The Banquet of Plenty - Open

[Anatra]

"Orange juice and a light vodka, please." I ask, standing patiently at the bar. The man behind it doesn't seem to question my age, which isn't surprising because earlier I was helping him load the drinks myself. "Comin' righ' up, wanna straw?" I laugh a little, thinking that it is a joke. "Nah, no thanks." It probably wasn't a joke however. My drink comes in a small glass whilst the orange juice comes in a bigger but thin glass. I hand over the money for the vodka, but the orange juice didn't cost anything. I feel a little guilty not paying anything for Kyanite's drink, but she did ask for it I guess.

I turn on my heel, taking a sip from my own drink, holding the orange juice in the other hand. I set my eyes on Kyanite with a slightly faster pace than usual since I want to get back as quickly as possible, but then I slow myself, seeing Matthew with her. What is he doing, trying to steal this dance from me too? I sigh to myself, still walking towards them when Kyanite also turns and walks towards me, from him. I can help but keep my eyes on him, to see whether he would follow her. If he did, he'd have me to answer to. I probably don't look hostile, but curious. "Is he giving you bother?" I ask her, a concerned look on my face yet I'm still eyeing Matthew from afar.

"Here's your drink, I didn't get a straw but if you want one I can go back." I let her know, so that the offer is at least there if she wanted it. I have no problem going out of my way because it's all part of the joy of being with another person, whether it is a girlfriend or just a normal friend. I'm not sure which Kyanite will become. I remember Matthew now from the time him and Tyren came in drunk to the house around last week. Reckless. He's also from the pregames and we all know what happened to Tyren. dangerous. And he danced with Tara, and probably just tried to dance with Kyanite. Both of which were my dance partners. I question whether I want to talk to him, and sort things out. It frustrates me inside, having doubts just annoy me. It's not doubts about Kyanite though, so I retain my concentration so that she has my attention. There's also the fact that I feel a need to smoke soon. I'd have to go outside of course, but being with Kyanite sounds like more fun. I wonder what she thinks about that, me smoking. Would it put her off?
I guess I should find out. I subtly do it though, I'm not overtly asking 'Have you got a problem with this?'. I look in my pocket as though I was looking for something of value. I know that my watch is in my pocket and so is my pack of cigarettes. I take them both out quickly in one grab as though I was just looking for the watch, and put the pack back in my pocket. "Could you help me put this back on?" I ask her, holding out my hand with the watch in it. It's a black watch, quite smart but it looks more practically useful than visually.

W O R D. C O U N T : 562

N O T E S :

[Jack Lexington]

Did she just say I clean up nice which is unexpected before she turned her back on me and left me standing there to return to MAX?
So it's unexpected that I can look nice. In otherwords I usually look like shit? This makes me self conscious coming from the one girl I truly care about. Maybe it's the buzz cut. She might have like my longer hair. After all a lot of girls did. No chick digs a guy who looks like straight out of the dc.
My hand goes up to the suddenly way too tight tie and my eyes watch her go back into the arms of the Ocra cousin. He's a good looking lad, I'll have to give him that. Probably more handsome than me.
He casts a glance over at me while talking to her. Does he know what Kyanite is or was to me?
If he was mean he could share a story about a drunk night out and I'm not sure how much he heard about the girls and hot tub that night.
I frown over at him because I'm simply unable to offer him a smile.

Then I grab some more food, which I don't even feel like having anymore and return to the table where I start picking at it.
The girls are still there, so is the little boy.

I'd better focus on them.
"Would you like to dance again later, Tara?" I offer even thogh I must be the worst oick in the house considering my limp.

[*]

[presto]

My heels click against the floor. With each step away from Matthew, I feel my mouth dry out and my throat starts to burn just slightly. I have to keep reminding myself that there's no reason to be upset by this. There's nothing holding us together, so I keep my gaze ahead of me. I hated turning my back on Matthew, but I didn't want to keep him from his date. If by some weird chance that they might already be a couple.

Click.

Click.

