axelxmartinez

[axelxmartinez]

          [ 2:56 AM ] [  → rodeo  ]   woah did you know if u start slayer’s reign in blood exactly 1 min 21 sec into maximum overdrive the lady i invited over will leave

[  ← axel  ]   that mean she’s headed over here? Should have played angel of death bitches love death

[  → rodeo  ]   listen brother. she can make her way on over to you but ya might wanna pretend not to be home if she comes knockin. the gal drives a champage lesabre & thinks plato is a sculpting material so you know she the type to poke holes in the condom.

[  ← axel  ]    nevermind I don’t need any more kids and I can’t trust anyone who thinks champagne is a color.

[  → rodeo  ]   champagne is a color. the color of cowardice & jejune. a color that should serve as a warning in nature. like the poison dart frog. but for bitches who likely got a “live laugh love” tramp stamp & dab the grease off their pizza with a napkin. [  → rodeo  ]   bro why you even UP at this hour.

[  ← axel  ]    i tend to terrify those types anyways. just like slayer did. your mind really does go crazy elaborate with everything doesn’t it? [  ← axel  ]    no rest for the wicked and I took a nap already.

[  → rodeo  ]   damn. i’m out here stargazin. you should come meet me on the wide blue yonder sometime, check out my sweet digs, have a drink, let me challenge ya to fisticuffs under the twinklin stars. it’ll be a night my friend.

[  ← axel  ]    might just take you up on that now that I know you’re awake at this time of night. normally I am just getting home from after hours at Rogue’s right now

[  → rodeo  ]   like a long haul trucker on a bennie bender, i’m always up. just let me know when, brother. i’ll play ya in with angel of death.

[axelxmartinez]

Long Live The Chief  – Jidenna

[axelxmartinez]

SERAFIN:

–

Serafin gave a slight dip of his head at the man’s words, shoulders rising as if to refuse contest.  He wasn’t wrong.  Between Lev and Axel it was extraordinarily rare for anyone to beat the house when in the ring.   “Need to throw more soldiers in the ring so at the very least they get somethin’ out of it.” Raf mirrored the other’s laugh.  “Or at least bring in some professional out of towners.  Tourists are gonna stop buying tickets if they can guess what happens.” He chuckled, averting his eyes at his correct guess of why Serafin had really been there.   “Ain’t that bad, but I do owe ya one.” The shot caller shot the other man a crooked grin before looking over his shoulder to gesture to the street rat in the hallway for a couple of beers.  He’d pay later.  “There are some punk ass teenagers swiping money from our cut at Fine Choice.  LT doesn’t want to pin in on the old man who runs it yet, but something has to be done.” Raf gave a shrug of his shoulders.   “I know we usually leave it to the rats and new soldiers to drop warnings but this ain’t their first one and we need it to be dealt with…delicately.” Serafin sighed, taking a hand over his short hair as he finished.  

-

"Hell give me a rat, I'm sure we have a few scrappy ones by now." Axel knew Serafin was right, though. Between him and Lev, they'd need someone built to fight and ready to hit back just as much as they were taking blows. It couldn't just be anyone. His attention is drawn from the thought of opponents to Ser talking about an actual job for him to get done. "I can go out tomorrow after I open the store, keep an eye out for these kids and put the fear of God in them." Or the devil in this case. If it really was kids and not the old man trying to hold out on them. He'd like to think that he wouldn't be that stupid after all these years but it had happened before so he didn't rule it out as a possibility. He grabbed for one of the beers the street rat brought in and took a drink. "Think people would learn by now not to try and play us, it never works out for them." He shook his head and pulled on a clean shirt from his locker. "Anything else I need to know?" He asked before he changed the topic and tried to steal his past sponser for a few more drinks.

[axelxmartinez]

MILA​:

✤₥♔

                                  Listen long, long enough you can love me                                   I’ll be just yours, you can hold me                                   Even let you undress my mind                                   Save it, play it, watch it then press rewind                                   I can give you what you need                                   I can make you feel                                   I can make you feel alright.

Mila could navigate through the song’s simple range like a professional pianist asked to play a C major. Lounge music wasn’t about range, after all. It was about ignitic a certain kind of feeling. The list she’d composed was made of songs that had an erotic, alluring, ominous vibe to them — one that went hand in hand with St. Peter’s charm and perhaps the whole town’s essense. Red Ridge was the kind of place one couldn’t forget once they’d tasted it, not because it had any beaches or attractions unlike any other city, but for the sense of danger and warmth that enrupted those living in it. Red Ridge provided its citizens with an interesting life. Likewise, the singer hoped to provide her audience with an interesting, fun night. Old habits died hard, didn’t they? Once she finished the song and stepped off the stage for a break, the quick whistle drew her attention on a very special someone in the audience whom she hadn’t been able to spot before due to the lights hitting her eyes; someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. Surprise gave its place to genuine joy as a warm smile took its place on her crimson painted lips. The brunette shook her head as she approached, her hands taking a moment to fix her dress on the hips before reaching his table. “Always and forever lurkin’ in the shadows,” she mused before wrapping an arm tightly around his waist. “Thanks, handsome. It’s been a while.” Her palm ran up and down his back a couple times before she pulled away and took a seat on the chair he pulled out for her. 

