#ft. vincent brenner

[devilscheck]

"I guess I'll wait and see how it shakes out. Though we should keep Vincent on deck," a tease, her noise crinkled even to the thought. She was already too excited with the idea of Andy returning and finishing the piece. He may have not held the same depth she held in getting a piece from him so soon, but the eagerness from her girl friends was enough to want to show it off. The words IN TOO DEEP were just the baseline of how she felt, Jennifer already far too committed to someone she had just met compared to any other relationship she had in the past.

There was something SPECIAL about him, about the way he made her feel that she couldn't even play along with his mother's jokes. What had happened to her INDEPENDENT and SELF CENTERED attitude?

She can't help the wide grin that grew on her lips as she watched Suzanna and Vincent interact. Honestly, she was no stranger in witnessing a decent amount of affection, but not to this caliber. Diane had raised her to believe that LOVE was just as bad as the devil was in god blessed homes. Relationships were always seen as a weakness, an anchor that held one back in life's most important moment. All of those words seemed to fade as she watched the duo before her. This was what REAL love looked like, a certain independence and beauty wrapped in that as well.

"Gas station, really?" the words hum as her head nodded along with the story. It only added to her own sentiment to Andrew, the way they had just met at a party and unraveled into where they were now. How inseparable they had become from one blissful night she could hardly begin to understand the way the two before her had waited for each other.

"Shit, Suzanna. You were FIRE as hell," a wide grin moved onto her features, hands clapped together with excitement to the story. Her reactions in some situations were still childish, still so EASILY amused by the things in the world she hadn't experienced. Their love was exactly that, getting a front row display into what it meant to be so FEVERISHLY interested in someone that the rest of your life began to fall together around that. "All of that makes me want to cry," a small laugh though her words were honest. "I never really saw many people in love, not like you both clearly. It's like a fairytale," a blush to her features how she must have sounded, emotional over people she had just met.

"You know if you held onto that letter, I would like... Totally want to see it sometime. If that isn't prying-" brows knit together as her teeth chewed into the side of her cheek. "I mean I can see why Andy's the way he is and everything," a nod with a short smile. "I think it's kinda hard to fuck up when there's so much like... Love and shit in the room."

She has a point, and the cant to Suzanna's head says as much, just as the brief scrunch to her nose. "Yeah- well, Vincent will finish if you change your mind." Though she's certain it would not be the case. She can tell already, the two are a match made. It's early, sure, and anything could happen. The honeymoon stage can cloud judgement with a rose tint. But there is something candid about how they interact, even with how guarded Jennifer, those looks don't lie. They're damn near inseparable.

Only confirmed further by the way she speaks of him even when he's out of the room. In too deep- sure, it's a little tease, but there's some truth within every joke.

She greets Vincent with a kiss to the corner of his lips and hand is brought up, thumb wet by tongue to wipe lipstick from his face. As big a man as he is, he doesn't argue it, in fact, he leans closer to her hand to allow the cleaning as habit. It's a fair trade as far as Vincent is concerned, she's considerate enough to not allow him to walk around with red stains on his face, he can at least allow the obnoxious way she cleans it off. And even as she cleans his face, he finds a moment to thank her for helping with Owen's station prior to him arriving.

As he passes Suzanna, a small swat is snuck to her ass that is ignored with the exception of a smile on her lips, humble with an eye roll. The chair Andrew had pulled out is pushed back to the front desk as Jennifer's question is asked.

"Gas station," Vincent answers plainly, resting his shoulder against the wall. A toothpick is taken from his pocket and popped between teeth, bad habit of oral fixation evident. His eyes fall over Suzanna as he goes on. The assumption they were in love was an understatement. Things were simpler back then, and finding the one so early was a blessing- even if he wasn't one to believe in such a thing religiously. If there was a God, he did a number creating her.

"There's one just a couple miles away. Replaced with a Wawa some years ago. Calvin and Alma and her came up here from deeper south on the state for some.... fuckin' Church thing," there's a little sneer to his voice, as if the memory was tainted by that alone. No context given to who these people are, other than the fact he knows they're her parents by blood alone. "Picked up a pack of cigarette's and went outside for a smoke. Don't know what possessed her but she followed me out like a God Damn stray kitten. In her little church girl dress, all pristine and shit. Thought she was gonna slide me some bible with scripture all highlighted in it."

"I was takin' a risk talkin' to you, don't make it sound like that," Suzanna breaks, arms crossing over her chest. Though there's some scolding to her voice, there's still raw love in the way she looks to him. Her hand comes out to stop him so she can carry on, looking to Jennifer. "My parents were pissed when they came out and saw me talkin' to him. But I made an impression on 'em in the few minutes we had."

They share a look, fond even after twenty something years together, just like the first time. "Snuck back in there and wrote down my address for 'em. Asked him to write me if he missed me. He told me he didn't have the time. Not even a week later on, I have a letter in that mailbox waitin' for me..." Still have it, too.

[devilscheck]

plotted starter for @linewrk !

It would have been a LIE to think that going to Vegas didn't inspire a little anxiety for Jen. While it felt like a MASSIVE city, there was still the reality that her father could have been at any turn or corner. Perhaps she had studied a little too hard, looking up his photo almost nightly the week prior to be prepared if this anxiety in her head became a reality. What would she even say if she saw him? Nothing was planned, she couldn't get over the fact that they'd be sharing the same air in about eighteen or so years.

