ain't real good at making friends.. and I ain't one to just go telling anyone my problems. Just ain't how I work."
Aimee, on the brink of leaving, halts, giving Kid a look of frustration and sympathy. "Honey, you can tell them to me but sweetie, kids, they aren't my thing. I mean, honey, I was turning tricks at that age. I don't know what a normal teenager wants..." She shrugs again, giving Kid a considering look. "Perhaps Cali can help. Or that lot at the hospital, or the school or..." She shrugs, holding her hands palm up.
Speaking of 'Kids Problems', here comes one now!! From the depths of daylight outside strolls a figure; A magnificient and bucking example of what Man should be, a proud warrior hailing of days long past. Gleaming muscles, silken hair, and that o' so subtle tapering of the torso. This man is, in effect, perfect in all ways. Now, if you'll look behind him you'll find a quite bit more normal, average, and effeminite Fop, Ordo Malleus. Who gives the poseur a rather nasty snort before pushing past, already decked out in his gym clothes, a small duffel bag slung over a shoulder. His hair? Long, yes, but not silken. Body? Well toned, but nothing miraculous. Face? Eh. At least he ain't ugly.
Kid nods her head slightly. "Maybe.. but I ain't keen to just toss my problems out to anyone." She leans away from the wall and walks up to the other woman. " But.. thanks for talking anyway.. I guess I should decide where I wanna live.. but I dunno. Only place I ever knew is where I am. Feels.. strange thinking of leaving that behind." INdeed, the thought seems to linger with her, not at all casual in how she looks upon where she lives, despite the low class nature of it.
Aimee nods slowly, giving Kid a thoughtful look. "Honey, I guess this place I've got with mon chat now, it is the first home since I ran away. You need to make some choices, sweetie, and if I can help I will but... kids? Non, I'm not good with them." The corner of her mouth quirks quickly, "And less so with the girls." She leans forward, giving Kid a one armed hug before she nods at the problem that just walked in. "And now, mon ami, I'll leave you to handle the Fop. Because I am in the mood to tease, and I think it would not help matters."
The Dandy pauses once he has entered, quietly checking in his duffel bag - to ensure there's nothing terribly unsecure in there, as most people must. And turns his head, quietly contemplating the first step in his aerobic workout when he notes two feminine figures he could never forget. The Witch and the Siren. He blinks, vaguely considers not drawing attention to himself, and then.. thinks worser about it. The fellow idly raising a hand as he approaches.
"Salutations, dear hearts!" He glances from one to the other, idly running a hand through his hair as he finds a proper spot to stare at somewhere above the eyebrow line. "Jugs in the area as well?" A pause "Just?"
Kid leans a little into the embrace, one of the few people who can touch her without getting the warding vibe. Why? Who can say, truly. Though as Aimee points out Ordo's presence, the girl frowns faintly, then makes a visible effort to close up the doors that had been ajar during her talk with Aimee. Thus she faces Ordo with the same sort of firm, iron walled demeanor that she usually wears day to day. "Was here to work out.. probably a good time to get to it," she murmurs, fingers casually curling into loose fists as she takes a step away from Aimee, a silent allowance for departure.
Aimee takes that moment to walk away, giving the Fop an amused look as she passes. "Foot still firmly wedged in your mouth I see, Fop?" She smiles, walking towards the exit, leaving the star crossed lovers to fight again.
Ordo finally lowers that gaze of his towards Kid's own, and his slight grin of cheerful exuberance slowly fades away in relation to her iron walled defenses. He clears his throat, fingers once again sweeping through his well kept hair as he moues. But responds to Aimee first, trying his best to kill her with kindess. "Ah, what can I say? Beneath this ruggard demeanor beats the heart of a truly destined. It is only fitting that I hold a higher appreciation for beauty, madamoiselle!" Whatever that means, the brief flash of true Dandy-ness once again fades as Ordo refocuses on Kid. "Yeah. Lunch time for me, so I figured I'd get a few reps in you." A soft sigh, and a pinch of the bridge of his nose. "In your gym. You work here too, right?"
Kid frowns faintly at Ordo. "I work out here.. sometimes. Not a lot, though." She turns with that said, walking towards where she was headed before. Shed doesn't seem to even bother wondering if Ordo will follow. Of course, as ever following her has its advantages, as much as it's perils. As an afterthought she brings up, "We still need to talk." That requirement given a level expression, veiling her own thoughts on the subject.
There is a brief moment when the Fop considers simply leaving it at that and moving on with his day, but - alas - his heart will not allow him to do so. With a deep and rather weary sigh, the Dandy moves in the shadow of his heart-breaking enchantress, hand running continuously through his hair. Before the comment is made. A single eyebrow pops up, and Ordo dips his head. "Yes. We do. We can speak now, briefly, if you wish.." Another pause, and the other eyebrow goes up: ".. Unless it's more important than that?"