Axel made a point of not screwing around with small talk and agoing straight to the point. It was one of the attributes that Mila appreciated the most about him. She appreciated him as a whole for his fierce mind and unconditional support when she most needed it. If it wasn’t for him and his determination not to let her pride get in the way, half her body would probably be wrapped in plaster from the injuries he and the rest of the Bone Breakers would’ve had to inflict upon her as punishment. “I’m okay, Ax. Promise.” Her hand rested on top of his, offering it a reassuring squeeze. “What, I haven’t bugged you about cash in a while and you thought Valencia has thrown me in a ditch?” 

-

"Of course." He mused back at her with a shark lipped smile. Axel preferred the darkness. It gave him the sense of anonymity he enjoyed. When he wanted someone to know he was around he could alert them in one way or another. Otherwise he kept the element of surprise option open and that was best in his normal line of work."I'm glad I could catch a performance. Things have been crazy with all the bodies and shit." Bodies that didn't belong to Valencia, which was obvious because he was one to make sure they were taken care of with little to no trace. That and they tended to pay in beatings long before they brought it to such an untimely demise. 

His free hand moved to cup hers from the top and his eyes lingered on the touch. Dark brown hues moved back up to meet her gaze and he nodded once. "Nah, I would've heard that order. I just wanted to make sure you weren't getting into anything else, either." Not that he thought she'd go to the cops but he did know there were plenty of deviants and rivals who she could get caught up with. "And remind you that if you do need help, you need to reach out. I'm never far away." He removed his hand and reached for his drink to bring it to his lips. With the serious talk out of the way he relaxed back in to his seat to scan her with his eyes. "You look good, what have you been up to?" He asked, waiting to hear all about everything new in her life.

[axelxmartinez]

AMARA​:

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

unblinking ,    raveled in secrecy  ;    she says no more beyond what she already has  ,     a mouth sealed shut is a place where unspoken words can be buried and transform  ;     cat-like eyes instigate on sheer habit   ,     lanky fingers toying along the black strap that presses  ( too tightly perhaps )  to the skin ,    imprinting strange patterns on her ivory chest  ,     still trapped in this unstable rhythm of rise and fall .   

he  reassures    her ,     to no avail  ;     first impressions are footprints on wet cement  ,     left there to age with the years .      in truth they had already made up their mind about each other   —– whatever interests had peaked  ,   assumptions ,    weather what stands before them is a friend or foe  ,    reliable or suspicious  .   people ,   such as they are  ,     seem to always be in a rush to comfortably categorize others .   she doesn’t tremble in fear of him  ,    not because he claims to be harmless ,    nor because they are standing on the same side of the board   -   but because boredom is far more malignant contestant to danger .    isn’t that why amusement parks stay in business ?

the oddity of her nature and how others prompt her on the spot seems to have long ceased to faze her  .     amara ,   standing low under his scrutiny  ,     claps her hands together  ,    voice lilting in bubbly excitement .      “      yes !  food !    perfect .     i’m starving .    ”      in truth  ,     she had eaten  —— a quite   boring ,    colorless breakfast ,   like so many other days before that ;   but her body seemed to burn through nourishment like fuel ,   and keeping the pointer of the balance from ticking down was more of a struggle than she’d ever care to worry about before .      “    i’ve been living off ramen noodles  &   marshmallows since i got here .    bleh  …     ”     an off-handed comment ,      but the disgusted grouch is genuine .    sometimes she entertains the idea of cooking  - just never for too long .

-

“Well, come on then kid.” His words trailed off as he exited the studio and made his way towards his car in the parking lot. Axel certainly didn’t mind the company, especially since the girl was Valencia or at least trying to be. Once they reached his car he unlocked it and grabbed her door for her. He crossed around the front once she was in to get into the driver's side and behind the wheel. It was hot, even with the sun shade he removed once inside, the black seats had soaked up the heat. 

