Parallel Lines & Sweet Talk

[Evelyn Hunter]

Evelyn screamed and hurled another dart at the board. The host of the game had left long ago, leaving her to vent her rage with a filled-to-the-brim bucket of pointy objects. She took another deep breath and launched a projectile at the board, popping three balloons and hitting a bullseye. Gibbons cowered in the corner of the sloppy wooden counter, unused to seeing his mistress so furious. Evie wasn't usually this vindictive - but Orion took her to an entirely new level of pissed.

He really, truly pushed the envelope.

After calling her a whore - to her face, no less - they'd been forced to perform together not two hours later. As if to spit in his face, Evelyn wore the red chiffon and black lace dress that had caused his jaw to drop and his pants to rise. The public wolf whistled her on and off stage, something she welcomed with open arms as she shimmied behind Orion to take center spotlight.

Oh yes, she'd milked every minute of it.

It was difficult to leave Gibbons in her trailer, but he seemed content to munch upon a feast of lettuce for the hour or so she left him unattended. The enormous rabbit had a knack for keeping himself entertained, so she hadn't been too terribly worried; but still, a nasty bugger like Orion could come along and grill him up nicely. He was huge, after all! Evelyn figured that Gibby had at least a good fifteen pounds of meat to spare.

Gibby, completely oblivious to his owner's culinary debate, nibbled on the plywood siding of the game-shack. His pointed teeth dug deep gouges in the side, but he quickly lost his taste for the wood. It was something like sweat and dirt, not anything a refined palette such as his own could appreciate. Gibbons saddled his floppy ears and glanced back at Evie, tapping his foot on the clapboard as if to remind her of his presence.

Evelyn ignored her rabbit, picking up a handful of darts and hurling them at the corkboard. Five, maybe ten pops cracked as balloons exploded. Two more bullseyes had feathered arrows lodged right in the center. Evie glared at the dartboards, her brow furrowed. The game host was liable to make her blow up another balloon for every one she'd already popped, but it was worth it.

It saved her from having to pop Orion's head right off of his neck.

reserved for orion

[Orion Keller]

It was dark and the night was cool and blissfully refreshing. He still wore his performance clothes. Slightly-shimmering black trousers; mildly flared. White shirt – as usual – this time un-tucked and unbuttoned. His intricately-decorated jacket still hung on his shoulders, the high collar sheltering the back of his neck but when unbuttoned, it hung strangely around his front and still hid his stomach from view where his open shirt failed. He looked tired but content as he strode about the deserted fairgrounds. All of the guests and most of the staff had left by now, and the place was a ghost town.

He had been after a place to think where someone wouldn’t usually find him, and so anywhere but his trailer was prime thinking ground. He sighed, pulling in deep on a rolled cigarette and ruining any comfort the fresh night air would give him. No, this was a cause for nicotine, and lots of it. The reason: Evelyn Hunter.

Not only had she been crammed into his show, she had proceeded to wear the most alluring dress possible and detract any merit and sophistication from the performance whatsoever. Luckily his show-pants were tight enough that at least he had been saved from any embarrassment in public. Darling Evelyn was the new thorn in his side, and he intended to rip her out and keep her out. Surely the Ringleader would not let her stay in the show after that little disaster? He’d put her back selling tickets where she belonged.

The sound of popping balloons reached his ears, and he ambled his way over to the game stalls, glowing end of his cigarette bobbing where he held the stick in his mouth. Rounding a corner, he saw that ass again. He swallowed, taking the cigarette from his mouth and feeling the familiar tug in his loins. Damn, he was susceptible. He really needed to get laid. Pity dear Evelyn was off the menu, he’d like to get a good look under that lace.

Against his better judgement, particularly seeing as she had projectiles, he walked closer. Standing well back, he watched in the glow of lights and she scooped up a handful of darts and three them. He huffed, amused but caught himself. No, the girl was a nemesis, he shouldn’t be laughing at her cute if violent little gestures. “That’s cheating.” He drawled, voice low and tired. The anger and anything else was gone from his expression, drained away by an exhausting show and the lateness of the night.