There was a comfort she felt as she stood between Andrew and Vincent, a feeling she hadn't really discovered until spending time with the two of them. Usually she had to be all the more alert, on edge if someone else approached, but now she had two seemingly watchful eyes around her.

WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE GIVEN FOR THAT YEARS AGO IN DEVIL'S KETTLE.

Still, her gaze danced around the showroom, expecting the UNEXPECTED as her mind usually did. This time it didn't seem like she had so falsely prepared, crystal blue eyes stayed with a lingered stare before she stopped dead in her tracks. The only thing to showcase that she had stopped walking with them was the fact her hand intertwined with Andy's tugged as he took a few steps forward.

Adam Carter, alive and well in the flesh. He looked more tired than the photos on the internet showed, had to be some form of editing by his wife or daughters. She couldn't help but think he looked STUPID behind the booth, dealing cards. Hating on a profession wasn't something she usually did, but it was the thing that she had blamed day in and day out for growing up alone; how on earth could she compare to fancy card shuffles and charming banter?

"FUCK-" finally a word uttered as she took a deep breath, her hand letting go of Andy's to nervously run through her hair. Eyes continued to stare, luckily the man a bit across the room was entertained by his work. Shocking he didn't feel the holes being burned by her gaze. "I'm pretty sure that's like my DAD over there. Yeah, shit-" another breath in.

"I kind of thought he wasn't like ACTUALLY real at this point."

[devilscheck]

One of the reasons they were here, whether Jennifer realized it or not, all revolved around the father and the presence he had in her life, or lack thereof. As much as she tried to make excuses for it, that it HARDLY effected her, that was far from true. The majority of Jennifer's life was spent alone, in front of a television until she could ride a bike or drive herself around Devil's Kettle. Perhaps all of that would have been much different had her father stayed in the picture, if he hadn't had shifted Diane into the colder and more calculated beast she had become. And while it was now years later, there was something HEALING about Vincent's presence in her life now.

No, he wasn't her FATHER, but he gave an energy that made her realize that she was important to him and Suzanna beyond just Andrew. For someone rooted in loneliness, almost CONFUSED by the idea of an actual family, it gave her some sense of home she hadn't felt before. She had been shy to show as much, timid to even let Andrew in on the realization that she LOVED him deeply. Just like that, maybe the truth would finally get to be spoken.

"I absolutely am. Please, if I keep up with the Kardashians in the way I do, I CERTAINLY need to keep up with you," words hummed with the smile that had stayed present on her lips. The arm that wrapped around Andy's shoulder moved ever so slightly so her fingers could run lightly through his hair absentmindedly. "God help you both if you try to get rid of me. I'm like BLACK MOLD. Absolutely terrible for business."

Nose playfully nuzzled into Andy's cheek as she spoke, playful roll of her eyes followed after. Porn was phasing out so simply now that he came into her life, used only for ideas or inspiration when there were miles apart between them. Maybe all was needed was a few more photos of her to his collection.

"I can't tell if we all feel as though me being alone is a safe option. Just want to confirm," Jennifer playfully added. She couldn't help but keep the grin on her features as they went back and forth. They were so alike, especially in situations like this. And the way they mused was enough to bring that sense of home that made her think of them. No, her family was NEVER like this. Even Kyla, the closest one she had in the world had a different demeanor about her.

Doe eyes and a pouted lip are now casted towards Vincent, the same one used on Andrew when he mentioned having to get to class instead of staying longer tucked away in her bed. It was one she used freely in attempts to get what she wanted though its return rate was simply fifty fifty.

"You don't want to think a little longer on that, playboy?" words chirp into his ear as she pressed a short kiss to his cheek. The response was enough to bring a blush on her own features before she turned back to his father.

"He will be returned bright eyed and bushy tailed, I promise." Jennifer let out a short giggle. "And I'll be there too. I'm not like going to sleep when there's like THINGS to do. I'm here to help or whatever," she attempted to make it sound more casual than it was. "So breakfast at nine-thirty then? Fashionably late is only cute when there's a runway unless there's one. Then I need in on that," she rambled as always, part of her charm or so she liked to think.

Her shift to sit sideways is met with his own hand resting around her waist, on to her hip to draw her closer and keep her secure to his lap. Thumb strokes absentmindedly over her dress as he turns to pay more mind to his father. "Ah- so you're gonna start bustin' my balls, too, Check?" Vincent speaks up, smirk on his lips as she asked for further clarification.

"She's been 'round me too long, she's catchin' on," Andrew retorts, leaning in to Jennifer as she speaks about said brunette that made his skin crawl only for implication. Truth is, he does think of her sometimes. It's not his goal to go searching out some replacement body to slap her face on and imagine the things they'd do together- but sometimes, should a mood get sparked, it happens.

A cute brunette on screen having sex with some brooding man that's not at all like Andrew- he's imagining her. Imagining them, together, what will be when they reunite. Those nights few and far between when porn is an option, at most he's focused on the positions, everything else is purely imaginative. His face, her face, his body, hers.

Unfortunately, now he knows this is genetic.

"Oh yeah?" Vincent asks, body remaining faced to bar as he sips on his drink, smirk barely pulling. He only has a few guesses what conversation took place with his absence; and one of those guesses is indeed the answer. His head bows, stifling that smile growing as it goes directly against his facade, but once he regains it, he's looking to the couple beside him. "Is that right..."