Axel wasted no time in starting the car and cranking the fan up on the air conditioner. "I know this is my expedition for food, but ya got any suggestions on what we should get?" He asked always open for someone else to pick the place to eat, unless he knew the place was absolute shit. "No fast food bullshit either. I need to keep the gains I just got from my work out." Not that she would know what that meant but he figured she did. By habit he started driving to the diner, his go to for food I general since he was rarely home long enough to cook a real meal unless Sammy was with him.

[axelxmartinez]

#how dare he #he could step on me and i would thank him

[axelxmartinez]

NATALIE CASSADAGA​:

—

good was a stretch, at best, but he didn’t have to know that. as much as his company could be enjoyed, she still had to keep her guard up — remind herself and him that there had to be a safety distance between her and valencia, it was the single comfort she could get despite the way she was regrettably tied to them. sometimes she felt that, had they met under different circumstances, she would’ve been able to appreciate axel far more than she could do now. might have even called him a friend, at some point — right now, all he was to her amounted to a question mark, someone whose role in her life she hadn’t quite figured out yet. perhaps valencia only had a little to do with it. perhaps the biggest problem was her, and the way she didn’t feel like she belonged into the more or less functional section of society anymore — as if every interaction with another human being had to be accompanied with the sudden realization that hey, look, i can speak too. natalie attempted a smile, though it was barely a hint and it faded off right away, leaving room for a stern, wary look on her face instead. “yeah. i’m good”. 

while matters of a deep nature left her uneasy, she let her mind drift off to the practical essence of art instead. a quick glance back at the kitchen told her perhaps she had ten, fifteen minutes left on her break — and her mind, as usual, had picked up on that little spark of inspiration he’d offered and was building off of it already, demanding her hands to move. natalie dug out the tiny notepad and the pen she used for writing down orders, but didn’t ask him what he’d like to eat. she set them out on the table instead, and began sketching thin, broken lines around a concept slowly forming in her head. thick vines entangling, hiding some sort of creature behind them. “what’s around this patch you want filled?”, a rapid glance shot his way, before she went back to sketching. “i think i might have something”.

-

Dark chocolate eyes studied the woman and her answer as if it was scribbled on a piece of paper and floating for him to examine. "If you say so." He concluded, hinting to the fact that he didn't fully believe she was good. However, he wasn't in the mood to argue about it. Not in the diner anyways. Maybe he'd press her about it later, when they were alone and no one could hear what either one was saying. Sometimes it was better that way. Discretion, despite his affiliations.

He pulled his shirt down a bit to check. Sometimes he forgot where everything was, minus his throat and finger tattoos. "A black rose and one of them death moth looking things. I forgot what they were called." Then he motioned to the sides on his torso. "You know the only thing on my sides is that quote for death." He pointed out to keep in her mind for the future. Though, he wasn’t completely sold on the idea of putting anything else near that quote. It could potentially take away from the importance the words held to him. However, the other side was blank and was free to be filled with almost anything. It was a blank slate for a big piece or a bunch of smaller pieces in the future. Something maybe Natalie would do for him, unless she cut tail and run from Red Ridge by then. He knew she wasn’t a fan of Valencia, even if he thought they were good for the city. “Whenever you go back, I’ll have my usual and I can meet you at your house when your shift’s over. I have some errands to run anyways.” Axel was sure he’d have the night off but he’d need to check in at the Phoenix before he would know for sure.

[axelxmartinez]

VERONICA CROFT:

—

     nine times out of ten, veronica would find herself alone, lingering in the dark alley ; a cigarette in hand. yet, as fate would have it, the presence of another emerged much too soon for her liking. as the male stepped from the shadows, the dim light illuminating his features, the brunette’s gaze drifted toward him. “ depends on your definition of a bad night, ” the dancer quipped, taking a draw from her cigarette. his following rhetorical questions earned a genuine jingle of laughter that split her cherry-red lips. “ oh, darlin’, ” she began, softly imitating his own expression. “ we all have our problems. so, what makes you an exception? ” the edge of her mouth curved into a subtle smirk then, index finger gently flicking against the stick ; sprinkled cinders floating to gather at the damp ground beneath her feet. truthfully, sometimes, veronica felt as though she was a slave to her issues. that they controlled her more than she controlled them.

     in veronica’s experience, the majority of the men she encountered inside the club were married, searching for a pretty girl to yap to about their marriage ; swearing that the marital strain was the main culprit for his infidelity. as if veronica would ever buy that kind of bullshit. still, that was her job, to bat her eyelashes and stroke the egos of desperate men. on the other hand, there remained the males who simply wandered into the club for nothing more than a good time. the kind of men with zero commitments or responsibilities — the unattached drifters, if you will. which bracket her latest companion fell under, veronica had yet to uncover but that sardonic tongue of his left her inclined to believe he fitted neither.

     having taken another puff, the laugh that escaped veronica was accompanied by a cloud of hazy smoke. “ i’m not unsociable, ” she claimed, inky pupils peering across at the male. “ i’m selectively social. there’s a distinct difference. ” after inhaling another drag, she dropped the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath the sole of her stiletto. at his words, a more evident smirk embellished the curvature of her mouth ; a faint hum echoing within her throat. “ rest assured, i get plenty of attention. sure seems like i’ve got yours, hm? ” with a subdued simper framing her features, green-flecked eyes remained focused on the male.

