acertainshadeofpoison-blog

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Forget about prince charming. Go for the wolf. He can see you better, hear you better and eat you better.

Wolf’s angel (via but-you-promisedx)

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violet-solis:

Violet’s brow quirked as he spoke, her eyes narrowing as he tossed the cigarette away and moved closer. She wasn’t interested in drowning the voice of her inhibitions out with strangers. She had done enough of that during her first year at university, having spent the year partying hard in London with her roommate. She had a new roommate now. And a new job that she cared too much about. She was done partying- or at least that’s what she wanted to tell herself. 

She stared at him as he leaned into her space, unwilling to give an inch even though the intrusion made her heart skip faster again. Her gaze fell to the side as he opened the door, her teeth sinking into her lip as she glanced back up at him without moving to step inside the pub yet. “Nice for you. I’ve probably got a week’s worth of work sitting on my desk.” It was her way of saying that she was probably almost definitely not going to stay out drinking with him, though some part of her was tempted to let him try to talk her into it. She sidestepped him to move through the door, pushing her hair away from her face as she quickly surveyed the bar to find a couple of empty seats. 

Jasper watched her eyes move, following them glance over his face, and the space around them. Her quirked brows and cheeky grins had him all confused, and then she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. Throwing him all these signals while she sung a different tune with her mouth. Telling him she was not interested, but he persisted. "And I guarantee you that work will be there waiting for you tomorrow."

He tried to convince her that he knew best, faint smirk still curving his mouth. Then she was gone, into the dark bar, and he followed suit. So closely their arms brushed slightly as they walked. "Why not make some memories to dwell over as you slave over all that monotonous paperwork for the week?" They slowly approached the bar, to order drinks and find a seat.

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welcometohollywood:

Jackie beamed, noting the brand of cigarettes before plucking one from the pack. He laughed at the other’s response as he bit down on the filter, expression turning sly as he lit up. “I’m a generous man. I’d be happy to repay you in other ways too,” he said, regarding the other unabashedly. Courtesy of sticky fingers and a fantastic memory, Jackie knew every single name on Charlotte’s payroll, even if he hadn’t had the fortune of meeting all them yet. It was starting to become a fun game of Guess Who. “I’m Jackie,” he said, offering his hand.

"Illya." It wasn't a lie. He stepped forward and grasped Jackie's outstretched hand in a form of a handshake. It was his middle name, and used it vehemently until he left school. Though now it seemed, used only by his closest adversaries and dear acquaintances.

"Is that right?" Jasper puffed on his cigarette as he looked over his company. Jackie unabashedly commented about a form of repayment, and he had a rough guess of what was in mind. Though, the flirting fell flat on him. Man lingering about Royal property? Maybe he had to have something interesting to offer? Regardless his interest was piqued. "What could you offer me that I don’t have already?”

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burningxiceberg:

Unlike what most believed about the lead trainer of the Strix, it wasn’t that Roxanne was always fearless. That component was very much present in every functioning part of her psyche, threatening to reveal the scars of the past at the most unwelcome moment. But over the years, the lawyer had learnt to school her mind and utilise that emotion in a way that empowers her towards her goal rather than serving as black hole towards things and memories she couldn’t change. It was perhaps why, while her younger self would have thought twice about venturing towards the alley or engaging in a conversation with strangers in semi-darkness, her older, more matured self  was unfazed enough to grin at his comment.

“Hardly dark when I have this” she stated spinning the torchlight once like a fidget spinner, the light moving in chaotic directions before landing towards him again “And hardly by-myself in the company of a husky or my own combat skills. Lethal combo I tell you. If you play your cards right- or wrong as you see it, you might even be lucky to get an exhibition” With a mischievous smirk, Roxy raised her eyebrows at him “ What’s your excuse? A scandalous rendezvous?” 

She was hot. Dark hair and bright eyes, all flashing seductive glances at him. He would have approached if she wasn't holding a large husky, that looked like it would have died a thousand deaths for it's mistress. Though, he was slightly undeterred. What was the point of living if you weren't going to push yourself? So he stepped forward, once and twice. Still a significant amount of distance, he watched his company spin the torch in her hand.

