» JUST THE TEQUILA TALKING /--, OPEN <3

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Can you look at yourself now? Can you look at yourself? You can't win this fight. And in a way it seems there's no one to call when our thoughts are so numb and our feelings unsure. We all have emptiness inside, we all have answers to find. But you can't win this fight - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The town often lit up at night, at least as far as Damo was concerned. The bars filled with people who were celebrating or simply drowning their sorrows with a bottle of whisky or a shot of some random foreign drink, the lights in the street glittered like fairies. In truth the place was a utopia to a person like Damo, whose entire life had been filled with beating the crap out of people who thought they could get fresh with someone just because she, or he, took his clothes off for a living. Several times he'd had people come after him after work because of that fact and it was a struggle to attempt to keep his siblings out of the mix. They were younger than he was, there was far too much that was at stake and, for all his faults, Damo did have a certain... affection for his family. He didn't really understand the love between two siblings like he should, he knew that much, but it wasn't like emotion was lost on him. He wasn't a drone or a robot of some kind. His father had been a harsh man who had believed emotion weak. He was someone who wasn't afraid to get what he wanted through physical... pursuasion.To this day the thought made him quake in his boots, Michael de Laurentis was a ruthless man who expected nothing but perfection, especially from his eldest son. It was part of the reason that they clashed so dramatically a lot... if not all... of the time. He had only gotten worse with age. Damo was sure that he was crippled with insanity or something of the sort, then again the fact he'd not seen the man in almost three years could probably cater to a lack of knowledge on the subject. As the people started moving in the streets, the crowds thinning just minutely, Damo lingered in the shadows. He never came into the streets with anyone, save a friend or two on occasion, so few people had noticed as he simply slipped into the shadows. He was like a silent stalker, he was good at this, and the fact that he was known only by name, not face, in connection with the family business was something that he was proud of.Tapping the pockets in his jeans he checked for his , money, cigarettes and flask, his finger flicking out to catch the top of the Ace of Spades lighter that sat in his right hand pocket. The five items had become his trademarks over the years, the flask more than anything else, but what could one expect from a boy who had grown up in an environment such as his? If he could have carried a bottle of whisky in his pocket then he might just have done it. "Damn" he muttered to himself, realising that he had managed to lose yet another flask, and this one had actually been full as well! Well, there was nothing left to it, he would have to go and buy yet another bottle and figure out how to smuggle the damn thing into whichever bar he was going to sit in this time. He'd told his roommate he was off to visit his grandparents, though he knew that he knew him better than that. He hadn't questioned him, though, and she'd know where to find him. Visiting his dead grandparents wasn't ever the best idea for his sanity, let alone doing it by himself.He slipped into a nearby bar, rather upscale and definitely familiar. This was the place that he came most of the time, the place that he knew all too well. He was still anonymous to the general population of the club, though. He was still nothing more than smoke in the wind a distant memory that someone couldn't put their finger on. He was good at it, good at what he did, good at not being remembered. The other residents of the bar looked at him with something akin to curiousity but he ignored them until they turned away. With one swift movement he slipped into a seat at the end of the bar, thanking the barmaid as she brought his drink. He had her leave the bottle on the bar and she looked at him curiously, but he waved her off. He wasn't here to get drunk, he wouldn't drink it all at once, but he knew he'd need more as the night drove on. A shadow fell over him from behind and Damo looked up, letting his eyes come into focus as he noticed the person. The hair, the face, it was all too familiar to him. "Either I'm getting worse or you're getting better" he said, taking a shot of the scotch and pouring another from the bottle.TAGGED FOR open | OUTFIT HERE | LYRICS BY BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE | ---THANK YOU FEDORA @ ATF AND SDS

If anyone were to ask Kathleen Harris what she didn't like to do, her first answer would have most likely been drinking at a bar in the middle of the night. She never understood the purpose of driving to a building in order to drown out whatever you had going on with your life with alcohol as your sole companion. Honestly, it was called getting a hobby or doing something more productive with your life as opposed to wasting both time and money. Then again, when the young woman was growing up, she never saw her parents indulge in alcohol and when they did it was only on certain occasions like weddings or anniversaries. Something that the adults could get away with without explaining themselves for too long. When Kat first tried alcohol, it was actually on her twenty-first birthday. All her co-workers at the local barn surprised her with a party dedicated just for her which she didn't even want in the first place. The girl had forgotten who it was that had given her a shot glass but somehow Kathleen had found herself tasting something unfamiliar and strange. She remembered the notion of gagging and never wanting to taste whatever it was that had gone down her throat again. It was too much. Even for someone who had to deal with horses and kids the majority of the day.

