outer-banks-trash

[outer-banks-trash]

Self para for fight club

@krovscastlerpg

Rowan knew this was stupid, and yet here he was, doing it anyway: he didn’t want to, it seemed extremely pointless and all he wanted was to read with a book and maybe have a cigarette or a joint. Proof that this whole enterprise was designed by assholes and idiots who just wanted to see him suffer and who set rules that made no sense without ever rewarding him. Hell, he was going to get his ass beat for the possibility of money. They weren’t even getting a fee. Dumb as fuck.

The other guy, who looked like he chewed glass for fun, came at him with a roar that Rowan personally found stupid as shit. At least Rowan knew how to dodge a punch. And that’s what he did at first, dodged and shifted and wished to God all of this was a nightmare that he would wake up from. But it wasn’t helping make the fight end any faster, so Rowan eventually had to fight back, which he did with great reluctance. His fist connected with the other guy’s jaw and to his own surprise, the other guy crumpled to the ground, much to the shock of the spectators. How had he won the fight in one hit? What was even going on right now?

Leaning over to make sure the guy was okay before they carted him off to the infirmary, Rowan noted his former opponent winked at him. “Sorry; I don’t want to fight Seth. Had to make it look good.” Rowan swore. Typical.

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open to: anyone

Post heat week

Setting: The gym

Row had spent a very confusing heat week being pampered by Sir Fancy Pants and taking suppressants. The whole thing was unnerving. He'd had his toenails painted. He'd spent the time since trying to avoid Roland and sort out his feelings about all of the ... niceness.

There was some kind of fight club or something going on. Row was a werewolf and would absolutely lose any fight which he had no intention of trying, but it meant that masters seemed keen to watch everyone work out, so he was taking advantage and enjoying the workouts.

"Why would I wanna get my ass kicked for recreational purposes?"

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Row rolled his eyes so hard he was surprised they didn't fall out. "Uh huh. Sorry, my mistake. That'd be for those of us lower on the social ladder." He laughed at Rhys' last remark. "I can think of a few, but they all involve a slave collar." This conversation was odd, and he couldn't understand why anyone with a soul or morals would apply at a place like this, so clearly Rhys didn't have any of either, but he acted like he did. Which, why? He didn't need to bother, Row didn't care either way and he didn't matter even if he did. "You can't tell me you didn't know what a sex castle is for. C'mon, man, no one's that naive." Maybe this was some kind of kink? Like. pretending to be noble and good and all business so he could be ... corrupted or something? It reminded Row of Southern Baptists. "Right. Sure. Yeah. Definitely." It was possible Row could've tried to hide his absolute lack of belief, but what would be the point? "Must be nice to have that option."

Rhys’ brow furrowed at the line of questioning that followed, visibly taken aback by such an inquiry. “Hospitality isn’t really where my talents lie. I don’t really have the patience to deal with that kind of environment. Can’t think of anything more mind-numbing than a typical nine-to-five.” Row’s following remarks were explicitly sarcastic and strangely, Rhys couldn’t help but appreciate and admire the implementation of such wry remarks. They weren’t on the same page, clearly and it was understandable given their individual circumstances. If Rhys had been unfortunate enough to find himself in the werewolf’s position, he was certain he’d also harbour more than a little resentment towards those thriving in the environment that stifled and oppressed him day in, day out. “As far as job interviews go, it wasn’t the worst one I’ve endured. The level of expectation was a little intimidating, but that was part of the challenge. Should’ve definitely done a little more research into the place, though. My naivety was definitely a shortcoming.” Despite his adoration for the younger witch and all his complexities, Rhys chuckled at the reference, his laughter surprisingly genuine. “I wouldn’t say I’ve got a thing for them. I’m genuinely just here for the employment. The supposed perks of the job – though I personally don’t see them as such – don’t interest me. The council are my employers first and foremost and that’s as far as it goes. I don’t see any of them in that way. It’s strictly business. Nothing more, nothing less.”

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Row scratched his ear. "If it's house chores, I ain't really an expert on dusting." This was all so weird. Not bad, at least not bad yet, but weird. He wanted things to make sense, but none of his life experience had prepared him for most of what went on in this place, and especially not this whole "pamper the food" thing. "You do that just fine as it is." It hadn't really been an invitation, not that he was in a position to make invitations, but it shouldn't be surprising that The Money did what they wanted. Though Row wasn't sure WHAT Fancy Pants wanted.