-

"I deal with all my problems swiftly and efficiently." He flashed a shark like smile and took a drag from his cigarette. His expression went back to neutral and he moved to lean his back against the wall of the building. "You ought to come down to Rogue's and see my work some night. It's a sight to witness and it would give you a better understanding of why I'm problem free." His words were confident and boastful, despite them being untrue. Of course, the man had his own problems. His past, commitment issues, his need for all things physical, and the complex he had about being a father. All things he wouldn't be admitting to or telling a random dancer in an alleyway. 

He hummed at her words, something he agreed with. Axel pulled another drag from his cigarette and blew the smoke out of the corner of his mouth. "Same." He chimed in. Axel talked to who he wanted to, when he wanted to. There was a select few he would seek out and go out of his way for. If you caught him with his kid, you might think he's an entirely different person altogether. When the sinister and sarcasm melts away, and he's talking about cartoons and comic book heroes. Coloring pictures with crayons. "You did, but I was just havin' smoke. You were the one that started talkin'." He pointed out and flicked the remainder of his cigarette down the alley.

"Why don't you take me inside and show me around? Maybe I could use some of this company everyone's goin' on about." If anything, it was something to do and occupy the hours until he needed to inevitably sleep for awhile. The air was heavy and dangerous in Red Ridge lately. It had even managed to creep under his thick shell every so once and awhile. Axel didn't like it, not one bit. "Plus you shouldn't be out here on your own with a killer runnin' around. Don't think the five-oh will do much a job protecting any of us." Least of all him and he didn't want them to. He could take care of himself.

[axelxmartinez]

MORGAN O’CONNELL:

“The door, right,” she rolled her eyes at him. “And I’m Britney Spears!” Morgan stared at him and then shook her head. “Alright, keep your secrets, darling.” She saw the men moving the body to the basement and saw the block of money. Quickly she took it and let out a small groan when he told her she was going to get the other half later. “You know, I liked the old system when I used to put the price.” In the good old days, they would bring her a gft, she would look at it, take into account gender, age, cause of death and time of death, along with measurements to give them a final price. Now they would pay a certain amount and she could not change it. 

“Next time you call me and you let me know you’re going to be already at my place instead of being a creeper and wait for me like a stalker,” Morgan added and went to her kitchen to open the fridge and take a bottle of wine. “Why don’t you stay?” she asked him. “You look skinny and dirty so you can take a shower and I’ll order food. How does that sound?” Morgan was then interrupted by the two other members who stared at her when they closed the basement’s door. She stared back and rose an eyebrow in a silent question. “Can we watch?” one of them asked her. “Watch what?” She took off her heels and threw them somewhere else. “How you do it?” the other said and she chuckled. “You’ll like that? Morgan couldn’t help but roll her eyes when they nodded. “Well, that’s too bad. That’s my secret and no amount of money will make me tell you two idiots about it.” Taking the bottle, she poured herself some of the wine. “Your boys shouldn’t be asking question, dear,” she told Axel. “Who knows? They could be the next gift you’ll bring me. How soon do you want it done?” 

- “Wow, Britney you’ve really changed over the years.” He commented back, a sardonic smile gracing his face with his words. Axel watched the boys do their work, his hand still waving the money for Morgan to take. “Times change and Valencia likes to be the one in control, something we have in common.” He pointed out after her statement. Axel wasn’t a fan of being told what to do, unless it was someone giving him a job to do. Otherwise he wanted to be in control at all times, preferably with the upper hand. She might want to name the price, but Valencia liked to keep their prices the same from the start and that was going to be the case going forward.

Axel nodded to her demand, though he would likely not listen. Maybe. It depended if he remembered next time and if he was feeling compliant. Two things that were usually unlikely for him but who knows what would happen. That was a problem for future them and not for the moment. "You really know how to compliment a man, M." He breathed out and thought about the offer. "I should stick around anyways, make sure everything's done right." He turned to the men and rolled his eyes at them. "Get yo' asses out of here or you can watch me rearrange your teeth." His voice was steady but stern, not wanting to raise his voice unless he needed to. Luckily, his reputation was enough that he only needed to tell them once. Once they were gone he turned his attention back to the dark haired woman. "As soon as possible, of course. You have something I can change into that wasn't owned by a dead guy?" He unzipped his hoodie as he asked and moved to lock her door behind the other members.