I stop not but just a few inches from Max putting on the best front I could until the burn went away in my throat that threatened to tear me down. His eyes don't meet mine, but is trained somewhere behind me and no doubt on Matthew, I can tell. The question that comes from him makes me curious though as to why he would ask. I shrug my shoulders just slightly.

"No. Just being courteous to the guests here at the party." I state, but this guy has no clue what has happened between us in the past. What ill-fated time and circumstances we had due to the pregames and outside forces that lead up to now. I finally let my lips resemble a well to do smile as I take the glass of orange juice that he had went to get. Just get over him. He's nothing to you anymore... No. Your not anything to him... nothing. A rock that's been removed from his shoe.

"I'll survive without a straw." I joke and let my lips linger on the edge of the glass as I tilt it upward, letting the liquid wash over the dryness that Matthew's presence had left when I walked away. It was never needed more than now because the coldness of the juice also seems to sooth the burning sensation in my throat. I calm myself with the second sip as I survey the room for a moment and for some reason, my eyes do catch a glimpse of Matthew back at the table with that girl and he begins to talk to her once again. Now, it's severed. We have nothing anymore, so I divulge my full attention back to Max. In one easy movement, I watch him reach into his pocket, exposing the watch and the pack of cigarettes, but I don't judge him automatically. Instead, I just watch him curiously as he puts the pack of cigarettes back into his pocket and then holds out his watch and asking me a favor.

"Could you help me put this back on?" Comes his sultry voice, and I forget about the pack that he put back into his pocket and reach for the watch without a hitch. My fingers touch his hand so gentle as I take the watch from him and carefully I reach for his hand to lay it on correctly then taking my fingers, I manipulate his hand to turn it so that I can push it through the metal to hook it into place, then slide the remaining leather part into that small part to hold it.

"There you go." I automatically think to the gifts that I bought for the birthday boys and begin to wonder if they might have watches like this cause if they do, then my gifts will seem like common things that they will be able to push off into the back of their wardrobes. That wouldn't be something I want to have to experience. With another sip of the orange juice, I bring it from my lips and offer a warm smile and move just a little closer to him as if I was just shifting my weight. "So, what is it that you do, Max? Are you into a higher level of education or have you got a job working somewhere with your family?"
[/presto]

[ table by anzie ]

[Anatra]

"No. Just being courteous to the guests here at the party." She tells me and I smile. It makes me admire her dedication to the party. Not just any party, but the party I helped create. Celebrating Tyren and Alex's birthday wasn't my only intention here. And I think to myself about some other possible endings this chapter could have. None of which I air speak of yet.

"I'll survive without a straw." She says which brings a cheeky smile from me, I like her humor because it's light and without weight. There's no harshness behind it because she must be genuinely kind. When I hold out my hand and ask her to fit my watch, she does. I could've asked her to hold my drink, or just put the drink down somewhere. I wasn't going to though. Her fingers feel like silk being brushed on my skin. My hands are used to being precise, with any hitch meaning more difficulty in my line of work. Or one of them, that is. She fits it at the exact setting that I like. One that fits but doesn't mess with my skin, yet isn't loose enough to fall right off. "So, what is it that you do, Max? Are you into a higher level of education or have you got a job working somewhere with your family?" She says as she gets a little closer, though I feel I noticed it more than most would due to wishful thinking. She speaks as though I sound or look like I have higher education. "I work for my uncle's company, Ty and Alex's dad." I pause, because I have a second job that I need to consider telling her. The only problem that could possibly arise is the fact that it involves the pregames sometimes. I already know what Kyanite does in her spare time. I'm not sure whether she works, but few careers do.

"I'm also a part-time medical officer." I state. "I... Was assigned to the pregames." I mention. I don't go into details mainly because I don't think she'd want to, but also because I don't like talking about it full stop.

I dragged my cousin from that arena.

