I'm Done With Compromise {Christoph

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

It was a hot mid-summer day and July was in her element. While most of the rest of Panem sweated in the sunlight, she glowed, warmed by its presence, filled with light. She dressed for the day, having recently rearranged her closet to shove the winter's drear back into the recesses and bring forth summer. She had bolder patterns to select from, to be sure, but she had recently noticed an understated trend sweeping the Capitol. It couldn't last; they so loved their shapes and neons. But for now, it was an excellent excuse to recycle a dress her mother had picked out and she had never liked. July paired the short skirt with four-inch heels, which only made the length of her legs go on for days and days.

And July had plans for this summer. It would not go down as the one she failed her family, oh no. She intended to rise above, to be the last regal daughter of the Jacquez's.

Her spike heels clicked on the pavement as she turned from the city circle down style street. July had her faux-blonde curls wound tightly into a high ponytail, beginning at the very top of her head. They fell just to below her ears, so high was the starting point, and bounced with the merest suggestion of movement. She'd found tiny diamonds to pair with the outfit, and they glittered in the afternoon sun, the perfect complement to the sea of her eyes. July adjusted the backs anxiously. She wouldn't be punished if she lost them; when was July ever punished? But she know how much the hard little stones meant to her mother. A sign to all how wealthy they had become.

July passed the first few shops without even a nod or a smile. Today she had other thoughts and she couldn't be distracted by cute clothing! But oh, a glitter boa, how could she resist? Her heels, damn them, naturally carried her over to the shop's front, where she salivated over the boa, wondering how soft its feathers might be. But no! Focus! July gave a curt nod to the shopkeeper behind the window, turned and moved forward.

With the summer blazing away, she saw many of her classmates out and about, trying to make the most of their time. None approached her, of course, it would be social suicide. But she caught enough attention to feel as though she were parading down the school hallways. She wanted to snap at them, remind them that they were not in school and there were plenty of distractions. No need for gossip. But then, without gossip, where would she be? Tricky, tricky. And it was exactly the rumor mill that had propelled her to the street in the first place. She needed something, anything, to distract from the burning, the knowing. July was very careful not to study anyone's face too long, especially the girl's. What was happening to her?

And then she spotted him. A little older, debonair, a catch by any standards. But by hers? July hadn't dated, which only added to her mystique, and now would undoubtedly be her downfall. She had to choose carefully, and her first choice would have been Gaius, if that didn't have so many heavy consequences. To lose him as her best friend and confidante, once he realized what she had become - it was too much. And so July coated another layer of gloss on her lips, smacked them together, and then crossed the street. She stepped right into his path.

"Christoph," she smiled winningly, dimples forming, and filled the name with warmth as though they had spoken more than the handful of times they actually had. "You look like you could use some company." July swept her gaze around, just to be sure she wasn't taking him away from his family. Anyone else would have to just step aside.

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

The droplets of water raced down fogged shower glass doors, its dripping sounds absent in the roaring water from the shower head. Christoph only allowed his showers hot and steamy. If it wouldn't scold his skin on impact searing his thoughts into pointless water vapor, it wouldn't due. That wasn't enough for the rich son. With a quick flick of his wrist he pressed a few buttons ending his boiling shower. Pushing away the shower doors Christoph grinned lopsidedly practically shaking himself dry. The shower revived him from his previously groggy and moody morning attitude.

Clean. Fresh. Sharp. Each word he repeated like a pop song on the radio. Constant and contagious. Christoph was rich. He was practically famous. Teh. My family invented fame. Peering at the crisp reflection in his pristine white bathroom Christoph laughed heartily. Sometimes he wondered why he didn't even have to try too hard. Those brown locks naturally fell into the correct placement. He took windswept hair to another dimension. Half willingly he wrapped a plush white towel around his dripped dry body. Christoph was one to flaunt it if he had it. No one in the Capitol would deny that he had it. Not with that much gold.

The pads of his feet led him to his newly decorated room. One could not explain the desire for a man to have a leather furnished bedroom. Now if everything was in the chocolate colored leather it would be quite silly. That didn't include Christoph's head board on his bed, the love seat on the east wall, and a single seat to the left of his bed-a perfect spot for place woman's clothing. Not that it was placed specifically for this reason.

Of course not.

Shuffling his feet further into his man-styled bedroom he smirked coolly. What to wear? In one motion he whipped his closet door open stepping inside. Fingering the many fabrics he snatched the lightest weighted blazer smiling at his choice. Light gray did wonders to his complexion. Then again he believed every color he wore favored his skinny torso just ravishingly. Christoph dressed quickly sliding the slim fitted suit pants with a simple cotton white t-shirt underneath, he wasn't a lizard. The heat outside still affected him. Making sure everything was in place and buttoned correctly. Slipping on his favorite pair of shoes he laughed spitefully leaving the extravagant house he called home. Who needed to become a victor when you were born into royalty?

