#filed under:lang

[lovethisheart]

@lovlorne had a coffee with a familar face...

"I wouldn't say that."

The man hanging around the cafe he used to treat his subordinates at, regards the glittering celebrity with a passive, grazing look, comparable to those of the bovine variety, those not easily spooked by flashy cars, not unlike a detective still in L.A. with pointedly bad opinons about certain medias.

"I never thought I'd struggle with retirement. Sure, I can't stay on my feet for more than ten, twenty minutes without feeling like my knees are gonna buckle... but, I never liked just standin' around anyway."

Shi-Long cards his fingers through his locks of hair, much longer grown out without regulations to ensure a short style.Coffee arrives with plates, a warmed cinnamon bun, and a grilled chicken wrap. Whichever she chooses, he deigns that taking the correct coffee is more important, giving a sniff to each.

"Reputation isn't inescapable. Or isn't that what your agent should be telling you-?" His brow raises expectantly, pausing inspection to await rebuttal.

[lovethisheart]

​* if you were a deity, what would you be the god of?

Nightmares and Discord

Your intensity is fearsome. when you feel hurt you don’t often seek out equal and fair revenge but rather drown them in hysteria and watch them burn. you’re temperamental and your emotions are on display for the world to see. you’re the last one any human would want to upset, because even though death would not directly befall them, doom and chaos would ensue, surrounding their life until their death.

Flora and Fauna

You’re a friendly and benevolent force to those who respect you and your domain, but a true force to be reckoned with to those who disrespect or threaten the balance of the natural world. the forest is nothing to fear for those who take care of it, but it isn’t uncommon for people to go missing with only their faces outlined in the bark on a tree.

Tagged by: the lovely and sweet @bloodxhound !

Tagging:@wolfwoocl @goldendivinewrath @lovlorne @sinsolucion @everdaring @eventheodds @kamipyre @mielmoto and whoever's around !

[lovethisheart]

"Why do you get off on that-? Feels like you don't want a wolf as much as you want a pet. "

" Ah-ah. Nope. Don't deny it, you grabbed my hair and said Good boy. I don't play and bow and beg like one of those."

"I think I need to stuff you full of cock before you'll get it through your pretty little head. That okay with you, sweetheart-?" He feels like an animal groaning so needily, while his muscled hips slap, before a word can be uttered back properly.

[lovethisheart]

"I   don’t   play   fair,   remember?" ( for lang :) )

This was darts.

Correction,

This was drunken darts, impromptu, celebrating the retired, not-so-prodigal son returning after being sent away, rather than errantly claiming his fortune before it was time. Hopefully a grand coincidence, and not a few concerned, scattered eyes wondering why the wolf was back, sniffing around. Shi-long hadn't put away the possibility.

And there was no way to cheat an electronic dart board, other than to jam it directly and violently on whatever section you desired- like the single digit number that kept on evading their throws, bouncing off the side or registering as a miss when it stuck. Seven was only lucky not to be pinned by now.

The man with a cane shows his low-brow distaste of this cheap tactic, sucking his teeth at the man proudly displaying his score while the blonde had walked away, as the bartender had repeatedly asked them not to drink too close to the speakers next to the stage. He picks a dart from the solo cup as he stares, lining himself up with the tape.

"I've been nothing but honest with you. If I Bust, I'm putting my next drink on your tab."

[lovethisheart]

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐒.

bold   —  always  applies.  italic   —   sometimes  applies.  strike  —   never  applies  /  hard  limit.

Vash.

Lang.

𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐓.  desire for connection,  pursuit of pleasure,  emotional intelligence,  obsessive,  lovesick,  one-night stand,  seductive encounter, flirtatious conversation, erotic party, seductive attire, revealing clothing,  passionate gaze,  provocative makeup, sensual expressions,  suggestive gestures, flirtatious smiles, lingerie, love letters, perfumes, provocative behavior, love poems, erotic art

𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐘.  motivation,  competitive spirit,  strategic planning,  observational skills, bitter,  rivalry contest,  envious gossip, resentment-filled argument, social media jealousy,  furrowed brows,  clenched jaws,  side-eye looks,  pursed lips, tense posture, whispering behind backs,  crossed arms,  gossip magazines, keeping up with the Joneses, the grass is always greener,  feeling inadequate

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃. resourcefulness,  entrepreneurial spirit, negotiation, materialistic, aggressive investment, lavish spending spree, resource hoarding, get-rich-quick scheme, auction bidding war, property acquisition, piles of money, overflowing wallets, luxury items, locked safes, penny-pinching, rare collectibles,  selfishness,  unwillingness to share

𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐇.  calmness,  stress management,  nonchalance, relaxation techniques, lethargic, apathetic, inactive, lazy weekend, binge-watching marathon,  neglected chores,  skipped workout, long nap, lounging on the couch, missed deadline, unkempt appearance,  messy hair,  pajamas, blankets, slippers, procrastination station, self-care routines

𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄.  confidence,  self-respect,  dignity,  self-promotion,  arrogant, conceited, egotistical, self-important,vain, boastful speech, puffed chest,  raised chin,  smug smiles, spotlight, tooting your own horn, showing off, refusing to admit mistakes, feeling entitled, personal branding,  leadership development

𝐖𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇.  assertiveness,  decisiveness,  strength,  intensity,  boundary setting,  courage,  indignant,  heated argument, road rage incident,  angry outburst,  clenched fists,  glaring eyes,  tense muscles,  raised voices, reddened faces,  aggressive gestures,  stormy demeanor, intense frowns, fists,  destructive actions,  broken objects, simmering anger,  punching bag,  out for blood

Thanks for the tag! @lovlorne

Tagging: uh... who hasn't done it, you? Take it.

[lovethisheart]

Monotony.

When did he miss the sound of sirens?

The mechanical wailing, dogs barking, crashing of glass. Tapping at the window, a shadow dismissed for jittery passerby. Even the noise of knocking on a neighbor's door would have been like those nights Stateside. He was keeping track of what drugs were being filtered through the mail slot, just weeks before his assignment was terminated from a lack of evidence.

They had let him retire, with his injury in the line of duty years back now slowing him considerably. Medical leave wasn't a bad way to be retired, even preferred. There were more horrific and perilous ways for a former spy to die. There were worst ways to be relieved of your position, hard fought and a legacy to protect.

And now he awoke to the sound of native bugs and gentle wind chimes. Nothingness, to his ears. That was usually the sound before something bigger and scarier, and his nerves had never been so uncomfortable in the silence.

He bought a ticket. Before he was fully conscious, back in his boots and pouring himself a coffee, he'd scheduled a one way trip to the sunny shores of L.A. Last minute bookings were expensive, though that hardly mattered. The government was paying for his life, after long hours with a very reliable lawyer.

One he hoped to see soon, if he hadn't run away to Europe again.

In roughly 15 hours, he was staring opposite of the precinct office, his suitcase packed at a hotel, clutching the remainder of his airport food-

Wondering how the hell he'd walk back in through those doors.

[lovethisheart]

"Get you shows," He speaks around the rim of his coffee cup, swallowing small amounts while he digests for himself what her words actually meant. "Some smaller places at first, where the people actually care about the music. I know of another, previous rockstar, if I can find him." Contract laws were not his forte or interest. There ought to be someone in L.A. who could pick it apart for him, but that was of a lower concern. It'd only been a week of his return, and he was still consolidating all the connections, including a news anchor that was newly out of jail. That one, he'd have to wrangle down quickly by his neck if he ever got a bead on him.

Another one to catch by his throat comes back to his memory.

Favorite indeed.

"He's the best one I know. You might've heard of a demon prosecutor in this city- and not a better one forged in Hell, in my humble opinion." He definitely had that quality, as sure as wolves had hooves and horns.

"And... if you haven't seen him, let me be the bearer of bad news; he's stupidly handsome." Shi-Long had started pulling his phone free from his pocket, and picking through his photos. Minimal jarring noise is made when he step away from his chair, instead of scooting closer to her side as he'd intially seemed to want to do.

He opens to a series of pictures that appears to be ones he took himself, or at least, a trusted friend might've. Detectives were good at keeping each other in the loop, especially when having a mutual, but not equal interest in one subject.

"... Heh. You'd look at these and think he was just a normal guy, if you didn't know how he is in court."