Sounds right to him, giving a risen brow to his son. Andrew's shoulders raise in pursed lip shrug. "Just thought it ain't safe for a lady to be alone in a hotel room in Vegas, you know," he tries to reason, but Vincent's already waving hand for him to stop.

"No, no, no- I get it. You don't wanna sleep over with your old man, huh? Outgrown that?"

"Yeah, about ... eleven years ago."

Snort laugh is blown through Vincent's nose as he lifts glass to down the remaining alcohol. Let them sweat just as her father had moments earlier, leave them hanging on to every moment of silence he has to offer as that last swig of alcohol burns down his throat, chase it with another sip of coke. Lips are licked clean and he slides the drink over, his arm rests over the bar and he looks between the two love birds perched.

So sweet, so innocent- in spite of how they were entwined upon his arrival. Young love he had only hoped Andrew would stumble upon, something so fulfilling Vincent is convinced it's only once in a life time he will experience it. If he thinks too long on it, his heart will shatter; knowing if this doesn't work, it will take over as Andrew's biggest heart break.

Nevermind that.

"Andrew?" Head tilts in his direction. "Your call. You wanna spend the night with your girlfriend, or-"

"Yes. I do."

The suddenness of his answer shocks both of them, amuses each other as well with mirroring wide eyes and smiles growing slowly.

"Alright. Then that's that." Simple enough, Vincent just nods one firm nod for confirmation. "But I'm expectin' you, Andrew, to be down here for breakfast bright and early. You got someone booked in right at beginnin' of show so you need to get set up, get all your stuff done before it even starts. Jennifer, you can sleep in or join us, but I'm wantin' him down here no later than ten."

[devilscheck]

It wasn't as though Jennifer was raised to act a certain way, Diane's demeanor was something one could study if given enough time. She rarely held back from swear words or her immediate thoughts, making the sheepish bit of Jennifer's character in the moment out of the ordinary. But it was because she wanted to fit in, her heart was already becoming more and more obsessed with Andrew each passing day. All she wanted was to be able to win his parents over, that she wasn't the secret kept from parents and friends she was used to being.

"If you say so. Don't think I didn't warn you all either. I can say like THE worst things," she added with a laugh, her hand brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. The worst she could say would probably hardly compare to the happenings within the shop, those stories being something she could hardly imagine.

"You don't have to pay for it-" she protested, not wanting to seem cheap in the face of the treat that was being in their space. The kiss is returned to his lips with ease, a hand raised to lightly grasp his wrist for a fleeting moment to keep him there as another kiss is stolen. "Sounds like a plan," Jennifer hummed in return, her grip to him loosened as she watched him move across the space. A blush is ignited on her features to his touch against her, illuminating the freckles she usually attempted to cover with her makeup.

Jennifer can't hold back the laughter and smile that comes with his words, nose crinkled as the giggle continued long after he left the room. It was one of the reasons she grew more and more fond of his company, the similar sarcasm and sass that she had measured up well with his.

"I think it'd be PRETTY bad luck to break up with him before he finishes the tattoo," another laugh, head tilted with the grin so beautifully illustrated on her features. "But, I'll give it a REALLY good think after. I mean, I could just hang out here, no strings attached?" She leaned into Suzanna's joke, a teasing minute of thought. "Between us girls, I think I'm already a little too deep." Even in the playful tone, there's honesty as she shoots a grin to Vincent walking in.

"So is it like TOTALLY cheesy if I ask how you guys met?" The smile hung still on Jennifer's lips as she looked to them both. It was much different than the world she was used to. Even her aunt was divorced, the sort of record being held within the Check family on whether they were all meant to be eternally alone; Jennifer hoped that curse hadn't befell her. "I come from a world where I think my mom would rather die than work with my dad, so I SORT OF figure you gotta be MADLY in love."

It is a long time, considering he was only fourteen when he was looking for somewhere to set up shop. Older man walks on in, someone who doesn't quite know the ways of Vincent Brenner and the stark cold gaze he much of offered him at first glance. As if he had intruded on the territory Vincent had given life to. He can't remember such conversation clearly, he was in the other room, working on some homework and struggling to do so. What he does remember is the hesitancy of Vincent to give the man a chance and how Suzanna asked what the harm would be. Worst case, he fires him. Best case, more money in Vincent's pocket.

And thus contracts are written up, agreements signed. The rest is history.

"And we have a parental guidance warnin' on the shop wall." She gestures to the front, absentmindedly as she settles hip to tattoo bed. Parental guidance warning is reference to No one Under 18 get's tattooed type language sparsely spread about. It's an adult space, and the two are adults. Andrew has been around long enough to hear some crude humor a time or two, and as he got older, some came from his own father. Whether that made him uncomfortable, Suzanna wasn't sure- it seems to not phase him, however. "We're all adults. Don't get in your pretty little head about it, Jen."

That remark, so bold and a complete 180 in confidence, has Andrew smiling wide, tongue pokes from corner of his lips as he finishes up his chips, then reaches for his drink. Suzanna had turned for final adjustments, making no noticed of such a remark- but it's not lost on her. Simply, she thinks not acknowledging it would allow Jennifer to relax into the atmosphere and feel fully welcomed. It's in cases like these that silence is indeed louder.