Finding a comfortable pace he lazily roamed into Style Street. He was to meet a girl there, one a friend had recommended. Or was it he found to be suitable prey? No matter the way they met he doubted she would show up anyway. Her eyes practically screamed fear when he trailed his fingers down the girls pasty white arms. Oh how he enjoyed the female emotion. Arching his back straighter Christoph began to walk with purpose. His gut told him today there would be a catch, finally worthy of his presence and attention. Maybe even one that would last a little more than a few hours. Maybe even a few days. He scoffed at the thought even though his hope hung high in the air. The blistering heat of the day might have been giving him delusions.

Just as his thoughts wandered to a certain fine red-headed "item" across the street a blonde one knocked into him instead. Before his tongue could lash a rude remark, an internal impulse made him bite back his words. Christoph's wide green orbs respected her body gratefully then landed softly on her facial features. Frankly, he was surprised. Many ugly girls came in flocks to him, their faces medically enhanced by even his own father, but he couldn't find anything particularly "ugly" about this one. In fact she was probably a swan compared to the rainbow thrown up Capitol.

"July."

Christoph's grinned whole heartily slipping in a wink for emphasize. "One is kinda lonely, two certainly had more options for fun. Where to?" Gingerly he took her arm in his as if to ask, "Is this alright?" His mind whirred with plans and devilish ideas, but one out weighted them all.

Why did he remember her name?

[/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

July had taken notice of the red head too. All curves and wild hair. This was precisely why she needed Christoph. He would be a disguise, a beard. That was pretty clear from her end. But what did he need her for? Sure she was one of the prettiest girls in her year, and she had the gossip girl wrapped around her pinky finger. But would that be good enough for him? For the first time in a long, long July considered the idea that someone might be out of her league. The mere thought of it flushed her with adrenaline, made her feel like a coiled spring, or perhaps a lion or one of those other muttations, ready to pounce.

Certainly she looked it as she approached Christoph, her back turned to the buxom red. With only Christoph in her sights, and a new challenge thrumming through her body, she could almost forget the white hot flash of desire she had felt upon seeing the other girl. Almost.

And there he was, looking elegant despite the heat, almost tempting it. Who wore a suit in the middle of summer? Christoph Konig, that's who. She gave him major props for that. Looks mattered to July. Not in a passing lust-born sort of way, but in a I-will-not-even-acknowledge-you-if-you-do-not-pass-muster sort of way. This was much the same for her friends as for anyone she would consider dating. Looks mattered. They indicated pedigree, but more, they indicated how much a person cared about their figure, how time they took into considering the stares of others. Because if you weren't concerned with society, there was something seriously wrong with you.

This, clearly, would not be a problem with Christoph. It was a relief. Although she liked to buy things for those closest to her, she didn't necessarily like to do complete makeovers. She'd grown out of that. But no, there would be very little work to be done on him. And July quite liked the way her name rolled out of his mouth, longer and fuller than it truly was. Also it was deeply gratifying that she - taking a risk by announcing his name - was in the same boat as him. Maybe they were in the same league after all.

A wink and the taking of her arm. Ah yes, maybe he did need something from her. While many girls might have swooned at these gestures, July just tightened her smirk until her dimples showed, carefully tucking her arm around his own. "I think you're on to something there. I'm a little bored of wandering the street myself. It's so... pedestrian." The smirk eased up a little softening around the edges. She thanked Gaius silently for his vocabulary and verbose nature. Honestly, there was no other way July could ever produced such a word.

Her gaze flickered down the street. Where to, where to? And then she struck it, as sure as lightning. July looked up at him, and positioned as they were side-by-side, it felt like an intimate gesture. "Let's go to the tattoo parlor. I'm desperate to see what the summer's latest trend is." And the way desperate dropped from her lips, slipped past the gloss, it was clear that July had other things on her mind, too.

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

"Let's go to the tattoo parlor. I'm desperate to see what the summer's latest trend is."

By habit his eyes flickered over her own outfit of choice. Although his mother was bucket fulls of crazy, she still was very particular of what to wear. Whether or not she's wear it outside the house's extravagant seams was always the same answer. No. July's outfit was substantial. It fit her creamy skin tone and narrowed eyes. An outfit that explained so much without speaking a lick of english. The color blocking gave Christoph a kind of reserved feeling. One that would present July as keeping within her boundaries and comfort zone, while the short length made her seem like she wanted to look pleasing to Christoph. He appreciated every slide of the fabric upward and her tall legs stalked onward toward the tattoo parlor. Almost finished with his examination he smiled slyly at her heels. Most girls love their shoes. Any girl that didn't love her heels, there was something going on underneath, that he was sure. Not matter how much they would complain and moan about the pinching of their feet the heels still ended up strapped securely around their ankle.

A little secret. Boys, men, guys in general adored those heels almost as much as woman. They made woman seem almost dangerous. Not to mention giving anybody a kick of curves. Christoph was very close to loving those heels. Especially since they were so expertly placed on such a fine figure. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth until Christoph gave in completely. Angling his attention toward July he spoke with an authority in his voice patent and pended by the one and only Kӧnig family.