"Combat skills?" He questioned, a slightly surprised look on his face. He hadn't expected that, she was a skinny thing, not tall either. Though, he'd let her demonstrate such things on him. Maybe he'd get lucky. She raised her eyebrows at him, her insinuation that he was out in a dark alley for some rendezvous. He was, just probably not the kind she expected. "Scandalous?" He hand left his pocket, bag of coke in his palm he threw it up in the air and caught it before pocketing it again. A glimpse at what he had in store for the rest of his night. "I'd say more of a necessary rendezvous." He didn't care about much in the world, and he didn't know who this woman was, she could have been an undercover cop, and he still wouldn't have given a shit.  Let her arrest him, at least it would make for a moderately exciting evening.

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🔫

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violet-solis:

Violet couldn’t help but wonder if he actually meant it or not. She could only assume that his car was expensive since he’d suggested offering her a ride would count as some kind of thanks, having no idea that he was filthy rich and could afford another car if she managed to wreck this one. 

She glanced up at him as he said that he had his own, unsure if he meant that he had his own card or his own company. There were so many things that she wanted to ask but questioning him directly would be boring. She’d much rather feign disinterest and find out through subtler channels- especially considering that he’d known something about her before even meeting her.

She stopped before they reached the doors to the pub, turning towards him to wait for him to finish the cigarette before going side. She was caught off guard by his suggestion of calling it pre-drinks instead of networking, shrugging lightly in response. “Call it whatever you want. It sounds like you have a big night planned.” She laughed, glancing at the time on her watch. “Are you done with work for the day then?” She asked, leaning back against the side of the building as she waited.

She gazed up at him as they approached the bar, with those big eyes and sideways smirk it took what little control he possessed not to pounce. She seemed slightly disinterested as she leaned against the wall outside the dingy pub, glancing at her watch like she had somewhere to be. Or somewhere better.  "We sure do, love." He smiled at that insinuation.

He wasn't going to let her go that easy. What else did he have planned? Other than to convince this woman she needed to be in his presence. Glancing down at the cigarette between his fingers, only just lit, he threw it away. He could smoke later, he was more interested in the two of them pounding back some liquor. Whatever inhibitions and morals she had, to be slowly doused in hard alcohol. He was positive he didn't have have them himself. Blowing a cloud of smoke in the air around them, he leaned forward, hand pressed on the door next to her. They had invaded each others personal space once more. "I'm done, my hours put in at work are... minuscule, but that's nothing to diminish their significance."  He chose his words carefully. His hand tightened around the door handle, and swung it open, a gust of air moving their hair lightly. And gestured for her to enter before him.

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violet-solis:

Violet had never intended to actually leave work or wander this far from the building, walking away solely in the interest of seeing if he’d call after her or follow when she did. She couldn’t help the wave of satisfaction that she felt as she heard his voice and footsteps behind her, the tiniest smirk on her lips betraying her as she turned her head to look at him. There were two kinds of people and Violet was the kind who lived for games. 

She laughed as he insisted that he’d been getting around to thanking her, her eyes widening in mock awe as he suggested ways to repay her. “How old do you think I am? You’d at least have to let me drive.” She scoffed before looking ahead and gesturing to a bar on the corner. “Buy me a drink. You have a company card? Call it networking.” Her tone was teasing to mask the prod for information, her intentions fixed on finding out who he was within the organization that she had only recently become a genuine member of.

"I don't have to let you do anything," He spoke, blowing a cloud of smoke around him as his long legs easily kept up with her quick pace. "But I would." 

He had contemplated the thought, even though he never let anyone drive his cars. His eyes looked over her figure for a second, almost as if he was assessing whatever skills he didn't know she possessed. He realized he didn't care. She could crash his Aventador if she wanted, at the end of the day they were just things purchased with money he had in spades. Memories, experiences and situations, now those were things you couldn't buy.