No reaction from Andrew, either. At least none spoken as he dusts his hands off over the trash can and sneakily adjusts behind the wall before he steps back over to his station. "I'll even pay for it," he promises, touch to chin to guide her face up for a quick kiss. "I'm gonna go get washed up. Then we can finish up your leg, yeah? Sound good?" he asks as his hand falls, brief graze along her chest, then breast and arm as he passes by. It's about as sleazy as he will get touching her that way.

"Oh- Andy," his mother calls, giving loose gesture to the back door. "Tell your dad about Owen while you're back there?"

"Yeah, totally, I'll just leave the door open while I take a piss and we can have a whole convo-"

"Andrew." A rare scolding eye look to her son while he only holds hands with surrender. The back door is opened, then the back exit so his mother could see him telling Vincent plainly, No added sugar coating, just a simple exchange.

" Owen called." " Is it about that talk?" "Yeah. Be here this afternoon. "

Acknowledged with a thumbs up, and a cigarette put out on the pavement.

Andrew's shit eating grin pulls to his mother as he slips into the bathroom, door shut and locked behind him as he begins washing up. Suzanna spares a look to Jennifer as Vincent comes with the new and faint aroma of Marlboro reds to his shirt. "It's not too late to break up with that boy," Suzanna teases, "You're welcome here with or without him. "

[devilscheck]

As his fingers moved against her thigh, her own fingertips moved to trace idle shapes against the crook of his neck. Moments her fingers moved beneath the fabric of his shirt collar only lightly for the same reason, she liked to be as close to him as possible, to feel his warmth radiating against the palms of her hands; it brought a natural sense of comfort to her.

The sentiments returned and she can't help but pull herself more near, chest pressed against his as her lips work against him. She initiates a third kiss until she realizes the voice that spoke near them, a slight jump scare as she pulled back from letting herself make the kiss any deeper than it already had.

There's a small, embarrassed wave as she turned to him though she can't help but figure he expected SOME of this kind of nature. They were never great at keeping distance between them, Jennifer always gravitated to Andy any chance she could get. That was clearly true now as she didn't move off of his lap, only adjusted to sit sideways on his lap, arm wrapped around his shoulders as her back pressed against the bar top.

She can't help the growing smile as she catches the pride on Vincent's features, her hand reached for her own drink now as she listened. "Having some fun isn't a good enough explanation-" Jennifer corrected with a sly grin, head tilted to the side to watch him with the intent on getting some sort of an answer. "I need SOMETHING to convince me there's no use in going back there."

Eyes drifted to the topless brunette he looked at, a laugh followed after as she nuzzled her face into the crook of Andy's neck. His scent rose into her senses, nose brushed against the stubble he was growing out. "I only hope you can miss me like that one day," she teased quietly into his hear.

"We were actually talking about you a second ago," a brow raised with her words. They were in Vegas after all, better to press your luck on something worth betting on. The smile only played into the way she spoke, her head now faced Vincent. "Andrew here thinks I need a guardian of sorts when it comes to staying alone in a hotel. The whole bit of chivalry isn't dead bit you Brenner's bring to the party."

Arms wrap tightly around her waist to keep her sturdy, sat with his lap as he rests his chin on her chest. From the way her pale skin pinkens to the way she kisses at his head, not one ounce of warmth is wasted between the two of their affections. Fingertips slip down her thighs, then underneath dress to rest to skin directly; APPROPRIATELY and not to insinuate anything. Just another means of getting as close to this girl as humanly possible.

"I'll send you some..." he promises, arm beginning to creep back up around her back while the other remains on her thigh. He pulls her in tightly against him, repeated kisses on her cheek and neck. He's then interrupted by her hand guiding his head up to face her, his eyes meeting hers before he glances down to her lips. If she hadn't said she wanted to speak, he would have gladly stolen a proper kiss right then, but the interruption would be rude.

Noses touch, his thumb strokes her thigh and as they share that hushed moment, he can't help but see the irony in this behavior for a moment. City of sin and they're exchanging sweet nothings between each other, only people in the bar being each other.

"You're the best thing to happen to me, Jen," he says, completely and totally truthfully with her in the same soft breath. It's then he steals a soft kiss, then once more out of greed.

" Damn, is this why you two snuck off?

Voice looms as does his presence, Vincent finally making it a point to show up well into their evening of privacy which causes Andrew to jump, tucking himself into Jennifer deeply. He's got this sly grin to his face thats unmistakable of someone who is proud of himself for achieving whatever it is he hoped to achieve.

Andrew relaxes into Jennifer, but makes no effort into shifting her off. His drink is taken into hand and brought between them so he can take a sip. "What'd you do?" he asks- he has to ask- it's undeniable that he has done something and Andrew must know what.

Vincent helps himself to a stool, orders himself rum and coke and takes a look at the two drinks. "You put those on my tab?" Noting just how expensive they must have been. Even the damn rum and coke is upcharged. "Fucker-"

"Don't change up on me, what'd you do?"

Vincent's hand comes to wave him off dismissively with the smug ass grin plastered square upon his face. The drink is brought to him, then to his lips as he takes a quick swig. "Had myself some fun with 'er old man is all. Not as much fun as you two are havin'... don't mind me, you two keep on. I'm lookin' elsewhere." He gestures up to some posters on the wall, some topless brunette that no doubt caught Vincent's eye for some familial reason that makes Andrew want to curl up in his skin.

[devilscheck]

The word SORRY is mouthed toward him, a part of her WONDERED how a parent would register to the nickname. It was better to not dig it deeper, nothing could be done by EXPLAINING the situation. Actually, maybe the explanation would make it worse depending on where his father fell on the party hook-up side of things. No, it was better to stay silent.