W O R D. C O U N T : 371

N O T E S :

[*]

[presto]

I ponder while I fix the watch upon his wrist about what job he'll have before I ask, though the way he is related to this high class family, then it must be something that earns him a well amount. The only thing is, he seems too down to earth to be like some of the men that I run into with this kind of class; not that I meet many. My run of the mill men are ones of the strong suits. The careers and the ones that can easily take you down without a second thought should you get on their bad sides. For some reason, I'm really enjoying not having to spar with someone to catch their attention. For now, I wonder if I were able to find someone like Max, a gentle voice and a gentleman manner, if I would even be happy? Fighting is what defines me. This party is what defines him.

Are we really defined by what we have and what we do? Can we break that image?

I want to, but my father is so set dead against me doing anything but the games. Training day in and day out every day of my life up until I got hurt during the pregames. This is the first actual break I've had since my mom died. First time, I think, I've ever wore a dress since then. This is something to celebrate, right? Getting a peek into a life I could have if I could only overcome my father's demanding role for me.

"I work for my uncle's company, Ty and Alex's Dad." I nod. I figured he would work within the family business. He is an Orca and they usually pass down the tradition and to keep the family name known. Oh how wonderful that would be. I give an approving nod to him whilst taking yet another sip of the orange juice. By now, the more I talk and interact with Max, my attention is literally kept away from others. It's interesting how he can make me just forget about what was going on in his absence not long ago.

"I'm also a part-time medical officer." My body goes rigid for a moment hearing this bit of information. So, he was there, most likely, when I was battling my three opponents. He was there watching me get torn apart by Mark. He was probably the one taking care of that guy when I took off only to pass out moments later due to blood loss. The thought that he had seen me at my worst makes me cringe internally and partly embaressed. I can feel the heat in my cheeks already and I wonder if he has really taken to noticing the mark that my last opponent scarred me with. Instinctively, I bring my hand up to cover that mark up because in his presence, I'd forgotten about it; make up or not covering it up.

"That's really a hard line of work. I don't know how you do it, Max. You're special though, to take care of people like that." I'd never even thought about thanking the ones that took care of me in my time of need. How horrible I am? Not to mention, we are on opposing forces yet again. He heals others while I had hurt them. How can he stand to be by me? Maybe, I can change that though? Perhaps, I can do something to change the way people may see me? "Do you know who helped me after my last fight? I've never got to really thank them for what they did."

I can only wonder if he might have been one of those two or if like what I had previously though, if he was the one attending to Mark. I remember two coming to my aid, a woman, but the other was clearly out of my consciousness.
[/presto]

[ table by anzie ]

[Anatra]

The moment I tell her she seems affected by it. A rush of guilt runs through me as I see her instinctively cover the scar on her face. I didn't notice it until I seen her had go for it. "That's really a hard line of work. I don't know how you do it, Max. You're special though, to take care of people like that." I don't think so. I think we all do something to help others, even if it is just one person. If everybody made one person happy, we'd all be happy for a moment. The same goes for if you hate somebody. If everybody hated at least one person, we'd all be hated. That's the truth of it though, and it relates directly to my line of work. You can't judge a patient based on their injuries. Many things lead them to their fates and you can't assume anything. You work with what you are given. Sometimes it is a career that doesn't want to be treated. Sometimes it is an unconscious relative who can't help but be treated.

Being the first to Tyren's lifeless, cold but covered body was horrifying. Only nightmares compare to the scenes of that arena, and seeing it first hand is like watching a horror scene unfold. I had his blood on my hands. I can't remember the amount of times I washed it from my hands. I thought I could taste it the next time I ate, and that wasn't until the next evening. It was difficult to even go into work. I couldn't go visit him. I was allowed, but I couldn't. He lay there in that hospital bed with bandages covering every wound. I seen that Matthew Dunham his opponent had got from his bed one night and visited him. I nearly rushed in to stop him, but I was stopped by a nurse I knew. There was no possible way for me to help him. Hearing my voice would be like hearing any of the others.