Kid frowns faintly, though Ordo won't see it for the moment. she's quiet for a bit, until she arrives at her destination. The heavy bags, one in particular picked out and advanced upon. When she steps onto the mat before it, she pauses and turns to look at Ordo. "To be honest.. I really don't even know where to start.. cause I really don't know what exactly we have to discuss." She lifts a hand casually. "Maybe you do." No, no height of scorn, just a simple, level tone given to those declarations.
Ordo, without any verbal command needed, quietly moves to the otherside of the punching bag. Bracing it with his hands as he frowns in thought himself, jaw line working. "There's us, Kid." States the Burster after a moment's consideration. "I'm still out on a line for you, after all. Can't help it, but it'd be nice to know if I'll be drying for a while." A quiet shrug, Ordo trying to be as diplomatically neutral as possible in his vocal tone. "All other questions sort of stem from that, don't they? Friends or more? .. or less?"
Kid frowns and as Ordo goes around to brace the bag, she doesn't hesitate to step up to it. Her eyes flicking to the side where she can see part of him. "Yeah.. that." She drops into a combative stance, looking like a mix of some loose sort of street-fighter's stance with just a hint of military along the edges. An odd mix. She starts on the bag easy enough, jabbing at it without putting too much force into it. "Maybe I shouldn't ask this.. but what do you want?" A perfectly vague and perilous question, hinging on just what is in that closed up mind of hers.
Ordo leans into the bag a bit, letting his muscles absorb the residual shock through the workout as he suddenly smirks. "You." The answer is as simple as it is vague. "I thought we already went through this? Kid, I know we don't have a lot in common... but damned if that matters to me." He shifts the bag sideways quite suddenly. To throw off her aim a bit, as it were; Shake up the routine. "Alright. An easier topic. What about your apartment? I've told you what's comming. What I can remember.." A brief hesitation, before the bag suddenly shifts again. "And it's going to be bad. The cheapo is -way- the hell out of the line of help and gone."
Kid seems to adapt to the light shift in the bag's position with only a flicker of hesitation, though she punctuates her response with a harder knock against it, hauling back for a hard right cross, though she doesn't seem to have any actual boxing form in her stance or the movement of her hands. "Don't change the subject. You say you want me, huh? How long? A week? A month? A year? What else you want, huh? You just gunna fuck around with me and then go off when it gets same ole? Gunna marry me?" Her assault in the bag speeding up as she goes, more and more feeling put into those jabs and straight arm punches. Of course, she keeps her voice discreet, even if there's an edge to it that needs no volume. She punctuates that last with another hard slam into the bag before she pauses, staring at Ordo. "What do you want?" The firmness remaining in that voice of hers, no other clue given as to what sort of answer she wants to that series of questions.
Ordo braces a bit harder as Kid flies into her fury, grimacing with the impacts; but holding the bag steady now while she pounds at it. When the last punctuating thrust is pounded, Ordo pushes off the bag and steps around it; Despite the danger presented by a worked up Kid. There is something subtle in his expression, a rod of steel hidden beneath that silken cover. "I'll take.. whatever you'll give me. I want whatever time we have left. This was never my decision to dictate, lover..." That wry, humorless smile slips up. "All I tried to do was do right by you, and hang on to the saddle until you either bucked me off for good or let me stay."
Kid takes a step back, her arms lowering slightly when Ordo comes around. Though they don't dip al the way.. as if she might decide to physically defend herself against him in some way. He does get a tense when he uses a variation of that word, the girl's eyes narrowing just slightly. She considers him for a moment and.. just why she decides to drop the bomb on him may not be known, but drop she does. "My half sister showed up. She's still a kid.. I am moving, but not cause of anything anyone else has said." Buh? Kid looks on expectantly, her arms shifting, crossing over her chest firmly.
Ordo's brain, ready to accept being punched, rattled, throttled, or even - gasp - KISSED is thrown into a screeching halt by the sudden revalation. Those lips of his quirk upwards just a touch at the mention of 'just a kid', but he wisely maintains his silence. After a few moments, he nods. "Alright. You know I've a few extra empty rooms in Raleigh Apartment I don't use. If you and she need a place to crash while you're moving out.." A pause, and the only sign of worry being a sudden nibble on his lower lip: "Or a place period while you're looking. For .. however long it takes. You know I'm good for at least that much.."
"No." Just flat out, no up or down to it. "I'm getting my own place.. won't need nothing else." Kid pauses, staring at him.. seeming to look for something.. whether or not she finds it is not hinted at, though a moment after she states, "I gotta go.. maybe we can talk again soon." And just like that she'll move around to go past him. Their talk over for now, just like that.
And just like that, Ordo is once again left hanging on the line. He blinks in surprise, having imagined his 'offer' to be vague enough to not impose on Kid's independence. Alas, a misjudgement again. He frowns, eyeing the floor as she pushes past and heads off. And, after a few more moments, he quietly and firmly punches the bag. Leaving a tiny, circular scorch mark to match the slow trickle of smoke heading for the ceiling. ".. Damn." He states. Tags: aimee, kid, ordo, sebastien