"Now don't think that you can wrangle me into getting a tattoo. You must have a strong argument and conviction to get me into imprinting words or a pictures into my skin. They have to have meaning." As practiced he winked, followed by a melodic laugh laced with the sunny vibe of summer. July Jacquez. Remembrance of the surname surprised him even more. It was one thing to remember a face. He'd seen thousands of woman's faces each day. Some of them he was bound to recognize. One as beautiful wasn't very out of the ordinary as well. First name came next. Remembering a first name was a large jump from remembering a face. In between the two is remembrance of reputation but he didn't really count that. Christoph's own reputation was the only one that mattered to him. In the point where he'd remember a girl's name is when he'd give them a shot at a second date. Those were quite hard to come by in Christoph's world.

So for him to remember her surname, slightly terrified. If remembering a first name was two dates, surname could only lead to marriage.

Or worse. A girlfriend.

He didn't really believe in love. It could've been the depleting amount of love between his mother and father as each year he blew another batch of candles out. Maybe it was the sex drive he'd developed from a high ranking status and bucket fulls of money. Worst of all, maybe it was that he felt he was incapable of loving another human being that wasn't himself. Either way Christoph always felt love wasn't an option. Sooner or later his father would wrap him around his finger, finally handing over the business with all the responsibility that tagged along. He didn't want a wife like his mother. Practically sucking out the life of him with her fashion antics. Ninety nine percent of the Capitol's woman were programmed so. He didn't think he'd be lucky enough to end up with the small one percent.

After all, when he was a small child, he always ended up with the old maid card. Luck and love. Two qualities Christoph didn't possess.

[/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

Ah, that gaze. It was little wonder Christoph was so popular, so desired, and so fear. It seemed to slice right through her, to devour her, to compliment her and to subordinate her all at once. That's what women wanted, right? But she felt him study her, felt herself rise to the occasion. She lifted her back, straightened herself, tucked her hair over her shoulder, walked with purpose and ease, just the way she had been taught. A dog on the end of a leash, but at least she had put herself there.

She that smile when he spoke, even if they launched her into further turmoil. PROPERTY OF JULY JACQUEZ. The words flashed across her mind, a brand she had given Gaius not a few days before. And yet, that had been in sharpie, not permanent ink, and surely he had known it was in jest. Surely he did not think of her that way. Surely she did not hold his heart in her hands. And after that atrocious display at Janice's party... well, she was practically damaged goods.

But there would be no repeating of such a thing, and definitely not in permanent ink. July walked ahead of him just a moment, to give him a view of the full sway of the short skirt, and then fell into easy step at his side. Very easy, actually. They were well matched that way, she realized, and what was a better indicator of compatibility than the speed at which you walked, the length by which your feet crossed one another? She gave herself two seconds, a dip on the sidewalk, and planted the spike into it so that she wobbled and touched his arm, not catching it, fingers light as a breeze.

She offered a shier smile, tugged down the side of her dress nearest to him, and then continued smoothly on. "Just looking," she chided, and then leaned in close, whispering conspiratorially. "Of course if there's something your heart desires, I won't tell." Because a tattoo, well, that could be a very private thing. It was always wildly popular to have strange things marked on the inside of wrists, around the eyes, up the arms. But oh the body had so many secret places. The heart, too, as it turned out.

"I'll tell you what. We can just scope things out, but I'll jump, if you do." July lifted her heavy, dark lashes up, looking into those eyes that offered and threatened so much. By now they had the attention of their peers on the street, a slow and growing murmur of gossip. This was what she wanted, had better want, because it was already too late. If he rejected her, not only would her ego collapse, but whatever power she'd had all these years would be a bust too. All because of one stupid drunken slur that was catching, and catching.

And what was some little tattoo when compared to the entirety of her social life?

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

The first sign to his down fall was he enjoyed July'd presence. Not in the physically pleasing way either, which boggled Christoph's thoughts. He liked the way she spoke. Her words were rhythmic, very much like his own. They had their own pulse. Beat. Music. It seemed that together their banter was a duet created by one famous musician. Granted, maybe Christoph was getting ahead of himself. But remembering a last name and enjoying a woman's being, that was a downright miracle. "Just looking,"

You're quite right Miss. Jacquez." Subconsciously his eyes flickered her shape. Yes, he felt a connection. No, that didn't mean the rest of his parts were left dormant. They, were very much active. "Of course if there's something your heart desires, I won't tell." A smirk danced upon is lips. "There are many things I desire in the world. Some. Quite in my reach. Would you agree?" Christoph's words were beyond suggestive. It was the fluidity in which he talked. Deep underneath all the pride and flirty attitude he felt self disappointment. July wasn't just another girl. He knew that black and white, cut and dry. That didn't prevent his nasty habits from showing. What it did mean is that he'd actually have to try not having his way with her on the first date. To be honest Christoph was positive he could do this.