He leaned back against a supporting strut of the duck-hooking game across the aisle from her. He took a long drag from the cigarette, tapping the ashes to the ground white the curling white smoke eased from his nostrils as if he were a dragon. Hell, usually there would be a fire in his stomach at this point if he hadn’t burnt out all his energy trying not to grope her during the agonisingly long show.

[Evelyn Hunter]

Gibbons twitched his whiskers as he heard a foreign human approach. He was a sociable rabbit, really, but he could tell Evelyn was upset and this made him wary. With a glint in his eyes, the giant rabbit heaved himself off of his perch and hopped onto the ground. Gibby lolloped across the dirty grass, across the open stretch of turf towards Orion.

He looked up imploringly and twitched his whiskers, asking to be picked up. Gibby was a sweet rabbit, really.

Evelyn turned slowly at the sound of his voice, a dart poised in her hand. "Oh, unbelievable... let me guess, you couldn't get enough during the show and now you want more?" She spat, her eyes still narrowed. Not missing a beat, she launched the dart at the corkboard and speared another balloon. The thing popped, as if accentuating her words.

Gibbons hopped in place before Orion, making a small thud every time the huge rabbit landed. "Traitor," She mumbled softly before frowning. Gibby ignored her displeasure and butted his large skull against Orion's shins.

"That rabbit has no sense - he can't see that he's trying to consort with a sex fiend," Evie said simply, spreading her arms as if she just couldn't stop him. Gibbons sat plaintively on Orion's shoes, ignoring his mistress completely. Evelyn sighed and turned back to the dartboard, chucking more projectiles at it. Out of the seven she threw, five of them popped balloons and three hit a bullseye. She was one dangerous girl when it came to throwing sharp things - her brother had made sure she knew how to protect herself when she was younger. Being proficient in the self-defense department was always useful, especially when it came to minor abrasions like Orion.

Evie tossed another dart which popped a white balloon and stuck fast. The corkboard was nearly empty by now. Turning, she leaned back against the plywood counter and laid her hands near the dart bucket, just in case.

"Got any more cigs on you?" She began, grabbing a dart and tossing it in the air before catching it with an agile hand, "Before you answer, think carefully."

[Orion Keller]

That rabbit was a little bit creepy. Orion eyed it suspiciously as it loped over, standing up straight. He could hear Evelyn popping balloons in the background, but he had more pressing matters to attend to. Like a giant rabbit that looked like it might crush him. He tried in vain to deter the little bastard, using his oxford wingtip to push the oversized rodent away but it just kept staring at him like it wanted something.

Orion held his cigarette defensively higher, glaring down at the beast. “Me, a sex fiend? He’s a rabbit, we’re practically soul mates by that logic.” He pulled a strange face as he tried again to manoeuvre around the thing. He could have given it a good boot, but while Orion was wary of animals, he was not violent as a rule. He glanced up for help from the molesting beast’s owner but she was busy throwing darts, quite accurately as a matter of fact.

Finally Orion managed to wrangle his feet from under the rabbit and sidestep quickly away. Still eyeing the floppy-eared monster furtively, Orion fished in a pocket for a rectangular packet that could easily be a deck of cards in this light. He held them up, sparing a glance for the red-head at the risk of the rabbit advancing while he wasn’t looking. “I don’t see why I should, you didn’t share earlier.” He pointedly looked at her high go-go boot but tossed the packet to her anyway. “Call off the attack… rabbit. I’ll play nice,” he flashed a winning smile, teeth as white as his hair and shirt in the darkness, “I promise.” Thankfully, Orion was also very good at breaking promises.