Her tone was teasing was slightly teasing, a smirk coming to his lips as she gestured to the bar up ahead. "Company card? Nah. Why, when I have my own?" He wasn't sure interrogators were even given such luxuries. Was she? "Networking?" He let a faux disappointment cloud his features. "How about pre-drinks? That drink you have before you really start to party? Have fuckloads of whiskey, make some memories, let your inhibitions go as you realize you're starting to make some morally questionable choices. Have some real fun."

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We think the demon dog might actually be a person.

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violet-solis:

Violet bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing as he told her his name but the light of amusement in her eyes was impossible to disguise. It was only even funny to her because her first thought was Jasper being half of the incompetent henchman duo from 101 Dalmations, Jasper just happening to be the tall gangling one. “No, I like Jasper.” She offered glibly, stepping past him finally as though she had intended to go in that direction all along. She did want to know who he was and what he did for the Royals but she also thought that she knew better than to pay too much attention to tall boys that already knew more than they probably should.

She glanced over her shoulder as she started down the sidewalk, gesturing to the lit cigarette in his hand. “You’re welcome.” She threw back at him in response to the thanks that he’d never offered her for the use of her lighter. 

Her grin only widened, and she looked like she was enjoying some inside joke, and he guessed it was at his expense. Maybe even regarding his name. And he didn't care. He really didn't give a fuck. She could have called his name trash, at the end of the day what effect did that have on his life?  A name was a name. She stepped to the side, and started to walk away. Leaving Jasper standing there with his lit cigarette dangling from his lips for a second. Casting a glance back at the building, he decided that work could get fucked, some things were infinitely more important. Pulling the cigarette from his lips, he exhaled smoke around him. Watching Violet walk away, he decided this was an opportunity he had to seize, whatever it was. "I was getting there."  Jogging after her to catch up, his smile grew slightly, "Slowly. Is there anyway I can repay your kindness?" His tone was only slightly sarcastic, but he was being honest, he did want to repay her. Though he had something specific in mind. "Can I buy you a drink? Offer you a line? Take you for a ride in my car?"

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He knew it was shady, lingering in a alleyway, and he was an incredibly shady person. Physical and mental torture and interrogation of the unwilling to speak was his not only his forte but his passion. So after scoring some coke from one of his favorite dealers, he was cutting through a dark alley to head back to where he had parked his vehicle a block over. Few noises sounded through the almost pitch black area, though he remained undeterred from the unknown monsters lingering in the dark. As far as he was concerned, they should have been more scared of him. Who knew what monsters lurked in the hearts of men, after all?

Pulling his lit cigarette from his lips, he heard a rather vicious bark of a dog, and then a bright light was shined in his direction. A pretty brunette with a husky on a leash came to view, and he noticed that she wasn't scared of his presence, or rather his loitering in an alley late at night. Though, he guessed, she was in the same position as he was. "Says the girl walking in a dark alley all by herself."

It seemed almost like an eternity before Roxanne felt herself breathing the fresh air outside-or whatever little freshness was left in the midst of London pollutants. Unlike her usual ritual of heading straight home and crashing, she decided to meander around for a bit. Though late, the lawyer was unfazed as she ambled along the sidewalk, Memphis by her side. It seemed all quite on the gang scene and instead of relaxing, it only served to keep her on an edge. Any radio silence could never be good and unless there was some news about the Royals, they couldn’t really afford to put their guard down. Lost in thought, she had been approaching a semi-lit alleyway when Memphis started barking alerting her to someone’s presence. Grabbing her pocket flashlight, she directed it only to find a sort of harmless guy with a cigarette in his hand “A little light won’t hurt you know” Rox remarked as Memphis went closer to sniff at him

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rachelxjames:

Sometimes there were skeletons better kept in the closet, and then there were people like Jasper who were impossible to keep in one single place at any  given time, and so Rachel had made it her business to give up worrying about whatever the hell he was to her. Not a fuck buddy, because he certainly wasn’t the ‘buddy’ type of material. The word acquaintance would be more appropriate to describe their relationship, but then again it felt as if whatever they’d done between the sheets had always given her the impression that they were better acquainted than two people who were just associated with each other.