A number three reason why she shocked him so. She could restrain him without even knowing. Something about this girl... Little by little Christoph was accepting that he.... liked this girl. "Now my sweets, you must tell me so, what tattoo would most explain you? What phrase, what picture. Fret not. I'll return the question, but you see. I'm more interested in what you'll have to say rather than hear myself talk." His eyes peered daringly at her beautiful features. Many girls were captured by his glance immediately. Slightly it disappointed him that she wasn't melting and groveling at his feet. Then again, he knew this was exactly what attracted him to her. Like so many have said before, it's funny the things that attract you the most, equally drive you crazy.

His fingers couldn't sit still. The arm in which he held her felt awkward. Almost like that position didn't fit their dynamic correctly. He fixed it precisely by slipping his hand around he waist and pulling her softly closer. Christoph wasn't one to force. That wasn't his style. Surely he loved to be control of the situation, another reason fame and fortune suited him just fine. He couldn't help himself. When he felt an attraction he had to act on in. Hopefully it was gentleman-like more so than, "I'm your pimp, your my toy," type of deal. With one hand around July's waist he straightened his blazer with the other hand. One couldn't deny he looked great. That didn't give him leeway to slack off on appearance though. Christoph Camden Kӧnig. The name wasn't given to just anybody.

Frankly. He was extraordinary.

[/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

No, this was no cat and mouse game. Neither was playing by the same rulebook, so it couldn’t be a proper game at all, could it? July narrowed her gaze at him, studying him. Did girls fall all over themselves for Christoph – was he that sort of desirable? Or did they play coy, to make sure he knew just how badly he was wanted? She should’ve paid more attention, studied up a little, before she approached him on the street. Too late for that now. If she’d been a little younger, or perhaps a little lower on the social ladder, she might have been willing to trip herself again and land in his arms.

But she was July Jacquez, damnit, and she had a lot more to lose than him.

She managed a practiced flutter of her heavy, black eyelashes, and a broad smile. Within his reach? She gave just the slightest hint of a shrug, her near shoulder rotating into his own, hip brushing against his. Ambiguous, but also just as suggestive. They seemed, at least, to be on the same page physically. His arm dropped to her waist, her hips rolling with each step so that they were both constantly reminded of the contact. It was exciting, but not the way it should have been. Dangerous, but not natural.
She pressed her glossed lips together, tried to block out such thoughts, while she pondered his question. There was a right answer, and there was an honest answer. July looked one more time to him, to that memorizing gaze. She knew with every fiber of herself that what she was about to do him was the worst thing she had ever done. Didn’t she owe him, even just a little?

“Quod me nutrit me destruit.” She said quietly, which was hardly appropriate, given the noise of the street. They had come within a block of the tattoo parlor, and July fixed her gaze on it. “That which feeds me destroys me. It’s not a language I’m familiar with… I don’t think I’m supposed to know it at all. But my mother has some antiques and there’s one with a lot of strange words and translations on it. We keep it in the basement.” She spoke quickly, so quickly, although at an even tone, the smile playing on her lips just enough to ward off any suspicious glances from strangers. Of course anyone looking at them would hardly care what she was saying.

It wasn’t a flirtatious answer, but she felt that there was chemistry enough for that. No, this was her way of being something else, something more. She wasn’t just some silly girl with a crush. She was a woman who had plans. “But listen to me, going on like that,” she said, back to her usual polished self, one hand at the ends of her curls. Walking side by side, when she looked up to him now, her gaze carried directly past his shoulder and into his cheek. From this angle he was still handsome, but somehow more boyish and approachable.

“What about you? What would explain such a fine gentleman as yourself?”

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

Christoph believed the universe had it in for him. Granted maybe there were plenty of other things that the universe should've been attending to, but at that particular moment Christoph felt as if he could actually feel the world move around the pair. Here he was. Practically singing silly love songs, going on about love at first sight. This wasn't love though. Infatuation. Each luscious blink of her coal black lashes sent his heart tripping.

It pissed him off.

How was it that July could make him feel like oatmeal sitting out of a hot day? He felt like a giant bowl of heated mush. The control over the situation was shaky at best. Almost as if they were teeter tottering on a playground. Equal power. Equal sophistication. Christoph didn't "do" equal. But for right now, he was alright with it. Finally he had met someone that countered his arrogance and confidence. One that was fully sound with their body and didn't mind showing it off, which Christoph didn't forget in the least. The swish of her hips as July strode proudly next to him. Her blonde curls bobbing like a buoy out in the sea, which were stacked high into a pony tail. He was well aware.

Intently he listened. The words she spoke, were foreign. Even the way she pronounced the words didn't compute properly in his cranium. As she spoke, he caught a glimpse. This tiny chink in her shiny armor, which was very much designed as his own, was noticeable. July allowed for her rhythm to repeat an in proper beat, throwing their whole symphony into a twist. It was ever so slight. Her tempo increased quickly then slowed just as quickly picked up their normally melody.