That thought is continued as she can't help but hear the word uttered from Vincent. This was the sort of thing that INSTANTLY sparked a bit of nervousness in her chest. A part of her could only imagine how much she had perhaps made an awful impression from underage tattoos to abandoned parents to that nickname now.

Maybe she was MORE of a mess than she realized, a thought she could SAVOR on when she was alone later.

A small tug of relief is washed over her as Vincent leaves the room and she feels Andy's warmth against her. There's an inkling of a grin on the corner of her lips, head tilted as she watches him. "Very excited. I think it's going to look pretty perfect," eyes shift between him and the stencil, the smile now beginning to grow little by little. "Oh, please. There's going to be like so many other absolute BADDIES. I can't compare," a timid bat of the eyes, her ego could be her biggest enemy at times. "But... I think it'll make me look like ABSOLUTE arm candy for you."

Legs continue to dangle from the heaviness of her boots as her hands rest at the side of the tattoo bed. Her brow furrowed to his words, a part of her more so shocked that his father would be the issue here. "Scare me? Nah, not at all-" teeth ran over her bottom lip as she thought on it a moment. "I mean, sure he's like EXTRA stoic and seems like he means absolute business, but I guess it's like cool he cares that much about you. All of this."

That sort of thing wasn't something she was used to seeing. Sure, her mother LIVED for her work, but it didn't involve family nor did it tie together in the way all of this did. It was a vast difference from the world she had grown up inside. "But uh, little worried he thinks I'm an absolutely train wreck. I overshare with the class when I'm..." NERVOUS. That word again. Instead, her words trailed on a different direction, a trait of hers whenever nerves struck, similar to the way her fingers moved to toy with her hair.

"It just made me want to hangout here more with you guys or whatever. Tattoo shop groupie status."

The playboy nickname does not go unnoticed by Vincent, even gets a brow to raise as the two are looking over the stencil. Andrew doesn't pay mind to it save for a slight flush to his face, crossed arms coming to his chest and ultimately bringing him to a smile as he thinks more on it. Playboy. His dad would be asking him about that later in the evening.

And when she points out their likeness, Andrew and Vincent both look to each other- eye to eye. Vincent doesn't crack, but Andrew on the other hand smirks, nudges his arm with his own elbow as if to say- See? I Am your son- like there is any doubt. Though, with the exception of physical likeness, some may not be able to tell it based on personality alone. Andrew's quite vocal, extroverted, welcoming whereas Vincent walks with a perpetual wall built up around him with a little window for those brave enough to open it. Or ambitious enough.

Once her approval is given, Andrew looks to Vincent with a smile, practically pleading for some congratulations for his impulse decision to do flash from memory- resize, make some changes. Certainly helps that the way his hands touched her aided in measurements, but he won't say such out loud. Little tap is given to his fathers arm to which the elder Brenner mutters something about 'Way to go, playboy, I'm gonna go help your mom. Let that sit for a bit, then get it started."

"Plannin' on it, boss." Little point given to his dad as he's already begun crossing threshold to the back room, out back exit to leave Andrew and Jennifer to their own business.

Andrew discarded the gloves, wanting some sense of freedom and less anxiety in how he maneuvers his hands. And once stripped, his arm laces around her shoulders and he removes his phone from his pocket. Camera is quickly loaded up and he pulls back just enough to snap a stencil photo for reference sake. His chin lifts up and his head cants up to her in consideration, and he wheels his chair out far from the bench and takes that opportunity to take a photo of Jennifer on the tattoo bed. " You excited?" he asks, taking a couple more- options for later- "First big girl tattoo- and it's gonna look so hot when healed up. You're gonna be the hottest tat'd girl at the convention."

The phone is tossed on to the counter behind him and his arms stretch up and fold behind his head, gaze falling from her eyes to the rest of her body before they return up to her face. "Hope my dad didn't scare you off from me... he can be a bit much."

[devilscheck]

There was a short list of parents she had met over the years, outside of that, she wondered what anyone of them would say. People always had a notion that she was trouble, a wild child, when at her core, she just simply ACHED to get as far away from a small town as she could. That escape would have been all the more easy if she had followed her mother's ten step plan, the same one that made Devil's Kettle more of a vacation destination than a home for them. Why they had never moved somewhere else, she would have never known.

"Yeah, my mom like ALWAYS loved to argue and decided to get rich doing that. She's one of the top divorce lawyers out there. The queen of breaking a prenup, I guess-" a short laugh followed, likely not as funny to anyone who didn't actually know her mother escapades on the subject. A woman so hellbent on ruining the word love to anyone who heard it and yet somehow Jennifer STILL ended up here with that sparkle of adoration in her eyes.

When he begins to talk, eyes grow wide with interest as she nodded along. She did her best to not interrupt, to take the moment in as she liked to believe it wasn't one that happened all the time. And truthfully, it was something NEW for her. The lack of an upright nose turn to who she was had already made her feel all the more comfortable now his words made the room feel a lot lighter. "A burlesque dancer? What the ACTUAL fuck-" an excited hand raised to cover her lips at the swear word as her nose crinkled. Did parents ACTUALLY care about that? "You know, I'm minoring in contemporary DANCE. I mean, it's nothing like that, but like that's ULTRA cool."