[Evelyn Hunter]

Evelyn declined his hands and hopped off the counter herself, picking up the card off of Gibby's nose. She flung it expertly, whizzing through the air to land firmly stuck in the corkboard just like all the darts. Evie rummaged about her bodice and came up with the jack and threw that as well, landing it close to a balloon. She smiled with satisfaction before turning to Orion and planting her hands on her hips. "I'm not a defenseless little girl - don't play with me," Evie cautioned, wagging a finger teasingly.

But there was nothing amusing about her talent with throwing darts, cards (or daggers).

Evelyn unzipped her go-go boots and slipped the thigh-high things off, laying them on the ground next to Gibbons. She ran her hand up her leg, sighing as she rubbed her calves. "Those things are murder, I tell you. Murder."

Gibby glanced at the boots reproachfully before shifting onto his back and dozing off again, whiskers twitching lazily. Evie scratched his stomach and his foot wiggled in the air. Giggling a bit from her rabbit's antics, she stood up and propositioned Orion once more.

"So, where are you keeping your cigs? I'd just about kill for one."

[Orion Keller]

He didn’t deny harassing her, but he looked genuinely aghast that she’d accuse him of actually hurting her. “Physically injure!? I’d…” His brow creased and his huffed, his smile dry. “Oh yes, well if you will be so surprised that you hit your own head. I had nothing to do with that.” Satisfied he was innocent of all claims once more, he gave a shrug and a sideways smile.

“An honest mistake.” Though his devilish smile suggested otherwise. Deciding the rabbit seemed to be occupied with other things, he came towards her, stooping to pick up the empty packet on his way. He looked at the disarray of cards and sighed theatrically. “They’re no good if you throw them all over the place like that.” Deeming them a lost cause, he walked over the mess with no care as to what cards he bent underfoot.

He glanced up at her, balanced on the counter. He raised a brow, putting the cigarette between his lips again and crossing his arms. The stalls weren’t known for their stability, and it was only a matter of time before she fell down. The magician seemed amused at her little show, eyes comfortably resting on the card she had tucked under her diving neckline. “Darling, you’re missing the subtlety of it all.” He lifted both hands, inviting her to take them to help her down from the stall’s counter.

[Evelyn Hunter]

Evelyn declined his hands and hopped off the counter herself, picking up the card off of Gibby's nose. She flung it expertly, whizzing through the air to land firmly stuck in the corkboard just like all the darts. Evie rummaged about her bodice and came up with the jack and threw that as well, landing it close to a balloon. She smiled with satisfaction before turning to Orion and planting her hands on her hips. "I'm not a defenseless little girl - don't play with me," Evie cautioned, wagging a finger teasingly.

But there was nothing amusing about her talent with throwing darts, cards (or daggers).

Evelyn unzipped her go-go boots and slipped the thigh-high things off, laying them on the ground next to Gibbons. She ran her hand up her leg, sighing as she rubbed her calves. "Those things are murder, I tell you. Murder."

Gibby glanced at the boots reproachfully before shifting onto his back and dozing off again, whiskers twitching lazily. Evie scratched his stomach and his foot wiggled in the air. Giggling a bit from her rabbit's antics, she stood up and glanced at him just as Gibbons had looked at the leather boots - with plenty of suspicion.

"Subtlety? There's nothing subtle about it. It's just a nasty trick, really. Now, where are your cigs? I'd kill for one."

[Orion Keller]

Orion’s lips twitched and he shrugged, hands falling back to his sides as if to say ‘suit yourself’. He watched as she chucked those cards, and his mind flashed back to her hand where it shouldn’t be. The girl was damned dangerous. He shuffled uncomfortably, keeping a distance between them as if she was going to take another swing as him. She had accused him of physical damages; he should be the one suing after that slap of hers earlier.

Some of his ire crept through the fatigue, and his face hardened a touch. He was reminded of all the reasons he should be avoiding her, but he was just too tired to argue with himself. For pity’s sake, if she was going to sit like that and rub unveiled calves, how could he leave? He was like a moth to the flame, helpless to his desire.