Now the main reason why Kat was driving to this random bar was mainly because she wanted to find a place where no one would even think of looking for her. The young adult had spent more than eight hours at the barn today, starting from six in the morning to feed the horse's their breakfast until two to take the kids out on a trail ride. Once that had been accomplished, the Kat had to make sure everyone had put everything back where it was supposed to be. That was easier said than done. A few of the boys who had been a part of the group got lost on their way to the tack room. A girl tripped on a bridle that had been dropped and never picked up. One child even stepped in horse poop, a permanent scowl appearing on his face during the entire time he was at the barn. In other words, Kathleen had a very long day and wanted to be left alone. Her own horse, Delilah, had helped her plenty but there was only so much her childhood companion could do to comfort her. What the young woman really needed was solace. A place where she could finish writing out everything that needed to get done for the weekend without having to entertain people who might have wanted to stop by her apartment. Kat felt that she was capable of showing others that she wasn't in the mood to talk just from the way she looked at them. Then again, the woman felt that maybe there was going to be no reason to fear anyone actually wanting to communicate with her face to face. Kat, unfortunately, had a little bit of a reputation.
The twenty-two year old was known for being harsh and unpleasant when it came to meeting someone for the first time. In reality, Kat felt that if the person wasn't worth getting to know (according to her standards) what was the point of being nice to them? In other words, Kathleen was the judgmental type and firmly stood with that personality trait time and time again. It made her more enemies then friends but that was the price she was willingly to pay in order to move about freely in Ashwick. Having moved here from Melbourne, Australia when she was just ten years old, Kat had vowed to herself that she would go back....only when she was ready. Her mother had died of breast cancer early that same year and the memories of the frequent hospital visits had left the girl emotionally wounded. Even after nearly twelve years of being able to grief by herself, the pain still came back. Shaking her head, the adult punched on the brakes before her car could collide with the concrete bar that was supposed to be in front of the vehicle. She shook her head, knowing that coming here was absolutely making no sense at all. But seeing as how she had already turned the engine off, there was nothing else to do but march inside and hope she was making the right choice by coming here. Her hands went to pull her long brown hair back but looking at herself in the mirror made Kat decide not too. Maybe I could just leave my hair on my face like those girls at school do and people would leave me alone? That sounded stupid in her head but there was a slight chance it could work. Sighing softly, Kat grabbed her notebook and pen, walking into the bar. Her green eyes looked around the area, not picking up anything out of the ordinary. Until a man nearby turned around and spoke aloud. She wasn't entirely sure if that was directed at her or not but she voice her thoughts aloud. Her eyebrow went up as she talked, a confused look showing up on her face. '' Excuse me? First off, I don't even know you...So how the hell would I be getting better? You know what? Forget it. Don't answer that. You probably don't even understand a word I just said. You can go back to drowning in alcohol again.'' Rolling her eyes, Kat walked away to the other side of the bar, opening her notebook and beginning to scrawl out the list of supplies that were needed at the barn by the end of the week.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Can you look at yourself now? Can you look at yourself? You can't win this fight. And in a way it seems there's no one to call when our thoughts are so numb and our feelings unsure. We all have emptiness inside, we all have answers to find. But you can't win this fight - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Damien looked up at the sound of the responding voice, somewhat confused that someone would have the nerve to speak to him in that manner. His eyes fell on a woman, younger than him, he assumed, and he rolled his eyes. "I'm hardly drowning in alcohol considering this is my first glass" he said, holding up the bottle to show her that there was barely anything taken from it "not that it is any of your business". Damien was never stupid with drinking, and he was hardly drowning himself, but it wasn't like he wanted to remember the past few hours or so. "As for my comment, I thought you were someone else. I had a friend whose suppose to show his ass up at some point" he said, shaking his head. It wasn't strictly true but after he'd been to do anything stressful he knew that Kane would look for him here and haul his ass home again. It was the one thing that he could always rely on, that was for sure. Then again, Kane knew him almost as well as he knew himself, they'd been friends for years, it wasn't as if he couldn't find him before he even started drinking. Then again, there was that understanding there, he supposed, that they let the other do what needed to be done.The woman walked to the other side of the bar and Damien rolled his eyes, picking up the bottle, since he'd damn well paid for it, and stepped in behind her. "You know it's not wise to judge someone when you don't even know them. For all you know I could be drinking here because my wife just died and I needed a break. If you're going to be such a bitch it's no wonder you're sitting in a place like this instead of associating with real people." Was it harsh? Yes, of course it was, Damien didn't like it when people insulted others, let alone him, without knowing the full story. Who was she to judge him for being here, drinking, when there were plenty of other people who were drunk and stumbling out the door with each second that passed. He was never irresponsible, he never had been, well save for that time in college. Still, she had judged him because of his words when she could have said nothing and sat down. So, yes, he had been harsh with her, he had been somewhat of an ass, but hopefully it would knock it into her head that she couldn't do such things.Purposefully to irritate her somewhat, he sat down with nothing but a spare stool between them, setting his bottle down (which he realised had probably made him look like a total drunk) and pouring another small amount into his tumbler.TAGGED FOR open | OUTFIT HERE | LYRICS BY BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE | ---THANK YOU FEDORA @ ATF AND SDS