Row wanted to know where the line was, because if you didn't know, you'd just end up crossing it by accident and getting your shit rocked. Better to find it on purpose so you could be prepared for next time. So yes, he was being bad. But it was really Roland's fault for pretending it was possible to be good. "Nobody's nice forever." He turned the other man's wrist up and looked at his palm while watching Sir Lottabucks out of his peripheral vision. "Yeah, kinda."

The naked part happened and Row felt once more like he knew what was going on. Sort of. He leaned back in the tub and watched Roland undress, waiting for things to get violent or at least unpleasant. They were now soaking in the tub together and the tension was driving him insane and why couldn't Roland Fancy Fuck just do SOMETHING and get it over with? Row pitched out of his lounging position and pinned Roland to the edge of the tub, straddling his thighs. "I don't get you." That was a wild understatement so he mauled Roland's mouth because at least that way the violence was starting and he knew what happened next. He kept one hand on Roland's shoulder and one pulling the pretty red hair that Lord Nice had grown out. His teeth pierced the other man's lip though things got ... blurry because while it was violent, they were making out and the water was sloshing over the side and Row was getting fuzzier and fuzzier on what the point was. Other than to be bad enough that Roland finally stopped being nice. Nice was far too dangerous.

Roland laughed lightly at the first comment. "Oh, I have no doubt he's quite talented but I had different purposes for the two of you." One for blood, one for sex. Often he just took both from one slave but werewolf blood would have done nothing for his mood so this time it was better for it to be separate. The question made him smile. "Why yes, I am. I suppose that's rare in this environment but I like to stand out." His eyebrows went up at the almost challenge. "Is that an invitation? If so, I'll join you."

Before he could make any real move to do so, Rowan grabbed his wrist and pulled him near the edge of the tub, which Roland let him do, intrigued as to where this was going. Feisty, this one. That could be fun. "I have no desire to be dominated, no." Might as well clear that up, since the question had been asked. The werewolf went on, leaning further out and dripping on him but with the fae blood in his system it didn't bother Roland. It was just water, after all. It was very impertinent of the slave but the assumptions Rowan made were more amusing than anything. "Who says I'm going to stop being nice?" He didn't dislodge Rowan's grip but shifted so he was on his knees and the werewolf wasn't looming over him quite so much. It also helped get him out of the way of most of the drips. "I want you to enjoy yourself. I want us to have fun. Is that so unreasonable?" He lifted his free hand and stroked his fingers through Rowan's wet hair, pushing some of it back. "But since you seem...impatient, I think I will join you." He stood in a fluid motion, letting go of the werewolf and pulling his wrist free, taking a couple steps back and undressing slowly, watching Rowan watch him as he did.

Clothing gone, he climbed into the tub and sank into the hot water with a sigh, though it was big enough that he didn't have to crowd Rowan to do it, and he didn't. "Is this still too much suspense for you?" He figured it was clear what he wanted, or intended, which Rowan seemed to have known from the beginning, so what was the rush?

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Row didn’t need a werewolf’s senses to smell bullshit. His nose twitched and he raised a skeptical eyebrow. “So it was this or a job at Olive Garden and this just seemed like a better fit?” Did they have Olive Garden in England? He had no idea. His vision of London mostly came from Mary Poppins. Unless that hadn’t been set in London, he couldn’t remember. “Yeah I can imagine that was important. Wouldn’t wanna make the vampires think you were a real asshole, what with them being so delicate and mannerly. Probably make ‘‘em faint if you cussed or didn’t use the right fork.” The concept of a right fork was always bizarre to Row. Surely any fork was fine as long as it worked? It had three tines and you could stab things with it, why was there more to it than that? “Is this like Seth and his … thing for demons? You gotta thing for … I dunno, total shitheels?”

Row had no idea how this was supposed to work, but he felt like he was either being interrogated very skillfully or very badly. Definitely one of the two. "Do you always talk like you're charging by the letter? Cuz Seth doesn't so it can't be a witch thing." Talking about his life before coming here was a non-starter as far as he was concerned. It was complicated and no one else's business. And, more to the point, he didn't like talking about it. "How come this is all going one way? Why don't you spill your guts about what your life was like before you worked here? I mean, I didn't choose to come here but you did, that seems like a bigger step, don't ya think? Wager it was fierce competition."

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Row cocked his head like a dog to match the other man, trying to sort out whether or not he was being an asshole. He didn't give off that vibe but he also didn't really make sense, and Row had very little patience for people who interrupted his outdoors time, which was sacred. "I'm sun tanning. Obviously." Did new guy not understand that there was only so much sunshine they got in a given day and Row wanted every inch of it on his skin to keep him going til the next time? "Nah, first time too, I've just been here long enough to start to get a little used to it. Plus I was in regular jail once, though they don't really compare." He looked the guy up and down. "You're not normal, huh? What's your deal?"