Eyes flicker with interest as he continued on, feet continue to swing as she's a girl who can simply NEVER sit still. "That's a good path. You clearly know that, but this place... All of this is like amazing." The words were honest, not meant in a way to butter him up, but the honesty of someone so mesmerized by the idea that a family could stay together and take something on as a unit.

The look on her features instantly softens the moment Andy walks back in the room, eyes find his with a grin she had seemingly reserved for his return. It was one she hoped she'd made a LITTLE bit of an impression to his father before she looked so absolutely smitten in front of him, if that could be considered embarrassing. They had barely just started to get to know each other and yet there she was getting a lifelong piece of ink in front of his dad; she had to seem a little CRAZY in theory.

"Whatever you say, playboy-" the nickname slipped before she could stop herself, a crinkled nose and beat red blush cover her features before she looked up to the ceiling. The hot and coldness of her own nerves was something that could be studied, noted on each tick she seemed to have when it all soaked in.

Finally her shoulders relax and her gaze is back their way, taking in the view of them standing together. A slight giggle followed as she gave a nod their way. "You got that cute father son thing going right now. Don't try to say it's not either to be all TOUGH or whatever," words muse as she turned to walk over to the mirror to leave them with the comment in the air.

She takes a moment as she stood in front of the mirror, her hands pressed over the fabric of her outfit before taking in the view of the stencil. It did look perfect, extraordinary to her as she felt a small bit of gratitude for following her gut.

"It's perfect. We're ready to start raging," Jennifer spoke as she walked back their way, a grin on her features. With ease, she took her place next to Andy before she lightly leaned her head against his arm, being a bit too mindful of the gloves he wore. There was still a distinct want to feel his warmth, something to still the slight anxiety she felt still in her chest.

Not a man of many words, and it's for times like these where the one in the chair allows themself to unravel. Not always for pure intentions, sometimes silence just makes someone so uncomfortable they tell on themself- which amuses him to no end. Not always malicious, either, as sometimes, much like this time, they become their most vulnerable self. Judgement free.

And so while she talks, he notes mentally everything he is learning about this girl that seems to have Andrew's heart- otherwise, why was she being brought around so soon?

Shit situation, no dad, left for cigarettes, found another home, it tugs at him, but not too obviously. Perhaps a small quirk to his lip as empathy draws in. How a man can be so irresponsible is beyond him, leaving without notice. Be a man and own up to your shit, he would say, but that would distract her from her little rambles. It's not his place to give this girl any fatherly advice right then. It's work, nothing personal.

"Lawyer, huh..." He can't stifle it much longer, has to speak, albeit quietly and only an echo of what she had said. Lawyer and a fashion student. Unconventional at the very least, he's certain her mother was disappointed with the down grade but there's a market for everything. Otherwise he wouldn't have a job, right? Aesthetics are underappreciated. Her plan sounds thorough, already planning on getting in on internships right early- admirable, Vincent thinks, how she's planning so easily ahead. Even sounds like she's looking forward to it.

It's not often that attention is turned to him, and when it is, he rarely likes it. With Jennifer, however, there is that appeal, if only because she's interested in his son and her interest in the business, in his family, is a good sign. Something more than skin deep, he thinks, about her wanting to dig deeper. And so who would he be not to entertain while Andrew is off doing god knows what.

Hands clasp, fingers lace in his lap and he gives a firm nod. "What- you mean... tattooin' or ownin' a place?" he asks, because while he has an answer for both, he's not sure where her curiosity is taking her. "Either way, no... No- tell me twenty or so years ago I'd be ownin' some business in the city, scarrin' people for life and I woulda laughed right in you face. I'm not a business man. I wasn't."

Head cants then and his hand comes to itch at his wrist, drawing attention to some Sailor Jerry pin up girl that has aged and faded from years of wear, washing, sun damage, and so on. All the things people now know better than to victimize their tattoos with. "My dad fought in the war. My mother's a burlesque dancer. Figured I'd follow one of them." A rare joke from Vincent, even makes himself smirk. "One tattoo turned to six. And I started hangin' around this place. Found out I enjoyed the freedom of bein' my own boss. Makin' art. All them cliches..."

Door opens from behind them and Andrew's finally returning, looking between the two with wobbly smile on his face. They could have been speaking on anything, and that alone was reason to worry. "Hey- mom needs your help... told her you'd be out after we lay this stencil down."

A thumbs up is met from Vincent and he moves to allow Andrew the space. "You're gonna have to wet it again- it dried down too much since you were gone, needs-"

"To be damp. So the stencil transfers. I know, thanks." No hostility, just confirmation from Andrew as he begins to pull on gloves again. The elder Brenner gives space, steps back to merely observe with crossed arms while Andrew does his job, "stand for me," he requests, kneeling down before Jennifer's legs. There's a small flit of his eyes up to her and a wink to him as he begins to sanitize the spot again, shaved so it doesn't take quite as long.

"Stand up straight- just like you normally would. No posin' just relax."

Stencil is placed, slowly by novice hands as he flattens it delicately across her thigh. Perfect fit, he thinks, looking up at his father with an I told you so glance. Vincent acknowledges this with a nod for him to go on, no time for gloating.

Paper is peeled back and all looks well, a few smudges but otherwise, both Brenners are pleased. Andrew stands back, both men looking at it in an uncanny way. Same head tilt, same twitch of nose as they try to confirm it's lined up properly. And once both approve ( with a few minute comments shared ) Andrew gives Jennifer the gesture to go ahead. "Go look at the mirror. Let me know if it looks good and if it does- we'll let it dry down and get started, okay?"