Eventually, I did visit. "Tyren?" I asked out at his sleeping body. The room was warm, or maybe that was just my ashamed state. I wasn't ashamed for helping him. I was ashamed for not doing more. The referee didn't stop the fight in time, and from where I was standing, Matthew was ready to finish him off. He only opened his eyes a slight. It was either the drugs or the pain that stopped them from opening fully. He couldn't speak, so it must have been the drugs. He couldn't nod at me, or shake my head. So I just grabbed his hand. "If you give up, I'll come and drag you back myself." That's when he smiled weakly, as much as he could. "Like you could..." He said, broken. "You bet I could, nobody would stop me." We talked briefly, as much as he could handle. It killed me to leave that room. I could have cried, but I didn't. I had to stay strong that night for him, and every day of his long recovery that followed.

Maybe I'm the reason he's here today.
Anybody else could've done the same, though.

"It's easier than it looks." I say with modesty. Or was that me being humble? I'm rarely humble. "There's plenty of me around." I say, regarding her special comment. I would've said that she could do it as well, but I doubt she would want to hear that. It'd be like saying 'Ever you could do it'. She's worth a second thought when it comes to words. "Do you know who helped me after my last fight? I've never got to really thank them for what they did." I smile, "You just did." My smile grows warmer, and I look straight ahead at her and at her eyes. I reach over to her hand that covers her cheek and I try to gently move it away, so I can see it, and so she can't hide it. "I wouldn't be ashamed. It's war paint." I recite Tyren's words to me when we talked.

"Those scars will be big."
"That's alright." He replied.
"Why, what would people think?"
"Everything..."

"...But it is war paint."

W O R D. C O U N T : 696 lol i'm immature

N O T E S :

Matthew had went to get some more food, and I stop myself from checking where he really goes. I get the feeling that he would go and see Kyanite, maybe try to use the scene of a party to sweep her off her feet. I don't know what went on with them, so I don't know how hard that would be. A tough girl like Kyanite would take a lot of convincing, or at least an apology. If it wasn't her fault that is. I wouldn't know who to blame even if I had the facts.

"Ty!" I get leapt on again by Tyler. "You're Ty too." I tell him, looking at his face with crumbs on his mouth. I use a napkin from the table to remove it. "Messy." Tara says from next to me, to the little man. "Yours." I hold him out, his face looking unhappy as I give him away. Tara collects him and he starts crying. The whole table looks at me oddly, though most with smirks or trying to hold in a laugh. "..." I look at them. "What?" I ask. Not all of them are looking at my face. I look down at my clothes and there's Tyler's sick on my top and the top of my trousers. Uncle Mike shakes his head. "Go see your mum, you'll have to get a spare suit." I roll my eyes in displeasement. "Urgh." I feel a little disgusted but also a little pissed off because Matt gave him that food. It was my fault really, for forgetting that he has a sensitive gag reflex. It basically means that food can trigger it too because he hasn't got used to it yet. I didn't even notice. "Right, well I'll be back in a minute."

After about five minutes later I emerge from the toilets in a different suit. The bottoms are practically the same looking, but the suit jacket is black now. The shirt and tie are different but look exactly the same as my last one. There wasn't a spare waistcoat that fit. This will likely cost since the place rents them out. Ah well, I think. It's my birthday.

I take my seat at the same time as Matt. I nod at him and would prefer somebody else to throw up the details. "Would you like to dance again later, Tara?" I'm not sure what her change of heart is but suddenly the dance floor doesn't seem so appealing. She's an innocent girl, but I can see the way she's glancing over at Kyanite. What did she see? I ask myself. Arguing? She takes a moment to answer him, as though she was thinking of a better excuse than what she really had in mind. "Oh, no thanks... I'm a bit tired out." I know that to be strange, but I'm not going to question it. "Hey Matt, why don't you hold Tyler again?" I say, looking around some smirks among the other table guests. Tara is holding him right now. "Tyren don't, he doesn't have a spare suit." Tara says. I laugh a little, since I was only kidding around.