"I don't know," he admitted, shrugging a shoulder. It looked a bit like he was trying to take a nap, but outside seemed a strange place to do that. The beds in the undercroft weren't good, by any means, but they were certainly better than the cold, hard ground. "I don't need anything," he continued, backing off a few steps. At the very least, he wasn't outright blocking his view with his shadow. "I was just curious." Actual leisure was still... new. "It is, though. My first time in... sex... jail." An odd way to put it. It didn't quite roll off the tongue. "Is it not yours?"

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Row woke up to a vampire making fire and playing with it and at first assumed he was still asleep. Though why he'd dream about that, he wasn't sure. He came to more entirely and no, it wasn't a dream, he was still in a huge tub and had no idea what was going on with Mr. Fancy Ass. Row refused to use his proper name even in his own thoughts. It was the only place he could be himself.

He scratched his ear and the back of his neck and stared at Mr FA, puzzled to the point he wasn't even irritated (well maybe just a little). Why was this man making all this effort? It's not like Row could say no in any meaningful way, and he'd already tried an end run with Fabian which hadn't worked. "I don't know what you think I can do that Fabian can't, but I don't have a bag full a tricks to impress you with." Row leaned over the side of the tub, his arms folded under him, to watch Mr. Fancy Ass, who clearly required watching. "So what, you just being nice?" The idea was so ludicrous that Row actually smiled. He wasn't sure if he was safer in the tub or out of it. "You gonna get in or just watch?"

He leaned further and caught the edge of Fancy Ass's wrist, pulling him closer. While he had nothing on a vampire's speed, it didn't seem like the boss-man wanted to escape. "I don't get you, but if this is you tryna get me to dom you or somethin', that ain't my strong suit so you're gonna be disappointed." He finally put his finger on what was bothering him. "Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it. But enough of this weird being nice to me shit, it's just gonna make it worse when you stop bein' nice and do whatever it is you want." He leaned farther out of the tub, dripping on Mr. Fancy Ass. "Just get it over with and quit keepin' me in suspense here." He was surprisingly aggressive about the whole thing and he didn't know why he thought that was a good idea when it wasn't. He was just so angry because ... because when it stopped being nice, all of this would feel dirty. And he'd rather it just be bad so he didn't have to feel bad about enjoying the first part.

Rowan was very efficient, or so it seemed, removing his shirt as soon as they got into the suite but Roland seemed to surprise him by leading him to the bathroom and leading him there. It suited the vampire to be surprising so he didn't particularly mind and let the werewolf stew, and presumably bathe, while he had his fun with Fabian. His blood was exquisite, as all fae blood was, intoxicating and light and almost refreshing. The tingle of magic came with it as well and having drank his fill, more than he'd normally take considering he didn't have other plans for Fabian, he finally sent him back and returned to the bathroom to check on the werewolf. Roland was amused to find him asleep and waited until he woke up, playing with fire and weaving it around his fingers, able to do it because of Fabian's blood. He always liked toying with the magic he siphoned. Rowan woke up a moment later and Roland extinguished the flame, approaching the edge of the tub.

"You look very relaxed." He mused, smiling. "True, but you were never a pig's ear. Haven't you realised that yet?" All the slaves were attractive, it was why they were in the Undercroft in the first place. This dissembling was very silly. "Have you soaked your fill or shall I join you?" He was much more relaxed than he had been with Fabian's blood in his system, languid and almost high, though still eager to sample the werewolf. Whatever Rowan chose, it was clear Roland wasn't about to leave, so he settled on the spotless floor next to the tub, stretched out lazily, and rested one arm on a bent knee as he looked at Rowan. "Your friend was very obliging but he's gone now. It's just the two of us."

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[outer-banks-trash]

Row ran, hating every moment of his lack of murder spree. Later, when he was himself again, he would thank Finn and wonder how a demon of all people was the one to make him behave. For now, he was going to destroy some landscape and pretend it was a certain familiar.

"Dramatic," Finn snorted as he led Rowan to the front doors of the castle. He opened them up and waved his hand, once more using his persuasion as he gave another command. "Go run with the rest of the wolves all night."

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Row tried to think of a way where he hadn't broken the rules BUT he hadn't lied either. This was so much work. Fuck this place and the stupid fucking collars, man. "Would that get us in a lotta trouble if I did?" He shrugged. "Maybe I got the day wrong. Can't help it, I'm just not that bright, ya know?" Row glanced back at Khion and shrugged his shoulders again to say "I got no plan" but he kept going. "So are you gonna punish me? Or you wanna take all this food and go have a picnic with two nice guys just tryna have a good time?"

