Unexpected Company (James)

[James Everwood]

"Ahh," He said. He thought about it, and it seemed almost like a storyline in a movie or something. Either way, he wasn't going to comment on her parents death. He figured that was one best left untouched, "Well then thanks for the job security I guess. I'll make sure none of the guys sleep on the job I guess."

James wondered just how rich she was, but asking a money value was rude. After all, he wouldn't want her asking how poor he was. Even though that could be answered quite simply by saying what most people make in a month he thrives on every year. Then again the checks from his fathers lawyers help quite a bit, though in the end he knows it's dirty money. He just lets it rot in his savings.

"So what's a rich girl like you doing in a school like that? Shouldn't you be in a private school or off doing rich person stuff. Eating caviar, getting rides in a Bentley, smokes cigars that cost more then a housing development, you know... the rich life. I mean here you are in a rundown tattoo parlor risking hepatitis and god knows what other diseases from a needle that may or may not be used, and paying for a construction worker you barely know to do the same thing. I mean, I'm fine risking it, I don't own a TV, for me this is my entertainment. A strange disease would bring excitement to my life. But you could just vegg it out for the rest of your years, make a reality show where people jump through hoops for you."

[Kate]

"I hadn't thought about making a reality tv show... but I should do that, that would be rather interesting..."

She chuckled, trying to keep her body very still. The pain was beginning to fade, even as the artist glared at James before going back to work. She began to answer all of his questions with a simple little story.

"When I was in hiding, it was all I could afford to keep a run down one bedroom apartment. I didn't have to work, but I couldn't spend anything extra. A bit hard for a girl who loves to spend... I turned fifteen... and I had made a huge amount of friends. No one hated me, and I thought I was sitting pretty. So I did a very, very stupid thing..."

So stupid. Sure, if she had made the place somewhere besides her own home... but what she had done? It had just been plain stupid.

"I threw fliers all around my old high school, with my address on them. Tons of people showed up, even some I didn't know. All crammed into my tiny little apartment... I was blasting music, flirting with my boyfriend, and laughing with my friends... when an interesting person showed up. All my bigger, tougher friends had already left... when that man showed... he sat down at the couch... and instructed me to sit next to him...."

A sigh of breath. It seemed like a life time ago, not just a few years.

"He tried to sell us drugs, and when my friend told him to leave... he tore Jin's stomach open on my apartment's floor, and left. I had to hold Jin's stomach together, while my friends went for help... All that blood... and all I could think of was getting revenge... getting even... making the place better... and once I started fighting... I just couldn't stop..."

[James Everwood]

"And the moral of the story is....." He said and thought about it, "Actually I bet there is more then one in there. But I still think you should get out of here. I know I would if I could. At least I'd try, I'd pack a bag or two, and then I'd get lazy and take a nap......"

He looked to see the tattoo artist giving him a look. Apparently the needle comment offended him, "Hey I call them how I see them, that's all."

He wondered how much longer this would take, but didn't go to check a clock. He really wasn't going to leave until he was sure Carl and Frank were gone, and they were probably still getting their ink done. He got up to see how her tattoo was coming along. He looked at the design and said, "Hmm," and sat back down. So far so good, not that he knew what looked good with tattoos.

"Well it's good that you can hold your own. You kind of need to in a school like that," He said, he was glad Kate could fight. Some part of him felt at peace knowing that this chick could kick some guys ass if she needed to. More girls needed to learn how to fight and get strong and kick ass.

I bet Sam could kick some ass.....

And now the daydreaming would start up again, this time when Sam shook her hair out of a bun Kate was there in her bikini as well. He stopped deciding that this was probably a bad daydream to have right in front of Kate, "Uhhh, so.... nice weather huh?" He said, not sure what else to talk about.

[Kate]

"Cali's always good on weather. As long as earthquakes and tsunamis stay away."

How long had they been in here? An hour or so? The main outlining was done, and the artist was beginning on the details that this thing would take. It was a lot, for sure. The blonde remained settled, still smiling just slightly.

"I have friends here... I'm not leaving them to the wolves..."