I take one final glance over, and Max has his hand near Kyanite's face. I look back with a roll of my eyes but I say nothing. I just look to Matt, wondering what he might have seen or done. Maybe he wants to talk about it with somebody, or maybe he just wants to forget. I mouth out the words, "You okay?" with a hand gesture that nobody seems to pay attention to. If he says no, then I guess I can help. If he says yes, then I can't.

W O R D. C O U N T : 626

N O T E S :

[*]

[presto]

"Easy? I honestly think I have to object with you, Mr. Orca." I tease him lightly, thinking that he has to be modest about what he does for a profession. How can anyone who does what he can, think so little of himself? I throw him a playful look within my eyesight at that small amount of modestly he lets come out, then tells me that there's plenty of him around. Once again, I have to shake my head to what he says. He's so different from all the guys I run into. So different. For some reason, he pulls me in with his attitude and charisma. With just the way he treating me , makes me act differently around him. If only I knew who it was that helped to take care of me, I would be able to thank them, and with the question I ask of him, hoping he'd know the staff that was there that day, he replies with something that shocks me.

"You just did."

There's no real way to express what emotions are running through my body when he said that. The way his voice comes across like it's no big deal and the smile that emminates from him toward me sends these chills up and down my spine. Especially when his eyes meet with mine and his hand slowly comes up to bring my hand down to expose the scar. Unlike with anyone else, I can't seem to turn away from his gaze. It's almost paralyzing to have his gentle hand touching mine. His touch is just so thrilling.

"I wouldn't be ashamed. It's war paint."

"War paint. Right." I grin and let my hand come all the way down to connect with the fingers of my hand that holds the cast. No hiding the scar anymore around him. He's seen it before I realized it. He probably is the one who held his hand against my cheek to stop the bleeding, so this is nothing new to him. It also makes me wonder how many times he's really go to meet up with the ones that he helps to see the outcome; to see the scars and wounds healed instead of fresh.

What about Tyren? I'm sure he was there when it happened to him. When he lost against Matthew. When Matthew almost killed him. I can't believe at that moment, I didn't even notice the opponent in that fight. My sights only put on one, when right now, I feel that this night would truely different if he hadn't of lived.

"I'm glad you were there for me and the others in the pregames. If you don't mind, I'd like to thank you properly?" I ask him, leaning in closer to him, and letting my lips grace his cheek for a mere moment before pulling back. A smile pulling on my lips so suddenly as I drop my head, wondering where that suddenly came from. "Thank you."
[/presto]

[ table by anzie ]

[Jack Lexington]

I’m totally oblivious to what happened at the table when I was gone but I notice the different color on Tyren. Did he just get changed?
"Hey Matt, why don't you hold Tyler again?" He asks and I don’t see why not, except that I have a newly filled, not destroyed plate of food in front of me.
“Okay.” I nod but Tara warns him "Tyren don't, he doesn't have a spare suit."
I give him a quizzical look and then notice some discolorment on the table cloth. It’s not that hard to put two and two together.
“Oh shit…I guess that’s my fault.” After all I fed him everything available.
“I don’t know anything about kids…what they can eat, you know.” I try to excuse myself.
When I ask Tara to dance with me again she seems less flirtatious than before and even refuses my offer, which makes me think she saw me talk to Kyanite and is now put off, so I leave her be. No need to make another girl upset.
For a moment I poke at my food, even shove a bite in my mouth but it tastes stale now that I can only think about my ex and the guy who’s having drinks with her right now. My expression must mirror how I feel about the whole situation because Tyren mouths whether I’m okay.
I avert my gaze from him because I don’t want him to see the hurt on my face that I’m trying hard to contain.
Am I okay? Nope. I hate seeing her with that guy. It makes me want to go over there and tear her away from him but that surely is the last thing she wants. Why on earth did I push her away? Why can’t I still get over my fucking self and be nice to her, tell her that I miss her because I do.
My chest is feeling tighter and tighter as I stare at my plate but then it’s getting too much. With one swift motion I push myself up from my chair and put my napkin down.
“Excuse me. I need some air.”
Without looking at anyone, especially not Kyanite and Max I cross the room in fast steps to make my way to the door and outside even knocking into someone on my way out. “Scuse me.”
Outside I step down the stairs and off to the right to just breath some of that cold night air before I lean my back against the wall of the building and run my hands over my face.
„Shit.“ I curse padding myself down in search for some cigarettes, which I don’t have in a nice suit.