Manny raised his brow as Rowan approached him privately, keeping his attention mostly on him while occasionally glancing at Khion who wasn't doing anything out of line. Yet. These two were absolutely up to something but them snacking in the kitchen was the least of his concerns. He politely declined the nut from Rowan, a hint of an amused smile creeping on his lips. "That so? So is this you admitting that you haven't been formally rented and this was all some ploy to spend some time with me?"

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"Thank you! Who thinks that's okay, huh? Why are slavers out here talkin' about 'not all slavers'? Don't remember that ending up on Twitter." Row had to explain his thought process. "If they're afraid of getting murdered, we can ... pretend someone poisoned us to try and murder them? It made sense in my head. I'm just tryna find a way to make this a positive. We gotta be able to do something with this to make life better."

"What the fuck, that doesn't make it better. Maybe, like, don't sell someone into slavery in the first place?" Khion suggested as a far more moral alternative. Already he shared Rowan's disgust for this Nikolas and he hadn't even met the guy. He furrowed his brows as he stared at the wolf for a few long seconds, trying to process this thought. "I'm not sure I understand the connection of one guy nearly getting staked in the heart with why they wouldn't want blood? Vamps still gotta eat."

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Row had no idea how this was supposed to work, but he felt like he was either being interrogated very skillfully or very badly. Definitely one of the two. "Do you always talk like you're charging by the letter? Cuz Seth doesn't so it can't be a witch thing." Talking about his life before coming here was a non-starter as far as he was concerned. It was complicated and no one else's business. And, more to the point, he didn't like talking about it. "How come this is all going one way? Why don't you spill your guts about what your life was like before you worked here? I mean, I didn't choose to come here but you did, that seems like a bigger step, don't ya think? Wager it was fierce competition."

Rhys remained silent as words ebbed and flowed from Row. It was clear that conversation, or small talk at the very least, wasn’t necessarily a strong point for him. It was an admirable effort nevertheless. Having to make conversation whilst not in the mood to do so was always an exhausting feat. The fact that he was willing to make an effort to do so at all was almost touching if Rhys over-examined such a fact to the nth degree – or perhaps he was simply being too generous when it came to the bare minimum of socialisation. “No need to make anything up,” Rhys replied simply, waving a hand dismissively at the slave’s suggestion. “Everything you’ve said thus far has been insightful whether you consider it fun or not. What was life like for you prior to your arrival here? I’m curious.”

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Row had been sunbathing, a luxury considering the nocturnal hours half the castle kept, when a boy/man/creature almost tripped over him and woke him from his sundoze. Blinking and slightly ornery, he cocked his head and dragged on his ever-present cigarette. "What's it look like?" It was the new guy, who's name was ... something that didn't sound like a name, but that was everyone around here. "You need something, champ?" A cloud shifted and covered the sun and Row sighed. Typical. "You're new or something, right? This your first time in sex-jail?"

@outer-banks-trash

Outside. He was actually able to go outside. Supervised, but still a step above the walls he had endured for so long. Seeing this part of the grounds for the first time had Kaj starstruck—sunstruck? the stars, as he understood it, weren't out yet—to the point where it was easy to ignore the larger details in his surroundings... like another body. Another step or two and he would have stumbled right over him, but by sheer luck he managed to glance down at the last moment.

An apology would be the appropriate thing to offer, but courtesy hadn't been beaten into him. "What are you doing?" he asked, instead.

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Row shrugged, not having expected questions about his worldview or self-esteem or shit. Or any questions at all really. "Just the truth, man. Not everyone's filet mignon, some people are just McDonald's." It wasn't like he was saying anything radical.

Just as he was celebrating the win and preparing to go back to his book and his cigarettes, Lord Fancy Ass decided a menage a trois would be better. Damn, he played himself. Resigned, he followed Fabian, who patted him on the back with a "good try" look.

Once at the suite, Row took his shirt off cuz might as well get down to it only to be led to the bathroom, proving his point that he wasn't even what Lord FA was looking for anyway. Maybe he wanted Row to watch? Instead he was in the bathroom. It was a nice bathroom. Row would happily have lived there, it being nicer than any home he'd ever had including the Undercroft. This was all just weird. He blinked at Lord FA, waiting for the catch. There was obviously a catch, he just hadn't found it yet. "Kay ..." Dude must just like to have his dates lined up. Efficiency in action. Whatever. Row would stay in the tub until he was so pruney no one would want him.