[axelxmartinez]

there’s nothing more satisfying than the sound of hitting someone solid in the fucking jaw.

[axelxmartinez]

He was in the zone, fueled by pure adrenaline and passion. The buzzing hum of the crowd cheering sat in the back of his head, overcome by the regulated breaths he took every time he swung. It felt like the fight had just started, but it had gone a few rounds and all at once he was being pulled off his opponent. "Get up and fight you fuckin' coward." He huffed as he was being pushed to the other side of the cage. But the match was over and the judges were unanimous, he won. He left the ring with a couple of beats on his chest for fan fare and headed to the back to get patched up.

"Ayyye." He drawled out, still a bit breathless from the fight. A smirk graced his lips and he breathed a short laugh through his nostrils. "You know all I do is win. They need to find me some better competition." Axel eyed the man and sent the aide away after the applied the last butterfly bandage to his cut. He could do the rest himself. "I know that look man, what's up?" His eyes looked up at him for a brief moment then back to his hands where he started tearing the tape off. "Or should I have a drink in my hand first?" He stood and moved to his locker, grabbing a cigarette from the pack in his bag and lighting it. It wasn't good for his lungs, but it felt good and that was all he cared about.

STATUS: CLOSED for @axelxmartinez​

LOCATION: rogue’s club

Serafin stood back along the bar of the dirty old fight club, eyeing the naive tourists that lined the cage as they cheered for Axel’s congratulatory exit.  There was something sinister about out of towners cheering aside the same stage that would be matched in volume with the screams of those who had done Valencia wrong deeper in the night.  By the same man, in the same spot, the only difference being the severity of the ending and the eerie vacancies in the crowd that would take the place of the bouncing optimists that were just there for the experience. The thought alone brought a smirk to Raf’s lips, intense brown eyes following Axel as he exited left to be patched and giving him a nod as if to say he would meet him back there.  

He gave pause, allowing the crowd to settle and the next names to be called before he slid a ten over to the bartender and carried his heavy bones to the little nook behind the scenes that was often used for menial first aid.  “Aye, man..”  The Latino drew out, letting his hand clap the other’s back.  “Do I gotta congratulate you on your victory, or does that go without saying these days?” Raf smirked, leaning against the counter, his eyes telling stories of ulterior motives, reasons for coming that didn’t include niceties.  

[axelxmartinez]

LILIANA MARQUEZ​:

“Well it showed.” She said listening to him. What was it about this man that she felt drawn to him right now. It wasn’t something she knew how to explain, but she could feel it. She convinced herself to push back what ever it was and just be in the moment. “I did. I wasn’t sure I would to be honest. That type of thing is not my normal, but I figured I was there already, I might as well enjoy myself and it was quite fun to watch actually.” It had surprised her how much she enjoyed watching the fights.

‘Well that explains it then. Because I am usually here when it is busiest. I dont think I have ever come in and not had to stand in line. But I will say it is worth every minute. You guys do a great job.” She said nodding. “Its nice to meet you too Axel.” She listened to the order and was happy with what he was getting her. “Um yeah, ill take a drink. Can you get my a strawberry soda?” She asked, that was her mami’s favorite and became hers too. “How much for the lunch?” She asked him as she pulled out her wallet. “Oh no, not Ms Marquez.Please, Lils or Liliana or Isa.” She smiled and nodding thank you for pulling out the chair. “I teach 5th grade.” She told him. “So what made you start fighting like that?” She asked him.

--

There was a sure way to get to Axel's heart, if it still existed, and that was most certainly through compliments and praise. He flashed an ego the size of Africa to anyone who dared question something about him, or if they had a death wish, insulted him. But, underneath that confidence was some doubt and the reminder that he was nothing without his father's name strapped to his back. Something he continued to work hard to prove wrong. He could be the king of everything on his own accord, or at least rise as far as he was able to before the world decided they'd had enough of him. Liliana was fueling that confidence and mindset and all of a sudden the man was keen to get to know her better. 

"Thanks." The smile that spread across his lips was genuine and not placed there for shoe just because she was a customer. Within a few minutes she'd managed to find a way to tip toe past some of his walls and get him to lighten up. He grabbed her the strawberry soda and set it down in front of her before taking the open seat across the table. "Nah, it's on me today. Put your money away." He replied when she asked and waved off her wallet. The benefit to being the owner is he got to pick and choose who paid. Obviously, he wasn't much for niceties with most people, hell he made family pay, but on occasion it didn't hurt. "Alright, alright. Isa." He chuckled again, that smile coming out of the blue for a second time. "Fifth grade, huh? That's got to be rough, just when the kids start to rebel." Axel had seen it first hand with his siblings. "I guess I just get a rush from it, y'know? And it brings in some extra cash." He left out the other reasons, like Valencia and the way it helped him feel something when everything went numb inside. "Plus it impresses the ladies." He winked and added jokingly.