He crouched before her, eyes travelling the length of her from toe to face. “If you want something I’ve got, you should ask nicely for it.” He said, taking the cigarette from his lips for long enough to talk. He reached out then, confident despite his earlier doubts and stroked her cheek with an open hand. Toward her ear, he brushed the hair behind it and drew his hand back, a fresh cigarette between his fingers. He lifted a dark brow, tilting his head with a satisfied look on his face. She could call it all a nasty trick, but there was always mystery to magic.

[Evelyn Hunter]

Ask nicely? Hmph, what a notion! "Why should I ask nicely? You called me some very crude names, after all," Evie asserted, crossing her arms determinedly. She wasn't gonna give in - not this easily. Unlike Orion, she didn't succumb easily to pressure.

Evelyn stiffened slightly as he stroked her cheek, but didn't pull away. There wasn't any reason to; he'd already touched her, she wouldn't be avoiding anything. A warm tingle danced across her skin, despite her best efforts to ignore him completely. Her pupils dilated slightly, but other than that Evelyn remained completely unaffected by his miniature performance.

"Don't wanna burn through your pixie dust too fast, sweets," Evie chided, plucking the cigarette from his hand (and letting her fingers brush his knuckles briefly) and popping it in the 'o' of her mouth. She sucked on the end for a moment before producing a box of matches from a concealed pocket on the dress. Evelyn struck one and watched as it flared out, then tried again and successfully lit the end.

She inhaled deeply, a satisfied smile on her face. After a few moments she puffed out lopsided smoke rings in Orion's general direction, her way of saying thanks. "Mm, did I ask nice enough?"

[Orion Keller]

He managed not to look guilty at that. He had practically called her a prostitute, but he couldn’t promise that he wouldn’t lapse into that cruel tongue again. “I did, didn’t I?” He said, not bothering to offer an apology. Absently, his non-cigarette hand trailed to her leg, stroking the smooth skin around her ankle. He just couldn’t help himself.

Orion gave a huff and gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Plenty more magic where that came from, darling.” He watched as she took a box of matches from somewhere. Now that was magic; how had she been hiding that in such a revealing dress? Shaking his head, Orion dispersed the rings with a wave of his hand. “Showoff,” he grumbled, “You didn’t ask at all, you’ll have to do better than that. If we’re stuck together, you may as well learn how to get on my good side.” Unfortunately his good side was fairly narrow, and usually reserved for acts that were more naked than she was currently.

He stood, conscious of not creasing the leather on his shoes by crouching on the balls of his feet for too long. He leaned back on the darts stall, taking in deep drags of his dwindling cigarette. He wasn't exactly sure when the Ringleader wanted to accomplish, ruining his life like this, but it looked like he would have to grin and bare it.

[Evelyn Hunter]

"Yes, yes you did," Evie snipped, taking another drag on her cigarette. She didn't like the way he was dancing around the issue - it was actually quite offensive. In fact, he grew even more abrasive as he let his hands stray to where they didn't belong. Evelyn grumbled slightly, glaring at him bitterly. "Don't touch me, or I'll show you just how hard Gibby can bite."

The rabbit simply yawned unobtrusively and flopped onto his side, curling closer to Evelyn. She stroked his cheek fondly, glancing up at Orion from beneath her lashes. "He's really quite vicious."

"Oh, do better than that?" Evelyn said curiously, tilting her head until her bangs fell rakishly in front of her eyes. She stood up, careful not to step on Gibby, and glanced up at him becomingly. "I think I can do better." Evelyn sidled closer, draping her arms around his shoulders and pressing her torso close to his. She rested her chin on his shoulder, taking another drag from her cigarette before exhaling smoke beyond the crown of his hair.

"Mhmm, pretty please, Orion?" She mewled into his ear, her breath warm on his neck. Evelyn curled a strand of hair around her index finger, trailing that same hand down his back until it rested on his lower back. "Please?"