She had a few guys she was toying along; one had really sparked her interest though lately. If he kept it up... if he kept it up Kate didn't know what exactly she would do. But she wasn't ready to just walk away from that whole situation. Not yet at least.

"I can decently hold my own. I've lost a good number of fights, but I give all I got.... because back in my old school gang wars were all the rage... Col.versus Reign of Blood... You can kinda tell which side I was on..."

Of course she was talking about the scar. The letters R.O.B. carved into her shoulder, deeply. Mathew had done that, and now they were friends. Funny that right?

[James Everwood]

"Actually I can't," He said, looking at it. He was a bit slow sometimes with stuff like this, but he had a good reason to be. Either the gang was freaky and demanded all their members to carve the initials into themselves or other members, or she was against the R.O.B. and lost, and they decided to add injury and insult to the already dealt injury and insult. Either way he didn't understand all the hub bub about gangs and fights and territory and that crap. He just wanted to get in, survive his second rate education, get a piece of paper signed, and get out so he could continue his life of construction work. Because he wasn't going to do anything else with his life. He wasn't going to go to college, he wasn't smart enough, didn't have the time, or the money.

"If I had to guess I'd say you weren't with the Reign of Blood though. You don't strike me as the type to be in a destructive gang like that. At least, if you were, in my opinion you would have been a little out of place," He said. He was a pretty good judge of character, and for some strange reason he saw good in this girl. He didn't know what it was, he just felt that way. Even if he was completely wrong.

Of course, maybe it's just what she's wearing and the fact she's buying me a tattoo. And that she's actually talking to me, either way....

[Kate]

Kate almost grinned. He couldn't tell? Really? Even with R.O.B. carved into her back like that? The tattoo artist rattled off that she would have to come back another day to get it finished. There was a ton of work still to be done, and it would take more sessions to get it done.

"Both gangs were destructive. The gangs out there who think they are good? They're nothing really, except gangs who try and convince themselves they are better than they really are."

Tainted souls, the whole lot. But Kate couldn't say much about it, because she was as tainted as they came. Hell, Kate was even back in a gang again. Same faces too, at least with some people. But still a gang.

The tattoo artist carefully applied a bandage onto her back, after cleaning off some of the blood. She sat up as she listened to the guy talk and talk about how she wasn't suppose to wash the area or add water to it for so many days.

"Ready for your turn James?"

[James Everwood]

"True, but there is a difference between good and those who claim to be good," James said, "There's the whole good versus evil thing which is like the crunchy surface, there is the morally gray center which is soft and chewy, and mixed in there are always a few nuts on the outside and in."

James got up from his chair, pulling his wallet out from his back pocket, and raised it up to show the guy what he wanted. He then pointed at his left breast, "Right here, about this big," He said, extending his fingers till they made a circle around his chest about twice as big as his fist, "Anyway, in the end I don't say well that gangs good or that gangs evil. I'm judgmental sometimes sure, but only of people themselves based on how they treat me, or how I see them treating others. So call me silly and a little naive for assuming so if I'm wrong but you don't strike me as the type to go out and beat up some old ladies for shits and giggles, and you're totally letting me mooch off of you."

He then began to unbutton his shirt as he walked over waiting for her to get up off the chair completely. He was nervous about her seeing his body, but he hoped she wouldn't comment. He took off his work short, revealing several scars on his back and chest from several different things that happened to him in his life. His arms from his shoulder down to halfway down his forearm would have sporadic cigarette burns. Aside from the marks he was toned, he wasn't incredibly buff, but he was definitely in good shape. Although he did have four pack abs.

He was hoping she wouldn't comment. He felt really uncomfortable with her seeing this, and even a little bit so with the tattoo artist who looked at him strangely but looked away without commenting. Once Kate had stepped out of the chair he would take his seat in it, the tattoo artist adjusted it for someone to sit on it belly up.

[Kate]

Kate stepped out of the chair and gracefully got to her feet. She quickly pulled her sweat pants back on in one swift movement and took several steps forward. The blonde then turned and watched James de-shirt? Oh... oho! She smirked just a bit, wicked intent on those full lips.