[Anatra]

She lets me move her hand away, and I can see the scar that I helped cure. I look for a moment, not hesitating to look for too long or rushing myself to glance briefly.
"I'm glad you were there for me and the others in the pregames. If you don't mind, I'd like to thank you properly?" I get the notion straight away. A quick soothing sensation warms my chest. She leans into me, and show me how thankful she is. "Thank you." She says, lowering her head with a smile. It may have only been quick, but it felt like it was forever. If only it were. Is this the point of no return, or is it simply her way of thanking me? Either way, it gives me an affectionate smile. "Thank you." I hear echoing briefly.

"Anytime." I say slowly

My feelings are shot in the dark as quickly she borrows a part of my heart when her lips leave my skin. She has all of my attention, besides the ticking cigarette packet in my pocket. In the corner of my eye, I can see Matthew leaving out of the main door quickly. The temptation doubles but I provide all my attention to her. It is difficult though. The drink in my hand needs tending to, and the clock of addiction needs resetting. If only I didn't smoke, and I wasn't so curious, I could stay with this girl. After waiting a nice moment, not too long or too quick, I let her know. "I'm going outside for a little bit," I start, taking out my the packet from my trouser pocket, slipping one in my mouth and putting it straight back in. "I won't be too long, I promise." I try to speak calmly. I don't want it to look like I'm just rushing off. I genuinely enjoyed her company. Besides, she may want to come too.

I walk to the main door, the cigarette in my mouth but not at all lit. As I leave, the rush of cold is wonderful. It lets me feel everything that happened in the last five minutes twice-fold, without the heat and noise. The real reason I came out though, is leaning against the wall to my right. I pretend not to notice him for a moment, lighting my cigarette with a modern-looking lighter, surprisingly cheap appearing in contrast to the suit, I think. I take one draw from my cigarette and let the smoke leave into the air. I get the cigarette packet in my hand whilst my own is in my mouth, carrying the vodka in my other hand. I look round at Matthew, holding out the packet, open so he could take one.

W O R D. C O U N T : 461

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“Oh shit…I guess that’s my fault.” Matt says to me. I smile, shrugging it off because I know little Tyler will be fine. "It's alright, mate." I feel like I haven't been a great friend to him tonight. Whether it's the party ego or all my family around, I just don't feel like a good friend. I don't know where the feeling is drawing itself from, or whether it is true or not. “I don’t know anything about kids…what they can eat, you know.” I do know, I was the same as well. My parents blamed me everytime I tried to feed him a spare chip that made him sick. Anything remotely solid and he'd just throw it up. "Seriously, it's fine. He's sick over anything." I reassure him. I don't want him feeling guilty.

When I mouth out whether he's okay or not, he simply looks away. That tells me everything I need to know, but everything I don't want to know. It tells me he doesn't want me to know, which means I can't help. I hate not being able to help. “Excuse me. I need some air.” He says, putting down his napkin. I'm not going to follow him, but when I see Max go where he went just a minute ago, I feel an urge to.

I don't, but if anything happens I know how guilty I'll feel for it.
I could easily have told Max about Kyanite and Matt. I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping their secret.

W O R D. C O U N T : 256

N O T E S :

"Well, most boys don't really talk to me much." A career girl that doesn't get talked to by boys? I find myself doubting it more now, but I let it slide because otherwise I'd make it more awkward. That's exactly what it is though, awkward. I feel like it's a mostly one-sided conversation. Maybe not even a conversation, just me making a pathetic attempt at speaking.