[axelxmartinez]

ELI CARLSON:

The young man didn’t look all that invested in what was happening in his store, Eli knew he could get the same way at the office. He was almost grateful for it, small talk would not do him well at the moment. Seeing the price he pulled out enough cash for it and counted it once more to make sure he had it right, his eyes flicked up to read the man’s lips. It took a moment and he nodded, “Found everything fine. I don’t need a bag thanks,” it felt like he was answering like a robot and he didn’t like it. 

Setting the cash down he rubbed his ear, ‘Sorry I have a hard time hearing. Thanks,” he took his things nodding to the man. Maybe he didn’t need to explain himself, but he usually did just to feel like he wasn’t acting crazy. Taking his drink and sandwich out Eli looked at his watch, he was a touch annoyed at himself. He was suppose to meet someone out within the hour, some fight club- Rouge’s was the name he thought. It was unconventional for an interview, but he would work with what he had. 

Getting back to his place he got dressed and finished his food, he texted them he was almost ready to meet them, they agreed. With his hearing aids in and dressed up in a better set of clothes than what he stepped out, he felt ready. Not long after he was pushing open the door to the bar and smirking at the fighting rings- he missed it in a way. Fighting with his brothers in poorly built rings in their dorms while they waited for orders to move on to the next place. His ‘date’ had not arrived yet and he was starting to worry.

“Good, good.” He mumbled nodding and opening the cash register to put the bills in their respective spots. After he shut the till he looked the man over again and then handed him his receipt. He didn’t really know why people wanted their receipt at a gas station, unless they were getting reimbursed for their gas but he didn’t know much about that. The only thing he’d ever been reimbursed for was a gun he had to purchase specifically for a job he had to carry out and then get rid of afterwards. One of the main reasons he didn’t use guns unless he had to, they were a risky weapon that got traced back to people too easily. Luckily all his were unregistered and hidden, besides the one he carried on him along with the switchblade in his pocket. 

His look stayed neutral but he nodded again when the man said he was hard of hearing. “Not an issue, man. Have a good night.” Axel raised his voice again, so he would hear him though he didn’t really care. He’d said all he needed to know and he doubted the man cared much for conversation if he was already having a hard time hearing what he said. Once he left, he went back to his phone until the closing employee got there for their shift. After a quick chat, he grabbed an iced tea from the cooler and headed out to Rogue’s for the night. 

He entered the bar side of the club, opting to get a drink and settle in till it was clear what he would be doing for the night. Axel took a seat at the bar and said his hellos to the familiar faces that recognized him. He waited for his drink and opened his tab for the night. His eyes scan his surroundings then land on a man near him. "Hey, didn't I just see you?" He asked, eyebrows knitted together as he studied his profile in the dim light. "Yeah, you were just at my store. What brings you in here?"

[axelxmartinez]

BARNETT MARR:

taunts veiled by coaxes ,     they’re practically flirtations .     and when he picks up his head     from between shoulders ,     nearing defeat ,     he keeps still ,     a lack of knowledge     to feed anonymity ,     albeit voice making it all too real     to let him know who they make themselves out to be .     out of all places ,     he landed in the wrong land ,     sacrifices made ,     led for the sake of a friend ,     and the means of catching up with said friend .     however ,  she roams ,     busy ,     on a different kind of night ,     leaving him to devices     that the conscience can only dread . 

now ,  interruptions are afoot .     when he finally glances over ,     he can’t tell whether he’s pleased     or off - put .     he asks of     classified information ,     though speaks of     common knowledge ,    while civilians wonder the same ,     thinking in innocence ,     consumings of perceptions that involve     the good guys     and the bad guys     and which ones always gets the others .     in this case ,     the righteous man ,  upon the bandit’s question ,  can only imagine incompetence ,  malpractice ,  food for thought ,     but no answers .     the sense of complete failure ,     and everything that comes along .

he tries not to present himself to be so bitter ,     despite the acrimony     having been drank ,     and now coursing through his veins .    however ,  he’s not even sure over his choice of words     that chooses to remain     on tongue .     “ that’s the bad thing about being on the outside     –     you’re in the wide open     where people can’t protect you . ”     not even a worse menace ,     not even a killer .