Did Kate always think about sex? Not always... but it really was hard with all the hot guys running around here. Really, why was Moral Crest hogging all the hot guys from the rest of the world? But... Kate was fine with that now, as she was here. All the hot guys could stay. And since she was single... well that opened a world of possibilities. The blonde was one who had needs... and she was girl who wasn't afraid to say it either. Or act upon it.

"Well James...I wouldn't beat up an old lady unless she tried to shoot me or something."

There was a chuckle that escaped her. She was eying him alright, and being rather blunt about it. Why? Because that was Kate... and because scars (on guys) were pretty damned hot. Even if she could guess as to why they were there. Either he a) had a bad childhood or b) had some stupid, mean friends.

[James Everwood]

"Well James...I wouldn't beat up an old lady unless she tried to shoot me or something." She said, and chuckled. He got into the chair, and the guy began to clean off the are of chest that James was having tattooed. He leaned back, exhaling all the air in his lungs and relaxing. He wasn't nervous, he was just enjoying his break before the pain started. He knew it wasn't a big deal, and he wasn't a baby about getting hurt. But still, the wait sucked. Always did.

"Good to hear, because I think one of my grandmothers lives in the area and I'd hate for you to mistake Nana for a weak old lady. That old lady can crack some skulls if you try to eat without praying for your meal," He said. He liked joking around like this, it was fun. Not to mention he was joking around with a beautiful girl who talked to him. Things like that never ceased to amaze him.

The man was done preparing James chest for the tattoo and he was getting the ink and new needle set up. James began tapping against the arm rests of the chair, bobbing his head along to his own beat as he waited for this whole thing to start, "So how's your back feeling?"

And after he said that the guy began working on the tattoo. James felt the needle, and it hurt, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. The main thing was going to be how sore that area would be later on. If somebody slapped him on his tattoo he would end up having to bust some skulls.

(OOC: For those who don't know what James' tattoo is, clicky)

[Kate]

Her laughter was light as he spoke of his... "Nana". But it made her pause... Kate had grandparents. She really hadn't thought of that before... somewhere out there were her mother and father's parents. She knew that her real mother's parents had died in a car crash right after the woman had married her father. Her step-mother's parents had disproved of the marriage all together, and thus acted as if she never was born... and then there was her father's parents. Kate knew nothing about them... time to do some digging maybe? Probably have to start in Scotland for that crap.

"My back is doing fine handsome. I've handled a lot worse in my day. Like being thrown into the frame of a car, now that fucking hurts."

She snickered. It had happened to her... twice. Once into her own car, the wonderful Mustang; that was now fixed. Her hands were on her hips, resting lightly as she watched the tattoo guy do his thing on James' chest. Her eyes wandered down to his abs... and while they weren't the best abs she had seen... Kate liked them. She had always liked them leaner vs. buffer.

[James Everwood]

"My back is doing fine handsome. I've handled a lot worse in my day. Like being thrown into the frame of a car, now that fucking hurts."

"I'll have to take your word on that," James, who had never been thrown into a car in his life, replied. He didn't want to be thrown into one either. Absolutely no desire to find out what that felt like. His mind was a little off the walls with the tattoo artist working on James' tat. He looked down as it was being worked on, the first thing the guy was doing. Possibly the only thing, was making the black somewhat thick outline of the entire tattoo. The center would just be completely red with a slight glare mark on it. Otherwise the outline and filling in would make an easy tattoo to make.

"So, if your so capable, what was it that happened one year ago," James said. He was finally going to pry about what the guards had said, he left it alone for the most part, "The reason you hired those body guards. Was that the gang fight you were talking about? Or was it something else?"

James wasn't one to stick his nose into other peoples business, but he felt like asking her that question. He wanted to know because it had been bugging him for awhile, though he tried to push it off as none of his business, he couldn't help but wonder. After all, she told him all this other stuff about her, so what could be so bad that would cause a girl like her who had been thrown into cars and been carved into hire bodyguards out of nowhere?

[Kate]

Those emerald eyes got a bit dull, and she looked away. Off into another land, memories trailing through her mind. A sour sort of chuckle escaped her then. What a story to tell.

"I had this boyfriend... the only man I've ever said I love you too... Well he found out I got tricked into giving my V card up. He got pissed, and kind of broke. We weren't even together when Karel messed with me... but Damien took it bad..."