Kat stared at the man in front of her, amazed that he had so much to say in such a short amount of time. Really, you would think I offended someone who was actually worth wasting my breath, like the mayor or something. I guess I'll have to deal with this the hard way. She tilted her head, rolling her eyes at the majority of the things that came out of his mouth. The girl sighed with relief when he finished speaking. '' Finally! I thought you weren't going to shut up after the first time you started talking. Jesus, you're like a runaway train or whatever those things are called.'' Her hand went forward to shift the position of her notebook, her left arm feeling a little numb after a couple of minutes. '' Wonderful. So you're only at the beginning of level one. I can't wait to see how you react when you've reached level ten when you can't even stand up much less open your mouth.'' Her hand swiveled to her hip, giving him a what the fuck look at the same time. '' Genius, if it's none of my business why did you tell me about your drink in the first place? You could have used that time wisely for something a little more oh I don't know... productive with your life? Not that you look like the productive type but just a thought to keep that brain of yours thinking.''

Turning around, Kathleen walked towards the farthest table she could see, grinding her teeth when she heard heavy footsteps following right behind her. Squeezing her notebook tightly, the college student pretended not to hear him as she kept moving. But it struck a thin chord, and the girl wasn't going to just stand there without throwing some ammunition back at his face also. '' Oh yeah? Well if you're wife just died, you should be trying to get some closure instead of wallowing in self pity at some stupid bar like the pathetic people you see all the time at these places. Or better yet, why don't you just leave the place where you raised your entire family and move your child to a country that she didn't even want to come to in the first place and have her adjust to the change by herself when everyone thinks she's some kind of freak for the way her voice sounds or why she didn't want to be friends with anyone until it was too late. This is one of the few places where I don't have to talk to anyone. I can be by myself and people will leave me alone. Looks like you're an exception.''
Kat bit her lip to refrain from saying anything else, sitting down as quickly as she could. Her pen started to scribble away, her mind helping her remember everything she needed to put down on the list. That is until she picked her head up and saw the man sitting right across from her. '' You won't find anything entertaining here. I'm busy at the moment. You can leave now. This won't work. ''