-

“You’re right about that one, champ. I’m practically a king on the inside, aren’t I?” Not that he expected the good captain to know the social status he held every time he’d gone to jail. Then again, word does travel and he wouldn’t put it past him. In another world, they might be old friends and share a drink, with words of comfort or encouragement. Whatever it was normal people talked about on a day to day basis. Unfortunately - or fortunately, depending how you looked at it - they were on opposite sides of the spectrum when it came to a moral compass and the law. The likelihood of them seeing eye to eye on anything was slim to none, yet there they were, at the same bar having a drink. Amusing doesn’t even begin to cover the scenario.

The murders didn’t scare Axel, but it was something that stayed at the back of his mind. They were stirring the pot for Valencia, which meant he was involved whether he wanted to be or not. It also made it harder to run a business if no one wanted to go out at night or come to buy their products. “I’m plenty protected out here, not many want to cross my path anymore.” Axel thanked the bartender and dropped a bill on the table from his money clip. “What about you and yours? You all got the buddy system? Holding hands while you patrol around the city tryin’ to catch all of us dangerous criminals.” He smirked and raised the glass to his lips to take a sip. For a moment, he closed his eyes and savored the taste on his tongue. It had been a long day and he’d waited for the sweet taste that graced his mouth then.

[axelxmartinez]

MORGAN O’CONNELL:

Morgan stepped out of her car and stretched her arms over her head. Thank god she didn’t have the night shift at the funeral home or she would have fallen asleep. It had been a long day and all she wanted was to take a shower, order a pizza and watch some T.V. Looking for her keys, she walked to her door and opened it, closing it behind her. She threw her bag on the table and was going to remove her shoes when the familair vocie of Axel made her scream. She stared at him with wide eyes and put a hand on her chest, taking a deep breath. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked. “How did you get in?” She looked around, trying to find an open window but nothing was out of place, except the other man behind the counter who waved at her.

“Is that my last beer?” she pointed at the can on his hand and the man quickly hid it behind his back, looking nervous. “Basement,” she pointed to a door on the left. “Now!” The man quickly nodded and made a hand gesture to his other companion so they could take the gif there. “I want full payment, no discount this time,” Morgan said to Axel, moving closer to him. “Don’t show up like this anymore, next time I could be naked and I would give you and your boys a show, and that costs muchs more.” She then frowned and pointed to his face. “You have some leftovers on you, my dear.” 

-

A light chuckle escaped him. “I used the door.” He answered vaguely on purpose. Opening a regular house door wasn’t hard, even if someone had a deadbolt or an alarm system. The amount of spare keys available to criminals was shocking to even him. As far as Morgan went, he’d rather leave the method up in the air and let her think about it when he left. For all she knew, he had a key made so he wouldn’t need to wait in the van outside her house all suspicious like. Besides, waiting for her inside added to the Valencia intimidation factor and he couldn’t deny how delighted that made him.

“You heard the lady.” He snapped at the two men he’d brought with them and sent them off to do the heavy lifting, quite literally. Axel turned his attention back to the dark haired woman closing into his space. “Full payment, huh?” He asked with an amused expression playing on his features. The man pulled a banded block of money from his pocket and dangled it in front of her waiting for her to take it. “You get the other half when the job’s done.” Standard practice, in case someone decided to make a run for it with their money or go to the cops. He laughed at her next comment. “Do I look like I need to pay to see anyone naked?” One eyebrow quirked with the question. “Next time just be here and it won’t be an issue.” He shrugged, the suggestion seeming reasonable enough to him. “I’m aware.” He had the urge to rub at the spot, but knew that just left room for DNA to show up places he didn’t want it. “Hazards of the job, sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can shower.” Something he looked forward to most of all.

[axelxmartinez]

AMARA SPARROW​:

a shadow of duplicity   hides in that innocent ,   puckered - lipped act .    “    hm ...  “     feigning to ponder  ,    narrow - eyed   &    instigated ,     when she opens her mouth the words fade mid-air  ,   wrapped in uncertainty .    “  mating ritual ?    ”     a stifled laugh lands lightly ,   sprinkled down the cold tiles ,     still damp with morning dew .   there’s a playful   gleam   bouncing off her eyes mocha eyes every time she glances at him ,      this childish delight as if she’s looking at something   precious  ,       something shiny ,     and new ,     and beautiful .    “     no ,   i guess you’re not gonna hurt me .   ”     today ,   some primitive instinct of preservation beckons  ,     but she ,      as she often does  ,       elects to ignore it .    too busy dipping her toes in the water to worry about the sharks swimming close to shore .      “       most of the time …   i cant really cook…   or… write,  or draw  — well…   i can do a pretty mean stick figure,  but that’s about it.   i guess it’s the only thing that’s ever been mine .     ”      spindled fingers wander out  ,      threading along rims and edges she finds along the way ;     in an emptied murmur  ,     she shrugs off any sentimentalism from this assiduous practice with such casual indifference  ,    and  pulls the strap of her bag across her chest  ,    weighting down her bared shoulder like a tiny anchor as she sauntering closer to him with those phantom dancer - feet that could sneak into your bedroom at night without making a sound .      “     can i come along?     ”     almost as an after-though ,    she blurts out ;     not fully understanding the weight of her request  ,    nor particularly interested in where he’s headed .