We get to the dancefloor finally, it felt like forever and apparently it was. The last dance was well and truly over and it was the casual music that was on now. We get on the dancefloor and I can tell that Tyren has seen the girl I'm with, Max will have seen her, Alba - Tara - Joe, they'll all have seen. She's taller than me by only a little bit. I'm tall too, but she's really tall. We dance together, but it is casual. If boys don't talk to her much, I'm not going to try anything with her remotely romantic. "So, who are your relatives here?" I ask her politely.

W O R D. C O U N T : 179

N O T E S :

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

Each breath I draw in fills my lungs with cold air and slowly relaxes me but it also makes me want a cigarette even more.
That situation with Kyanite inside was something I didn't expect nor do I know how to handle it. So far I've been of the opinion that I don't really need her back and she might be better off with someone else. But to actually witness that has sparked something in me that made me desperate. I HATE to see her with another guy. It physically hurts me and from one moment to the next I know that I want her back, yet I can't ask for it.

I hear the main door open beause the voices inside get a little louder, then somebody steps next to me offering me a pack of smokes.
I reach for one from the pack but when I look up with the cigarette between my lips I see the one guy I certainly didn't want to see right now.
"You!" I state through gritted teeth and stop myself from lighting the cigarette for a moment.
"Having fun in there with Kyanite?" I can't help the bitchy comment.
Then I decide to light it anyway and take one long drag to calm my shaking nerves while I look away from Max.

[Anatra]

He takes the cigarette I offer. "You!" He must have realized, seeing my face. "Me." I act tough. It's not something I actually am, but I can pretend at least. "You're welcome." I say, snidely. "Having fun in there with Kyanite?" The fact that he knows her draws suspicion. Do they have a past? I ask myself. I don't think he seen the small kiss she placed on my cheek, or else if I'm right in my assumption then I'd probably be on the ground with my face full of the pebbles on the driveway. I don't belittle myself usually, but Matthew is a hardened career. I'm not, and never have been. I got to the gym, but not to kill people.

I am tempted to ask if he wants a tissue. I take a drink of the vodka in my hand, slowly. I take my time. I take a deep breath. "Having fun with Tara?" I say, circling my drink a little to mix it some more. I'm looking away from him, out over at the garden whilst he leans there with my cigarette that I gave him. Maybe when the smoke still lingers on his breath later on, he'll remember that it was mine.

I shake my head to myself.

W O R D. C O U N T : 210

N O T E S :

[Jack Lexington]

max doesn't answer my question about Kyanite but I can tell he's having fun.
Did he come out here on purpose to egg me on or was it a coincidence?
I take another drag and then blow the smoke his way eyeing his profile from the side. That perfectly straight nose, strong chin, nicely cut and styled hair. He's a pretty boy...the gambler. Makes me wonder whether he gambles when it comes to girls as well.

He's playing with his drink and smoking while he asks me. "Having fun with Tara?"
Funny how he handed that question back to me, Only that I'm not in the mood for snide comments.
"Nope." I pull on the cigarette while I try to contain that feeling about him and Kyanite.
Yet I ask. "What do you want with her?" I guess I'm a bit agressive and not very subtle. So what? I can take this guy down any moment.

[Anatra]

Standing in the cold with the only thing giving me heat being the cigarette in my hand. It supplies me with enough bravado to get myself on the brink of a beating, or at least that's what it feels like I'm doing. It's not intentional, but there's a problem here and I think that there's only one real way to sort it out. Not because I'm a bad person, or because he might be, but because we're two men. We don't talk about our problems, we sort them out. It's sexist, but I didn't see Kyanite sort it out. "Nope." I take a drink again. My eyes water a slight at the sourness of the drink, the tingle in my throat making me understand what I'm doing to my insides. "Can't dance?" I ask. But it isn't a question. He and I both know what I'm doing here. I'm having a smoke, he needed a smoke.

In a way I'm helping him. I could easily befriend him right here, right now. But there's no game in that. There's no danger in letting him have the perfect girl all to himself, if that's the case anyway. I still haven't confirmed that one yet.