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Can you look at yourself now? Can you look at yourself? You can't win this fight. And in a way it seems there's no one to call when our thoughts are so numb and our feelings unsure. We all have emptiness inside, we all have answers to find. But you can't win this fight - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - With a shake of his head Damien turned to her "I'm a trained security officer, degrees in Theatre, Film Making, Security and a minor degree in Psychology, some days I just need a break. Forgive me if I insulted your pretty little head" his words definitely showed how much he did not mean that apology, but that was Damo for you, he was never one to feel bad about his decisions, even if someone else didn't approve. The man let out a bark like laugh at her response "everyone deals with sorrow and grief in different ways, are you really so shallow and pathetic that you think everyone just gets closure right away? Some people actually have hearts rather than being made of stone and..." He looked her over for a moment "...well whatever the hell you're suppose to be made of". Ouch. That had been somewhat harsh and it was. Damien had been in a bad place all day, visiting his grandparents' graves, dealing with different things, and he'd wanted a drink only to be disturbed by this uppity little girl trying to play big. She really had no idea who she was messing with and the only thing stopping him from actually hitting her was his dislike of violence and his belief that you didn't hit women.Still, he moved to sit beside her just because he knew that it would irritate her in some way. He was definitely going to irritate her as much as possible, it was becoming far more amusing than what he'd had planned the whole night, that was for sure. "You're very much mistaken" he said, with a chuckle "I've found something interesting already and it's working for me, so too bad. This is a public arena, you don't really have much choice in where I sit". He gave her a pointed look that seemed to say he wasn't intending on leaving any time soon. "Tell me, why are you so tense and such a bitch? Really should untwist your panties".TAGGED FOR open | OUTFIT HERE | LYRICS BY BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE | it's short but I wanted to get something up for you.THANK YOU FEDORA @ ATF AND SDS

Kat rolled her eyes again. '' Don't call me pretty. I hate it when strangers do that. '' This in part was true. Whenever someone she didn't know, regardless of their gender, paid her a compliment about her looks, it irritated her to no end. She didn't want to smile and act modest about what they had to say. They should really get to know her first before thinking they could get anywhere by complimenting her face. Kat was strange in the sense that she really didn't know if someone was being genuine about how they felt or if they were faking it just to get something out of her. So, Kat reacted to everyone's compliments as if they were insults. She frowned at his words, not really prepared for a come back.This wasn't something she was used to. Especially not with guys as big as this man was. Nevertheless Kat planned on holding her ground for as long as she could. '' I never said that! Don't put words in my fucking mouth douchebag. I was talking about someone I knew who went through something tragic and tried to make you understand something that could be of use to you. She never got closure. And she probably never will until she leaves this stupid place. But right now she's stuck. '' Kat feigned a look of hurt and snarled. '' I've heard worse things from a five year old. You need to sharpen that tongues of yours or all your ever going to insult is a bunch of children.'' The girl couldn't believe he was sitting at her table of all places. She thought he would have wanted to be as far away from her as possible what with all the bullshit that was flying back and forth between them since they first talked to each other. Kat bit her bottom lip, trying to maintain some sort of control but failing to grasp at even the tiniest straws. '' You're right. This is a public place. A place where you can sit anywhere at anytime you want. So I don't think you should be sitting next to someone who guts you clearly want to squeesh any second you get the chance. I don't know about you but I wouldn't be sitting next to me if I were you. I heard girls bite harder than they bark.'' Now Kathleen was talking out of her ass but if it made this rather intimidating guy leave then she was going to keep chattering away like a weirdo. '' ha. I'm not telling you.

Damien laughed a little bit and rolled his eyes at her comment, but regardless he said nothing when she told him to call her pretty again, despite the fact that he wanted to do just that, just to annoy her. Still, he'd had a few drinks and he knew, rationally, that the alcohol was the reason he was being such a pain in the ass. It was the reason that he rarely drank anything at all, the reason that he rarely did a single thing as far as drinking with other people went. "Oh shut your trap and stop preaching. I'm enjoying a few drinks because I've been at work all day. I don't need some prissy little bitch telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I don't owe you anything, I don't need to be witty and sharp where you're concerned because, quite frankly, you're rather boring and don't start calling me a douchebag or I might just think of something equally as flattering for you, love". He rolled his eyes and turned back to his drink.He rolled his eyes at her and rose from his seat "sorry for attempting to start a conversation" he said, rolling his eyes. He moved a few seats down. A moment later she commented on his public place comment and he turned towards her "and who says that I don't enjoy being bitten?" he asked, smirking just a little bit. He knew it would get him into trouble but he really didn't care at this point in time.Tagged: MigzWearing: thisNotes:

If there was a way to hurt this person that was sitting at her table with a weapon that wouldn't send her to jail, Kat would have done it in a heartbeat. However, all she had with her was a notebook and a pen. Neither of which would do anything against the man. He looked well defined, judging from the muscles on his arms. He probably could put her in a joke hold if he really wanted to. Just the mere thought sent shivers down her back as Kat shook her head to get rid of the image that threatened to float in her brain. Her hands reached out for her pen in order to keep writing out her list of things she needed to complete at the ranch but the guy was still muttering away. The brunette blew out a sigh from her lips, not wanting anything more to do with him. Her green eyes glanced at his face, not even wanting to hide the look of annoyance crossing her face. Kat didn't even bothering answering any of his snide retorts. All she wanted was for him to leave. '' Why are you still talking?! Does it look like I wanna keep going with whatever it is your bitching about now? Let's call this a draw and you can go back to your side of the bar.'' Her hands flickered into a wave like motion, watching him move a few seats back. Nodding her head, Kat appeared satisfied that he wasn't going to bother her anymore until he spoke again. Raising an eyebrow, Kathleen looked confused. '' Who said I wanted to bite you? And even if I did, which I don't, you probably wouldn't even feel it anyway. Your have way too much muscle.'' Her lips pressed themselves in a thin line to keep from smiling.

Damien was getting bored with her comments and, in all honesty, he was ready to just get up, get a cab and leave the pub. The only reason he stayed was because she was getting irritated with him and far be it for him to turn down the opportunity to annoy the crap out of someone. He laughed at her comment, genuinely so, and looked back at her. "Too much muscle?" he looked down at his arm for a moment and then shrugged a little "perhaps so, but it helps with the job". He shot her a grin and pushed what remained of the bottle towards the bartender, throwing down the cash to pay for what he had drunken. He wasn't sure that he was going to get any decent company out of the woman now and he figured it best if he just leave or something, especially since he was actually starting to feel the buzz from the alcohol."Nice meeting you, Princess, maybe next time you'll be more personable" he said, tipping a fake hat and rising from his stool, every intention of leaving on his mind.Tagged: MigzWearing: thisNotes:

The girl wrinkled her nose when he mentioned a job. '' If it involves heavy labor, good for you. At least you doing something besides bothering innocent people all night. I was afraid you were going to tell me you were a bum or something.'' Her eyes glanced back at his arms again, curiosity getting the better of her. '' So let me guess. You worked on the bridge a block over? Or you one of those, call me when you need me types?'' Kat bit her lip as she saw the unfinished drink being handed over to the bartender. She hadn't touched alcohol for a good amount of weeks and was planning on keeping it that way until the spring semester came to a close. But if she had to endure talking even more with the man still in front of her, the college student might as well take one for the team. '' Hey! Psst. Yeah can I have a shot of...whatever it is he had?'' The brunette took out her wallet to flash her ID at the bartender. '' I know I don't look like it but I'm legal so don't start shitting your pants on me.'' The bartender raised an eyebrow but walked away to prepare her drink. She nodded her head back in the other direction. '' At the barn, we could use more guys like you. To lift all the hay, take the wheelbarrows of shit to the dump and help carry the saddles. They get to be a pain in the ass after a while.'' Unfortunately, her brain didn't register him wanting to leave until he called her Princess. Kat's green eyes blinked, a little confused. '' Wait, you're leaving? Now? Oh come on, I was actually starting to get to like you. A little bit. ''

Damien looked at her and rolled his eyes a little "I'm a bouncer for a club" he said, though he had done manual labour during college to pay for his course, rather than asking his parents. "Before that, a mechanic" he said, shrugging a little. She ordered a drink herself and Damien raised his eyebrow a little bit, not entirely sure whether or not she'd be able to handle straight scotch for too long but not really caring all that much. If she was going to be more personable then perhaps it was wise that she was attempting to drink something, anything really. "That is the point where I say toughen up Princess" he said, responding to her comment on the barn.He went to leave and she told him to stay and Damien's eyebrow flew up towards his hairline "now you want to talk without insulting me? Geez, woman, make up your mind" he said. Regardless, he sat back down. "If you like talking so much then go ahead, and talk" he said, smirking just a little bit. She could go ahead and ask what she wanted, it wasn't like he was going to hide anything from her. There really was no point in doing that after all.Tagged: MigzWearing: thisNotes:

Kathleen stared at him for a moment before bursting in a fit of giggles, her hands letting go of her pen to cling to the table in order not to fall off as she laughed. The thought of him protecting something as loud and crazy as club seemed really amusing to the college student, who eventually stopped in order to wipe the stray tears coming out of her eyes. '' A bouncer? That's hilarious! Oh my god I can see it now. You with a completely straight face while some fangirl gazes at you like you're some kind of god who will let her in if she flirts with you long enough.'' The brunette tried to imitate what she assumed was a full grown man having a completely straight face, not even blinking as her green eyes looked at her companion's brown ones. '' Mechanic sounds better though. You look like a decent one. I hate the tools that fix my car. Half the time whoever's working there doesn't even know what part my pickup needs and I have to wait until the boss shows up so I can figure out how much it's worth. It's annoying but their cheap.'' The girl turned around to face the bartender who tapped her on the shoulder to give her the shot she ordered. Kat thanked him and breathed out a sigh. '' Here goes nothing. '' She closed her eyes shut, the glass pressed against her lips as she drowned the entire content down her throat. Swallowing, the brunette wrinkled her nose, her right hand covering her mouth while she coughed. Unfortunately for the female, her cheeks betrayed her by turning a slight pink, refusing to touch the drink. '' Don't. Say. Anything.'' Wiping away at her mouth, Kat nodded. '' I solemnly swear I won't say anything too insulting if you stick around. I can be a nice person you know. Just depends on where you catch me.'' Her eyes went back to stare at the glass. '' Hm. I need to find people to help me next weekend. You know anyone skilled in manual labor that's as muscular as you but not as chatty?''

Giggles. There were something about them that really irritated Damien and his eyes widened as the girl in front of him, who was trying to act so tough, was actually giggling. He rolled his eyes "I'm good at it, it's not hilarious, and I hardly think that the women who come into where I work are interested in me. I work at a strip club, Love. The ladies there are either lesbian or work for us". He shook his head a little, if he'd actually been interested in that girl she was definitely making him less interested in time with her, that was for sure.He laughed as she coughed as she took down her alcohol and rolled his eyes just a little bit. He knew what she was like from just these few moments with her, at least he thought that he did. "Good luck with that" he said, not offering to help her out. He didn't offer to help people out as often as he, perhaps, should have. He looked at her for a moment "you do know that telling me not to say something is the reason for me to say it, right?" He said, smirking a little more.Tagged: MigzWearing: thisNotes:

Kathleen waved her hand in that who gives a fuck manner, not really caring if she had already done it more than once. '' So what? It doesn't mean they really want anything. You should know by now how women really are. It's all about the hit and run. Yea...'' She nodded her head, attempting to reassure herself. '' Come to think of it. Guys can be like that too. We're all jerks. That's why I'm gonna be forever alone. Can't tell when to be sweet or when to be spicy.'' Her face turned into one of mild disgust as her fingers pushed away the shot glass from her direct view. It hurt that she hadn't been able to drink the alcohol in one piece but then again it shouldn't have surprised her. Kat wasn't really the drinking type so it wasn't as if she had any hidden skills in the first place. It was a stupid move on her part in all honesty. But the college student wasn't going to admit that, especially not to Damien. He might use it as some sort of leverage or something. The brunette let out a fake gasp. '' Thank you so much for your concern. You've helped more than you think. '' Grumbling some more under her breah, the girl snarled. '' Just give it a rest. So I'm not the best drinker in the world. Doesn't mean you have to say it out loud. I actually know people in Ashwick. So shut it. '' Her hands went to move toward the scribbled up paper, ripping it to pieces, letting out a tiny bit of her anger. A satisfied smile appeared on her face as the pieces gently floated down to the table. '' That was fun. Almost as refrshing as riding bareback on Delilah.'' Kat looked up at Damien.'' The keyword is almost. In case you didn't catch that.''