Equally so. It excited him. Gave Christoph something to look forward to. A change once in awhile. Normally his days were the same as his experiences with woman. Practiced, dull, and quick. Everything ran smoothly. This lapse in beat made his pulse race and mind attempt to think outside the box. “What about you? What would explain such a fine gentleman as yourself?” Glancing down absentmindedly at July he slide in a sly smile. Innocently his doe-eyes blinked, lips pursed in a giving manner, and his fingers squeezed softly at her glorious curved waist.

There he thought for a few moments. Not exactly sure how to respond. This wasn't a cookie cutter answer that he had a perfectly thought out response. There wasn't time to practice or rehearse this line with a few girls before he went after his real pray. Here was his one shot deal. "Have you ever heard of the poem "Where the Sidewalk Ends"? It's an ancient one. But my mother use to read it to be at night. She's said it reminded her of death. Actually quite sad once I think about it. Believe a child's poem to be about death." Nervousness wasn't the appropriate term. Uncertain. Christoph would describe this pause and tumble in his speech due to uncertainty. He slid a soft cough in to clear his own thoughts before he returned to his explanation. "Anyways, I think she was right. It describes nothingness, then these wonderful things such as peppermint wind. Then describes the pace in which one should walk towards the sidewalk's end. I tend to think that it's a beginning place as well. Maybe it doesn't describe me so much as it describes where I've been. Possibly where I am going. I'd get the words, "This is the place where the sidewalk ends." Right here." Patting lightly over his heart he smiled. Unloading thoughts felt nice. He could get use to it. "One of my fondest memories that poem." The smile was a genuine one. Those were far and few between. Somehow he felt July deserved it. He had a feeling that she didn't get many genuine smiles. Christoph had a feeling, July and himself were a lot alike.

[/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

Ah, those eyes. What she was going to do with those eyes? Already she felt like a traitor, although the thought was still fetal, curled around itself instead of weaving its way through her. She brushed only the edges of it, kissed the shape of it, tasted it. What would it be like, to date without any intention of feeling? Because this was a new revelation about herself, that she might not like what she should like. She had always dated because she had crushed, and really she hadn't dated at all. But now, July wondered. Could one date just because of the thing itself? Would that be satisfying? For her? And what about for him?

Did she have to care at all?

And yet when his saucer eyes caught hers, she knew that she wouldn't be totally immune to his charms, could not be so cold. Maybe that made it okay. Or maybe it made it worse. July shook her head at the title of the poem, drawing a blank. Then again, she'd never really paid any attention to the arts, and she got the feeling that this particular piece, like the quote she had produced, had no business being in school, or Panem at all. What did that say about them? Living the life of leisure, of conformists, while seeking out rebellion in words.

A shiver went up July's spine. She pressed ever closer. It was awkward walking this way, but luckily the tail end of his explanation drew them to the corner of the tattoo shop. July slowed and then stopped, listening and considering. What a strange poem. But then, had hers been any less fatalistic? As they came to a halt, she twisted so that she stood slightly in front of him. This opened a gap between their hips, their chests, and yet it felt distinctly more intimate, looking up into his eyes.

And his smile split the clouds, filled her with sunlight. Oh this was a dangerous game, the kind that cut both ways. She found her expression faltered, a twitch at the corner of her mouth, before she smiled slowly, briefly, shyly. A real July smile. One for one. "That sounds... really perfect. Because it means so much to you." She felt her heart flutter, which seemed entirely strange, but then this was a dangerous conversation, and he was intoxicating, even if she felt no heat in her blood. More like the deadening of liquor. "Are we ready then?" Her brow lifted, quirking her smile into its old self, as she canted her head towards the shop.

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

There was some type of flicker in July's composer that didn't surpass Christoph. He wasn't dumb, especially in the social working of human beings. That smile wasn't the usual. It was one reserved for special occasions. July's true smile. In return to my own smile. This breakthrough swelled his heart with anticipation and his head even larger with ego. The slight pull towards Christoph didn't surpass him either. Both emotionally and physically he felt the gap between them close in slowly but surely. These feelings allowed his mind to wander aimlessly. Now as a spoiled rich teenager, no one would expect him to be thinking into the future. It wasn't his type of deal. The present is what matter most to him. Whether or not his father cut off his money supply or if his suits weren't cleaned the proper way; these were the proper things for Christoph to worry about. Not such things as if he'll be claiming his father's line of work and much recently the pending future of Christoph's interaction with July.