———— 🖤┊   ❝ I MEANT WHEN AN ARTIST DIES, ❞   she clarifies, sigh settling strained shoulders. though apt his assessment may be, there was but one problem: she would need friends to be closer to. her persona played the part of people person, whereas she much preferred the company of flora, fauna, and literature. these things were easier to parse: wilting leaves, drooping tails, and neatly tied ends.

before her conscience can decline his courtesies, dismay dissipates from her face, scrunched lip and brow carving confusion instead.   ❝ favorite lawyer? ❞   she parrots, head lilting left in perplexity.   ( of all things to have a favorite thing of... )   shaking off disruption, she continues.   ❝ why retire at all then, old man? ❞   she teases, the edge of her lip peaking.   ❝ you've got life in you yet. ❞   

more than she could say for herself.   ❝ i've got a contract, ❞   she murmurs, eyes falling to floor.   ❝ i can't take you up on it, even if i wanted to. ❞   a pause.   ❝ ...not just yet, anyway. ❞   digits tap contemplative cheeks, pressing upon them with passing thought.   ❝ let's say... i could, and your connections don't scold you for up an' leavin'... what exactly would you do with me? ❞   

[lovethisheart]

This was definitely the same person who spat with vitriol in the court, and hissed at the baliff. This was part of the reason she was so quickly brought in for questioning; she had a temper that flared like a gasoline-lit match and burned like oil in a jar. Guilty consciouses were rarely so quickly lit to a blaze, in the eyes of the precinct.

His eyes close. A cigarette might look natural between his fingers if he'd had the habit at all. Her own looked like they had done this a hundred times, probably not just around the neck of a sponsored water-bottle.

"Okay. Not what I meant." Clearly, there were fresh wounds still being tended to. Lang watches the clench of her hands, raising his head. It would again pay to be good at dodging, if instincts have taught him anything about a whip-happy prosecutor.

"As a has-been," A fellow one, if her act wasn't put together. "My meanings and words are getting lost here.... I apologize." No jokes are getting taken, even at light expense. It was the time to say those words without adding 'buts.' Perhaps it was too deep a jab to make, as the mannequin-esque tightness of her jaw makes him pause. For breath.

"Your lack of apparent income concerns me. I'd hate to see someone who got acquitted fail to rise and get stuck somewhere ... where her talents are not appreciated. Sure, you can tell me to shove it, but I'm not talking because I want to throw you a pity party. I've got funding."

Much more effective than saying ' Simmer down', he thinks.

———— 🖤┊   DAMNABLE SIRENS,   their boisterous blare engulfing sensitive ears, sonorous bangs muffling background chatter whilst amplifying her company's own. brilliant lights blind her ceaseless gaze, constricting pupils swallowed by irises parting ways amidst clouded thoughts. gleaming red singes, vibrant blue chills, leaving the whites to flood and sting unblinking eyes. 

ice seeps down her spine, hairs ascending on both neck and arm as thermoregulation failed, extremities as detached and frigid as her thoughts. head immobile and body still, lilac eyes briskly fixate upon the rising steam of boiled coffee, stare haphazardly resurfacing upon lang's mien after a bout of consideration. a lone index twitches, sensation tickling fellow fingers awake as they contemplate the handle of her own frothy, scalding drink.    ( you gettin' mad? )   

digits furl around the cardboard stopping skin from scalding, thoughts trailing to the sensitive nature of one's face — what a way to open his pores, she mused, contemplating the boils that would consume his visage in one fatal fling, eyes reddened, hairs singed, face scarred—    ( panic attacks? )   

she blinks, senses steadied. there's no ambulance, no officers, no lights nor harrowing howl. just a young lady gripping her drink like one would a rope, allowing foam to dribble down the side until a familiar scorch roused sensibility from stupor. though unsteady feet had yet hit ground, she had found a voice — a facsimile of her own, wrung dry of sugar sweetness — to fight in her place.   ( don't take it back. )   

                                           ( you want to lash out. )   

❝ whole lotta info you're askin 'bout, but don't got rights to knowin', ❞   she snarls, lips brandishing a fang - featured smirk.   ❝ you washed up has - been. i got acquitted, fuckhead. all your over - criticizin', always villainizin' — if you gonna start criminalizin', try cramming yourself in that small - minded box of your own first, 'cause all this is, is makin' you look like a jackass playin' school bully to get a glimpse of former glory. ❞   

[lovethisheart]

"Hrhm-? " A wolf need not clean his teeth before howling; but, being an adult with manners supercedes a need to speak immediately. Lang stops short of licking his fingers, but in his glance downward, seems to even silently insinuate that provoking the sight would be too much for her. He pulls a napkin to cover his fingers, like a veil before stroking each tip off cleanly.

"My stomach can handle it." As well as it handled raw meat, like any wolf. Lang picks at his coffee lid, beginning to flatten it out like dough on the table, short of thumping it with his fist. Always in need of something to do, apparently.

"Erased. It sounds simple coming from you."

"Where's the money for this coming in-? You celebrities aren't known for your financial savvies- so, what has your accountant told you? Provided you didn't fire him for not letting you do credit card fraud." He was going to take all the shots he could if they were speaking so plainly, all while trying to roll the lid into a tight spiral.