[devilscheck]

Nose CRINKLED almost immediately as she watched him. Truth be told, there was no proper training in how to act around parents. Mostly they either ALREADY had a notion that Jennifer was a bad influence or they simply weren't there. The only parent she had managed to somewhat get close to was Needy's mother, but even that never seemed to work WELL. A thought for another time, not when she was TRYING to make a good impression.

"Oh, just you." Her words hum as she's brought back to the current conversation. The blush on her features is an immediate reaction to his, one that almost DIRECTLY makes her understand why her friends wanted to leave her to her own devices.

There's a moment she grows silent to watch the way Andy and his father interact. It's enough to make her wonder just how blatantly she had a similar song and dance with her own mother whenever she was around. The similarities were there, something noted for later that she figured he'd see the moment he'd meet her mom. To have someone who understood that weight of a parent's opinion was enough to give a tug of relief, legs continued to swing.

"Yeah, of course-" her legs stop and she popped her heels onto the ground. The careful observance continued, a slight tilt of her head with each passing moment. A gentle hand moved to press against his shoulder when he winces, a gesture in hopes he knew that he wasn't alone in the room. The hand shifted back to pull her skirt up slightly to his words, her head nodded instead of saying anything back.

This type of quietness wasn't something that Jennifer always exuded. More times than not, she was the LOUD one, a girl that was hard to get to shut up.

Her attention pulled to Vincent as he spoke as she moved to sit back down. There's a scan of her eyes, taking in the other man and the similarities and differences that were apparent between himself and Andy. As she listened, there's a slight nod of her head to the sentiment; that was absolutely something her mom would say, probably had said before. Enough times she'd talk her sister, Rachel down from fashion advice Jen gave.

"Yeah, totally-" a pause, a polite smile in tandem with the words she spoke. "I think his guts leading him in the right direction on this one, though. It's perfect," a small shrug. "Assume he learned that from the best and all." The compliment was MEANT to be kind. "My only other tattoo is from a guy named Prison Mike. Story for another day."

And the talking was back, so seamless as she tried to put her best foot forward yet always spoke from the heart. It could have seemed annoying, a ruined reputation by just a MENTION of a really terrible tattoo on her thumb. But perhaps that was the beauty of Jennifer's personality at times; honest to a fault.

"That is my name. Friends call me Jen, so-" a nervous hand raised to brush a piece of hair behind her ear. "You can call me Jen if you'd like." The hand nervously drops to fidget with the edge of her skirt, suddenly she felt like a CHILD again.

"Uh, no classes together, no. I'm a fashion major and-" she hesitated. "Going to be totally real with you, Vincent. I'm crushing like mad hard on Andy and figured I should ask you if it's cool to take him out on a date," a small joke as she grinned his way. "But seriously, figured the best place to get to know the guy you're digging was show up to the place he loves most."

That quip regarding the word ride has Andrew's lips purse, a subtle way of scolding her for being so crude so early on in meeting his family. Backing through the back door, he turns to the restroom. Minutes later, washed and sanitized, he's returning to his station and hears her voice chiming through the air over the faint music playing- stereotypical dad rock of the eighties. His dad's choosing, not that Andrew has any say.

"Oh yeah? Who are you ragin'?" He asks as he steps in front and takes a seat carefully with gloved hands. Then that compliment- indirect, but a compliment nonetheless- causes a blush to wash over him as his father returns from upstairs. "Yeah well, you think it's rad, I think it's nerve wrecking- so don't mention it, yeah?" A wink is given from him this time.

And he's truthful in this, as he adjusts the wrap on his tray to be fully covered, adding another layer to be extra secure with his belongings and materials. Eyes shift over to his dad, standing a few feet over, observing. Andrew, very briefly, freezes as soon as the barrier is laid down and starts looking. There's a certain look in his father's eye that appears when there's something wrong, but he won't point it out. As if to test him- definitely to test him- to see if Andrew can spot it himself. It's the way his cheek raises to stifle a narrowing squint.

And, quite easily, he would, but he buffers under pressure for a moment before a small gasp is drawn in. "Uh- Jen, can you stand for me, actually?" Such command earns a thumbs up from his father, only briefly as he continues to watch on.

Andrew takes initiative, sinking himself down on to the floor, making mistake in that his hands were used to grab balance. His face winces. Another pair of gloves gone. He's scolding himself just as Vincent is scolding him mentally, he's just too polite to do it in front of Jennifer.

And so he quickly replaces gloves on hand and green soap is grabbed. "Can you tuck your skirt up a bit for me?" he asks, eyes focusing on skin. She's shaved- precautionary- and skin is cleaned thoroughly in the location they had discussed.

"Alright- We'll let it dry a bit, then I'm gonna slap that thing on. 'Kay?"

He pushes himself up from the floor, removes gloves and tosses them. Eyes cut to his father, as his father's do the same, and as Andrew brushes past him there's that scold barely audible and an equally quiet I know, thanks. as he leaves through the back door once more. Vincent takes the chair, rolling over to look at Jennifer, then the stencil in hand. He holds it up to skin but does not apply- wanting to leave that to Andrew.