"What do you want with her?" I smirk. "What didn't you give her?"

My reply makes me grin, but also makes my heart race. Because at any moment, I may need to duck for cover.

W O R D. C O U N T : 234

N O T E S :

[Jack Lexington]

Matt Dunham


I swear I'm trying hard to keep my feelings under control and not act on implus but the way Max is standing next to me looking so high and mighty because of his 'trophy' inside makes me want to let out all that disappointment I feel. I can easily channel that into my fists even though I've made a promise to myself to become less impulsive.

It should be enough that I'm telling him hanging out with little Tara is not that much fun, espeically not when he's got his paws all over my ex.
Yet he keeps digging. "Can't dance?"
"Not like you, Casanova." I shoot back at him mentioning the way he was letting his hand slip lower towards Ky's butt during the dance. It didn't go unnoticed.

When asked what he wants with her he gives me that smirk, that I can't stand at all. But his words are worse. "What didn't you give her?"
Does he even know what Ky and I had? Did she tell him? Are they together? It sure sounds like it. And most definetly this guy with his cheeky grin is yanking my chain. What didn't I give her? I gave it all!
What an ass.

Suddenly my frustration about my lost love changes right into boiling hot anger, which comes spilling out in the form of my fist.
I grab him by the collar of his jacket and shove him against the next wall. Max is a thing towel compared to me, even after not training for weeks.
My face is right in front of his when I threated him through clenched teeth.
"You have no idea what you're talking about. Don't come near her. She wants NOTHING you have to offer!"
I stare him down holding him in place for a moment, then let go of his jacket just to take a drag from the cigarette, crush it out under my shiny shoes and blow the smoke in his face.

[Anatra]

"Not like you, Casanova." I run through my head what part of that was regarded as the insult. To me, that's not exactly a bad thing. It means I'm great with women, which I didn't need told by him. I do find myself feeling a little guilty for what I've said so far. But my next words ring false even in my own ears. "What didn't you give her?" I tell him, but I can tell his reaction will be hostile. There's a slight pause until suddenly I'm getting grabbed by my collar and jacket and getting pressed against the wall. I hear the smash of glass and realize my drink is all over the floor, splashing a little on my trousers. "Fucking-" I begin, but he cuts me straight off with his own words. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Don't come near her. She wants NOTHING you have to offer!"

Things have gotten serious. My pokes earlier were simple, but if I tried them now I'd be left with scars like Tyren.

He relieves his grip on me, puffing smoke all in my face. Knowing it came from him makes it smell worse. It's difficult not to like people for me. I'm used to making people feel better, but with Matthew, it's easy. It came naturally to me because of my assumption that they were together. He only confirms it, really. "Don't come near her," he had said. Followed by "She wants NOTHING you have to offer!"

I am tempted to answer back. Bite back, maybe use violence too. I can't bring myself to do something like that though. I seen the way that Kyanite looked at him. I'm not blind, and I'm not really a bad person. The Orca inside me wants to apologize, and to maybe even help him and Kyanite see reason. But everybody knows how un-Orca I can be. "I should be telling you that." I pause. Suddenly there is the memory of Tyren again. It's always him that comes to mind when I see this kid in front of me. The one that is volatile enough to threaten me at my own family's party. The party I made. I have every reason to kick him out. I shouldn't even be talking to him, never mind offering him a cigarette. I thought maybe I could be nice, but I just couldn't bring myself to be it. The memories of dragging Tyren from that arena leak back one by one, second by second. The blood on my hands, and the constant washing of them that I had to do. Burning the clothes with the blood on them.

I feel the urge to smack this prick right in the face. Looking at me all smug, probably just like I was looking at him earlier. But to what use? He's Tyren's friend now. I can't accept that. "You're lucky Tyren likes you." I say, matter of factly. I leave it there. Just looking at him, my drink on the floor and my cigarette burning low. But I have more.

W O R D. C O U N T : 512

N O T E S :