Once in the water, Row reveled in having space to stretch out and let his muscles relax, not to mention the sheer pleasure of being alone and presumably unwatched. Everything was quiet and he fell asleep after less than twenty minutes, floating with his head lolling on the side. He didn't wake up until the water had cooled and Lord FA was back. Ducking under the water to wet his hair, Row surfaced and blinked, feeling a tad vulnerable but languid. "Told you, can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse just cuz you wash it." Hopefully, now that Fabian had done whatever Fancy Ass was into, he'd come back to tell Row his services weren't needed.

The slave's overt self deprecation was very...odd. Did he truly have such a low opinion of himself or was it a tactic? Regardless, it was interesting and Roland had never had any intention of not taking the werewolf with him, he mostly wanted to see what he came up with as an alternative. He'd likely drink from them and keep the werewolf for more physical pursuits. "Do you always speak so poorly of yourself? I assure you that I was not thinking any of those things." Roland wondered if it would just...continue and he wanted to find out.

The slave's surprise almost made him chuckle but he managed to bite it back, wondering who he would pick. Roland was well aware of the array of choices, of course, but then a specific name was mentioned and the aforementioned person appeared. Roland smiled and nodded. "Well selected. Come along then, Fabian." He motioned to the fae who walked out and headed for the checkpoint. Fae blood would be much better for him right now, though Roland generally disdained the fae for anything more than their blood (and attractive bodies) on principle. "You as well, of course." He smirked at the wolf since he'd always intended on bringing him anyway. They were going to have to walk in front of him, though, as he wasn't leaving his back exposed to anyone.

Soon enough they were back at his suite and Roland could relax more fully. Closing and locking the door behind them, he directed Fabian to one of the antique sofas and told him to wait there. "I was serious about the bath, you know. I'm sure the Undercroft accommodations are hardly up to par." Draping an arm over Rowan's shoulders, he steered him through a doorway and into a bathroom that was just as extravagant and elegant as the rest of the suite had been. There was, indeed, a very luxurious and spacious sunken bath tub that was more like a hot tub than anything else. There was also a separate, much smaller clawfoot tub but that was for Roland's personal use. He started up the larger tub and motioned to where there were fluffy towels and robes hung nearby. "Take your time. Come out when you're done or if I finish with Fabian before that I'll find you." Perversely, the fact that Rowan was so mean about himself made Roland want to be kinder to him. What a strange effect. With a last smile he left the werewolf to it and closed the door behind him, intent on some fae blood.

[outer-banks-trash]

Deran Cody in Every Episode: 1x02 “We Don’t Hurt People”

Look on the bright side. At least we get to be broke now too.

[outer-banks-trash]

"Nah, I meant - you know. I'm poor white trash, man. Total mutt. Only graduated high school to piss off the kids tryna get me to drop out. Never worked a job that didn't require dealing with someone's shit, sometimes literally. Prolly couldn't even spell your last name right if I tried." When it came to running himself down, Row had years of practice. If you couldn't make someone be nice, you could at least say shitty things about yourself first so they didn't have any ammo.

Row was shocked that it had worked, but he wasn't going to argue. "Uh, take your pick, man. We got twinks, twunks, hunks, fae, demons, couple shifters." He mentally eliminated anyone he could think of who might not be down to be bait and switched into a session with one of the councilmen. "How about Fabian? He's fae and ... merman or something? Fuck if I know but he looks like an Abercrombie model and he can sing ..." He didn't want to admit he assumed that anyone he deemed "fancy" was into talent, and he had none. But c'mon, there was a reason rich guys dated models and not girls who worked at Walmart. Fabian, who had unnaturally (or possibly supernaturally?) good hearing popped his head out of the bedrooms and raised an eyebrow that became more of a look when he turned it on Roland. "Glad I could be the middle man here."

Roland almost cocked his head quizzically at the response. He'd experienced many things when it came to new slaves, everything from flat out defiance to passive obedience and most things in between. Rarely, however, had a slave tried to deflect him with self deprecation and an offer to find someone else. It was...refreshing, he supposed, and somewhat amusing. If the goal was to calm down drinking werewolf blood wouldn't do the trick, though he still wanted to take him back with him. Perhaps he could see what he might come up with for an alternative, though, just for fun.

"You could bathe in my suite if you're concerned about cleanliness. I have a very luxurious tub. But I'm curious as to who you would deem 'up to my standards'." He unclasped his hands and spread one arm out as if to take in the whole of the Undercroft. "Who would you pick for me?" Maybe this was a game he should start playing more, depending on the result.

[outer-banks-trash]

.. JAKE WEARY ...