-

A smirk pulled at the man’s lips to her remark despite him rolling his eyes at the notion. “Don’t think I ever picked someone up that way, but there’s always a first time for everything.” As violent and aggressive as he could be, he rarely did it without being provoked or put into the ring at Rogue’s. In the ring or during sparring, gender didn’t exist. Outside those scenarios, he wasn’t going to get violent with anyone unless they started it or they wanted it. The man had a long enough record that he wasn’t actively trying to add to it, nor did he need to. At that point his reputation preceded him and not many wanted to fuck with him. If they did, they had a death wish and he was happy to oblige. “Wasn’t plannin’ on it, sweetheart.” He confirmed her statement and went back to sipping on the protein shake. 

Axel nodded slowly to her response. He didn’t really have something to compare it to in his mind, just one thing that was his and his alone. The business was his father’s before him, he wasn’t the only bone-breaker, but his skill was his and his house he supposed. It was an interesting concept and it gathered a small amount of respect from him toward her. Even if she was still a street rat, who normally got more shit from him than kindness. “Whatever gets your rocks off, I guess.” He shrugged. Then stepped back to look the woman over. “Come along where? Next place I’m goin’ is lunch, you want to have lunch?” The question wasn’t an offer, more of an ‘are you sure’ just to be positive she knew what she was asking to be invited to. He didn’t care if she wanted to eat with him, that was her choice but he wasn’t much company. Especially when food was involved. 

[axelxmartinez]

NATALIE CASSADAGA​:

on edge. her default condition, by now — days would pile up, the same endless grind, and she’d put on a smile, pretend everything was just sunshine bright, but her muscles would stay clenched, her nerves tense like violin strings. would’ve been hard to pinpoint what it was that she expected — if a cataclysm or any kind, or just a reckoning with the demons she carried on her back. either way, she scurried among the tables of the diner with nervous rush, the usual sun-like smile now faded from her face. it was attempted, of course: a fair-weather disguise to welcome customers and pretend her eyes wouldn’t constantly look out the window, expecting something to be happening. or down to her forearm, over her own tattoo: trying to remember which fang of her tiger hid her track marks, and how long it would be before one more hole joined them.

axel’s words took her off guard. not just his voice, but the word — sunshine — felt so far from what she was that it took her a second to focus her attention on him. she couldn’t have said how she was supposed to feel about him. she enjoyed his company, most of the time, but the fact that he was part of valencia’s guys never led her to feel truly comfortable around him. and yet — the mention of a tattoo was enough to captivate her, and if not fix the dumbfounded look on her face, at least widen her gaze with genuine interest. “surprised you even managed to find it”, she commented, head tilting as she silently surveyed his visible tattoos, trying to remember which ones she’d given him already. a look at the clock — her break was coming up, and she was exhausted. with a sigh, and a wary glance back to the counter, she invited herself on the seat across from him and set her tray down. “should have a spot around 8. what were you thinking?”

-

"Not completely filled in yet, darlin' but between you and the other guy. I'm sure I'll get there eventually." His only limit being face tattoos. Axel had purposely left a few spots open for bigger pieces he planned to get in the future but there were still small patches between other tattoos that could be filled with something. Detail could be added to existing tattoos. The potential was unlimited. Most of the time he was in it for the feeling, just like fighting. Except he could fall asleep getting a tattoo and he obviously couldn’t sleep while he was punching someone in the face. He rested his chin on his palm when she sat down across from him, getting a closer look at the waitress. She looked tired, a little on edge and tense. His eyebrows knit together and he wondered if it was him, but pushed off the thought. She wouldn’t have sat down if it was him doing it. 

He licked his lips and sat back in the booth. “Eight should work, I don’t have to fight tonight so I am free to do whatever.” Which he didn’t mind for once, his knuckles were scraped and bruised from the night before and he had a decent sized cut on his face from the asshole trying to fight back. When he was younger, his body was much more resilient and he hardly had to do any kind of aftercare or upkeep to jump back in the ring. As he aged, however, he had methods like ice baths and heat packs, to combat the soreness between fights. “You good, Nat?” He slipped in before he gave her his order, knowing she probably didn’t have long before she had to leave and finish her shift.