In conclusion, he was a damn mystery to her, and Rachel hated it. And so when he’d dropped out of her life recently (probably more of her fault than his), the blonde spy didn’t really bother much to notice or even care about his absence. They were coworkers, in the simplest of ways. And so when she saw  him leaning against one of the building walls she couldn’t help but make her way over to him, blonde curls bouncing with every step she took. “Hey, stranger.” She smiled easily, despite the ever present, shadowy look cast over his face. Reaching into her bag, she had to dig around for a second before finally feeling her fingers latch around the zippo lighter, which had fallen to the bottom of her purse. “There you go.” She handed him the silver lighter, leaning back against the wall beside him, turning to look at him from the side, her eyes shining as usual. “Boring day at work?” She guessed, knowing that it was likely that anything–or nothing–could have happened for him to need a smoke.

It seemed she had noticed him before he noticed her. He scolded himself slightly, and reminded himself that he needed to get sleep. Soon. Though, he'd do that after. He hadn't talked to Rachel in a while, though he saw her around, they had spent the past few months tending to matters in their personal lives it seemed. Though, he doubted she was still partaking in drugs and alcohol as much as he still was.

She smiled at him, approaching with a lighter from the bottom of her handbag, he accepted it gratefully and lit his cigarette. Her blonde curls bounced with her steps, and she had that bright smile that always seemed plastered on her pink pouty lips. He usually hated her type, the sweet and happy girl that exuded light like she was some sort of fucking god send. But Rachel was something else entirely. He guessed it was because opposites attracted, or whatever Hallmark bullshit people told themselves to make sense of things that didn't make sense at all. Because Jasper and Rachel didn't. He was cold and mean, at the best of times, though they bonded on some level. Seemingly complimenting each others traits. He liked her enough to keep her around, and between all their partying and sex, they had formed some extremely unusual form of friendship. Even though he despised the thought of having friends. "James." He smirked slightly, and looked over at her as he handed back her lighter. "Work? Is that what we're calling it, now?" He didn't commit more than 10 hours of his week to the Royals and the interrogation cause. "Almost always."

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violet-solis:

Violet extended her hand as she approached to take the lighter back from him, expecting him to respond by reaching farther and closing the gap. He didn’t, though. Violet’s gaze raised to meet his  as she stepped close enough to take it, her pulse quickening even as she purposefully held an unfazed demeanor. He was intimidating without even knowing what he did for the Royals, his height forcing her to lean back just to look at him. 

“Chapstick isn’t an indulgence. It’s almost a necessity in winter.” She insisted, her lips quirking into an easy smile. Her fingers curled around the lighter in her hand, making no move to step outside of the space he’d compelled her into to retrieve it. She nodded as he asked about her name, her eyes narrowing so subtly it was almost indiscernible. She was new to working in this building and didn’t know the names of half the people that worked there yet, his knowledge of her name making her curious as to who he was in the organization. “Are you gonna tell me your name or let me give you one?” She asked

She entered his space, her small stature forced to gaze up at his 6'4 one. Though, she seemed to be completely unfazed by whatever game he was or ever wanted to play. She looked at him with those big eyes he realized were some shade of green he couldn't pinpoint exactly. His eyes trained on her lips that curved into a small grin and blessed the chapstick she gave a shit about. He heard her voice and reminded himself to listen, observing couldn’t be his modus operandi.

She didn't step backwards as she pocketed her lighter, though curiosity plagued her features slightly as he said her name. He had asked around, it hadn't been hard, and after seeing her around he was interested in whoever, and whatever she was. Usually he was a gem at figuring out how people worked, what made them tick. Though he still knew fuck all about her. He hadn't seen her around the interrogation trainees, so he had to assume it was something else. "It's Jasper but feel free to give me another." He had never cared to much for the name anyway. Even if it meant a lot to his mother. “I doubt it will be the worst I’ll hear.”

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welcometohollywood:

Jackie had spent the better part of the week either high or between someone’s thighs, which made for a foggy recollection of recent events. He was, however, particularly aware of how long he’d last seen Charlotte. It was an odd time to disappear, especially with a war simmering and bloodhounds chomping at the bit. When a cursory search of her headquarters came up empty, he resigned himself to finding other means to locate the eldest Royal.