Strangely the second option of thoughts is what scrambled through his head as she walked ahead of him into the tattoo parlor. There was only a few moments that allowed himself to wander into thoughts of the future, but they perplexed him. Images of countless dates much like this, his fingers interlaced with July's in a comforting "couple-like" fashion. Sophisticated dates under candle light and wine talking in depth about things that he never thought he had the intelligent opinions about. Then he could imagine the picture of all of these slide-show thoughts. His lips on top of her's after a cozy night in. Before his hand reached out for the door leading into the shop, he was thoroughly convinced. One way or another he'd end up kissing July. Whether it was today, tomorrow, or four years from that date, her lips would be on his. And he'd be in pure ecstasy. The absolution of getting a tattoo was also confirmed in his mind. She had to see him for him. July was absolutely right. Those words meant the world to him.

He wanted to prove himself. That he wasn't lying or faking. This was the real him. She wasn't any other girl. He was going to prove it.

"I'm ready for anything, if you are yourself. Daredevil type." Giving into his nature he smirked pulling the heavy metal door open, a freezer box amount of cold air bursting forth. Christoph ushered July in quickly explaining the tattoo he planned to imprint onto his chest. Nerves... no. Uncertainty creeped into his thoughts showing plainly on his soft, yet large, features. One glimpse in her direction they disappeared. She is a beauty. It was a shame that he fell so quickly for her. He knew this as well, but didn't give two cares. Whatever was bubbling inside his chest making his senses on overload, he craved it. A Drug that beauty. Christoph was already on withdraw.

Lightly he went to grasp her fingertips gesturing towards the chair next to his own. Christoph knew July might not be getting a tattoo but he sincerely hoped she would. Even if she didn't he needed the closeness of their auras. Sooner, rather than later, he snapped his attention to the tattoo artist, numbly complying in his wishes. After taking off his blazer (and making sure someone carefully set it on a coat rack), Christoph removed his button up shirt revealing milky white skin. He laid down on the tattooing chair eyes still resting upon July's facial features. The buzz of needles surrounded him lulling him into a sedated sate. "The sound. Is beyond lovely. I could fall asleep right here."

Simply gazing upon you.

[/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

It was strange to be in the middle of such a tornado of emotion. At least, it was strange for July. Usually she felt bored or petulant or triumphant. But to feel at once warm, guilty and confused - that was more than a week's worth of oddities. She batted her eyelashes at him, slowly moved her curls over her shoulder and then back to the front as they approached the door. Little movements that she did now naturally and which had taken time to develop. None of it distracted her from the knot in her stomach, from the thumping of her heart.

She decided to focus on what she could control - her thoughts. She knew absolutely that she was not attracted to Christoph, at least not the way she ought to be. July felt no heat in her veins for him. And yet, he was an excellent match, and he was more than good company. He seemed to care, and the rapid beating of his heart made hers want to echo. Strange to like someone and feel nothing for them, because July liked so few people. At least there was no harm in it, not yet. She had to hold onto that.

The cold air hit her like a punch to the gut. She sucked in a sideways breath, the air conditioning stinging her lungs. July shuddered involuntarily as he took his seat. She was genuinely grateful for his touch as he drew her into the seat. She was careful to bring her knees together, to cross her ankles daintily, before lifting her eyes to his.

And if she had never before seen danger in her life, she saw it there, in the recesses of his eyes. She looked away as he undressed, taking his shirt and folding it neatly in her lap, just the way her mother had showed her. Strange that she had never taught July how to fold women's clothes, only her father's, but it came in handy now. The shirt would be crisp as new when Christoph needed it next. And maybe her shyness would play off well. She kept her gaze on the floor for as long as possible, lacking the courage to look at him. She knew what she would see - muscles and strength, veins and sweat. All the things that boys were. She wanted to see softness and curves.

July blinked and forced her gaze up, her lips rolled together. She squeezed his palm, careful not to dig in with her nails. "It doesn't hurt?" She looked at the artist, smirked at him, before looking again to Christoph. "Tell me what it feels like. I - I don't know if I'm ready." For oh so many things, but for a tattoo as well.

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

A cloud of sedation entered his veins, making the pain seem to feel numbed and dull. Everything around him was diluted by his lack of senses. One would normally think that when in falling in love your everything around you was heightened into an excruciatingly sharp reality. Christoph was never one to think of himself as usual, therefore his body responded to the personality it had been meshed with since his birth. He became almost drugged by July. He didn't like to over think things and feel too much, this is why his body numbed itself. Her presence was enough for him to turn to jello, as if he was drinking all morning. Granted, Christoph would never drink anyway. But at that particular moment he felt himself crave a drink. Just another thing to loosen up his insides, turning them to mush.

July. Oh, how she was changing this poor boy in the very few hours they were together. He was normally so proper and refined yet as he laid down on the tattooing chair his demeanor was slack. All he could think about was the fire in the pit of his stomach engulfing himself mind in a woozy-state. Now when he was attracted to a fine woman this fire sensation returned very familiar in presence. Right now, he wasn't entirely certain that it was the same. He wanted more than the basic actions he would set in place. Christoph was always the one to receive what "more" he wanted. The lengths in which he went to "get what he wanted" didn't step over the fine line of force, but his persuasion was a thing to be wary of. Those genetically altered rounded eyes were wide, innocent, windows that had the tendency to strike one straight in the heart. But, he wanted more in the emotional sense. That mushy crap he scoffed at throughout his teenage years was finally drilling a hole into his thick pride. This time he wanted the actions to mesh with emotion. Something he was normally trying his hardest to avoid.