It was so weird to think back on it, now. When he was trying to get back in her life.

"Before I was in gangs, Karel was running with RoB. So Damien went out and raped some girls from RoB... and well... I couldn't stand to touch him. After that, I got the second worst beating of my life. When RoB carved into me. Then my dad was murdered by the mob. And then, when I was starting to recover from it all... I started dating again... with some one I had known for ages, and trusted. When I wanted to leave him, he didn't like it... and raped me brutally..."

A twinge as Kate forced herself to tell the rest of the story. To get over it.

"I got pregnant from it... then miscarried. I don't know, but I'd call that a lot of shit for some one who's just seventeen... but... it still doesn't sum up everything I've been through. I guess I just feel better with some strong guys hanging around. Even if I beat them in arm wrestling..."

Kate chuckled again, but her emerald eyes were so sad.

[James Everwood]

"I'm sorry for asking that question," James said, wishing he could take it back, "That's a lot to go through. You're stronger then most people though. That's for damned certain."

His grip on the chair tightened. He really felt like kicking the ass of the guy who raped her, but he wasn't there, and that would be a little too 'knight in shining armor' esque. That and he'd probably get his ass kicked. In the end he was saddened by her story, as the pain in his chest was ignored, replaced by a newer one, "A lot of people won't understand what you've gone through, and I won't even attempt to fathom it. But I'm glad you're taking precautions now."

The guy doing the tattoo seemed kinda teary, but when James face showed signs of realizing this the guys eyes glared again and frowned. Any sign of a tear quickly vanished without a trace.

Creepy.....

"I'm sorry about your child," He said, finally. To him, that was the saddest thing that had happened. Maybe that was his opinion alone, maybe she had her own opinion on the events. After all, it wasn't like you could pick them up and put them on a scale to see which ones weighed heavier on the heart. But for James it seemed like the largest. The loss of life was troubling to him. He hated death, which made him proud of this girl. Because most people in tough situations cracked, and fell to the pressure with thoughts of suicide that sometimes became more then thoughts.

She, however, was stronger then that.

[Kate]

"Children, but thanks..."

She spoke like it was an off hand comment. It hadn't happened too long ago, and the pain washed over her like a tsunami wave. A deep breath, and one thing was for certain... she needed some meds for this pain. Stat please doctor! Kate suddenly moved, pulling a stool along with her. The blonde placed it on the other side of the tattoo chair, and promptly sat down on it.

"I got into a brawl for whatever damned reason, didn't even try to that time... and well, one too many hits to the stomach..."

There were a few things that helped Kate with pain. One being booze, of course. Kate loved her vodka. Then there was dancing, because she got lost in it. After that, fighting; because she got lost in it. The last thing?

Well, she needed a man for that.

"You know James... you're a pretty good looking guy. Plan on showing that tat off a bit?"

Kate chuckled, but as the tattoo artist paused she'd swoop in for the "kill". A kiss, right on the cheek. A small peck, almost cute like. But that was because Kate was working an angle.

[James Everwood]

"You know James... you're a pretty good looking guy. Plan on showing that tat off a bit?"

"Well, I'm don't usually--" She kissed his cheek, and his cheeks and he smiled, blushing slightly. Her lips felt nice against his cheeks. But he was saddened by what she said once again. Mostly about the hitting to the stomach. He was forced to say it, something inside of him compelled him to say it. And it was a weird thing, a strange concept to most people at school who fought. But when they found out he felt this way, they usually looked at him weird.

"I really don't like hitting...." He said, a sad smile on his face, as he turned to look at her. She was a nice girl from what he could tell. She was just through some really hard times. But she was tough, she stuck through and fought on. And while getting a tattoo and being a bit of tough girl was what she appeared on the surface, some part of him saw something deeper. Whether he was wrong or not, it's what he saw when he looked at her. Deep down he truly believed she was a good person.

His smile went from sad to happy as he attempted to lighten the mood, "Thanks for that," He said, "I just wish there was something I could give you in return." He would grin and reach up to her chin with his hand and gently pull her towards him, and kiss her gently on the lips before letting go of her chin and turning his head back towards his tattoo.