Stepping out of the building, Jackie mused whether she might be purposely avoiding him– it wouldn’t be the first time, for her or for others. The thought was charming enough to make him smile, glancing aside when he was addressed. “Sure do, love,” Jackie said, giving the man a once-over with blatant interest. He dug into his pocket and thumbed open his zippo, producing a flame. “Any chance I could bum one?” He always carried a pack, but any chance at obtaining even the smallest bits of information was like catnip.

He was smiling to himself, about something seemingly so pleasing its thought urged him smile about it. Jasper couldn't remember the last time he had been so happy. A fleeting glimpse of himself holding a pair of pliers in his hand reminded himself it was something he had experienced recently, and the thought alone made him happy. Forgetting that paradox that was about to cloud his mind, he pushed it to the back of his conscious and accepted the offer, and lit his cigarette off the light that was procured.

He ignored the blatant once over the man gave him. Jasper was the cocky type, he knew he looked good, had a lot of money, and never really had to try too hard to bed any woman he came across. What came along with being a straight man that looked as good as he did was getting hit on by men, which most straight guys found horrific. He never understood that. He didn't particularly care, only found it rather complimenting. He contemplated the question, realizing he was about to do something actually nice. And for what purpose?  "Go ahead." Pulling his pack from his pocket, he held it out to the man in front of him. "Tit for tat, right?"

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harpersroyal:

She could pinpoint the instant a spark of recognition flashed in someone’s eyes - Harper had always been an observant person (what better way was there to learn?) but her senses had heightened even more once she became an easy way for a reporter or photographer to make their next paycheck. It was strange to meet people who already knew her name and connections before she even opened her mouth; part of her had always dreamt of being known, of being recognized in street by strangers. But in all of the situations she had imagined it was because she had accomplished something extraordinary, not because her dad decided to sleep around.

“Ten, maybe?” There were some children who got lucky when thrown into foster care - there were foster parents who truly wanted to raise a child as their own and give them the best of everything. Unfortunately for Harper, that was not the case in any of the homes she lived in. She was lucky compared to others who suffered abuse at the hands of their foster parents, but no matter how civilly she was treated she had always been extremely aware that she did not belong in any of those homes. Those situations also came with their fair share of “siblings” who were not the greatest influences, hence Harper’s early exposure to smoking and other unsavory habits. Not that she felt comfortable letting any of that information seep into the press pool. “Granted, I didn’t exactly know what I was doing,” she continued with a small shrug. “I wanted to be cool, I guess.”

He walked forward slightly as she spoke about her first experience smoking. No surprise really, most kids were curious, and too dumb to know any better, or do any better than try to smoke a cigarette when they didn't even know how to inhale properly. Ruined most people's experiences. Though, he wasn't that lucky. "Ten?" He almost wanted to scoff as he came to stand in front of her.

After reading her story in the press, he hadn't known entirely what was true and what was false, what was gossip invented by the press to gather ratings and views. Though one thing did interest him about Harper. She was a Royal now, thrust into the lime light of one of the most powerful families in London. Her life hadn't always been this way, she wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth like he was. Some sixth sense that he possessed told him that. She had a worldliness behind her eyes that suggested she had suffered. Being an illegitimate love child would probably do that to someone. But he appreciated people who had suffered in some way, experienced hardships and situations most people wouldn't even dream of. He found they were the only type of people he could tolerate, actually bond with on a genuine level he didn't even know he had. "And what's 'cool', anyway? C'mon," He held out his pack of smokes. He knew he didn't have a lighter, but he'd come to that bridge if she accepted his offer. "Indulge."

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violet-solis:

It felt like the backs of her eyes were burning, forcing Violet to finally get up from her desk and walk away from the light of the computer screen. She had been there for too many hours, having arrived in the office before the sun was even up at that morning. 

She walked outside, pausing by the railway of the stairs when the man asked for a light. She pulled a lighter from her pocket, tossing it towards him before continuing down the stairs. She recognized him from around HQ but she didn’t know much about him, stopping in the interest of getting her lighter back from him once he’d used it. “Lighters and chapstick, right? They’re never where you think you left them.”