"So," he starts, finally acknowledging her directly after the past half hour had come and gone with not so much as a word between them. "Andrew said this size should be good. Told him he needed to get you two more sizes, but he insisted." His brow raises, looking up towards Jennifer. Even sitting, he his head is levelled with her chest. And the way he speaks, much slower, more of a drawl from his roots. Andrew has the same, however not quite as jarring. "He says he knows you. Knows your tastes...but if you want another size, I'll print it out for you. He's still in trainin', so he doesn't always know what he thinks he knows- if ya get what I mean."

There's a cant to his head, as if to assume that he and Jennifer would agree on that sentiment given what she had seen. It goes to show that Vincent knows more than he lets on, how he's been watching his son with hawk like gaze, harping mentally on any flaw he can pick before someone else catches it. Sometimes, it even appears to Andrew that Vincent thinks everyone can pick apart such flaws; only that's not quite true. Most of the flaws are industry 'secrets', and he can't expect everyone to walk in that door knowing such things.

"Jennifer, right? Vincent." Bare bones introduction of the century. He had looked on her paperwork, and he's certain Andrew introduced the name to her. It was just a matter of putting a face to it. " You two in a class together? Or... what's your deal?"

[devilscheck]

There were MANY ways in which she thought when she finally saw him after all of these years that she'd react. Some of those scenarios were of her screaming, the other being crying, they never ended EXTRAORDINARILY well. And for good reason, or so she liked to believe, it had been LONG enough and he still had never gotten the courage to reach out or call. He had been the first person to ever LEAVE her and it had left a wide hole through her heart.

That was what could have been depicted in the way her features sunk, that CHILDHOOD ABANDONMENT colored on her expressions now even though she was older. The musings of Vincent were heard though usually colorful in expression, she stayed all the more stoic. If her mother had been there, it would have been HARBORED as a shared gene of theirs. Locked jaw and dark eyes, it was the same poker face Diane took into every courtroom.

"No, I-" she replied lowly, gaze still locked in as her feet began to move. There was a part of Jennifer that always seemed to ACT before she thought, perhaps the same charm she could look back to her first night with Andy though that was far from her mind. Feet halted when she stood to the side of the table, luckily a lull in activity as it was just her and Adam staying there.

"Uh, you mind coming here for a second?" Words chirped, head tilted to the side as Adam nodded.

"What can I do for ya, sweetie? A little young to gamble-"

A color of disgust on her features, had he really been that BLIND to the pair of eyes that blinked back at him. Her hand raised before she spoke, as though that would so SIMPLY get him to stop saying whatever he was about to say.

"You know, you are just as PATHETIC as Diane made you out to be. Like I thought wow, maybe she's just a heartless bitch, but no. You like-" hands wavered as she spoke, her tone of voice being the thing to FINALLY strike him to who she could be. No words to follow instead her hand gestures over at Andrew and Vincent. "You are SO lucky those two exist, because I would tip this FUCKING table over if they weren't here." Truthfully, she'd probably do worse.

Brows furrowed as Adam stayed speechless, eyes shifted from her to the two men with a inquisitive stare. Instead of a WORD to be spoken, he raised his hand to fix a strand of his own hair, a nervous smile as he waved to a waitress that passed by.

"Whatever, you know? It's whatever." Whatever fiery passion she had a moment ago was now gone, instead the burn of tears in both her eyes as she took a step back. Two nervous hands raised to wipe them away as she turned her back to him and looked towards Vincent and Andrew quietly.

When Vincent had heard more about her father, there was something switched inside of him. She's truly the daughter he never had- a spitting image of his wife, really, which makes it all the more difficult to imagine some dead beat son of a bitch abandoning her. And for what? Some pipe dream of becoming a fucking black jack dealer? What a piece of work.

And so- what better thing to do than to go outside either Brenner's comfort zone? Book some convention out of state, in a city they've never dared to tread in a place where inevitable they'd be able to find the sorry fuck that messed with their ( little ) girl. To say Vincent was protective over this lady would be an understatement. And Andrew as well.

And so it was no mistake, nor happy coincidence when Andrew and Vincent meander through the halls, through slots, through card games. Of course their eyes are anywhere but the slots, but that's because it's important business- outside of their works.

It's not until Andrew's jolted back, damn near ripping his arm from socket when she stalls in her tracks. The stumble grabs Vincent's attention, and the two pause to assure Jennifer is okay for the moment. And once words leave her, a glance is shared and some smug grin is growing over Andrew's where Vincent's remains stone.

"Where?" Andrew finally asks, turning to follow her own gaze somewhere around the room when eyes catch sight. Familiar face from the photos she had shown him, as if genetics had not convinced him upon first glance. Vincent follows the same, finds him rather easily- eyes of a hawk Andrew had not quite inherited. Elder Brenner's nose comes in a little curl and he turns to Jennifer. " That's the prick you fuss over? That's your daddy? Not even worth the trip. Look at 'em." His thumb gestures loosely in his direction.

Andrew, on the other hand, has been watching him since first sight. "Like some sort of cryptic... crazy..." The discomfort on her had been more than assumed, as Andrew and Vincent had the goal to come, make the man sweat a bit, and leave- something amusing and light hearted, they thought. But the way Jennifer froze so easily, and looks to him with some ounce of disgust has Andrew, at the very least, second guessing. "You wanna go somewhere else?"

Not Vincent, however. He's still zeroed in on the target. If Andrew thinks he's leaving without a shot at this man, he's dead wrong.