———— 🖤┊   ❝ I SUPPOSE BOTH SUFFICE, ❞   she meditated, leaning against the back of her seat as she mulled it over. the court case hadn't ruined her, per say, but business wanted little to do with a killer, unwitting or not.

in truth, she was against continuing her contract, but the scandal left her scarred — no agency wanted to hire a known liability. long had she grown jaded to the 'cutesy' archetype placed upon her, no matter how many people ate it up, but the talent she labored for knew how to market her. with her back against the wall, and her reputation in their hands, it made her all the more desperate.

they knew this well — and she wanted it all to end.

wrinkling her nose, post musing frees closed eyes, only for a raised brow to question where his meal had gone.   ❝ i call it a clean state— bro, you chew any of that? ❞  

[lovethisheart]

" Society? I think you might just need closer friends." Better ones. Ones that didn't incite a need for near-instant violence when slighted. He seemed to attract that in women. After all, when you hit a certain age, the friends around you shape what kind of personality you have around people. Maybe there was hope that she, despite the system dragging her through itself, could be better than her circumstances.

"With no strings on the money I have, I can sponsor talent- and only in that, as soon as I get my favorite lawyer here to write up a contract. I'm too young to retire as it is..." Injuries and flamboyant attire to keep him striding aside, he wasn't much older than a rockstar.

"And... " His finger sticks in the air, a smile that pulls way to teeth, grinning.

" No one knows I'm back in town, yet. I've got connections with people I've been dying to cash in on, and the prodigal son returning feels a good way to open those doors wide. "

This was definitely the same person who spat with vitriol in the court, and hissed at the baliff. This was part of the reason she was so quickly brought in for questioning; she had a temper that flared like a gasoline-lit match and burned like oil in a jar. Guilty consciouses were rarely so quickly lit to a blaze, in the eyes of the precinct.

His eyes close. A cigarette might look natural between his fingers if he'd had the habit at all. Her own looked like they had done this a hundred times, probably not just around the neck of a sponsored water-bottle.

"Okay. Not what I meant." Clearly, there were fresh wounds still being tended to. Lang watches the clench of her hands, raising his head. It would again pay to be good at dodging, if instincts have taught him anything about a whip-happy prosecutor.

"As a has-been," A fellow one, if her act wasn't put together. "My meanings and words are getting lost here.... I apologize." No jokes are getting taken, even at light expense. It was the time to say those words without adding 'buts.' Perhaps it was too deep a jab to make, as the mannequin-esque tightness of her jaw makes him pause. For breath.

"Your lack of apparent income concerns me. I'd hate to see someone who got acquitted fail to rise and get stuck somewhere ... where her talents are not appreciated. Sure, you can tell me to shove it, but I'm not talking because I want to throw you a pity party. I've got funding."

Much more effective than saying ' Simmer down', he thinks.

[lovethisheart]

He had forgotten they didn't have a gap in either language. That was what made that first interrogation so much more interesting, trying to suss out the details of her foggy story back then was laced between her thinly veiled insults and primadonna personality. She could hint nothing in secret without him filling in the spaces, often with a sense one gets from quoting old cultural literature.

That celebrity was still the same winking, slinking, sly singer with a bite, but, now he didn't have the position or interest to tear those words apart.

"New. Does that mean different, or should I expect a wardrobe change for act 2 of the publicity a resurgence brings?" His brow bounces. Another new freedom to ridicule the high-minded and their delusions of Phoenix-like granduer.

The chicken wrap is gone in three bites, whether she watched his movements or not.

@lovlorne had a coffee with a familar face...

"I wouldn't say that."

The man hanging around the cafe he used to treat his subordinates at, regards the glittering celebrity with a passive, grazing look, comparable to those of the bovine variety, those not easily spooked by flashy cars, not unlike a detective still in L.A. with pointedly bad opinons about certain medias.

"I never thought I'd struggle with retirement. Sure, I can't stay on my feet for more than ten, twenty minutes without feeling like my knees are gonna buckle... but, I never liked just standin' around anyway."

Shi-Long cards his fingers through his locks of hair, much longer grown out without regulations to ensure a short style.Coffee arrives with plates, a warmed cinnamon bun, and a grilled chicken wrap. Whichever she chooses, he deigns that taking the correct coffee is more important, giving a sniff to each.

"Reputation isn't inescapable. Or isn't that what your agent should be telling you-?" His brow raises expectantly, pausing inspection to await rebuttal.