She didn't answer, only rifled through her pockets, before pulling one out and throwing it to him. he used it to light the cigarette hanging from his lips, and he inhaled deeply as he tasted the familiar bitter strength of his marlboros.

His eyes lingered on her form as she approached, and his hand extended as he handed her back her lighter. He didn't hold it out far, forcing her to approach at least a moderately close distance that strangers were usually far too uncomfortable with. Though, she was no stranger to him.

He had seen her around HQ and the like, the random gala or ball or fancy event that he only went to for the women, but they hadn't talked. Not directly. He had enjoyed assessing and admiring her from afar, she had a gorgeous face, a nice smile, and a devilish smirk. He knew it was rather creepy by some peoples standards. Though, he guessed he was a creepy guy. Interrogation was his business and pleasure after all. "Yes to the lighters, though I've never been the type of guy to indulge in chapstick.” He let a faint smile grace his lips. A poor attempt to show he was less menacing than he was.  “Violet, right?”

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harpersroyal:

Once Harper officially became a Royal, it was as if a whole new world had opened up before her. She had known about the Royals gang before, of course - the young woman had done her research and being practically attached to Whitney’s hip meant that she had at least inferred a thing or two over the years. However, it was only after the DNA tests had been finalized that she had been let it on the more private details of the Royal family’s dealings, legitimate and otherwise. Not only had her oldest sister inherited their father’s international business when he passed away, but she became the de-facto leader of one of the most powerful criminal operations in London. Harper couldn’t pretend not to be impressed by that.

She was still sorting out how she felt about all of this. Harper was in no way an innocent goody-two-shoes, but being part of a gang family was never something she had particularly expected. As was her nature, however, she was interested in learning as much as she could about her family’s side business. The last thing she wanted to do was bother Charlotte, but the eldest Royal had been rather welcoming so far and that led Harper to believe that perhaps she would be willing to indulge Harper’s curiosity. And that is how she ended up approaching the Royals HQ, hoping that her sister would be around. Harper nearly jumped when she heard a voice and turned sharply to her left to find the person from which it came. “No, sorry,” she apologized with a slight shake of her head. “I tried smoking once as a kid but it didn’t really suit me.”

She turned sharply in his direction, and, for a second he hopefully thought this brunette was going to procure a lighter. Then she answered ‘no’. He was going to sigh, walk away without another word, down the street to find a shop which had them for sale, when his eyes lingered on her face for a second. It was familiar. He rarely forgot a face, a pretty one at least. But he knew he remembered her from work. And then it clicked, his mind was still hazy from a 3 day bender, running on barely any sleep, but he remembered her face from the newspapers. He hadn't made a habit of ever reading articles, or scandals, or anything to do with the press, but when it concerned his boss, he had to snoop. And realizing the Royals had a secret sister they never knew about because their father had secretly been a very dirty dog, was just far too amazing. He decided he could stick around for a few seconds longer, at least. He raised a brow at her statement. "As a kid, huh? How old were you exactly?" He sniffed slightly, and used his foot to kick himself off the wall. "See, I had my first at 14, then I was hooked." Who knew, maybe he could convince her to try again. He loved persuading people to partake in things they would normally wouldn't.

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Jasper had been loitering around HQ far too long, at least in his opinion. Two hours was far too much precious time to disperse for senseless means. Sitting around, maintaining the illusion he actually did something, was tiresome enough. Leaving the trainees to themselves, he evacuated HQ, heading downstairs to alleviate some of the nicotine tension that was starting to settle in his shoulders. Finding a concrete wall against the side of Royal HQ, he leaned against it as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, placing it between his lips.

He had the familiar niggling feeling blossom within, the apathy that settled in the pit of his stomach. Usually resting heavy until he did something to curve the feelings, go for a drive, blow some shit up his nose, or go out on a bender that lasted far too long. And when he felt around his pockets for a lighter, he swore quietly as he realized he had left it in his car. With a sigh, he briefly looked up, asking the person who was closest. “Got a light?”