[Orion Keller]

Apparently she didn't take too kindly to being called names. Oh well, she'd get over it. As she stood, he dropped the cigarette to the floor along with the many other butts and crushed it with his heel. He watched despondently as she sidled closer, but this time he did not have the energy to resist. He let her come, even accommodating her with an arm around her waist.

However his stern expression and tightness of his lips suggested he was otherwise unimpressed. This tired, he may as well be drunk for all the good it did his inhibitions. In fact, Orion could not drink alcohol as he was violently allergic to it so late nights were the closest he'd ever get to being footloose and fancy-free.

He scowled down at her though the slight flutter of his brow indicated he was not immune to her trailing hands or whispering words. "Stop it." he warned, jaw clenching. He shifted to get away, but somehow found himself facing her, looking down into those mischievous green eyes. Traitorous arms closed around her, and he looked irritated with himself. "Don't push me, Evelyn."

[Evelyn Hunter]

His stern expression was quite serious, but his actions belied his words. Evelyn laughed softly as she felt his arms close around her - surrender! Capitulation! Victory! - but somehow, the feeling wasn't as sweet as she imagined. Mostly because she was still here in his arms, and really had no large desire to move. In fact, she was quite comfy. Evie liked the way his arms fit around her - almost like a blanket, almost perfection.

It must be a magic trick.

"Push what?" She murmured, stroking his lower back absently before moving on to bigger and better things. Her hand found it's way easily under his untucked shirt, where she ran her fingers up his bared spine and gently pressed her palm against his shoulder blade. Evelyn closed her eyes, resting her cheek against his neck. This was a game, and she would win. Evie refused to fold when the stakes were this high - her dignity was on the line!

"I'm not pushing anything at all."

Gibbons looked up from his place on the ground and blinked absently at the pair, then placed his head back with a dejected air. Humans, always up to no good when they touch each other like that, he thought bitterly, twitching his whiskers lazily. There was simply no stopping his Evelyn when she set her mind to something though, and by the looks of it she was too far gone. Ah, well. Maybe he'd catch it the next time. Gibby closed his eyes and dozed off once more to the lovely sound of crickets.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was having an illegal amount of fun with the skin she had bared. Her fingers danced and strutted, flitted and fluttered. There wasn't a place on his back or midsection she hadn't yet touched. Evie placed both of her palms on his chest and lifted her head from his shoulder, batting her eyelashes demurely.

[Orion Keller]

Thankfully Orion was not so far gone that he failed to notice she she was just as content to be so close as he was. He wondered if she felt the same conflicting desire to stay and go as he did. Unlike being drunk, fatigue did not nullify his senses, and he could feel every inch of skin tingle that she touched. It was torture; at least she wasn't slapping him again.

His sighing groan was obvious in the quiet night, with those warm hands on his back it was hard not to feel good. He couldn't stop her, didn't want to, so he just let her explore, all the while following her progress carefully in case she had the mind to try intimidating his crotch again.

His head had come to rest on hers while she adventured, and when she moved back, we was forced to support it. He blinked bleary eyes, focusing slowly on her face. He couldn't help a sleepy smile while a hand came up to brush her cheek. Fingertips gently grazed her lips as he plucked the cigarette from her mouth. He put it to his own lips and breathed deeply.

"You know exactly what I mean, Evelyn." A gentle hand trailed up her spine to cup the back of her neck and he took the cigarette into the other hand as he leaned in close. "I'm not falling for it." He whispered, fingers trailing away from the nape of her neck as he pulled away, grudgingly. "Good night, Evelyn."

[Evelyn Hunter]

Evelyn made a small mewling noise when he took her cigarette from her, gently reprimanding her like a child; but she went limp when he touched her neck. Not falling for it? Falling for what?

Oh, right. The game. Apparently he'd upped the ante, and she was left with no choice but to finally fold her cards. She watched him leave, her gaze a coagulation of twenty different emotions. "Night..." She said to the still air, picking up a sleeping Gibbons and walking slowly in the opposite direction.