Deeper he fell. The blissful ignorance wrapped him into a tighter embrace as Christoph watched the lovely July think. She had a look upon her face that wasn't necessarily a good one, but not a bad one either. He could tell she was deep in the depths of her mind, concluding, analyzing. All the things a great woman was capable of doing. The seventeen year old sure knew one thing that she superbly had an advantage over. That was a certain human laying only a few inches from where she daintily sat, folding his shirt ever so neatly. Depth in which he saw her thoughts reeled in some of his own thoughts. He was actually bringing Christoph to think about things. As a capital debonair man he was more so to act and produce sly words rather than think things out. Action is what he believed changed things. Not thoughts. Thinking got you no where unless you were willing to use those thoughts. Which for the heightened sense of these ethics is why Christoph released a content sigh as he took various snapshots of July in his mind (for later use). It doesn't hurt one bit.

This was a small white lie, but how else was he to appeal to July further. He was a loss at meaningful words. Therefore he hoped the experience would be meaningful enough. Plus the lie wasn't hindering him in anyway. "It feels like little pin pricks all over, all at once. They aren't deep, much shallower than you would think." The words were a mixture of thoughts by now that he didn't care to care. "Don't be frightened. I promise to be right here. Always." He followed this by the smallest smirk he could muster. One didn't want to seem overly cocky, although that was his general attitude all the time. The extent that he wanted July to fall for him pained his heart to even think about it. This is why when he began to reach his fingers slowly toward the beauty, his heart thumped wildly with the fear of rejection. Then again, no matter how much you made a Konig's heart beat, rejection always came with a price to bare.

[/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

It was a mistake to be dressed as she was in a tattoo parlor. Not that it didn't suit; certainly the other ladies in the shop were dressed similarly, if not more scandalously, and wasn't that a feat in the Capitol? No it was a mistake because it gave her so little room to hide. She'd never been particularly squeamish; she liked watching the Games too much to fall for such silly, girlish tendencies like swooning. But it was hard, when there were needles and color and just the hint of something crimson, something too liquid and too vibrant to be paint. She swallowed, looking to the floor, breathed in through her nose, out through her stomach.

Her abs felt like they were feeding on her, pressing inward, trying to run away. She put her fist to her chin, gripped the bone there to center herself. She was not going to faint, damnit. What an embarrassment that would be, in front of anyone, and in front of Christoph Effing Konig - well that would be the end of her. It was more, though. She could be strong for him. It didn't sound pleasant from his description, although he was clearly handling the stress of it in a superior manner. She admired that.

And when his hand reached over, July immediately flattened her fist and pushed her right hand into his, fingers and palm flush with his own. The heat of his hand, the reality of him, immediately banished the lightness. If anything, she immediately felt heavy, in her stomach, in her heart. This was guilt, and curiosity, and feeling in a way she'd never know. After just a second of contact, of being sure he was really there, July looked into his eyes.

He was brave, and he was not all bluster. She could read him well enough for that. So, even though they were in a tattoo shop, and even though there was someone else laboring over him, July stood slightly, still bent at her hips, and kissed his cheek, oh-so-close to his lips that perhaps the stain of her gloss got a little on the corner. She leaned back, just enough to look at him and grinned that confident grin of hers. "For being brave enough to do this." To get a tattoo? To be seen in public with her? She left that up to him. All she knew was that he deserved a thank you.

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart

[Tribute!{Meranda<3}Quell Botch]

Move to the city, lose all your heart. She weren't too pretty. You ain't to smart.

[/color]
Christoph Camden Kӧnig[/center][/size]

Two centimeters. The distance in which it would've taken Christoph to stop his fretting and panicked heart. Which at the moment was threatening to clench it's pulsating fingers around his rib cage and break free. If the length of contact of July's lips were the slightest bit farther away there might have been an inkling of hope for the boy. One small sliver of redemption to fall back into his old ways of fooling and loving no girl. He wouldn't have to even think about the disappointment he was preparing to send his parents reeling into. Odd to say the least, but July made his mind up for him. He was not to take on his father's fortunes and continue the family name. Christoph was going to have to work at July's love for him, although his love was instantaneous. Work was a word deleted from Christoph's dictionary once he was a spoiled child, already buying bets into the hunger games. Nothing much had changed except for the size of his charmed ways and hair on his body. If he was going to learn how to work for what he wanted, it had to be in more ways than one. There was a large possibility that a lot of the luster July might have for Christoph would vanish once he gave up his hand in the inheritance; but that was something he was anticipating. Honestly he didn't think that his parents would cut his off entirely. Which led him to the belief that he could buy now in order to save later.

When he became able to think things through... that was a mystery to himself as well.

By impulse he squeezed her hand softly pulling her an itty bit closer. The distance. It seared his skin deeply, more so than the tattoo man's needles. To close the gap. Create a vacuum. Anything that gave him a kick of sedation. Her spell was cast and nothing broke it's cloud until a shriek of his name was heard from across the parlor. Abruptly this buried his thoughts deep into the depths of his mind. How could he honestly think that he was going to give up all of that money for a woman? Disgrace his name?

Christoph Camden Kӧnig was extraordinary.

Number Eins. Top Seed. The Best. The red head reminded him of that.

She wasn't the most beautiful thing in the world but fine none the less. Her hair was flaming red flickering in the dim lighted parlor. It was probably modified. Or maybe it was the dim lighting. Christoph only remembered her in the dark corners of a club and with the lights off at home. Her body was curved, slightly disproportional. It was hourglass enough for him. A smirk danced upon his features slanting his eyes so he could take a look at the red. The normal Christoph broke through his medicated stupor and goggled (although more reserved). That was until he dropped July's grasp and shifted his attention back to her features. Guilt. It pitted hard in his throat causing him to cough and the tattoo artist to curse. She was beautiful and he was being stupid. Sure the little number that still continued her way toward his royal self shocked him out of the idea of giving up his millions. But, she didn't shock him out of giving up working for July.

Shifting his attention back to the red whom once again was shrieking his name Christoph acted on impulse. Signalling for the tattoo artist to stop he sat up only slightly flinching at the pain over his heart. Swinging his legs over the chair he sat facing July. His expression was determined although had faint hues of delicateness. Only one with eyes such as his could pull this feat off. Hooking one finger underneath her chin he pulled her eyes to rest on his own thus allowing him to swoop in for a kiss. Christoph was a man of action and didn't enjoy conflicts between himself and woman. Which is exactly why he kissed July it both gave him the satisfaction of prolonging his wait and the message that he was no long available. As long as July accepted his offer. He relished the pressure of his lips against her. Her lips tasted sweetly of lip gloss giving him the slick consistency of it as well.

"Yes? Or no?" He breathed connecting with her gaze. [/b]

The choice in which to make or break Christoph laid completely in her grasp. He wasn't so sure he enjoyed this suspension of his pride over their heads yet he felt calm with his decision. Every being of himself begged internally for her acceptance.



[/size][/color][/left]

Plenty of Boys and girls in love.

Song: Girls and Boys in Love ; The Rumble Stripes[/center]

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

i want to hold you close, skin pressed against me tight,
lie still, close your eyes girl, so lovely

Was it over? Truth be told, July had been grateful for all the distractions. Watching the needle rake over his skin did something to her insides, made them twist and trip over one another. It wasn't a sickness; it was a weakness in her gut. No, she didn't at all like seeing him hurt, even if it was voluntary, even if it was temporary. And she couldn't quite imagine letting that happen to her, even if the ink would make her skin even more distracting, draw yet more eyes to her. Pain is beauty, or at least, she was pretty sure that was the phase. Something like it. Maybe, no beauty without pain? And certainly having tiny pricks opened in her bronze flesh would qualify, and then everyone would know how strong she was.

Especially if it was only a few minutes of pain. When Christoph rotated up, July sat back deeper into the chair, to allow him some room to move. She had almost opened her mouth to ask how he felt, when she saw something change in his eyes. Perhaps his gaze a little more focused, a little more determined. Maybe it was the set of his shoulders, or the contortion of his mouth. Really, July read his intentions all over him. Her heart skipped a beat and then kicked into high gear, thundering in her narrow rib cage, beating against her bones and lungs. It was a flight response, perhaps the strongest she had never known.

And yet, she stayed perfectly still, almost as though she had been bolted into the floor. She needn't have bothered; he wasn't going to spook her, or grab her, or force his tongue down her throat. No, Christoph was the perfect gentleman, his lips gentle against her own, holding just a second longer as he gloss clung to him. It happened, and it was over, and other than the butterfly feeling of his lips, July felt numb. The adrenaline from the flight kick flooded her veins, made them feel icy. She let her lashes fall, held them closed, and then looked up into his beautiful eyes.

It was such a simple question, and it had only one answer. "Yes," she said mechanically, her mind thawing. And then, she remembered herself. July dragged a smile from her core, cocked her head and squeezed his forearm. "I mean, duh!" She added, in perfect July fashion, at once girly and sharp, not exactly happy, but enthusiastic enough nevertheless. She glanced back at the tattoo artist, felt a flush of embarrassment, and nodded to him. "That officially makes this our first date, right? That'll be quite the scandal." And if she hadn't been totally happy before, that thought filled her with contentment. July and Christoph, society royalty, on a date to the tattoo parlor. It was absolutely perfect.

banner credit: manda-rama!
lyrics:she wants revenge - tear you apart